This just in: The Magic Kingdom is boring

[darthmacho]

My goodness!
If a ran naked through this thread yelling "Mickey Mouse is a short person in a costume!" would that help?

I'm so waiting here with my camera!

[SelfmadeWade]

SBETigg
Senior Team INTERCOT Cast Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 11,224



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4. Having been to Universal and Six Flags parks, there is NO COMPARISON to what Disney has to offer. Disney is not a destination. Disney is an immersion into a completely different world. Even on a day when we may encounter a cast member or two not giving their Disney best, IT IS STILL HANDS-DOWN an UNBELIEVABLY FUN PLACE TO BE.

We are planning our next trip to the Poly in the next couple of months....and our kids cannot wait to go!!!!

I also find myself having the Disney vs Six Flags debate with friends and co-workers that have never been to Walt Disney World.

No matter how much explanation is given, some people think all theme parks are essentially the same. They have no idea how vastly superior Disney is compared to Six Flags. I also find it amusing how Six Flags tries to incorporate Disney ideas into their parks with little success. It's a shame that some people will never make the trip to Walt Disney World because "Six Flags is closer."

[mousetrapper]

Wow! This is one thread that has taken on a life of its own!

I'll weigh in -- above all the other parks, Magic Kingdom is quintessentially old school Disney magic, and there's just no way to put your finger on why the Disney magic touches some people but not others.

I grew up in the 60s and 70s, and I used to say it has to do with my watching the Wonderful World of Disney on TV on Sunday evenings. It was such a tradition in our house and I remember episodes where they'd show the Pirates of the Caribbean ride in Disneyland and I was so fascinated by the animatronics. I grew up considering Walt Disney an icon but also someone I wished was my uncle.

But how do I explain the fact that my DDs -- who are 19 and 16 now -- love MK as much now as they did when they first visited in 1999?

Maybe it's just in their blood!

[johnO]

Wow! This is one thread that has taken on a life of its own!

I'll weigh in -- above all the other parks, Magic Kingdom is quintessentially old school Disney magic, and there's just no way to put your finger on why the Disney magic touches some people but not others.

I grew up in the 60s and 70s, and I used to say it has to do with my watching the Wonderful World of Disney on TV on Sunday evenings. It was such a tradition in our house and I remember episodes where they'd show the Pirates of the Caribbean ride in Disneyland and I was so fascinated by the animatronics. I grew up considering Walt Disney an icon but also someone I wished was my uncle.

But how do I explain the fact that my DDs -- who are 19 and 16 now -- love MK as much now as they did when they first visited in 1999?

Maybe it's just in their blood!

Maybe you were able to impart upon them, what disney magic was when they were young.

[rubato]

My son is 10 and still loves the "MAGIC". That's his favorite part. And, unfortunately, he is one of those video game playing fools. His favorite ride is still Pooh.

[AndyMan]

Every video game loving kid I know still can find the magic in the Magic Kingdom, but it's still a better park for the very little ones.

[MaxPower]

I also find myself having the Disney vs Six Flags debate with friends and co-workers that have never been to Walt Disney World.

No matter how much explanation is given, some people think all theme parks are essentially the same. They have no idea how vastly superior Disney is compared to Six Flags. I also find it amusing how Six Flags tries to incorporate Disney ideas into their parks with little success. It's a shame that some people will never make the trip to Walt Disney World because "Six Flags is closer."

I noticed that the Six Flags park by me has added a night-time parade that is an attempt to be their version of Spectromagic. It is truly embarrassing.

I wonder if they sit in management meetings and go through each Disney park trying to figure out what to copy?

[Mousemates]

My goodness! Responding to this is like giving it a bump.

How do I give it a lump instead?

If a ran naked through this thread yelling "Mickey Mouse is a short person in a costume!" would that help?

Not a bad idea...i think nudity is against Intercot's terms of use and would surely result in the thread being closed down...however it might also result in your being thrown in the Intercot cyber-jail...however, if such takes place I would gladly post bond for you...if so doing would put this rather tiresome thread out of its (and our) misery.

[Insanity Clause]

My kids were very impressed but then they don't have cellphones and a lot of gadgets outside of their mp3 players. I think it depends on the kids. If the kids do imaginatitive play at home then I think it is more impressive. All I know is that my kids loved MK...I will admit one of my favorites at MK now is PhilharMagic!

[SpecJoe Magic]

As much as I love the MK, I do feel that it is a bit, for lack of a better word, hokey (I hope that makes sense). I mean, think about it. Jungle Cruise, Small World, Country Bear Jamboree, Haunted Mansion, etc. They are all classic attractions that are beloved by many, but they all have elements that are just plain goofy. To me, that's a big part of the appeal, but I can see how kids at those ages, especially first-time visitors, might not care for it.

Then again, some people, regardless of age, are not excited by WDW. That seems unthinkable to a lot of Disney fans, but it's a simple fact that people like different things.

As an aside, I'm not sure how much modern technology (e.g. video games, mp3 players, cell phones) affects this generation of kids when it comes to being able to appreciate a place like the MK. I started playing video games at a very young age and have played them ever since then on a regular basis, and it has never caused me to not be able to enjoy what the MK and WDW in general has to offer.

[Horizon One]

The Magic Kingom is still my favorite. I have been there many times and I enjoy it each time I go.
Part of it is nostalgia part of it is the technology and efficiency that the part has.
I also enjoy Epcot but for different reasons it is more of the adult side of me that enjoys that park.
Without Disneyland which is basically the Magic Kingdom theme parks wouldn't exist the way they do today.

[CaptainSad]

I am 55 and have been there 26 times since 1983. I can tell you one thing, you can't take the kid out of me. As long as I live I will keep going and this kid in me will never be bored...

[brivers222]

I didn't think it was my favorite by a long shot... until my trip last week when i spent a great deal of time in there and actually still missing being in there.

Guess i do have a favorite park afterall....and its MK

[AndyMan]

As much as I love the MK, I do feel that it is a bit, for lack of a better word, hokey (I hope that makes sense). I mean, think about it. Jungle Cruise, Small World, Country Bear Jamboree, Haunted Mansion, etc. They are all classic attractions that are beloved by many, but they all have elements that are just plain goofy. To me, that's a big part of the appeal, but I can see how kids at those ages, especially first-time visitors, might not care for it.

The nostalgia factor is a huge component. Today, you would never see a theme park anywhere else in the world build a new attraction that was essentially like It's a Small World or The Country Bear Jamboree. It really only works at Walt Disney World because those were mind-bending back in the day when they debuted and now they are a part of Americana. You can't mess with things from people's childhoods or you will hear screaming from the rooftops.

[minnie04]

WOW!! Boring that’s harsh. I think kids that didn’t grow up going to Disney, don't get it. It is a feeling when you walk through the gates at MK & other parks. It’s a place to be a big kid and have fun. My kids have been going for years and just when I thought they were to old 18, 14 ( 6 yr old not included ) to really want to go again, they ask when is the next Disney trip..The thrill rides are awesome, but we also like to just sit on the side of the street and watch the parade go by. I hope my kids never get to old for Disney or complain about the workings of the park..

[SelfmadeWade]

WOW!! Boring that’s harsh. I think kids that didn’t grow up going to Disney, don't get it. It is a feeling when you walk through the gates at MK & other parks. It’s a place to be a big kid and have fun. My kids have been going for years and just when I thought they were to old 18, 14 ( 6 yr old not included ) to really want to go again, they ask when is the next Disney trip..The thrill rides are awesome, but we also like to just sit on the side of the street and watch the parade go by. I hope my kids never get to old for Disney or complain about the workings of the park..

You just made me realize that everyone over the age of 18 in my family, including cousins, aunts and uncles all still love to go to Disney.

It's interesting that nobody has "grown out of it". Does that really happen?

[WDWPrincess]

The nostalgia factor is a huge component. Today, you would never see a theme park anywhere else in the world build a new attraction that was essentially like It's a Small World or The Country Bear Jamboree. It really only works at Walt Disney World because those were mind-bending back in the day when they debuted and now they are a part of Americana. You can't mess with things from people's childhoods or you will hear screaming from the rooftops.

This is true. No theme park anywhere else would think of creating a ride where you sit and watch animatronics move and sing as you ride by.

But I also don't think the other theme parks have the characters to buid those types of rides around.

Plus, there is too much need for a thrill element anymore. They would not spend the money on something so simple anymore unless it's just for a kiddie section of a park.

I wonder if Disney realizes that if they put the money into it, they could create a new all audio-animatronic attraction that would draw huge crowds of all ages if it were done correctly. It would just depend on the theme.

I bet a Star Wars version at the Hollywood Studios would be hugely popular.

[wilcat]

I have no children of my own but have been down with DNiece a few times. The first time she went she was 4 and everything was overwhelming. Now she is 12 and has been down a couple more times, in fact we are going during the marathon weekend in January. She is a thrill junkie and loves all the coasters but if you ask her the first place she wants to go to is MK. There will be 2 kids going with us that have never been to WDW and she is really looking forward to showing them the ropes at MK. Also my DNephews will be going down. During their first trip they were 6 and 4. Now at 12 and 14 they also say they can't wait to see the MK again. These are two boys who are usually glued to their Xbox so I am in agreement with other posters that those kids must not have much imagination if they can't see the magic that is all around them at the MK.

[jonahbear2006]

It is definitely not about rides. I cant tell you how many people I have tried to explain it to...that magic kingdom is not a six flags. you dont go there to hop on rides and go, "wheeeee" We just took my in laws for the first time and they had the same opinion...that they really loved the roller coasters and the thrill rides but that the rest was boring. There is a spirit and a magic to Disney World and a lot of it exists inside of Magic Kingdom. Im not sure I felt it on my first trip, when I was 12. For some reason, my memories of that trip are kind of sup-par, however, just walking down main street or sittin in on any attraction fills my senses with a feeling no other place can. It isnt about getting from point A to point B, its about enjoying the in betweens. Maybe some people need to learn how to see that, while others see it naturally.

[DisneyFr33k]

I think the replies to this post depends on how many times kids 10-18 have been to WDW before. We took our children for the first WDW trip when they were 4 & 6. Now they are 11 & 13. This past trip, we visited US and Is of Adv to see if that would replace WDW as their favorite park. They told us that besides the Harry Potter aspect, they didn't find US very fun. They told us they love WDW, and especially MK the best. I think it is because they've been almost every year for the past 7 years. WDW is full of family memories for them and that will carry with them into adulthood!

Maybe the first time you take them there does impact how much they enjoy it?