I was thinking about this trip, and how much I learned from it. I also want to say that I don't have sons, I have 4 daughters. So I don't really care about the gay BS of Disney.

I am going to start out by saying that as much as my mind keeps trying to live in the pre-2000's Disney as a company where it the company represented family values, I will say that is no longer the case. So with that in mind and knowing that going in my wife and 3 daughters wanted to go to Disney for Christmas. Well, our good fortune is bringing us back to Europe in October permanently (or semi-permanently if you know me). So that wasn't really an option considering the cost of doing the trip from Germany. The added travel time and other factors.

I am almost 50, I have had a lifelong love of Disney the company. I have been to all 3 Western locations, and not once been to one in Asia. Disneyland Paris twice 2017 and 2018, Disneyland over 20 times since I was a child, and Orlando Disneyworld since my first time after Navy basic training when it was in Orlando.

At least 15 years ago I noticed that Disney no longer shared my conservative values, but I still feel as though they try to cater to families, as much as they cater to the gay, trans, or whatever group the other wierdos are in world.

I personally struggle with giving the company my money, but I am not a family of 1. My daughters and wife enjoy it, and are more tolerant of that as long as it is not blatantly thrown in their face. Our last trip to Disneyland was last year 2022, it was the first time we had been there since 2016. The 2016 trip was uneventful, enjoyed some great food; Bengal BBQ, Main Street Bakery, San Francisco Clam Chowder in a sourdough breadbowl.

The 2022 Disneyland trip sucked! Disney had opened the woke doors, and allowed transgendered Disney employees to dress in womens uniforms with beards and makeup. The hordes of militant lesbians, gays and transexuals were everywhere. I asked a question about the Marvel experience in the California Adventure park because it sucked, and was almost thrown out of the park. We also dealt with meth-heads in the parking lot of our hotel (the Hilton across the street). So I think we are done with Disneyland, which is a shame as the ride experience, theming and food are better than Disneyworld.

Our 2023 trip to Disneyworld was totally different. We got home yesterday. I had been there a few times since basic training, I don't know much about it. The size and scope of the park area is hard to comprehend. The landscape and vegetation of Orlando makes it hard to understand just how big the area is. Cheri and I had gone there for our honeymoon, she used to work there in guest relations after she went to college. But we had not been back there in 13 years.

The best of Disneyworld
1. They have the best staff, they all act like they care. It isn't as clean as Disneyland, but they do try.
2. It is huge and it seems like there is more to do than Disneyland.
3. We paid for the Disney Geni Plus program. There are 5 of us on this trip, my 23 year old is married and lives in San Diego, so they did not go). $100 per day ($20 per person on top of the cost of the ticket). Made life easier, just get in the virtual ques and go when it is your time to go.
4. Epcot food and wine festival was really great, some of the food in the kiosk was really decent, none were over the top. Beofburgeonon, Aussie lamb chops, Japanese Ramen, street tacos, Lamington. Epcot's food is the best in the park.
5. I hate 3D, but my wife and daughters loved the 3D ride at Animal Kimgdom it's called Avitar Flight of Passage, and if 3D works for you, it is like riding on a dragons back. Because of how near sighted I am 3D doesn't work for me. But it was ok.

The worst of Disneyworld (from our experience going in September, I realize some of these are our fault)
1. It is huge, the parks can be several miles apart. We park-hopped every day. That was our choice, mostly because of the "Not So Scary Halloween Party" that we didn't buy tickets for. So Magic Kingdom shut down at 7pm, on those days. There is an incredible network of ski gondolas, boats, monorails, and buses to get you around, it just takes time.
2. The quick service food is average at best compared to Disneyland and Disneyland Paris. Since we changed our dates and moved them up we were not able to find sit-down dining reservations.
3. The weather was super hot. This was our fault for going in September, but by comparison to Paris and LA 90F and 100% humidity was rough. Two nights it rained like I have never seen rain before (we live in the desert). The monorail shut down and they didn't have a way for people to get out of there. So we were stuck for a couple of hours before we got back to our hotel.
4. Animal Kingdon might have once been a great place for animal encounters but there are so few animals and the focus is on rides. So if that is your focus, they have changed it.
5. There are still quite a lot of gays and lesbians and Disneyworld, if you go when school is in session you will notice them more. They are still militant and proud with their advertising shirts. There are a lot of gay castmembers, but unlike California they are well behaved. I don't personally care what people do, for some this will be an issue.
6. The number of adults in power chairs was mind-numbing. For the most part they were ok, but it gets to be a trip hazard.

Things you can do to make your experience better.

1. We stayed at the US Military Resort Shades of Green, they have good shuttles. If possible I would stay on property, and if possible more so I would stay someplace that had a gondola or monorail. Just to make travel quicker.
2. Animal Kingdom is not on any travel corridor, so you have to take a bus or drive your rental/personal car.
3. We carried snacks and water via lightweight backpacks. You can fill up your own water bottles throughout the park. They sell water but it is $3.75 a bottle for a little bottle.
4. We ate throughout the day and drank all the time. This prevented hydration issues and water toxicity issues as we mostly ate salty foods.
5. I bought Coolibar sun long-sleeved shirts and shorts. I put sunscreen on my legs. I am bald (I was blond) so I need good sun protection. My wife and 2 of my daughters are redheaded, they did the same. But my wife ended up wearing her sun jacket, and sun pants (all from Coolibar). I also bought the biggest sunhat they make, and it was awesome.
6. I wore the most comfortable running shoes I could find. For me they were Hoka. A lot of people had those on, the Brooks Beast and other super supportive and comfortable running shoes. We logged 11 miles our first day, 6 miles our second day, 13 miles on 3rd day and 11 miles on our 4th day. This was with 3 kids aged 8, 10, and 11.
7. We were not able to book sit-down food, because of our booking timeline. So we ate when we were hungry throughout the day. I felt like this was a good option, but you didn't get the selection of a sit-down restaurant.
8. Learn how the application works on your phone, and understand how to use it.


Just to keep things in perspective, here is how I feel about Disneyland Paris.

Disneyland Paris best:
1. It is the most beautifully and artful Disney Park I have been to.
2. The food is the best of any disney park I have been to.

Disneyland Paris worst:
1. The smoking, I don't smoke I have never smoked. The employees allow everyone to walk around in the park and smoke. Smoking is a thing in Europe, it is not really a thing much anymore in America, Canada and Australia. So it is not something I am used to.
2. Not sure if there is a real terrorism danger, or it just seems like it. But the French police are there, and the military and they are heavily armed outside the park and patrolling. I felt safe in the park.

Went to the one in Fla in the 1990s, when my kids were small.
There’s not enough money on this planet to get me to go back.

I went to Disneyland a handful of times when I was a kid. I thought it was magical at first. I never took my kids and will never take my grandkids. I feel the same way about Six Flags.

"The number of adults in power chairs was mind-numbing. For the most part they were ok, but it gets to be a trip hazard." I find that same problem with cruises. You have old, infirm, people that can't get on and off a boat of any kind. They sign-up for excursions that they are totally unfit physically to complete. The whole excursion then moves at the pace of the power chair.

I get aggravated. My wife takes the view that we'll be in that chair at some point. I think not. I think I will recognize when I have become a burden to people around me.

Great report.

We have young children but are a middle-aged couple. I can relate. Most of the people with kids our kids age are in their mid 30's.

Cruises are one of those things I am not sure if I would like or not. I have heard the food can be very good, and that is kind of exciting for me. I like to try different foods, and that could be good. Of course, I like to travel. I just don't know if I would like doing it with 5000 of my not-so-best friends.

What was really strange is I saw a mountain of fairly young people in power wheelchairs. A lot of sub-30-year-olds, mountains of 40–50-year-olds. Almost every couple 60-80 had at least 1 or 2.

I think the younger folks were doing it so they didn't have to walk. It is a massive place. We logged over 40 miles in 4 days.

I also noticed that people in Orlando were massively fatter than people in California. Kids were fat, older people were fat and for sure all the Gen Z, Millennials and even my own X Gens were fat.

Of course, everyone was way fatter than Paris.

In California, you see overweight people, but it isn't the most common life form.

I saw one set of bolt on tits, in California this was common. Sadly not common on this trip.

But I saw 5-8 transvestites a day in California, only saw one in Orlando and it was a guest.

There are give and takes.

Whew, I dodged the disney thing.
My daughter was into horseback riding, fishing and hunting growing up.
I could not have even put on the pretense I wanted to be there, so my wife would have had to take her alone. I don't do crowds of more than 5 people I dont know.

We were there 9/10-9/15, we may have walked past each other. Wife is a huge Disney fan and we have a timeshare, staying at Bay Lake Tower next to Contemporary.
Hot it certainly was, when storms are around I keep an eye on the phone showing weather radar. The thunderstorm in background with fireworks close was great.
Was there in 2017 for hurricane Irma, went on propose. Contemporary Resort is worlds nicest storm shelter, locked in for 48 hours. Big party.

We were there the same dates.

We landed on the 1600 flight from San Antonio on Sunday and flew out on the 0600 flight to Denver on Friday on Southwest.

Trip was ok, given my choice I wouldn't go again. But I have 3 daughters so I know that is highly unlikley.

I could be standing in line talking with another AR member and not know it as I don’t know what anyone looks like.
Maybe make a connection if on Jungle cruise and say "reminds me on the side channels of the Zambezi.
Few times does a conversation on double rifles starts spontaneously in "real world ".

BWW:

That is very good of you to try to make a good experience for your daughters.

I tried and tried to talk my wife out of it, about ten years back. Of course, she
won and we took my three sons. They did not like it. Terrible food, long lines and
worse, Southern California.

I went back in the 70's, when I was a kid. I cannot remember much, but I didn't like it then.

With that said, I will probably not be able to say no to a Grandaughter. I will send her with my wife

It is common at Disney/Epcot for a family member to request a wheelchair or electric power chair. This allows them to skirt the long lines and use the handicapped entrances.

quote:

Originally posted by Kensco:
I went to Disneyland a handful of times when I was a kid. I thought it was magical at first. I never took my kids and will never take my grandkids. I feel the same way about Six Flags.

"The number of adults in power chairs was mind-numbing. For the most part they were ok, but it gets to be a trip hazard." I find that same problem with cruises. You have old, infirm, people that can't get on and off a boat of any kind. They sign-up for excursions that they are totally unfit physically to complete. The whole excursion then moves at the pace of the power chair.

I get aggravated. My wife takes the view that we'll be in that chair at some point. I think not. I think I will recognize when I have become a burden to people around me.

Great report.

quote:

Originally posted by Jason P:
BWW:

That is very good of you to try to make a good experience for your daughters.

I tried and tried to talk my wife out of it, about ten years back. Of course, she
won and we took my three sons. They did not like it. Terrible food, long lines and
worse, Southern California.

I went back in the 70's, when I was a kid. I cannot remember much, but I didn't like it then.

With that said, I will probably not be able to say no to a Grandaughter. I will send her with my wife

My wife's dream is to move to Orlando and have an annual pass.

My dream is to never move to anywhere outside of the Rocky Mountains.

Someone is going to get their dream, and someone else is not.

I don't think my kids like it as much as my wife does. They don't talk about Disney, they talk about the summer camp they went to this year. We were at Disney and they were talking about summer camp.

I think my wife is in love with the idea of Disney and not so much the execution.

As far as the wheelchairs now. That used to be the case that if you had a wheelchair you could go to a different line. That is no longer the case. You have to have an approved disability with Disney and be registered and it will be in your phone application.

quote:

Originally posted by Big Wonderful Wyoming:

quote:

Originally posted by Jason P:
BWW:

That is very good of you to try to make a good experience for your daughters.

I tried and tried to talk my wife out of it, about ten years back. Of course, she
won and we took my three sons. They did not like it. Terrible food, long lines and
worse, Southern California.

I went back in the 70's, when I was a kid. I cannot remember much, but I didn't like it then.

With that said, I will probably not be able to say no to a Grandaughter. I will send her with my wife

My wife's dream is to move to Orlando and have an annual pass.

My dream is to never move to anywhere outside of the Rocky Mountains.

Someone is going to get their dream, and someone else is not.

I don't think my kids like it as much as my wife does. They don't talk about Disney, they talk about the summer camp they went to this year. We were at Disney and they were talking about summer camp.

I think my wife is in love with the idea of Disney and not so much the execution.

As far as the wheelchairs now. That used to be the case that if you had a wheelchair you could go to a different line. That is no longer the case. You have to have an approved disability with Disney and be registered and it will be in your phone application.

I hope that your dream is the one that is chosen!

#1 - You do not want to move to Orlando!
#2 - Disney/Epcot is just a passing fancy for kids. Once they reach 10 years they are occupied with other things.
#3 - Disability passes are a dime a dozen, just like service dogs in hotels. Check the box and you are in.
#4 - Moving there with the thought of entertaining grandchildren is folly. Much like buying a big house with extra bedrooms for the grandkids when they visit(never). Or building a pool too.
#5 - My advice is to rent a beach house in a SE coastal beach area (Myrtle Beach, SC or Gulf Coast) and enjoy the kids there.

 

quote:

Originally posted by Jason P:

quote:

Originally posted by Big Wonderful Wyoming:

quote:

Originally posted by Jason P:
BWW:

That is very good of you to try to make a good experience for your daughters.

I tried and tried to talk my wife out of it, about ten years back. Of course, she
won and we took my three sons. They did not like it. Terrible food, long lines and
worse, Southern California.

I went back in the 70's, when I was a kid. I cannot remember much, but I didn't like it then.

With that said, I will probably not be able to say no to a Grandaughter. I will send her with my wife

My wife's dream is to move to Orlando and have an annual pass.

My dream is to never move to anywhere outside of the Rocky Mountains.

Someone is going to get their dream, and someone else is not.

I don't think my kids like it as much as my wife does. They don't talk about Disney, they talk about the summer camp they went to this year. We were at Disney and they were talking about summer camp.

I think my wife is in love with the idea of Disney and not so much the execution.

As far as the wheelchairs now. That used to be the case that if you had a wheelchair you could go to a different line. That is no longer the case. You have to have an approved disability with Disney and be registered and it will be in your phone application.

I hope that your dream is the one that is chosen!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Bobster:
#1 - You do not want to move to Orlando!
#2 - Disney/Epcot is just a passing fancy for kids. Once they reach 10 years they are occupied with other things.
#3 - Disability passes are a dime a dozen, just like service dogs in hotels. Check the box and you are in.
#4 - Moving there with the thought of entertaining grandchildren is folly. Much like buying a big house with extra bedrooms for the grandkids when they visit(never). Or building a pool too.
#5 - My advice is to rent a beach house in a SE coastal beach area (Myrtle Beach, SC or Gulf Coast) and enjoy the kids there.


This may sound like a dick move for someone that has been married for 13 years. But I would rather not be married that live in the SE.

Going to the beach is horrible, and not for me. Any beach.

I like the mountains, I like the deserts, I like the Far north (Alaska, Canada, upper midwest, Northern Rockies) and the lakes.

I like hunting in Africa and in Europe, I'd probably like hunting in Alaska and Canada if I could afford it.

I don't see any attraction for me in the SE.

Hot, fried food, not sure what else there is.

Disney was ok for a week. I will never live there.