Is it loosing the magic

[lilacgems23]

Got to say I do not miss DLP yet like i usually do and wasn't sat at leaving like I usally am. The new parade is lacking in something it just didn't get me like OUADP , stars and cars is boring, no characters walking round, hardly any restaurants open, most of the rides in fantasyland closed early and opened late and the characters in the Disneyland Hotel no longer dance town the stairs or in the lobby just dance a little on the balcony then walk down stairs.

I really feel other than Dreams not as much effort has been put into their 20th as they did their 15th. We loved their 15th birthday celebrations but the 20th just doesn't feel "special".

 

[ROBEAR84]

I hate to say it (really I do! I feel really defensive when friends come back from DLP with negative views!) but... I completely agree with everything you said.


I even felt guilty having negative feelings but there was definitely something missing. My friends were laughing today saying I've gone to much and that's why the magic has gone but you guys know that just doesn't happen!!

I think it was lack of characters (perhaps we were just unlucky with out times but regardless...) and the disappointing parade for me. Times of shows, opening times for rides and restaurants etc was annoying but wouldn't have made a difference to that special feeling for me as we are used to going out of season.

I'm really sad that I'm probably not going to bother with our planned Christmas trip but if I come away with the same feeling it's just not worth the money (as we're. Ow saving for Florida) I'm still lurking around here though so part of me still really wants to go! I'm really torn.

 

[scampbunny]

awwwwww ro

im just in soppy mood here, and cant believe we came back with sum things still not done - and i cant wait to go back.....

for me tho, alot has to do with being able to 'escape' as in disney its like not reality, and tbh thats how i kinda am.....

i found it harder with cays issues this time, and so, right now, he doesnt want to return, more just from those things that worried him, not because he doesnt love disney and dlp...

i think some magic is gone, as health and safety kicks in more now than it used to and so cm safety has to b considered, and of course, they badly managed the recruitment of staff by not increasing staff levels earlier than the planned end of june ready for high season - so, im hoping that, in a week, there will be less problems with cs and eating after the parade for ppl....

 

[Ms Poppins]

I agree with most of what you've said, but I still miss it and if I could go back tomorrow I would.

DLP isn't just about the characters, parades etc for me though. I'm not fussed about that. I just love being there. I love Main St, the music, the window displays. Town Square is beautiful - I want to live there! I love looking at the castle and the attention to detail everywhere in Fantasyland. Then the extreme of Frontierland and the themeing there. BTM is still an absolute thrill for me, no matter how many times i've been on.

The music in Pirates gets me every time and I feel really nostalgic around the Swiss Family Tree House. The scale of Skull Rock and the ship are incredible.

But mostly, I think I still get that same fuzzy magic feeling that I got the very first time I visited, by remembering the look of sheer amazement at my lo's faces. I don't think that will ever go away, and that's why I always want to go back as we make so many wonderful memories there

 

[DLPdaft]

I can totally understand why, if your children are the ages of character-hunting being a big part of their DLP fun, you'd feel the magic is going, if the experiences of lots of us over the last month or so are anything to go by. My DD would have been exactly the same a couple of years ago, and I know if she'd not managed to meet many different ones on a trip she'd have been disappointed, and I'd have been disappointed for her, and some of the shine would definitely have gone from my Disney bubble because of it.

Having said that, having cried at Dreams every time we saw it last week, and my DD now being of an age where the characters are pretty far down her priority list, the Magic is still very much there, in abundance, for me . We have loads more stuff to do before we've seen it/done it all at DLP, and i'm looking forward to doing at least some of it in the near future.

 

[scampbunny]

we need a LIKE button on these posts....

julie - i agree.... details r what count

the magic is there.... its up to u if u choose to look for it and absorb it

 

[RoseBug]

We went in Feb, it was freezing cold, there weren't very many characters around the parks and alot was boarded up, rides closed etc. and it was still amazing and magical. I personally think it's the magic of just being there, and enjoying every single thing you can. Life is what you make it!

 

[DLPdaft]

We went in Feb, it was freezing cold, there weren't very many characters around the parks and alot was boarded up, rides closed etc. and it was still amazing and magical. I personally think it's the magic of just being there, and enjoying every single thing you can. Life is what you make it!

ah now you see, I went in March last year, when there was loads of boarding up in the main park, including in and around all of the Castle and one whole section of Fantasyland. If that had been my first time at DLP, I honestly don't think I would have returned, the amount of boarding really did take quite a bit away from the bubble experience for me.

 

[RoseBug]

ah now you see, I went in March last year, when there was loads of boarding up in the main park, including in and around all of the Castle and one whole section of Fantasyland. If that had been my first time at DLP, I honestly don't think I would have returned, the amount of boarding really did take quite a bit away from the bubble experience for me.

I guess for us, the magic was Rosebug and her reactions, she didn't notice the boarding, or the lack of characters etc. The whole thing was magical to her, and therefore to us too!

 

[lilacgems23]

My children still found it magical but I didn't as much as usual. I am not sure why possibly a combination of everything. We also seemed to spent in 3 days what we usually do in 5 but with nowhere near as many souvenirs so prices must have increased a fair bit too.

I can honestly say though if I hadn't already booked to go back in March before this trip I would not be rushing to go back whereas usually im already pricing up our next trip.

 

[Bexx]

DLP isn't just about the characters, parades etc for me though. I'm not fussed about that. I just love being there. I love Main St, the music, the window displays. Town Square is beautiful - I want to live there! I love looking at the castle and the attention to detail everywhere in Fantasyland. Then the extreme of Frontierland and the themeing there. BTM is still an absolute thrill for me, no matter how many times i've been on.

I haven't been for a couple of years, so I can't be certain, but I'm fairly sure that I'm still going to love the place. Perhaps luckily for me, it's never been about DLP (or WDW for that matter) being "magical", it's just been about us all enjoying a great holiday at a wonderful theme park. Neither me or my family will mind or even notice that the parade isn't as great as the last one, or that there are less characters around - it's just not that important to us.

The only thing that would bother me at the moment is the lack of places to eat - let's hope they come to their senses on this one.

 

[cherrymarzipan]

Agree with Ms Poppins, I just love being there! The big thing is definitely DS’s total delight and happiness when we are there but I have spent time on my own as well and enjoyed it in different ways. We go as regularly as we can, back again in a couple of weeks, and still feel the magic or we wouldn't keep returning. Having said that, I do think there has been deterioration in the behaviour of guests in the last few years. We have been visiting since the 5th anniversary and one of the things I used to love about the place was the atmosphere of sheer happiness in the crowds. Everyone seemed to be smiling and many would be singing and dancing. People were friendly to each other, whether walking around, queuing or waiting for parades. Now the attitude of an increasing number of guests does seem more selfish and at times aggressive. It is not everyone of course but I do notice it more and more. There also seems to be less respect for the fabric of the park as well with litter carelessly thrown down (despite bins every few steps) and people sprawled out on the grassed areas or trampling on the flower beds to get the best views. And let’s not even start on the state the toilets are left in sometimes.

Wish we could have a “DisBoarders only” day there!

 

[bonhoga]

Cherrymarzipan and Ms poppins i think you have both hit the nail on the head. Its that moment of magic when you see your kids faces....now I understand why I always want to take someone new with me......its to see their reaction and relive that lovely first time, again and again
I hope it's not losing its magic ....its only 20 days till I go again

Kaye

 

[cherrymarzipan]

I hope it's not losing its magic ....its only 20 days till I go again

Kaye

Yay!!! Hadn't actually counted the days yet, we're going to overlap!!! Bonnes vacances Kaye!

 

[tennisfan]

For me the Magic is still there, yes I agree the parade is lacking something. I love Dreams though which makes up for that. I'm not that fussed about characters really now except Stitch & the Chipmunks.

For me its the first year in ages that there is loads of merchandise I want to buy. I really like some of the 20th anniversary clothing range, plus I love the rides.

I'm really looking forward to going with work in November as there are some people who have never been before, one person I work with is really excited & everytime we crew together she makes me happy with her excitement. I can't wait to see her & her children's faces once they hit the park, for me that will be Magical. I could have that with my niece & nephew but they don't realise how lucky they are sometimes

 

[markpsych]

Although we're still visting X 2 per year, the magic has definitely been dwindling for us over the last couple of years, due to the late ride openings, early closures, generic merchandise, the lack of restaurants open, and lack of 'old school' Disney theming (e.g., street performers, Lucky Nugget stage entertainment, etc.).

The Disney Village was never fantastic, but even that has lost any magic it had....remember the 'cloak of stars' and the more individualised shops?

If it wasn't for the available discounts we've discovered via this forum, e.g., the AP-guest accommodation bargains and the shareholder discounts, the effort they make at Christmas, and the fact that DLP just forms part of our longer French summer holiday....I don't think I could convince my wife to go again in a hurry

 

[ROBEAR84]

It's not that the magic has gone for us, there was just something that I couldn't really put my finger on whilst we were there.

Don't get me wrong my kids adored it but it wasn't until the last day when we finally met Minnie that I realised exactly what it was. There were little moments of magic throughout the whole trip, Skye's face lit up when Belle waved and blew kisses to her as she walked from the Princess Pavillion, Coles when woody noticed him waving frantically during the parade and pointed and waved straight back.

You see, for us with our children at the ages they are, character interaction plays a HUGE part. Unfortunately being close in age and the ages they are means queuing for hours at a time just isn't possible, they wind up bickering and pushing each other and it's not a fun experience for anyone. That said each one on their own is a lot more patient so perhaps next time DH will split up for the longer queues!

For me, if I went on my own or just with DH it would be whole different story. I could sit for hours taking in all the detail and I agree that that is what makes it magical for me. I wouldn't be interested in characters really so that wouldnt make a difference to me.

The magic wasn't missing as such, it was still there when we walked up main st for the first time it was like we'd never been away and I was still sad to leave.

I think it really does depend on your circumstances and interpretation of what makes it magical. I can 100% see where people are coming from but it doesn't change that there was I little bit of me that was disappointed this trip.

Our final day was the best.Despite it being rushed because we got held up for hours in cafe mickey. Coles giggling bashful face whenever he sees Minnie (as he's had a crush since she told him she loved him during mnsshp! ) Skye falling into Tiggers lap when he held his arms out to hug her and being giggling her head off because he then tickled her to the ground. Those are the moments that REALLY make it for us and there just weren't as many off those this time.

I have friends that have just come back with loads of pics as they queued for a lot of the meet and greets during the afternoon. We never seemed to be around then as usually took the children back to the hotel to nap. Our friends only managed to watch Dreams once because their LOs were exhausted. They said that although they had a nice time, they wouldn't rush back and certainly wouldn't return yearly. I think they did too much, ended up with extremely tired children and found it a bit of a struggle whereas we usually take it at a much more relaxed pace but this approach didn't seems to work so well for us this year as it does usually.

One of the things that makes me want to try again in December is that Dreams will be on so much earlier that we can really make the most of the afternoon meet and greets. I honestly think that will make a huge difference.

 

[bonhoga]

Yay!!! Hadn't actually counted the days yet, we're going to overlap!!! Bonnes vacances Kaye!

Thank you
Oooooooooooh I am sooooooooo excited, I think the girls at work can't wait for me to go now as i just can't stop speaking about it . I didn't realise we overlap.....where are you staying? I hope you have a wonderful, wonderful time

Kaye

 

[Woolly]

"has it lost the magic?"

I'll let you know when I get back at the end of July. I'll give you a balanced view (from a Male). I don't wear rose-tinted spectacles but neither am I in the habit of complaining about minor paint chips, I like to think I'm pretty sensible about this sort of thing.

I have got 3 young children who have all been here before on a few occasions so their view will be interesting.

I've never had a bad trip to date, so hopefully it can live up to previous visits. We do tend to avoid the things and places that annoy most people and pace ourselves on our trips with everything we do. We don't do short trips to avoid disappointment.

Speak to you in a month.

 

[Ware Bears]

After our last long trip in 2008 we all felt like we needed a break. I wasn't disillusioned with it at all, just felt we'd done it to death and needed some time out. Roll on three years and we went for a quick two night visit last year and it was wonderful I was so excited to be back. I'm really looking forward to this summer's trip and part of me wishes we were spending longer at DLP but on the other hand I'm also looking forward to staying in Paris before we go to DLP.

Perhaps a lot of it depends on the make-up/ages of your party. My DDs are long past their character stalking days (thank goodness) so the lack of them in the parks doesn't affect us ..... and I'll get my character fix at a meal.