Planning a trip for September, but a bit nervous...

[Rissie15]

My mom and I will probably go to DLR for the first time in 6 years in September. I can't help but feel a bit apprehensive, as I keep reading/hearing about online how the quality of the parks has declined post-COVID. How much has maintenance, cleanliness, customer service etc. really declined since 2019, our last trip? I definitely noticed some decline in 2019(more litter, chipped paint, etc.), just a few months before COVID shutdown, but it was not unbearable or anything. How would you compare the upkeep of the parks in 2025 to six years ago?

 

[Tinkaboo]

The parks are fine...whenever I am there, the bathrooms have been well maintained up until the very late night...then some can be a bit messy. Stay away from certain websites/forums that complain about a burnt out light bulb or minor stuff.

There are likely to be barriers/scrims up during your visit because they arealways working on something...DL takes a lot of wear and tear. I do think they try and keep up as much as possible.

Then, again, I am a glass-half-full person...I would rather see things in a positive light rather than some others who constantly complain about how the parks have declined in recent years.

When you consider how many thousands of people pass through there in a week, it's astounding that they can have it fresh and sparkling clean every morning.

 

[Pluto468]

I've been 5 times since the pandemic and haven't noticed the park being especially dirty or in bad repair. My last trip was this June and I thought everything looked just as magical and clean as always. They've also done alot to get ready for the 70th which has only added to the magic. You'll have a great time!

 

[disneychrista]

I honestly did not notice any difference in the parks between my trip in 2016 and my trip in 2024.

 

[wallawallakids]

I also haven’t noticed a difference.

 

[KimberMama]

I think the parks are good now, they were kind of dirty in 2022 though

 

[Rissie15]

I think the parks are good now, they were kind of dirty in 2022 though

So there's been some improvement since they first re-opened?

 

[KimberMama]

So there's been some improvement since they first re-opened?

I think so

 

[Tinkaboo]

Personally, I would be more concerned with the crowds and the heat in September. It's the beginning of the holiday season and the parks are most crowded during Halloween.

 

[3monkeys4me]

I am not going to say that I haven't noticed a decline over the years. As you mentioned, it started pre covid. I have not come acorss anything bad enough to "take away the magic" or efffect my trip in any way. I haven;t been in a year, but I do agree that our 2022 seemed to be the worst of it.

 

[OlliePop27]

I believe things are in good shape too!

September can have heavy crowds and extreme heat, so be prepared. The only times I've been to DL when it's over 100 have been in September. I go often in the summer, but the hottest days have always come when I visit during Halloweentime!

 

[bakofarmgirl]

ive gone a couple times a year and its always so magical and i cant wait to get back, not many differences now it seems the same to me, and great cast members who go out of their way to make your day special!

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

YMMV but I have been going to Disneyland every June for over 10 years, so I have before shut down and after shut experiences.

My first post shut down visit was February 2022, then June 2022, then June 2023, then June 2024 and Im just back from my June 2025 trip.

Each visit has been different, but 2022 and 2023 were still not quiet back to 2019 experiences.

However 2024 and now 2025, to me its like 2019 and the years before.

I guess it depends on where you get your news and updates, and the particular bias that may be involved for whatever reason.

My views and opinions are from my personal experiences.

I was one of the international Disney fans banned from entering USA from March 2020 to November 2021. My happy place, Disneyland was taken from me by circumstances outside my control. It gave me a different perspective, and now I dont take my Disneyland visits for granted.

I dont stress the little things any more.

My mom and I will probably go to DLR for the first time in 6 years in September. I can't help but feel a bit apprehensive, as I keep reading/hearing about online how the quality of the parks has declined post-COVID.

Nope, not true in 2025. That was 2022 and 2023.

How much has maintenance, cleanliness, customer service etc. really declined since 2019, our last trip? I definitely noticed some decline in 2019(more litter, chipped paint, etc.), just a few months before COVID shutdown, but it was not unbearable or anything. How would you compare the upkeep of the parks in 2025 to six years ago?

I would compare it to before shutdown

Honestly if you are going around looking for negatives you will see negatives. If chipped paint on a building ruins your Disney park visit, then maybe visiting Disney parks is not for you. Maybe you should go to a luxury 5 star all inclusive resort where they dont have approx 40,000 people per day.

 

[China Expat]

My mom and I will probably go to DLR for the first time in 6 years in September. I can't help but feel a bit apprehensive, as I keep reading/hearing about online how the quality of the parks has declined post-COVID. How much has maintenance, cleanliness, customer service etc. really declined since 2019, our last trip? I definitely noticed some decline in 2019(more litter, chipped paint, etc.), just a few months before COVID shutdown, but it was not unbearable or anything. How would you compare the upkeep of the parks in 2025 to six years ago?

Not true at all!!! Come and enjoy!

 

[wench]

They are constantly doing maintenance & repair at the parks & they’re always repainting something. The only thing I can think of that’s really in a truly deplorable condition is Astro Blasters. It’s far past time that that ride should get some TLC.

 

[Rissie15]

They are constantly doing maintenance & repair at the parks & they’re always repainting something. The only thing I can think of that’s really in a truly deplorable condition is Astro Blasters. It’s far past time that that ride should get some TLC.

Yep, I've heard LOTS of complaints about Astro Blasters from different sources. I've heard that the Buzz animatronic no longer works well, there's visible chipped paint on the ride vehicles, and the guns don't always work right, and feel dirty.

 

[BriannaRuth]

We only go about once a year, but I haven't seen anything that has noticeably looked off to me as compared to before covid as far as maintenance. Although I agree re: Buzz -- I'm not a frequent rider of it, but I've heard from someone who is that it's frequently not working properly.

I will say that the last time we were there, about a year ago, many of the CMs we encountered were not as friendly as we had remembered. However, that was right around the time they had to authorize a strike to get their contract approved, which probably had a lot to do with it. When a company doesn't treat its employees right, that's bound to be reflected in the employees' attitudes while at work.

 

[Rissie15]

I've also heard people claim that there are more cockroaches in the parks post-covid than before. Have any of you witnesses an increase in creepy crawlies?

 

[JerrodDragon89]

Its more gone down hill for people who go all the time and remember it all

For most guests its still the best theme park in CA and one of the best in the World

The CMs are great, im sure some people have had issues but for me they are still amazing and do there best to make your day great

Rides go down more but its random...I just went Sunday and killed it getting on rides with no issues and most everything was low wait

The biggest change might be how much you use the App, the app is used for LL(new fast pass), buying food, show times and character locations

 

[Pluto468]

I've also heard people claim that there are more cockroaches in the parks post-covid than before. Have any of you witnesses an increase in creepy crawlies?

I saw some roaches at DCA last time, over near the pier around 10:30 pm. I've never seen that before. They were pretty gross. I didn't see any at Disneyland.