Opening time: 8 a.m.
Weather: Gray and chilly when I arrived, quickly got REALLY warm
Crowds: Not too bad
I clearly remember my only DL visit in 2002...I and a friend arrived more than an hour early, and parking lot attendants were already there to let us into the parking structure. We had plenty of time to browse in Downtown Disney's stores before getting in line for the park's opening at 9 a.m.
Compare that to yesterday's visit. The parking signs directed me to the Disneyland Drive entrance, where after 15 minutes of sitting in my freezing-cold car (due to the gate not being open) some park suit walks by and yells at us to use the other entrance (Strike One.) So I go to the Ball Road entrance, which is heavily backed up due to those gates not being open either, in spite of the electronic sign claiming parking would open at 7:30 (Strike Two). Then, when attendants DID show up to let us in, there were only two of them. This meant that all of us had to merge into one of two lanes, and it took an additional 15 minutes to get in (Strike Three). Good thing I can walk very fast.
Memo to park management: It's no secret that Disneyland suffers from chronic and severe understaffing, but this is just plain bad service. Got it?
One of my friends thinks Disneyland should rename the "Dream Fastpass" the "Scream Fastpass" since a) all the affected attractions are thrill rides, and b) she, like me, has back problems and is tired of being given those things (as she can't use them). This time, she tried to hand it back, saying she couldn't use it, and - get this - was told to keep it as a "souvenir." A souvenir of what - a medical problem that limits her abilities? Um, hello, NOBODY wants THAT. She was pretty shocked by their insensitivity, and I suspect she's going to file a formal complaint.
On to what's new this week...
That mini poinsettia has disappeared from Storybook Land, and the mini baby carriage seems to be missing from London Park (for those not familiar with the original Peter Pan story, Tinker Bell found baby Peter in a carriage during a rainstorm and took him to Neverland with her).
One of the fireplace pillars in Mr. Toad's Wild Ride has been patched (it had a thin oval-shaped hole from hitting the side of the wall when the fireplace swings open). You'd never know it had been in need of repair.
Alice now has a bunch of red roses (wired in place). It looks better and I'm hoping they don't get swiped. Cheshire Cat's eyes weren't rolling.
Duck from Pinocchio finale is back (and working) but one of the dolls is missing.
Word has it there's a new show at the Disney Gallery, though I didn't stick around to see it this week (the Gallery opens at noon). Next time, probably.
See you at Disneyland.
Weather: Gray and chilly when I arrived, quickly got REALLY warm
Crowds: Not too bad
I clearly remember my only DL visit in 2002...I and a friend arrived more than an hour early, and parking lot attendants were already there to let us into the parking structure. We had plenty of time to browse in Downtown Disney's stores before getting in line for the park's opening at 9 a.m.
Compare that to yesterday's visit. The parking signs directed me to the Disneyland Drive entrance, where after 15 minutes of sitting in my freezing-cold car (due to the gate not being open) some park suit walks by and yells at us to use the other entrance (Strike One.) So I go to the Ball Road entrance, which is heavily backed up due to those gates not being open either, in spite of the electronic sign claiming parking would open at 7:30 (Strike Two). Then, when attendants DID show up to let us in, there were only two of them. This meant that all of us had to merge into one of two lanes, and it took an additional 15 minutes to get in (Strike Three). Good thing I can walk very fast.
Memo to park management: It's no secret that Disneyland suffers from chronic and severe understaffing, but this is just plain bad service. Got it?
One of my friends thinks Disneyland should rename the "Dream Fastpass" the "Scream Fastpass" since a) all the affected attractions are thrill rides, and b) she, like me, has back problems and is tired of being given those things (as she can't use them). This time, she tried to hand it back, saying she couldn't use it, and - get this - was told to keep it as a "souvenir." A souvenir of what - a medical problem that limits her abilities? Um, hello, NOBODY wants THAT. She was pretty shocked by their insensitivity, and I suspect she's going to file a formal complaint.
On to what's new this week...
That mini poinsettia has disappeared from Storybook Land, and the mini baby carriage seems to be missing from London Park (for those not familiar with the original Peter Pan story, Tinker Bell found baby Peter in a carriage during a rainstorm and took him to Neverland with her).
One of the fireplace pillars in Mr. Toad's Wild Ride has been patched (it had a thin oval-shaped hole from hitting the side of the wall when the fireplace swings open). You'd never know it had been in need of repair.
Alice now has a bunch of red roses (wired in place). It looks better and I'm hoping they don't get swiped. Cheshire Cat's eyes weren't rolling.
Duck from Pinocchio finale is back (and working) but one of the dolls is missing.
Word has it there's a new show at the Disney Gallery, though I didn't stick around to see it this week (the Gallery opens at noon). Next time, probably.
See you at Disneyland.
posted by Sally Ravenswood at 11:19 PM
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