What do I even say to them?

[Karabee]

Clearly being on the DIS means we LOVE Disney but I can see how some people would not. WDW is the only "amusement park" I like - you wouldnt find me going back to US or any others. I still can't figure that one out! Personally, I love planning. I'm planning vacations to 3 other places this year aside from Disney and enjoying every last minute of it! To some people that would be a nightmare. I think for Disney you need to plan...maybe some find that too stressful. I also think Disney also makes it seem that nothing can ever go wrong, which just is impossible. The people working there are still human and so are all the fellow vacationers who are expecting a perfect vacation - we don't all have the same idea of "perfect"!

To people who hate it I always just shrug my shoulders and say "to each their own". Then that means more for us

 

[mousiemom]

this has happened to all of us dissers, and i listen for a little bit and then i will comment, "disney isn't for everyone", and then walk off. cause you know if they can't have fun in disney..... It kills me when i ask, "how did you like fantasmic"? Oh, we didn't have time to go there!!! I give them this long stare and say, oh. If you think about the people that are telling you this, more than likely are miserable or unhappy in everyday life too.

 

[Bob NC]

If you think about the people that are telling you this, more than likely are miserable or unhappy in everyday life too.

So, if someone isn't partial to WDW they are miserable and unhappy?

That's quite the sweeping generalization.

 

[raider97]

some of us drink the disney Kool Aid, some of us don't...doesn't make them bad people...

Absolutely, love this line!!

Stephanie

 

[Stacy's a freak]

I can understand the OP's thoughts! To me, it's like a personal attack when someone dislikes WDW. Sure, it sounds silly, but it's how I feel. I feel similarly about Aruba - it is a place my family has gone once a year for the past 20+ years and if anyone says anything negative about it, I get mad! But then I remember that it just leaves more room for us if those haters stay away

 

[mousiemom]

whatever floats your boat. i have a BIL that had a miserable time on his 1st trip with us a couple of years ago and he just doesn't go every year with us, he stays home. i have a co-worker that went and her everyday life is drama so when she got back from staying @ POR she was complaining about how dirty the tubs were, how bad different restaurants were, "DEBBIE DOWNER" for sure!! You definately can't please everyone but i've never had a bad disney trip!!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

A few thoughts...probably best to let it go- unless - they are bad mouthing WDW to others who plan - or may plan to go soon. In which case they might be setting someone else up to hate WDW. Then you shoud intervene.



My second thought is that WDW is not perfect. There have been several trips where disney has messed up pretty badly. we shoudl not assume the fault was all the guests'.

It doesn't matter how much you plan if your room reservation gets messed up, your faucet drips, the roof leaks, your DDP is wrong, and/or you get a series of bad CM's. (and so forth) for a start, lots of phone CM's give out LOTS of misinformation. Disney's service level has decreased in recent years.

Several trips we had our DDP credits screwed up royally; it was aggravating making three trips to get it fixed- and nearly three hours of my time. Luckily, I had a good idea of where to go to get the problem fixed. If you have a problem, and you don't know where to go- sometimes the solution can be elusive. I know many CM's are fantastic, really know their stuff, and really go above and beyond- but not every single one is over-the-top fantastic or well trained. Some are downright snarky. They are human.

Yes, add in busy crowds, frustrated guests, and tired CM's...and it could be a bad mix. Truly, Disney doesn't pay some CM's all that well either...

On my last trip, mostly Disney was great. My AAA agent was an idiot. If that had been my first trip, it would have left a bad impression on me too.

While we were there, we let it slide- but the monorail was not working properly the whole trip. We were staying on the monorail loop. Disney goofed big time. Seriously, if the monorail is down, they should offer all guests some compensation. When you are paying over $400 per night for your hotel room- an essential thing like the promised transportation should be working!!!!! having it down one night, I could understand, but it being down more than 50% of the time - and not telling us in advance or offering any compensation is not right. Like i said, the rest of teh trip went quite well, and I'm sympathetic that someothign might be down while we are there (the places goes 365 days a year)- but I could see how that would be a major let down for another guest.



My third thought is that not eveyone wants their kids to fantasize about being a princess. I can relate. Disney IS quite commercial. It does take some getting used to that idea.

 

[White_Sox_Fan]

There are many reasons why someone may not enjoy any vacation. Reality was different than their expectations, not there cup of tea, etc. However, I am surprised by the apparent number of people who choose vacations without having any idea what they are getting into. I'm not saying you have to plan your trip down to the minute or even the day, but at least do the minimal amount of research so you have an idea as to the available activities and cost. The internet has made such research quick and painless. To do less pretty much puts the onus of your displeasure on yourself. (As with anything there are exceptions that may apply)

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

I would just nod and maybe say something like "aw, that's too bad." Nothing more. My DSIL 'severely dislikes' MK and tolerated EPCOT the one time she was there. She's never been to the other parks. But she also hates 'it's a Wonderful Life" so those two things combined, I really don't care what she thinks about much of anything!

 

[Donut23]

I have two friends who just returned from family trips to WDW. Both hated it! One only spent one day in the parks and decided not to return. Opting for other area attractions instead. The other spent several days, but swears it was the worst experience of their life. The second is a total drama queen, though. So, it's probably more for show than anything.

I'm tempted to say something snotty, like maybe a little planning would have helped. One quick Internet search would have warned them that Easter break probably isn't the best time to arrive with 5 little ones in tow.

It's just so frustrating listening to them go on and on about what an awful place it is...

Why are you making this a big deal?

Some people like to snow ski, some like cruising, some people enjoy eco-travel and some only visit family for their holidays. My cousins (physicians) use their time off for medical missions to other countries and another couple we know only go places to ride Killer Coasters (Disney's are far too tame).

I had a collegue there this Easter weekend - the only time he could get away and had to use some DVC points. He traveled solo for a change and had a blast!

Who is to say what is right for a family other than the family themselves!

So Disney wasn't for them - so? Why should this affect you personally. Were they disrespectful to you personally?

I believe the appropriate comment would have been......."I'm sorry you didn't have a good time".

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

I would maybe gently try to make some suggestions but if they really said they hated it then so be it... The truth is that not everyone loves Disney like members of these boards. I worked with a woman who loves Universal and could care less about WDW, she went once and would rather do US and IoA. Some people just don't like theme parks they would rather cruise, lay on a beach, site see, etc. Don't take it personal they just aren't as sophisticated as us

 

[mygirl]

I have two friends who just returned from family trips to WDW. Both hated it! One only spent one day in the parks and decided not to return. Opting for other area attractions instead. The other spent several days, but swears it was the worst experience of their life. The second is a total drama queen, though. So, it's probably more for show than anything.

I'm tempted to say something snotty, like maybe a little planning would have helped. One quick Internet search would have warned them that Easter break probably isn't the best time to arrive with 5 little ones in tow.

It's just so frustrating listening to them go on and on about what an awful place it is...

dear friends of ours took their 3 and 5yo children and had a miserable time - kids too! how do KIDS not love disney?? for some - it is just not their thing... when in doubt, keep quiet and then come share with us on dis boards!

 

[Pmctn]

Around here we'd say "aww, bless your heart."

 

[rentayenta]

We've had 2 sets of friends go to Disney and hate it. It's not everyone's cup of tea. They don't understand how we can keep going back let alone have a Disney timeshare. Your friends chose a bad time to go, that's their responsibility, not yours. It's also not your deal if they had a bad time.