[Question] Has anybody gone to Disney World (or any Disney resort) and felt really let down?!

[Greg Reid]

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[Bronco21]

Re: Has anybody gone to Disney World (or any Disney resort) and felt really let down?

I felt very let down the first time I visited DHS... Yeah hasn't really changed since then.

[Micoofy Duck]

Re: Has anybody gone to Disney World (or any Disney resort) and felt really let down?

on my recent trip to Disneyland. I wished I was at WDW during most of it. I only went to see WoC and Carsland and it was 4 days too long. Looking forward to my WDW trip with much much excitement!

[Hathaway Browne]

Re: Has anybody gone to Disney World (or any Disney resort) and felt really let down?

Never really been disappointed at WDW. DAK was different than expected on first visit, but it was still good.

For true disappointment it would have to be WDS in '02. It started out well with Front Lot but once you left Studio 1 you were greeted with vast swathes of concrete and few attractions. They have tried to improve it but it still leaves a bitter taste in the mouth.

I could have happily visited the old pre-makeover DCA for weeks on end with a smile on my face, and when people ask me why I look so happy I would tell them 'because I've been to WDS'

[PSUMark]

Re: Has anybody gone to Disney World (or any Disney resort) and felt really let down?

For true disappointment it would have to be WDS in '02. It started out well with Front Lot but once you left Studio 1 you were greeted with vast swathes of concrete and few attractions. They have tried to improve it but it still leaves a bitter taste in the mouth.

I could have happily visited the old pre-makeover DCA for weeks on end with a smile on my face, and when people ask me why I look so happy I would tell them 'because I've been to WDS'

It's pretty much impossible to overstate the disappointment that is WDS Paris. Imagine DHS without Hollywood Blvd, most of Sunset Blvd, Echo Lake, Streets of America, or Pixar Place. That's WDS Paris - it combines all the charm and theming of Six Flags with the thrills and excitement of early EPCOT Center. The overall park design lacks anything that could remotely be characterized as "magic" or "wonder" or heck, even "themed" or "imaginative." I spent a day there in 2007, and the only time I ever felt like I was in a Disney park was when I was in the interior portion of the queue for the Crush Coaster. Beyond that, it was just depressing. Hathaway Browne is right - pre-refurb DCA has nothing on Disney Studios Paris.

[Grizzly]

Re: Has anybody gone to Disney World (or any Disney resort) and felt really let down?

I only went to see WoC and Carsland and it was 4 days too long.

This caught my eye. That sounds like a lot of wasted time.


I also remember my first visit to WDSP back in '04. I felt the same way. When I went back to DCA after, it was like DisneySea by comparison.

And not that I felt completely let down, but a few instances of disappointment: my first visit to the Magic Kingdom, I figured it's bigger than Disneyland so there will be more to do. And there wasn't, too many things were "missing". In Tokyo, although everything was incredibly well maintained, I was surprised that Tomorrowland still looked like it did in the 80s. And their Fantasyland, just like Florida's, still was the cheap looking carnival facades.

[Barbaraann]

Re: Has anybody gone to Disney World (or any Disney resort) and felt really let down?

I have a saying. "If I go on vacation, and I don't have a good time, then it's my own fault." So the answer to the OP's question is: "No!". Have all my vacations been perfect? Of course not, but I went with the mindset that I was going to enjoy myself, and I did. You have to learn to roll with the punches. I resist the temptation to try and compare 2 entirely different places. Instead, a little research beforehand can enlighten a person about the wonder of the destination.

Let's face it, vacations are expensive, and a small amount of planning can turn a good vacation into a great one.

[redrhino54]

Re: Has anybody gone to Disney World (or any Disney resort) and felt really let down?

I went to DHS right after it opened, and i remember thinking " this is it"? The only 2 things that i remember was the stunt show, and leaving. I havent been back to DHS since. Maybe i need to give it a new chance, maybe next visit, since ill be there 10 days.

[DisneyFreakEst1994]

Re: Has anybody gone to Disney World (or any Disney resort) and felt really let down?

I've been going to WDW since I was pretty much born, and when I was younger of course it was the most exciting thing that was happening when we went and we went a lot. When I hit like 15, I was the angsty teenager and I hated it. I like DHS because of Rock N Rollercoaster and Tower of Terror. But that's it. Oh and American Idol because I love performing. But I hated Epcot because there was nothing to do. I did enjoy going but I didn't love it like I used to. Now I can't wait. It's my home away from home, all the rides are great to me. I think I told myself it sucked and that's why it did. To me it's also a lot more fun with a friend or a large group of my family, just the 4 people in my immediate family are not that exciting. But yeah I had moments where WDW was just a let down.

[DisneyIPresume]

Re: Has anybody gone to Disney World (or any Disney resort) and felt really let down?

Here's the key to enjoying Disneyland for those of you not familiar with it, or were "let down" by it.

Never approach a DLR vacation in the same way as you would a WDW vacation. IMHO Disneyland is experienced best as part of a Southern California vacation but not as the sole focus. Sure, it may be a highlight of the trip, but realize that the DLR is extremely small and sits in the middle of a suburban city. 3 days is enough time to fully appreciate the resort, even with the new DCA -- not that the new DCA is underwhelming, but the entire DLR is simply that compact. Spend the rest of the time at the beach, Unversal Studios, Knotts Berry Farm, Hollywood, etc...

One of the arguments made in favor of WDW is that you are fully immersed in the magic as soon as you enter it. While this is true, Disneyland also provides that immersion, but you have to physically be inside the park itself to best experience it. If you go to the DLR expecting the same experience as WDW it will be a let down, because the physical and geographic layout of the DLR provides limitations that WDW doesn't have. But if you go to the DLR aware of those limitations, and then see those things that Walt did to overcome them, the place could be quite amazing.

[Chesire]

Re: Has anybody gone to Disney World (or any Disney resort) and felt really let down?

I've been let down at Magic Kingdom.

It fails in quality, compared to Disneyland, to be blunt.

The other three theme parks were amazing, but Magic Kingdom was just an absolute let-down.

[magicaldisney77]

Re: Has anybody gone to Disney World (or any Disney resort) and felt really let down?

i agree withe Chesire, first time going to the magic kingdom was such a let down.. the highlight of my first time there was seeing the castle it was a wow! moment, but that was it. after years of going ive come to realize that its not disneyland, and looking at it that way ive come to enjoy it for what it is.

[DreamfinderFigment]

Re: Has anybody gone to Disney World (or any Disney resort) and felt really let down?

I have never been to florida or disney epcot but when i found out they changed journey into imagination. i became a fan when i watched martin smith's ultimate tribute. So ya when i found out they changed it I got pissed. I wanted to see the original someday too. I absolutley hate the two new versions.

[WDW1971]

Re: Has anybody gone to Disney World (or any Disney resort) and felt really let down?

I've been let down at Walt Disney World.

It fails in quality, compared to Disneyland, to be blunt.

The other three theme parks were amazing, but Magic Kingdom was just an absolute let-down.

What is it with you and disparaging WDW? Realize that both DLR and WDW are two different places that each have their own magic. No need to always intrude and state that Magic Kingdom is terrible in comparison to Disneyland.

[hollywood1939]

Re: Has anybody gone to Disney World (or any Disney resort) and felt really let down?

What is it with you and disparaging WDW? Realize that both DLR and WDW are two different places that each have their own magic. No need to always intrude and state that Magic Kingdom is terrible in comparison to Disneyland.

Except that as far as upkeep goes, Magic Kingdom is a HUGE letdown when it's compared to Disneyland. I always joke to my wife that the people on this site who have only visited Disneyland and bicker about upkeep there would have their heads explode if they went to the Magic Kingdom.

DHS was kind of a letdown. It had some cool attractions but also a lot of nothing inbetween.

I was extremely letdown from Epcot. I did enjoy it but as far as people talked about it, it failed to live up to the hype for me.

AK is the best Disney park in the United States. Amazing park, the detail is incredible and has a mix of everything. If only it stayed open later...

Was I letdown by WDW? Sort of, but it had a lot of stuff that I wish DLR had. Country Bear for one, TTA, Philharmagic and Haunted Mansion. Not to mention Mission: Space and AK all by itself.

But upkeep at most of the parks is just horrendous. Wires just sprawled all over the place, attractions in desperate need of attention as well as really really awful attractions (Buzz Lightyear in MK is probably worse than our Winnie the Pooh and that's saying something). I say, close the parks for a couple of days and just touch it up. It'd make a huge difference.

[WDW1971]

Re: Has anybody gone to Disney World (or any Disney resort) and felt really let down?

AK is the best Disney park in the United States. Amazing park, the detail is incredible and has a mix of everything. If only it stayed open later...

I have to agree partly. That park contains detail that could belong at Disney Sea. Probably the best designed park in the US.

[Chesire]

Re: Has anybody gone to Disney World (or any Disney resort) and felt really let down?

What is it with you and disparaging WDW? Realize that both DLR and WDW are two different places that each have their own magic. No need to always intrude and state that Magic Kingdom is terrible in comparison to Disneyland.

I wasn't disparaging WDW, I was just explaining how the Magic Kingdom, doesn't have the same quality as Disneyland (i.e. exterior of the rides). I have been outspoken about WDW in the past few days, but I don't want anyone thinking I don't like WDW, or that WDW is any less better than Disneyland Resort.

[Micoofy Duck]

Re: Has anybody gone to Disney World (or any Disney resort) and felt really let down?

I wasn't disparaging WDW, I was just explaining how the Magic Kingdom, doesn't have the same quality as Disneyland (i.e. exterior of the rides). I have been outspoken about WDW in the past few days, but I don't want anyone thinking I don't like WDW, or that WDW is any less better than Disneyland Resort.

I would have to agree with WDW1971, bumping into your posts in the forums I was thinking the same thing. I was like dang, what did WDW ever do to you to make you completely against it. Just like you I see the parks in an opposite manner. I favor WDW/MK over DLR/DL. You have your views and reasons as do I. Hey, I still visited DL this past summer, I have my "crowded" issues with DL but I still look forward to another future trip in the years to come back to the DLR.

[Chesire]

Re: Has anybody gone to Disney World (or any Disney resort) and felt really let down?

I'm looking forward to going back to WDW one day as well, I have nothing against it, and I never have, I just prefer Disneyland, and I question some of the choices Disney has made for WDW.

I really hope I haven't been too spiteful to WDW over the past few weeks, all these rumors of Cars Land coming to WDW have really put me in a sour mood.

[WDW1971]

Re: Has anybody gone to Disney World (or any Disney resort) and felt really let down?

I'm looking forward to going back to WDW one day as well, I have nothing against it, and I never have, I just prefer Disneyland, and I question some of the choices Disney has made for WDW.

I really hope I haven't been too spiteful to WDW over the past few weeks, all these rumors of Cars Land coming to WDW have really put me in a sour mood.

It is alright. I just hope you learn that your views are not always the views of others and you have to respect them and their individual opinions. Every time I have seen a post by you (it is kind of hard not to remember your posts with that profile pic), you always seem to have something derogatory to add about WDW.

Trust me, nobody wants to see Cars Land come to WDW. Not people who call WDW their "home park" or people who call DL their "home park". No need to put WDW down continuously because you are upset with something that most likely will not happen.

Realize that WDW and DL are two unique places that were never meant to be the same (well until when Eisner tried to make DL into WDW but I think now they have realized DL will never be WDW). Accept this and know that they each have their own faults and their own unique things to offer.