Disneyland Blows

[Hugh R]

As a mouse house retiree, I have a lifetime pass for four people on non-blackout days, and get free parking ($20). We went there today because we had business about 7/8th of the way there from where we live. Going passes are $125 each IIRC, so we wondered around for a few hours, didn't go on any rides and spent about $10 on ice tea and ice cream with a 30% discount. I don't understand why people go there, its crowded and if you got on 3 rides in a very long day, you'd be doing well.

[Noah930]

Hah. Today my wife showed me a video of some guy who totally goes off on the whole Disney experience (selfie-filmed as he's walking around the place). Disneyland certainly knows how to entertain, but there are about two times as many people there than what I can stand to make it enjoyable. However, the kids **love** it. My daughter asks us about once a week when we can go again.

edit: I was really appreciative of the time the OP was generous enough to take my family and me to Disney. The kids had a GREAT time. Thanks, Hugh.

[Drbraunsr]

They (we) go there to see the Disney Magic through the eyes of our grandkids.
For that privilege, there really is no other place on earth.

As an adult, to blow a few hours (or a day) -- I'd pass too....

[HardDrive]

Its about the kids. Duh.

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by Drbraunsr

As an adult, to blow a few hours (or a day) -- I'd pass too....

But I've got many adult friends who love the place as much as (if not more) than their kids. Their whole families have annual passes. Some are rich enough that the few grand isn't a big deal. Others are working class types where it probably is. I have a friend who admits that sometimes, she'll go there alone (or with her husband) while the kids are at school. Of course, she's got some blog on all things Disney, so she's self-admittedly a mega-fan. But my wife and I can't imagine that type of devotion to such a crowded (and $$$) place.

[Hugh R]

Noah, I'm now retired, I'll let you and the family in again whenever its convenient for both of us. Just don't ask me to stay.

[Tobra]

My brother loves that place, goes frequently.

It was not horrible when I was there with the grandkids, too crowded, that is a given, but they had fun

[Hugh R]

We walked by "It's a Small World" and there were 1,000 baby carriages, I schit you not.

[regency]

got-your-wallet-land a place i don't wanna go.

Steve

[R K T]

Can't imagine going now. No way.

We went three days after the opening in 1955 when I was 6 years old and easily a hundred times as a teen in the 60s since we had the "Golden Key" (free pass) and a close friend was a member of Club 33.

Still have some of the original books with E tickets attached and the Golden Key that I've been told is still accepted at the gate!

Still.....no way.

[biosurfer1]

Why on Earth would anyone go when every kid in the US is out of school?!?!

We went last October and practically walked right on every ride except the most popular ones where we had to wait 5-10 minutes at most.

It's like driving on the 405 at 5pm and wondering why any one would ever get in a car in LA😒

[Evans, Marv]

Changed a lot since I first went ('55 or'56). I haven't been in decades because of the crowds, costs, etc. When I first went, we bought ride tickets or books of tickets. Some of the rides were 50 cents if I remember right. The parking lot was a vast expanse, & you could see orange (I think) orchards off in the distance. The problem with most things now days is it's overcrowded everywhere and the costs/prices are downright insulting. We're going to a play at a small, local theater Saturday. Tickets were $12 - just my speed.

[Don Ro]

Never been and have never even wanted to. Zero interest.

[wildthing]

It's about creating moments. Most of the time you're waiting in line and would rather be sitting in your couch at home. But then there's nothing special to remember about sitting at home.

We try to go off season.

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by R K T

Still have some of the original books with E tickets attached and the Golden Key that I've been told is still accepted at the gate!

OK, now you've piqued my urban legend interest. Send me the key, and I'll see if still works. I'll send it back afterwards (as long as it doesn't get confiscated or I get stuck in Disney jail).

[ckelly78z]

Theme parks seem get you in the door, and then legally rape you for what you get. Last weekend my son, and his GF went to Cedar Point (some of the biggest, fastest, and longest rides in the world). He got a Costco discount for $80 for the two of them which was about half price. It was still the usual parking fee of $15, and each refillable drink was another $16 with no drinking fountains anywhere.

He only rode 2-3 rides and said waits were 1.5 hours plus, but what really surprised me was the the "FastPass" customers who doled out another $75 a piece were still having to wait 30 minutes minimum, while the "FastPass PLUS" customers ($125 extra each person) went to the head of the line.

[ckelly78z]

Originally Posted by Evans, Marv

Changed a lot since I first went ('55 or'56). .

Back in the mid 50's, my FIL visited his Dad in Florida for vacation, while he was there, his Dad took him to the site of the future Disney World. It was bare swamp ground that bulldozers were clearing with large log chains stretched between two of them. As the bulldozers traveled together about 100 yards apart, the chain dragged the ground, and pulled any cypress tree roots down, and made large piles that were later burnt.

[fred cook]

We live in S. Georgia, about a 4 hr drive from Orlando. We have been to DW several times, sometimes with kids, sometimes not. We try to go in semi-off season times to help reduce the crowd factor. Sometimes we get the multi day passes, other times a one day pass and also go to other attractions in the area like Universal Studios, etc. We like to camp at Ft. Wilderness so that we can leave the car parked for the length of the stay and take the water taxi across to the attractions. I don't think we have ever failed to have an enjoyable stay/visit and are talking about going back soon (we are 70!). Can't help but feel like a kid there! Last time we went, my wife even bought me a set of mouse ears!

[fred cook]

Originally Posted by ckelly78z

Back in the mid 50's, my FIL visited his Dad in Florida for vacation, while he was there, his Dad took him to the site of the future Disney World. It was bare swamp ground that bulldozers were clearing with large log chains stretched between two of them. As the bulldozers traveled together about 100 yards apart, the chain dragged the ground, and pulled any cypress tree roots down, and made large piles that were later burnt.

When I was in the Navy (SeaBees), we used the same method to clear a gazillion coconut palm trees off of Diego Garcia to build the runway. The only problem is that coconut palms won't burn, too much liquid inside! They also won't float off if pushed into the ocean! We finally used the downed trees to make a large berm the length of the runway to help block crosswinds! In the process, we got a D9 Cat bogged down and had to use 4 extra large, all wheel drive front end loaders to pull it out using anchor chains! Yep, those were the good ole days!

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

I don't understand why people go there, its crowded and if you got on 3 rides in a very long day, you'd be doing well.

for children....

OK, when I was in college in FL, a friend of a friend worked there and got free passes. On a couple of occasions, we went up, stayed in her apt and then went. It was something to do, but I do remember thinking "huge lines and crowds and every 'ride' that isn't a fast moving ride is really just a huge commercial for business XX, why would anyone come here?"