Doesn't Feel Like Disney?

Originally Posted By patrickegan

Low wages and mediocre rides full of plywood cut outs are symptomatic of a park that has moved away from feeling that someone has their name on it.

 

Originally Posted By DlandDug

I have always felt like I was "leaving the park" in that small area between the Matterhorn and the old CircleVision building. It's just a small section, but what with the monorail beam overhead and what is clearly the "back" of a show building on one side, it's a very dull area that I would love to see fixed.

 

Originally Posted By Dznygrl

<<I could just be passing by at the wrong time (because, honestly, there are better places to just sit and relax than next to Daisy's Diner), but it seems strange with all the times I've been by, and never seen them pop out to say hello...>>

The characters pop out of the cannons as part of the fanfare when characters come out of City Hall for meet and greet.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_cFM-bQJhg" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=9_cFM-bQJhg</a>

 

Originally Posted By FerretAfros

Well, I'm glad to see that they do still use them. It would be nice if they could do something (obviously on a much smaller scale) like the iasw clock. Every 15 minutes or so, play the Mickey Mouse Club March, pop the little figures out, and then do chimes for the time. It couldn't be that tough to do, could it? I suppose it would get old if you were just hanging out in that area, but it seems that most people try to avoid those tables like the plague, so no huge loss there.

 

Originally Posted By Tinkeroon

<<I think the walkway from leaving Thunder mt and walking behind it to Fantasyland near the animals is quite boring.>>

I was really surprised to see this~ as it is one of my most FAVORITE places to be in Disneyland! It is quiet and peaceful and relaxing. It is also, unfortunately, a smoking area. Being a nonsmoker, I would rather it weren't. But I love being there. I can still hear the happy Disney sounds all around me but it is quite subdued and just...well...peaceful. Maybe I'm just getting old...

 

Originally Posted By FerretAfros

If you're getting old, then so am I (which makes it a lot scarier for those of you out there that actually are old...). I really like the laid back feeling of that area. And while it's unfortunate that it's a smoking area, the smell always makes me feel like I'm home again in North Carolina, which is a very nice feeling. I know it's unhealthy and all, but the second hand smoke adds a little bit to the nostalgic feeling that the area has for me.

 

Originally Posted By davewasbaloo

"Grand California Hotel...nothing Disney about it...I know it is a great hotel...but give me the DLH every time with the Tink border, Mickey hands holding the lamp, the entertainment center, headboards, wall paper, etc."

See I feel totally the opposite. The DLH feels like an old run down Holiday Inn with tacky characters. The Grand feels totally Disney to me - perfectly themed. To me, that's what disney is all about, not toons.

 

Originally Posted By davewasbaloo

Toony and Ferret Afros, I knew we were on the same page.

rgds,
Dave

 

Originally Posted By davewasbaloo

Most non Disney for me - Toons in tomorrowland. It is a sad state of affairs when the most Tomorrowland part of tomorrowland is Innoventions.

 

Originally Posted By ssturgeo

DL Hotel...a lot of my love for it is probably nostalgic...when it was the only hotel, etc. Yes, it could use a makeover!! And, guess it is getting one beginning this year...staying in the "old" one last time in March.

It is interesting what we as individuals think of as Disney...and I wonder how much of it has to do with our age, what we grew up with, how often we go, etc., etc.

And...I am actually happy with it ALL...I am just happy when I walk thru the turnstile...heck, when I get on the plane to fly out even!!!

Sharon
Next Trip
March 1-9
then
Nov 16-21

 

Originally Posted By wonderingalice

STARCADE!

Complete and utter waste of good real estate. The day we arrive to see a wall up around it bearing Fantasia Mickey Imagineering sign I will stop and cheer.

 

Originally Posted By Dabob2

I second the starcade, big time! I even felt like that in 1977 when I LIKED video games and the like. DL is about things you CAN'T do outside its gates, not game machines you can find in any mall arcade. I have never played a single game in there, out of principle.

I also think that both the DLH and GCH have plenty of Disney feel, each in their own way. I was actually pleasantly surprised at our stay at the DLH, which I thought would be a big come-down from the Grand, but I liked it. It helped that we got probably the best view there was (10th floor, NE corner of the Sierra/Dreams tower), and a big corner room to boot, but even the lobby with the great old DL paintings and concept art, plus the pictures of Walt and celebs in DL, etc... I liked the vibe. It probably helped that I hadn't seen it in years. I'm glad I got to finally stay there once before they change it out, though I'm all for a makeover provided it's done well.

 

Originally Posted By StitchDude

> I was actually pleasantly surprised at our stay at the DLH.<

I knew I wasn't the only one!! I think the DLH is the best. I am trying to plan a stay there before it is changed!!

 

Originally Posted By PJ82858

>>I second the starcade, big time! I even felt like that in 1977 when I LIKED video games and the like. DL is about things you CAN'T do outside its gates, not game machines you can find in any mall arcade. I have never played a single game in there, out of principle.<<
I third that!! Also, I never bought souvenirs that had nothing to do with Disney, like those stupid sword-light thingies that kids are always swinging around and hitting everyone with.

 

Originally Posted By FerretAfros

Nothing Disney related, like a toy rifle in Frontierland, or a rubber snake in Adventureland? Or not Disney related as in no characters or reason that it makes sense to be sold in the location where you can buy it?

 

Originally Posted By Liberty Belle

I agree with Ferret and Tinkeroon about enjoying the walk from Thunder Mountain. I like the feeling that I'm the only person around.

I'm probably another vote for the Starcade. I hate to think that if my 15yo nephew gets to Disneyland one day he'll probably spend half his time playing video games!

This thread really shows that one man's trash is another's treasure. I love the fact that everyone gets a different sort of experience out of the parks and that even if half the people have no time for a particular attraction or area, others have it as a must-see.

 

Originally Posted By liveforvacations

I agree with the Starcade being a total waste of good space also.
I remember back in 1999, my friend and I took my nephews and one of them begged to go in there the entire time and I just refused. My other nephew and I went someone else for the day and my friend gave in and they were in there for about two hours!
I had never been in there until when I took my children recently and I had the worst migraine headache so I was happy to go anywhere I could just sit and rest while they were happy.
Not only is an arcade a bad idea in Disneyland but it is not even very modern. I haven't been in an arcade since the 80's and I recognized all the games! LOL!
I am another one of the people who love the trail between Fantasyland and Fronteirland especially as you come out of it and you can hear Big Thunder Mountain and if lucky, the Mark Twain!

 

Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan

>>STARCADE!<<

Excellent call! Very Chuck E. Cheese-y.

On the other hand, I loved the Penny Arcade back when they had lots of stuff in there. It made sense. Starcade, bleh.

 

Originally Posted By oneyepete

My job never feels like Disneyland.

 

Originally Posted By mele

Seeing trash lying around really seems un-Disney to me. How clean Disneyland used to be was one of the first things I noticed when I went there.

The last time we were at DL we had the snottiest woman helping us at the Candy Palace. She was obviously mad at someone or really ticked off that she was at work. She glowered at me and then ignored me when I said "thank you" at the end of the transaction. It's things like that that really make me feel like I am not in Disneyland, way more than a blank wall or bit of uninspired decoration.