First Visit to MK: Disneylander Documentation

[Californian Elitist]

Okaaaayy. So, I just watched a ride-through of Pan at MK out of curiosity… It needs to be updated ASAP. This is another example where more thought was put into the queue than the actual ride. I know riding in person is different from watching a video, but I watched two different videos, then watched a ride-through of DL’s version as a refresher. I would say that it becomes even more obvious after watching DL’s.

The 50th celebration would have been a perfect time to update Pan and other rides, but they don’t seem to really care, so there’s that. Also, I didn’t realize the jester uniform the CMs at small world had on was the standard Fantasyland uniform. Those have to go, immediately.

 

[Centauri Space Station]

It still kills me Disney has never attempted a grander scale for Peter Pan or Mr. Toad in any modern Disneyland's in Shanghai or Hong Kong. It is the best!

They did make a modern pan in Shanghai

 

[Centauri Space Station]

Okaaaayy. So, I just watched a ride-through of Pan at MK out of curiosity… It needs to be updated ASAP. This is another example where more thought was put into the queue than the actual ride. I know riding in person is different from watching a video, but I watched two different videos, then watched a ride-through of DL’s version as a refresher. I would say that it becomes even more obvious after watching DL’s.

The 50th celebration would have been a perfect time to update Pan and other rides, but they don’t seem to really care, so there’s that. Also, I didn’t realize the jester uniform the CMs at small world had on was the standard Fantasyland uniform. Those have to go, immediately.

Yeah rumors say there were planned updates pre Covid that got shelved. I think the FL costumes are supposed to match the medieval tent look

 

[Californian Elitist]

Yeah rumors say there were planned updates pre Covid that got shelved. I think the FL costumes are supposed to match the medieval tent look

I hope plans are picked back up. I could barely hear what was going on in the ride. It definitely deserves some love.

What about the Fantasyland CMs that are in the princess areas and the areas not themed to a circus? Do they wear the same thing?

 

[eddie104]

Maybe where they come from, things are even more dated? The places my friend and I visited just didn’t look very 2010s/2020s, but more so 80s and 90s.

“Gritty” and “dated” don’t mean the same thing. We saw some gritty areas in Florida, too. I can give you various spots within Southern California, particularly Los Angeles, that don’t look like Cocoa Beach or Orlando.

The only thing we saw that looked most up to date was Disney Springs. This is not to say that everything we saw harkened back to the 80s and 90s. However, many things did.

Prime example. We passed the Florida Mall on the way to the airport.

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To me, that looks dated. This is where I sometimes shop in Los Angeles:

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I’m not saying that nothing in Southern California is outdated. What I am saying is that where we stayed and what we saw in Florida consisted of dated buildings and structures. Even some of fast food spots were old. Just reporting what we saw.

Fair enough and I didn’t have a problem with what you said. I just wanted more clarification on what you meant. Now I understand your perspective especially in regards to the places you visited.

That Florida Mall pic does make it seem dated but they have done various updates to it.

 

[mlayton144]

Fair enough and I didn’t have a problem with what you said. I just wanted more clarification on what you meant. Now I understand your perspective especially in regards to the places you visited.

That Florida Mall pic does make it seem dated but they have done various updates to it.
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I have to say that this conversation has taken a weird turn- “dated” in SoCalifornia vs Central Florida ? Have to wonder approx age and how much actual traveling throughout the USA and beyond the OP has done to make such comments (not an insult , a real question) to understand what perspective she is coming from

 

[Californian Elitist]

Fair enough and I didn’t have a problem with what you said. I just wanted more clarification on what you meant. Now I understand your perspective especially in regards to the places you visited.

That Florida Mall pic does make it seem dated but they have done various updates to it.
View attachment 642938
View attachment 642939

The updates look great!

 

[Californian Elitist]

I have to say that this conversation has taken a weird turn- “dated” in SoCalifornia vs Central Florida ? Have to wonder approx age and how much actual traveling throughout the USA and beyond the OP has done to make such comments (not an insult , a real question) to understand what perspective she is coming from

You could have just asked me directly.

I’m a 30-year-old native Angeleno and the parts of the country I’ve yet to visit are the Midwest, Hawaii, and Alaska. I simply made a comment that the parts of Florida that my friend and I specifically saw were dated and older-looking. It was an observation. That’s all.

 

[Turtlekrawl]

Food: We had a reservation for Crystal Palace, but we cancelled it because it was extremely hot by the time we got to our hotel nearby, which was maybe around 3:15 or 3:30 and our reservation was at 5:15. Also, we weren’t quite hungry and we just didn’t feel like eating there anymore. When we did eat, we had Cosmic Ray’s. It was comparable to similar food served at Disneyland, so decent. I can’t say much else. There aren’t as many nice quick service options, but we knew that going in.

Not sure I agree with last statement, but that’s subjective.

Not a big deal to most people, but one area that WDW stomps DLR is in their gluten free offerings, especially the QS. WDW has far more variety and quality GF options. Great GF chicken nuggets/tenders throughout property, while DLR surprisingly has none. The Docking Bay 7 gluten free menu at DHS has 5 entrees, while the same restaurant in DL only has chicken salad. Headscratching in 2022…

 

[mickEblu]

Not sure I agree with last statement, but that’s subjective.

Not a big deal to most people, but one area that WDW stomps DLR is in their gluten free offerings, especially the QS. WDW has far more variety and quality GF options. Great GF chicken nuggets/tenders throughout property, while DLR surprisingly has none. The Docking Bay 7 gluten free menu at DHS has 5 entrees, while the same restaurant in DL only has chicken salad. Headscratching in 2022…

We ve moved on from food altogether here in So Cal. Now we just survive off Oxygen and B4 drips.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Not sure I agree with last statement, but that’s subjective.

Not a big deal to most people, but one area that WDW stomps DLR is in their gluten free offerings, especially the QS. WDW has far more variety and quality GF options. Great GF chicken nuggets/tenders throughout property, while DLR surprisingly has none. The Docking Bay 7 gluten free menu at DHS has 5 entrees, while the same restaurant in DL only has chicken salad. Headscratching in 2022…

Okay. But I wasn’t talking about which one has more gluten-free options. Also, I was only comparing MK and DL, as I’ve yet to visit the other WDW parks and therefore can’t speak on the offerings there. I’m scratching my head there with you.

My last statement was regarding the type of quick service restaurants in general found at the DLR. I didn’t find many options like Plaza Inn, French Market, Rancho Del Zocalo, etc., where one is served “real” food (by this, I mean no typical theme park food, so no burgers, chicken nuggets/strips, hot dogs, etc.) on real plates with real silverware without having to make reservations. That’s what I’m specifically referring to. Mostly everything we looked up was either fine dining/other dining options that required reservations or were just super expensive, or typical theme park food options (chicken strips/nuggets, burgers, fries, hot dogs, etc.).

I’m glad that you’re able to enjoy the gluten-free options at WDW.

 

[Centauri Space Station]

Okay. But I wasn’t talking about which one has more gluten-free options. Also, I was only comparing MK and DL, as I’ve yet to visit the other WDW parks and therefore can’t speak on the offerings there. I’m scratching my head there with you.

My last statement was regarding the type of quick service restaurants in general found at the DLR. I didn’t find many options like Plaza Inn, French Market, Rancho Del Zocalo, etc., where one is served “real” food (by this, I mean no typical theme park food, so no burgers, chicken nuggets/strips, hot dogs, etc.) on real plates with real silverware without having to make reservations. That’s what I’m specifically referring to. Mostly everything we looked up was either fine dining/other dining options that required reservations or were just super expensive, or typical theme park food options (chicken strips/nuggets, burgers, fries, hot dogs, etc.).

I’m glad that you’re able to enjoy the gluten-free options at WDW.

Yeah Be our guest used to serve quick service for lunch on real silverware but now it’s table service all day. For QS Columbia house has salmon, shrimp, and other non typical options. Pecos bill has nachos and Mexican food, sleepy hollow has waffle sandwiches. Aloha isle and sunshine terrace has dole whips, different flavors and floats than DL and things like pineapple upside down cakes. Then for table service Skippers canteen is really good non typical park food.

 

[Figments Friend]

I’m not sure if anyone lives in the area or anywhere nearby, but the next time I’m near Orlando, I’d be so down to plan a meet-up. Would have been helpful to have someone there with us to really show us the park. Maybe we would have appreciated it more.

I was actually going to suggest this in my previous post.
Great minds think alike!

Definately let us know when you may next be in Florida.
If I'm able I would rather enjoy meeting up and giving you a 'tour' of the place with all my 'useless' trivia and various 'tips from experience'.

Epcot is my second home.
Animal Kingdom and I are on better terms now then when it first opened.
Magic Kingdom I know like the back of my hand.
Hollywood Studios is my least favorite of the four, but I'm sure I can share insight into where the 'good stuff' is.



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[Figments Friend]

I hope plans are picked back up. I could barely hear what was going on in the ride. It definitely deserves some love.

What about the Fantasyland CMs that are in the princess areas and the areas not themed to a circus? Do they wear the same thing?

There are several different costumes for Cast in WDWs Fantasyland, but the general area look in the central area of the land are those 'jester' style costumes.
This allows them to rotate around to different positions in the same area ( Small World, Pan, Carousel, etc. ) and still 'fit' visually to the medieval tournament / festival design aesthetic.

Cast wear slightly different themed costumes in the 'New Fantasyland' areas ( 'Be Our Guest' / BatB areas / Mermaid / shops ).
These are more detailed and 'fit' more thematically with the areas they are positioned.

Costuming for Cast at WDW went through a redesign upheaval a couple of years ago.
Over the past two years of so WDW has 'streamlined' a lot of the costume looks to a more 'generic areas' styling due to inventory / supply issues.
When the massive Cast layoffs happened during the Covid Apocolypse shutdowns, a LOT of costumes were not returned.
This resulted in a shortage for some areas, and it was difficult to manufacture new ones due to the shutdowns and supply issues at the time.
So some areas across Property that once had specific 'looks' for Cast were switched to a more 'simplified' appearance.
There is a good sized thread in the WDW section of this Forum with lots of photo examples for further reading if interested.


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[TrainsOfDisney]

Not a big deal to most people, but one area that WDW stomps DLR is in their gluten free offerings, especially the QS. WDW has far more variety and quality GF options.

It may have changed (my last visit was prior to covid) but I always found great GF items at Disneyland QS. It may sound silly but getting to enjoy a GF Tuna Salad Sandwich from Jolly Holiday at the end of a day at Disneyland was extra magical!

I didn’t find many options like Plaza Inn, French Market, Rancho Del Zocalo, etc., where one is served “real” food (by this, I mean no typical theme park food, so no burgers, chicken nuggets/strips, hot dogs, etc.) on real plates with real silverware without having to make reservations.

Sadly, they don’t exist at MK. When I eat CS at MK I’ll go to Harbor House or eat at one of the MK resorts.

Please tell me you sat in the room with Sonny Eclipse (the robot alien) performing!? That’s the one thing that’s makes Cosmic Rays worth it!

 

[Californian Elitist]

Yeah Be our guest used to serve quick service for lunch on real silverware but now it’s table service all day. For QS Columbia house has salmon, shrimp, and other non typical options. Pecos bill has nachos and Mexican food, sleepy hollow has waffle sandwiches. Aloha isle and sunshine terrace has dole whips, different flavors and floats than DL and things like pineapple upside down cakes. Then for table service Skippers canteen is really good non typical park food.

That sucks. I’d like to maybe try Be Our Guest in the future.

Yes, the only option I saw that was similar to DL options was Pecos Bill. I noticed the seafood options at Columbia House, which are great, but if I remember correctly, they only offered fries for sides and not something like rice or mashed potatoes. Not to worry, we survived and each enjoyed our food from Cosmic Ray’s.

I wanted to try Skipper’s Canteen, but my friend has very basic tastes in terms of food and couldn’t find anything on the menu she liked. I’ll have to go without her lol.

I was actually going to suggest this in my previous post.
Great minds think alike!

Definately let us know when you may next be in Florida.
If I'm able I would rather enjoy meeting up and giving you a 'tour' of the place with all my 'useless' trivia and various 'tips from experience'.

Epcot is my second home.
Animal Kingdom and I are on better terms now then when it first opened.
Magic Kingdom I know like the back of my hand.
Hollywood Studios is my least favorite of the four, but I'm sure I can share insight into where the 'good stuff' is.



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Definitely. I tend to have a much better time when I’m visiting a new place with some sort of guide/someone who knows the good spots, history, etc. If I happen to be in town for a solo trip, I will create a thread and see who’s down for a meet-up. It’d be fun.

Sadly, they don’t exist at MK. When I eat CS at MK I’ll go to Harbor House or eat at one of the MK resorts.

Please tell me you sat in the room with Sonny Eclipse (the robot alien) performing!? That’s the one thing that’s makes Cosmic Rays worth it!

Pecos Bill looks to be an equivalent to Rancho Del Zocalo, which seems to be a nice option. I’ll add Harbor House to my list for the future.

We did sit in that area with Sonny Eclipse! That was our favorite part of the meal. We loved him.

 

[Centauri Space Station]

Definitely. I tend to have a much better time when I’m visiting a new place with some sort of guide/someone who knows the good spots, history, etc. If I happen to be in town for a solo trip, I will create a thread and see who’s down for a meet-up. It’d be fun.

Yeah I don’t live in FL and only go a few weeks a year but if I’m there when you visit I would be happy to help show you around!

 

[Centauri Space Station]

Yes, the only option I saw that was similar to DL options was Pecos Bill. I noticed the seafood options at Columbia House, which are great, but if I remember correctly, they only offered fries for sides and not something like rice or mashed potatoes.

Odd, the Ap lists rice and green beans as sides. I know hush puppies are also available

 

[flynnibus]

MK is very grand. Everything is bigger, from the buildings on Main Street, to the castle. Many of the queues are elaborate and are also very grand at times. It definitely wows. However, while there is grandiosity, there is also a lack of substance. Main Street is a perfect example. It’s nearly all shops. There is no actual cinema, no magic shop

Unfortunately many of these observations are just consequences of the gutting the company has done in recent decades. They aren't as much a knock on MK vs DL - but should be knocks on TWDC. The original shops were fantastic... and the penny arcade was truly a mechanical wonder as a kid. As much as the H/P era really hurt DL.. at least many things were still protected.. unlike at MK.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Odd, the Ap lists rice and green beans as sides. I know hush puppies are also available View attachment 643043

This is very strange. On my end, I see fries, unless I’m looking at something else. I do see hush puppies.