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Original poster

Disneyworld?

51 replies

akantar · 21/01/2024 18:02

We are thinking of going to Disneyworld. I would love some honest opinions about whether it is worth the money? What you liked and did not like.
I joined a Disney facebook group and the posts on there are about how awesome and amazing it is, but nowhere is 100% amazing, so I do not trust the posts. So I want to know from families who have been there what you really thought of it? Is it better or worse for certain ages of children? Thanks.

OP posts:
Original poster
akantar · 21/01/2024 19:01

Anyone?

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Cockawoes · 21/01/2024 19:04

I love Disney. But it's a bit marmite some people love it others loathe it.
It is busy and overpriced but magical and fun for a family holiday.
We've been with all ages of kids and there's something for everyone. Lots of walking. Rides. Shows. Things to see and do.
Unless you hate Disney and theme parks I'd say go at least once if you can afford it.

Midnlghtrain · 21/01/2024 19:05

Love it. But in my opinion you need ££ to make it magical.

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percypig84 · 21/01/2024 19:05

We went a year ago with a 7 year old and an 11 year old. We did have an amazing time but it is exhausting and there is a lot of walking and queuing involved. There are loads and of FB groups that are great for tips and planning and some will give a more balanced view.

MissusKay · 21/01/2024 19:06

It's a lot of money. Florida is hot as hell and crazy humid in the summer. The crowds are going to be intense. I'd recommend going on the off season if possible. Make sure you're kids are tall enough for the rides they want to go on. It can be really rough to not be allowed to go on the rides.

Unihorn · 21/01/2024 19:10

Nowhere is 100% amazing, apart from Disney 😁

It's lots of walking (20-30,000 steps most days) and can require a lot of planning to make the most out of it, but we find the planning helps build the excitement. You can go full Disney/Universal (on-site resort stays) or do villas outside the parks and have relaxing days in between manic park days.

Original poster
akantar · 21/01/2024 19:13

Thanks. I was thinking rest days in between, or doing other things.

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HermioneWeasley · 21/01/2024 19:14

We love it, but you do need £ to make it work now with needing to pay to avoid the huge queues. If you’re able to go outside school holidays it’s much more manageable.

the food is amazing, a real part of the experience. It’s not just rides, it’s shows and the whole ambience.

I wouldn’t take a kid younger than 5 as the heat, jet lag and walking are tough going.

breathinbreathout · 21/01/2024 19:15

Rather to my my surprise I really like it.
But August isn't a good time to go, weather is very hot and humid.
It isn't always relaxing for the person organizing because there is a lot of planning, often requiring being online at 7am.
Make sure at least one person in your party enjoys planning.
There is a significant amount of walking involved
The more money you throw at it the more enjoyable it becomes in my view as this cuts down time spent in lines.
It is also a trip which rewards being up and out early for this reason.
If you go embrace the whole experience, buy the ears, eat your way Epcot, try the dole whip etc.

Blindaroona · 21/01/2024 19:25

I can not state this enough, it needs planning, this is not Chessington. Jet lag hits you as there is a 5 hour time difference, depending on the age of your children it might be hard to make them drink often to keep from dehydrating, it is hot and humid. We have been at different times of the year but August is our favourite but it isn't for everyone.

The Dibb is a great UK site for all your questions, including trip reports and food reports etc. Is it amazing? Yes it is for us, we loved it and combined it with Universal every time we go. Does it cost the price of selling your kidney? Yes, but we have incredible memories from there to last a lifetime.

Original poster
akantar · 21/01/2024 19:28

It sounds like hard work!

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breathinbreathout · 21/01/2024 19:35

It is reasonably hard work.
I really enjoy it and even my now grumpy teenagers still do. (DH has conferences there yearly) DH hates doing nothing so it works for him.
But it isn't a chill holiday like a beach holiday.

namechange58572 · 21/01/2024 19:36

We went to Disneyland Paris so probably not as good and did have a great time. But agree it needs planning and if you have it £££.
I did feel like I spent half the day queuing as there was no way we could afford an extra £500 for fast passes. If we could afford it I definitely would have.

breathinbreathout · 21/01/2024 19:36

I also really like Universal and it's good for older dc.

bobomomo · 21/01/2024 19:37

It's lovely but it's a lot of money, and it's not really possible to do Florida any cheaper.

For many ordinary families it's 3+ years holiday budget so you need to judge whether it's worth going without trips each summer to have a 2 week holiday, is any holiday worth that

Money no object I would go again even though mine are adults, but I'd rather spend £10k on other holidays, 3+ other holidays!

ScrummyDiva2 · 21/01/2024 19:38

Definitely a fabulous holiday- but children really need to be old enough and tall enough to get on all rides and spend the whole day on the go. Otherwise, an expensive waste of money! No younger than 7/8 I'd say.

bobomomo · 21/01/2024 19:39

I'd highly recommend Disneyland Paris as a much more affordable option, it's still not cheap but as you can go just for a long weekend it's possible for people to save up enough a bit easier

FakeHoisinDuck · 21/01/2024 19:43

How much do people budget for 2a 2c? Or 2a2teens?

I am not sure it would ever be in pir price bracket. But we have had an amazing time in Paris one!

lifehappens12 · 21/01/2024 19:48

Took a 10yr, 5 yr and 2 yr and all enjoyed parts of it but the part they least enjoyed was the heat and queuing.

Once the jet lag wore off and we stopped waking up crazy early we started having lie ins and heading to the parks late afternoon when it's quieter and cooler and much more fun. Heat of the day was for pool time

pinkflares · 21/01/2024 19:58

It is absolutely amazing! We went when dc were 11 & 13 and that seemed about right to enjoy everything on offer/all the different parks. My main suggestion is allowing a lot of time as it really is exhausting. We had a 2 week ticket which meant we could have days off by the pool, or just go in the evening some days, and revisit our favourite places.

I also agree with pp that you need to allow a decent budget so you can make life easier by eating there and buying all the drinks you need in the heat.

PaintedPottery · 21/01/2024 20:03

I’ve been a few times as we had relatives out there. We didn’t do Disney every day, last time I went was for 23 days but we had Disney tickets for 9 days. We explored the area. I found DLP to be more tiring because we did two full on days and then left. DisneyWorld was more leisurely.

PepsiMaxLime · 21/01/2024 20:03

It’s definitely not a relaxing holiday! I’d advise:

-not trying to do too much, choose Disney or Universal, not both for your first time
-budget for Genie+ and some lightning lanes, they’ll cost you money but save you hours of precious holiday time
-research where you want to eat and set a reminder in your diary for 60 days out to book meals
-decide if onsite or off will work better for your family. Onsite is more convenient and can nip back to the resort for an afternoon swim and head back to the parks for fireworks/ when cooler. Offsite much cheaper & access to far superior food options

The Dibb is a great resource with some very balanced views. Is it relaxing? No? Will you need a holiday to recover? Yes? Is it magical? Yes, if you go at the right ages and avoid the super hot months.

you’ll need at least £10k for flights and accommodation (more if staying in a Disney hotel), tickets and spending money. Our 2022 trip cost £15k for 2A 1C (7yo) but could’ve done it for £10k if we chose budget hotels & less park tickets, we did universal too which as I said above, in hindsight I advise against with kids.

eurochick · 21/01/2024 20:14

I'm surprised at the posts about planning. What did you plan? We did Disney a few years ago and Universal last year. Other than booking flights and accommodation we did no planning🤷‍♀️. Each day we woke up and decided which park we were going to and said if there was anything in particular any of us wanted to prioritise so we could watch the queues. When we got tired we went back to the hotel.

Unihorn · 21/01/2024 20:26

Planning is hugely dependent on the time of year you go and what you want to do. I wouldn't advise someone not to plan if going at Easter or Christmas - Magic Kingdom closes to capacity on Christmas Day and New Years Eve and wait times for the most popular rides exceed 2 hours.

If the only things you wanted to do were Tron, Guardians and Avatar then you might be surprised to find 300 minute queues, or to discover lightning lanes, Genie+ and boarding groups.

Similarly if you went in October and planned to watch the fireworks in Magic Kingdom or have a relaxing Saturday night at Epcot, then the Halloween parties closing MK early and the drunken Food and Wine attendees could lead to a bit of disappointment.