This brings up something I was meaning to post but forgot. I was at the park this past Thursday and I was in the "haunted mansion" store right next to Pieces of Eight and in the tiny outdoor nook that separates the stores, the pirate musicians were playing to only a handful of people. I thought to myself, if Disney is paying these 5 entertainers in this tiny little area that a guest can't even see if they are not in the store, then the budget cuts must not be as bad as I'm reading.
Something about these musicians playing in such a tiny area off the beaten path is what separates Disney from the rest. It was so understated and refreshing to see something like that and cool to know that there is still a place in Walt's park for experiences like that.
SIDE NOTE: to all those who say there is no non crowded day to go Disneyland, I don't think we are quite there yet. My last 3 trips I was able to strategically pick very pleasant days to visit the park that were not too crowded at all. One visit was on a Wednesday, the week before spring break started in March. Another was during the last week of April on a Wednesday and then this past Thursday ( probably because some of three lower tier APs were blacked out). I realize "crowded" is subjective. By non crowded, im talking nice open walkways, except the TL bottle neck, and doing almost all the E tickets at both parks (and a couple smaller rides) in about 10 hours at a non frantic pace including a sit down meal. With some veteran and FP strategizing of course.