On my last visit I did several things mentioned here, trying to take advantage of time spent away from children. Without exception, every restaurant was a non-starter because of the institutional smell that pervaded them all. I remember frantically trying each new venue in vain, trying to escape that smell that ruined every experience and made all the food taste the same. Prices, meanwhile, were through the roof. Can anybody comment on the smells? Has that changed? If not, I never want to go back. If you didn’t notice it then please don’t bother to comment. This question is specifically for those of us who do mind—very much.
years ago we were there sitting on a tram tour watching workers stitching
and assembling costumes ( in WDW ). i later thought i'm paying my money
to see other people on the job working with all of us contributing to their
grand enterprise !
and assembling costumes ( in WDW ). i later thought i'm paying my money
to see other people on the job working with all of us contributing to their
grand enterprise !
1
The heat in the summer in Orlando is only akin to one of those 7 circles that Dante wrote about. You'll have fun but be prepared to sweat and sweat and sweat some more.....
1
I enjoyed my meal at Todd English's bluezoo. Pro tip: if you want to see the Epcot and Magic Kingdom before everyone else, run in one of their themed race weekends. 10k will get you a tour of Epcot and the half marathon will get you into Magic Kingdom
2
Ugh, I can't think of anyplace I'd less ever spend my vacation and money than the hideous, white-bread world of Disney World. I can understand parents of small children making the pilgrimmage ONCE (because they have to, but no one I know enjoys it-it's more of a duty than a fun or desirable vacation spot) but for adults to actually CHOOSE this town/place? And dole out cash for it? The faux-foreign "cuisine' (and I use that term loosely) in Epcot Center is mid-Western mall dreadful, and the garrish, trying-too-hard "adult" lounges and clubs just plain depressing. How do I know? I spent 4 days there on a business trip and couldn't wait to leave. It gives new meaning to "white bread provinciality". No thanks.
3
Zip-a-dee doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay. My oh my what a wonderful day (at Disney!)
9
I agree with you. But I can respect peoples' varying tastes. However, what I cannot respect is Disney's abuse of H1-B visas, firing American employees, making them train their replacements, and then filling those jobs with foreign workers. The NY Times wrote about this in 2016 :
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/26/us/lawsuit-claims-disney-colluded-to-...
Disney is not getting a single dollar from me if I can help it.
I would disagree though that parents HAVE TO take their kids to Disneyland. I went there as a 10 year old courtesy of my aunt who lived near the park and wanted to take us. I enjoyed it but was it something I clamored to do? NO. So, parents should ask their kids and give them other options.
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/26/us/lawsuit-claims-disney-colluded-to-...
Disney is not getting a single dollar from me if I can help it.
I would disagree though that parents HAVE TO take their kids to Disneyland. I went there as a 10 year old courtesy of my aunt who lived near the park and wanted to take us. I enjoyed it but was it something I clamored to do? NO. So, parents should ask their kids and give them other options.
4
I've been to Mexico, France, Turkey, Italy, Greece, more than 20 countries through the years, and I've eaten VERY good food at Epcot Tokyo restaurant, U.K. Rose & Crown Pub (try the Scotch eggs!) and many other delicious meals. I always wonder about others who had such a rotten time at Disney World. They should have been with me because they would have had a wonderful time!
The most important part of a WDW or Disneyland vacation is to do your research before your trip. ALL the menus are available online, as are the prices, so you know what you can afford and what you want to avoid. I don't like spicy foods so I know where not to eat and what not to order. I don't drink alcohol so I save a lot of money at lunch and dinner. I go during the less expensive seasons and paid less than $60 for a room this year! (Before tax; I think it was $67 with tax).
The most important part of a WDW or Disneyland vacation is to do your research before your trip. ALL the menus are available online, as are the prices, so you know what you can afford and what you want to avoid. I don't like spicy foods so I know where not to eat and what not to order. I don't drink alcohol so I save a lot of money at lunch and dinner. I go during the less expensive seasons and paid less than $60 for a room this year! (Before tax; I think it was $67 with tax).
3
Fast passes used to be a nod to egalitarianism, but Disney messed it up and you can now be preempted by those who ordered them online weeks prior.
WDW is now a journey thru Dantes vision of hell, especially in the midsummer heat. You are fleeced at every turn for the illusion of entertainment, battling sweaty crowds for a few morsels of "rides", brief interludes between the endless sapping lines.
Like American hospitals, the extraction of money is an opaque wonder, a scientific and deeply sadistic exercise in exploitation of a captive audience. Take it from a Floridian. Look around you - do you see enchantment, excitement and wonder in the faces of fellow guests? No, you see weariness, overload, exhaustion and a dogged determination to endure. Be warned.
WDW is now a journey thru Dantes vision of hell, especially in the midsummer heat. You are fleeced at every turn for the illusion of entertainment, battling sweaty crowds for a few morsels of "rides", brief interludes between the endless sapping lines.
Like American hospitals, the extraction of money is an opaque wonder, a scientific and deeply sadistic exercise in exploitation of a captive audience. Take it from a Floridian. Look around you - do you see enchantment, excitement and wonder in the faces of fellow guests? No, you see weariness, overload, exhaustion and a dogged determination to endure. Be warned.
4
I can't think of a more soul deadening vacation.
2
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train a new addition? I know I rode it on my last visit to Disneyworld in 1985....along with Mr. Toad's Wild Ride!
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train was built in a brand new section of the Magic Kingdom and opened in 2014.
3
Snow White's Scary Adventures was there in 1985--Seven Dwarf's Mine Train opened May 28, 2014. https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2014/05/seven-dwarfs-mine-train-o...
Disneyworld (and Disneyland) in the US are also among the very few places that accommodate needs for people with food allergies. It cannot be said for its European counterpart, very disappointing
9
Sounds like fun, but at what cost? Actually, not publishing price ranges makes me think it's out of mine.
8
While it is not inexpensive, it can be a great adult vacation. And if you bring the kids along, especially at the age where the "magic" still exists for them, it can be absolutely wonderful.
6
$20 to park your car, $120 for park entry, the ubiquitous $25 resort fee at your hotel on top the room rate, the daily parking charge at the hotel, the various hotel taxes, the toll roads that encircle Orlando International Airport, and whatever you inevitably burn on food and souvenirs inside the parks.
WDW has become like college fees and hospital bills. Something ordinary working people could once afford, but no longer.
WDW has become like college fees and hospital bills. Something ordinary working people could once afford, but no longer.
5
What resort fee? We've stayed numerous times and not had a resort fee. We have Florida resident passports so parking is included. Others can get different passports and save a significant amount of money on admissions. There ARE ways to go to Disney World and not spend a fortune: go during Value season (less expensive times of year for the hotel ("resorts"), eat at the Disney versions of "fast food" which is ALWAYS better than anybody else's fast food. Have a Dole Whip (pineapple, ice cream, heavenly) for a few dollars. Split a large meal, we do it all the time, drink free water and save a fortune on bottled waters and soda (EVERY Disney eating establishment will give you water if you ask). Don't buy a whole lot of stuff there, or watch for sales on the Disney Store's website when you get home. We always split an adult size breakfast, it's plenty of food for two. We get lots to eat for less than most people because we're very careful with our money at the parks. (Annual Passport holders currently get 20% off, WOW all of a sudden 30% percent off at some restaurants!, during the 45th year of Disney World operation too). The Epcot Food & Wine Festival is an inexpensive way to try foods from lots of different countries. Looking over my receipts for last year's visits I saw that we spent $5 here, $3 there, and $6.50 was the highest for an amazing seafood dish from Scotland or the U.K. The highest bill was when my boyfriend tried beers from different countries.
4
Surprised at no mention in the article of The Grand Floridian Hotel. Gem of a lobby, with live music, and pleasant restuarants.
11
Wouldn't it be wonderful if for just one day (or week) Disney went adults-only? Then it would be fun to visit.
17
I was going to hit recommend, but many American adults are just as whiny, spoiled, self-centered and just plain annoying as their children...
21
You should get friends who chose not to have kids
1
As is everyone commenting here.
6