Will I like Disney?

[Danestress]

I've been reading and asking questions here for a while, but I have this nagging feeling I am going to hate Disney.

DH and I are taking our 8 year old sons there in December. We are booked for 6 nights at the SOG. I KNOW my boys will love it - they won't care about the characters (they haven't even seen that many Disney movies) but they will like the rides, want to go to Sea World, and are so happy and easy to please. They are just a total delight, which is why I love doing things with them. That much will be fun for sure.

But DH and I both hate crowds. We can't stand the mall. We regularly ask restaurants to turn down loud music and always choose quite places for dinner. I am mildly germ phobic and I know the whole eating out thing will bug me. I can't handle a lot of rides (though I will try for my sons' sake) and neither can DH. I'm almost wondering if I should ask my doctor for anti-anxiety medicine just to cope with the rides and the crowds.

Before you think I am a total scrouge, I promise I love traveling. I love to take my boys camping. I love field trips with them and we have a lot of fun as a family. I guess we are just quite people.

Any encouragement? Or tips for making this a great vacation? Thanks!

 

[islandbeachnut]

But DH and I both hate crowds. We can't stand the mall. We regularly ask restaurants to turn down loud music and always choose quite places for dinner. I am mildly germ phobic and I know the whole eating out thing will bug me. I can't handle a lot of rides (though I will try for my sons' sake) and neither can DH. I'm almost wondering if I should ask my doctor for anti-anxiety medicine just to cope with the rides

Wow, you sound like a lot of fun.

You say you like doing things for your boys, so just go and do it. If you have a horrible time (which is something I can't imagine), don't go back. At least you can tell your kids you tried it once.

This board is filled with tips, just read.

 

[PoohGal05]

When are you going to Disney? I know there are times when Disney is a lot more crowded that others. Disney keep their parks incredibly clean. I know that's definately the draw for us. After our first trip in '03 we came back home and went to the local state fair. MAN! It was as different as night and day and now we won't go back! The first time we went to Magic Kingdom, we went early in the morning. Everything was washed down, just like an early morning rain.

As far as eating, catch the lunch and dinner times before or after the traditional times of eating. I think I read somewhere that lunch hours are busiest between 11 and 2 and dinner hours are busiest between 5 and 7.

There are plenty of activities to do without getting on a ride.

Anyone else with some advice?

 

[MzDiz]

Avoid Whispering Canyons. It's roudy, loud and tons of fun. Your kids would get a kick out of the stick horse races around the dining room and the ketchup "experience", but I have a feeling you'd need therapy afterwards. They let you know your food's ready by smacking the back of your chair with a plate - hard. You'd probably have a breakdown.

Yeah, stay away from that one. More food for me that way.

Just be careful that you're not setting yourself up to have a bad time, be open, and expect the unexpected. You'll have a blast if you let yourself.

 

[tpayne]

I've been to all the parks several times and I have not seen this place.Where is it located? Sounds like my kind of place

 

[Piglet843]

IMHO - As is - if you go down tomorrow - I do believe you'll end up hating Disney. If I were you - I would definately PLAN ahead of time. Pick dates that are less crowded - then go to the least crowded parks for each day that you are there. Request a resort room that is quiet (me and DH do this anyway). Dine at the off times if possible - or plan to picnic in the parks. Just from the sounds of you guys - I would also rent a car - that way your family can come and go as you want.

Definately read threads on this board - and also look at the other great Disney sites. Look for things your family will enjoy doing - and try to work those in. Disney is a very diverse place. It is intended for people from all walks of life to be able to come down and enjoy Something about Disney - you just gotta find it.

That being said - my advise to you is don't SCHEDULE things - just go with the flow - take it easy and one day at a time. Do whatever everyone feels like doing - hit the parks - hit the water parks - you and DH should enjoy downtown Disney. Or just lay around the pool at your hotel. There are boat rides, golf, shopping, and so many other things to see and do at Disney World.

I hope I don't get kicked off this board for this - but you guys may even want to consider a day trip over to Universal Studios and City Walk, or even go over to SeaWorld. Lots to see and do at these places too!!

Just keep and open mind - and make the best of it - For the kids!!

 

[dwcrazee]

As far as not being able to handle the rides everyone is different but, that is one of the reasons I love Disney. I am a major chicken when it comes to the rides but, at Disney the majority are pretty mild. Research the rides before hand and you will know what to expect.

Good Luck!

 

[AshAlytwins]

I've been to all the parks several times and I have not seen this place.Where is it located? Sounds like my kind of place

The Wilderness Lodge!!!! Fun, Fun, Fun!!! Yum, Yum, Yum!!!

 

[MzDiz]

Oh, and get thee a subscription to TourGuideMike! The charts with the least crowded park days are invaluable and so correct. We went to MGM on a "red day" and were amazed at the mobs of people.

 

[rlovew]

Staying at the SOG will offer you more quiet, I have found that it is much quieter and the restraunts are less crowded there, in fact you may want to eat more there. You can also bring food as you will have a fride in the room.

Plan to go to the parks early in the day and leave as the midday crowds come in, go back in the evenings as the crowds wear down and don't plan on seeing the big parades because there is lots of jostling and crowds for those (although the are a wonderful sight).

If you want to stay in the parks midday take in some of the less crowded attractions, Hall of Presidents, Tom Sawyer's Island, Tiki Birds (although it is a bit loud). There are only a couple of thrill rides at each park and the rest of the rides and shows are not heart pumping.

 

[Danestress]

Avoid Whispering Canyons. It's roudy, loud and tons of fun. Your kids would get a kick out of the stick horse races around the dining room and the ketchup "experience", but I have a feeling you'd need therapy afterwards. They let you know your food's ready by smacking the back of your chair with a plate - hard. You'd probably have a breakdown.

Yeah, stay away from that one. More food for me that way.

Just be careful that you're not setting yourself up to have a bad time, be open, and expect the unexpected. You'll have a blast if you let yourself.

Thanks for the heads up pon WC! We DEFINITELY will leave that one to you I do think we will go to Artist's Point for dinner one night because I have heard the WL is so beautiful at Christmas.

And to everyone else - thanks for the hints, tips and encouragement. We are going the first week of Christmas (yes, I know, it's Pop Warner week. You can imagine how much I love cheering) I know we will have a great time. Dana

 

[kmccain]

I think you are going to LOVE Disney! Look at all the Disney nuts on this site! We can't all be a little twisted!

It is truly a magical place! I don't care how many people are there or how old you are! You will be as thrilled as your boys!

Thank the Lord that you are able to go and enjoy!

 

[byoung]

What dates in Dec are you going. The crowds in mid Dec are some of the lowest all year. Christmas week we be crowded.

 

[maddhatir]

i am just curious as to what made you decide to go to disney??

if you like camping- maybe you can stop over at Fort Wilderness- do the campfire thing- i think they also do a hayride around the camp area and all the campers are decorated for christmas. someone correct me if i am wrong.

i have also heard it is nice to watch the fireworks from the beach there.

i also hate! crowds- and believe it or not i am already on anti-anxiety meds!

i have zero patients for anything- but i would NEVER stop going to disney for that reason -- i just "work around the crowds"

sept will be our 11th time. my only advice is NEVER go for christmas through new years- you would have a stroke! i did it 2x and never again. DH and i have gone a few times in the beginning of dec- crowds arent too bad. and its nice to see the decorations. we were there in dec 2005 during pop warner- you shouldnt have a problem staying at SOG- the are usually at the value resorts. we didnt see them TOO much at the parks.

i have now learned to do my homework before planning a trip. in addition to subscribing to TGM-- i NOW check on the disneys world wide of sports site to check and see if there are any "annoying" events that may be there at the time i am planning- i already changed my sept trip to a week earlier just because there is a triathalon going on during a weekend we are there.....you never can be too careful. even though it probably would not even effect the crowds- i had to change my ressies.

i printed out my TGM park crowd guide and planning my park days according to that!

good luck and HAVE FUN!

 

[Danestress]

What dates in Dec are you going. The crowds in mid Dec are some of the lowest all year. Christmas week we be crowded.

The first week. I know it's Pop Warner week, but I am hoping not to be affected. It's a birthday week for us and the best time for us to go.

 

[Danestress]

i am just curious as to what made you decide to go to disney??

I guess because I *loved* it as a child. And I just sort of thought the boys should see it and that we would all enjoy it. I don't know. At the time it sounded like a good idea And seriously, it still does. Thanks for saying I'm not the only one with some crowd/anxiety issues though!!

 

[sakura-panda]

My husband and I aren't big crowd fans either -- we went at the end of April five years ago -- but it is very easy to avoid the crowds -- especially if you are staying on site and take advantage of the parks opening early for resort guests. With our head start, we were always ahead of the crowds as we wandered through the park.

We also didn't use the park transportation -- we drove our rental car to each park -- so that we didn't have to wait for the bus and we didn't show up at the same time as an entire busload of people.

With Fast Pass, you don't even have to wait in line for rides -- just show up at the time printed on your ticket. They had two lines when we were there -- one line for people who were waiting, and the "line" for people with Fast Pass. (There never seemed to be anyone in that line and we were always able to go right in!)

We also ate at odd times so that we could continue going through the park while a lot of people were eating, and then being able to eat in relative quiet.

I hope some of these suggestions help. Good luck and have fun!

 

[budbeerlady]

If you are going early dec. you will love it. MAke your dining plans for off peak times. early dinner or late lunch. It wont be as crowded or busy. The park and resorts are very clean, everyone is very helpful and friendly. Take less ride times by spending time at Ak and Epcot. Or do more shows at MGM. We are not big ride people but we love WDW. When you do the MK maybe do a MVMCP, its a seperate ticket event, less crowds. less ride wait. DD rode Goofys barnstormer over and over with out getting off. It was a 5 min walk on for Peter Pans flight and 10 min for Dumbos ride. The tea cups were a walk on and it is just great non-crowded fun!

 

[dopeynme]

Hi! DF and I try to go to WDW once a year. He doesn't do any type of ride that could be considered a thrill ride and he LOVES to go to WDW....so many shows and other attractions, it is clean and the level of customer service is awesome! Before our first trip, I didn't want to go, but I quickly became "hooked" on being called "Princess" and being treated like one! And the feeling the magic, just as if I were 5 years old again.....There is nothing else like it! I agree with the others who have recommended doing your research and planning.....I like a web site called All Ears Net. They have LOTS of helpful info and you can sign up for a free weekly newsletter.

Sounds like your boys are just the right age. I hope they enjoy it and you and DH, too!

 

[BlackNGold]

I will repeat that DW was the cleanest amusement park I have ever been to...couldn't have been more impressed...

and, I think if you focus on your children's enjoyment and joy in their eyes, you won't have any problem enjoying yourselves as well...my DD and I were starry eyed our entire trip...