You don’t need us to tell ya that Disney World has some hardcore fans.
And those fans tend to have an unspoken list of classic rides, top eats, and popular opinions that are generally undisputed. That’s just how it goes! But what if you DON’T agree? Well, we may be right there with you! Here are 10 things Disney fans are too afraid to say…but a lot of ‘em may be thinking it.
“I love Universal!”
Just a little ways down the road from Disney World is (brace yourselves, guys) ANOTHER theme park! GASP! SHOCK! LOL OK so Orlando and the central Florida area is actually home to a TON of theme parks NOT “all started by a mouse.” The BIGGEST of them though is Universal Orlando, which has a committed group of fans itself. But for some reason, people tend to be one-or-the-other…and most Disney fans don’t show their love for Universal loud and proud.
But hey — we get it! We may be ALL about Disney here at DFB, but we can appreciate that Universal has some pretty amazing rides (and can we just talk about all the Harry Potter snacks?!). Universal has a faaaantastic Halloween event in Halloween Horror Nights (basically is Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween party was more for the adult set and REALLY scary!) as well as fun Christmas festivities, Mardi Gras celebrations, and more.
Plus: HARRY. POTTER. Y’all, we love us a Disney-themed land, but The Wizarding World of Harry Potter SLAPS. You can also stroll around Springfield with the Simpsons, escape dinosaurs in Jurassic Park, train with Minions, and more! Sure it’s not Disney Princesses, but it’s still really FUN.
Oh and if you like thrill rides? Yeah, they have a lot of those too. Universal definitely embraced the thrill rides/roller coasters a bit harder than Disney World initially, so if you’re looking for more ways to get your adrenaline pumping, they gotchu.
So if you enjoy ‘em both, don’t sweat it. There’s enough love to go around!
Read the Latest from Universal Orlando!
“I’m Not a Fan of [Insert Popular Ride Here]”
Like we mentioned, Disney fans have a list of rides that are just so good. We’re talking Flight of Passage, Rise of the Resistance, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train…you get the point.
And sometimes, you may not agree! AND THAT’S OK! Maybe you don’t get all the fuss about Flight of Passage, or you’d never wait an hour+ for Seven Dwarfs which, let’s face it, is pretty similar to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
What if you don’t really care about or love the new hotness of the moment? In Disney World right now, that would likely be Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in EPCOT or Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and its flagship ride, Rise of the Resistance. Maybe you DON’T care about waiting in a looooong line to ride or you do and are left…underwhelmed. It’s OK — you may not be the majority but you’re definitely not alone.
Maybe you love some of Disney’s more underrated rides instead — or maybe you’re a food-and-characters kinda person, and you skip most attractions altogether. Hall of President fans, you’re just as heard as those who love the biggest newest rides! That’s cool, too!
Learn More About an Underrated Disney World Ride!
“Disney Is Too Expensive”
Let’s face it: we’ve been seeing price increase after price increase in Disney World lately. The lightsaber experience in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, ice cream at L’Artisan des Glaces in EPCOT — even your MagicBand — have recently been hiked up in cost.
When you combine park tickets, a hotel room, flights, meals, and more, your expenses can really add up. Sometimes, a trip is just not in someone’s budget — or if it is, they find themselves skipping those “extra” paid experiences.
If you’re a BIG Disney fan, it can sometimes feel like you’re not allowed to complain prices are too high. “You can’t put a price on magic.” Right? Wrong! (You can put a price. –and it’s likely THOUSANDS of dollars!) Just because you really love Disney World and have visited dozens of times (or just once or even never at all!) doesn’t mean you need to cash out your savings or start selling off grandma’s jewelry to force your way into affording a trip.
And that nearly 5 dollar bottle of water, 12 dollar hot dog, or 70 dollar shirt? Yeah, they ARE expensive. Disney World does not equal the real world in both good ways and bad. The inflated prices are definitely one of the frustrating ones. You’re allowed to not like the prices you have to pay.
If you ARE looking for ways to save on your Disney vacation, we’ve got plenty of budgeting tips for you right here! And don’t forget to keep an eye out for the latest deals and discounts. You could save big on hotel rooms, tickets, and more.
Check Out the Latest Disney Deals and Discounts!
“Harry Potter Is Better Than Star Wars”
Ah, the epic battle of Harry Potter vs. Star Wars. Both of these franchises have themed lands in major theme parks (yup, we’re back to Disney vs. Universal), so they often get pitted against each other.
Since Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is in Disney, a lot of Disney fans may feel pressured to pick that over Harry Potter. But come on — we’ve already talked about how great The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is. Rep your house colors and, if ya want, take a break from Disney to visit Hogsmeade. Trust us: your Disney cred will still be in good shape. There’s plenty of room on the fan bus for all franchises — Disney-owned or not!
Here’s What Would Have Happened if Disney Owned Harry Potter!
“I Love the Disney IP Rides That Replaced the Oldies”
Now, THIS is an age-old debate. Remember when Frozen Ever After replaced Maelstrom in EPCOT and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway replaced The Great Movie Ride in Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Those are classic examples of rides inspired by Disney intellectual property (IP) replacing the old-but-good icons.
A lot of Disney fans are upset that non-IP rides (think Expedition Everest, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion) are becoming few and far between in the parks, and that Disney’s franchises are popping up everywhere. But others may have a counterargument: those IP rides keep things current and more relatable for younger visitors.
This is one you likely have an opinion on one way or another (but remember, you’re also still allowed to like a ride if it’s original or based on an IP!). No matter which side you’re on, you’re sure to have people agreeing — and disagreeing! — with you.
Do YOU Remember When These Disney World Rides Changed?
“Dole Whips Are Overrated”
You could insert just about any popular snack here and the reaction would be the same, but we’ll use Dole Whips as an example. They’re a quintessential Disney snack — and they’re so popular that Disney is constantly rolling out new flavors!
Now, the Dole Whip fandom is strong (and yup, we’re a part of it). So a Disney fan might feel a little uncomfy saying that Dole Whips just aren’t their jam. But everyone has their own taste, and maybe frosty, fruity treats aren’t your favorite.
Luckily, Disney has a bajillion different snacks throughout the parks. You’re bound to find something you like!
Check Out Some Dole Whip Flavors You NEED to Try!
“Magic Kingdom Is the Worst Park”
Magic Kingdom is Disney’s flagship park — but not everyone’s a fan! Sure, some people aren’t into the rides or prefer the theming of other parks more…but one big group has a pretty united argument.
If you’re driving to Magic Kingdom, you need to park at the Transportation and Ticket Center (that’s the TTC, for those “in the know”) and take the monorail, bus, or ferry boat to the park entrance. And trust us: that can be a pain. Especially at the end of the day, when you’re tired and everyone is trying to leave at once!
You park. Then you walk for basically 80 miles to the TTC (we kid, but also…it’s not exactly close!). Then you have to go through security. Then you have to pick a transportation and wait. Then you ride said transport to the Magic Kingdom. THEN and only then are you actually AT the park! It can take a long time coming and going. The love for Magic Kingdom is REAL, but guys, the Transportation and Ticket Center is many people’s kryptonite. And we can totally understand why!
Check Out Our Complete Guide to Disney World Transportation!
“Animal Kingdom Is the Best Park”
On the flip side, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is one of the more underrated parks in Disney World. Besides Flight of Passage, there really aren’t any attractions here that have people lining up for hours.
But the food is AMAZING, the animals are fun to watch, and sometimes, it’s just plain relaxing! For those reasons and more, many people would pick Animal Kingdom as their #1…but they may not say it. But here at DFB, we think you could justify why ANY of the parks is your favorite — or why any of them is your least favorite. We have team members who are ride-or-die for EPCOT…or Animal Kingdom…or really any of them! Everyone is unique and their favorite park will be too. They all have their pros and cons!
Do YOU Know These Fun Facts About Animal Kingdom?
“The New Technology Is Too Much”
Recently, Disney has been advancing their in-park technology like CRAZY. We’ve seen the rise of Mobile Order, MagicMobile, virtual queues, and the Park Pass reservation system — not to mention smaller changes like facial recognition testing and Mobile Dine Check-In. And now, coming soon, interactive MagicBands!
If you’re not into using your phone in the parks, you may not be a fan of all these changes. After all, you’re pretty much dependent on the My Disney Experience app nowadays! You’re on vacation and maybe the last thing you want to do is find yourself constantly messing with your phone. And while many people enjoy how everything is now in the palm of their hand, others wish things would just go back to the good ol’ days.
If you’re in that second crew, you can opt out of some of this new technology. Go for a Key to the World Card or MagicBand instead of MagicMobile. When facial recognition technology was a thing, you could skip it. Sure paper FastPasses have gone the way of the dodo. And if you’re still missing old ticket books to ride attractions, we’re sure many others out there are in your camp. But the times they are a’changing, so we recommend at least keeping up with the latest tech news in the parks so you know what to expect (and what you can skip!). Keep an eye out for ways to go tech-free!
Read More About the New Technology in Disney World!
“The EPCOT Rides Aren’t That Great”
Last but not least, we’re revisiting those popular rides…but with a twist. Many of us can probably accept that a lot of EPCOT’s rides are not absolute must-dos. And yet there’s a HUGE, dedicated fan club for Journey Into Imagination with Figment, Living with the Land, and Spaceship Earth.
And yes, we love these rides, too. They’re relaxing and nostalgic — not to mention, they’re a great chance to kick back in the AC! But a lot of people just don’t get what the hype is all about…and yet they don’t wanna be the ones to say it.
If you’re not a fan of the EPCOT rides, that’s a-okay! Perhaps you weren’t there in the 80s to witness the heyday of EPCOT Center magic. OR maybe you were and you still just don’t get why people are SO PASSIONATE about a ride centered on transportation. Or energy. Or the country of Norway. (EPCOT in the 80s and 90s was a WILD ride, y’all! ) Eat the food, wander around the World Showcase, and check out the Festival activities. PLUS, with the addition of some newer rides like Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and, soon, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, there’s going to be a healthy amount of newer, flashier rides to enjoy. There’s plenty more to love about this park!
Did YOU Know These 25 EPCOT Secrets?
Well, there ya have it! Do YOU agree with any of these opinions? Any we missed?! Let us know in the comments! Don’t worry — we won’t judge. This is a safe space! And stay tuned to DFB for more Disney news!
Check Out Some Unpopular Disney World Opinions!
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