VERY weird question

[PhilosophyMagic]

I have a question that's been haunting me. In fact, it's my absolute biggest pet peeve about WDW. This is a question that I have the feeling only seasoned experts will really be able to answer, if anyone...

These are actually a few related questions. As someone who LOVES WDW and the extraordinary experience it can offer, nothing bugs me more than people who have visited WDW but were totally unimpressed or disappointed ONLY because they did not experience what it has to offer, and thus forever believe that WDW "stinks." I have encountered many people who have visited WDW for a very limited time, (obviously not stayed at a WDW resort), and now have such opinions.

So, does anyone have any estimate (based on real information, like official surveys, etc.) as to many people visit one WDW park (most likely MK) without ever knowing that there are three other parks, not to mention the resorts and everything else in WDW. Anyone? It is evident by the design of the official WDW website (which has been redesigned, by the way, and looks great), and by WDW brochures and general information, that this is a significant issue. Also, along those same lines, do we have an idea of how many people, upon visiting the parks, are unaware of which are the major attractions, and thus no not necessarily visit many of them. If one does not have a guidemap, this is especially easy to do, so do we know how many do not take guidemaps? Again, it seems that Disney is aware of these problems as well, since there is a "must-see list" on the official website, the e-ticket attractions are pointed out in the planning video, guidemaps are available all over the parks, and I even saw a cast member passing guidemaps out at the END of Main Street, near the hub... and practically everyone was taking them! As an example situation, someone I know visited Disneyland Park in California with a friend, did not get a guidemap (because she assumed the rides would be visible like at Six Flags parks) and thus walked around the park for a few hours, went on some rides (probably the visible ones in Fantasyland), and returned with the report that "Disneyland is horrible and boring."

So what? Well, personally, even when I am nowhere near WDW, I enjoy the idea that such an amazing and exiting place as WDW exists, but the feeling is capsized by the idea that WDW is VASTLY unappreciated by such a large quantity of guests, if this is true. Maybe it's just a pet peeve, but there must be many others here who feel the same way, right?

 

[basas]

If they can't figure it out- there's pretty much no way to help them. Driving in, they should be able to see the signs for all the other theme parks/resorts with the Mickey head on the back (not to mention the huge WDW sign apon entering). Not only that- you can see most of it with your own eyes. There are guidemaps, the railroad which goes around the park, mention of the entire resort/other theme parks/resorts on the monorail (which they would have had to take to get into the MK) not to mention the advertising of the parks while buying your tickets. There are so many things i really don't get how you could miss it all.

 

[tigger248]

If they can't figure it out- there's pretty much no way to help them. Driving in, they should be able to see the signs for all the other theme parks/resorts with the Mickey head on the back (not to mention the huge WDW sign apon entering). Not only that- you can see most of it with your own eyes. There are guidemaps, the railroad which goes around the park, mention of the entire resort/other theme parks/resorts on the monorail (which they would have had to take to get into the MK) not to mention the advertising of the parks while buying your tickets. There are so many things i really don't get how you could miss it all.

That's sorta what I was thinking. How could you not notice the other parks you pass, the billboards, and the directional signs on the way in? You actually see 3 of the resorts on the way to MK (4, if you're on the monorail you can see Wilderness Lodge). Once in the park, I've also found the attraction entrances are fairly well marked. Plus, maps are everywhere and I would think most people would take them. There will always be those that don't, but I'd think that the majority do. They're everywhere throughout the park, so if you don't grab one at the entrance, you can get them elsewhere too.

 

[Buzzes Dad]

I guess it is all attitude and point of view.

I was getting my hair cut on Sat. for our trip next week and we were chatting about my upcomming trip and she says to me "Are you just going to Disney World or are you also going to visit EPCOT":hammer: . I told here we were going to visit all 4 parks and she asured me that "There is only WDW park in Florida and the rest are run by some other company".

So many prople equate MK with WDW in general terms, they do not either understand that there are 4 parks or simply just do not care.

 

[barnum42]

My sister has never liked Disney World (she has never been). Last year she went to Disneyland (only because her step son had military passes). She went in the middle of summer and only stayed for an hour because she did not like it being crowded (which I can't blame her for as I don't hit WDW during peak season). She spent more time in California Adventure because it was quieter.

All spoken like a true Briton who would rather have a bad time in order to prove they were right.

 

[DavyPR]

That question is a good one I'll be going this weekend for the second time in 6 months and a freind just asked me "don't you ever get tired? It's so boring" then i asked when he was there did he ride Tower Of Terror? No. Did he ride Mission Space? No. I have a feeling people only get out of Disney what they put into it. How hard is it to ask what are the have to see attractions? I guess for some people very hard. Thats what makes disney so special for me.

 

[AndyP]

That question is a good one I'll be going this weekend for the second time in 6 months and a freind just asked me "don't you ever get tired? It's so boring" then i asked when he was there did he ride Tower Of Terror? No. Did he ride Mission Space? No. I have a feeling people only get out of Disney what they put into it. How hard is it to ask what are the have to see attractions? I guess for some people very hard. Thats what makes disney so special for me.

No offence to your friend, but people like that really annoy me. I have a friend who asks me everytime we go, why I'm going when I've been so many times and 'Don't you get bored?' Obviously I always say no, but whats funny is, he goes to Ibiza nearly every year, so I ask him the same question. He says ' I don't get bored, there's loads to do and loads of different clubs to visit, and water sports to do' !! :hammer: :hammer: :hammer:

 

[marni1971]

The ammount of comments heard by the uninformed Joe Public make me smile and also a little sad - `Back to the Future at MGM was great`, `lets do that golfball thing`, `after Epcot lets do Walt DIsney World` etc....

Each to their own - so long as they are happy... those who arn`t happy are definatley in the minority. They probably hate supermarkets too if they can`t find some apples...

 

[TheOneVader]

I know lots of people who ask me if I get bored, or worse yet, that I go too much. Whenever someone gets some Disney information wrong I get kind of annoyed, but I always makes sure to correct them. No matter how long it takes. That's just the way I am.

 

[ClemsonTigger]

There is only so much you can do

I agree with your frustration PMagic, and think you answered your own question. As with so many other opportunities and aspects of life, there is no pleasing some people, and some folks while refusing to plan an activity for even 5 minutes blame everyone else for their bad time. It scares me sometimes the people of all ages that just sit back and wait for "mommy" to take care of everything.

marni1971

The ammount of comments heard by the uninformed Joe Public make me smile and also a little sad - `Back to the Future at MGM was great`, `lets do that golfball thing`, `after Epcot lets do Walt DIsney World` etc....

Each to their own - so long as they are happy... those who arn`t happy are definatley in the minority. They probably hate supermarkets too if they can`t find some apples...

Marni captured the "stupidity" as well. Some folks just wander around, refusing to use fast pass, then cursing those who do, wondering why noone told them of the parade times, that some activities need reservations or at least more planning than arrival 5 minutes prior, and one of my favorites, why Disney has the nerve to allow it to rain during my vacation.

Sadly, I feel we have become a terribly spoiled, lazy and dependant population, quick in being an armchair quarterback, and safe as we don't make any decisions ourselves.

 

[imagineer99]

I
Sadly, I feel we have become a terribly spoiled, lazy and dependant population, quick in being an armchair quarterback, and safe as we don't make any decisions ourselves.

Gosh, that was well stated... Sadly, it is full of truth.

 

[Snow White 610]

Alas, there are those determined to not have a good time. I also try to spread the magic and explain why visiting WDW is so wonderful, but you can't reach some people. It's sad, but also one less person in front of me at Tower of Terror! :lookaroun no offense to anyone

 

[Wilt Dasney]

Anyone who goes to WDW and doesn't realize it's more than the Magic Kingdom just isn't paying attention. It's as simple as that. Anyone who goes to MK and only rides a couple things because the radical idea of picking up a map doesn't occur to them has no real interest in being there. You really shouldn't worry yourself over other people's choosing to be oblivious.

 

[MissM]

I know this one girl (I refuse to call her a "friend" because she's not, but I do know her.) who hates Disney. She always manages to totally break the rules and then get mad that they try to enforce them with her. She's gotten into actual fights with people there and almost been kicked out more then once. (!) How is that even possible? She also came back from her last day (only reason she went was because her family wanted to take her and her son for the day) all mad because "fastpass is stupid and it sucks." Because she didn't "get" it, she just immediately got angry at it and said how lame and stupid and dumb it was.

Ugh. Some people. There's simply no helping them. Sad but true, there's a massive portion of the population who is just willfully stupid. They enjoy being that way and don't want to put any effort into learning or adapting or trying something new.
-m

 

[m star]

and then there are the people who think Fastpasses are too expensive...

 

[Rcoaster809]

Last Thanksgiving I was there with my high school marching band for four and a half days. Basicaly we had one day in each park, with the half day going to to Disney Quest. My parents were chaperones on the trip, but chaperones and kids never saw much of each other in the parks. I started the week with my 6 closest friends on the trip, and my parents went around with another couple they knew well. After the first two days some people I knew well were not enjoying themselves, and it turned out they just didnt know what to do. I would ask "Did you do this. Or that...?" and they would say no. By the end of the trip, I was showing 12 people around the parks, and parents picked up 6 more parents. The 20 people between our two groups enjoyed themselves the most because I was able to show them around. We were at MK the day after Thanksgiving and it was packed, but everyone I was with rode each mountain twice, while many did not even get to ride each mountain once.

I think it helps a lot to know what you are doing at Disney. I glance at the website, a quick look in a book like Birmbaum's or Foder's is enough. Finally, and am not saying that the other on the trip, but not with me did not enjoy themselves. By the end of the trip, out of the 125 of us, I would guess that less than 10 did not enjoyu themselves.

 

[Lauriebar]

I don't ever try to explain why Disney is so magical to me. It has always proved pointless to those who think WDW is boring and don't understand it. I feel that no explaination of Disney Magic is neccessary...you either feel it or you don't.

 

[cm1988]

Kudos

Kudos to Rcoaster809 and parents for helping so many people enjoy their WDW visits.

It sure helps to have a little savvy about what's available, and how to make best use of time, etc. Nice of you to share!

 

[RnRJoe6114]

They even make fun of people who just think MK is Disney in The Simpsons.
Homer gets all excited that they are going to Disney for teacher of the year ceremony or whatever. Then when they arrive he gets pist and says I thought we going to Disney World.

 

[the-reason14]

It does bug me A LOT when several people can be heard walking on Main Street, complaining how boring it was and how it was a "waste." It just totally messes up my happy factor for that day.

For example, while walking through the fastpass line for space mountain, I heard some kids saying, "Oh, this one aint nothin though." And Im thinking, if you dont like it or if isnt a "thrill" for you, then simply dont ride it, or go to some other parks that offer cheap thrills.

It also bugs me when people want to do something after disney tells them not to. Like in Space mountain, "For your safety please don not sit on the moving handrails." and some people do it anyways, and some people are like well we're not sitting on it lets do push ups on them to show how stupid the average guest can be. Splash Mountain too, please remain seated at all times, then the log in front of you there are several people standing up.

I said millions of times this previous trip. People are stupid.