sueuk
Member
Ditto! although not 20 times
... WDW 7 and DLRP 6 (both are booked for our next trips too 
)
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"Disney World Is For Kids" Is that statement Disneys fault?
- Thread starter blackthidot
- Start date
Ditto! although not 20 times
... WDW 7 and DLRP 6 (both are booked for our next trips too )
xdan0920
Think for yourselfer
I don't know if it is Disney's fault or not, but I do know that it is most definitely viewed as a for kids destination. My Wife and I have been going at least once a year the whole time we have been together. We just recently got married (this summer) and part of our Honeymoon was spent at DL, and we are going down to WDW for an extended Honeymoon in about 3 weeks. Our friends just do not get it at all, and we take a lot of heat about always spending our vacations at the same place.
We have tried and tried to get other couples to come along, but they are never totally enthused so we always back out, we don't want them going in with a negative attitude.
I have been going since I was a child, so I have a sentimental attachment to the parks. Maybe if I didn't have that I would feel the same as my friends.
I do know that Disney is most certainly aiming at children now, and there is less and less for adults to enjoy every year. PI being closed is a major problem. And the initial plans for FLE were a joke. Hopefully, the new FLE will be an improvement and have a more broad appeal.
I know I should not care what other people think about WDW, but I would like to share the fun with my friends, and it is very annoying that they can't embrace it.
We have tried and tried to get other couples to come along, but they are never totally enthused so we always back out, we don't want them going in with a negative attitude.
I have been going since I was a child, so I have a sentimental attachment to the parks. Maybe if I didn't have that I would feel the same as my friends.
I do know that Disney is most certainly aiming at children now, and there is less and less for adults to enjoy every year. PI being closed is a major problem. And the initial plans for FLE were a joke. Hopefully, the new FLE will be an improvement and have a more broad appeal.
I know I should not care what other people think about WDW, but I would like to share the fun with my friends, and it is very annoying that they can't embrace it.
WDWmazprty
Well-Known Member
I think a lot of it is all in the mind. After hearing for so many years and from so many people that 'Disney is just for kids', those people who have never been will automatically think thats the way it is. Of course, if they just go and see for themselves, a lot of times that will change. But, some just dont get it even after going.
You could say I grew up in a Disney family. My parents took me for the first time when I was 3 and they've taken me and my 3 siblings ever since. Now, that I have 2 girls of my own, we do the same thing and love it!
We honeymooned at Disney as well. I guess some people get it and others dont.
You could say I grew up in a Disney family. My parents took me for the first time when I was 3 and they've taken me and my 3 siblings ever since. Now, that I have 2 girls of my own, we do the same thing and love it!
We honeymooned at Disney as well. I guess some people get it and others dont.
zurgandfriend
Well-Known Member
I haven't been 20 times either but basically the same here. I did not go to WDW until I had retired from the military and got married.
Cliche time but it's true WDW is for children of all ages, the young and the young at heart.
barrettismyhero
Member
Not my fault if people can't actually look into things before saying them.
Gee I wonder why Disney has deluxe adult dining and services.. gee?
Gee I wonder why Disney has deluxe adult dining and services.. gee?
Mukta
Well-Known Member
I started going to WDW as an adult and I have only taken children on one of the trips. I don't think WDW is for kids, but I do see Disney advertising it that way.
When I went a few years back, I would go to the parks during the day and party at PI at night. I would enjoy a comedy club, get some drinks, dance at a club, or just hang out with friends there. Now all of that is gone with no replacement.
I used to be able to go to a fine restaurant and not see chicken fingers. Now, every place has dumbed down their food to accommodate children and picky eaters. They have also removed some of the finest dishes to make room for bland ones.
Parks like DCA and Epcot had plenty of attractions, food, fine wine and shows for adults. These too are being taken out for more child friendly attractions.
Clearly, Disney has families with children in mind for most of what they do and that is their prerogative. Wasn't there anything they could have left in place for the rest of us?
When I went a few years back, I would go to the parks during the day and party at PI at night. I would enjoy a comedy club, get some drinks, dance at a club, or just hang out with friends there. Now all of that is gone with no replacement.
I used to be able to go to a fine restaurant and not see chicken fingers. Now, every place has dumbed down their food to accommodate children and picky eaters. They have also removed some of the finest dishes to make room for bland ones.
Parks like DCA and Epcot had plenty of attractions, food, fine wine and shows for adults. These too are being taken out for more child friendly attractions.
Clearly, Disney has families with children in mind for most of what they do and that is their prerogative. Wasn't there anything they could have left in place for the rest of us?
They've pretty much given up on advertising to young adult couples like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svB44ut5RaU
Now, they just try and guilt trip a soccer mom into thinking she's denying her child the necessity of hugging Mickey Mouse and Cinderella. It's easier that way because all they have to do is lean on the kids a bit and they do most of the legwork themselves.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svB44ut5RaU
Now, they just try and guilt trip a soccer mom into thinking she's denying her child the necessity of hugging Mickey Mouse and Cinderella. It's easier that way because all they have to do is lean on the kids a bit and they do most of the legwork themselves.
wizards8507
Active Member
That's exactly how I feel. Parents rarely say "no" to their kids anymore so you might as well just suck the kids in. The "young adult" crowd that loves WDW (my fiancee and myself included) is typically composed of those of us that "grew up" on Disney and just never "grew out" of it.
It's interesting that Pixar (particularly the Toy Story films) has been able to avoid the stigma of being "just for kids" but WDW hasn't had the same success.
lebeau
Well-Known Member
I would actually argue that the parks are not especially kid-friendly. Lots of regional parks are more kid-friendly than any of the parks at WDW. If nothing else, they are smaller and easier to navigate. (And a lot less expensive.)
I'd like to see more done to make the parks 1/2 as kid-friendly as the commericals make them out to be. But that's a different conversation, I think.
jhastings74
Well-Known Member
You know, they could pretty much just re-run that exact commercial now, and I think it would be incredibly effective. I like the title 'Roughing It' right before they show the adults getting in to the hot tub at Wilderness Lodge. Thanks for sharing!
DisneyHeather
Member
Not true here. I went for the first time at 18 months and went every few years after that. But, my husband didn't go for the first time til he was 22 when I took him. His only regret was not going sooner!
plaz10
Well-Known Member
My boyfriend went once in high school on a school trip and he didn't really "get it". But when he went with me for the first time...he tried to be "too cool" for the "kids park" and his older brother (who has never been) also saying it was a "kids park." Then there he is taking pictures on his phone of Spaceship Earth and parts of World Showcase and resort pictures and sending them to his brother about how amazing everything is. Well 3 trips together and one in the planning stages for next year...HE GETS IT! :sohappy:
Walt Disney1955
Well-Known Member
I'm not sure how it was in 1973, but my dad was 28 and went with his parents (in their 60s). They loved it.
As for today I grew up going but hadn't gone in several years and wanted to convince my wife to go. We did it in September 2009. She was 25 years old and it was her first time. Yeah, she "got it" alright. When we drove from the airport in Orlando to an offsite resort two miles from Disney I accidentally made a wrong turn right into Disney property. There isn't a lot of places to turn around so next thing you know we're going under the arc of "Walt Disney World" and I had to make a uturn in the Epcot parking lot. Imagine never going to Disney your whole live and all of the sudden you see the "big ball" at Epcot that you've pictured your whole life. Needless to say it was a little bit of a tease and she literally got goosebumps over it.
Now we are both grown adults but we also are young at heart and could care less about the miserable people who scoff at it or are ashamed to like it. I just find that if you can't enjoy Disney as an adult you aren't trying enough or are WANTING to try enough.
As for today I grew up going but hadn't gone in several years and wanted to convince my wife to go. We did it in September 2009. She was 25 years old and it was her first time. Yeah, she "got it" alright. When we drove from the airport in Orlando to an offsite resort two miles from Disney I accidentally made a wrong turn right into Disney property. There isn't a lot of places to turn around so next thing you know we're going under the arc of "Walt Disney World" and I had to make a uturn in the Epcot parking lot. Imagine never going to Disney your whole live and all of the sudden you see the "big ball" at Epcot that you've pictured your whole life. Needless to say it was a little bit of a tease and she literally got goosebumps over it.
Now we are both grown adults but we also are young at heart and could care less about the miserable people who scoff at it or are ashamed to like it. I just find that if you can't enjoy Disney as an adult you aren't trying enough or are WANTING to try enough.
Korfar
Active Member
It is how Disney markets itself. Thier target market is a family of 4 so they advertise it that way. People who have not been only have the advertisements to go by and they see it as a kid place since Disney portrays it that way. Disney certainly knows what it is doing and there is a reason thier target market is what it is. They have found they make the most money from this demographic.
Really it is both. Sure it is a place for kids to have fun but it is also a place for adults to have fun. I think the wife and I have more fun there than the kids do.
Really it is both. Sure it is a place for kids to have fun but it is also a place for adults to have fun. I think the wife and I have more fun there than the kids do.
SleepingMonk
Well-Known Member
Focus the media push on the kids, let nostalgia pull in the adults.
That seems to be the marketing scheme now.
With middle income families having fewer children than ever before that target demo will only last so long.
They will need to take a hard look at that middle bracket of 18-25 year olds soon, because they're losing them in droves to other local venues.
That seems to be the marketing scheme now.
With middle income families having fewer children than ever before that target demo will only last so long.
They will need to take a hard look at that middle bracket of 18-25 year olds soon, because they're losing them in droves to other local venues.
Computer Magic
Well-Known Member
People that think Disney is for kids so see this:
http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2010/10/12/five-new-drinks-youve-gotta-try/
http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2010/10/12/five-new-drinks-youve-gotta-try/
TRIFORCE89
Member
It also depends on the type of person attending.
I've had relatives who went with their families without any kind of planning. Missed all the shows, fireworks, parades, etc. Showed up at the parks late in the afternoon and leave early. Somehow only went to a few of the parks. Didn't really go on all the attractions.
They return with "There's not much to see there. You can do it three hours. I guess its for good kids"
I dunno. You get what you put in I guess.
I've had relatives who went with their families without any kind of planning. Missed all the shows, fireworks, parades, etc. Showed up at the parks late in the afternoon and leave early. Somehow only went to a few of the parks. Didn't really go on all the attractions.
They return with "There's not much to see there. You can do it three hours. I guess its for good kids"
I dunno. You get what you put in I guess.