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??

Never been, never want to. I find the concept fake and given the company’s anti union stance quite sickening. I am not a violent person but I’d probably deck someone dressed as Mickey Mouse if the came near me. I hate the soppy songs and hideous sentimental shite. Universal are building a theme park just up the road from where I live and everyone is saying it’s going to be great. I’m revolted by it and dread seeing some plastic monstrosities on my skyline. I hate all theme parks. I was forced to go to Thorpe Park once and it was disgusting: constant noise and it stank of friend food. Thankfully my (now 18 year old) offspring felt the same way. I would rather go to the National Film Theatre, Royal Opera House or Tate Modern.

If you have ADHD it's wonderful. Full on attention distracting dopamine. Our whole family has ADHD and the idea of sitting on a beach, doing a 'coastal drive' , 'relaxing by the pool' or going round endless museums sounds like torture.

We went for the first time last year kids were 8 & 10 I didn’t know what to expect and hate theme parks as I’m not a ride kinda person but it was so magical and I was tearing up watching the fireworks and illuminations at the end of the day. Hearing my 8 year old say it was the best day of her life was the best. It’s hard to explain how it makes you feel but it’s just pure joy. Actually it was so great we was there again last week for 3 days ☺️ we have priority passes as my my daughter and myself have disabilities so the queues are short, I think the longest we waiting for a ride was 15 minutes, the parades are great too I find myself just feeling like a young kid again.

It’s a theme park = fun.
But it also has characters and themes that people relate to = more fun.

I’m sure there is a movie, series or book you love and I can imagine you’d be interested in seeing where it is set or filmed.

What do you think is 'magical'? I adore Disney, as a brand they are (in my opinion) unrivalled and the attention to detail in the parks is incredible. But obviously it isn't for everyone (thank goodness or the queues would be even longer!) I find plenty of other things 'magical' but there is a certain kind of magic that only Disney can really create.

Friend food sounds far more appealing than you make out . . .

We love WDW, DLP I was very much meh about.

WDW is so immersive with brilliantly themed rides and the theming and attention to detail is just incredible. I’m a theme park enthusiast so for me it’s about the whole experience, I’m not some infantalised Disney adult or something. The nostalgia of cinderellas castle and riding big thunder mountain surfaces so many happy childhood memories and seeing it through the eyes of my kids has been so joyous.

the key to happiness is lightening lane multi-pass and doing your research so you have an idea of what to expect and how to plan your day. When you’ve got a 14 day pass there’s no rush to cram everything in, you can revisit to do the things you’ve missed. I’m most definitely not a pretentious beach club kind of person, but give me some Minnie ears and a funnel cake and I’m happy as Larry.

I love it because I love Disney. I loved the films as a child and I really appreciate the Disney brand now from a different perspective. I love how passionate a lot of the team are about their brand (I love films) and the attention to detail, Easter eggs, etc.

Disneyland, to me, encompasses this. It is so clean, the operation is amazing as is the attention to detail.

We also went a few times when I was young so it’s very nostalgic for me.

I regret not trying to get a job there, to be honest!

I would rather go to the National Film Theatre, Royal Opera House or Tate Modern

😇

Why are so many many people being critical? It’s a wee bubble of happiness. It’s fun. Lighten up. Yeah, you can enjoy the Tate Modern as well, whatever your preference but honestly, the world can be a frightening, unhappy, intolerant place, with wars ravaging and so many awful things happening.
so if some folk want to enjoy a bit of escapism for a few days just let them be.

I know, it's almost like the poster thinks it either/or. Imagine being so limited in your thinking.

Went for the first time recently with my pre-teen kids and I don’t feel the need to ever return. We were there 3 days, after 2 I had had enough. It’s borderline cultish with all these people wandering around with Mickey ears on, young and old alike. And it’s so expensive and exploitative. My kids were happy to have been but also have zero desire to go back. So yeah, I don’t get the appeal either…

Shhh, don't tell everyone about Efteling, I don't want that to start getting busier! 😉

OP - I think you are either a theme park person, or you are not. And Disney and Universal are a cut above everything else in terms of technology of rides, theming etc. However, having been lucky enough to spend most of the last 30 years visiting Orlando, I would say that the quality of the experience is deteriorating... it's too expensive and too busy, with a lot less imagination with the theming of new rides.. just stick some IP on it. But it's still my 'happy place.'

And there really is something for everyone. EPCOT during the Food and Wine Festival is a totally different vibe to the mental image of a Disney park that you will have in your head.

I did try and get a job there (Cultural Representative Programme).. I got to the final interview but was rejected... I still remember sobbing in the car when I got the rejection letter! 😂

It's like childbirth - at first you're curious and open minded about it. Afterwards, you find it objectively unappealing to repeat, but then, aome months later, youve somehow blocked it all out and find yourself getting misty eyed about doing it all again.

Disney adults are the worst. It’s like a very expensive cult. People will say, “I wanted to build memories for my children!” Darling, your children are 2 1/2 and 8 months old. They will remember nothing. People go into THOUSANDS of debt to stay in overpriced hotels, eat overpriced food, wait forever for rides, spend loads of money on crap souvenirs. I’ve been there, but I’m with you, OP.

I know Disney adults too.
How they live their life has zero affect on me.

Live and let live.

A lot of people are into the Disney IP.

There are far better theme parks in terms of rides and overall experience, but if you or your kids are really into the whole Disney ecosystem then it’s harder to beat!

We enjoyed it, I’ve been as a kid and then last year with DC, but I wouldn’t rush back. Feels like it’s been ticked off and there are much better parks out there we prefer to go to. Efteling is far more magical IMO.

Surely me asking the question shows I am curious to understand which is the opposite of being limited in thinking.

I think it must be so much bigger than I imagine (I’m really talking about the Florida park rather than Paris) as people go for 7/10/14 days. I enjoy a day at a theme park but can’t imagine it day after day, hence trying to understand what it’s actually like.

That’s fine. My daughter’s adult best friend is
obsessed with Disney. I would never discourage her from enjoying herself (unless she got into a lot of debt). I’d ask her when she got back home to tell me about all the fun she had. But it’s also okay to say that you you don’t understand the appeal of something. There’s a thread on MN about ‘What does everyone seem to love that you don’t?’ Plenty of answers. No offense intended.

Maybe I’m better just keeping my dream of being an Imagineer just that then, and my heart in tact

Me neither, but I’m not so closed minded that i don’t understand why others like it. Loads of people don’t like my kind of holiday, laying on a beach / by the pool
doing nothing. I dont care what other people like to do and good for them for enjoying it. Weird you’re so bothered by it to make a post

Probably for the best… I just watch The Imagineering Story on a loop, listen to the RetroWDW podcast, and buy loads of theme park design books!

There is hope.. I am planning to live vicariously through DD and encourage her to get a job at Universal Bedford.. she’s only 6 right now so plenty of time to sow the seeds… 😉

Yep. I am very happy in my life, my marriage, as a mum. Being away together enjoying rides and shows and a nice hotel together is like bonus happiness.

I love theme parks. Nowhere themes as expertly as Disney, except maybe universal and even then I'd prefer the avatar and star wars areas of Disney to harry potter at universal. Its really good fun if you like that kindof thing.