Any anti-Disney people cross over to the dark side?

So, I am intrigued by the number of people who love Disney (with or without kids) and from reading all the raves about it, I'm almost at the point where I may consider checking it out.

BUT, (having never gone before), I always thought Disney sounded horrible for the following reasons:

1. Too commercial. I hate the idea of the over-the-board mass marketing, characters, people trying to get me to buy pictures, and souveniers, etc.

2. lines, lines, lines

3. overstimulation. I want a vacation where I can relax, sit by the pool/beach and do activities when I choose

4. crowds

so, any anti-Disney people convert? convince me that I will love it there!

With all these Disney posts and people who LOVE it enough to go year after year, even as adults with no kids, I must be wrong in my impression, right?

Message edited 5/9/2013 9:47:42 AM.

Any anti-Disney people cross over to the dark side?

I think most people that don't like it a. have never been, or b. went and didn't plan accordingly, so their trip was a nightmare. No one pressures you to buy anything there just so you know! They even take pictures with your own camera for you! But, it's def. not a relaxing vacation! You almost need a vacation after the vacation lol

Re: Any anti-Disney people cross over to the dark side?

You would be the type (based on your description) that would be perfect for one of two things...a land and sea trip or a longer 9 night trip.

Land and sea you could do 3 or 4 days maybe split between MK and epcot. Then take a 4 day disney cruise. This way you get fun AND sit on the beach.

Or take a longer trip with a 9 night trio you could do one park day, one hotel/resort day, one park, one resort...this way on non park days you can lay by the pool, hit the spas etc. You can get park and rest time.

There is no hard sell. I think some cruise lines are in your face pushing drinks, pushing restaurants or things to buy. I felt that way on NCL. Non stop announcements, pushing drinks etc. Disney is not like that.

Disney..no pressure. It is all out but not in your face. They offer something called photopass. You can prepay for a cd. Then you can let them take all the photos you want no sale. You control how many you get. The photopass plus includes ride photos. If you don't want them don't preorder the pass (much cheaper to preorder then order at home after the trip). Photopass photograhers are free. It costs you nothing when they take your photo. They will ask you if you have a card at character meet and greets. If not they will hand you one. No obligation to buy, they don't push you at all to get them. You can give them you camera and theybwill smile and take a photo with it. I personally like the photo pass and I still use my camera. I get them to take lots of photos of the kids, lots of family photos.

As far as lines, lines, lines. I hate lines. So I put a lot of planning into my trips. I try to pick slower times of the year. I get up for rope drop, I can get a ton in before all those who slept in arrive. I can ride a bunch, and we are leaving when those who slept in are arrive to long lines. We hit the resort, swim, relax. Then head back before dinner, have dinner, hit some rides, maybe see a parade or fireworks and head back to the resort.

If you want relaxing and fun, don't plan a short trip with high expectations. Plan a longer trip and go with we will hit the must dos then try for whatever we feel like. Even with a long trip you won't see everything. This stresses some out. As long as you have realistic expectations you will have fun.

It can be a lot of work. Lugging kids to and from the parks but it can be fun. Nothing like seeing your kids eyes pop out, huge grins, shouting mickey's name etc. Totally worth the work. The big mistake I see and hear is no breaks. It might work for a day or two but the kids hit a wall then melt down. If you take breaks you and your kids will have fun.

Message edited 5/9/2013 11:11:08 AM.

Re: Any anti-Disney people cross over to the dark side?

Re: Any anti-Disney people cross over to the dark side?

What we love about Orlando (not just Disney) is that it is so over the top kid friendly. The whole area is dedicated to entertaining your children. Our children were welcome everywhere and they had an amazing time.

There is just so much fun stuff to do at Disney. I don't necessarily feel like it is so commercialized although it clearly is. From the kid friendly rides, parades and entertainment to the scenic walks around Epcot. The boys love it.

DH went to Disney kicking and screaming the first time but we had such a good time that we went again within 6 months. It's hard to beat because of the short flight and relatively cheap cost. Even if you stay at the higher end resorts, it is not that expensive compared to international travel.

eta: We always try to go in good weather times where kids are in school. We benefit extra magic hours or get to the park at rope drop. You can get on all the rides with no wait. This lasts about 1-2 hours until it gets congested. We are always able to ride about 10-15 rides during this time. We ride the favorites multiple times.

We tried to wing it once in the afternoon and we went on no rides because every ride was 1+ hour long. There is no way in hell my 2yo and 4yo would have waited in a line for over an hour. 20 minutes is my max limit.

Message edited 5/9/2013 1:41:58 PM.

Re: Any anti-Disney people cross over to the dark side?

Hi!

So this is right up my alley. DH and I don't have kids and we love Disney. In fact, 40% of visitors to Orlando are couples, not families with children. Surprising, right?

I have had several clients tell me they're not Disney people, they're just doing it for the kids this one time and then they are adding days or booking the next trip while onsite

Not everyone loves Disney, but i do think a lot of what people come to worry about are things that can be avoided with good planning.

So to your concerns:

Sure Disney is over the top, but they're not as "in your face" as you might think. There are photographers everywhere but they are not pushy at all like some other theme parks, and they are more than willing to take a photo with your camera, though I do recommend using the PhotoPass service. It's very convenient. There are plenty of gift shops and places to spend money but people aren't out hawking things. It's more laid back than you might think.

Lines and Crowds: This is all planning. If your family schedule permits, taking the trip during a less crowded time of year will make a big difference in both of these areas. However, even if you have to travel when it's crowded, good planning trumps all. This year's spring break had record crowds and my clients following my touring plan told me they never waited more than 20 minutes in line. And this particular plan included time for 3 sit down meals a day and naps!

Pace: Some people are like me and open and close the parks daily, but for most families it makes sense to take a nice long break in the middle of the day to nap and relax by the pool, or even to take a day off from the parks.

For you, I'd recommend taking a longer trip (rather than a long weekend) and spreading your park time over several days. If it suits your budget, staying at a monorail resort would be perfect since it's so easy to take a nap break from the parks, and those resorts (especially the Polynesian) have excellent pools.

A Disney trip doesn't have to be crazy. With a little bit of planning ahead, you can avoid those major pitfalls and have the vacation YOU want to have. I think sometimes people have a vision of what a Disney vacation has to look like, but there are so many ways to do it. I know families who go to Disney World and don't even go to the parks. They focus on relaxation and recreational activities.

I have to say it's a great feeling to turn someone into a believer!

- Jennifer Kern
Mouse Tales® Travel
LIFamilies Vendor
Creating Magical Vacations for LIFamilies since 2008

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Any anti-Disney people cross over to the dark side?

I was never a Disney kid and really don't like the movies etc. I did not go until I was an adult.

My siggestion is to go off season, stay off property. That way the crowds are smaller (but it will still be crowded) and you don't feel like you have to go to the parks and stuff. I have never stayed on site and probably never will. I just really like to do all different things.

During my trips I have only gone to 2-3 parks per trip.....I could never go for a week and do a park everyday. Not me.

Also the "Too commercial. I hate the idea of the over-the-board mass marketing, characters, people trying to get me to buy pictures, and souveniers, etc." doesn't exist. Yes there are all the souveniers etc but never once did anyone push even a photo on us.

Re: Any anti-Disney people cross over to the dark side?

we've gone a few times with just Jacen and will be going in october with both boys.

If you go early enough in the a.m, it's not that crowded until around 2pm and at that time, we're usually headed back to hotel for naps, down time, pool time, etc.

We usually go for a week. Plan parks certain days and then take a day or 2 off for the pool, etc.

You really can go at your own pace. You don't have to do as much as humanly possible each day. Make you're own schedule.

Any anti-Disney people cross over to the dark side?

I had no interest in Disney World but went this Feb because my mom had suggested it and I fupping loved it and I can't wait to go back! Seriously! It's it all about waiting in line for rides, there are shows whe there aren't any lines and lots of food and fun to be had! I loved it! My seven year old son hated it...but we loved it! Lol

Re: Any anti-Disney people cross over to the dark side?

I am a Disney lover, but in very small doses. We go to Florida 1-2 a year, but we only do one park, one day. We spend the rest of our trip at the pool. Relaxing is my type of vacation. I would suggest staying at a nice, off site property. Plan on only doing 2-3 days at the parks. You don't need to do everything. In fact, it's best if you don't because you always look forward to another visit.
You would be very surprised how not "in your face" the souvenirs and photographers are. They are all there of course, but nothing is pushed on you. And no matter how anti-Disney you may be, there is just something so magical about walking in and catching that first glance of Cinderella's castle.

Re: Any anti-Disney people cross over to the dark side?

I was never a Disney Hater BUUUUT always assumed that I would do it for my DC to enjoy and not really for "us"

I was totally wrong, it was an amazing vacation and we cant wait to go back!

1. Too commercial: Old Walt has his staff on LOCKDOWN. This is not a carnival with people pushing things in your face. Actually, no one approaches you at ALL. ACTUALLY, there are people taking pictures. . .and if you give them your camera, they take the pictures WITH YOUR CAMERA. . . they make enough by you being there. . . they dont need an extra $5 for a flow necklace. The items ARE there, but there is no souvenir pushing.

2. lines, lines, lines: I went in January, used fast pass, the longest I waited on line was 20 minutes.

3. overstimulation. I want a vacation where I can relax, sit by the pool/beach and do activities when I choose: this is what we did. We stayed at Disney for 5 days. Only went to Magic Kingdom for two days. Planned little activities for the other days and really relaxed and enjoyed ourselves. Actually, my resort had NO DISNEY characters AT ALL. Which is why I chose it.

4. crowds: Went in January, went in the middle of the week, no crowd issues.

Now, I would not go without DC, I loved it but there are other places I would go. But for a vaca we could all enjoy, I would definitely go back!