Disappointing Trip

[serendipityaey]

Did it really? I thought I remembered sitting on a bench in there in February.

Yes many years

 

[Aurora0427]

Did it really? I thought I remembered sitting on a bench in there in February.

They had seating in 2019….. I know they did because we sat in there. But that’s 3 years ago. It was a bench.

 

[evilmommie]

OP, did you send an email to Guest Services at DLR? Sorry if I missed that. They need to hear your disappointment.

 

[Bruno33]

Did it really? I thought I remembered sitting on a bench in there in February.

It’s been on and off. There were benches in there over the summer; my daughter and I were sitting in there when I got a memorable phone call so I know when it was. You’re probably right if you remember sitting there in February.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

It’s been on and off. There were benches in there over the summer; my daughter and I were sitting in there when I got a memorable phone call so I know when it was. You’re probably right if you remember sitting there in February.

I remember at one point they turned it into a store selling merchandise. It was weird.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Grabbed some ice cream, decided to duck into the Cinema to relax and get out of the crowds. They had removed the seating.

One reason for this was because people were actually sleeping on the benches -- fully stretched out with all their bags around them. Groups of kids/teens were camping in there, too, running around, talking very loudly (our tour guide had to ask one group of teens to quiet down repeatedly), spreading out on the floor, etc. I miss the benches, but I understand why they were removed. If they were brought back and removed, maybe the same kind of problems were happening again.

 

[Jwaire]

* Genie+ We only bought it on our full park day. We were regretting not buying it on our half day to do more, but now that I've been through a full day with it, I'm glad we saved our money. The day we used it went got a few rides quickly in the late morning, but once I used my 1:00 reservation all other rides were either out of times for the day or weren't until 7pm. Once 7pm came everything else was taken. So we paid $100 for my family of 5 to skip lines for 4 rides.

I actually don't think that's too bad. It's about on par with our recent experience at WDW. Disney considers 3 attractions a successful day with Genie+. So, you beat the average.

 

[Bigmace]

Here at DCA right now. About 2/3rds of the rides are down right now. And all the rides that are open have over an hour wait. This is the first time i feel the need to complain to Disney via email. I took screenshots of the app. Good grief.

 

[Disney0010]

We’re still going in December but we decided to cancel our reservation at GCH and move offsite as we just can’t get past paying over $1600.00 for two nights plus parking. I understand that you’re paying for the convenience of being on property but the walking is good for us. At least that’s the way we can look at it and get around staying offsite.

We are MK holders and visit to enjoy the holiday decorations and parade. Rides are secondary for us. The two rides that are must do’s would be HM and IASW. We had a great time last year. Not as crazy as the Halloween timeframe.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Here at DCA right now. About 2/3rds of the rides are down right now. And all the rides that are open have over an hour wait. This is the first time i feel the need to complain to Disney via email. I took screenshots of the app. Good grief.

It's due to lightning. All outdoor rides have to close if there's lightning. We are experiencing some weird weather last night and this morning.

 

[Disney0010]

I would not cancel. This trip last week has been the only time that it has actually felt crowded. After Halloween things should calm back down again. Even last year during our second week of December visit, it did not feel that busy. You should be hitting the park at a good time. In between holiday periods. Go and enjoy.

I'm honestly considering cancelling after hearing all these reports of bad trips. I will be there right after Halloween, so maybe crowds will be better? We haven't been on a trip in 3 years and I don't want our return to Disney to be a bad one considering how expensive it is. Oof. This isn't a good feeling. I didnt think I'd ever be at a place where I'd be second guessing a trip to Disneyland... but here we are.

 

[DLgal]

Here at DCA right now. About 2/3rds of the rides are down right now. And all the rides that are open have over an hour wait. This is the first time i feel the need to complain to Disney via email. I took screenshots of the app. Good grief.

There is a thunderstorm coming. Lots of lightning.

 

[IsleofDisney]

They had seating in 2019….. I know they did because we sat in there. But that’s 3 years ago. It was a bench.

We sat on a bench last year, maybe they remove them from time to time?

 

[Jwaire]

I think they're just in a tough spot with Disneyland. It's just not a vacation destination. Locals keep it alive. Every time they make any changes to annual passes or introduce something like the park reservation system, the pitchforks come out.

On the other hand, you have people, especially non-locals, complaining that Disneyland Park and California Adventure are overcrowded. If I'm flying halfway across the country to Disneyland, I expect to be able to ride attractions without standing in 60-90 minute lines and being elbow to elbow with people. There's an argument to be made that the park reservation system makes much more sense at Disneyland than Walt Disney World.

Maybe they should limit Genie+ at Disneyland to just day tickets and hotel reservation guests? I don't think they will. They'll just keep increasing the prices until it weeds some of those people out.

 

[tweenie]

We're from the UK and visited Disneyland during the third week in September. We've visited twice before in 2014 and 2016, both amazing trips but we were disappointed with our latest visit. Yes, the parks were really packed but we encountered ridiculous wait times for virtually all attractions, a very rushed experience at the World of Colour Dessert party and just general disorganisation throughout the trip. I did email guest services on our return but so far haven't received a reply.

 

[Mle8308]

Cool. Yip, coming in on Sunday and staying at a place across the street. Look for a guy with a Jurassic Park hat eating a clam chowder bread bowl on Monday for lunch. Tradition to start my trip that way.

Free tickets??? Man, how do you rate?

Friends who work for Disney!!! I'll be on the lookout!

 

[HIRyeDVC]

I think they're just in a tough spot with Disneyland. It's just not a vacation destination. Locals keep it alive. Every time they make any changes to annual passes or introduce something like the park reservation system, the pitchforks come out.

On the other hand, you have people, especially non-locals, complaining that Disneyland Park and California Adventure are overcrowded. If I'm flying halfway across the country to Disneyland, I expect to be able to ride attractions without standing in 60-90 minute lines and being elbow to elbow with people. There's an argument to be made that the park reservation system makes much more sense at Disneyland than Walt Disney World.

Maybe they should limit Genie+ at Disneyland to just day tickets and hotel reservation guests? I don't think they will. They'll just keep increasing the prices until it weeds some of those people out.

We come from Hawaii and it's a vacation destination for us. But I agree that compared to WDW, it can feel like a local's outdoor shopping mall. These price changes doesn't mean we will stop coming. It'll just mean we can do other things more in addition to Disneyland, like Universal, San Diego, etc.

 

[disneyerin]

Same! I leave Sunday and I'm preparing myself. Unfortunately I don't have other options on another time of year to visit this time. So it's October or nothing. I didn't have to pay for tickets, so I'll take October!

I'm getting there Sunday as well!
I picked the third week in October because I heard that many of the school breaks will be over by then. I know it's still going to be crazy but maybe a little bit less. Let's cross our fingers!

 

[Mle8308]

I'm getting there Sunday as well!
I picked the third week in October because I heard that many of the school breaks will be over by then. I know it's still going to be crazy but maybe a little bit less. Let's cross our fingers!

Definitely! I am hoping it is a little less congested. I am going with Cast from WDW and they were able to use their Silver Passes for park tickets/reservations. If it's really busy there normally is no availability for Cast. We shall see! I am excited. I figure we can buy Genie+ for one of the three days it we need to. Have a great trip!

 

[StarlitNight05]

I would not cancel. This trip last week has been the only time that it has actually felt crowded. After Halloween things should calm back down again. Even last year during our second week of December visit, it did not feel that busy. You should be hitting the park at a good time. In between holiday periods. Go and enjoy.

I'm fairly certain we are going, DH talked me off the ledge too. I am just feeling the pretrip jitters, and got freaked out by all the talk of awful experiences (and checking the app and seeing the wait times), but I think you and DLgal are right that it won't be too bad for our dates. I am sorry for those who had less than great experiences though!