Originally Posted By ecdc A Supposedly Fun Theme Park I’ll Probably Visit Again I have complained on these very boards that Disneyland is too expensive, too toonified, too…the same. I shan't return, I declared! So naturally I found myself there again this past week with my family. The story of how is decidedly lame. I was ready to take the crew elsewhere, and my wife and I told our kids that we wouldn’t be going back to Disneyland after enjoying five or six (losing count can’t possibly be a good sign) lovely vacations at the resort. My kids protested. They were not warned. They wanted to go to Disneyland. My children’s decidedly feverish protest was not the main reason we went; I’d like to think I hold more sway over my children than that. Rather, Disneyland was familiar. It was simpler. It was warm. I’m overly sentimental. And we needed a vacation. Boy, did we need a vacation. Organizing a slate of things to do seemed like too much. I’d very much like to take my children to New York or Washington, D.C., but those locales would take some effort to make interesting beyond overt tourism. Also: not warm. (Yes, to avoid overt tourism, I chose Disneyland. Irony not lost.) Somehow, this weak backstory seems important. Upon booking the vacation through trusty costco.com, I found myself in a strange mind frame, plagued by an odd, unfamiliar sensation when I told friends and coworkers where I was headed for my Big Family Vacation. I found myself blubbering on about how I’d planned to go elsewhere but this just sort of came into being. People would ask if we were going to the beach and other places, and I’d sort of mutter maybe we’d make it there, even though I knew it was unlikely we’d go anywhere but the parks. I was, in short, a little embarrassed to tell people we were going to Disneyland. Again. I have no good explanation for this. I’m sure no one really cared. I suspect it’s more a reflection of my need to justify another costly vacation to the same highly-structured, overly-managed fun spot. And how fast I was reminded that Disneyland is costly. I’ve read a lot of people here talk about the rising costs and how it’s just too expensive. I suspect most people mean they find the value not worth the money, not that they can’t actually afford it. And they’re right. Disneyland is a three star experience that’s charging four and sometimes even five-star prices. But I knew what I was getting into. And given my determination to make this a low-key, relaxing excursion, I booked an onsite hotel and more Disney dining reservations than ever before. So, yes, after whining on these boards that Disneyland is just too expensive, I took a series of steps that only guaranteed it would cost more than ever. So how was our much needed Big Family Vacation? It was much better than I expected, and I think I achieved my relaxation nirvana. This was not a function of changes at the resort, but a function of my wife and I explaining to our children ad nauseam that this would be a leisurely trip. We would not—repeat, not!—be spending our day running from one e-ticket to the next. We would spend long minutes in shops. We would sit and soak in the sun. We would not hesitate to leave the parks and head back to the hotel for a break around the pool. We were going to sit-down restaurants instead of quick bites. We were unwinding. This was our vacation, too. Our two boys responded well to this and were positively delightful. So after all that rambling, here’s my random observations: Our only real disappointment was how busy it was. This is supposedly the slow time. That Touring Plans website had crowds at a 1 for every day we were there. (I somehow find it very important to let everyone know I did not sign up for touring plans, I just checked the crowd levels for our dates during their free window period.) We went about four years ago at the same time, and it was so slow we actually went on Splash Mountain three times in a row without getting out of our log. The cast members just offered to keep sending us through. I didn’t expect such absences of crowds this time, but e-ticket rides were routinely 30-45 minute waits and the walkways could get packed. I know, I know, it can be much worse. But still, it’s a bit discouraging to know that the days of any discernible off-season are long gone. Buena Vista Street looks fantastic. We really let ourselves take that part of the park in. DCA still isn’t quite Disneyland, but it’s much, much closer. Carsland is nice, too. RSR is a nice ride, and the whole of Carsland is a nice immersive experience. That’s a whole lot of nice, but it’s the best I can muster. I’m not a massive fan of the movie and I’ll still always be arguing for Walt-style lands that aren’t based on some kind of cartoon or existing property, but I’ll take quality where I can get it. Pirates of the Caribbean wows me every single time. I can definitively, objectively state that it is the best ride in Disneyland and DCA and anyone who feels differently is wrong. It is the pinnacle of epic, sweeping immersion. It is flawless, and people who ride it and just yak with their friends the whole time should be banned for not appreciating it enough. The service we experienced at the Grand Californian was noticeably improved from service we’ve experienced there and at other hotels. I have no idea if this is a function of random luck or efforts at improvement, but the staff could not have been friendlier or more attentive. The bell services gents get a giant thumbs up. I heartily endorse their efforts. Peter Pan is a frustrating ride. It's so danged delightful, but that line! I can't not ride it, but...that line! I do wish Disney could figure out a way to double the capacity with four-person boats. IIRC, this was considered in the past, but was rendered unfeasible due to cost, time constraints, Americans' alarmingly expanding weight, or all of the above. The service we experienced at park restaurants was also noticeably improved, with perhaps one exception at Carnation Cafe. The service at Carnation was not bad, it was just meh. The service at other places, including cafeteria style eateries, was excellent. The Carthay Circle Restaurant is my new favorite thing, and it deserves its own entry. I’ve long been a critic of Disney dining, not because I’m a foodie (I hate that term) or a snob, but because I’m a literate human with taste buds who can read menu prices and evaluate food. Disneyland food isn’t bad, it’s just not good enough to justify those prices, even with a theme park premium. Carthay Circle is an outstanding exception. The dining area was top-notch. One could easily forget they are dining in a theme park and not at a very nice restaurant. This is not true with, say, Blue Bayou, which is also significantly improved. But Blue Bayou still screams theme park, even if a ride wasn’t floating by a few feet away. The service at Carthay was impeccable, and our waitress was just delightful, a perfect blend of everything one could want in a server. The food was outstanding, so not theme parkish. Like other things, I have no idea if I was just lucky, or if everyone has had this experience. I did not expect it. Carthay, I salute you. My meal was enhanced by a young, twenty-something couple sitting next to us. She wore a red polka dot dress, he wore a nice shirt and tie, and they both donned red Santa hats with Mickey ears. They were dressed up for their date in the park and they were wonderfully dorky and seemed so happy just to be in each other’s presence. I found myself delighted by these total strangers’ very existence, and I’d like to think they will be together forever. Young love is swell. Tower of Terror is upsetting for the semi-acrophobe. I dislike it but ride it once for my wife’s sake. I love the theming and the story. The worst part is when that stupid elevator keeps going up. It can only be traveling for a second or two, but it feels like an eternity, and every nanosecond it lasts my brain just thinks, “Okay, it can’t be this high up. We have to be getting to the top now….“ And in an instant, relief that the elevator has reached the top is replaced with the knowledge of what is to follow. I spent a few minutes chatting with the engineers on the train. It was a highlight, but I deliberately keep all trains at arm’s length because I know my obsessive personality melding with my romanticized nostalgia of train travel could be disastrous for my pocketbook. I can’t become a train guy. As it is, my first souvenir was the Disneyland Railroad shadowbox. I find I had a love/hate relationship with the new Marketbucks coffee house. I’m an unapologetic Starbucks apologist. But still, there’s something very jarring about hearing a barista scream out orders like, “Grande half-soy, half-nonfat dirty latte extra hot on the dry side with caramel drizzle!” But after making my way through the line and putting the hipster orders behind me, the book nook made me forget my worries. I sat reading my Kindle and waiting for the text alerting me that my wife and children were off of Autopia. (1. Yes, my Kindle in Disneyland. It’s my vacation, not yours! 2) The English language does not contain the right adjectives to express my joy that my children are now tall enough to ride Autopia alone. My knees sang in relief. Much to my wife’s shock and dismay, I prefer classic Disneyland over holiday decorated Disneyland, but it was still lovely. Ditto the Haunted Mansion. I think the holiday overlays are nice for locals who can check them out and relish the little changes, but for this occasional visitor, I think I’d rather have the original. In fact, I suddenly feel the urge to fire up the Haunted Mansion album and play the old school ride soundtrack. For a guy who prides himself on having a sophisticated sense of humor, I never fail to wallow in the deliciousness that is the Jungle Cruise skipper jokes. The Jingle Cruise wasn’t doing it for me, but it was harmless enough. We were disappointed in the chillier weather (mid-60s) until we looked up the weather at home and saw that it was 5 degrees at 10AM. I’m unclear on why Monsters, Inc. and Winnie the Pooh wasn’t a forewarning to Disney on the Little Mermaid ride. All were veritable ghost towns. I went on them, I enjoyed them, and I had no intention of riding them again. It seems like with a little bit of more effort, The Little Mermaid could've been rendered more special. I have zero idea how this could have been accomplished, and any Disney Imagineer would be right to mock me for saying so, but I said it anyway. The Mara effects in Indy are great and not just a nice improvement, but a necessary one. Cap doffed, Disney. I got myself only one other souvenir apart from the railroad shadowbox: an old style diner coffee mug, thick ceramic and with classic Mickey advertising the Red Car trolley. I want to brew coffee just to use the mug. It's just that cool. Before this trip, I would’ve said I won’t be back to Disneyland for sometime. Maybe even until I’m a grandparent (which better be a couple of decades away). Now, while I don’t anticipate another Big Family Vacation to Walt’s slice of Americana, I suspect I might stop by if I find myself in L.A. on business.
Originally Posted By llanatoye Great trip report ecdc. I love reading the honesty in your report and think those that truly love Disneyland, warts and all, will also appreciate it. I've had some of those same feelings and observations but I always come back with great expectations, open eyes and always, always look for the unexpected and I'm thrilled when I find them. I'm pretty sure you'll be back. Do you really think your kids will allow you to keep them from going back? Good luck with that
Originally Posted By dagobert I just read your trip report. Very interesting, especially how you could get your children to relax instead of heading from e-ticket to e-ticket.
Originally Posted By ecdc Thanks, I'm glad people are enjoying my lengthy screed I'm also glad it's taken in the spirit intended: sarcasm with a dash of warmth and nostalgia. I worried about the line that anyone who doesn't think Pirates is the best is just wrong. Overall, I really had a great time and was pleased as could be it went so well.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>Much to my wife’s shock and dismay, I prefer classic Disneyland over holiday decorated Disneyland, but it was still lovely.<< I'm not the only one!!! Excellent! >>Yes, my Kindle in Disneyland. It’s my vacation, not yours!<< And then you go and do this....
Originally Posted By ecdc LOL! You just summed up my interpersonal relationships in one post...happiness followed by overwhelming disappointment
Originally Posted By RedRider Great report! I totally agree about the crowds we just got back and I was bummed as well. You are lucky you didn't have to push a stroller almost impossible during the parade! We did walk on splash mountain though, but it was 65 degrees that day so that was probably why.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 Great report! I was there the week after you and also dismayed at the crowd size. Geez!! I was there partly solo and partly with friends (including a really nice dinner at Steakhouse 55 with SPP and wife). One day I went with my best friend growing up and his kids; we used to go when WE were kids. I told him we were going to party like it's 1969. Had a great time; only down side was the crowds. On my solo day, after a little nap, I actually wanted to go to Innoventions to see the last Asimo show of the day (I'd seen it once before and it was interesting; definitely the best thing in Innoventions.) I walked back to the park, and the parade was going on. I'd given myself 15 minutes to get from the gates to Innoventions - which ought to take about 5 minutes to walk - and even with the cm's doing their best to create a lane for those not watching the parade, I COULD NOT MAKE it from the gates to Innoventions in 15 minutes (!). Main Street was the worst, of course, but even TL was packed. I got to Innoventions 2 minutes after the show started, and they don't let in late-comers. Harumph!! Other than the crowds, though, it was great. I found myself agreeing with many of your observations, namely: a). I'd love to see the original HM again, a LOT (I enjoy the holiday version, but basically all of my recent trips have been in December because of work and I want to see the original again); b). The Carthay Circle is wonderful. Firecracker Duck Wings? Yes, please!! Service was fantastic, food was great, atmosphere couldn't be beat, and we were there quite early for dinner so many of the rooms were unoccupied and we got some great pictures - love the unusual arrangement of the place. It really had the vibe of what I imagine a Golden Age Hollywood Supper Club would have been like. Bonus: happened to see Shiva and his daughter in the lounge. We'd just met once but remarkably he remembered me and had some very sweet things to say about my postings, etc. An unexpected pleasure; c). BVS looks great, and Carsland does too, but "I’ll still always be arguing for Walt-style lands that aren’t based on some kind of cartoon or existing property, but I’ll take quality where I can get it" is right on the money. d). GOTTA do Peter Pan (and I managed to do it twice), but ya' gotta do it first thing or... that line. e). Still a sucker for great/terrible Jungle Cruise jokes. Really depends on the skipper, though; luckily we got a really good one and I was legitimately laughing as well as groaning.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance Sounds fun Dabob. Someday maybe we'll get to meet up at the parks!
Originally Posted By ecdc Sounds like a lot of fun, Dabob! Shame we couldn't have been there at the same time.
Originally Posted By iamsally >>>It is flawless, and people who ride it and just yak with their friends the whole time should be banned for not appreciating it enough.<<< A few years ago DH and I had a couple behind us who did not shut up the entire ride. We complained to a CM when we got off and he put us in an empty boat and sent us off by ourselves. Those are the Disney moments I still treasure. Great report. I love your realistic view. We often go into shock at the prices but continue to go. Our kids and grandkids are equally junkies so I fear we will never get to go *somewhere else* even though we often talk about it. Thank you for sharing.
