Originally Posted By jkayjs My first visit was Oct of 72 WDW's 1st birthday. I have gone countless times since. Am I the same as I was @ my first visit? NO! Do I look in the mirror & lament that fact? Sometimes(actually a little more than sometimes with each passing year). The bottom line is that I'm the first in line to point out flaws in myself & I'm not to shy about doing the same when warrented about WDW but even with all my flaws I still love me & that goes for WDW as well. -em you took the words right out of my mouth well said. Of course one of the things that keep me coming back is getting the chance to experience WDW thru the eyes of someone who hasn't been. I get the ultimate chance this Dec when we take the grands for the 1st time. Even tho they are still quite small it will be wonderful I'm sure. BTW if you want to get me going just mention the fact that they don't have breakfast @ Tony's anymore much less those complimentary cinnamon rolls! ;(
Originally Posted By libertysquare76 It will seem a bit comfortably retro with the MSEP and Eo this summer and that will be quite refreshing. Now, if they would bring back original merchandise in the shops that would be even better. Do the other parks have the total immersion that WDW has?
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<Do the other parks have the total immersion that WDW has?>> Many times I've stood in DL, especially around the Rivers of America, and thought to myself, "This is a world away from Anaheim and Southern California." Never mind that those things were only a few hundred yards away.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Em put it very, very well, which is very, very good because I am very, very tired and don't want to have to retype my 1,854 word 'splanation. But, DAR, you've been around here long enough to have read similar threads before (there was a time when newbies would come in and start these threads every other week) and know why most of us ... no matter how critical we may be of certain things (like say mis-management) doesn't mean we don't love the place. I can't think of many places in Florida I'd rather spend a beautiful spring night than walking around World Showcase. But understand, my reasons for going to WDW have changed a lot over the years to the point that now the biggest reason I go is to spend quality time with family and friends. Just spent nine days there ... didn't ride Space Mountain, Test Track, Mission Space, Peter Pan, or EE once for starters. Anyway ... Em really did put it best.
Originally Posted By brotherdave For me, I only get to go every few years so if I had the opportunity to stay there for 16 days, I would definitely find enough to do. Personally 5-6 days is plenty of time for the parks. But there are so many other offerings at Disney and at nearby attractions. Since Universal opened, I've never missed going there. So there's another 2-3 days of my vacation. Sea World is also a must as is Busch Gardens, so 2 more days. Once Legoland opens at Cyprus Gardens, add another day. Add in at least one of the area's waterparks - another day at least. Oh yeah, relaxing at the hotel and pool, or just hanging out at Downtown Disney or City Walk can be fun, too. Heck, even checking out one or two tacky I-Drive attractions can be fun when you have the time. Sadly, I never have the opportunity to stay 16 days at WDW. Most of our trips to Orlando, I always feel rushed. I would love it if I could spend a month there with unlimited funds and time to savor everything, but not just at WDW. I know that if I did, I would never be bored. I get plenty of opportunity for that at home!
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>Sadly, I never have the opportunity to stay 16 days at WDW. Most of our trips to Orlando, I always feel rushed. I would love it if I could spend a month there with unlimited funds and time to savor everything, but not just at WDW. I know that if I did, I would never be bored. I get plenty of opportunity for that at home!<<< Yep. With unlimited funds, I could easily make the Poly my home base, and spend 75% of my time in Disney, and the rest in Orlando. Sure, it would hold me over for an age after that, but I assume it would be fun.
Originally Posted By DAR All the concerns about food prices, cleanlines, the shape of the parks, treatment by cast members(something I've never encountered) are legitmate, But when I see Spaceship Earth or the Castle. When I spend time at AK. When I get that goofy thrill of riding TOT. When I get to ride the monorail and see enter the Contemporary. Or seeing Illuminations. Any real world adult cyncism washes away and suddenly I'm a kid again. I mean I get kind of depressed when I have to leave.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>I mean I get kind of depressed when I have to leave. <<< I am a horrid person on the last day of a trip.
Originally Posted By fkurucz ***<<Plus, I am planning a 16-day trip there for October. >> For the life of me, I can't see how anyone can spend that much time in WDW.*** Or afford it, especially with a family.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 The horror of saying goodbye to the Castle then turning my back and walking away....... I'm just too old for goodbyes.
Originally Posted By libertysquare76 Couldn't agree more. Last visit in 2008, found it really hard to leave the MK after 14 years between visits. 55 days and I will be a 33 (turning 34 in WDW) year old kid again! Why deny what makes you happy?
Originally Posted By dshyates The best reason to come back to WDW is that it is conveniently located to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter!
Originally Posted By Bob Paris 1 ">>>I mean I get kind of depressed when I have to leave. <<< I am a horrid person on the last day of a trip." I wasn't. We were headed home via Japan and TDS. DL was our starter, WDW was the main course and I was THRILLED and looking forward to my "dessert"!!!!! I am THE BEST holiday planner. : )
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer Now THAT would be amazing. No way you could be grumpy after that...
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 You won't be grumpy with a birthday pin either. Somebody stole my DH's Grumpy antenae topper. He was proud of that topper.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper Having visited WDW countless times and having worked there I can be as critical of the place as anybody. But, my 4 year old doesn't know that the painting isn't kept up as nice as it was back in the day and she could care less that the show in the Tiki Room changed. When I go in the parks with my children there is only magic.
Originally Posted By danyoung >Yeah, you definitely need a car...How else do you dine offsite when sick of Disney food?< While I agree that prices have gone sky high and menu choices have diminished, I've never gotten tired of eating at one of the many fine restaurants in the World. I like to mix it up - hit a few fav's but also try something new. Just enjoyed my first meal at the Yak & Yeti, & I'm happy to say it won't be the last. >When the Disney family ran WDW it was a fun place.< Well, to be fair, the Disney family NEVER ran WDW. Roy was big in the design and construction phase, but he died shortly after it opened in '71. So it was corporate right from the beginning, not a family operation.
Originally Posted By CMDad Though it sounds like we all hate WDW - the truth of the matter is we don't. However, having known it in its glory days, we know what it CAN be - and no longer is. Yet the fact that we are all still here must mean something. My motivation for going today is quite different than it was back in 1971 ... and my way of looking at the parks is quite different. What I do during a WDW trip is quite different from what the average one time visitor does. (Unless I am hosting a newbie - and then they get a different experience from what an "independent" virgin visitor gets.) Is it the WDW of the 1970's - 1990's? No and it probably won't ever be. Is it still better than most vacation spots of this genre? Hell yes!
