I'm at the end of day 4 (of 7) at the Disneyland Resort. Visiting the west coast on business (at a convention accross the street) I've had ample time to visit the parks so far because of the 9 pm closing time. I'm currently looking out my 11th floor window (at the Paradise Pier Hotel) at the sparkling lights of the Sun Wheel, so I consider myself lucky.
My last visit to the DLR was with my wife and two daughters in April of 2005. We missed the 50th Anniversary celebration by just 9 days, but got to see DL in it's pre-50th pristine state. The park looked incredible (although there were a few attractions closed at the time-Jungle Cruise, Space Mt, Storybook Land Boats and Casey Jr.) Of course all are open now and I've visited JC and Space. Don't know about the other two as I don't have my kids with me this time, and a 46 year old, perched on a boat, or locked in train car might look a bit odd. Being here on my own has given me the chance to really look at DLR without having to rush from attraction to attraction for the sake of the kids. My thoughts, well here they are.
I find DL charming, albeit small. My first real example of this was while watching Remember, Dreams Come True. It was tough to find a spot to stand without having someone yell at you for blocking their view. Not fun. In the end I found the experience sub par compared to fireworks viewing at the MK in Florida. (So much room to spread out there.) Same thing with our Fantasmic experience in 2005. Not comfortable at all. Will gladly trade for a slightly inferior show in Florida with comfortable seating over the fight for space at DL. Of course small has its plusses. One, you can get from one side of the park to the other in a fraction of the time it takes to run from Space to Splash in the the MK.
I love the feel of Adventureland, but if you blink you miss it. The whole land seems to be a freeway to get to NOS and beyond. It's too bad, because this area deserves to be way more laid back. Really enjoyed the Mark Twain at night, but noticed that a majority of the buildings in Frontierland are lined with lights like Main Street. I didn't realize the Old West had electricity. I'd say get rid of the lights on the Golden Horseshoe and the River Belle. It would give the area a better night time feel (MK's Frontierland has a great night time feel-after Spectro has passed on through). Also, throw some benches along the river side. I was sipping on some coffee and it would have been great to sit by the water. I'm also concerned about the new overlay on TSI. It's already quite a jumble along the waterfront, from rustic to New Orleans to beyond rustic (Critter Country). Now they're going to doing Pirate entertainment on the island? Theming and Cohessiveness is going right down the tubes here. (Kind of like Nemo in TL) Not that MK doesn't have it's contradictions. The worst transition I've witnessed there is the Mad Tea Party next door to Cosmic Rays. Whoa, watch out for the whiplash. Anyway, I hate to see Disneyland lose anymore of the theming in the Rivers of America area.
I've also noticed the size and number of bathrooms. I'd hate to be at DL during high volume days. Maybe Fastpass for the bathrooms?
As far as the actual attractions, most of DL's seem to be in better shape than their East coast counterparts. I find a few notable exceptions though. It's a Small World, while beautiful on the outside, doesn't compare to the newly refurbished MK version. I thought that the DL version looks cramped and dated (and I hate the flume) compared to the grandeur of the MK's show scenes. And if the MK Haunted Mansion gets it's long overdue rehab, it will blow away the version at DL as it's longer and the building itself seems far creepier.
My comments about DCA are on another post. I actually like a good deal of the park but feel that if the company dedicates the time and effort, it will eventually be able to stand next to DL without embarassment.
I've found the food and beverages to cost as much as a third more at DL. A few years ago WDW managed to actually drop prices on soda and bottled water. DL should do the same. Technology in guest services needs a huge upgrade at DL too. I didn't realize how convenient it is at WDW to enter a park, enter your room, and charge to your room with just one card. Here at DL I've got a room key (card), a park ticket (another card) and a paper charge card that the cashier must enter 16 numbers manually (time, time, time) plus the I.D. I must carry to prove that the paper card belongs to me. So I've got four things to carry at DL as opposed to one at WDW. DL needs to consolidate these computer systems to make it easier on the guest.
Back to the resort size. I mentioned some plusses and minusses with the small footprint of DL park. Now on to the resort itself. It will never have the vacation feel that WDW has, but because of it's small size, it's really user friendly. Being able to walk everywhere is a huge plus. I've used Downtown Disney far more often than I ever have at the WDW version. At WDW you have to plan to go to DTD. Here it's in your face everytime you head off to your hotel. And how about heading off to your hotel from the parks. At DLR, no need to schlep out to the bus stop only to wait 20 minutes for another 15 minute bus ride to your resort. Lots of wasted time (at WDW) if you're at Disney to do parks. But, if you're at Disney to actually vacation, you know, lay around the pools and not be in the parks every minute, then WDW is the choice to make.
I guess when you look at both destinations, you have to ask yourself what you want out of your vacation. You can definately see all of DLR in one visit (three to four good days-fewer if the parks are open until midnight) and therefore feel you're getting your moneys worth. The other big plus is the fact that this was Walt's park. You know he was here and that makes it extra special. It's charming and has some features that can't be found in any other Disney park on the planet. It's got a second park that needs work, but is still a pleasant diversion. DLR can also learn some lessons from it's younger, yet bigger sibbling. Either way though, I've got room in my heart for both. I'll alway visit WDW more often, just because it's much closer to my home (Maine), but I cherish the moments I have while I'm here at DLR.
Oh yeah, build some DVC units here. Quickly!
My last visit to the DLR was with my wife and two daughters in April of 2005. We missed the 50th Anniversary celebration by just 9 days, but got to see DL in it's pre-50th pristine state. The park looked incredible (although there were a few attractions closed at the time-Jungle Cruise, Space Mt, Storybook Land Boats and Casey Jr.) Of course all are open now and I've visited JC and Space. Don't know about the other two as I don't have my kids with me this time, and a 46 year old, perched on a boat, or locked in train car might look a bit odd. Being here on my own has given me the chance to really look at DLR without having to rush from attraction to attraction for the sake of the kids. My thoughts, well here they are.
I find DL charming, albeit small. My first real example of this was while watching Remember, Dreams Come True. It was tough to find a spot to stand without having someone yell at you for blocking their view. Not fun. In the end I found the experience sub par compared to fireworks viewing at the MK in Florida. (So much room to spread out there.) Same thing with our Fantasmic experience in 2005. Not comfortable at all. Will gladly trade for a slightly inferior show in Florida with comfortable seating over the fight for space at DL. Of course small has its plusses. One, you can get from one side of the park to the other in a fraction of the time it takes to run from Space to Splash in the the MK.
I love the feel of Adventureland, but if you blink you miss it. The whole land seems to be a freeway to get to NOS and beyond. It's too bad, because this area deserves to be way more laid back. Really enjoyed the Mark Twain at night, but noticed that a majority of the buildings in Frontierland are lined with lights like Main Street. I didn't realize the Old West had electricity. I'd say get rid of the lights on the Golden Horseshoe and the River Belle. It would give the area a better night time feel (MK's Frontierland has a great night time feel-after Spectro has passed on through). Also, throw some benches along the river side. I was sipping on some coffee and it would have been great to sit by the water. I'm also concerned about the new overlay on TSI. It's already quite a jumble along the waterfront, from rustic to New Orleans to beyond rustic (Critter Country). Now they're going to doing Pirate entertainment on the island? Theming and Cohessiveness is going right down the tubes here. (Kind of like Nemo in TL) Not that MK doesn't have it's contradictions. The worst transition I've witnessed there is the Mad Tea Party next door to Cosmic Rays. Whoa, watch out for the whiplash. Anyway, I hate to see Disneyland lose anymore of the theming in the Rivers of America area.
I've also noticed the size and number of bathrooms. I'd hate to be at DL during high volume days. Maybe Fastpass for the bathrooms?
As far as the actual attractions, most of DL's seem to be in better shape than their East coast counterparts. I find a few notable exceptions though. It's a Small World, while beautiful on the outside, doesn't compare to the newly refurbished MK version. I thought that the DL version looks cramped and dated (and I hate the flume) compared to the grandeur of the MK's show scenes. And if the MK Haunted Mansion gets it's long overdue rehab, it will blow away the version at DL as it's longer and the building itself seems far creepier.
My comments about DCA are on another post. I actually like a good deal of the park but feel that if the company dedicates the time and effort, it will eventually be able to stand next to DL without embarassment.
I've found the food and beverages to cost as much as a third more at DL. A few years ago WDW managed to actually drop prices on soda and bottled water. DL should do the same. Technology in guest services needs a huge upgrade at DL too. I didn't realize how convenient it is at WDW to enter a park, enter your room, and charge to your room with just one card. Here at DL I've got a room key (card), a park ticket (another card) and a paper charge card that the cashier must enter 16 numbers manually (time, time, time) plus the I.D. I must carry to prove that the paper card belongs to me. So I've got four things to carry at DL as opposed to one at WDW. DL needs to consolidate these computer systems to make it easier on the guest.
Back to the resort size. I mentioned some plusses and minusses with the small footprint of DL park. Now on to the resort itself. It will never have the vacation feel that WDW has, but because of it's small size, it's really user friendly. Being able to walk everywhere is a huge plus. I've used Downtown Disney far more often than I ever have at the WDW version. At WDW you have to plan to go to DTD. Here it's in your face everytime you head off to your hotel. And how about heading off to your hotel from the parks. At DLR, no need to schlep out to the bus stop only to wait 20 minutes for another 15 minute bus ride to your resort. Lots of wasted time (at WDW) if you're at Disney to do parks. But, if you're at Disney to actually vacation, you know, lay around the pools and not be in the parks every minute, then WDW is the choice to make.
I guess when you look at both destinations, you have to ask yourself what you want out of your vacation. You can definately see all of DLR in one visit (three to four good days-fewer if the parks are open until midnight) and therefore feel you're getting your moneys worth. The other big plus is the fact that this was Walt's park. You know he was here and that makes it extra special. It's charming and has some features that can't be found in any other Disney park on the planet. It's got a second park that needs work, but is still a pleasant diversion. DLR can also learn some lessons from it's younger, yet bigger sibbling. Either way though, I've got room in my heart for both. I'll alway visit WDW more often, just because it's much closer to my home (Maine), but I cherish the moments I have while I'm here at DLR.
Oh yeah, build some DVC units here. Quickly!
