When it comes to a vacation at Walt Disney World, most Disney fanatics find very little to complain about. After all, Disney World is the Most Magical Place on Earth and they make it their mission to provide a magical experience to each and every guest. When you’re vacationing at Disney World, what’s not to like? But when you think about it, that’s something to hate about Disney World right there. How dare they set us up to be disappointed in our non-magical real lives back home by providing over-the-top experiences, once-in-a-lifetime memories, and other hyphenated superlatives while we’re at the Disney Resort? With a nudge and a wink, here are some of the things we love to hate about Walt Disney World:
10. The Wake-Up Call
Waking up to the buzz or chimes of an alarm can be pretty jarring. Even waking up to your favorite song gets old after a while. Why can’t I get Disney wake up calls at my home? Starting the day with Olaf, Baymax, Stitch, or even Mickey Mouse himself encouraging me to get up and at ‘em would be awesome! Disney, are you listening?
9. The Rope Drop
How dare Disney set up the expectation that getting up early and getting my day started is a good thing! You know what happens when I get to work early? I start work early! If I have to get up and get ready early every day, then that day should start with a safari ride or a mine train ride at least! And there should be a warm cinnamon roll the size of my head waiting on the kitchen counter to start my day!
8. The Transportation
When even “getting there is part of the fun”, you forget how dreadfully boring transportation is back home. There’s no monorail station in my back yard and no ferry boat dock just down the block. There’s just me having to drive myself to work in rush hour traffic or to run errands. Or I can take the bus, but it’s rarely as colorful, clean, or filled with anticipation as a Disney bus is. And my bus driver is seldom inspired enough to burst into song. What I wouldn’t give to be warned to “manténgase alejado de las puertas” before heading to work!
7. Great Guest Service
Another reason to hate Disney World is for the unrealistic expectation it instills in us for every customer service interaction we have in our daily lives. Instead of having a pleasant, polite, smiling Cast Member ringing up our groceries, serving us at the bank, and handing us our fast food, we get a bunch of people who resemble Disney characters – specifically Sleepy, Sneezy, Grumpy, or Dopey. And where’s my “Have a magical day!” when the transaction is done?
6. The Cleanliness
I don’t know about you, but there’s no custodial department in my house with Cast Members jumping out to keep things clean or take care of spills mere moments after they happen. And I can’t remember the last time someone made a water art drawing of Mickey Mouse on my kitchen floor. Come to think of it, this may be the one I hate most about Disney!
5. The Landscaping
Meticulously maintained grass, neatly edged pathways and drives, and even shrubs expertly sculpted into Disney characters are par for the course all across the Disney resort. Which makes it that much more difficult to return home to an overgrown lawn, weeds poking up everywhere they shouldn’t, and bushes that most definitely do not resemble Dumbo. Is a little topiary in the front yard really so much to ask?
4. The Food
I can accept the fact that my kitchen will never have an endless toppings bar, though it would be amazing. And I suppose it’s unreasonable to hope that I could ever come downstairs to a Disney character buffet going on in my dining room, with a huge stack of those Mickey Mouse waffles waiting to be eaten and Goofy posing for a picture with me. But how is it possible that I can’t go to my local grocery store and at least get a Mickey’s Premium Ice Cream Bar? Or a Mickey Mouse pretzel? Or a giant smoked turkey leg? Or, Mickey help me, a Dole Whip Float? That’s just not right!
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3. Getting Along
Perhaps I’m more alone in this one than the others, but when my family travels to Disney World my children become Stepford kids. They cooperate, they make decisions together, and they get along. Really and truly get along! They laugh together, they smile together, and they actually talk to each other without screaming. Then we go home. And the cease-fire ends. The sibling blood feud that resembles the Hatfield’s and McCoy’s is renewed afresh.
2. The Fun
Let’s face it, when we’re at the Disney Resort we’re free to fully immerse ourselves in the Disney experience and remember what it was like to be a kid. The thrills, the excitement, the non-stop fun… there’s no judgment of us because everyone else is doing the same thing. But back home we’re expected to act our age and only kids can act like kids. And to quote my kids, “that’s not fair!”
1. The Fireworks
Most of us work pretty hard. And we all have challenges to face. That could be a difficult job, endless housework, helping children with homework, or fixing meals. We deal with unpleasant and even downright rude people in traffic, at stores, and on the job. By the end of the day, we’re tired, frustrated, and frequently at our wit’s end. Is a fireworks show with accompanying soundtrack really too much to ask? I’m not even asking for Tinkerbell to fly overhead from my neighbor’s house to the big pine tree down the street! I just want a 15 minute fireworks show in my back yard that has Disney character voices and a children’s choir to raise goosebumps on my arms before I go inside and go to bed. I think I deserve it.
So which item on this list do you love to hate the most? What does a vacation at Disney World make you love to hate about your everyday life back home?
BONUS TIP: Consider planning and booking your next Disney trip with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner you can trust like Mickey Travels. They’ll help you get the best Walt Disney World deal, share expert advice and their services are totally FREE! It’s genius!
Photo courtesy of Disney Photo Snapper
