15 Things I Think About Our Recent Trip...

[Disney Mystic]

(Copying Peter King's Format for his Football Articles)

Warning: This is not an entirely positive review. For those who use these forums to escape into a 'happy place' until your next visit, please skip this. I'm a big Disney fan but I don't hold back when it comes to reviews. It's not personal, and the world isn't perfect. These are my opinions and I could be completely wrong, but I'm not here to debate them.

15 Things I Think After Visiting DL/DCA on 1/30 and 1/31.

1. The number of people driving the motorized carts grows every time I visit. The number of times I notice someone nearly getting run over by them also goes up each visit. I heard one of the best comments this past visit from someone in line: "This place is looking more like Wall-E every time I come here."

(Please see my reply #8 in this thread due to concerns over insensitive remarks. This wasn't the intent here. I myself am overweight and my complaint here isn't about the people, but how a select few drive their vehicles.)

2. Cafe Orleans is a nice place to have dinner. The Monte Cristo is somewhat overrated. For $15, I expected a lot more quality. However, compared to poor service and food poisoning from Blue Bayou, I'll take a $15 ham and cheese any day.

3. Over in the DCA Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, for two straight visits we've found probably the laziest most rude employee at the park. She's a Native American, always wears her hair back in a straight tail, a little overweight and extremely bossy. On our first visit, she was working the rock climbing, and parents in the line were calling her "Atilla the Hun".

On our most recent trip, there she was again, this time working at the little thing where the kids can slide down the line on a tire. She became agitated if she had to step out and help a little kid (my daughter had a hard time pulling the tire to the starting point). She was short with the parents who had wanted to stand in their little approved 'box' to video the kids. Just all around a person that is TOTALLY not in the spirit of what Disney is about.

So a little later, I decided to bring her up to a kid working the rock climbing spot. He states to me and I quote: "Wow, yes I know exactly who you are talking about. She treats the employees like that too, and the funny thing is she isn't even a manager."

4. DCA on Saturday was a mess of broken rides. The roller coaster, broken, I saw some poor people stuck up on it. Toy Story, shut down. The big ferris wheel, not working. Now I know why the lines in other places were longer than usual, three big attractions being closed on a weekend is bad.

5. Trading pins with Disney employees can really be magical sometime. We met the nicest person ever near the drawing class in DCA. He not only gave me and my daughter some rare pins, as he heard we were going off to see the Aladdin show, he asked us to wait a minute and vanished through a side door. He came back and told us we had VIP seats and about 2 minutes to spare if we got over there. Sure enough, we made it just in time, and had the best seats in the house. After years of visiting, we'd never seen this show. It was definitely an amazing show and the actions of one Disney employee washed away a lot of the bad things we'd experienced.

6. Just walking through Downtown Disney makes me hungry. The smell. The music. You can't beat it.

7. R.I.P. Libby Lu's. We were there for the ending, as the employees came out for a final song to tell everyone goodbye. This place will always have a special place in our hearts as this was where my young daughter had her ears pierced. I always thought we'd be able to come back there when she was older to show her where it was done.

8. I don't understand why the Peter Pan line is always 50x longer than everything else in the area.

9. The walk-through of the Castle is open again and a must-do.

10. When I was in my 20's, I could spin all day and the teacups ride never bothered me. In my 30's, it is a completely different ride. <Sad face>

11. The giant letter 'I' between the two parks is the most unpopular letter. However if you tell your kids to run over to it and act like they love it and start snapping pictures, suddenly you'll see people lining up for it. It's a fun little thing to do that works every time.

12. Rick-rolling people via bluetooth is great fun while in line. If you ever receive this image from a phone while in line, it is likely me nearby. (If you don't know what Rick rolling is, check here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick-Rolling.

13. I'd pay extra for a pass that would just let me stay on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride all day. I'd pay even more if I could be tossed some rolls from Blue Bayou as I floated by.

14. The first 100,000 target on the Buzz Lightyear ride is easy to hit. The second one is near impossible.

15. The "magic show" carts are yet another victim of the economy in Downtown Disney. Certain employees told us it was only going to get worse for both parks and the neighboring shopping district. After this Disney news hit today (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=a32rh0PfwfZE&refer=home) I'm not terribly optimistic either.

However on the bright side, perhaps the overpriced GCH rooms will see more frequent price drops as attendance drops this year.

Until next time.

 

[audrabolster]

1. The number of extremely overweight people driving the motorized carts grows every time I visit. The number of times I notice someone nearly getting run over by them also goes up each visit. I heard one of the best comments this past visit from someone in line: "This place is looking more like Wall-E every time I come here."

I think this is a very uninformed statement that you are making here. You don't know the person's circumstances for being in a motorized wheelchair, and often times it isn't because of their weight. I hope that person in the cart didn't overhear whoever made that Wall-E comment.

I almost get bowled over by parents not paying attention while pushing their strollers, or kids running around unsupervised, etc. But I don't make a point to belittle them for it.

 

[Sherry E]

I was chuckling about the letter "I" in California, and how everyone will run over to it if you act like it is a great photo spot. Some people are bandwagon jumpers.

I have to agree 100% about the Teacups. I could deal with a certain level of spinning when I was younger - even as recently as maybe 8 years ago. Maybe it was because I mostly rode them with people who thought they were strong and could really get the Teacups going....but couldn't. There was only one time I had ever been on it since childhood where I had to actually ask someone to tone the spinning down a bit because I felt like I was going to fall out of the cup or get sick. But last year, I went on them again after a long break and I had the same feeling you did. It is a different ride now, where even NO turning of the wheel at all will still yield substantial spinning of the cup, which is not like what it used to be in the old days. The slightest turn of the wheel now can be a little too much for those who are prone to turning green...and the wheel is much easier to turn than it used to be.

That Peter Pan line is so long because it is so popular. Aside from Roger Rabbit, Peter Pan is probably the most exciting of the 'kid rides.' People love that 'flying' sensation and the little mini-dips in the ride. It is a typical dark ride, but with an extra little kick in it to amuse any bored thrill-seekers!

 

[Disney Mystic]

1. The number of extremely overweight people driving the motorized carts grows every time I visit. The number of times I notice someone nearly getting run over by them also goes up each visit. I heard one of the best comments this past visit from someone in line: "This place is looking more like Wall-E every time I come here."

I think this is a very uninformed statement that you are making here. You don't know the person's circumstances for being in a motorized wheelchair, and often times it isn't because of their weight. I hope that person in the cart didn't overhear whoever made that Wall-E comment.

I almost get bowled over by parents not paying attention while pushing their strollers, or kids running around unsupervised, etc. But I don't make a point to belittle them for it.

Let me make it clear that I'm not being insensitive to the people who cannot help their situation. I myself could use a few years in a gym, however if I was forced to drive those things around, I'd be extremely careful. Getting run over by a stroller pales in comparison of being run over by the weight of a cart plus the person driving it, especially if the person is a small child.
These things move pretty fast.

Kids running around getting in the way and strollers I'm used to. I'm at Disneyland. I yield to the out-of-control mother who is racing her stroller to Nemo. While they may just as rude as the 55mph motorized wheelchair driver, they just aren't as dangerous.

 

[DesertBell]

I object to your first line item, as well. I understand your meaning, but I have a friend who is rather large, and she's had to ride a motorized cart on two of her recent trips. Once she had third degree burns on her leg, and the second time she was recovering from a deep vein thrombosis. Neither time was it her sitting on a cart because she was lazy, it was because she literally could not walk- and it had nothing to do with her weight. I've walked the park for days with her, and I always tire before she does.

The Peter Pan line is long because the Star room is beautiful.

I agree about the tea cups. DH is in charge of taking the kids on the Tea Cups and on Star Tours. I plan to wait outside the rides, possibly eating Tigger Tails.

 

[Disney Dreams]

(Copying Peter King's Format for his Football Articles)
1. The number of extremely overweight people driving the motorized carts grows every time I visit...I heard one of the best comments this past visit from someone in line: "This place is looking more like Wall-E every time I come here."

WOW! Just speechless at the rudeness and assumptive nature of this. There are 100s of reasons for people to use a motorized cart.

2. ...However, compared to poor service and food poisoning from Blue Bayou, I'll take a $15 ham and cheese any day.

Fascinating menu choice given your comment above. And fwiw, I don't know anyone who has, nor have I ever gotten food poisoning at BB.

...a little overweight...

WOW, nice description.

13. ...I'd pay even more if I could be tossed some rolls from Blue Bayou as I floated by.

Just wow,
Dreams

 

[Stacerita]

I was there this weekend, and I didn't notice half the stuff you are complaining about.

 

[Disney Mystic]

Just to diffuse a lot of unneeded drama, my intent was not to insult anyone. Please don't jump on the soapbox and try to blow my comments up into something that it isn't. I know some might want to get confrontational and act offended over the comments of a completely unknown internet stranger, but trust me, it isn't worth it.

Now, on that note, the people I was referring to were the ones driving those things that were rude and inconsiderate, and didn't really even belong in one. Yes, many people require those devices and nobody should hold any ill will toward them, but my only real beef is that it I've encountered a few, a very small few, that are inconsiderate to others in the way they utilize their motorized assistance.

Sorry for the controversial remarks.

 

[Disney Dreams]

...Now, on that note, the people I was referring to were the ones driving those things that were rude and inconsiderate, and didn't really even belong in one. Yes, many people require those devices and nobody should hold any ill will toward them, but my only real beef is that it I've encountered a few, a very small few, that are inconsiderate to others in the way they utilize their motorized assistance....

But that has nothing to do with "Wall-E" or anyone's weight from your previous comment.

...1. The number of extremely overweight people driving the motorized carts grows every time I visit. The number of times I notice someone nearly getting run over by them also goes up each visit. I heard one of the best comments this past visit from someone in line: "This place is looking more like Wall-E every time I come here."...

If your concern was just the speed and inconsiderateness, why mention weight?

I don't believe anyone is blowing your comments up, just reading what you wrote. Perhaps you didn't realize the abrasiveness of your comments or how they would be perceived.

 

[HydroGuy]

 

[kiwitravel]

As a foreigner i have to admit I was completely blown away by the number of overweight people in mobility scooters both in DL and elsewhere. Now it is a generalisation to infer they are in them because of their weight or weight related health issues so I won't even go there, but a fact is a fact and a lot of the people we saw in them were very overweight. I don't agree with the Wall-e comments, I feel they are completely inappropriate, but I do think the observation that the number of scooters is increasing should be discussed.

Obesity has reach epidemic proportions both here in NZ and in USA, but it looks far more serious an issue in USA which I think could be related to food and exercise choices. We could not eat standard US fare, so many carbs and huge portions, and ended up doing a lot of our own cooking.

I think it should be talked about but without generalisations or unkind jokes.

 

[Disney Mystic]

But that has nothing to do with "Wall-E" or anyone's weight from your previous comment.


If your concern was just the speed and inconsiderateness, why mention weight?

I don't believe anyone is blowing your comments up, just reading what you wrote. Perhaps you didn't realize the abrasiveness of your comments or how they would be perceived.

That's my bad. If you recall in Wall-E, the people riding in their carts often weren't even paying attention to their surroundings, much like the drivers I complain about.

If the thoughts and opinions of a random internet stranger really matters that much to someone, then I guess there's nothing I can do to help it. I'm often accused at work (fellow coworkers who are also Disney regulars) of sometimes lacking the "pixie dust", but that's just me. Sorry!

Careful about too much popcorn, Hydro!

 

[Disney Mystic]

Obesity has reach epidemic proportions both here in NZ and in USA, but it looks far more serious an issue in USA which I think could be related to food and exercise choices. We could not eat standard US fare, so many carbs and huge portions, and ended up doing a lot of our own cooking.

I think it should be talked about but without generalisations or unkind jokes.

I agree that we have a weight problem. I think the dependence on fast food, elevated stress (especially in these economic times) and even less exercise (people aren't paying for gyms when they're looking for jobs) is only going to compound the problem. The food selection at Disneyland isn't exactly a healthy one either. I always justify it by thinking that all my walking around the park will burn off all the extra bad food I'm eating (But then I go STRAIGHT for the train every chance I get, lol).

 

[kiwitravel]

I agree that we have a weight problem. I think the dependence on fast food, elevated stress (especially in these economic times) and even less exercise (people aren't paying for gyms when they're looking for jobs) is only going to compound the problem. The food selection at Disneyland isn't exactly a healthy one either. I always justify it by thinking that all my walking around the park will burn off all the extra bad food I'm eating (But then I go STRAIGHT for the train every chance I get, lol).

I agree that the food in Disney was far from healthy, I think in all our trips we ate at Pizza port, the burger place in Tomorrowland, the golden horsehoe and Blue Bayeau. With the exception of BB none of the food was very good and certainly low on greens and high on carbs.

 

[Sherwin]

Well, I won't comment about number one as I think everything that was needed to be said has been said. Just remember that while something may not be your intent, we don't know that. Best not to post something you feel will cause a stir. And besides, this is a DL forum, not one to chat about obesity.

3. Over in the DCA Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, for two straight visits we've found probably the laziest most rude employee at the park. She's a Native American, always wears her hair back in a straight tail, a little overweight and extremely bossy. On our first visit, she was working the rock climbing, and parents in the line were calling her "Atilla the Hun".

I loled at the Atilla the Hun remark. It makes me wonder if these people even value their jobs, let alone making guests feel like guests?

4. DCA on Saturday was a mess of broken rides. The roller coaster, broken, I saw some poor people stuck up on it. Toy Story, shut down. The big ferris wheel, not working. Now I know why the lines in other places were longer than usual, three big attractions being closed on a weekend is bad.

The Sun Wheel is down, as you might know, to make it Mickey's Fun Wheel. Screamin' tends to break down easier. It's too bad of the timing.

5. Trading pins with Disney employees can really be magical sometime. We met the nicest person ever near the drawing class in DCA. He not only gave me and my daughter some rare pins, as he heard we were going off to see the Aladdin show, he asked us to wait a minute and vanished through a side door. He came back and told us we had VIP seats and about 2 minutes to spare if we got over there. Sure enough, we made it just in time, and had the best seats in the house. After years of visiting, we'd never seen this show. It was definitely an amazing show and the actions of one Disney employee washed away a lot of the bad things we'd experienced.

What a lucky draw! Those kinds of CMs pretty much vanquish the bad memories of nastier CMs.

8. I don't understand why the Peter Pan line is always 50x longer than everything else in the area.

It always has and always will be one of the more popular attractions in Fantasyland. The flying ship can't be beat.

10. When I was in my 20's, I could spin all day and the teacups ride never bothered me. In my 30's, it is a completely different ride. <Sad face>

The teacups are like one of three attractions in the entire resort that don't appeal to me. I just can't handle the spinning. Something will come out from my stomach if I go on it.

13. I'd pay extra for a pass that would just let me stay on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride all day. I'd pay even more if I could be tossed some rolls from Blue Bayou as I floated by.

Har har, I thought you'd be scared of the food poisoning?

I'd like to pay someone to make a waterside PS for the BB when I go on POTC and then when come by, I'll have them float out the cookie boat to me, so I have something to enjoy during the ride.

 

[Sherwin]

OH and by the way, with all the pizzas, churros, turkey legs, MCs, and whatnot, you can't pass up the fruit carts to balance things out!

 

[goofycathy]

 

[CanadianPaco]

Awesome post with fantastic discussions!!! I love this!!!

 

[Alex2kMommy]

10. When I was in my 20's, I could spin all day and the teacups ride never bothered me. In my 30's, it is a completely different ride. <Sad face>

My friend, meet my other friend (I never go near a Teacup without it!)

I used to love all carnival rides when I was a kid, but as an adult have had a hard time coping with motion sickness. (And I don't mean just on the Teacups, it's pretty much any bumpy, jerky, or spinning ride. GEESH, even seated backwards on the Monorail!) I just take a pill in the morning before heading to the park, and it lasts all day.

13. I'd pay extra for a pass that would just let me stay on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride all day. I'd pay even more if I could be tossed some rolls from Blue Bayou as I floated by.

Me, too!

 

[WannaBeAPrincess]

I totally get everything you're saying...I agree with a lot of it. Especially the teacups! What is it with getting older and being struck down with motion sickness? As a former roller coaster junkie, I am sad to say that even the Matterhorn makes me want to lose my lunch