For those who are waiting a show... the Disneyland Podcast is up!

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

It's currently on iTunes!

 

[mjaclyn]

Just wanted to say that I really enjoy the Disneyland show and was especially excited when I heard this week there would be a discussion about the Disneyland Monorail since this was one of the topics I suggested in another thread. Although I thought the segment was well done and informative, I felt that it was incredibly condescending and made me feel like an idiot for not realizing that the Disneyland Monorail was an 'attraction' and not 'transportation'. As a WDW Veteran who uses the monorail on a daily basis while on vacation, what would make me think that Disneyland would be any different? As far as I know, WDW doesn't have any attractions that you board outside of the park and end inside the park. Just a small word of advice..if you'd like WDW Vets who do not frequent DLR to continue listening to the Disneyland podcast, it would probably be in your best interest not to act like we're stupid.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

I'm sorry if that came across as being "condescending". It's actually a huge problem and one that we all felt it was important to address up front and let folks understand it to set expectations. Let me explain.

Believe it or not, that is actually the most common complaint about Disneyland from the WDW audience and causes the most friction.
These complaints stem from the fact that their expectation bubble was burst.
People find it very disappointing that they are expecting the hotel to have a monorail stop and it doesn't. That they had to walk to get there, fold up strollers, etc.

First-time visitors who don't have a good understanding, take the monorail thinking it will drop them off at the gates - like in WDW. All of a sudden, they find themselves robbed of the opportunity to walk through the turnstiles and down Main Street for their very first look at the park and castle - Just like in WDW.

All of these factors mean that percieved experience bubble is forever popped and some folks feel so strongly about that, that it colors their perspective for the rest of their vacation. We love our DL and obviously we don't want folks to hate it because we didn't do our jobs preparing them for it.

We felt so strongly about wanting people to understand that and not be upset, that we had no idea it would come across any other way.

 

[OKW Lover]

First-time visitors who don't have a good understanding, take the monorail thinking it will drop them off at the gates - like in WDW. All of a sudden, they find themselves robbed of the opportunity to walk through the turnstiles and down Main Street for their very first look at the park and castle - Just like in WDW.

That's a really good point Nancy. Although I've only visited the original park a couple of times, I'd hate to miss the opportunity to walk under the railroad and have the "curtain go up" experience as I entered the park.

 

[BriarRosie]

Just wanted to say that I really enjoy the Disneyland show and was especially excited when I heard this week there would be a discussion about the Disneyland Monorail since this was one of the topics I suggested in another thread. Although I thought the segment was well done and informative, I felt that it was incredibly condescending and made me feel like an idiot for not realizing that the Disneyland Monorail was an 'attraction' and not 'transportation'. As a WDW Veteran who uses the monorail on a daily basis while on vacation, what would make me think that Disneyland would be any different? As far as I know, WDW doesn't have any attractions that you board outside of the park and end inside the park. Just a small word of advice..if you'd like WDW Vets who do not frequent DLR to continue listening to the Disneyland podcast, it would probably be in your best interest not to act like we're stupid.

I listened to the show and did not feel that they were saying WDW vets were stupid for not knowing the difference. I thought it was good thing that they made sure people were informed about the differences of the monorail as an attraction and not transportation.

There were so many things about Disneyland that I found a bit disconcerting because I've had my views colored by my WDW trips. The best way I described visiting Disneyland for the first time was by saying:

Imagine coming home to find that someone came in and rearranged all your furniture.

Nothing at Disneyland seems to be in the "right" spot when you're used to Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom. In some ways, that's refreshing.

And I'm glad the podcast addressed that the monorails are smaller and you must be seated! The designs of the interior are different than at WDW. There is seating all through the car. Knowing ahead of time that it was smaller also didn't stop me from hitting my head as I was getting in. Again, I was so used to the WDW monorail, that I bumped my head more than once!

Compare the castles for a moment. First, most WDW veterans I know tend to be underwhelmed by the size of Sleeping Beauty Castle. It's hard to get those pre-conditioned things of our heads. But how many people know that WDW has a restaurant inside and DLR has a walk-through attraction based on Sleeping Beauty? I am willing to bet a ton of people wouldn't know there were differences like that, either. (Unless they read guidebooks or the DIS.)

But, there are things that are cooler at DLR than WDW. I absolutely love how easy it is to park hop. There's nothing at WDW that compares to it.

 

[mjaclyn]

I realize what a hot button issue this is and that's why I had suggested it on the other thread as well. I felt exactly the way you described when I brought my children to DLR for the first time and ended up in Tomorrowland instead of walking down Main Street USA, our first sight being Sleeping Beauty's Castle. My DD4 even asked me where the castle was once we got off the monorail. And I have to add that Disney advertises the monorail as a good mode of transportation for Disneyland Resort guests and not just a 'ride'.

I just felt that when Wayne addressed the fact that the monorail is a 'ride' and an 'attraction' instead of a mode of transportation he used a tone of voice that was very demeaning. He spoke as if he were talking to a 5 year old... slow, LOUD and deliberate. I didn't mean to suggest that the topic was condescending because I actually thought it was very timely and a great idea. I just did not like the delivery at ALL.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I just felt that when Wayne addressed the fact that the monorail is a 'ride' and an 'attraction' instead of a mode of transportation he used a tone of voice that was very demeaning. He spoke as if he were talking to a 5 year old... slow, LOUD and deliberate. I didn't mean to suggest that the topic was condescending because I actually thought it was very timely and a great idea. I just did not like the delivery at ALL.

I am sorry to hear that you were upset by this. However, I did not feel that Wayne's voice inflection was meant to be demeaning in any way. If you listen to some of the other shows, his voice goes "up and down" quite often as a part of his fluent reading of information. I can't see the podcasters acting in a demeaning way at all especially about something like a monorail. If anything, it was done for humor.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Just a small word of advice..if you'd like WDW Vets who do not frequent DLR to continue listening to the Disneyland podcast, it would probably be in your best interest not to act like we're stupid.

Interpretation is in the eye of the beholder.

You have interpreted what was said in a certain way.

In my interpretation, this statement comes across as a bit threatening and snarky.

You might not have meant it in such a manner, but that how I took it.

 

[topolino]

I usually don't miss a DL podcast, as I'm a huge DLR fan (I love both resorts equally). I hadn't gotten around to listening to this particular broadcast yet, but when I read this thread, I listened to it immediately.

My unbiased opinion (for what it's worth), is that though I did notice extra inflection in Wayne's voice when he spoke of the monorail at DLR being more of an attraction than transportation, I don't think he meant it in a demeaning or condescending manner at all. I have noticed in the past that Wayne tends to carefully articulate every sylablle when he speaks. This is not a critiscism, just an observation. Again, I think his exaggerated tone in his monorail segment was more for emphasis and not meant to speak down to anyone.

One thing I'll bring up here though is that I really don't get the competition around here between DLR fans and WDW fans. "The castle is too small", "Walt walked on these grounds", etc., etc. I really don't understand the "mine is better than yours" mentality, when, honestly, if you're a Disney fan, they are both "yours" and should each have a special place in your heart. Of course, I haven't been around these boards for as long as many of you, so if this is some kind of running joke to which I am not privy, than I apologize, and you may forget everything I just said. : )

 

[DisneyKevin]

One thing I'll bring up here though is that I really don't get the competition around here between DLR fans and WDW fans. "The castle is too small", "Walt walked on these grounds", etc., etc. I really don't understand the "mine is better than yours" mentality, when, honestly, if you're a Disney fan, they are both "yours" and should each have a special place in your heart. Of course, I haven't been around these boards for as long as many of you, so if this is some kind of running joke to which I am not privy, than I apologize, and you may forget everything I just said. : )

This is an on-going joke / tease / gotcha between the folks the love and visit DL and those that visit WDW for quite a while.

Walt did touch DL and walk that park for years. WDW cant really say that.

WDW is bigger and has more variety. DL cant really say that.

While this "debate" goes on (an will forever, I assume), it's all in good fun.

Those of us on the east coast love going to DL. Talking with Cast Members who have been there since the early days is a lesson in Disney history that cant really be matched. Also, the subtle (and not so subtle) differences are a joy to behold.

Folks on the west coast love coming to WDW. It's shear size and variety are hard to beat.

From my perspective, this "great debate" is all in jest.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I am sorry to hear that you were upset by this. However, I did not feel that Wayne's voice inflection was meant to be demeaning in any way. If you listen to some of the other shows, his voice goes "up and down" quite often as a part of his fluent reading of information. I can't see the podcasters acting in a demeaning way at all especially about something like a monorail. If anything, it was done for humor.

ITA, if you listen to the DL shows the up and down is just how Wayne talks. When I originally listened to the show I was fascinated because I didn't know that about the DL monorail. I did go back and listen again though, it didn't come across to me as demeaning and I'm sure that wasn't the intention. It just sounded to me like he was being emphatic.

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

While this "debate" goes on (an will forever, I assume), it's all in good fun.
.
.
.
From my perspective, this "great debate" is all in jest.

I agree. I think the "castle debate" is a non-issue, however, we would never want WDW fans to feel insulted listening to our little podcast.

But we also know that, at this point, many of the listeners ARE WDW fans, so we have to point out the differences when necessary.

 

[oc_tony]

From my perspective, this "great debate" is all in jest.

Agreed. It's all in good fun.

 

[topolino]

I'm glad it's in fun, and that's exactly what I'd suspected.

For me, as I mentioned earlier, they both have equal, (but different in some ways) appeal.

I understand that one can hold a more special place for you than another. If you live closer to one, or grew up going to one, or had something really special happen at one, then this can be the case.

I grew up going to WDW, as I am a lifelong East Coaster, but my few trips to DL are no less special than my many, many trips to WDW. All the cliches are true; when in Disneyland it's truly moving to know that you are walking where Walt walked. At WDW it's special to know that you are where Walt envisioned, and died building.

Debate and discussion about the two by Disney fans is natural and fun, as long as it stays fun.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Okay - I'll be the offended man in this one. Call my castle small and you are insulting my virility!

 

[mainegal]

Okay - I'll be the offended man in this one. Call my castle small and you are insulting my virility!

I have not been to Disneyland (yet). Do you think I will find your castle cute and adorable?

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Absolutely! Especially the castle walkthrough that tells the story of Sleeping Beauty! Make sure to look through the peepholes in the doors!

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Okay - I'll be the offended man in this one. Call my castle small and you are insulting my virility!

Yet if you call her a goth or do the "jazz hands" while referring to her, there's no response.

 

[Jeff & Stacy in NYC]

We just listened to this show again and found it to be very informative and entertaining. I think the best part was when Wayne sang the monorail song! We really enjoy these shows. Thanks to the Disneyland team!

 

[paulasillars]

Okay - I'll be the offended man in this one. Call my castle small and you are insulting my virility!

Absolutely! Especially the castle walkthrough that tells the story of Sleeping Beauty! Make sure to look through the peepholes in the doors!

I for one love the DL castle - its much more compact than the WDW one but fits the setting beautifully. I also love the WDW castle for different reasons.

I also especially love the Sleeping Beauty walk through at DL. Its these differences that I enjoy between the MK and DL - why would I want to go to both parks if they were identical?

Also although I am fairly familiar with DL (and WDW), its often a few years between visits so I'm really enjoying the DL podcast - especially with my own trip coming up in July to hear about what is happening in the parks. All the other Podcasts I listen to are WDW or Disney history based.

I didn't think the comment about the monorail was condescending - I hadn't actually appreciated the fact it was an attraction either at DL - although I knew it went from TL to DTD - I'd just never made that connection before.

I guess it just goes to show, you really can't please everyone.

I for one will be a long time listener of the Dis DL Podcast as I'm loving every episode!