Is it all about the rides?

[Nemo14]

After reading and posting here for the past 8 years (actually 8 years today!), I'm noticing more and more that many people judge the Disney parks strictly by their ride experiences. AK and DHS are only half-day parks because there's "not enough to do". The new Fantasy land is judged by the success of the Mermaid ride (and the coming-someday Snow White ride). World Showcase is "boring" because there aren't enough rides to do.

Maybe it's just that I'm old enough now to appreciate little things more, or perhaps it's because I've "done" the rides enough times now that it's no big deal if I miss a few, but I really feel like so many people miss out on so much that Disney has to offer. Perhaps it's the ridiculous price of park tickets that makes you want to get your money's worth of fun ,or maybe some primeval instinct that isn't satisfied until all is conquered, I don't know. Thoughts?

 

[afar28]

I think that there should be a equal balance of rides and little details that put disney over the top.
In new fantasyland, it cost them 500 million for just a cloned dark ride, and mine coaster and a bunch of details and it took a few years and is still going on. Also with World Showcase, there is only 2 rides, and Maelstrom is in terrible condition right now. Maybe 2 or 3 more rides would be better.
That's just me though, that's why six flags isn't considered an amazing theme park, it has no theme and all rides. A park needs an equal balance of details and rides to make it worthwhile

 

[DisneyDad1977]

After reading and posting here for the past 8 years (actually 8 years today!), I'm noticing more and more that many people judge the Disney parks strictly by their ride experiences. AK and DHS are only half-day parks because there's "not enough to do". The new Fantasy land is judged by the success of the Mermaid ride (and the coming-someday Snow White ride). World Showcase is "boring" because there aren't enough rides to do.

Maybe it's just that I'm old enough now to appreciate little things more, or perhaps it's because I've "done" the rides enough times now that it's no big deal if I miss a few, but I really feel like so many people miss out on so much that Disney has to offer. Perhaps it's the ridiculous price of park tickets that makes you want to get your money's worth of fun ,or maybe some primeval instinct that isn't satisfied until all is conquered, I don't know. Thoughts?

I think you are right on both fronts. The price of tickets forces you to look at your vacation in terms of ROI: return on investment. Many people have to justify spending that kind of money by doing as much as possible in a very limited time span.

I look at the intangibles when I go, not just the thrills. I have been to WDW over a dozen times when i was single, married and with children. Now, I could walk all day through World Showcase just teaching my children about architecture and other cultures. But that is just me.....

 

[ImagineerDude]

I HATE when people do this! It's also usually the people that refer to the attractions meant for families by Walt Disney himself as rides. Details are what sets Disney apart from everywhere else. It transports you to another world, you aren't in the boiling sunshine state, you're in a whole new world that is geared towards everyone not just thrill seekers or little kids. The people that can't let loose or find their inner child and worry about the ride (not the experience) need to just stay at the beach or Six Flags...that's more fast passes for me

 

[AndyS2992]

I got to WDW for the rides and shows. I'm not into meeting characters and dont spend a lot of time strolling around looking for the finer details.

 

[Jim Chandler]

I have also seen the same in my short time here. As well as a running theme that Disney does not spend enough on the parks. Yet they built the new FL they are always putting different rides through refurbishment like test track last year and others as well. They seem to have plans to add or redo certain aspects of the park yet it seems to be more of a place to complain about what they see wrong with the parks and very little on what is right and what has been done right. I see that some think putting 500 mil into DHS is not enough. I on the other hand see that 500 mil put into the DHS park at this time in the economy is unbelievable. As well as all the other things happening.
I will say that yes there are aspects that could be better but to dwell on the negative is worrying about something you have no control over. Disney to me is a GREAT place I even with it's faults. Every time I go which is at least 6 times a year I love it more every time.

 

[Nemo14]

I got to WDW for the rides and shows. I'm not into meeting characters and dont spend a lot of time strolling around looking or the finer details,

Yeah, we never really did M&G - even our kids caught on that it's just people in costumes.

 

[epcotisbest]

No it is not all about the rides...we go almost every year, yet after multiple back surgeries, I rarely ride some of the biggies. I don't do roller coaster rides at all any more. AK and DHS are all day parks for us.
So much more to WDW than rides.

 

[PUSH]

I agree with you. Rides are not the entire parks. Neither are shows. One of my favorite things to do is just to walk around the parks and enjoy the little things. And it's not an age thing, I can guarantee that. I haven't been to the FLE yet, but I think it looks great and is a welcomed addition from what I've seen. I think it will be even better once those construction walls are out of there and the Mine Train is open.

Don't get me wrong, Disney would be what it is without it's attractions, but they don't make up the entire thing.

 

[Fantasmic]

I love rides, but it's all about the THEMING for me.

 

[joanna71985]

For me now, it's not just about the rides. I enjoy walking around and just taking in the details (I love photography). Probably why one of my favorite events is Flower and Garden at Epcot

 

[Nemo14]

For me now, it's not just about the rides. I enjoy walking around and just taking in the details (I love photography). Probably why one of my favorite events is Flower and Garden at Epcot

Glad that working there hasn't spoiled it for you, Jo.

 

[joanna71985]

Glad that working there hasn't spoiled it for you, Jo.

Oh not at all! In fact, I think working at WDW has made the magic stronger.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

I think this depends on the person. On top of that, that person's situation may change over time to cause a shift in their preferences in the parks. Now, I think we all want to get our $'s worth with the price of admission, but your defintion of that may be different from the next guy and your definition of it for yourself may differ drastically than it was, say 10 years ago.

Case in point, when DH and I visited WDW together in 1998 we were kid free and enjoyed a wide variety of things. Ex. on our Epcot day, we rode rides, saw shows/entertainment, did some shopping, visited some of our favorite countries, drank our way around the WS and had a nice dinner before just casually finding a spot for Illuminations. Fast forward to 2010- our first trip with our young children- and our preferences were quite different. Our girls were 2 and 4 at the time and not only were they pretty disinterested in the WS (OK- DD4 who was 2 at the time was miserable), even shows were a bit much for them. i.e. rides were the key to enjoyment for that trip. Now, we've introduced them to more and more (and will continue to do so) as they get older, but it's still the rides that keep them the happiest. Now, this is just our situation...for another family, maybe the young children really do embrace the finer elements at an earlier age...or maybe someone in their 50s wants more rides, but it's b/c Disney rides are often so special compared to more common Six Flags style rides. Eiither way, there are a ton of preferences to cater to out there.

 

[rsoxguy]

Yeah, we never really did M&G - even our kids caught on that it's just people in costumes.

What...what are you saying? Are you saying that the characters that I have met in the parks are....I can't believe this. I have centered my entire existence on a farce? At least I can share this trauma with the Easter Bunny next week. I know that he'll grant to me words of comfort, and candy.

 

[Nemo14]

I think this depends on the person. On top of that, that person's situation may change over time to cause a shift in their preferences in the parks. Now, I think we all want to get our $'s worth with the price of admission, but your defintion of that may be different from the next guy and your definition of it for yourself may differ drastically than it was, say 10 years ago.

Case in point, when DH and I visited WDW together in 1998 we were kid free and enjoyed a wide variety of things. Ex. on our Epcot day, we rode rides, saw shows/entertainment, did some shopping, visited some of our favorite countries, drank our way around the WS and had a nice dinner before just casually finding a spot for Illuminations. Fast forward to 2010- our first trip with our young children- and our preferences were quite different. Our girls were 2 and 4 at the time and not only were they pretty disinterested in the WS (OK- DD4 who was 2 at the time was miserable), even shows were a bit much for them. i.e. rides were the key to enjoyment for that trip. Now, we've introduced them to more and more (and will continue to do so) as they get older, but it's still the rides that keep them the happiest. Now, this is just our situation...for another family, maybe the young children really do embrace the finer elements at an earlier age...or maybe someone in their 50s wants more rides, but it's b/c Disney rides are often so special compared to more common Six Flags style rides. Eiither way, there are a ton of preferences to cater to out there.

I think you make some good points there. Our kids are grown now, so DH and I approach things a lot differently than when they were little. And once, when they were teens, we "did" 4 parks in one day. Never again!!!!

 

[Nemo14]

What...what are you saying? Are you saying that the characters that I have met in the parks are....I can't believe this. I have centered my entire existence on a farce? At least I can share this trauma with the Easter Bunny next week. I know that he'll grant to me words of comfort, and candy.

Don't forget to get his autograph.

 

[Bob Saget]

I'm mostly all about the story of the rides, not just the rides themselves. Ex: Even though I like the final drop on Splash, it's not why I go back again & again. I love it for it's story, theme, and attention to detail. Like what @Fantasmic said...theming is everything.

 

[PUSH]

Take the theming from the rides and just leave the tracks and you have nothing. It's like a Six Flags. Sure the thrill is fun once, but it doesn't make me want to go there every year. Sadly some people's minds are closed to theming.

 

[Mr.Skunkape]

Just like Las Vegas is not just gambling WDW is not just rides unless you want it to be.