10 Reasons to Avoid Disney World

Planning a trip to Walt Disney World? I want to go as much as anyone, but here are 10 Reasons not to! Disney's magical world in Orlando, Florida has much to offer- or does it?

1-  Rise of the Resistance.  Disney World's most coveted, hardest to ride new attraction is still a mess! Not just the most wanted ride at Disney's Hollywood Studios but resort wide. Capacity may be much better than it was the first several months of operation, but having to book a reservation at 7am the day you want to ride is just ridiculous. I can almost guarantee the first generation Imagineers - and even many second generation ones would be/are embarrassed by this mess. Great, ambitious ride but extremely low capacity and high unreliability. What were they thinking?

2- Scheduling Your Trip is Even More Difficult. As if planning a trip to Walt Disney World wasn't hard enough, now you have to book park reservations along with planning out everything else. I understand but no. Just no.

3- Limited Resort Options. Spring Break at the Polynesian Village Resort? Not open. You get the point. Choices are fewer and this makes reservation scheduling even more difficult. Besides, many of us love planning a resort only day to explore one after another. Now, that's not easy and maybe impossible to do.  

4- Cancelled Theater Shows. Legend of the Lion King and Finding Nemo the Musical are only two of the cancelled ones. If you love these kind of attractions (and I don't personally aside from these two in Animal Kingdom), this may not be the best time to go. Particularly to the Studios and Animal Kingdom where these kind of performances feel as if they outnumber real attractions. I guess the same could be said for the reduced number of live performances in the streets of World Showcase. 

5- Higher Prices. Disney suits have to make up for fewer guests somewhere. Look around and check into the prices for your favorite snacks or merchandise or other activities. You'll be surprised- but it won't be pleasant. And I'd bet prices will not return to previous levels. Do they ever? No.

Yes, that is Tower of Terror behind the Morocco showcase.

Has thoughtful design gone out the window?

You'd think so by viewing the back of the France pavilion

from the Disney Skyliner!

6- Epcot Changes. Sure, the attractions are open, but one of the best and unnoticed aspects until it's gone with a Walt Disney World vacation is the atmosphere. Constructions walls abound. With the delay of Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind and at least one more year of work on Communicore (R.I.P.), waiting is sure to pay off. Just as noteworthy is the loss of cast members from the countries of World Showcase. Part of the fun is interacting with them and the charm and memories they bring. Clearly a lesser experience now more than ever.

7- Reduced Park Hours. This is just an insult. In addition to making Disney Springs even more crowded in the evening, if you go, you'll be paying the same amount for less time than ever in the parks. You may be thinking, "Fine- but I go there for more than the parks." That's well and good, but then consider there are probably great resorts closer to your home if you want to spend a couple of days relaxing. What makes Disney unique are their parks. They are the backbone of it all.

8- Wearing A Mask All Day. While I fully understand and support doing so for the sake of those around me who may be compromised, do you really want to do this? Do you really want photos of your family's perhaps once in a lifetime trip where all you can see are Little Jimmy's eyes and Teen aged Susan's over glittered Mickey Ears but not their smiles? Yuck.

9- Perks No Longer. What used to make staying on the property worth it is disappearing bit by bit. From the loss of significant Extra Magic Hours, free Magic Bands and Luggage Tags, and full Mickey's Magical Express, the loss of resort perks is astounding. The true peak of great Disney service was around 1989 after the opening of a third park and the Grand Floridian Resort. Truth is, it's gone steadily down hill ever since. 

10- Character Interactions and Evening Entertainment. Standing in line for a princess or a rubberhead is not for everyone, but for those with small children in their group, it can be the highlight of a trip to the World. No firework shows / evening entertainment? Unforgivable- but just another reason to keep the parks closing early.

So, these are the 10 Reasons to Avoid Walt Disney World. Will I write an article arguing the opposite? Perhaps. If I can think of that many!

(Photographs copyright Mark Taft.)