Return to Disneyland After 13 Years Away.

Disney Analyst

Disney Analyst

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I don’t really have the patience right now to write up anything big, but we got back from our vacation yesterday, and just wanted to say that Disneyland magic is still alive and well. This was my first experience at DCA since it was all redone, first visit to Galaxy’s Edge, etc etc.

We had the best trip, we rode all the rides, multiple times… truly made the most of our 4 days. Rise of the Resistance is the most insane thing I’ve ever ridden. Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is so cute and fun. Cars Land is stunning, truly impeccable theming and vibes. Racers is so fun!

The only downfall for us was that it got REALLY hot Friday and Saturday. Lord help you all when it gets peak heat in July / August.

Here are some of my favourite shots:


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Any questions or thoughts you want, let me know!

Also, we got sat at the bar inside Trader Sam’s, and my partner thought his stool was broken while he slowly sunk. What a magical and hilarious start to our visit!
 
Disney Analyst

Disney Analyst

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
ajrwdwgirl said:
Beautiful pictures! I’m glad you enjoyed your time there. And I’ve experienced those’d sinking stools too, Trader Sam’s is the best!
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I had forgotten all about it, and my partner was truly panicking "I think my Stool is broken, oh my god you are gonna need to switch with me..." - he thought somehow he was too heavy for the stool... meanwhile I am like "this has to be part of the show... right?".

Finally once he had sunk basically below the bar, the bartender made the joke and acknowledged it, and it was great fun. Loved it, and loved that it happened to him, and took us both by surprise.
 
DavidDL

DavidDL

Well-Known Member
As someone who decided he needed to lose the weight after having a chair or two "sink" on me at my previous job, I was absolutely gutted when they pulled the "sinking stool" trick on me. The entire time it was happening I was convinced I hadn't done enough to better myself and felt totally embarrassed. I feel like the poor CM behind the counter must've cut the gag short or something after seeing how it was affecting me. Needless to say, I felt much better afterwards knowing it wasn't my doing.

Glad you had a great time! Awesome pictures. Can't beat the resort at night.
 
Disney Analyst

Disney Analyst

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Also, my partner isn’t “Disney / Theme Park Nerd” like me, or any of us here. He went to Disney World with band in high school, doesn’t remember it much. Then he found me and I forced him to listen to me go on about the parks, showing him videos, photos, telling stories… then we went to Disneyland Paris last year, which really started it for him, and now with his first Disneyland visit complete, he’s sold!

I’ve lured us in another one folks - he’s already planning when we can come back.

I will say, it’s refreshing seeing the perspective of someone with fresh eyes. He was insanely impressed by how clean and well maintained everything was, in fact so was I.

The only area that is a true embarrassment and shouldn’t even be open is Tom Sawyer Island. What is happening with that? It’s a disaster. It’s embarrassing. It felt like they lured me there only to trap me on a hot, desolate, everything is closed and broken, island.

They must have plans? I can’t imagine a reason they’d let it get that bad… it’s bad.
 
Disney Analyst

Disney Analyst

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
PiratesMansion said:
How did Disneyland compare to USH and Disneyland Paris for yourself and/or your partner?
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Well it’s my third visit to the resort (2001, 2011, and now 2024), and my second to USH (2001, and 2024). I don’t really remember much from USH back in 2001.

I also worked at MK for a summer, so spent 3 months at WDW in 2013, had a UO AP, and came back to both in 2014.

Context aside.

Disneyland still reigns supreme. Even my partner was just amazed at the charm of the park, how small it is compared to Disneyland Paris, but how there is just so much more to do. A totally different vibe, way better merch, and way better food.

He loved having two great parks, so close to eachother, with some amazing rides between them. He actually really loved Incredicoaster, but I may have given a bias when I told him it’s one of my favourite coasters I’ve been on (profile wise).

He said it’s hard to compare, specifically between USH, as they are just so different, and a different scale.

We did very much enjoy our day at USH, Wizarding World is always incredible, and was great to walk around a version of it again, Mario was cool, although not much to do for those of us who won’t buy a band. The food was just… okay, as many on here mentioned. Disneyland has some seriously good food going on.
 
Too Many Hats

Too Many Hats

Well-Known Member
Disney Analyst said:
The only area that is a true embarrassment and shouldn’t even be open is Tom Sawyer Island. What is happening with that? It’s a disaster. It’s embarrassing. It felt like they lured me there only to trap me on a hot, desolate, everything is closed and broken, island.

They must have plans? I can’t imagine a reason they’d let it get that bad… it’s bad.
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It’s bad. You can sense the charm if you squint and try to block out all the pirate trash and boarded-up tunnels. But in its current state, it’s not living up to its potential (and is far inferior to MK’s delightful island).

I don’t think I want to know WDI’s plans for it. Undoubtedly a certain committee has flagged the source material for being problematic. I’d love to be proven wrong, and welcome a Tropical Hideaway/Adventureland Treehouse-style sanitized but charming homage to what used to be there. But I’m not counting on it. Get ready for Moana Island.
 
Nirya

Nirya

Well-Known Member
I think we often lose the forest for the trees by being so invested in all the small details of every decision, but for those who are not on this level, a trip to Disneyland is still a huge wow moment. One of my really good friends asked me to go as a "tour guide" for her fiance's first visit, and he was just blown away by everything and had such a good time. My girlfriend also ended up getting a pass recently as she really enjoys just going after work and hanging out for a few hours and relax.

As for TSI, I really think they have no plans for it, especially since they're supposedly working on a new dragon for Fantasmic. I would not be surprised to see something in like 20 years or so, but I can't imagine it is even close to the forefront of what execs are thinking about for the resort.
 
Disney Analyst

Disney Analyst

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Nirya said:
I think we often lose the forest for the trees by being so invested in all the small details of every decision, but for those who are not on this level, a trip to Disneyland is still a huge wow moment. One of my really good friends asked me to go as a "tour guide" for her fiance's first visit, and he was just blown away by everything and had such a good time. My girlfriend also ended up getting a pass recently as she really enjoys just going after work and hanging out for a few hours and relax.

As for TSI, I really think they have no plans for it, especially since they're supposedly working on a new dragon for Fantasmic. I would not be surprised to see something in like 20 years or so, but I can't imagine it is even close to the forefront of what execs are thinking about for the resort.
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I agree, an example for me is the artificial grass.

When someone shares a photo of it, and says "LOOK HOW HORRID THIS IS", it's the only thing I see, in a single, flat image. It stands out, and feels bigger than it is.

But when I am in the park, we didn't once notice the grass, any grass. We were too immersed in the world around us, stimulated in all directions by the real and physical.

It does remind me to take some of the stuff on here with a grain of salt, and I do agree we need to hold Disney to account for declining by degrees (or for having TSI be a horrid embarrassment) but all in all, it is still such a beautiful, magical, friendly, clean, and safe place to enjoy. Every single CM we met was a complete joy and delight.
 
Wendy Pleakley

Wendy Pleakley

Well-Known Member
Disney Analyst said:
I had forgotten all about it, and my partner was truly panicking "I think my Stool is broken, oh my god you are gonna need to switch with me..." - he thought somehow he was too heavy for the stool... meanwhile I am like "this has to be part of the show... right?".

Finally once he had sunk basically below the bar, the bartender made the joke and acknowledged it, and it was great fun. Loved it, and loved that it happened to him, and took us both by surprise.
Click to expand...

The sinking bar stools started at the Adventurer's Club.

Well, I don't know if it was a new invention by them, but it is something that has been a fun part of Disney watering holes going back a long time.
 

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