Have you ever (or how often have you) visited the parks by yourself? I used to go to Disneyland a lot by myself and I found that it was very different experience. Not better or worse, just different. You tend to notice things you wouldn't otherwise pick up on.
I bring this up because I have spent this past year visiting quite a few Six Flags parks by myself and then recently visited DCA and DL alone. Although I was used to the solo DL experience, it was the first time I'd done DCA by myself. And I have to say it gave me an opportunity to find a new appreciation for the place. I'm still critical to some degree (most notably of Paradise Pier), but I did pick up on subtle things I'd never really paid much attention to. When you combine this with what I've noticed at Six Flags this past year, it was a real eye-opener.
For example, I had never really thought about the fact that the Disney parks post cast members at the initial entrance to each attractions line, as well as at various points throughout the line. This may not seem like a big deal, but at Six Flags, you tend to never see an employee until it is time to get on the ride. This hit me when I was getting ready to ride Mulholland Madness and I had a question for one of the cast members as I was first getting in line. I wouldn't have been able to do that at most other parks. What if I was someone who was afraid of fast rides and wanted to find out how scary it was? At other parks I'd have been out of luck. It made me realize that for all of our criticisms (my own included), this is one element that reminds you (in an almost subliminal way) that you're at a Disney park when you're at DCA.
I also had never had an opportunity to explore the Grand Californian and look for the hidden Mickey's (my friends just don't tend to have the patience for that like I do).
Another difference in going alone was that I could stop every minute or so and take pictures without having someone tell me "C'mon, let's go already!" Being a photo buff, that made for a wonderful experience being able to do it at my own pace (I took over 400 pictures on my most recent trip...My friends would have killed me if they'd been with me)!
Has anyone else had similar experiences? Just curious.
I bring this up because I have spent this past year visiting quite a few Six Flags parks by myself and then recently visited DCA and DL alone. Although I was used to the solo DL experience, it was the first time I'd done DCA by myself. And I have to say it gave me an opportunity to find a new appreciation for the place. I'm still critical to some degree (most notably of Paradise Pier), but I did pick up on subtle things I'd never really paid much attention to. When you combine this with what I've noticed at Six Flags this past year, it was a real eye-opener.
For example, I had never really thought about the fact that the Disney parks post cast members at the initial entrance to each attractions line, as well as at various points throughout the line. This may not seem like a big deal, but at Six Flags, you tend to never see an employee until it is time to get on the ride. This hit me when I was getting ready to ride Mulholland Madness and I had a question for one of the cast members as I was first getting in line. I wouldn't have been able to do that at most other parks. What if I was someone who was afraid of fast rides and wanted to find out how scary it was? At other parks I'd have been out of luck. It made me realize that for all of our criticisms (my own included), this is one element that reminds you (in an almost subliminal way) that you're at a Disney park when you're at DCA.
I also had never had an opportunity to explore the Grand Californian and look for the hidden Mickey's (my friends just don't tend to have the patience for that like I do).
Another difference in going alone was that I could stop every minute or so and take pictures without having someone tell me "C'mon, let's go already!" Being a photo buff, that made for a wonderful experience being able to do it at my own pace (I took over 400 pictures on my most recent trip...My friends would have killed me if they'd been with me)!
Has anyone else had similar experiences? Just curious.
