Trip Report First Disneyland Trip in 6 years - some thoughts (September 20-27)

[DizMe]

There was a security CM standing by the elevators and he asked us for our room key. Apparently there's a new rule where you need to show proof of stay to use the elevators.

Maybe they've had trouble with...paid entertainers coming into the hotel? And I don't mean Disney CMS.

I wonder what's going at the DVC side that they need to see room keys. I don't think I ever posted about it, but a while ago (about a year to 18 months ago), my studio room had a note in it on official letterhead that the hotel staff carried items to defend themselves and that they were legally allowed to do that and it had whatever law code it was referencing.

cruisehopeful, this is also news to me and it's a bit creepy! Makes you wonder what people are doing to cause staff to carry defensive gear.

 

[maleficent55]

whooooaaa to those incidents. I would have absoluetly complained as well, after just the first one.
Hopefully bedsides all of that it was smooth sailing otherwise.

The rest of your trip sounds great!

 

[dcfromva]

Sure, but it was a combination of things vs. one event.

• When our room was ready, my sister and I went towards the elevators to go to our room and call bell services to drop off our bags. There was a security CM standing by the elevators and he asked us for our room key. Apparently there's a new rule where you need to show proof of stay to use the elevators. Fine with me. So I open my app and show my reservation. What I did not expect was to be yelled at by this CM for not having a physical room key and that the phone reservation could be "faked" ??????????????????????????? genuinely don't understand what that means btw. I told him that I was planning on using the app to open the door and after a bit of back and forth he let us through but I heard him say "MY GOD" right as we were entering the elevator.

Great trip report...
We were there just before you 15-19 Sept (on the DVC side) and the security dude was a little salty with DH--demanding to see his ID. DH was fumbling around for it and then the security dude corrected himself and asked to see his room key. DH was a little surprised by the interaction. Later, DH asked me why they were doing that- I told him I didn't know, so I came up with my top 3 best theories (does anyone know? )

After the first interaction we always had a room key at the ready.

On another occasion, the security dude was standing in the automatic door (air conditioning the outdoors... Actually--just making the elevator lobby hot and muggy )

 

[Smugpugmug]

Great trip report...
We were there just before you 15-19 Sept (on the DVC side) and the security dude was a little salty with DH--demanding to see his ID. DH was fumbling around for it and then the security dude corrected himself and asked to see his room key. DH was a little surprised by the interaction. Later, DH asked me why they were doing that- I told him I didn't know, so I came up with my top 3 best theories (does anyone know? )

After the first interaction we always had a room key at the ready.

On another occasion, the security dude was standing in the automatic door (air conditioning the outdoors... Actually--just making the elevator lobby hot and muggy )

I guessed that they had issues with non guests using the elevators but there's nothing to see on the higher floors....it's just hallways leading up to rooms...?

After that interaction I was never asked to show my room key for the rest of the trip so I ask what was even the point of that?

 

[LKing]

LOL I received the opposite question from most people. What are you doing here when you're closer to WDW? A lot of guests I spoke to had never been to WDW before which was so unusual for me. I think comparing Disneyland to Magic Kingdom, I prefer Disneyland 10000%.

When I was at WDW earlier this year, I was surprised at how many CM had never been to DLR. They were talking smack about DLR and, after questioning them, it ended up just being hearsay.

I was very surprised at how few people I saw with Magicbands when each pin store has a small display with maybe 10 designs. I assumed most locals don't wish to pay for them? Maybe I have the WDW mindset but if I was a local I'd pay for one so that I wouldn't have to use my phone /shrugs

Since locals don't tend to purchase LLMP, MB don't do much other than let you into the park and light up during the evening shows. They interact with a few statues/displays but it is hit and miss if the interaction works or not. They are super easy for locals who enjoy taking pictures with PhotoPass photographers. At WDW, they work at the resorts, have PhotoPass ride recognition, and more interactions on attractions.

I tend to see a greater percentage of guests with MB than you noticed. I see teens and college age kids with the MB in their pocket, pulling it out to tap into a park or onto an attraction. I wear a MB most of the time but didn't wear it this past month because it was too hot.

The Ursula Enchanted Waffles at Schmoozies were pretty terrible; one of the biggest disappointments for me food wise. They would've been amazing if they were served hot but mine were freezing cold and soggy. It was a shame because it tasted good flavor wise. The Pambazo Torta at Award Weiners was not great either. WAY too much bread and not enough filling.

I agree with your opinion on both of those. We tried the torta last week and were disappointed. I was also disappointed in the deep fried Snickers. The waffles have a cult following but they've never impressed me. I like ube but didn't care for the texture of the ube gel in the Ursula waffles. What did you try at Craftsman Grill?

My mom is a pin trader so she brought her pins to the tables in Frontierland and multiple times she experienced people that KNEW her pins were higher value than theirs try to swindle her out of those pins. It's a bit scummy to know that other guests are trying to scam you but thankfully not everyone was like that. She did manage to have a few good trades but those were outliers compared to the amount of people trying to rip you off. Left a bad taste in my mouth personally.

Unfortunately, this can be a problem at those tables. We usually strike up a conversation with someone standing in the outskirts around the tables or with someone in line at a pin board.

I was born in Southern California and I think In-N-Out is just mid.