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

[mommy2allyandaveri]

I guess I don't understand why so many people have a problem with local AP holders. You guys have just as much right to be there as anyone else. You should not get penalized because you are local and DL is more convenient for you to go often.

 

[FlameGirl]

I guess I don't understand why so many people have a problem with local AP holders. You guys have just as much right to be there as anyone else. You should not get penalized because you are local and DL is more convenient for you to go often.

I don't think anyone has a problem with AP holders personally...just the unmanageable crowds that the AP system can contribute to on certain days. I don't think anyone is suggesting penalizing AP holders...not sure where you felt that was implied.

 

[Sherry E]

As for the food issue, I usually avoid the counter service places for the most part (though I did enjoy Taste Pilots Grill a couple of years ago and every now and then, I do enjoy a sweet treat like a messy cinnamon roll or a gingerbread man with mouse ears cookie) and stick to the table service places only. Sure, it's more $$$ that way, but the food is decidedly better. If I were going to do a CS-only trip to DLR (like maybe if I was there on a solo trip), I would stick to the CS places that get the best reviews for food quality, such as White Water Snacks in the GCH.

I think it was Sonnyjane who just mentioned the fresh fruit - YUM! I know Bumbershoot will agree with me on this point - the fruit at DLR (and this counts the little random carts here and there and in the restaurants too) is not simply good. Rather, it is some of the best I have had! The melon, the strawberries, the pineapple - OH, the pineapple spears!! YUM YUM YUM! Those spears are fresh, tangy, juicy, refreshing, delicious bits of heaven!! Whether I am grabbing a spear on Main Street or loading up my plate at Goofy's Kitchen, the fruit is a big highlight for me! Somehow they manage to do fruit really well at DL - especially in the specific Disney-owned restaurants in the parks and hotels. And if you are a bacon fan - most bacon lovers will be able to agree that DLR also has some of the best bacon around too!

I have had a mix of 2-night stays, 3-night stays and one-day only trips to DLR between 2007 and 2009 (I only go back to 2007 just to compare my most recent experiences on a whole; I am not counting any DLR trips in the early part of the decade and prior). Even though there are always things that are left unaccomplished after a 3-night/4-day DLR trip, I find that I can deal with crowds and lines much better when we have several days to spread everything out. I am much less patient on a one-day trip, and the heavy crowds will really annoy me, to the point where I don't end up going in the shops I want to go in or taking the pictures I want to take or riding certain things I would like to ride - all because the crowds are too daunting for me and my patience wears thin. You would think that if I only have one day at DLR - maybe only one or two days at DLR for the entire year - I would push myself to get more done in the limited time I am there, but somehow I am inclined to do less!! It is definitely beneficial to me and my overall DLR touring patterns to have a hotel to retreat to mid-day, and to stay in for a few nights, just to maximize my overall experience and be able to tolerate the rude people a lot better!! Also, I maintain lower expectations of exactly how much we will be able to accomplish in a day and how many rides we will be able to go on, so that anything that exceeds that will be a bonus.

I hope you do get to go back to DLR in the future - perhaps once some time has passed you will get bitten by the bug again and feel the urge to revisit!

 

[Sherry E]

I definitely agree on the subject of the food at DLR.

The last time we went, we stayed on property (PPH) and we found ourselves really frustrated with the lack of decent options, and then having to pay a small fortune for mediocre at best food. We love staying on property and the proximity to the park entrance, but we've decided that for our family, we'd much rather take a longer vacation, stay off site next time at a place with a kitchen, and have the option to cook our own meals. We mentioned a few times how, if staying on site with no vehicle, you're really kind of a captive audience food-wise, and it was frustrating for us.

I also second the previous poster's comment re: hand sanitizer. We used it after pretty much any ride where we had to hold on to something. Bath and Bodyworks makes some really pretty smelling hand sani in tiny travel sized bottles.

Too bad they discontinued the Country Apple - that stuff was the best, and I loved rubbing it in my hands several times a day (much to the annoyance of co-workers or whomever was around me!)!!

 

[LuLusApple]

I guess I don't understand why so many people have a problem with local AP holders. You guys have just as much right to be there as anyone else. You should not get penalized because you are local and DL is more convenient for you to go often.

I don't have a problem with local AP holders. I am an AP holder and if I was local I would so be there too.
my problem is that there is no longer off seasons and low crowds. What is considered low crowds now, used to be considered crowded years ago. I don't like how APs have been pushed/sold before crowds were managable/before occupancy capabilities were expanded. But I certainly understand the economics of having to get the people there and then build the occupancy capability. But I still don't like it
Basically it's all about growing pains. I think most of us can agree that we want all the improvements that are happening at DLR just not the pains that go along with it
Lol so I know for me and my family our expectations of what we will accomplish has to evolve just like our touring plan

 

[sonnyjane]

I guess I don't understand why so many people have a problem with local AP holders. You guys have just as much right to be there as anyone else. You should not get penalized because you are local and DL is more convenient for you to go often.

I don't think anyone has a problem with AP holders personally...just the unmanageable crowds that the AP system can contribute to on certain days. I don't think anyone is suggesting penalizing AP holders...not sure where you felt that was implied.

It may have been from my post, and I don't want this to turn into yet another AP debate, lol, I just wanted to make it clear that not all AP holders who live in SoCal are rude, pushy crowd-contributors, and that I find those types of people just as annoying as the OP

 

[FlameGirl]

I don't have a problem with local AP holders. I am an AP holder and if I was local I would so be there too.
my problem is that there is no longer off seasons and low crowds. What is considered low crowds now, used to be considered crowded years ago. I don't like how APs have been pushed/sold before crowds were managable/before occupancy capabilities were expanded. But I certainly understand the economics of having to get the people there and then build the occupancy capability. But I still don't like it
Basically it's all about growing pains. I think most of us can agree that we want all the improvements that are happening at DLR just not the pains that go along with it
Lol so I know for me and my family our expectations of what we will accomplish has to evolve just like our touring plan

Couldn't agree more.

I think some of the frustration with non locals also comes from not really being aware that there is totally a system in place that you basically are required to navigate in order to plan a trip that ends successfully. For the average family that isn't a member of a community like the DIS, it can be very disheartening to plan a family vacation, spend a fortune only to find that they've blundered their way into a non blackout date and have crowds that are totally unmanageable.

 

[melancholywings]

We felt this way after our last trip. The weekdays were wonderful. Crowded but not overwhelming. Then came the weekend. The park was over crowded, lines were huge, people were insane - they behaved as though they were at a crappy mall. A woman had her kid stand ontop of the dinning table in tomorrowland and pee inside an empty coke bottle - in full view and no one said anything to her. So nasty. Then there were several huge packs of kids from the local schools with one or two adults who encouraged them to push and line jump.

The fireworks started and then had to be canceled and then it got really bad. People were crowded in so tightly packed that there was less than an inch between my nose and some dude's back. Then some lady behind started shoving and it came close to a riot. There's no Disney magic in unsafe, crowded and crazy condittions.

My family wanted to swear off Disney too. But we went to World the next year and it helped rekindle the fun. We're talking about another land visit - but i'm worried about a repeat of our last trip.

 

[nana50]

I just returned from a quickie one day visit with my 7 year old granddaughter. We arrived Sunday afternoon at the Sheraton Anaheim, and had a great day there. My granddaughter really loved the hotel and felt like a princess. Of course everyone calling her "princess" might have helped. We took the 8:00 a.m. shuttle Monday morning and walked on to Indy, Pirates, Splash mountain, and thunder mountain. It got more crowded toward noon, so we got a fast pass for thunder, had a lovely lunch at Plaza Inn, (too much food though) then went back on Thunder, headed over to Matterhorn and had the longest wait of the day.....20 minutes. This is because it has just re-opened. I am 60 years old and remember it was very very crowded in the summer. Wall to wall people. I stopped going in the summer. Granted it is not "dead" in the winter anymore due to all of us AP's, but it isn't busy. We must have picked a day between spring vacation for a lot of schools. The hotel said Disneyland was PACKED on Sunday. I was a little worried, but as I said it was great.

I think I'm a little protective of DLR also. I love it there. I'm also patient with tourists. I was just there March 3rd, 4th, and 5th with 11 relatives from Canada. So I know how it is when someone is there for their "trip of a lifetime" I can always come back another day.

 

[DizMe]

I completely lost the magic one year. I was down in San Clemente for a job interview, and afterward I called my sis and asked if she wanted to go to DL for the day. It was totally on a whim, we didn't get there until noon, and it was Memorial Day weekend. The place was so packed I've never seen anything like it, even lately (this was about 1986). It was also before FPs. We literally couldn't move in some areas, and the place was full of trash because the poor CMs couldn't keep up. I really don't think they allow that many people in the park nowdays, but I don't know. Anyway, I am 5'1" and it was soooo uncomfortable for me to be jammed in underneath all of those people. I couldn't see anything, every line was at least an hour long and much more for the faves, and we finally just gave up and left. At the time, I was in no hurry to go back because everything at DL was negatively colored for me that day. I noticed all kinds of things I didn't like. Honestly, I didn't go back for a few years and DL was always MY place. But when I did return, it was to find, happily, that the magic for me was very much still there.

I have learned how to manage most of the things that can mess with my experience so that certainly helps. But if something tilts you into the negative, the sad fact is that it can completely color your whole experience dark. Well, it does for me, at least. You can't always control those things so you just have to chalk it up to bad luck and look forward to the next time being better. I just wanted to let you know that I've always found it to be magical again when I've gone back after an experience like that.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

i can understand this for sure

I think thats why we deiced to only go every other year for now, the economy isn't helping earthier.

I hope our dec trip is good an then we aren't going back till 2011 or 2012 when the full updates are done.

I am sure it will get better maybe you guys should just say ok we need a mini trip some where else next time, an then by time you come back maybe they will have things fixed, they will have updates done, an I hope you an your family feel better.

 

[pycees312]

to OP thanks for your vent it's a message board and okay to give your opinion no matter that is it.
when you do have a horrible experience at Disneyland it does truely sour your opinion and idea of Disney as a whole. I have no idea why but it does. I just recently exprienced it myself being there last week. We go to Disneyland at least 3 times a year since my kids were 5 and they are now 14. We have never in all those years had a bad experience until this trip where we forked out 722.00 each for those premier passes. And our trip this time around was a doozy in our eyes. My DH told guest services he will never go back to Disneyland ever again. I was upset as well but not to that point. He has since calmed down and will probably go again. A bad experience effects people differently. And I agree trips are what you make them.. and boy we tried our best to turn the other cheek but sometimes it's just not possible even for a Disney Fanatic. Stuff happens and hopefully you too will calm down and give Disney another try.

 

[pycees312]

sorry for the double post I still can't edit my post.....
Disney for most people is not looked at as a company but an experience.. and to alot of people disney is the crem de la crem

 

[wvnative]

Actually our food issue was having one person in our group who was beyond picky. I don't know how those two girls get any nutrition from the kind of crap they eat and it sort of forced us to eat differently than we normally would which we really try not to do when on vacation for the sake of our tummies.

While I do agree that the pricing is a little high, we accept this as fact and prepare for it ahead of time. As for crowds, well, I didn't feel the need to kick anyone so I guess it wasn't too terrible. lol The lines that are always long were still long but pretty manageable with FP. The only ones we really had to wait in were TSMM and the Fun Wheel.

Ohhh, and I'll totally second the pineapple spear's deliciousness. Mmmmm...

 

[magicalfoursome]

MG3G--
Sorry your vacation wasn't magical. We are visiting DL for the first time this July and I am hoping to find some magic. I have been to WDW many times and I love it there. Have you ever been to WDW? They have beautifully themed resorts where you can relax and they are more affordable than the DL resorts. The restaurants in World Showcase in Epcot serve great food. Maybe you just need a change.

 

[MG3G]

OP HERE-

QUOTE=FlameGirl;35949208]Couldn't agree more.

I think some of the frustration with non locals also comes from not really being aware that there is totally a system in place that you basically are required to navigate in order to plan a trip that ends successfully. For the average family that isn't a member of a community like the DIS, it can be very disheartening to plan a family vacation, spend a fortune only to find that they've blundered their way into a non blackout date and have crowds that are totally unmanageable.[/QUOTE]

YA THIS!

AND---

You guys are great thank you for letting me get this off my chest.

I just wanted to clarify that I don't think that AP holders are "bad" and I certainly don't want this to turn into a tourist vs AP holder thread! AP's have been a little bashed in this thread but none of that was from me - or if it was it was not my intention-
As I previously said it is really important that Disney has a stable revenue stream BUT In my opinion it has really changed the way the parks runs. I do agree that once Cars land opens some of the pressure should be taken off. I just don't think DLR has the infastructure to handle the regular crowds it sounds like are happening all the time now. For example CA was closed at 7 one night! Other nights it closed at 9 the problem being that it dumps everyone from CA into mainstreet just in time for the fireworks crowds. I have NEVER seen so many people! It was a solid wall of people from the train station to the castle. We didn't want to watch the fireworks, but had to navigate the crowds with the stroller anyway to get anywhere else.

I also am not sure if people saw it or not but I am the person who said that we didn't encounter people who were rude - the opposite actaully everyone (baring the lady who tried to leap my kids) was actually VERY nice to us - local or not. Serveral other people have mentioned that people are rude in the parks now BUT I did mention we had the exact opposite experience.

Oh and I actually didn't find the prices too extreme either. Because it wasn't our first trip we knew what to expect there. The counter service places were terrible though for crowds! We averaged over an hour before getting to the cashier so we started making reservations for every meal in park.

As for hand sanitizer - yep had that - we even used wipes around the hotel room remotes, phones etc. I am not overly concerened about germs normally but with a littler one we always take more precautions. AND if it came across that I blame Disney for getting sick - that wasn't my intention at all! It is just something that happened, could have happened anywhere but it will change the way I view going to a crowded place (any place) with young kids. It is certainly NOT Mickey's fault but after watching my baby struggle to breathe in hospital (not to mention my older kiddos) I feel like I made a mistake taking him anywhere. I know we can't live in a bubble but the mom guilt is pretty extreme.

Please don't think that I had a totally miserable time. We did enjoy some parts of our trip but on the whole it was far more overwhealming then in the past and we will do something else with our vacation time at least for the near future. (We aren't able to vacation as often as many - obviously more then some people though - so if it isn't a great experience it is a bigger deal. This is only the second holiday other then local camping (the first to Disney too) that we have been able to afford.)

 

[Monkey Monkey]

I won't flame you, because I am equally as protective I am also one of those *darn* local AP holders, and even though I know the OP didn't mean it to be this way, I get really upset about having to basically justify my going to the parks as often as I'd like. I am always courteous and if anything, I am MORE patient than out-of-towners when I am at DL because I know if I don't get to see something today, there is always another day, so I don't feel a need to push or run. I was at the parks for the last two days and I also noticed many families bickering, but in every case it was because they were stressing about not getting to X ride by Y time, etc. etc., or they would get mad about waiting in line while we walked by with FastPasses. All it takes is a little research to understand the system and the visit can run smoothly even with the busiest crowds. Yes, the food can be pretty heavy, but there are also places with fresh fruit, salads, light sandwiches, etc. Also, of all the theme parks in the country, DL is pretty lenient about allowing guests to bring their own healthy snacks. I agree with previous posters that the country as a WHOLE is getting to be rude and inconsiderate, I don't think Disneyland makes them that way, nor can they regulate rudeness by turning away cranky people at the gates lol.

I sincerely hope that when you guys are all feeling better, you'll change your minds, because I really love that place

As another local pass-hole(der), I agree with this. I've been 3 times so far this year, and I go during the week when it's not very crowded. In the early part of the day, I don't see many people who "look" like they are locals. I don't see many SAHMs like me spending the day at DL with the kids. I do see a lot of groups of people stopping abruptly in the middle of Adventureland to look at a map or just chat.

If anything, I think the locals who do frequent DLR are more likely to "work" the park better and be less conspicuous than non-locals. Of course, this theory is probably turned on its head during busy times, but I haven't been to DLR on a weekend or during the summer since 2006.

Regardless, I'm sorry you didn't have a good experience. I went to DLR on my birthday and just started getting sick that day. Both kids had pink eye, and we didn't realize it until we got there. DS was crabby all day because he wasn't feeling well, and we spent $200 for a room at the DLH that we napped in and then drove home at 7pm because I was feeling so miserable and we had to take the kids to urgent care the next day. It was only one day, but it was an expensive disaster, and I can't imagine being on a longer vacation under those circumstances!

 

[ORMom2Four]

Same thing happened to us. The last few trips we took, the crowds were AWFUL. We always go during the "off" seasons during the weekdays.....but it appears there is no longer an "off" season at Disneyland.

The crowds are just too much for us. We have no plans to go back, and we use to LOVE Disneyland and went at least once a year!

We are considering heading to Disneyworld once the twins are about 6-12 months old, but we are done with So Cal.....

 

[wdi2b]

this feeling can be classified as Disney Burn-out (my family calls it.)
it''s where you've ridden all the rides and you get tired of waiting in multiple lines. a way to avoid disney burn out is as follows:
-go back to your hotel arouns 2pm... sleep and come back around 7-8pm for the night
- book trips when it's not crowded.
- get fast passes and save all fast passes for the night. (yes you can save fast passes for until after the return time.)
-enjoy the enviroment
* 5 days might have been to many. for future note.

hope this helps

 

[Dobie]

We don't even try to do anything in the parks in the afternoon--the mornings are so cool and wonderful and uncrowded. We also don't worry about lining up for fireworks or parades--we use that time to ride rides, and just enjoy the lights and the atmosphere in the evenings. The last three times I saw fireworks was from Splash Mountain!

If I tried to navigate the crowds in the afternoon, I would lose the magic, too! I completely understand!

As for food, we are really careful. No pizza or burgers. We usually peruse the online menus and plan out where and when we want to eat. I have found that making PSs for lunch and dinner, even if we spend a bit more, are worth it because it makes the meals so much more relaxed.