Just back from Disneyland and wanted to say THANK YOU!!

[suzannews]

Didn't post much on this board but read everyday and wanted to say THANK YOU!!

Just back from 4 nights at the Disneyland hotel and 2 nights at the Paradise Pier hotel with 2 nights in Las Vegas inbetween! We spent 2 half days in Disneyland and a half day in California Adventure and while everyone we met said the crowds were terrible, we didn't find it bad at all. Maybe we are just used to Disney World crowds! I think the longest we waited for a ride was 30 minutes. All of the wait time signs for rides we went on were posted as much longer than we actually waited. We got 2 sets of fast passes at check in from each hotel and those helped alot. Many Disneyland rides were not listed as taking fast pass on the guide map but had fast pass lines at the entrance.

Lots of great meals at Downtown Disney and the Anaheim Garden Walk. So-so meals at the ESPN restaurant and the PCH Grille at Paradise Pier.

Overall it was a great vacation (even with 2 flight delays on the way home yesterday) and we are already talking about going back next summer staying at the Grand Californian using DVC points.

Any questions...ask away!!!

 

[Dobie]

What were your impressions of the PPH?...the Dobies are staying there for the first time next month.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

We just got back yesterday too and I hated the crowds.

In WDW they don't bother me (I think because there is more room to spread out a bit) but with the tight walkways and people constantly blocking them and pushing and shoving, breaks were a must mid-day to stop me from completely losing my temper. I came pretty close to smacking a couple of folks over by the Star Tours area one morning after they shoved my DD11. In addition my kids got tired of being pushed and shoved too so they got really grumpy, really fast every day.

On top of that I couldn't get my family to eat many TS meals and even different CS meal places. They said they didn't like the menus. So I'm really, really sick of theme park burgers and pizza now.

I found out while reading a blog on Miceage that the crowds were considered one of the highest during the days we were in the parks and they were up there with Easter crowds. I believe it.

I considered doing a trip report but really don't want to relive the trip right now. It might discourage me from ever going back and I would like to do a solo trip in a few years during an off season.

I'm glad you had a good time!

 

[suzannews]

What were your impressions of the PPH?...the Dobies are staying there for the first time next month.

We liked the PPH. It reminded us of the Beach Club at Disney World. We had a California Adventure view room on the 10th floor and could see most of World of Color from the room window. We were told the hotel just did some rehab with new carpet throughout. Rooms had a mini refrig and coffee maker. The staff was nice and parking was close in the attached parking garage. Room service breakfast was great but I would skip PCH Grille for dinner. It wasn't terrible but there are way too many other options available within walking distance. We would stay there again.

 

[suzannews]

We just got back yesterday too and I hated the crowds.

In WDW they don't bother me (I think because there is more room to spread out a bit) but with the tight walkways and people constantly blocking them and pushing and shoving, breaks were a must mid-day to stop me from completely losing my temper. I came pretty close to smacking a couple of folks over by the Star Tours area one morning after they shoved my DD11. In addition my kids got tired of being pushed and shoved too so they got really grumpy, really fast every day.

On top of that I couldn't get my family to eat many TS meals and even different CS meal places. They said they didn't like the menus. So I'm really, really sick of theme park burgers and pizza now.

I found out while reading a blog on Miceage that the crowds were considered one of the highest during the days we were in the parks and they were up there with Easter crowds. I believe it.

I considered doing a trip report but really don't want to relive the trip right now. It might discourage me from ever going back and I would like to do a solo trip in a few years during an off season.

I'm glad you had a good time!

Wow Connie, sorry your trip wasn't as planned. Like I said, the crowds didn't bother us but we didn't encounter any pushing or shoving. I would have lost it on someone if they touched my kid! We were in the parks on 3 different days but only spent about 4 hours indside each day. That is more than enough for us. We also didn't eat meals inside the parks, only snacks. Most of the restaurants at Downtown Disney were great but we did lots of special ordering. Seems like everyone in California likes avocado slices and/or guacamole on their food.

 

[KCmike]

Funny because I hear these concerns in my family alot in Disneyland. They don't like the food there. They are okay with the hamburgers, pizza, nuggets, etc. but like WDW food better. I am okay either way. The emphasis is not on the food at DL and that is perfectly ok with me. I love Disneyland like no other. It surpasses WDW for me everytime. I do like the food better at WDW. I am a steak, potatoes, and bread kind of guy. Just give me a simple meal and I'm happy.

Pushing people is unacceptable anywhere. We went in July last year and while it was busy (hey its summer!) we planned more vacation days to incorporate the bigger crowds and we had such a blast. We would go to the park for half the day and relax at the hotel, DTD, or ocean for the other half and then go back in the night totally relaxed just enjoying the evening.

Glad to hear you had a good time suzannews!

 

[LisainCalifornia]

I have been to disneyland so many times but never have encoutered pushing--for either me or my kids. One thing I do always notice is the people who stop right in the middle of a walk way (to talk about where they should go next, etc...) so that you can't get around them. Or the people who walk so VERY slow chatting and talking--blocking people from getting by. That is the parts of the crowds that bother me the most.

We always pull off to the side if we have to stop, so that we don't block the very small walkways that Disneyland has to offer.

 

[cyclenut]

I have been to disneyland so many times but never have encoutered pushing--for either me or my kids. One thing I do always notice is the people who stop right in the middle of a walk way (to talk about where they should go next, etc...) so that you can't get around them. Or the people who walk so VERY slow chatting and talking--blocking people from getting by. That is the parts of the crowds that bother me the most.

We always pull off to the side if we have to stop, so that we don't block the very small walkways that Disneyland has to offer.

What you describe is a chronic problem. There have been time when I have accidently (and I do mean by accident) run into someone who suddenly stopped in front of me or was stopped in an unexpected place. I ALWAYS appologize when it happens (not too often ... but it does happen). But I do wonder what they were thinking. I realize that while in DL people can start to feel like they are in their own little world, but really, just a little consideration goes a very long way.

 

[blackjackdelta]

I have been to disneyland so many times but never have encoutered pushing--for either me or my kids. One thing I do always notice is the people who stop right in the middle of a walk way (to talk about where they should go next, etc...) so that you can't get around them. Or the people who walk so VERY slow chatting and talking--blocking people from getting by. That is the parts of the crowds that bother me the most.

We always pull off to the side if we have to stop, so that we don't block the very small walkways that Disneyland has to offer.

I agree with you Lisa our biggest problem have been the stroller nazi's. It cost us an ER visit last year with stitches in my daughters ankle. Hopefully it will be uneventful this year. I am also getting tired of talking with security and Anaheim PD.

Jack

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Wow Connie, sorry your trip wasn't as planned. Like I said, the crowds didn't bother us but we didn't encounter any pushing or shoving. I would have lost it on someone if they touched my kid! We were in the parks on 3 different days but only spent about 4 hours indside each day. That is more than enough for us. We also didn't eat meals inside the parks, only snacks. Most of the restaurants at Downtown Disney were great but we did lots of special ordering. Seems like everyone in California likes avocado slices and/or guacamole on their food.

LOL at the guacamole on food. I loved that part but we did alot of special ordering too since the kids don't like anything other than plain.

I talked with one CM who said she had never seen it that bad before and was blaming it on Star Tours.

I only encountered the pushing and shoving in Disneyland not DCA. The worst of the stroller blocking walkways was also in DL. Since we spent nearly all day except for our 3 hour breaks on 3 days and then 2 other half days in Disneyland/DCA, we probably saw the worst of the crowds.
I chatted with 1 woman at the exit of Space Mountain who was a premium passholder on June 19th and she told me she had more problems with people being rude that day than she had ever seen before and she was a passholder for years.

My kids said they never want to go back to DL. They loved Universal Studios Hollywood thank goodness.

And BlackJackdelta, I hope your next trip doesn't involve a trip to the ER or talking with security.

 

[Hound 109]

Thanks for reporting back suzannews.

Didn't post much on this board but read everyday and wanted to say THANK YOU!!

Just back from 4 nights at the Disneyland hotel and 2 nights at the Paradise Pier hotel with 2 nights in Las Vegas inbetween! We spent 2 half days in Disneyland and a half day in California Adventure and while everyone we met said the crowds were terrible, we didn't find it bad at all.

I'm guessing you got to the parks early & avoided crowded areas. (Zigging while others were Zagging.


Maybe we are just used to Disney World crowds! I think the longest we waited for a ride was 30 minutes. All of the wait time signs for rides we went on were posted as much longer than we actually waited. We got 2 sets of fast passes at check in from each hotel and those helped alot. Many Disneyland rides were not listed as taking fast pass on the guide map but had fast pass lines at the entrance.

Lots of great meals at Downtown Disney and the Anaheim Garden Walk.

Where did you eat at Garden Walk?


So-so meals at the ESPN restaurant and the PCH Grille at Paradise Pier.

Overall it was a great vacation (even with 2 flight delays on the way home yesterday) and we are already talking about going back next summer staying at the Grand Californian using DVC points.

Any questions...ask away!!!

I'm glad that you had a great time.

 

[suzannews]

Hound 109,

We actually didn't get to the parks until almost noon each of the 3 days we went in and left by 4 or 4:30 each afternoon. I guess we just lucked out with the crowds. The only time it felt crowded was during the parade when people were in my personal space.

As for the Garden Walk, we ate at the Cheesecake Factory and Bubba Gump's. We have both in the Orlando area but not close to home. We've been to the Cheesecake Factory in Hawaii once and never to Bubba Gump's. CCF was good but BG's was great! Both validate parking but apparently for different amounts of time. No charge when we left after CCF but $3 when we left after BG's. Not a big deal but just be prepared with some cash just incase.

 

[HappyHaunt]

We just got back today. Saturday evening and Sunday were great in the parks, crowd wise. Monday and Tuesday we found that the crowds really picked up. Wednesday was better, but not as low as the weekend. We also didn't have too much pushing or anything, but yes a lot of people with strollers were just awful. They use those things as weapons to make their way around, and get in front of people.

We also like the food better at WDW, we ate quite a bit off site this year at DL. They just don't have the same level of quality in the food.

 

[nunzia]

Wow Connie, sorry your trip wasn't as planned. Like I said, the crowds didn't bother us but we didn't encounter any pushing or shoving. I would have lost it on someone if they touched my kid! We were in the parks on 3 different days but only spent about 4 hours indside each day. That is more than enough for us. We also didn't eat meals inside the parks, only snacks. Most of the restaurants at Downtown Disney were great but we did lots of special ordering. Seems like everyone in California likes avocado slices and/or guacamole on their food.

well...yeahh!!!
I'm sorry people have a bad experience with the crowds..really..that is what research and planning is all about...my relatives didn't believe me when I told them Spring Break season wasn't such a good idea ("Well, So Cal isn't on spring break then..I checked"..oookkk)..a huge time in summer and especially this summer with 2 new rides and a new parade..I'm sure those hoards at Star Tours could easily get out of control..ack..I avoid the parks like a plague in the summer (although it seems like crowds are really beginning to shift at times thanks to SoCal AP blackouts..) and we find pretty smooth sailing mid May, January and October (although I guess last Oct was a huge nightmare). I'm only going in August because of the Expo and if the crowd is super bad when APs are unblocked, then that is what the Grand Californian pool and fruity drinks is for. So go again in January and really enjoy it!