To not “get” Disneyland

[1985goingbackagain]

Can anyone explain the appeal of Disneyland to me please? I just don’t understand. In my mind it’s endless queues, full of people, but everything is fake so there are no real sights, yet people seem to love it and go back year after year. Am I missing something and should give it a go, or is it expensive overhyped window dressing??

It's quite possible to not enjoy something that other people do yet "get" why they like it.

I'm not a football fan or a horse racing fan, but I get why a lot of people are.

Took DD to both the California & Paris ones - didn’t get the hype at all! All the ‘magic’ is sucked away by the endless queues and crowds in my opinion. Definitely not worth the extortionate prices.

On the other hand, we adored Univeral (& their far superior fast pass system!). Their rides were far more fun and modern. Cheaper too

You don't have to "get it". This reads as though you want to sneer at people who like Disney, but don't have the guts to just come out and do it.

That is how I have read the OP too.

Live and let live.

I've loved theme parks since I was little and my mum and dad used to take me to Flamingo Land for my birthday. We went to Efteling at half term and had a brilliant time with our son and are going to Paulton's next weekend - you don't need to take kids though. We honeymooned in Florida 16 years ago and had an absolutely brilliant time at Disney and Universal. I love the escapism, the adrenaline of the rides, and being in a bubble for a few days. Disney is great.

Definitely not incorrect! Most queues were 1-2 hours each time we were there. Totally spoilt the whole day.

I've never been, because I don't understand either!

I get why kids would like it, but not adults. Maybe as a one time thing but over and over again?

My stepdaughter goes to the Paris one with her family at least once a year and they went to Florida last year. Her Mum has gone on her own a few times too.

I worked just over 10 years for Disney Studios and then Pixar and I don't get it either.

I do however have a non-verbal ASD DD who's obsessed with Mickey mouse, so we have to visit every single year (Paris, because wild horses couldn't drag me to Florida).

It's crowded, the food is inedible and everything feels artificial and slightly dystopian to me.

But DD adores it and it makes her happy, so there's that...

I think a lot of people have very warm and positive associations with Disney themed stuff from watching the films growing up. For me it's something I'd like to do at least once in my life but I do find it a bit off when people only want Disney holidays when there's a whole world out there.

I enjoy it. It’s fun. I like ‘proper’ cultural experiences like art galleries and historic buildings too.

i don’t get it either.

I took dd a few years ago and thought yep I’m never doing that again.

They are both poor imitations though.

I went to the Paris one with school in the mid 90s. I remember queuing to get on Thunder Mountain for about 4 hours. I think it took longer because some people (clearly not the Brits! 😂) would just walk along the queue and go straight to the front.
We left a friend with our bags, and we we finally got off the ride, we found her in the first aid place with sun stroke.

Because it’s magical.

Trust me, I’ve been to the Florida one as well pre kids and my mind is set that Disney just isn’t for me. You could not pay me to spend ££££ to queue in that heat and humidity.

I agree with you that Paris is rubbish but California is actually quite nice and compact.. would be hard for it to be an ‘imitation’ considering it’s the original park!!

DH knew an elderly gentleman who was going on a coach tour of California, specifically to see some trees (Redwoods). On the last day they announced they were taking them to Disneyland and he was furious and didn’t want to go. He said it turned out to be one of the best days of his life and he never enjoyed himself more. I don’t think you can tell unless you have been.

Think the biggest clue is that it’s not for you, it’s not really for adults although I know plenty go but imagine the children that go the feeling they feel the excitement, the thrills and the pure happiness they’ll feel in a place like that

We’ve been a number of times to WDW in Florida and going again soon. We love the Disney bubble. We stay on site and have a fab time. We love nothing more than getting up late morning, have brunch, laze around a great hotel pool for the afternoon then head into a park for the evening. Love the atmosphere, the theming, the fabulous customer service, the cleanliness.

I don’t care what other people think. Some people love it, some people hate it. We don’t particularly like AI beach holidays in the Med. Lots of people love them. It’s great that different places suit different people.

Some pretty reactive posters on here.

Disneyworld is famous for its overcrowding and overpricing, and recent developments with the fast pass feels like they are exploiting their customer base.

I have been a couple of times in the late 90's and the early 00's and even then it was very stressfully expensive with character dinners etc.

They are the real characters!

Are you a real Disney adult? 😬

You can't compare Alton Towers & Disneyland.

A few people saying it is for kids. The motto for the parks is "the happiest place on earth", and it is for everyone.

I know a few "Disney adults", and when they have a trip booked, they are absolutely buzzing in the lead up, and plan their trip to a T. They feel the magic and love going.

I didn’t think it was for me either.

DH and the kids love rides. I hate them. I went because they wanted to go and I assumed I would just endure it and we would never have to do it again.

i swear by the end I was one frozen margarita away from a pair of mouse ears.

and universal is WAY better than Disney. Just go there!

I think most adults live with a level of anxiety bubbling beneath the surface. I can’t remember who said it but there’s a quote that “I went on holiday to get away but I was still there.” I recognise this and can’t sit on beach because I’m still in my head thinking about all the things I’m taking a break from. Disney and Universal offer a real escape to adults like me.

The immersion starts before you step foot in the parks, even if you don’t ride a single ride. You’re entering a world where your problems are put aside because there’s enough to distract you from them. This is a place where good conquers evil and everyone’s happy to see you (this is where Paris gets it wrong unfortunately).

In terms of nostalgia, both Disney and Universal evoke simpler times and fond memories of childhood where you didn’t have the problems you are taking a break from.

And there are endless things to do even if you don’t step foot on a single ride. You’re distracted from reality and never bored.