Is going to DLR worth it anymore?

[lildreamer101]

WOC plays every night unless it is under refurb. Sorry you missed it.

Every night? I went to DCA when it was in refurb and DCA was practically empty. No wonder! Maybe next time!

 

[Astylla]

This is very personal but we just got new Signature Passes because for us we realized yes it IS worth it. We had no intention of renewing( second year we said that LOL) but here we are!

We aren't super local , Bay Area is a good 6-7 hour drive each way but we like the ability to go as desired. We just try to plan around holidays and time we gave off already to maximize our value. We watch hotel apps and go on spur of the moment when rates are low or plan ahead. Many properties offer AP discounts so we take advantage also.

We just feel connected and truly happy there, together. Worth is relative but for us there's no question.

 

[tzeitel]

We were there this Feb and while some things were closed - train, F!, Aladdin etc - we still had a blast and did not did not really miss them since there were many other things to do. Totally worth it - although I tend to tell ppl it is not hoping they stay away

 

[BriannaRuth]

Haven't been since all the construction started but plan to go in August because I do think it will still be worth it!! We always go with the idea that there will undoubtedly be SOMETHING we wanted to do that will either be under refurbishment or gone. We just accept in going in and have a good time.

Think of it this way -- the time you won't be spending doing X may be spent doing something new that you might just enjoy! And you would have never done it had X been there. On our last visit, for instance, we REALLY wanted to have dinner at Napa Rose. We heard so much about it and were staying at the GCH so I thought it would be perfect. Of course that week it was closed for refurbishment and I was seriously bummed. We ended up going to Wine Country Trattoria instead; had never been there but really enjoyed it and would never have gone had Napa Rose been open.

So look for something you've never tried before -- maybe the WOC dessert party or just spending extra time doing the little things like catching the Dapper Dans or whatever.

 

[BayouQueen]

I wouldn't want anyone to go to DL for the very first time when it is under construction like it is now, because it does feel "tighter" and not at its best. They would get the wrong impression! But...for anybody who has been before and loves DL, yes, go! There is still lots to do and it's still fun!

 

[danceanddisney2010]

I absolutely LOVE Disneyland and I couldn't imagine NOT going! I have been going to Disneyland since I was really little and it is one of my favorite places to be! I think it is still worth it to go ...but I can say that the crowds and the prices are ridiculous! If I had NEVER been to Disneyland and heard of the crowds and saw the prices I'd probably be like "I don't know" but since I grew up in the park going all the time and created so many amazing memories ...I keep coming back! Even though I love Disneyland to pieces.. the crowds can be a negative on the overall experience. It's always been crowded, but I remember a time when you could get SO much more done in a shorter period of time with time left over to do almost everything a second time! Now..it's just amazing if you get everything you want to get done, DONE! Last but not least ..I love the fireworks and I love the PTN parade, but the lack of mobility that one encounters when they are setting up for/in the middle of/when the shows are over.. makes me want to cry. After the fireworks...it took us 15 minutes to get off of Main Street! No big strides allowed... only small shuffling of the feet! OY! Butttt... i never once think..is this worth it? Because for me their is never a doubt in my mind that it totally is!

 

[offwithyourhead]

I don't think it would be worth it for me to plan a trip TODAY. When SWL is done being built and that portion of the park is reopened along with everything else that is down for the refurb, THEN I feel like it's time for me to go back.

Last time I went, Critter Country was fully shut down, as was a portion of DCA, which sucked. I'd like to get the most for my money and out of a long-distance trip by going when I can do as much as possible.

 

[brianerickson]

I got insanely lucky and went to Disneyland for the first time legitimately weeks before all of the changes people are currently lamenting were announced/started happening, and had that not happened, I don't know that I'd be as gung ho about it as I am now.
.
The way I see it, I've never been much for the types of vacations that other people seem to enjoy; I know people that love places like Las Vegas or Cancun and the like, but I can honestly say that none of those places ever interested me in the slightest; I've never been much of an outdoorsy type, is what I'm trying to convey here. You combine that with the fact that pretty much every major city in this country is just a different variation of the same thing, and you find yourself strapped for vacation ideas.

I visited the park as someone with a deep admiration for both the Disney company and animation/movie magic in general, and you better believe that helped out considerably too, but when I got there, everything clicked, and I knew where I wanted to spend those PTO days I'd normally find myself wasting.

Is it expensive? It can be, sure, but having an annual pass helps (interestingly enough the cause of the very problem the OP was lamenting), and I honestly never found it too much worse than any other trip I've found myself or my family taking. Is it too crowded? I can't honestly answer that because I never went to the park during this mythical before time where you could apparently walk on every ride forever and always, but compared to other places I've been, like Times Square at 2 PM on a Saturday or any major comic book convention in the country, it's almost a breeze. Sometimes it's difficult to get around in a couple narrow spots (I am NOT looking forward to getting through Tomorrowland or Adventureland during a weekend day, for example), but for the most part, I've never had too many complaints. I'm sure almost all of this is aided by the fact that I mostly travel to the parks by myself or with one other person maximum, but I still calls it like I sees it. I guess I'll keep going until the thought no longer sounds appealing to me any longer, which from the sound of how excited I get when I listen to the ride music from Splash Mountain or the Haunted Mansion on YouTube, won't be for quite some time.

"Go until the thought repulses you" is a good rule of thumb to live by, I'd wager. For now, though, it remains "the happiest place on Earth".

 

[disneychrista]

No. It's too crowded. Stay away.

Honestly...it is all the attitude & outlook you go in with.

 

[Malcon10t]

Is it worth it? For me, absolutely. We are fortunate to be able to go multiple times a year, in fact we have 3 trips over the next month and a half planned (1- 3day, 1- 4 day, 1 5day) and some days at work, that is what is keeping me going!! During my busiest time of year (fall) I can just remind myself I get to go to Disneyland for 2 weeks the end of December to keep going with 12-15 hour days, 6 days a week.... BUT, it is my happy place. Same goes for my daughters.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Put me in the "absolutely worth it" camp. We go fairly often (usually several times a month or more) and do different things each time. Sometimes we go on rides, other times we meet friends for a meal, or watch a parade or a show. DLR never gets boring, and we always find fun things to do. Yes, I miss the things that are down right now, but that just makes me look forward to when they will open again.

 

[cindyland]

Last year after two one-day trips (spring break and chaperoning grad night), I wasn't as excited about returning any time soon.

Then my daughter went away to college. I had the opportunity to stay at Disneyland hotel before a conference, and my family (okay my daughters...husband less so) got very excited about going. The college freshman and the high school freshman were texting daily, planning Disneybounding outfits, and surprises for my birthday. Husband suggested dinner at Carthay Circle. Everyone was into the idea of a family trip, recapturing the joy we had many years of trips when the kids were little.

So while we're lamenting over the prices and ride closures (I'll miss the train), and working a lot of overtime to afford the extras, we are beyond excited about putting two freshman years behind us, and going to our happy place. I can't wait to spend three days with my favorite people in our favorite place with all of the familiar sights and sounds and smells. It's worth it to me.

 

[tchrrx]

never mind. I should have read the whole thread before posting.

 

[erin1715]

We're going for the first time this summer. We've been to WDW many, many times. And to be honest, if it weren't for the whole Zika scare this summer I probably would be planning to head right back to my happy place at WDW. We live on the East coast and its more expensive to get out to Cali so this will probably be a one-time trip. I think I'm prepared for the crowds. We plan to go early, break mid afternoon, and come back in the evening, I think. We are going to make the best of it and hopefully we will be pleasantly surprised because we don't know any different. I think my heart will always be in WDW but I'm looking forward to seeing the original park, and being in the great weather!

 

[GatorChris]

You're asking people who spend all day on Disney Boards if DL is worth it? That's like heading to Boston and seeing anyone still liked the Sox after two last place seasons.

But I get where you're coming from. There's a lot down right now and not coming back for a while. Pile in the horrible crowds and it makes you scratch your head on whether or not to spend the money to go back. My family will be going back this November. The reasons are many, but here's a few. It's the one place we can all go and do something we all like. I can take the kids to Hawaii or Cancun, but they can't really snorkel, nor do they care to just walk around or take in the atmosphere by laying on the beach. And Vegas just ain't for kids. And I'd say that WDW is probably a better experience these days (even with all their construction, they still have 4 parks loaded with attractions with each one offering nightly spectaculars EVERY night), but it costs a ton for WestCoasters to get out there. So for now, for us, DL is worth it. Maybe not as much as I thought it was 1-2 years ago, but still worth it.

 

[Kiren]

I would say worth it. My DH and I just got back from WDW for our honeymoon and we were honestly a little disappointed. There was less magic in Florida and it seemed more Amusement than Theme Park. We look forward to taking DS to DLR next year for his first trip and we will save WDW for "Big trips" IE, 10 year anniversary and the like.

 

[sheetz]

Probably less worth it to stay onsite or for very short trips. Still pretty good value if you can find a cheap place offsite and have 3+ day tickets or APs.

 

[bkoyle]

Whether or not it is 'worth it' is very subjective. I agree that it is very busy these days, but the past few times that we have been, we are averaging about one ride every 30 minutes or so. My son asked me to keep track, so I have a spreadsheet on my phone of the in and out times, and which rides that we ride. Pretty enlightening. Last week we rode all of the big ticket rides at Disneyland in just under 2 hours. I was there alone last month. I ate at Blue Bayou, rode all my favorite rides and Hyperspace mountain 3 times, and was only in the park about 3 hours.

Just like many other attractions, Disney has it's light days, and then the crowded days as well.

My biggest beef with Disneyland right now is that it takes 45-60 minutes to get into the gate first thing in the morning. This includes waiting to pay for parking, parking, tram or bus ride, security, and finally the wait at the gate.

B.

 

[Indiana Scott]

We have skipped a couple trips in the recent years because of the crowds and excessive closures. Some will say it's a matter of attitude but it isn't. It's a matter of value and I find no value in standing in long hot lines all day.
So we have found new places to go that compete very nicely with Disney.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Really, it depends on the person. Such a cop-out I know! It's not worth it to me while under construction, once the train opens again then I'll probably return. Once Star Wars has opened and prices have soared to eye-popping heights I will definitely return, so it will be "worth it" again to me- lol! If you're feeling discouraged about it, try something else! We loved Knotts Berry Farm last summer- and we didn't even do the large roller coasters! We also did the San Diego Safari Park for a 2nd time and splurged on a special tour that was amazing, I will never forget it. You could check out the Harry Potter stuff at Universal- unless you're not into Harry Potter obviously. Basically, it's OK if DL doesn't seem worth it to you anymore- there are other things in SoCal that you might enjoy spending that money on.