Have you ever regretted a DL trip.....

[sheilafri]

I went to WDW after it reopened but when Covid was still a big deal. I think January, 2021? I found out my sister was hospitalized with it while I was there. Seeing all the masks and other anti-Covid protocols meant I just couldn’t stop thinking about her, although I wasn’t really that worried about getting it myself. I left several days early.

 

[DontSpamMe]

It's impossible to have that "perfect" trip at Disneyland. They will always do something operationally to throw off the plan you spent weeks/months working on. I have a laundry list of things that infuriate me with how Disneyland operates.

Now we set the bar lower, learn to adjust on the fly, but mostly we just take what the park will give us that day/trip. We typically find a way to walk away with a positive experience. Until that stops we'll still put forth the effort it takes to walk through the gates.

 

[gardenrooms]

LOL, that's a great story! I mean, I'm really sorry you had to be in the hospital, but clearly the Kaiser folks were trying to make it as pleasant for you as possible!

I wonder whether the occasional fireworks they have at Great America are visible from Kaiser Santa Clara. Kaiser may be overlooking a marketing angle...

Ah, but they don't have the Disney spirit at Santa Clara (lol been there too - in fact, after our first trip to WDW post-Covid - but that's another story...). I can sure as heck tell you AdventHealth in Orlando, my first stop that trip, doesn't have ANY spirit!

The unfortunate thing about the Anaheim stay was the hospital would NOT let me take a cab back to the motel (I was trying to get in another half day before we had to go home). I planned to go back to the CCI, change finally into some clean clothes, and walk over to the park to surprise my family. But that didn't happen. That would have been the best ending!

 

[gardenrooms]

Nope. We went in February 2015, our son's first trip. And I'd never experienced so many closed rides/areas of the parks. But we still had fun.

Aw, first trip with your son, must have so may wonderful memories!

 

[irlandaise]

You know what? It ended up being one of our favorite and most memorable trips ever. We did so many things and experienced so much. We had more than we could possibly do in 4 days. We did the Red Car Trolley and loved it. Watched shows in Avengers Campus we had never done. Rode the Omnibus. Watched the band. Rode TONS of rides and never had to wait long because crowds were low.

I once spent the first half hour of a Disneyland visit taking all the available Main Street transportation options back and forth between Town Square and the hub. It was really fun!

 

[OlliePop27]

I once spent the first half hour of a Disneyland visit taking all the available Main Street transportation options back and forth between Town Square and the hub. It was really fun!

Main Street vehicles are the best! Our son is also now obsessed with the Red Car Trolley. I'm so happy they brought it back, as it wasn't there our first trip post Covid.

 

[BriannaRuth]

I must have missed something, What is the DLH entrance? Does that mean the DTD entrance will be closed? How would people enter?

At the time I posted that, there were some vague posts about the entrance into DTD from the DLH being closed. Someone has since posted that it's been moved and the possibility of a separate, dedicated entrance for DLH guests possibly being in the works.

 

[LKing]

I don't know how long it finally took us to do Animation Academy, but now it's a regular stop for us! We did some parts of that building before, but not the actual "draw it yourself" part. I have a long history of being laughed at whenever I try to draw anything, and deservedly so! But we went a couple of trips ago and now I wouldn't miss it! Such a nice break from the heat and the crowds, it's really fun, and it's a free souvenir!

A friend of ours doesn't use their paper but brings her own sketch pad. She enjoys collecting the drawings from all of her different trips

 

[LKing]

I must have missed something, What is the DLH entrance? Does that mean the DTD entrance will be closed? How would people enter?

At the time I posted that, there were some vague posts about the entrance into DTD from the DLH being closed. Someone has since posted that it's been moved and the possibility of a separate, dedicated entrance for DLH guests possibly being in the works.

There is a thread about the new DTD security entrance. https://www.disboards.com/threads/new-security-entrance.3947409

The DLH entrance moved from one side of the Adventure Tower (near Fantasy Tower), maybe 3/4 the length of the Adventure Tower south. You probably walk farther to get from your room to the elevator. The new location is more convenient for people staying in Frontier & Adventure Towers as well as for those staying in the Villas.

In this picture, the building on the left is Adventure Tower.

 

[lily_belle]

I’ve only had regrets once. Went with a friend last year the week after thanksgiving and I ended up in the room most of the time because of my darn knee. I had injured it August last year and had been doing PT and my gut was telling me we should postpone but I ignored it. I was fine on day 1 but then something happened and I could barely walk and was in so much pain. We still managed to have fun so I don’t really regret the trip, I regret not listening to my gut and rescheduling. But now I’m seeing an orthopedic doctor and they gave me steroid injections in both knees, I’m doing PT again and working to lose weight. The injections helped so much and I hope I’ll be in good shape for D23.

I did get some pixie dust from the very nice man who delivered my room service breakfast one morning at GCH. He saw I was struggling to walk and asked if I was okay, told him my story and that I was going to be resting in the room that day. He was so nice, asked if there was anything I needed and I thanked him and said I was set now that I had breakfast. He came back about 10 minutes later and had a plate full of mini desserts. I thought that was so sweet of him!

 

[DVCkidz]

How can you?? It's the happiest place on earth!!!

 

[Porsche4]

The last time we went, not long after Covid, Pirates was closed and that is one of our favourite rides. As we came all the way from Australia and I wasn't sure when, or if, we would get back soon I was a bit sad but I didn't regret the trip at all as my daughter and I had such a great time doing everything else. I did regret being too proud the first two days to get an ECV to tour the parks but was glad my daughter slapped me out of that and from day three onwards I had a wonderful time zipping around in my jalopy and resting my weary arthritic knees. Two years later and we are in fact returning this time with my adult son and I am soo excited. We have decided upon the first week in December to catch all the holiday festivities and I am hoping everything will be open at that time of year. Also this time I will have an ECV booked from day one, just wish I could get one of those trendy car horns to put on it to let everyone know how happy I am. I would be tooting it all day.

 

[gardenrooms]

I’ve only had regrets once. Went with a friend last year the week after thanksgiving and I ended up in the room most of the time because of my darn knee. I had injured it August last year and had been doing PT and my gut was telling me we should postpone but I ignored it. I was fine on day 1 but then something happened and I could barely walk and was in so much pain. We still managed to have fun so I don’t really regret the trip, I regret not listening to my gut and rescheduling. But now I’m seeing an orthopedic doctor and they gave me steroid injections in both knees, I’m doing PT again and working to lose weight. The injections helped so much and I hope I’ll be in good shape for D23.

I did get some pixie dust from the very nice man who delivered my room service breakfast one morning at GCH. He saw I was struggling to walk and asked if I was okay, told him my story and that I was going to be resting in the room that day. He was so nice, asked if there was anything I needed and I thanked him and said I was set now that I had breakfast. He came back about 10 minutes later and had a plate full of mini desserts. I thought that was so sweet of him!

Thanks for the clarification.

 

[lalasmama]

Many years ago (like 8 years or so?), I went and just had a "meh" time. Now, a chunk of it was my fault, and I won't deny that.

It was a January trip. I love going in late Jan and Feb for the lower crowds and shorter hours. I feel like I get the "rope drop til close" experience without the lack of sleep.

Part of the issue with that specific trip was that Oregon (where I come from) was rainy and yucky, and I just needed some sun. And it was forecasted to be at least partially sunny. But, like weather does, it went from being expected to be partially sunny to overcast.... but it was too late to reschedule.

My military spouse ID expired 3 weeks before my trip, and I didn't realize it.... so I had to pay full price for my admission. Considering that I had to budget very frugally to go at all, that was an extra $$$ that I hadn't planned for.

I had planned to go do the "Walk in Walt's Footsteps" tour on my first day. On the tour, there was a family with 2 kids, one an early teen, and one maybe 8 or 9. Neither kid gave much of a care about it, so I got to listen to constantly whining kids on a tour I was paying $100 to attend. Don't get me wrong: I like kids, I enjoy kids. Heck, I worked in pediatric clinics for 20 years! Kids have good days and kids have bad days. Maybe these kids were having a bad day. Maybe they weren't really interested in the tour (which is what I really believe). But I spent 3-4 hours walking around listening to whining and bickering, and barely able to hear the guide because the kids were so disruptive. I could have stayed at home if I wanted to listen to cranky kids!

Okay, so now we have gray weather. Admission ticket issues. Bickering kids.

The hotel bed was lumpier than normal....

And I managed to forget my happy pills (anti-depressants). Missing 1 day? No biggy. Missing 2 days? Not ideal. Missing 3 or more days? The medicine has cleared my system.

Gray weather. Ticket issues. Bickering kids. Lumpier-than-normal motel mattress. And no happy medicine.

It was the only time I ever got home not planning another trip.

I recovered my happy attitude within a month or so and went back to the parks like 6-8 months later, but I'm still always slightly concerned of another rough trip like that!

 

[DizMe]

Many years ago (like 8 years or so?), I went and just had a "meh" time. Now, a chunk of it was my fault, and I won't deny that.

It was a January trip. I love going in late Jan and Feb for the lower crowds and shorter hours. I feel like I get the "rope drop til close" experience without the lack of sleep.

Part of the issue with that specific trip was that Oregon (where I come from) was rainy and yucky, and I just needed some sun. And it was forecasted to be at least partially sunny. But, like weather does, it went from being expected to be partially sunny to overcast.... but it was too late to reschedule.

My military spouse ID expired 3 weeks before my trip, and I didn't realize it.... so I had to pay full price for my admission. Considering that I had to budget very frugally to go at all, that was an extra $$$ that I hadn't planned for.

I had planned to go do the "Walk in Walt's Footsteps" tour on my first day. On the tour, there was a family with 2 kids, one an early teen, and one maybe 8 or 9. Neither kid gave much of a care about it, so I got to listen to constantly whining kids on a tour I was paying $100 to attend. Don't get me wrong: I like kids, I enjoy kids. Heck, I worked in pediatric clinics for 20 years! Kids have good days and kids have bad days. Maybe these kids were having a bad day. Maybe they weren't really interested in the tour (which is what I really believe). But I spent 3-4 hours walking around listening to whining and bickering, and barely able to hear the guide because the kids were so disruptive. I could have stayed at home if I wanted to listen to cranky kids!

Okay, so now we have gray weather. Admission ticket issues. Bickering kids.

The hotel bed was lumpier than normal....

And I managed to forget my happy pills (anti-depressants). Missing 1 day? No biggy. Missing 2 days? Not ideal. Missing 3 or more days? The medicine has cleared my system.

Gray weather. Ticket issues. Bickering kids. Lumpier-than-normal motel mattress. And no happy medicine.

It was the only time I ever got home not planning another trip.

I recovered my happy attitude within a month or so and went back to the parks like 6-8 months later, but I'm still always slightly concerned of another rough trip like that!

Awww, that's a bummer! When too many 'downs' converge in one trip, it's bound to throw you off your groove!

 

[lily_belle]

Thanks for the clarification.

Not sure what I clarified but happy to help!

 

[gardenrooms]

lol I was intending to reply to the post above yours from LKing. But I appreciate your response to my mistake!

 

[ahhhshmatthew]

I think you pose an interesting point -- I can't say I have ever been disappointed at taking a trip in its entirety, but I have absolutely been bummed when attractions or other swaths of the parks have been under construction or down. I think this particular slate of construction, with the HM work being OVERT and immediately adjacent to the Tiana installment, it's fair to feel bummed, particularly with the Pooh and Hungry Bear closures you mentioned

I will say, my wife and I attended the first ever Sweetheart's Nite at DL back when Covid protocols were still in place. While Covid was still a somewhat valid excuse for operational issues, it was a miserable event for us. Incredibly long lines for even simple backdrop photos, plus unthinkable lines for everything else (even rides, when typically, those waits are quite low at ticketed events). That was the only time we felt more negative than positive about a portion of a DL trip.