DLR Lost some of the magic and we aren't sure if we will go back anytime soon :(

[raftislander]

I was raised going to DL, so it will always have my heart and - as far as what goes on inside the parks, it can't, IMO, be beat. That said, there are reasons why WDW will be a better choice for a vacation. The two resorts offer very different experiences. If you want to be inside a Disney bubble for an extended time, this is much easier to do at WDW. If you are staying on property at WDW you can have a very magical day without hitting one of the four parks by lounging at your resort pool, golfing, going to a waterpark, taking in a dinner show, or eating at a resort or DTD restaurant. I have never done this (and it would be torture for me), but I think you could spend a week at WDW -never stepping inside one of the four parks- yet still feel like you had a Disney vacation. I don't think that you could do that at DLR with out going a little stir crazy. Also, it seems to me that for many, food is a very big part of the WDW vacation - more important to some than the attractions. While there are some good restaurants at DL there is not the same variety or number of choices available. The person who purchases the DxDP at WDW and is on the phone at the six month mark making two sit down dining reservations a day, is not going to be happy at DLR. If you are an annual pass holder and simply want to be able to find an uncrowded park on any given day, this will be easier to do at WDW. If you are looking for people who have personal memories of Walt you will have an easier time finding these people at DL. If you have several kids of different age ranges, I would think that you would have an easier time keeping everyone happy at DLR than at WDW, simply because there is so much packed into a relatively small area.
To the OP- I am so sorry your vacation was a disappointment for you. When you plan a Disney vacation, there are always some things that are beyond your control- weather, crowds, and illness are the top three. Sure, you can try to avoid problems by choosing a time when it's considered "off season" for crowds or when the temperature is likely to be moderate or dry, but there are no guarantees. DLR saw unprecedented crowds early in Oct and was later hit by drenching rains that closed the parks and WDW has had a couple of freakish cold spells in the last few months. No matter how much you plan, something is bound to go wrong. To me, illness is the most frustrating because you are looking to be recharged* by your vacation, and when you get sick, you feel worse than you would have if you had just stayed home. So I hope you are on the mend and that as your health returns, so will your Disney spark!

* “Recharged” is not necessarily the same as “rested.” If I want rest, I do not go to the parks!

 

[lorasmom]

I read this often and happen to agree. What I disagree with (and not that you are syaing this ) is that because WDW has more of a "whole vacation experience" that somehow makes it better. Why does vacation feel make a Disney resort better? Well, I guess it does if you want a vacation. But we personally never go on vacation to Disney parks. At the moment we are vacationing in the Caribbean. When we go to Disney parks we go to be entertained and feel some magic. And I will argue that both DLR and WDW have lots of Disney magic. So WDW's "vacation experience" means little to me. But to some others it means a lot. IMO "vacation experience" and "Disney experience" are not the same thing. Those who insist they are the same always makes me wonder whether they actually get Disney magic.

Hm. I guess I'm the dissenter, because even when I'd make a day trip to WDW, it was still an "experience", moreso than what I feel when I go to DL.

 

[arilvdc]

I've never been to WDW, but I want to plan a trip out there just to see what the heck it is all about. However, with DLR so close there is nothing I have viewed on the web that draws me to WDW. I would hate to spend all that $ and it be just O.K.

I love love love love love love DL. I'm there every chance I can possibly get (PAP), and I even worked there for over two years. However, I got the chance to head out to WDW last year and you know what? it was AMAZING. The only thing I wasn't wowed by was the Magic Kingdom- it was like the twilight zone because it was so similar to DL, yet so very different. WDW has so much charm and individuality- you can totally tell where there are improvements because of Walt's experience with DL. Epcot almost made me move to Florida,
I loved WDW so much that I'm going back again this year- I was going to go twice, but I have to spend the extra $$$ on something else unexpected.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

I really agree with lot's you said! especially about lack of manners being everywhere now...not just in the US, it's everywhere! the running joke with our whole 2010 Olympics just ended in Vancouver BC was the politeness of Canadians...and generally that's true, but I've noticed more and more all sorts of behavior mentioned here by everyone.... even here.
I also agree with Disney needing to re-evaluate the situation.... perhaps it's time to start running the shows etc. during some of the "off season" times to give people from other places a chance to see things without getting these bad feelings. I know they have to have things down for repair etc. but that has turned into a nearly year round event anyway. I say open up the park more full on, starting in February right into October. having all the major stuff running during these "off season" times would give the "locals" a better chance to see that stuff without all the "tourists" like me...there....I"m sure even they would rather be somewhere else than getting trampled at DL!! I think they are thinking World of Color will relieve some of the overload over at DL, and the upcoming cars land and the new little mermaid attraction...I think it's just going to cause even more crowds on top of what there is now! Yes, I think the time has come for "off season" to go to Yesterland.... I know during "off season" in the early evening the park can be nearly empty...but why would the locals go then...they've gotten off work and school, have maybe a couple of hours at best to do Disneyland because California Adventure is closed at 6, and there are no parades, fireworks, special shows to go to! yup...open it up Disney!!

I agree with what you've said. FWIW, for anyone who may have felt offended by my comments: I don't think that all local APers are rude, I think many people in general are rude. I just happened to witness many local who were rude last summer when everyone was anticipating Murphy the Dragon and were about to be blocked out. I think running the park like it was at full capacity year round is a great idea! I also think Disney shareholders will think it's a lousy idea, sorry to say, because it will increase their operations cost. So we will continue to see unprecedented crowds whenever something new opens and at peak times.

 

[HydroGuy]

WOW, hope you are having a great time. I was supposed to be flying into Denver tomorrow, so we will have to see if they have opened the airport.

Jack

Safe travels. We have been reading about the bad weather at home. I love the snow. Before March 1. The March, April, and, yes, May snow in Colorado is pretty annoying and one of the reasons I do not mind leaving beautiful Colorado this time of year for some warmth.

 

[HydroGuy]

Hm. I guess I'm the dissenter, because even when I'd make a day trip to WDW, it was still an "experience", moreso than what I feel when I go to DL.

That is one of the things that makes the world interesting.

 

[nunzia]

WOW, hope you are having a great time. I was supposed to be flying into Denver tomorrow, so we will have to see if they have opened the airport.

Jack

My son lives in Denver and man, are they snowed in.

The WDW DLR debate...DLR is our 'home' resort..I started going in1962...We took our kids to WDW once 17 years ago..the weather was awful (March..freak snows, spring hurricane, tornados) so maybe that had alot to do with it, but none of us has ever been back. We are planning to go back but DLR always pulls at us more. We'll go again, I just don't know when. Now, DLR we go to in May, then a friend and I hope to go to Destination D in Sept, then back in January to take a son and his family and then back in August for the Expo...can't seem to fit in WDW right now

 

[slenderella]

Safe travels. We have been reading about the bad weather at home. I love the snow. Before March 1. The March, April, and, yes, May snow in Colorado is pretty annoying and one of the reasons I do not mind leaving beautiful Colorado this time of year for some warmth.

HydroGuy,
I live in Fort Collins and our snow is about gone. I believe that further south of Denver the more snow. The roads are dry. Happy trails!

 

[HydroGuy]

HydroGuy,
I live in Fort Collins and our snow is about gone. I believe that further south of Denver the more snow. The roads are dry. Happy trails!

We live in Colorado Springs and the weather report says we got a lot less than Denver.

 

[TheaKim]

So we got back last week from our 8 day trip - 5 day hoppers. Now that we have had some time to decompress none of us are sure if we want to go back again. Even me the Disney nut is ready to move on. Not really sure what caused this post trip slump We didn't fight, although we did witness A LOT of families loosing it at each other. We didn't try to cram too much in, but found ourselves REALLY tired just from flying there. It shouldn't be burn out because this was only our second trip. It was CROWDED though, but we waited in few lines with our GAD fast passes. I guess we found that DLR is turning into more of a "locals" place not that, that is a bad thing but it is a lot better if it is crowded and you can just leave and try again another day then spending several thousand dollars and being stuck there. Some of the walk ways we so crowded you could litterly not move an inch. I also became one of those people who ram others with the stroller - once by total accident when a large group stopped suddenly right in front of me and once someone decided it LEAP over my stroller and two children at the exact same moment that I tried to move it to the side - not sure why she decided to leap over when it was not a crowded area but she landed smack in the front of the stroller and then got mad at me. We also had a really hard time with the food - silly I know but we found the food greasy and sugary and we are by NO MEANS a health nut family. Also we got REALLY, really sick with a nasty respiritory infection. DH didn't catch it but my three boys and I have been in and on out doctors offices and hospital since we got home. Add that to the expense and I hate to say it but I think we are going to try something more relaxing next time.

Sorry for my rant - I guess I just wonder if anyone else has had the magic go away? I mean I plug DLR into my gps for fun and day-dream about being there while listening to the soundtrack of the rides and now I feal so sad that the magic has gone....

I noticed lots and lots of locals (which in and of itself is completely *fine*) when my dd and I were there at the end of Feb--especially at night. Groups of young teenagers/twenty-somethings just 'hanging out' shouting rude things at Tinkerbell-- it was kind of a bummer. Not because they were local, but because many of them were rude.

 

[slenderella]

I noticed lots and lots of locals (which in and of itself is completely *fine*) when my dd and I were there at the end of Feb--especially at night. Groups of young teenagers/twenty-somethings just 'hanging out' shouting rude things at Tinkerbell-- it was kind of a bummer. Not because they were local, but because many of them were rude.

I have to agree about the rudeness! That is the main reason that DLR was such a turn off the first time we were there! It is a totally different atmosphere at WDW. I wish that it could be somewhat the same experience. As you mentioned, we pay thousands of dollars for this experience. Too bad for DLR. It has potential. This is not what Walt had envisioned, I am sure! (

 

[HydroGuy]

I have to agree about the rudeness! That is the main reason that DLR was such a turn off the first time we were there! It is a totally different atmosphere at WDW. I wish that it could be somewhat the same experience. As you mentioned, we pay thousands of dollars for this experience. Too bad for DLR. It has potential. This is not what Walt had envisioned, I am sure! (

Over many trips to DLR and a couple to WDW I have never seen any big difference in rude behavior. Most everyone is there to have fun and they do. I am not saying you did not see this. What I am saying after reading many threads is that some people say there are more rude people at DLR and others say there are more at WDW. My conclusion is it depends a lot on when you go to either resort and the randomness of day.

 

[slenderella]

Over many trips to DLR and a couple to WDW I have never seen any big difference in rude behavior. Most everyone is there to have fun and they do. I am not saying you did not see this. What I am saying after reading many threads is that some people say there are more rude people at DLR and others say there are more at WDW. My conclusion is it depends a lot on when you go to either resort and the randomness of day.

Good point! )

 

[godalejunior]

Well the park.... er resort certainly has changed a lot especially in the last 10 years. We too are finding it a lot more crowded, and a lot of the more personal hand made, home made type things, especially food, are going by the wayside in favor of mass produced.
That being said, there is still plenty of homey goodness there, and a lot more than you will find at any other amusement type park.
We have taken to choosing a nice hotel to stay at, one that has nice grounds and a really nice pool lounge area, we also choose a room with a balcony, so that we can spend time just relaxing while we are on vacation. I find Howard Johnsons and Disneyland Hotel especially good for these things, although now the DH is doing away with balconies...BOOOOOO!
Anyway, we start out our morning with a leisurely tea or coffee and muffins etc sitting on our balcony, watching the day get started. No running to get there at rope drop. The only time we go early, is if we have early entry on a ticket, and last time we didn't even use it! We do go earlyish, ride what we can easily, get a couple of fast passes for use later, then have a nice lunch and head back to the hotel to relax by the pool, nap, walk the grounds, or hop in the car and drive to some other local sites or the beach. Then head back in the evening. We will once per trip or so make the effort to get in place really early to get a good seat for the parade, fantasmic, the fireworks, Alladin....whatever...but only once per trip. We spend time just sitting on benches in the park, especially in the quiet areas like in the walkway area from frontierland to fantasyland, the walkway from tomorrowland around the matterhorn towards small world, Carnation gardens.... just sitting and people watching, soaking up some sun, having an icecream or whatever. There are plenty of places in California adventure to do this as well. It takes some of the stress off to hurry up and get there. We pick out maybe 4 rides we really want to do that day, and anything else is bonus, chosen directly by the length of the lines. We will not stand in any line for more than about 20 minutes. The resort has gotten so big now, it's impossible to ride everything in one day, or even 2 or 3 days. So the best is to try and slow down a bit, get out of the park about 11 ish, or get to a spot to have a lunch then get out, and go back later.
We enjoy going there now almost as much for the good food in most of the restaurants, relaxing by the pool, going to the beach, wandering the gardens at the DL Hotel, Grand CAlifornian etc. or as I just said, just sitting and people watching! lol...we must be getting old!!

Not getting old....just getting smart. . We choose to go in the "off season" for 7 days and do exactly what you have said above. We have found the trips are much more enjoyable and feels more like a vacation.

 

[perlster]

Groups of young teenagers/twenty-somethings just 'hanging out' shouting rude things at Tinkerbell

Am I the first one to notice this?

 

[slenderella]

Am I the first one to notice this?

I am sure not.

 

[smiley_face2]

I think running the park like it was at full capacity year round is a great idea! I also think Disney shareholders will think it's a lousy idea, sorry to say, because it will increase their operations cost. So we will continue to see unprecedented crowds whenever something new opens and at peak times.

It's a real shame...it's tunnel vision, not seeing the bigger picture or the long term if they don't do something like this. You have to spend money to make money, and it may cost a bit in the beginning, but with some advertising of the fact, and once people experience the parks as they were back in the day with less crowds...I think the profits would go up substantially. It does not take many people very long to start talking about their "disapointing" trips to turn the tide of people wanting to go there. They need to do something soon before they start losing guests.
I seriously think when Cars land is opened, and the Little Mermaid attraction, without adding extra "peak" times to have all the other goodies... the parks are going to be even more congested during the current "peak" times.
I think too...they should let us run the place for a while! we'll show them how it's done!!

 

[Leshaface]

I love love love love love love DL. I'm there every chance I can possibly get (PAP), and I even worked there for over two years. However, I got the chance to head out to WDW last year and you know what? it was AMAZING. The only thing I wasn't wowed by was the Magic Kingdom- it was like the twilight zone because it was so similar to DL, yet so very different. WDW has so much charm and individuality- you can totally tell where there are improvements because of Walt's experience with DL. Epcot almost made me move to Florida,
I loved WDW so much that I'm going back again this year- I was going to go twice, but I have to spend the extra $$$ on something else unexpected.

I am in TOTAL agreeance with you!!! DL baby right here, but WDW was Ah-mazing! Epcot-unbelievable!!!

WDW is now our vacation, from our Disneyland vacations! lol!