WDW is the 8th most disappointing travel destination!

[jade1]

if the reality is that you have to prebook to "get anything done" due to crowds becomes the norm...then we are all royally screwed.

large/capacity crowds are not enjoyable/fun at WDW. they never have been and never will be. volumes of people make everything much closer to work than recreation. its always been that way. prebooked rides will only ease one particular part of that situation...not eliminate it by any means.

if that becomes the case...i'll have to quit my job, take a 75% paycut, and go back and work there. cause i'd might as well get paid if it feels like work anyway.

Not what I said at all.

I said the perception of WDW is it's too busy, you can't get anything done.

Hearing they can reserve multiple things every day-changes that perception.

Saying "no it's not" has never worked for me anyway.

The amount of times somebody has come up to me and said "I hear WDW has low crowds and it's easy to do as many attractions as we want" can be counted on ..........OK never.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Not what I said at all.

I said the perception of WDW is it's too busy, you can't get anything done.

Hearing they can reserve multiple things every day-changes that perception.

Saying "no it's not" has never worked for me anyway.

The amount of times somebody has come up to me and said "I hear WDW has low crowds and it's easy to do as many attractions as we want" can be counted on ..........OK never.

Oh I got you...I just went a little tangent to address the "possibility"

Longterm...continued increase in attendance - even at modest rates - while they've effectively shutdown the "growth" period in Florida and are more or Less content with the park footprints they have...

Could get really uncomfortable for those that prefer elbow room

 

[Adventure1]

If spending 2.50 for a bottle of water puts you out, then you don't need to be going to Disney World.

 

[WDWChloe]

Oh my. Whatever will we do.
Guess i won't go to WDW anymore... Such a disappointment

*sarcasm*

 

[LaidBackDad]

What’s with the hostility towards this writer? I don’t think WDW belongs on the list either, not even by a long shot. I’m just guessing but, it doesn’t sound like the writer has children or is at least doesn’t differentiate between a disappointing family vacation and a disappointing adult vacation. Generally speaking, children could care less what the night life is like in a financial district or how drunk they can get in a cheesy tourist trap / pub. Likewise, it wouldn’t surprise me to learn your average adult without children may not find the idea of being around thousands of screaming kids as an ideal vacation. Yes, I know, WDW has numerous adult focused activities /attractions and it’s not just for kids. I’m sure there are plenty of adults who have had amazing vacations at WDW without children. Judging by the focus on alcohol for many of the destinations, I may draw a conclusion that the writer is a borderline alcoholic; but, I wouldn’t say the writer hated WDW for the reasons given in the article. All of the writer’s observations are accurate. As stated by a PP, someone’s enjoyment or disappointment with WDW is directly related to their expectations. It’s clear to me that the writer expected something different out of WDW (realistic or not) not some loathing of all things Disney.

 

[elizabethcasper]

The writer doesn't really seem to enjoy traveling. Disney is really expensive, so why spend money to go if you don't like Disney?
But, Disney World has a lot to offer people that really do like it or feel like they would enjoy it. Four theme parks, great accommodations, free transportation (if you're staying in the park), the cost of food and drinks from counter service places is cheaper than Six Flags and most ball games and malls, and it offers great memories. I am a little biased because when I went my first time I was 15 and I expected it to be fun, but nothing special. The first trip completely changed my mind and I fell in love with it. I begged to go for Christmas last year and we're going for my graduation trip this year.
The first trip we didn't shell out a lot of money for a really nice hotel or table service meals. We hardly ate anything in the parks and stayed in All-Star Music (value resort). For Christmas we still stayed in a value resort, but we ate at the best table service places (CRT, Akershus, BOG, etc.) every night and went to the Christmas party and stayed for seven nights. And, I honestly feel like all the money spent on both trips is 100% worth it.
But, even if you don't love it as much as I do. It's definitely worth going at least once.

 

[jade1]

The WDW conclusion probably would have been a lot different if surrounded by people that hated it, instead of liked it.....wait, what?

#2 most disappointing is Niagara Falls ,NY

But what really shows the true colors is on the same article-click on the bottom link of "You might also like" 10 Tourist Traps We Secretly Love

Oh, well in that case we secretly Love Niagara Falls NY...

http://www.smartertravel.com/photo-galleries/editorial/10-tourist-traps-we-secretly-love.html?id=349

Niagara Falls, New York And Ontario
Say what you will about the casinos and restaurants built up around the Niagara River, but there's no dampening our enthusiasm for the natural spectacle of North America's mightiest waterfall. We love Niagara Falls for its views, its accessibility, and for the Maid of the Mist, which gets you as close to the falls as possible (short of an ill-advised barrel ride). We think Niagara is especially enchanting at night when the sky is lit with fireworks or rainbow-colored lights.

 

[mom4fun]

I meet people all the time that say never again and went to disney world on spring break. Now, how can I go spring break and love it, get to do all of the popular attractions and restaurants that I want to and say it is the most economical vacation that I know of? It comes down to research. You can not just wing it. We stay in beautiful vacation homes and condos close to the parks for under a $100 a night. We stay for close to 2 weeks which allows you to get the 10 day myw pass with water parks and disney quest add on for a total of $30 a day per person. We only eat in the parks once a day and water is free! Number 1 important thing, get there at rope drop. You don't even need a.fast pass.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

Many of the items on that list are there because they are popular. If 95% of the people drive Mercedes and 5% drive KIA's, you will always have more complaints about Mercedes. That is why some on the list shouldn't be a suprise. I am sure more people dislike Disney than any other theme parks on earth. That fact means nothing.

 

[derekleigh]

Not worth the time to read it to anyone that hasn't read it yet.

 

[jade1]

Well and how is Machu Picchu a tourist trap, and how is it "secretly" loved? Yea I hate to admit it, but "secretly" I would like to visit there.

Maybe label it "Top 10 once in-a-lifetime thrills".

10 Tourist Traps We Secretly Love

Machu Picchu, Peru
Best experienced after days of walking the fabled Inca Trail, the sudden appearance of the Lost City of the Incas through the mountain mist is a once-in-a-lifetime thrill. And while it feels great to earn your visit with sore muscles and fresh blisters, you're unlikely to regret the trip no matter how you get there. (The train from nearby Cusco will do the trick just fine.) Don't sweat the crowds, either; the Peruvian government limits visitors to just 2,500 per day.

 

[Ofinn]

I don't find it that surprising. I know a lot of people that don't like WDW, DL, theme parks in general.

 

[AquaDame]

Well and how is Machu Picchu a tourist trap, and how is it "secretly" loved? Yea I hate to admit it, but "secretly" I would like to visit there.

Maybe label it "Top 10 once in-a-lifetime thrills".

10 Tourist Traps We Secretly Love

Machu Picchu, Peru
Best experienced after days of walking the fabled Inca Trail, the sudden appearance of the Lost City of the Incas through the mountain mist is a once-in-a-lifetime thrill. And while it feels great to earn your visit with sore muscles and fresh blisters, you're unlikely to regret the trip no matter how you get there. (The train from nearby Cusco will do the trick just fine.) Don't sweat the crowds, either; the Peruvian government limits visitors to just 2,500 per day.

Machu Picchu is a tourist trap because it is a famous landmark and on tons of people's bucket lists. Whenever you have hordes descending on a place, you will have tourist gouging prices. Its certainly on mine, as is Niagara Falls and the Grand Canyon; I've done marseilles and the colosseum and so far seeing these things has been, to me, worth the hassle, price, and fellow tourists' elbows.

 

[sonofanarchy]

Meh - nothing to see here...

This is one person's opinion, and I don't agree with her. Her biggest gripe is about prices on food. What does she expect? I agree that $2.50 is expensive for a bottle of water - but it costs more than that at most retail locations...

I think the writer just doesn't care for WDW.

Exactly. Not like this was a scientific survey based on thousands of people's opinions. Means nothing.

 

[jeffbear]

Machu Picchu is a tourist trap because it is a famous landmark and on tons of people's bucket lists. Whenever you have hordes descending on a place, you will have tourist gouging prices. Its certainly on mine, as is Niagara Falls and the Grand Canyon; I've done marseilles and the colosseum and so far seeing these things has been, to me, worth the hassle, price, and fellow tourists' elbows.

Yeah ... I went about ten years ago and it's fair to call Machu Pichu a tourist trap even though it's a once in a lifetime type location. The infrastructure to get you there is just so incredibly challenged by the typical tourist traffic that it's just really geared to separating you from your dollars. It's not the volume so much as the challenging location.

 

[AquaDame]

Yeah ... I went about ten years ago and it's fair to call Machu Pichu a tourist trap even though it's a once in a lifetime type location. The infrastructure to get you there is just so incredibly challenged by the typical tourist traffic that it's just really geared to separating you from your dollars. It's not the volume so much as the challenging location.

I'm finding that a lot lately... Easter Island and the Galapagos are going to severely test my patience...

 

[jade1]

Machu Picchu is a tourist trap because it is a famous landmark and on tons of people's bucket lists. Whenever you have hordes descending on a place, you will have tourist gouging prices. Its certainly on mine, as is Niagara Falls and the Grand Canyon; I've done marseilles and the colosseum and so far seeing these things has been, to me, worth the hassle, price, and fellow tourists' elbows.

Ok so why is it "secretly" loved?

 

[fitzperry]

Ok so why is it "secretly" loved?

Because "travel snobs" are supposed to see these tourist traps as beneath them. They pride themselves on knowing the little known and off the beaten bath destinations the rest of the world has not yet discovered. They don't want to go where everyone else goes. So the "secretly" part is the admission that they enjoy those particular tourist traps despite all that.

Of course, there is plenty that's legitimately appealing about avoiding crowds in less popular destinations with the same attributes as the ones that draw in the masses.

FWIW, I agree about many of the spots on the original list - Hollywood, Vegas, Times Square, Nassau - in fact, I kind of see Disney as a tourist trap I not so secretly love I guess that makes me a travel snob.

 

[cubsblue]

Poorly written article by an internet troll who just wants to generate revenue for themselves. Not worth a click.

 

[Fantasia79]

I just read the article. With my own, friends and family who don't like Disney either, hey, I get it. Some people don't like don't like vanilla ice cream because they like chocolate; doesn't mean there's anything wrong with either.

The rationale is comical though. Paying too much? Really? Been to a sports stadium recently? The view is better at home, the parking and food is cheaper too. In Chicago a Budweiser is $9 at any stadium or ballpark. Yet, we still go and order them. Ever order wine at a restaurant? Surprised when it's marked up too? Yea, water is $4.50 in the United Center and they won't give you a cup.

You go to a place called "Disney World" and are disappointed to be surrounded by "Disney" fans? If I didn't like "Yankee fans," I wouldn't go to "Yankee Stadium." Nothing wrong with traveling the globe and offering advice to people. Clearly. This one did succeed in making me say, "Well, I still love it, and won't apologize or rationalize it."

Side story: When I was a 2nd year teacher, I did my first Disney trip with a band. It was a blast. In hindsight, I'm shocked that all those families had faith in a 23 year old to watch their kids. I'll never forget, a board member with a couple kids in band came with, drove themselves, found their own hotel, pre-packed their own sandwiches as meals in a cooler, and was going to show me how much cheaper they could do the trip than my travel company. Turned out, they didn't count on parking costs! The mouse still won in the end!