DTD 1st Time Back in 1 1/2 Years...Sadly Underwhelmed

[DizMe]

I had to be in the area for something else and flew down with my 21-year-old daughter. We were about 50 min from DLR. We were so excited to go to DTD again! Started off fine--almost no line at Harbor security (Wed morning around 9, 7/7), got into La Brea in the walk-up line pretty quickly and had a good breakfast. We then walked around a bit in DTD and went through WOD, but neither of us really wanted anything or even felt like shopping. Went down to DLH to check on how to get into Trader Sam's later and poked around until our lunch reservation at Naples (it was for 1 pm but we went at 12:30 and were seated). Then...we sort of felt like there was nothing we really wanted to do. We'd already eaten twice, we'd already had a drink at Naples, we'd already spent a chunk of money on food and that drink, and neither of us had any interest in looking at any more Disney merch. We didn't even care about going back to Trader Sam's, which had been one of our main reasons for going. We just decided to go back to our hotel. I've always felt happy just being in the atmosphere, and it was the same for my daughter. But this time there was just something missing, and it was disturbing. Was it because we didn't have park tickets? Was it having been away for so long? Were we just tired? I don't know, but I hope it isn't like that for me the next time I go.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I haven't been back since the shutdown. When I think about going back for a day or just a couple hours in DTD, I get kind of a depressed feeling. I suspect it is because it will be very different now than how we did things before. When I do go back, I just plan to look at it is a new thing and not as what we used to do so as not to compare it. When I had a 20% discount, shopping was a lot more fun. Now, I can't justify spending the prices they charge for stuff when I can get something similar and more unique on Etsy.

 

[wishing4PA]

I hope your next visit, whenever/if ever that may be, turns out better. I would not be surprised if it's a normal post-2020 reaction. We've all had lives turned upside down, and it just might be that you aren't mentally back in the same space you were before. Is that good? Bad? Growth? Just life? I don't know.
DD17 and I are set to go next month and I am hoping we are able to enjoy our trip in the same way we would have enjoyed this adventure (1st DLR for us) a couple years ago.

 

[Matrixleos]

We're planning a Downtown Disney visit on our arrival day around 4pm. We'll be heading over after we check into the Tropicana and soon after we'll enter through the Harbor entrance. It'll be our first visit and looking forward to getting a taste of the Disney experience after an extended break in not going to the parks. Part of our agenda that afternoon is to not only check out DtD but also check out all the onsite Disney hotels (for possible future visits).

Already have a reservation to the Craftsman Bar and Grill. We'll check out the Grand Californian afterwards and walk around the property. We'll then head over to the Disneyland Hotel and get a couple of drinks at Trader Sam's and check out the DLH properties and towers. I know my youngest, DS12, is interested in checking out the construction site of the new tower. (if possible)

So between hotel hopping and visiting Downtown Disney, we're excited for that adventure. Especially with back to back days in the parks the following couple of days.

 

[deejdigsdis]

I had to be in the area for something else and flew down with my 21-year-old daughter. We were about 50 min from DLR. We were so excited to go to DTD again! Started off fine--almost no line at Harbor security (Wed morning around 9, 7/7), got into La Brea in the walk-up line pretty quickly and had a good breakfast. We then walked around a bit in DTD and went through WOD, but neither of us really wanted anything or even felt like shopping. Went down to DLH to check on how to get into Trader Sam's later and poked around until our lunch reservation at Naples (it was for 1 pm but we went at 12:30 and were seated). Then...we sort of felt like there was nothing we really wanted to do. We'd already eaten twice, we'd already had a drink at Naples, we'd already spent a chunk of money on food and that drink, and neither of us had any interest in looking at any more Disney merch. We didn't even care about going back to Trader Sam's, which had been one of our main reasons for going. We just decided to go back to our hotel. I've always felt happy just being in the atmosphere, and it was the same for my daughter. But this time there was just something missing, and it was disturbing. Was it because we didn't have park tickets? Was it having been away for so long? Were we just tired? I don't know, but I hope it isn't like that for me the next time I go.

Aw, I'm sorry things turned out that way. I find it very interesting, so thanks for posting. I hope it was just because you didn't have park tickets. I have a Girls' Trip coming up this fall. It will be my first time back. The feelings I have been having range from giddy excitement to feeling like I'm better off just holding onto my memories from 1975 - 2020 and not returning. I know that's drastic and dramatic. And I know I couldn't just "never return." The part you mentioned about something missing, and how that's disturbing, really stood out to me. I have been feeling that and I haven't even been back yet!

 

[pigletliz]

It is probably because you didn't have a ticket. A friend and I just went for ice cream, to look in the shops and walk through the hotels. We weren't disappointed because we had visited the parks earlier in the month. I think there is usually a band and lots of music. Right now, it is kind of like a mall. Plus, it is hot! Kind of sucks your energy and enthusiasm,

 

[PirateBrigade]

Being in DTD without a park ticket (or park open, in my case) was like going to your ex-boyfriend/ex-girlfriends house to pick up a box of stuff you left behind, and their mom invited you to stay for lunch. And you eat your lunch, and it's weirdly depressing at the same time, because you like the mom, but it's not the same.

lol