Disneyland Slump :(

[krash2501]

I’m in a Disneyland slump and was wondering if any one else has gone through this???

I LOVE DL and this feeling I am having now I don’t like. We went to DL in Oct. for 3 days and really didn’t have that much fun. I know, I know, HOW do you not have fun in DL.

I think the weather had a big part in it, it was raining, but I just might be telling myself that so that I am sure to go back with an open mind. This trip it just felt that we done it all. It was the same old rides, same old fighting crowds, same old, same old. And the one think I was looking forward to was WOC and that got ruined by others standing up on platforms in front of us so all we could see was the FAR left side of the show right under Arial’s. This trip felt very rushed and we didn’t get to enjoy the sights and sounds and people watching like we do in good weather.

We love planning each day out and making reservations and trying to get the best out of each day. But now we have been there enough times were we don’t even plan out our days anymore. We don’t bother making Reservations because we have already eaten there before and don’t want to spend that kind of money again. And now that we have 3 kids that are old enough to buy tickets for just seams TO MUCH for something we have done before.

I don’t know, I hope my feelings change and next time we go will be a more happy time. I was HEART set on getting season passes in September 2011but I don’t know if I really want to any more.

Sorry for the rant, just needed to get it out.

 

[skiingfast]

You should mix things up with a WDW trip.

 

[FlameGirl]

Maybe it's time for a break. There is no shame in that! The worst would be to force it if your heart isn't in it and then you truly do burn out on it. Disneyland will still be there when the spirit returns to you. :

 

[Belle Ella]

Maybe it's time for a break. There is no shame in that! The worst would be to force it if your heart isn't in it and then you truly do burn out on it. Disneyland will still be there when the spirit returns to you. :

I agree with Kathy 100%. When you feel burnt out on it there's no point in forcing it. It's not going anywhere and when you're ready to go for it again it will still be there.

 

[LSZFagan]

We can relate to your feeling. Since we live an hour from DL... we had season passes for many years. Now that we only go every few years... and throw in a trip to WDW in between... that excited feeling is back.

 

[pixiewings71]

We had AP's for 2 years, we went a lot....we definitely needed a break as of Jan of this year. Now that it's been almost a year we want to go back! lol Just give it a break, don't force it, you'll get it again.

 

[NStramler]

We are the same way... let our season passes expire in May and are not in any hurry to buy them again...

 

[skiingfast]

I was thinking if you wait for 18 months you can come back and DCA will be fairly different. It's a good time to be taking a break. But I'm sure it will be much busier when you go back and that may not be a pleasant shock.

 

[amamax2]

Krash2501,

Yup, been there! It is understandable to feel the way you do. First, it sounds like you had a miserable trip - bad weather, crowds, and someone ruined WOC for you. Of course it left a bad taste. We all have such high expectations when we go to DL, especially if we have had magical experiences before. And sometimes, that magic just isn't there for reasons you cannot control.

We've had the burnout from going too often - we wait 12 - 18 months in between getting APs because by the time they expire - we are so done with DL, lol.

We've left to go home early twice because of crowds. And it wasn't with regret, it was I am so ready to get away from all these people. The second time was just the end of November - the first two days, the crowds were awesome. The third day it was unexpectedly hot (for which we were not prepared because it had been unreasonable cold the first two days) and the crowds were terrible. Again, it was making for a miserable time.

On one Jan trip, my youngest DS woke up with the flu on the day we were heading to DL. We hoped it was just a 24-hour thing, and went anyways. He stayed in the hotel the whole trip, never leaving except to get back in the car to go home. We couldn't get into our room when we arrived, so I had to sit in the lobby praying he wouldn't barf. My Dh and I took turns going into the parks with my older DS, but none of us had fun. And it rained that trip. The whole time.

And one trip, it suddenly occurred to me that my kids had grown up so much and would never again be enthralled by all the little kid rides like they once were - it was now all about Screamin' and TOT. I was so bummed.

Anyways, I tell you all this to say that it happens, for so many reasons. BUT, after a break, we are ready to go back and we experience new things, new wonder, new enjoyment.

It sounds like your kids are fairly young. Believe me, if you take a good long break, when you go back it is so different because they are so different. I don't know what rides they have been on, but one year for us was so magical as each trip the kids discovered a new ride. Now, as teens, they set goals (like our last trip, my one son rode TOT 13 times in one day and my other one and I drew all our favorites at Animation Academy - we spent hours there). We've also this past year done things we've never - in more than 30 trips - done: Laughing Stock in the Stage Door place; Matterhorn at night; ate at Plaza Inn.

So give it some time and you will rediscover the magic.

 

[LavenderPeach]

Besides taking a break, you can also try to make a point of doing some different things the next time you go. So really search out the things you've never tried, things like riding in the front of the monorail, the canoes or stopping to watch a cartoon in the theater on main street. Also, search out some of the different counter service places that maybe you haven't tried yet. Or you could look for hidden mickey's, take a tour, collect smashed pennies, etc. I obviously have no idea what things your family has done before but i'm sure there must be some things that would be new for you.

Oh and since your last trip seemed rushed, maybe after a break, you can go for a longer trip.

Don't worry, i'm sure you'll eventually get out of your slump.

 

[caimakale]

I feel your pain. We just got home yesterday and I'm in no mood to plan a return trip any time soon. In fact, I promised my youngest daughter we would celebrate her birthday there in June if she wanted and now I'm hoping she chooses some other way to celebrate her birthday. Normally when I leave DL, I'm sad to leave and start planning my next trip immediately...this time around, my flight couldn't leave soon enough.

Its frustrating visiting the parks anymore because it is so crowded all the time and rides are constantly breaking down or are down for refurb. When key attractions are down, it forces more people to the other rides that are working. It's frustrating because despite the planned closures, Disney keeps the marketing engine going, driving more and more people to parks to jump on fewer rides. Couple that with rides that have a hard time running consistently and it makes for extremely long waits on rides that are operational.

We ended up spending the majority of our day yesterday hanging out at ESPN Zone and avoiding the parks altogether. It's sad to think our AP's may go unused the rest of the time they are valid but right now, I can't imagine spending another day there. I don't mind spending money to have fun, but DL is WAY too expensive to only have a mediocre time. It has nothing to do with the CM's, I just don't feel the value for what you get is there anymore.

I really hope this funk I'm in changes because I've had a lot of fun there in the past and would like that to continue, but for now, I think I need a long break...

 

[Brancaneve]

It's understandable. Just think that for that one not so fun trip, there were many wonderful ones that kept bringing you back. Every DL fan goes through that. Give it a rest, and in some time you will be dying to go back!

 

[GeneralTso]

You are brave to post that ~here~!!!!
I totally get you. I'm starting to feel that way. I'm sure the majority of this board can't relate though. I read stories of families saving money for years to make this trip and have tickers that count down for a really long time.

I think when you go often, that thrill just isn't there. That thrill is part of the well, thrill, right?

I've been down several times this year and will be there again this weekend. It's a Christmas gift because I have never seen Disneyland at Christmas. I'm really psyched about it, although the rain will make it a bit odd.

We were in WDW for Food & Wine Festival in October and that was fabulous. We've got a kiddo that lives in Orlando so that's a nice reason to go visit. Another kiddo is running the Princess Marathon there in Feb, so off we go again. That place is so huge though, it's easy to keep it fresh.

Disneyland is so much more compact and special I think. I have decided to not take as many trips there next year. I want to spend that money on different trips, see other things. There is more to life than Disney. I know--blasphemy.

Just wanted to post a supportive "I get you" and assure you it'll all come back. Sounds like you just need to change things up a bit.

 

[SplashMo]

WDW would be a nice change of pace...

 

[tink2dw]

It alway seems that after any Disney trip you always think about the bad, but after I look at the pictures, and talk to my Dd about the trip.

And then we start to find the magic moments, and we do find out what each of us loved, that was funny, or was so miserable, it now makes us laugh and we find those family memories that we carry with us!! till the next time we can start planning a new trip!!

i been at DL in the Sun, Wind, and drenching Rain, My hands, toes, nose were so freezing I had to go back to the hotel early. In Aug. it was so hot we had go back to the hotel at 4:00pm to nap till six or seven then we go to Mac D's then back to the Parks!!

One trip that we took in January we only took sweat shirts!! And had to buy coats, I bought mine at Sea World it is my favorite coat of all time, I paid $35.00 for it!! I have spent over $150. for London Fog coats and Columbia Sports coats. But my Sea World coat is the Best one ever!!

So don't dispair give it a few more months then look at your photo's!!

 

[SplashMo]

So don't dispair give it a few more months then look at your photos!!

We were at DL on Nov 12th and it was very crowded (First day of Christmas) and seemed to be less enjoyable. However the pictures were the very best from our trip!!!

 

[nunzia]

I've gone back and forth too..I think everyone has! You can love a place and also not want to be in the midst of the mess. My friend wanted to wait until DCA was done to have another visit since she had been so much and her kids are grown and no grandkids, but then things came up..D23 events..and she has been back several times and will go back again in August for the next Expo. I've been alot, but I'm really not tired of it..I think because each time is a different dynamic..Did the Expo in Sept 09, then went with adults during F&W in May, to another D23 event in August and will go with son and grandkids in January, the Expo in Sept, with another son and family in Oct and then AGAIN in Jan '12 with daughter and family (and to see the Cirque Michael Jackson show). I told the kids they really need to start going at the same time..what I may start doing is just plan a time (way out since we have DVC) and whoever can come can join us. I think you just need some time off and change up the dynamics some.

 

[pigby]

You should mix things up with a WDW trip.

Definitely - the main reason we went to DLR this summer is that we had rain rain rain on our last 2 WDW trips - not meaning to put you off here - it's just that Disney was much more magical in a 'new' Disney park - without the rain. Constant rain does make you miserable even in Disney so I know how you feel - but we're still going back to WDW next summer (and DLR in the Spring).

 

[Funball]

I’m in a Disneyland slump and was wondering if any one else has gone through this???

I LOVE DL and this feeling I am having now I don’t like. We went to DL in Oct. for 3 days and really didn’t have that much fun. I know, I know, HOW do you not have fun in DL.

I think the weather had a big part in it, it was raining, but I just might be telling myself that so that I am sure to go back with an open mind. This trip it just felt that we done it all. It was the same old rides, same old fighting crowds, same old, same old. And the one think I was looking forward to was WOC and that got ruined by others standing up on platforms in front of us so all we could see was the FAR left side of the show right under Arial’s. This trip felt very rushed and we didn’t get to enjoy the sights and sounds and people watching like we do in good weather.

We love planning each day out and making reservations and trying to get the best out of each day. But now we have been there enough times were we don’t even plan out our days anymore. We don’t bother making Reservations because we have already eaten there before and don’t want to spend that kind of money again. And now that we have 3 kids that are old enough to buy tickets for just seams TO MUCH for something we have done before.

I don’t know, I hope my feelings change and next time we go will be a more happy time. I was HEART set on getting season passes in September 2011but I don’t know if I really want to any more.

Sorry for the rant, just needed to get it out.

Yeah I had a time like that once.. it was near the end of the year last year before my pass expired. And I really contemplated whether or not I wanted to renew my pass…so I didn’t go to the parks for like a week and when I had gone back I new right away that the small break I had was enough to get my Disney spirit up and running and I did end up renewing my pass..

And for you OP, maybe it was the weather..im sure that if you went back at a different time when the weather was better you would have had a far better time!

 

[sasywtch]

I can relate which one can probably tell by reading my crappy, moody short trip report. My oldest son who is a Disneyholic said he was kinda tired of the park. I was thinking the same thing but didn't say a word.

I'm on the opposite end of some of the other posters on another thread (the one where the kids are getting older and DL isn't their place they want to go anymore). I have been going taking my little kids for 30 years, now the grandkids (with my older kids) and now thinking how relaxing it would be to go wth my BF and just stroll and relax.

I don't know what it was. We were also there until the 12th and a lot of rides were breaking down constantly-Thunder Mountain, Indy, Matterhorn, Autopia (my daughter's fault on that one)Toy Story. Only a few castmembers told my grandson happy birthday even though they stared at his button while buckling him in compared to a few years ago when they would stop me to say happy birthday.

I was so excited about going for my first time at the holidays so hopefully in a month, I'll be back in the Disney mood.