Disney Land Advice

[devoy1701]

About the monorail? I frequently stay at Bay Lake. I know what I'm talking about. I've also been to Disneyland. And I am right; in most of the more upscale resorts, characters are understated.

About Disneyland in general. You're all over the place. And your paragraph about the DL Monorail is mind-blowing.

 

[Cosmic Commando]

but so was the Disneyland Hotel, and they did a superb job making that one feel "Disney'

1. I think Disney was involved to a degree with the Disneyland Hotel from the beginning, whereas Paradise Pier was completely separate and purchased. It may not have been Disneyland's hotel, but it was always "The Disneyland Hotel".
2. Depending on how far back you go and what exactly you're talking about, the Disneyland Hotel has been completely knocked down and rebuilt a couple of times I think in its history.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Well, we'll see. We desperately need some new stuff in WDW. Mainly fireworks. They're still nice, but I've had enough of watching the same shows for most of my life.

But I guess if they're pumping similar amounts of money into both parks, DL can get more of a facelift because it's so much smaller. Our Downtown Disney and Fantasyland and Test Track all just got redone, so you can't really say that things don't change frequently. And we're supposed to get an Avatar land in Animal Kingdom sometimes in the next few years. When you have tripple the parks...one of which can fit all three of the other theme parks inside with room to spare...Plus we get seasonal stuff. Star Wars weekends (I told my dad I want to go to that once I'm in college and have May off!) Flower and Garden show, food and wine festival, and holiday stuff of course. But when I went in January, there were two new rides, a new area of Fantasyland, and a new restarant. And that was just the change from August. In August, what used to be Toontown (poorly done in comparison to DL) reopened as Storybook Circus, and our Dumbo got moved. And it doubled in size. And it got a playground. And Fastpasses. My parents needed all that when I was about 3, lol. We also have a Goofy rollercoaster in that area now. I think we're getting a Tangled meet-and-greet. They just put her tower up. It looks AWESOME! We're also set to get a new general Princess Meet-and-Greet, as well as a new Snow White Rollercoaster. Then maybe we can get some new fireworks...I don't know how familiar you are with Epcot fireworks, but for half the show, a globe sits on the middle of the water. And said globe cost a fortune.

When I say offerings, I mean mainly entertainment. I can definitely say our entertainment offerings are either more updated, or we get new things. This March, we're getting two new shows in the new Princess Fantasy Faire, and a new show in the summer for the Fantasyland Theater. Wishes is old, there should be a new firework show already, IMO. Also, when was the last time you guys got a new parade?

Looks like our lack of space is a small blessing in disguise.

 

[RandomPrincess]

People love to say how WDW has 4 parks and all this room for more attractions but people forget DLR only has about a dozen less attractions then WDW. They have a lot of stuff in a little space.

When I say offerings, I mean mainly entertainment. I can definitely say our entertainment offerings are either more updated, or we get new things. This March, we're getting two new shows in the new Princess Fantasy Faire, and a new show in the summer for the Fantasyland Theater. Wishes is old, there should be a new firework show already, IMO. Also, when was the last time you guys got a new parade?

Looks like our lack of space is a small blessing in disguise.

My first trip to WDW was in 2000. I have seen most of the same shows for 13 years. Same fireworks, same Fantsmic, same Illuminations, same parades (the music changes but the floats are the same they just took the plastic snow globe domes off of the floats). Either MSEP or Specto depending on the year. The major night time stuff is all the same. Although being a SoCal native I never give up a chance to see MSEP! Now if they would only send it back to DL to run down actual MS again.

 

[Californian Elitist]

People love to say how WDW has 4 parks and all this room for more attractions but people forget DLR only has about a dozen less attractions then WDW. They have a lot of stuff in a little space.


My first trip to WDW was in 2000. I have seen most of the same shows for 13 years. Same fireworks, same Fantsmic, same Illuminations, same parades (the music changes but the floats are the same they just took the plastic snow globe domes off of the floats). Either MSEP or Specto depending on the year. The major night time stuff is all the same. Although being a SoCal native I never give up a chance to see MSEP! No if they would only send it back to DL to run down actual MS again.

A lot of people assume the DLR has a WAY less amount of attractions than WDW, which is understandable. Little do they know...

I was actually really shocked to hear about the entertainment at WDW, and how the shows have been the same for years and years. I think shows and other entertainment should change every five or more years, except Fantasmic! lol. For the most part, I'd like the show to stay the same.

I don't think MSEP is EVER coming back to DL or DCA. The best we've got is the spiel from the parade in Remember... Dreams Come True.

 

[RandomPrincess]

A lot of people assume the DLR has a WAY less amount of attractions than WDW, which is understandable. Little do they know...

I was actually really shocked to hear about the entertainment at WDW, and how the shows have been the same for years and years. I think shows and other entertainment should change every five or more years, except Fantasmic! lol. For the most part, I'd like the show to stay the same.

I don't think MSEP is EVER coming back to DL or DCA. The best we've got is the spiel from the parade in Remember... Dreams Come True.

But it's a "California Classic!" I don't think it will make it back either. It's sad you would like it to make one last trip down the Main Street it started on before retiring for good. Fantasmic and DLR has be enhanced over the years. It also has the better Peter Pan sequence and you can't beat the Mark Twain in the finale. If they wanted to they could change up some of the water projections to add some of the newer movies without changing the major live show pieces but it's not really needed.

 

[Californian Elitist]

But it's a "California Classic!" I don't think it will make it back either. It's sad you would like it to make one last trip down the Main Street it started on before retiring for good. Fantasmic and DLR has be enhanced over the years. It also has the better Peter Pan sequence and you can't beat the Mark Twain in the finale. If they wanted to they could change up some of the water projections to add some of the newer movies without changing the major live show pieces but it's not really needed.

Maybe it's in the plans for Limited Time Magic.

Agreed, the Pan sequence and the Mark Twain... Fabulous. Two of my favorite parts. I also love the Pinocchio part. Yeah they could change simple things like the projections. Like you said, not really needed right now.

 

[RandomPrincess]

Maybe it's in the plans for Limited Time Magic.

Agreed, the Pan sequence and the Mark Twain... Fabulous. Two of my favorite parts. I also love the Pinocchio part. Yeah they could change simple things like the projections. Like you said, not really needed right now.

The 3 things you named are not in the WDW show - lol. They have a mini river boat but it's not the same.

 

[Californian Elitist]

The 3 things you named are not in the WDW show - lol. They have a mini river boat but it's not the same.

HAHAHA, I know! It's the same way with my favorite rides and attractions. None of them are in Florida.

The Steamboat Willie boat is a good idea, but it just doesn't look right in the show. Very underwhelming.

 

[RandomPrincess]

HAHAHA, I know! It's the same way with my favorite rides and attractions. None of them are in Florida

The Steamboat Willie boat is a good idea, but it just doesn't look right in the show. Very underwhelming.

I actually saw the WDW show first and LOVED it. I didn't see the DL one until 2005, I was amazed at how much better it is seeing it on River's of America like that. We sat right up front against the rail my DH thought I was crazy camping out for so long but I really wanted my niece to see the show from the best spot since it was my favorite show in WDW. I think she got spoiled that trip she got the better Fantasmic and the amazing Remember Fireworks. Her poor parents can't compete with just WDW shows. She still tells me she like DL better.

 

[Californian Elitist]

I actually saw the WDW show first and LOVED it. I didn't see the DL one until 2005, I was amazed at how much better it is seeing it on River's of America like that. We sat right up front against the rail my DH thought I was crazy camping out for so long but I really wanted my niece to see the show from the best spot since it was my favorite show in WDW. I think she got spoiled that trip she got the better Fantasmic and the amazing Remember Fireworks. Her poor parents can't compete with just WDW shows. She still tells me she like DL better.

The Rivers of America is an awesome location. It's authentic and special. The show is so different on both coasts.

Fantasmic! with a combination of Remember just might be the best combo of entertainment at Disneyland. I haven't seen Remember in almost two years.

 

[RandomPrincess]

The Rivers of America is an awesome location. It's authentic and special. The show is so different on both coasts.

Fantasmic! with a combination of Remember just might be the best combo of entertainment at Disneyland. I haven't seen Remember in almost two years.

The first time I saw it I cried like a little baby. I haven't seen it since 2007 the last few trips have been Christmas time. Hopefully they still have it in 2014. I'm guessing they will change the show or update it for the 60th in 2015.

 

[Californian Elitist]

The first time I saw it I cried like a little baby. I haven't seen it since 2007 the last few trips have been Christmas time. Hopefully they still have it in 2014. I'm guessing they will change the show or update it for the 60th in 2015.

Same here, I balled my eyes out. I still do, specifically during Walt's opening day speech. I balled again when I saw Magical! for the first time. I'm really sensitive when it comes to Dumbo, and I had no clue he was in the show. When he popped out from that corner, my eyes got so big and the tears just wouldn't stop.

2007 is way too long. Every time I'm there, Magical! is playing. I've seen the Christmas fireworks (pretty boring) a lot. I've never seen the New Years and Independence Day fireworks.

 

[flynnibus]

I was actually really shocked to hear about the entertainment at WDW, and how the shows have been the same for years and years. I think shows and other entertainment should change every five or more years, except Fantasmic! lol. For the most part, I'd like the show to stay the same.

The concentration on entertainment (and in turn.. parades) is one of the biggest deltas between the resorts. While WDW did have pockets of goodness (streetmosphere in MGM initially).. it's mostly overshadowed by DLR. And with the explosion of entertainment offerings in DCAv2.. the few things WDW did better are overtaken now.

The line is the pool of talent in the LA area is a large part of that. But it's management focus as well.

 

[Californian Elitist]

The concentration on entertainment (and in turn.. parades) is one of the biggest deltas between the resorts. While WDW did have pockets of goodness (streetmosphere in MGM initially).. it's mostly overshadowed by DLR. And with the explosion of entertainment offerings in DCAv2.. the few things WDW did better are overtaken now.

The line is the pool of talent in the LA area is a large part of that. But it's management focus as well.

I've heard some laws in Florida prohibit performers and dancers of doing certain things, like leaps and lifts. Is that true?

 

[flynnibus]

I've heard some laws in Florida prohibit performers and dancers of doing certain things, like leaps and lifts. Is that true?

No - there is just different unions involved in the various entertainment stuff. There are limits to what can do without being the more expensive union, etc. I don't want to throw the names around and get them wrong.. but that's the distinction you are referring to. Regular cast vs the different unions.

 

[RandomPrincess]

The concentration on entertainment (and in turn.. parades) is one of the biggest deltas between the resorts. While WDW did have pockets of goodness (streetmosphere in MGM initially).. it's mostly overshadowed by DLR. And with the explosion of entertainment offerings in DCAv2.. the few things WDW did better are overtaken now.

The line is the pool of talent in the LA area is a large part of that. But it's management focus as well.

I've always figured to was easier to find good talent for DL performers then WDW just because it's so close to Hollywood. You have so many wanna be actors and actresses that need jobs.

 

[Californian Elitist]

No - there is just different unions involved in the various entertainment stuff. There are limits to what can do without being the more expensive union, etc. I don't want to throw the names around and get them wrong.. but that's the distinction you are referring to. Regular cast vs the different unions.

Ooohhh, okay. Thanks for the clarification.

 

[Californian Elitist]

I've always figured to was easier to find good talent for DL performers then WDW just because it's so close to Hollywood. You have so many wanna be actors and actresses that need jobs.

Makes sense.

 

[Cosmic Commando]

A lot of people assume the DLR has a WAY less amount of attractions than WDW, which is understandable. Little do they know...

I was actually really shocked to hear about the entertainment at WDW, and how the shows have been the same for years and years. I think shows and other entertainment should change every five or more years, except Fantasmic! lol. For the most part, I'd like the show to stay the same.

I don't think MSEP is EVER coming back to DL or DCA. The best we've got is the spiel from the parade in Remember... Dreams Come True.

I'm yes and no on updating the entertainment. Castle firework shows... if it's going to be just a different set of movie quotes and some stuff about dreams and wishes, I don't really care. Wishes, Hallowishes, Believe in Holiday Magic... castle fireworks shows just kinda blend together for me. "Remember" is the exception (even though I haven't seen it in person yet) because it's about the park. I think Illuminations really is a modern classic show, so it doesn't bother me that it sticks around. "Illuminations" has been around for 25 years, but Reflections of Earth is relatively different and it has been around about half that time. It's not perfect, but with upgrades of the scope that DL's Fantasmic! has gotten, I think it'd be darn close. It's the best music composed for any of the parks... ever.

Parades definitely need to be updated, IMO, and that's probably the area where WDW is the worst. MSEP is from 1972 and only got its upgrades from its time in DCA. It replaced a parade from 1992. The daytime parade... well... it's been repackaged a bunch, but there hasn't been a whole lotta change there.

This picture is from 1991. Look at the float, not the weird Dumbo.

Here is 2010. The floats have been around FOREVER.