Originally Posted By MomTo2Girls You know, when I was a kid I loved going to DL. It was so magical. Then I had a daughter, who is almost 10. We have taken her almost every year since she was 3. She absolutely loves going to Disneyland. I also have another daughter who is almost 3. She made her first trip when she was 9 months old, and we are going again next Monday for a week. But here's the thing... I came to these boards to gain information. And while I do find most of the information valuable and the trip planning section great, I can't believe how much DL and DCA get bashed. I live in No Cal so I don't have the same opinion of the parks I guess that the locals do since it's not in my backyard (if that even has anything to do with it). I also go only 1 time a year and am not a passholder of any kind, so I don't have that angle on it either. To me, it was a really magical place where an adult could go for a few days to forget their worries and enjoy time with their family. But as the days go by I read posts about horrible CM's and how DCA is such a bad park and how DL is going downhill and everyone's ideas to change it. So I'm leaving on Monday to go to Disneyland, where I will now notice the rude CM's (though they've always been there I guess I never paid that close attention because I didn't want to see it), and California Adventure, which I will notice REALLY is no big deal (a fact I've known since my first time there when I could have fired a cannon in the park and not hit anyone), and where my stay at the Grand California will probably be totally not worth the money. But I will NEVER tell my kids about any of these things. (I'm almost 40 and I'm just now realizing them for myself.) I will continue to take them to the park every year until they don't want to go anymore. I will continue to show them the magic that exists at Disneyland. I will continue to strive to see the park through their eyes, not my jaded adult eyes. And I will continue to fill their trips to Disneyland and DCA full of great memories. And I will continue to believe that when a CM calls one of my girls a "Princess", they really mean it.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Way to go Mom. Please do not get cynical because a number of the posts here. The magic does indeed live, and you will have a great time. Remember that familiarity breeds contempt. But magic is what you make of it, and with a family like yours, I am sure you will have a fabulous time.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss I don't let the rantings and ravings here get to me; I take it with a grain o' salt. After all, if it was truly that bad, the folks here writing it would stop going too.
Originally Posted By LogDog Well, you know, you really need to take anything you read here with a grain of salt. Despite what goes on there, and a lot of it sounds like any other place, the one who defines how your visits go and your experiences at the park is you. I applaud you for your attitude and I hope the whole time you're there, you're thinking, "I'm at Disneyland!"
Originally Posted By bubsmom Hi "mom"... Don't let the boards get to you...I have found them a wonderful place to get tips on hotels,best times, food, etc. It seems you have as well...but, along with the good..comes the "bad." As you have seen, you also will get the "down" side...poor CM's, how expensive DL can be, etc.. I have learned so much from these boards. I have met some wonderful people as well! I too, live in Nor Cal and while I am a passholder, I have yet to become tainted! I refuse to let the magic of Disney leave me...I will continue my passion of learning all about Disney...go to the park as often as my reality will allow, and share my love and joy of DL with my better half and son. I think you're dead on, when you say you won't let your girls know the "bad things" people can, and do say about the park... Keep sharing the love and laughter with your girls!!!
Originally Posted By friendofdd I am a local and a passholder who goes to the parks frequently and I still find the magic every time. Well, almost. I did complain at City Hall when they had the pirates start chasing food rather than women.
Originally Posted By disnyfans I agree with momto2girls. Plus I also think that these people that have all the bad things to say may have that kind of outlook on things. Our family goes once a year and we love the magic and have never had anyone be rude or anything like what we have read on laughing place. We will continue to experiance the magic every year with our 4 kids. We drive 10 hours to get to disneyland and it is worth every penny.
Originally Posted By danyoung I've said this before, but a few years ago I was in the same boat as you. I grew up loving DL, and was saddened to read all of the negative reports online. I was expecting DL to be a mess on my next visit. And you know what I found when I went through the turnstiles and under the train tracks? Main Street was beautiful, the music was warmly filling the air, the sun was shining and the chirds were burping. In short - it was the same fun place that I've loved since my first visit at 6 years old. You can choose to notice the bad or choose to ignore it. I can get bummed out if I'm looking for paint peeling or trash cans overflowing or burned out light bulbs. Or I can not let any of that bother me (as it's not really that big a deal in the first place) and enjoy my limited time at the happiest place on earth!
Originally Posted By MomTo2Girls Thank you all for your posts. I do take what's posted here with a grain of salt. I know some people just have a negative attitude and find bad in everything. I can honestly say I have NEVER had a bad experience at Disneyland, and my kids haven't either. And I agree with danyoung. Main Street is always so beautiful and clean, and the music is always so beautiful, and I do always take a deep breath and say to myself, "I'm at Disneyland!!!". My original post was just to vent a little bit about what I've been reading, but I'm glad to hear that some of you who have been here awhile have had the same feelings that I am having at some point or another. Thanks again for guiding me to the positive!!
Originally Posted By DVC_dad <<<I can't believe how much DL and DCA get bashed.>>> Mom, I too love DCA and DL very much. However, let me ask... have you EVER been to WDW? I am NOT saying it is better, ecuase it surely isn't. But it certainly is a place that your kids will be missing out on something BIG if you don't get them there atleast once while they are kids.
Originally Posted By GrumpysWife Agreed, DVC_dad - After 40+ years of Disneyland only, I got my first WDW visit about three years ago. I've been back twice, and we are planning a trip next January. While it's different, I love it just as much. Not better or worse, just more magic to enjoy. Give it a try!
Originally Posted By GrumpysWife Oh, and keep on taking those girls. We took our boys as often as we could while they were growing up (not every year, even) and as grown men they keep going as often as they can, and are now taking their kids. I think it's in the genes...
Originally Posted By MomTo2Girls DVC dad, yes I have been to WDW. A couple of times as a matter of fact. My last trip was in October of 2003. My husband played in a golf tournament while a friend and I went to the parks. We will most likely make a trip there one day, but personally I prefer the CA parks to the FL parks. I think they'd love WDW, and would like to take them there someday, but it will definitely be when they are older. There is so much more involved going to WDW than Disneyland and DCA (and A LOT more expensive for us from CA). I don't want to take a 3 year old there and have to haul the toddler gear around. But I agree, and one day they will see it.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I can't wait for our trip - we are travelling from the UK to WDW with an 18 month old and 3 year old in November. I would rather go to DL as I prefer the original, but I don't want to take 2 younglings 6000 miles for a Disney experience. Our 8 hour car journey to Paris next week will be our dress rehearsal.
Originally Posted By Scar MomTo2Girls - I appreciate your orginal post! I only frequent the boards when I have an upcoming trip. This time I was horrified to read that a CM may or may not spit in your food. Real World it's possible - but not DISNEYLAND!!!! I hope I can block this thought when it comes to order dinner inside the park....... : )
Originally Posted By MomTo2Girls Scar...I forgot about that line of discussion! Thanks for reminding me! I've decided to think about it this way: Disneyland is not the real world, so therefore, the things that happen in the real world don't happen at Disneyland. No matter what the people say!!!
Originally Posted By DVC_dad <<<(and A LOT more expensive for us from CA)>>> WOW! now that's something I don't think I have ever heard! LOL Understood though.
Originally Posted By DVC_dad Ok I am going to catch "hello pete" for this comment, but I will post it anyway. This whole problem of CM pay, and the quality of people that you get to work for you, is an exact duplicate of why I will never stay at ALl Star Resorts ever again...and I am not talking about the CM's.
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Originally Posted By DVC_dad I am NOT saying everyone at All Star Resorts are low lifes either. So please don't verbally abuse me too much.
