disappointment

[tink_lover]

I'm happy we are getting to go on vacation and to Disney - but right about now I wish we were doing WDW. Unfortunately, too many factors are in place to contemplate switching. Park hours just came out for our stay. No parades and no Fantasmic during our time. That is just really disappointing....Could they adjust the calendar once it is out? Why no Fantasmic during spring break?

 

[MommyWithDreams]

I understand your disapointment. There are no fireworks the week we are there, along with the shorter hours. I am sure you'll still have a great time, and just think, it's a reason to plan a trip back.

 

[TinkSassy]

I understand as well - I was looking forward to the DL parade and Electric Parade - neither will be running for our trip. We did luck out on a night with Fantasmic and some fireworks - hopefully the weather will hold

I'm so disappointed as we don't normally go to DL due to the cost, WDW is right around the corner.

 

[Sherwin]

Fantasmic is out for upgrading and renovations. That's all part of the tradeoff by going "off-season".

There are still plenty of fun things at DLR besides those you mentioned.

 

[Canyon girl]

OP, the site has not always been accurate. Have you called to verify that there is no Fantasmic? I thought that they were doing Fantasmic as long as there was no parade.

 

[Sherwin]

OP, the site has not always been accurate. Have you called to verify that there is no Fantasmic? I thought that they were doing Fantasmic as long as there was no parade.

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.

 

[pmama]

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!

 

[MommyWithDreams]

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.

Hmmm...Fantasmic is on the calender for our dates...wonder if that's not correct then.

 

[bumbershoot]

Remember, the WDW people are complaining heavily about changes with scheduling and the show of Fantasmic over there, too!


Mommywithdreams, Fantasmic is on the ladies trip schedule all 3 days...so I'm thinking the hiatus starts at some point in March, not at the beginning.

 

[prncssmel]

Hmmm...Fantasmic is on the calender for our dates...wonder if that's not correct then.

Fantasmic is running all through the month of March, according to the calendar. As for the Parade of Dreams, it is not running because of the repaving on Main St. They should be starting the Celebrate Street Party on March 27 in DL, though. And the Pixar Play Parade and HSM street party are running in DCA.

And the fireworks, which are in my opinion the best thing, are running nightly during Spring Break time.

 

[tink_lover]

Well, I'm looking at the on-line calendar which shows that Fantasmic is not running the entire month of March. The last showing is Sat., March 28. I had read here that the new parade would begin that week that we are there, but there are no parades - either DL or CA - on the schedule. Also, isn't this a peak time? I thought spring break was always busy.

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!

 

[lntsmom]

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!

 

[pixiewings71]

They won't add the new parades or any parades really until a little closer. They leave it open so they can make adjustments and since the parade in DL is so new that they aren't 100% sure when they are opening it.

FYI we were there the past 2 weekends and we did not notice anything that the PP is saying as to the dirty-ness of the parks, I thought they were fine. Especially considering the POURING rain for much of those past 2 weekends.....

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

They won't add the new parades or any parades really until a little closer. They leave it open so they can make adjustments and since the parade in DL is so new that they aren't 100% sure when they are opening it.

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.

 

[lcasa]

Re the shortened schedules - at least Disneyland stays open till 10 or midnight most weekends even in the off season - last Jan I went to WDW and everything was closed by 9 at the latest (usually 6!) - and there were many days without fireworks or parades. I was beginning to suspect they wanted to force you into the restaurants to spend more money.

But Disneyland ( I'm an 20-year AP holder ) is still the original and the only park Walt walked in. I have heard good things about the Iger admin - at least before the recession started - I don't think we're going back to the 90's ( Tony Baxter referred to that as 'the dark times' at an NFFC convention). Iger even let them restore the Lily Belle - that's something with little payoff except for in the hearts of us true devotees.

Just read the sign over the entrance tunnel, take a deep breath, and relax and enjoy. Read the windows on main street, search for hidden mickeys, and know you're at the place that started it all. At don't forget to go to our still (near) original Tiki Room!

 

[nunzia]

OP, the site has not always been accurate. Have you called to verify that there is no Fantasmic? I thought that they were doing Fantasmic as long as there was no parade.

That is my suggestion also. When we first started watching the calendar it showed NO entertainment. But Fantasmic showed every night of the week when we were there (except when it was too windy)
Keep hoping and have a positive outlook!

 

[cruise cruise cruise]

On the Dineyland.com site under entertainment it shows "celebrate a street party" opening March 27. However I do not yet see it on the calendar.
FFWI- it also shows Celebration Round Up opening April 1st and when I called disney dining the other day to get more info her comment was they have been given NO info and the opening has been pushed back but she did not know a current "anticipated" opening.

To answer one of your original questions, YES the calendar can change once it is realased and I expect that for you it will (parades added at least to CA)

 

[Krissy Marissy]

Although it is very busy it is still kinda considered off season. And Fantasmic hasnt been confirmed by disney to be down this spring but everyone says it will be down until late may/early june. I know there will be some things added to the show and I am guessing they'll want it back up and running before summer crowds.

lcasa you made some great points!

 

[DizNee Luver]

I wouldn't get too worried about the schedule yet.... they only have the complete schedule thru the end of March.... If I calculated your ticker right, you're going in April correct?? We had to wait for the March calendar to come up until the first part of February. So the first part of March the complete schedule (with entertainment/parades/and such) should be listed.

 

[Sherwin]

Re the shortened schedules - at least Disneyland stays open till 10 or midnight most weekends even in the off season - last Jan I went to WDW and everything was closed by 9 at the latest (usually 6!) - and there were many days without fireworks or parades. I was beginning to suspect they wanted to force you into the restaurants to spend more money.

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.