tAll Encompassing Disney Thread

[mdmost 43907]

Sorry @Baboontymebut it honestly would be a massive shitshow and a lot more crowded if this had reopened.

 

[SimonBolivar 11062]

On 7/24/2024 at 8:53 AM, MNLonghornFUKM said:

 Every vlogger praises it 

Disney could cut off their dick without anesthesia and they'd find a way to praise it.

[Baboontyme 2881]

Had a great day at Disneyland yesterday. Thanks a bunch @mdmost and @CooterBrown. Great advice. Very different vibes vs Orlando. 

Bummed again that we didn't get to see HM even with the overlay but we really liked seeing some of the different versions of the rides and I think we all liked seeing new to us stuff, too, even if it was as silly as the Pinocchio ride. I felt like Peter Pan and Space Mountain were definitely shorter than their counterparts at MK. We liked the DL version of Pirates better, and I felt like it was longer. The queue definitely not as cool but I thought the boats at waist level in the queue and going around the restaurant were cool. Oh and I love LOVED the Nemo submarine. I didn't know they had kept 20000 leagues going in DL. It was really nostalgic for me, I hadn't ridden it in 25 years and it was a favorite of mine when I was a kid. 

Rope drop strategy was great except those of us who headed straight to Space were rejected as it wasn't operational yet for some reason. We hit the Matterhorn and then back to Space which just opened, then there was already a 45 min wait for Indy so we skipped and then did Big Thunder. Forgot to hit pirates and went to Fantasyland and knocked out damn near everything there by 11. Rode some more stuff, got lucky with a LL timeslot for Indy as it was already booking out to 10:30 around 2:30. The boy and I stayed until about 3, the girls wanted to watch the parade and he wanted to go to the gym. Gym and tacos from a random local place and then we meet back up with them around 6.

Holy hell they don't mess around with security at Disneyland. Checkpoints just to get into Downtown Disney (no ticket required) and those guards were checking every pocket of every bag and stroller. I've been to a Superbowl and I've never seen screenings that tight. Anyway after we got through we criss crossed the park with LL reservations until about 9:30 when my son tapped out because the girls wanted to watch the fireworks. We walked back and my daughter was determined to stay until close and my wife was kind enough to oblige since I was whipped.

2 nights prior I got a flat tire running over something on the 405 in the rental so that was fun, and on Saturday we had to drive to San Bernardino to see my crazy BIL. 

Friday we did all the LA tourist stuff which was a blast (other than the flat). Today we drove to Laguna/Newport beaches and then flew back to Phoenix this evening. Back to Detroit on Wednesday. 

Obligatory 'seems like it was just yesterday' (it really does) '

[mdmost 43907]

Thrilled you guys had a great time. I remembered you were going after I returned from my bike ride Sunday morning. I went to the app around 11am and wondered why Indy was such a long wait and a long Genie+ returned time. Makes sense if Space Mountain went down. People then headed straight to Indy. I believe you are correct that SM is a shorter ride at DLR. It's also not as cool except for the ride loading area with the large spaceship inside. I love the queues of the WDW version, especially the exit queue. Matterhorn and WDW SM are similar rides with the 3 seat cars and two distinct ride tracks. When I looked it feels like you went on about the best day you could for low waits. It really pays to go on those blackout days for passholders. California Adventure appeared to be really crowded which makes sense with the early entry being solely for that park on Sunday.

I do love Haunted Mansion but honestly WDW is the better of the two. I will give the nod to DLR on the proper placement of the Hatbox Ghost and the stretching room actually being an elevator as it takes you to an area that places you underneath the train tracks over to the ride building. HM is my #1 ride in both parks. Pirates is definitely better at DLR. Longer and the boat ride through the restaurant is great.

I hear you on security. We went the week after Uvalde and it really felt nice to go somewhere that we felt was completely safe. We always chuckle as it appears we always pick the wrong line and get the most thorough security person who takes apart our bags. 

The oldest daughter and I always try to stay till close on our final night. We've done it every trip since she was 8. Wife and younger daughter usually watch the night parade or fireworks and then head off to bed. We also once did the after hours Halloween Party at WDW on our final night for the sole purpose of allowing her to beat her previous record of 7 rides on Space Mountain with 8...in a row. I was ready to vomit by about ride 6. Cue Danny Glover in Lethal Weapon. Still man, it's just so amazing to see your ever growing teens turn back into little kids at Disney. People tend to shit on repeat visitors to Disney but it's one of a few places where all 4 of us can go and there's something fun for everyone. It's like Thanksgiving lunch where everyone can get that special something made for them. I wouldn't trade it for the world and I can't wait to take them and their families as they get to that point in the future. 

Edited July 30 by mdmost

[Baboontyme 2881]

Yeah I can't put my finger on exactly what it is, and I know it's not for everybody, but something about Disney just leaves me feeling good, and I know it is like that for my kids and wife, too. I'm sure it's the propaganda. 😂 But damn if it doesn't work. The customer experience is superb, as well. 

[SimonBolivar 11062]

@mdmost did you watch the bootleg stream of D23? Pretty terrible and took forever but Villians looks great. Carsland for Frontierland is a god awful decision though. Oh well, Im sure it'll make them money.

[mdmost 43907]

I saw some on Twitter this morning. Villains Land looks interesting. Cars Land would go behind Big Thunder I guess and yeah it makes no sense. Maybe call it Americana instead of Frontierland. It won't top Cars Land in CA. The new Avengers ride in CA looks good. I'm glad this is all shovel ready stuff and not more blue sky stuff that won't happen. The additions to Animal Kingdom are fine. I'm not a big fan of that park to begin with. I was hoping they'd do something with Tomorrowland in DLR like adding back the People Mover. The Walt Animatronic looks interesting. We're going next June so I wonder if it will be ready by then. I guess we'll make some plans for 2028 when all of the WDW stuff is supposed to be done but who knows if we'll return by then.

There is already a rumor that The Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and the Liberty Belle Riverboat are all gone with this addition new addition. I hate that simply because it's okay to just have something easy for people to sit down and coast around on like the train vs. more IP. Plus it breaks the lands up and creates a better more natural flow between those lands. I'm glad DLR won't give in to that. It's hilarious to me that a park built with that much space is going to tear down existing parts. Just expand out as much as you can. I thought the whole idea was to not be so landlocked. 

Edited August 11 by mdmost

[mdmost 43907]

Yep. Rivers of America is becoming rugged Cars Land. Not a fan of this but at least DLR's version will remain.

 

[SimonBolivar 11062]

50 minutes ago, mdmost said:

Yep. Rivers of America is becoming rugged Cars Land. 

[mdmost 43907]

Yeah the more they do to WDW, the happier I am with going to just DLR from now on. I'm sure we'll eventually make it over when the Villains part opens but it's all just too much of a beating now.

[MNLonghornFUKM 8965]

Magic kingdom has to compete with universal studios Orlando who’s going hard in the paint.I’ve been to MK each of the last 4 years, haven’t entertained the idea of going on the riverboat or TSI so this doesn’t really effect me. Nostalgia wise I can see people not liking it. Surprised they couldn’t do anything with tomorrow land speedway. Biggest waste of real estate on property

I truly can’t wait to see monsters Inc ride. But hope it doesn’t come without taking out star tours or muppets 3D. Maybe the battle star galactica hotel. That ride is going to be awesome

[mdmost 43907]

Wife and I watched a video on the new lands and how you remove Rivers of America to add them. Basically, everything that's a "new land" is just tearing down RoA and putting the new land on it. So you're not getting a vast new expansion, you're just getting a replacement. Whereas Universal is building a grand new park from the ground up. Disney is taking the cheaper way out and just tearing down and building on top of old space. So instead of Villains Land being a giant land, it's going to be somewhat compact to keep it under the footprint of the upper half of the RoA which is only about 8-9 acres. New Fantasyland was 12 acres. Now, RoA and Tom Sawyer's Island is a big space but it's all going to feel just crammed together...in a park that was supposed to have tons of space and not feel as compact as Disneyland. Honestly, it makes me just want to reward Universal for innovation when Epic Universe opens. There is available space beyond the Rivers of America. Disney just wants to pay less to develop new IP lands. I get it from a ROI standpoint but it just feels cheap. 

Edited August 13 by mdmost

[MNLonghornFUKM 8965]

I read a tweet yesterday from a some professor explaining how the roa is basically separated from 7 seas lagoon by a lock and the basin of roa is rotting away to the point of it not being worth fixing anymore. Can’t find it anymore

[ROFL BOX 6655]

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/disney-says-man-cant-sue-wifes-death-agreed-disney-terms-service-rcna166594

Quote

 

Disney is trying to have a widower's wrongful death lawsuit dismissed and sent to arbitration because the man had signed up for a Disney+ account several years ago.

Jeffrey J. Piccolo sued Disney Parks and Resorts in February, months after his wife, Dr. Kanokporn Tangsuan, died after she consumed food containing allergens at a restaurant in Disney World.

Piccolo said in his complaint that he, his wife and his mother went to dinner at Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant at the resort in Orlando, Florida, on Oct. 5. They asked several times whether Tangsuan's allergies could be accommodated, according to the complaint. Despite the server’s having assured them, Tangsuan had a severe allergic reaction and died at a local hospital, the complaint said.

Talk about a horribad PR move.

[mdmost 43907]

This looks pretty incredible. Dedicated shuttles to take you to the other parks and Citywalk. 

 

[SimonBolivar 11062]

No mention of Express included? Interesting if they leave it out.

[mdmost 43907]

No, I think they're not going to offer it initially like Universal Hollywood didn't offer Express for Mario Land. You can get in an hour early if you stay onsite. You have to pay for that at Hollywood since they don't have a hotel onsite. 

I would imagine if we go there, it would be in the fall of 2025 on a long DISD Fair Day weekend so we could also take advantage of the Horror Nights at the other park. Just need that stop aligning with Texas OU weekend like it does this year. 

[LonghornJones 838]

Disney Cruise next week. Is there going to be a sports bar on this cruise ship where I can watch the Texas/a&m game?

I guess it really doesn't matter as I can't do anything about it, but I would at least be prepared mentally...and more importantly, my wife will be prepared for my negativity.

[mdmost 43907]

I believe there's always a bar on the ships but I'm not totally sure. If your room has a TV, I would bring an Apple TV, Roku, or Firestick and use their wifi to stream the game on the ESPN.com app. 

[ShaggyBevo RIP 3873]

Going to DL for the first time in over 40 years. Career has us in Phoenix so we will drive with it being under 6 hours. It will be the 37th anniversary of our first date and with relocating 3 times in the last 4 years our first couple’s vacation in a few years.

Reading mdmost it seems like 3 days of park tickets maybe overkill. But it is what I’ve been thinking being used to WDW.

Restaurants/meals. At WDW we always did a nice TS at lunch after hitting rope drop and mixed QS and TS for dinner. Seems like TS for dinner is the better way at DL.

Likely to stay on property so choosing between the Grand and DL hotel.

Evening light-show/fireworks advice? Dinner package?

[CooterBrown 18285]

7 minutes ago, ShaggyBevo RIP said:

Going to DL for the first time in over 40 years. Career has us in Phoenix so we will drive with it being under 6 hours. It will be the 37th anniversary of our first date and with relocating 3 times in the last 4 years our first couple’s vacation in a few years.

Reading mdmost it seems like 3 days of park tickets maybe overkill. But it is what I’ve been thinking being used to WDW.

Restaurants/meals. At WDW we always did a nice TS at lunch after hitting rope drop and mixed QS and TS for dinner. Seems like TS for dinner is the better way at DL.

Likely to stay on property so choosing between the Grand and DL hotel.

Evening light-show/fireworks advice? Dinner package?

Grand California has a private entrance right into California Adventure right by the pool.  I've never stayed onsite but if I did, I would stay there.

[Incredulity 11873]

5 hours ago, CooterBrown said:

Grand California has a private entrance right into California Adventure right by the pool.  I've never stayed onsite but if I did, I would stay there.

We went in June and stayed at GC.  It’s very convenient, a nice hotel(not mind blowing) but it’s expensive.
 

 I don’t know if it was one off or the new practice but when CA had Magic Hour early park entry they didn’t queue in the park as has happened years gone by.  The line was wrapped all the way into the lobby and they didn’t start admitting till the time the park opened.  The previous day DL queued in the park for Magic Hour  after Main Street like in the past.  

 

[mdmost 43907]

On 11/22/2024 at 2:15 PM, ShaggyBevo RIP said:

Going to DL for the first time in over 40 years. Career has us in Phoenix so we will drive with it being under 6 hours. It will be the 37th anniversary of our first date and with relocating 3 times in the last 4 years our first couple’s vacation in a few years.

Reading mdmost it seems like 3 days of park tickets maybe overkill. But it is what I’ve been thinking being used to WDW.

Restaurants/meals. At WDW we always did a nice TS at lunch after hitting rope drop and mixed QS and TS for dinner. Seems like TS for dinner is the better way at DL.

Likely to stay on property so choosing between the Grand and DL hotel.

Evening light-show/fireworks advice? Dinner package?

I think 3 days is a good minimum unless you're just people who go with the flow. If you plan to hit everything, 3 is good. 2 can feel rushed. I would do DL, California Adventure, and DL again or DL + Dinner offsite. We usually do 1 day of hitting each with plans to go on all the rides we like and then the final day is just to take things easy and enjoy the park. 

TS meaning Trader Sam's? I would do it for dinner because it's pretty out of the way. If you're staying at the DL Hotel, it's right there. If you're coming from the parks, it's about a 10 minute walk. If you stay at DL or Grand CA, I'd imagine you'll get an easier time making reservations. We've never stayed onsite so I don't have much advice on that. Others really like Grand CA. We usually stay across Harbor at the Courtyard Theme Park Entrance since it has 2 queens, 2 bunk beds, and 2 showers for a much cheaper price. You'll get early entrance 30 minutes prior to opening but it's only a certain park on certain days. 

We like to do the Fantasmic dining package so you can have a dedicated place to watch but it's just luck of the draw on where you sit. Blue Bayou is decent. You get a place to go sit after the meal that's usually a great view. I think we did Cafe Orleans where you sit outside and watch after your meal is over. We enjoyed the World of Color dessert party but it's a lot of food but the view is great. 

[ShaggyBevo RIP 3873]

TS- table service
QS- quick service

[mdmost 43907]

Ah. Honestly I don’t find many of them to be can’t miss. We like Carnation Cafe for the outdoor seating. Blue Bayou has the cool interior that is the start of the Pirates ride.  The food is just okay. We do one of those two and then do quick service for the rest. But I would highly recommend Trader Sam’s at least for drinks. They also have decent food but the ambiance inside is great. Nothing really stands out as far as quick service. At CA, we did enjoy the Lamplight Lounge. Carthay Circle is cool to have drinks at. 

[mdmost 43907]

We booked probably our final Disneyland trip for a long while for August 2025. We had planned a longer trip for June where we'd be flying into Santa Barbara and do the Channel Islands before going to DLR. That had to be shortened due to my older daughter having a paid internship for most of the summer. We're just going to fly in and out of Orange County for 5 days. 

[LW Goatman 1129]

On 11/22/2024 at 2:24 PM, CooterBrown said:

Grand California has a private entrance right into California Adventure right by the pool.  I've never stayed onsite but if I did, I would stay there.

The Craftsman Grill right there at the pool is a great place to grab a drink and a pizza or something else off the menu.

[A-Tex Devil 2496]

We are heading to Disney 1/1-1/8 after having to cancel two years ago.  Bay Lake Tower.  I think we are all set, but still trying to figure out the lightning lane/fast pases, etc.  I thought I had to wait until the morning of each day we are there, but saw somethign else that says I can book 21 days out?  So confusing.  

[MNLonghornFUKM 8965]

We are heading to Disney 1/1-1/8 after having to cancel two years ago.  Bay Lake Tower.  I think we are all set, but still trying to figure out the lightning lane/fast pases, etc.  I thought I had to wait until the morning of each day we are there, but saw somethign else that says I can book 21 days out?  So confusing.  

It’s 7 days out. I haven’t used the new passes so I’m only educated on genie+, but from the gist of it: look at the rides that are separated tier 1 or 2. 1 will be traditional long wait rides. 2 will be shorter not as popular rides. Watch YouTube strategy videos so you have an idea of what’s going on. Check out ear scouts on YouTube, he’s got some updated videos with the new system I believe…he’s my goto since he has on screen graphics and good hints/tips.

From what I gather …make sure one of your early rides is a burner lightning lane. What that means is you hold UP TO 3 LLs on your account at all times. You can’t stack rides anymore, well no more than 3. When you book 7 days out you will reserve 1 tier 1 and 2 tier 2s. And with the burner(tea cup, barnstormer, figment, spaceship earth etc) AKA rides with a 5 min or less wait time right away in the morning, once you scan in and use a pre reserved LL(or your burner), you can add a second tier 1(popular ride) to your LL stash. Or if you’re park hopping you can start adding a ride from Epcot if you tapped into Magic kingdom or whatever

[MNLonghornFUKM 8965]

also forgot to add, the old genie+ days are what youre thinking about when it comes to getting up at 7am to do youre lightning lane reserving.

 

also i too stayed at Contemporary this past April. the walk from our room  in the Garden Wing to main street  USA took 15 minutes. from bay lake tower itll probably be 10. Including ticket entry and security. The walk path to MK has its own security, and its awesome. You dont get your own private ticket entrance, you still use the public one. Contemporary security also seemed to be more chill than the public security so if you have a stroller with cooler, bags etc...theyre not as keen about searching you. the public one seems like TSA.

we had reservations for Chef Mickeys but didnt find time to squeeze it in, we were trying to cut down on character meals since its $240 a meal. Contempo cafe has some pretty decent food for quick service. And it doesnt cost an arm/leg, for disney standards. I had the Chicago italian beef sub a few times. Also we mobiled ordered on the way back to the room  a couple pizzas to be picked up after park hours and those were clutch, waiting for us to just grab off the shelf and head to the room. 

I'll be honest with you, if you have your own vehicle...dont use the monorail coming back from Epcot when you go for luminous unless youre drunk then use the monorail. Its a shit show, and im not sure if youre familiar with the monorail route. epcot>TTC(get off to board the resort monorail)>polynesian>grand floridian>magic kingdom>contemporary.  shit takes forever(35-45 min).  at hollywood you share buses with wilderness lodge guests after fantasmic. not sure about animal kingdom, we usually drive to AK every time we go

Edited December 12 by MNLonghornFUKM

[Baboontyme 2881]

Chef Mickey's is great for younger kids but man the food is like an IHOP buffet with the addition of Mickey waffles. 

[shnsajax 3607]

Chef Mickey's is great for younger kids but man the food is like an IHOP buffet with the addition of Mickey waffles. 

We just did Goofy’s kitchen for dinner the first night it was setup for Christmas and that check went hard with no lube. I mean they had some average prime rib, salmon, etc but that was probably the last time we do that with our kids so it was fun.

Also we did the week before Thanksgiving break which I am now convinced is the best time to do Disneyland.

[MNLonghornFUKM 8965]

We just did Goofy’s kitchen for dinner the first night it was setup for Christmas and that check went hard with no lube. I mean they had some average prime rib, salmon, etc but that was probably the last time we do that with our kids so it was fun.

Also we did the week before Thanksgiving break which I am now convinced is the best time to do Disneyland.

There isn’t one character meal we’ve done…and we’ve done most…that the food blows you away @ $60 per adult and $35 Kraft mac and cheese/chicken strips per kid. I’d rather live off cream cheese pretzels, pizza and chicken strips for 7 days. Maybe some $10 cheeseburger spring rolls lol