I'm back....

[Sarah84]

I got back late monday night from my first vidit to DLRP and I have to say it could probably be my last too :rolleyes:

Only ever visitng WDW before I had already got into to my head not to compare the two as they are differant and a few people had told me DLRP will NEVER compare to WDW and I don't think I relised just how right they would be.
I have to say I did have a fantastic weekend, but that was probably more to do with just having a nice weekend away with my boyfriend.
I did enjoy being back at a Disney park and i'm glad I have been to DLP but will I booking to go back anytime soon? i very much doubt it.
For me pretty much all the things I loved about WDW were missing from DLP. I don't know if maybe I just found WDW much more magical as it was my first Disney experiance altogether :confused3
But the magic was just missing in DLP for me, it certainly didn't feel like the 'most magical place on earth' like WDW Florida did, it was just full of rude, ignorant people who seemed to think they were much more important that anybody else, pushing, barging and just having no consideration for anybody else. I lost count of the amount of times people just barged in front of us, with no apology nothing, pushed in front in lines, barging infront of us while watching parades I mean litrally pushing us out the way to stand in front of us, squezzing in the tinest little gaps not even fit for a child, to the point where you barely had air to breath :sad2:
Now I have no problem when im near the front watching a parade for a child to come stand in front of me, after all im sure they want to see the parade more than anyone and will have difficulty if they are stood behind some adults, and being only 4ft 11 i know how difficult it can be to see anything but when some stupid, ignorant 6ft giant comes pushing in front of me for a better view it really makes me angry. At the beginning of one of the parades I had a decent view with just one head infront of me blocking my view slightly after just a few minutes we gave up and walked of as some many adults came barging in front I had no view at all all I could see was peoples backs :mad:
Even the CM just didnt have that happy, magical attitude like I experainced in Florida
As expected the parks were crazy busy and it was freezing cold, certainly not the gorgeous sunshine i last enjoyed disney in :laughing: I did enjoy the rides, used fastpasses which helped quite a bit qued for what seemed ages for a couple of rides particually Big thunder mountain which I have to say was worth it IMO as it was a fantastic ride.

The studios was a big disapointment imo, it just lacked any real excitement and we managed to do it very quickly. We did both parks in just one day (the sunday) and I have to say it was enough time to get pretty much everything done, we wanted too and see all the parades. We got to the Disney studios about 11 were done in there by about 1 had some lunch and headed over to the Disneyland park for the rest of the day and left there around 9.
We had two lovely meals in Anettes and Rainforest cafe, which i would recommend to anyone :)

But we did have a lovely day even with the lack of the 'disney magic' feeling and im glad we went :)
Maybe I will return one day if someone(friends or family) asks me to go, but I dont think I'd make any effort to book to go back and if I did it certainly wouldn't be at xmas time or anytime it was cold for that matter.

I have added some pics to my facebook so if anybody would like to see them, feel free to PM for the link :)

[Rachie B]

:( such a shame that many of us have experienced the same sort of feeling recently :(

but i KNOW how fab DLRP can be,and cant wait to go back :goodvibes

if this had been my first trip i would prob not be in a rush to go back though ! :(

[Cyrano]

Shame that the crowds that others met dampened your experience at DLP :)

[thelittlemermaid83]

Sorry to hear it wasnt as magical as you hoped.

[joolz1910]

It's a shame when trips don't live up to expectations. It seems that a few people have been disappointed in recent weeks. I think the common factor seems to be the crowds. Even though it's the season to be jolly, I think Christmas can bring the worst out in people. I hate Christmas shopping in town because of the same rude behaviour of some 'me me me' people.

[jillrobinson]

Shame that you're visit was a disappointment although having visited on a Christmas weekend myself last year, I understand totally what you're saying about the crowds and rude people we experienced it ourselves.:sad2:
Having read on dlrpmagic that on Sunday the park was at maximum capacity, I'm surprised to read that "you did everything", that's not something we've ever managed to do despite several visits, so maybe DLP has more to offer you. I'm sure a visit at a quieter time would help you discover the "magic" that most definately is there. :)

[mommy2ash]

im sorry you didnt find the magic there. i think a lot has to do with the crowds. i know i would never go if it was supposed to be very busy as i couldnt deal with the crowds.

[DLPdaft]

The crowds really do seem to put a dampner on things at DLRP - I'm also really surprised you managed to do everything you wanted to in one day (and 2 hours in the Studios?). I've spent 15 days at DLRP so far, and I've still not nearly done everything :goodvibes .

But, different things attract different people, and its a good job all round that we don't all like the same things :)

[mummyal]

Sorry to hear that it wasn't quite live up to your expectations. And wow that you were able to finish everything in 1 day lol. We've been there twice and still haven't managed to see every single thing. I suppose it's a bit quicker without having to drag kids around :rotfl: .

[Sarah84]

Sorry to hear that it wasn't quite live up to your expectations. And wow that you were able to finish everything in 1 day lol. We've been there twice and still haven't managed to see every single thing. I suppose it's a bit quicker without having to drag kids around :rotfl: .

I really do think it probably makes a huge differance not having kids, as we can bypass many of the rides for the younger ones, not stopping to meet characters as much as you probably would if you had kids with you and just basically walking around at a slightly faster pase than having to go slowely for the children, making sure they are always warm, not hungry, not thirsty etc
I wouldnt quite say we did everything, just we almost did everything we were interested in and wanted to see.

[Sarah84]

The crowds really do seem to put a dampner on things at DLRP - I'm also really surprised you managed to do everything you wanted to in one day (and 2 hours in the Studios?). I've spent 15 days at DLRP so far, and I've still not nearly done everything :goodvibes .

But, different things attract different people, and its a good job all round that we don't all like the same things :)

Im shocked that even after 15 days you havent done everything, imo there really wasnt enough there to keep me entertained and doing/seeing new things for that long. I certainly couldnt imagine doing a 4/5 night trip like many people do. But as you say everyone is different :)
The studios just didnt keep me enetertained enough to keep me there any longer that that really, we did about 4-5 rides, took some pics, had a walk around and felt we were finished there.

[Sarah84]

I agree it probably was quite a bit to do with the crowd levels, i guess if there isn't as many people there then you aren't going to come across as many rude, ignorant people :confused3

Maybe i'll return one day in one of the warmer, less busier months.
Plus I meant to go to the Disnet store before I left to get a DLP pin and i forgot :sad1: im not a huge pin collecter but want at least one from every Disney I go too and i was really gutted I didnt go get one before i left.

Well I still had a great weekend and thats whats important :)

[hildasmuriel]

Well I'm starting to get a good feeling about my trip now.

So many people have had a bad time at DLRP recently that I can only assume that by the time I get there on Saturday the place will be empty leaving plenty of room for ME bwah hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

I hope you all have a lovely time together in Florida. Lots more space in Paris for ME

:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

[DLPdaft]

Well I still had a great weekend and thats whats important :)

Thats true :goodvibes

[Cyrano]

Im shocked that even after 15 days you havent done everything, imo there really wasnt enough there to keep me entertained and doing/seeing new things for that long. I certainly couldnt imagine doing a 4/5 night trip like many people do. But as you say everyone is different :)
The studios just didnt keep me enetertained enough to keep me there any longer that that really, we did about 4-5 rides, took some pics, had a walk around and felt we were finished there.

You would not have liked our last trip then :rotfl: ;) We were there for 14 nights. None of us came back bored :goodvibes

[Sarah84]

You would not have liked our last trip then :rotfl: ;) We were there for 14 nights. None of us came back bored :goodvibes

14 nights?? :scared1: what did you find to keep you busy for that long? im guessing they have secrets new parts for people who stay longer than a few days? :rotfl:

[davewasbaloo]

Wow - I am guessing you missed out the shows, the hidden features and real gems like Buffalo Bill's or good table service dining. I really do not like WDW as much at all, and prefer DLP. After 51 visits to DLP, many lasting a week, I have never been bored. Last time at WDW, I could not wait to leave (I used to love it, but the quality has been getting sucked out for the last 15 years). And Disneyland in California is the best of all IMHO.

[Cyrano]

14 nights?? :scared1: what did you find to keep you busy for that long? im guessing they have secrets new parts for people who stay longer than a few days? :rotfl:

Just treated it like any other major holiday. Get up early. Go to the park. Back to the ranch for lunch and some pool time. Then a wander around the resort or park in the afternoon/evening.
Taking in all the detail and not having to wait in long lines as we could just come back another time meant that everyone got so much from the holiday :goodvibes

[jillrobinson]

Well I'm starting to get a good feeling about my trip now.

So many people have had a bad time at DLRP recently that I can only assume that by the time I get there on Saturday the place will be empty leaving plenty of room for ME



Do you know I was just thinking the same thing if word gets out how dreadful it is, then maybe next year, there'll be so few people wanting to be there for Christmas, it'll be the ideal time for the rest of us to go. :woohoo: :woohoo:

[mummyal]

Well I'm starting to get a good feeling about my trip now.

So many people have had a bad time at DLRP recently that I can only assume that by the time I get there on Saturday the place will be empty leaving plenty of room for ME bwah hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha



And ME !!!!! :rotfl:

[Ware Bears]

Well I'm starting to get a good feeling about my trip now.

So many people have had a bad time at DLRP recently that I can only assume that by the time I get there on Saturday the place will be empty leaving plenty of room for ME bwah hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

I hope you all have a lovely time together in Florida. Lots more space in Paris for ME

:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

And ME !!!!! :rotfl:



:lmao: :lmao: :lmao:



Sorry you didn't have a magical time Sarah84 but at least you enjoyed your weekend away.

[Sarah84]

Wow - I am guessing you missed out the shows, the hidden features and real gems like Buffalo Bill's or good table service dining. I really do not like WDW as much at all, and prefer DLP. After 51 visits to DLP, many lasting a week, I have never been bored. Last time at WDW, I could not wait to leave (I used to love it, but the quality has been getting sucked out for the last 15 years). And Disneyland in California is the best of all IMHO.

unfortunately we did miss the shows and i did want to see at least one but we had missed them really by the time we got over to the Disneyland park :(
We didn't do Buffalo bill's or any of the fancier resturants but even if we had im sure it wouldnt have changed my opinion of it, as it wouldnt have changed the fact the majority of guest in the park were just plan rude and ignorant which imo there is just no need for, it doesn't take much to be polite and have some manners :rolleyes:
Eating in certain restuarants, having character meals etc was not important to me on this visit as it was simply a weekend away with my boyfriend and to enjoy some Disney magic at christmas time.

Im off to Disneyland california in september and im so excited, im hoping i wont be disapointed there.


Just want to say i didnt make this thread to sound like i was having a good moan or anything, i simply wanted to give my thoughts and opinions after my first visit :)

[marcus.ka]

As others have said: You must have missed a lot if you have done the Studios on the bussiest Sunday of the yeat in 3 hours.
The lines for Crush and Tot are 2 hours for each of the attractions. And these two are Adult attractions and noting that should be missed. Especially not Crush as you won't find this attraction in Florida.
And the Stunt Show, Cinemagic and Rock 'n Roller Coaster are also a "must" as they are not Florida or better than at WDW.
Stitch Live and Armagedon are also Adult Rides and if you would have done all these attractions on a Sunday you would have needed at least a whole day.

Please don't get me wrong but I think what you need at DLRP most is time to soak up the atmosphere. And you can't do that on a bussy Sunday in 3 hours.
That would be the same as if I would have only 3 days for all parks at WDW and would afterwards say it was not a good experience.

[poppyolivia]

aww never mind!

Sorry you didn't like it much!:)

[Sarah84]

As others have said: You must have missed a lot if you have done the Studios on the bussiest Sunday of the yeat in 3 hours.
The lines for Crush and Tot are 2 hours for each of the attractions. And these two are Adult attractions and noting that should be missed. Especially not Crush as you won't find this attraction in Florida.
And the Stunt Show, Cinemagic and Rock 'n Roller Coaster are also a "must" as they are not Florida or better than at WDW.
Stitch Live and Armagedon are also Adult Rides and if you would have done all these attractions on a Sunday you would have needed at least a whole day.

Please don't get me wrong but I think what you need at DLRP most is time to soak up the atmosphere. And you can't do that on a bussy Sunday in 3 hours.
That would be the same as if I would have only 3 days for all parks at WDW and would afterwards say it was not a good experience.

The studios really wasnt or didnt seem that busy imo, ok well they were busy but i mean extremely busy. I got a FP for R'n'R, there wasnt even a line for Armagedon, we didnt do ToT as my boyf isnt really into rides and I hate it as it gives me the worst headache, did the backstage tour, i had no intentions of doing crush even though its exclusive to DLP I had heard how long the ques are had was not going to bother esp as it would have only been me waiting so it certainly wasnt so busy that it took all day to get around there.

[Rachie B]

:scared1: 14 nights!

as much as i love DLRP and planning new trips / looking forward to what we will do next time etc :goodvibes

i dont think i could face more than say, 4 nights at a time :rotfl:

[davewasbaloo]

:scared1: 14 nights!

as much as i love DLRP and planning new trips / looking forward to what we will do next time etc :goodvibes

i dont think i could face more than say, 4 nights at a time :rotfl:

Our best trip was 14 days at the MArriott Vacation Club, mixing Disney and non Disney days.

[giuly09]

It's a shame to read quite a few people could not find the magic in DLRP lately :sad2: i think anyway quite a few times we get disappointed because our expectations are too high even though crowds can really be a put off.

IMO anyway to compare this place with that other one is always wrong, when some years ago we visited an Italian fun park right after DLRP we could not stop saying *in paris it was a lot better*.
I have been there again after a while and have had fun because i just enjoyed being *there* without comparing it with other places :goodvibes

[jillrobinson]

The studios was a big disapointment imo, it just lacked any real excitement and we managed to do it very quickly.


Just off the top of my head you missed:
Stitch Live
Cinemagique
Animagique
Art of Animation
Stunt Show
Aladdins Carpets
Cars
in addition to the rides you didn't want to do anyway.




We did both parks in just one day (the sunday)

Sorry but you didn't do both parks, you didn't even manage to experience half of what WDS has to offer, don't know what you did in the main park, but in 2 full 8.00am -> 10.00pm days last Christmas season we didn't manage to do everything in the park.
Don't think I'm having a go but in my opinion, if you're going to write a trip report that could influence someone else in their holiday choice then it's a good idea to be honest. I would hate for anyone reading your report to think that it's possible to do both parks in 1 day at any time of the year but especially when the park is operating at maximum capacity.

[WeezyLamb]

Crush is awesome, we love it - we managed to get on a preview ride last year and then this year it was my number 1 thing to do - imagine my abject disappointment when on day 2, our studio day, it was CLOSED:scared1: So we went back on day 3 and thankfully it was open and I still love it.

Stitch Live is so clever it is absolutely not just for kids. RnRcoaster is one of the best I have been on, we have now done it 10 times (with Freds last year JUST being tall enough), and ToT is hysterically good fun, couldn't stop laughing. The Studio has lots to do IF you want, but it could be bigger, for sure.

We got back yesterday, choosing to go for 4 week days and we didn't queue for anything for more than 35mins (Crush). After spending 8 days in total at Disney, we still haven't done everything, mainly because the children like doing their fave things over and over (Star Tours, Thunder Mountain, etc) - we adore the place, it is still full of magic for us :cloud9: