Why not a top-10 list? Here's one consisting of things at WDW that most people seem to love, that I personally have no desire for. Ranging from rides, events, principles...just anything related to WDW. These are the ones that always leave me scratching my head wondering how they became so dang popular. (And no, this is not a doom & gloom type of thread. I love WDW by all means, and will probably continue to love the place until the day I die....well, except for these things
Starting with #10 and moving our way up to the most hated popular WDW thing.
10). Parades
This one barely made the list. And to say I "hate" parades is probably pushing it just a tad. Yes they can be fun to watch if I happen to be at the right place at the right time. But dear lord, observing how people wait for hours to get that perfect spot on the sidewalk, push & fight, etc... for a parade?? Yes I love the Disney characters just as much as the next person, but it's not like it's some sort of massive cash handout taking place on Mainstreet. I've never understood all the excitement surrounding parades. Are they horrible? Of course not. But they definitely are not worth all the hype, waiting, rushing, and pushing many people deem necessary just to see (insert costumed character's name here) ride by briefly while waving.
9). DVC
This is becoming more & more popular it seems. By the way, I'm not knocking the DVC members...just the overall concept behind DVC. To keep this one short and sweet, let's just say I loathe the idea of timeshare with a passion. Whether or not it has been Disneyfied, timeshare is still timeshare. And thanks to....well, to keep from opening up a whole new discussion, I won't mention the company's name here, but yeah, timeshare is evil. (No, not you fine people who buy into it, but the peddler's behind it). If you purchase timeshare and enjoy it, that is fine. To each their own.
8). Dole Whip
Explore any Disney fan site long enough or talk to any Disney faithful, and you will come to believe this magical dessert is some sort of wonder drug. Everyone seems to love this stuff. Personally, I was quite underwhelmed. And as I sit here at the office I can look right across the street and see a "Mom & Pop" custard/ice cream shop that makes offerings 10X better than the overhyped Dole Whip.
7). Toy Story Midway Mania
We all know the ride. We all know what it is. What I don't know is why this ride-thru Nintendo Wii is so stinkin' popular. Yeah it's not the worst several minutes of my life for sure. But the herds of people that rush this thing, the times FP's run out....for this? Maybe the hype is because TSMM is something new that hasn't existed at DHS for the last two decades like most other offerings there. I get that. But the Toy Story trilogy offers so much more potential for a great, quality e-ticket attraction than a ride-thru video game.
6). Pay-Extra After Hours Events
It seems like nowadays it's a right of passage for the true WDW fan to visit MNSSHP or MVMCP during their respective times of the year. I've been to 'em both; once each to be exact. Fun, sure, I'll give you that. But not worth an extra admission price. With a one-day admission ticket topping $90.00 with tax, it's an insult Disney still has to charge extra for these events. Take away the extra cost and include them as part of normal holiday offerings for their season (*gasp* what a concept!), then kudos to Disney. But having them cost extra...I will be doing my part for these events in keeping the lines shorter for everyone else. You're welcome.
5). High School Musical
Aaaaagh, my head! Gah, moving on.
4). Interactive Games
There's no doubt that Sorcerer's Of The Magic Kingdom is catching on like the next Pokemon. People literally selling those "spell cards" on Ebay for insane amounts, people building up strategies, points, or however the hell the things work....ENOUGH! I want my Magic Kingdom back. You know, the one where you could stroll down Mainstreet or through Frontierland without hoards of people by windows waving around playing cards. "Well done, sorcerer! You held up a card in front of a window while Mommy & Daddy looked on taking pictures. You are quite the talented sorcerer..." My head still hurts, let's just move on. (Oh, and Agent P., just because I didn't have time to critique you, doesn't mean you're any less annoying over at World Showcase).
3). Duffy The Disney Bear
(See explanation for #5)
2). When You Wish Upon A Star
"But Bob, how can you say that? That is such a beautiful, classic tune and the theme of what Disney represents."
Bullsquash! The theme of what Disney represents is: "If we can dream it, then we can do it." Meaning, if you have a dream, yes you can achieve it if you work for it. You're not promised that dream come true, but you can if you are willing to work hard enough. That was Walt's legacy.
But what does When You Wish Upon A Star teach us? That if you want something bad enough, all you have to do is look up into the sky and wish on a giant ball of gas millions of miles away, and *presto* it will come true!! Hooray and pixie dust! Why do you think there are so many entitled people running around wanting the world handed to them on a silver platter? Because we brainwash such crap into our children's heads at a young age. Tiana's father in Princess And The Frog tried to clear up some of the false pixie meaning of the classic song when he said: "Wishing upon that star will only get you half of the way...you have to be willing to work hard.." etc). But even he is wrong. It doesn't even get you half of the way. It's a just-for-fun song that has been taken to heart way more than it should, and sparks a false sense of entitlement. Bash away, that's just what I think.
Which leads us to #1...
1). Working For The Mouse
First off, let me clarify that I am not some former/ex WDW CM who harbors bitter feelings, etc. I have never applied for such a job, and I never will. Let me also carify that this is not a stab at people who do work for WDW. I respect what they do, what they put up with, and how they go above & beyond to make sure we enjoy our vacation.
It seems like every Disney fan alive has that ideal dream of packing up, moving to central Fla, working for Disney, and living out their lives in zip-a-dee-do-dah merryment. But there are many reasons why the thought of actually working for WDW is a major turn-off for me personally. To me WDW is an escape. The place is my favorite destination to escape to. Throw in the factor of working there, and it would no longer be an escape. I want the place to always have that special feeling of returning to my "home away from home." I want to enjoy the show, not see what's going on behind the curtain.
I can completely understand why so many people salivate over the thought of working at WDW. Because when you're at WDW, you're having fun; you don't want to leave. You want that magical world to be yours. So how to achieve this? Why, work there, of course. Then it's a trip to WDW every single day!
But the thing is, working for Mickey isn't the same thing as a dream vacation. I know there are many who would disagree, but I always want to enjoy WDW as a destination AWAY from the norm; a nice breath of fresh air from reality.
So that does it for my top-10 list. Feel free to agree/disagree and share your own popular aspects of WDW that you personally don't or wouldn't enjoy.
Starting with #10 and moving our way up to the most hated popular WDW thing.
10). Parades
This one barely made the list. And to say I "hate" parades is probably pushing it just a tad. Yes they can be fun to watch if I happen to be at the right place at the right time. But dear lord, observing how people wait for hours to get that perfect spot on the sidewalk, push & fight, etc... for a parade?? Yes I love the Disney characters just as much as the next person, but it's not like it's some sort of massive cash handout taking place on Mainstreet. I've never understood all the excitement surrounding parades. Are they horrible? Of course not. But they definitely are not worth all the hype, waiting, rushing, and pushing many people deem necessary just to see (insert costumed character's name here) ride by briefly while waving.
9). DVC
This is becoming more & more popular it seems. By the way, I'm not knocking the DVC members...just the overall concept behind DVC. To keep this one short and sweet, let's just say I loathe the idea of timeshare with a passion. Whether or not it has been Disneyfied, timeshare is still timeshare. And thanks to....well, to keep from opening up a whole new discussion, I won't mention the company's name here, but yeah, timeshare is evil. (No, not you fine people who buy into it, but the peddler's behind it). If you purchase timeshare and enjoy it, that is fine. To each their own.
8). Dole Whip
Explore any Disney fan site long enough or talk to any Disney faithful, and you will come to believe this magical dessert is some sort of wonder drug. Everyone seems to love this stuff. Personally, I was quite underwhelmed. And as I sit here at the office I can look right across the street and see a "Mom & Pop" custard/ice cream shop that makes offerings 10X better than the overhyped Dole Whip.
7). Toy Story Midway Mania
We all know the ride. We all know what it is. What I don't know is why this ride-thru Nintendo Wii is so stinkin' popular. Yeah it's not the worst several minutes of my life for sure. But the herds of people that rush this thing, the times FP's run out....for this? Maybe the hype is because TSMM is something new that hasn't existed at DHS for the last two decades like most other offerings there. I get that. But the Toy Story trilogy offers so much more potential for a great, quality e-ticket attraction than a ride-thru video game.
6). Pay-Extra After Hours Events
It seems like nowadays it's a right of passage for the true WDW fan to visit MNSSHP or MVMCP during their respective times of the year. I've been to 'em both; once each to be exact. Fun, sure, I'll give you that. But not worth an extra admission price. With a one-day admission ticket topping $90.00 with tax, it's an insult Disney still has to charge extra for these events. Take away the extra cost and include them as part of normal holiday offerings for their season (*gasp* what a concept!), then kudos to Disney. But having them cost extra...I will be doing my part for these events in keeping the lines shorter for everyone else. You're welcome.
5). High School Musical
Aaaaagh, my head! Gah, moving on.
4). Interactive Games
There's no doubt that Sorcerer's Of The Magic Kingdom is catching on like the next Pokemon. People literally selling those "spell cards" on Ebay for insane amounts, people building up strategies, points, or however the hell the things work....ENOUGH! I want my Magic Kingdom back. You know, the one where you could stroll down Mainstreet or through Frontierland without hoards of people by windows waving around playing cards. "Well done, sorcerer! You held up a card in front of a window while Mommy & Daddy looked on taking pictures. You are quite the talented sorcerer..." My head still hurts, let's just move on. (Oh, and Agent P., just because I didn't have time to critique you, doesn't mean you're any less annoying over at World Showcase).
3). Duffy The Disney Bear
(See explanation for #5)
2). When You Wish Upon A Star
"But Bob, how can you say that? That is such a beautiful, classic tune and the theme of what Disney represents."
Bullsquash! The theme of what Disney represents is: "If we can dream it, then we can do it." Meaning, if you have a dream, yes you can achieve it if you work for it. You're not promised that dream come true, but you can if you are willing to work hard enough. That was Walt's legacy.
But what does When You Wish Upon A Star teach us? That if you want something bad enough, all you have to do is look up into the sky and wish on a giant ball of gas millions of miles away, and *presto* it will come true!! Hooray and pixie dust! Why do you think there are so many entitled people running around wanting the world handed to them on a silver platter? Because we brainwash such crap into our children's heads at a young age. Tiana's father in Princess And The Frog tried to clear up some of the false pixie meaning of the classic song when he said: "Wishing upon that star will only get you half of the way...you have to be willing to work hard.." etc). But even he is wrong. It doesn't even get you half of the way. It's a just-for-fun song that has been taken to heart way more than it should, and sparks a false sense of entitlement. Bash away, that's just what I think.
Which leads us to #1...
1). Working For The Mouse
First off, let me clarify that I am not some former/ex WDW CM who harbors bitter feelings, etc. I have never applied for such a job, and I never will. Let me also carify that this is not a stab at people who do work for WDW. I respect what they do, what they put up with, and how they go above & beyond to make sure we enjoy our vacation.
It seems like every Disney fan alive has that ideal dream of packing up, moving to central Fla, working for Disney, and living out their lives in zip-a-dee-do-dah merryment. But there are many reasons why the thought of actually working for WDW is a major turn-off for me personally. To me WDW is an escape. The place is my favorite destination to escape to. Throw in the factor of working there, and it would no longer be an escape. I want the place to always have that special feeling of returning to my "home away from home." I want to enjoy the show, not see what's going on behind the curtain.
I can completely understand why so many people salivate over the thought of working at WDW. Because when you're at WDW, you're having fun; you don't want to leave. You want that magical world to be yours. So how to achieve this? Why, work there, of course. Then it's a trip to WDW every single day!
But the thing is, working for Mickey isn't the same thing as a dream vacation. I know there are many who would disagree, but I always want to enjoy WDW as a destination AWAY from the norm; a nice breath of fresh air from reality.
So that does it for my top-10 list. Feel free to agree/disagree and share your own popular aspects of WDW that you personally don't or wouldn't enjoy.
