What (if anything) made you give up wdw

[skyblue17]

Hehe. I think for me I have a love/hate relationship with WDW. It won't stop me from visiting at all, maybe just less, BUT I do agree with a lot of the above. Especially the scheduling everything months out, I HATE that. Yes also the crowds and the cost and the fact that with that high cost they pay their workers pretty bad. Yes it is stressful, BUT I still love it enough with all that to go. Universal is a lot less stressful.

Yes, now that I've actually, you know, read the thread, everyone is bringing up solid points.

I, personally, like the way Disneyland functions way better than the WDW setup. I think in my mind, I saw the subject line and was expecting a whole "HERE IS WHY I AM NEVER GOING TO DISNEY AGAIN" and this is, obviously, very much not that.

 

[amberpi]

Yes, now that I've actually, you know, read the thread, everyone is bringing up solid points.

I, personally, like the way Disneyland functions way better than the WDW setup. I think in my mind, I saw the subject line and was expecting a whole "HERE IS WHY I AM NEVER GOING TO DISNEY AGAIN" and this is, obviously, very much not that.

I'm pleased this is going exactly the way I hoped with the whole gambit of opinions. Also, I always wonder when there is a change (like the date based pricing) and people declare they're done, if that happens.

 

[RedAngie]

Like other have posted, it's a combination of factors.

There are really no slow periods anymore. Just busy, even busier, and packed in like sardines. I can't tolerate crowds in my old age.
I don't mind the price increases per se, but IMO the value is no longer there.
I'm jaded from visiting a bit too often in the past. Been there, done that.
There are only three or four attractions in each park that interest me these days.

 

[abdmom]

We were relatively frequent visitors in the '00s. The last time we went, in late January, in what was supposed to be low season, it was very crowded. Other times we went, we ran into the Brazilian tour groups who were loud and obnoxious. Add in that we had to start making reservations months ahead, for substandard quality food in the sit down restaurants, as well as skyrocketing prices, and I was done. I discovered cruising and found that I much enjoyed going to actual new to me destinations.

 

[VandVsmama]

If any of you guys venture out to CA, you should consider going on a Waltland tour with Disney Imagineer Bob Gurr. He does them on the 3rd Sunday of the month. He's amazing. https://www.waltland.com/ They did a review of his tour a couple of years ago on the DIS Disneyland podcast.

 

[disneyseniors]

I believe the title of this thread is What (if anything) made you give up Disney. It's hard to understand that if nothing has bothered you why are you on this particular thread. So far I have seen nothing, but, legitimate reasons, just people reciting the reasons why it is no longer worth it anymore because the New Disney has put way to much stress into something that is supposed to be a fun vacation.

For myself, it is a combination of things. I became an obsessed Disney Park fan as I was driving down World Drive on my way to the Magic Kingdom with my wife and young children in 1983. I was 35 at that time. After that I was on every dial up internet Disney Discussion Forum that existed. I have stayed onsite only once and hated the captivity aspect of it, so, after the one time I just stayed offsite and saved buckets of money over the years.

I am now 70 years old my wife and I had divorced and has since passed away and my little girls have grown up and have kids of their own. For the last 18 years I have gone there solo (three times with family). I am retired and living on Social Security and my savings. Disney has managed to price me out of the place even with my offsite habit. I had to be spontaneous as far as when I went. Now I have to know not only when I am going ahead of time, but, I have to be exact because of the new ticket system that requires a commitment of a particular week before you can even buy a ticket plus the FP connections. Because of my age and health issues I cannot always be sure when I can make the trip, so I might commit to a date and then not be able to go at that time. Yes, I can change it, but, that is just another hassle. That along with mobility issues and the fear that I would be one of the scooter users because I cannot walk long periods of time anymore. I can walk quite well for a short time so if you saw me get off the scooter a big reaction would be there's nothing wrong with him, he's just fat and lazy. I'd like to tell everyone that feels that way to go pound sand, but, since I know that a lot of people are judgmental like that it just takes the fun mood away. For many of us there are multiple reasons for declining interest in it. It was my escape for many, many years. I used to get excited as a five year old when I was planning a trip to my favorite place in the world. The one place were I could be a kid again. Just cannot imagine being able to do it anymore without either physical pain or psychological pain and self-consciousness. Even something as simple as Disney deciding that everyone is in the prime of their lives and have removed an awful lot of places to just stop a little while to rest the back and recover so I can continue on with out that scooter. It has finally set in that Disney really doesn't want me there anymore. I don't have enough money to reach the goals they have for everyone to spend.

I still stay on the boards because deep inside I still am curious about what is happening in the place and would love to look forward to SWL, but, I don't think I will physically be able to ever see it. That just makes me sad. I cannot control Disney prices or ticket policy's and lord knows if I could have somehow just stayed young things might be different, but, honestly if anyone feels pee'd on it would be me.

I hope you don't give up altogether. It is still a magical place to me. It holds many memories of Disney with the kids, grandkids,family, and now just my husband and I. It continues to be a safe place to wander, at our ages.
I get what you are saying about the scooters. My husband needs one, but refuses to rent one offsite because he won't " hold up other people with a scooter getting on a bus". But he will use one at Epcot (so do I as I can't walk all that distance). He doesn't want to inconvenience anyone. WE also walk slower, and the comments on here bother me about "all the slow walkers, etc". We can't do anything about that, so, but it still bothers us.

So, I guess the point is I hope you will find a way to visit again some day, and find the magic again.

 

[amberpi]

If any of you guys venture out to CA, you should consider going on a Waltland tour with Disney Imagineer Bob Gurr. He does them on the 3rd Sunday of the month. He's amazing. https://www.waltland.com/ They did a review of his tour a couple of years ago on the DIS Disneyland podcast.

Been to dlr more times than I can count, usually just adding a day to a biz trip or going over after work and I’ve never heard about this. Sounds awesome.

 

[ford family]

Nothing has made us give up on Disney.
Still go every year, mainly Disneyworld but recently to Disneyland in California, to Hong Kong and to Tokyo with a Shanghai visit planned for 2020.
Originally went when our children were small then every year as they grew older. Then a few years just the two of us or with friends and relatives. Now with grandchildren as well.
Have kept pace with the technology changes despite our advanced years!
Costs held down by being DVC members and the availability of competitive transatlantic airfares.
In my opinion, nothing compares with strolling arm in arm around the World Showcase on a warm Florida evening.

ford family

 

[L&Lfan]

For me much of the magic was lost around 15 years ago. The '70s, '80s and '90s were so magical and wonderful for me. Something changed after 2000 that I can't quite express correctly, but trips since then, and there've been quite a few, just aren't the same. I could narrow it down to mainly 2 things which people have mentioned and for me it's not even the expense....it's the daily crowds and the amount of pre-planning. A big part of the Walt factor/ Disney feel is missing now too. Disneyland hasn't quite gotten there yet and it's the resort we actually prefer, even though we are east coasters.

 

[neverlandsky]

If and when we go back for our second visit, it's more resort time and less park time with the focus on EP & AK. Not a WDW issue, it's just we found our vacation pace to be more sloth pace and we prefer more quiet relaxing downtime.

 

[manning]

Excessive planning
Reduced quality
$$$$$$

Did I mention $$$$$$$$$$$

I enjoyed Disney but with careful money management I'm enjoying very comfortable retirement.

Disney is catering to people with money. If they can afford Disney and future college tuition for their kid(s) l would only have one thing to say to them... have at it and enjoy.

 

[DisReno]

Things I forgot when posting above:

We also really liked Pleasure Island in its heyday---which was begining on our honeymoon and lasted through our first through APs. We missed that, and EPCOT having a more educational bent.

and we're not huge Star wars fans, or Avatar fans and somehow both feel really out of place totus in the parks.

So, I have nearly two weeks in Orlando in January while DH is there on bussiness, and I will be going to Universal for the first time ever, instead of spending most (if any) time at wdw

That said, I have a couple of 3 day park hoppers we never used which I am excited about using soon---and 2 plus features each left on old tickets that we'll use in May before a cruise---love Blizzard Beach.

We went to Pleasure Island on our (delayed)honeymoon back in 1992 when it was New Years every night. I was 24 and thought it was the greatest thing ever. My husband will never forget me getting drunk off of one jello shot and dancing on that revolving dance floor in a club. And that country western bar was what got us started on our country dance phase. Good times. The new Disney Springs is really missing something now.

 

[NHdisneylover]

We went to Pleasure Island on our (delayed)honeymoon back in 1992 when it was New Years every night. I was 24 and thought it was the greatest thing ever. My husband will never forget me getting drunk off of one jello shot and dancing on that revolving dance floor in a club. And that country western bar was what got us started on our country dance phase. Good times. The new Disney Springs is really missing something now.

you were even a few years ahead of us---our honeymoon was in early 1996, and we went to Pleasure every night for a week----so many good memories there.

 

[DisReno]

I still love Disney and we’ll definitely go back someday, but not for many years. We used to go every other year when the kids were young. Our reasons for not going anytime soon are:

Cost
Crowds!
Desire to see new/different places
Kids grew up
Got tired of the same thing
Not a relaxing trip

This is exactly us, with the exception of cost. We went every other year while our son was growing up. We just went for the first time in 4 years for his college graduation present. We will go again in 3 years because we don't want to miss the 50th anniversary. After that...who knows, but it could be 5 or more years. We are tired of the same thing and have a long list of other places we want to see now that we are empty nesters.

 

[Kitty 34]

I haven't gone in years (06); kids grew up and moved on with their lives and such. I did WDW many many times, in fact the 2nd time was with the help of me finding the DISboards back in 2000. With the help of many people here I successfully planned more including our high schools' entire band trip in '05. Loved love Disney at the time!!

But, like I said, the kids grew up and Mommy and Daddy with my sisters and BILs found a new Disney for us......Vegas baby!!!

But again, unless the Mods get rid of me I'm here to stay as I have grown very attached to this place and the many internet people I have come to know. It's as social media as it gets for me to be here!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

I forgot to mention the food quality has decreased as well IMO. We like to eat at a mix of qs and sit down. The sit down food quality is abysmal at times.

The 'free' dining and dining plans have destroyed the dining experience at WDW.

 

[Domo]

It's not stopped me from visiting, but it's delayed things - the COST. I have to spend HUNDREDS just flying, HUNDREDS on park tickets, a TONNE on connections, food, taxes, etc, etc

 

[Colleen27]

Extending EMH and 60 day FP booking to offsite stays popped the "must stay in a Disney hotel" bubble for me. Why on earth would I stay in a moderate resort (half of which are currently construction sites anyway) for the same price as deluxe-level services and amenities at a Disney Springs partner hotel? We did it for years mainly for the EMH, because we're a family of night owls and the ever-shorter park hours are only tolerable with that extra time, but now? I'll be at the Hilton, thank you very much.

As for the rest, I don't blame Disney entirely for our loss of interest. My youngest is finally at an age where she can keep up and is interested in more "real world" travels - her favorite parts of our last vacation were hiking at Walden Pond and exploring the cemeteries on the Freedom Trail - so that has eroded the appeal of theme park vacations as a whole. Disney World and Kalahari (indoor waterpark in Ohio) were fabulous go-to destinations when she was little and less able to keep up at outdoorsy destinations, less patient with cultural attractions, less aware of the significance of historical sites, and we went a LOT (I think 9 or 10 times) in her first 7-8 years. But since then, we've branched out into more "adult" travels. The higher crowds, higher prices, and constant clock-watching of the FP+ era all contributed to that decision in some small part, as did the cutbacks in some of our favorite places (Lights of Winter, Osborne Lights, Off Kilter, turning Flower & Garden into Food & Wine-lite by eliminating the garden seminars) but I think our Disney era would have ended regardless or those changes.

 

[Dancind]

We're like many others, went so many times between 1998 and 2011, we got burnt out. Daughter grew up and we have discovered other vacation choices, like wine country in CA and the Mediterranean (omg, wish we had done more of that when we were younger and had money).

Right now, I have two 10 day passes and two 5 day passes, and we own DVC. Just not able to pull the plug and actually go, have canceled reservations several times for various reasons. And then there's the crowds, and all the work to just get to the parks. We used to love the Signature restaurants but they really seemed a disappointment last time in 2012! We will go again, I think, to use those passes. Maybe in a couple of years there will be enough new things to make it all seem new. I don't want to be a scooter rider, but maybe we'll rent a wheelchair and take turns ha.

Reading this thread, just texted DD and suggested a trip to DL next fall. That may not be the same either, with Star Wars opening.

 

[Colleen27]

I’m a Disneyland girl. I could hop in my truck right now, drive out and KNOW I’m going to have a fabulous day tomorrow with no planning at all. What would make me give it up? Having to decide if I want to ride Big Thunder or not at 3pm on July 5th, 2020 at midnight tonight.

Yes, Disneyworld is less vacation and more work than Disneyland.

That's something I'm really looking forward to - trying the other Disney parks. I'm pretty "over" WDW but I'm looking forward to DLR next year and Tokyo the year after that, mostly because they're new experiences for us but also because they aren't so overscheduled and regimented as the Orlando parks.