Disney World vacations can be a LOT of fun, but they’re not all magic and pixie dust.
Cinderella Castle
There’s definitely a few changes Disney can make to improve the theme park experience — but that’s not all. Between long lines, the heat, and crowds, sometimes you’ve just had ENOUGH. So we asked our DFB readers: when have they almost given up in Disney World? Here’s what they said.
Rude Guests
Picture this: it’s a hot day in Disney World. The lines are long and, especially pre-COVID, the crowds are almost impossible to navigate. Naturally, people are gonna get cranky and take it out on strangers. Or sometimes, you may run into another guest that’s just plain unpleasant.
EPCOT Crowds in 2020
Guys, there were TONS of these comments. One reader told us about a lady that wanted to “hit our 4-year-old with her scooter” for being in the way. WHAT?! And you all had LOTS to say about filling in all the rows at Fantasmic!. Seems like that show used to put us all a little too close for comfort.
Fantasmic!
At least with Disney’s new safety procedures, we don’t get quite as close to strangers anymore.
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Your Own Family
Yup, we said it. While we’re on the subject of people arguing…a long family Disney trip usually has a meltdown of SOME kind. And boy did you guys have meltdowns to share! Readers told us about friends who “fought like siblings,” mothers-in-law who didn’t stick with the plan, and spouses who’d given up by 9:30AM (Yes, that’s less than an hour after the park opened. We get it — sometimes it’s just one of those days.).
EPCOT
Yikes. Sometimes it really is your own family, isn’t it?
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Losing a Good View
Okay, this one was RELATABLE, especially in those pre-COVID days where we had parades and nighttime spectaculars galore. Plenty of you had stories to share about waiting hours for that perfect view of Festival of Fantasy or Happily Ever After, only for someone to cut in last minute right. in. front of you.
Festival of Fantasy Parade
One reader talks about a guy who put his kid on his shoulders right in front of the reader’s 9-year-old (poor kid). Then, the guy “starts moving around to keep his kid amused and elbows me in the head!” Yeah, we’d be just about done after that, too.
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The Heat
The weather can be BRUTAL in Orlando — just ask our readers! And when you’re already havin’ a rough day, the heat can be the cherry on top that makes a day at Disney a STRUGGLE. One reader cited Hollywood Studios in particular, saying “that place needs some shade.” Surely a couple more palm trees wouldn’t ruin the theming of Sunset Blvd?!
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Yeah, take that picture and then place yourself in it in 90-plus degree heat. Ouch.
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When Rides Go Down
Most of us know the pain of running to ride our favorite Disney attraction only to realize it’s temporarily closed. But let’s take that up a notch, because many of our readers have gotten STUCK on Disney rides…for a really long time.
It’s a Small World
One reader wrote about getting stuck on “it’s a small world” — and he remembers it vividly even though it happened 23 YEARS ago. He says “For nearly 30 minutes, we did not move and I was sitting next to that speaker and being subjected to that song over and over and over and…” Well, you get the point.
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Not Getting a Rise of the Resistance Boarding Group
One reader researched tips and tricks for months on how to snag a boarding group for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and then didn’t get it on her one day in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. She says, “Your family looks at you with big eyes…it’s very disheartening knowing that’s it.”
Rise of the Resistance
If you’ve been in this position before (and trust us, we have to), it can be really upsetting. But sometimes, no matter how much you’ve prepared, it comes down to luck and timing!
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Kids
Yes, your own kids. We love ’em, but sometimes they can be a LOT. They can have total meltdowns, fight with each other, or cry about EPCOT’s macarons not being perfectly stacked (yup, that happened).
Splash Mountain
Our favorite story? “Santa” gave some kids a trip to Disney World, but in a moment of anger, the parent blurted out “Do you know how much this trip cost us?” To which the wise-cracking 5-year-old replied, “NOTHING! Santa bought it for us!” Ah, good ol’ kids.
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Technology
Between Park Pass reservations, the My Disney Experience app, and Mobile Order, there can be a LOT of new tech to learn for your Disney trip. And if you haven’t quite gotten the hang of it, it can be overwhelming! One reader wrote that he almost gave up because he felt like a personal assistant to his family. Or, as he noted, all the time on his phone “drained my battery (along with my will to live).”
Mobile Order Signs
And with Disney putting emphasis on touch-free experiences, we’re relying more on our phones than ever. Just keep in mind, if you’re ever struggling with those features, ask a Cast Member for help! They’ll be happy to assist.
Our Tips for Making the Most Out of Disney’s Mobile Order!
Long Lines
This one kinda goes with crowds, but the lines can get SO unbearable they deserve their own spotlight. Many of you lamented spending so much time waiting with tired feet and sore legs. One reader mentioned the particular pain of thinking “you are almost getting to the front of the queue and find you’re just getting inside the building…with another hour of wait time.” Yikes.
Frozen Ever After Line
People, we FEEL you. These lines can be a lot. And without Fastpasses, we’ve just gotta grin and bear it — or spend all day trying food instead. We’re total advocates of that, too.
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We found that all of these hit close to home for us — seems like a lot of these Disney frustrations are universal! We’re just keepin’ it real with you guys. But don’t worry. These are just small moments that are hopefully part of a bigger and better trip overall. As always, stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney news and tips, so you can have fewer times like the ones mentioned above.
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What’s a time you wanted to give up at Disney? Let us know in the comments!
The post 9 Times We Almost Gave Up in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog.