Originally Posted By SpoonCM Well, I managed to step away from work and find myself back in familiar surroundings while in Europe. ;-) I'm not much for trip reports, but here's a brief rundown of what I thought: Since it's technically the off-season, a lot of things were down for rehab. Even though construction walls were up everywhere, I was thoroughly impressed with Disneyland Park. Definetly the best looking one with great attention to detail when it comes to themeing. I was bit let down at how Discoveryland turned out...since at one point in time it was the most cohesive Tomorrowland concepts. After seeing Discoveryland, I could see what they were trying to do with Tomorrowland 98, but we all know how that turned out. Anyhow, with the addition of Buzz, Star Tours, and Mission 2, it seems that this Discoveryland has turned into a hodgepodge as all the other Tomorrowlands. Phantom Manor was interesting since halfway through the attraction I realized there was no narration. Still though, it is definetly well done and the outside is again beautiful with such wonderful themeing. In fact going through many of the attractions was like entering minilands since they blended so well within their respective lands. Pirates was just as grand and definetly a nice twist on the concept we find Anaheim. I can see why people would choose this Pirates to be the best. Overall, I wish I could have spent more time in this park since there were many areas to explore and sit around to take in all the eye candy. Still, this park is definetly a well thought out park. I can sit here and pick at things where they could have done better, but I figure most of that angst had gone to WDS. With such a beautiful and expansive park across the way, WDS to me was a huge let down. When DCA opened, I gave it a chance and found myself quite pleased with what we were given in Anaheim. Not a great park, but a decent starting point that I have grown to accept and enjoy. I have found that I spend more time there than I do at Disneyland. (I too reminisce about the days of the variety of food you could find at DCA...) I figured I could give the same fighting chance to WDS...well that chance flew out the window once I stepped out of Studio 1. Not sure what it was, the big expansive concrete plaza with Tower sitting in the middle of it...the poor excuse for a tram tour...the rather small size of the park considering how much space the entire resort covers...the lack of anything worthwhile...the bored CMs standing around...it just felt I stepped into somewhere that was not Disney. Sure there were billboards of Disney movies, Disney music pumped in the background, a parade, and even a Partner's Statue...but something definetly felt off about this park carrying the Disney name. Maybe in a couple years this park will find it's beat, but I think that WDI has more issues to deal with here than it does with DCA. I think the threads with titles like "close DCA and rebuild it right" should be retitled close "WDS and rebuild it right." Well that's my take...and I'm sticking by it. If you want here's a link to some photos I took: <a href="http://www.imagestation.com/3204189/3965046723" target="_blank">http://www.imagestation.com/32 04189/3965046723</a>
Originally Posted By SpoonCM BOO! for no edit button... ...here's the actual link to the album: <a href="http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2100247558" target="_blank">http://www.imagestation.com/al bum/pictures.html?id=2100247558</a>
Originally Posted By momofbuzzfan Thank you so much for the beautiful pictures. They were very interesting to look at, and I enjoyed reading your captions. The castle is stunning. I agree that the Alice in Wonderland maze would be a great addition to the Anaheim park.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss Enjoyed the photo tour. Thanks! A couple of comments: <<with the addition of Buzz, Star Tours, and Mission 2, it seems that this Discoveryland has turned into a hodgepodge as all the other Tomorrowlands.>> Star Tours has been at DLP since day one, so it's not an addition. I agree though that it is thematically a bit different than Discoveryland proper. Aside from the burnt-out bulbs you noted on Main Street, the pics show a clean park. The only trash I saw was in the Cinderella fountain.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Indeed Russ is right. Star Tours was there opening day. And as much as I love Buzz, Le Visionarium with our friend Timekeeper was so much more in step with the land's theme. It's a shame you missed out on Big Thunder and It's a Small World - these are the 2 best versions anywhere in the world IMHO. What did you think of Cinemagique?
Originally Posted By u k fan Very cool photos! You've made me want to go now. I usually visit around this time of year. I just have to remember that the reason I haven't this year is because I'm going to WDW next month! I also spotted very minimal litter which was good to see. While I was reading your thoughts on WDS I also wondered if you exprienced Cinemagique. It's a first class attraction that is well and truly worthy of the Disney name. I'm glad you had an enjoyable trip!!!
Originally Posted By SpoonCM You're all welcome... =) Yes, I did manage to catch Cinemagique and indeed I will have to agree that I was surprised by this attraction. I'm not much for movie-based attractions, but I was quite drawn in, anticipating each following scene. This attraction is definetly something you would expect from Disney. Sorry about the blip about Star Tours...had no clue it was there since opening day. You would think they would have incorporated it in a bit better...oh well.
Originally Posted By DigitalDisney Thanks for the pics. DLP is easily one of my favorite Disney parks to look at. I hope that I have the chance to see it with my own eyes one day. My only surprise was seeing the park closing time. 6pm seems awfully early, even during slow days. Was the park closed for a special event?
Originally Posted By irishfan They have been experimenting with park hours this year, the Studios pretty much always closes at 6pm in the off season, but DLP during the month of October has had various closing times of 7pm, 8pm and 10pm(which would have been unheard of only a couple of years ago).
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Indeed, these hours experements can go either way. The park hours for the last few years have been 10 - 8 Mon - Fri, 9 - 8 Sat &Sun. During peak season, especially summer, hours have then been 9 - 11. However, as Irishfan said, starting this March, they have experimented with the hours closing at 6, but extending the hours if busy. Also, this year, in the off season they have put on fireworks on a Saturady if really busy. This is the first time since 1993.
Originally Posted By dennis-in-ct <<<Maybe in a couple years this park will find it's beat, but I think that WDI has more issues to deal with here than it does with DCA. I think the threads with titles like "close DCA and rebuild it right" should be retitled close "WDS and rebuild it right." >>> Couldn't agree more. I saw DCA three months after opening and WDSP one month after opening. All the comments and bashing on DCA - for me - REALLY apply to WDSP. The Paris park is devoid of any charm or emotion. It has as much imagination as a parking lot. I took my photo by the one tree I could find. My mouth hung open - it was so bad - I couldn't belive what I was looking at. I felt "taken" - what a joke - what a sucker. I needs to be fixed indeed. Whomever is reponsible should be slapped - HARD.
Originally Posted By dennis-in-ct Hey TDLFAN .. are you on your way to Tokyo for your B'day? Nov 6th is the actual day HAPPY BITHDAY (I started a thread int he COMMUNITY section)
Originally Posted By msep003 well first of all nice trip report picture from SpoonCM and i share his advice like everyone else for the DL Park . for the WDSP i would say the first 5 Years of this park was ashame even more ashamed to let Disney Open A Park like this worst than DCA lol . I would say DCA is awesome compare to the WDSP and the WDSP will change a little bit with TOT and Toon Studios . I know that Disney has a lot to do with the Studios but they already started a kind of REtheming of that Park . As someone said we've got the most incredible and brilliant Disneyland Park on earth and the worst Disney Park on earth too wich opened a year after TDS snif snif what a comparison .
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>As someone said we've got the most incredible and brilliant Disneyland Park on earth and the worst Disney Park on earth too wich opened a year after TDS snif snif what a comparison<< I agree with you^^^ DLP is a brilliant park and WDSP is just as bad as Disney gets.. Makes me long for DCA's more realized atmospheres. (Disclaimer: I know you are talking about CA, but frankly... go try the Studios park in Paris before you call DCA the "worst" park out there.)
