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

[Mazzy]

Personally I have settled on summer visits at DLR for many reasons including:

o Maximum park hours
o The SoCal APs are blocked
o Maximum rides in operation
o The SoCal APs are blocked
o Maximum entertainment
o The SoCal APs are blocked
o It does not rain and humidity is not an issue
o The SoCal APs are blocked
o It is warm
o The SoCal APs are blocked
o The walking distance hotels make it easier to work around the locals and mid-day crowds and mid-day heat
o The SoCal APs are blocked

So funny!

 

[nunzia]

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.

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.)[/QUOTE]

You know, I think the whole thing was a basically rough vacation...hour at CS?? AAAIIGGHHH, but what really put you over the top was the kids getting sick, especially the little one and feeling like if you hadn't gone it wouldn't have happened, so naturally you associate it with Disney. Maybe they got sick at Disney, maybe they already had the bug floating around and it erupted there, but I can sure understand tying one in with the other. I just hope that after some time has passed you can rethink the Disney magic and remember what made it magical in the first place and be drawn back.
I hope your kiddos are better now~!
Wow..this quoted odd...sorry!

 

[HydroGuy]

I was sorry to read the OP. I hope some further reflection will soften things for you. Some observations and opinions....

Is DLR more of a locals park? Yes, definitely. But that is not all a bad thing. In fact it can really help with touring when you realize most people are on day trips because you can work around them better if you choose a close-by hotel or, better IMO, a walking distance hotel.

Is DLR becoming more of a locals park? I think that depends a lot on when you go. The idea of DLR reaching out to locals and creating the AP program is not to make DLR more crowded when it is already crowded, but to make it more crowded when it is traditionally less crowded. That has goods and bads but one of the goods of a more stable operation base is more revenue at DLR and more interest in improving the parks. Hence all the work at DCA, the evolving plans for DL, and the ever present discussion of a third park at DLR. DLR is also reaching out to tourists too (with the Disney staffed hotels coming to Gardenwalk) because tourists in hotels spend more money on Disney. So I think DLR is reaching out to both.

If crowds have become a big issue for you like it is for others, then maybe after things have softened emotionally you can find a better time to go than Spring Break.

Personally I have settled on summer visits at DLR for many reasons including:

o Maximum park hours
o The SoCal APs are blocked
o Maximum rides in operation
o The SoCal APs are blocked
o Maximum entertainment
o The SoCal APs are blocked
o It does not rain and humidity is not an issue
o The SoCal APs are blocked
o It is warm
o The SoCal APs are blocked
o The walking distance hotels make it easier to work around the locals and mid-day crowds and mid-day heat
o The SoCal APs are blocked

I just wanted to add that I hope no one took this post or any others of mine as being anti-AP holder. I think AP holders should visit DLR as often as they want. My position is and has always been the practical result of the AP holders and crowding when they have visiting privileges (e.g., are not blocked). The crowd swings have been huge. My issue is working around the crowd swings, not with the AP holders themselves.

I use the same approach (avoiding crowd swings) when I talk about arriving early to the parks each day. That is not because I have a bias against people who show up mid-day. I do not care who they are. I just want to work around the mid-day crowds.

 

[lorasmom]

We were AP holders in FL, and became SoCal AP holders here when we moved last year.

DL is... just not magical for me. It's okay, it's fun, but it's like a shadow of DW

I've found it's more crowded - by FAR - than DW also... and the "locals" are more obnoxious. We tend to go early morning or late afternoon/evenings. Mid-Day is just chaos.

I miss DW

 

[blackjackdelta]

We were AP holders in FL, and became SoCal AP holders here when we moved last year.

DL is... just not magical for me. It's okay, it's fun, but it's like a shadow of DW

I've found it's more crowded - by FAR - than DW also... and the "locals" are more obnoxious. We tend to go early morning or late afternoon/evenings. Mid-Day is just chaos.

I miss DW

At least one local who we can count on not being in the parks. I still do not see why people think DW is better than DL.

Jack

 

[MG3G]

OP again-
Yep I think a trip to the World might be in our distant future. Sadly the world is on the other side of the continent and we have 3.5 children (.5 being future #4 who we are hoping the stork will bring in the next year.) So the expense of getting everyone there might make it a LONG off future trip. Our last trip was funded by a surprise bonus and a $69 seat sale. Not something I can see happening often. I will ALWAYS love Mickey but maybe he has become like those relatives that you really like but just NEVER want to go stay at their house - lol

 

[Raindown]

At least one local who we can count on not being in the parks. I still do not see why people think DW is better than DL.

Jack

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.

 

[lorasmom]

Oh, no. We're at the parks any way, regularly. It's just not the same.

It's still Disney, though, so that's enough for now to keep us visiting. Sorry to burst your bubble

 

[SnootyBear]

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.

We've been to both... we were the local AP holders (although we didnt buy the SoCal deal we did the upgrade so there were no block out dates)


I think for many WDW is spread out, over more parks and that makes it appear "grand" compared to the 2 parks at DLR. BUT many of the rides spread out at WDW are all IN 1 park at DLR.

Either way people will like one better than the other. I was disappointed in WDW the first time we went. I had expectations of DLR... and it wasnt. Not even close.

Ill always prefer DLR over WDW. Thats just me.

 

[magicalfoursome]

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.

WDW is fantastic!!! I am visiting DL fot the first time this July. I know it will not be WDW but that is the reason I want to go!! I want a Disney experience that is different and I want to see where it all started. WDW has a lot to offer -- World Showcase in Epcot is great-- I love that the CM's are from the countries they work in. The restaurants are great too! Animal Kingdom is awesome-- I love the safari and my kids think Expedition Everest is the best Disney rollercoaster. The water parks are a lot of fun too.

 

[lorasmom]

Oooh, Epcot!!

It's a whole different experience, really. Not good or bad, it's just different. At DW, it's really... an immersion, kind of. DL is kind of hanging out in the middle of the city. I don't dislike it, it's just different

 

[carolinamama]

To me, the whole DLR vs WDW thing all depends on what your 'home' resort is. For me, it's WDW. Granted, I haven't been to DLR yet, but in my head, WDW is almost mythical. Some of my earliest and best memories with my family as a child were made there. We used to go on vacation to the east coast of Florida more years than not (my grandparents went for 31 straight years to the same hotel!), so it was nothing to hop over for the day.

I also have my own set of WDW horror stories, but I don't think those experiences take the magic away. Most deal with individuals, not with CMs, etc.

Now, I know DLR is a totally different experience, but no matter how much I enjoy it, it won't have the history for me. It won't be the same. That being said, I'm over the moon that we're going! I can't wait to be there!

 

[blackjackdelta]

What I see is people want to go to WDW because it is more than Disney. I have offered my 4 kids, 17-23, the opportunity to go to WDW over the last 10 years and what they tell me that they would rather go to DLR. The only thing they perceive that is Disney, is the Magic Kingdom. Besides it costs about $2000 more just to go to DW.
As statement I posted a few month's back was that I would be glad to convince anyone not to go to DLR but to go to WDW. Just makes common sense to try and decrease the crowds.
I wonder what is happening at WDW since the attendance was down I think 17% last year.

Jack

 

[DSNY4ever]

I was going to suggest WDW too, but I could see how the flights with so many kids could get pricey. But they do have great condo deals over there that could save you money.

We like the DLR for quick little trips (and it is better at xmas time than WDW!)

But WDW has much more of a true "vacation" feel for us. More room to spread out and explore. So many things to do outside the parks to escape crowds. The hotels are all amazing, the restaurants are so fun, Downtown Disney is great, lots of shows and parks to hop to if one is crowded. I think every DL fan has to try WDW at least once...it's amazing.

But I have gotten irritated with stupid people in crowds at both parks...pushy/rude people are everywhere unfortunately.

 

[HydroGuy]

But WDW has much more of a true "vacation" feel for us. More room to spread out and explore. So many things to do outside the parks to escape crowds. The hotels are all amazing, the restaurants are so fun, Downtown Disney is great, lots of shows and parks to hop to if one is crowded. I think every DL fan has to try WDW at least once...it's amazing.

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.

 

[LuLusApple]

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.

This made me laugh. I think my family like many families need a vacation from the Disneyland vacation. We always joke Disneyland is hard work lol
but we love it. We havnt had a real vacay in years. Hydroguy enjoy your vacation in the Caribbean but you still have Disneyland on your mind

 

[TeaToo!]

Too much of any good thing, is well, too much.

We went on our 1st trip (4ish years ago) and it was truly MAGICAL!
2nd trip 1 1/2 years later, still not bad, but then 6 months after that we did it again. Not such a good idea! Now we are headed back in a month but its been about 2 years. My only two complaints are the crowds and how some people can be so stupid and/or rude. But I can feel like that at Wal-mart on any given day, too. Of course going to Walmart doesnt require an airplane
(Hey If I want to get kicked around and abused Disney Style I can just head over to the CB! )

OP, hang in there with us. Feel better and give it some time (more than 2 years) and DO NOT go during spring break.

 

[nana50]

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. [/QUOT
This is exactly how I feel. When I go on vacation I go on a cruise, visit my family in Canada or France. Disneyland is different for us locals. I live in San Diego and I always spend the night as it is part of the fun. I usually go for just one day. I love to immerse in Disney, and since it is so small and close I can go a few times a year.

 

[slenderella]

We made the mistake of going to WDW first. I think if we would have gone to DLR first our thoughts would have been different. We are planning a quick trip to DLR and Southern Cali in August. I guess we will see what happens. We are kinda excited though!! )
Jonna

 

[blackjackdelta]

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.

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