SDL FL suffers, like other parts of the park, from too much space. It lacks density. Density creates intimacy and reassurance. Most constituating elements of their FL are good in their own right, but they are too far apart, you are never embraced in between two sides of dense structures on either side of you.
It’s the problem with Orlando’s Tomorrowland as well, although taken a notch up.
How so? It probably has the most attractions of any TL.
I think I agree with your assessment. The block of actual buildings between the castle and Peter Pan feels like a classic Fantasyland. I wish I was more clear that I view them as two separate issues: the fences/trees hiding empty areas, which are actually a problem all over the park, and the Crystal Grotto being in the center but not visible, which I think unnecessarily spreads the land out too much and leads to all the empty areas along the park's outer border, but also prevents the land from coming together as a whole like the other Fantasylands. But yeah, looking at the aerial view, I see there's actually way more room between the ride and the actual path, so it's not just the ride that's taking up all that space. There's pretty much nothing of value other than the ugly venue for the Frozen Sing Along and the picnic area between Pan and the Rapunzel restaurant, which is where all my photos were taken from. Tom Bricker, who is a member here, did an excellent write-up back when the park first opened that came to pretty much the same consensus, though the wall he specifically refers to is now the picnic area. I hope he doesn't mind me plugging an article from almost ten years ago:
www.disneytouristblog.com
Mickey Ave is a total failure in my book, mainly because it's too small, but it's also confusing what it's actually supposed to be. I'm assuming it's a city of toons like Toontown, but then there's what is clearly the Carthay Circle Theater building, which is from our real world. The buildings themselves are nice I guess, but there's just so little there before you're already in the hub (gardens of imagination). I don't feel like I'm crossing a threshold into a different world when I'm stepping into SDL. And seeing Disneytown on full display inside the park certainly doesn't help.
Is it heck. The only spread is due to the larger attraction footprints.
I think I agree with your assessment. The block of actual buildings between the castle and Peter Pan feels like a classic Fantasyland. I wish I was more clear that I view them as two separate issues: the fences/trees hiding empty areas, which are actually a problem all over the park, and the Crystal Grotto being in the center but not visible, which I think unnecessarily spreads the land out too much and leads to all the empty areas along the park's outer border, but also prevents the land from coming together as a whole like the other Fantasylands. But yeah, looking at the aerial view, I see there's actually way more room between the ride and the actual path, so it's not just the ride that's taking up all that space. There's pretty much nothing of value other than the ugly venue for the Frozen Sing Along and the picnic area between Pan and the Rapunzel restaurant, which is where all my photos were taken from. Tom Bricker, who is a member here, did an excellent write-up back when the park first opened that came to pretty much the same consensus, though the wall he specifically refers to is now the picnic area. I hope he doesn't mind me plugging an article from almost ten years ago:
Shanghai Disneyland Grand Opening Report — Part 4
Sorry, it's been a while since Shanghai Disneyland Grand Opening Trip Report - Part 3. Hopefully, I'll get the next couple of installments done fairly quickly. Now that we've detailed most of the main attractions,
I don't know how much of the path to Zootopia right now is temporary and how much is permanent given that's where Marvel is going, but right now it's also just nothing but fences on both sides. Part of me thinks it's permanent since there would be no reason for it to be on the left side other than to hide the back of Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
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I think one day can be fine if you're doing open-close and managing time well. Not ideal though as it doesn't leave a lot of breathing room for details/shows/in case of attraction closures.
One day is doable, but feels too short. Both parks have great original lands and rides, if you do make it out there as a specific Disney fan why not give yourself some time.
Personally, no. It’s like saying yes you can do Epcot in one day. You will see it but also miss so much.
I would say you need two days for each park, especially for Shanghai.
Certainly listening and open to all thoughts.
The main goal is to complete the Disney Parks, just threw in Beijing as the Jurassic World ride looks insane... haha.
Definitely major goal is to see and experience Hong Kong as a city, and then add on Disney to that, Shanghai is mostly to get the last park knocked out.
I just know I don't want to spend too much time at the park, honestly 4 nights at Tokyo Disney felt like too many, I wish we had left extra days for exploring around Japan instead