DHS DHS Makeover - What we know so far.....

[lebeau]

Well, WDW spoiled me. What can I say. I like the DDP and transportation and little Mickey towels on the bed.

That's great. We hate the DDP and the transportation with a passion. The towels are fine, but not a deal breaker.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Understood. But you're imposing a constraint on yourself that most people will not have to deal with by insisting on staying at a Disney hotel when there are several cheaper options which are quite nice and convenient to the parks.

But there not MAGIKUL!

 

[Animaniac93-98]

No, not including airfare. And I'm not staying off-site. If I want to stay at a non-Disney hotel, well heck, there are plenty of nice non-Disney hotels right in my area! I wouldn't even need to fly, I could just take the subway down to the city and crash for the weekend.

You do realize Paradise Pier wasn't even built by Disney, right? They aquired it and did some redecorating. It would be the equivalent of Disney buying one of the Hotel Plaza Blvd. properties and slapping Mickey ears on the bed headboards.

 

[space42]

Well, WDW spoiled me. What can I say. I like the DDP and transportation and little Mickey towels on the bed.

I live 3 hours from WDW , been visiting since the 70's, and I'd still consider flying to California again for my next Disney experience. Disneyland spoiled me that much.

Last time I was at there, I stayed at a nice hotel within walking distance for less than a WDW value resort (with free breakfast no less). Not much value in DDP or transportation in this case. You can leave your hotel room at 8:30 and be at the park gate before 8:45. That sure beats WDW transportation!

Disney fans owe it to themselves to visit Disneyland at least once.

 

[Matt_Black]

You do realize Paradise Pier wasn't even built by Disney, right? They aquired it and did some redecorating. It would be the equivalent of Disney buying one of the Hotel Plaza Blvd. properties and slapping Mickey ears on the bed headboards.

Alright, what about the other hotels? Simple fact- I'm not paying out the keister to fly out to California, stay in some generic hotel, WALK through the Mad Maxian landscape that is Southern California, for a bunch of rides and not much else that I can't already get in Florida.

 

[Travel Junkie]

You do realize Paradise Pier wasn't even built by Disney, right? They aquired it and did some redecorating. It would be the equivalent of Disney buying one of the Hotel Plaza Blvd. properties and slapping Mickey ears on the bed headboards.

Neither was the Disneyland hotel. Disney didn’t take over operation until a few years before DCA opened. So the Grand Californian is the only Disney built resort in Anaheim.

 

[zooey]

Oddly, outside of Grand Californian, there are plenty of Good Neighbor Hotels that are actually closer to DL than the DLH or Paradise Pier Hotel. I don't really find DLH or PPH to be in any way remarkable, either. Grand Californian is nice but for some reason not up to the level of WDW's lodges (and I can't put my finger on it; they should be comparable). But it's so expensive! We stayed at the Sheraton last time and were very pleased. It even has a bit of a castle theme (sort of) and you can sit in the parking lot and watch the DL fireworks. Not too shabby. The shuttle was faster than the walk/monorail from the DLH or PPH.

Man, totally disagree. I love love love the Disneyland hotel... Trader SAMs, steakhouse 55, and adventure tower. That's like a solid Disney day for me.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Alright, what about the other hotels? Simple fact- I'm not paying out the keister to fly out to California, stay in some generic hotel, WALK through the Mad Maxian landscape that is Southern California, for a bunch of rides and not much else that I can't already get in Florida.

Do you ever vacation anywhere that isn't WDW? Your definition of generic sounds pretty broad if it covers anything that isn't branded by Mickey. Having seen it for myself, Harbour Blvd is hardly Mad Max landscape, but if you think it is (based on who knows what) I'd say you need to get outside more often.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Yes, but so is Disney World. Sometimes we become jaded toward it because we go often and are members of a WDW fan site, but I will say my WDW vacations are always better than DL vacations. DL vacations feel more like a trip to (phenomenal) amusement parks to me. Everything outside the parks is less spectacular. Whereas at Disney World, I am still on vacation when I'm not in the parks. In the 1990s, there was no debate that WDW was the crown jewel of the Walt Disney Company--it is still their flagship. It is my hope that by WDW's 50th anniversary, it'll be back to being the gleaming flagship property it once was.

I cannot help but comment on this... DLR is great, if for no other reason that is where it all started. As for being overwhelmed by it... I can't say that I was. Yes, it had more things to do, in one place, then WDW. It did have some nicer versions of things that can be found in WDW, but, one has to remember that not everything that is there is for everyone. There are many attractions that are generally past right by either by accident or on purpose. It had a lot of the same maintenance issues that can be found in WDW and that was right in the middle of their 50th.

I like it because it was the place that Walt Disney built, it is the motherland of theme parks. It's historic story alone is worth the trip, but, other then that, I wasn't really struck with.... Wow, this is so much nicer then WDW. Nice? Yes it is! Worthy of visiting? Yes, indeed. But, putting WDW to shame... Sorry, I didn't see that.

 

[Travel Junkie]

Alright, what about the other hotels? Simple fact- I'm not paying out the keister to fly out to California, stay in some generic hotel, WALK through the Mad Maxian landscape that is Southern California, for a bunch of rides and not much else that I can't already get in Florida.

It sounds like you are bound determined to only do a vacation one way. If that’s the case, DLR is probably not for you. Personally, I would stay in a lot of other hotels before I would choose any Disney hotel.

WDW and DLR are extremely different resorts. Florida and California are very different states. If you can’t find enough differences between them, then you aren’t looking hard enough.

 

[DisneyDebRob]

I cannot help but comment on this... DLR is great, if for no other reason that is where it all started. As for being overwhelmed by it... I can't say that I was. Yes, it had more things to do, in one place, then WDW. It did have some nicer versions of things that can be found in WDW, but, one has to remember that not everything that is there is for everyone. There are many attractions that are generally past right by either by accident or on purpose. It had a lot of the same maintenance issues that can be found in WDW and that was right in the middle of their 50th.

I like it because it was the place that Walt Disney built, it is the motherland of theme parks. It's historic story alone is worth the trip, but, other then that, I wasn't really struck with.... Wow, this is so much nicer then WDW. Nice? Yes it is! Worthy of visiting? Yes, indeed. But, putting WDW to shame... Sorry, I didn't see that.

I felt the same way. Great place and everyone should visit at least once but... There's no Epcot or AK. I enjoy them to much to spend to much time in Cali.

 

[Matt_Black]

Do you ever vacation anywhere that isn't WDW?

Not really. I'm generally limited to solo trips, and I don't drive, so all the other places I could go to would both be very boring for extended periods (in my opinion) and a pain in the butt to get to.

 

[RobbinsDad]

Just based on this thread - what it seems to boil down to is whether or not you're a Disney World person or not. I happen to like Disney resorts very much - they make me feel like I'm still part of the World regardless of whether I'm in the park or not (for the record, I actually kind of enjoy the buses, they're still Disney even if they're standing room only at the end of a loooong day). Therefore I didn't get as much out of staying at the Hilton and walking to and from DLR than staying on WDW property and using transportation. But if staying on property isn't a priority for you and/or walking rather than riding buses is, then I can see where DLR would be as good or better than WDW. Like I said, I would thoroughly enjoy a vacation to DLR while staying in the Grand Californian. And also for the record, the area in Anaheim around the resort is very well-kept, not a Mad Max landscape at all.

 

[ToTBellHop]

I felt the same way. Great place and everyone should visit at least once but... There's no Epcot or AK. I enjoy them to much to spend to much time in Cali.

Indeed. Disneyland certainly puts the Magic Kingdom to shame (outside of our better Haunted Mansion and Splash Mountain), but I still think WDW, at large, puts DLR to shame. I can think of no other place in the world that has attempted something on the scale of WDW where I can easily spend a week without feeling the need to leave and go somewhere else. DLR can't capture me for more than four days (five if it's crowded). And Universal Hollywood is still, to me, Universal Orlando's ugly step-brother. I am not as enamored by Southern California as some. The weather is certainly nice and the mountains are pretty--when you can see them. Northern California is where I go if I want the West Coast. The LA area is largely an enormous city on fire with lots of crime and ice cold beaches. I realize not everyone shares this opinion. I love San Diego but if I want to go to San Diego, I go to San Diego. Having to drive 90 minutes from DLR hardly adds appeal to making a trip to DLR for me.

I'm not saying I don't love DL, by the way. I just find WDW more appealing. And that's me. I still like to visit DL every 5-10 years, though.

 

[doctornick]

WDW and DLR are extremely different resorts. Florida and California are very different states. If you can’t find enough differences between them, then you aren’t looking hard enough.

Indeed. It cuts both ways though. While I think it is pointless to condemn DLR for things it is not, I likely think it is silly to suggest that DLR is objectively superior to WDW. They are different resorts, offering differing experiences despite having some similar DNA. It's very easy for someone to simply prefer one versus the other due to their specific preferences and priorities.

Personally, I enjoy WDW more because it fits in more with the type of vacation and experience I prefer. Also Epcot and DAK are probably my two favorite parks, so having them is a big plus for WDW versus DLR in my book. However, to be fair, I'd probably be more keen to visit DLR if I lived closer and could justify going for 2-4 days at a time. As is, the cost and time commitment of the flights for my family means I would tend to do DLR only as part of a larger Cali vacation, which is something I wouldn't do that frequently.

 

[zooey]

We like to pair DL with Vegas and San Francisco too so it's not only about the parks but there is so much I look forward to about Disneyland I am surprised it's a controversy. I stopped going to WDW for a few years and went to Cali instead. My love WDW is still there but DL is just as fantastic for the Disney fix. The hotels are great, the property, the parks... Love it all. It's not as big as WDW but it's got it's own vibe and charm. Staying at the Disneyland hotel, spending the afternoon at trader SAMs and parks at night is as good a Disney day as I can think of, personally. But that's just like my opinion, man.

 

[CDavid]

Well if the rumors we've been discussing for months now hold any weight and become reality then I would argue that Disney World will be better than it ever was before.

Walt Disney World, following the pending investment and construction, may well be better than it has been in recent memory, but it most certainly will not be better than it ever was before. Not even close.

There are far too many fundamental problems resort wide, from transportation to resort value, which have begged attention for years (and will continue). Nor is the investment, significant though it is, going to fix what was once a great park in Epcot Center. The benefits to the Studios are impressive (I'm as excited as anyone), but that doesn't gloss over years of lack of investment and benign neglect resort wide.

 

[Sam Magic]

Just based on this thread - what it seems to boil down to is whether or not you're a Disney World person or not. I happen to like Disney resorts very much - they make me feel like I'm still part of the World regardless of whether I'm in the park or not (for the record, I actually kind of enjoy the buses, they're still Disney even if they're standing room only at the end of a loooong day). Therefore I didn't get as much out of staying at the Hilton and walking to and from DLR than staying on WDW property and using transportation. But if staying on property isn't a priority for you and/or walking rather than riding buses is, then I can see where DLR would be as good or better than WDW. Like I said, I would thoroughly enjoy a vacation to DLR while staying in the Grand Californian. And also for the record, the area in Anaheim around the resort is very well-kept, not a Mad Max landscape at all.

I think it's more what kind of traveler you are. If you're okay with walking a bit and not be surrounded by Disney 24/7 odds are you will enjoy Disneyland. If you want ultimate conscience and want to be surrounded by Disney your entire vacation then either skip DLR or only stay and do things on property. It's all about how flexible you are willing to be during your vacation.

Personally I don't mind staying off property or walking a bit or taking a car to get where I want to go. I'd rather have an okay travel and simply enjoy myself when I get to the destination.

 

[Sam Magic]

Walt Disney World, following the pending investment and construction, may well be better than it has been in recent memory, but it most certainly will not be better than it ever was before. Not even close.

There are far too many fundamental problems resort wide, from transportation to resort value, which have begged attention for years (and will continue). Nor is the investment, significant though it is, going to fix what was once a great park in Epcot Center. The benefits to the Studios are impressive (I'm as excited as anyone), but that doesn't gloss over years of lack of investment and benign neglect resort wide.

Maybe I'm a bit too optimistic, but I have confidence that the World will clean up its act. Will the service be better than before? Probably not, but does that mean the resort will still suck? Again probably not.

The only way all if these problems could be fixed would be to train the cast members better, treat them like human beings, and build a resort wide monorail system. I think we all know not all of that would happen or at least not at once.

 

[hopemax]

My Dad and I went to DL for the 60th birthday. Because my parents moved to FL, so free lodging, free admission, it had been 9 years since I had been to Anaheim. DL is what I consider my"home" park, the one I visited as a child, and so I was upset it had been so long, and then I was really flogging myself once I got there. I was shocked at how much has changed, not only in the parks but Harbor Blvd. We were also doing a convention, so we stayed in Garden Grove, but our normal DL hotel is the Best Western Park Place Inn. For some perspective, it's a 300ft walk to first reach DL property, and a total of 850ft to clear the "bus area" and reach the start of the themed esplanade. The equivalent distance at WDW, would take you from the Tower of the Contemporary, through their beautiful parking lot, and just across the road at the stoplight. And another 850ft to clear the bus area. This is why most reasonable people don't bother about the off-site hotel thing. Both views get you cars, concrete and traffic, although the climate of FL lends itself to more lush greenery. EDIT: At Epcot, the distance is equivalent from the turnstyles to the Resort bus area, AK - from the turnstyles to the front rows of the CM lot, and at DHS the turnstyles to the end of the bus area/front of the parking.

As for the park, I had started to wonder if my disillusionment with WDW was because I had just visited too much. But like going to USO for the first time it was a revelation, such was a return to DL. There were benches, trees, real place-making, interesting things to see in every corner. I was standing on the pathway that separates Storybookland and the Mad Tea Party, and it just hit me with all the kinetic energy between those two rides, Alice Dark ride, Matterhorn, Monorail, Casey Jr...new Fantasyland is just so boring, and static. Everything I love about Diagon Alley, DL already had and done better. DCA is much improved, Carsland has that sense of place I had been craving, especially at night, but Forbidden Journey is still my favorite "ride" over Radiator Springs Racers.

But to bring this back on topic, watching Mickey and the Magic Map, made me very disappointed for WDW to be stuck with the old shows the Studios is stuck with. I always preferred Hunchback to the BatB show, despite BatB being my favorite Disney movie, and Hunchback has been gone for how long, while BatB lingers on. Disney, WDW, could be so much more, but they chose not to be. DL was in a definite state of decline post 98 new TL up to DL 50th, and the last 10 years has been transformational. I hope after all of this is done, we will be able to say the same about WDW. But I fear that WDW management is not as committed as the management at DL was to theirs. DL was fighting for their place at the table of the Disney Empire, while WDW is like Jack Sparrow at the end of WDW's Pirates, sitting on their piles of gold. Anything "interesting" WDI could do, I have a vision of some operational person coming along behind, muttering "too expensive to keep operating, for too few people to see." And the interesting quietly disappears...