Originally Posted By DlandDug >>I'm just making a little wish that one day all this madness will end and we can all see Disneyland the way it used to be--the way it was intended to be.<< You mean the way it was in Walt's day? Like this?: <a href="http://latimesherocomplex.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/6a00d8341c630a53ef01310f88fee3970c-600wi.jpg" target="_blank">http://latimesherocomplex.file...00wi.jpg</a> <a href="http://cache3.asset-cache.net/xc/51238756.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=45B0EB3381F7834D39A1B2FD8C217D2AF3F1DDBBEA7BC53D9CAB3EAF706BD91B" target="_blank">http://cache3.asset-cache.net/...706BD91B</a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kcOhS_A3tnc/SDHdElkMFbI/AAAAAAAAAmM/Lv9qmW_4fNM/s320/ml55pop4.jpg" target="_blank">http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kcOh...pop4.jpg</a> People have been complaining about the crowds at Disneyland for the last 55 years.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "People have been complaining about the crowds at Disneyland for the last 55 years." In the middle of October?
Originally Posted By SanFran DLD I could only open 2 of the links. But, thanks for that. Yes, people have complained and always will. Yet, I noticed in the two photographs that you could actually see some pavement. lol I've actually been ushered, along with the rest of the crowd, down the back of Main Street in order to exit the park. It is really frightening when you are stuck in a crowd that vast. I remember complaining about standing in lines when I was a kid, but you could walk and look at things, it didn't feel unsafe, like it is today. So, if you're suggesting that the overcrowding at DL is not a problem...I would place my money on a bet that you are a SoCal AP holder.
Originally Posted By DlandDug >>So, if you're suggesting that the overcrowding at DL is not a problem...I would place my money on a bet that you are a SoCal AP holder.<< You win that bet! I am a SoCal Annual Passholder. But I would never say, or even suggest, that overcrowding at Disneyland is not a problem. I will say that it is a problem that can be dealt with on most occassions. New Year's Eve is a case in point. We go about every other year. I would not recommend this to anyone, unless they understood that you are going for a fairly specific experience. That experience is: the madness of a mass of people, all partying down, with a lottery-system-like chance of going on rides or attractions. In other words-- not for a day guest with one opportunity to visit Disneyland. Not for someone who wants to stroll and enjoy the atmosphere. Not for the power tourist who checks off attractions and shows on a list. It's a matter of knowing what to expect, and being willing to be flexible when the unexpected happens.
Originally Posted By SanFran What you wish for: <a href="http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/main-street-usa/" target="_blank">http://disneyland.disney.go.co...eet-usa/</a> What you get: <a href="http://www.isitpacked.com/wp-content/uploads/disneyland_crowd.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.isitpacked.com/wp-c...rowd.jpg</a> (copy/paste) http://albums.mouseplanet.com/DLEsplanadeTramsParkingProcessed/dl_is_closed_michael.jpg
Originally Posted By SanFran DLD, I would say you have a very healthy attitude toward DL and I'm sure you will enjoy your AP many many times. And, I sincerely hope you do. I don't know if anyone really expects DL to NOT be busy. In fact, it's pretty much a given anymore. What you hear about, though, are those rare moments when someone experienced a quiet period at the park--like when it's raining, and...well, I can't really think of any other times. But you get the point. I just want better. It used to be, that you could at least go in first thing in the morning and have a couple of good hours with low crowds, but that's gone now too.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt I remember being at DL in the summer in the late 70s when the park opened at 8am and Bear Country (now Critter Country) didn't open until 10 or 11. You'd walk back there by the Haunted Mansion mid morning at it was deserted.
Originally Posted By SanFran Yep, even when Disney first started doing the early admissions (I'm thinking of the mid/late 1990's). You could go in an hour early and it took a good couple of more hours before the place got really crowded. Good times....
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan Here's one thing they could do to make the overcrowding a little less stressful on guests: Put the fireworks shows back up in the sky. The last 5 years or so, to see the show, you basically have to jam onto Main Street since the castle is the focal point. I'd challenge the show producers to make a show that works from just about anywhere in the park someone happens to be. You know, pretty much like they did for the first 49 years. Now before someone comes along to remind us that the fireworks over the castle have always been the prime viewing spot, I know. I watched Wonderful World of Color on TV. I get that. But I also used to be able to enjoy the fireworks from wherever I happened to be in the park. Or even -- gasp! Back in my motel/hotel.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt Good idea. Another thing that they must do is redesign Main Street and the Hub to handle the mobs. I've said before that it can't be that difficult to design a covered themed passageway to run behind the eastern side of Main Street between the Hub and Town Square like the one at DLP. Something like this could be built relatively quickly and easily help alleviate congestion.
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb When I first read about the possibility of a hard ticket Christmas event, I was outraged, briefly. But thinking about it, since I will probably only be an APer on years I plan on visiting WDW more than once and will get a Premier Passport, a hard ticket event may well be an excellent way for me to enjoy the parks. Disneyland has lost much of its magic over the last decade, and the crowds are a huge part of that. If ticket sales to special events were indeed limited, keeping crowds low, then for me it would be worth the extra $$$. <--- doesn't like the crowds and isn't going much anymore (not sure I could stay away forever).
Originally Posted By DBitz2 >>It used to be, that you could at least go in first thing in the morning and have a couple of good hours with low crowds, but that's gone now too.<< Actually, that is the case quite often still. In my experience, the crowds (I'm talking weekends) don't usually start showing up until 11am or 12 noon. I usually like to get there just at Park opening and am able to enjoy 3, sometimes 4 good hours before the Park starts getting crowded.
Originally Posted By pecos bill "If you dont like the crowds, dont go." I dont. I leave that to those who dont mind the diminished product, mostly due to the ridiculous, and near constant levels of overcrowding. I further refuse to line the pockets of a greedy, out of touch corporation that has replaced the "guest" with the AP!
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub I wonder if the fireworks have to be lower in the sky to reduce neighboring noise. I also think the cost of a firework show with images on the ground level(castle) significantly reduce cost and pollution levels. Haven't they also reduce fireworks in Fantasmic? I think we will eventually see more digitally generated images and fewer fireworks. If Disney offers great surround sound along with the show I guess I can get used to fewer firework extravaganzas. I am grateful I have experienced the best of Disney's Fireworks in my lifetime. I was surprised Disney won the International Water Show Award announced today. I could understand the award if it had not ruined the daytime and nightime ambience and if it was consistently outstanding no matter where you stood. I have seen it 3 times. Once was PERFECT the other times dismal and aggravating for everybody in the crowds. I heard nothing but complaints from all the strangers around our group. I did not even bother with trying to see it over Halloween trip to DL.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "I was surprised Disney won the International Water Show Award announced today." How many other theme parks debuted a show the magnitude of WOC this year? Probably not very many, if any.
