Disneyland...OMG!!!!!!!!!!

[DLgal]

And Big Thunder Ranch!

Batuu was a huge downgrade.

I know that's an unpopular opinion, but Big Thunder Ranch was so unique and charming. I have such fond memories of taking my boys there when they were little to see the animals and the reindeer at Christmas time. They always themed that area so well for the holidays and the live entertainment and crafts were great for some relaxing downtime.

We never even go into Batuu anymore. It's lame.

 

[DizMe]

Batuu was a huge downgrade.

I know that's an unpopular opinion, but Big Thunder Ranch was so unique and charming. I have such fond memories of taking my boys there when they were little to see the animals and the reindeer at Christmas time. They always themed that area so well for the holidays and the live entertainment and crafts were great for some relaxing downtime.

Many great memories for me as well. My girls loved the cookie decorating (who knew you could fit 1000 kinds of frostings and sprinkles on a cookie?), animals, meeting Santa in his cabin, etc.

I get the fan delight with Star Wars but to me it looks depressing and forbidding in comparison to BTR. I also don't really feel that SW is a good fit for Disneyland, but times change I suppose. I have friends who love it but I mostly stay out of that area.

 

[DLgal]

Many great memories for me as well. My girls loved the cookie decorating (who knew you could fit 1000 kinds of frostings and sprinkles on a cookie?), animals, meeting Santa in his cabin, etc.

I get the fan delight with Star Wars but to me it looks depressing and forbidding in comparison to BTR. I also don't really feel that SW is a good fit for Disneyland, but times change I suppose. I have friends who love it but I mostly stay out of that area.

My husband is a massive Star Wars fan and he never even wants to go in there. It's a huge miss for our family.

 

[joseph821]

My husband is a massive Star Wars fan and he never even wants to go in there. It's a huge miss for our family.

I was not impressed with Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland during my trip either.

 

[Aspencreek]

I was not impressed with Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland during my trip either.

Yep, such a huge waste of space. The land looks kind of interesting at first, but there's almost NOTHING there to do (excluding spending money). Two big rides (one of which we don't even like) but no kid rides, no cool dark rides, no real shows or places of interest, etc. For us it is a one and done and we only go in there for Rise.

 

[BrianL]

Yep, such a huge waste of space. The land looks kind of interesting at first, but there's almost NOTHING there to do (excluding spending money). Two big rides (one of which we don't even like) but no kid rides, no cool dark rides, no real shows or places of interest, etc. For us it is a one and done and we only go in there for Rise.

I am generally fine with GE, but you're right, the attraction density is quite low for it's size. It either should have been kept to a bit of a smaller footprint, or it badly needs another attraction, preferably soemthing with no height requirement.

 

[NorCalFanatic]

.

 

[JerrodDragon89]

lol

I don't care for GE but it's better then one restaurant, ROTR is an amazing ride the land is meh but the ride there is insane

It's like when some used to say DCA was worst then the parking lot.

 

[Chili327]

Batuu was a huge downgrade.

I was not impressed with Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland during my trip either.

Surprised.. I'm not a huge Star Wars Fanatic (I am just a fan), I think its amazing, I walk into the area, & just start to hear the music/sounds gradually turning the vibe, then boom when you're in and look around at the spectacle of mountains, etc. I find it amazing!!

 

[DLgal]

Surprised.. I'm not a huge Star Wars Fanatic (I am just a fan), I think its amazing, I walk into the area, & just start to hear the music/sounds gradually turning the vibe, then boom when you're in and look around at the spectacle of mountains, etc. I find it amazing!!

I'm not saying the land is not visually impressive. But it's not really "Star Wars". It's new trilogy on a made up planet.

 

[NorCalFanatic]

.

 

[Smugpugmug]

Been reading this thread for a little bit, but I'm glad you had a great time OP and I agree with many of your compliments. The last time I went to Disneyland was in 2019 before Galaxy's Edge opened and it was extremely low crowds. Never waited more than an hour to ride anything. I had planned to go back September 2020 for the Halloween festivities; I had my flights, hotel at Grand Californian and tickets booked but then you know what happened. I haven't made it back yet and I was initially targeting 2025, but a friend invited me on an international trip that I'll go on instead. My job does conferences in Anaheim on occasion so *maybe* I'll be able to sneak away to Disneyland after work.

I just really love the vibe of Disneyland. Something about it feels different, especially since it's Walt's park. I also found quick service to be way better than WDW. Table service was very mediocre, with the worst being Napa Rose and Blue Bayou. I did like Storyteller's and Steakhouse 55 (RIP ). Like others have said, a majority of the rides that exist at WDW are better - Splash was an exception but that doesn't really count now. Grand Californian rules and my mom found the playlist that plays at the resort, which I listen to all the time lol For now, I live vicariously through everyone that goes and talks about their trips.

 

[Smugpugmug]

As for Galaxy's Edge....as a non fan the theming is very...bland? It doesn't scream Star Wars to me. Rise is a cool ride but the effects break down way too often and it really ruins the immersion for me. For what it's worth, I brought a friend who is a massive Star Wars fan to the WDW version and while she liked it, she thought the theming at Wizarding World was done way better (and she's not a HP fan in any way. She's never read any of the books).

 

[DonMacGregor]

Table service was very mediocre, with the worst being Napa Rose and Blue Bayou.

That's interesting. Napa Rose has been awarded the AAA Four Diamond Award for something like the past 11 years (including 2019), and Wine Spectator's Best of Award of Excellence numerous times.

 

[Smugpugmug]

That's interesting. Napa Rose has been awarded the AAA Four Diamond Award for something like the past 11 years (including 2019), and Wine Spectator's Best of Award of Excellence numerous times.

It might've been an odd night but I didn't find the meal to be spectacular. It definitely wasn't the worst thing ever or even terrible. Just.....meh. Wouldn't go again. Blue Bayou was worse food quality wise.

 

[DonMacGregor]

It might've been an odd night but I didn't find the meal to be spectacular. It definitely wasn't the worst thing ever or even terrible. Just.....meh. Wouldn't go again. Blue Bayou was worse food quality wise.

The Bayou has never really sold itself as anything more than a unique dining environment. Definitely overpriced, but it's never really been held out as an epicurean experience. People tend to think more of it, because it at least "appears" to be the DL equivalent of Carthay Circle, which it is definitely not.

 

[BrianL]

I'm not saying the land is not visually impressive. But it's not really "Star Wars". It's new trilogy on a made up planet.

Wait...which parts of Star Wars do not take place on a made up planet?

 

[Smugpugmug]

The Bayou has never really sold itself as anything more than a unique dining environment. Definitely overpriced, but it's never really been held out as an epicurean experience. People tend to think more of it, because it at least "appears" to be the DL equivalent of Carthay Circle, which it is definitely not.

Yup, I wasn't expecting Michelin star quality at Blue Bayou but was still disappointed that it was that subpar. We knew we were there for the experience.

Oh, I forgot about Carthay Circle. I ate there too and really enjoyed that (both food and vibe).

 

[DLgal]

Wait...which parts of Star Wars do not take place on a made up planet?

Touche.

 

[DLgal]

As for Galaxy's Edge....as a non fan the theming is very...bland? It doesn't scream Star Wars to me. Rise is a cool ride but the effects break down way too often and it really ruins the immersion for me. For what it's worth, I brought a friend who is a massive Star Wars fan to the WDW version and while she liked it, she thought the theming at Wizarding World was done way better (and she's not a HP fan in any way. She's never read any of the books).

My husband audibly gasped when he saw Hogwarts Castle for the first time at Universal Hollywood. And that is the "lesser" WWOHP. He's not a HP fan, at all. He has seen the first movie. That's it. But he was super impressed with the land. He could not stop talking about it.