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Want to Have a Bad Vacation? Here’s How
When I’m in the parks, I always see a family having a bad time. Here are the five stupidest ways families force themselves into a miserable vacation.
Make kids go on things they’re scared of
You know what? I think we should take little Suzie on the Haunted Mansion! That’s genius – and as the parents are dragging her through the door, she could be kicking, screaming, and crying for another reason. She probably just has to go to the bathroom, she’ll be fine.
I’m not really sure what are going through parents’ minds as they drag their terrified son or daughter on a potentially scary ride. Maybe they think it’ll cure their fears if they go on it at a young age. Maybe they just want to ride it and don’t care. Maybe they haven’t heard of the Baby Swap.
Never come to an agreement about anything
“What do you want to ride next?” “Oh I don’t know, maybe Thunder Mountain.” “Well I want to ride Pirates again.” “Well you know Figment probably doesn’t have a wait.” “Yes but that’s in a different park.” “Well do you want to go to Epcot?” “No.” “Fine then.” “I’m hungry.” “Want some popcorn?” “Hey look, it’s Pirates!”
Sure it can be hard to decide what to do, but at least make a decision. I mean there’s only so many hours in a day, and you shouldn’t spend all of them choosing what to do. Just pick something and do it. Then you’ll actually get things accomplished.
Never take a break
The next idea people get is to run themselves ragged. They want to cram all these things into one vacation, they want to cram having fun into a certain time frame – which doesn’t work.
It’s important to take breaks. Breaks are what keep you happy in the heat and crowds. Without breaks it won’t take long for your whole party to feel exhausted and miserable. Sit on a bench, go inside a gift shop, get some ice cream, whatever – it will help!
Be disappointed if you don’t do everything
Depending how often you visit the World and how long you stay, chances are you’re not going to get to do everything you want each trip. And you know what? That’s okay!
Do as much as you can (while still keeping your sanity), and whatever doesn’t get done you can do next trip. Don’t burn yourself out over something that minuscule. Just do what you can and enjoy every second of it.
Let weather ruin your day
“Aw man! It’s raining! This means everything is going to close. We might as well go back to the hotel now. This is awful.” No, it’s not at all bad – it’s actually a very good thing.
Quick rain showers do a few things: they clear the parks, they cool you down, and they force you to get out of the heat and enjoy a few indoor (but no less fun) attractions.
What do you think?
These are the top 5 things I see folks doing in the Parks that make them miserable. What about you? Do you do these things? Do you like Grumpy? Share with me.
John, and 1 other are discussing. 
gaylin are discussing. 
DeAnna Welch 1:32 pm on July 22, 2010 Permalink |
OVERPACKING – I see people with a rolling suitcase in the parks, practically. What in the world are you thinking??? It really is okay to leave your luggage in your RESORT! It’s a little different if you have a baby, but if not, there’s no reason you need all that junk to be carted around all day. Put what you think you “may need later” in a locker at the front of the park, and enjoy your day unincumbered. Then if you really need that deck of cards, shoe horn and set of speakers, you’ll only need walk a little to get to them, but you’ve saved yourself traction on your back later.
CUTESY SHOES – This applies more to women than men. I see SO MANY women in HIGH HEELS or cutesy little shoes with no support walking painful miles through the parks. Save those things for your night out to dinner. ATHLETIC SHOES are your best bet, and even those should be worn about 2 weeks before your vacation to break them in. I may not look as “cute” as the woman in high heels, but I sure look smart when the day’s over, we’re both sitting on the monorail, and she’s full of blisters and crippled. Who’s cute now? lol
Matt 1:36 pm on July 22, 2010 Permalink |
Haha hey DeAnna those are both very good tips!
I love the overpacking one – it’s so much trouble than it’s worth. At most you should bring a little backpack type thing, but usually I only bring a camera and that’s it. The parks are so much nicer when you aren’t falling over due to the amount of stuff you bring.
LOL Yes those high heels sure are important in Disney World where everyone cares so much how they look!
John 2:08 pm on July 22, 2010 Permalink |
I’ve already been disappointed for not riding everything. But I was with a Brazilian friend and that was his first time in WDW.
We see some nasty situations sometimes, huh!?
One thing is to eat too much during lunch. Come on, there are lots of Mc Donalds in Orlando, you can eat 5 double cheeseburgers there. Don’t do it in a place where you WILL have to walk under the sun, wait in line and go to rides that will make all that food seem alive in your stomach.
Then we see one sick family member, ruining the day of all others.
Eating well is also a key element for having a good day at WDW.
BTW Matt, here’s a suggestion: what about a post about the parks restaurants? Something like what is best and what is not worth going?
Matt 3:07 pm on July 22, 2010 Permalink |
Very true John, and thanks for the suggestion! That’s a great idea for a post…I’m making note of that right now.
Caitlin 3:30 pm on July 22, 2010 Permalink |
Another good way to ruin a vacation is to not have a good plan. If you don’t have a good plan when you go to a park, you’ll be spending most of your day in lines, and that’s definitely not fun! Having a plan also helps to keep the disagreements away.
Matt 3:35 pm on July 22, 2010 Permalink |
GREAT tip Caitlin…I completely forgot about the importance of having a plan! LOL
Yep that would help the disagreements go away, and it’ll definitely let you get more done.
gaylin 3:33 pm on July 22, 2010 Permalink |
What always cracks me up is waiting for the bus to a theme park at the resort, there is always one family that has thoughtfully loaded up little Johnnies stroller with 80 pounds of crap for the day and then the mom (usually mom?? why??) gets all indignant and aggressive with the bus driver when he tells them she has to empty and fold the stroller to get on the bus. While the rest of us patiently wait in the morning heat to just get on the darn bus to go have fun.
Another thing that always worries me is seeing a baby in a stroller in the heat and humidity with no shade, looking red and hot. How scary it must be to be the victim of that kind of parenting, cover the stroller, heat stroke is so dangerous.
I am with DeAnna when I see women in high heels! Makes me laugh every time. Right along with women who wear a face layered with make-up, bet that feels great about 2 p.m.!
Matt 3:42 pm on July 22, 2010 Permalink |
LOL All very true!
I think the 80 lbs. of crap in strollers is just the over-worrying mothers.
Yep heat stroke is very dangerous. I’ve seen people come close to it in WDW and it’s serious stuff…especially for babies. I think that’s the time when indoor rides are a necessity!
Thanks, as always, for sharing your thoughts Gaylin.
DeAnna Welch 11:06 pm on July 22, 2010 Permalink
Matt, is there a way to add a pic, or is it just the normal “ghost” figure that accompanies our posts? lol
DeAnna Welch 11:08 pm on July 22, 2010 Permalink |
I’m hearing ya on the caked-on make-up, Gaylin, and let’s not forget the chicks who took the time to roll their hair. It’s obviously their first time to meet “suhthin’ humidity”!
Matt 11:18 am on July 23, 2010 Permalink |
Hey DeAnna – Yep you sure can add a pic (unless you like the ghost LOL). Just go to http://en.gravatar.com/ and register there – then upload a pic of you and it will appear on MANY blogs around the web when you comment. Hope this helps, let me know if you have any more questions!
immrsd2u 11:33 am on July 23, 2010 Permalink |
Thanks! DONE! Let’s see if it works………
Matt 11:35 am on July 23, 2010 Permalink
NICE! It worked! Good job.
gaylin 4:30 pm on July 23, 2010 Permalink |
Matt, thanks for the info on Gravatar, now let’s see if I did this right as well!
Matt 5:06 pm on July 23, 2010 Permalink |
Ah yep you did too – nice!! Now we’re starting to see some personality on here!
Torquay holiday cottages 10:52 pm on July 26, 2010 Permalink |
I love this blog entry! Made me laugh LOL. True, one should never get disappointed when they don’t get to try out everything. There’s always another time, another chance to do the rest.
Matt 9:00 am on July 27, 2010 Permalink |
Glad it made you laugh – and yep you’re point is very true! Another time, another chance.
(Sorry I had to edit the end of your comment for our comment guidelines).
Wendie 4:52 am on August 3, 2010 Permalink |
OVERTIRING the kids got to be the most stupid, it backfires with hellish and fiery tantrums=)
Matt 8:37 am on August 3, 2010 Permalink |
Yep I’ve seen that a lot too, Wendie. Parents often forget that kids can not go as far as them, etc. etc…and it doesn’t end well! LOL
Marilyn @ our cheap disney vacation 10:08 am on April 26, 2011 Permalink |
Oh yeah, I’ve seen that family. If the get into the park late and stick it out till the fireworks. Thier kids are hot and tired and the parents have lost of semblance of patience. It sad to see them slaughtering the disney experience.