Why I chose not to visit Walt Disney World

[burberryplaid]

I respect your opinion, although I must disagree.

I had never been to Disney World until last September, at the age of 31. I'm sure there were probably snags and problems, but I honestly can't remember. All I remember is everything about that trip was magical to me. I had the best vacation ever. I loved not having a care in the world! I got to be a kid again and that in and of itself was wonderful!

If you go into something looking for problems, of course you'll find them.

I hope you enjoy your trip to Tokyo Disney and I hope you'll go into it without a magnifying glass, looking for problems and concerns.

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

WOW, I guess there will be no WDW countdown ticker for you. Well, what ever destination you choose, I hope you have a great time. Safe travels.

 

[Praying Colonel]

I agree with some of the things that the OP says bother him/her, disagree with some others. Sometimes I get the feeling that WDW is using the "boiling the frog" thing on us. You've heard the story about how to boil a frog--put it in a pot of water at room temperature, then raise the temperature a little at a time. The frog doesn't even realize it's being boiled until it's too late. When I look at the many nickel-and-dime things that have been going on the last few years (ever-rising ticket prices, sucking the value out of the DDP, homogenizing restaurant menus while increasing prices, weekday vs. weekend room rates, closing MK more and more evenings to add more hard-ticket events, just to name a very few), I get the feeling that we're the frog in the water, and that steam around us isn't a humidifier.

OTOH, change is inevitable. There's no way the parks could stay in their original state, nor should they. Many changes are hated by some, while others look forward to them. Others never knew some of the original attractions and, therefore, don't miss them.

Ultimately, everyone has to decide for himself or herself whether WDW is right for them at that time. Our family went in 04, 06 and 07, and DW and I strongly considered going back to WDW in January for an adults-only trip to celebrate her getting her Masters. For a variety of reasons--some related to issues we have with recent WDW changes, some unrelated to WDW at all--we decided to go on a cruise, instead. And we had a ball.

Does that mean we're done with WDW? Nope--we're already planning a family trip for this coming January. It's just that for us, we weren't really feeling the Magic when we were planning our January trip, for a variety of reasons, and decided to try something new. For us, there's a big world out there, and we want to have a place for that. WDW could do some things to earn more of our vacation dollar, but there will probably always be a place in our life for WDW, too.

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

I think you should stay away from WDW if you have such a negative view.

While you are at it, why post in the attractions and strategies section of a board entirely devoted to WDW if you think it is a poor choice for a vacation?

 

[Stitchfans]

So, were you trying to convince us or yourself that you made the "right" decision?

Did you think you were going to get applause or a high five for putting down someplace on a board dedicated to it?

Please, go to Japan, but why do you feel the need to come on here and tell us? We never needed to know. It could have been your secret.

All of this is exactly what was going through my head when I was reading the post.

 

[phamton]

Is that true? If so, that'd be great! For the last couple of years, my husband and I talked ourselves out of going there saying that our DD is too young to go there. What time do they leave from the resorts and leave from Universal Studios? Is it just one bus a day? Do you have their phone number that I can find out? Thank you!

It is several times a day. Just call (407) 423-5566 twenty-four hours in advance.

 

[themilesfamily]

I decided to visit Tokyo Disney instead because of DisneySea, the desire to visit another country, my interest in rail mass transit, and the fact that it wasn't that much more expensive than WDW. Even today if I had to choose, I would visit TDR again before WDW.

I think the reasons you listed are great reasons to choose Tokyo Disney and I'm not going to try to talk you into visiting WDW. Vacation decisions are a personal choice -- everybody has something different that peaks their interest. If WDW turns you off for whatever reason and Tokyo Disney is the place for you, enough said.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

I'm much worse than a lawyer ... I'm a therapist.

ROTFLMAO!

(not sure why I find that hilarious, but I do!!!!)

 

[MomofKatie]

Have fun in Tokyo! I'd say we'll miss you in Orlando, but I think we'll manage without you.

 

[CarolA]

But I gotta ask..."and the fact that it wasn't that much more expensive than WDW"...is that true? I've never priced it out, but considering how relatively inexpensive a trip to WDW that I've been pricing is (cheaper than a similar stay onsite at Disneyland!), and considering how ding dang expensive Japan is...is it really not much more expensive? We absolutely have the Asian Disney parks in our future, as side trips to DH's family in Korea, so if it's not that much more expensive, it might be in our future sooner rather than later.

It's probably NOT true UNLESS you are only willing to stay the GF suites at WDW

I don't know if anyone else had noticed but the value of the DOLLAR vs foreign currencys is HORRID.

And see the last sentence in this pararaph....The OP won't go to WDW due to extra evening charges. If this is true maybe he should reaearch

"There is no general admission ticket available for Tokyo Disneyland. You need to purchase a Passport, which includes all attractions. A one-day passport costs 5,800 yen (adult). A two-day passport costs 10,000 yen (adult). Children under age three are free of charge. There is also a Starlight Passport (4,700 yen) for admission to the park after 5:00 p.m. on certain days."

Anyway 10,000 yen is close to $100.

Hotels in Toyko are well known to be OUTRAGEOUSLY high. Literally they sell "coffins" for over $100 anight.

I just checked the website. The cheapest night at an one of the DIsney hotels is 27,000 yen or $270!!!!!!!!!!! Makes Disney deluxes look almost affordable.

Plus you have to get there.... Generally for most of us flights to MCO are MUCH cheaper then flights to Japan.

 

[luvthemouse71]

Maybe this person is an executive or a PR person for Universal.

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

Maybe this person is an executive or a PR person for Universal.

You never know.

 

[minmate]

Maybe this person is an executive or a PR person for Universal.

 

[Dolce27]

Can you please help me with something?

Please pass this onto the millions of families that will visit WDW for the first time this year (oh, and some of the repeat guest). Hopefully they will read this and cancel their trips.

Please be sure to stress how each problem will be double September 1-7 and December 23-January 3.

Ummmm... disneyjunkie? December 23-January 3 is a horrible, horrible time to go. Everything will be broken and unclean and so much worse than the other times of the year ....

Oh wait! That won't work on the person who came up with the idea to deter people from going in the first place - will it? Ooops! Oh well, guess that I’ll see you there as those are my dates, too.

Everyone, I honestly think that the OP was just trying to rile everyone up, I could be wrong, but since they posted such criticism on a WDW thread and then have not made a reappearance to the thread … I think the OP was just trying to rile everyone up.

I went to DL for my first time this last November. I didn’t notice it any cleaner or more kept than what I see at any of the four WDW theme parks.

 

[Aliceacc]

WHY I CHOOSE TO VISIT DISNEY WORLD

My husband and I are both teachers, so it goes without saying that we're on a budget. But this is the year-- the one year-- when we're pulling out all the stops and taking the kids to Disney World. (The 40% off PIN code had a lot to do with "pulling out all the stops" but we had the trip planned anyway.)

I know they could very well survive childhood without it. But this one is for me-- I want to share the wonder of Disney with my kids while they're young enough to believe in the Magic. Neither Disney Paris nor Disney Tokyo are now on the agenda, nor will they ever be. If I ever get back to Paris, please rest assured that I will be seeing all things French, not American. If I ever get to Asia, it will be to Korea so that my son can re-visit the land of his birth. I will NOT travel abroad only to see a bit of Americana that's available in my own back yard. The world is too big and varied a place for that; there's too much to see in other places to spend my time seeing what I could see in Florida.

I have no illusions about Disney, even though it's been 18 years since we last visited. I know that it's a big corporation and that finances are the driving force. That's OK. I have the same expectations of my supermarket, my mechanic and everyone else I deal with on a daily basis. I expect that I will get what I pay for, that they'll try to uphold what they've promised to provide. I also realize that.. gasp.. sometimes lightbulbs DO burn out and that sometimes a key employee calls in sick. I'm an adult, and I cope, as I hope my students cope when unforseen circumstances prevent me from giving them my very best. I know that, like my supermarket and favorite local restaurant, the powers that be sometimes make changes that I'm not crazy about. But then again, sometimes I've sampled some of those changes against my better judgement, and found a new favorite. I'm an adult and can deal with change.

But if AM going to spend my money on a big family vacation, this is the one I want to spend it on. Unlike the OP, I HAVE been there before. I know it will be hot and muggy in August, and have my rain ponchos ready for the afternoon rains. I know that there will most likely be people ahead of me in the line for the monorail, and that it's entirely possible that I may not get seated at 5 pm for my 5 pm ADR. That's OK. I'm an adult, and I've dealt with greater disappointments in my life. But I also know that the movers and shakers have done something that no one else has done: they've managed to transform Florida swampland into a separate, wonderful place where imagination (along with a variety of other things) takes flight. It's a place where adults can act like kids, and kids are under no pressure to act like adults.

So my family and I are headed to Disney World in Orlando this August. I hope the OP has a wonderful time in Tokyo.

 

[donaldndaisy]

Growing up I had always wanted to visit Walt Disney World. I'm a Southern California native who has been to Disneyland many times throughout my life but Disney World was always in the back of my mind. Last Spring I was so close to booking the trip that I could almost feel the humidity. Here's why I ultimately chose not to and visit Tokyo Disney instead.

Attractions I wanted to see were gone - Horizons was the major spark igniting my interest to go to Disney World ever since I was a kid. It's the kind of attraction I've always dreamed of, and even today, enjoy it through an excellent DVD quality ride-through I found on the Internet. Mission: Space just doesn't seem that interesting to me.

World of Motion was another classic Epcot attraction I wish I could have experienced. Test Track looks like an abomination. I can't fathom how anyone could prefer this to this. I hope GM got their money's worth, because WDW guests sure didn't.

There were other things I didn't like. Alien Encounter turned into Stitch Encounter or something like that. 20,000 Leagues transformed into a Winnie the Pooh play area. A lot of things that would have otherwise attracted me to WDW were gone. I also didn't like the idea of the Tiki Room: Under New Management. That's not something I can support and I just didn't want to go anywhere near it.

Already, I'm pretty disgruntled, but I was still willing to go.

Transportation - I wanted to see Islands of Adventure in addition to the four parks at WDW, but there was no reliable, easy way to do it outside of renting a car or taking a taxi, two things I had no intention of doing. Much of the advice centered around taking a public bus but that the ride was slow. Others suggested staying off-site but I didn't want to rely on hotel shuttles.

I was also disappointed at the transportation system at WDW itself. When I think of Disney World I think of sleek, fast, and reliable monorails, not buses, which were a nightmare as far as I read, especially when it's busy. I became bitter that Disney World has not expanded its monorail system since the 80s and pretty much lost all faith in the technology.

Being a rail enthusiast I was enticed by Tokyo's entirely grade-separated, reliable, and always on-time rail network. I discovered that it would be so much easier to get to non-Disney destinations in Japan. I enjoyed riding on Japanese trains almost as much as seeing DisneySea.

General lack of upkeep - I must admit that columnist Kevin Yee had a hand in this, whose updates on WDW were like weekly "What's broken this week at WDW?" reports. I get bent out of shape when I see a burnt out lightbulb at Disneyland and I'm just a SoCal passholder. When you're shelling out almost 3 grand for a trip to Disney World that stuff is even harder to swallow.

Bad Policies - There are many policies I don't like at WDW, some of which I knew then and some of which I learned more recently.

The holiday surcharge for eating on certain busy dates at certain restaurants.

Not including tips in some Disney Dining Plan anymore.

Not keeping the park open late for all paying guests, instead opting to hold special events like the Halloween and Christmas parties.

Early Entry, another "illusion of value" feature where Disney saves money on operating costs but you think you're getting something extra.

Some of these would have affected me, some would not, but they are not policies I want to support with my wallet.

Conclusion - I was very close to booking the trip. I had everything planned out, from what parks we would visit on what days, choice of hotels, and how we were going to pay for it. Everything was a go and all I had to do was book, and in the 11th hour I said, "You know what? This is stupid." I felt like a moron, a sucker, for even considering Disney World in its current state, and decided that it just wasn't worth it.

I decided to visit Tokyo Disney instead because of DisneySea, the desire to visit another country, my interest in rail mass transit, and the fact that it wasn't that much more expensive than WDW. Even today if I had to choose, I would visit TDR again before WDW.

If you have anything to add, such as how Disney World has possibly improved since last year and/or how a trip could be easily made despite my grievances, please do so.

I never thought I would say this to anyone.... But, I don't think you should visit WDW. You, obviously, hate the place so much, eventhough, you have never been. You are likely to have a horrible time and anyone with you would have their vacation ruined . If you get "bent out of shape" because of a blown light bulb, then, it seems to me that it would be impossible to please someone like you. Expecting perfection, will set you up for failure each and every time (just to be clear, there is nothing wrong with wanting perfection, but to EXPECT it, is....well, crazy). You don't seem to approach a vacation with the idea of having fun and this puzzles me

My family decided to visit Disneyland/California Adventure, during New Year Holiday. We all agreed we will not visit, again. To us, it doesn't even touch the experience of WDW. My ds9 was, extremely, disappointed and bored. California Adventure was just okay, but it had more of a carnival feel, than anything.

I do understand wanting to visit other theme parks in Orlando, but don't expect Disney or any theme park for that matter, to shuttle you over to their competitor. This year, my family and I will have an extended vacation in Central Florida. Our ds will be attending Space Camp at Kennedy Space Center. While we are in the area, we are going to relax and head to the beach (we used to live in Jacksonville and really miss the beach). Then, we are spending another 4 nights on International Drive. While there, we are going to visit Universal/IOA, Sea World and hang out on I-Drive. Then, we are going wrap up our last week, at the Polynesian, at WDW. There are tons of little things that may happen, that we were not expecting, both good and not so good. The trick with the not so good, is to deal with it quickly and as painlessly, as possible, then let...it....go

We know things won't be perfect, there may be days, we'll return to our room and find it hasn't been cleaned at 2 pm. There will be days the parks will be so crowded and hot, I will wonder why I even bothered to leave my resort (the Poly is a paradise , so there's no way I could lose here). But, nothing can replace the quality time with my family, the look on my son's face and the memories, both past and the new ones being made .

Yes, most people do spend a butt load of money on a WDW vacation. But, you can't compare the money spent, to irreplacable, priceless memories . WDW is simply magical (not to mention beautiful) and if you wouldn't have such royal expectations, even you could have a wonderful time .

Just be willing let life happen and enjoy it.

 

[TisBit]

Yeah, it always bugs me how sometimes I think one ride I have never been on has been replaced by another ride that IMO is inferior, though I have never been on it either!

I am surprised anyone has even responded to this thread (but here I am too)....I hope the OP the best of luck and you will be missed at WDW....ummmm never mind, don't think you will.

 

[Spokker]

I guess I'm a bit perplexed.. All the things you complained about could also pertain to Disneyland...which I'm guessing you like since you've been there many times.

Well it costs significantly less for me to visit Disneyland than it does Disney World. However much a SoCal AP costs vs a plane ticket, a hotel, on top of the multiday pass.

It's true that many of the things I said could also apply to Disneyland, but I guess in the end there are more originals at Disneyland than at Disney World. The things that were specific to Disney World that I wanted to see are gone now, and their replacements don't interest me all that much.

Disneyland still has the Mansion, Pirates, Matterhorn, Space Mountain, Jungle Cruise, Tiki Room, Mark Twain, and others even if some of them have been changed up a bit.

Maybe if you could explain your "grievance" better here, I could comment better.

I fail to see how Extra Magic Hours is a way for WDW to save money but give the illusion of guests getting something extra.

The Magic Kingdom used to be open until 1AM every night in the Summer.

I understand your feeling about this, but I don't understand your logic about this. "I don't want to go to WDW because they won't provide me free transportation to a competitor"???

I don't expect Disney to offer me free transportation to a competitor. I was expressing disappointment in Florida's public transportation system. Public transit is another interest of mine.

Please, go to Japan, but why do you feel the need to come on here and tell us? We never needed to know. It could have been your secret.

I apologize for provoking discussion on a discussion board. Disney World is the most perfect place in the world and should never be criticized. I could find criticisms even about Tokyo Disney, and I do. Maybe if there were a Tokyo Disney forum here I would post them there.

Without ever setting foot in the resort he KNOWS ALL!!! He knows transportation is bad, he knows upkeep is bad and so on. TROLL ALERT!!!!!

Why should I spend $3,000 to experience a place that I know I already dislike? I don't have to go there to know I dislike the policies. I don't have to go there to know what they did to the Tiki Room. I don't have to go there to see lack of upkeep and burnt out signs. There are plenty of people to post pictures of it online.

Let's go to a foreign country to see American culture??? LOL!)

Maintaining a Disney park to Disney standards is apparently not part of American culture.

For the record I did see lots of Japan besides Disney.

Have you been to WDW or not? I noticed on the DL forum that you stated AK is lacking in quality disney rides, but it's beautifully themed. You even commented that EE was an excellent ride, but really all that is worth doing. How could you possibly make these comments to someone if you haven't been there?

I probably know more about Disney World than some people who actually go there. I do my research and read plenty of trip reports, articles, history, and see plenty of videos, hear plenty of audio, and I've done everything but actually step through the gates of the four parks.

Do I have to go to MGM and see Fatasmic! to feel that the "bubble scene" is too long and their version relies entirely too much on the mist screens? Do I have to go to MGM to say that their vision of Tower of Terror is vastly superior to DCA's version? Do I have to go to Epcot to have an opinion on that awful Mickey hand that was recently taken off of Spaceship Earth?

I'm no know-it-all when it comes to Disney World, but I've gone my homework.

I hope you enjoy your trip to Tokyo Disney and I hope you'll go into it without a magnifying glass, looking for problems and concerns.

I did have concerns, but for the most park Tokyo Disney withstood the wrath of my magnifying glass. It was everything I've read about and more.

Maybe this person is an executive or a PR person for Universal.

I generally have a very low opinion of Universal Studios, General Electric, and NBC. But Islands of Adventure does look appealing to me, especially the Spiderman ride.

Anyway 10,000 yen is close to $100.

Hotels in Toyko are well known to be OUTRAGEOUSLY high. Literally they sell "coffins" for over $100 anight.

Those "coffins" don't go for over $100 a night and they are mostly for drunken Japanese businessmen who missed the last train home.

Perhaps you should do some research on the place. We stayed on site in an Official Disney Hotel for $150 a night.

I'm not sure what you are trying to accomplish pointing out the ticket prices at WDW. We paid $150 for a 4-day passport. I had no problem with that. The Starlight passport is for after 6PM(weekdays) or 3PM (weekends, holidays). It's not a special event ticket.

 

[saquin]

Disneyland still has the Mansion, Pirates, Matterhorn, Space Mountain, Jungle Cruise, Tiki Room, Mark Twain, and others even if some of them have been changed up a bit.

Um, WDW also still has the Mansion, Pirates, Space Mountain, Jungle Cruise, Tiki Room (improved). It also still has the original Swiss Family Treehouse (which, I understand, has been changed into some Tarzan thing at Disneyland, which defeats the whole "shipwrecked" theme) and the original Country Bear Jamboree (which is now gone from Disneyland).

There are pluses and minuses to both. Your gripes on this particular point don't make much sense to me.

 

[TisBit]

Well it costs significantly less for me to visit Disneyland than it does Disney World. However much a SoCal AP costs vs a plane ticket, a hotel, on top of the multiday pass.

It's true that many of the things I said could also apply to Disneyland, but I guess in the end there are more originals at Disneyland than at Disney World. The things that were specific to Disney World that I wanted to see are gone now, and their replacements don't interest me all that much.

Disneyland still has the Mansion, Pirates, Matterhorn, Space Mountain, Jungle Cruise, Tiki Room, Mark Twain, and others even if some of them have been changed up a bit.The Magic Kingdom used to be open until 1AM every night in the Summer.I don't expect Disney to offer me free transportation to a competitor. I was expressing disappointment in Florida's public transportation system. Public transit is another interest of mine.I apologize for provoking discussion on a discussion board. Disney World is the most perfect place in the world and should never be criticized. I could find criticisms even about Tokyo Disney, and I do. Maybe if there were a Tokyo Disney forum here I would post them there.Why should I spend $3,000 to experience a place that I know I already dislike? I don't have to go there to know I dislike the policies. I don't have to go there to know what they did to the Tiki Room. I don't have to go there to see lack of upkeep and burnt out signs. There are plenty of people to post pictures of it online.

Maintaining a Disney park to Disney standards is apparently not part of American culture.

For the record I did see lots of Japan besides Disney.
I probably know more about Disney World than some people who actually go there. I do my research and read plenty of trip reports, articles, history, and see plenty of videos, hear plenty of audio, and I've done everything but actually step through the gates of the four parks.

Do I have to go to MGM and see Fatasmic! to feel that the "bubble scene" is too long and their version relies entirely too much on the mist screens? Do I have to go to MGM to say that their vision of Tower of Terror is vastly superior to DCA's version? Do I have to go to Epcot to have an opinion on that awful Mickey hand that was recently taken off of Spaceship Earth?

I'm no know-it-all when it comes to Disney World, but I've gone my homework.

I did have concerns, but for the most park Tokyo Disney withstood the wrath of my magnifying glass. It was everything I've read about and more.

Actually, yes you do have to go to say that it isn't kept up to standards and say that you don't like something. For every critic there is a fan. There are plenty of pics floating around about imperfections at DL too. Remember Walt started WDW because of DL imperfections.

You can research all you want, you can see videos and pictures and hear stories, but until you experience it yourself, you have not earned a right to pass judgement. You are trolling to find an emotional response, there was no reason for your post, but to illicit a response, period end of discussion. Got to WDW....and than post why you wouldn't return.

As for your public transportation issues, umm you live in SoCal, an area that is not well known for public transportation options, much less speedy or convenient ones.