Amen.We haven't been to WDW in 6 yrs! Sold my DVC membership at that time due to health issues. I got off the DIS as well. Then, about 1 month ago, we found out our loved ones were being stationed in S Korea for 4 yrs. My husband and I wanted to do something extra special with our grandchildren before they leave the 2nd week in Dec. so we booked this trip.
When I got on the DIS and saw Genie+, Lightening Lanes, etc., it scared me. I had been a FP pro before the that changed. Then, I turned to youtube as I do when I want to learn how to do anything and found earscouts. Rob is fantastic! I now feel ready for the new system. Also hoping to get a DAS. If I get one, great! If I don't, we'll take it as it comes. The grandchildren are 6 and 7 yrs old. If I have to go back to our room, my husband can handle them in the parks. Hoping that won't have to happen as I want us all to have a trip filled with wonderful memories! Leaving it in God's hands.
Exactly. A trip to WDW was never easy. I started coming here in the early 70’s. Sitting on the side of the road on World Drive waiting for the parking lot to open because the park was at capacity. Wait in line to pay to park, wait in line for the tram. Drop you off at TTC and waited in even a longer line to buy ticket books. To wait in line for a monorail or boat to wait again to get into the park just to wait in line again for an attraction. The 80’s, 99’s 00’ and the 10‘s were the same way just different technology. Technology is in every part of our lives from the grocery store, gas station and restaurants. It’s really not that complicated. I’m old, if I can do it……lol100% Agree … every time I see one of these threads (and they seem to pop time and again) - I never understand what is so complicated - book the travel - book the accommodation - buy the park tickets (or not) - and make reservations (dining or otherwise). For 3 of 4 of these things - you would need to do for any vacation to secure your best adventure.
For the parks, If you want to to do standby - walk up to the attraction and stand in line - if you want to do Genie+ or ILL to short circuit a few lines - pick your ride, get the time, show up at the appointed time. The cost/value equation is a separate issue as it would be for any other personal vacation destination/activity/dining choice.
No worries and completely get it. I love these romantic ideas/posts of when snickers were $0.05, buying a home used to cost $100, and Disney paid you to enter a park … even better, those saying “Disney is nothing more than just a cash grab” - it’s a tourist attraction - when exactly was Disney not a “cash grab” - it’s literally their purpose for being - where else would grown people voluntarily take their families for a week in central Florida year after year - the gator parks?Exactly. A trip to WDW was never easy. I started coming here in the early 70’s. Sitting on the side of the road on World Drive waiting for the parking lot to open because the park was at capacity. Wait in line to pay to park, wait in line for the tram. Drop you off at TTC and waited in even a longer line to buy ticket books. To wait in line for a monorail or boat to wait again to get into the park just to wait in line again for an attraction. The 80’s, 99’s 00’ and the 10‘s were the same way just different technology. Technology is in every part of our lives from the grocery store, gas station and restaurants. It’s really not that complicated. I’m old, if I can do it……lol
I’ve been a DVC member for 24 years and a pass holder even longer. I live 15 miles away, I only make dining reservations anymore for the most part and it’s a lot easier than what it was in 80’s Epcot standing in line at the world key center. Remember fast pass, people running and pushing through the park to get to a Fp machine? Knocking people over, strollers used at battering rams? And than not returning on the time and still expecting to get into the Fp line.
Solved that problem.
They went to the “one price covers all” model, well that’s fair to some, not to all, everyone does it differently. Now it’s more alacarte.
It’s never been cheap, it’s never been empty except for a few weeks waaaaay back when and you will always wait in line. If you want a relaxing, strolling, sit on a bench day, you still can do it. It’s an amusement business sitting in the middle of one of the biggest tourist areas in the world.
I use to live near Hershey and Dorney parks and an hour from the Jersey shore. Non of these places in my opinion even compare and non of them are in anyway cheap to experience.
You can’t have empty parks and $30 tickets and $1 hotdogs and a soda. You wouldn’t get anywhere near central Florida. People complained about the crowds……. Always be careful what we wish for.
People look at it as a few parks, it’s a multi billion dollar operation employing 75,000 plus people, it’s not a lemonade stand. It’s a huge city to run and maintain. Most people have no idea what it takes to open the gates everyday.
Of course I’m not directing all this at you, I just like your post.lol.
Yes, IF USED, it is beneficial. Who really benefits the most? The Corporation.I'm the exact opposite. If they take Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes away, I will visit less often. The cost is so minimal compared to the enhanced enjoyment.
Have you been to Dollywood or Hershey Park? My kids grew up going to both and now grands love them. At a fraction of Disney's parks cost and NO hassle.
We will continue to enjoy DVC - have this 5 days booked at WDW, three weeks in January/February at WDW and a 3 BR at HHI for a week+ next summer. But I think I'm done with the hassle and money grab of the parks.
We've been to Yellowstone twice in the last year. We fell in love with it. We are trying to hit as many National Parks as possible before our girls have lives of their own!!! Our youngest daughter still talks about her favorite vacation ever, a trip to Carlsbad Cavern and White Sands N.P. It remains one of our cheapest vacations! I've cut our Disney trip down to one trip next year as we've finally realized the world is a big beautiful place and we want to see it. Ireland is a great place for families and breathtaking.After our 2 week trip last year we said we were done with large 1-2 week Disney vacations for a while, but that honestly has less to do with Disney and more with the fact that now that our children are older, we want them to see the world. So this summer we took them to Japan, including Tokyo Disney . Next summer we will take a weekend trip to MNSSHP and Epcot only. This Spring we are going on our first Disney Cruise, so I'm still fitting in a ridiculous amount of Disney, just in smaller more manageable bouts. The larger trips I would rather go to Niagara, Yellowstone, Ireland, Germany, that sort. But I'm sure I will still fit in weekend trips here and there. I can't help it.
And honestly all of the extra management doesn't bother me, but I realize it is part of my personality. I am a firm type A personality who finds enjoyment in doing stuff like that. My husband not so much, so he is more than happy to leave it all to me.