JTravis58
Member
That sums it up perfectly right there. The tagline may have originated at Disneyland, but for me WDW is the happiest place on earth.
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Is it true or a myth now that Disney is the happiest place on earth?
- Thread starter POLY LOVER
- Start date
NearTheEars
Well-Known Member
Are there less topiary, booths and talks than last year?
RustySpork
Oscar Mayer Memer
There are as many topiaries but they're not nearly as "pretty" if that makes sense. The booths were pretty bare in the Festival Center, they had some plants but it is not nearly as robust as last year. One of the speakers was speaking, but it must not have been very moving because a lot of people were leaving mid session. We noticed and past it by.
OliveMcFly
Well-Known Member
Feedback from clients I've worked with are very similar. "It was so busy and all we did was wait in line and everyone had a terrible time". I think some guests aren't sure what to expect.
Nah, you just have to "Make your own happiness."
BigRedDad
Well-Known Member
I think the frumpy people at WDW are the uneducated. No, I don't mean anything about their intelligence level. This is 100% about their knowledge of managing a WDW vacation. They don't understand how much it cost. When they do, they spend every waking hour trying to get their money's worth. I use to have arguments with friends that have never been and them telling me a long weekend is all that is needed. They are not Disney people and think they would have an enjoyable FULL Disney vacation over the course of 3-4 days. They think they can do everything in that time and insist they are right. I stopped discussing it with them and just nod my head.
Sabriel
Member
Have you been this early on in the season before? For me, that's been the experience when I go at the beginning of the festival. If you want full and lush plants and topiaries, go towards the end. Some of the loveliest things I've seen have been on the last weekend.
RustySpork
Oscar Mayer Memer
It was much better last year.
disneyflush
Well-Known Member
Like ever?
Retroman40
Well-Known Member
Disney is a microcosm for life. It's what YOU make of it. The magic is there for the taking but sadly some people choose to be less than magical. Disney is an incredible immersive environment but you have to "dive in" to get the full (or any) effect. Even at my advancing age I know how to "let it go" and become a part of the show. There are two kinds of people in the world - those who "get it" and those who don't and maybe never will. It truly is unfortunate for the later who visit Disney and come away with nothing (except perhaps a big CC bill).
Answer to question - It can be the happiest or most magical place but you have to let it.
Answer to question - It can be the happiest or most magical place but you have to let it.
Tom P.
Well-Known Member
This is not a swipe at anyone in particular, but sometimes reading these boards it feels as though no one here takes any joy in Walt Disney World anymore. I'm sure that's not true, as I doubt people would continue shelling out thousands of dollars year after year for something they took no joy in. But that's how the threads come across sometimes.
Yes, there are things Disney has done that I don't like. Yes, there are things that definitely need improvement. Yes, I feel like the company is penny pinching more than ever before. Sure, I could complain about how the massive new Avatar land is a whopping two new rides, or how the fireworks shows are using more projections and less actual fireworks to save money, or how the company is trying to monetize every last moment of your vacation. I could also tell you the stories of how our kids have had meltdowns, my wife and I have had meltdowns, people have gotten sick, etc. Heck, the last time I was at WDW, I got a kidney stone!
But you know what? The simple fact is that Walt Disney World still feels magical to me. I still think they do it better than anyone else on the planet. I still look back on every one of our vacations there with wonderful memories. And we are in the midst of planning our next trip right now, and I'm confident we'll enjoy it as much as every trip before.
So, yes, for me and my family, Walt Disney World is still the most magical place on Earth.
Yes, there are things Disney has done that I don't like. Yes, there are things that definitely need improvement. Yes, I feel like the company is penny pinching more than ever before. Sure, I could complain about how the massive new Avatar land is a whopping two new rides, or how the fireworks shows are using more projections and less actual fireworks to save money, or how the company is trying to monetize every last moment of your vacation. I could also tell you the stories of how our kids have had meltdowns, my wife and I have had meltdowns, people have gotten sick, etc. Heck, the last time I was at WDW, I got a kidney stone!
But you know what? The simple fact is that Walt Disney World still feels magical to me. I still think they do it better than anyone else on the planet. I still look back on every one of our vacations there with wonderful memories. And we are in the midst of planning our next trip right now, and I'm confident we'll enjoy it as much as every trip before.
So, yes, for me and my family, Walt Disney World is still the most magical place on Earth.
Don't tell WDW or they'll try to charge you for the "Magical Kidney Stone Experience."
Musicman20
Well-Known Member
LowesChevy
Well-Known Member
It is definitely our happy place. You are excited from the minute you begin to plan till after the trip and you begin planning for the next trip. We have some bummer days sometimes, if DM is in a lot of pain from her knee (day to day), or I get a rash (a few times), or there was that time with the bed bugs 
. You will see people not having the most magical day even though they are on a wonderful vacation.
I think there are a lot of issues that can happen on any vacation, but I will focus on Disney.
-One of the biggest problems is that folks underestimate the size of the parks and do not realize how much walking is involved or how long it takes to get around property. You can miss FP+ or adrs. Others get blisters or have pain when they walk. It is physically demanding to get around property at times.
-The do not pre-plan enough before they go. You arrive and are overwhelmed by the shear amount of activities and attractions, planning what to do next takes time and energy. No pre planned meals or daily plans can really make the day painful to get through. Frequently you will see people bickering back and forth about what to do next or where they should eat.
-People push themselves or their children to the physical and emotional limits. A Disney vacation is a tiring one, if your kids or in my case-Mother-is used to taking breaks or having quiet time, staying at the parks all day may not be a great idea. I am exhausted by 8 PM! I get 9-10 hours of sleep at Disney; home I am good with about 7-8 on a good night. I know guests want to get "their moneys" worth in the parks, but it is not worth being sleep deprived and cranky. Being realistic is helpful.
-Kids will see a lot of stuff they want to buy and if you do not have pre set limits or a souvenir budget, meltdowns. Meltdowns everywhere. They may have meltdowns anyhow, like I said Disney brings out the emotions, I understand completely that they get overwhelmed. Much joy and sadness can manifest.
-Heat and humidity, sunburn. These will make you miserable and cranky too! Ladies do not plan on wearing tank tops every day unless you have a great lotion and sunscreen regiment! Do not forget to put sunscreen on your legs and feet if you wear flip flops all day.
People could just be having a rotten day too, maybe they got bad news from home. I feel bad for other guests having a rough day, but I do not let it damper my happiness. We are veterans and we know how to have a good time and if something comes up that throws a monkey wrench in the plans we work around it.
. You will see people not having the most magical day even though they are on a wonderful vacation. I think there are a lot of issues that can happen on any vacation, but I will focus on Disney.
-One of the biggest problems is that folks underestimate the size of the parks and do not realize how much walking is involved or how long it takes to get around property. You can miss FP+ or adrs. Others get blisters or have pain when they walk. It is physically demanding to get around property at times.
-The do not pre-plan enough before they go. You arrive and are overwhelmed by the shear amount of activities and attractions, planning what to do next takes time and energy. No pre planned meals or daily plans can really make the day painful to get through. Frequently you will see people bickering back and forth about what to do next or where they should eat.
-People push themselves or their children to the physical and emotional limits. A Disney vacation is a tiring one, if your kids or in my case-Mother-is used to taking breaks or having quiet time, staying at the parks all day may not be a great idea. I am exhausted by 8 PM! I get 9-10 hours of sleep at Disney; home I am good with about 7-8 on a good night. I know guests want to get "their moneys" worth in the parks, but it is not worth being sleep deprived and cranky. Being realistic is helpful.
-Kids will see a lot of stuff they want to buy and if you do not have pre set limits or a souvenir budget, meltdowns. Meltdowns everywhere. They may have meltdowns anyhow, like I said Disney brings out the emotions, I understand completely that they get overwhelmed. Much joy and sadness can manifest.
-Heat and humidity, sunburn. These will make you miserable and cranky too! Ladies do not plan on wearing tank tops every day unless you have a great lotion and sunscreen regiment! Do not forget to put sunscreen on your legs and feet if you wear flip flops all day.
People could just be having a rotten day too, maybe they got bad news from home. I feel bad for other guests having a rough day, but I do not let it damper my happiness. We are veterans and we know how to have a good time and if something comes up that throws a monkey wrench in the plans we work around it.
Chef Mickey
Well-Known Member
You'll see whatever you look for.
Just because someone has to discipline their kid once in a while (it happens) doesn't mean they aren't happy or aren't having fun.
Put it this way...if you're not happy at Disney, you're probably not happy anywhere.
Just because someone has to discipline their kid once in a while (it happens) doesn't mean they aren't happy or aren't having fun.
Put it this way...if you're not happy at Disney, you're probably not happy anywhere.
JIMINYCR
Well-Known Member
No Never. Sure we've been frustrated by long lines, Brazilian tour groups, ride breakdowns....those things can affect your daily plans but theres never been a time we went bezerk over our DS behavior, had a screaming meltdown, been forced to leave the park, had a fight w/ DW or anyone else, or had experienced any other episode that caused a moment of unhappiness while we were vacationing at Disney. In all our photos, videos, etc. there are only smiling faces.
Doug Means
Well-Known Member
we always have a great time there, i don't even notice other people. its like we have WDW all to ourselves.
RustySpork
Oscar Mayer Memer
You're inferring that it's impossible to have a bad time at Disney no matter what. That's complete nonsense.
Chef Mickey
Well-Known Member
Not inferring...it is pretty much impossible to have a bad time.
RustySpork
Oscar Mayer Memer
That should be read by everyone as "I lost a loved one in a ride accident, but I still had a magical time at WDW! You can't have a bad time at WDW!"