Disneyland Resort / Disney World / Etc.

[Brooklyn Roads]

I was wondering who out there has any thoughts on Disneyland / Disney World / Disney theme parks, in general.

Since I live about 4-5 hours from Los Angeles, I visit Disneyland on average every few years. I've gone a total of 6 times; I hope to go more frequently and during Christmas, at least once (already did Halloween).

What are your thoughts about going to the parks? Your experiences? Any great childhood memories or adult memories of going to any Disney park? Funny stories? Oddities?

I suppose for myself, Disneyland is a form of escape that offers a lot of entertainment packed into a relatively small space. I don't really look at it as a fantasy land, as there's a lot of reality around you (crying, tired, hungry and/or cranky kids; strollers running over your feet; long bathroom lines and long ride lines; summer time heat; lots of money spent on tickets, food and hotel); however, Disney does offer a lot of world class rides, entertainment, much better food than at a carnival/fair, theming that no other park can rival, the essence of Walt's touch, and so much more.

Anyway, I am sure many of you have some interesting thoughts about Disney theme parks and I was curious as to what they could be.

Thanks for your responses!

[bluefeather]

I've never been but would be nice to go sometime with some kids I know, though I'm not sure where my nearest Disneyland is, Denmark or France?

[MaryCalifornia]

I used to go to Disneyland pretty frequently growing up, but haven't been in 30 years, and my poor kids have never been! Never been to Disneyworld. It just sounds awful. (I know people like it, no offense meant, just not what I'm looking for when I drop that amount of $$)

If you are interested, you can read my recent post about our trip to Universal Studios last week - it is post # 607 in the "what are you doing right now" thread. That was a great experience I know you would enjoy, if you haven't already.

[Witchy Woman]

I haven't been there since my senior trip, but I would love to go back. I'm really excited about the Harry Potter theme park, and I hope to get the chance to see it in the next year or so.

It would seem it has gotten a bit commercialized, and I've seen several reports of the park being so crowded no one could move and people had to be turned away. I certainly would try to go during a downtime and avoid all that.

[Brooke]

I've never been but would love to go sometime. Maybe we'll take the grandkids someday! And grownup kids too?!

I have a bnl that has taken his family (5 kids) nearly every year since his oldest daughter was about 5. She's now 25! They all love it, even now that they're grown! We all made fun of them the first year they took their triplets when they were about 3 because they put those harness things on them (like dogs?!) But really it was the safest way to hold on to all of them!

[sodascouts]

The last time I went to Disneyworld was when I was 16. I'm not going to say how long ago that was, lol.

My parents have wanted to take the extended family there (daughters, son-in-law, grandchildren) and have even offered to pay for me to bring a friend. We haven't aligned everyone's schedule yet, but I would be interested in going again. I know a LOT has changed since my last visit!

[Glennsallnighter]

We have taken the children to the Paris Disneyland theme park on 3 occasions. We always have had a wonderful time and its great that there are activities that appeal to all ages. I'd love to go back again soon, but there IS a big bad world out there to see too!

[Houston Baby]

Well, since all my Dad's side of the family lives in central Florida @ 25 minutes away and I visit at least once a year, I have been to the DisneyWorld complex @ 40 or 50 times! Needless to say I love it. My very first visit was before it even opened. While they were building DW you could go to a visitor's center and look at drawings and a scale model of the complex. I can remember standing there looking at the scale model under glass and imagining how wonderful it was going to be once it was completed. I can remember the excitement I felt and I was in high school - LOL!!

My favorite park is Epcot. I love going during the spring when Epcot has the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. It usually runs from March to mid-May. Absolutely beautiful with gorgeous gardens, extra topiary displays, HGTV presentations & seminars and the Flower Power Concert Series which usually has bands from the 60s, 70s & 80s. This year they have The Guess Who, Paul Revere & the Raiders, the Lovin' Spoonful, Herman's Hermits (with Peter Noone), The Grass Roots, Village People and other bands. Added bonus is if you go @ late April or early May you can avoid the spring break & summer crowds/kids. For the wine lovers there is an Epcot International Food & Wine Festival in the fall.

One of my regrets that I hope to fix is that I have never been at Christmas. I hear it is absolutely beautiful at that time with all the decorations.

As you can tell if you get me started on DisneyWorld I can't stop. Anybody have specific questions, I will try to help.

Darn - Now I want to go to FL!!

[Tiffanny Twisted]

I have been to Florida twice.
Once we took our son for two quick days when he was about 2 or three I think. He was so in love with Mickey Mouse.
Then we went back when he was 6 I think both times were because Dad was in the are for business and we combined the trip.

Probably not something I would do again till we have grandchildren to go with.
For me I just remember it being an exhausting place . Up early and to bed late and run run run all day after a small child.
although he did love space mountain....rode it a dozen times at least.

never been to CA .

Its funny I live close to Philly and I haven't seen the liberty bell since 10th grade.
Its been so long since I saw it , It was still in the original building lol.
guess you don't go close to were you live Mary CA

[Houston Baby]

I will share one of my favorite memories when a bunch of my family went to Epcot. We had @ 25 of us going so there were 3 or 4 vehicles. It was aunts, uncles, cousins & my dad. I was grown @ 25 or 26 & I happened to go to FL the same time my parents were visiting. Once dad retired, my parents would go stay with his sister for a few weeks visiting all his relatives & old school chums. So my dad drove 1 vehicle & I rode with my cousins. We get to Epcot & split up to get in the numerous ticket lines. Dad looks over & who is right by his side? Me of course! He puts his arm around me & laughs & says “You didn’t even ride up here with me but here you are now right by my side waiting for good ole dad to buy your ticket like when you were 14”. I just smiled. He got me there – here I was grown with a good job expecting Dad to pay for my ticket – LOL! But gosh, those tickets were expensive even back then.

BTW – Dad bought my ticket that day! Thanks Dad! You are always in my heart.