Trip report June 2019. My how things have changed. EDIT- now includes an actual report :)

D

duder

Active Member
We were there in February for our first time, and I will just echo everything you said. Mystic Manor was down for refurb, which was kind of heartbreaking so we are planning a return trip when we go back to France in May.

I only had one day, so there wasnt a ton of time to stop and take everything in, so I cant wait to have more time and soak up the details. Main street and the castle were unbelievable. My wife loved Space Mtn, even though it has more in common with Rock N Roller Coaster than Space.

It did feel like the park could use a few more rides, as it seemed to have the least of the Castle Parks that I have been to (DL, MK, Tokyo, Paris), does it have less than MK and Tokyo, or did I imagine that?
 
Animaniac93-98

Animaniac93-98

Well-Known Member
duder said:
It did feel like the park could use a few more rides, as it seemed to have the least of the Castle Parks that I have been to (DL, MK, Tokyo, Paris), does it have less than MK and Tokyo, or did I imagine that?
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It has fewer rides than MK and Tokyo, although the park has more walk-through stuff and things to look at IMO.

Old Mill used to be a ride, but now it's a snack stand. Rivers of the Far West had canoes, keelboats and a second riverboat at one point, but the Mark Twain is set to return.
 
AndyS2992

AndyS2992

Well-Known Member
Animaniac93-98 said:
It has fewer rides than MK and Tokyo, although the park has more walk-through stuff and things to look at IMO.

Old Mill used to be a ride, but now it's a snack stand. Rivers of the Far West had canoes, keelboats and a second riverboat at one point, but the Mark Twain is set to return.
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What amuses me is the keelboats are closed to guests but you will very often see cast members riding around on one though :cautious: Not sure why.
 
cjkeating

cjkeating

Well-Known Member
Animaniac93-98 said:
Keelboats are used for evacuating BTMRR I believe. Probably some other maintenance stuff.
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Correct. The whole Keelboat area was refurbished as part of the BTM/Frontierland refurbishment so it all looks brand new even the entrance/queue/exit. At the time that fuelled rumours it was due to reopen although unfortunately I think that is very unlikely.

One boat is in the water for BTM evacuation purposes the other is backstage.
 
marni1971

marni1971

Park History nut
Premium Member
Original Poster
Since I’m here...

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Coming soon
 
Jeff456

Jeff456

Well-Known Member
I'd echo a lot of these thoughts, couldn't fault much on my three day trip at the end of July! Ratatouille is a bit temperamental smell effects not working, out of sync video, happened on about a third of my rides. Going back again at the start of September looking forward to lower crowds.
 
es135

es135

Well-Known Member
I agree with everything you said too. I was a bit apprehensive when we went for the first time in May. Many friends warned me of the unkemptness and overall lack of quality. What I got instead was such a pleasant surprise. It was so refreshing to have attractions maintained!

Overall my only complaint was with the gutted backlot tour, but I know this is all set to change and evolve over the next few years. I never got to experience Catastrophe Canyon before it was removed from DHS, so I was thrilled to experience it in person!
 
BrianLo

BrianLo

Well-Known Member
marni1971 said:
This year we took a four night trip to DLP. Fifth visit, first being 2002 and last 2012. Each trip we’ve seen improvements in quality but this trip I was very pleasantly surprised. Show quality and cleanliness were leaps and bounds better than any previous trip. Yes, there were quality issues but I could list them in the few dozen across both parks. Overall I felt attraction show quality was better than Orlando. And that surprised me.

Four nights at Sequoia in a nice garden view room. Totally refurbished in 2012, the resort still holds its own. Half board plus gave us an all you could eat breakfast buffet in one of two hotel restaurants. Quality was good and range was great. Far better than just the continental offerings of old. We also got a main meal in the parks from a large choice of buffets and TSRs, and surprisingly found we could eat enough mid afternoon we didn’t need a third meal. Maybe just ice cream. And of course length of stay hoppers are included.

Parks were well attended but not rammed (unlike now). Clean. Well kept. Gorgeous landscaping. I won’t judge WDSP as a park for now since as we know it’s about to undergo a huge and long time coming expansion.

In rough order...

Phantom Manor. Near perfect. Wonderful new effects and audio.

Molly Brown. Looked very well kept thankfully. Geysers still working.

BTM - still like new after it’s refurb. Ln2 effects intermittent but there due to supply issues that are being worked on. Lighting looks gorgeous. Sound effects loud. Little things like the departing train steam engine and whistle fully working were a joy. Even smoke from the island chimneys was smoking. AAs working and working fluidly.

Swiss Family treehouse looked fresh. Buckets not working but water wheels were.

Fantasyland was all the worse for a dumbo behind refurb walls but was still fresh. Dark rides were great. Rich colours, animation working. Peter Pans Flight in particular I couldn’t fault. Same for Small World. One ceiling carousel was static, aside from that I didn't see any broken animation.

Star Tours was present and correct in every area. Preshow show quality was great (plenty of Ln2). Hyperspace Mountain was surprisingly fun despite my views of no Space Mountain. And the new cars and restraints are wonderful. Light years ahead of the old painful cars and horseshoe restraints.

Entertainment was in abundance. Afternoon parade was one of quality (and very popular). IllumiNations is no HEA nor was it ever billed to be, but the projections are so crisp, the fountains vibrant and the lasers sharp. Main Street at night with its full LED light package looked amazing (and 99% lit) plus I’ve never seen virtually all the DL hotel lighting working. Is now! The refreshed Fantasia Gardens looked great day and night.

The studios attractions themselves ranged from top marks (Rat and Tower) to confusing (Marvel stage show) - the latter just doesn’t work as a stage show. We preferred Cinemagique. The Mickey show went 101 then the queue was too long afterwards. Rock n Rollercoaster avec Aerosmith looked and sounded great. Shame it’s going bye bye next month. Surprisingly Catastrophe Canyon had every effect working. Swaying props? Check. Sparking power cable? Check. All fire? Check. Multi stage sliding tanker? Check. And of course lots of water. The park is still less than a full day (moreso with 6pm closing) and I look forward to seeing it at night again. It’s been a while.

Disneyland Parc hours however..... wow. EMH gets you in at 830am. Public starts to arrive about 930am and gates open for everyone at 10am. IllumiNations starts at 11pm. You’re still on main street at 1145pm. And that’s every day during the summer. So refreshing (along with legacy Fastpass which.... just works)

We were so impressed we’re going back next spring.
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I’m glad you guys finally got back (especially since you are ‘so close’). I always wonder why Brits are so avoidant of DLP in favour of WDW.

2012 was definitely the nadir of this resort. I’m perhaps not surprised that threw you off it and also not surprised you were impressed. The resort has come a long long way.

I don’t think you’ve done MaxPass yet? I’m a convert. Maxpass is definitely better than legacy fast pass. Albeit Hong Kong is almost virtually fast pass free if you want the true legacy experience!
 
marni1971

marni1971

Park History nut
Premium Member
Original Poster
BrianLo said:
I’m glad you guys finally got back (especially since you are ‘so close’). I always wonder why Brits are so avoidant of DLP in favour of WDW.

2012 was definitely the nadir of this resort. I’m perhaps not surprised that threw you off it and also not surprised you were impressed. The resort has come a long long way.

I don’t think you’ve done MaxPass yet? I’m a convert. Maxpass is definitely better than legacy fast pass. Albeit Hong Kong is almost virtually fast pass free if you want the true legacy experience!
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Is max pass the thing you pay for on top of your admission fee?

Don’t get me wrong, the resort was pretty good in 2012. We’ve see step change improvements each year we’ve been. This year was the best yet and surprisingly near full marks.
 

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