Hey everyone...

[disneegrl4eva]

Im Lynn from over on the Disneyland side of the DIS board and I frequent your side just to read your TRs and I have to say I enjoy them immensely...some of them make me laugh hysterically but I have found that in just about each and every TR there is a common interest that frankly, I just cant seem to understand...so I decided to post my inquiries and put them to rest once and for all so here goes...

1. What in heavens name is the obsession with Wal Mart all about? Dont you have something similar like ASDA? I understand going there to get things cheaper but spending an hour or more in there my gosh...and going more than once in a trip?? I go and get in there and get out...frankly its just too packed for me to stay in there so long....


2. Why always WDW and FL??? Why not come to CA? Our MK rocks ...its more compact ...weather is warm(well not all year long) and not muggy like in FL????? and why am I sitting here trying to get more people to california as if we dont have enough??
but anyways....think about it

 

[mozzman]

hi i can answer your walmart(asda)question everybody here goes to asda on a sunday its packed its a sort of family day out dont see the attraction myself but any weekend you can find the masses in there.it maybe that asda and tesco another chain are the cheapest places to buy televisions,phones,books,toys,so no need to shop in malls.as for california we dont get any advertising for it here and florida is hailed as the mecca of disney entertainment

 

[Netty]

what can i say about wal mart- its fantastic!! I like it as it is just packed to the brim with everything! the aisles are massive and nearly everything foodwise is twice as big as we get here in the uk, even the fruit is bigger than here it takes me hours to go round it!
The best thing that i have bought in walmart on our last trip last august is a 6 foot xmas palm tree with lights=finally got it after having my tag for years!!
California isnt advertised here, so as said by mozzman thats probably why the bulk of us go to Florida

 

[cazzie]

I have to admit we have only been to Walmart once and I couldn't see what was so special to be honest for me it was too much like going around the supermarket on a Saturday only it took longer as it was so big.

mozzman, if DH offers to take me out on a Sunday and we were to end up at Asda he may just live to regret it.

 

[mark&sue]

I have been to Disneyland in California and obviously it is not as big as WDW. I would say quite similar to Disneyland Paris which (from London) we drive to. The flight to California is extremely long at 13 hours and would not consider going back to California until there is a DVC and my DD is 21 to combine it with a trip to Las Vegas.

I would definately recommend WDW over DL if nothing else for the quicker flight. The flights to Orlando seem to take forever!

We just got back today from WDW and spent several trips going to both Winn Dixie and Goodings and we loved looking in the shops.


Susan

 

[jockey]

HI Lynn I have been to DL in CA and loved it too! We met so many friendly people there! WDW in FL is a bit more special for us as we got married there, thats why we keep returning!

There is no way Asda compares to Walmart - well not my local store anyway! I love Walmart - could spend ages in there!

 

[Pootle]

Hi Lynn

I can understand why the Wal-Mart interest puzzles you but it really isn't just like Asda, although there are similarities. For instance, it's a convenient stop for us to bulk-buy some medication cheaply (we are limited here to how many painkillers we can buy at one go), drinking water, phone cards, munchies, fruit etc, as well as stuff we can't buy easily here.

However, for me personally, one quick trip at the start of a vacation is quite enough. Oh, and if I'm going to another part of the US, one of the things I do before I leave home is to find out where my nearest Wal-Mart is on arrival

I've been to Disneyland and whilst it was interesting (as the original park) and fun, I won't repeat the visit even though I'll go to California - which I love for its diversity - again. It is small by comparison and the built-up surrounding areas were unappealing; and I stayed on site at the Disneyland Hotel at that!

As Brits, most of us didn't grow up with the Mickey Mouse Club and I don't think we have the same sentimental attachment to all things Disney that Americans have; hence only minor interest in Disneyland - well that and the longer journey. I think for us, the WDW fascination is the whole Florida 'package', and lots of Brits actually prefer Universal (not me though ).

Just my two pence worth - I'll be interested to read others' replies

 

[Claire L]

Hi ya, just got to say we LOVE California, great state especially San Francisco. Must say LA has alot to do and Disneyland itself is very cute, have been 3 times now The flight is not too much longer than to WDW maybe 2 hours or so and it is worth it as the scenery is so different. We have found the Californians to be the most friendly people we have encountered, even been invited to a stranger home for dinner, which we had to decline as we were leaving the day or so after.

As for Walmart huge savings can be had on alot of things, mind you last year was the first time we had ever been in Walmart!! There is no comparable store here in the UK for what Walmart sells and a visit once per trip maybe needed in future.

Claire

 

[florida2005]

Hi Lynn

The Wal Mart fascination is a weird one. ASDA over here was bought by Wal Mart a few years back but its not the same. The average Wal Mart Supercenter is probably about 3-4 times the size of our supermarkets. Also, us brits are just amazed at the variety you have in the states. As an example, DW sent me down an isle to get some Tropicana Juice. Well, it took 10 minutes searching therough the dozens of options before I got the original stuff! Quite a pain really. Now, when I got to the beer isle that was different. I spent a good 15 minutes checking out the beers to sustain me over the next 3 weeks.

That brings me to my other point. Since its a long way to come on vacation, we tend to come over for a minimum of 2 weeks - often three weeks. A visit to Walmart allows us to stock up on essentials (Bud Lite etc!!!).

As for why FL. Its marketed over here. The travel agents (high street shops who sell vacations) are awash with Florida brochures. Orlando is designed for WDW visitors. From the moment you step off the plane you enter a cosseted world. The whole environment is designed for you. Then you have the 4 Disney parks and 2 Water parks, the 2 Universal parks, then the dozens of other themed attractions and hundreds of restaurants in close proximity. Orlando is not America, its some cleansed utopia where the real US is not allowed to enter. But it works and is the reason I've been 7 times with my young kids.

I've been to California (pre-kids) and drove up from LA to SF with a trip to Las Vegas. I went to Universal in LA but not Disney. Universal was impressive, being laid out on a hillside. Then it was up to Hollywood (a run down horrible place) and then right up the coast to SF. I must say, SF had some of the weirdest people I have ever seen.

So, in visiting California you see reality (both good and bad) and visit attractions such as DL and Universal.

I love the US and have travelled across California, driven from Memphis to Nashville (my favourite US city) and on to Atlanta. Been to Texas, NY, North/South Carolina plus brief visits to a few other states.

My kids are 2 and 7 years old and for now Orlando is the best bet. When they are older I will for sure introduce them to the 'real' US as well as many other parts of the world.

So, when all the Peter Pans grow up they will come visit you in California..

Bye for now
Brian

 

[Amyrlin]

I love wal-mart as well, but not spending time there if you know what I mean. WE stock up on lots fo things that are all very cheap compared to over here, from medicatiosn and cosmetics to jeans etc. Over here Asda is much smaller, and does not have the same choice. I come over with one suitcase and go back with two. (Well actually, I come over with one packed inside another and come home wit the bioth full).

Clothes wise I can get about 4 times the amount fo clthes fort he same money, and all eother brand names or better designs that siot my larger size better.

We are also amazed as the choices and the things that are sold, I mean, we don't really have cheese in a can even, but some of the things we see are amazing! It makes us wonder if Americans actually do any 'proper' cooking. I am sure that you all do, and that was not meant as an insult, but looking at Wal-Mart you would never need to if you didn't want to.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Personally I have never liked Walmart, only ever been there once.

Would love to go to California, especially San Francisco and San Diego but not really interested in LA to be honest.
The flight to Florida is long enough, especially for Joshua, couldn't contemplate adding another 3 hours or so on top of that I am afraid.

 

[Lisash]

Hi Lynn the reason we all love Walmart so much is that it's soooo much cheaper than our Supermarkets at home. There is also so much we like to buy over there that is impossible to buy at home or so expensive it's untrue eg: my kids adore Lucky Charms, the only place you can get them in the UK that I know of is an expensive department store called Selfridges where they cost the equivalent of around $13 a box so every trip to the USA I always buy a couple of boxes to take home.

As for why not California as many of the others have said it's purely a distance thing. We plan on visiting when our kids are a little older

 

[ely3857]

Hiya

I certainly dont spend hours in Wal*Mart! This last trip was my first visit to the supermarket and we went twice. The first time was for essentials, snacks etc and the second to buy some US candy to bring home. The second time we did get seperated and lost so that definatly added to the time we were in there!

We havent been to Disneyland CA but have tentative plans to visit in 2008. The reason we have never been is the same as people have already posted. WDW is heavily advertised but I dont believe I have seen one thing on tv or in a magazine advertising Disneyland CA which leads us to believe it isnt as easy to visit, Perhaps because DLRP is so close.



Jodie

 

[CustardTart]

1. What in heavens name is the obsession with Wal Mart all about? Dont you have something similar like ASDA? I understand going there to get things cheaper but spending an hour or more in there my gosh...and going more than once in a trip?? I go and get in there and get out...frankly its just too packed for me to stay in there so long....

Hi Lynn! I'm with you about WalMart - but then I'm not a huge fan of large supermarkets! Do like shopping at Florida Mall tho'...

2. Why always WDW and FL??? Why not come to CA? Our MK rocks ...its more compact ...weather is warm(well not all year long) and not muggy like in FL????? and why am I sitting here trying to get more people to california as if we dont have enough??
but anyways....think about it

We visited CA for a few days last New Year's Eve and had a great time tho' didn't really experience the best of the weather. Would definitely like to spend more time on the west coast in the future - visit the vineyards and beaches as well the theme parks. Nice to meet you BTW...

 

[disneegrl4eva]

thanks guys for clearing that all up for me...I understand now what you like in WalMart...I forget about the choices you have in UK vs what we have in US...Ive only been to england once, back in 2001 and it was London at that (go figure yeah?) I definitely understand the distance thing... I loved it over there but I have to say the food wasnt much to be desired...and I know about the portion size and yes, we serve loads of it...my daughter used to have a boyfriend from london who was an exchange student and we visited him and took him twinkies, mountain dew, different chocolate candies, cheetos etc... because he couldnt get any of it over there ah and the cereal as well...you'd have thought he never got food the way he vaccumed it up

I had no idea you guys didnt get info on DL CA...that really stinks...Im gonna have to do something about that

Amyrlin...haha yes we do cook...no alot...but we do...america is all about fast fast everything....too much to do...no time to cook...for instance...last week sunday I made a huge roast beef dinner...cant remember the last time I cooked like that...every so often I get a hankering for home food so thats when I do it...I know you guys dont have the fast food places at every corner like I do...thats one of the reasons why I love reading your reports because your so detailed about the places you eat and what you eat and I gotta tell you if I ate as much as some of you on holiday I would be visiting the porceline god my whole time

Brian(florida2005) I so know about SF and weird people but I gotta tell you there is a place not too far from there on the ocean called Santa Cruz...now if you want to see weird people thats the place to be...everytime we go we video people on the street doing the wildest stuff like standing on a street corner dancing around a pole...or a guy on the beach wearing pink carrying a pink parasol.... and yeah I know the feeling about Hollywood...its a HUGE letdown when you actually visit it...but just go up the hills and its a whole different world

thanks to everyone who responded...I love coming over here and visiting your side of the world...any of you who plan on coming to california just give me a holler and I will be happy to help ya keep on coming with the great TR's....I could spend hours on here reading them

 

[catherine]

Brian(florida2005) I so know about SF and weird people but I gotta tell you there is a place not too far from there on the ocean called Santa Cruz...now if you want to see weird people thats the place to be...everytime we go we video people on the street doing the wildest stuff like standing on a street corner dancing around a pole...or a guy on the beach wearing pink carrying a pink parasol.... and yeah I know the feeling about Hollywood...its a HUGE letdown when you actually visit it...but just go up the hills and its a whole different world

DH and I used to live over the hill in San Jose. We used to spend most of our weekends in Santa Cruz!

 

[_tinkerbell_]

For my family we just love the food, not just in walmart but everywhere (and as we stayed in a villa some of the breakfast and evening meals were made there) everythings so sweet and theres so much of it! However every time we go there my dad does say "if you opened a british bakery over here you would make a fortune" lol not sure if he's right but most of the bread does taste sweeter than we're used to, and my family love their bread. the last few times we were able to find bread that tasted a little less sweet though. another reason we have to go to walmart is for the dougnuts my sister and brother go mad for them, as soon as the plane lands they ask when we can get dougnuts

 

[Girlsontour]

My friends are in DL in CA at the moment (they flew out last Sunday) so i will be interested in what comments they have.......they were actually going to go to Florida but the TA put them off by saying that the weather isn't as good as CA at this time of year (wonder what commission he was on )