[Other] Disney hater

[gparzlaw]

My first visit was to Disney World in 1980. It was busy and lines for the rides made my visit bad. I was a Disney hater.

5 years ago my wife made me take our 2 kids (we now have 4) to Disneyland. We live out of state. I came in with a bad attitude. We went with a family that had been there over 30 times. Over my objection, they made us go and wait in line a half hour before the opening. Our kids fought during that half hour. It was eveything I knew it would be. A big pain.

Then, the countdown to opening happened. And the rope drop happened. And, something I will never forget happend. A Cast Memeber called my daughter a "Princess." And, all of a sudden, the trip changed. The magic happened.

Our family, (6 of us now), have been back once a year, with the exception of last, year due to finances.

This year, we bought deluxe annual passholder tickets for the first time. With 6 of us, it was almost 2 grand. Again, we live out of state and won't get there often. We were at the park two weeks ago for the first time in 2 years - our fourth trip as a family.

As as annual passholder, this trip was different. It was better. I used to go only to feel the magic. I now go, not only to feel the magic, but to try to create it for others.

Many of you feel this way already, but as an annual passholder, I feel it is my duty to help create the magic for others. I guess, this is what Walt was trying to create. I only bring this up, because some of what I read here suggests that some of the annual passholders believe they have certain privileges that others do not. Quite frankly, I believe annual passsholders have certain duties that others do not.

I don't mean to preach, I just wanted to give a perspective from a former Disney hater. We will be going this year the week before Christmas. I will be asking for advice on this site about a month before we go. I know as a family, it will be our best Christmas ever.

I have already learned so much from this site. I just wanted to say thanks - and don't forget, we help create the magic.

[Bob Weaver]

Re: Disney hater

Thanks for the neat story. It's really up to people to create the magic, everyone has to participate in that, from the company executives to the cast members to the guests. All have to participate for the magic to happen. The park itself is really just buildings, machinery and landscaping. The magic is latent within you and everyone else involved. The mental state and attitude that you bring to the park creates the context of your experience there. Having the right attitude for it is more important now than in decades past because the happy vibe was a lot stronger then and would overtake you no matter how you were when you entered the park. Now the vibe is weaker so you have to put yourself in the right frame of mind for it. A lot of people are bent on doing as many rides as possible and forget the fact that the park itself is the ride. It's so important to just sit still somewhere and take it all in.

[AcmePunched]

Re: Disney hater

You've got quite a touching story there. =D I agree! It doesn't have to just be castmembers that create the experience. Being a guest interacting with other guests can be just as meaningful.

Welcome to MiceChat!

[d1mex]

Re: Disney hater

That's Disneyland for you...magical

[aashee]

Re: Disney hater

Welcome to micechat! Such a great story, thanks for sharing your magic.

[DLFreak71]

Re: Disney hater

very nice story.

and look, even long lines existed back in the 80's.

Long lines are not always bad.
You can meet new people.
Check out the detaisl that so many painlessly put into the rides/queue area to give help give the ride the story that it has.
I think it also helps with the anticipation of getting on the ride too.

[filmfreak11]

Re: Disney hater

...some of what I read here suggests that some of the annual passholders believe they have certain privileges that others do not. Quite frankly, I believe annual passsholders have certain duties that others do not.

I don't mean to preach, I just wanted to give a perspective from a former Disney hater.

I wonder how many people actually read this part?

How long have you known about Miceage before joining?

What do you feel these "duties" consist of?

[plagued]

Re: Disney hater

I wonder how many people actually read this part?

How long have you known about Miceage before joining?

What do you feel these "duties" consist of?

he said he feels he has the duty to help create the magic for others.

[filmfreak11]

Re: Disney hater

^ But that can be in any way shape or form. So I guess the question is, HOW as an AP would you make the MAGIC?

Telling a child she's a princess? Socializing with people in line? Helping with tips and suggestions... it can go on and on.

[BC_DisneyGeek]

Re: Disney hater

Great comments, and touches on that mysterious something that makes Disney so magical. It's hard to describe, hard to quantify, but it's there.

And good point about making the conscious effort to spread the magic, rather than focus on what perks one can get for oneself. The sentiment can apply to all guests, regardless of the type of admission they hold. If only more people had this attitude in general.

Ask not what Disneyland can do for you, ask what you can do for Disneyland

[mycroft16]

Re: Disney hater

Great story! Glad the magic happened for you. Welcome to MiceChat.

We're not annual passholders, but whenever we go, we try to make a little magic for others as well. Giving back a little I guess.

[Browncoat]

Re: Disney hater

But how exactly does one give back some magic?

By not being rude to CM's and just listening to them without argument?

Also, by trying to create magic, you may accidently give off the impression that you yourself are a CM which could open up a whole can of worms you won't want to get in to. Trust me.

[SnorkletsMom]

Re: Disney hater

Nice story and welcome to Mice Chat.

I do have a suggestion: it's really never a good idea to decide you hate something after trying it once. Just sayin'

:-)

[mycroft16]

Re: Disney hater

But how exactly does one give back some magic?

By not being rude to CM's and just listening to them without argument?

Also, by trying to create magic, you may accidently give off the impression that you yourself are a CM which could open up a whole can of worms you won't want to get in to. Trust me.

CMs have name tags and "themed costumes." There is very little chance of someone confusing you with a CM.

As to how you do it... helping someone who is lost find their way. Holding a door for someone. Letting someone in on a special secret about Disneyland. Doing your part to keep the park looking nice and neat. If someone ahead of you drops something and they don't notice it, picking it up and running it up to them (you'd be surprised how many people I've watched notice something and just keep walking by). There are hundreds of ways you can make someones day magical.

And how to make a CMs day magical? You nailed it. Do what they tell you to do without a fight or any rudeness. On top of that... just say thank you to any CM you see doing their job. The CM pushing the button to send the jeeps into Indy: say thanks as you pass by. The CM helping you on or off the Jungle Cruise boat: say thank you. A simple and sincere thank you can do more to brighten a persons day than you can possibly imagine. You'd think that they'd know we all appreciate the job they do, but being told "thank you" by an actual individual personalizes it and makes it very real. It puts a face and a voice on the thank you rather than leaving it a nameless, faceless mass of people.

And many times you get to see the CMs smile broaden and their eyes light up. Many times it is very obvious that you have just made their day. They put up with thousands of people, some demanding things of them, many simply ignoring them, and a thank you, a smile and a nod let's them know that you appreciate their job.

[sleepyjeff]

Re: Disney hater

But how exactly does one give back some magic?

By not being rude to CM's and just listening to them without argument?

Also, by trying to create magic, you may accidently give off the impression that you yourself are a CM which could open up a whole can of worms you won't want to get in to. Trust me.

Great points......

I know they mean well but when an AP holder gets so familiar with the Park that they feel a need to play the host to total strangers...well, maybe, just maybe it's time to take a break: perhaps take a class at the local community college, join a gym, rescue a pet, volunteer at a retirement home, catch up on your reading, get a second job(or a first one), re-decorate your home, organize your photo's, or just do anything you've been putting off for whatever reason.

Don't worry, Disneyland and all of its' guests will get along just fine with one less self appointed host...........and when you return the place will seem more magical then it has in a long, long time

[Bobd20011]

Re: Disney hater

Great points......

I know they mean well but when an AP holder gets so familiar with the Park that they feel a need to play the host to total strangers...well, maybe, just maybe it's time to take a break: perhaps take a class at the local community college, join a gym, rescue a pet, volunteer at a retirement home, catch up on your reading, get a second job(or a first one), re-decorate your home, organize your photo's, or just do anything you've been putting off for whatever reason.

Don't worry, Disneyland and all of its' guests will get along just fine with one less self appointed host...........and when you return the place will seem more magical then it has in a long, long time

I think that being a self-appointed host is a great idea. Take ownership of your park, that will keep it looking nice and it will help keept the spirit alive.

[CaliforniaAdventurer]

Re: Disney hater

I wonder how many people actually read this part?

How long have you known about Miceage before joining?

What do you feel these "duties" consist of?

Dunno... Shooting your own gun on the jungle cruise REALLY makes it realistic sounding for other guests. Launching your own canoe in the ROA and inviting out of towners for a spin. Recreating a wild west stunt show from the balcony of the Golden Horseshoe? (Takes you and a friend, plus you should only do this if you are in good physical condition, and free from back problems.)

[sleepyjeff]

Re: Disney hater

I think that being a self-appointed host is a great idea. Take ownership of your park, that will keep it looking nice and it will help keept the spirit alive.

One can be a good guest without usurping the host.....

[sleepyjeff]

Re: Disney hater

Launching your own canoe in the ROA and inviting out of towners for a spin. Recreating a wild west stunt show from the balcony of the Golden Horseshoe? (Takes you and a friend, plus you should only do this if you are in good physical condition, and free from back problems.)

You're always trying to improve Frontierland

[BC_DisneyGeek]

Re: Disney hater

Dunno... Shooting your own gun on the jungle cruise REALLY makes it realistic sounding for other guests. Launching your own canoe in the ROA and inviting out of towners for a spin. Recreating a wild west stunt show from the balcony of the Golden Horseshoe? (Takes you and a friend, plus you should only do this if you are in good physical condition, and free from back problems.)

Don't forget to bring your own inflateable dragon, in case Murphy fails.

But seriously, things like explaining Fastpass to people who don't understand the system, is the type of thing a regular could do to help those less familiar with the park.