Disneyland Empty

[Neilk]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Nice to actually see it. All I saw was the back of the person in front of me as my family shuffled along through the park. Don't go during the peak summer season, it was a miserable experience.

I hate waiting for rides, so when a co-worker suggested going to Disney World after work on a trip to Florida, I was dreading it. However, this was the week after Thanksgiving and relatively speaking, there was no one there. It look longer to walk from the entrance of Space Mountain to where the line actually started than the line itself. I couldn't imagine going in summer and waiting 45 minutes for each ride.

I actually had a great time. I would only go that same week to avoid the lines.

[BeeMaster]

Do you have to deal with security there?

[rcooled]

Yes, please post more photos, Hugh. It's very ususual for regular folks to see the park totally empty like that.

[id10t]

Originally Posted by BeeMaster

Do you have to deal with security there?

Last I went to WDW (2 years ago) bags were checked at the gate, less intrusive and a much more pleasant experience than going thru the TSA crap at any larger airport.

That said, I believe that Florida law disallows CC at entertainment parks

[FLYGEEZER]

I've never been there, too many people for me. But thanks Hugh, I too would like to see more pictures. The place must be an engineering marvel.

[Hugh R]

Originally Posted by strupgolf

22, 000 employee's what? The place isn't that big.

3 shifts per day/7 days/week= 21 shifts, plus sick, vacation, holidays, etc. Works out to about 1,000/shift average. Many are in offices that are not at the park per se.

[Laneco]

Hugh,

I really liked this picture - I snagged it and took it to b/w (hope you don't mind). Your early jaunt captured the park as it might have looked on the very day it originally opened.

angela

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by Tobra

I have NEVER seen pictures of D-land with no people, very groovy. Do you get to stay in the apartment over the Pirates of the Caribbean ride if you want to, or in Mr Disney's over that firehouse thing? That would be kind of cool.

Aboyt a hundred years ago my older brother was one of the characters that walkaround the park. Brer bear IIRC.

Anywho, we were going somewhere in my car and he asked me to drive over to D-land to pick up his check.
We went through the employee parking lot into a large building, ordinary looking.
He picked up his check from a secretary and we were walknig down the ordinary hallway (cept it didn't have any windows).
He said check this out and opened a door, into the middle of the pirates of carribeeeen ride.
We jumpled in quick and hid behind the fake rock were all the treasure was scattered (glued down), and when the next boat came by we jumped in the back seat.

Scared the crap out of the girls in the front seat.


EDIT: nuther story came to mind:
Our high school grad party was at D-land, so some of the more clever kids got into the park a few days before and smuggled booze bottles in (easier to do then than now) and we went over to Tom Sawyer's island and burried the bottles under a shrub.
Boy were we proud of ourselves. Better than spiking the punch bowl.

That Saturday evening after graduation we went through the gates and headed straight to Tom Sawyer's island ..........................

which was closed for the night. D'OH!

[gacook]

Originally Posted by speeder

I've never been there. No disrespect meant, because I know it's a big deal to a lot of people but I don't get it. What is it they have there?

As an adult, it's really no big deal to me. But as a child...it truly is a magical place. I remember my trips there as a kid and how enthralled I was with everthing (FWIW, I liked DisneyLAND better than DisneyWORLD). Took my kids there a few years ago, and I literally have never seen them quite so happy (and they're generally happy kids). I think it's something about seeing the characters of the cartoons they love come to life and interact with them (the princesses especially for my younger daughter) is just beyond magical to them. Plus, there's just so much "fun" going on all throughout the day with the parades and shows and dancing in the streets. If you have young kids and can afford the trip, it's one vacation I guarantee your kids will never forget.

[sammyg2]

The first time i went ot D-land was when i was a little kid living in Utah, that was better than 10 cristmasses.

Later when we moved 8 miles away from it, it was no big deal.
Locals usually don't care about it at all.

I've probably only paid to get into that park 2 or 3 times, and haven't able to go at all for the past 10 years due to certain "issues" I have with giant, slow-moving, smothering, mindless crowds that won't get out of the way and walk slowly snd stop right in front of me and cause mind-numbing jambs that result in near violent reactions from an otherwise mellow dude .................................

[weseeeee]

Cool pics. I've only to Florida's Disney World, but I bet they are similar.

[tweezers74]

Originally Posted by speeder

I've never been there. No disrespect meant, because I know it's a big deal to a lot of people but I don't get it. What is it they have there?

As a young child, that place was magical. Just pure fun and imagination.

As an adult, bringing my boys there, I can see the same excitement and anticipation in their faces. Their laughs fill me with pure joy. A day of no worries and all fun. Love it!

[imcarthur]

I went in 1959, 1970 & 1990 - the last time with my kids. As tweeze said: A magical place.

It is much smaller than Orlando, but it still works.

Ian

[MMARSH]

Originally Posted by R K T

A friend is a member of Club 33 and invited us to join him a few years ago. Very exclusive, ridiculously expensive. Something like 25K to join and then 10K a year with a ten year waiting list! But if you got it, it's worth it. Incredible food and service.
Main entrance is a "secret door" next to Pirates of the Caribbean, but if you don't want to walk through the park to get there, there is an even more secret entry from outside.

I ate there last year. Fantastic meal. Been going to DL since I was a kid and had never heard of Club 33 until we were invited as a guest. I have a club 33 ball cap and its funny, I've had people come up to me and whisper "I've been there" likes its a secret fraternity or something.

We go to DL at least a couple times year. Love that place

[Nathans_Dad]

Originally Posted by speeder

I've never been there. No disrespect meant, because I know it's a big deal to a lot of people but I don't get it. What is it they have there?

We go to Disneyworld every other year or so, to me the execution is the key. Disney parks are on a whole different level vs other theme parks. My kids love it, my wife loves it, I love it. It's a chance to watch your kids and be a kid again with them.

We never go when it's crowded though, we go in January when the parks are much less crowded. I also do a touring plan for each day so we hit the popular rides early before they get busy and use our Fastpasses to optimum effect. Last time we went the longest we stood in line was 25 minutes.

[GWN7]

Great pictures Hugh

Took my son when he was 4. He was so excited he woke up at 5am so we were lined up at the gate for opening. Had to grab him and move to the side so he didn't get trampled by people running for the rides.

[Hugh R]

Originally Posted by Noah930

Ah, I gotta get the kids to the House of the Mouse someday. They've been bugging us to take them for the past several months, but Mrs. Noah isn't a fan of amusement parks.

Hmmm. Maybe I can borrow Gogar's credit card for a trip there...

This is totally unacceptable! I've personally reached out to this parent and his poor-deprived wife and kids to rectify this void in their life.

[Hugh R]

Originally Posted by speeder

I've never been there. No disrespect meant, because I know it's a big deal to a lot of people but I don't get it. What is it they have there?

Again, my compassionate side had to reach out to this poor wretched soul that lives in SoCal and has never been to Disneyland. I'll take care of you brother!

[Noah930]

Thank you, Hugh. You are a true gentleman.

[speeder]

Yes. A kind and generous man.