I never went to Disney as a kid. Neither did DH. The first time we went was with our 8, 5, and 1 yo kids. We ALL loved it. I remember saying ”it really is a magical place” more than once. Clean, well organized, and I was just as excited as the kids to see Goofy and Mickey ”in person”. Since DD was too young to remember trip #1, we went again maybe 3 years later. Still fun…except that two out of three kids got a stomach bug. It was awful…calling Housekeeping in the middle of the night for more sheets and towels, etc. DD ended up watching TV in the hotel room with me for two days, and we were only there for 4 days. DS didn’t get sick until the end, which made for an fun flight home, not. Anyway, to make up for that debacle, I took DD back for a long weekend on her 7th birthday, which was so fun. She was still young enough to be excited about the princesses and got her hair done at the Castle.

That’s the extent of our family WDW experience, but DD did have a gymnastics meet at the ESPN center down there in high school, so she and I got to go again, and spent an extra day or two at WDW. Still fun!

I want to go again. Would definitely like to be one of those grandparents that take the grandkids — if I have any while I can still walk unassisted.

A childless couple that I know has been traveling extensively the last 5 years. They have a Florida 2nd home and take visiting family members to Disney. They went to both Euro Disney and Japan Disney— not at all what I would do in those locations.

I was at Disneyworld for a conference when the oldest two were toddlers, and we went as a family. It was fine but I don't get the hype. And we stayed at the fanciest place but it did not seem so fancy. Very overpriced and just felt like being part of a huge factory. Really mediocre food too, even at the "gourmet" choices.

When we did Disneyaland, we stayed off park and that was a better idea. We only did one day. They were middle and high schoolers when we went. We did the VIP thing, which was nice but they rip your eyeballs out. It was several thousand dollars, and only 5 of us. And that did not include tickets. None of remember much about it expect the Cars the movie ride, a big thumbs up.

The thing about these places for me is they create beauty and interest, but it is all fake. I'd rather see beautiful and interesting things that came about organically over time. Rides of all kinds leave me cold.

Never went to Disneyland as a child - being the youngest of 4 with a 12 yr age gap oldest to me, it would have been difficult for my parents to schedule and please all. Never had the interest or the financial means when my kids were young to go to Disney World. Still have no interest to take my grands but they will probably go to Disneyland at some point with their other grandparents who reside in southern CA - I will whisper a 'thank you' to my consuegros for taking that off my plate!

I never went to Disney as a child, and though my grandchildren have gone, it has not been with us. We'd rather spend our money taking them to real places, with non-fantasy experiences. (Or maybe that's just an excuse because I really don't want to go.)

I have been there only as part of work trips (one of the owners of my company was enamored with the place and liked to host big company events there), but my experience was mostly with the Disney hotels, not the parks themselves. I found the hotels depressing, like the waitstaff telling me after breakfast to "have a magical day." I just can't with that stuff.

I've been to DL twice, DW 4 times and Tokyo Disney 3 times. None of the visits initiated by me! I wouldn't care if I never went again.

"have a magical day."

🤢

I have been to Disneyland once, as a child, WDW as a teen, and WDW three times as an adult. Once as part of a conference, and twice as a middle-school chaperone. I enjoyed every time.

But I also enjoy being thrilled at haunted houses, wrapped up in Renaissance Faires, etc. I’m not into cosplay, but I like getting into the spirit of fantasy like Disney. I worked at a theme park for three summers, and enjoyed that (for the most part).

My travel goals are the same. I don’t want to see the important sites, I want to stay and immerse myself, see what it would be like to be part of life there.

I've never been other than walking in and out to a theater at the one in Florida for a business event. The closest I got to Disney as a kid was View Master's Disney reels. I thought that was great and I'm sure I viewed them a hundred times if not more. The thought of actually going there never crossed my mind since we never took family vacations. As an adult I'm not into fake, contrived places like Disney.

I first went to Disney in college. My mother took my sister's family and mine when our kids were 2, 4, and 6. My DH had just finished treatment for CA at a young age and the trip was we are making memories because we don't know what tomorrow brings kind of trip.

We went back roughly every 5 years, the last centered around a national volleyball tourney. It has been 15 years since we have been there.

We are taking our family mid September. The twins are close to 3, making them free. (Not, haha! ) We are doing things differently than we did when we went when the kids were younger. I am looking at this as our farewell tour, thinking I may not go again and I get to enjoy watching the thrill of the grands seeing the characters for the firt time.

I appreciate looking for the disney detail in the smallest things.

It seems to me the key may be the reaction of one's kids. If they find it magical, so might the parent.

My parents took me to WDW in the early to mid 1970s. I was pretty young. My boys never really expressed a desire to go, so we didn’t. It’s not really my thing.

My parents took my brother and me to Disneyland when I was five. My now-grown son went a few times to Disneyland-once with us and, I think, twice or so with very close friends of ours who have three sons-when they were all younger. They all liked the rides and weren’t into the characters at all. As far as Disney World goes, we’ve never been-and have never taken our son, as he just was never into Disney characters, thank goodness. He mostly wanted to play sports and do outdoor activities like fishing, hunting, etc., The same goes for video games-he really never even got that into playing Xbox or whatever, except for NBA or NFL football video games-but he was never on them for hours and hours. Girls, I'm sure are quite different and feel otherwise about Disney World.

.We went to WDW shortly after it opened in the early 1970s because my dad had a conference there. I grew up in the snow belt in a very middle class family, as evidenced by the fact that we drove for three days to get there! So, to my elementary-school-aged brother and me, the Polynesian felt like the height of luxury.

It made such a big impression that I've probably been back 20 times. With friends, with family, and later with our own kids.

My parents took my brother and I when we were children. (Driving to Anaheim was a slog to this child.) Somethings I found interesting, others less so. My father was always critical of what he felt was Disney’s manipulation exploitation of children by their advertising to see, visit, buy. There was parental complaining about prices for food and drink, and exploiting a captive audience. And then the massive parking lot and the long drive back home.

Went as a teen with a group of girlfriends and a college age chaperone - had a blast, but more for being out without parents and staying away overnight.

Was forced to go as a young adult with inlaws - father-in-law’s company event - and swore that I’d never go again. We fought Friday afternoon/evening traffic on a couple of freeways, and then stood in a long line to drive on a miniature freeway. Absolute madness. I’ve never been back.

An afternoon exploring tide pools, hiking a canyon trail, visiting a museum are all infinitely more rewarding than anything that Disney has to offer.

An afternoon exploring tide pools, hiking a canyon trail, visiting a museum are all infinitely more rewarding than anything that Disney has to offer.

I could not agree more but accept that others may feel differently and that's what makes the world go 'round.

That's true, but on a thread entitled love/hate Disney, I think it's fine to express one's opinion.

Well, I wouldn’t take allll my vacations to Disney, but I am surprised at all the Disney party poopers!

My family has been on a few Disney trips and a zillion others including plenty that don’t involve costumed characters and rides. But I would still go back to WDW once more.

We had friends (in Boston) who went every single year. That, IMO, is a bit much!

I had a former administrative assistant-- a single mom that went multiple times a year with her daughter. Even when her daughter went off to college, it was the only place they'd ever been on vacation. This woman was well into her 50's and she was Disney everything. She worked for me and the owner of the company, and he made me tell her that it was not appropriate to wear Mickey Mouse attire to work.

LOL, sas.

I also went to WDW in the 70s for my first time ... it was right after the polynesian was built (maybe a year?) and the contemporary was brand spanking new. I was a tween at the time and I thought it was grand! I dont remember the rides so much but I remember how interconnected the park and resorts were. I loved it.

I have been a few times since -- each time as an adult and never with young ones. The last time was to join my parents who were attending an LPGA event nearby. I had great fun with my parents.

I doubt I will go again but my times there were definitely fun and memorable. I wouldnt compare it to other trips unless I was deciding between two. I also wouldnt compare NYC to the Grand Canyon either unless I was deciding between the two. They are just too different trips with diff personalities and activities.

All of us who went to WDW it's opening years should have a reunion there! We stayed at the Contemporary which was awesome, even though they were still getting the kinks out. We loved being able to get on the monorail IN THE LOBBY and go to the park. It stopped at the Polynesian which this teen found so exotic, "Dad, why can't we stay HERE?"

As an adult, it really is nicer to walk around, go on relaxing rides and shows, enjoy a meal. But what I really love is the experiences for school music departments. I know they are run by outside companies but Disney is involved, and as chaperones we saw beautiful things that brought tears to our eyes and tugged at our hearts. That's the Disney magic.

The Polynesian is where my kids caught the stomach bug — on the ”concierge floor” where they had buffets (if I’m remembering correctly, they had breakfast and some happy hour snacks). We found out that several people on the same floor got the same bug, which turned me off buffets for quite a while.

Bpath, we stayed in the Contemporary also -- but we did swim at the Polynesian. As I remember, we hung out all over the place.

Also FWIW none of us were into Disney characters and without kids, that just wasnt part of the experience. I am sure it would be different if they were younger. Also, it isnt just the princesses anymore -- there is Harry Potter and Starwars and I am sure a host of other things exciting to the younger folks.

I went to DL for the first time as a young adult. Coming from a background where we spent summers at our local Six Flags park, I found DL to be underwhelming. However, once I lived in California with small children, an annual pass was awesome. We could take the kids for a few hours at a time on a weekday or even just go for dinner and the parade and fireworks. It was a clean, relatively safe place and the children loved it. I've never been to WDW, but I would have liked to explore Epcot when it first opened.

Epcot was our least favorite park. However, we live in Huntsville AL, and it is it's own world showcase! I do not think that there is a type of food that does not have at least one restaurant, ditto shops,

We have only been to WDW, when it first opened, with kids, after kids just us, and with grandkids and their parents.

Best hints.

1. Stay in the resort hotels or Fort Wilderness, best! You get lots of perks and do not fight traffic. Yes, it is expensive, but worth it.

2. Do Disney only, do not try to do anything else.

3. Have the money to spend. This is not the time to budget.

4. Do not try to follow a schedule. Pop from side to side of a park or in and out of a park. We would go in the summer and go into a park early, hit the most popular rides, then back to a water park until it cooled off. Then back until they closed.

5. I found the sit down restaurant food to be fantastic. The fast food not so much.

Added note. Oldest grandson is highly allergic to dairy, fish, and nuts. The chef would come to our table and discuss the menu, bring a great meal to the table, and he had not one problem for ten days!

I went to DL when I was a child with the family. We never went back. Daddy was a BTDT vacationer and he never wanted to repeat himself. WDW: once for stepson’s 12th b’day; once for DD’s 4th b’day; several more times with DD because DH had business meetings.

Took the grands on a Disney cruise just after DGD1 was hospitalized for a month and we didn’t know what life would bring next. The grands were very lukewarm about the cruise and have never mentioned wanting to do another Disney cruise, although they all like cruising a lot.

Last year we were all in SoCal for a wedding. The other grandparents* took them on a VIP tour of Universal (I opted out - sounds like my idea of hell). They liked it but haven’t been begging to go back.

Next year, the plan is Legoland and Lego House in Denmark. I’m stoked about going to Lego House!

@DLM2000-GW, love the term “consuegros”! Wish English had an equivalent.

@bbstx it's a great word for tying up loose ends - I would have said machatunim for a different audience but figured that would have flown over here! ;-)

I grew up where, at the time, Disneyland was little more than 30 minutes away. I was there the month it opened (quite small compared to now and surrounded by orange groves). And went repeatedly through my youth and into college years. I never tired of it, it was different and fun.

We were living in the Bay Area when our kids came along but we continued to visit down there for family and friends and often would have family days at Disneyland. That waned for them and for us as they entered teen years. I think I've been back just a few times since then, with grandkids.

One of my daughters is still smitten with Disney and goes whenever she can. I know two adult couples, both long since empty nesters, who have annual passes and go more often than you can imagine.

It's incredibly expensive now. It's true of so many entertainment alternatives - been to an NFL or NBA or World Cup game lately? It is what it is, people save their money to do what they want. It's all in good fun. Without Disney setting an example, I wonder how many of the dozens of other upscale, clean and well run entertainment properties that exist today would be around.

We went with our boys every other year when they were in grade school; a day and night at Disneyland, and a day at Knott's Berry. We took them out of school in mid-or late May, so beat the crowds and heat. It was on my bucket list to do one more time, but no more. From what I read, you live on your phone with an app to schedule most everything-no thanks. One of my sons has gone to the Florida park a couple of times with his family, and just hates it. He said it's just SO BIG, and overwhelming. He said if they go again, it's Anaheim Disneyland or nothing.

Great participation on this subject. It goes to show it truly is a destination many choose. To each their own!!

As a kid, I watched Mickey Mouse Club ( the original) every day after school. My younger brother had a crush on Annette. We begged to go the Disneyland but my parents werent about to fly across the country to go to an amusement park.

We took our kids to Disney World when they were the right age to enjoy it and we had a ball. You just have to check your sophistication at the door! The creativity was wonderful. The frozen pina coladas were delicious.

Id go back as an adult, which I actually did, twice, although the trips werent really planned vacations.

DLM, we heard ”machatunim” on Jeopardy today. And now here! It was new to me, but now I bet I will hear it more. Thanks!

@Sueb20, at the GTG remind me to tell you about our food poisoning in Phuket! I think ours also originated from a buffet ... DH disagrees! I was the only one who didn't get it.

My sister was married in a beautiful historic area outside of Orlando when my kids were in elementary school. We tacked on a trip to Disney afterward. My youngest became sick toward the end of the trip--he was miserable. A few years later, we visited Epcot, which we enjoyed, but my kids weren't enthralled and never asked to go back. To me, it was just something to check off the list.

Sidenote: the only case of food poisoning I have had was in India back in the 90s. It took weeks of awful medication to resolve, and was followed by further health issues from the medication itself. I developed a "superinfection," which took a while to figure out and resolve. I wouldn't wish that experience on my worst enemy.

I was 13 or maybe already 14 when I visited Disneyland with my parents and 2 younger brothers in 1960. My Dad had a civic organization convention in LA so we tagged along. I’m glad i had the experience but have forgotten most of it. Fast forward to Disney World during Spring Break when we hosted a Foreign Exchange Student in the mid 80’s. We gave her the choice of Disney World or somewhere else in the Eastern part of the US (like Washington DC). She chose DW and i still think DD influenced her. DD was around 12. Ex-husband didn’t go for some work reason so i invited my parents to go. My Mom loved a good roller coaster ride, and apparently DD and I got that gene. We had so much fun. We did things at a pretty relaxed pace and I split up with the girls a few times while my parents rested or rode some of the boat, train, or more relaxed rides. DD loved it and I recall she went in high school with her HS band to a band competition in Orlando. They had a couple of days at DW and she was hooked.

The next (and last) 3 trips were with grandkids. The fun in all that when they are very young is just watching them enjoy the experiences. One dgd loved Goofy and the Toy Story characters. The boys loved the cars, pirates, etc and we all loved the Haunted House. Games for the kids centered around finding answers to clues in parts of Epcot kept them engaged and was fun. And roller coasters of course in every segment if the park. The last was when DGD #1 had just rurned 18 and she had a soccer tournament at the ESPN soccer fields. it was her birthday gift during the Christmas break madness. DGD was allowed to have one of her soccer friends stay with us after the tournaments were over. After about 3 days the crowds subsided quite a bit and we enjoyed the park much more.

Seeing how much things have changed, not for the better, has been interesting to think about although one could argue they might be more streamlined and efficient. I am not convinced as I think it is insanely expensive and the rules for how to obtain fast track lines complex and not very user friendly. I agree with whoever said the food is mediocre. That is being generous.

My preference is also a mountain hike, or touring a historical site of some sort, or a multitude of other things. But seeing the kids enjoy themselves and being able to be there and laugh right along with them has been worth it.

OutsidePlaying, that foreign exchange student is probably still talking about that trip today! But, yes, those days are gone, and experiences like that are much more expensive for the average family. It pains me to think of the credit card debt parents are racking up in order to give their kids a Disney experience.

My sister has raised her daughters outside of Orlando, and her daughters were never into princess themes. She jokes that she has saved millions.

In the Chicago area, our "Disney" equivalent is the Wisconsin Dells. My in-laws had a place north of the Dells, which we visited several times a year. We hoped our kids never noticed the Dells advertising billboards along the way. It's nothing more than a money pit.

We took our first 2 kids to DW when they were 5 and 3 and I was pregnant with our third. We wanted to get in a family vacation before starting over with a newborn. I think they really were a little too young to remember anything but they did have a good time.

Nothing bad to say about DW but our trip was miserable. We landed in a rainstorm and the airlines had us all standing under a tent. The suitcases were under another tent. By the time we got them and arrived at the hotel some of the clothes were damp where the rain went right though the zippers. The 3 year old developed an ear infection so DH took him to the hospital where a pathology resident in the ER mentioned to DH that he really wasn't used to looking at kid's ears. When DH told him that he was experienced the ER doc handed him the otoscope. It was cash or credit card up front - no insurance accepted.

The high school my kids attended still did Senior Trips to DW and 2 of mine went. From all reports they had a blast. Apparently the teachers did too.

DH had a conference in Orlando and I went and spent 2 days at DW. Unfortunately it was a few months after 9/11 and the park wasn't fully opened.

My brother and SIL took their DD and 2 grand daughters on the Disney cruise and loved it.

I offered to take my sons and their families to DW or on a Disney cruise and they're not interested.

Year before last, we rented a cabin in the Smoky Mountains for Fall Break. IIRC we were between Gatlinburg and Pidgeon Forge. Mostly, we did ”outdoorsy” things - playing in the stream in the backyard, hiking, etc. DD and DSIL decided we should go to Dollywood. I was skeptical. It turned out to be delightful. Very very clean;very well organized; manageable lines.

Loved going to Disneyland 30 years ago. We live local and had passes for years. The parks were not as crowded as now. We could easily just drop in for a couple of hours. A close friend's husband worked for Disney for years, both in the studios and the parks. One of his retirement benefits is admission to the parks for him and/or her, along with a couple of guests. Now I just visit the park a couple of times a year with her, primarily to see the seasonal decor, get a bite to eat and maybe take in a ride or two. The parks are usually crazy busy, not nearly as inviting as in the past, and it can be a hassle for her to get a reservation. I feel so sorry for these families that have paid a fortune for a day or two of the craziness. It has to be a stressful experience.

We went to Disney World when I was a kid for a day. We were driving home from Ft Lauderdale area to NJ so we stopped there. We were not impressed. Probably because it was like 200 degrees and humid and every single thing had a long line. We did not stay long if I remember correctly.

I took my DD when she was 5. Went with my DB, DSIL and their 2 kids. Nephew was 4, niece was under 2. All 3 kids loved it but my DD was terrified of the characters. I will never forget getting off the plane in Orlando and Mickey and Minnie meet you at the gate. Nephew and niece went running to them. My DD screamed her head off and hid behind me. My thought - great I just spent an ungodly amount of money and she's terrified! She did end up loving the parks as long as the characters didn't come near her. DB, DSIL and I enjoyed watching them have fun but man it was an exhausting week.

When my DS was of the ago to go I asked him if he wanted to. His response - absolutely not. I was never more relieved.

I have less than zero desire to go. I would go to watch my grandkids enjoy it, but DH and I would not spend all day every day in the parks. We'd spent a couple hours with them and them leave them to mom and dad while we go back to pool at the resort!

I do not understand adults that love the place and go without kids. I know several. You do you! I'll be on a cruise ;-)

We went for our 25th aniversary. It was fantastic, but we did stuff different from with kids.

It is different with little kids, middle kids, teens, and only adults.

If you try to do the same park with all ages, that is where you lose.

Disney is a hard no for me. I've never been there and never wanted to go. You couldn’t pay me to go. I just don't care for Disney. My kids have no interest in going either, though they do like amusement parks.

We took our kids to DW when they were young. What I remember most was the day when DH went off with DS1 and the camera and I was left with DS2 and no camera .A Disney staffer asked to borrow my son for a presentation. A troop dressed as soldiers of the American revolution presented DS2 with a scroll containing the Declaration of Independence. There was a huge crowd of spectators taking pictures of my son. Everyone had a camera except me! I didn't have the presence of mind to ask one of them to send me a copy of their picture.