# What is up with Disney World and its following? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 7, 2011, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-up-with-disney-world-and-its-following/602123 "2011-11-07T01:35:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![ASanders](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asanders/32/3367_2.png) [@ASanders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASanders)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2012, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-up-with-disney-world-and-its-following/602123/101 "2012-02-26T01:59:38Z")
I went to WDW for free a couple of times in the 90s, courtesy of relatives employed there as characters. (One time my then-6-y.o. stepson had a very up-close-and-personal encounter with Chip… or Dale… which he absolutely loved.) But even free, it’s not my idea of a great vacation. I don’t know, somewhere along the line I got the idea that vacations should be _relaxing_, and traipsing all over a small city just to wait on one line after another for a 40-second ride and a walk through yet another gift shop at the end is just not my idea of relaxing. I took my kids again more recently, this time paying the freight, and while THEY sure had a great time all I could see was 5000 dollar bills flying away, never to be seen again. It was worth it to give the kids their Disney experience, I guess, but I don’t want to work so hard on a vacation nor pay so much for something I personally don’t enjoy. (Plus, there was no sign of my absolute favorite Disney characters – Cuzco and Pacha!) Maybe I’m just an old fart. We just returned from a cruise, which again wasn’t relaxing at all. Being asked at every single turn to buy something else just started to feel like an assault. Not fun! ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2012, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-up-with-disney-world-and-its-following/602123/102 "2012-02-26T02:02:34Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > Speaking as a former worker at Disneyland, they’re crazy Glad to hear that, after all the equivocating and rationalizing. And, yes, everyone in both sides of my family (besides me and my even-more-cynical wife) is crazy. ---
**Author:** ![\_len](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/c0e974/32.png) [@\_len](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_len)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2012, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-up-with-disney-world-and-its-following/602123/103 "2012-02-26T02:14:48Z")
Hey Maus, I co-author the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. Drop me a line - I’d be happy to help with any questions. I’m typing this from Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort, too. You know, for that added touch of authenticity. Thanks for using the book, Dangerosa and Yookeroo! Len > [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > Reviving a near zombie: Mrs Magill and I are in the middle of planning a trip to Disney World this June. Does anyone have any advice? As was said upthread booking it is pretty damned overwhelming. We’re trying to decide between a cabin and family suite, park passes, and meal plans. > > Personally, I blame Squeaky (3). He’s told his Mom, he wants “to play with Micky Mouse.” ---
**Author:** ![perfectparanoia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a5b964/32.png) [@perfectparanoia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/perfectparanoia)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2012, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-up-with-disney-world-and-its-following/602123/104 "2012-02-27T16:10:10Z")
> [@\_len](#): > > Hey Maus, > > I co-author the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. Drop me a line - I’d be happy to help with any questions. I’m typing this from Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort, too. You know, for that added touch of authenticity. > > Thanks for using the book, Dangerosa and Yookeroo! > > Len As a non-author of the Unofficial Guide, my number one recommendation for anyone going to Disney World is to get and read the Unofficial Guide. (I actually have one in my cube at work for borrowing purposes.) Their touring plans make it so that even when it is busy, you don’t really notice too much. Go get it. Best 20 bucks you will spend. ---
**Author:** ![smaje1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47774/32.png) [@smaje1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smaje1)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2012, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-up-with-disney-world-and-its-following/602123/105 "2012-02-28T19:27:57Z")
The OP’s question reminds me of some other recent posts I’ve seen here. It all boils down to the fact that something that is fun for YOU may not be fun for other people, whether it’s drinking, dancing, drugs, or Disney. OP, are you really all that flabbergasted that people adore something like Disneyworld, when there are also groups of people of there that adore just about everything else? To each his own. Mr. Smaje and I had season passes to Disneyland when we lived in SoCal. We would get there at the crack of dawn, pack a lunch, and spend the day getting great exercise (walking about 10 miles, probably!), meeting new people, reliving great memories, creating new ones. We’re both young at heart, and we both love Disney movies and characters and songs. We like getting trashed at California Adventure and daring ourselves to go on the scariest rides (Tower of Terror!). Now that we’re parents, we’re just counting the days until baby smaje is old enough to appreciate it herself. We’re taking her to the Santa Cruz boardwalk this summer to prime her up on the fun of amusement parks and games and rides. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2012, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-up-with-disney-world-and-its-following/602123/106 "2012-02-28T19:50:43Z")
> [@perfectparanoia](#): > > As a non-author of the Unofficial Guide, my number one recommendation for anyone going to Disney World is to get and read the Unofficial Guide. (I actually have one in my cube at work for borrowing purposes.) > > Their touring plans make it so that even when it is busy, you don’t really notice too much. > > Go get it. Best 20 bucks you will spend. Sign up for their website membership too - I think it’s half price if you buy the book, and gets you access to their phone app for waiting times for rides. Disney has their own app, but the Unofficial guide one was much better - I’m convinced the Disney app lied (or had long delays for updating wait times). ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2012, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-up-with-disney-world-and-its-following/602123/107 "2012-02-28T20:35:53Z")
> [@smiling\_bandit](#): > > 1. Take advantage of the early morning entry available to guests at Disney hotels. You get in an hour earlier, see the busiest attractions, and then head to the back of the park. When the flood (of people) comes, just leave and enjoy a relaxing afternoon elsewhere. Then go to back or to another park when it gets cool. I’d also like to mention the extra evening hours. Not just 1 hour, but 3 and sometimes even 4 hours after the park closes to the public, Disney hotel guests can hop from ride to ride with little or no wait. This is my absolute favorite time to be at the Magic Kingdom. Generally, each park (except Animal Kingdom) has one late night per week. “[Extra Magic Hours](http://allears.net/tp/emhour.htm)” are currently published through May. I also want to give a shout-out to [allears.net](http://allears.net/index.html), a great website by and for Disney fans. You probably can’t think of a question about WDW that isn’t answered here. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2012, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-up-with-disney-world-and-its-following/602123/108 "2012-02-28T22:28:16Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > I’d also like to mention the extra evening hours. Not just 1 hour, but 3 and sometimes even 4 hours after the park closes to the public, Disney hotel guests can hop from ride to ride with little or no wait. This is my absolute favorite time to be at the Magic Kingdom. Generally, each park (except Animal Kingdom) has one late night per week. “[Extra Magic Hours](http://allears.net/tp/emhour.htm)” are currently published through May. > > I also want to give a shout-out to [allears.net](http://allears.net/index.html), a great website by and for Disney fans. You probably can’t think of a question about WDW that isn’t answered here. Sometimes its morning. Animal Kingdoms are in the mornings. I like mornings better…we are early risers at Disney anyway and usually have travelled with younger kids. Now that our kids are pretty much teenagers, I suspect we’ll make more use of the evenings. ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2012, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-up-with-disney-world-and-its-following/602123/109 "2012-02-29T00:45:40Z")
Anyone who thinks WDW is just for kids hasn’t been drinking around the world at Epcot before. Ahhh, good times. ---
**Author:** ![perfectparanoia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a5b964/32.png) [@perfectparanoia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/perfectparanoia)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2012, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-up-with-disney-world-and-its-following/602123/110 "2012-02-29T20:56:22Z")
> [@Autolycus](#): > > Anyone who thinks WDW is just for kids hasn’t been drinking around the world at Epcot before. Ahhh, good times. Good times, indeed. Especially during the Food and Wine Festival! ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2012, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-up-with-disney-world-and-its-following/602123/111 "2012-02-29T21:19:02Z")
> [@Autolycus](#): > > Anyone who thinks WDW is just for kids hasn’t been drinking around the world at Epcot before. Ahhh, good times. The monorail lounge tour is worthwhile as well, more riding, less walking and a chance to tour the hotels. Make sure to do California Grill early in the night, they don’t let people up for “just drinks” because it gets too crowded with the fireworks. But if you explain it and head up early, they’ll usually let you sit at the bar for a drink. ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2012, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-up-with-disney-world-and-its-following/602123/112 "2012-02-29T21:58:56Z")
> [@Dangerosa](#): > > The monorail lounge tour is worthwhile as well, more riding, less walking and a chance to tour the hotels. For a minute, I thought that was an actual thing offered by Disney. It’s not, right? 'Cause that would be _awesome!_ Fun idea, though. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2012, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-up-with-disney-world-and-its-following/602123/113 "2012-02-29T23:11:50Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > For a minute, I thought that was an actual thing offered by Disney. It’s not, right? 'Cause that would be _awesome!_ > > Fun idea, though. No, it isn’t official. But its often done unofficially. If you do it on a night the MK is open late, you take the monorail back to the MK and a bus back to your hotel. Or grab a cab - a taxi is about $15 to anywhere. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2012, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-up-with-disney-world-and-its-following/602123/114 "2012-03-01T02:59:03Z")
> [@perfectparanoia](#): > > As a non-author of the Unofficial Guide, my number one recommendation for anyone going to Disney World is to get and read the Unofficial Guide. (I actually have one in my cube at work for borrowing purposes.) > > Their touring plans make it so that even when it is busy, you don’t really notice too much. > > Go get it. Best 20 bucks you will spend. I agree completely. You know for years I read the DisneyLAND Unofficial guide more or less as trivia (in other words, it was fun reading but I knew more then they did, or at least i liked to think so. I was likely wrong). But the DW guide is just about a nessesity. It’s worth double what they charge for it. ---
**Author:** ![smiling\_bandit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2012, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-up-with-disney-world-and-its-following/602123/115 "2012-03-02T05:11:54Z")
> [@\_len](#): > > I co-author the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. Drop me a line - I’d be happy to help with any questions. You magnificent bastard I read your book! > [@](#): > > I’m typing this from Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort, too. You know, for that added touch of authenticity. That hotel has a special meaning for me. When I was a child, my dad and I went down there, just the two of us, and stayed there. Before the name change on the hotel anyway. I guess what many people call plastic or fake, I call a hell of a lot of hard work. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2012, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-up-with-disney-world-and-its-following/602123/116 "2012-03-02T14:56:59Z")
> [@smiling\_bandit](#): > > I guess what many people call plastic or fake, I call a hell of a lot of hard work. It’s interactive theatre. Of course it’s fake, it’s a huge set. It’s fantasy. A lot of people who don’t like Disney get hung up on the fake. And I think that if you want to go to Paris, you probably shouldn’t sit around in the French pavilion in Epcot. But a lot of people don’t really want France, or can’t get to France. This creates a nice fantasy. ---
**Author:** ![GythaOgg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/49beb7/32.png) [@GythaOgg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GythaOgg)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2012, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-up-with-disney-world-and-its-following/602123/117 "2012-03-02T15:54:41Z")
I’ll also recommend the Unofficial Guide - it really is THE book to have if you’re planning a trip to DW. Even if you’re not into the whole ‘touring plans’ thing - and I’m not - it’s still a must-have. (If you’re not into all that, I would suggest buying the Unofficial Guide book and skipping their website and using [Allears.net](http://Allears.net) instead, which is free and completely exhaustive. If you ARE a touring plans type person, then go ahead and register for the UG website - it’s very cheap if you’ve bought the book. The website just does not have much that’s useful for you and you can’t get elsewhere if you aren’t going to use the touring plan info) ---
**Author:** ![smiling\_bandit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2012, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-up-with-disney-world-and-its-following/602123/118 "2012-03-02T17:36:02Z")
> [@Dangerosa](#): > > It’s interactive theatre. Of course it’s fake, it’s a huge set. It’s fantasy. A lot of people who don’t like Disney get hung up on the fake. I would compare it to an amusement park. Are coasters somehow inauthentic because Disney has dressed them up with some really fancy and thorouth decor? ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2012, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-up-with-disney-world-and-its-following/602123/119 "2012-03-02T17:48:44Z")
As far as adults without kids going, I dunno, is there a non-publicized magical hotel where you can bang Sleeping Beauty or Snow White and all seven dwarves (I understand they’re not dwarfish on all dimensions!)? ---
**Author:** ![DeweyDecibel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d26b3c/32.png) [@DeweyDecibel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeweyDecibel)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2012, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-up-with-disney-world-and-its-following/602123/120 "2012-03-02T17:59:00Z")
I have a bit of a soft spot for DisneyWorld, despite most of my travel being focused on things that could be called “authentic” or “cultural”. I like museums, I like going to new countries and meeting people, I like wandering cities and towns aimlessly to experience it. I rely on Rick Steves for Europe and Lonely Planet for everywhere else. I occasionally get a little (internally) judgmental when people talk about going to all-inclusive resorts. At times I’m about a half-step from becoming that annoying person who calls themself a traveller and disparages “tourists”. I haven’t been to Disney in 10 years, but I went 4 times as a kid and teen with my parents and once as an adult with my husband, for our first anniversary in 2002. I now have a 4 year old and a 1 year old and envision a trip to Disney in a year or two. What I like about is that it is unabashedly over-planned. There’s very little spontaneity, but they don’t really hide this. It is what it is, and it’s damn good at it. Things are super organized, everything is thought out, and it’s kind of fun to watch the logistics. They are masters at the art of carefully controlling an environment and presenting an image of fun, “magic”, and being in another world. I whine about “having” to go in a year or two when my sons are old enough to enjoy it, but I think I’ll enjoy it. Of course, after 5 days there, I plan to hightail it to Costa Rica or somewhere in Latin America for another week… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-up-with-disney-world-and-its-following/602123.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-up-with-disney-world-and-its-following/602123.md?page=7)