Is Walt Disney World Florida worth it anymore?

[csm93]

With increasing prices and fewer perks, has anybody been recently that could vouch for this being a holiday to look into and consider or would you suggest spending the money on going elsewhere?

[Wrenna]

We live in the US and have been twice, once when ds was 8 and once when he was 12. Even with free dining and the other perks it was (for us) really expensive. We had fun, probably more the first time when we also went to Harry Potter. Dh and I always talked making an adult outing with just us when ds was in University, which he is now. There is no way I’d do it now without the perks. I’d Much rather go somewhere else and spend less money!!

[CalmBeforeStorm01]

Been to WDW Florida loads of times and LA a couple of times. Prefer the latter as you can also add Knotsberry Farm into the trip. Last time (2013) it was £10k for me and DC, the whole trip food and everything, but I vowed next time we'd stay in a villa and slash at least £3k off that. Planning another trip to LA when Covid calms down, maybe next year.

[Maltester71]

We are just back. We’ve been before in 2016.

Universal parks are the same, so are the Seaworld linked parks. Both have excellent coasters and a simple fast pass system that’s expensive but works well.

Busch gardens was brilliant, it was our first visit. Florida schools are not currently in holiday so it was a calm, chilled out experience. Best park by far.

Disney was awful. Truly, truly awful. The Genie + system is terrible, a massive downgrade on the system it replaces. The whole place just extracts money in the guise of ‘friends’ and ‘magic.’ The staff are noticeably different - I went up to a stall in magic kingdom to buy a bottle of water. The stall attendant said ‘don’t buy this, they put salt in it to make you more thirsty so you’ll buy more.’ I was astonished by that comment.

There were elderly staff in shops and at turnstiles who just glare at you. They look as though they dont want to be there. I wondered if they didn’t have pensions and had to work until they drop.

Even the guy supervising the tram transport was complaining how much of a racket the Genie+ system is. That was shocking to hear staff complaining. It’s lost all its magic I think.

The magic kingdom fireworks are good though, and the ones at Epcot. Very well done. And a couple of good rides (at Epcot, Soarin’ and Test Track and Mission Space, at Magic Kingdom, Thunder Mountain and Space Mountain). The snow while ride is also good but in a fortnight we didn’t manage to buy a ticket for it once (all sold out early in the morning).

I will never go to Disney again.

[DSGR]

We absolutely love it but we’re not looking for problems, we’re looking to have a good time! If queues aren’t you’re thinking and you don’t want to spend extra on things like Genie plus, it might not be for you. But we think all that pales into comparison compared to how much fun we all have, how great the rides are, the parades and the fireworks. We always stay off site. Make our own food to take to the parks etc

[Boxowine]

Orlando in general is a great place for a family vacation. There are many resorts with all the bells and whistles that are a much better value than a Disney hotel. Sea World has three parks now, including Discovery Cove which is a wonderful way to spend the day. Universal has the Harry Potter World now, you could easily spend two days there. The city has plenty of other attractions like fantastic mini golf and go carts. Even the McDonalds has the worlds largest play park. There are alternatives to Disney. If they don't want to offer the all encompassing bubble experience anymore, you can incorporate some of the other things that are available.

[Seema1234]

We went in 2015 when the DCs were 9 and 7. It was the best holiday we'd ever been on. My only too would be to stay in a villa off site as the cost of the hotel's onsite weren't worth it. We went for an extended October half term and it was very quiet as the US kids were in school.

[NumberTheory]

We went in 2019 and as others have said it was too packed.

There is a wristband thing that lets you book some rides, but we weren't aware of how critical it was to book this up at the first opportunity and couldn't get any of the better rides by the time we realised. And it wasn't just the rides, every kiosk had a line, virtually all the public areas were packed out, etc. Only the Epcot Center wasn't crowded and there's a reason for that!

We had a far better time at Universal studios, even though it's far smaller (I think).

Orlando does have a lot going on, so even if you don't do Disney, some other stuff is well worth doing. We did two days at Cape Canaveral and had a fantastic time. A day on the rivers with the manatees. A day at a waterpark, etc. But there are plenty of places in the same sort of price range with good weather and plenty to do.

[Momijin]

Went 10 years ago and not my cup of tea, but plenty of people love it. I would do 2 days and then do Florida for the rest of the days at an absolute push.

[Boxowine]

We just went in January. I have been twice before. It is very different. Not just more expensive but the new Genie system is wretched and the parks are gaining more of an adult feel with the merging of Star Wars and the Marvel universe. Nothing wrong with amusement parks that serve alcohol and adults cosplaying but I used to think of Disney as focused on childish delight and there used to be something very pure about their approach.

I would not book a Disney resort now that the airport busses are gone and you have to pay for rental car parking. The dining plans are also gone.

The next time I go to Florida I will spend more time at Universal.

That being said, some of the new rides at Disney are spectacular.

Oh, and we accidentally went to Epcot on the Figment Popcorn Bucket day. What a shitshow. Double check the event calendar when making your park reservations.

[SorryPardonWhat]

We are here now! Having a wonderful time, even though it's very hot and very busy. Genie+ has replaced fast pass and it has worked really well for us so far. You just book rides on the day as you go.

I can't comment on California Disney or Paris as I haven't been. It definitely does feel like a huge money making machine here, and it's really irritating having to make park reservations even when you have a ticket. No dining plan but we did get USD700 dining credit. We are having a fun lovely family time but do wish it was a little less busy.

[Diditreallylookawful]

We've had the same sort of conversation in our house this year - we've gone every couple of years up to the pandemic, and have loved it. We know it very well. However this year it's simply too expensive.

The new Fastpass system, booking rides etc is just not worth it for us. There seem to be so many new restrictions and costs in Disney, but also things like the cost of a hire car which seems to have rocketed. I'm sad about it because we've had the most fabulous times there, but we have done it ("to death" according to DH) and are going elsewhere this year.

[cavalierkingc]

Been very recently. IMO 100% worth it but im a big disney fan! So many amazing experiences, amazing restaurants and rides. Shows and fireworks are unreal.

[EmmaStone]

I've been to Disney more times than I can remember (used to live in Florida). Not been for a fair few years now - we were due to go in 2020, but...I guess because of previous visits, we never stay in Orlando for very long - max 5 days, and would never stay onsite. In terms of how we 'do' Disney (which is basically turning up, soaking it in and going on a few rides), I can't imagine it's particularly different, but equally, I guess there's a lot of pent up demand, and it's hard to know.

But is it worth it? Who knows - it's entirely individual as to what you're trying to get out of it.

[DrSbaitso]

My daughter is really more interested in meeting the characters than going on the rides. Sadly she's not into princesses, because that would be easy. She wants to meet Mickey Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck et al.

[DrSbaitso]

Watching with interest. My daughter would love to go, I went when I was about eight and loved it, but is it worth it now? How about Disney land Paris?

[TheLoupGarou]

Horses for courses, but if I were going to the US I would do Disneyland at Anaheim for a couple of days and then have a nice holiday in California.

Or Disneyland Paris (although the prices are crazy at the moment).

[FlibbertyGibbitt]

[quote Phos]@FlibbertyGibbitt

Jokes on you. Went twice when I was younger. Didn’t like it then, think it sounds even worse now.[/quote]
Don’t think so 🥳🥳🥳 depends what you like I guess

[Phos]

@BeHappy91818

I LOVE rides. I don’t like spending my holiday in queues and just don’t think the ones at Disney are particularly good.

[BeyondMyWits]

We last went to Florida in 2016. It was already getting ridiculously busy compared to previous times (about 4 years). That trip cost us 7k as a family of 4 "adults". Same trip this year (flights, villa, car, tickets... not including fuel/parking/paid passes/food) would be 11k.

Not worth it looking at the crowds and ride wait times, and we love the Florida madness...

[TomAllenWife]

[quote MillieMollyMandi]@TomAllenWife We flew into Basel and used the park transfer service. Very easy. Stayed onsite, we've been several times and stayed at all the hotels! The Bell rock is my favourite though all fab.
Loads of coasters for teens. Theres a good balance in that there is something for everyone. I found at Disney often the youngest and oldest guests can get bored and overwhelmed but EuropaPark seems to keep all entertained.[/quote]
Thank you so much, definitely going to look into this

Also we've been in august and it was lovely, not unbearable heat, plenty of shade and air con over queues
May half term was just as warm but worse as busier than end of august

[Confrontayshunme]

I have friends that live in Orlando who frequently advise people not to visit them. In August it is 38 degrees and horribly humid and you just wait in lines for hours. Epcot is nice in October half term but basically all of our holiday time it is so busy or hot, it isn't worth the money.

[Star81]

I have been many times. Last time in Oct 2019. We always did a rough plan of where we were going to be most days anyway so having to pre book those days online not an issue to me. Worst case scenario you change your mind on the day and don’t go

The genie + I have thought about a lot and currently haven’t bought. To be honest I Don’t see it much different to the previous system apart from paying for it - but you’ve paid express pass at universal for a while so same as there ? - previously with fastpass you had to prebook them on an app too and at what times were available so again very similar.

We love it. Yes, its busy but to be expected after so many had to postpone holidays and re book them. We enjoy wandering around taking in the atmosphere, shops, music and shows. It’s worth it to us x

[BeHappy91818]

@Phos

I think it sounds awful. Thousands of pounds to spend your holiday standing in queues to go on crappy rides and then standing watching people in costumes prance around and pretending it’s oh so magical.

Thank god my daughter isn’t that into Disney.

Each to their own. I’m sure what you class as a good holidays some others would hate.

Some people Actually like rides.

[lollipopsarentbreakfast]

The one in Anaheim, California is better. The one in Paris is nearer. Walt Disney World in Florida isn't as interactive as Anaheim and Paris.

[Phos]

@FlibbertyGibbitt

Jokes on you. Went twice when I was younger. Didn’t like it then, think it sounds even worse now.