Originally Posted By crazycroc A couple of crazycroc points on this. I have a premium pass and come from New Mexico between 4 and 5 times a year, spending 3 days at a time. I'll take my nieces sometimes, my wife sometimes, my daughter everytime. They comment when we are there as to how relaxed or calm I seem. I came to realize recently that I was going to the park, so often to, believe it or not, find peace and tranquility IN the large crowds. To be able to in a place and turn off my radar and not look for danger, because I knew that someone else was taking care of it. And to be able to see children as happy, and not be so concerned or worried for their well-being. Since, I can't live my life like Burgess Meredith in the Twilight Zone, it's a way for me to see families and kids as healthy and naturally kind, which I could lose sight of in the work I was doing. I can sit on a bench in Frontierland, or Main St. for hours. Doing nothing except watching people happily scurrying around. That being said, I don't go to areas of the park that are ride crazy or Toon happy because they don't provide an environment or mood that lends itself to relaxation. I hope Disneyland re-learns that it's strength lies in it's different varied experiences that it offers, and it would lose me as a customer if put some horrific giant Woody and Bullseye e-coaster in Frontierland, because it would take away my "safe place". I guess everyone goes there for different reasons, but for me it has definitely been a life-saver and the much cheaper than traditional burn-out "therapy".
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt “So does that mean we are old then? Because it sums me up too. and breaks my heart.” More than likely it indicates an inability or unwillingness to adjust. I’ve actually visited Southern California several times over the past couple of years and skipped DLR altogether, and while I enjoy coming here to chat and rant about the parks, I wouldn’t go so far as to say that I’m heartbroken about the way things are being done. Actually, there is a lot that I still do like, and as much as I hate all the cartoon crap and commercialization of the place, I’ve sort of come to accept that that is just the way that Disney does things now and try to overlook it. None of this is worth getting upset over.
Originally Posted By crazycroc I forgot to add that I wanted to add condolences to the poster for losing her way of innocently looking at the park. It will come back. My recommendation is to stop moving when you are there and start watching. You can see the magic in others.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "I can sit on a bench in Frontierland, or Main St. for hours. Doing nothing except watching people happily scurrying around." Do you really think Disney wants you sitting around "doing nothing"?
Originally Posted By crazycroc Well, I get up and eat food and buy junk, so I fufill that need for them.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "Hans, you are well over due for a visit the DLR!!!" No kidding.
Originally Posted By friendofdd Crazycroc, I hope to meet you sometime when you are at the park. It would be a pleasure to share a bench with you.
Originally Posted By friendofdd We could even let the competitive juices flow and see who could sit the longest.
Originally Posted By crazycroc LOL. When my people ask me what my favorite ride is, the answer is always "bench".
Originally Posted By crazycroc Also, I'm extremely shy, so we would have to sit on the bench and not talk.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt So is Constance. I'm trying to envision the two of you sitting there having fun not talking.
Originally Posted By friendofdd When you come, CC, I'll tell you exactly which time and bench. Then you can come anonymously, look me over and decide if you wish to join me. I'll bet I can even out-silence you if I want to.
Originally Posted By mawnck 2oony's posts 54 and 58 are good summaries of my feelings on the topic. I let my PAP expire a few years ago due to burnout, the crowds, a lack of people to go with, and a fun-wrecking irritation with the relentless transformation to FocusGroupLand. Even removed the DL General category from my "combined" list here on LP. I just lost interest. Don't EVER feel guilty about "abandoning" DL. It's just a product, you're the customer, and if the product no longer works for you, then you owe them nothing ... no loyalty, and certainly no money. You don't keep purchasing a bad product just because it USED to work for you. THAT BEING SAID, there are always factors that one can't control. Like families (on the EAST COAST, mind you) giving Christmas presents. So, umm, I guess I'll be seeing you (and 60,000 other people) at the park? I may even join you guys on the silent bench, though you'll never know it's me cause I'm shyer'n'ell too. Maybe there should be a designated LP silent bench. We can all go sit on it and silently wonder to ourselves which LP posters the other people are.
Originally Posted By Manfried "I really think Fastpass has got to go. The system was great and innovative back when it first debuted. But I think it has added hugely to the overcrowded feeling in the park. Huge, people-absorbing queues like Indy are wasted with Fastpass." I agree, get rid of Fastpass and all the folks who misuse it. And if you think APers aren't the ones using it, boy are you unaware. If you want to go someplace and sit and watch people, go to a shopping mall. A lot more interesting.
Originally Posted By Yookeroo "Pfft! Like that provodes any safety." I hate the bag check. An overreaction to 9/11. But it seems like it's not going away any time soon. "we don't remotely dress up" Thank the gods. "if the guests halfway returned to the old days we'd probably all experience more magic regularly." The old days included a lot of ugly and evil stuff. "we don't calmly wait in line" Another good thing. "if the guests halfway returned to the old days we'd probably all experience more magic regularly." There was plenty of evil and ugliness in the good old days.
Originally Posted By Pollyana I have followed this thread from the beginning. Very interesting subject for sure. I too, have had "disenchanting" Disney moments from time to time. I am a positive person and always look for the best in everything and will search until I find it. Our last trip to Disneyland in July was a crowded experience. We felt pushed and shoved to the limit. We did take time out and meet LPers at Hojos. It was really nice getting away but still connecting with other Disney folks. Our last night there I finally found our magic moment as we watched the fireworks from the Plaza Inn sipping on cocoa and coffee with free refills. We were not crowded and it was a special moment. We will continue to visit, and I am planning on taking our grandson, who turns 3 soon. We were looking at October which I know is a very busy time. I will refocus my thinking and start looking at Disneyland through the eyes of a 3 year old child. I know I will recapture some of that "tarnished" pixie dust. And I am always looking for LPers on benches. I am up for designating one special bench for us shy LPers. I will be the one with white hair and most likely a MM ballcap. Glad I narrowed that down!
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt You all sit on the bench while Tasha and I go ride Space Mountain with our Fastpasses!
