No trip to Disney is going to be perfect; something will go wrong, whether it’s bad weather, your kids having a meltdown, or missing out on your favorite ride.
Magic Kingdom
Although these disappointments don’t completely ruin your trip, they still can leave a sour taste in your mouth, especially with all the time and effort it takes to embark on a Disney trip. We asked our readers to talk about what their biggest Disney World disappointments were! Here’s what our readers had to say:
Not-So-Great Food
One of the biggest letdowns according to our readers was getting a bad dish! One of our readers noted that they received a gray steak at the Coral Reef noting that “It always was our favorite restaurant. All of us had the steak, which was 1/4” thick. The waitress asked if we wanted it “pink” or ‘not pink’, we wanted pink, it came out gray. The menu was reduced drastically.” Food disappointments can happen and it really depends on the restaurant and the situation! That’s why we like to share our real thoughts on menu items and restaurants. We want to make sure that you feel as prepared as possible.
Coral Reef Dining Room
Meanwhile, another reader was disappointed in the quality of the food at Sci-Fi in Hollywood Studios, citing that the restaurant had a “Fun atmosphere, but the most lackluster food I’ve had outside of a TGI Fridays.” However, this is also up to your personal taste! A restaurant that’s a letdown for one person might be a highlight for another! So, always check out the restaurant’s menu and read our lovely restaurant reviews before you choose where to eat at Disney!
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater
Readers also mentioned issues with service on busy days at places like Cinderella’s Royal Table and Chef Mickey’s. One reader said this about Cinderella’s Royal Table: “Very little interaction and the meal was not good at all.” Spots like these can end up getting really busy on certain days, which might mean some gaps in service quality! However, Cast Members and service staff try to do their best to give you the best experience possible, so try to be patient with them!
Chef Mickey’s
Crowds and Other Guests
Disney World is CROWDED, there’s no way around it. One reader said this about crowds: “Sad that families spend a ton of money for a dream vacation and only get to see a couple attractions due to long lines.” Although there are plenty of ways to get to all the rides you want to go on, it can be a challenge due to crowds!
Main Street, U.S.A.
Our readers noted that Christmas and Halloween events were especially crowded at times, making it hard to get around the parks. One reader said “Thought it would be an exclusive-type event with special perks….it was wall-to-wall people. We stood in the same spot for 2+ hours…not by choice…but because we literally were packed in and couldn’t move.” Although ticketing is limited for these events, you can still end up dealing with crowds, especially in popular areas and bottlenecks!
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Another issue many readers had was with other guests and their behavior. A reader said that “I’ve seen people screaming at their exhausted children, yelling at Cast Members.”
Galaxy’s Edge
Not everyone is a model Disney guest and you’re bound to run into some not-so-friendly folks every now and then. It happens! If it’s something really really bad, report it to a Cast Member and it will be handled!
Click here to read the latest on crowds and capacity at Disney World!
Resorts
Imagine you finally book your dream hotel room at your dream Disney resort.. and it’s just okay. That’s what happened to one of our readers, who was disappointed in the quality of the Grand Floridian Resort. They noted “We had such high hopes. It was pretty but needs a refresh! It seemed dirty in rooms and public areas. I have found other resorts are much nicer for less money.” Not everything at Disney is going to be what you expect! Much like restaurants, it’s up to your personal preference!
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
Another guest compared Port Orleans Riverside to a Super 8 Motel, noting that “I don’t get why people like it! My 5 kids begged to never stay there again!” You can’t guarantee a good resort experience, but research can go a long way when looking for a place to stay at Disney!
Port Orleans Riverside
Of course, resort experiences are subjective and some resorts are more enjoyable for different people, so it all depends on your personal taste!
Click here to learn more about the worst Disney World hotels for 2021!
A Favorite Attraction Disappearing
One of the best/hardest things about the Disney parks is that they’re always changing. This means that your favorite ride or area might disappear forever! We’ve all experienced the heartbreak of a ride being closed and not being able to ride it one last time! However, it’s something we all (eventually) learn to accept.
Hollywood Studios’ Backlot Tour
One of the biggest letdowns among our readers was the discontinuation of the Great Movie Ride, a fan favorite attraction in Hollywood Studios. One reader had said their biggest letdown was “Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railroad, only because The Great Movie Ride was my favorite.”
The Great Movie Ride
Many of our readers were also disappointed at the end of the Backlot Tour and the Osbourne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights as well as the rebranding of Pleasure Island in Disney Springs. Over the years, so many great rides have come and gone, but thankfully Disney tends to replace them with new and exciting things!
Osbourne Family Spectacle of Lights
Disney World is always changing and that means beloved rides might disappear or change! The best thing to do is enjoy things while they’re here!
Click here to read about one of the latest rides to change at Disney World!
Expectations
When you plan a Disney trip, you start to get excited and expectations begin to build up! But when those expectations aren’t met and something goes wrong, it’s hard to not feel disappointed. One reader had said their biggest letdown was “Animal Kingdom. My expectations were set too high for that park. I’d heard too much about how amazing it was and then when we got there, I didn’t feel like it was everything people said it would be.”
Animal Kingdom
Whether it’s the Animal Kingdom park or Cinderella’s Royal Table, a lot of our readers noted that their biggest letdown was getting their hopes up for something and not having their expectations be met!
Cinderella’s Royal Table
Something is going to go wrong on your Disney trip, and that’s okay! You can still have a great time and salvage the rest of your trip; my favorite Disney World trip started with me standing in the middle of a thunderstorm with my luggage and my resort reservation missing!
Click here to see three Disney World mistakes you shouldn’t make!
Looking for more info and tips about Disney World? Check out The BEST Disney World Tips and Tricks of All Time here!
We’ll be putting out more polls for our readers on Facebook and Instagram, so keep your eye out for new polls and questions! We’re always keeping up with the latest Disney news, stay tuned here for more!
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The Osbourne light show was fantastic while it was still at Hollywood Studios. So glad I video taped it before it went away. Great memory…
What a depressing article
So much of the uniqueness has passed and I am so thankful that I was there during the 90’s. As for the biggest let down it is most definitely the food. From park to park, from morning to night, Disney food has always been the weakest link in the Disney Vacation chain. Attractions come and go, are updated and reimagined with many mis que’s for sure, but food has consistently missed the mark. Over priced and under delivered is the phrase most cast members will agree to behind closed doors. Even though the food was much better 10 or 20 years ago, it was still the weakest link. Disney is consistent on this for sure.
Don’t do Halloween Party of Christmas anymore. It used to be a special event as crowds were limited. First Halloween party we went to you pretty much could walk onto any ride you wanted now it is just like a regular day at the park really crowded. The extra cost just does not make either of these parties worthwhile as it is not special any more.
Also bring back fast pass instead of Genie and also bring back TIW.
I’ll never forget going to Disney World during December of 2012 and seeing the Osbourne lights for the first time. I had never been during the holidays before, and was absolutely enchanted. I dreamed of bringing my kids some day to see this amazing event. I was crushed when I found out that they were gone. I’m going again around the holidays this year, but I’m not even excited for the decorations because nothing can top them.
Disney is sure not what it used to be. Fewer cast members, and not trained in the “old school” pixie dust way of interactions with guest. Higher prices and everything is not an additional cost extra. Parks are not as clean and maintained as they use to be. Top management is only focused on profit and now family entertainment. It’s now subpar to Universal Studios and soon to be equal to Coney Island. If you are noticing letdowns…brace yourself, many more to come.
Depressing rticle but true by most accounts. Many trips from OH to WDW since 2010. Expectations, decorum, customer experience continue to slide to the “just like other parks” way. Losing the cut above feeling.
June, 1976. My graduation celebration friends and family went to Disneyland.WALL TO WALL PEOPLE FROM OPEN TO CLOSE!!!! We had the best time ever. We met so many people from around the world, some whom my grandma corresponded with till close to her death. Gotta make the best of what you got! You may not get another opportunity.
Bob Chapek and his astronomical price hikes and money grubbing scemes
Everything they have changed since reopening!
Debra, that’s an incredible story. Your grandma sounds awesome!