[nitaworm]

We went to our first trip ever to Disneyland California. Boy was I dissappointed. We do Disney World Florida every year and didn't realize how spoiled we had become.

Here is when we knew it would be an interesting vacation:

- When we parked in the simba lot and realized that there was no tram to the park
- When a lady driver in the parking area almost ran into our car by turning in the wrong direction from what the disney cast member directed her
- When the disney cast member 'cursed at her'
- When we past by one of the Disney hotels to see two kids ages 6yrs and 10yrs wearing swimpers and playing in the sprinkler's
- When we saw kids that were 8 years old or larger, fighting to fit into strollers offered by the park that was way too small for them
- When we noticed that there was a plastic barrier around a ride that we see at all amusement parks which stops people from spitting on others - as we were told by the cast member who ran the ride (it shoots you up then drops you).
- When we saw the chipped paint, and some of the rude cast members at various areas of the park.
- When the crowd almost trampled my 5 year old when we were standing behind the parade trying to get out of the park and the people didn't even say excuse me.
- When we had to walk all the way back to our car in the simba lot

Lastly, when I made the decision that if I was going to spend $99 for a day ticket to Disney...it would only, ONLY be at Disney World

[Peppertink]

Originally Posted by nitaworm

We went to our first trip ever to Disneyland California. Boy was I dissappointed. We do Disney World Florida every year and didn't realize how spoiled we had become.

Here is when we knew it would be an interesting vacation:

- When we parked in the simba lot and realized that there was no tram to the park
- When a lady driver in the parking area almost ran into our car by turning in the wrong direction from what the disney cast member directed her
- When the disney cast member 'cursed at her'
- When we past by one of the Disney hotels to see two kids ages 6yrs and 10yrs wearing swimpers and playing in the sprinkler's
- When we saw kids that were 8 years old or larger, fighting to fit into strollers offered by the park that was way too small for them
- When we noticed that there was a plastic barrier around a ride that we see at all amusement parks which stops people from spitting on others - as we were told by the cast member who ran the ride (it shoots you up then drops you).
- When we saw the chipped paint, and some of the rude cast members at various areas of the park.
- When the crowd almost trampled my 5 year old when we were standing behind the parade trying to get out of the park and the people didn't even say excuse me.
- When we had to walk all the way back to our car in the simba lot

Lastly, when I made the decision that if I was going to spend $99 for a day ticket to Disney...it would only, ONLY be at Disney World

It's too bad that you had a less than stellar visit to DLR and you were disappointed. It's tough when crowds are not as courteous as they should be, but honestly, I've had the same experience with exiting crowds being rude at WDW too.

I know they used to have a tram for the Simba parking lot, but maybe they did away with it. It has been a while since I wasn't a guest staying on property so it's a shame that they did away with that.

I believe you are talking about the Maliboomer ride at DCA...that has the shields on it??? Those are not acutally spit gaurds...or barf gaurds as we were jokingly told one time. They were added to the ride a few weeks after opening as "scream shields". Apparently they had complaints for the surrounding community that the guests screams were carrying from this ride.

I do agree that the number of rude CM's has increased over the years, however, I have noticed it at both resorts.

[WishUponAStar]

Wow, I am shocked to be honest. I've also been visiting WDW frequently since I was little and to be honest once I started going to Disneyland I absolutely kept returning because I loved it so much. I've had the exact opposite experiences that you've explained though; I personally have always found the guests more laid-back, less of the rude 'don't get in my way' attitude, prestine grounds & environment, food is WAY better in my opinion, and easy-going CMs.

[LittleMissMagic]

I love different things about each park. I hate that you had a bad experience.

[apayne111982]

Friday will be my first trip to WDW but I went to DL last year in July. We arrived at the park before it opened and the tram was there waiting when we got out of the car. The park was not crowded at all. We waited maybe 5 minutes if that in line to ride the rides. I loved DL but we will have to see once I return on the 20th from WDW which park we will be returning to next year.

[Toriadavis]

I am so sad that you had some not so great things happen at Disneyland. I have like some others had both good and bad happen at both Disneyland and WDW.
I know that I personally notice the size of WDW vs Disneyland. There are still a huge number of people who frequent Disneyland as well as WDW and in turn there is more overall property at WDW for people to spread out.

[Toriadavis]

Originally Posted by apayne111982

Friday will be my first trip to WDW but I went to DL last year in July. We arrived at the park before it opened and the tram was there waiting when we got out of the car. The park was not crowded at all. We waited maybe 5 minutes if that in line to ride the rides. I loved DL but we will have to see once I return on the 20th from WDW which park we will be returning to next year.

Your are going to be in HEAVEN at WDW. Just you wait and see!!!

[faerie dust]

we ave never been to dL but have noticed the quality of wdw cm decreased in the past few years.. there are also more non English speaking cms[ not college program ] that dont have a clue what you are asking for or how to answer. however every trip we find at least one cm that still has the disney attitude that makes it worth while.

[nitaworm]

Well, with it being very hard to make my DH let go of a dollar. He even said that he was glad we went, at least 1 time. However, if we had to pick where we wanted to spend our $$ next time, it would be WDW. The experience there is just so much different. If I would have done Disney land first, I don't think it would have been so bad.

[DisneyTeacher]

I'm sorry your trip wasn't what you hoped it would be. I'm glad you got to go, it's something I have always wanted to do and I know one day I will.

[keljen]

I would love to visit Disney California and maybe somday we will

[Pinocchio's Pal]

Here is a funny one...my friends took their 4 children to DL last Jan and when they got there the kids cried. They are used to WDW...I cracked up when she told me this!!
I <3 WDW, but I still want to hit the West Coast version!!

[cmrncraz15]

I'm a WDW snob as well. I saw fireworks last night and the first thought I had was "not exactly the Magic Kingdom!"

[PeterPansPixie]

I am sorry you didn't have as wonderful of an experience as you would have liked. I think you really have to go to DL with a different mindset. My sister lived near Anaheim up until recently and we got to go to DL as much as we did WDW during those years when we visited her. I remember going there for the first time and seeing Sleeping Beauty's castle and not getting anywhere near the same feeling you do when you see Cinderella's Castle for the first time. Everything is just smaller it seems and I know many people who have gone there and been disappointed because they were expecting something more like WDW.

[MegaPowersPT]

Originally Posted by cmrncraz15

I'm a WDW snob as well. I saw fireworks last night and the first thought I had was "not exactly the Magic Kingdom!"

LOL, I said the same thing to my gf last night!