I miss the "old" Disneyland

[adykate]

I grew up going to Disneyland in the 1980's and 1990's. I remember when Splash Mountain arrived, when Fastpass was introduced, and when F! began spicing up the nighttime entertainment. I went many times during my college years with friends, and I drove them nuts because I knew what rides to do when, how to maximize our time and minimize wait time. I loved "planning" out my day based on my knowledge of the park in order to get everything done in a single day or two.

I haven't been to Disneyland in over six years. I now have two young kids and we are going to be there in a couple weeks, first time for them. I have been busy on these boards and other websites catching up on "how to do the parks". I have to be honest, I am seriously sad and depressed about what a Disneyland vacation has become now. Saving a spot from 5pm on to watch F!? The fact there are entire posts regarding the "wide right" strategy for getting into Carsland to get FP's- otherwise you may not be able to get one and stand in line for 90+ minutes? Having to stand in line first thing in the morning to get FP's for WoC (or paying $$ for picnics or meals), and then ALSO standing in line 1+hr to get a spot to see it? People talking about being run over by strollers (bleeding at the ankles) trying to leave the park after the fireworks? I am just so sad that a place I loved to go to as a kid, now requires so much planning to even just see and do some of the attractions. My kids are both under 3, so we likely won't even try to do F!, or WoC because of the time, and they simply can't sit and wait that long in lines/a spot. I am just baffled that "doing Disneyland" has become so complex.

Please don't misunderstand me...I am not knocking the people who make posts about how to get FP's or the best strategies for doing the park. I truly appreciate all the info here. It just makes me sad that to see or do some attractions, I have to sit and wait for hours, or wait for tickets first thing in the morning, then wait for the show later. I totally understand "waiting" is just part of the Disney experience, but with little kids, running to get FP's and sitting for hours for a show to start just isn't practical.

I realize no one is really to blame for these changes, and crowds are just bound to get worse as the world grows! We don't HAVE to go to Disneyland, it is our choice to do so, and thus we will deal with the craziness in order to get the magic . I just wonder if anyone else evers feels this way when they read the boards? Is it just me?

 

[krusty007]

I also went to Disneyland every summer in the early 90s, and am also outraged at what I'm hearing. I remember waiting 1 hour for Splash Mountain the year its first year, because I waited until the mid afternoon. I'm now hearing about hour long waits for Small World not being bad. I'm stressing over when to go, if we should deal with summer crowds or grad night or APs.

 

[sonnyjane]

If you remember when Splash arrived, then you'll remember how long the lines were for that! I went over Thanksgiving right after it opened and waited 3 hours. Didn't ride until well into the night. Radiator Springs is no different, it's just now there are online forums to discuss how to help to hopefully cut down on the waiting.

 

[CamoMama]

To be honest, I never use any of the "strategies" and I never have any issues. We spent the 4th of July at Disneyland this year and never spent longer than 25-30 minutes in line, aside from RSR, and to be fair that was about two weeks after the opening of Carsland. We got in the fireworks area about an hour before the fireworks started, and leaving the park took quite a while that night, but, you know, if was the 4th of July. Other nights I've shown up near F! half an hour or so before the show and found a decent spot for my daughter and myself, we watch parades from wherever we happen to be at the time (kind of awesome to be on the teacups during Soundsational, great vantage point and sometimes they stop the ride while it's passing) and all around just have fun.

I think if you are the kind of person who needs to plan everything out you can, but if you just want to go with the flow you can absolutely do that as well.

 

[Casey's Mommie]

My family frequents Disneyland about twice a year.

Reading how some people plan amazes me sometimes. We don't plan our days out and we will never wait in line first thing for a fast pass. We have to young kids (6 & 2) and can't wait in long lines or wait for a show for very long.

We feel like we get to do most things anyway. We don't have the best spot for Fantasmic, we don't stake out a spot for fireworks, etc... but we still get to enjoy them. We used Single Rider Line for RSR and it was fine.

I think for some people planning is part of the fun and adds to their experience, but for us, we just like to enjoy being there and do rides when we feel like it, not when we're supposed to.

We usually go during the week (Sun-Fri) on off peak times so we don't have to plan things out like some people do. I also saw WOC once and haven't felt the need to do it again. I like Fantasmic way better.

I still enjoy Disneyland, but I don't think I would enjoy it as much if I had to adhere to a strict schedule like some people do. For me, I think it would take some fun out of it.

 

[Caseheidi]

We went in October with our DD who is three, and we played it by ear. They were much busier then we expected, but for the most part we didn't have that long to wait. We did skip HM & BTRRM as the wait was so long, but what we wanted to see with our little one was available.
I have to admit that we did do the lunch plan to get WoC tickets because I really wanted to see it, and was glad we did. My DB and his family were also there, and just walked up and got a spot that they thought was just great.
I think you can have a great time either way. Because you are already so experienced with the parks, you can still have a great time if you do a less planned out trip. With little ones, it really pays to be flexible and more laid back. We were surprised when DD decided to lay down in her stroller and nap most days, so we had some nice people watching breaks or swapped on rides. Just go with the flow and you will have a great time.

 

[pennyring]

I think of DISboards as the really hardcore WDW fans visiting DL. It's really not as complicated as people make it seem. Honestly. You could go and have a great time and not do a single thing mentioned on this whole site. Honestly.

There is a whole lotta over-planning that goes on here. I've been dozens of times over the last 15 years and never waited more than a few minutes for Fantasmic. Just plan to see the second show, and go sit down as the first show crowd is leaving.

Getting FP for WOC is really no big deal either. Just do it in the morning. You don't have to buy a picnic or an expensive dinner. Just walk up to the machine in the morning and get one.

If you want to ride the new ride (RSR) show up early, ride it. Get a fast pass. Not complicated. Not a big deal.

It's just that everyone here is very interested in maximizing their experience, so they discuss everything ad nauseum.

Most people don't do DL like that. They go, they have a good time, they go home. The end.

It's nothing to be sad about. It's just people who are VERY into it, discussing it with other people who are also VERY into it.

You really don't need any reservations for your trip at all. You really don't. You don't even really need to plan ahead. Just show up and have a good time.

 

[Sammy Cat]

Well, the nice thing for the locals is that they can take their time and can always come back if they miss something.

It is different if you are travelling from another country and you have spent thousands of dollars just to visit the park and the area and it is something you can only afford to do perhaps once or twice in your lifetime, only to miss out on some of the best things the park has to offer because of ridiculous line ups and queues.

It is a problem that Disney will need to find a solution for if it is to keep 'the magic' going.

 

[CamoMama]

Well, the nice thing for the locals is that they can take their time and can always come back if they miss something.

It is different if you are travelling from another country and you have spent thousands of dollars just to visit the park and the area and it is something you can only afford to do perhaps once or twice in your lifetime, only to miss out on some of the best things the park has to offer because of ridiculous line ups and queues.

It is a problem that Disney will need to find a solution for if it is to keep 'the magic' going.

I've never had that problem and I really don't know where the idea that lines are hours long is coming from. Every time I visit I am able to ride everything that I want to ride. I spent just 3 days in May and never waited more than 20 minutes. And if you spend thousands for the trip chances are you're going to spend at least 5 days. Even if the lines are long you can see all of Disneyland and CA and then some in 5 days.

 

[luv2sleep]

I grew up going to Disneyland in the 1980's and 1990's. I remember when Splash Mountain arrived, when Fastpass was introduced, and when F! began spicing up the nighttime entertainment. I went many times during my college years with friends, and I drove them nuts because I knew what rides to do when, how to maximize our time and minimize wait time. I loved "planning" out my day based on my knowledge of the park in order to get everything done in a single day or two.

I haven't been to Disneyland in over six years. I now have two young kids and we are going to be there in a couple weeks, first time for them. I have been busy on these boards and other websites catching up on "how to do the parks". I have to be honest, I am seriously sad and depressed about what a Disneyland vacation has become now. Saving a spot from 5pm on to watch F!? The fact there are entire posts regarding the "wide right" strategy for getting into Carsland to get FP's- otherwise you may not be able to get one and stand in line for 90+ minutes? Having to stand in line first thing in the morning to get FP's for WoC (or paying $$ for picnics or meals), and then ALSO standing in line 1+hr to get a spot to see it? People talking about being run over by strollers (bleeding at the ankles) trying to leave the park after the fireworks? I am just so sad that a place I loved to go to as a kid, now requires so much planning to even just see and do some of the attractions. My kids are both under 3, so we likely won't even try to do F!, or WoC because of the time, and they simply can't sit and wait that long in lines/a spot. I am just baffled that "doing Disneyland" has become so complex.

Please don't misunderstand me...I am not knocking the people who make posts about how to get FP's or the best strategies for doing the park. I truly appreciate all the info here. It just makes me sad that to see or do some attractions, I have to sit and wait for hours, or wait for tickets first thing in the morning, then wait for the show later. I totally understand "waiting" is just part of the Disney experience, but with little kids, running to get FP's and sitting for hours for a show to start just isn't practical.

I realize no one is really to blame for these changes, and crowds are just bound to get worse as the world grows! We don't HAVE to go to Disneyland, it is our choice to do so, and thus we will deal with the craziness in order to get the magic . I just wonder if anyone else evers feels this way when they read the boards? Is it just me?

I am so with you. I grew up going to DL in the 70s and 80s. I've been going almost every year, sometimes a few times a year, since. I don't "do" DL. I go to DL and enjoy the park. I don't stand in line for forever for shows and rides. I don't arrive at rope drop. I just won't. There's always something else to do anyway. If I don't get to that ride or show this time I will next time.

It wasn't until I tried planning a WDW trip in 2011 that I was shocked and appalled and what people had turned a Disney trip into: You MUST arrive at rope drop, and basically run to various FP locations and you MUST do them in order or else...you're screwed. I was so turned off I canceled the trip. We are again going this summer. I refuse to do a touring plan or arrive at rope drop. I will go and enjoy seeing 4 new parks. If I don't get to ride the must do ride then so be it.

 

[Eaglefan9727]

I have to agree. I miss the old Disneyland as well. When I lived out in Southern Cal. I used to go 2 or 3 times a year. When I started going to Disneyland. They still had those e-tickets thought you bought, So I am a old veteran of Disney. However, My last visit to Disney was in Jube of 2009. This year if my wife and I go out to Southern Cal for xmas to visit my family. My wife and I will be going to Disney.

 

[HydroGuy]

When I grew up going to DL, there were not nearly as many headliners. There were no forums like this to exchange information. Most everyone just did day trips. There was one Disney hotel. The area around DL was kind of seedy.

When we saw Fantasmic! for the first time in year 2000 with young kids, the wait times were just as long as today - show up at least 2 hours early.

I was at DL the year that Indy opened in the 90's. The wait time was four hours.

Now you have more folks making multi-day trips. There are three Disney hotels. The area around DLR is spruced up and welcoming and safe. There are two parks and DTD. There are nearly one million annual pass holders.

And there are forums like DIS.

Does this change things? Sure. But in the "good old days" I remember waiting an hour midday to ride PP and Splash Mtn. I remember Space Mtn always took at least 90 minutes. Now I never do that. The forums have given me better information on how to move around the parks. We used to waste lots of time doing the wrong things at the wrong time. We would only have a good view for a show if we got lucky because we did not go often enough to know where to be.

Now there are threads that will help you get to the better spots. Do you need to read them all? Of course not. But for folks who don't, they will be like we were in the 80's - often in the wrong place. Now you don't have to if you care to bone up.

Bottom line is you are fine touring like you did before. It is just now that are lots more informed people.

I for one would take DLR today over any time ever in the past. The experience is premium. My two cents.

 

[DizMe]

I went to DL for the first time when I was a toddler, in 1958 . We lived an hour a way and I grew up going to DL as DL was growing up. I never stopped going and even went there on my honeymoon in 1977. That marriage didn't last but my love for DL has continued to blossom!

I've seen DLR go through many changes and metamorphoses. Some have been good, some not so good. Overall, I find DL to be a better park in many ways than when it was younger! Many of the things that have been added have immensely increased the fun and magic, IMO. I will forever be grateful for FPs! And there was a sort of "dark" period in...what, the 80s?...when things were not run very well IMO and some of the magic dimmed. Luckily, there was a DL renaissance that followed!

But I completely agree with what many PPs have said: you don't have to plan to the hilt. It seems that way because of the many strategy posts, but it's true--you can have a general plan in your head and just go with the flow. With kids you have to be flexible anyway so too much planning can just lead to frustration when you have to fly by the seat of your pants instead.

I think you'll quickly adapt to the "new" DLR and you and your family will have a blast.

 

[starshine514]

The fact there are entire posts regarding the "wide right" strategy for getting into Carsland to get FP's- otherwise you may not be able to get one and stand in line for 90+ minutes?

Just an FYI, I think you may have misread the thread on this. The wide right is used when you are there at rope drop and want to ride RSR first. It would not work at all for collecting a RSR FP, as that line is normally on the left side of BVS. With 2 kids under 3, chances are neither of them will be tall enough to ride RSRs anyway, so you and the other adult can just take turns doing the SR line and not worry about FPs.

Having to stand in line first thing in the morning to get FP's for WoC (or paying $$ for picnics or meals), and then ALSO standing in line 1+hr to get a spot to see it?

I think you'll find the excitement about WOC has cooled somewhat now. The machines seem to have WOC FPs (instead of GRR FPs) until the afternoon. So, just make a point to walk by there and grab them in the morning if you think you may want to watch it that evening. It's up to you how long you wait to see it. We've only officially seen it once. We lined up very early, got an awesome view and then went 'meh' about it. We've caught pieces and parts of it since, but never bother to catch the whole show. My girls find F! much more enjoyable. We've either done the light tower trick, or come up just as it was starting and gotten a side view (which is OK, as well).

Does it make sense to know what attractions you'll want to see first in order to avoid excessive lines? Yes. Do you have to have your whole day planned out? No. Can you have your whole day planned out? Yes. I found it helpful when I was a newbie to have touring plans for my first couple of days. Now that I know the basics, we normally know which park we're starting in each day and probably know the next two attractions we're going to experience.

When I was a kid in the 80's, we did one-day trips a couple of times (we'd usually hit Knotts and Sea World on our vacation as well). I remember riding Space Mountain once and we never rode Peter Pan. The lines were just too long. My girls have ridden everything (that they are tall enough to) in both parks, and the longest we've ever waited is an hour for RSRs, meeting princesses, and Toy Story (and for that WOC viewing). I could imagine walking up mid-day to RSRs and seeing a 2 hour+ wait and skipping it entirely. However, with a little help from my friends on the DIS, I know how to tour around the popularity of the ride.

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

Honestly, I have learned a TON here and appreciate it..but do I use it? Rarely. But it's way fun to be like "Oh I read that if we..." and try a tip I remember. I don't use it to be hardcore about anything. If we don't end up trying the wide right tip then we realize we'll be waiting in a long line. I hear it's worth it

 

[luv2sleep]

What is the wide right? What is RSR?

 

[Jaina]

I enjoyed this thread. I really loved the apparent simplicity of doing Disneyland when I was a kid (same time period), and I let myself become a little too overwhelmed by these boards sometimes. At the same time the few times that my family was NOT feeling the magic as a kid were when things were happening we had no way of knowing about. Like when we showed up super early to be first in line and watched people go in for a full hour ahead of us (when MM started). We were all so disappointed and discouraged. One thing I love about these boards is that that will probably never happen (to that degree) to us again because I -know- what to expect and when to be where. I'm not excited to wait forever for some of these shows, but maybe I don't have to. Maybe an hour ahead of time is enough to find a decent (not great, but still enjoyable) view. My DH has made me promise to mostly go with the flow and slow it way down so the kids (and us) don't get worn out and so they can discover some of the magic and not have it all scheduled for them. (I will be getting RSR fp's first thing one morning though, as much as it goes against the grain not to get in line for TSMM!)

 

[CamoMama]

What is the wide right? What is RSR?

RSR is Radiator Springs Racers. The wide right strategy is something someone has come up with to be first in line for RSR in the morning.

 

[luv2sleep]

RSR is Radiator Springs Racers. The wide right strategy is something someone has come up with to be first in line for RSR in the morning.

Oh! Haven't tried them yet. I go to DL just with my son and he's too afraid of the noise. Doesn't like the loudness. Someday I'll get on though!

 

[It'sKim]

I grew up going to Disneyland in the 1980's and 1990's. I remember when Splash Mountain arrived, when Fastpass was introduced, and when F! began spicing up the nighttime entertainment. I went many times during my college years with friends, and I drove them nuts because I knew what rides to do when, how to maximize our time and minimize wait time. I loved "planning" out my day based on my knowledge of the park in order to get everything done in a single day or two.

I haven't been to Disneyland in over six years. I now have two young kids and we are going to be there in a couple weeks, first time for them. I have been busy on these boards and other websites catching up on "how to do the parks". I have to be honest, I am seriously sad and depressed about what a Disneyland vacation has become now. Saving a spot from 5pm on to watch F!? The fact there are entire posts regarding the "wide right" strategy for getting into Carsland to get FP's- otherwise you may not be able to get one and stand in line for 90+ minutes? Having to stand in line first thing in the morning to get FP's for WoC (or paying $$ for picnics or meals), and then ALSO standing in line 1+hr to get a spot to see it? People talking about being run over by strollers (bleeding at the ankles) trying to leave the park after the fireworks? I am just so sad that a place I loved to go to as a kid, now requires so much planning to even just see and do some of the attractions. My kids are both under 3, so we likely won't even try to do F!, or WoC because of the time, and they simply can't sit and wait that long in lines/a spot. I am just baffled that "doing Disneyland" has become so complex.

Please don't misunderstand me...I am not knocking the people who make posts about how to get FP's or the best strategies for doing the park. I truly appreciate all the info here. It just makes me sad that to see or do some attractions, I have to sit and wait for hours, or wait for tickets first thing in the morning, then wait for the show later. I totally understand "waiting" is just part of the Disney experience, but with little kids, running to get FP's and sitting for hours for a show to start just isn't practical.

I realize no one is really to blame for these changes, and crowds are just bound to get worse as the world grows! We don't HAVE to go to Disneyland, it is our choice to do so, and thus we will deal with the craziness in order to get the magic . I just wonder if anyone else evers feels this way when they read the boards? Is it just me?

I totally agree with you!

I guess I should be happy that so many people have caught onto Disney and enjoy it now, but I still really miss what it was like when I was a kid.

When we were kids, we used to go for 3-4 days and it was tons of time. We used to wait no more than 15 min or so for a ride, except for the 2 hour wait for splash when it first opened. I remember walking on Peter Pan and going on it 3-4 times in a row and now we haven't been on that ride in 2 years because we aren't willing to wait 30+ min to get on it once. Now when we go, we try and stay 7 days so we feel like we can do almost everything. If we wanted to watch the parade we just headed to main street when it was getting ready to start and could watch it. We didn't stake out a spot for hours. It's crazy.

We just got back home from our trip. The first part of it was ok, but the last 3 days were insanely busy. I find myself hating Disneyland when it's that busy, it's just not fun at all for me. I remember seeing people with their "1st visit" buttons and thinking that if this was my first visit, I would NEVER come back.