Just back, not needing to go again for a while

[Karlzmom]

I just got back from a conference in Anaheim that placed me a block away from SoCal's very own House of Mouse. I had an OK time, but a couple of issues have me hoping this isn't the way of the future for Disney.

First, OMG has everything gotten expensive! There is not a corn-dog in the world worth $6.00. I still can't believe how much I spent on lunch at the Blue Bayou...for food that was only "OK". I don't mind shelling out $$ for a good value [value being relative, lobster can be a great value IF its cooked perfectly while a PB&J can be overpriced....DL was more of the latter than I recalled. 3 of us took the "Happiest Haunts Tour" [which provided the amazing ability to walk onto TZToT when the park was closed] However, the tour, billed at something north of 3 hours lasted slightly less than 2 1/2 hours....and most of that was kinda standing around doing nothing. A couple of stories, but not really any of the promised backstories on the villiams. There was a bit of a disjointed plotline with one CM starting the tour and then "vanishing" to be replaced with a "ghost guide"...but it didn't flow too well. Not sure I'd pay to take a tour again based on this experience. Not a good value.

2d, while we were at the park on Sunday my friends and I asked about moving our tour from Monday to Wed. Town Hall guest relations said "no problem" then had trouble getting into the system. Nice CM gave us a phone # to call in the morning and have the date changed. My friends called [2 ressies] and had no problem. I called and had the CM from Crabby-land! First, she tells me it "can't be done"...I politely mention that Town Hall tried the night prior & my buddies had already succeeded. After telling me that it "can't" be done, she puts me on hold for 10 mins to "talk to her lead". After she comes back, it "can" be done- "but just this once, because its outside of policy and she is really doing me a favor to do this, etc, etc.". Fast forward to Wed. I go to the Tour Gardens on my way to RD...you guessed it, my tour had not been transferred! I was told to "come back" in the afternoon. So, I trudged back to the entrance an extra time. Fortunately, the you lady staffing the booth in the afternoon was very willing to help, called the right person and had me all fixed up in no time flat.

3d, I don't eat chips {don't like them with my braces} 2 places let me simply order the "entree" without the chip combo, at a reduced price and smiled. However, Pluto's Dog House was staffed by a CM that clearly needed an extra helping of pixie dust on her cornflakes. Got rather unpleasant with me when I asked, told me that it couldn't be done and then proceeded to tell me that it wasn't going to happen at that stand! Yikes! Ok, no dog for Katie there....

The ride lines were fine. I use the single rider line when available, and really didn't wait much above 10 mins for anything except TSM, which was a 30 minute wait, but SO WORTH IT!!!

When I put the whole trip, good and bad, together I really am left with , the shrug says it all. Nothing special, really. I am an AP member in Florida, carry a Disney Visa and am a stockholder. My family lives 2+ hours out of DL, but we really don't go because it just doesn't have the panache that Florida does, and frankly a lot of the charm of DL is gone. Don't even get me going on the number of times I never got to hear the announcements in English b/c all that was playing during the time I was loading was Spanish. ...yes I know to stay seated w/hands and arms in, but that's not the point. DL doesn't give the directions in Japanese and there are a large number of Japanese tourists....just Spanish....

Anyway, we are off to WDW in 30 days for a 9 night stay. So, we'll be helping the company bottom line a bit. I just hope that what I experienced in the local park is not a preview of what is to come.

 

[PrincessSitka]

Wow.
I agree the price is going up. I just made ressie for Disneyland Hotel for next April. The room was in the 300. that is a lot. The rooms are not getting any better. Not even new comforters carpets looking very worn. Not sure that I will be staying on site anymore. I feel that it is no longer about the customer it is about how much can disney get. When I first started staying on site I paid 89.00 a night now 300.00 a night just a plain room that looks over the pool.

 

[Gisele]

Disneyland hotel at $89.00 a night. What year was that? That price is agreeable with me.

 

[Gisele]

$6.00 for a corn dog, does rather sound excessive in price. How big is that dog? I have seen pictures, however, I cannot say honestly that based upon what I have seen, that $6.00 is worth it. I love good corn dogs though, so I might order it, if it is all beef. I do not eat those chicken and or turkey atrocities.
I sure am sorry for the awkwardness of the Happy Haunts Tour. I would not be too happy either, with the way things went. At least you had a relatively nice time with the tour though.
What was that potato chips controversy about anyway? After all, how hard can it be to not put the chips on the plate to begin with? One would think that it would actually be easier not to do so, in the first place.
I agree, more than just English and Spanish should be heard while boarding rides, especially POTC! I am telling one and all, that some day, one might just hear about a park guest that could no longer take seeing flash pictures aboard one of their most beloved rides. By having a melt down, and throwing the offending camera, and quite possibly person behind it, into the blue bayou (ride, not restaurant, however, if I can muscle up enough......)

 

[disneegrl4eva]

I went on that tour and had a totally different experience...as with any tour its hit and miss depending on who you get...they told us stories about the villians to me the corn dog is worth $6..its huge and very tasty...other than that I dont know what to tell you...maybe your right...maybe you should just go to wdw instead of DL if thats the way you feel...however, I wouldnt base my decision on one trip since how long??? I would go a couple more times during various times of the year...hey maybe you could go during the holidays...then if you still feel that way dont go back...

 

[Amy&Dan]

I just got back from WDW and found the prices for food high. It seemed like everything was more expensive than a year ago when I last went off the DDP. I think I paid $3.89 for corn dog nuggets at Casey's that weren't nearly as big or good as the corn dogs I have had at DL from the red wagon. I agree, $6 is crazy high but I would pay that again for those corn dogs before I would pay almost $4 for the nasty nuggets I had at Casey's.

I think some of the things that you experienced at DL could and do happen with cm's at WDW. One thing I noticed big time at WDW last week was how dirty the bathrooms were. Unlike other trips (as recently as June when we went to WDW last) I didn't notice the attendants in the restrooms restocking and cleaning. Bus waits were longer. I had more than one manager tell me that Disney is cutting back staff in housekeeping and transportation all over WDW. It was still wonderful, but the dirty bathrooms in MK in particular were very depressing to me since I have come to expect so much more from Disney. My 12 year old dd even noticed how unkempt they were during our 11 day trip.

As for the Spanish announcements, I think being in So. Cal you just have to expect that. WDW has everything in Spanish too. At DL, given its close proximity to Mexico, its a real necessity.

Sadly, I think the economy will be affecting both DL and WDW in many ways. But I can't wait to go back!

 

[avalon451]

Sorry to hear that your experience was less than stellar. Too bad you had to run into those pixie-dust-challenged CMs! That's pretty poor behavior over the tour switch. Argh.

As for the prices and stuff, I think maybe it's all down to your expectations. You are right that prices are outrageous! You kind of get to expect it, though, with DL. If you know what it's like, you just realize that it's all about the supply and demand-- if DL can sell lots of $6 corn dogs, then by golly, they will, and chuckle all the way to the bank. It's all about the bottom line. However, I do think they do probably the best job of maintaining a really beautiful and clean park, and overall good customer service (with notable exceptions, unfortunately, like yours!), at least compared to any other big theme park.

I do think there are different expectations from WDW vets as compared to DL vets. There are pretty major differences between the parks, as I'm sure you know, as far as demographics (DL is like 80% locals on day trips) and services and lodging available. Personally, although we stayed at GCH for our very first trip, I'll never pay that again, when I can pay 1/4 the cost at an offsite hotel that is closer than DLH.

I don't think I would enjoy WDW as much, myself, simply because although I have enjoyed DL very much, I'm not a Disney freak (don't shoot me, please, anybody ). 5 days' trip is about what I can take of twinkly music and manically cheerful people. To do WDW justice, it seems like you'd have to be there at LEAST a week, preferably 2... and I just don't think I could take that much pixie dust. DL is perfect for me because I can get my DL fix in small, concentrated doses.

 

[DizMe]

Awwww, that's too bad!! I once had a post titled "Have you ever lost the magic?" and there were quite a few responses from those who had an experience like yours. The good news is that nearly all those who answered that way got the magic back on subsequent trips, and those that didn't hadn't been back yet to see.

I think I know what you're feeling, and to tell you the truth, I think a lot of it may be due to factors outside of DL itself. Sometimes you're just in a place where you can't get past the magic-killers.

One thing you could do in the future if you wanted to try to recapture the magic is to go with little kids or Disney-loving adults. There's nothing like getting a big dose of second-hand magic to enhance your own.

 

[audrabolster]

That's awful. As a season passholder, I have run into many a CM that needed more than a little pixie dust. Also with the prices, it stinks, but I think disneyland is on par with other theme parks. And the blue bayou's food is not stellar, but everytime I've gone, the atmosphere and good friends has made it worth the cost.

As for the halloween tour- I was beyond disappointed and that is one tour I won't be doing again. Too cheesy, not what I expected at all. I wanted more actual history, not so much made up stories. But, oh well!

 

[nunzia]

I'm sorry you had such an 'ehhh' time. Not awful, not good. I've had those days, mainly at zoos, which I have decided I hate and won't go to unless the grandchildren want to (and, surprised at finding that the Albuquerque zoo was more enjoyable and economical than the Milwaulee zoo or the DC National zoo both of which I saw in a period of a week..which triggered my realization that I really don't like zoos ) However, I have found that anyplace that holds you captive charges way too much. I have paid $4.00 for a bottle of water at a concert, so 6.00 for a huge and tasty corn dog is not so bad in my opinion. To me Disney is aobut choices. I bring in food and water, stay away from ridiculous priced things unless I choose to pay the ridiculous price for my own reasons. For many years I stayed off site and had a wonderful name. Now, I choose to pay riciculous nightly rates for the GC because I love the place and love not being exposed to the real world for my whole DLR trip. I find child meals are just fine, and popcorn and fruit great snacks. I've never done a tour, but the Halloween one sounds hokey. The Walt one is probably the only one I'd like. It's unfortunate when CMs suck and I see that as a fairly often trend, so I generally deal with them as little as possible and try to make their lives as easy as possible. If I don't want chips and I can't get the thing without them, then I guess I'll give the chips away and not let it damper my trip.
Restrooms sure do get icky and quick, but guess who gets them icky? Other guests. It wouldn't kill guests to try and not make a mess. How hard is it to not drop toilet paper all over the floor and to put your paper towel in the trash? I do think part of the problem Disney has with keeping things clean comes down to people just not being as tidy or courteous as they were 50 years ago.
I went to WDW years ago and none of my family liked it much, but DH and I are trying again, so I hope I see the attraction, this time
I hope your next visit will be better and that your WDW trip will live up to expectations.

 

[JaneJetson]

I just got back from a conference in Anaheim that placed me a block away from SoCal's very own House of Mouse. I had an OK time, but a couple of issues have me hoping this isn't the way of the future for Disney.

First, OMG has everything gotten expensive! There is not a corn-dog in the world worth $6.00. I still can't believe how much I spent on lunch at the Blue Bayou...for food that was only "OK". I don't mind shelling out $$ for a good value [value being relative, lobster can be a great value IF its cooked perfectly while a PB&J can be overpriced....DL was more of the latter than I recalled. 3 of us took the "Happiest Haunts Tour" [which provided the amazing ability to walk onto TZToT when the park was closed] However, the tour, billed at something north of 3 hours lasted slightly less than 2 1/2 hours....and most of that was kinda standing around doing nothing. A couple of stories, but not really any of the promised backstories on the villiams. There was a bit of a disjointed plotline with one CM starting the tour and then "vanishing" to be replaced with a "ghost guide"...but it didn't flow too well. Not sure I'd pay to take a tour again based on this experience. Not a good value.

2d, while we were at the park on Sunday my friends and I asked about moving our tour from Monday to Wed. Town Hall guest relations said "no problem" then had trouble getting into the system. Nice CM gave us a phone # to call in the morning and have the date changed. My friends called [2 ressies] and had no problem. I called and had the CM from Crabby-land! First, she tells me it "can't be done"...I politely mention that Town Hall tried the night prior & my buddies had already succeeded. After telling me that it "can't" be done, she puts me on hold for 10 mins to "talk to her lead". After she comes back, it "can" be done- "but just this once, because its outside of policy and she is really doing me a favor to do this, etc, etc.". Fast forward to Wed. I go to the Tour Gardens on my way to RD...you guessed it, my tour had not been transferred! I was told to "come back" in the afternoon. So, I trudged back to the entrance an extra time. Fortunately, the you lady staffing the booth in the afternoon was very willing to help, called the right person and had me all fixed up in no time flat.

3d, I don't eat chips {don't like them with my braces} 2 places let me simply order the "entree" without the chip combo, at a reduced price and smiled. However, Pluto's Dog House was staffed by a CM that clearly needed an extra helping of pixie dust on her cornflakes. Got rather unpleasant with me when I asked, told me that it couldn't be done and then proceeded to tell me that it wasn't going to happen at that stand! Yikes! Ok, no dog for Katie there....

The ride lines were fine. I use the single rider line when available, and really didn't wait much above 10 mins for anything except TSM, which was a 30 minute wait, but SO WORTH IT!!!

When I put the whole trip, good and bad, together I really am left with , the shrug says it all. Nothing special, really. I am an AP member in Florida, carry a Disney Visa and am a stockholder. My family lives 2+ hours out of DL, but we really don't go because it just doesn't have the panache that Florida does, and frankly a lot of the charm of DL is gone. Don't even get me going on the number of times I never got to hear the announcements in English b/c all that was playing during the time I was loading was Spanish. ...yes I know to stay seated w/hands and arms in, but that's not the point. DL doesn't give the directions in Japanese and there are a large number of Japanese tourists....just Spanish....

Anyway, we are off to WDW in 30 days for a 9 night stay. So, we'll be helping the company bottom line a bit. I just hope that what I experienced in the local park is not a preview of what is to come.

Food is almost as expensive at WDW as it is at Disneyland.
Rude CMs can be found at all Disney parks.
Most people think DL has more charm that WDW (especially compared to the Magic Kingdom.)
I don't understand how you didn't hear english and spanish. they must have loaded you insanely quick. (P.S. WDW also has everything in Spanish.)
Have a nice time at WDW.

I just got back from WDW and found the prices for food high. It seemed like everything was more expensive than a year ago when I last went off the DDP. I think I paid $3.89 for corn dog nuggets at Casey's that weren't nearly as big or good as the corn dogs I have had at DL from the red wagon. I agree, $6 is crazy high but I would pay that again for those corn dogs before I would pay almost $4 for the nasty nuggets I had at Casey's.

I think some of the things that you experienced at DL could and do happen with cm's at WDW. One thing I noticed big time at WDW last week was how dirty the bathrooms were. Unlike other trips (as recently as June when we went to WDW last) I didn't notice the attendants in the restrooms restocking and cleaning. Bus waits were longer. I had more than one manager tell me that Disney is cutting back staff in housekeeping and transportation all over WDW. It was still wonderful, but the dirty bathrooms in MK in particular were very depressing to me since I have come to expect so much more from Disney. My 12 year old dd even noticed how unkempt they were during our 11 day trip.

As for the Spanish announcements, I think being in So. Cal you just have to expect that. WDW has everything in Spanish too. At DL, given its close proximity to Mexico, its a real necessity.

Sadly, I think the economy will be affecting both DL and WDW in many ways. But I can't wait to go back!

In January, I found the restrooms at WDW to be disgusting! I won't tell you the things I saw. *shudder* Actually, I found WDW to be dirtier than Disneyland overall. I love both WDW and Disneyland but I think DL is much, much cleaner.

 

[Quest4fun]

I am an AP member in Florida, carry a Disney Visa and am a stockholder. My family lives 2+ hours out of DL, but we really don't go because it just doesn't have the panache that Florida does, and frankly a lot of the charm of DL is gone.

Good for you.

 

[JaneJetson]

I think if people go on vacation and have a bad time...more than likely, they were looking for a bad time. Maybe it's subconscious or something...but I think it's true a lot of the time.

It's like the famous Lincoln quote...

"If you look for the bad in people expecting to find it, you surely will.”

 

[austinosphere]

I think that if the first problem wouldn't have happened, none of the other ones would have either. But the first problem seems to have compounded the other problems.

Regarding prices - in 10 years, you'll look back and say "Corndogs used to cost HOW LITTLE???!?!"

There's no candybar in the world worth a dime, said grandma.

Also, me thinks the more "Pixie Dust" a guest has, the more "Pixie Dust" a CM has.. Even in Disneyland.

 

[Whidbey5]

I've been to both parks in the last year (WDW and a Disney cruise in Dec. 07, Disneyland in July 08, and Disneyland in JUST A FEW SHORT WEEKS!).

I think how you view the parks is all about perspective. Truthfully, I didn't have a great time at WDW. Everything is too spread out for my tastes and I felt like we were on busses all the time! The cast members were not what I was used to and the parks felt dirty to me. Our kids (13, 13, and 11) said they'd gladly go back to Florida for a cruise, but they'd rather just skip the parks next time.

Mention Disneyland to those same three kids and it's a different story. They love everything about Disneyland, and so do dh and I. Yes, it is expensive. My uncle, who works for WDW, says Disney will pick you up by the ankles and shake the last of your change out of your pockets and YOU'LL LIKE IT! If you don't want to spend $6 for a corndog, don't! Find other ways to make it work.

We all have our preferences. Ripping down one park to build up another is kind of pointless.

 

[pixiewings71]

Perhaps the OP should try going to a 6 Flags theme park to compare. LOL I live 20 min. from a 6 Flags, I'd rather drive 6 hours to go to DL.

Everyone has an off day, even the CM's at DL, the key is to not let them get to you. Oh and the $6 corn dog? I feel they are well worth that price, the corn dogs are HUGE and I normally share with DD8 and we both get full.

 

[disneymom23]

Perhaps the OP should try going to a 6 Flags theme park to compare. LOL I live 20 min. from a 6 Flags, I'd rather drive 6 hours to go to DL.

Everyone has an off day, even the CM's at DL, the key is to not let them get to you. Oh and the $6 corn dog? I feel they are well worth that price, the corn dogs are HUGE and I normally share with DD8 and we both get full.

My DH hates corn dogs and won't ever let the kids eat them. He thinks they are the unhealthiest food around. When we go to DL in a few weeks, the kids and I will be there a day before him. Guess what we're having for dinner while we watch the Christmas parade? Good to know that they're huge. We'll get 2 for the 4 of us, because of course we'll need dessert too!

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

Perhaps the OP should try going to a 6 Flags theme park to compare. LOL I live 20 min. from a 6 Flags, I'd rather drive 6 hours to go to DL.

Everyone has an off day, even the CM's at DL, the key is to not let them get to you. Oh and the $6 corn dog? I feel they are well worth that price, the corn dogs are HUGE and I normally share with DD8 and we both get full.

Yeah, our 6 Flags is 30 minutes from us and we happily drive almost 2 hours to DLR.

I think the $6 corn dogs are worth it too. I love them and I can share with DBF and still be stuffed. For $6 those corn dogs could be a lot smaller.

 

[pixiewings71]

My DH hates corn dogs and won't ever let the kids eat them. He thinks they are the unhealthiest food around. When we go to DL in a few weeks, the kids and I will be there a day before him. Guess what we're having for dinner while we watch the Christmas parade? Good to know that they're huge. We'll get 2 for the 4 of us, because of course we'll need dessert too!

Yup, sharing 4 will be perfect for you guys!! And yes, you will have room for dessert. There are 2 places to get these super corn dogs (oh and for the record, I HATE corn dogs and will ONLY eat the ones at DL or DCA) at the Corn Dog Castle in DCA (they have a spicy corn dog, YUM) or at the red fire engine at the end of MS next to Plaza Inn. Soooo good!!!

Yeah, our 6 Flags is 30 minutes from us and we happily drive almost 2 hours to DLR.

I think the $6 corn dogs are worth it too. I love them and I can share with DBF and still be stuffed. For $6 those corn dogs could be a lot smaller.

ah, Magic Mtn, I was there on our 2006 trip (we were season pass holders and could use our local passes at MM), we weren't that impressed. The kids did have fun and they rode a lot of rides but DBF and I didn't.
Aren't they foot long dogs? I want to say they are...that's why they are huge....lol

 

[LOLCAT]

This whole thread give me a big sad