Why don't people like WDW?

[kfridle1]

I have talked to so many people who say they hated Walt Disney World, and never want to go back. I believe that most of these people didn't "do it right", and they would actually like it if they had some preplanning!

In your opinion, what are some of the most common reasons people hate WDW and how could they do it differently to change that?

This may be a great thread for first timers to read before their trip!

 

[WILDERNESS FAN 55]

I'd say about 10% of people I have talked with, dealt with in my life do not like WDW. Probably half of those are just nature lovers who see it as a bunch of rides and buildings . They would rather go west and hike or see mountains etc. The other half of those are ones who do not do any research and therefore are totally overwhelmed by Disneys size. The other 90% had fun and would do it again. Maybe not as often as I do but they would do it again.

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

I think it's a common misconception that you can just pick up and go to WDW without any planning. Ive planned/taught many friends about WDW who were utterly shocked at all there was to know/do. They see commercials with people just happily walking around the park hand in hand with Mickey and don't realize that there will be lines and reservations and real-life things to consider. You can't just "go" to WDW with the expectation that it will be like a commercial and not do any homework...

 

[ruthies12]

I have one friend who hated it and says they will never go back. I'm not sure when exactly they went but she said it was just so miserably hot and that they had a 2 hour wait for the teacups (I assume she was exaggerating about the wait).

The truly sad part is that her 3 kids hated it so much they said they did not want to go back. The crowds have taken me by surprise a few times and I pre-planned like crazy, so I can totally get how it would ruin the magic if you were not prepared and especially not expecting it.

Therefore my guess would be that anyone who says they hated it just were not prepared for the sheet number of people they were going to encounter. I'm not sure what you can do to fix that honestly. Pre-planning helps tremendously of course, but even then I've been frustrated at times because of crowd problems, and my 3 trips were once in October and twice in January's, so definitely not peak crowd seasons!

 

[Art 1]

I have talked to so many people who say they hated Walt Disney World, and never want to go back. I believe that most of these people didn't "do it right", and they would actually like it if they had some preplanning!

In your opinion, what are some of the most common reasons people hate WDW and how could they do it differently to change that?

This may be a great thread for first timers to read before their trip!

What reasons did the so many people give you?

 

[Missymouse18]

Most people that I have encountered who didn't like it were mainly people who prefer to relax on vacation, such as go to the beach or to the mountains. I think, as PP said, many are so unprepared they find themselves in a whirlwind when they arrive in the parks.

 

[BigAlsGal]

Well if I didn't love disney so much I could see why people hate it. It's hot, crowded and if you don't love disney movies and the disney franchise you're going to find half the rides cheesy and underwhelming.

It's just not some people's cup-o-tea.

 

[ruthies12]

Yeah that's another thing with the planning. After my last trip this past January I have had a few people say they wanted to do this or that - for example the wishes dessert party at tomorrowland terrace sounded great to my sister-in-law and my aunt. Neither one of them was able to get in, of course, because they tried to book it 2 weeks before their trip (2 separate trips). Sad thing is that with both of them I had mentioned this dessert party in plenty of time for them to have booked it if they just would have listened to me. but they didn't.

Then a month ago I had a friend who is going in June and liked the idea of eating dinner at BOG. I tried. I really did. I explained to her how I got my reservation by booking the hotel so that I could book the restaurant at 190 days out. She just didn't get it. She said she will try booking it when she gets around to it. So I know where she will not be eating.

I'm already planning our next trip which isn't until December of 2015. My friends and family think I'm nuts because I'm planning so far in advance. But Disneyworld is the best possible example of the early bird gets the worm!

 

[ellie05]

Lack of planning, long lines + hot and humid is most of the reasons I hear people didn't like it. 2 out of three things could be avoided. I will never understand how people go on vacation without researching and knowing what to expect not only to disney but any vacation.

 

[kittyab]

I grew up near Bush Gardens in Virginia. There was no real planning. You just went, no need to make reservations etc. So if you are use to that sort of theme park WDW can be overwhelming.

A friend of mine tuned me in on what to do for WDW well before I booked so I had my ducks in a row before I made any reservations.

 

[kmb584]

I think it's because people's idea of a vacation vary. There are those of us who enjoy a faster paced environment like WDW and all of the planning involved. Then there are those who prefer the serenity of the beach and the laid back atmosphere.

I feel truly sorry for people visiting WDW for the first time. It's an overwhelming experience and if plans aren't made well in advance the vacation is going to leave a bitter taste. I don't think a lot of people comprehend just how massive the World is, how intensive the planning should be for a first time visit, the importance of familiarizing yourself with the parks beforehand, that TS meals need to be booked in advance, etc. A lot of them think it's going to like walking into their local 6 Flags when in reality it's like walking onto a different planet.

 

[Allison]

Why? Because for many people it is just not their taste. It isn't that they should do something different or they did something wrong.

I would never enjoy a skiing vacation. I could do all sorts of planning and get all sorts of advice from people but it still would not be something I enjoy.

Different interests.

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

I grew up near Bush Gardens in Virginia. There was no real planning. You just went, no need to make reservations etc.

We live in Richmond and are heading to BG tomorrow

I totally agree, you don't have to do any planning to enjoy a day at BG... but I believe that you do/should in order to enjoy your WDW vacation

 

[Viva Las Disney]

The crowds have taken me by surprise a few times and I pre-planned like crazy, so I can totally get how it would ruin the magic if you were not prepared and especially not expecting it.

Therefore my guess would be that anyone who says they hated it just were not prepared for the sheet number of people they were going to encounter. I'm not sure what you can do to fix that honestly. Pre-planning helps tremendously of course, but even then I've been frustrated at times because of crowd problems, and my 3 trips were once in October and twice in January's, so definitely not peak crowd seasons!

I think this is probably the biggest factor, I've also been caught off guard by some pretty busy days a couple times and it's not nearly as fun as the slower days running from ride to ride, as much as I love all thing Disney I think if my first trip had been on a busy day I'd have been much less likely to go back.

I think after you've been a few times the stress to see and do everything is gone so the crowds aren't as big a factor anymore.

 

[slford00]

Yeah that's another thing with the planning. After my last trip this past January I have had a few people say they wanted to do this or that - for example the wishes dessert party at tomorrowland terrace sounded great to my sister-in-law and my aunt. Neither one of them was able to get in, of course, because they tried to book it 2 weeks before their trip (2 separate trips). Sad thing is that with both of them I had mentioned this dessert party in plenty of time for them to have booked it if they just would have listened to me. but they didn't. Then a month ago I had a friend who is going in June and liked the idea of eating dinner at BOG. I tried. I really did. I explained to her how I got my reservation by booking the hotel so that I could book the restaurant at 190 days out. She just didn't get it. She said she will try booking it when she gets around to it. So I know where she will not be eating. I'm already planning our next trip which isn't until December of 2015. My friends and family think I'm nuts because I'm planning so far in advance. But Disneyworld is the best possible example of the early bird gets the worm!

See, the thing is, to a lot of people (maybe most people?) vacation shouldn't require that much WORK. And I suspect a lot of (most?) people don't know if/when/exact park for each date they'll be visiting WDW 190+ days in advance.

We're finishing up a 5-day trip tomorrow and it has been excellent. It's the second time we've taken my son (6; we took him when he turned 4, which was our first trip) and first for our daughter (almost 3). We were able to do everything we wanted at every park, including CRT, BOG, A&E with minimal waits despite the fact I just found out I had these extra days off from work about 6 weeks ago. This is largely thanks to Touring Plans and advice from this site; however, it only worked because I OBSESSIVELY checked for FP+/ADRs several times daily during that time span and spent hours making multiple drafts of itineraries on TP, and not everyone can do that or is willing to do that. I probably spent as much time planning this trip as we spent time in the parks (if not more!).

Even with getting to do everything thanks to extensive planning, in some ways it was still almost not enjoyable due to the massive crowds, even during a "moderate" season and picking the Touring Plans/Easy WDW recommended park each day. Seeing my kids so excited made it worth it--but if it were just for me + wife I really don't think it would be worth it.

I can absolutely see why many people would be bitter toward WDW after dropping $1000-1500 for 5-7 days' tickets, plus resort/hotel, plus flights/rentals/gas, plus food, just to end up up waiting 45 mins to ride Maelstrom or 35 minutes to ride Figment (both real numbers that blew my mind when I saw people willing to wait for those as I moved past them with our 4th/5th FPs today).

 

[slford00]

I think it's because people's idea of a vacation vary. There are those of us who enjoy a faster paced environment like WDW and all of the planning involved. Then there are those who prefer the serenity of the beach and the laid back atmosphere. I feel truly sorry for people visiting WDW for the first time. It's an overwhelming experience and if plans aren't made well in advance the vacation is going to leave a bitter taste. I don't think a lot of people comprehend just how massive the World is, how intensive the planning should be for a first time visit, the importance of familiarizing yourself with the parks beforehand, that TS meals need to be booked in advance, etc. A lot of them think it's going to like walking into their local 6 Flags when in reality it's like walking onto a different planet.

I think you've just underscored why a lot of people don't like Disney. For many families, going to Disney is a one-time experience--it certainly was in my childhood (we went when I was age 5; I didn't return until I took my 4 yr old in 2012 and just took third trip this week). If that one trip goes poorly... then that's it.

 

[Vito]

I personally am on the WDW fence rather than the Disneyland side. I love the grandeur of WDW and once you turn the corner on main street and see the huge castle always takes my breath away.

Yea the crowds can be horrible, but you just have to plan a little bit and be flexible. If one park is too busy that day I just switch parks, or switch lands.

I went to Disneyland once as a kid and just didn't like it very much and it kinds stuck with me. If I have the choice I always pick Disney World.

If your unprepared for the vastness, crowds, and heat and don't at least try to map out some of your day it can be overwhelming. Especially for a first time visitor.

I think the ones who hated it so much but still love Disney need to probably try again and learn to avoid the things that made it a bad experience. It usually is the heat and crowds. A slower time of year may be better.

 

[gratefulfred]

The world is a big place even if you only stayed within the US there are so many great experiences. Disney is only one of them. Maybe these people thought once was enough and want to see other places they have never been before.

 

[WildReekies]

Some people just find it pointless and a waste of money. My sister in law for example basically thinks I'm a moron for choosing Walt disney world over a week roughing it in Yellowstone park. I like Yellowstone park but I also like wdw! She's just a big meanie so her opinion doesn't matter ; )

 

[Robertfam08]

I think it's because people's idea of a vacation vary. There are those of us who enjoy a faster paced environment like WDW and all of the planning involved. Then there are those who prefer the serenity of the beach and the laid back atmosphere.

I feel truly sorry for people visiting WDW for the first time. It's an overwhelming experience and if plans aren't made well in advance the vacation is going to leave a bitter taste. I don't think a lot of people comprehend just how massive the World is, how intensive the planning should be for a first time visit, the importance of familiarizing yourself with the parks beforehand, that TS meals need to be booked in advance, etc. A lot of them think it's going to like walking into their local 6 Flags when in reality it's like walking onto a different planet.

THIS!

To the bolded, I was talking to family friends that HATED Disney World, because according to them, "It was all shows! There were like, no rides!" I'm honestly not sure if they didn't realize that a lot of rides are indoors, but they were expecting Six Flags with Disney characters. They'll never go back to Disney, but they still aren't aware of what they missed. I wasn't even about to go there...there was angst...haha.

Another friend didn't love Disney either, but she LOVED "Universal Studios!" The thing is, she wasn't even at Universal. She was at Hollywood Studios. Haha. She thinks she doesn't like Disney, but she was at Disney.

I know so many other people who planned their first trip and loved it. The only people I know who went to Disney and didn't like it were people who had NO CLUE what they were getting themselves into before they left.