Disneyland - California Complaint - Disneyland Disappointment - entire experience

Posted by littleshorty on 2011-05-17:

The characters don't usually walk around. You have to wait in line to see them.

Posted by Justice-4-All on 2011-05-17:

Perhaps just bad timing and luck on your part? When I took my family, there WAS a parade, we shook hands and took pictures with a wide variety of characters, and enjoyed ourselves tremendously! Hope you give it a 2nd chance someday:)

Posted by Venice09 on 2011-05-17:

I was at Disney World twice with my kids, and I agree with everything you said except the part about grumpy, lazy employees.

Posted by SteveWiginowski on 2011-05-18:

Disneyland is really all about the day you go. You went on a Sunday in the middle of May, so the park was probably quite crowded. Being able to get on 10 rides, you were probably there for much of the day, and I'm actually impressed you got on that many rides with 10 people. Rides do break down, and that is unfortunate that it occured so many times, seems very unusual that 70% of them would break down while you were on them.

Characters can be found throughout the park, but it's not common to see them just walking around randomly. They can be found in certain locations, or in a parade, which there are several throughout the day. It would make sense that it was crowded around Mickey as he is the most popular character that people want their picture with.

For the food, you can bring in your own food. Their prices are a little bit higher, but is expected in places like amusement parks.

As an adult, I've been there a few times when I lived in LA, and it's just one of those places that when I go, I know I have to remember to be very patient, relax, and enjoy the atmosphere. I've gone there where the drive round-trip was 4.5 hours, I couldn't get into the park because it was so crowded. So we parked in some random parking lot, watched the fireworks (without hearing the music), and went home. It was still enjoyable though.

Posted by Ytropious on 2011-05-18:

Do you believe everything you see in commercials? The characters never just walk around unattended because they would get mobbed! When I went to DL in 2000 I only saw one character walking around, and I'm pretty sure they were trying to walk back to the back room and they kept getting stopped for pictures. They're supposed to have a human attendant with them at all times too.

Posted by Skye on 2011-05-18:

I'm sorry you had a terrible time. We've been to Disney a few times, and always enjoyed our time there. Not once did we ever see the characters strolling around. Sadly, it's not like they portray in the commercials.

Yes, it is expensive, but what isn't these days? We are having a sort of family reunion in October, and are all meeting up in Florida for Disneyworld. I'm looking forward to that trip. I've never been to Disneyworld.

Posted by azRider on 2011-05-18:

Disneyland is one of the most crowded places in southern California. So you have to kind of expect some things to happen. however, I've always found that they do a good job and make it a fun place. I've never really seen any lazy or grumpy workers there, in fact they often would go out of the way to take care of things for me. the food, well, what theme park does not have expensive food? but I agree here, the food at Disneyland has always been poor quality. been that way as far back I can remember and I started going there in 1955. Now I've found that the food is much better at Disneyworld, not sure why that is, same company, but better food. must be better on-site managers. as to no fireworks and parade, well if its windy they can't do fireworks. to much city down there, and rules prevent it. I'm guessing the wind would be a problem for the parade because of the tall figures on the floats too. that just comes down to mother nature, which Walt would like to control, but can't. so sorry you had an issue, but I'd vote to try it again sometime, just pick a day with no wind.

Posted by ript on 2011-05-19:

Isn't Disneyland just a people trap operated by a mouse?

Posted by jktshff1 on 2011-05-19:

/\ ha ha!!