That’s right, folks, I said it: I hate Disneyworld. “The happiest place on earth,” they call it.
Ha! Happy?
Has anyone who believes that actually ever been there? Most months, it’s hot. H.O.T. HOT. Some days, even those of us used to the Florida heat and humidity can’t stomach more than five minutes in one of the parks. And it’s crowded. Even when it’s not crowded, it’s crowded. And when it’s really crowded, you can barely move, you can’t find a table in any of the restaurants, you have to wait an hour in line just to eat and the rides are impossible to get onto. I mean, 100 minutes’ wait for one ride or wait six hours with a FastPass. Uh-uh. No thanks. Not I.
I actually enjoyed Disney the first time I went, and even the second and a little less, but still enjoyed it the third time. After that, my enjoyment level dipped more and more with each visit. Besides the reasons listed above (which really suck, but aren’t really why), I couldn’t figure out what I didn’t like about the place. But now I know.
We went to Disney last week: Chris, his daughter, stepson and me. I couldn’t stand being there. At all. I dreaded going to the parks each day and couldn’t wait to get back to the hotel. I had no interest in the fireworks or the parade at Magic Kingdom. I was kind of disgusted by both. I did enjoy the ride back from the park to the buses on the ferry with a cool breeze kicking up from the water.
So, I thought about it. I asked myself why I was so unhappy there. And I came up with this: It’s commercial, fake and it negates every bit of fantasy that I grew up loving.
I watched the movies, read the books, believed in the magic. It was real to me, even into adulthood (although by then, it was far more tempered). But you go to that place and it’s all “brought to life,” but it’s so obviously not real. And it’s so obviously about making money and trying to force something that can’t be forced. Getting up close to the actors dressed as Disney characters reveals way too much stage makeup; fake, plastered smiles; , wigs; and unnaturally high voices. I can see that these are actors in costumes. That means the characters aren’t real.
While this is a rational thought it my mind without actually going to the parks, it’s still a blow to the little girl still living somewhere in my psyche. When children play pretend, they can build their own pretend places and imagine in their minds what those places look like. They’re real. They are not plastic replicas that look fake and ridiculous. I don’t like having those images forced upon me. At the end of every single ride, you come out into a gift shop with a bunch of overpriced junk that keeps with the ride’s theme. And despite its billions of dollars and ridiculous marketing machine, Disney raises its admission prices at least every three months.
And then there’s Epcot Center. It can be fun. There’s some good food and dessert in this little a la carte place in “France.” But again, it’s nothing but someone’s idea of something that is not necessarily true and is definitely not my idea of that same thing. I’ve talked to people who believe visiting the countries in Epcot is as good as actually going to those countries for real. Many people have lectured me about how Disney hires the best chefs in the world and has the best food that can be found, even if you were to travel to those countries and eat the authentic, local cuisine.
Well, I can tell you that most members of my family are better cooks than the “chefs” at Disney. The food just isn’t that good. It’s OK. Don’t get me wrong. It isn’t inedible or anything. But it’s not that great, either. And for what it costs to stay in a hotel and get into the parks (thankfully, Chris’ father is retired from there and gets us in free), I could go somewhere much more culturally rich and a lot more fun.
The one redeeming quality of Disney? The water parks. Well, I haven’t been to Typhoon Lagoon yet, but I’ve been twice to Blizzard Beach. It’s a blast. I highly recommend it.
I posted this on the newbie board but wasn’t sure if you would see it:
I just read your latest entry on your website and I just wanted to say that I really enjoy your writing. Thank you for putting it out there and sharing.
The part where you write “it’s still a blow to the little girl still living somewhere in my psyche” really touched me.
Thank you. 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed it.
never been there, only disneyland — we love disneyland but only go once a year. sounds like florida would be waaay to hot for all of us.
thanks for stopping by the blog today.
This time of year, the weather in Orlando is gorgeous. But we go a lot in June, July and August because that’s when The Boyfriend’s kids visit. It usually rains most of the afternoon and then cools off for the evening, though. I think the main difference in the two places is the number of parks in Disneyworld.
Wow, you need to go with a four-year-old princess obsessed little girl. That place is as real as it gets.
Renee, this is hilarious. You are very insightful!
Ha! I think I’m probably one of maybe five people in the universe who doesn’t love that place. Maybe there’s something wrong with me?
I went there when I was 10 and have some good memories, but I have no desire to put it on my bucket list. Consider me #6 in the universe.
I enjoyed it the first couple times, but it gets old fast. For me, anyway. I can think of better things to do with my vacation time and money, for sure.
I’ve never been to Disneyland but don’t feel I missed much. I think it’s sad they have gift shops all over the place too. Sorry you were disappointed to see those characters aren’t for real.
Congrats on your SITS day!
Well, I knew they weren’t REAL real, but the marketing really takes away from the magic. I went to see a friend there this past weekend. She and her parents stayed at the Boardwalk resort, which is a “replica” of an old boardwalk like you find in Ocean City or something. It had the facade, but inside the stores was like inside every other store at Disney.
For the record, I still don’t like Disney.
Hate it Hate it Hate it, for some reason My wife in conspiracy with the kids keep dragging to this hell on earth. we will soon be there to drop my hard earn money to this shit hole called a vacation. Hell Ill need a vacation after this crap of a vacation. Never go there. It all suck,,, no not one thing is worth the drive. Mickey mouse can suck it.
We are brainwashed into believing it is this wonderful place. By not speaking up and telling your friends and family how you really feel, you help to continue the fake happiness of this place. People need to be honest about this place. And you are not a bad parent if you don’t take your kids there. Take them to the local carnival 5 times instead, save a ton, and really enjoy yourself. Disneyworld is a SCAM. I live in Florida, get a great rate and still it is a scam. There is no good time to go there. It is always packed. Doesn’t matter if it is a school day and freezing cold. Always packed and you spend most of your time standing in lines.
Be Brave and seek out other adventures that are worthy of your hard earned money. Don’t fall for the SCAM.
Disneyworld Equals FAKE HAPPINESS.
My fiance’s father is retired from there, so we actually get to go for free. Otherwise, we wouldn’t go, period. The Florida rate isn’t that much less than the regular rate, anyway, and there are a ton of blackout dates for that rate, anyway.
Trust me — everyone who knows me knows how I feel about Disney. lol
My hubby STILL complains how we didn’t go to DisneyLand for his 50th b’day and their 50th anniversary. I love Disney’s movies especially when I was growing up and the Sunday evening show on tv. But I’m NEVER going to DisneyLand – with kids or without. I have been to Great America and as a person who doesn’t go on rides can testify – I’ve been tortured enuf. LOL