What is the Most Magical and Not So Magical thing at Walt Disney World?

[brunette8706]

Hi Dissers!

What is the most Magical thing or encounter that you see when you come to Walt Disney World? You know, when you are in awe, and wow when you encounter something? You know the feeling, when you are on cloud 9 Also, what is the Not so Magical thing you encounter when you come to the World, if any?

Magical

Cinderella's Castle. Especially at Christmas time
Osbourne Light Display at Hollywood Studio's during the holidays
Animal Kingdom Lodge, never seen a resort quite like this one!
Yacht Club area (boardwalk, Beaches and Cream and Storm Along Bay)
Polynesian Resort (very relaxing and tropical)

Not So Magical

Rude Customers
Long Lines
Crowds
Prices
The Stitch Ride, lol

What are your choices for Magical and Not So Magical?

Brunette

 

[Cando86]

Most magical for me is the general atmosphere. It's an escape from reality from the moment you step into your hotel.

Most can also be the people and the cast members...however, this can always be the worst! Other guests, especially before parades/fireworks can be...less than magical for sure!

 

[Avery's mom]

Magical

The sheer joy my daughter has from the moment we get to MCO!
Walking hand-in-hand after a long (wonderful) day at the parks just enjoying the quiet of the resort...
Seeing a character come around a corner when you don't expect it
How wonderful the AC is when you come back for an afternoon break!

Not-so-magical

Standing on the (very crowded) bus after midnight praying your feet don't fall off!
The sweat flowing down your back from the moment you step outside your door...

 

[dawnhaze]

The most magical thing for me is Wishes. Hands-down the winner.

Least magical... Probably the parents screaming at exhausted children about how we paid $xxxx to come on this vacation and you better stop crying and have fun!

 

[jaiminee krikit]

Magical - the sounds of WDW. I love the music everywhere and when I hear anything similar at home, it brings me back. I drive my family crazy because I'm constantly telling them "This reminds me of Disney World!" I was listening to a CD of The Preservation Hall Jazz Band one day, and I said "This sounds like POFQ". So much so, I had to google it - and sure enough, some of their songs are played throughout POFQ. That made my day, because any time I want, I can turn on their music, close my eyes, and imagine I'm at my favorite place!

Not so magical - the parents yelling at their kids. On our last trip, our first bus ride after arriving there were these parents yelling at their daughter, telling her how ungrateful she was being and how they can't believe her behavior and "for how much this vacation cost you should be happy the entire time". She was crying so hard, and it broke my heart. Some parents don't realize how stressful a Disney vacation can be on the kids, too. We saw more of this on our recent trip than ever before and it really bothered me.

 

[Mickeygolf]

Magical - The smell of everything!!! Doesn't matter if you're at one of the parks, at your resort, on the buses, in the monorail, the smells are very distinctive. So when I'm back home certain smells will help trigger that magical feeling.

Not so magical - The train at MCO that takes you back to the terminal when your vacation is over

 

[itsthatdisneygirl]

Magical:
Everything at Christmas
Wilderness Lodge
The boardwalk area (Yacht and Beach included)
Illuminations (I stop to watch some part every time)
Trying something new (this gets harder the more weekends I go)

Not so Magical
Polynesian Consturction they could have at least painted the walls covering the old fountain
DTD Construction: They could have done this in phases instead of creating a wall of mazes.
Over privileged children who scream bloody murder the minute their parent won't buy them their 500th toy on day 1

 

[SimonSez]

I think the sounds and smells of WDW are the most magical. Like the music playing at EPCOT or the smell of the food inside the Land Pavilion. I know these are little things, but they stand out in a big way. The least magical I guess, sore feet

 

[SimonSez]

Magical - the sounds of WDW. I love the music everywhere and when I hear anything similar at home, it brings me back. I drive my family crazy because I'm constantly telling them "This reminds me of Disney World!" I was listening to a CD of The Preservation Hall Jazz Band one day, and I said "This sounds like POFQ". So much so, I had to google it - and sure enough, some of their songs are played throughout POFQ. That made my day, because any time I want, I can turn on their music, close my eyes, and imagine I'm at my favorite place!

Not so magical - the parents yelling at their kids. On our last trip, our first bus ride after arriving there were these parents yelling at their daughter, telling her how ungrateful she was being and how they can't believe her behavior and "for how much this vacation cost you should be happy the entire time". She was crying so hard, and it broke my heart. Some parents don't realize how stressful a Disney vacation can be on the kids, too. We saw more of this on our recent trip than ever before and it really bothered me.

This reminds me of a trip we took several years ago. There was this couple with three kids at EPCOT, and the mom was badmouthing the dad to the kids and talking about him in the third person like he wasn't even there the kids were pleading for her to stop. It was terrible and I really felt bad for those kids. Sometimes the children are more mature than the parents

 

[davale4]

Magical
The smell of the GF when you first walk in
Relaxing at RCP lounge with a drink while listening to the orchestra
My DS and DD face in the pool at night after a day at the park priceless

Not so magical
The daily rain showers
When we have to leave

 

[DisneyFave]

Magical:

Seeing the "WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT" signs on the Magical Express buses

Watching families chill out and have a nice moment together as they watch Illuminations

Family dinners at nice TS restaurants

Walking around the Poly early morning

The smell of MCO airport (I love Florida!)

Magic Bands. Love not using cash or credit anywhere. Makes everywhere feel like an all-inclusive.

Resort music. Never heard music I didn't like.

Opening my hotel room door for the first time!

Dark and "stormy" slow-moving rides like Maelstrom, pirates, haunted mansion.

Waking up in a Disney hotel. Always sleep well because of how exhausted I am.

Not magical:

Seeing frustrated and ignorant parents yell at their kids. I feel so sad for the kids and wonder how cruel the parents are when they're NOT in public.

Overdoing my own commando-style touring. I usually need a vacation after a Disney vacation and it stresses me out when I miss an attraction b/c of time. I also tend to stay in the parks until way after my feet have given out.

Getting back to MCO and seeing that all the stores' merchandise is not Mickey-themed

 

[Josh Hendy]

Most magical - theme park and resort area music

Least magical - the occasional times when I and da family get overly tired, cranky and impatient ... usually because we didn't allow for sufficient rest/shade/relaxation

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

Most magical: Knowing Roy's love for Walt and Walt's vision made the place happen against so many odds.

Least magical: counter service.

 

[brunette8706]

There are lot of good ones here on this thread.

Here's more.

Magical
Disney World at Night! Totally different feel to it.
Eating at the French restaurant at night in EPCOT
BOMA
The People Mover
The Monorail

Not So Magical
The Exodus
The Monorail

 

[lustergirl]

I will play:

Most magical[/U


Landing in MCO
Seeing the castle for the first time
My first margarita in Mexico
The parades
The fireworks
Eating such great food at places like Boma, Ohana, or Coral Reef
Going solo and being able to do what you want

Least magical

Getting on the DME bus ready to go back home
Families fighting with each other
When it rains and you have to stay in your room or at the resort

 

[jennc27]

Most Magical
Seeing the Walt Disney World sign
Walking down Main Street and seeing the castle
Haunted Mansion
Watching the parade and Wishes at night in MK

Not so magical:
In AK and I was looking at a food stand with an ice bucket with drinks in it. Oh it looked so nice in the Aug heat....until a person stuck their hands into the ice and threw some into their mouth and then spiting it back into the ice. Then another person walked up and stuck their hands into the ice and threw the ice into their mouth!

My Dad needed a scooter for the parks (knee issues, and eight months later he had to have a total knee replacement) so I rented one for him to use from an off-site company. I was surprised at the rude comments people would say to him or talk about him as though he was not there. All because he had a scooter.

 

[Gottahavemorecowbell]

Most magical for me is the general atmosphere. It's an escape from reality from the moment you step into your hotel.

Yep, this is it. The stresses of life are numerous and almost never-ending. A week or ten days at WDW goes a long way toward recharging our batteries.

Not so Magical - gathering the family together in your resort's lobby waiting for your ride back to MCO and seeing people come in on their arrival day.

 

[Planogirl]

Magical:
Wishes
Walking at 6 AM on the pathway between POFQ and PORS
old school rides such as the Haunted Mansion and Pirates
FOTLK

Not so Magical:
Leaving after Wishes
Disney buses
There are exceptions but the food in general

 

[momof2n2]

Magical:
WISHES
Lunch at Akershus

Not so magical:
The throngs of people leaving WISHES!

 

[JoeA]

Magical - when I first walk into the lobby of the hotel for check-in

Not so magical - while dining in Japan I once saw a 20 something punk threaten to kick a 70-something lady's (rear) because she asked him to have his kids stop throwing food. His language was unbelievable. I almost stepped in but thought getting Dis management and security involved was the prudent move!