No we were there for a week during our kids Fall break... 4 of those days we went to California Adventure mostly because of the hype of radiator springs... Even went there before the rope drop on one day thinking we would get a fast pass for it, the line for the fast pass was so insanely long that it wasn't even funny, and well before 11:00am the fast passes had all been given out for the day... Back when Soar'n was new at WDW the lines were not as crazy as they were for the Racers.
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I finally experienced Disneyland...
- Thread starter George Lucas on a Bench
- Start date
Californian Elitist
Well-Known Member
I knew it. That explains your feelings. I've noticed SoCal locals and Disneyland APs are more willing to wait in long lines and sit through breakdowns.
If locals don't mind lines it explain a lot. Disneyland had some of the worst lines I've ever seen for a week day in the fall. HM was always more than a hour wait, was almost 2 hours during the Halloween party where you would have expected shorter lines.
Californian Elitist
Well-Known Member
The crowds have been very large ever since the new and improved California Adventure. In regards to Haunted Mansion, the crowds for that ride increase during the overlay, which explains why it was so crowded when you were there.
AswaySuller
Well-Known Member
My problem with DL is that they forget not everyone is an AP holder and can come back next week so they close things willy nilly without a second thought.... DL is just as much of a "once in a lifetime" park for people as WDW if not more imo but they seem ignorant to this.
I think you're right about splash mountain but I have to say I disagree with almost everything else.
Space mountain IMO is better as is thunder mountain, the Matterhorn you have to remember was built in the 50's Everest was built in the 2000's the nostalgia and historic elements make that ride excellent again... IMO!
I have been disappointed with rides being refurbed/closed but Disneyland is in much better shape than WDW and it's 20 years older.... Their fantasmic is better although shorter and their firworks with tink and dumbo brought a tear to this 30 year old tough guy's eye!
DL feels a little more special to me.... Like the favourite child.... I'm not sure I have a clear favourite but if everything was open at DL I think I'd be inclined to say DL
You must must must do DCA next time.... I have been both pre and post refurb and DCA has gone from an average park to a wonderful place.... What they've done their is unbelievable and goes to show that its the details that really make a difference.
I think you're right about splash mountain but I have to say I disagree with almost everything else.
Space mountain IMO is better as is thunder mountain, the Matterhorn you have to remember was built in the 50's Everest was built in the 2000's the nostalgia and historic elements make that ride excellent again... IMO!
I have been disappointed with rides being refurbed/closed but Disneyland is in much better shape than WDW and it's 20 years older.... Their fantasmic is better although shorter and their firworks with tink and dumbo brought a tear to this 30 year old tough guy's eye!
DL feels a little more special to me.... Like the favourite child.... I'm not sure I have a clear favourite but if everything was open at DL I think I'd be inclined to say DL
You must must must do DCA next time.... I have been both pre and post refurb and DCA has gone from an average park to a wonderful place.... What they've done their is unbelievable and goes to show that its the details that really make a difference.
Californian Elitist
Well-Known Member
I agree with you when you say there are once in a lifetime guests who visit the Disneyland Resort, too. It's clear that WDW and the DLR take different approaches to this; WDW takes the "we can't have too many rides down, can't do any special holiday overlays, can't have many refurbishments going on at the same time" approach to the situation. The DLR takes the "too bad, too sad, oh well, there's work that needs to be done, special holiday overlays are fun and a tradition" approach.
AswaySuller
Well-Known Member
They both need to meet somewhere in the middle...
DL is in fantastic shape but has lots of reurbs where as WDW is possibly in the worst shape it's ever been in!
WDW deserves the overlays too.... Everyone I know who has visited WDW has been multiple times.... I am the only person I know who has been to DL more than once.
Maybe they could do alternate years for overlays and offer cool differences for repeat guests and limit the "once in a lifetimers" that don't have the experience they expected it would also cut costs on some of the tech they could share.
DL is in fantastic shape but has lots of reurbs where as WDW is possibly in the worst shape it's ever been in!
WDW deserves the overlays too.... Everyone I know who has visited WDW has been multiple times.... I am the only person I know who has been to DL more than once.
Maybe they could do alternate years for overlays and offer cool differences for repeat guests and limit the "once in a lifetimers" that don't have the experience they expected it would also cut costs on some of the tech they could share.
Californian Elitist
Well-Known Member
I definitely agree. I tried to prove this point, the overlays, once here and I got shot down. I remember someone saying it would be bad business (HOW?!?!) and it wouldn't work. *sigh* It doesn't look like things will be changing, though. Someone posted a conversation they had with an Imagineer (?) and they said WDW "doesn't do overlays" and "that's a Disneyland thing". It's unfortunate, really.
I'm guessing that at WDW they probably have a far higher percentage of guest that visit once in a blue moon. Given those guest aren't likely to be stopping back by soon the overlays would probably not be a good thing. Someone that is only going to see the HM once should probably see it the original way and not the overlay. I would probably be a bit upset if the only HM I saw was the one where Tim Burton blew chunks of cheese all over the place (sorry not a huge fan of that overlay).
sweetpee_1993
Well-Known Member
To the OP, can I bring up a little different perspective here? I've never been to DL personally so I can't rein in on the comparisons. I am, however, a WDW child. I grew up knowing and adoring WDW. The first time we went on a Disney cruise (Sept 2011) I had so many emotions going on I wasn't sure what to think or feel those first few days. It was very odd in that there was a familiarity yet at the same time I felt completely lost. The "lost" feeling is what threw me. At WDW I never need to stop & think about how to get somewhere. I know. At WDW I know what time I need to be places, I know how the day will progress, and I always have a pretty good idea what will take place throughout the day. The ships are an entirely different kind of vacation that have a rhythm all their own. Not knowing the rhythm very much felt like someone had jerked a rug from beneath me and I was suddenly unsure of everything. THAT really surprised me and definitely had a much bigger effect on my overall experience those first few days than I ever could have imagined. When I thought about that and took the time to wrap my brain around it I felt more at ease. I gave cruising another shot to test my theory and found the 2nd go around to be more of the heavens-opening experience I expected the first time. So it's not just...uh....other firsts ((wink wink)) that are awkward and deserve a learning curve. ((heehee))
I'm dying to see DL for myself. I refuse to go out there with any less than 5 days in-parks because I know I'll need the first 2-3 days to get the rhythm down and get my bearings.
I wonder if expectations of being able to "get" DL without hesitation (because its Disney & WDW kids know Disney, right?) vs. being in a place that (surprisingly to us) is surreal, almost alien, and has a rhythm all it's own that we aren't familiar with (how did that happen?) impacted your overall first impression. I know it will for me but only because I've experienced the phenomenon now. LOL!
I'm dying to see DL for myself. I refuse to go out there with any less than 5 days in-parks because I know I'll need the first 2-3 days to get the rhythm down and get my bearings.
I wonder if expectations of being able to "get" DL without hesitation (because its Disney & WDW kids know Disney, right?) vs. being in a place that (surprisingly to us) is surreal, almost alien, and has a rhythm all it's own that we aren't familiar with (how did that happen?) impacted your overall first impression. I know it will for me but only because I've experienced the phenomenon now. LOL!
Californian Elitist
Well-Known Member
The number of once in a lifetime guests shouldn't matter. Once in a lifetime guests are once in a lifetime guests, like Asway said. He was upset certain rides were closed down. Does Disneyland care? No. Sorry you don't like HMH. I love it and I look forward to it every year. If people don't want to see it, go when it's not up. If you can't do that, then oh well.
You're very defensive, but that's cool. I live around a half hour from the parks now, so I fully intend to return, especially when most of the park is operating like Indiana Jones, original Haunted Mansion and the dark rides in Fantasyland. I'm sure I'll enjoy it a lot more. I'd also like to go when it's a bit less crowded. Is it ever "dead" there or are we talking year-round crowds? It's a smaller park, so I noticed it tends to get pretty packed.
Californian Elitist
Well-Known Member
You moved to California? You were living on the East coast before, right?
Usually there are times when the crowds are dead but ever since June of this year, the crowds have definitely picked up. I'm not sure when they'll die down. They likely won't be for the remainder of this year. Once the hype of DCA 2.0 dies down, there won't be as many crowds.
Yeah, I moved out here from RI, totally disenchanted with that region.
Californian Elitist
Well-Known Member
Why'd you move? Got a job offer?
Do you have a Disneyland AP? Some of us are going this Friday, you're welcomed to join us.
I drove out on a whim, moved in with family and now I'm job-hunting (one interview so far since arriving last week).
I'd love to check it out with other people, being new guy in town and knowing very few people!
I'd love to check it out with other people, being new guy in town and knowing very few people!
Californian Elitist
Well-Known Member
It's good that you have family out here! Things will be a lot easier for you. Good luck with your job hunting!
Come with us, if you can! The more, the merrier.
Walt Disney1955
Well-Known Member
One thing you wish DL would improve on is the parking. Somehow they have to find a way to make getting into the parking lots with shorter lines. WDW doesnt have this problem
Cosmic Commando
Well-Known Member
I waited in a 20-car deep line the other day, only to find that one person was handling two lines of cars! And this was half an hour before opening, a time you know is gonna be busy! The thing that actually bothers me more is the lack of a "no bag" line. Why are we waiting in line at bag check when we have no bags? It is not an insignificant line. One of the "best practices" from WDW that DL could actually use...
I agree with the above points. Parking was annoying, but I get that Disneyland is limited in space.
I'll see what's going on. I'd love to go back, but I've also got to do Universal Studios. I've been talking with my new neighbor, who's down for both and can get me a discount at Disneyland.
I'll see what's going on. I'd love to go back, but I've also got to do Universal Studios. I've been talking with my new neighbor, who's down for both and can get me a discount at Disneyland.