My first...and LAST trip to Disneyland-A trip report

[MainStMandy]

So for as long as I can remember, I have dreamed of going to Disneyland. The excitement of going to the place Walt dreamed of was just overwhelming. So when I found out I was training in Modesto, CA for a week I began to plan my first Disneyland trip. It was only going to be a day and I would be by myself, but it was Disneyland...who cares!?!?!

About a week ago my mom decided she would join me:cool1: She would be flying out Thursday and Friday when I finished teaching we would drive down. Plus since we have the most awesome boss, she was paying for us to stay on property!!

So Friday, around 12:45 p.m. we began our drive to Disneyland. The trip went very well until we hit L.A. were we spent 2 hours in bumper to bumper traffic. We kind of expected that so no big deal. We still made it to the hotel before 8 p.m. so I was happy.

We checked in at the hotel and went to grab food...our first disappointment. We stopped at Taco Joes as everwhere else was mobbed. We forgot that it was Friday night. Taco Joes was AWFUL. We had decent drinks but the quesadillas we ordered were the equivalent to grilled cheese. They tasted microwaved and just gross. Our bill was FORTY DOLLARS!!

We headed back to the hotel. Now let me just say, the Disneyland hotel was nice, but nothing great. The hotel room seemed a little run down. The toilet leaked and we had to call someone, our hair dryer overheated and wouldn't come back on, and they never sent a new one. Nothing major, but everything was just ok. Our first clue this was NOT WDW.

I slept awful and was awoken at 5:30 a.m. but I didn't care. I was going to Disneyland!! We headed to the monorail around 7:30 a.m. but I didn't realize that since it drops you off INSIDE the park, you can't load earlier than 8. Here was our first encounter with a rude CM. She was yelling at everyone to get in line. She just came across rude and nasty. No one was giving her a hard time or refusing to line up, she just came out yelling.

We finally got going and I was suprised at how much the monorail winded around. Our first stop when we got there was the Nemo Subs since I heard the line could get long. This was nothing spectacular. Cute, but I could have skipped. My next disappointment was the Madderhorn. YAWN. Seriously I have been waiting FOREVER to ride this, but I just don't get it. It was boring and jerky.

Next up was Space Mountain. Alright Disneyland, I will give you this one. AWESOME!!!! We agreed to come back later and ride again. We also did Buzz Lightyear which was the same as WDW.

At this point we were hungry and needed breakfast. Main St here we come, but not after seeing the castle.

Are you kidding?? It was so tiny!! I felt like something was missing. We grabbed a few pics and went off to eat a mediocre breakfast. Iwas very excited to visit the Market House as this is where I worked in WDW. I took a ton of pics and we headed off to Adventureland.

Let me sum up the rest of MK for you: Pirates, Indiana Jones, Big Thunder Mountain, Columbia River Boat. Everything was ok. We defnitely liked Pirates, Indiana Jones...eh (Dinosaur is better).

We were hungry and decided to go to California Adventure. We had lunch at the Wine Country Trattoria. It was amazing!!! I really would recommend this. After lunch we headed to the pier for Toy Storia Mania and California Screaming.

Now let me preface this with, I know it's NOT Disneylands fault, but the following series of events just added to our dissapointing day.

Toy Storia Mania and California Screaming went down at the SAME time. I couldn't get any good pics because that lake was drained and the Ferris Wheel was down for refurb. We were getting tired and cranky and headed to get ice cream. We finished up CA but doing Monsters and Soarin and headed back to find that California Screaming was back up. It was AMAZING. Seriously.

At this point, my mom was tired and her back was killing her. To be honest, I didn't even want to go back to Disneyland. We did some shipping at DTD and grabbed lunch.

I found Disneyland to be dirty, unappealing and boring. The CM's were rude and mean (a CM at Soarin got SO nasty with me, I just stood there shocked for a minute). It was clearly a day park and there were a lot of locals. I did kind of want to see the fireworks but mom wasn't about to head back. I'm just kind of let down. I run into nasty CM's at WDW too, but it just seems like so much more! I found things at DL to look run down and blah. It was a tad busy, but the waits weren't bad and the weather was beautiful.

I'm sure it's a great park but it was just a let down for me. Maybe I expected too much. We had a good time but I have no desire to come back anytime soon.

[Sherry E]

Wow. It's a shame you had such a disappointing time. I am so sorry about that! I guess it does all boil down to expectations, patience level, willingness to adapt to unexpected inconveniences that arise, energy level, and each person's preferences of what makes a good trip for them, etc. I always want to go immediately back to DLR as soon as I leave, so I cannot identify with that 'not wanting to go back' thing! I have never thought of DL as dirty. In fact, they go out of their way to meticulously clean every corner of the parks and keep them immaculate. Some of the restaurants are mediocre, but some are great (I agree on Wine Country Trattoria, but Tortilla Jo's in DTD is a place that has a sometimes bad reputation, so that was a risk. ESPN Zone and Naples are much better and so is Rainforest Cafe). Some folks love the DLH better than the other two hotels; lots of folks feel it is kind of run down and in need of work, so that part of your trip doesn't surprise me too much. Buzz Lightyear IS a bit different in the guns you shoot with - did you notice that? At WDW they are anchored; in DL, you can lift them and move them around to hit your targets. Toy Story Mania is awesome, and it is too bad it was down when you tried to ride it. It probably went back up later because it is so popular. The Castle is smaller because the park is smaller. DL is the original park and does not benefit from the sprawling acres that WDW/Magic Kingdom has. We don't have a lot of land on which to develop in Orange County so everything is scaled down.

Well, I guess it is better for you to stick with the tried and true at WDW. It sounds like the DLR experience for you was bad or mediocre from beginning to end. It happens. They do have 'off' days here and there.

Again, I am so sorry you had a disappointing time!:goodvibes

[PinkBudgie]

So sorry you didn't have fun. :sad1: It sounds like your day was the exception. I have never seen DLR dirty even on the most crowded of days. However, I could have told you Matterhorn was bumpy. :crazy2: I don't care for it all either. It gives me a headache. I must prefer Space. And of course, having Screamin shut down is completely crummy. That is a great ride! Maybe you can come back and give it another try in a few years when all the new additions to DCA are there. It should be very nice. I like the castle, though. It is pretty and delicate and has great details. I think if it was bigger it wouldn't look right here.

As for hotels, never stayed at the DLH, we stay off site. It seems some of the nicer ones are a little further away (1-3 miles) but worth it to me and cheaper than the DLR ones. I can't wait to go back in June for an entire week!

Anyway, I'm sad you didn't have a very good trip.

[Teki]

Judgeing Disneyland on a one day bases in an off season isnt exactly reason for hateing it. It was walts dream in fact since he didn't live to see the completion of WDW i consider it more of His vision. So you met a few rude CM's you cant convience me that EVERYONE was mean to you or that ALL the CM's at WDW are pure angels. Im really sorta hurt by how you call everything boring and dirty. Ive never been to DL and considered it dirty and I think that all the attractions are wonderful. Although I will give you the nemo subs I wasn't that impressed. theres nothing wrong with the castle. :sad1:

[Lynzer Torte]

Wow.

[DiSNEY[MOMMA]]

Judgeing Disneyland on a one day bases in an off season isnt exactly reason for hateing it. It was walts dream in fact since he didn't live to see the completion of WDW i consider it more of His vision. So you met a few rude CM's you cant convience me that EVERYONE was mean to you or that ALL the CM's at WDW are pure angels. Im really sorta hurt by how you call everything boring and dirty. Ive never been to DL and considered it dirty and I think that all the attractions are wonderful. Although I will give you the nemo subs I wasn't that impressed. theres nothing wrong with the castle. :sad1:

I gotta agree with Teki. I've NEVER been to DL && considered it [dirty]. I can't even imagine it :sad2: I can't comment on the Nemo Subs, I havn't been since they opened. But the castle..it's beautiful. Like someone in an earlier post said, it's smaller than WDW for the obvious. WDW is alot bigger than DL so therefor the castle would be alot bigger.
I'm sorry that your trip wasn't up to par for you tho.

[mommaU4]

Hi Amanda. Sorry your first visit to Disneyland was so disappointing. I've grown up going there and not once have I felt it to be dirty. I've run into some rude CMs but I have run into them at WDW too. That just happens.

Some restaurants are better then others, same as at WDW. I don't know. I guess it's all in what you are used to. I've been to both and there are things I like about WDW and some things I really dislike about it. But no place is perfect, not DL or WDW. Some places catch you off guard, especially when you don't know exactly what to expect.
For example, the first time I visited Las Vegas, I hated it. Never wanted to return. Well, I did and loved it so much I now live there!!! LOL
Maybe one day you'll give it another try and find some of the magic. pixiedust: In the meantime, enjoy your trips to WDW!

[QueenDoOver]

Hi Amanda. Sorry your first visit to Disneyland was so disappointing. I've grown up going there and not once have I felt it to be dirty. I've run into some rude CMs but I have run into them at WDW too. That just happens.

Some restaurants are better then others, same as at WDW. I don't know. I guess it's all in what you are used to. I've been to both and there are things I like about WDW and some things I really dislike about it. But no place is perfect, not DL or WDW. Some places catch you off guard, especially when you don't know exactly what to expect.
For example, the first time I visited Las Vegas, I hated it. Never wanted to return. Well, I did and loved it so much I now live there!!! LOL
Maybe one day you'll give it another try and find some of the magic. pixiedust: In the meantime, enjoy your trips to WDW!

You are so much nicer than me. I'm readin' and thinkin' WOOHOO, one less person at my park:) Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but it was a pretty harsh judgement on a pretty narrow experience.

[iKristin]

I agree...I don't see how people can compare WDW and Disneyland since Disneyland is the original park. I've read in multiple biographies that Walt only visited Orlando twice in his life so I just consider WDW a wanna be park. Nothing compares to the original.

[Grumpy'sWife4Ever]

I am sorry that your trip didn't measure up to your expectations. I know that sometimes a few "off" moments can effect your entire experience, but I hope you still had enough good times to balance it out. It really is unfortunate that you met so many rude CMs, I have to say that in my experience that is really rare and the exception rather than the rule.

I had sort of a similar experience the first time I visited WDW. My first Disney experience had been at DL and it was magical, special, and I couldn't wait to go back. The following year I was able to visit to WDW and of course I was blown away by all the parks that DL doesn't have - EPCOT, etc. (This was 20 yrs ago BTW) But the MK just didn't measure up. It was too large and cold and impersonal. There was a lot of "flash" but I was truly missing the heart, if that makes sense? Anyway, I think that it depends on each individual person, and I truly hope to get back to WDW one day to show my kids all the wonders that it holds, but DL will always be the place that holds the magic for me. :smickey:

[disneyL0VE]

Judgeing Disneyland on a one day bases in an off season isnt exactly reason for hateing it. It was walts dream in fact since he didn't live to see the completion of WDW i consider it more of His vision. So you met a few rude CM's you cant convience me that EVERYONE was mean to you or that ALL the CM's at WDW are pure angels. Im really sorta hurt by how you call everything boring and dirty. Ive never been to DL and considered it dirty and I think that all the attractions are wonderful. Although I will give you the nemo subs I wasn't that impressed. theres nothing wrong with the castle. :sad1:

You are so much nicer than me. I'm readin' and thinkin' WOOHOO, one less person at my park:) Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but it was a pretty harsh judgement on a pretty narrow experience.

I agree with these DISers. Walt's TRUE dream is in Disneyland. For those rides that you say are boring, that's why you MAKE it fun. Your trip report is ridiculous to base the entire park on, since you were only there for one day.

I find this hilarious that you posted this trip report on a thread where DL Vets &fans come to spread magic.

[fairycat]

I am so sorry you didn't have a good time. I sure wish we could have helped you a little more so you would have been able to find better places to eat and to have some different expectations.

The first time I went to WDW it was one day in MK, I hated it!!! I missed the Matterhorn, and thought what's with the big ugly castle, where is the mountain!!! The park was dirty, the CM's outfits seemed dumpy and worn out, and I had a CM threaten a group of us with violence while in line for HM. I thought I would NEVER go back!

But because my inlaws live near by a few years later we gave Epcot a chance and with fewer expectations we had a really good time. When I went last for several days, I admit we only spent approx 1.5 hours in the MK so we could see CBJ and the newly remodeled HM. Then we left. I think with a few more changes in expectations I might debate spending a day there again.

In the end WDW does not work for me and I don't see us spending more then a day or two there when visiting relatives. DLR might not be for you but I hope if you ever find yourself on this coast again you will give it another try and we can help you be more prepared so you can have a better time.

BTW- I sooooooo have to disagree with you on is Indy is way cool then Dinosaur!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hahahahahah! ;)

[Echie]

Awww that's too bad that you didn't like Disneyland :(

You really can't compare it to WDW though... I personally like WDW better, whereas DH likes DL better - they are two totally different theme parks really. Even though both DH and I have our favorites, we both still really enjoy going to both of them - we just don't compare them, and just take them as they come! This makes us happy :)

I agree though - as adults we did not like the Nemo ride (boring) and wouldn't go again unless we had children with us.

We also never take the monorail at DL unless we wanted to ride it for fun - walking is so much quicker and easier.

[Sherwin]

That's interesting. I'm sorry you had that experience but I've never encountered any of the problems you've had. I'm not sure what you were expecting out of Sleeping Beauty Castle. It being the first, Walt had no preconceived notions how tall a castle should be. You'll notice that all its successors are considerably taller. I'm afraid I have to disagree on the comparison between Indiana Jones and Dinosaur. I've ridden IJA many many times and Dinosaur I think two or three times. I find that Dinosaur is extremely jerky and that most of the ride is in the dark so you don't really know what's going on. I was so scared I was going to fly out of the vehicle because I was sitting on the side. Indiana Jones seems more thematic to me as it goes through a series of "****y traps".

Overall, it's unfortunate that your experience went that way. I know there are many other WDWers that have genuinely enjoyed their first trips at DLR. You'll have to forgive the drained lake at DCA as all the construction is sacrifice for a bigger better park in 2012.

[RallyMonkey]

How strange! I don't care about the negative comparisons of rides, castle size, etc. but I've been to Disneyland every week this month and haven't found it to be dirty then, or at any other time over the many years I have gone. It is always meticulously clean and kept in good condition. And I've always been fortunate enough to have had positive experiences with the CM's. They are always so helpful and kind to me. I was just at Disneyland Hotel today to visit my parents staying there in the Dreams tower and the room was nice and was not run down at all. There are a lot of refurbishments going on right now so maybe it isn't the greatest time for some first timers, especially those trying to see both parks in one busy day who are cranky and didn't sleep well!

[fairycat]

I'm afraid I have to disagree on the comparison between Indiana Jones and Dinosaur. I've ridden IJA many many times and Dinosaur I think two or three times. I find that Dinosaur is extremely jerky and that most of the ride is in the dark so you don't really know what's going on. I was so scared I was going to fly out of the vehicle because I was sitting on the side. Indiana Jones seems more thematic to me as it goes through a series of "****y traps".



See I totally agree it was so dark and shaky, it was hard to know what was going on and the Dinos were cheesy. But I think my biggest issue was the clear Jurassic Park rip off, and having done the JP ride at Universal first, I thought their Dinos were better. I wish Disney had been a little more unique with the ride. That is some of the reason I just like Indy better.

[Sherwin]

See I totally agree it was so dark and shaky, it was hard to know what was going on and the Dinos were cheesy. But I think my biggest issue was the clear Jurassic Park rip off, and having done the JP ride at Universal first, I thought their Dinos were better. I wish Disney had been a little more unique with the ride. That is some of the reason I just like Indy better.
Yeah, totally. I know that Imagineering put Dinosaur in modeled somewhat after IJA (with the transport vehicles and all), but I TOTALLY agree with the JP ripoff. It was a lot of jerkiness racing back to the present and then all of a sudden, a big dino looms out at you, and the picture snaps. JP was actually themed off a movie so I think Disney had trouble theming Dinosaur.

[iKristin]

I don't get where people say DL is dirty anyway. You can't complain about trash at a park unless you are stepping in piles of it. Do you really expect cleaning people to follow every single person around with a broom and dust pan to pick up every single piece of trash they might drop all day long?

[Diznygrl]

Personally I've found that the MK is dirtier than DL, ESPECIALLY the bathrooms. Even during the off season, I was always surprised at how filthy they were at MK. All around WDW, actually. Never would I describe DL as being dirty. I would dare to say they even refurb/clean/paint more often than WDW. You probably saw a lot of walls up last week. Such is a part of visiting during the off season.

And as far the castle....are you kidding? Not sure what you were expecting, it being built in 1955 for the first theme park in the entire world and all. Walt putting every cent (literally) he had into the place, while everyone was telling him he was crazy and it was doomed to fail. Sorry he couldn't build that imposing 180 foot tall structure for ya. :scratchin I find Sleeping Beauty Castle to be prettier as a whole, despite its size. It has more detail, much like everything else in DL.

Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE WDW. But DL vs. MK...there is no comparison. MK is nice, but it is no DL. I'm sorry you had a negative experience, though. Different strokes for different folks, I guess.

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Yeah, totally. I know that Imagineering put Dinosaur in modeled somewhat after IJA (with the transport vehicles and all), but I TOTALLY agree with the JP ripoff. It was a lot of jerkiness racing back to the present and then all of a sudden, a big dino looms out at you, and the picture snaps. JP was actually themed off a movie so I think Disney had trouble theming Dinosaur.


Indy did come first - the ride track for Dinosaur is actually the exact same track pattern (curves, drops, etc) as Indy. You just don't stop for story details like you do in Indy. (Same with GRR and KRR in AK, but that is another story for another time!)

Ahhhh - you also forget that Dinosaur is actually based off a Disney movie of the same name - one that was realeased 1.5 years after the ride opened. It just wasn't a big box office blockbuster.... at all. The ride was known as Countdown to Extinction in the first years - it had to be ready to be the only thrill ride they had when AK opened - hence - the scientist theme. Then, to coincide with the Dinosaur movie release, they renamed it. Then, it was obvious why they went to get the Allosaurus - Allodar - the movie's main character! DOH!!!! (If you remember the old river boat rides in AK - they had an Audio Animatronic Allodar in the River - the one that was "brought back to the current day" in the ride and escapes the lab in the post show videos. Seeing him was one of the coolest parts of that river cruise. I don't know for sure, he may still be there - a quiet ghost of AK's past, but the normal visitor can't see his location from the walkways.

PS - Trivia bit - the red dino is really the South American cousin to the Ty. Rex.

[vettegirl]

IMO I would take DL over the MK any day of the week.

[Boston Tea Party]

Wow. That was particularly harsh.

You do realize what board you posted on, right?

Did you stop at the Fire Station and see the light for Walt? Did you see where the Disney Gallery used to be? You know, above Pirates, where there is a balcony with Roy and Walt's initials in the ironwork? Did you see Walt's door - not window - on Main Street? Did you sit in Walt's box at the Golden Horseshoe or ride on the E P Ripley? Did you get a photo of yourself walking through the castle like that famous one of Walt?

You do realize that Disneyland opened in 1955, right? Pretty amazing wouldn't you say?

I mean, frankly, did you intend to enjoy Walt's park or did you go on a fault finding mission? Just wondering...

[disneyfaninaz]

I guess you have to grow up riding the Matterhorn to really appreciate it. I mean it was the first ever tubular track roller coaster ever built. It is over 40 years old. Yeah, it's going to bumpy and jerky, but it's historical and magical and a lot of fun and unique to any other disney park in the world.

[Sherry E]

Just to kind of clarify what I got from Mandy's post - she DID say that certain things were amazing, or that certain things she really liked. So it wasn't all bad. And she didn't blame Disney for everything. But the overall report seemed negative, I guess. I just tend to think that when the tone is kind of set for the day/trip early on, it is hard for some people to bounce back from that and look at everything with a fresh perspective. Sometimes you get locked in a mindset and then everything seems crappy or seems like a problem from there on out, and it is hard to find the interest in seeking out the hidden gems or whatever. I am sure I have done that during trips to other places in my life. I have a good time only if I CHOOSE to have a good time and really appreciate where I am for what it has to offer and not so much for what it does NOT offer.

I do get very bummed out when I read bad reviews of DLR - it is a downer because I know DLR holds such a place of importance in my life and the lives of everyone on this part of DISboards - but I know that things can go wrong in trips (I even started a thread a long time ago called "What Have Been Your Least Pleasant DLR Experiences?"). However, making any kinds of comparisons to the Magic Kingdom as being a superior park is probably unfair based on which park preceded it, as previously stated. I am not talking about restaurants because those can ALL have off days, and that is a matter of taste. But things like the Castle are the original. It fits perfectly in DLR because of the size. Any larger and it would be too out of proportion for DL. I don't bother with the Matterhorn anyway, so I wouldn't have recommended that, but I AM sorry that you missed out on Toy Story Mania, because that is very fun.

I also think Mandy and her mom simply didn't have enough time to really appreciate all those little Disney details that make DL special - there wasn't even enough time to appreciate all that DCA has to offer. I don't think they visited the Animation Building or the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail or A Bug's Land (full of great details). I am not sure if they went into ToonTown in DL (MUCH better than the WDW version of ToonTown, from what I have been told, and full of hidden gems). So time wasn't on their side, really. Maybe if they had an extra day in the parks, they would have had a better time. They basically only had enough time to do a kind of 'highlight tour,' and when a couple of things went wrong or not to their liking, I don't think there was much interest in seeking out the special details and hidden treasures.

Bottom line is - even over in the DL Trip Report section of the DIS, there have been regular DIS-ers with AP's who make lots of day trips to DL and report on all of them, and occasionally, they have a report that is not good. One day out of 15 day trips may be a bad trip, and they will report honestly on it. But then they go back again and the next time is magical. It happens. So seeing that this is a board where we encourage everyone to share their own experiences and opinions, we have to accept and welcome the reports on the bad experiences too! I mean, of course, we will still speak up if we disagree with what is being said, but we have to be able to accept all the DLR feedback, good or bad!:goodvibes

ETA: I do agree with PP's that a little pre-planning on the dining aspect of things, and on what special details to scout out, would have helped tremendously.

[nunzia]

Wow.

Wow indeed. I agree with this. You had one day at 2 parks and it looks like little pre planning pr forethought. How would you feel if someone had one day at WDW without a clue and posted that sort of report? I have NEVER found DLR dirty in anyway and I've been more times than I can count. I have run into a few rude CMs and some who weren't rude but just stressed that hordes of guests aren't paying attention. Anyway..if you had researched you would know Tortilla Joes is not rated that high, plus it has nothing to do with Disney, so unfair to blame that on DLR, and you see prices on a menu, so your fault if you spend 40 for bad food. There are many more and better options all over the resort.
It sounds like you just rushed from ride to ride and took in none of the ambience and specialness of Walt's park.
It sounds like you had an attitude of looking for things 'wrong' so you found them.:snooty:
As an aside, on our ABD a family who goes to WDW yearly was wowed by Indy and thought it blew away Dinosaur, but to each their own.
I'm just a little stunned at your views and perceptions..so I guess you will be better off at the magicalplacewherenothingiseverwrong WDW.:confused3

[nunzia]

Wow. That was particularly harsh.

You do realize what board you posted on, right?

Did you stop at the Fire Station and see the light for Walt? Did you see where the Disney Gallery used to be? You know, above Pirates, where there is a balcony with Roy and Walt's initials in the ironwork? Did you see Walt's door - not window - on Main Street? Did you sit in Walt's box at the Golden Horseshoe or ride on the E P Ripley? Did you get a photo of yourself walking through the castle like that famous one of Walt?

You do realize that Disneyland opened in 1955, right? Pretty amazing wouldn't you say?

I mean, frankly, did you intend to enjoy Walt's park or did you go on a fault finding mission? Just wondering...

You forgot Walt's window in Toon Town :) :)

[mariezp]

Come on guys! Some of you are being a bit harsh to the OP. This is HER report and she certainly has a right to HER opinion. Of course, this is a Disneyland loving section of the board but her report was about her experience at Disneyland so it does fit whether we all agree with her or not. She certainly did not make any personal attacks so there is no need for anyone to get offended by her post. Perhaps some of us jump too quick in defense of our beloved park. Please, do try to keep in mind that this is her report from her point of view.

That said. OP, I am sorry that you were dissappointed with your trip. I know for myself, sometimes I can have such high expectations that there is no way anything can live up to it. Maybe that's what happened?

I remember the first time I ever went to go see Elvis' Graceland. I was expecting something grand because after all it was where "The King of Rock and Roll" lived. How could you be that rich and famous and not have something totally awesome? I was expecting something rich and extravagant but IMHO it was gaundy and small and disappointing. However, after thinking about it and realizing that it was built in a time when it would have been considered amazingly spectacular I was able to appreciate Graceland after all. It was more about the fact that Elvis had actually lived there.

That's really the way it is with Disneyland. For it's time, Disneyland was truely something amazing! For some of us it still is. Walt Disney actually walked the streets. He actually began his dreams there. He made the park to share with ME and everyone else. I personally am so glad he did because it is my favorite place on earth! It's not huge but it is amazing. For me the small feel helps it to feel more intimate.

We have taken 8 annual trips. So far I have encountered a few less than friendly CMs but never any particularly rude. (Now rude guests is a different story but that is no fault of the park.) Sometimes food has been better than others but that happens everywhere I go. I have NEVER seen the park dirty. We have stayed for up to 14 days and never found the park to be boring but I do know not everyone would enjoy more than a few days. It's just different strokes for different folks.

We are considering a trip to WDW. I don't have high expectations for it at all. Just the thought of taking on 4 different parks and learning how to get around makes my head spin! I am going knowing that I probably will not love it anywhere near as much as I do Disneyland. Who knows, maybe I will be pleasantly surprised but I know for sure I won't come away feeling as you did, disappointed.

I hope as time passes some of the disappointment fades. It sounds like you might have had some fun so I would just try to remember those parts and forget the rest.

[mommaU4]

See I totally agree it was so dark and shaky, it was hard to know what was going on and the Dinos were cheesy. But I think my biggest issue was the clear Jurassic Park rip off, and having done the JP ride at Universal first, I thought their Dinos were better. I wish Disney had been a little more unique with the ride. That is some of the reason I just like Indy better.I agree, I just love Indy. I was not impressed with Dinosaur at all. I think the theming and effects in Indy are so much better.



Personally I've found that the MK is dirtier than DL, ESPECIALLY the bathrooms. I'd forgotten about that!! I didn't think either DL or WDW was dirty, and the parks aren't, but now that you mention it I do remember the bathrooms were dirty at MK. And that's been mentioned by others in their WDW trip reports, so it must be an ongoing issue there for some reason. :confused3


Amanda, I was thinking about it afterward, and you are a WDW vet, you know about advance planning. I wish you could have made a reservation for dinner that Friday night at one of the wonderful dining spots in DTD like Jazz Kitchen (sooo good!) or HOB, Rainforest Cafe, etc.

And it is hard to go to a park that is in remodel. I kind of feel sorry for anyone having their first visit to DCA while it's under construction because of course it won't be as good as it's going to be.

Ask here if you do ever decide to go back and we will happily help you book your room at Grand Californian with a theme park view, book some of the better eateries (heck even a bowl of soup at Pacific Wharf you probably would have loved), and advise you on better times and days to go. :thumbsup2 As you know doing some research can make all the difference between a good trip and a bad one.

In any case, as I said enjoy your WDW trip! :goodvibes

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Hey Marie - you are correct. The WDW vets have a really hard time with understanding DL and it's unique charm, especially if they aren't over the top "history" enthusiasts like many of us.

I remember feeling the same way about Graceland, too.

If you ever need help with that WDW vacation, let me know. That's where I started out - coming from Missouri originally. I cann give you a lot of tips that can help you as a DL buff understand how to maneuver there. Just PM me and I'll shoot you my email!

Nancy

[Mugglemama]

Sorry you didn't have as good a time as you would have liked!

I can relate...there have been a couple of visits out of the more than 100 that we've made to DL that weren't "great", although the vast majority have been fine.

Matterhorn is pretty bumpy, I'll give you that (although it DOES seem a bit less so in recent years, unless I'm hallucinating? Anyone?) I guess it takes growing up on it to develop a nostalgia for it that makes one disregard the bumpiness. :)

I have to sympathize with you about rude CM's, too. Before a few years ago, we had NEVER encountered rude CM's at DL, but the last few visits each have been worse than the last in that respect. In fact, it's one of the main reasons I'm not even going to bother to go this year. I love DL, but I'm burnt out for now on grouchy CM's. They definitely have a way of tarnishing the trip, that's for sure.

I am really surprised to see anyone write that DL is dirty, though. I really hope the cleanliness of the place is not taking a downturn! I've always thought of the park as exceptionally clean myself, and I'm somewhat OCD-ish about germs, ect., so for me to think of it as clean it has to be pretty darn clean, lol. i've only once encountered a messy restroom, and it wasn't horrible. Sometimes the outdoor tables at the buzz lightyear restaurant (sorry, can't remember the name at the moment) are kind of grubby from the last customers who sat there, but other than that, I've not encountered dirtiness (is that a word?) at any of the restaurants. I'm always surprised in fact, at how clean the walkways are, considering the volume of people. Ugh, PLEASE don't let DL be getting dirty!! if THAT happens, I will likely stop going. As it is, the rude CM's have me halfway out the door. Which is sad to me, because I grew up not far from DL and have spent my whole life going there, and taking my children often as well. It's been a home away from home for us our whole lives, and I hate that there have been a couple of times in recent years that I've regretted spending the money to go.

DH wants to go to WDW instead next May, and after hours of comparing the two online, WDW seems not nearly as enticing to me as DL. I love going to DL and knowing every nook and cranny like the back of my hand, being able to get from one place to another quickly, walking between parks, etc. I have NO desire to visit somewhere as sprawling as WDW seems to be. I love being able to jump off one ride and run to the one right next to it, lol...I don't want to have to waste any more time between rides than I have to! Plus, I love California Adventure.

Although, the lure of more pleasant CM's is tempting, I'll admit.

The castle has never been anything I really cared all that much about one way or another, so I don't mind that it is smaller. I don't necessarily think of bigger as being better though, but that's just me. I'm sure my kids would freak over the huge castle at WDW.

Sorry DL didn't live up to your expectations! I say if WDW does it for you, then stick with it! It's no fun feeling like money and/or time have been wasted, that's for sure.

[tlynk]

I'm so sorry you didn't have a wonderful time. :sad2: I've been going to DLR for years and have had a couple not so good trips, but mostly my trips have been wonderful. I would say the next time you are near DL- give it another shot.

I've been to WDW 5 times, and absolutely love it. If I had to choose a weeklong vacation I would choose WDW due to the variety of theme parks, and how gorgeous the area is. On the other hand, if I had to choose between DL and MK- DL wins hands down.

Thank you for your honest posting. :goodvibes

[disney-super-mom]

I agree with the "WOW" statement.

You spend one day there and say it'll be your last visit to Disneyland. Whatever.:rolleyes:

[wazowskiLOVER:)]

It really saddens me to read you TR. Its definitely harsh and unfair to judge the ORIGINAL park in ONE day especially since you decided to go on the busiest day of the week. It also seems like you were aiming to find things to fault about the place. I'm guessing if you actually took the time to prepare for this one day trip by getting more preparation done before, you would have had a better time. I think that having fun at DLR is perspective. You have to make sure you're with the right people who are willing to have fun and be patient at the same time and you have to be understanding that the park is going to have quirks when its busy.

I also can't believe that you have a blog about loving Disney when you feel this way. Did you not know that most of the art and films created by Walt were during the creation of this park/ during his stay there and most of his inspiration came from Disneyland? How can a person claim to be a lover of Disney and be so disrespectful of the happiest place on earth? You must be a person who looks for negative things in life to have found so many bad things to say.

I'm not going to say that you can't say them, you are completely entitled to. Just realize that you are in a forum of DLR lovers and are asking for trouble when you talk about the park the way you do. If you enjoy WDW so much, then you should just continue to go there. One less person in line for me to go on the Matterhorn.

[PaperDoll]

It's hard to respond to this. Disneyland is where it all started for Walt. It's where his dream was born...of COURSE it's going to be smaller. It's a very historic place...before the Disney 'brand' exploded into what we now see everywhere in terms of the Disney empire. It's vintage feel is part of the charm that makes it so loved by many. We love it small! :goodvibes We hate it when anything is changed. The castle may look small compared to WDW, but it is a historic original and the first of it's kind in the country. You can't really compare WDW and Disneyland as far as the experience you get while there.
One is an adorable vintage park from the 50's that pulls on our heartstrings because we link it to our childhood and all the magic and wonder it brought us, pixiedust: and one is a mega-huge (to put it mildly) expansion that was built after it.

Cranky CMs would annoy me too, but people are people. Not much you can do about that. :confused3

[DangerMouse]

I've got mixed feelings about this. At first I was kind of in agreement with the "wow" statement and thinking that the OP may have not given Walt's original park a fair shake.

HOWEVER, what the OP experienced at our beloved DLR is a big reason why I haven't and don't plan to go to WDW. I'm scared of having a completely disappointing experience and feeling like I wasted money. And then what if I wanted to share about it?? Well, I certainly wouldn't do it on the Dis WDW boards. I'd be virtually tarred and feathered!:lmao:

Regardless, the OP's experience was HER experience and you can't begrudge her for feeling bad about it. Should she come on a DLR board and say how much she hated it? :scratchin Only if she's willing to taste a few feathers. ;)

[julw]

HOWEVER, what the OP experienced at our beloved DLR is a big reason why I haven't and don't plan to go to WDW. I'm scared of having a completely disappointing experience and feeling like I wasted money. And then what if I wanted to share about it?? Well, I certainly wouldn't do it on the Dis WDW boards. I'd be virtually tarred and feathered!:lmao:

I agree! This is the exact reason we won't go to WDW either!


I also had a WOW? feeling when I read her post. I keep racking my brain though to think how it could have been dirty? Maybe all the referb walls in both parks and the lagoon being drained in DCA just gave her the "feeling" of dirty or not cared for?

[PryncessChrysty]

That's really a bummer that something you were looking forward to so much ended up being so incredibly disappointing for you. I think you should give it some time, do a little more research about the parks, the hotels and the dining, what there is to see and do and then give it another try. Now that your expectations won't be up so high, maybe you will actually be able to enjoy yourself. Seeing Walt's park on a whim, and kind of in a hurry (1 day for 2 parks) really wasn't giving yourself a fair shot to truly experience the magic.

We went to WDW last September for the first time and I went into it knowing it would be a vastly different experience than DLR (I grew up going to DL and we visit about 3-4 times a month). I did a LOT of research before we left so I pretty much knew what to expect so that I wasn't disappointed when we got there. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised and LOVED it! I even loved MK as much as I love DL! It's not because one is better than the other since they are practically the same, I really fell in love the differences that each has to offer. As far as the castle at DL, this seems to be a big let down for a lot of people that grew up only going to WDW. I think if you looked into the history of the park, what Walt's vision was, and take into account that it was built almost 20 years prior to Cinderella's castle in a very different era, you could come to appreciate it's quaintness.

If you ever do go back, I hope you get to do it up right and it's as magical as you dreamed your first trip would be.
pixiedust:

[Mary Jo]

Hi MainStMandy, & welcome to the friendliest corner of the DIS. ;)

I'm sorry that the Disneyland Resort did not meet your expectations. There is little more disappointing than having built-up expectations dashed to the ground.

Although most here are passionate about Disneyland, with good reason, I can understand how such an experience can negatively color your own perception. Just sad that it happened at a place that so many of us love ... and understand.

:hug:

[WannaBeAPrincess]

Wow is right. Sorry, you were disappointed, but it is unfair to bash DL based on comparisons to WDW. The two are completely different. Sounds like poor planning and research are to blame, not DL.

Sorry, but I feel completely insulted by your remarks. It's as if you came to my home and belittled it.

[tink2dw]

DL is NOT dirty!! Go to the two other common parks in LA and you will know dirty!

I think because it is so blindingly Sunny in Florida, and so spread out everywhere may be brighter, nothing to do with clean.

DL is packed with Fun!!

Ours

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/tink2dw/disneyland-address.jpg

Sleeping Beauty’s Castle at Disneyland in Anaheim, California.


Your hybred castle, alot of ours on the bottom, Some tower of your own. But not much.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/tink2dw/c49423f6f0b344f1ee7277024c2e8989.jpg

Cinderelle's Castle at Walt Disney World, Florida

[staugielady]

I also am so sorry you had such a bad experience, but I think if possible you should give it another chance. I grew up in So Cal and so grew up going to DL. My sister and several friends are also cast members, so I may be a bit biased. However, I would not by any stretch of the imagination consider it dirty. Until I moved to Florida, I went to DL on average once a month. While I have run in to cast members who were less enthusiastic than others, I have never had one be outright rude.

Since I now live in Florida, WDW is now my "home" park, so to speak, but DL is where my heart is, and always will be. I LOVE WDW, don't get me wrong, but I miss little things. The Storybook Land Canal Boats. The Haunted Mansion and the Pirates of the Caribbean are TOTALLY different (and the DL versions are much better, although both versions are good). I miss the little side streets in New Orleans Square, like the one with the curving staircase just past Blue Bayou. The magnificent facade of It's A Small World. Things like that.

On the other hand, the resorts at WDW are wonderful, and there is more of a variety of things to do there. So both places have things to boast of. Just my perspective...

[Bunless]

I do have to agree with the OP on one thing...
I do like Dinosaur! more than IJA. I like that it's darker and scarier. Especially when they're coming for you--gets me every time.

[kxs401]

I love WDW, but my family decided to make our regular post-Christmas trip this year to SoCal instead of Orlando -- in part for some variety, in part to see my dad's parents, and in part to revisit the place my parents met, married and had their first child (that'd be me!) 25 years ago.

I wasn't consciously making comparisons between DLR and WDW, but it's impossible not to. My experience there a few weeks ago was that the cast members were ever-so-slightly less friendly, the park was spotlessly clean, some rides were better (notably Pirates and Space Mountain) and some rides weren't... they were just different experiences.

The Grand Californian was a lovely hotel, but not comparable to, say, the Beach Club Villas.

It was very cool to be able to walk all over the resort without needing to wait for buses.

California Screamin' may be my favorite Disney ride at either park.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed both resorts. For an 8-day trip, though, WDW does offer slightly more variety. ;)

[c&m]

I am sorry to hear that your trip didn't go as well as you expected.

I think judging DL and CA on just one day is a tad bit harsh. I've never run into a rude CM at DL or CA in all the times I've visited the parks. A couple of your responses don't surprise me at all though: Tortilla Joes and DL Hotel.

Tortilla Joes have had bad reviews for a long time. I've never eaten there, and probably never will based on what everyone posts on the Disneyland boards tell me.

The Disneyland Hotel is the older hotel, and I've seen the room interior since my FIL and MIL stayed there before. I've also read reviews on Tripadvisor about this hotel. Those reviewers really tell it like it is. Based on those reviews, I would more likely stay at Paradise Pier because the decor and the reviews are more pleasing to me.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that if you had done a bit more research into where to eat and where to stay, you may have had a bit different experience.

[waltsgirl]

I went to DL for the first time last May after the PC crossing cruise. We stayed two days. My husband ad been there before and we were with several families that were from the west coast and DL was their hang-out. I say this so that you know that planning and not knowing what we were doing was not the problem.

I appreciated all the history of the park. All the things that have been mentioned we made sure we saw. We also got to eat in Walt's "private club" the name of which escapes me now, through friends. I have to say that was the highlight of the park for me. I love the history of the club and fact that if you don't know it's there you really don't know!

I too commented to my husband that I felt the CM's were not as friendly as in WDW. I also did not feel like I was at a Disney park when we were at California Adventure.

As for the castle, I was prepared for the size. I have to say it was still a shock.

I just like the feel of WDW and I think it is the feeling of being away from the rest of the world. I truly feel like I enter another world and can leave my worries at the gate. it is due to the amount of land that was available. I guess for me I don't like the feeling of being in the middle of town that I had at DL.

It is all what you are used to. I don't believe one is better, they are just different.

[tlynk]

I just like the feel of WDW and I think it is the feeling of being away from the rest of the world. I truly feel like I enter another world and can leave my worries at the gate. it is due to the amount of land that was available.

I agree with you 100% on this one! WDW does make you feel like you are away from the rest of the world.:) When inside DL I feel that way too, but once I step out- I'm back to reality.

[MainStMandy]

Well despite all of you disagreeing with me, thanks for the opinions.

Let me clarify by saying I didn't blame Disney for anything. I never said I had an awful time or that I hated Disneyland.

What I said was I was disappointed, and never said most of it wasn't my own fault. I am a big history buff when it comes to Disney and that was the main reason for my visit. Yes we only had one day, but I don't think that had anything to do with it. I found many CM's to be rude (not all, but most) and I didn't find it very well kept. Maybe "dirty" was the wrong word. Not garbage dirty but just not really kept up (paint chipping and such).

Would I go again? Yes. Would I go to California JUST for DL? No.

It was a great experience seeing what Walt created first hand, but past the history part, it just didn't thrill me.

I understand this is the DL section of the Dis but for those of you who think my judgment is unfair, who are you to say? I didn't blame Disney, I understand what I did and didn't do...I didn't blame anyone for our meal at Taco Joes, that was my own fault, but it was still terrible.

Obviously my expectations were to high..and in the wrong direction. But it is hard NOT to compare.

[Sherry E]

At least a couple of DIS'ers have gotten ill with food poisoning from eating at Tortilla Jo's, and Tortilla Jo's has also gotten bad reviews from lots of other people. You keep referring to 'Taco Joe's,' so then I began to wonder if maybe you went to another place to eat, and we were assuming it was Tortilla Jo's. IS there a Taco Joe's that I don't know of in that area, or are we all talking about the same place? I was just getting a little confused!!:goodvibes

[PinkBudgie]

Happy to hear you would give it another try. :thumbsup2 Despite the crowds, the summer really is the best time to see DLR for the first time because most everything is up and running unless something breaks. Good use of FPs helps to make line waits not so long. Also, if you do come back, be sure ask us about good places to eat and stay and the best way to park hop. It will help you to know what to expect. I think maybe the problem wasn't your expectations were too high, but that you had wrong expectations? Things don't work the same here as they do at WDW. There are tons of details that history buff would enjoy, but you need more than a day to see them.

Take care! :flower3:

[Teki]

DL is NOT dirty!! Go to the two other common parks in LA and you will know dirty!

I think because it is so blindingly Sunny in Florida, and so spread out everywhere may be brighter, nothing to do with clean.

DL is packed with Fun!!

Ours

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/tink2dw/disneyland-address.jpg

Sleeping Beauty’s Castle at Disneyland in Anaheim, California.


Your hybred castle, alot of ours on the bottom, Some tower of your own. But not much.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/tink2dw/c49423f6f0b344f1ee7277024c2e8989.jpg

Cinderelle's Castle at Walt Disney World, Florida

I cant truthfully say having never seen cinderellas castle in person (well not sense the age of 2), but I have always loved sleeping beautys, when I was a kid looking at pic's of WDW I always thought it looked to pointy and over powering to much like the towers in london (which I have actually seen). I feel like sleeping beautys is the picture in my head as a little girl prtending to be a princess, theres nothign wrong with its size id venture to say for me its perfect. I know Ive alreayd commented about this, but seriously every time I read the word Dirty in your trip review it I honestly dont know want Mandy was seeing. Perhaps because the parks are under construction? its off season it happens. I dont know, but I hope you will try it again and maybe see it from a diffrent less harsh and cranky perspective.

[Czardas]

Ok a trip report should be you reflecting your experiences and your personal account of your day/stay whether it good or bad it is your record and we should respect that.
I live in Australia and last year was the first time I was able to realise my childhood dream and go to Disneyland (at 42, yeah me:cheer2: ). There were things I loved and things I didn't love but it all made for a collage of my memories.
One thing I couldn't get over was how clean the park was and the imaculate upkeep, so I find the comment about it being dirty a bit perplexing but you obviously found this a problem and maybe came accross things we didn't.

I stayed off site at Camelot Inn & Suites and found it pretty ordinary with the most uncomfortable bed I have ever slept in but it is now a memory that I have a laugh over. After a 14 hour flight, loosing a nights sleep with the international date line, I really needed a comfy bed lol, so this was important to me but may not be to others.
I found the food so incredibly fattening and loaded with grease or calories, again important to me but maybe not to others (oh & I am still wanting a corn dog to share when I get back there but will pass on the Monte Cristo thank you very much:rotfl: )
The moral to my story is that I will be back at Disneyland this September (staying elsewhere) because all in all the little things were outweighed by the wonderful time we had, to us it really was the "happiest place on earth".
Oh and being a major lurker on this forum I knew what to expect regarding the size of the castle but it was still magnificent in my childish eyes::yes::
Each to their own.............................

[MainStMandy]

Just wanted to add a link to my pics. We didn't take a whole lot because my mom HATES to be in them and gets bored while I take them, lol.

http://momandamandadisneyland2009.shutterfly.com/

[Tikiroom1963]

I agree with you RallyMonkey. I'm there on the average of two times a week and I have never seen any uncleanliness. The only rudeness I've experienced is from visiting guests. Oh well, I guess they hit the park on a bad day.

[All About The Mouse]

As the old saying goes, if at first you don't succeed, try try again. :)
Give DL another chance it will warm it's way into your heart.

[Diznygrl]

Great pics, Mandy. Thanks for sharing. :)


It's been a while since I've stayed at the DLH...I LOVE those new shampoo bottles! They're adorable! :cutie:

[Dizneydaz]

Sorry things went so poorly-definitely give DLR another try-maybe after all the remodeling is done at DCA.

I've always loved DL and DLR but then I grew up with it. We take our time, do some rides, and talk to CMs. I've even made friends with a few of them recently. Sorry you found a few of the rude ones who don't get, or spread, the Disney magic. :confused3 I also love WDW but for us it's a vacation destination. Disneyland is like playing in our own backyard, with friends. :goodvibes

Here's some for your next trip :tink:

[goofycathy]

You are so much nicer than me. I'm readin' and thinkin' WOOHOO, one less person at my park:) Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but it was a pretty harsh judgement on a pretty narrow experience.

Amen....

"Dirty and boring" The last two words in the english dictionary I would use to describe Disneyland....and what I wouldnt give to be there now!
To the OP....you can keep WDW!

[bluedoll]

I haven't read all of the responses yet. But I wanted to respond to the original post.....

Let me start by saying that I LOVE both WDW and Disneyland. I love them each for various different reasons. You cannot directly compare a vacation at DL to a vacation at WDW. They are COMPLETELY different experiences. You can directly compare each magic kingdom and various rides. You can also compare cast members and cleanliness.

My comparisons.....
WDW was much, MUCH dirtier to us. The bathrooms were nasty. So many of them had clogged, overflowing toilets. I saw blood on the floor once too. Overall, it was disgusting. And I rarely saw CMs cleaning the restrooms. At Disneyland, I always see CMs in the bathrooms. I rarely, if ever, encounter overflowing toilets and filth in Disneyland bathrooms. I also noticed much more trash on the walkways around the parks at WDW. And overflowing trashcans.

Do you enjoy Space Mountain at WDW? Because it's just as jerky (if not more so) than the Matterhorn.

I like the size of WDW's castle. But the color and details of the castle at Disneyland are much, much better. Very pretty. Bigger doesn't equal better.

I have encountered rude CMs at all of the parks. They are human, afterall. I have not noticed more rude CMs at Disneyland though. I actually think the CMs at Disneyland are happier and more bubbly. The CMs at WDW just don't stand out to me. (CMs I recently encountered at Disneyland that were awesome = Maynard!! And Cameron...working at Big Thunder and Indiana Jones.)

I like both Dinosaur and Indiana Jones. You realize they are the same exact track, right? I think there's much more to look at on Indiana Jones.

Overall, if you go into a new experience and immediately start comparing it to something else...you'll be disappointed. There's no doubt about that.

And I seem to notice that the rude, unhappy people are more likely to encounter "rude" CMs and have a generally lousy time.

I'm glad I visit all Disney parks with an open mind and a smile on my face. Because even when there are bumps in the road, I manage to have a good time. Do I get frustrated sometimes, sure....but I get over it and enjoy myself.

[bluedoll]

I guess you have to grow up riding the Matterhorn to really appreciate it. I mean it was the first ever tubular track roller coaster ever built. It is over 40 years old. Yeah, it's going to bumpy and jerky, but it's historical and magical and a lot of fun and unique to any other disney park in the world.

I didn't go to Disneyland or ride the Matterhorn until 2004 (at the age of 23.) And I LOVE Disneyland and I love the Matterhorn. :)

[bluedoll]

I've got mixed feelings about this. At first I was kind of in agreement with the "wow" statement and thinking that the OP may have not given Walt's original park a fair shake.

HOWEVER, what the OP experienced at our beloved DLR is a big reason why I haven't and don't plan to go to WDW. I'm scared of having a completely disappointing experience and feeling like I wasted money. And then what if I wanted to share about it?? Well, I certainly wouldn't do it on the Dis WDW boards. I'd be virtually tarred and feathered!:lmao:

Regardless, the OP's experience was HER experience and you can't begrudge her for feeling bad about it. Should she come on a DLR board and say how much she hated it? :scratchin Only if she's willing to taste a few feathers. ;)

My husband grew up going to Disneyland. We took a trip to WDW last year. His first trip there (my 4th but I hadn't gone since I was a teenager.) He went with the mindset that it will be a different experience than disneyland. He didn't go in comparing the parks. Sure, we discussed the differences and decided things we liked better at each park. But we both had a great time there. We love both DLR and WDW. We plan on making trips to each over the years.

I think if you go into the experience looking for a good time...you'll have one. So I recommend giving WDW a try some day. But plan for at least a week in the parks to get the full experience. And stay on-site.

[Corpsebride]

I usually never say stuff like this but I love how the op assumes that most of the people she had seen were "locals". How can you tell?

Im a local about 50 min away from dl and we do go frequently. and let me tell you, even though we have AP's we almost always spend at least the cost of one ticket if not more, every trip. We usually go at least twice a month. I just know that if she lived close to DL, she probably be an AP holder and be there often.
It is the luxury of living in So. Cal. Too bad she didnt have a good time. I have never had a bad time there.
Im not trying to start anything.:wizard:

[mariezp]

Corpsebride, I am so jealous! I can guarantee you that if I lived closer I would be a "local" heading to DL as often as I could too!

[marvel]

hey we love both parks. both different but great.

Did anyone else find the Dinosaur ride much scarier that Indiana Jones?
My family were scared witless (not me though;) ) by dinosaur but not so much on Indiana.

Boy if only we lived a bit closer to any park, trying flying thousands of miles to get there. You will love every nook and cranny !! Even the bad meals make great memories :banana:

[pjhorton21]

You are so much nicer than me. I'm readin' and thinkin' WOOHOO, one less person at my park:) Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but it was a pretty harsh judgement on a pretty narrow experience.

You took the words right out of my mouth!

[bluedoll]

hey we love both parks. both different but great.

Did anyone else find the Dinosaur ride much scarier that Indiana Jones?
My family were scared witless (not me though;) ) by dinosaur but not so much on Indiana.

Boy if only we lived a bit closer to any park, trying flying thousands of miles to get there. You will love every nook and cranny !! Even the bad meals make great memories :banana:

I, as an adult, wasn't really afraid on Dinosaur. However, we encountered many, MANY terrified kids that were crying. I loved looking at all the on-ride photos and trying to find the kids that were truly scared. Too funny.

[damo]

I can't believe that the OP found Dinosaur better than Indy???? Oh gosh, it doesn't even come close, IMHO. Indy is one of the best theme park rides ever. Dinosaur is very forgettable.

[DisneyJenn18]

I've done both parks and absolutely love love love them both.

Both very different.

Disneyland is absolutely the Spirit of Walt Disney. You get a sense of him as soon as you walk in the park.

WDW Magic Kingdom...meh...it's okay, but I don't visit WDW for MK...I love the restaurants, the disney resorts, epcot, AK, and the studios....I just know that goin gin, and don't let it bother me. I personally think the POTC ride SUCKS at WDW...I was really shocked at how bad it was when I went, but decided I will save that park love for California.

I have never experienced a bad CM ever..and I have gone more times than I can count. It's the tude you put out...

[Dolce27]

Hey Amanda. I’m so sorry that your first trip to DL was a disappointment. My first trip was last year and being a WDW vet (and even a former WDW CP, like you) I did a lot of research before I went and I feel that helped my expectations.

Disneyland has a totally different vibe to it than WDW does; but I don’t think that makes it better or worse than WDW. Honestly? I think it’s what you experience your first time that makes everything ‘right’ for you. My first experience, as was yours, was to WDW so those parks feel ‘right’ to me. Most of the people on this board’s first experience was to DL and that feels ‘right’ to them. I haven’t read all of the responses, but I do notice a lot of defensive posts. The Disneyland group over here is a much tighter group than the WDW group will ever be. Most of these people have grown up going to this park and it is ‘home’ for them. So, you’ll have to take their criticism with a grain of salt. They’re being protective of their park – which I’ve been on their board enough to understand.

Do give DL another chance. While I still prefer WDW over DL, I did enjoy my trip to DL last year and will be planning a second one when they complete the renovations for California Adventure in a couple of years.

Yes, the castle is a shock to us WDW vets. I was prepared but I was still shocked when I first saw Sleeping Beauty Castle. But once I got over my shock at its size, I found a lot of charm in that castle.

I can’t comment on Dinosaur or Indiana Jones being the better ride; I hate both. :teeth: I really do. I hated Dinosaur before I arrived to DL. I was all excited for Indiana Jones and it was a huge let down to me. So, I’ll stick with: I hate both. :teeth:

I much prefer Buzz at DL, I actually enjoyed that much more there (I like to be able to move the gun so I can point and shoot) and Pirates and Space still beat out WDW’s version (although we have to see about Space after they finish the WDW refurb this next year)

I like Haunted Mansion better at WDW but I did enjoy the New Orleans section at DL a lot.

And the Matterhorn, it was very rough – I injured my knee on my ride- but I had to remember that it is an old coaster and all old coasters are very rough.

About the park being dirty; it's hit or miss for any of the parks. I didn't notice DL being dirty when I was there last year. I've read reports about WDW being dirty yet when I go I don't see that. Seriously, for both parks; there's going to be off times when you find them dirty and good times when they're looking pretty good. And as someone who had to clean those awful bathrooms at WDW; it depends on crowd levels for how clean they can stay. I walked into a bathroom once. Dirty paper towels all over the floor by the sink. I cleaned it up. I walked into one toilet stall to take care of something and walked back out to about 20 more paper towels cluttered on the floor next to the sink. :mad: People make messes in those parks within seconds. It can be tough to keep them clean but Disney staff does a great job (at both parks) trying to do so.

Rude CM's at DL - I personally didn't notice on my trip but back when I was doing my research for my DL trip there were often threads about how much ruder DL CM's were than WDW CM's so apparently that is a common complaint.

There is a lot of charm to DL – their Toon Town far outshines WDW’s. But you probably just weren’t prepared for something that’s the “same” but not at all the “same” for what you were accustomed to. I do understand your disappointment but I hope, now that you’ve experienced it, you’ll give it another try one day.

Back to - I think you were just a bit shocked because it was the "same" yet not the "same" for a park that you've fallen in love with.

It's the same thing for most of the DL vets that go to WDW. They'll never love WDW the same but I can never love DL the same. WDW was my first love; DL is theirs.



I've got mixed feelings about this. At first I was kind of in agreement with the "wow" statement and thinking that the OP may have not given Walt's original park a fair shake.

HOWEVER, what the OP experienced at our beloved DLR is a big reason why I haven't and don't plan to go to WDW. I'm scared of having a completely disappointing experience and feeling like I wasted money. And then what if I wanted to share about it?? Well, I certainly wouldn't do it on the Dis WDW boards. I'd be virtually tarred and feathered! :lmao:

Regardless, the OP's experience was HER experience and you can't begrudge her for feeling bad about it. Should she come on a DLR board and say how much she hated it? :scratchin Only if she's willing to taste a few feathers. ;)

I could be completely wrong: but I don't think you would be. You guys really have formed a close knit group over here (which is a good thing! Please don't think that I'm slamming that.) On the WDW theme parks on this message board, it's not the same at all. It's not the same vibe. I don't think you'd be tar and feathered. I think most of them would find your TR interesting as I think a good chunk of whoever reads it will have never been to DL and can't compare so they won't be as defensive for you slamming "their" park.

Am I making sense? :confused3 Do try WDW one day. I know you will not like it as much as DL. You fell in love with DL first and nothing will ever compare to that. But just do your research, understand the differences and experience WDW once so that you can see and understand what the differences are.

[Amy&Dan]

Sorry your trip was disappointing. I really think you cannot judge Disneyland by one day however. Once a Disney day begins to derail, its hard to get back on track. I have to sat that very thing happened to me, my first trip to Typhoon Lagoon. My day got off to a bad start, it went downhill fast and I hated that place and every person in it, I kept wondering why all the cm's there were so nasty and inept. I now look back and realize as things went south so did my attitude and it just made the whole day a losing battle. It was several years before I ventured back to a WDW waterpark thinking they were Disney's biggest screwup. I love them now and often laugh at how messed up that first experience was. Different than your experience but similar too I guess in that I based a whole park on my bad experience which is hardly fair.

I guess the castle at Disneyland is small but it is also lovely and charming. And remember, size isn't everything ;) .

I hope someday maybe you can go back to Disneyland and experience a better time.

I think all of us love our "home park". I know many DL regulars have gone to WDW and found it to be a very pale comparison to WDW. So in a way, what you experienced isn't that uncommon. But I do hope you can go back in a few years, when DCA is finished and have a better time. I am glad you got to at least go and say you saw the original!

And on final note, I love Disneyland! It was my fist park and in some ways, its always going to be sort of front and center in my heart. But I am so glad I tried WDW and I love it now too! So if any of my Disneyland friends are reading, please give WDW a try. Its magnificient and yes its big, but its also full of the same charm that DL is, just on a much bigger scale. I can't pick a favorite and wouldn't want to!

I just looked at your pictures, they are very good. To me the parks looked lovely as always.

[marvel]

I love both but my family was petrified of Dinosaur. I had done no research and knew nothing about the ride and they thought it would be a fun dino ride, but boy did it scare the pants off them. We had to buy the photo it was the funniest one of the whole trip. They had fear in their eyes :sad2:

[Glendamax]

Hi Amanda, just thought I'd pop in, in case you needed some back up! Sorry you were disappointed. I think you would've liked DisneyLand more if you hadn't been to WDW first.

[bluedoll]

I've done both parks and absolutely love love love them both.

Both very different.

Disneyland is absolutely the Spirit of Walt Disney. You get a sense of him as soon as you walk in the park.

WDW Magic Kingdom...meh...it's okay, but I don't visit WDW for MK...I love the restaurants, the disney resorts, epcot, AK, and the studios....I just know that goin gin, and don't let it bother me. I personally think the POTC ride SUCKS at WDW...I was really shocked at how bad it was when I went, but decided I will save that park love for California.

I have never experienced a bad CM ever..and I have gone more times than I can count. It's the tude you put out...

POTC is better at Disneyland. But the queue for POTC at WDW is pretty cool. From childhood trips, I always remembered the queue more than the ride. Haha.

Hi Amanda, just thought I'd pop in, in case you needed some back up! Sorry you were disappointed. I think you would've liked DisneyLand more if you hadn't been to WDW first.

I went to WDW a few times as a child and adolescent. I didn't go to Disneyland until adulthood. But I still love, love, love Disneyland.

[Angel Ariel]

Obviously my expectations were to high..and in the wrong direction. But it is hard NOT to compare.

I disagree that it's hard not to compare.

I've been to both DL and WDW a decent amount. DL was my first park and the park I've been to more often, but I also went to WDW when I was little and have gone twice in the last 2 years. Given my experiences at both parks, yes, I think it's fairly easy to go in with the expectation that they are totally different parks, each with their own strengths and weaknesses.

I love WDW, and while I love MK, I don't adore it like I do DL. I just miss my favorite rides. But there are rides and experiences at MK that I love too--they are just different than what I get from DL. I also love all of the other parks at WDW...EPCOT and AK are just amazing. DCA doesn't rank anywhere near those for me, but it's still a fun park. I think it'll be even better once the remodels are finished.

Honestly, I think if you go in w/the idea to compare the 2 parks...no matter if you're coming from WDW to DL or vice versa...you will be disappointed. If you go in with the idea that they are 2 completely different Disney experiences, I think you'll have a lot more fun.

[Cindy F]

Wow. A "my park can beat up your park" thread, that's......different.

Disneyland on the west coast, Disney World on the East. Both Disney parks, some people love one and not the other, some love them both, some hate them both. And?

By the way, what does Disneyland being the ORIGINAL park have to do with anything? That sounds like an "I was here first!" mentality which kinda goes along with the "my park can beat up your park mentality" doesn't it?

......I find this hilarious that you posted this trip report on a thread where DL Vets &fans come to spread magic.


You do realize what board you posted on, right?

I'm pretty sure she's aware her Disneyland trip report is posted on the Disney Land Trip Report Board.

I think it's absurd to be offended that someone doesn't like "fill-in-the-blank" as much as you do. Would you be offended if you really like Wendy's and someone said "I hate Wendy's, McDonald's is so much better"?

I have friends and family that think all things Disney are a cleverly disguised money suck machine and despise it. Okay.....I'll see you when I get back from my magical vacation in Disney World and you come back from your lovely vacation in Spain.

Lighten up people, everyone is allowed to have their opinions.

Just as a side note: I think Disneyland's castle is much prettier BUT it does need to be a bit larger in scale-not as big as Disney World's, but bigger in relation to it's own surroundings. All of the castle's at all of the Disney owned parks are beautiful in their own way.

Just my opinion all the way around.

[bluedoll]

I disagree that it's hard not to compare.

I've been to both DL and WDW a decent amount. DL was my first park and the park I've been to more often, but I also went to WDW when I was little and have gone twice in the last 2 years. Given my experiences at both parks, yes, I think it's fairly easy to go in with the expectation that they are totally different parks, each with their own strengths and weaknesses.

I love WDW, and while I love MK, I don't adore it like I do DL. I just miss my favorite rides. But there are rides and experiences at MK that I love too--they are just different than what I get from DL. I also love all of the other parks at WDW...EPCOT and AK are just amazing. DCA doesn't rank anywhere near those for me, but it's still a fun park. I think it'll be even better once the remodels are finished.

Honestly, I think if you go in w/the idea to compare the 2 parks...no matter if you're coming from WDW to DL or vice versa...you will be disappointed. If you go in with the idea that they are 2 completely different Disney experiences, I think you'll have a lot more fun.

My question for you is...do you prefer DCA or Disney's Hollywood studios (MGM)??

I prefer DCA. And I think I will even more once the new stuff is finished.

[Angel Ariel]

My question for you is...do you prefer DCA or Disney's Hollywood studios (MGM)??

I prefer DCA. And I think I will even more once the new stuff is finished.

It's been about 4 years since I've been to DCA--we're going again in a few days, though (see my PTR :)).

From what I can recall of DCA, I am leaning towards saying I like DCA better. There are a few things I enjoy at HS, but I've just never felt that there is as much there as are at the other parks. HS is usually a one day (or less) park for us...we could easily spend 2 days at each of the other parks!

But, I will answer that again in my post trip report after I've seen DCA w/Toy Story Mania :) (FTR, we weren't there for TSM in WDW either)

[bluedoll]

It's been about 4 years since I've been to DCA--we're going again in a few days, though (see my PTR :)).

From what I can recall of DCA, I am leaning towards saying I like DCA better. There are a few things I enjoy at HS, but I've just never felt that there is as much there as are at the other parks. HS is usually a one day (or less) park for us...we could easily spend 2 days at each of the other parks!

But, I will answer that again in my post trip report after I've seen DCA w/Toy Story Mania :) (FTR, we weren't there for TSM in WDW either)

at MGM I liked the stunt show. And I liked Rock n Rollercoaster. We went on tower of terror because my husband likes it. We went on the great movie ride and thought it was lame. The backlot tour was kind of cool though. But that's really all we did last year. I just didn't care for the theming much there though. It's a half-day park, I think. EPCOT and AK are the two at WDW I could spend the most time at.

[LuvEeyore]

I live in Virginia so going to WDW is an obvious choice and I have been many times-for a week or a long weekend or even just a day. This past summer I was able to spend 3 days at DL and DCA (my first trip to So Cal)
What did I learn from all the trips?
Magic can be found in all the parks and on each trip. It takes seeking it out, no having too high expectations and scoping the Boards.

For instance, Mom and I love the tours so we did the Welcome tour (1st timers tour that that they do going into both parks.) We had a 14 year old and a 15 year old with us. They kept saying they were bored before we even met our tour guide--poor girl!! Her first day doing a tour. She had a trainer with her. Best thing-we were the only ones on the tour so our tour turned out to be almost a VIP tour and the girls loved it after they got moving. We even got to ride the Lilly Belle!!! That was magic even on a day it was 94 degress in Southern California. Sweat was dripping off of us and yet it was special.

I was in WDW on my birthday one year having breakfast at the Contemporary and my favorite character came over with my birthday cake (Goofy) and a Disney photographer took my picture with Goofy with my camera. Again magic.

I work in public service as a nurse in a hospital. If we are honest we all can be rude at times or come across as rude when those who know and love us would not have thought that. I chalk it up to my day Friday-a headache that would not go away.

I just don't go in expecting magic and it seems to find me. What was magical about the trip in June--my mom age 74 iwth alzheimers can look at the pictures today and tell me what we were doing. The girls loved the time and if you ask them what the best part of the trip was, they would say riding the Lilly Belle ask them why and they would say they didn't know but Lee (me) loved it. These girls are not girls that like dripping sweat and we all were and yet we didn't ask to ride, we were offered the ride.

I am sorry you didn't enjoy your trip. I must say I've been to DL, WDW, and even DCL and I am ready to do all three again.

[Mary Jo]

I live in Virginia so going to WDW is an obvious choice and I have been many times-for a week or a long weekend or even just a day. This past summer I was able to spend 3 days at DL and DCA (my first trip to So Cal)
What did I learn from all the trips?
Magic can be found in all the parks and on each trip. It takes seeking it out, no having too high expectations and scoping the Boards.

For instance, Mom and I love the tours so we did the Welcome tour (1st timers tour that that they do going into both parks.) We had a 14 year old and a 15 year old with us. They kept saying they were bored before we even met our tour guide--poor girl!! Her first day doing a tour. She had a trainer with her. Best thing-we were the only ones on the tour so our tour turned out to be almost a VIP tour and the girls loved it after they got moving. We even got to ride the Lilly Belle!!! That was magic even on a day it was 94 degress in Southern California. Sweat was dripping off of us and yet it was special.

I was in WDW on my birthday one year having breakfast at the Contemporary and my favorite character came over with my birthday cake (Goofy) and a Disney photographer took my picture with Goofy with my camera. Again magic.

I work in public service as a nurse in a hospital. If we are honest we all can be rude at times or come across as rude when those who know and love us would not have thought that. I chalk it up to my day Friday-a headache that would not go away.

I just don't go in expecting magic and it seems to find me. What was magical about the trip in June--my mom age 74 iwth alzheimers can look at the pictures today and tell me what we were doing. The girls loved the time and if you ask them what the best part of the trip was, they would say riding the Lilly Belle ask them why and they would say they didn't know but Lee (me) loved it. These girls are not girls that like dripping sweat and we all were and yet we didn't ask to ride, we were offered the ride.

I am sorry you didn't enjoy your trip. I must say I've been to DL, WDW, and even DCL and I am ready to do all three again.


What a lovely post :flower:

[MarriedToAPrince]

Wow I am surprised by a lot of people's comments. I mean aren't people entitled to their opinions? Just because one person doesn't like DL doesn't mean you have to bash her. Goodness!! Spread the Disney love!!!

[Corpsebride]

if you ever find yourself in the area of Disneyland again, get in touch with me. We will go together and I will show you a side of Disneyland that I am so sad wasn't available to you last time.
I bet you would have a BLAST!!!
Until then Pomme Frites are on me!!:wizard: