Taking Disneyland for Granted

[Gisele]

That is how I feel about where I live. Am so close to San Francisco. I love to visit there, and can really whenever I choose to. Matter of fact, I live close to many places that, like San Francisco, people from all over the globe visit.

 

[DisneyBiskit]

I live in Vegas....not too far away. I'm also an AP holder and have finally gotten to that point that the atmosphere is more important than the number of rides I go on.

I'm very excited about my trip next week because instead of being with my partner or family, I'm bringing a friend who is in the midst of a divorce. I told her,"I'm taking you to Disneyland". She has 3 year old twins and so she has only done the "kid stuff". Her soon to be ex agreed to watch the kids and now SHE is the one that gets to be a kid and she is very excited! I don't know about any of you, there is always an excitement when you go with someone who never has been to DL or only been a couple of times. I can't wait to show her the DL, that I know and love!!!

 

[Meemoo]

I often wondered if I lived near DL would I be so obsessed with it - well I guess this forum is proof that the obsession doesn't fade even when living close! I do envy you! I'd love to live a drives away and just randomly rock up on any given day! For me, I have to look at the bright side, half of the fun is in the planning they say! If Australia ever gets a DL (I wont hold my breath!) then I will know how it feels to take DL for granted

 

[CassieScraps]

We live close to Reno, NV and we are headed for a trip in April. This will be my 3rd trip in 3 years. This is the trip where I'm not rushing and I'm not worrying. I am going to take it all in. I have been looking for "off the beaten path" things to do around the parks. My wishlist just keeps growing.

My mother mentioned converting our 5 day passes into AP if we thought we'd use them. Uh, yeah. I'll go once a month...the 9+ hour drive is more than worth it!!! I'll admit I get jealous of the instagram accounts of people who seem to be there every day. I am 40 years old and my fantasy is to live there! hahaha

 

[Mysteryincorp]

We go once a week in the slow season, 2-3 times a month in the busy season.
It is always so much fun, it never gets old. The best trips for me have been when my daughter and I go together. Just the two of us. She's five, the perfect age for Disneyland. It's magical.
I know we are fortunate to live close and be able to afford APs. And I know these days of weekly trips are coming to an end because my daughter will start kindergarten soon, so I'm making the most out of every trip!

 

[Jee]

I'm about a 3.5, maybe 4 hour drive from there. I live in California and I've never been an AP holder. However, I go every year, at least once or twice a year, usually for 1-2 days. For my upcoming trip, I'm going for 3 days and I'm super excited!! I get to relax a little bit and not rush so much.

I think it's fun to see people plan their big Disney trip because it's also a big trip for me too, even If I'm way closer.

 

[wenrob]

We live in Vegas so a 4.5 hour drive for us. Oldest DD and I have APs and get three trips a year out of them. (Two family trips and one girls trip). Sometimes she sneaks a day trip in here and there with friends. We get endless crap from friends and family about it, "you're going AGAIN?!" When they were talking about the high speed train between here and Anaheim I got so excited because we'd be able to impulsively go any time we wanted, lol.

What I love is that it's a completely different trip every time. You can slow down and just experience it and make the day whatever you want. Our last family trip was the best one yet. We did so many things we'd never done before. You would think as often as we go that wouldn't be possible but it is. That's the great thing about Disney, there's always something yet to discover.

 

[BoomerThePirate]

We live in Vegas so a 4.5 hour drive for us. Oldest DD and I have APs and get three trips a year out of them. (Two family trips and one girls trip). Sometimes she sneaks a day trip in here and there with friends. We get endless crap from friends and family about it, "you're going AGAIN?!" When they were talking about the high speed train between here and Anaheim I got so excited because we'd be able to impulsively go any time we wanted, lol.

What I love is that it's a completely different trip every time. You can slow down and just experience it and make the day whatever you want. Our last family trip was the best one yet. We did so many things we'd never done before. You would think as often as we go that wouldn't be possible but it is. That's the great thing about Disney, there's always something yet to discover.

it really is different everytime. as many times as ive gone i still have not been on every ride. some i dont know if I'll ever go on. most of the pier rides i dont have an interest in. i still have not been on GRR. i'm not a huge fan of getting soaked but when we do decide to go on it'll be when we stay at GCH lol

 

[BoomerThePirate]

I live in Vegas....not too far away. I'm also an AP holder and have finally gotten to that point that the atmosphere is more important than the number of rides I go on.

I'm very excited about my trip next week because instead of being with my partner or family, I'm bringing a friend who is in the midst of a divorce. I told her,"I'm taking you to Disneyland". She has 3 year old twins and so she has only done the "kid stuff". Her soon to be ex agreed to watch the kids and now SHE is the one that gets to be a kid and she is very excited! I don't know about any of you, there is always an excitement when you go with someone who never has been to DL or only been a couple of times. I can't wait to show her the DL, that I know and love!!!

We are tagging along with a friend on monday for the AP Event. but since we already have a room at the DLH with concierge she is going to stay with us that night. i'm so excited to share DL the way my GF and i do it with our friend and her 3 yr old. i love being able to share my DL experiences with other people.

if anyone wants to share a club 33 experience with my GF and i that would be awesome lol

 

[HopLow1968]

It's been 20 years since I've been. But when I lived in Southern California I was CONSTANTLY at the Park. The truth is that I really hated living in Southern California and Disneyland was my refuge. I was perfectly happy to spend the day there, just sitting in a quiet corner and people watching. There were days when I didn't ride a single ride and still had a wonderful time. It is about the details, the atmosphere - that "magic" that is so hard to describe.

 

[AustinTink]

I'm so envious of you guys that live so close to DLR. I would be there every weekend!! I'm wondering how do you think FP+ is going to affect your park-going habits once it comes to DLR?

 

[BoomerThePirate]

im not even sure exactly what fastpass plus is....

 

[Tyggress]

I'm so envious of you guys that live so close to DLR. I would be there every weekend!! I'm wondering how do you think FP+ is going to affect your park-going habits once it comes to DLR?

Since the rides aren't a huge part of my trips (I like them but don't freak if I miss one since I can come back), I don't think FP+ will affect me too much. If I really want to ride something on a particular visit, I'll book a FP for it...or maybe I'll just wait in line. Again, as an AP holder, I have the luxury of going repeatedly, so not as concerned with spending time in line, etc.

 

[AustinTink]

im not even sure exactly what fastpass plus is....

It's the new fastpass system at WDW. You can book your fastpasses ahead of time up to 60 days out from your trip. Then there are also kiosks in the park to book fastpasses on the day of your visit. It does away with the fastpass machines at the individual rides. There is a limit to how many you can book at a time. Supposedly it will be at DLR in a couple of years.

 

[BoomerThePirate]

It's the new fastpass system at WDW. You can book your fastpasses ahead of time up to 60 days out from your trip. Then there are also kiosks in the park to book fastpasses on the day of your visit. It does away with the fastpass machines at the individual rides. There is a limit to how many you can book at a time. Supposedly it will be at DLR in a couple of years.

are they time slotted? or can you use them any time? i would love to fp a few rides i want and then be done for the day

 

[AustinTink]

are they time slotted? or can you use them any time? i would love to fp a few rides i want and then be done for the day

Yep, they are time slotted. The more popular rides run out of FP+ quickly, so people are booking them 30-60 days out to ensure they get to ride what they want. I just booked for our WDW trip. I got the three we wanted by booking at our 30 day mark, but the times are really spread out. That's a bummer.

 

[BoomerThePirate]

Yep, they are time slotted. The more popular rides run out of FP+ quickly, so people are booking them 30-60 days out to ensure they get to ride what they want. I just booked for our WDW trip. I got the three we wanted by booking at our 30 day mark, but the times are really spread out. That's a bummer.

thats insane. at least you get a cool bracelet thing lol

 

[HydroGuy]

Those who live near DLR and choose to get APs and go frequently have one kind of experience. Those who go less frequently have another. I grew up 40 minutes away from DL and our trips were always day trips. Having gone through the experience of DL as a child (I remember vividly a trip right around my third birthday with my grandfather), then as a teen, independent young adult, then with my own kids when they were young, then as teens, and now as young adults themselves, I have my own arc to DLR.

In any case, having done many day trips in my earlier years and then multi-day trips about once a year now that I live in Colorado, there is something very different about a longer trip while staying at a hotel at DLR than a day trip when you drive in.

I have to say I like the occasional multi-day trips better. It is more all encompassing where we do most everything and have an focused and fun time with family. I am not sure I would like to visit DLR that regularly. For me I suspect it would diminish some of the magic. It would sort of be like having Christmas twice a month all year. The regularity of it would diminish the magic that you feel when it only happens once a year.

 

[jetskigrl]

My kids have grown up at Disneyland DD went for her first time on her 2nd birthday (got her first AP right before her 3rd birthday) and DS went the first time at 8 weeks. They are now 16 and 11 and have had APs their whole life. I do remind them a lot not to take it for granted, that most people who live here don't get to go that often.

It is our favorite family place. With two kids, boy/girl and 5 years apart, it is hard to find things we all want to do as a family. But Disneyland is one of them. Sometimes we bring their friends, sometimes we split up and the kids go ride rides while DH and I just take in the atmosphere, sometimes we go just for a special event or meet up with friends for a visit. But I am always grateful that we have the ability to just decide we need a Disney Day, and go.

My hope is that one day my kids will come back with their own families, walk around Disneyland and share those memories of their own childhood with their kids.

 

[BoomerThePirate]

Those who live near DLR and choose to get APs and go frequently have one kind of experience. Those who go less frequently have another. I grew up 40 minutes away from DL and our trips were always day trips. Having gone through the experience of DL as a child (I remember vividly a trip right around my third birthday with my grandfather), then as a teen, independent young adult, then with my own kids when they were young, then as teens, and now as young adults themselves, I have my own arc to DLR.

In any case, having done many day trips in my earlier years and then multi-day trips about once a year now that I live in Colorado, there is something very different about a longer trip while staying at a hotel at DLR than a day trip when you drive in.

I have to say I like the occasional multi-day trips better. It is more all encompassing where we do most everything and have an focused and fun time with family. I am not sure I would like to visit DLR that regularly. For me I suspect it would diminish some of the magic. It would sort of be like having Christmas twice a month all year. The regularity of it would diminish the magic that you feel when it only happens once a year.

There was a time where i would ride my favorite ride(POTC obviously) everytime i went and it did indeed start to get stale. i didnt ride it for a while and all the magic came back. There is so much to do and see at DLR that i dont think you could diminish the magic ever as long as you dont repeat the same things over and over.

As many times as i have been, there are still rides i havnt been on and experiences i have yet to have. Magic just waiting for me to discover and thats what i love. and the park is always changing with different events and refurbs that it never gets old...