Disneyland Resort State of the Union (from an outsider perspective...sort of)

[999DoomBuggies]

Hey all,

Some background, I am a WDW regular. At this point, I still consider WDW my home park. My perspective in this post/thread is coming from a WDW perspective. I am now located hours from Disneyland Resort (albeit likely temporary). We (my little family) are now AP holders at Disneyland. We have been on several trips in recent months for approximately 3-4 days at a time.

Here is my DLR State of the Union

I just finished another trip to DLR. We had a great experience. I love Disneyland. I love the proximity of rides, fantasyland, the rides WDW doesn't have, etc.

With all the greatness of DLR, unfortunately, there are some messes.

(1) To start, the crowd control is horrendous compared to WDW from parking lots to inside the parks. DLR AP prices need to be raised dramatically over the next year in order to weed out the high crowds. The demand continues to be too high for the park to support (yes, I realize keeping numbers under capacity means this park is well controlled by Disney standards, I disagree). Raise the AP prices now, or yesterday. Do not raise the daily or 5 day passes. Get rid of the So. Cal pass. This is painful, but the park is a crowed mess. I don't know of any other way Disney can maintain profits but lower the crowds.

(2) Cast members can be very rude compared to WDW. It is unfortunate that the Disney college program can't really be a sizable presence at DLR, they seem to bring more fun, more cast members saying "have a magical day" (none stated in both trips to DL this past 40 days [insert sad face]). Also, shame DLR can't have more retirees coming down to work at DLR as a "dream job" or a way to earn a few extra dollars during retirement like WDW experiences. These people are the backbone. So fun, nice, and from diverse places. I find a much better vibe from cast members at WDW than at DL. Not even close. I assume perhaps it is difficult to have many magical days with the cost of living in Anaheim much higher than what a Disney salary often provides. Furthermore, dealing with these extreme crowds and mean patrons has to be a very difficult phenomenon to handle. I am not sure my response would be more positive than the responses we have seen from cast members at DLR.

(3) Disney appears to be really underfunding DLR compared to WDW. I realize a new hotel and Star Wars land is coming but looking at the usage of space and the need for an overhaul of much of California Adventure (pier area, bugs, etc), parking, hotels, etc., Disney management appears to be placing DLR at the bottom of updating concerns.

(4) Visitors kind of suck, minus the hardcore DL fans. The hardcore DL fans are the best. So fun. The spirit is strong! BUT, a lot of the other visitors are jerks, even if a minority, they dominate the narrative. The vibe I feel is so different from WDW. At WDW visitors appear to be living a dream come true vacation, whereas, at DL it is more like, we are hanging out at DL and it's just another day. Also, the strollers, ECVs etc are out of control since the park is so crowded (certain periods). Happens at WDW but the lack of space at DLR makes it more of a problem. Furthermore, the people are complete savages when it comes to watching shows in or around the hub. In my many WDW trips, during peak and non-peak days, I have never encountered the craziness DL has when it comes to patrons. Very much a feeling of "screw you, I will take your spot, stand in front of you, cut you off".

(5) Outside of the parks is just gross. Not to offend anyone, but if you haven't visited WDW then I don't know that you can really ever understand the maximum disney bubble. Nothing like leaving the DLR to find a filthy place with crappy hotels and other various businesses right outside the gates. I am surprised Anaheim hasn't provided more help to DLR to acquire more of the surrounding property. You would think it would be good business sense. Either way, at a minimum, the area needs an extreme makeover.

These five points have been on my mind during each visit. I generally can tune out these issues but I can't help but notice the issues when coming from a WDW perspective and this past trip it was rather difficult to tune out the noise. I would love to see Disney management enact more change to DLR, selfishly since we now live closer to DLR. Anyone else bothered by these issues?

 

[AuntieKels]

Oh man, such a bummer. To each his own! Enjoy WDW!

 

[Nevada Jen]

Really, the crowds are the problem. Period. Everything stems from that. Their idea of capacity is not realistic. I've been there when crowd levels are a 7 and you literally can't move at times. That is beyond capacity. I think as you spend more time there, you will see that the annual passholders are not really a problem. They can come as often as they want and are generally pretty orderly. I have friends who literally come just to do a couple of things. What they really need to do is not sell anything less than a 3 day ticket. I think that would make the biggest dent in all of your complaints. Not sure what you can do about the area outside the park. It does seem to be slowly cleaning up in the last decade.

 

[JavaDuck]

I have fortunately been able to visit both parks (WDW 3 times, and DLR 4 times with visit #5 this coming August). I feel comparing the two parks is like comparing apples and bananas. They are alike but also very different. I totally agree with you that WDW has more of the Disney bubble Something I totally loved during my visits there. I also agree that the cast members at WDW had more of the Disney Magic. I do not know how many locals visit WDW compared to DLR, but wonder if that is one huge factor in the feeling of each individual park.

 

[999DoomBuggies]

Really, the crowds are the problem. Period. Everything stems from that. Their idea of capacity is not realistic. I've been there when crowd levels are a 7 and you literally can't move at times. That is beyond capacity. I think as you spend more time there, you will see that the annual passholders are not really a problem. They can come as often as they want and are generally pretty orderly. I have friends who literally come just to do a couple of things. What they really need to do is not sell anything less than a 3 day ticket. I think that would make the biggest dent in all of your complaints. Not sure what you can do about the area outside the park. It does seem to be slowly cleaning up in the last decade.

I can't remember what the outside of the park was like ten years ago. We just stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn and found that to be much better than the majority of the hotels right outside the gates. I sure hope the whole area is changed. Sad to see such an incredible place surrounded by businesses and residents that dont really care to improve area.

I agree, crowds are probably basically the entire issue in regards to the everything inside the park, minus Disney management neglecting DLR for so many years (that is a huge issue). You may be correct about AP holders not being the issue but it seemed like huge portion of the park is AP holders just based on watching transactions using an AP for discounts. My sampling is obviously terribly unscientific.

 

[GeneralTso]

For me, DL is far better than WDW. It's the original, it is authentic and the vibe there is so much more Disney.
I love WDW too, just not as much. The weather there is so prohibitive. If timed right, it's awesome. I don't buy for one second--the people who act like 100 degrees plus humidity is tolerable. It's not.
The crowds at DL are prohibitive. When it's wall to wall humanity it is NOT FUN. It's miserable.

I agree with how trashy it can be outside the pearly gates. I've stayed on property and off and not having to deal with Harbor Blvd is nice. I like the bubble!

 

[maltdizzy]

I agree on the crowds, they've gotten crazy. Otherwise, I find many things much the opposite. I spend most of my trips to WDW wishing I was out west at DL instead.

I think the attention to detail at DL is better, the "movie set" feel is more immersive, the CM's much more informed and helpful, and the food is better. In turn, I find WDW's vomitorium aspect, moving and serving lots of people as fast as they can, makes it feel impersonal with lower quality of service.

Different strokes. The great thing is there is WDW for those who prefer it and DL for those of us for don't. I would hate for them to "standardize" them.

What they really need to do is not sell anything less than a 3 day ticket. I think that would make the biggest dent in all of your complaints. Not sure what you can do about the area outside the park. It does seem to be slowly cleaning up in the last decade.

So...close the park off to AP's and out-of-town tourists only? DL is, and always has been, always been more of a day park (much like many cities and states have local theme parks), and not a destination like WDW.

 

[999DoomBuggies]

I agree on the crowds, they've gotten crazy. Otherwise, I find many things much the opposite. I spend most of my trips to WDW wishing I was out west at DL instead.

I think the attention to detail at DL is better, the "movie set" feel is more immersive, the CM's much more informed and helpful, and the food is better. In turn, I find WDW's vomitorium aspect, moving and serving lots of people as fast as they can, makes it feel impersonal with lower quality of service.

Different strokes. The great thing is there is WDW for those who prefer it and DL for those of us for don't. I would hate for them to "standardize" them.



So...close the park off to AP's and out-of-town tourists only? DL is, and always has been, always been more of a day park (much like many cities and states have local theme parks), and not a destination like WDW.

I get it. Different preferences. I find Animal Kingdom to be the most immersive of the U.S. disney parks and many think I am nuts.

As far as food, I find the epcot options pretty much bury anything DLR can offer. Food and Wine alone makes any of the other parks seem weak.

I hear DLR is going to spend 2 billion over the next 5 or so years. For my benefit, I hope this is true.

 

[999DoomBuggies]

For me, DL is far better than WDW. It's the original, it is authentic and the vibe there is so much more Disney.
I love WDW too, just not as much. The weather there is so prohibitive. If timed right, it's awesome. I don't buy for one second--the people who act like 100 degrees plus humidity is tolerable. It's not.
The crowds at DL are prohibitive. When it's wall to wall humanity it is NOT FUN. It's miserable.

I agree with how trashy it can be outside the pearly gates. I've stayed on property and off and not having to deal with Harbor Blvd is nice. I like the bubble!

My first visit to DL was around a decade ago. I was pretty excited to go to the original park. It was a good experience. Crowds were very low. Weather was great (WDW weather is really bad). BUT, I don't know how anyone can actually perceive DLR as more of a Disney experience than the florida parks. Until DLR can create a Disney bubble, like WDW, then WDW will continue reign king. Not to mention that the offerings keep expanding in Florida. Comparing Disneyland to Magic Kingdom is fair. DL is better. Comparing DLR to WDW is not fair. WDW is essentially a city and DLR is a park. It is only a matter of time before Disney operations shifts completely to Florida just due costs/taxes/space.

I don't think that those who have only visited DLR can understand what it is like when Disney can own an entire city, design an entire town, have a fleet of college kids living in dorms (they are the best and get the young kids excited), hordes of retirees loving life and working at Disney for fun a benefits, etc. It is pretty bad A great.

 

[maltdizzy]

It is only a matter of time before Disney operations shifts completely to Florida just due costs/taxes/space.

They did do that for year, both with Disney Parks and Imagineering...it didn't do well, so they moved it all back to California. It turned out it was easier to recruit executives and creatives to Southern California.

WDW is a full resort, it offers a lot of non-park stuff DLR never will...golf, boating, fishing. The trick is...not to make or expect DLR to be the same. Yes, the setting is urban, I never understood why that scares/disgusts people from the burbs, but it sure isn't hurting DLR attendance. DLR increased attendance is currently making up the difference for the drop in attendance at WDW so far this calendar year.

 

[bumbershoot]

I Disagree 100%.

DLR AP prices need to be raised dramatically over the next year in order to weed out the high crowds. The demand continues to be too high for the park to support (yes, I realize keeping numbers under capacity means this park is well controlled by Disney standards, I disagree). Raise the AP prices now, or yesterday. Do not raise the daily or 5 day passes. Get rid of the So. Cal pass. This is painful, but the park is a crowed mess. I don't know of any other way Disney can maintain profits but lower the crowds.

Heck to the no. Do you comprehend how much they have already raised APs? NO.

(2) Cast members can be very rude compared to WDW. It is unfortunate that the Disney college program can't really be a sizable presence at DLR, they seem to bring more fun, more cast members saying "have a magical day" (none stated in both trips to DL this past 40 days [insert sad face]). Also, shame DLR can't have more retirees coming down to work at DLR as a "dream job" or a way to earn a few extra dollars during retirement like WDW experiences. These people are the backbone. So fun, nice, and from diverse places. I find a much better vibe from cast members at WDW than at DL. Not even close. I assume perhaps it is difficult to have many magical days with the cost of living in Anaheim much higher than what a Disney salary often provides. Furthermore, dealing with these extreme crowds and mean patrons has to be a very difficult phenomenon to handle. I am not sure my response would be more positive than the responses we have seen from cast members at DLR.

My absolute worst experiences with themepark employees have been at WDW. Just awful moments.

Haven't yet met a CP CM who really cared.

Retirees don't come to SoCal. Too expensive. If they are here they lived here or have money. That said today I saw several older employees.

... and the need for an overhaul of much of California Adventure (pier area, bugs, etc), parking, hotels, etc., Disney management appears to be placing DLR at the bottom of updating concerns.

I truly do not understand what you are seeing or saying here. Bugs land is as amazing and wonderful as always. Just spent time there today. Pier area the same. What do you find so bad about the hotels? What's wrong with the parking and the etc?

Are you sure you're a DLR fan?

(4) Visitors kind of suck, minus the hardcore DL fans. The hardcore DL fans are the best. So fun. The spirit is strong! BUT, a lot of the other visitors are jerks, even if a minority, they dominate the narrative. The vibe I feel is so different from WDW. At WDW visitors appear to be living a dream come true vacation, whereas, at DL it is more like, we are hanging out at DL and it's just another day.

Exact opposite for me.

And the hardcore ones are exactly the ones here at DLR just having another day. And reciting lines of everything loudly, ruining it all for the others.


And just saying that the two news stories I remember about guests getting into it were at WDW. The teacup incident and one a year ago.

So much for living some sort of Dream by visiting orlando!

(5) Outside of the parks is just gross. Not to offend anyone, but if you haven't visited WDW then I don't know that you can really ever understand the maximum disney bubble. Nothing like leaving the DLR to find a filthy place with crappy hotels and other various businesses right outside the gates. I am surprised Anaheim hasn't provided more help to DLR to acquire more of the surrounding property. You would think it would be good business sense. Either way, at a minimum, the area needs an extreme makeover.

....Anyone else bothered by these issues?

I disagree that it's "gross". I disagree that Disney needs to do anything. The area is doing things on its own. You obviously haven't been going to DLR for years, watching things change. I haven't seen filthy and I haven't seen a ton of crappy hotels.


Not bothered by anything you complained about.

Really, the crowds are the problem. Period. Everything stems from that. Their idea of capacity is not realistic. I've been there when crowd levels are a 7 and you literally can't move at times. That is beyond capacity. .... What they really need to do is not sell anything less than a 3 day ticket.

You can be at tomorrowland entrance and be stopped and it's easy to imagine the whole park is like that, but then you break through and find no crowds. Crowds clump but it doesn't mean anything is at capacity.

I think it would be ridiculous to not allow a one day visitor. That's a bizarre idea.

There's nothing wrong with a one day visitor or an every day visitor. We were one day visitors for two years. My brother, though he qualifies for a SoCal ap and could easily get a non local one, won't. He buys a one day ticket when someone visits and wants to go to DLR.

BUT, I don't know how anyone can actually perceive DLR as more of a Disney experience than the florida parks. Until DLR can create a Disney bubble, like WDW, then WDW will continue reign king. ....

I don't think that those who have only visited DLR can understand what it is like when Disney can own an entire city, design an entire town, have a fleet of college kids living in dorms (they are the best and get the young kids excited), hordes of retirees loving life and working at Disney for fun a benefits, etc. It is pretty bad A great.

Disagree some more.

The so called bubble is just silly. Manufactured perfection until you look beyond the surface. Highways going through swampland.

WDW is Disney-in-Florida. DLR is Disney. Disneysea might be Disney too. Pix still make me want to hop on a plane.

 

[ashnjam]

Staying at the DLH I feel more of the bubble than when staying at the Poly at WDW. Long lines to wait for a bus (wow, what a bubble) driving on pretty much regular streets to get to parks, etc. or jammed onto a ferry. No thanks. The food at WDW has been reduced dramatically in recent years. Just blah..

I will say the cast members at WDW at better. However after having WDW as our ”home park” for years and finally trying DLR we have totally switched our park to the original.

Have you stayed onsite ever or just off property?

 

[999DoomBuggies]

They did do that for year, both with Disney Parks and Imagineering...it didn't do well, so they moved it all back to California. It turned out it was easier to recruit executives and creatives to Southern California.

WDW is a full resort, it offers a lot of non-park stuff DLR never will...golf, boating, fishing. The trick is...not to make or expect DLR to be the same. Yes, the setting is urban, I never understood why that scares/disgusts people from the burbs, but it sure isn't hurting DLR attendance. DLR increased attendance is currently making up the difference for the drop in attendance at WDW so far this calendar year.

I am born and raised in a city. I am use to large northeast cities. Anaheim is perfectly fine. Really generic, lack of education opportunities in the immediate city (USC, UCLA not too far), but fine enough. Just not where one wants to vacation outside of DLR.

I have stayed onsite several times at DLR but I have a bunch of points for Hilton and Marriott and have been staying at those hotels of late.

 

[999DoomBuggies]

Heck to the no. Do you comprehend how much they have already raised APs? NO.

I do comprehend. Crowd control is a huge issue. Raise the prices. I realize this is a locals park and not really a true resort like WDW.

My absolute worst experiences with themepark employees have been at WDW. Just awful moments.

Haven't yet met a CP CM who really cared.

Retirees don't come to SoCal. Too expensive. If they are here they lived here or have money. That said today I saw several older employees.

Exactly, cast members can hardly afford to live in SoCal on a Disney salary. Perhaps this is why some DLR cast members are so grumpy.

I truly do not understand what you are seeing or saying here. Bugs land is as amazing and wonderful as always. Just spent time there today. Pier area the same. What do you find so bad about the hotels? What's wrong with the parking and the etc?

Are you sure you're a DLR fan?

Please stop. Bugs land is a joke. I am from a completely different stock. I still yearn for Horizons and Maelstrom over Bugsland and a glorified carnival called the Pier. I don't believe it is debatable that viewing the initial California Adventure, that was the all-time worst Disney park created. It still is rather terrible in the Pier, much improved in other areas.

Do we really even need to compare hotels in wdw vs the three hotels in DLR? Do we need to compare to cluster mess that is DLR parking and general crowd control? If so, I don't believe for a second you have often frequented WDW.

Exact opposite for me.

And the hardcore ones are exactly the ones here at DLR just having another day. And reciting lines of everything loudly, ruining it all for the others.


And just saying that the two news stories I remember about guests getting into it were at WDW. The teacup incident and one a year ago.

So much for living some sort of Dream by visiting orlando!

We're discussing Anaheim and Orlando. Both places aren't exactly the mecca of culture and education. We are talking theme parks, not the Smithsonian. The volume coming into the Florida parks is much higher. Just based on total numbers, total incidents will potentially be at least doubled.

I disagree that it's "gross". I disagree that Disney needs to do anything. The area is doing things on its own. You obviously haven't been going to DLR for years, watching things change. I haven't seen filthy and I haven't seen a ton of crappy hotels.
Not bothered by anything you complained about.

Cleanliness is an issue surrounding DLR. Walt Disney noted the issue and most objective people acknowledge this issue, hence one of the major reasons for the Florida project. Pretty much every garbage motel/hotel surrounding DLR needs to get the boot.

You can be at tomorrowland entrance and be stopped and it's easy to imagine the whole park is like that, but then you break through and find no crowds. Crowds clump but it doesn't mean anything is at capacity.
I think it would be ridiculous to not allow a one day visitor. That's a bizarre idea.

There's nothing wrong with a one day visitor or an every day visitor. We were one day visitors for two years. My brother, though he qualifies for a SoCal ap and could easily get a non local one, won't. He buys a one day ticket when someone visits and wants to go to DLR.

I believe one to five day(s) visitors shouldn't be charged more, just AP holders. Not suggesting non-AP holders should be punished with more price increases. Many individuals that cover Disney parks, including the DIS, think that Disney management will eventually get rid of the AP because of crowd issues at DLR.

Disagree some more.

The so called bubble is just silly. Manufactured perfection until you look beyond the surface. Highways going through swampland.

WDW is Disney-in-Florida. DLR is Disney. Disneysea might be Disney too. Pix still make me want to hop on a plane.

LOL, how is the bubble silly? These few sentences essentially just disregarded your earlier statements. The bubble is extremely important, whether the bubble is anything within the walls surrounding DLR or the entire city that insulates WDW. WDW has the benefit of creating a very clean, much larger bubble, that is a full scale resort. DLR is bound to staying within the very little property that Disney owns.

Some might say that WDW is Disney done right with time, funds, and space, whereas DLR is a rough draft. I guess it is all perspective and perceptive creates reality for an individual.

When one goes on a Disney vacation the vast majority of the time they don't want to visit Anaheim. No offense, Anaheim is not really a tourist town if Disney is excluded. Likewise, when one visits WDW, one often has little interest in visiting Tampa or Orlando.

DLR is perfect for a day or a few days. WDW is the true vacation destination for the Disney fanbase. Fathom this, WDW occupies 27,258 acres (43 sq mi; 110 km2), about the size of San Francisco, or twice the size of Manhattan. WDW saw 54 million people attend last year, many staying onsite. DLR saw 27 million people attend last year, most AP holders not staying on site. Two vastly different experiences.

Please listen readers. For selfish reasons, I would prefer DLR to be better than WDW because I live relatively close to DLR. Unfortunately, for those of us that now call DLR our home park, we will always attend the Disney park that is in second place in the majority view and the view of Disney management.

 

[cakebaker]

Hey all,

Some background, I am a WDW regular. At this point, I still consider WDW my home park. My perspective in this post/thread is coming from a WDW perspective. I am now located hours from Disneyland Resort (albeit likely temporary). We (my little family) are now AP holders at Disneyland. We have been on several trips in recent months for approximately 3-4 days at a time.

Here is my DLR State of the Union

I just finished another trip to DLR. We had a great experience. I love Disneyland. I love the proximity of rides, fantasyland, the rides WDW doesn't have, etc.

With all the greatness of DLR, unfortunately, there are some messes.

(1) To start, the crowd control is horrendous compared to WDW from parking lots to inside the parks. DLR AP prices need to be raised dramatically over the next year in order to weed out the high crowds. The demand continues to be too high for the park to support (yes, I realize keeping numbers under capacity means this park is well controlled by Disney standards, I disagree). Raise the AP prices now, or yesterday. Do not raise the daily or 5 day passes. Get rid of the So. Cal pass. This is painful, but the park is a crowed mess. I don't know of any other way Disney can maintain profits but lower the crowds.

(2) Cast members can be very rude compared to WDW. It is unfortunate that the Disney college program can't really be a sizable presence at DLR, they seem to bring more fun, more cast members saying "have a magical day" (none stated in both trips to DL this past 40 days [insert sad face]). Also, shame DLR can't have more retirees coming down to work at DLR as a "dream job" or a way to earn a few extra dollars during retirement like WDW experiences. These people are the backbone. So fun, nice, and from diverse places. I find a much better vibe from cast members at WDW than at DL. Not even close. I assume perhaps it is difficult to have many magical days with the cost of living in Anaheim much higher than what a Disney salary often provides. Furthermore, dealing with these extreme crowds and mean patrons has to be a very difficult phenomenon to handle. I am not sure my response would be more positive than the responses we have seen from cast members at DLR.

Having just returned from a week long stay at DLR, I agree with your points- especially the first two.

DCA was quite manageable crowd wise, but DL was just a mess outside of the first few hours of park opening. I've been to WDW many times and during the busy seasons and this surpassed anything I've ever experienced there. Just moving from place to place in the afternoon was a challenge and when you're having to traverse the park so much due to fp, it's exhausting fighting those crowds.

Employees were much different than what we see at WDW. While all at WDW is not perfect, sulleness and shop talk were the rule at DLR rather than the exception. There was a pervasive attitude of it was just another day at work and at a job they did not like. When things went down or were cancelled ( and it happened a LOT), it was no big deal, as though oh well, it will work tomorrow- just come back then. DLR has a very local park feel to it.


We had been to DLR before but the problems seemed much more pervasive this trip. We went because we wanted to experience Carsland- we did and it was amazing. But for us, WDW is our home.

 

[SA-TX]

Been to both and I would probably agree with a lot of what you said, even though I'm a huge DLR guy. My wife prefers WDW and for the life of me I can't understand why . Here are my thoughts on your points.

1) I kind of agree that although I hate ticket price increases, it really is the only way to thin out the crowds. You can't have it both ways. You can't complain about the price increase AND the crowds because one seems to be directly related to the other. I don't mind the ticket prices. Food and merchandise is another matter. A family of 4 spending $60 for fast food is too much.

2) This one, I completely agree with. Over the course of the last three visits, the cast members at DLR have taken a steady turn for the worse. I tend to give the queue organizers a break because they're thinking quick on their feet and can't be expected to be super as they try to fill up the seats, "How many, 3? Row 4. How many, 2? Row 6." For 8 hours??? Give them a break. But many who are walking around look disinterested in their jobs and a few even seemed bothered when I asked a question about something or other. WDW cast members must be on something because they are sunshine and lollipops all the time, or at least every time I've spoken to one. There are great ones at DLR and that can't be ignored but overall, you're right about this.

3)No opinion here. We don't know the dollars and cents of what is and isn't being taken care of. What the public sees is about 10%, if that, into what's being taken care of to run the park so I'll give them a pass.

4)COMPLETELY DISAGREE! Not on the fact that DLR visitors can be jerks or that they aren't in awe of the experience, but on the notion that WDW visitors are one big family, interlocking arms and skipping through the park. Okay that's not quite what you said but I think the WDW crowd is by far the rudest bunch and it's really not even close. By the way WDW crowd, the kid is 12 years old. He doesn't need a stroller!! And you don't need to ram me with it to get one person closer to the ride.

5) Can't really blame that on Disney. They learned from the mistake and WDW enjoys the benefit of that.

 

[bcwife76]

Having only been to DLR (we go to WDW for our first trip in January 2017!) I can only comment on what I have seen.

We don't park at the parks; we park at our hotel and walk over. Yes *gasp* we stay on Harbour Blvd. Hotels on site are too expensive (we are staying onsite at WDW, btw, for a fab deal!!!!) But another reason we stay offsite? Everything is so damn CLOSE! Planning WDW has given me a permanent headache, that resort is just too damn BIG. You HAVE to stay onsite, otherwise it will take us 2 hours just to get to a resort. Not looking forward to parking at WDW and Epcot, I'm sure it will be a nightmare.

Harbour isn't gross. What's gross? The streets of Las Vegas. Disgusting. Harbour is clean clean clean compared to so many other parts of the US!!

The crowds....yep....they suck. I have to agree with the person who said that a 7 is like a 10 at DLR. Ugh. But then yes there are spots where it opens up and you're like 'hey, where did all the people go?'

Bugs Land is......well...it's fine. It's great for those with young kids. My kids are probably just outgrowing it now. The pier area is fabulous.

Rude people? Pretty sure there will be rude people at WDW. There are rude people EVERYWHERE. And I'm sure that extends to the parade crowds at WDW just as it does at DLR.

Are you sure you want to keep your AP at Disneyland? Sounds like it's just not enjoyable for you guys anymore.

 

[cp11]

I think getting rid of the SoCal AP would be huge.

I know our family goes for more than a five day visit. If they have a ticket that is for longer than that, or you can add days for a small fee like you used to, then I would be for raising AP prices. We were forced to start buying AP's when they went to only five day tickets and not able to tack on those extra days.

 

[erin1715]

Having only been to DLR (we go to WDW for our first trip in January 2017!) I can only comment on what I have seen.

We don't park at the parks; we park at our hotel and walk over. Yes *gasp* we stay on Harbour Blvd. Hotels on site are too expensive (we are staying onsite at WDW, btw, for a fab deal!!!!) But another reason we stay offsite? Everything is so damn CLOSE! Planning WDW has given me a permanent headache, that resort is just too damn BIG. You HAVE to stay onsite, otherwise it will take us 2 hours just to get to a resort. Not looking forward to parking at WDW and Epcot, I'm sure it will be a nightmare.

Harbour isn't gross. What's gross? The streets of Las Vegas. Disgusting. Harbour is clean clean clean compared to so many other parts of the US!!

The crowds....yep....they suck. I have to agree with the person who said that a 7 is like a 10 at DLR. Ugh. But then yes there are spots where it opens up and you're like 'hey, where did all the people go?'

Bugs Land is......well...it's fine. It's great for those with young kids. My kids are probably just outgrowing it now. The pier area is fabulous.

Rude people? Pretty sure there will be rude people at WDW. There are rude people EVERYWHERE. And I'm sure that extends to the parade crowds at WDW just as it does at DLR.

Are you sure you want to keep your AP at Disneyland? Sounds like it's just not enjoyable for you guys anymore.

I just wanted to reply to your comment about parking at Epcot. It is so incredibly easy to park at any of the parks. There are cast members lined up directing you exactly where to go, right down to the exact parking space. I think you will be pleasantly surprised

 

[TexasErin]

I Disagree 100%.



Heck to the no. Do you comprehend how much they have already raised APs? NO.





My absolute worst experiences with themepark employees have been at WDW. Just awful moments.

Haven't yet met a CP CM who really cared.

Retirees don't come to SoCal. Too expensive. If they are here they lived here or have money. That said today I saw several older employees.



I truly do not understand what you are seeing or saying here. Bugs land is as amazing and wonderful as always. Just spent time there today. Pier area the same. What do you find so bad about the hotels? What's wrong with the parking and the etc?

Are you sure you're a DLR fan?



Exact opposite for me.

And the hardcore ones are exactly the ones here at DLR just having another day. And reciting lines of everything loudly, ruining it all for the others.


And just saying that the two news stories I remember about guests getting into it were at WDW. The teacup incident and one a year ago.

So much for living some sort of Dream by visiting orlando!



I disagree that it's "gross". I disagree that Disney needs to do anything. The area is doing things on its own. You obviously haven't been going to DLR for years, watching things change. I haven't seen filthy and I haven't seen a ton of crappy hotels.


Not bothered by anything you complained about.



You can be at tomorrowland entrance and be stopped and it's easy to imagine the whole park is like that, but then you break through and find no crowds. Crowds clump but it doesn't mean anything is at capacity.

I think it would be ridiculous to not allow a one day visitor. That's a bizarre idea.

There's nothing wrong with a one day visitor or an every day visitor. We were one day visitors for two years. My brother, though he qualifies for a SoCal ap and could easily get a non local one, won't. He buys a one day ticket when someone visits and wants to go to DLR.



Disagree some more.

The so called bubble is just silly. Manufactured perfection until you look beyond the surface. Highways going through swampland.

WDW is Disney-in-Florida. DLR is Disney. Disneysea might be Disney too. Pix still make me want to hop on a plane.

I completely agree. We just returned to WDW after having spent the last two years at DLR. On our recent WDW trip, I can't remember any "magical" CM moments; I don't remember any really bad ones, except for the waitress at Kona who rolled her eyes when DS needed another drink refill. My experience with DLR CMs were so great that I jotted down names and emailed compliments when I returned home.

I found WDW very crowded and NOBODY says excuse me when they cut in front of you or when you pause to let them go by. I figure either it's the heat/humidity or the fact that so many other guests are rude that causes a lot of guests to appear to be in a foul mood (IMHO).