Disneyland (and other amusement parks)

[Slater]

Anybody still enjoy the Disney experience? Whenever my wife and stepdaughter plan a trip there, I usually beg out of it. To me it's overcrowded and overpriced (to be fair, that's true of most any tourist destination) and I generally wish I was somewhere else. I get that a lot of folks enjoy it, but I guess I'm not into the whole experience. I'd probably rather be perusing the tables at a gunshow - although you could also make the argument that it's also an overpriced experience these days, I suppose. But it's a LOT cheaper than Disney.

My apologies to any Disneyphiles herein

[VIP3R 237]

Disneyland is a lot of work... As a kid I loved it, and I was fortunate enough that my parents were able to take me fairly often. 2 years ago I went with my wife and another couple and besides being freaking expensive, its exhausting haha. Sure we had fun but nothing like when I was a kid. Now when my boy gets a little older I think it will become enjoyable again.

[HES]

I like going to the Magic Kingdom every now and then, especially during the slow season. On the other hand I refuse to go any more. Even with a FL resident discount, it would cost me $500 to take the family there for one day. Screw that noise.

[Belmont31R]

Planning beforehand will save a lot of the hassle normally associated with theme parks. If you just show up and wonder around aimlessly you won't have a good time. You don't have to plan out each day to the minute but it's best to have a pretty clear plan to minimize walking distances each day and so you're not wasting time figuring out what to do next. Figure out where you want to eat, what rides, and plan rest times into the day.

Also, staying at a Disney hotel can save time and makes things quite a bit easier. The Fast Passes are a must and the MagicBands are pretty nice, too. If you have an iPhone Disney has a pretty good app to help manage a visit and store reservation info, ect. There's 3rd party apps you might also find useful.

[Palmguy]

Planning beforehand will save a lot of the hassle normally associated with theme parks. If you just show up and wonder around aimlessly you won't have a good time. You don't have to plan out each day to the minute but it's best to have a pretty clear plan to minimize walking distances each day and so you're not wasting time figuring out what to do next. Figure out where you want to eat, what rides, and plan rest times into the day.

Also, staying at a Disney hotel can save time and makes things quite a bit easier. The Fast Passes are a must and the MagicBands are pretty nice, too. If you have an iPhone Disney has a pretty good app to help manage a visit and store reservation info, ect. There's 3rd party apps you might also find useful.

Android as well.

We have annual passes this year; I prefer not feeling pressured to spend all freakin' day there to feel like I got my money's worth for a regular day ticket. We go during non-peak times to try to avoid the huge crowds (Magic Kingdom is the worst, IMO); go on rides that we have Fast Passes for (so very little waiting in line) and then head out. If I didn't live close enough to make that a viable plan, I wouldn't want to go.

Now that we're getting into summer and the busier times of the year, we'll probably not be there much until the fall.

[Chameleox]

Planning beforehand will save a lot of the hassle normally associated with theme parks. If you just show up and wonder around aimlessly you won't have a good time. You don't have to plan out each day to the minute but it's best to have a pretty clear plan to minimize walking distances each day and so you're not wasting time figuring out what to do next. Figure out where you want to eat, what rides, and plan rest times into the day.

Also, staying at a Disney hotel can save time and makes things quite a bit easier. The Fast Passes are a must and the MagicBands are pretty nice, too. If you have an iPhone Disney has a pretty good app to help manage a visit and store reservation info, ect. There's 3rd party apps you might also find useful.

+1
My wife and I took the twins there last month. Planning ahead saved us a lot of frustration. We stayed at the Art of Animation resort, which had a very nice pool for the kids, and the food was pretty good. The wristbands are key, and make things easier throughout the park.

All I can add is that it's no accident that there's little shade in the Magic Kingdom. Dress appropriately. The train that runs the perimeter can offer some shade and a breeze. Otherwise the riverboat tour is a nice break.

Disney security is pretty good, and they specifically watch for people carrying contraband or CCW'ing. While getting caught might not result in a charge, you will be out the cost of admission.

[fixit69]

As a kid I loved the place. Not so much as an adult with children. But then again we are not going for us, are we.

It interesting to see the changes in Disney over the decades. More near stuff, more things for the kids to do.

We put up with a lot to make our children happy and I kind of put this into that category.

[Caduceus]

I grew up 15 minutes from Dland. Annual passes, and off season visits, are key. Also nice to be able to stop in for a few hours and not feel guilty if you leave early.

[chuckman]

No. I will go to some of the 'local' theme parks, Busch Gardens, King's Domion, etc., but I am not going to drop that kind of coin for Disney . When I went in 1987 it was expensive; I can hardly imagine what it is now.

[militarymoron]

we've made it 6 years so far without our son knowing that disneyland exists. he really hasn't been exposed to much disney stuff at home (on purpose). we'll probably take him whenever he decides he really wants to go, but we're not offering it up ourselves. he's more interested in airplanes, the space shuttle, garbage trucks, water towers, trucks etc, so we visit places where he can see those things instead.