Disneyland = Disappointment

[Metalliman98]

My main problem is how they handle getting into the parks and lines. I think they should have a few AP line only and then let all this using paper tickets that have to be signed and pictures taken use the others.

This. It is so annoying to be in line to get in at park opening and be delayed by groups that need to sign their tickets and take photos. It's not the guests' fault of course, and in the past I hated being the group to hold up the line on our first day using our tickets (we're APs now). Disney also needs better signage at the gates explaining how EMH works; several times I've been in line behind people who aren't eligible for early entry but try to get in anyway, and then they spend 1-2 minutes needing to have this explained to them by the CM or arguing with them about it, holding up the line.

 

[Malcon10t]

Disney also needs better signage at the gates explaining how EMH works; several times I've been in line behind people who aren't eligible for early entry but try to get in anyway, and then they spend 1-2 minutes needing to have this explained to them by the CM or arguing with them about it, holding up the line.

Its these same people who get in the "No bags" line and get in the AP only line with paper tickets. Not sure why it is so much worse at DL compared to WDW, but it is. Watch when the open a "No Bags" line (doesn't happen too often, but it does happen), it is usually the far right tents on the WOD side. I like to stand back and count the number of people who try to use it because "I'm with him and he doesn't have a bag" or "I don't have a bag, it is a stroller" or "this isn't a back pack, it is just a wristlet/fanny pack".

And when they tried AP only lines - "This is my son and he has a paper ticket but he has to stay with me and I have an AP." "I have an AP, and they are with me." "I don't have an AP, but I want to upgrade." "I didn't know my AP was blocked" followed by a 5 min holding up the line argument over why they should be let in....

And Disney explains EMH/MM, people just keep forgetting/don't bother to read. Yes, I have been there when the 3-4 groups in front of me were turned away due to not having EMH. They knew, they were hoping to find a nice CM who would let them in anyway (even said so.)

Some reason, it just doesn't work in CA, and it really isn't Disney's fault.

 

[rivendellfamily]

The reason for the majority of breakdowns are guest related. Many rides have load times. Rides have to be loaded at a certain speed. If the guests fail to load in a timely manner, the ride will cascade and have to be cycled. Example - Last spring, my daughters rode Matterhorn single rider. Older daughter loaded in the first bobsled, younger daughter was a few bobsleds behind her. As older daughter was coming into the load area, she sees this family arguing over who was going to sit where. The grouper was trying to get the family to load. The ride cascaded. Younger daughter was stuck overlooking Pixie Hollow for about 40 mins....because a family couldn't follow directions. I've seen this happen on Big Thunder, Space Mountain, and on RSR also.

The MAJORITY of time when a ride goes down, it is guest related (Indy is an exception.)

FP - wdwfan has it pretty much right. You can hold a second FP for another ride after 1. 2 hours has past or 2. the time begins. You can also get a FP anytime for Buzz. And you can hold one in each park.[

Many many many years ago I accidentally broke Space Mountain trying to get my younger, wheelchair bound, sister on. She could stand up enough that the cast member let us try three times without success and then we heard the announcement that the ride was stopped. I had no idea at that time that cascading was possible since this was WAY before the internet and my friend and I had missed the section in the brochure that said Space Mountain was NOT wheel chair accessible. We felt so bad that the rest of the trip we waited through the normal lines even though we didn't have to. I didn't realize it happened often enough to have an official name. My apologies to anyone who was on Space Mountain in September of '84. We really didn't know that we could break it!

 

[ddwlms]

i agree that disneyland seems to have lost some of its magic. i have been going since i was a little girl and we still love it, but it's just a step below how amazing it used to be. it feels like they are much more focused on cramming bodies in to make a buck than providing the top notch customer service and experience it used to be. there are so many people it seems like it would be impossible for them to keep up with! it's not impeccably clean/maintained anymore- i've seen broken lights and trash something you never used to see! and i even noticed less maintenance people. we still love it but it makes me a little sad.

I love that you pointed this out. It makes a big difference knowing the perspective that the OP had before their trip even began.

 

[tiffjoy]

For those people who say DLR crams people in, I'm not sure what you propose is the solution? They have raised prices, which should limit demand. Aside from closing the gates when it reaches a low capacity, as I mentioned before, what could they do? People want to be there. They allow in the number of people deemed safe by whatever rules there are for that. If lots of people love going, lots of people are going to go.

 

[sunshine1]

I went beginning of september on a wednesday and i found it to be quiet.

 

[luulu1999]

I was there Sunday morning just after rope drop and there were no crowds for the few hours I was there. When I was leaving, the trams coming to the park weren't even half full. Yeah it was humid and hot, but no one has control over that.

Also, people complaining about price...It is $99 for 40+ attractions at Disneyland. It is $95 for 8 attractions at Universal Hollywood. Who's really ripping who off now. I feel like the price of Disneyland is more than reasonable for all that you get to experience. The park alone is a premiere experience.

I have thought this when I have looked into going to US!!

 

[HydroGuy]

For those people who say DLR crams people in, I'm not sure what you propose is the solution? They have raised prices, which should limit demand. Aside from closing the gates when it reaches a low capacity, as I mentioned before, what could they do? People want to be there. They allow in the number of people deemed safe by whatever rules there are for that. If lots of people love going, lots of people are going to go.

First, I do not completely agree with the idea that DLR is getting too crowded. Yes, of course, we would all like to go to DLR and have shorter lines and all. But by and large the lines are not that bad - especially compared to say WDW.

Yes, the evening DLF and PTN shows really make Main Street and the hub incredibly crowded in the evening. To a large degree this has always been the case. Even so the new exit routes behind Man Street help one avoid this.

When speaking about DLR and the DCA part of DLR, one does not hear so very many complaints about crowds. It handles crowds a bit better. The complaints almost always focus on DL.

DL is a victim of its own success - as well as the Disney marketing machines that gives us cool things like 60th anniversary stuff, Halloweentime and Holidays. Plus the AP program. DLR can cut down on crowds by stopping these things, but many of us would feel a huge loss.

In a real sense, some of the cool things that have come to DLR (like CarsLand) and will continue to come (like Star Wars Land) are made possible by the success of DLR and the crowds - coupled with the ever increasing prices - which together makes money for the Disney company. Which they can reinvest in the parks. Star Wars Land will add capacity to DL (two rides, 14 acres, and restaurants and shops) but also bring in still more guests.

If DLR is too crowded for some folks then they can and should choose to stop going or go less often. At some point this may slow growth at the resort, but history has shown that DLR attendance continues to grow. See for example http://blog.wdwinfo.com/2015/06/06/disney-parks-take-top-six-spots-in-america-last-year

 

[Mommy26]

I love the land and I'm going in 4 days but....its starting to feel complicated/stressful for me.

Last night I dreamed I had to go to the bathroom (In Disneyland) and the attendant told me I couldn't because I hadn't pre-registered for that.

Plan ahead people, plan ahead.

 

[jeanico2000]

Last night I dreamed I had to go to the bathroom (In Disneyland) and the attendant told me I couldn't because I hadn't pre-registered for that.

You should have gotten a Fast Pass or saved your spot on a toilet seat with a blanket!

 

[taffy]

I love it when people complain about DL being too busy and too hot in July. Isn't that what you should expect in California in mid summer during the holidays. We never visit during those times. We pick other times when the weather is cooler and try and avoid major school holidays.

Its like people who go skiing and complain it was too cold.

 

[DisTXMom]

Sorry to hear all of the disappointed responses. We have done WDW several times during off-peak times and we just did our first DLR trip last month mid-August. We level set expectations about crowds/lines ahead of time (thank you DIS). We had an absolute blast!!! Yes it was crowded and some lines were longer than we'd have liked. But the charm and ease of DLR just lured us in. We were like kids in a candy store- grinning and enjoying ourselves so much. Having the legacy fast pass system let our kids ride their favorites without long lines and without planning it many months in advance. We really enjoyed all of the nighttime entertainment. The ease of getting between parks, to/from hotel and downtown Disney... It was all so incredibly EASY compared to the monorail/boat/bus hours of transportation at WDW. Our whole family is in love with the DLR parks after our first visit. To those that have trips planned soon- take heart. There is a lot to love at the west coast parks!!

 

[bumbershoot]

Isn't that what you should expect in California in mid summer during the holidays.

I.Had.Been.There.In.July.

It was not that hot.
It was not that crowded. We were accidentally/unknowingly there during the 50th celebrations (though not in July, as anyone looking at my TRs can see); it was not that crowded (though when I think back, it had joyously RAINED that morning which was likely the only saving grace of that day-trip otherwise we might never have gone back).

During our previous July trip, Phoenix was sandwiched in between two DL stops. Even Phoenix that July was more pleasant to walk outside in than this recent trip.

So no, it wasn't what I expected.

Just like three weeks ago when we were in San Diego and it was nearing 100 at my brother's place (he says it was over 100 in Chula Vista, where he used to live, so thank goodness he moved). That is NOT normal in San Diego. It's unexpected.

I grew up in California. disneyland.com tells me I have had 31 in-park days during the times I've had APs (and that's under counting). I have never experienced *humidity* like there was during the days we were there.

It made me miserable. It made everyone else miserable. And then everyone was trying to make everyone else miserable.


Realized earlier today that one bright spot was Matterhorn, which is a ride I have very much disliked riding since they changed it all to make it more "real bobsleddy". So that was odd, to like it this time.

 

[GusGus77]

We were there Monday to Wednesday and I too thought it was really crowded for the week after Labor Day (even with the rain!!!) and that rides seemed to be down A LOT! We were also there last Thursday and Friday and even though the heat was awful, the crowds were low and there were very few ride closures.

 

[Disneyluv111]

I don't understand what people expect out of Disneyland, obviously there are going to be large crowds. It's in a city where it is summer time all year around, and with quality you pay a premium.

I also don't understand why people come on here and rain on others Disney parade, the majority of us come here to share our love for Disney and just because you a had a bad experience doesn't mean you need to come and put bad thoughts in others head, so as to possibly taint their trips.

Thank you for saying this. I am about to plan a DL trip and after reading this I felt sad. This post totally put bad thoughts into my head... Everyone has bad experiences then there are those who complain about everything and just ruins it for others.

 

[bigb83]

We just got back from the same week in the park. We found there were a couple busier days but all in all was very manageable. Took my wife and 2 year old son for the first time and it was quite amazing. We had a blast. To each is own

 

[Malcon10t]

I go every year for Christmas thru New Years. It is the most crowded week of the year. I always have a wonderful time. BUT, I never would recommend that week for people who rarely go. If you go with a positive attitude, you will enjoy it. But if you go in with the "Its going to have long lines, we have to deal with crowds, it's going to be too hot/cold/rainy", it will be. It is all about attitude. Disneyluv111, just have a great trip.

 

[CAFarmerGirl]

I go every year for Christmas thru New Years. It is the most crowded week of the year. I always have a wonderful time. BUT, I never would recommend that week for people who rarely go. If you go with a positive attitude, you will enjoy it. But if you go in with the "Its going to have long lines, we have to deal with crowds, it's going to be too hot/cold/rainy", it will be. It is all about attitude. Disneyluv111, just have a great trip.

I actually disagree. I always try to go in with the knowledge of the crowds, lines, etc...lest I would be *very* disappointed. My most frustrating trips to DL were when I had expectations that were not met (i.e., staying on site for EMH only to find all of the rides were down!). When I go in expecting crowds, long lines, etc...I am much more content. And, fwiw, I always visit during the most crowded times due to not pulling my kids from school.

OP has added a dose of reality to these threads.

 

[Brancaneve]

I love the land and I'm going in 4 days but....its starting to feel complicated/stressful for me.

Last night I dreamed I had to go to the bathroom (In Disneyland) and the attendant told me I couldn't because I hadn't pre-registered for that.

Plan ahead people, plan ahead.

 

[LizzyS]

I love the land and I'm going in 4 days but....its starting to feel complicated/stressful for me.

Last night I dreamed I had to go to the bathroom (In Disneyland) and the attendant told me I couldn't because I hadn't pre-registered for that.

Plan ahead people, plan ahead.

Haha, oh my.