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Former Disney Imagineer says theme parks now more stressful, less fun for families
(www.foxbusiness.com)
Everything Disney Related!
Resort Abbreviations
DCA - Disney California Adventure
DCL - Disney Cruise Line
DL - Disneyland
DLP - Disneyland Paris
HKDL - Hong Kong Disneyland
SDL - Shanghai Disneyland
TDL - Tokyo Disneyland
TDS - Tokyo DisneySea
WDSP - Walt Disney Studios Paris
WDW - Walt Disney World
WDW Park Abbreviations
AK - Animal Kingdom
EP - EPCOT
HS - Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM)
MK - Magic Kingdom
(Courtesy of @ilovepudding)
For some people, making appointments and reservations is really stressful. Compound that with massive crowds everywhere, makes Disney hell for some.
I wouldn't say I find making appointments/reservations stressful, but I do find that planning my life to the nth degree takes away from the adventure and brings its own kind stress due to not wanting to miss deadlines or by judging yourself against milestones that you want to achieve.
Our planning is limited to restaurant reservations and special events. Outside of that we generally play it by ear. Genie+ was new last time we went. While we played around with it a bit, we didn't really find it necessary for the most part.
When we've run late for reservations in WDW, we call the restaurant and explain the situation. It's never been a problem. It's WDW, stuff happens.
Regarding judging yourself, are you really that critical about how well you perform while on vacation? It seems like vacation is a time to let that stuff go. I have plenty of reasons to hate myself after I get back to work. No reason to bring that along to WDW.
Yeah usually when I go on vacation it's to get away from reservations and appointments. If it can't be done on impulse without an appointment, we usually just avoid it.
Still, it's nothing new. The shock at having to make reservations in 2023 when it has been the case for at least three decades seems unreasonable to me.