disappointment

[nunzia]

Very true. I think also because the Celebrate Street Party Parade is new the release date may vary depending if things are going according to plan.

Looking at the calendar, it looks like Fantasmic is only playing weekend nights during March. I'm not sure when it's going down for refurb, but I know it's sometime soon.

OP, don't get so disappointed about DLR so soon. You're trip is almost here! As a DLR regular I see a lot of WDW regulars who are going to DLR for the first time and they're already disappointed before they even leave on their trip.

and as the other side of the coin, I'm having a hard time not being disappointed before my WDW trip My one previous one there was pretty eeehhhh. We are going back to try and figure out why so many love it. Hopefully we can find the magic there this time.
I told my kids that DH and I were going back and they all basically said..why would you do that?? we don't like WDW only DLR!

 

[charmama4]

Fantasmic is being put on hiatus from March to May, according to someone from Disney PR. They're adding Flotsam and Jetsam and apparently a new dragon. That's why it's not on the calendar.

You don't happen to know WHEN in May it'll be back, do you? We will be there May 16.

 

[S. S. Columbia]

You don't happen to know WHEN in May it'll be back, do you? We will be there May 16.

I would recommend just keeping an eye on the offical DLR calendar.

 

[S. S. Columbia]

I know we will have a good time that's not it. We probably won't head back to California as it has just been difficult to plan - plus flights WAY more expensive than Florida for us. I was just looking forward to a few things after reading about them here on the boards. Thanks for the understanding!

FWIW, here's a longish post from civileng68, who's a longtime lover of WDW who went to DLR for the first time last March:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1748081&referrerid=93883

Fantasmic being down is disappointing, but you're still going to Disneyland and I hope that you can look at the Dole Whip as being "half full."

 

[Krissy Marissy]

I did hear WDW leaves the MK open till 2am, some days. I'd assume that's summer season though. It'd be nice, if they left DL open real late. When I was a kid, I used to think that the park was open 24/7.


And LOL, it looks like we have some confusion over F! on the calendar. One says F! is running through March, another says it isn't, a third says only weekends. All I know is that there will be a chunk of March when they take it down. Not sure if they will have periodic showings though.

It looks like it is daily at 7:30 except on weekends when there are 2 shows. Then on March 9th it disappears until the weekends. Then it stops on the weekends at March 29th. I am guessing it will be down for refurb at that time but we all have to wait and see. Fireworks are each night though. So some were half right...it is ONLY on the weekends after March 8th and stops all together on the 29th.

 

[dismom73]

OK, I have one thing to say..."Life is what you make it". Those of us that have an upcomming Disney vacation (wherever it is) need to take a look around us and see what so many people are going through right now, loss of jobs, loss of homes etc, and realize that we are so fortunate to even be going on a VACATION. There are people all around us that don't know if they are going to be able put food on the table, or pay the rent/mortgage. Yes, it can be dissappointing when "everything" isn't up and running, or there have been employee cuts and it's going to show....You are going on a vacation!! Enjoy it for what it is--an escape from the real world. Grab onto that and enjoy the moment!

 

[21yankees]

OK, I have one thing to say..."Life is what you make it". Those of us that have an upcomming Disney vacation (wherever it is) need to take a look around us and see what so many people are going through right now, loss of jobs, loss of homes etc, and realize that we are so fortunate to even be going on a VACATION. There are people all around us that don't know if they are going to be able put food on the table, or pay the rent/mortgage. Yes, it can be dissappointing when "everything" isn't up and running, or there have been employee cuts and it's going to show....You are going on a vacation!! Enjoy it for what it is--an escape from the real world. Grab onto that and enjoy the moment!

I absolutely agree!

steph

 

[wdhinn89]

I had similar feelings after speaking on the phone with DL employees. They are never friendly to me like the ones at WDW. In fact, when one couldn't answer my question and I asked if she knew who I could call that did know the answer I was hung up on. (No "have a magical day".)

I'm trying to stay positive. My kids have never seen DL. One reason we're going is for something different but it's hard after being spoiled so much by WDW. I understand your sentiments and wish you a Magical Vacation!

I agree, the CRO's for DL are definitely not magical. We booked our first trip to DL for July. I booked a room only with an AAA discount for the GC. I went on the DL website to see my reservation and it kept saying the reservation number was invalid. I called and was told you can only see packages online and not room onlys. I replied how odd that was. On the WDW you could see both as long as you book with them direct. She said " Well honey, this is DL not WDW. You can not do that here" in a very snippy attitude voice. I said, "Well I'm sorry but you would think the websites would be the same. It is all Disney"

Now my husband, who also heard this (call was on speaker) keeps teasing that all the CM's at DL are going to have attitudes. I hope he is not right.

 

[Krissy Marissy]

OK, I have one thing to say..."Life is what you make it". Those of us that have an upcomming Disney vacation (wherever it is) need to take a look around us and see what so many people are going through right now, loss of jobs, loss of homes etc, and realize that we are so fortunate to even be going on a VACATION. There are people all around us that don't know if they are going to be able put food on the table, or pay the rent/mortgage. Yes, it can be dissappointing when "everything" isn't up and running, or there have been employee cuts and it's going to show....You are going on a vacation!! Enjoy it for what it is--an escape from the real world. Grab onto that and enjoy the moment!

Very well said!!! I am getting tired of the posts like this too. Thanks for stating that so well!

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

and as the other side of the coin, I'm having a hard time not being disappointed before my WDW trip My one previous one there was pretty eeehhhh. We are going back to try and figure out why so many love it. Hopefully we can find the magic there this time.
I told my kids that DH and I were going back and they all basically said..why would you do that?? we don't like WDW only DLR!

I can totally understand. Disneyland holds such a special place in my heart and I know that place like the back of my hand. Thinking about WDW just overwhelms me. I would probably have the already-disappointed-mind-set-because-it's-not-DLR if (when) I plan a trip there.

I think I get sad when people don't enjoy DLR like we do because it holds such a place in all of our hearts (we and us meaning us DLR fans). But I'm sure WDW fans get sad when us DLR regulars don't enjoy WDW.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

If anyone has already made up their mind that Disneyland is going to be a disappointment, then they should cancel their trip and apply that money towards WDW. They will be much happier because Disneyland is not WDW, and can never be a substitute for WDW.

In the window over the Disneyland Fire Department, there is a light on. It's always on, every second of every day. If you know what that light means and why it's always turned on, then come to Disneyland. You will love it. If you don't know what that light means, then please do some research to find out what that light means and represents. And then you can decide whether or not Disneyland is for you.

As much as I love WDW, I always miss that window and light.

 

[tink_lover]

OK, my original post was not meant to turn into an us vs them. Look at the first sentence - I am definately happy, grateful, thankful and a host of other words to be going on this vacation. I'm extremely aware of the economy right now and have many friends and family members who have or are losing their jobs. My dh lost his last year. That wasn't the point. I was sharing a sentiment I was feeling as I continue to plan for this trip. I KNOW we will enjoy ourselves and look forward to many things - many of the rides, shows, fireworks that are not at WDW. The family won't even know what they are missing. Today I made PS which was surprising easy considering how involved/booked ADRs can be to deal with. I'm also hopeful the calendar will be modified as things get closer.

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

If anyone has already made up their mind that Disneyland is going to be a disappointment, then they should cancel their trip and apply that money towards WDW. They will be much happier because Disneyland is not WDW, and can never be a substitute for WDW.

In the window over the Disneyland Fire Department, there is a light on. It's always on, every second of every day. If you know what that light means and why it's always turned on, then come to Disneyland. You will love it. If you don't know what that light means, then please do some research to find out what that light means and represents. And then you can decide whether or not Disneyland is for you.

As much as I love WDW, I always miss that window and light.

 

[lntsmom]

tink lover, I think it's less an us vs. them than a "we go every weekend" vs. "this is a cross-country trip that is going to cost us a bundle and we want to make sure we choose the time of our visit wisely, which is very hard to do when you have to book hotels and planes 4 or 5 months out to get the good prices but Disney doesn't release entertainment schedules until 2 or maybe 3 months out at best".

Or maybe it's a "we are so consumed by Disney that we believe they can do no wrong" vs. "we are realists who recognize that Disney can and does occasionally disappoint!".

Your feelings aren't wrong. Nobody has a right to tell you how to feel. Folks who think they have the right to tell others how to think, feel, and even behave were the impetus for my adding Gladys to my signature!

Here's hoping Disney surprises you by adding to the entertainment schedule for while you're supposed to be there!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I agree that the schedule may change closer to your visit. From what I can tell DL schedules much closer to the actual day and will adjust more based on attendance. Even if the schedule doesn't change then it means less time waiting for a show and more time for rides! They were running fantasmic every night I was there two weeks ago but no parades or fireworks (fireworks were scheduled the weekend night after I left). Actually - they did have HSM III at CA Adventure too. Perhaps you can catch more of the indoor shows during the day and do rides until closing. Considering all the cutbacks of Fantasmic at WDW and other things it doesn't seem that different in comparison. I'm not saying I enjoy the changes at either place - just that it's happening at both.

For the other poster about the cleanliness and CM's - I was at DL just two weeks ago and only encountered friendly CM's. Also, I noticed nothing remiss with the park - clean and no trash all over the place. Perhaps it's what your looking for but in no way do I expect spotlessness with so many people! And it definitely was well above and beyond most public places.

WDW is where I've been almost exclusively for the past 20 years but this was now my 3rd trip in 3 years to DL. Each time I've become more accustomed to the differences and I'm absolutely loving it more and more! It's not going to be the same as your WDW trip so don't expect it to be and I hope it as good or even better.

 

[fairycat]

I think some of the DLR fans are a bit protective of their parks, because so often the WDW fans seem to come over and bash our little piece of west coast heaven. I admit I am guilty of this, I hate to admit it, it's hard to not be protective of something that means so much to you, especially with all the memories attached.

BUT!!! Saying all that I can see how it stinks to have things you want to do so badly not show up on the schedule or not even have a schedule to plan by. It is hard for Disney in some ways because they don't want to promise what they can't offer and take it off schedule, it seems they would rather show nothing then add, since adding is more likely to make happy guests, over removing. Off season does have its pros and cons. Some of these things were planned and Disney tried to offer concessions like adding more Fantasmic when MS was getting worked on which took out most of the fireworks, I hope they will add stuff to work it out for you guys with Fireworks if they take down Fantasmic so your family will not feel so disappointed!

That said we had similar issues on one of our WDW trips several of the things we wanted to see were down for refurb or for being just down and I know it stinks but you have to make the best of it. WDW will never be my favorite it does not work for me at all!!! My inlaws live nearby and with a little one on the way, I know we will go again for maybe one or two day trips, but I could never make a vacation around WDW, it is not my "happy place". But that is me and my family, others love and adore it and go for them! In the end we all need to remember (and I am guilty of forgetting this too ) that they each are unique in there own ways, they are not to be compared and are special for that reason!!


PS- I never have had an issue with the phone CM's, they have always been great to us on both sides of the country. As for in park CM's weeeellll I found the DLR one's way more informed (how do so many CM's in WDW not know or understand the bus system ), I found really amazing and really terrible CM's in both parks, though the most poorly behaved EVER was in WDW, but that was because the two CM's threatened us with physical violence, otherwise for sheer snittyness, then on CM at DLR wins for that. But overall you try not to let them get you down and try to have fun!!!

Here's to a Great trip for all of you no matter which coast you land/world

 

[bluedoll]

I'm going to join in on this thread because I'm feeling kind of the same way...and the calendar for our visit hasn't even been released yet!

I heard about the employee cuts yesterday. Then, today, on another website I read that things are already showing the stress. According to people there the parks last weekend were a mess...trash on the sidewalks and lawns, huge dust bunnies in the queue for Space Mountain, nonexistant bathroom personnel.
They also reported a change to one of my favorite things: The Mainstreet Electrical Parade. I may be in the minority, but I love the music for it...that parade is my favorite of all time, even in it's abbreviated form. Now I hear that they are tweaking it to sell more fairy crap. Come on! I am tired of everything Disney being used to sell junk to the parents of girls! Why take away the Blue Fairy and Dumbo for Tinkerbell and her friends?

Has anyone READ the story of Peter Pan? Tinkerbell is EVIL!!!! She is Joan Collins in a lime green tunic! I don't care how cute Disney makes her, she's bad! (Can you tell...I don't clap. I'd love to see the play just once where nobody claps!!!)

Okay, that's my rant for the day.

If all I'm hearing is true, I may end up regretting not banking my money and going to WDW next summer!

It sounds as if Disneyland is headed back to the 90's...dirty park, dangerous rides!

Thankfully my youngest will be 8 and should remember this trip, so we can chalk Disneyland up to "BTDT" and stick to WDW from now on!

So it's just like WDW now?? Haha. (See bolded part above.)

 

[lntsmom]

Bluedoll, if you read my post carefully you'll see that I was mentioning what I'd heard on another board. Perhaps the people there are psychopaths or unrepentant liars...maybe they were saying what they really saw.

If you'll notice my signature, I've been to both parks exactly twice. Your implication that for some reason I'm attacking Disneyland because of a personal preference for WDW is way off base.

I stated earlier that I didn't think this was an us vs. them debate. I now take that back. The only problem is, I'm not us or them, so you're wasting your time attacking my post!

 

[bluedoll]

So it's just like WDW now?? Haha. (See bolded part above.)

Bluedoll, if you read my post carefully you'll see that I was mentioning what I'd heard on another board. Perhaps the people there are psychopaths or unrepentant liars...maybe they were saying what they really saw.

If you'll notice my signature, I've been to both parks exactly twice. Your implication that for some reason I'm attacking Disneyland because of a personal preference for WDW is way off base.

I stated earlier that I didn't think this was an us vs. them debate. I now take that back. The only problem is, I'm not us or them, so you're wasting your time attacking my post!

Where exactly did I attack your post?
Where did I say you were attacking Disneyland?
I think you need to read my post more carefully.

It looks to me like all I said was "So it's just like WDW now?? Haha. (See bolded part above.)" I was commenting that it looks like Disneyland is a filthy mess just like WDW now. You'll notice I was commenting on the part I had bolded in your post and no other part of it. I didn't dispute that Disneyland may be dirty now. That could very well be the case. I was commenting on how dirty I found WDW to be on my last visit.

I don't see what you apparently saw in my post. I had no idea one little sentence would mean so much to you. I have a feeling you read much more into it. You obviously don't know my stance on WDW or Disneyland so how can you have any idea which 'side' I'd even be for???

 

[bluedoll]

I'm going to join in on this thread because I'm feeling kind of the same way...and the calendar for our visit hasn't even been released yet!

I heard about the employee cuts yesterday. Then, today, on another website I read that things are already showing the stress. According to people there the parks last weekend were a mess...trash on the sidewalks and lawns, huge dust bunnies in the queue for Space Mountain, nonexistant bathroom personnel.

They also reported a change to one of my favorite things: The Mainstreet Electrical Parade. I may be in the minority, but I love the music for it...that parade is my favorite of all time, even in it's abbreviated form. Now I hear that they are tweaking it to sell more fairy crap. Come on! I am tired of everything Disney being used to sell junk to the parents of girls! Why take away the Blue Fairy and Dumbo for Tinkerbell and her friends?

Has anyone READ the story of Peter Pan? Tinkerbell is EVIL!!!! She is Joan Collins in a lime green tunic! I don't care how cute Disney makes her, she's bad! (Can you tell...I don't clap. I'd love to see the play just once where nobody claps!!!)

Okay, that's my rant for the day.

If all I'm hearing is true, I may end up regretting not banking my money and going to WDW next summer!

It sounds as if Disneyland is headed back to the 90's...dirty park, dangerous rides!

Thankfully my youngest will be 8 and should remember this trip, so we can chalk Disneyland up to "BTDT" and stick to WDW from now on!

I would like to ask about the above bolded line, actually.
Which rides were "dangerous" in the 90's? And in what way were they less "dangerous" in recent years and more "dangerous" now?

I never went to Disneyland in the 90's so I'm just curious.