European
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Mar 12, 2003
My last trip to DLR was in December 2015 & my last trip to WDW was in March 2019. So plenty of changes since then and I wanted to express my thoughts, positives and negatives after my 4 day visit last week.
- First: mobile orders. One thing I prefer at DLR (vs. WDW) are some of the quick service restaurants. Like Tiana's and Rancho del Zocalo, where you can get fairly decent meals served in/with decent plates/cutlery at quick service prices. So not in disposable plastic/cardboard/bamboo/paper. I had done mobile orders on Thursday and Friday at several quick service restaurants and thought it was a great invention. On Saturday I wanted to have lunch at Tiana's and did the mobile order again. When I arrived, the place was packed and there was a long line to enter (for those who did not mobile order). I first wanted to get myself a table close to the mobile order window before pressing 'I'm here now' as I was traveling solo and did not want to struggle finding a table while my food was getting cold. It was so busy I literally had to stand next to a table of people who were almost leaving, sitting down as soon as they stood up. I find that very rude and annoying for everybody, but I had no other choice. Then when I got the food (7 greens gumbo) it was such a small portion in a plastic container. Not what people were getting that did not mobile order. Such a disappointment! I had to go and get a burger at Red Rose afterwards as I was still hungry. Same problem with the tables there, but at least there was no difference between the food you got through mobile order or regular line. So on Sunday I learned my lesson and went to Rancho del Zocalo at 10.45 am as it opened at 11 am. I could not believe people were already lining up. No mobile order possible here btw (which is probably a good thing here). Food was very good. By the time I left (still before noon) almost all the tables were occupied.
Afterwards I went to City Hall to express my disappointment on Tiana's. After having waited in line for half an hour. The cast member said she would pass the information, but did not seem interested in my experience. The least she could have done was give me a meal voucher.
- I added Genie+ to my ticket as it was only about $100 more and because it also included PhotoPass. I made good use of Genie+. Although it did make me crossing the parks all day. Like back in the days with Fast Pass I guess. I also got free lightning lanes twice. Once because I was on RotR when it broke down. And once when it was time for my lightning lane for Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway, but I hadn't gotten there yet and the ride broke down. Automatically I got a Lightning Lane valid on most (not all) LL attractions. So that's good!
-I was not happy with the pictures the photographers took, though. Lots of sky, but only part of my feet, pictures in front of the castle, but only part of the castle is in the photo, pictures at Storyteller's Statue and also Partners Statue, but the statue is not completely on the photo etc. Did these people even had a training? I sure hope the WDW photographers are better?
- So the Disneyland app was pretty good with the mobile orders, viewing the photos, using Genie+, viewing the attractions waiting times. And the lines go so much quicker having a smartphone with wifi in my hands. Downside is you're on your phone all day long. Powerbanks are a must!
- The cutting in line. What's ups with that? I never ever have seen people cutting in line in a US park before. It especially happened often at Rise of the Resistance even though the cast member at the entrance clearly tells everyone the whole party must enter together.
- Talking about Star Wars Galaxy's Edge. That land is AMAZING! All those details! My compliments to all who was involved in making this land. Rise of the Resistance is my new favorite attraction. Apart from some minor details they could have handled better. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run was less impressive (but still good). Too much pushing buttons. Then I'd prefer Star Tours: The Adventures Continue.
- Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway was so much fun too. I had not expected that. But apart from the ride vehicles it does look cheap though.
- As always Haunted Mansion Holiday was great. It's a big reason why I visit during Halloween/Christmas season. I sure hope they continue doing the makeover each year. But next time I visit will probably be the end of September (in x years time). Not too hot/cold, Halloween season and cheaper for renting DVC points. Monday to Friday. Never again during the weekend!
- What else was new to me? Web slingers was just OK. I prefer Toy Story Mania. Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission Breakout was just OK as well. I prefer Tower of Terror. Of course the fact that people screamed, yelled and talked loudly didn't help. And I am not talking about screaming because it's a thrill ride. They obviously knew the ride by heart and were so loud I could not hear what the Guardians said. After trying the attraction twice, I gave up. The Amazing Spider-Man little show was so cool with the impressive jump!
- It was fun seeing about half of the guests with something Disney on them: sweater, bag, ears,... But I didn't see many people walking around with bags (their purchases) from the stores, though. I couldn't find anything I liked either, which is good for my wallet I guess. Luckily Girls Crew was at Downtown Disney during the weekend. They have some unique and cute earrings and I got a few (most don't come in pairs). The designer was there too and I asked if she had plans on making Lady Tremaine & Lucifer. Those would be awesome. Anyone who agrees, please contact her with this suggestion ;-) Because she definitely takes them into account and I had the impression lots of new characters and designs are coming our way.
- So all in all it was great to be back at DLR, but my visit definitely had a negative taste. I sure hope my next DCL & WDW trips will be better.
- First: mobile orders. One thing I prefer at DLR (vs. WDW) are some of the quick service restaurants. Like Tiana's and Rancho del Zocalo, where you can get fairly decent meals served in/with decent plates/cutlery at quick service prices. So not in disposable plastic/cardboard/bamboo/paper. I had done mobile orders on Thursday and Friday at several quick service restaurants and thought it was a great invention. On Saturday I wanted to have lunch at Tiana's and did the mobile order again. When I arrived, the place was packed and there was a long line to enter (for those who did not mobile order). I first wanted to get myself a table close to the mobile order window before pressing 'I'm here now' as I was traveling solo and did not want to struggle finding a table while my food was getting cold. It was so busy I literally had to stand next to a table of people who were almost leaving, sitting down as soon as they stood up. I find that very rude and annoying for everybody, but I had no other choice. Then when I got the food (7 greens gumbo) it was such a small portion in a plastic container. Not what people were getting that did not mobile order. Such a disappointment! I had to go and get a burger at Red Rose afterwards as I was still hungry. Same problem with the tables there, but at least there was no difference between the food you got through mobile order or regular line. So on Sunday I learned my lesson and went to Rancho del Zocalo at 10.45 am as it opened at 11 am. I could not believe people were already lining up. No mobile order possible here btw (which is probably a good thing here). Food was very good. By the time I left (still before noon) almost all the tables were occupied.
Afterwards I went to City Hall to express my disappointment on Tiana's. After having waited in line for half an hour. The cast member said she would pass the information, but did not seem interested in my experience. The least she could have done was give me a meal voucher.
- I added Genie+ to my ticket as it was only about $100 more and because it also included PhotoPass. I made good use of Genie+. Although it did make me crossing the parks all day. Like back in the days with Fast Pass I guess. I also got free lightning lanes twice. Once because I was on RotR when it broke down. And once when it was time for my lightning lane for Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway, but I hadn't gotten there yet and the ride broke down. Automatically I got a Lightning Lane valid on most (not all) LL attractions. So that's good!
-I was not happy with the pictures the photographers took, though. Lots of sky, but only part of my feet, pictures in front of the castle, but only part of the castle is in the photo, pictures at Storyteller's Statue and also Partners Statue, but the statue is not completely on the photo etc. Did these people even had a training? I sure hope the WDW photographers are better?
- So the Disneyland app was pretty good with the mobile orders, viewing the photos, using Genie+, viewing the attractions waiting times. And the lines go so much quicker having a smartphone with wifi in my hands. Downside is you're on your phone all day long. Powerbanks are a must!
- The cutting in line. What's ups with that? I never ever have seen people cutting in line in a US park before. It especially happened often at Rise of the Resistance even though the cast member at the entrance clearly tells everyone the whole party must enter together.
- Talking about Star Wars Galaxy's Edge. That land is AMAZING! All those details! My compliments to all who was involved in making this land. Rise of the Resistance is my new favorite attraction. Apart from some minor details they could have handled better. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run was less impressive (but still good). Too much pushing buttons. Then I'd prefer Star Tours: The Adventures Continue.
- Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway was so much fun too. I had not expected that. But apart from the ride vehicles it does look cheap though.
- As always Haunted Mansion Holiday was great. It's a big reason why I visit during Halloween/Christmas season. I sure hope they continue doing the makeover each year. But next time I visit will probably be the end of September (in x years time). Not too hot/cold, Halloween season and cheaper for renting DVC points. Monday to Friday. Never again during the weekend!
- What else was new to me? Web slingers was just OK. I prefer Toy Story Mania. Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission Breakout was just OK as well. I prefer Tower of Terror. Of course the fact that people screamed, yelled and talked loudly didn't help. And I am not talking about screaming because it's a thrill ride. They obviously knew the ride by heart and were so loud I could not hear what the Guardians said. After trying the attraction twice, I gave up. The Amazing Spider-Man little show was so cool with the impressive jump!
- It was fun seeing about half of the guests with something Disney on them: sweater, bag, ears,... But I didn't see many people walking around with bags (their purchases) from the stores, though. I couldn't find anything I liked either, which is good for my wallet I guess. Luckily Girls Crew was at Downtown Disney during the weekend. They have some unique and cute earrings and I got a few (most don't come in pairs). The designer was there too and I asked if she had plans on making Lady Tremaine & Lucifer. Those would be awesome. Anyone who agrees, please contact her with this suggestion ;-) Because she definitely takes them into account and I had the impression lots of new characters and designs are coming our way.
- So all in all it was great to be back at DLR, but my visit definitely had a negative taste. I sure hope my next DCL & WDW trips will be better.
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