My Disney-itis has been cured!
 

Just a little venting...went to Disney this past week. The most HORRIBLE week of my life. To think I shelled out thousands of dollars to be in a hot mob of people. What a waste. <BR><BR>The worst part is, when I checked in at disboards.com, those fanatics are all saying "the crowds weren't that bad", "Disney still has the magic", blah blah blah!<BR><BR>Anyhow, it's totally my own fault. Everyone said it would be packed, but I thought I could handle it. Now here I sit depressed that my one and only (expensive) week of vacation has passed.

What a shame! You didn't say whether you went to FL or CA. I've always made it a policy to avoid WDW during March Break (partly because we're too cheap to fly, and there isn't enough time to drive, and partly because of the crowds). Our WDW trip (2000) was fabulous, because we went in the last two weeks of August. Yes, it was meltingly hot, but the crowds had already gone back to school. And a week at Disney doesn't need to cost thousands, if you're cheap like we are -- we drove down and camped in Fort Wilderness. Awesome experience. The whole two-week trip (incl. 5-day Park Hopper Plus passes for three adults and 1 child, gas, food, a stop at Mammouth Cave, a weekend at the beach near Sarasota to decompress after the Mouse, spending money and accommodations) came to about $3,100 Canadian, which equals $1,943 Yankee dollars. My kids are campaigning to go again...

Finally Sane, my sympathies. Whenever we start planning a family vacation my kids lobby for Disneyworld. My husband and I consider it will cost the same amount to spend a week there or spend a week in a house on the beach in Hawaii. So far, Hawaii has been winning hands down for us grown ups. The kids will keep lobbying, but I just can't imagine feeling relaxed after spending a week fighting crowds and standing in line. I can handle Disneyland for a day but that's my limit.

You all know the REAL name of the place is WALLET Disney World...

Finally, You know the real magic is the stuff they put in the water that makes people believe the crowds were bearable, the food was good and the lines were short. I personally got hammered on the disboards because I said the crowds were horrible and the food was bad. You would have thought I accused someone's mother of working in the oldest profession. Those people are nuts!

I am so sorry you had such a miserable experience!<BR><BR>My husband and I went to DIsney (NO CHILDREN) the last week of January in 2001 and had the best time ever - even though it poured down rain at least 50% of the time. The reason we had such a good time is because we didn't have to wait for anything. It was truly magical even though it was disappointing weatherwise (we live in a cooler climate and were looking forward to it being at least a little warm!). <BR><BR>My husband had read that this was the best time to go to Disney, and it truly was - especially since I was not a "believer" until I got there.

Spring break/Easter week is the MOST crowded time at Disney World. You can't really judge WDW if that is the only time you go. I have been there twice at that time--difference was they had early entry then which made it bearable. I won't go there during Easter break again. Going another time of year makes a BIG difference.

Finally Sane:<BR><BR>The last time I went to WDW was before Epcot Center was built and it was even crowded then. Been there 4 times and never has it been sparsely crowded. It's best to stay at Atlantic Ocean beaches and Southern Florida.

Spring break is a tough time to go to Disney unless you stay on Disney property and don't drive. If you use the bus system and get to the parks early and leave in the early afternoon to swim at the hotel, the vacation can be very nice. I for one cannot imagine not having fun at Disney, and I enjoy the food very much- the fast food stands and carts serve high quality fare, much better than any fast food restaurant chain does. They also offer fresh fruits (nice quality), juices, popcorn,and wonderful candies, etc. Whenever I hear someone say the food there is bad I question if they have actually been there or are posting just to create controversy. Some people seem to have these huge expectations for a Disney trip that can NEVER be met because they are unrealistic.

Deb is right, WDW is usually a far cry from what is invisioned or portraid on the commercials. However, I have taken my family to WDW 5 times in the last 5 years and have loved it more each time we've gone. While I don't believe I'll be going next year, I will go back in the future. People need to realize that you should try and go during the non-peak times. This helps minimize the lines and crowd and let's you come close to catching the "Disney Magic."

No, my kids aren't weird and I don't have a rotten attitude. We've been to <BR>WDW 7 times and DL twice in the last 8 years. I've loved it every time and when people said "I can't believe you keep going back" I would tell them how great it was, the kids loved it, and so on.<BR><BR>My point was, I've been there before and have NEVER seen it this packed. I don't feel Disney has the best interest of their "guests" in mind. When cars were parked on the grass because the 12,000 capacity lot was filled, it is obvious that the want all the $$$ they can get, and to hell with those of us who would like to experience an attraction or two.<BR><BR><BR>Slam me if you want, but I sincerely doubt that the sweetheart that called me a sour pus has either paid a ton of money for a vacation he/she didn't enjoy or doesn't have a young family and realize how important vacation time is. Like I said, it was totally my own fault for planning a Spring Break trip, but you have no right to call me names.<BR>

No, my kids aren't weird and I don't have a rotten attitude. We've been to <BR>WDW 7 times and DL twice in the last 8 years. I've loved it every time and when people said "I can't believe you keep going back" I would tell them how great it was, the kids loved it, and so on.<BR><BR>My point was, I've been there before and have NEVER seen it this packed. I don't feel Disney has the best interest of their "guests" in mind. When cars were parked on the grass because the 12,000 capacity lot was filled, it is obvious that the want all the $$$ they can get, and to hell with those of us who would like to experience an attraction or two.<BR><BR><BR>Slam me if you want, but I sincerely doubt that the sweetheart that called me a sour pus has either paid a ton of money for a vacation he/she didn't enjoy or doesn't have a young family and realize how important vacation time is. Like I said, it was totally my own fault for planning a Spring Break trip, but you have no right to call me names.<BR>

But Sane,<BR>You never answered my simple question...did your KIDS enjoy their vacation at Disney World? They must enjoy their time there because, as you said, you've been there 7 times and you have had one bad experience...geez quit complaining!! It was spring break! Would you rather they had closed the doors on you. It wasn't even hot in Florida last week. You are jaded, Sane.<BR>P.S. I have been to WDW several times with and without children both camping, in condos and in hotels, at all times of year, you deal with the crowds of excited happy children and exhausted parents, period. I am glad you have decided not to return, leaves more room for the rest of us, SWEETHEART.<BR>

I agree with the above poster, disney. Only after your statement was challenged did to decide to inform us this was your 10th visit. Nine vacations must have been fun or you and your family would not have returned a 10th time. That info puts your rant into better perspective.

My wife and I went to WDW in Jan.1998 - great! No lineups. She recalled a trip one October with a 3-hour wait for Pirates of the Carib. - on this day, no lineup; walk right in! This around was MLK weekend, and the lineups were les than 10 minutes. Worst - one logride over the 5 days was about 40 minutes; Tower of Terror ride was 1 hr. Most stuff was 5 minutes or less. Space mountain 10 minutes. Gondola ride - walk on!<BR>Oh yeah, the weather was helpful. Some days it was so cool, that one of us was uncomfortable in a swim-suit. (Us hardy Canadians!) If you rush over there when the rain just stopped, the rides are almost deserted. Downside? Some stuff is always closed Januarys for maintenance.<BR><BR>Hey, we waited 2 hours to climb the statue of Liberty! Some maroon got halfway up and realized they were afraid of heights, jamming the line. Line-ups for St. Marks in Venice go around the block, and it's just a church, right?<BR>Crowds are what you get when you want to go to the same place as everyone else. I usually take this into account when planning trips.<BR>I agree though, it is a shame when they can't report crowd levels honestly... but maybe their idea of "OK" doesn't match yours. Live with it, or blow a head gasket quietly.

Disney took a hit in attendance in the aftermath of 9-11. Like most busiensses, they are trying to recoup. As to crowds, the first week of November is the best time to go. No lines. The weather can be a bit dicey but that's what jackets are for...

Finally Sane. Haven't you learned? It's just not possible to say anything negative about Disney. It brings out all the folks in mouse ears who will defend it to the end. <BR><BR>My kids went when it was crowded and they said "I don't want to wait in line for an hour, can we go back to the hotel and go swimming?". So there is your answer. My kids are not so stupid as to think just being at Disney equals a good time. They have enjoyed it when there aren't huge crowds, but no, they didn't like battling the throngs. Disney is trying to recoup it's losses at the expense of its "guests". Notice everyone suggests you suffer in silence, because it is verbotin to dis Disney. <BR><BR>Now if you want to pull your kids out of school for the cultural experience of Disney, you will miss the crowds, but if you feel they shouldn't miss schoolwork for Mickey, you're stuck with the mob scene. We won't be returning.

I love the comments from people who are saying how happy Disney makes the kids. I've taken my kids to Disneyland four or five times and every time there are at least 10 spottings of hysterical, crying kids (my husband and I wink at each other and remind ourselves we're in the "happiest place on earth"). Why? Well, my daughter dissolved one year because she wanted a small lollypop but they were sold in "bouquets" of ten, so cost $6, and I wasn't going to pay $6 for her to lick on a lolly for five minutes. The product placement and commercialism is way too much for some kids to handle. And standing in line for hours is hard on little ones as well. <BR><BR>The food is better than fast food, I'll agree, but if I had to eat Disney food for more than a day I think I'd dissolve into tears as well! It's all very institutional, not like dining at mom and pop's corner Chinese, Italian or Mexican place, like we do on other vacations. <BR><BR>My two cents. We'll return again and again to spend one day at Disneyland, but I can't see spending thousands to travel to Disneyworld. And I always make the extra effort to visit during offpeak days. The crowds are really overwhelming.

X has obviously never had a regular child. The most well-trained, well-behaved child is overstimulated by the Disney experience. Parents' best response to this is to remain cheerful and to find a resting stop. Our videos of Diney have hordes of crying children in the background to the point of it being comical when watching them. Oh sure we can laugh now!!!

Yo ho yo ho a pirate's life for me!

Our family just got back from a different Disney trip last week, a "disney cruise". If you have disney-itis this time of year this is the best way to cure it. We had a fabulous trip! There were no crowds to fuss with,my kids had plenty of contact with characters (for about the same price we've paid for WDW vacations in the past),and my husband and I had plenty of contact with relaxation and pampering. Definitely, the best vacation we have ever had. We can be found cruising with Mickey again next year on Spring break, you probably should too.....

Agree cb. We went on the Disney cruise 3 years ago and my kids cried when we left. They absolutely loved every minute of it. I'm thinking about it again for next years Spring Break too.

I've been following this thread for the past few days. Thank you Fodor's editors for taking out the anonymous "X" and his rude posts. For anyone that is reading this for the first time, it may not make a lot of sense, but rest assured that you aren't missing much more than someone that has to resort to name calling and insults rather than adding a valuable post. Good bye Mr. X!

Hi, I picked up the foders guide so that I could be well informed when my son (who's 13 and autistic) and I head for the WDW for the first time. <BR><BR>Reading the various points of view has been an eye opener! I am going from May 22-26. After reading your posts I have prepared myself mentally for the crowds and to just take it easy. I also scheduled a PS for 8am for the Crystal Palace. Hopefully we'll beat some of the crowds & lines because of this. <BR><BR>But I just wanted to say thanks for being honest and open about your rants and raves!

Finally Sane, you are--and they aren't.<BR><BR>Although it certainly took you long enough to sober up.<BR><BR>I just can't believe all those defensive souls who somehow think that trashing Disney is immoral, unscrupulous, stupid, unpatriotic, anti-capitalist, and anything else they want to dredge up. The very fact that they DO get so defensive suggests that they are into something "over their head."<BR><BR>Come out and breathe the un-Disneyed air and think how much sand, salt water, boats, national park excursions, visits to Canada (even...), your money COULD have bought.

Karen,<BR> If you want LOADS of great info from people who visit WDW, go to <BR>www.disboards.com<BR>May shouldn't be too bad.

Karen, check out the info on guests with disabilities. You should be able to call someone at WDW and get more specific information, but since it will be terribly hard for your kid to stand in the long lines I believe he can obtain a disability pass with a doctor's note. With the pass he can board the rides through a different posted entrance and avoid the very long lines. <BR><BR>We did this with my son when he was younger at Disneyland. The folks in the park were very understanding and helpful. Now my son is older and can handle the waiting, plus we make it a point never to go on the high-capacity days. You should have a great time!