Originally Posted By SuzieQ The only place I agree about the decline in service is food service. I don't consider a prime rib sandwich "rubbish"! I'm sorry you feel DL has declined to such a state davewasbaloo. We simply don't agree.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Difference is, you don't travel 6000 miles and save up for half a year to go. For some of us Disneyland is not a casual day out for a local. It's the special measures that used to make it worth travelling. It feels like every year, more and more is taken away from most of the Disney parks, and less and less is added to make me go wow. It never used to be that way.
Originally Posted By llanatoye I don't get it Dave, I mean, I'm trying to understand but every time I walk into the park I go wow. It just hits me in the heart, I'm so glad to be there. Yes, if I was traveling 6000 miles or even 600 and looking for a wow attraction and I felt like you do then maybe I would have second thoughts. But I don't have expectations that say "what is Disneyland going to do for me today?". It's a state of mind I suppose and we all have different outlooks and I surely hope that I never reach the place you're at in regards to Disneyland. Don't give up, please, if you ever loved Disneyland and Walt Disney you still can. Aw Jeeze, now I'm beginning to sound like I'm selling time shares to the Park. Sorry, davewasbaloo, I don't mean to preach.
Originally Posted By fkurucz <<Am I the only one who thinks Disney parks are in serious decline???>> Nope. I have to admit that as an out of town visitor its becoming harder and harder to justify spending big bucks on airfares, meals, hotel rooms and park hoppers for a multi day visit. Maybe once DCA's much vaunted makeover is complete.
Originally Posted By fkurucz <<Difference is, you don't travel 6000 miles and save up for half a year to go. For some of us Disneyland is not a casual day out for a local.>> My feeling exactly, and we only have a 2 hour flight to deal with. Our last trip was somewhat of a disappointment.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo llanatoya - I have been to DL over 300 times over the last 33 years, visited DLP 49 times over the last 15 years, and spent a grand total of 8 weeks at WDW. I do not expect the magic to happen to me. In fact if you actually knew me, you would know that I am a Disney historian (having read well over 100 books on the subject - not just the picture coffee table texts, but academic works too), and have been involved in a number of Make a Wish initiatives to take terminal kids there. There is no doubt Disney is an awesome experience. That is why I have probably spent so much money with them over the years (enough to certainly live in a house twice the value of my current home) My point is Disney is about building immersive themed experiences. Always used to be anyway. The Riverbelle Terrace has always offered cooked items in a special location. And it is another family tradition ruined. To me, the destruction of the Tahitian Terrace, and the dumbing down of the Riverbelle Terrace (sandwiches are dumb, I get them every day at work, I do not want to see a sandwich on vacation) is taking away what makes Disney special to me. Added to the list is sorry at the loss of the geode shop, Mlle Antoinette's Perfumerie, the Candle Makers, the Bank, Shrunken heads in Adventureland, woolen Goods at Pendleton Woolen Mills, Attractions that didn't rely on toons etc. Disney dining used to be a part of the experience. Dinner at the Blue Bayou, Tahitian Terrace, or Golden Horseshoe Review was just as important to my family as any e-ticket or fireworks, more important than any parade, certainly more important than rubberheads. Shopping at Disney used to be unique at Disney too. Man, with these attitudes I sometimes wonder would be happy if the stuck a KFC in the Blue Bayou (it's southern, right?) and put a victorian theme coaster behind Main Street. I am sorry, you may like it - fine different strokes and all that. But I am really sad. Disney used to fulfill my thoughts when I would get down, but for the last couple of years, Disney has actually made me even more sad because they are following what annoys me with modern corporations, and for that I am truly disappointed. Oh, well, I suppose my family may live in a better home in future. Or perhaps we will just head to TDL as I hear it is closest to what the Disney experience used to be.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo "The only place I agree about the decline in service is food service" I hope you are right SusieQ. It has been 5 years since we were last at Disneyland. I was so terribly disappointed in WDW last year (but very pleasantly suprised with DLP this year) that I was hoping out DL trip in March would restore our faith. In someways this is the last chance (WDW was $12000 for us, and DL will run us $4000 before food - a lot of money for disappointment). I am hoping we enjoy it, because I don't want to say goodbye to Disney. Funny thing is, those that do nothing but Disney will not see it. Having bought at Marriott Vacation Club this year, and having stayed at their resorts at DLP and Mallorca this year, as well as awesome experiences at Legoland Windsor, it has shown me how fall disney has fallen on comparison.
Originally Posted By llanatoye I've thought alot this morning about what you write about Disneyland and agree with you on some points. There is much I miss of the Disneyland of the old days. I've been going to the Park since 1964, usually only once or twice a year for a day visit, sometimes two or three days and I do remember attractions and merchandising opportunities that are no longer there and I too miss those and rue their demise. (merchandising is a HUGE problem) My son is the historian in this family and we have both read extensively about the history of the park and the people that have been involved in the growth and change. But it hasn't changed the reasons I visit. I still remember my son, at 7 years of age, asking for Disneyland for his birthday, No presents, no party, just please can we go to Disneyland. So thats what we did and for every year after while he still lived at home. He didn't go to mark the changes made, he went for the same reasons I still go, he just loves being there. Bottom line, I still go to Disneyland and experience it through a childs eyes. Yes, there are things there that I miss terribly, the kind of thing that you just smack yourself on the forehead and say "what were they thinking?". I still don't care for the McDonalds connection and thats just one but I don't ever want to be in the place you are, doubting why I go and considering never going again. The road to Disneyland is long and yet I go again and again. It took many years before I could become an AP but it is still worth it after all these years. I suppose we just have to agree to disagree. I just wish for you that you are able to visit without expectations of what's wrong now and enjoy being there because it's where you want to be.
Originally Posted By x Pirate_Princess x I think this "change" in the food choices at Disneyland has to do with the increasing problem with obesity in the United States. Has DLP and TDL and HKDL changed their food choices since they've been open? Offering "healthier" fare and taking away the "favorites?" Probably not, because our neighbors across the ponds have a sense of self-control. I'm sure they're not eating 3 turkey legs a day washed down with a Monte Cristo and 5 Cokes. I may be exaggerating, but maybe not. I know that to stay "healthy" when I go to the parks, I bring my own healthier snacks like trail mix and granola bars. Then I'm free to enjoy one churro a day or some fried chicken, without feeling guilty. I'm at Disneyland, for goodness sake! I don't want to worry about the calorie count. But Disney does. With all the law suits against McD's, and with the increasing concern for fat kids, Disney probably feels like something needs to be done. Offering sandwiches, carrots and apples with kids meals, and other healthier options is their way of addressing the issue. What they are probably not realizing is they are alienating their guests, making them eat at other places outside the park, or making restaurants like Plaza Inn, Red Rockets, and Blue Bayou terribly tough to get into.
Originally Posted By fkurucz ^^I think that the problem has more to do with portion sizes than the actual menu items. A "sandwich" in the US can be a 1000 calorie behemoth. I love watching Brit shows on BBC America or PBS where the protagonists sit down on a bench to eat their lunch, which consists of two slices of plain old sandwich bread with a little something in between, and which they sell pre-cut (diagonally) and prepackaged in clear plastic boxes. Contrast those with the huge deli sandwiches served in the US. The Brit sandwiches would be considered a child's portion in the US.
Originally Posted By x Pirate_Princess x I agree completely! Even in the college cafeteria, they sell the traditional sandwiches for $1 .. PB&J, Tuna Salad, Ham, Turkey. Or, for $5 you can buy a "melt" with tons of meat and cheese, no veggies, and they use butter to toast the bread. Those "traditional" sandwiches are what I bring into the park.
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains The thing that is interesting now for the kid's meal you get the healthy choice - but unless it's just changed the choice for the kids was carrots (my son has braces and carrots are #1 on the no list) if they are offered sliced apples then great - but tell me how a defrosted crustless peanut butter and jelly with a baggie of carrots and a milk is worth $6 - My kids just noticed the Sandwichs in the freezer section 2 boxes for $6... I do understand a markup but really - If I am going to spend money on a meal for my child I want it to be a good meal - something to fill them up and not wanting them to eat again in an hour. Bring sandwiches in is against the rules - or so I was told when I had 3 small sandwiches in my bag on a recent trip - we didn't have breakfast yet (were going to eat at carnation) so the kids ate them before we entered. Oddly enough we saw other people coming in with small ice chests (about a 9 soda size) and later we saw them sitting by the coke corner with a whole picnic of sandwiches, sodas, big bags of chips and oreos - we thought maybe it was a special diet - but not sure how chips and such would be a special diet - all the sandwiches were coming out of a wonder bread bag and they sure looked better than that defrosted PB&j my kids were eating! But my small sandwiches weren't allowed!!
Originally Posted By x Pirate_Princess x I've brought in sandwiches and other snacks with no problems before. And I've even brought in those PB&J sandwiches they sell there. My kids actually like them, but I refuse to buy them at Disneyland. I'd prefer to spend the same $$ and buy chicken strips or something else I can finish if they don't. And what's up with some restaurants offering carrots and some apples? My kids refuse to eat the carrots, but they love the apples.
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains Quite frankly the last couple of times we just order the toddler food (mac n cheese and apple sause and milk) for 3 or 4 $ and they eat that as a snack and we eat meals outside the park.
Originally Posted By x Pirate_Princess x I saw that nice little meal. My kids don't seem to want to eat at Disneyland, so they either share a kids meal (2 chicken strips each, share fries and soda) or they just eat off of mine. But that little meal will be perfect when I take them back in March.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo even Rotisserie chicken or blackened chiken salad would be nicer dining options, on theme, that are healthy. Personally I am cynical and feel this is a cheaper way to run the restaurant, with higher per hour turnover in a heavily trafficed part of the park, contributing to the bottom line. When we visit Disney, we do it to escape the real world. We also indulge a little more because we are on vacation. Eating outside of the resort is not something we want to do. That is why we are opting to spend 5 nights in the Grand in March. I want a variety of themed food choices, on property. If I wanted to eat stupid sandwiches or normal fast food, we could have opted to stay at HoJo's or CCI. Instead we opted to stay at the Grand, and yet again BB reservations will be harder to get because there are fewer unique offerings. Then we will have to wait for a local who can come anytime eats their desert only (because they snuck in some sandwiches earlier) while our once a decade, 6 months savings trip is impacted. If places like the TT, Riverbelle Terrace with hot menu, GHR et al were still around, I wouldn't feel as bad about this move - afterall, Disney is for everyone. But instead, I will need to be on the phone next week to make sure all my priority seating arrangements are made. The dumbing down of dining at WDW is partially what soured my trip last year. I was hoping Disneyland wasn't making the same boneheaded decisions, but it appears I am wrong. so let's see, I'll try the Blue Bayou, 55, The Vinyard Room, the Plaza Gardens, Storytellers, Tortilla Joe's and Catal this trip I suppose instead. Plus the Goofy Kitchen meet. But there are not a lot of quality choices we are missing out. a shame.
Originally Posted By fkurucz <<Then we will have to wait for a local who can come anytime eats their desert only (because they snuck in some sandwiches earlier) while our once a decade, 6 months savings trip is impacted.>> At the end of the day, DLR is still a "locals" targeted "resort". While I like DLR better than WDW for a variety of reasons, this remains, IMO, DLR's Achille's heel.
Originally Posted By fkurucz ^^Which is also why we now avoid DLR on weekends like the plague. Not only is it always very crowded, but the clientèle has a very riff-raff feel to it on weekends.
Originally Posted By llanatoye Then I must be riff-raff! That's funny fkurucz. I've never thought of myself as such and honestly haven't noticed a lot of "R-R's" on the weekend but then I've been accused of wearing rose colored glasses too. I just can't afford to take off work during the week, unless it's a planned vacation, to go to DLR. So I guess I riff-raff it up on the weekend.
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains DWB - you could also try the Yamabuki for Japanese - I have heard it's pretty good if you like that... The biggest problem with needing PS for the better restaurants is my kids don't always eat on a schedule - it's easier as they get older - but I remember when they were younger - when they get hungry they want to eat otherwise every one is unhappy. Maybe if they offered more real food options instead of more quick service, everyone could eat better food.
