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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:
alemci · 09/08/2014 18:12

I have taken dcs several times over the years' but it is so expensive especially when they are all adults. it really used to irk me when you had to pay for car park as well.

last visit to Busch Gardens it was $18. I can only do 1 day. I was exhausted and my ankles swelled up. not a good look

funnyossity · 09/08/2014 18:19

I like real life and trailing through old buildings, for (just a few years probably) my kids prefer rollercoasters and carousels.

pointythings · 09/08/2014 18:24

We went last year, in August, and we loved it. Stayed on Disney so no cooking or housework. The queues really weren't that bad - all it takes is a little planning with the FastPass system. We'd go back in a heartbeat if we had the money.

TravellingToad · 09/08/2014 18:36

YABU for going in August.

combust22 · 09/08/2014 18:38

What is the appeal?

Tiredemma · 09/08/2014 18:49

A holiday for the brain dead imo

Last time I checked, my brain was fully functioning.

StairsInTheNight · 09/08/2014 18:58

I do think it's one of those holidays that people are very scornful about, all the brain dead comments etc. It does seem to trigger that sort of response.

I went with open mind and loved it, I'm interested to know why others think it's so bad? Is it the commercial aspect? The queues?

I like camping AND Disney so like to think I have balance in my holidays Grin, can't imagine hating any holiday though to be honest, all travel is good!

Deluge · 09/08/2014 19:13

We have been at all times of the year. August was my favourite to be honest. I love that dramatic, moody weather - 90 degree heat and brit sunshine, and then torrential rain that goes away as quickly as it came. And Americans go back to school in early August, so not as rammed as you might expect, seeing as Americans make up the bulk of visitors to Disney.

The worst was Easter. The parks were packed. But still had fun.

I wish I was there NOW Grin. Camping in Bournemouth next week and the forecast is shit :-(

Hulababy · 09/08/2014 19:34

Tiredemma - if you've been, fine it's not for you. No need to be so ride to those who go and like it. If you've not been then you don't really have a clue!

Tiredemma · 09/08/2014 20:07

_ Hulababy-

I was quoting another poster further up the thread????

PhaedraIsMyName · 09/08/2014 20:22

I can't remember what it was called but there was one park which was made to look like swimming hollow of mythical idyllic American childhoods.

I'm sure it was all fake but it looked very pretty, the rock slide into the pool was great fun, it was absolutely safe and the staff were helpful and polite.

I love outdoor swimming and this was a real high point for me.

mummytime · 09/08/2014 20:27

River country - it is sad it's gone now. Even if I nearly had a lifeguard rescue me there.

I love Disney, I also love mountains, not so keen on lying on the beach. But if it's not for you that is fine, no need to be rude about it.

hmc · 09/08/2014 20:35

Does the Disney snobbery bother you though? - personally I find it laughable, especially given that I almost certainly far more widely travelled with a greater diversity of experiences than a lot of the Disney detractors (I won't bore on with a list...)

curiousgeorgie · 09/08/2014 20:36

We love Florida, and we love Disney.

I wouldn't go in Summer because I hate queuing so we choose to go in the first 2 weeks of October while everyone else is at school.

My DD, my parents, our friends... We have (and will have in a couple of months) the holiday of a lifetime.

I always feel really sorry for the kids of the professional Disney haters...

curiousgeorgie · 09/08/2014 20:37

And as for food being 'only fast food'?

That's bollocks. They have loads of amazing restaurants.

Topseyt · 09/08/2014 21:02

We have been to Disneyland and Universal Studios in California and enjoyed them. Also Disneyland Paris (twice). I enjoyed them all. I am not big on roller-coasters and other white-knuckle rides myself, but my husband and kids love to do them and for me the reward is seeing them all enjoying themselves.

We haven't managed to go to Florida (money a problem in the last few years), but if we ever do make it there I shall go with an open mind. I would be tempted to make it a two centre holiday. Time to visit the parks etc., then a week or so in the Florida Keys relaxing and chilling out. If I could fit them in I would also like to visit the Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral and take a trip on the Everglades.

Florida can't be just Disney, Epcot, Universal Studios and Harry Potter etc. Those may be what it is most famous for, and undoubtedly they are well worth a visit, but there are plenty of other places to visit as far as I understand.

StairsInTheNight · 09/08/2014 21:11

Is it snobbery? Like, do people think it's embarrassing to like Disney? Is that it?

No, it doesn't bother me, I don't suppose there's a place on earth everybody likes. But it seems a shame to hate somewhere on principle. It's easy, fun. It's not backpacking through Cambodia. But not every holiday has to be the same. Seems a shame not to give it a try? It's not exactly Blackpool, you get nice weather and the theme parks are very nicely done? Unlike chesssington etc which tbh could do with a bit of tlc?

alemci · 09/08/2014 21:19

yes Florida is so easy and value for money. we stayed in a gorgeous villa on the coast. if we holidayed in Europe we would have to pay alot more.

Johnogroats · 09/08/2014 21:48

We are off there next week for the first time. It wasnt my first choice....but I'm looking forward to it. Boys are v excited. 7&9. I love the heat, so that'll be fine. Interesting to read these differing opinions.

And next year, back to France!

Awks · 09/08/2014 21:57

Went at Easter and had a brilliant holiday. Didn't really like Orlando but loved Disney and Universal and went to the Gulf Coast which was beautiful. We stayed a 20 min drive from the theme parks though and that was good otherwise I think I may have got cabin fever. Our weather was a bit rubbish too, bloody freezing on a morning. And of course, none of us had any warm clothes at all.

bunchoffives · 09/08/2014 21:59

It's easy, fun Ugh, no it's not!

Disneyland is just a giant promotion park for the US film industry imo.

You pay to go and be advertised at so they can brainwash encourage you to watch more films and buy more merchandise. And train your kids too of course. They must think thye punters are right suckers!

cassgate · 09/08/2014 22:24

We have just come back. We used to own a house there but sold it a few years ago. We love it. Every one is different but I personally hate beach holidays and would never stay in a hotel with the kids. We will always hire villas or if in the uk cottages. I must admit we noticed that it was a lot more crowded this year than previous ones. Could be the hype of new harry potter attraction. The queue for the new ride was never less than 2 hours and the ride kept closing due to technical problems so on the 2 days we spent at universal both times we started queuing we bailed out after an hour when the queue didn't move. Kids weren't bothered as we got straight on to most other rides. You do have to know the layout of the parks and if you have been before you can avoid a lot of the queues by doing things in the right order. E. G we do all wet rides straight away. You can virtually guarantee that you walk straight on them at 9 in the morning but by 12 you will queue for over an hour or more. We did the whole of islands of adventure in 5 hours then went to universal and did Simpsons, et as again no queues on those. We did the rest of universal studios on our 2nd visit. We did the harry potter train twice. The only ride we didn't do was the new one. Not for everyone I guess but we love it. Must admit was disappointed with the lack of Olaf In Hollywood studios and didn't think much of the new parade at magic kingdom.

StairsInTheNight · 09/08/2014 22:24

:-S ok?

I hadn't noticed the brainwashing. I like roller coasters. I don't think I have watched more Disney since?

It's like a giant Alton towers, go if you like rides!

hmc · 09/08/2014 22:26

Suspect you are somewhat over thinking it bunchoffives

StairsInTheNight · 09/08/2014 22:27