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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Disneyland/Orlando = Awful

225 replies

YellowTulips · 08/08/2014 23:29

Just got back from 2 weeks in Orlando.

I know I am a miserable bugger but I HATED it.

Hot humid weather, stupidly high fees to enter the parks (legoland was especially shit).

Kids loved it, but I surely can't be the only person who disliked it ......

OP posts:
mollypup · 09/08/2014 01:45

you've gone at the wrong time of year that's why! if you'd left a few more weeks i bet you would have enjoyed it an awful lot more.

Suefla62 · 09/08/2014 01:57

woowoo Yes it rains every day in July/August, but not usually for the whole day, usually for about an hour. However, it is very hot and humid. Some people can handle it and some can't.

Yes if you live here we try and get away, but, I still would'nt trade it for winter anywhere else.

PowderMum · 09/08/2014 02:01

YABU - Orlando is magic on earth, although very hot and humid in October, much better in October/November.

redshifter · 09/08/2014 02:06

Do people seriously not research the weather before spending lots of money travelling somewhere?

To go to Florida in July/Aug is crazy IMO, it's very hot, very humid and rains a lot. It is like this every summer, what did you expect? Snow?
May and October is lovely.
Next time you go to a tropical climate expect it to be hot and humid in the middle of, summer.

ToffeeMoon · 09/08/2014 02:48

I'm with you OP. We were there for three days earlier this year and I couldn't see what all the hype was. It wasn't magical one bit. We stayed in a top Disney hotel too. I imagined (based on everything I've ever read about the place) that Mickey Mouse would be dancing down every street but you rarely see any of the much-vaunted characters in the flesh. It's just a theme park, nothing special.

I would gladly have skipped it all and stayed at the pool.

Original poster
YellowTulips · 09/08/2014 02:52

I got what I expected. To explain, my DH and I take turns booking and paying for the annual family holiday.

This was his turn.

I just didn't expect to dislike it so much. Quite gobsmaked that some people have been more than once tbh.

OP posts:
HerRoyalNotness · 09/08/2014 02:53

We went in June, I had early pregnancy sickness(did not know I was pregnant) whenever I think of disney I feel sick. I feel sick just reading this thread Grin

Original poster
YellowTulips · 09/08/2014 02:59

Sorry just to add - it wasn't the weather. I just disliked the whole Disney experience. I'm a miserable bugger I know Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
YellowTulips · 09/08/2014 03:04

Freya - only highlight was the new Harry potter ride - was worth the queue.

OP posts:
Floop · 09/08/2014 03:05

I've done very disney in the world and loved them all - I'm sorry!

Amy106 · 09/08/2014 03:40

We were there in November when it was cooler and much less crowded and had a great time.

StairsInTheNight · 09/08/2014 03:55

We went twice in February and loved it. Disney is great fun. Looking forward to going back. Sorry to hear it wasn't your cup of tea, OP. Did you use fastpasses? That makes massive difference to how easy it all is imho.

lettertoherms · 09/08/2014 04:16

Everything about Florida is horrible. I'm always surprised my how many mumsnetters take vacations there.

WanderingTrolley1 · 09/08/2014 05:51

Yes, FLA in July/August will be hot.

I went a few years ago and loved it!

mathanxiety · 09/08/2014 07:11

You couldn't pay me to go.

I don't get Disney at all. Or Florida.

angelohsodelight · 09/08/2014 07:22

People who haven't been can't really comment. Orlando us amazing but why anyone would go to I drive is beyond me. Parts of Florida are stunning, parts aren't.

VeraGrant · 09/08/2014 07:24

We love everything about Florida and find Disney completely magical. One of my sons has autism and he is blissed out there. Really is horses for courses!

It's extremely hot there in August, and the storms that punctuate nearly every day are a pain, but it's definitely manageable.

LindyHemming · 09/08/2014 07:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 09/08/2014 07:32

DH and I got married in Florida (Florida Keys actually)
We didn't go anywhere near DisneyLand and now we are looking at our 20th Wedding Anniversary and two DC (who will be 15 and nearly 13 by then) even have teens doesn't inspire us to go back Grin

And even in April, it pi**ed with rain some days.

Fleurie76 · 09/08/2014 07:33

I've got family in Miami and have been a few times, Disney twice. Once as a child myself (I loved it) and once a couple of years ago with my DD aged 4.
As an adult I am not a Disney fan and wasn't going to go at all on the last visit but my lovely Aunt kindly paid for a day at the Magic Kingdom for us. My daughter loved it but I did find it tacky and I was shocked at how crap and dated some of the rides were, food dreadful and just found it all a bit saccharine and, well, Disney! One day was enough and although I was hugely grateful for the generosity of my family (my daughter's face when she met Rapunzel was priceless) I'd never choose to go myself again!
Don't write off Florida though OP, there are some lovely places. Key West is great, I'd rather take my daughter there!

combust22 · 09/08/2014 07:37

It doesn't appeal one bit. My kids don't like theme parks, the whole idea just sounds like hell on earth. There are so many exciting places to explore on this planet Disney would be one of the last I would want to visit.

londonrach · 09/08/2014 07:38

Been twice to Florida. Disneyland stuff one visit. Amazing experience. Space stuff next visit. Wow seeing the last night flight. People very friendly both times and food good. (Xi hate subway, mcd etc). Dinners are the place to be.

mummytime · 09/08/2014 07:38

In August it is very hot and humid.

My family have had a great holiday there then though. We just were prepared and didn't do too much. Eg in two week we just did Disney.

oP you are very unreasonable as: the only places you have mentioned are not Disney eg. Legoland and Universal. Also to complain after taking no part in deciding and organising the holiday, this should be a joint decision.

If you were theme parked out why didn't you let him and the kids go to say Legoland and you have a shopping, spa, relaxing day instead?

revealall · 09/08/2014 07:45

Florida is 3 times the size of the UK so the much more to it than Disney. I think it might be dull just to do Orlando but Miami or the Alligator parks or whatever are great.

I don't mind the weather. It's exciting. It's nice and sunny most if the day and then you get a massive thunderstorm of heavy rain most days ( warm rain) and then suddenly sun again. The sun goes down very early and you have dark tropical nights that smell divine.

minniebar · 09/08/2014 07:54

There is way more to Orlando than I-drive. You know that the people who live there avoid it and it's just for tourists?

Go up to Winter Park (suburb of Orlando in the north) and take a boat trip on the lakes - tis lovely. Or go to Cape Kennedy (bit of a drive, but worth it). Or go shopping - soooo much good shopping there…