What makes a trip a bad one?

[justafigment27]

Sometimes bad trips just happen.

We got caught up in the NWA pilot strike in 1998 ... back then we were young, new-ish and super conscientious employees and couldn't imagine just staying in Disney for a couple extra days while return flights got sorted out (and miss an unscheduled day of work???!!!), so we spent half our trip worrying about the strike deadline, then the last day on the phone desperately trying to get flights back home so we could show up on time for work Monday morning. If it happened now, our older selves would be more, "Hakuna Matata ... stuff happens & we will get home eventually". But, at the time, it just seemed absolutely awful and our whole trip had this undercurrent of travel stress.

We had a bad trip with kids about 5 years ago ... it involved vomit. Enough said.

I think, overall, with young kids ... the key is just to plan and go slow. Leave the parks before you hit your wall. Plan down time. Keep meals, snacks and sleep relatively normal. Kids who need naps at home just don't magically not need them at Disney. Kids who eat a healthy diet at home might not react well to a stream of constant sugar at Disney, etc. You know your kids ... look at them and then decide your course of action based on what you think they can reasonably handle and not necessarily what they want at the time, KWIM? I think people, particularly with young kids, push too hard to try and make the most of the money they have spent ... and it backfires.

 

[hsmamato2]

IDK... I've taken a lot of trips over the years (Dis and non-Dis) and I wouldn't call any of them 'bad'- but I love to travel and just go places. Adventure is always interesting, but not always fun or easy (from the 'book of Mom' lol) when we travel we have learned to just go with whatever....and try to enjoy what we can...colds, illness, sometimes an injury or two, closed attractions (our 1 time in Disneyland and the Pirates ride is closed???) and barking dogs at campgrounds..... we travel to do something fun and/or different- so No,I haven't yet had a 'bad' trip! (stolen wallet? check! Sick toddler for 7 days? check! snowed in,couldn't get home? check! broken toe in door? check! freezing cold and wrong clothing? check! rain and rain and rain? check! room I didn't love? check! worst asthma of my life? check!)

 

[hsmamato2]

I've had only one bad trip to DW. My father-in-law died suddenly on our second day there and we had to fly home right away. It wasn't really even the trip that was bad, just the circumstances. Besides death, getting sick the whole trip would be a bad one lol.

Oh I feel you here...... one trip to Disney when the kids were small, we had plans with some of my family, and the EARLY morning,about 2 hours before our flight left,like 3 a.m.- my DH's grandpa passed away! So we did what we could in the literal last minute (in the middle of a major snowstormy winter too!) we got on the plane since it was so last minute, then my DH flew back for the services a few days later (just him,due to cost) and then he flew back to FL to join us again the next day. (once the snow let up,and the flights were going again arg,it was a 10 day trip,so he could do this)

 

[sparkyboy]

We were there two weeks ago with our two grandchildren for spring break. On the third day, DGD had stomach flu so I stayed with her at the resort. DH and DGS called to check on us but had a wonderful time at Epcot and HS. And I sat on the balcony reading a book and enjoying the day. Being able to cope and not getting stressed over the uncontrollable situations is part of our daily routine. We don't go with high expectations and can truly say that we have not had a bad trip to WDW.

 

[tina.tina]

Happiness is in your own hands , there is something good about every situation , you just need to find it. Life is 1percent situation and 99 percent how you handled it.

But, it's how you react to all those that really determines if it's a bad trip.

To further demonstrate that attitude is everything, on our first full day of our first trip, I was mad at my DH & the kids since we missed rope drop & the show at MK and we would have to stop in the MK and eat breakfast all because they were all just goofing off in the room. On the bus to MK, I decided I could ruin one more minute of our trip or I could turn my frown upside down (sappy, I know) and make the best of it. DH was so relieved I decided to change my attitude. The breakfast we had in the MK bakery is now one of my favorite memories from that trip.

Just before leaving on that 10 day trip, I drank antifreeze (don't ask about this weird accident but it tasted better than the Barium I had today for breakfast!) & debated whether to stop in at the ER. My sister lost a check I had written out to "Cash" for $700 for her to deposit into my account. I spent the only 3 hours we had on the beach at Daytona trying to straighten this out with the bank- I had no idea of the check number. DS5 came up behind me while I was on the phone to the bank and poured an entire bucket of stinky ocean water over my head and I was fully dressed. Our vehicle got stuck in the sand on the beach. The VERY kind guys who pushed us out used very colorful language which my DD14 (who was 10 then) still talks about. We were running late so I went to dinner at Chef Mickey's in the same clothes I got soaked in at the beach.

I got very painful conjunctivitis and had to call my dr & take time to go pick up an rx at Walgreens. The conjunctivitis was worse because I have lots of cringe-worthy photo documentation- including a picture with Cinderella where she's all made up and I am....not (to say the least). I got blisters all over the bottom of my legs and tops and sides of my feet that I now know is called the Disney rash and is related to the asphalt and heat. I had a very hard time walking toward the end of our trip because of that and limped everywhere.

We never got to see the MK opening show despite my repeated attempts to get everyone up & ready. We only spent 3 hours in AK on our 10 day trip. We missed a few of our ADRs from exhaustion (yes, we cancelled them). It took us FOREVER to get home because we kept trying to stop and find a hotel to spend the night. We left WDW at noon and didn't find a room for the night until after midnight (when we were just 5 hours from home- but too exhausted to continue).

I called in to work on what should have been my first day back because we had gotten home so late and my legs hurt so bad from swelling from the trip. I told my boss about some of the issues we had when I called in. I was shocked when I got back to work the next day and my boss had told all my co-workers that I had a terrible trip. I never meant to give her that impression and I told them that, despite all those crazy things, my family and I thought it was the best vacation we had ever taken!

 

[ThatGuyOnce]

Definitely lack of planning and unreasonable expectations. As Wavy Gravy says, "There is no bad weather, only bad clothing." As long as you always have a poncho and you wear quick-drying shoes like Crocs, you can handle the rain. Everything else requires strategy.

Neither of my two trips were bad, but there were moments beyond our control, such as DW and I getting food poisoning at our wedding after-party and not feeling well our first couple of days on our Disney honeymoon.

The second trip in 2008 went surprisingly well with a huge party consisting of two grandparents, three daughters, and two sons-in-law, and six grand-kids—13 in all! We were told to expect one meltdown per child per day, and we definitely came in under that number. The spray bottles with the fans for the kids were great for the long lines, and keeping the kids fed helped. My SIL & I did a pretty good job of planning and routing our way through the parks and hitting everything we wanted to. My son had a stomach bug and was sick as hell on our travel day down to WDW, but he was too excited to complain. The worst moments were my DD throwing herself on the ground leaving MK one night, and my nephew pooping his pants on line because he didn't want to stop at a rest room.

My finest moment was snapping at somebody in MK who ran into my ankle with a scooter. It was the third or fourth time that day, and I'd had enough of the scooter brigade.

 

[ToddyLu]

One of my favorite stories that someone on here tells is...they were staying at POFQ or PORS one year and she overhead a husband tell his wife, something like..."this big resort isn't Disney World, it only a small part of Disney World" and the wife was bewildered and he said "you don't understand, there are 30 resorts this size here and it is all on Disney World property!" So I just wonder what people think sometimes...I think sometimes it is the shear scale of the place...like when posters ask if they can walk to MK from All Stars...uhhh...no. Or the Dad who screams at the CM ushering people out at 7 for MNSSHP--"but I paid for my all-day ticket!!"..."yes sir but now you can purchase an extra one at the gate to stay in the park after 7....

It is not all in the planning but the execution of the plan or changes in the plan. I wish parents sometimes could see and realize the silent vibes and messages they are sending to their children. Children base their reaction on those of the adults around them. So if Mom and Dad are stressed I would think that transfers down to them.

One of my favorite memories is getting on the monorail with a Dad, wife and two young daughters. There were two other ladies on the car with me, DH and this family--the ladies were veterans with the lanyards, pins, hats, etc. The dad had a First Time pin on his shirt. So I asked, "What do you think so far?". He said, "This place is incredible and I had no idea it would be like this! We were watching some FW show last night and I thought I was going to cry!". In unison we all said, "yep!" and knew he would be back.

Even with illness we have had great trips just because we weren't at home. Sure I can watch Nat Geo channel at home now but in May 2014 I couldn't---and once we found that channel at Disney we were happy---in a deluxe room, watching people swim in a huge beautiful pool, drink in hand--Alaskan State Troopers was so much fun.

 

[Sparkly]

By all accounts last trip could have been classed a bad trip.

Bad tempers caused by the unseasonable heat, I convinced myself I was going to get a terrible stomach bug and scrubbed my hands for 10 minutes every time I used the restroom, wrecking the skin on my hands in the process..

But we also had a very magical time, and when I think back on our trips I remember the magic, not the bad tempered moments or meltdowns. Even it bucketing rain one night at MK didn't phase me. Came home drenched, but happy.

 

[ThatGuyOnce]

The stomach bug seems like a common theme here. My 5-year old son started yakking before we even got on the plane, but he was so excited that he didn't let it get him down. He was still sick by the time we got to Epcot in the afternoon, and we had to make a couple of detours to the men's room, but he was so happy to be there it didn't matter.

I think I got soaked a few times on our last trip, but I also go to music festivals, so I can deal with weather. Humidity sucks no matter where you are, and it's worse in Florida. Deal. We got hit with a bad t-storm our first day. While we were having lunch at the Garden Grill, the power went out. We never got to ride Living with the Land because it kept shutting down after the outage. Minor bummer. We went to The Seas—also closed due to the outage—and after about 30 minutes at the front of the line listening to those blasted seaguls saying "Mine! Mine!" they opened up again. We ran in with a bunch of other folks whooping it up like kids because we were first! By the next day my kid had bounced back and the serious fun began.

There was something we complained about—might have been Pirates shutting down after an hour on line—and customer service gave us fast passes to a character greeting so we got to meet Donald Duck. Had I known in advance, I would have handed him a Mickey Mouse pen to sign an autograph. I hear Donald gets really mad about that.

Plan the action, not the outcome, and roll with it.

 

[ThatGuyOnce]

I forgot about another one that almost turned into a major bummer. In 1970 I went to DL with my aunt and another kid my age. When we got off the Skyway some CMs were waiting for us. Apparently the other kid spit off the ride and was ID'd by the CM upon whose shirt it landed. I thought we were going to get booted, but we didn't.

Life lesson: choose your traveling companions wisely.

 

[Vickilynn42]

Oh I feel you here...... one trip to Disney when the kids were small, we had plans with some of my family, and the EARLY morning,about 2 hours before our flight left,like 3 a.m.- my DH's grandpa passed away! So we did what we could in the literal last minute (in the middle of a major snowstormy winter too!) we got on the plane since it was so last minute, then my DH flew back for the services a few days later (just him,due to cost) and then he flew back to FL to join us again the next day. (once the snow let up,and the flights were going again arg,it was a 10 day trip,so he could do this)

That's that's so awful. . Sorry you experienced that too!

 

[msp2mco]

So many good answers here. We have never let a trip be bad because we are willing to be flexible and adjust our attitudes. Having a contingency plan is always a good idea. For instance, when it starts to rain, what are you going to do? The first time it happened to us, DH bought ponchos for all of us and we finished the day in DHS with low crowds.

I also think that if you are traveling with another family or friends that you want to have clear expectations for how you are going to meet up, make decisions and spend time together and apart. My DH and I are frustrated with others that are either late or can't make up their mind. So, we lay out our plan and welcome anyone to join us. We probably have an ADR that we will meet everyone for in the evening, but we do not plan to be together all the time.

I can overlook rude people (actually it can add to the people-watching fun), closed rides, and other disappointments.

 

[TJ Brown]

We loosely plan. What Park and where we are eating and fast passes. For the most part what we are eating at each place. After that is do what even. This will be my third trip and the first time around, I planned nothing, Honestly I didn't even want to go to Disney (My girlfriend talked me into it) but this last time I took part in the planning. Out 2016 trip is almost already done also.

Only think that I have had put a bummer on my trips has been when I get calls from the office.....

 

[peg110]

As many have said, I believe the "Attitude" is the biggest factor in determining if it's a "BAD" trip or not. Sure things happen. People get sick or injured and even die. (ok, if you die on the trip, I think it's safe to call it a bad one, but me, it would just mean I died doing something I enjoy.) Reservations get screwed up, people get cranky, etc..... Sometimes, you just need to take a step back and think about the situation, whatever it is, and try to make the best of it. If your plans are so inflexible, well then you had the wrong "Attitude" in making the plans.

In 2012, we were checking in on Thanksgiving day for our Premium site at Fort Wilderness. It was the first time for us at the Fort. Since we were there well before check-in, we went to Sea World (with our camper) the first day and checked in later. When we finally got all checked in, it was dark and difficult to setup the camper (27' Travel Trailer) but we got it done. Next day, we were commenting on how our "Premium" site was supposed to have an updated Table and an updated Grill. Both of which looked anything but "UPGRADED". As we walked around FW, we noticed other sites that had much better grills and tables. Sure enough... They screwed it up. The offered to allow us to move, but it's a fair bit of work to tear down, move and set up a 27' travel trailer, especially when it's me, DW and 2 DDs. They don't do a lot of the lifting, cranking, connecting stuff... Dad does all that. They wanted to make our stay "Magical" so they offered us tickets to the Polynesian Luau. This was about $300.00 and after all the site was ok, but we didn't want to pay Premium rate for a preferred site (lower rate). So we kept the site (at the lower rate too) and got the tickets to the show.

It was a nice show, and while I enjoyed the food, the rest of the family has a "Limited" palate and didn't enjoy it as much. Despite this, It was NOT a bad trip.

We have had many other "Issues" while on the trip, weather, injuries, illness, exhaustion, etc... but we just try to make the best of it. Tempers get a little elevated. We then calm down and figure it out.

It amazes me how many people come to WDW and all they do is complain about the lines and prices. Not sure what they expected. An "Exclusive" Amusement park with free food? Nice, Yeah! Not very profitable though.

Take your time, enjoy it as it comes and don't sweat the small stuff.

On the lighter side, if you are just a descent normal (such as it is) cheerful person, you will get more out of it too. One time at MK, I was waiting to get a coffee behind a woman with 4 kids (getting Ice Cream). She had her hands full, but after she got the ice cream and took the kids to a table, I noticed she left her wallet on the counter. I took it over to her and went back to order my coffee. The CM thanked me for doing that and then refused to let me pay for my coffee. I tried, but she just wouldn't accept. It was her way of thanking me for being kind.

Another time, we were just waiting and think about what we wanted to do up by the Carousel at MK, and a CM came out and told us:
"Belle was in the kitchen experimenting and making sweet concoctions. She wanted to know if you and your family would try this (A HUGE Sundae with chocolate brownies fit for a King and several Loyal Subjects), and then let us know how you liked it."

My DD age 8 at the time had eyes SOOO Huge. We of course obliged and gave them thumbs up.

So even if you are having a rough time, try and be pleasant, it will eventually come back to you. After all there is no reason to get mad at everyone else who are probably enduring a lot of what you are too (Whether, long lines, cranky people, etc...)

And of course, "Can't we all just get along?"

 

[fabfemmeboy]

Honestly, their attitudes are what make a bad trip. It's not about planning - that's just a personal vacationing style thing really. On any trip, some things will go wrong and some things will be way above expectations. Sure, sometimes the weather isn't great - it's pouring down rain or freezing or hotter than the devil's armpit. Sometimes your favourite ride is down or it was super crowded. But as we say in my family: a bad day at Disney beats a good day anywhere else. We get to ride a few rides and see a few characters, we're happy! Others don't see it the same way, so they can feel like their time was wasted or it wasn't worth it or ...I don't even know. I still don't understand this concept of a "bad" trip to Disney World!

 

[delilah]

The Worst trip I had to Disney wasn't Disney at all. In March 2014, I was going to a conference at the Anaheim convention center that ended the second day of my son's spring break. So I extended the stay in Anaheim so my son and husband could join me. We intended to do some sightseeing/nature viewing in the area. We took a day trip to Joshua Tree National Park, which was great. But, I asked my husband and son whether they would like to go to Disneyland since I was staying at one of the hotels near the Convention Center. I told them I didn't care if they didn't want to go, which was true. But, they told me they did. I purchased their tickets and printed them at home the weekend before I left for my conference. They get to Anaheim and decide they don't want to go to Disneyland. So, this year I went to the same conference, which this year, also coincided with my son's spring break. But, I went by myself and had a great time going in the evenings when my conference was over.

 

[suzimar57]

For us (over-planners!) it's when DH gets a migraine & everything. just. stops.

No amount of planning ahead can fix that - and it's happened a LOT on past trips.

 

[davper]

For us (over-planners!) it's when DH gets a migraine & everything. just. stops.

No amount of planning ahead can fix that - and it's happened a LOT on past trips.

I can sympathize. More than once I have spent the day at the hotel with a migraine while everyone else goes out. Headaches so bad that you vomit.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

Well, one bad experience can poison WDW for anyone, particularly if it was their first time going. In 1998 I went with two of my cousins, the younger of whom was fifteen at the time. When we arrived (It was early August), the heat was nearly unbearable. I sucked it up because I'd been before and knew what to expect, but the 15 year old complained. Then, we found out there had been a lightning strike that had knocked out the hot water supply, so no hot showers for 48 hours. Not Disney's fault, but there was more complaining. *Then* we discovered that there was no propane in the entire state of Florida, so none of the restaurants had any hot food. Complain, complain. We waited two hours for Splash Mountain, only to be told that the ride had broken down and we had to get out of line. By this time, my young cousin was stomping around repeating, "I hate this place!" Oh, we also had to be rescued off Pirates. This was all on the first day of our vacation.

You guessed it, she vowed to never go back, and she hasn't.

My attitude has always been to plan, plan,plan, but be prepared for God to laugh and say, "Plans? Watch this!" and throw you a curve ball. This happened to my sister and I in 2011 when we had two straight days of unprecedented heavy rain. I mean, not like a typical Florida shower-and-then-the-sun-comes-out rain, but steady unrelenting heavy rain. What did we do? We sucked it up and went off to the parks regardless. We went to Epcot and got rained on for 12 hours straight, with an added bonus of wind. How windy was it?:

After a while, you just had to laugh:

We decided to take it all in stride and enjoy ourselves. PP are right, attitude is everything. Attitude and planning for the unexpected.

 

[JoeyEmmaMomma]

Our only "bad" trip was in February. Our double stroller was stollen.
We made do, pushed through, etc. But it was upsetting and made our remaining days complicated.

Illness could cause a trip to go south.