I'm curious how most people view Disney World these days. I feel like more people are getting the grownups aspect, but that might just be because of this forum. I always think of it as particularly appealing to retirees for example. Do you guys think the marketing is working, or do you think it's still viewed as just for kids?
Based on who I know I think most people still view it as "just for kids". Especially couples without kids...most of my friends are younger couples without kids and they would much rather go to Universal or Six Flags than Disney World. I don't get it..but whatever.
Bella
Those not "in the know" still think its for kids..however in my experience once you get them there they understand it isnt for kids only..I also revert them back to what Walt said about going as a family...family can be anyone it doesnt have to be kids..I want my family (which includes friends) to be a part of the magic...and also..where else on this planet can anyone go to that you can believe in fairy tales and pirates and princesses like you did as a kid? Thats the answer I give when asked.
I think that it's still thought of as being for kids and I don't really think Disney is doing much to court the non-kid crowd lately. Maybe I'm crazy but I feel like they made a big push to get seniors and couples there, but now they're just cutting tons of deals to get families there. Maybe it's the economy.
If you think of Walt's original concept about families having fun togther then deals to get families in make perfect sense.
I can only please one person per day. Today isn't your day... tomorrow doesn't look good either.
I find some get it, and some don't. When I tell people we are going to Disney World for vacation, some look at me and say "but you don't have any kids!". Then when I say we are staying for 2 weeks, they look at me like I am nuts 
What also surprises me is how many people tell me they are going to Disney, but they are going to skip EPCOT because they think it's just a bunch of educational stuff 
The Walt/Family thing makes me wonder if even WALT thought that it would be a place for adults to go without kids!
I feel that getting rid of Pleasure Island and replacing it with a more family-friendly atmosphere (at least that's the plan) speaks volumes.
I find some get it, and some don't. When I tell people we are going to Disney World for vacation, some look at me and say "but you don't have any kids!". Then when I say we are staying for 2 weeks, they look at me like I am nuts
What also surprises me is how many people tell me they are going to Disney, but they are going to skip EPCOT because they think it's just a bunch of educational stuff
We don't get as much of the "just for kids" as we get the "again, didn't you just go."
You inspired me to start a "Is Epcot educational" thread.
Our "sophisticated" family members just shake their heads when we tell them we're going to Disney World "again". I just knowingly smile and think of my next dinner at Boma, Citricos, Le Cellier...or even the "fun" restaurants like Whispering Canyon Cafe.
Disney World has something for everyone. If you haven't found "IT" you just haven't been enough times!!!
Resorts
2017 AKL-Jambo House (May)
2017 Old Key West (Apr)
2016 Port Orleans Riverside (Oct)-Hurricane Matthew!!
2016 Old Key West (Aug)
2016 CBR (Jul)
2016 Art of Animation (May)
2015 Ft. Wilderness Campground (Oct)
2014 Sherwood Forest RV Park (Nov)
2013 Pop Century (Jul)
2012 Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress (Jul)
2011 Radisson Lake Buena Vista (Aug)
2010 Pop Century (Nov)
2009 PO Riverside (Jul)
2008 Pop Century (Apr)
2006-2007 FL residents: Hunters Creek 8 miles from the parks!!
2005 All Star Sports (Jul)
2005 PO Riverside/CBR/CSR (Apr)
Our "sophisticated" family members just shake their heads when we tell them we're going to Disney World "again". I just knowingly smile and think of my next dinner at Boma, Citricos, Le Cellier...or even the "fun" restaurants like Whispering Canyon Cafe.
Disney World has something for everyone. If you haven't found "IT" you just haven't been enough times!!!
If you didn't have fun at WDW last time, try again, you're doing it wrong!
We also get the "didn't you just go??" more than "it's for kids.
Then again, everyone knows I'm just a big kid anyway.
Zipadeedoodah -- yeah, man
We also get the "didn't you just go??" more than "it's for kids.
Then again, everyone knows I'm just a big kid anyway.
I think it probably has a lot to do with people's perception of you in the first place! Good point! 
My love of Disney is pretty obvious to people, but I think people only need to talk to me for a few minutes to realize that even if I'm just a big kid at heart, there's still an incredible array of adventures for adults there, too!
May 2008 CSR
We get a lot of "again"'s as well.
To be honest..it bugs me.
Bella
milliehubbard wrote:Our "sophisticated" family members just shake their heads when we tell them we're going to Disney World "again". I just knowingly smile and think of my next dinner at Boma, Citricos, Le Cellier...or even the "fun" restaurants like Whispering Canyon Cafe.
Disney World has something for everyone. If you haven't found "IT" you just haven't been enough times!!!
If you didn't have fun at WDW last time, try again, you're doing it wrong!
this makes me laugh.....
disney to me is the ultimate vacation....I love the florida heat ( again I am from Canada ) I think Epcot is just amazing and AK just blew my mind.
I def think Disney is for any person with heartbeat....I cant wait to take my wife and all our friends.
A expanded question is, How many people think of WDW only in terms of the parks and not even consider that WDW is full of world class resorts that could stand on their own?
Joe
A expanded question is, How many people think of WDW only in terms of the parks and not even consider that WDW is full of world class resorts that could stand on their own?
Joe
I think the more you go there the less you focus on the parks. Although that could just be our experience.
subvetss wrote:A expanded question is, How many people think of WDW only in terms of the parks and not even consider that WDW is full of world class resorts that could stand on their own?
Joe
I think the more you go there the less you focus on the parks. Although that could just be our experience.
Living Close to the Mouses house.
My second home is SSR.
Chriskre -- I think that's particularly true for those "resorts with a view" like you mentioned. Kidani and Jambo House particularly! I think AKL deserves at least three "resort days" per stay!
May 2008 CSR
I agree 3 days is nice to spend in the resorts and even pool hopping.
Unfortunately I usually only go for 4 to 5 nights at a time so usually do 2 park days and 2 or 3 resort days.
I enjoy the pace. 
Living Close to the Mouses house.
My second home is SSR.
I've gone many times, and every time I've seen so many couples, of all ages, without children there. I think it's more of a family experience than a "just for kids" one.
I'm actually going back with my family and best friend this Christmas.
63 days left (:
What irks me is the ones who call the Magic Kingdom "Disney World". They don't get that WDW includes all 4 parks and 2 water parks.
I think that for those of us who've been going for 40 years we are aging with Disney so adjusting our expectations of a Disney trip.
This has been a huge factor for me. As my kids are growing I'm able to discover entirely new aspects of WDW that most people with younger kids overlook. Our trips are not all about meeting characters and autograph books, like they were 10 years ago. These days there's usually a special event we're attending, a festival, a party, a show that we focus our vacation theme around.
There is probably a natural progression the the life cycle of a Disney traveler and it frequently goes with the age of their children. As more people "grow up" Disney, there will be more young adults that understand it's not just for kids. When I was a teen in the 80's, WDW was still sort of my family's "secret" vacation place. With the huge expansions since then and big advertising pushes, more kids are growing up knowing what it is all about. These days, you would be hard pressed to find a child in the town I grew up in that hasn't been to Disney.
However, in the town that I now live in where many families have never even left the state, Disney is not a big deal because economically most of the people here just don't care enough to save for a trip there. I think that the thought of Disney just being for kids and it's growth as an adult destination gets dictated in regional areas by their socioeconomic status.
Even with Disney's huge push at bringing adult non-fans down through running and sports events, many of those people travel to Disney for the event, but don't always stay to explore the other things that Disney has to offer. I think that as they do, the acceptance of Disney for adults continues to grow. But again, economics has a lot to do with that, the urban areas that have people willing to plunk down $1000 to travel across the country to run a race are going to have a greater acceptance than the rural communities that don't understand why anyone would travel to run in a race.
