Overrated: Is the Magic Kingdom really all that magical?
Filed under: Extracurriculars, Family Money, Travel
Okay, I'll start by admitting that I've been to Walt Disney World a couple of times. Before our first visit, my sisters and I pored over pictures of the Hall of Presidents, the Haunted Mansion, the Disney Castle, and other attractions, plotting the perfect routes to every ride, the ideal sequence of events to maximize the power of our Disney vacation. To the park's credit, it managed to live up to even my incredibly high childhood expectations. In fact, the only down side was my parent's barely-concealed weariness after a few days of wandering around.
A few years later, with my sisters a little older and Epcot offering more mature attractions, my parents agreed to revisit the Magic Kingdom. After a couple of days, I began to understand why Mom and Dad had dragged their feet on our first trip. As my youngest sister led us on a death march tour of Mickey's gulag, I found myself asking if we really needed to take yet another whirl on the teacup ride, once again ride shotgun with Mr. Toad, and be reminded that it's a small world. Standing in line, baking under the brutal Florida sun, I found myself suffering from an existential crisis, doubting the promise that, indeed, Captain Nemo's submarine adventure was really the pinnacle of human experience.
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It got even worse when we went to Epcot. While some of the park's international attractions were a lot of fun, other countries just seemed to be phoning it in. The China pavilion felt like a massive tourist trap, and I had a hard time prying my parents away from the German beer hall. Worse yet, watching moderately soused adults slapping their whining kids, I wondered if public displays of child abuse were one of Epcot's informal attractions, like people in Mickey costumes or bad mimes. I didn't know whether to tip the incredibly lifelike actors or call child protective services.
To be completely honest, I have to admit that there is a lot to be said for Disney. It is clean, well-run, and there are some wonderful places in the park. Even now, years later, I still have fond memories of Injun Joe's cave, the Peter Pan ride, and the Swiss Family Treehouse. That having been said, paying over $150 per person to stand in interminable lines, eat terrible food, and be assaulted by a constant parade of commercialism is somewhat ridiculous, particularly when Busch Gardens, Six Flags, and other parks offer comparable experiences for less money and with less travel!
Bruce Watson is a freelance writer, blogger, and all-around cheapskate. He still has nightmares about the Country Bear Jamboree.
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 4)
9-12-2008 @ 5:21PM
Disneymom1218 said...
ok to set things straight, the sub ride that is now NEMO is in Disneyland. the one at Disneyworld is still closed and nothing is there , to the left of it is Ariel's grotto where you can meet her. Mr toad is also still at Disneyland but at Disneyworld it is now the Winnie the pooh ride. To the poster who is a Florida resident and complaining about the price is more then Universal that is BS they are the same price. and you DO NOT have to have a park hopper. Disney is more then just rides as previous posters stated it is magical memories that will forever ring true in my mind even as I make new ones every year. If you don't like it do not go , we don't want those who do not GET it there anyway.
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9-12-2008 @ 5:43PM
Dave said...
Been to WDW at least 9 times. As 2 adults, then with a wheelchair and 3 adults , then with a 2,3,4,5,6,7,8 + year old, same kid different years.
Just went in January '08 , "kid" was 21 and we all got to enjoy the bars and restaurants we couldn't before.
New rides were great and the pirates were wonderful.
Wish they would put in an Indiana Jones ride in Florida like they have in California.
We live nowhere near WDW and usually stay between 8 days and 2 weeks. We have tried most hotels and prefer the Caribbean Resort.
To say you don't like this place you must just hate life .
By the way we have been to the other parks mentioned in the article as well as Dollywood and Silver Dollar City. There is no comparison.
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9-12-2008 @ 8:45PM
Lassie said...
I went in the '80s, too. We stayed at the Polynesian Resort. I found it clean, organized, and fun in a 'plastic' way. And expensive. I had a good time and was glad to have gone.... I loved the 'luau' and Hawaiian hula dancers, thought it was very cold (this was in Florida) - the torch jugglers asked 'are you all freezing yet?' LOL, and I noticed everyone in the show was wearing see-through nylon bodysuits. We drank several mai tais in an attempt to warm up, though if there was any alcohol in them, it never kicked in....Oh, and I thought the food was FABULOUS! At least in the hotel restaurants. I had the biggest most spectacular seafood salad ever! Good times!
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9-12-2008 @ 8:55PM
Mary said...
I love Disney World! My husband and I took our first trip there as adults when our daughter was nine. I have been there several times since then and most recently went during Easter break in 2006. Yes, the lines were long and the parks crowded but the experience was nonetheless magical. You just have to pace yourself and try not to cram too much into one day.
Epcot is my favorite park by far and there are some amazing restaurants throughout Disney, my favorite is Jiko in the Animal Kingdom Lodge. My brother and I are going this October to participate in a charity run. Joing us will be our 60+ year old mom, sister and niece. Young and old, Disney has something for everyone.
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9-12-2008 @ 9:47PM
Heather said...
i LOVE disney world.. and it seemed like you only named the lame rides.
you can't forget about test track, rock n' roller coaster, mission space, space mountain, and the awesome tower of terror.
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9-12-2008 @ 11:25PM
CourtneyM said...
U got serious issues dissing Walt Disney World. I still love that place to death and never get tired of it. Don't go if you hate it. Sad that a person who want to think that a place like Disney World isn't good.
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9-15-2008 @ 1:03PM
FRANK said...
O.K.,,, I ADMIT- IT,,, I'AM SPOILLED ,,,I WAS WITH AU' FRIEND, AT "DISNEY WORLD", LAST WEEK,,, AND WHAT A WONDERFUL PLACE "DISNEY WORLD" REALLY IS,,, WITH A FLORIDA SEASONAL PASS ,IT MAKES IT VERY AFFORDABLE. BY THE WAY, A NEW RIDE AT " EPCOT", IS "SOARING" (TO DIE 4.)-HAVE FUN-.DEERFIELD BEACH.
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9-12-2008 @ 10:40PM
ty said...
Not that I entirely disagree....but the Mr. Toad ride has not been at Disney for at least 10 years now....it was replaced with Winnie the Pooh.....this article has got to be a little dated......
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9-12-2008 @ 10:59PM
Carol said...
I neither agree nor disagree with any of the comments regarding WDW. What I think is funny...is the fact that Walt Disney himself was able to come up with the chacters and some of the rides, Mickey, Minnie, and all the other things. The truth is that he did most of his planning out when he was in Mexico and was doing some very powerful drugs that caused him to hallucinate and come up with all this stuff! Just want to say, I think it is all funny....especially when everyone got so up tight about the gay week. I am not gay, but I don't think most of the people that were boycotting the park knew any of this.
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9-14-2008 @ 9:20AM
soccr25 said...
u obviously dont know anything about walt disney the man. how dare you say he did drugs in mexico! he was a family man for most of his disney company career. just because he has imagination doesnt mean he did drugs to come up with stuff as magical and unrealistic. I wish more people could break the boundaries of reality.
9-13-2008 @ 1:22AM
Theresa said...
I'm hoping that if and when someone from Disney happens to read this - can you even call this an article? - they'll take the time to read some of the comments and realize how fiercely they are being defended.
1) worth the price. period.
2) customer service is the best.
3) have you ever tried using a wheelchair in any other park? Disneyworld (with the exception of maybe Animal Kingdom) has terrific handicap access, we'd often get to the front of the line, and all cast members were very gracious. You try pushing around my sister in any of those other parks; its not so easy when things like handicap access are an afterthought, not a part of the initial design.
I could go on and on. Seriously.
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9-13-2008 @ 7:01AM
Tom said...
You have got to be kidding!
Just goes to prove that you actually can put lipstick on a pig.
In one blog, this putz has condemmed the entire Disney theme parks to a state of mediocrity because he was too hot and obviously went there one time too many. No surprise about the heat, it's in Florida. Also the $150.00 number is mythical. It's not far off for a park hopper pass for a few days to all the parks and attractions, but it's not $150.00.
Disney's efforts have produced a well run, clean, safe environment that offers millions of people a few days of fantasy. Throwing that whole thing under the bus because one man was sweating and bored by some attractions that were obviously lost on him is too petulant to be believed. The parks are a tribute to well run establishments. The plants and trees are replaced constantly, the staff is polite, the technology is unbelievable, the hotels are immaculate, but the food is pure U.S. south, not great. Orlando would be a small inner city town except for Disney.
There's always the option of not going. Oh wait, what then whould he talk about?
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9-13-2008 @ 7:42AM
jane said...
Disney did not create their theme parks for people like you. Obviously you don't understand the concept of fantasy and fun all roled into one. The Disney companies have captured something most of us enjoy....an escape that is safe, clean, fun, and memorable. Sorry you missed the boat.....you're a minority hacking on Disney!
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9-13-2008 @ 9:04AM
Milisa said...
Hey Bruce!!! When was the last time you were at Disney World? They got rid of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride years ago. Before you blast something get your facts straight. The best thing about Disney is that they are CONSTANTLY updating it. There is always something new to see. And it is a fact that billions of people ages 1-100 love Disney!!
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9-13-2008 @ 9:17AM
Mary said...
I have always enjoyed WDW. They have fantastic guest services especially for the handicapped. There are some things which could be upgraded such as the food. The American pavillon used to have the best food, and in the original Main Street there was a small restaurant where the food was fantastic. The lines are long especially in the summer after all it is Florida. However it is not the fault of WDW if parents choose to take children there who are really too young ( babies or those under 6) and they cry from exhaustion. That is really annoying. Some rides need to be modernized, but for the most part it is fun for everyone.
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9-13-2008 @ 9:36AM
Suzanne said...
I agree that Disney is overhyped and OVERPRICED!! Has been for years.
Oh, and to set the record straight Mr. Toad was pulled from Disney World years age - much to my dismay, I loved Mr. Toad's Wild Ride!!
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9-13-2008 @ 4:01PM
Debbie said...
I love it there!!!!!!. I went During Christmas and it was so Beautiful. Pretty pricey,but worth it .
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9-13-2008 @ 8:08PM
Jenny said...
Disney World is indeed magical...... : ) My hubby and I went
to Disney on our Honeymoon and visited again and again on
many occasions. With this summer being our 25th Wedding
Anniversary we did Disney in style. We stayed at the
Grand Floridian Hotel on Disney property. From the time
we entered the hotel our trip was one of the most " Magical
Experiences " of our 25 years together. The hotel staff pinned
Happy Anniversary buttons on my hubby and I. Every time
we went in The Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Or
Hollywood Studios we were greeted many,many,many times
with " Happy Anniversary " from all the cast members and
theme park workers. Our Daughter surprised us with this
trip for our 25th since she is such a " Princess " no pun intended........ : ) Disney World is one of my favorite
destinations.....where really Dreams do come true!!! : )
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9-14-2008 @ 12:44AM
Greg said...
Lifetime Florida Resident;
I've been to Disney probably 5 times throughout the 90's and once this year. The writers general idea that disney is overrated is true but his reasons are off and not sufficient for that claim. It's definitely magical......but having gone this year with high hopes, even the magic begins to fade when the rides are getting so old. Many of them have be revamped into unexciting updates. Dont get me wrong disney has a leat one gem in every park but as far as bang for your buck, six flags and universal are better for thrills. There is no reason why disney could not add more thrill rides....ROLLERCOASTERS real ones damnit! Space mountain too maybe?
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9-14-2008 @ 12:45AM
Greg said...
Correction; Space Mountain 2....The Sequel
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