Disney World at 50

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[xc84]

And even $109 doesn't really get you much. If you want to actually go on any of the "better" rides, you need to stay at Disney to get better access and/or pay extra to get into the "Lightning Lane"

"guests will be able to pay for Disney’s NEW Individual Attraction Selection service. With this service, guests will pay a fee PER RIDE to utilize the “Lightning Lane.”

Disney Magic at its finest

 

[chugg21]

Lived in Tampa for a couple years and had 0 interest in going. Went to a couple concerts at Disney Springs and they were fine but paying a huge premium to be surrounded by a zillion people is a lose-lose scenario in my book.

 

[Noexcuse]

Spring Break April 1972. Got kicked out of the Fort Lauderdale hotel we were “visiting” so we headed up to Daytona in the middle of the night and took a detour to Orlando. Got to the Disney parking lot at 4 am and there were a half dozen cars waiting in line ahead of us. Took the Tram and walked into the park just as it opened. Place was pristine, not crowded and seemed like a dream (which was enhanced by the effects of 24 hours of no sleep and whatever else). Anyway took my kids there 20 years later and the place was totally crazy with long lines, screaming kids and obnoxious adults. Some vacation that was.

 

[CuseFaninVT]

Went with my parents and siblings in February 1987 just before I turned 18. Have never taken my son. Feels like a miss, but we can’t stand crowds and he was never into rides until this year. Maybe someday when he’s got kids we’ll take the whole family.

 

[Orangezoo]

Went with my parents and siblings in February 1987 just before I turned 18. Have never taken my son. Feels like a miss, but we can’t stand crowds and he was never into rides until this year. Maybe someday when he’s got kids we’ll take the whole family.

We are saving up to get a camper and just setup that way to save on the lodging costs. Friend of mine just did the whole package for his 4 kids plus he and and the wife and staying at Disney lodging. They did the whole lightning pass thing too. $11k for the week.

 

[CuseFaninVT]

We are saving up to get a camper and just setup that way to save on the lodging costs. Friend of mine just did the whole package for his 4 kids plus he and and the wife and staying at Disney lodging. They did the whole lightning pass thing too. $11k for the week.

For that kind of money, I’d rather go to Europe

 

[Orangezoo]

For that kind of money, I’d rather go to Europe

Yep. Exactly. I'm figuring if I stall the wife long enough I can flash a euro trip like Clark in Vegas Vacation as an alternative and get the greenlight.

 

[Acesn8s]

Leaving for Disney with wife and five kids on Thursday, had to bring grand parents so can get time away from
Kids. I was just in Dominican Republic 4 weeks ago and could go three times for what im
Paying for this trip smh!

 

[Shrmdougluvr]

$109 just to get a 3 year old (or older) into a park is pricey (obviously that means you're dropping $218 minimum).

I enjoy going to Disney World but it's easy to see there is a lot of pressure associated with going. For most families, it is a major financial commitment. There is a also the psychological challenge/self-fulfilling prophecy of making the most of a trip to the "most magical place on Earth." When you couple those things, it can lead to some ugly moments for both adults and kids alike, which is unfortunate, but understandable. For the most part, the "good" I have seen completely outweighs any "bad," and it's not really close.

The three general "truths" I have come to realize with respect to Disney World:

1. Treat it like going to a casino or the track. You're going to overspend, for almost everything (akin to losing money). Understand that is just a sunk cost of going and live in it. Also, some people will not have grasped these "truths." Don't let their behavior deter you.
2. Don't skimp on things that will make the trip more convenient. Spend more on the motels/hotels that are located in proximity to the parks you want. Pay for fast passes if there are rides you absolutely want to do. Spend on transportation/parking. The thing I have found not worth paying top dollar for is the food. It generally is subpar, particularly at the price point. Usually, we have our driver (see "spend on transportation") stop at a grocery store so that we can pick up water/snacks/PB&J/etc.
3. Don't try to do everything, particularly if you have already been and know what you like/don't like already. The best trips we have had are when went for four days, and spent two days at parks, and two days just hanging around (e.g., pool, Disney Springs, mini-golf, etc.). Don't over-plan. Have a concept of what you want to accomplish, and use that to guide you.

 

[orangefog]

I went on July 20th. My youngest's 15th birthday. It was so hot and crowded that we only got to go on three rides. Definitely not worth the money on that day. I had been twice before in 1976 (5 years old) and 1986. Both times were better. Our plan this time was to last the whole day and see the fireworks. But, by 2pm, we were ready to leave because it was so hot and crowded. The wait times were over an hour for every good ride.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

Went with my parents and siblings in February 1987 just before I turned 18. Have never taken my son. Feels like a miss, but we can’t stand crowds and he was never into rides until this year. Maybe someday when he’s got kids we’ll take the whole family.

My preference is Harry Potter world at Universal, but I enjoy Disney. Thankfully, I am at the point where I could pay for expedited access.

 

[OburgOrange]

We lived in Gainesville for 3 years in the early 80’s. Everyone, and I mean everyone that visited us wanted to got o Disney world. Must have gone 20+ times. The crowds, the heat, the screaming kids, the humidity,the long lines, the cost,,,. I will never step foot in that place again.

 

[Acesn8s]

We are bringing 6 kids my 5 and my nephew all under the age of 9, not enough booze in the state to get me through it lol. Worst thing is obviously will miss the wake forest game!

 

[orangefog]

We are bringing 6 kids my 5 and my nephew all under the age of 9, not enough booze in the state to get me through it lol. Worst thing is obviously will miss the wake forest game!

How many are you comfortable coming back with?

 

[MSOrange]

We went several years ago. I can hardly do any of the rides because of my back problems, so we chose to go to Epcot. It was a fun way to spend the day, but probably not worth the price and not something I need to go back and do again.

 

[Acesn8s]

How many are you comfortable coming back with?

I mean the 8 and 7 year olds are girls and I love them more then anything but soon they will be teenage girls so ya know.

 

[orangefog]

I mean the 8 and 7 year olds are girls and I love them more then anything but soon they will be teenage girls so ya know.

I have two teenage girls, I definitely know. You will have an incredibly difficult trip, but it will be worth it. Are you getting the photo package thing? I forget the name, my wife set it up for us. We only hit two spots with it, but if you got it, I would encourage you to hit those photographers at every opportunity, because they do a great job.

 

[Acesn8s]

I have two teenage girls, I definitely know. You will have an incredibly difficult trip, but it will be worth it. Are you getting the photo package thing? I forget the name, my wife set it up for us. We only hit two spots with it, but if you got it, I would encourage you to hit those photographers at every opportunity, because they do a great job.

Ohhh yes we got it. We went with every money grab you could get hahah it will be a good time.

 

[xc84]

$109 just to get a 3 year old (or older) into a park is pricey (obviously that means you're dropping $218 minimum).

I enjoy going to Disney World but it's easy to see there is a lot of pressure associated with going. For most families, it is a major financial commitment. There is a also the psychological challenge/self-fulfilling prophecy of making the most of a trip to the "most magical place on Earth." When you couple those things, it can lead to some ugly moments for both adults and kids alike, which is unfortunate, but understandable. For the most part, the "good" I have seen completely outweighs any "bad," and it's not really close.

The three general "truths" I have come to realize with respect to Disney World:

1. Treat it like going to a casino or the track. You're going to overspend, for almost everything (akin to losing money). Understand that is just a sunk cost of going and live in it. Also, some people will not have grasped these "truths." Don't let their behavior deter you.
2. Don't skimp on things that will make the trip more convenient. Spend more on the motels/hotels that are located in proximity to the parks you want. Pay for fast passes if there are rides you absolutely want to do. Spend on transportation/parking. The thing I have found not worth paying top dollar for is the food. It generally is subpar, particularly at the price point. Usually, we have our driver (see "spend on transportation") stop at a grocery store so that we can pick up water/snacks/PB&J/etc.
3. Don't try to do everything, particularly if you have already been and know what you like/don't like already. The best trips we have had are when went for four days, and spent two days at parks, and two days just hanging around (e.g., pool, Disney Springs, mini-golf, etc.). Don't over-plan. Have a concept of what you want to accomplish, and use that to guide you.

I am not disagreeing with you and if you have to go to Disney, then I guess you need to do that. My issue about that strategy is you could say that about any place. Spend a ton of money and get all the add-ons and you will enjoy it. I don't want to spend a ton of money at almost anyplace ...especially on Disney. Every time I go to Disney, I have a constant feeling I am getting ripped off no matter what I do. That and the fact that I find it crowded, cheesy and not at all "magical".

On the flip side, I have friends who feel the exact opposite. They love it all and they spend the money and months of effort prepping.

 

[upperdeck]

so Disney is basically the cost of going to a NFL/NBA game that lasts 10 hrs?

 

[ScrabbCuse]

Took my ex-wife to Disney early on in our relationship as she had never been as a child. Bad idea. She ended up becoming a Disney fanatic and we ended up getting married there. They gave us free season passes for a year. Had a small event as half our invited guests didn’t want to pay a fortune for a Disney destination wedding. My current girlfriend (and hopefully soon my second and last wife) told me we are never going to Disney until our kids are at least 7 or 8 and if I want to get married there again, I’d better look for a new girlfriend.

 

[Shrmdougluvr]

Took my ex-wife to Disney early on in our relationship as she had never been as a child. Bad idea. She ended up becoming a Disney fanatic and we ended up getting married there. They gave us free season passes for a year. Had a small event as half our invited guests didn’t want to pay a fortune for a Disney destination wedding. My current girlfriend (and hopefully soon my second and last wife) told me we are never going to Disney until our kids are at least 7 or 8 and if I want to get married there again, I’d better look for a new girlfriend.

That “hopefully” in there …. (edit- also the "last")

 

[chugg21]

I am not disagreeing with you and if you have to go to Disney, then I guess you need to do that. My issue about that strategy is you could say that about any place. Spend a ton of money and get all the add-ons and you will enjoy it. I don't want to spend a ton of money at almost anyplace ...especially on Disney. Every time I go to Disney, I have a constant feeling I am getting ripped off no matter what I do. That and the fact that I find it crowded, cheesy and not at all "magical".

On the flip side, I have friends who feel the exact opposite. They love it all and they spend the money and months of effort prepping.

I have adult friends who are like that too and go there multiple times a year. It's so bizarre to me. When I lived in Tampa I wouldn't even go for free. Place is basically my nightmare.

 

[chugg21]

We are saving up to get a camper and just setup that way to save on the lodging costs. Friend of mine just did the whole package for his 4 kids plus he and and the wife and staying at Disney lodging. They did the whole lightning pass thing too. $11k for the week.

Sweet Jesus. The trip I could plan for $11k compared to Disney melts my brain even just thinking where to begin.