Has this happened to you? - a non Dis TR

[pycees312]

we went to Discovery kingdom last week for 2 days( sunday and monday). I visit Disneyland about 4 times a year i did not under any circumstances expect Disney customer care or cleanliness. The park itself is clean the bathrooms could use some spucing up, and yes i think some of those teens could have better attitudes. But you know what I found if i smiled at one or said thank you or even spoke to them I was amazed at how different they were. You figure most peoploe go into that park with the" it's not disney attitude" and guess what if you put out negative that is exactly what you get back. my 5 year old enjoyed the park since there were PLENTY of rides just for him. Tava's land was really cute and since the park was not packed we really got to do everything. even my 12 year olds enjoyed the park. My husband is 6'6 and rode the medusa and loved it. He was too tall for Kong though. we happened to really really like Tony Hawk. These kinds of places are what you make them and if you allow a rude person to ruin your experience then that is very sad for you not them. Studies show putting a smile on your face even when you dont want to helps change your mood..... All in all we enjoyed this park and will go back again since we have the big six pass. I too went in with the it's not Disney attitude but once inside i changed my tune and had a wonderful time.

 

[Bread&Butterflies]

We've never been to Fairyland, so it's a good place to go? I think it's something my two would really like.

The place is cute. And like pp said it is what you make of it. They have a puppet show that they change maybe 4 times a year(oh my they are so cute) and another stage area where they have performers. When we walked in there was a big mushroom blowing bubbles all around and my dd happily chased them. They have a few animals, a llama and chickens and a old horse. The local kids that run the attractions are sweet and seem happy to be working there. (even the ones all tattooed up and pierced wearing all black one let my dd ride the alice merry go round over and over and over )There is a child size carousel, it is SO tiny it is wonderful, my dd was upset she was too little to go on it tho. My favorite of course is the Alice walk through- even with faded paintings and cobwebs

But there were other things to do. They have an area for crafts for part of the day, a miniature church with stained glass windows that is fun to go in and just sit and let the kids play in.(we have our picnic on the side of the church on a bench next to a big bell that kids come up to and ring. It is definitely not Disney, but a $6 admission is wonderful for just something to do. It is small, and really needs a lot of work. I know someone who volunteers there and he just put in a new sound system for them for a new and improved area in the park. But there is history there (even Disney himself loved it and isnt that what we love about DL the history) Wonderful plant life that has been there for YEARS and YEARS(I'm 41 and remember going as a kid), you do not realize you are in the middle of Oakland for sure.

I'd say it is good for ages 2-maybe 8 or 9 , but 2& 3 yr olds will be limited as to what they can go on due to height requirements.

Check out their site. It might be worth going if your drive isn't too too far. We are only 15 minutes away with no traffic, so the drive is no biggie for us.

http://www.fairyland.org/

oh and to clarify- I have never been to the new version of Marine world ; my sister an her family went last week and she said they had fun. They did have coupons tho for the kids to get in free and get $10 off adult admission, so it saved them a bundle and made it worth it. Her kids are older than my 3yr old tho, not sure if it is right for us just yet for the money for sure.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

I didn't see any height restrictions for Autopia on the Disneyland site, so are you "too tall" meaning you can't sit comfortably on that ride?

Yes. My shins are literally jammed into the padded safety bar on the cars. My siblings always act like I'm some sort of party pooper for not going on it with them, but they're all much shorter than me so they don't know what it feels like to limp off the Autopia.

 

[pixiewings71]

Yes. My shins are literally jammed into the padded safety bar on the cars. My siblings always act like I'm some sort of party pooper for not going on it with them, but they're all much shorter than me so they don't know what it feels like to limp off the Autopia.

My DBF is 6'3" and he's never had any issues with any of the rides at DL or at DK. None of us like Autopia so we never do it, the fumes always give me a headache. But, DBF isn't a big coaster guy either, many times we just skip the coasters and let the girls ride them.

fyi, to the pp who said if you are nice to others they will be nice to you. We were APers for DK long before we even went to DL as a family, we loved it!! It's 15 min. from our house so we had passes from 03-07, in 07 we decided not to renew them because we got DL AP's instead. We went a LOT those 4 years, at least once a month. We didn't compare it to DL at all, we had a ton of fun and loved it!! And you know what? People still had nasty attitudes, the park was still dirty and the bathrooms were still yucky, food prices were still outrageous. BUT, we still went. Why? Because it's fun and it's 15 min. from home. Will we go again? Of course, but my expectations won't change because I know what to expect from DK. Am I rude to the employees?? NO, I am nice to everyone until they are rude to me, then look out because I do not hesitate to speak my mind. LOL DK does have the BEST funnel cake though!!! IMO it's better than the funnel cakes at DL! BTW, we still love it but we love it on a different level than we love DL, it's a completely different animal for us and we treat it that way.

Fairyland is about 45 min. from us but we may have to check it out. DBF is a big Alice fan, she's his favorite.

 

[sportbettor]

Haven't been to Marine World in years. But for a 4 year old you should try going to Gilroy Gardens (formerly Bonfante Gardens). It's the closest thing to a Disney Park in the Bay Area imho (but I havent been to Fairyland yet). The park is themed very well, everything is clean (including bathrooms) and all the rides are geared towards younger kids. Its kind of like a small Legoland but with horticulture instead of Legos.