We're back- details from our trip. The Good, the Bad and the REALLY ugly...

[BecBennett]

I think karma hit this group, just as they were going to get on the ride it broke down. The announcement said they didn't know how long it would be down so the group left. YAAAAAAA!!!!!! 5 minutes later the ride started to run again.

I wonder if this was karma, or a sneaky CM

 

[lurpee]

I wonder if this was karma, or a sneaky CM

I wondered the exact same thing!

 

[nunzia]

I agree that I have met many great locals during my park visits. As you say, there are rude people and not-rude people whether they are local or not. I do my best to not let the rude people get to me rather than worrying about where they might have come from.

As for the pass situation, it seems to me that from a business standpoint, Disneyland could drop the So Cal passes at this point. Disney seems to be well-attended enough that they don't need to worry about off-season anymore. They could just offer premium and deluxe passes to everyone as well as a payment plan. Whether one lives 10 minutes or 10 hours from the parks, it's up to each individual to decide if the number of days they can visit the parks with their AP is worth it for the price.

I agree with this. Because they DO live so close they can get so many more visits out of a pass making their entry a pittance. I have an AP if I visit 2 times in a year, average 4 days each visit, so that's like $58.00 a day. A local who only visits say, 30 times in a year, is getting in for about $15.00 a day. The discounts can certainly help pay for this.
We were there the same time...Last Sunday through Thursday. I live in NM so really hope for cooler weather, but it was hot..ick.. Thursday was raining and our day of leaving so gloom was appropriate. That 4-5 day parkhoppers separate entry short term rule really did create a huge mess and a lot of issues. The filming (Parade and Saving Mr Banks) didn't help. Still we had a great time! Even though there seemed to be tons of people around, the ride lines were not bad. We didn't really encounter rude people, but my family did witness bad parents at RSR FP line. We had early entry and line is huge of course for FP at opening, and while in Early Entry FP line this little kid sneaks under the rope (don't know if he came from back of EE FP group or from park opening FP group). He said he had to join his parents so he pushed his way through the whole line, had in hand the whole family's tickets to get FP and rest of family is waiting at FP exit where kid gives them all their new FP. So..send your kid in to cut the whole line and lie just to get earlier time FP.
I also don't think one person saving seats for 9 others is right..that is too big a space to hold. Maybe ok for one or two like if someone has to take a kid to the restroom, but I'm sorry, I agree it's not reasonable to hold for a big group. Still..a shouting match with other guests is not a fun thing. If there was room across the street, why didn't you relocate there instead of going up to the VIP area?
I've ridden the Lily Belle..around the park twice as part of ABD trip and, although it was interesting because of historic value and a big deal for hardcore DL or Walt fans, to many it wouldn't be that exciting of a deal.

 

[dmband]

I agree, for the most part, about what others are saying about rude people but I will also say that the tour groups are among the worst.

People can say all thy want that rude people come from everywhere and although that is true percentage wise tour groups far out number the rest
Ie run into one tour group of rude people and that's more then you are likely to encounter the rest of the week from everyone else combined

 

[wiigirl]

I wonder if this was karma, or a sneaky CM

lol

 

[jetskigrl]

Overall it was a fun trip, but not as easy going as our trip in March. I'm pretty much Disney'ed out for awhile...

The Good: The Ramada Maingate was a decent place to stay. I just posted a full review on tripadvisor, but LMK if you have any specific questions.
The crowds weren't bad at all. We were able to get a lot of stuff done.
RSR is an amazing ride. Loved it. Unfortunately it does break down a LOT and wasn't opening until noon every day we were there so it was always a LONG line. We ate at Flo's and it was DELISH, but super expensive if you buy the kids car lunch box ($11 for a kids meal!) The Christmas decorations were beautiful and we loved that things literally appeared overnight!

The bad: The weather was all over the place, ranging from 96 on Monday to Rain on Thursday, to cold on Friday. It was really hard to plan for everything and we ended up spending a lot of money on extra layers for Friday.
Someone stole our little $15 umbrella stroller when we still had another day of touring, so we had to go buy ANOTHER one. My kids were really tired this trip.

The UGLY: We had several problems with the new procedure for 4/5 day hoppers before they changed it Friday. On our third day, we were lined up for CA (in the rain, FIRST in line at the gates on a non EMH day) and something happened with my 9 year old's ticket and it wouldn't scan. Meanwhile, the other side was pouring through, and we were there for a full 10 minutes almost 15, completely missing the change for RSR fastpasses. FORTUNATELY my parents and brother were in a different line (they had 3 day hoppers) and my brother booked it to the fastpass line. By the time we got through, the line for FP was back to Aladdin, but my brother was second in line so we just handed him our tickets and waited at the rope with the crowd. This same problem happened that afternoon when we hopped to DL that afternoon, spending another 15 minutes in line. We went to City Hall to complain because at this point, we had been held back for almost a half an hour! They did give us a few readmission passes for whatever rides we wanted, so we were able to do SM and ST that night but it was still extremely frustrating. Even more so was when it happened AGAIN Friday. It was a mess. I hope they get it fixed soon because it SUCKS right now.

Also, we ran into several REALLY rude people. I have NOTHING against other cultures visiting Disneyland but I do have a problem when they are rude and pushy. We encountered several instances of rude pushy people, but the worst experience was Monday's parade. I was saving a spot along the curb w/ my husband for the parade. We were there an hour early and had put some stuff out to help the 2 of us keep space for 9 and the toddler. DH took her to the bathroom and the rest of the group was headed over from Space Mtn, leaving me alone with the stroller and our "stuff" saving the spot. 20 minutes before the parade started, a foreign man and his HUGE tour group of about 40 just moved themselves into our spot even though it was CLEARLY being saved. There was room on the other side of the street. I stood up and told him I was saving it for my family and he told me that it was "ok" that there would be room for them. I TRIED to explain to him that there were 9 1/2 (10) people and he started screaming at me that he had paid the same amount for his ticket and he could stand wherever he wanted. Meanwhile I'm frantically trying to call DH and my parents to get them over there to help me. I'm only 5'2" and not a very aggressive person and this man just kept PUSHING me and moving his group back into our spot. I almost started crying, I was so mad and apparently my tear ducts are hard wired to my anger button, but I managed to hold it together. I told him that *I* was saving it, that they needed to find somewhere else to sit, that half of their group would be fine behind us, but there was not enough room for all 40, at which point Disney CM's started flocking over because he was yelling at me again and again that they paid the same for their tickets. They ended up moving us to the "VIP" area by the train, which is fine for viewing but the characters don't wave at you up there so my kids were disappointed. The only good thing that came about from it was that on the train's last run, the conductor asked us if we wanted to ride on the Lily Belle, which was beautiful, I wish I had been able to take all of the details in but it was dark.

Overall it was a good trip. I wouldn't take a 2 1/2 year old again. She was a monster and scared of all the rides this time except the merry go round. Every time we took her on it she threw a fit when we had to get off though. It was just no fun with her! She was SO easy in March too...

And at the end of the trip, we found out my grandpa is dying from stage 4 lung cancer and that really put a damper on the rest of the trip.

I'm sorry to hear that your trip didn't turn out so well. And I'm very sorry to hear about your grandpa

Yes, you did get the full swing of weather. It was a crazy week. I remember discussing it on another thread before you left. But if it makes you feel better, we are in that cold with really low humidity situation right now and I feel like my skin is going to crack and fall off (ugh, LOL). I'm wishing for some heat and humidity right now (or even just a bit of rain).

And I'm sorry you had to deal with the tour guide. The amount of space you were saving aside, it still wasn't right for him to try and take over your spot. And I agree, we prefer the curb to the VIP area also (much more interaction with the characters). Rather than relocate your group, I wish the CM would have relocated the tour group. By moving you to the VIP area, the tour guide got exactly what he wanted so there is nothing to stop him from doing it again next time.

I hope that if you decide to visit again, that the next visit goes much better.

Did you also notice the area residents acted as if we are intruding on their property. I think they were local residents as that is what they told me as they pushed by me, almost knocking me over. They were not all kids either. I have never experienced anything like this before. I make one trip to DL every year with some years getting to go twice. What is happening at DL? Maybe they should raise the price of the annual passes for southren calif. and then lower the price for the deluxe and premium passes.

Just venting a little as getting pushed around, then being invisible to the locals that wanted to be in an area I was in sort of left a bad taste for our trip. I will never go when the southren calif pass is good. I am sure I will have a better experience.

OK, sorry but I just couldn't pass this one by. What exactly did the "local residents" say when they pushed you? LOL - I'm having this mental picture of someone saying "get out of my way, I'm from Fullerton" or "move over, I'm from Costa Mesa" I'm really curious how you know it is locals and exactly how many times did this happen that you made the determination that all locals are rude pushy people?

We have been going to the parks my whole life and until I start chatting with someone I have no clue where they are from. Us locals don't exactly run around with name tags on or anything. And of my Disney friends that are passholders, there are an equal amount that are not local (so just having a pass doesn't mean anything).

Not directed at the person I quoted exactly but I'm surprised by the number of people that come into this section and bad mouth the locals, yet in the next post they are asking questions about an upcoming trip that a number of those same locals take the time to assist them with. When you (generic you) make a blanket statement about the locals, you are insulting some the very people that are spending their time trying to help you plan for an upcoming trip.

We have encountered our fair share of rude people in the parks. But not any more often than we encounter them anyplace else anymore. And when we encounter them at DLR, I have no way of knowing if they are local or not.

The vast majority of people that we encounter are wonderful. They are people that we enjoy just chatting with in line, sharing tips about the parks, talking about other Disney vacations, etc. Many are from out of town and many are local (it makes no difference to us, we just enjoy meeting them).

(btw...sure, they can go ahead and raise the price of the So Cal Passes. This local would love having the price of our Premium and Deluxe passes lowered, LOL).

 

[goldies 5]

I am very sorry about your grandfather, it is very hard to lose or prepare to lose someone you love like that.
The carousel reminded me of my own experience with my then 18 month old. They sure get mad and don't want to get off that ride. I swore I would never do that again, but now I am gearing up for it with another 18 month old this December. It is like childbirth, the pain dulls over time. At least that is what I keep telling myself.

 

[Disney Dreams]

...When you (generic you) make a blanket statement about the locals, you are insulting some the very people that are spending their time trying to help you plan for an upcoming trip....

Hallelujah!

- Dreams

 

[todzwife]

And I'm sorry you had to deal with the tour guide. The amount of space you were saving aside, it still wasn't right for him to try and take over your spot. And I agree, we prefer the curb to the VIP area also (much more interaction with the characters). Rather than relocate your group, I wish the CM would have relocated the tour group. By moving you to the VIP area, the tour guide got exactly what he wanted so there is nothing to stop him from doing it again next time.

I hope that if you decide to visit again, that the next visit goes much better.



OK, sorry but I just couldn't pass this one by. What exactly did the "local residents" say when they pushed you? LOL - I'm having this mental picture of someone saying "get out of my way, I'm from Fullerton" or "move over, I'm from Costa Mesa" I'm really curious how you know it is locals and exactly how many times did this happen that you made the determination that all locals are rude pushy people?

We have been going to the parks my whole life and until I start chatting with someone I have no clue where they are from. Us locals don't exactly run around with name tags on or anything. And of my Disney friends that are passholders, there are an equal amount that are not local (so just having a pass doesn't mean anything).

Not directed at the person I quoted exactly but I'm surprised by the number of people that come into this section and bad mouth the locals, yet in the next post they are asking questions about an upcoming trip that a number of those same locals take the time to assist them with. When you (generic you) make a blanket statement about the locals, you are insulting some the very people that are spending their time trying to help you plan for an upcoming trip.

We have encountered our fair share of rude people in the parks. But not any more often than we encounter them anyplace else anymore. And when we encounter them at DLR, I have no way of knowing if they are local or not.

The vast majority of people that we encounter are wonderful. They are people that we enjoy just chatting with in line, sharing tips about the parks, talking about other Disney vacations, etc. Many are from out of town and many are local (it makes no difference to us, we just enjoy meeting them).

(btw...sure, they can go ahead and raise the price of the So Cal Passes. This local would love having the price of our Premium and Deluxe passes lowered, LOL).

THANK YOU! And FTR, we didn't have any problems with "locals"...or even large groups of teenagers that flooded the park Friday night. I have NO problems with locals or ANYONE for that matter as long as they treat others with the respect that they deserve. It's when people feel entitled to special treatment that problems arise.

 

[BeckWhy]

Also, we ran into several REALLY rude people... I do have a problem when they are rude and pushy. We encountered several instances of rude pushy people, but the worst experience was Monday's parade.

I had this problem also. I was actually sitting on the curb for a parade with a pair of sisters and they got up to leave and a woman from behind "jumped" on the opportunity to move close. She actually stepped on me and left a bruise the size of her heel on my thigh.

There was plenty of room, and I actually would have been more than happy to move back so they had more room together (which I actually did for WOC, I gave up my prime spot so little ones could see and their parents could be nearby).

 

[DisneyMomma81]

OP ~ sorry about your grandpa, I lost my grandma to cancer *at far too young

And others ~ some of you are calling the Lilly Belle the Lily Belle ~ as the mom of a Lilly I'm a bit touchy on this, it's not hard, it's L I L L Y ~ like silly

 

[madbaby]

Sounds like my experience with Eurodisney! Actually had someone shove me in the chest to push me away from a carousel horse while I was trying hoist my dd5 up on to it. The lady (50s) took it for herself. We had lots of those experiences there. I cried. Todzwife, my tear ducts are hardwired to my anger button too. Frustrating!!! Sorry about your grandfather.

 

[Baliezer]

We had an identical experience about two weeks ago at the holiday parade. I arrived two hours before the parade with my four girls to claim our spot. About 30 minutes before it started, ten foreign men ducked under the ropes cast members had just set up to try and stand behind us. Except their was not enough room. They kept hitting us in the butt with their shoes, (we were sitting) and kneeing us in the head. Five minutes before the parade started, the other 15 people in their group arrived. They had to hover over us, practically pushing us into the street to fit. I alerted a cast member who told them to please step back and sit down. They couldn't. So they continued to stand. When the parade started, one of the guys became Mr. National Geographic. Taking photos from all angles, and using my daughters head as a tripod. It was so bad that he would inch into the street if front of us on his belly flashing his camera into our eyes as he took picture after picture. I had to get the same cast member a total of four times during the parade to complain about his behavior. Nothing helped. It ruined our experience and I am fearful of seeing another parade now. Sorry you had to deal with this as well.

 

[HollyL]

Sounds like my experience with Eurodisney! Actually had someone shove me in the chest to push me away from a carousel horse while I was trying hoist my dd5 up on to it. The lady (50s) took it for herself. We had lots of those experiences there. I cried. Todzwife, my tear ducts are hardwired to my anger button too. Frustrating!!! Sorry about your grandfather.

That is awful! I was an exchange student in Spain for a year, and it's definitely a different culture in parts of Europe. Just going to a movie turns into a "running of the bulls". Everyone out for themselves.

 

[ghostrdr]

I signed up and registered just to post to this thread...

As a Korean-American (may look like a foreigner), and a local (live in so Cal), I just wanted to caution some posters about the generalizations.

My family and I went to the park this weekend. It was very crowded. In the afternoon, I saw a girl (maybe 10-12) wearing a bunch of buttons. I asked her and her parents if it was really their daughter's birthday. They advised they were visiting from Australia, had been there at the park all day yesterday and the day before.

I asked her if she had gotten to go on Radiator Springs Racers, and she said she had not and I knew the standby wait times were like two hours at this point. I gave the daughter and her parents our three fast passes that allowed them to go on the ride starting in about 20 minutes and wished her a happy birthday.

Hopefully that family has a positive memory of Disneyland, California, and US citizens (maybe even Koreans, who knows?). Sorry to the OP about her experience. I've never sat in a VIP showing area at the park or ridden the Lily Belle, but those sound amazing also. Have a great week everyone.

 

[blackjackdelta]

I signed up and registered just to post to this thread...

As a Korean-American (may look like a foreigner), and a local (live in so Cal), I just wanted to caution some posters about the generalizations.

My family and I went to the park this weekend. It was very crowded. In the afternoon, I saw a girl (maybe 10-12) wearing a bunch of buttons. I asked her and her parents if it was really their daughter's birthday. They advised they were visiting from Australia, had been there at the park all day yesterday and the day before.

I asked her if she had gotten to go on Radiator Springs Racers, and she said she had not and I knew the standby wait times were like two hours at this point. I gave the daughter and her parents our three fast passes that allowed them to go on the ride starting in about 20 minutes and wished her a happy birthday.

Hopefully that family has a positive memory of Disneyland, California, and US citizens (maybe even Koreans, who knows?). Sorry to the OP about her experience. I've never sat in a VIP showing area at the park or ridden the Lily Belle, but those sound amazing also. Have a great week everyone.

Welcome to the boards, good deads are always appreciated no matter what your nationality is.

Jack

 

[CaliBear]

I signed up and registered just to post to this thread...

As a Korean-American (may look like a foreigner), and a local (live in so Cal), I just wanted to caution some posters about the generalizations.

My family and I went to the park this weekend. It was very crowded. In the afternoon, I saw a girl (maybe 10-12) wearing a bunch of buttons. I asked her and her parents if it was really their daughter's birthday. They advised they were visiting from Australia, had been there at the park all day yesterday and the day before.

I asked her if she had gotten to go on Radiator Springs Racers, and she said she had not and I knew the standby wait times were like two hours at this point. I gave the daughter and her parents our three fast passes that allowed them to go on the ride starting in about 20 minutes and wished her a happy birthday.

Hopefully that family has a positive memory of Disneyland, California, and US citizens (maybe even Koreans, who knows?). Sorry to the OP about her experience. I've never sat in a VIP showing area at the park or ridden the Lily Belle, but those sound amazing also. Have a great week everyone.

Thank you for posting this.

 

[bumbershoot]

I signed up and registered just to post to this thread...

As a Korean-American (may look like a foreigner), and a local (live in so Cal), I just wanted to caution some posters about the generalizations.

Your good deed doesn't mean that this man who leads tour groups does good deeds. Tour groups are big and difficult, and if there's a language barrier it's harder. When there are serious cultural differences, it's a powder keg. My husband's mom is Korean, and she has been in America for over 40 years now, and has a serious problem when she goes home to Busan and Seoul, with the cultural differences. Even standing in line at the Asiana Airlines desk checking her luggage to go to Korea she nearly started a racial incident (though it couldn't be "racial" because she's the same race as the ones she was yelling about) because of the line cutting she was witnessing (I didn't think anything of it, but she could understand what people were saying while I could not, and she KNEW that the people being brought to the front of the line did not have First Class, but were friends with the employees bringing them up).

DH enjoys visiting his cousins (brothers/sisters), aunts, and uncles VERY much, but it takes him a few days to get used to the crowding in public, or the way people there bunch up to get on or off elevators. Basically you've got to use your elbows to get on or off of one, as both sides just bull their way through, with no regard for the "other" side.

Although there are people who do that in America, the general rule, for specifically elevators, is to let people off and then get on. If you get a tour group from a country that does not do that, and has not looked up the local culture, into an elevator here, you'll have clashes.

And that seems to be what is happening at Disneyland, but not just with elevators.

WDW has that problem with Brazilian tour groups. Very different culture, with no understanding (or no wish) of what procedures are here. And IMO it's not *bad* to say "this was a problem with this tour group and it negatively affected me". Nor is it bad to say "I had that problem, too".