The Miscellaneous Thought Thread

[Phroobar]

 

[Figments Friend]

I think so much of this comes from theme parks of all stripes increasingly being dominated by thrill rides and roller coasters consequently being seen as the "real" reason to go to parks, with everything else just filler. At one point, in the wake of Disneyland, parks really did try and appeal to families first and foremost, now seemingly everyone else has given up with that idea and even Disney is feeling/has felt the heat to add more thrill rides.

I've talked to multiple people whose impressions of Disney parks was that it would be basically Six Flags with Disney characters instead of Looney Tunes. It took long, frequent conversations to the effect of "some attractions involve you sitting and doing nothing while watching a bird show" to convince my grandparents to go to WDW.

In a way it's fascinating (if not at times depressing) the way that Disney parks according to people who have never been are either parks for five year olds or die hard thrill seekers with nothing in between, with very few people seeing them as being for everyone. I'd blame Disney for it if I didn't know from many, many years of experience how utterly unwilling most people are to research what a park actually offers before they buy a ticket.

Agree with all of this.

A recent example is someone I work with.
She has been convinced for the past decade that WDW was just for toddlers, and there was nothing she would be interested in experiencing as a 20-something.
Unbelievable…and she was puzzled as to why I visit yearly or sometimes more as a 50-something.

Like a parent, I gave her ‘the talk’…and encouraged her to try it out the next time she visits Florida.
And you know what…?
After I pointed out some things she might enjoy, and her giving it a chance, she came back from a visit a changed gal.

Now, she ‘gets it’ and better understands why it is not just for toddlers, young families, and ‘those weirdo Disney people /fans’.
Her next visit is next month…third within the past two years.
Mission accomplished.


Also reminds me of the time I had to convince another friend to give Disneyland a try.
He was convinced because the Park was ‘smaller’ there was ‘less to do’ and it wouldn’t be as ‘good as WDW’.
Oh boy….where have we heard this before?
Got him properly straighted out as well…
Took all of ten minutes inside the gate at Disneyland to change him permantly.
Now he is a ‘lifer’.

(I will happily take my payment of a Silver Pass now, Mickey, for my four decades of promotional work for your Company. )



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[PiratesMansion]

Agree with all of this.

A recent example is someone I work with.
She has been convinced for the past decade that WDW was just for toddlers, and there was nothing she would be interested in experiencing as a 20-something.
Unbelievable…and she was puzzled as to why I visit yearly or sometimes more as a 50-something.

Like a parent, I gave her ‘the talk’…and encouraged her to try it out the next time she visits Florida.
And you know what…?
After I pointed out some things she might enjoy, and her giving it a chance, she came back from a visit a changed gal.

Now, she ‘gets it’ and better understands why it is not just for toddlers, young families, and ‘those weirdo Disney people /fans’.
Her next visit is next month…third within the past two years.
Mission accomplished.


Also reminds me of the time I had to convince another friend to give Disneyland a try.
He was convinced because the Park was ‘smaller’ there was ‘less to do’ and it wouldn’t be as ‘good as WDW’.
Oh boy….where have we heard this before?
Got him properly straighted out as well…
Took all of ten minutes inside the gate at Disneyland to change him permantly.
Now he is a ‘lifer’.

(I will happily take my payment of a Silver Pass now, Mickey, for my four decades of promotional work for your Company. )



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As an IL resident, I used to hear constantly from people that I'd be disappointed with Disneyland basically because "it's smaller." It was invariably from people that either had never been or hadn't been in 30 years. Those conversations didn't really stop until finally people figured out I was going to keep going back.

Most people here don't really get why people would go to California more generally, partly because of politics (or at least, perceptions thereof), because Florida on the surface appears similar, and because to get to California requires a flight or days worth of driving to get to, few have actually been. The sooner people come to the realization that few people piping up about these places actually know what they're talking about, the better, but then many people are so invested in holding onto beliefs that don't have a lick of truth on them that I'm sure it won't happen for most.

 

[Phroobar]

Wouldn't convincing they are right about Disneyland be a good thing? That means less people at the park, lower prices, more entertainment and generally make Disney try harder for our money? It should be kept a secret like before the Internet.

 

[waltography]

New 70th ad debuted during the Christmas Day parade special, featuring Bluey and Bingo:

 

[Figments Friend]

As an IL resident, I used to hear constantly from people that I'd be disappointed with Disneyland basically because "it's smaller." It was invariably from people that either had never been or hadn't been in 30 years. Those conversations didn't really stop until finally people figured out I was going to keep going back.

Most people here don't really get why people would go to California more generally, partly because of politics (or at least, perceptions thereof), because Florida on the surface appears similar, and because to get to California requires a flight or days worth of driving to get to, few have actually been. The sooner people come to the realization that few people piping up about these places actually know what they're talking about, the better, but then many people are so invested in holding onto beliefs that don't have a lick of truth on them that I'm sure it won't happen for most.

Indeed.
They just don’t realize what they are missing because they won’t get off their duff and give it a try.

Disneyland is waiting to be discovered and enjoyed.
Get your butts out there, people!
It is truly a superior experience.
Trust us.

But hey, it’s okay if you want to stick to the ‘other coast’.
Less crowds and more Disneyland goodness for me and my peeps here on the Forum!


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[DLR92]

Those people can go to WDW. But I don’t have any interest to go see WDW.

I still feel Disneyland is way superior in attractions line up.

 

[Distorian]

This site sucks for using AI slop like this.

 

[PiratesMansion]

Those people can go to WDW. But I don’t have any interest to go see WDW.
I still feel Disneyland is way superior in attractions line up.

Oh, it is-especially when it comes to the castle park.

But as much as I and many others rag on WDW, there are things they are better at than DLR, and I really do think that if you love these places, you should try, assuming the correct alignment of time/money/interest, to see them all. Every one of them has something that I feel makes it worth the journey-if not in isolation, then perhaps in combination with some other nearby attractions at the very least.

And WDW has two parks in Epcot and DAK that are unique and offer things that will never make it to any other park, and that doesn't even get into their hotel and restaurant game. The resort-first mentality of WDWers isn't something I will ever subscribe to, but in spite of many things I wouldn't do if I were in their shoes and other things I don't care for, the place does have legions of fans for a reason-and it's not just because East Coasters haven't found Disneyland yet.

It won't be for awhile yet, but I do look forward to the day that I get to experience Kilimanjaro Safaris, their excellent TOT, their chaotic-Matterhorn-in-the-dark version of Space Mountain, and wander World Showcase again-even as I snark about some of their other choices while I wander the parks.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

This site sucks for using AI slop like this.

View attachment 899265

I think it is nice and festive,. Everyone is owed to think differently though. I miss the balls though.

 

[mickEblu]

Oh, it is-especially when it comes to the castle park.

But as much as I and many others rag on WDW, there are things they are better at than DLR, and I really do think that if you love these places, you should try, assuming the correct alignment of time/money/interest, to see them all. Every one of them has something that I feel makes it worth the journey-if not in isolation, then perhaps in combination with some other nearby attractions at the very least.

And WDW has two parks in Epcot and DAK that are unique and offer things that will never make it to any other park, and that doesn't even get into their hotel and restaurant game. The resort-first mentality of WDWers isn't something I will ever subscribe to, but in spite of many things I wouldn't do if I were in their shoes and other things I don't care for, the place does have legions of fans for a reason-and it's not just because East Coasters haven't found Disneyland yet.

It won't be for awhile yet, but I do look forward to the day that I get to experience Kilimanjaro Safaris, their excellent TOT, their chaotic-Matterhorn-in-the-dark version of Space Mountain, and wander World Showcase again-even as I snark about some of their other choices while I wander the parks.

As a long time Disneyland AP holder and someone who only gets to do a big trip every 3 years or so, constantly hearing how much better DLR is than WDW does give me cold feet on pulling the trigger on a WDW trip sometimes. But ultimately I’m at the point where i need to finally cross it off my bucket list. The sheer curiosity of experiencing this “mythical” place that I’ve kicked down the road all these years outweighs the rest. It also helps that my daughter is now at a height where we wouldn’t have to be rider switching our way through Disney World. Which is the main reason we chose a Disney Cruise in 2023 over WDW despite flying to Florida.

Obviously it’s the vacation bubble aspect of WDW that really sets it apart and can’t be duplicated. Of course I wonder if my personality would even let me enjoy that part of it or If I’d be running from park to park trying to see and do as much as I can.


A part of me also wonders if I should do TDR or DLP before WDW. Prices are fairly comparable. I realized recently that outside of Sicily pretty much all my vacationing has taken place in Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean and Florida (never WDW). Multiple times to each. So I do have the urge to see new parts of the world and you can do worse than Paris or Tokyo. But of course the flights are not as short/ convenient as Florida. So that's not ideal with the kids.

As far as the parks, my issue with Paris, as much as I'd personally love to see that beautiful park is that I'm not sure how much the kids would get out of it considering all of their attractions are pretty much DL/ DCA the remix. Tokyo has a lot more to offer in that regard but outside of three days in the parks I'm not sure how much the kids would get out of Tokyo. What WDW has going for it is that it feels like the right destination for the family for right now even though it doesn't scratch my international travel itch. You also knock out 4 parks (instead of just two) and a whole lot of unique attractions for a lifelong Disneylander. Not to mention you can end your trip with a Disney cruise which sounds nice (and expensive).

Aren’t you at the parks right now? How’s your trip going?

 

[Disney Irish]

This site sucks for using AI slop like this.

View attachment 899265

While you are certainly entitled to your opinion but you don’t have to be here if you don’t like how this site is run or the art they use, no one is forcing you.

 

[Phroobar]

The thing with WDW is that it feels at home to us. The hotels are fun to visit and ride the monorail all over the resort. The boats are fun too. The Magic Kingdom feels like if a mega corporation tried to build their own Disneyland. Little kids will be at home there. Adults will feel a new appreciation for the superior Disneyland attractions. Animal Kingdom feels like a lot of walking thru jungles to get to attractions or animals. Basically a glorified zoo. Epcot still has a little of that classic Tomorrowland feel but with some fun international additions. Besides, where else will you experience Circle-Vision? Disney-Hollywood is IP dumping land to the max. If you like the IPs you will have fun.

 

[Distorian]

While you are certainly entitled to your opinion but you don’t have to be here if you don’t like how this site is run or the art they use, no one is forcing you.

You being a defender AI slop might be the least surprising fact I've learned about you.

 

[Disney Irish]

You being a defender AI slop might be the least surprising fact I've learned about you.

I’m defending this site, and Steve’s right to run it how he sees fit. A site that you signed up for freely of your own accord and use for free.

So again if you don’t like how @wdwmagic runs his site you are free to leave.

 

[SuddenStorm]

As a long time Disneyland AP holder and someone who only gets to do a big trip every 3 years or so, constantly hearing how much better DLR is than WDW does give me cold feet on pulling the trigger on a WDW trip sometimes. But ultimately I’m at the point where i need to finally cross it off my bucket list. The sheer curiosity of experiencing this “mythical” place that I’ve kicked down the road all these years outweighs the rest. It also helps that my daughter is now at a height where we wouldn’t have to be rider switching our way through Disney World. Which is the main reason we chose a Disney Cruise in 2023 over WDW despite flying to Florida.

Obviously it’s the vacation bubble aspect of WDW that really sets it apart and can’t be duplicated. Of course I wonder if my personality would even let me enjoy that part of it or If I’d be running from park to park trying to see and do as much as I can.


A part of me also wonders if I should do TDR or DLP before WDW. Prices are fairly comparable. I realized recently that outside of Sicily pretty much all my vacationing has taken place in Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean and Florida (never WDW). Multiple times to each. So I do have the urge to see new parts of the world and you can do worse than Paris or Tokyo. But of course the flights are not as short/ convenient as Florida. So that's not ideal with the kids.

As far as the parks, my issue with Paris, as much as I'd personally love to see that beautiful park is that I'm not sure how much the kids would get out of it considering all of their attractions are pretty much DL/ DCA the remix. Tokyo has a lot more to offer in that regard but outside of three days in the parks I'm not sure how much the kids would get out of Tokyo. What WDW has going for it is that it feels like the right destination for the family for right now even though it doesn't scratch my international travel itch. You also knock out 4 parks (instead of just two) and a whole lot of unique attractions for a lifelong Disneylander. Not to mention you can end your trip with a Disney cruise which sounds nice (and expensive).

Aren’t you at the parks right now? How’s your trip going?

When you make it out to WDW, be sure to ride TBA so you can tell us how bad it is there also.

 

[DLR92]

As a long time Disneyland AP holder and someone who only gets to do a big trip every 3 years or so, constantly hearing how much better DLR is than WDW does give me cold feet on pulling the trigger on a WDW trip sometimes. But ultimately I’m at the point where i need to finally cross it off my bucket list. The sheer curiosity of experiencing this “mythical” place that I’ve kicked down the road all these years outweighs the rest. It also helps that my daughter is now at a height where we wouldn’t have to be rider switching our way through Disney World. Which is the main reason we chose a Disney Cruise in 2023 over WDW despite flying to Florida.

Obviously it’s the vacation bubble aspect of WDW that really sets it apart and can’t be duplicated. Of course I wonder if my personality would even let me enjoy that part of it or If I’d be running from park to park trying to see and do as much as I can.


A part of me also wonders if I should do TDR or DLP before WDW. Prices are fairly comparable. I realized recently that outside of Sicily pretty much all my vacationing has taken place in Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean and Florida (never WDW). Multiple times to each. So I do have the urge to see new parts of the world and you can do worse than Paris or Tokyo. But of course the flights are not as short/ convenient as Florida. So that's not ideal with the kids.

As far as the parks, my issue with Paris, as much as I'd personally love to see that beautiful park is that I'm not sure how much the kids would get out of it considering all of their attractions are pretty much DL/ DCA the remix. Tokyo has a lot more to offer in that regard but outside of three days in the parks I'm not sure how much the kids would get out of Tokyo. What WDW has going for it is that it feels like the right destination for the family for right now even though it doesn't scratch my international travel itch. You also knock out 4 parks (instead of just two) and a whole lot of unique attractions for a lifelong Disneylander. Not to mention you can end your trip with a Disney cruise which sounds nice (and expensive).

Aren’t you at the parks right now? How’s your trip going?

If it were me, take them to Paris. So much to see outside of Disneyland Paris.

 

[PiratesMansion]

Obviously it’s the vacation bubble aspect of WDW that really sets it apart and can’t be duplicated. Of course I wonder if my personality would even let me enjoy that part of it or If I’d be running from park to park trying to see and do as much as I can.

That's the risk! I'm not sure if it helps to say there's no point in trying to do it all, because there are people who run WDW planning websites and have gone there for decades and still not done it all.

A part of me also wonders if I should do TDR or DLP before WDW. Prices are fairly comparable. I realized recently that outside of Sicily pretty much all my vacationing has taken place in Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean and Florida (never WDW). Multiple times to each. So I do have the urge to see new parts of the world and you can do worse than Paris or Tokyo. But of course the flights are not as short/ convenient as Florida. So that's not ideal with the kids.

As far as the parks, my issue with Paris, as much as I'd personally love to see that beautiful park is that I'm not sure how much the kids would get out of it considering all of their attractions are pretty much DL/ DCA the remix. Tokyo has a lot more to offer in that regard but outside of three days in the parks I'm not sure how much the kids would get out of Tokyo. What WDW has going for it is that it feels like the right destination for the family for right now even though it doesn't scratch my international travel itch. You also knock out 4 parks (instead of just two) and a whole lot of unique attractions for a lifelong Disneylander. Not to mention you can end your trip with a Disney cruise which sounds nice (and expensive).

Yeah, Paris is like an extra-fancy, extra Tony Baxterified version of Disneyland (that hasn't built anything since 2005-not in a good way), and I'll bunk conventional wisdom and say that for me, not all of the alleged Super versions of the attractions hit the way I wanted them to. And if they're not unique to Paris they're pretty much DL clones. Plus you have an even worse 1st gate-2nd gate quality disparity than in California and awful food options that are neither particularly American nor particularly French. Paris is an amazing city, though.

Tokyo's a city for everyone, though I'll admit I've found it harder to plan for than many other cities I've visited. I'd probably throw the kids on the bullet train to Kyoto, the actual heart of Japan, and that'd fill 3-4 days. Bump up the resort to 4 days too, just because it gets so busy.

Aren’t you at the parks right now? How’s your trip going?

Pretty well, all things considered. It's been busy, but not in a way that I can't work around.

The resort is killing it with desserts right now. Even things like the peppermint patties in the sweet shops exceeded expectations. The peppermint thing at Plaza and the Sticky Toffee Pudding at Jolly Holiday have been other highlights.

My mother was with me for a few days and had fun, but surprisingly enough, she didn't really go for the seasonal overlays. She seemed to like HMH more than I expected (wasn't sure she'd respond to that one at all, as it's not at all her aesthetic, she's not familiar with the characters and story, and her overall attitude towards Tim Burton is one of suspicion) and SWH less than expected, but had the attitude that it didn't really make all that much difference because she still felt like she'd been on IASW & HM a million times even so.

Viva Navidad and Christmas Fantasy were the big hits for her.

We are decidedly not candy cane people, but we decided that we wanted to try for the Disneyland candy canes if we could. Everything I had read made it sound like a highly-competitive thing; to our surprise, we marched right up to Candy Palace ~20 minutes after the turnstiles opened and very easily secured a DL candy cane. And it's good too, easily the best candy cane I've had in ages! Yes, yes, the one in Ontario, but we were never going to Ontario; we were very satisfied with the one we got from DL.

If I had any overriding complaint, it would be that Festival of the Holidays-the performers especially-were the big surprise hit for me last year and there just aren't as many performers and groups this year as there were last. Even the booths were all closed up by 6 PM yesterday due to "weather". It feels as though they feel the need to cut something, and they feel they can't cut the stuff at Disneyland even though it's all ancient, so the actually fresh and vibrant stuff that gives DCA a shot in the arm bears the brunt of the cuts instead. I guess I just want to know how much of this entertainment decision making is being mandated by higher ups and how much of this is the whims (and poor taste) of whoever's in charge of DLR entertainment, because it's annoying and constant nowadays.

 

[PiratesMansion]

I've also just realized that the festival booths at DCA are only open from 12-6.

What is supposed to be a key offering with some of the most hyped food items for this time of year, during the busiest weeks of the year, nonetheless keeps limited hours, with only a handful of new offerings this year. 12-6!

Almost like they want it to fail. Makes me feel glad I didn't buy a sip & savor pass.

 

[Centauri Space Station]

Oh, it is-especially when it comes to the castle park.

But as much as I and many others rag on WDW, there are things they are better at than DLR, and I really do think that if you love these places, you should try, assuming the correct alignment of time/money/interest, to see them all. Every one of them has something that I feel makes it worth the journey-if not in isolation, then perhaps in combination with some other nearby attractions at the very least.

And WDW has two parks in Epcot and DAK that are unique and offer things that will never make it to any other park, and that doesn't even get into their hotel and restaurant game. The resort-first mentality of WDWers isn't something I will ever subscribe to, but in spite of many things I wouldn't do if I were in their shoes and other things I don't care for, the place does have legions of fans for a reason-and it's not just because East Coasters haven't found Disneyland yet.

It won't be for awhile yet, but I do look forward to the day that I get to experience Kilimanjaro Safaris, their excellent TOT, their chaotic-Matterhorn-in-the-dark version of Space Mountain, and wander World Showcase again-even as I snark about some of their other choices while I wander the parks.

MK does have a few advantages besides just the castle. Tomorrowland being the biggest advantage with working peoplemover, proper astro orbitor, COP, TRON, and Sonny eclipse. Then they have some different versions of Winnie the pooh, jungle cruise, haunted mansion that provide enough different about them that makes them unique to enjoy. Also they still have shows CBJ and stuff like HOP as well. BTM and Buzz lightyear upgrades seem intriguing as well.