My first...and LAST trip to Disneyland-A trip report

[vettegirl]

IMO I would take DL over the MK any day of the week.

 

[Boston Tea Party]

Wow. That was particularly harsh.

You do realize what board you posted on, right?

Did you stop at the Fire Station and see the light for Walt? Did you see where the Disney Gallery used to be? You know, above Pirates, where there is a balcony with Roy and Walt's initials in the ironwork? Did you see Walt's door - not window - on Main Street? Did you sit in Walt's box at the Golden Horseshoe or ride on the E P Ripley? Did you get a photo of yourself walking through the castle like that famous one of Walt?

You do realize that Disneyland opened in 1955, right? Pretty amazing wouldn't you say?

I mean, frankly, did you intend to enjoy Walt's park or did you go on a fault finding mission? Just wondering...

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I guess you have to grow up riding the Matterhorn to really appreciate it. I mean it was the first ever tubular track roller coaster ever built. It is over 40 years old. Yeah, it's going to bumpy and jerky, but it's historical and magical and a lot of fun and unique to any other disney park in the world.

 

[Sherry E]

Just to kind of clarify what I got from Mandy's post - she DID say that certain things were amazing, or that certain things she really liked. So it wasn't all bad. And she didn't blame Disney for everything. But the overall report seemed negative, I guess. I just tend to think that when the tone is kind of set for the day/trip early on, it is hard for some people to bounce back from that and look at everything with a fresh perspective. Sometimes you get locked in a mindset and then everything seems crappy or seems like a problem from there on out, and it is hard to find the interest in seeking out the hidden gems or whatever. I am sure I have done that during trips to other places in my life. I have a good time only if I CHOOSE to have a good time and really appreciate where I am for what it has to offer and not so much for what it does NOT offer.

I do get very bummed out when I read bad reviews of DLR - it is a downer because I know DLR holds such a place of importance in my life and the lives of everyone on this part of DISboards - but I know that things can go wrong in trips (I even started a thread a long time ago called "What Have Been Your Least Pleasant DLR Experiences?"). However, making any kinds of comparisons to the Magic Kingdom as being a superior park is probably unfair based on which park preceded it, as previously stated. I am not talking about restaurants because those can ALL have off days, and that is a matter of taste. But things like the Castle are the original. It fits perfectly in DLR because of the size. Any larger and it would be too out of proportion for DL. I don't bother with the Matterhorn anyway, so I wouldn't have recommended that, but I AM sorry that you missed out on Toy Story Mania, because that is very fun.

I also think Mandy and her mom simply didn't have enough time to really appreciate all those little Disney details that make DL special - there wasn't even enough time to appreciate all that DCA has to offer. I don't think they visited the Animation Building or the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail or A Bug's Land (full of great details). I am not sure if they went into ToonTown in DL (MUCH better than the WDW version of ToonTown, from what I have been told, and full of hidden gems). So time wasn't on their side, really. Maybe if they had an extra day in the parks, they would have had a better time. They basically only had enough time to do a kind of 'highlight tour,' and when a couple of things went wrong or not to their liking, I don't think there was much interest in seeking out the special details and hidden treasures.

Bottom line is - even over in the DL Trip Report section of the DIS, there have been regular DIS-ers with AP's who make lots of day trips to DL and report on all of them, and occasionally, they have a report that is not good. One day out of 15 day trips may be a bad trip, and they will report honestly on it. But then they go back again and the next time is magical. It happens. So seeing that this is a board where we encourage everyone to share their own experiences and opinions, we have to accept and welcome the reports on the bad experiences too! I mean, of course, we will still speak up if we disagree with what is being said, but we have to be able to accept all the DLR feedback, good or bad!

ETA: I do agree with PP's that a little pre-planning on the dining aspect of things, and on what special details to scout out, would have helped tremendously.

 

[nunzia]

Wow.

Wow indeed. I agree with this. You had one day at 2 parks and it looks like little pre planning pr forethought. How would you feel if someone had one day at WDW without a clue and posted that sort of report? I have NEVER found DLR dirty in anyway and I've been more times than I can count. I have run into a few rude CMs and some who weren't rude but just stressed that hordes of guests aren't paying attention. Anyway..if you had researched you would know Tortilla Joes is not rated that high, plus it has nothing to do with Disney, so unfair to blame that on DLR, and you see prices on a menu, so your fault if you spend 40 for bad food. There are many more and better options all over the resort.
It sounds like you just rushed from ride to ride and took in none of the ambience and specialness of Walt's park.
It sounds like you had an attitude of looking for things 'wrong' so you found them.
As an aside, on our ABD a family who goes to WDW yearly was wowed by Indy and thought it blew away Dinosaur, but to each their own.
I'm just a little stunned at your views and perceptions..so I guess you will be better off at the magicalplacewherenothingiseverwrong WDW.

 

[nunzia]

Wow. That was particularly harsh.

You do realize what board you posted on, right?

Did you stop at the Fire Station and see the light for Walt? Did you see where the Disney Gallery used to be? You know, above Pirates, where there is a balcony with Roy and Walt's initials in the ironwork? Did you see Walt's door - not window - on Main Street? Did you sit in Walt's box at the Golden Horseshoe or ride on the E P Ripley? Did you get a photo of yourself walking through the castle like that famous one of Walt?

You do realize that Disneyland opened in 1955, right? Pretty amazing wouldn't you say?

I mean, frankly, did you intend to enjoy Walt's park or did you go on a fault finding mission? Just wondering...

You forgot Walt's window in Toon Town

 

[mariezp]

Come on guys! Some of you are being a bit harsh to the OP. This is HER report and she certainly has a right to HER opinion. Of course, this is a Disneyland loving section of the board but her report was about her experience at Disneyland so it does fit whether we all agree with her or not. She certainly did not make any personal attacks so there is no need for anyone to get offended by her post. Perhaps some of us jump too quick in defense of our beloved park. Please, do try to keep in mind that this is her report from her point of view.

That said. OP, I am sorry that you were dissappointed with your trip. I know for myself, sometimes I can have such high expectations that there is no way anything can live up to it. Maybe that's what happened?

I remember the first time I ever went to go see Elvis' Graceland. I was expecting something grand because after all it was where "The King of Rock and Roll" lived. How could you be that rich and famous and not have something totally awesome? I was expecting something rich and extravagant but IMHO it was gaundy and small and disappointing. However, after thinking about it and realizing that it was built in a time when it would have been considered amazingly spectacular I was able to appreciate Graceland after all. It was more about the fact that Elvis had actually lived there.

That's really the way it is with Disneyland. For it's time, Disneyland was truely something amazing! For some of us it still is. Walt Disney actually walked the streets. He actually began his dreams there. He made the park to share with ME and everyone else. I personally am so glad he did because it is my favorite place on earth! It's not huge but it is amazing. For me the small feel helps it to feel more intimate.

We have taken 8 annual trips. So far I have encountered a few less than friendly CMs but never any particularly rude. (Now rude guests is a different story but that is no fault of the park.) Sometimes food has been better than others but that happens everywhere I go. I have NEVER seen the park dirty. We have stayed for up to 14 days and never found the park to be boring but I do know not everyone would enjoy more than a few days. It's just different strokes for different folks.

We are considering a trip to WDW. I don't have high expectations for it at all. Just the thought of taking on 4 different parks and learning how to get around makes my head spin! I am going knowing that I probably will not love it anywhere near as much as I do Disneyland. Who knows, maybe I will be pleasantly surprised but I know for sure I won't come away feeling as you did, disappointed.

I hope as time passes some of the disappointment fades. It sounds like you might have had some fun so I would just try to remember those parts and forget the rest.

 

[mommaU4]

See I totally agree it was so dark and shaky, it was hard to know what was going on and the Dinos were cheesy. But I think my biggest issue was the clear Jurassic Park rip off, and having done the JP ride at Universal first, I thought their Dinos were better. I wish Disney had been a little more unique with the ride. That is some of the reason I just like Indy better.

I agree, I just love Indy. I was not impressed with Dinosaur at all. I think the theming and effects in Indy are so much better.

Personally I've found that the MK is dirtier than DL, ESPECIALLY the bathrooms.

I'd forgotten about that!! I didn't think either DL or WDW was dirty, and the parks aren't, but now that you mention it I do remember the bathrooms were dirty at MK. And that's been mentioned by others in their WDW trip reports, so it must be an ongoing issue there for some reason.


Amanda, I was thinking about it afterward, and you are a WDW vet, you know about advance planning. I wish you could have made a reservation for dinner that Friday night at one of the wonderful dining spots in DTD like Jazz Kitchen (sooo good!) or HOB, Rainforest Cafe, etc.

And it is hard to go to a park that is in remodel. I kind of feel sorry for anyone having their first visit to DCA while it's under construction because of course it won't be as good as it's going to be.

Ask here if you do ever decide to go back and we will happily help you book your room at Grand Californian with a theme park view, book some of the better eateries (heck even a bowl of soup at Pacific Wharf you probably would have loved), and advise you on better times and days to go. As you know doing some research can make all the difference between a good trip and a bad one.

In any case, as I said enjoy your WDW trip!

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Hey Marie - you are correct. The WDW vets have a really hard time with understanding DL and it's unique charm, especially if they aren't over the top "history" enthusiasts like many of us.

I remember feeling the same way about Graceland, too.

If you ever need help with that WDW vacation, let me know. That's where I started out - coming from Missouri originally. I cann give you a lot of tips that can help you as a DL buff understand how to maneuver there. Just PM me and I'll shoot you my email!

Nancy

 

[Mugglemama]

Sorry you didn't have as good a time as you would have liked!

I can relate...there have been a couple of visits out of the more than 100 that we've made to DL that weren't "great", although the vast majority have been fine.

Matterhorn is pretty bumpy, I'll give you that (although it DOES seem a bit less so in recent years, unless I'm hallucinating? Anyone?) I guess it takes growing up on it to develop a nostalgia for it that makes one disregard the bumpiness.

I have to sympathize with you about rude CM's, too. Before a few years ago, we had NEVER encountered rude CM's at DL, but the last few visits each have been worse than the last in that respect. In fact, it's one of the main reasons I'm not even going to bother to go this year. I love DL, but I'm burnt out for now on grouchy CM's. They definitely have a way of tarnishing the trip, that's for sure.

I am really surprised to see anyone write that DL is dirty, though. I really hope the cleanliness of the place is not taking a downturn! I've always thought of the park as exceptionally clean myself, and I'm somewhat OCD-ish about germs, ect., so for me to think of it as clean it has to be pretty darn clean, lol. i've only once encountered a messy restroom, and it wasn't horrible. Sometimes the outdoor tables at the buzz lightyear restaurant (sorry, can't remember the name at the moment) are kind of grubby from the last customers who sat there, but other than that, I've not encountered dirtiness (is that a word?) at any of the restaurants. I'm always surprised in fact, at how clean the walkways are, considering the volume of people. Ugh, PLEASE don't let DL be getting dirty!! if THAT happens, I will likely stop going. As it is, the rude CM's have me halfway out the door. Which is sad to me, because I grew up not far from DL and have spent my whole life going there, and taking my children often as well. It's been a home away from home for us our whole lives, and I hate that there have been a couple of times in recent years that I've regretted spending the money to go.

DH wants to go to WDW instead next May, and after hours of comparing the two online, WDW seems not nearly as enticing to me as DL. I love going to DL and knowing every nook and cranny like the back of my hand, being able to get from one place to another quickly, walking between parks, etc. I have NO desire to visit somewhere as sprawling as WDW seems to be. I love being able to jump off one ride and run to the one right next to it, lol...I don't want to have to waste any more time between rides than I have to! Plus, I love California Adventure.

Although, the lure of more pleasant CM's is tempting, I'll admit.

The castle has never been anything I really cared all that much about one way or another, so I don't mind that it is smaller. I don't necessarily think of bigger as being better though, but that's just me. I'm sure my kids would freak over the huge castle at WDW.

Sorry DL didn't live up to your expectations! I say if WDW does it for you, then stick with it! It's no fun feeling like money and/or time have been wasted, that's for sure.

 

[tlynk]

I'm so sorry you didn't have a wonderful time. I've been going to DLR for years and have had a couple not so good trips, but mostly my trips have been wonderful. I would say the next time you are near DL- give it another shot.

I've been to WDW 5 times, and absolutely love it. If I had to choose a weeklong vacation I would choose WDW due to the variety of theme parks, and how gorgeous the area is. On the other hand, if I had to choose between DL and MK- DL wins hands down.

Thank you for your honest posting.

 

[disney-super-mom]

I agree with the "WOW" statement.

You spend one day there and say it'll be your last visit to Disneyland. Whatever.

 

[wazowskiLOVER:)]

It really saddens me to read you TR. Its definitely harsh and unfair to judge the ORIGINAL park in ONE day especially since you decided to go on the busiest day of the week. It also seems like you were aiming to find things to fault about the place. I'm guessing if you actually took the time to prepare for this one day trip by getting more preparation done before, you would have had a better time. I think that having fun at DLR is perspective. You have to make sure you're with the right people who are willing to have fun and be patient at the same time and you have to be understanding that the park is going to have quirks when its busy.

I also can't believe that you have a blog about loving Disney when you feel this way. Did you not know that most of the art and films created by Walt were during the creation of this park/ during his stay there and most of his inspiration came from Disneyland? How can a person claim to be a lover of Disney and be so disrespectful of the happiest place on earth? You must be a person who looks for negative things in life to have found so many bad things to say.

I'm not going to say that you can't say them, you are completely entitled to. Just realize that you are in a forum of DLR lovers and are asking for trouble when you talk about the park the way you do. If you enjoy WDW so much, then you should just continue to go there. One less person in line for me to go on the Matterhorn.

 

[PaperDoll]

It's hard to respond to this. Disneyland is where it all started for Walt. It's where his dream was born...of COURSE it's going to be smaller. It's a very historic place...before the Disney 'brand' exploded into what we now see everywhere in terms of the Disney empire. It's vintage feel is part of the charm that makes it so loved by many. We love it small! We hate it when anything is changed. The castle may look small compared to WDW, but it is a historic original and the first of it's kind in the country. You can't really compare WDW and Disneyland as far as the experience you get while there.
One is an adorable vintage park from the 50's that pulls on our heartstrings because we link it to our childhood and all the magic and wonder it brought us, and one is a mega-huge (to put it mildly) expansion that was built after it.

Cranky CMs would annoy me too, but people are people. Not much you can do about that.

 

[DangerMouse]

I've got mixed feelings about this. At first I was kind of in agreement with the "wow" statement and thinking that the OP may have not given Walt's original park a fair shake.

HOWEVER, what the OP experienced at our beloved DLR is a big reason why I haven't and don't plan to go to WDW. I'm scared of having a completely disappointing experience and feeling like I wasted money. And then what if I wanted to share about it?? Well, I certainly wouldn't do it on the Dis WDW boards. I'd be virtually tarred and feathered!

Regardless, the OP's experience was HER experience and you can't begrudge her for feeling bad about it. Should she come on a DLR board and say how much she hated it? Only if she's willing to taste a few feathers.

 

[julw]

HOWEVER, what the OP experienced at our beloved DLR is a big reason why I haven't and don't plan to go to WDW. I'm scared of having a completely disappointing experience and feeling like I wasted money. And then what if I wanted to share about it?? Well, I certainly wouldn't do it on the Dis WDW boards. I'd be virtually tarred and feathered!

I agree! This is the exact reason we won't go to WDW either!


I also had a WOW? feeling when I read her post. I keep racking my brain though to think how it could have been dirty? Maybe all the referb walls in both parks and the lagoon being drained in DCA just gave her the "feeling" of dirty or not cared for?

 

[PryncessChrysty]

That's really a bummer that something you were looking forward to so much ended up being so incredibly disappointing for you. I think you should give it some time, do a little more research about the parks, the hotels and the dining, what there is to see and do and then give it another try. Now that your expectations won't be up so high, maybe you will actually be able to enjoy yourself. Seeing Walt's park on a whim, and kind of in a hurry (1 day for 2 parks) really wasn't giving yourself a fair shot to truly experience the magic.

We went to WDW last September for the first time and I went into it knowing it would be a vastly different experience than DLR (I grew up going to DL and we visit about 3-4 times a month). I did a LOT of research before we left so I pretty much knew what to expect so that I wasn't disappointed when we got there. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised and LOVED it! I even loved MK as much as I love DL! It's not because one is better than the other since they are practically the same, I really fell in love the differences that each has to offer. As far as the castle at DL, this seems to be a big let down for a lot of people that grew up only going to WDW. I think if you looked into the history of the park, what Walt's vision was, and take into account that it was built almost 20 years prior to Cinderella's castle in a very different era, you could come to appreciate it's quaintness.

If you ever do go back, I hope you get to do it up right and it's as magical as you dreamed your first trip would be.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Hi MainStMandy, & welcome to the friendliest corner of the DIS.

I'm sorry that the Disneyland Resort did not meet your expectations. There is little more disappointing than having built-up expectations dashed to the ground.

Although most here are passionate about Disneyland, with good reason, I can understand how such an experience can negatively color your own perception. Just sad that it happened at a place that so many of us love ... and understand.

 

[WannaBeAPrincess]

Wow is right. Sorry, you were disappointed, but it is unfair to bash DL based on comparisons to WDW. The two are completely different. Sounds like poor planning and research are to blame, not DL.

Sorry, but I feel completely insulted by your remarks. It's as if you came to my home and belittled it.

 

[tink2dw]

DL is NOT dirty!! Go to the two other common parks in LA and you will know dirty!

I think because it is so blindingly Sunny in Florida, and so spread out everywhere may be brighter, nothing to do with clean.

DL is packed with Fun!!

Ours

Sleeping Beauty’s Castle at Disneyland in Anaheim, California.


Your hybred castle, alot of ours on the bottom, Some tower of your own. But not much.

Cinderelle's Castle at Walt Disney World, Florida