We went a few weeks ago hoping to feel some of the magic again but with the park res, genie plus, constant phone ,the crowds, prices and horrendous lines I think this trip was our last. My heart is breaking . We have had 33 years of wonderful memories and trips to both coasts so I guess I should be thankful to have been during the hay days, but I’m truly sad. Like saying goodbye to a dear friend
Don’t plan, don’t get Genie +, follow the Disney winds. Do the park like you always have. Don’t fall for the things they say make it more convenient but actually make it more stressful.
I have visited Disneyland park many times I heard the prices went way up that’s terrible my last time was in 2019 to me the magic of Disneyland is gone.
I feel the same way and it’s been making me really sad I love Disneyland and hav for soo long and really want to always see the best but went again very recently and it was soo overwhelming packed!!😢😂I felt so bad for cast members they seemed soo unhappy and overworked ☹️😣very grumpy and rude ,there at-least always a few amazing happy friendly cast members thankfully but I still feel they need better encouragement maybe better pay maybe? something?? It’s just not the same and it’s hard with parking ,cost , seeing it more run down prob from too many crowds and reservations and all😢
@@aclassyella That"s to bad shame really that Disneyland has become over priced on just the tickets and food I remember people who worked at the park use to be friendly and nice yet I can see the huge and awful changes that the park has become, yet there is always universal studios hollywood there not so pricy that's also a fun place to visit.
My dad started working at Disneyland 6 months after it opened in 1959; he retired in 1977. When I was a kid in the 60’s and 70’s we went to Disneyland often. I loved having Disney in my childhood. Of course, I was so proud my dad worked at Disneyland. Dad told us, Walt Disney would love to break away from his executives and come into the shop and talk to the guys to check out the current projects for the park. Walt LOVED talking to guys to get their feedback. Miss you Dad!! ❤ 😢
I’m a magic key holder at disneyland but it doesn’t feel the same as it was years ago. My favorite thing to do before covid was to do spontaneous trips to the parks whenever I had an urge to go but now I have to wait weeks even months to make a reservation just to enter. No matter when I go now even if it’s the middle of September on a Wednesday it still feels the same as a Saturday in July. I wish they go back to how it used to be along with the free fastpasses that were convenient instead of the $25-50 depending on the day fastpasses. Great video Dev
So true. The magic key was a waste of money. When we were going to go we still had to get a ticket for the weekend because all the weekends were unavailable
I don’t understand having to wait weeks or months for a reservation. The only day that has been unavailable to most is tomorrow. Otherwise pretty much every day has been open for keys and single day tickets. It may change a little over the holidays, but the holidays are always expected to be the busiest time. Yes, days that have been known to be less busy can now be busy. However, since Disney is using the reservation system to encourage key holders to go mid-week often times Sunday is a super low crowd day. That is great for many who can only go weekends.
@@RaeAnn_1202 I have the 2nd lowest tier and have schools on weekdays which I can’t skip so I have to wait a while out, sometimes when I really wanted to go my brother would take me out of school to go to Disneyland
I'm a keyholder too and I would have zero issues with waiting for a reservation if it meant the parks were less crowded. Id much rather go once a month to a pleasant experience than once a week to a miserably overcrowded park
I am 46 years old and grew up loving Disneyland! Our sons are 22, 20, and 18 and they grew up with Disney as well. My wife and I are both teachers so our lives went around school schedules. We used to go to Disneyland/Knotts every summer, fall break, winter break and spring break. We were annual passholders and stayed at every hotel/motel on Harbor including the three resorts. It was a magical time and we did that for about 15 years beginning roughly around 2002. I slowly started to notice an increase in crowds with a decrease in magic. Prices crept up. I remember back when the Halloween party was not widely known and did not sell out. The memories are great but I would never ever go back. I tried it a few years ago when Rise of the Resistance opened and that was the final straw. Stresssing out if I can get on the ride is not the way to to go. Fighting over virtual ques and the feeling of not getting a pass even though I paid a small fortune for tickets is aggrivating. I would rather spend my money on the real world and see things that were not made up.
Growing up in Southern California this makes me sad. The last few times we went to Disneyland it was like this with the cost, the crowds, and stress (and that was a good three years ago before the pandemic). We could see the disenchantment and the changes happening with the cast members being grumpy all the time, areas of the park looking run down and dirty, and not being able to do any of the things on your list due to crowds and/ or breakdowns. Honestly it’s been going on in So Cal for a good ten years like this AT LEAST. Now the issues are bleeding over to Florida, and everyone on the east coast is freaking out. What’s truly sad is that my kids have never been to Disneyworld (they’re now in high school and college ). My husband has a six figure paying job and there’s still no way we can afford to go to Disneyworld. Even upper middle class is priced out.
I agree. there's nothing Disney has done in the last several years to add to the guest experience. I don't know how one person can screw things up in such a short time frame.
Was a student on exchange in the USA living in Texas. For my 18th birthday I got a trip to California with the Danish exchange student who was attending the same school as me, and her host family. It was Disneyland’s 25th Anniversary year, so there were a lot of additional parades and attractions. Disneyland was everything and more that a kid growing up 12,000 miles away thought it would be. It truly was magical and the happiest place on earth wasn’t an exaggeration. I still have the tickets for the things that just could not be fitted into one day’s visit and the gift shop paper bags as well. It’s sad to know that even Disneyland has lost its magic, it’s a sad old world we are living in these days.
Hello again ... I commented a few days ago! I was the one that went to Disneyland Resort about 2 weeks ago from Colorado! We were so disappointed! The parks were way overcrowded and the Cast Members were so stressed out ... Zero Magic! We had one point where 8, yes 8, rides were down at the same time ... including 3 of the 4 Mountains! And Genie+ may be the final straw for me! It was kinda heartbreaking! I have no delusions that Disney owes me anything or that I own anything there ... and yet I still feel like something has been taken away from me! Does that make sense to anyone else?
Yes it absolutely does make sense. I kinda have the same feelings. I wanted to go back to Disneyland for the holidays because I felt like this was such a short visit because of the availability but I think I won’t be back anytime soon until things change.
This is exactly it! I went at the beginning of September and was really disappointed. I was with a friend who isn’t that much of a Disney fan and he said “I feel like if I want to get treated decently I have to pay for everything, if not they just make you feel like you are not worthy” this was after being in line for 1 hour to take a picture with the Mickey pumpkin and having to ask someone to take a quick picture of us with my phone because photo pass told us they couldn’t after taking 15 min with the couple in front of us and taking like 50 pictures of them (they did have photo pass)We felt as if we were doing something wrong just for asking and that’s not a feeling you want to have after paying for a ticket (that is not cheap + waiting in line). Plus we didn’t want to pay for genie+ because it didn’t even guarantee us riding the rides we wanted. The thing is that all of this things used to be part of the experience but since they started to charge for them it gives everyone a completely different experience and what breaks my heart is that that’s what I loved about Disney, that no matter who you were it didn’t make a difference. Everyone got fast passes, everyone could ask for a picture, everyone was treated the same, but not anymore and that’s why it feels like something’s missing, because it is.
I live in SoCal and haven’t been to Disneyland in 8 yrs, I went yesterday and I can’t believe how much it’s changed. There’s way to many people and we couldn’t enjoy the park. I don’t remember it being like this bk then, sad.
The way you felt that day is how I felt visiting Magic Kingdom in 2019. I felt so panicked, even after spending so much time pre-planning our ONE day at the park for my family of 5. So much time is wasted standing in line, and after spending close to $1000 (Canadian) for just tickets to only experience a fraction of the park, I knew that'd be our last time going. Just not worth it.
The reason you are spending so much more time in line is because the park is also selling special passes to basically cut in line. That makes the people who are already waiting in line wait even longer.
My best trip was in 2016. We did 2 days, 1 park per day, and I used a website called RideMax to plan our day. You select which rides you want to do, shows you want to watch, and you can even add in meal breaks. And it creates a plan for you. It was the best $15 I've ever spent. We followed the plan to a T, and had the most relaxed fun days ever and were able to see and do every single thing we wanted... and it was in peak summer season in August! (This was back when they still had the paper fast pass system). Sadly I think those days are long gone :(
Our best trip was May 2019. Parks were chill, weather was perfect, fast pass/Max Pass was amazing, and felt nice and relaxed. When we returned May 2021 since the close down, we had a ton of wonderful memories however you would have thought Christmas was that month because the crowds and lines were INSANE. Chapek would rather make millions more and sacrifice costumer well being just because he can.
We went to Disneyland for the first time beginning of October, after becoming disenchanted with World. Everyone told us how laid back it is and how much smaller crowds were. We were very disappointed for a lot of the reasons you mentioned. Huge crowds, rides breaking down all the time, and being on your phone all the time. We went to Knot’s Berry Farm too and longest we waited was for anything was 30 minutes. Thinking next trip may be a hotel only stay (we are DVC).
completely agree with a lot of your comments. I used to go for the distraction and now they have made being glued to ur phone part of the experience. You have to preplan all visits now thanks to reservations. For someone who lives locally I miss the days when you just said lets go to Disney and you could.. its no longer a thing and this is why knots and universal have become so much more attractive after these changes from the covid closures.
Dev, you are reaffirming my thoughts of not renewing my pass. I'm still on the fence just for the fact that single day tickets are ridiculously overpriced but the magic is gone & the crowds are constant!
Aww, the magic is very much alive. We go as often as we are able. Six hours away or tends to be monthly. Talk with cast members, don’t plan anything, don’t get Genie+, follow the Disney winds. If you are upset about crowds just remember you are part of the crowd. Try not going on any rides but look for hidden Mickey’s, Peter and Wendy’s initials, feel the small earthquake on one of the bridges, learn about the people listed on the Main Street windows, ride Main Street Vehicles, enjoy Dapper Dans and the Band … so much magic!
@@RaeAnn_1202 that's such a thing a pass holder can for sure do. when I had my pass and lived walking distance we would walk to the park get dinner, people watch and than go home. Rides are not a necessity to enjoy urself but If you are traveling to the parks its such different story when ur not a pass holder..I have not been in a while, see the lines and the disruption that genie and reservations have caused and its no longer the same. Disney is force crowding parks with reservations by controlling what's "available days to go" its crazy I can use my last remaining comp ticket but can't buy a 1 day ticket to go next day... that makes no sense to me.
For future visits… 1.Most California schools have a week off in October”fall break”….throughout the month depending on district…might be why it was extra busy 2. We couldn’t get Disney reservations at Christmas, so we made all the reservations for DCA and parked hopped at 1:00 to magic kingdom
I grew up two hours from Disneyland (Ventura county) and we NEVER had a a fall break. Ever. I think you’re thinking of the southern states. We live in Tenn now and yes, the kids do have a fall break.
Grew up in Long Beach, and was lucky to experience Disneyland over the decades, 70s, 80s, 90s, 2Ks...that's when things started to really change ...the last time I went I knew it was probably the last time...having those early years as reference, well, much of the magic is done...
The 50th anniversary year which was 2005 was absolutely amazing but even 10 years later the park just wasn't the same and now after COVID it's really just a disappointment
Having grown up in So. Cal. and was there the year it opened in 1955, I was 4 at the time and don't remember much except some of the pictures. Disneyland now is nothing what it was while growing up. I was was annual pass holder from 1989 to 2002 and took the kids once to twice a week.. Then the crowds and costs were not so high. Those were the golden years where on Sunday mornings and Friday nights we could go on 10 to 14 different rides in a 4 hour period. On Friday night during the time just before Fantasmic started and the fireworks at the end we could go on the Haunted Mansion, Pirates, and get in line for Big Thunder.
Being a passholder at the original Disneyland park for a long time now, I can say the parks for us are a lot more crowded without the reservation system. What's making it worse is genie+ because it makes the lines long. I remember before Covid and we sometimes had to leave early because of how they allowed passes to come on same days so than it was just so crowded like body to body. I hope yall had fun at least
Dev- Literally, you're the only guy on youtube talking about what went wrong at Disneyland. You nailed it! The so Cal parks are really bad... Packed almost every day of the year. They feel dirty, unsafe and look run down. There's a different dark vibe in the parks these days... a vibe that says "I'm no longer a place where children are welcome and dreams come true." It's a vibe that says, "The magic is dead, rides are broken down and we don't care. If you're a weirdo adult with no job, no money and no hope for your future... come on in!" What on earth happened? Disney oversold Magic Keys! So. Cal locals, people who live near Disneyland and don't have money to spend in the parks... bought their Magic Keys for next to nothing. $449 for the annual Magic Key pass. How did they afford it? (Remember the gov. covid checks?) Well, there's your answer. If a local makes 4 reservations a month, that's 4 x 12 months= 48. $449 divided by 48= $9.35! Yes, that's right! Locals are going to Disneyland for less than $10 per visit! The locals are abusing their Magic Keys by using the parks as cheap weekly entertainment! Sure, a few locals eat at the restaurants and spend money in the parks. But, the majority of new "post covid" locals aren't buying much of anything! They mull around the parks, cussing, swearing and clogging up rides and walkways. They're rude and just don't seem to care about others... besides meeting up with their other local friends after the sun sets. My Disney family and I speculate, with strong certainty, that many locals have learned how to turn their Magic Keys into gold, by farming them out to family and friends! It's a fact that employees at the gates rarely cross reference the Magic Keys photos to the people actually entering the parks. How can this huge problem be solved? How does Disneyland return to being a top notch tourist vacation destination? They need to double, yes DOUBLE the price of Magic Keys.
PS. My sister is a Magic Key holder. Rude horrible People running over other people to get to Rise of the Resistance tonight! It was broken down and just reopened this evening. It’s insane!
I flew over from Australia with my partner (who had never been to Disney) and told him how magical and amazing it was and how excited I was to finally be going back after 4 years. And I was so disappointed. Usually I'm almost in tears that I have to leave, but this time, i was happy to leave and sad that I didn't get that urge to come back as soon as I can. You can't even just walk up and order food but have to do it on the app and select a time to collect it. Plus the lines reservations also. But the worst was when the staff were not friendly or as happy as they used to be, plus we couldn't get a spot to watch the fireworks. We were moved on in a big circle by staff and it wasn't until the 4th person we asked that said we had to just go under the rope and make space where ever we could. And the fireworks were so disappointing that we left half way through!! Its just not the same. Does anyone know if WDW is the same?
Yeah just got back from Florida and absolutely couldn't wait to get back to the hotel because everything was a ball ache with the app. It destroyed the magic for us.
@@jessicawells4883 don't get me wrong we had a lovely time but it's a bit too busy and the app made it worse. Like you said we just wanted to stop and get food but we had to get our phones out to try and order then wait because the queues were mental.
IM from Australia as well, went to Disneyland 2014 & 2016 so I think I was at the cut off before the "new Disney" began. Realising that, the California park very much caters to a lot of tourist from overseas visiting California, so it get extra people in a small space. I do think the long rumoured Disneyland Australia might be a thing in the future. Especially considering that they are now doing cruises in Australia for the first time next year.
My son is a CM and he has said October is now a very , very busy month. We were there October 22nd and so thankful he was with us for a few perks! My husband and I will be going back early December with no problem getting a reservation made today , with no plan, but just to enjoy the holiday ambience.
Dev - we have been following you for years! So glad you came to our hood and our park! Yes - the magic is waning. We are so disappointed. We have not been - and wont be back for a long long while. Blessings and hugs!
I lived in NV most of my life so I only knew Disneyland. Moving to FL my expectations were all set that Disney world would be better and was sooo disappointed. So wonderful to get a glimpse of my old stomping grounds again. Thank you for this video!
Sadly the best days of Disneyland are in the past. I grew up down the street in the 60’s-70’s and even in the 80’s when my son was growing up, it still had the same magical feel. By the time my grandson was born in 2008, it had already begun the descent into a cluster cattle round up nightmare experience. I’m just grateful I enjoyed it during its best years 😞
My granddaughters and I visited in June for 2 days and had a wonderful time. We stayed at the Paradise Park with a gorgeous view. So now I want to take them again next Christmas but ... The cost of the hotel, fast passes, waiting in longs lines, and the worst -- having dinning reservations is taking us over the edge. I hate having to be a slave to my phone. Luckily we found two restaurants willing to serve us without reservations but the other ones we check required online reservations. Enough to think twice about returning.
I agree with the comments. We went to Disneyland for the 1st time in the first week of October and it wasn't a great experience. It was so crowded that it was hard to move around the park, a few times we just felt overwhelmed by the sea of people and just wanted to leave . We didn't enjoy it as much even though it was such an special trip for us. Also, some places really looked like they needed some TLC. It was disappointing. Maybe I'll try again on a different time of the year, but probably not any time soon.
@@perfectpca Why are Disney parks so damn crowded anyways? Why don't those idiots go somewhere else to spend money? Disney is not the only theme park in the world.
We just went this weekend (November 5) and had a blast. One day park hopper pass, had genie + and spent no more than 5-10mins in a line, mobile ordered all our food and stayed from rope drop until the fireworks show. My advice is to go for a single day. Disneyland is nothing like Disney World and it doesn’t help your happiness or your pockets pretending that their value is the same. And You have to study up on how to use your Disney genie + and the mobile app. And fun fact you have an entire hour window to redeem your lightning lane. Go on rides when waiting. 🙌🏾
Im so glad you got to go to the iconic Disneyland! I grew up in Southern California going to Disneyland as a child and now as an adult to be able to take my children and my grandchildren to Disneyland its an amazing gift. My birthday is in December and I try to go every year for my birthday to Disneyland! The Christmas time at Disneyland is truly magical!
Dev there is no other truly honest vlogger like you things have been changed a lot and Disney direction is not magical any more I go to the parks just to remember my childhood and good old days. Thanks again 🙏🏽
I grow up in CA and I know Disneyland like the back of my hand. I went to Disney world a couple years ago and have been back a couple times. I have to say Disney Florida is so much better. More parks, more restaurants, nicer people and Disney springs so is much nicer and bigger and the parking there is much better . Anyone that hasn’t been there should go
I used to go to Disneyland with my family and my ex gf all the time on random days since we live in San Diego. After keeping up with the genie+ roll out & the reservation system I don’t plan on visiting for a very long time. We’ve recently switched to universal studios. So much more fun.
So sad what Dismal-land has turned into. Being 70 yrs. old, and living 30 min. away from D-land my entire life, I have experienced the "ticket books" and the coveted "E" ticket rides, which in my day the Matterhorn was the best E ticket attraction. In the mid 70's I worked in Ahaheim and recall them building Space Mountain. When my kids were small (now in their 40's) we had annual passes and had such a blast with those. We could go there after school got out, park close and stay there a couple hrs. It was such fun. They've just gotten greedy and gotten too big. So sad to see the death of Disneyland. I will say, in the erly 80's I went with my mom and kids during Christmas time -- mistake. I was close to going somewhere and asking for our money back. We could not do anything. Even getting food was next to impossible. What a waste.
Hello dev and Bianca txs for the amazing and awesome Sharing vacation video from Disneyland I really enjoyed watching it and the both of you bringing sunshine to my day and I loved you guys too
All I know about this video was that I read the title, I haven’t seen a second of the actual video but even based only from that you are PREACHING brother
Hi Dev! I went to Disneyland for the first time in mid October and sooooo disappointed that I missed you by a few days. My thoughts: I was surprised at how crowded it was. It constantly felt like a sea of people. There were some rides were I couldn't tell where the queue began. They moved fast though. The queues are also very narrow. I actually felt claustrophobic a few times. Like you, it was so hard getting food. The lines were long, some carts were closed, and mobile order windows were often about an hour out. There weren't very many photopass photographers. I often relied on other kind folks to take pictures for me and I for them. I also felt the cast members just didn't have the spark and friendliness that exists in Orlando. They looked tired which is sad. I loved the nostalgia. It felt more old-time classic. I loved DCA more than HS. I loved loved loved Oogie Boogie Bash.
Great Video on what it's like to visit now. I'm glad to be Old(75) because I got to visit when it was more normal and relaxed. My first time in April 1958 at 11 years old - Wow. Then in the 60's( High School & College). The last time it felt normal was 2001 right after California Adventure opened.
Hi Dev . the parks are so Busy now and its a real shame did both coasts this year and totaly agree with you. Universal Orlando was a much better experience and heaps cheaper
Tell ‘em Bianca! Everything does NOT have to have a pumpkin spice version, or a peppermint mocha version for these holiday seasons, I swear! 😂 My purist Nola heart and palate would NEVER treat a beignet in such a way 😣😂
There's a reason why a story like the Grocery Outlet is absolutely flooded with "pumpkin spice" everything in the months of November and December... because not that many people actually want to drink/eat it 🤣🤣🤣
We just got back from DL, we were also pretty disappointed. I specifically chose a time when crowds were supposed to be light, they were definitely NOT. We got up super early to get in just to find out our first 2 ride choices were closed. I didn't mind the app and having to use the phone part, but even with the Lightning Lane, you were having to pay for or still return way later in the day, so a couple of times we just sucked it up and stood in line.
I went a few weeks ago. MASSIVE CROWDS, couldn't hardly move around. Genie+ hijacking the wait times creating excessive waits (moved very little on space mountain for 30 mins) it was amazingly unpleasant and costly. Completely changed how I feel about Disneyland.
Thank you for this video, I had planned a trip to Disneyland for christmas but now I'm canceling...not worth the hassle at all. I can't believe how they want you to reserve for restaurants even! Like wow....that's insane.
I LOVE U GUYS. Yes Disneyland the best because of Walt but today it's not Magical any longer as it was back then. I've been around since 1958 every year last 8 years passholder and I'm NOT reupping my pass in August it's too much work Hassel not fun anymore. I'll miss it so I'm going to obsorb as much in the next 8 visits or so. Keep bringing us the vlogs so we can live thru you. 😘
Hello, I’ve been watching your videos for a while now and just wanted to tell you that I currently have the flu and your videos have been taking my mind off of being sick and have made me feel a lot better. Thank you and keep up the good work!
Disneyland has totally lost its magic. Being on the app to make ride reservations completely pulls you away. You are constantly planning your next ride and cannot enjoy the flow of the park. You end up missing so many other things because you're always worried about getting to your next reservation. And if you don't use Genie+, you end up waiting hours in line. It's so sad really!
Dev, how was your back after tha Matterhorn ride??? I used to love that ride, but getting older, it is BRUTAL on your back! Really wish they could cushion the ride better so its not such a hard ride!
Just discovered your channel and I find your vlogging so enjoyable and well done that I am subscribing! 😃 Been going to Disney since my eldest was 3 (he's 15 now) and I remember what a treat it was to go in October because there was no crowd. It was very leasurely and you pretty much just walk to the ride. Unfortunately, there is no more off-season. Whether it is on a Tues or a weekend, the crowd seems the same. It amazes me because with the price hikes, less services, less staff, less magic, and hearing so many people saying they are not coming back, the crowds just keep on getting bigger. Just look at the massive amounts of strollers parked. Still love Disney and will continue to come as our budget allows, but I do miss the more magical years when my kids were smaller and the park less chaotic.
Jolly Holiday is my go to for grilled cheese and tomato bisque soup, especially on cooler days! Beignets are a must. Ordering 30-1hr before you estimate eat time and outside typical busy times is key. Last went I ate late lunch at 2. So fun!
Used to go alot 5 years back when I lived in Vegas. Never had reservations never had to use an app just enjoyed the park and California adventures. I don't think I will ever go back now . I went to world once and did enjoy the wristbands but I've heard it's gotten bad too.
We were there this past Monday and we had the same bad experience even with genie plus, the crowds, prices, long lines to eat even just to buy anything,having to be constantly on your phone, etc. We were in line for the Haunted Mansion and when the genie line comes together with the regular line, the people literally push you aside in a rude way. The service was great but the experience was more work than the fun experience it used to be years ago. This was definitely our last time ever coming to Disneyland which is sad for us Californians. We spent so much on tickets, food, drinks and a souvenir just to end up with such a bad experience.
Interesting fact about haunted mansion at Disneyland in Anaheim the stretch room was actually not part of the original design but because it's right next to the train tracks they had to build an elevator to go down underneath the tracks I know in Florida everything was open considerably sooner but they actually for quite some time were not actually using the stretch room at all you actually had to go back-and-forth through a side entrance down to where you got on the little carts for at least 2 months
I love traveling to the parks with you folks. It makes me feel so happy! I'm planning to go to Disneyland for theirs and my 70th birthday. I hope by then they have gotten their act together. For someone like myself it's a very expensive trip. My Daughter was there last weekend with her daughter. they had only two days for both parks. She said three major rides were down. What's really sad is that it will be years before she will be able to return. By then her daughter will already be away at college. It makes me very sad. I feel like Disney doesn't care anymore. Please go back for Christmas!
Love the video. Sorry rides were breaking down. I know that these rides are years old and a pain to maintain. I wish Matterhorn would get a nrw track. But that will nevwr happen. The whole mountain will need to get torn down in order for that to happen. Building codes have changed a lot. Hopefully you and Bianca can come back for the holidays. Nothing like being at Disneyland when its chilly, you have a hot chocolate and are bundled up.
I’m glad even with the many issues you were able to at least enjoy the food and the rides that were operating. Great footage. I really enjoyed the video. I like seeing so many of the characters, We don’t see at WDW. It was like being there with you both. Will always have a soft spot for Disneyland . God Bless you both Dev , and Bianca. Hope you had a safe flight home. ❤
I like that the reservations mean there are less people there but I hate that the rides are constantly breaking down when you pay so much money to go in!
I couldn't get a reservation at the Blue Bayou in advance, but it couldn't have been easier just walking up. I'm sure I was a little lucky, but don't give up without trying to walk up.
We were there a couple weeks ago, same issues with Genie+ and the food reservations. We were also there during Veteran's Day so it was very busy. The gap for the LL times were huge! We reserved a ride on Star Tours at 2;40 and the next LL times reservation for most rides were 5'ish then by 4 pm, most rides were reserved for 7-9 pm. We had to use the regular lines to kill time in between the reserved LL rides. By 7'ish, most rides didnt allow LL reservations. As for the food reservation, it was nearly a 2 hour wait, I cancelled and stood in line and got the food within 30-45 minutes. It was still a good experience but they really need to work on this reservation app/concept. Too much planning required kind of takes the fun out of the park experience.
The way they have random characters at Disneyland is how they used to do WDW like in the 1990’s I remember waiting my turn like how people were doing in your video Dev. I wish it was like that again,but we just have way too many guests now.Also wish our haunted mansion would be decorated like how it is for Halloween and Christmas in Disneyland.
The new systems are lame. They don't want you to be spontaneous. Like you said, you have to pay now (on top of already paying alot for everything) to enjoy yourself. Also, I don't want to need my phone for a bunch of stuff in the park. I would rather forget about the outside world while I'm there. Then there's the extra costs at WDW with parking, magical express gone, price increases,.. its all a really bad trend that is whittling away at my desire to be there.
Hi Dev, It's prerry bad that there were a lot of closures and malfunctions, especially if Bianca had never been on some of the rides. Disney keeps raising prices making it totally unaffordable for anyone. The California park is much smaller than Orlando, so just imagine how packed Disneyland is Monday thru Sunday. I live 15 minutes from California Disneyland and I can't even find a time that its slow. Pretty sad but that's the reality. That's why I enjoy your content. God 🙌
It’s always fun to see Florida bloggers that come to Disneyland (my home park). But, I feel like you all leave disappointed because it’s so much smaller so it’s more crowded. Also the castle comparison is always, “it’s so small”. lol I have been going to Disneyland since I was a little kid and I agree with you on a lot of things that have changed this park and not for the better. I miss old Disneyland for sure!
I like seeing and hearing how your experience was here at Disneyland. As I local I am really sad to see how much changes has happened a few years since I was a AP holder but you and many of my friends all feel that they don’t have that same magical feeling Disneyland use to be and I really hope the creators and management stop with the money grabbing and always having to be on your phone just to be able to experience anything at Disney. I really did enjoy your content and look forward to more of your videos!
Thanks so much for your honest reviews on the parks Dev and Bianca, I still love Disney and long to take the grandkids on the one hand but on the other it seems like such hard work Hope you had a great time on your trip ❤️❤️❤️
Doesn’t have to be hard work. I absolutely love taking my granddaughters and we are looking forward to our next visit in December. We don’t pay the extra for anything. If a line is too long we wait and it gets shorter at a different time of day. Rope dropping is a great. We also enjoy watching the Dapper Dans and the band on Main Street as well as attractions that almost never have lines like Main Street Vehicles, canoes, Mark Twain (take a mint julep along for the best relaxing experience), and others. We like checking the ride board to let that decide our next ride. We don’t get Genie + but I do recommend mobile ordering - when we start getting hungry we order food while standing in line and it is ready when we are off the ride. We make the most of standing in line by talking and chatting with those in line with us. Lines are part of the experience but don’t have to be awful - you’re still in Disneyland.
As much as people didn't like Max pass you still have the free option for fast pass. Genie+ gives you less for a higher price. You can only use that feature once per ride per day... It's basically a rip off compared to max pass
We were there end of August first couple of days in September. Crowds were not as bad then. We had a very relaxing magical time. Since then crowds have looked crazy!
it’s so annoying that you have to be on your phone all day long !! God forbid you forget your phone , might as well just turn around and go home !! At least at Universal you can enjoy yourself and don’t have to be on the phone the whole time !! Great video as usual !!!
Don’t use it. The only things I use it for are entering the parks and if I decide to mobile order. We have never done Genie+ or Lightning lane. Rope drop, stay late, rest mid day if you choose. A ride with a long line can literally be a lot shorter at a different time of day
Disney plus last time we went had us criss crossing back and forth all over the park. Would have liked to just make my choice for the day go left to frontierland or right to tomorrowland at disneyworld.
Hi Dev ! Made a day before reservation to DL in June when I was visiting for a Dodgers game. Had the best time. Not overly crowded , didn’t wait longer than 25 min for any ride . Had no problems with Genie + . I think I was blessed 🙏🏽 I’m glad you & B had fun regardless
I love Disneyland's Christmas Haunted Mansion it is really nice. I haven't been to Disneyland since pre covid. I have been to Disney World many times after covid, and having to be parked on your phone constantly is just the pits. I'm carrying around all these extra batteries to charge my phone, it's such a mess. There's no spontaneity, the magic is gone. I was hoping Disneyland would be a little better, but from what you're showing, it's just as miserable as florida. It's so sad that they destroyed such an iconic Park. It's so far from what Walt ever wanted🥺
Except for making the initial reservation for my park, I absolutely refuse to use my phone for time spent at the parks. I just spend my time doing it old school.
Locals to Disneyland always felt a trip was more like going to a movie. Just show up. Now it's so much work. The one thing I hate about wdw has been implemented here and everyone hates it
@@DisneyUpBoilerUp I had a park pass for 15 years and we used to just go after work. Grab a bite to eat and then take on a ride or two. Those days are long gone. You can't even find a place to eat now without having a reservation 30 days in advance.
Great video. Love the Pluto hat tat. Is Genie+ a replacement for Fast Pass? Because I would say its worth it for the shorter lines. I also used to use an app for ride times to figure out which ones I wanted to go on next.
We had passes this last year they just expired on 11/4. The lines have got out of hand and the rides keep breaking down. Maybe its time they shut down for 6 months install some new rides and refubish the old ones.
It's definitely not the same. The lines are insane and the prices are outrageous. The most frustrating part is that Disney doesn't care. As long as people keeping packing each park, they have no reason to change. They just watch the $$$ roll in. The magical feeling of Disney is gone.
if you're a shareholder, park reservations is a brilliant move by Disney, they can control how many and who is in the park at all times. which equal guests who spend the most money just like Disney World
We went a few weeks ago hoping to feel some of the magic again but with the park res, genie plus, constant phone ,the crowds, prices and horrendous lines I think this trip was our last. My heart is breaking . We have had 33 years of wonderful memories and trips to both coasts so I guess I should be thankful to have been during the hay days, but I’m truly sad. Like saying goodbye to a dear friend
Don’t plan, don’t get Genie +, follow the Disney winds. Do the park like you always have. Don’t fall for the things they say make it more convenient but actually make it more stressful.
It’s really not that big of a deal. I still have a blast lol
I have visited Disneyland park many times I heard the prices went way up that’s terrible my last time was in 2019 to me the magic of Disneyland is gone.
I feel the same way and it’s been making me really sad I love Disneyland and hav for soo long and really want to always see the best but went again very recently and it was soo overwhelming packed!!😢😂I felt so bad for cast members they seemed soo unhappy and overworked ☹️😣very grumpy and rude ,there at-least always a few amazing happy friendly cast members thankfully but I still feel they need better encouragement maybe better pay maybe? something?? It’s just not the same and it’s hard with parking ,cost , seeing it more run down prob from too many crowds and reservations and all😢
@@aclassyella That"s to bad shame really that Disneyland has become over priced on just the tickets and food I remember people who worked at the park use to be friendly and nice yet I can see the huge and awful changes that the park has become, yet there is always universal studios hollywood there not so pricy that's also a fun place to visit.
My dad started working at Disneyland 6 months after it opened in 1959; he retired in 1977. When I was a kid in the 60’s and 70’s we went to Disneyland often. I loved having Disney in my childhood. Of course, I was so proud my dad worked at Disneyland. Dad told us, Walt Disney would love to break away from his executives and come into the shop and talk to the guys to check out the current projects for the park. Walt LOVED talking to guys to get their feedback. Miss you Dad!! ❤ 😢
I’m a magic key holder at disneyland but it doesn’t feel the same as it was years ago. My favorite thing to do before covid was to do spontaneous trips to the parks whenever I had an urge to go but now I have to wait weeks even months to make a reservation just to enter. No matter when I go now even if it’s the middle of September on a Wednesday it still feels the same as a Saturday in July. I wish they go back to how it used to be along with the free fastpasses that were convenient instead of the $25-50 depending on the day fastpasses. Great video Dev
So true. The magic key was a waste of money. When we were going to go we still had to get a ticket for the weekend because all the weekends were unavailable
I don’t understand having to wait weeks or months for a reservation. The only day that has been unavailable to most is tomorrow. Otherwise pretty much every day has been open for keys and single day tickets. It may change a little over the holidays, but the holidays are always expected to be the busiest time. Yes, days that have been known to be less busy can now be busy. However, since Disney is using the reservation system to encourage key holders to go mid-week often times Sunday is a super low crowd day. That is great for many who can only go weekends.
@@RaeAnn_1202 I have the 2nd lowest tier and have schools on weekdays which I can’t skip so I have to wait a while out, sometimes when I really wanted to go my brother would take me out of school to go to Disneyland
I'm a keyholder too and I would have zero issues with waiting for a reservation if it meant the parks were less crowded. Id much rather go once a month to a pleasant experience than once a week to a miserably overcrowded park
@@msmendes214 it isn’t any more crowded than it was before Covid.
I am 46 years old and grew up loving Disneyland! Our sons are 22, 20, and 18 and they grew up with Disney as well. My wife and I are both teachers so our lives went around school schedules. We used to go to Disneyland/Knotts every summer, fall break, winter break and spring break. We were annual passholders and stayed at every hotel/motel on Harbor including the three resorts. It was a magical time and we did that for about 15 years beginning roughly around 2002. I slowly started to notice an increase in crowds with a decrease in magic. Prices crept up. I remember back when the Halloween party was not widely known and did not sell out. The memories are great but I would never ever go back. I tried it a few years ago when Rise of the Resistance opened and that was the final straw. Stresssing out if I can get on the ride is not the way to to go. Fighting over virtual ques and the feeling of not getting a pass even though I paid a small fortune for tickets is aggrivating. I would rather spend my money on the real world and see things that were not made up.
How do you have a 22 year old son when you are only 13 years older than me.
Growing up in Southern California this makes me sad. The last few times we went to Disneyland it was like this with the cost, the crowds, and stress (and that was a good three years ago before the pandemic). We could see the disenchantment and the changes happening with the cast members being grumpy all the time, areas of the park looking run down and dirty, and not being able to do any of the things on your list due to crowds and/ or breakdowns. Honestly it’s been going on in So Cal for a good ten years like this AT LEAST. Now the issues are bleeding over to Florida, and everyone on the east coast is freaking out. What’s truly sad is that my kids have never been to Disneyworld (they’re now in high school and college ). My husband has a six figure paying job and there’s still no way we can afford to go to Disneyworld. Even upper middle class is priced out.
Yeah. Some cast members aren't nice at all. The Happiest Place on Earth has fallen.
USH is superior.
What's happened to the happiest place on earth anyways?
@@Disneyfan82 money
@@Royalewithcheesee late stage capitalism
I agree. there's nothing Disney has done in the last several years to add to the guest experience. I don't know how one person can screw things up in such a short time frame.
Good one 👍
This is bob igers fault.
Chapek hadn't been CEO long enough to even implement any drastic changes.
Was a student on exchange in the USA living in Texas. For my 18th birthday I got a trip to California with the Danish exchange student who was attending the same school as me, and her host family. It was Disneyland’s 25th Anniversary year, so there were a lot of additional parades and attractions. Disneyland was everything and more that a kid growing up 12,000 miles away thought it would be. It truly was magical and the happiest place on earth wasn’t an exaggeration. I still have the tickets for the things that just could not be fitted into one day’s visit and the gift shop paper bags as well. It’s sad to know that even Disneyland has lost its magic, it’s a sad old world we are living in these days.
Hello again ... I commented a few days ago! I was the one that went to Disneyland Resort about 2 weeks ago from Colorado! We were so disappointed! The parks were way overcrowded and the Cast Members were so stressed out ... Zero Magic! We had one point where 8, yes 8, rides were down at the same time ... including 3 of the 4 Mountains! And Genie+ may be the final straw for me! It was kinda heartbreaking! I have no delusions that Disney owes me anything or that I own anything there ... and yet I still feel like something has been taken away from me! Does that make sense to anyone else?
It does. And you’re not alone!
Yes it absolutely does make sense. I kinda have the same feelings. I wanted to go back to Disneyland for the holidays because I felt like this was such a short visit because of the availability but I think I won’t be back anytime soon until things change.
This is exactly it! I went at the beginning of September and was really disappointed. I was with a friend who isn’t that much of a Disney fan and he said “I feel like if I want to get treated decently I have to pay for everything, if not they just make you feel like you are not worthy” this was after being in line for 1 hour to take a picture with the Mickey pumpkin and having to ask someone to take a quick picture of us with my phone because photo pass told us they couldn’t after taking 15 min with the couple in front of us and taking like 50 pictures of them (they did have photo pass)We felt as if we were doing something wrong just for asking and that’s not a feeling you want to have after paying for a ticket (that is not cheap + waiting in line). Plus we didn’t want to pay for genie+ because it didn’t even guarantee us riding the rides we wanted. The thing is that all of this things used to be part of the experience but since they started to charge for them it gives everyone a completely different experience and what breaks my heart is that that’s what I loved about Disney, that no matter who you were it didn’t make a difference. Everyone got fast passes, everyone could ask for a picture, everyone was treated the same, but not anymore and that’s why it feels like something’s missing, because it is.
Absolutely! A lot of you in the comments are saying No magic, this is exactly how I felt yesterday.
I live in SoCal and haven’t been to Disneyland in 8 yrs, I went yesterday and I can’t believe how much it’s changed. There’s way to many people and we couldn’t enjoy the park. I don’t remember it being like this bk then, sad.
😂Welcome back to the post pandemic Disneyland backyard of yours where it is packed to the gills each and everyday of the year.
Back when? Oh, you mean back when you were only 35 and not 40? Why are you going there all the time?
The way you felt that day is how I felt visiting Magic Kingdom in 2019. I felt so panicked, even after spending so much time pre-planning our ONE day at the park for my family of 5. So much time is wasted standing in line, and after spending close to $1000 (Canadian) for just tickets to only experience a fraction of the park, I knew that'd be our last time going. Just not worth it.
The reason you are spending so much more time in line is because the park is also selling special passes to basically cut in line. That makes the people who are already waiting in line wait even longer.
My best trip was in 2016. We did 2 days, 1 park per day, and I used a website called RideMax to plan our day. You select which rides you want to do, shows you want to watch, and you can even add in meal breaks. And it creates a plan for you. It was the best $15 I've ever spent. We followed the plan to a T, and had the most relaxed fun days ever and were able to see and do every single thing we wanted... and it was in peak summer season in August! (This was back when they still had the paper fast pass system). Sadly I think those days are long gone :(
Our best trip was May 2019. Parks were chill, weather was perfect, fast pass/Max Pass was amazing, and felt nice and relaxed. When we returned May 2021 since the close down, we had a ton of wonderful memories however you would have thought Christmas was that month because the crowds and lines were INSANE. Chapek would rather make millions more and sacrifice costumer well being just because he can.
We went to Disneyland for the first time beginning of October, after becoming disenchanted with World. Everyone told us how laid back it is and how much smaller crowds were. We were very disappointed for a lot of the reasons you mentioned. Huge crowds, rides breaking down all the time, and being on your phone all the time. We went to Knot’s Berry Farm too and longest we waited was for anything was 30 minutes. Thinking next trip may be a hotel only stay (we are DVC).
I’m sorry to hear that. Thank you for sharing your story with us.
Knotts Berry Farm is very sweet, especially during Christmas holidays with the farmers market and crafters
Come to Cedar Point🥰 we'll treat you right.
completely agree with a lot of your comments. I used to go for the distraction and now they have made being glued to ur phone part of the experience. You have to preplan all visits now thanks to reservations. For someone who lives locally I miss the days when you just said lets go to Disney and you could.. its no longer a thing and this is why knots and universal have become so much more attractive after these changes from the covid closures.
Dev, you are reaffirming my thoughts of not renewing my pass. I'm still on the fence just for the fact that single day tickets are ridiculously overpriced but the magic is gone & the crowds are constant!
The reservation system is killing the MAGIC 😢
I was on the fence last year but have made my decision I'm not renewing.
Aww, the magic is very much alive. We go as often as we are able. Six hours away or tends to be monthly. Talk with cast members, don’t plan anything, don’t get Genie+, follow the Disney winds. If you are upset about crowds just remember you are part of the crowd. Try not going on any rides but look for hidden Mickey’s, Peter and Wendy’s initials, feel the small earthquake on one of the bridges, learn about the people listed on the Main Street windows, ride Main Street Vehicles, enjoy Dapper Dans and the Band … so much magic!
@@RaeAnn_1202 that's such a thing a pass holder can for sure do. when I had my pass and lived walking distance we would walk to the park get dinner, people watch and than go home. Rides are not a necessity to enjoy urself but If you are traveling to the parks its such different story when ur not a pass holder..I have not been in a while, see the lines and the disruption that genie and reservations have caused and its no longer the same. Disney is force crowding parks with reservations by controlling what's "available days to go" its crazy I can use my last remaining comp ticket but can't buy a 1 day ticket to go next day... that makes no sense to me.
@@MRSMI13Y90 I am not a pass holder and live 6+ hours away. Each visit is what you make of it. The magic is definitely alive and well. 😊
For future visits…
1.Most California schools have a week off in October”fall break”….throughout the month depending on district…might be why it was extra busy
2. We couldn’t get Disney reservations at Christmas, so we made all the reservations for DCA and parked hopped at 1:00 to magic kingdom
AZ also has fall break and tons of families head to Disneyland in October.
I grew up two hours from Disneyland (Ventura county) and we NEVER had a a fall break. Ever. I think you’re thinking of the southern states. We live in Tenn now and yes, the kids do have a fall break.
I've never heard of this October break thing. Fall break is usually centered around Thanksgiving.
@@fourlittlebirds6166 I concur.
Grew up in Long Beach, and was lucky to experience Disneyland over the decades, 70s, 80s, 90s, 2Ks...that's when things started to really change ...the last time I went I knew it was probably the last time...having those early years as reference, well, much of the magic is done...
The 50th anniversary year which was 2005 was absolutely amazing but even 10 years later the park just wasn't the same and now after COVID it's really just a disappointment
Having grown up in So. Cal. and was there the year it opened in 1955, I was 4 at the time and don't remember much except some of the pictures. Disneyland now is nothing what it was while growing up. I was was annual pass holder from 1989 to 2002 and took the kids once to twice a week.. Then the crowds and costs were not so high. Those were the golden years where on Sunday mornings and Friday nights we could go on 10 to 14 different rides in a 4 hour period. On Friday night during the time just before Fantasmic started and the fireworks at the end we could go on the Haunted Mansion, Pirates, and get in line for Big Thunder.
Disneyland has never been the same for years. I will not go ever again!
Being a passholder at the original Disneyland park for a long time now, I can say the parks for us are a lot more crowded without the reservation system. What's making it worse is genie+ because it makes the lines long. I remember before Covid and we sometimes had to leave early because of how they allowed passes to come on same days so than it was just so crowded like body to body. I hope yall had fun at least
Thank you for ALWAYS being honest. This is why meeting you was amazing. Hope you and Bianca are well!
Dev- Literally, you're the only guy on youtube talking about what went wrong at Disneyland. You nailed it! The so Cal parks are really bad... Packed almost every day of the year. They feel dirty, unsafe and look run down.
There's a different dark vibe in the parks these days... a vibe that says "I'm no longer a place where children are welcome and dreams come true." It's a vibe that says, "The magic is dead, rides are broken down and we don't care. If you're a weirdo adult with no job, no money and no hope for your future... come on in!"
What on earth happened?
Disney oversold Magic Keys! So. Cal locals, people who live near Disneyland and don't have money to spend in the parks... bought their Magic Keys for next to nothing. $449 for the annual Magic Key pass. How did they afford it? (Remember the gov. covid checks?) Well, there's your answer.
If a local makes 4 reservations a month, that's 4 x 12 months= 48. $449 divided by 48= $9.35!
Yes, that's right! Locals are going to Disneyland for less than $10 per visit!
The locals are abusing their Magic Keys by using the parks as cheap weekly entertainment!
Sure, a few locals eat at the restaurants and spend money in the parks.
But, the majority of new "post covid" locals aren't buying much of anything! They mull around the parks, cussing, swearing and clogging up rides and walkways. They're rude and just don't seem to care about others... besides meeting up with their other local friends after the sun sets.
My Disney family and I speculate, with strong certainty, that many locals have learned how to turn their Magic Keys into gold, by farming them out to family and friends! It's a fact that employees at the gates rarely cross reference the Magic Keys photos to the people actually entering the parks.
How can this huge problem be solved? How does Disneyland return to being a top notch tourist vacation destination? They need to double, yes DOUBLE the price of Magic Keys.
PS. My sister is a Magic Key holder. Rude horrible People running over other people to get to Rise of the Resistance tonight! It was broken down and just reopened this evening. It’s insane!
Bianca, You and The Original Disneyland.... Perfect Together... ADORABLE Keep Up The Great, Informative Content... Happy Holidays !
I flew over from Australia with my partner (who had never been to Disney) and told him how magical and amazing it was and how excited I was to finally be going back after 4 years. And I was so disappointed. Usually I'm almost in tears that I have to leave, but this time, i was happy to leave and sad that I didn't get that urge to come back as soon as I can. You can't even just walk up and order food but have to do it on the app and select a time to collect it. Plus the lines reservations also. But the worst was when the staff were not friendly or as happy as they used to be, plus we couldn't get a spot to watch the fireworks. We were moved on in a big circle by staff and it wasn't until the 4th person we asked that said we had to just go under the rope and make space where ever we could. And the fireworks were so disappointing that we left half way through!! Its just not the same. Does anyone know if WDW is the same?
Yeah just got back from Florida and absolutely couldn't wait to get back to the hotel because everything was a ball ache with the app. It destroyed the magic for us.
@@benjaminbarnfield3069 well I won't bother flying all the way from Australia to just visit there then!
@@jessicawells4883 don't get me wrong we had a lovely time but it's a bit too busy and the app made it worse. Like you said we just wanted to stop and get food but we had to get our phones out to try and order then wait because the queues were mental.
IM from Australia as well, went to Disneyland 2014 & 2016 so I think I was at the cut off before the "new Disney" began.
Realising that, the California park very much caters to a lot of tourist from overseas visiting California, so it get extra people in a small space.
I do think the long rumoured Disneyland Australia might be a thing in the future. Especially considering that they are now doing cruises in Australia for the first time next year.
My son is a CM and he has said October is now a very , very busy month. We were there October 22nd and so thankful he was with us for a few perks! My husband and I will be going back early December with no problem getting a reservation made today , with no plan, but just to enjoy the holiday ambience.
Dev - we have been following you for years!
So glad you came to our hood and our park!
Yes - the magic is waning. We are so disappointed. We have not been - and wont be back for a long long while.
Blessings and hugs!
I lived in NV most of my life so I only knew Disneyland. Moving to FL my expectations were all set that Disney world would be better and was sooo disappointed. So wonderful to get a glimpse of my old stomping grounds again. Thank you for this video!
Sadly the best days of Disneyland are in the past. I grew up down the street in the 60’s-70’s and even in the 80’s when my son was growing up, it still had the same magical feel. By the time my grandson was born in 2008, it had already begun the descent into a cluster cattle round up nightmare experience. I’m just grateful I enjoyed it during its best years 😞
Sadly, just the costs alone will keep local kids like myself from being able to go for my birthday every year!
@@etherealtb6021 😢
I miss the good ol' days with the paper Fastpass where you could get like five a day and it was, you know...free!
My granddaughters and I visited in June for 2 days and had a wonderful time. We stayed at the Paradise Park with a gorgeous view. So now I want to take them again next Christmas but ... The cost of the hotel, fast passes, waiting in longs lines, and the worst -- having dinning reservations is taking us over the edge. I hate having to be a slave to my phone. Luckily we found two restaurants willing to serve us without reservations but the other ones we check required online reservations. Enough to think twice about returning.
I agree with the comments. We went to Disneyland for the 1st time in the first week of October and it wasn't a great experience. It was so crowded that it was hard to move around the park, a few times we just felt overwhelmed by the sea of people and just wanted to leave . We didn't enjoy it as much even though it was such an special trip for us. Also, some places really looked like they needed some TLC. It was disappointing. Maybe I'll try again on a different time of the year, but probably not any time soon.
Just go to Universal
@@Dman425 we did and we had a great time.
@@perfectpca Why are Disney parks so damn crowded anyways? Why don't those idiots go somewhere else to spend money? Disney is not the only theme park in the world.
We just went this weekend (November 5) and had a blast. One day park hopper pass, had genie + and spent no more than 5-10mins in a line, mobile ordered all our food and stayed from rope drop until the fireworks show.
My advice is to go for a single day. Disneyland is nothing like Disney World and it doesn’t help your happiness or your pockets pretending that their value is the same.
And You have to study up on how to use your Disney genie + and the mobile app. And fun fact you have an entire hour window to redeem your lightning lane. Go on rides when waiting. 🙌🏾
The pumpkin costume Mickey is the cutest version of Mickey I've ever seen! Glad you caught him on your way out! So adorable 🎃
Im so glad you got to go to the iconic Disneyland! I grew up in Southern California going to Disneyland as a child and now as an adult to be able to take my children and my grandchildren to Disneyland its an amazing gift. My birthday is in December and I try to go every year for my birthday to Disneyland! The Christmas time at Disneyland is truly magical!
Dev there is no other truly honest vlogger like you things have been changed a lot and Disney direction is not magical any more I go to the parks just to remember my childhood and good old days. Thanks again 🙏🏽
Thank you so much! I will always tell it how it truly is.
I grow up in CA and I know Disneyland like the back of my hand. I went to Disney world a couple years ago and have been back a couple times. I have to say Disney Florida is so much better. More parks, more restaurants, nicer people and Disney springs so is much nicer and bigger and the parking there is much better . Anyone that hasn’t been there should go
I used to go to Disneyland with my family and my ex gf all the time on random days since we live in San Diego. After keeping up with the genie+ roll out & the reservation system I don’t plan on visiting for a very long time. We’ve recently switched to universal studios. So much more fun.
So sad what Dismal-land has turned into. Being 70 yrs. old, and living 30 min. away from D-land my entire life, I have experienced the "ticket books" and the coveted "E" ticket rides, which in my day the Matterhorn was the best E ticket attraction. In the mid 70's I worked in Ahaheim and recall them building Space Mountain. When my kids were small (now in their 40's) we had annual passes and had such a blast with those. We could go there after school got out, park close and stay there a couple hrs. It was such fun. They've just gotten greedy and gotten too big. So sad to see the death of Disneyland. I will say, in the erly 80's I went with my mom and kids during Christmas time -- mistake. I was close to going somewhere and asking for our money back. We could not do anything. Even getting food was next to impossible. What a waste.
You always tell the truth buddy! That's why I appreciate you.
Hello dev and Bianca txs for the amazing and awesome Sharing vacation video from Disneyland I really enjoyed watching it and the both of you bringing sunshine to my day and I loved you guys too
All I know about this video was that I read the title, I haven’t seen a second of the actual video but even based only from that you are PREACHING brother
Hi Dev! I went to Disneyland for the first time in mid October and sooooo disappointed that I missed you by a few days. My thoughts: I was surprised at how crowded it was. It constantly felt like a sea of people. There were some rides were I couldn't tell where the queue began. They moved fast though. The queues are also very narrow. I actually felt claustrophobic a few times. Like you, it was so hard getting food. The lines were long, some carts were closed, and mobile order windows were often about an hour out. There weren't very many photopass photographers. I often relied on other kind folks to take pictures for me and I for them. I also felt the cast members just didn't have the spark and friendliness that exists in Orlando. They looked tired which is sad. I loved the nostalgia. It felt more old-time classic. I loved DCA more than HS. I loved loved loved Oogie Boogie Bash.
Thanks for the bobsled ride. Took me right back to my childhood.
Great Video on what it's like to visit now. I'm glad to be Old(75) because I got to visit when it was more normal and relaxed. My first time in April 1958 at 11 years old - Wow. Then in the 60's( High School & College). The last time it felt normal was 2001 right after California Adventure opened.
The mad hatter in Alice were riding in the tea cups the other day when we were there.
Hi Dev . the parks are so Busy now and its a real shame did both coasts this year and totaly agree with you. Universal Orlando was a much better experience and heaps cheaper
Go right at open or late like 10pm. I went on 5 rides from 8am-9:30. Gotta know the tricks of the trade I think. But it is expensive AF😢😢
Tell ‘em Bianca! Everything does NOT have to have a pumpkin spice version, or a peppermint mocha version for these holiday seasons, I swear! 😂
My purist Nola heart and palate would NEVER treat a beignet in such a way 😣😂
Thank you Queen!!!!!
❤❤❤
Yes!!!!!!❤
There's a reason why a story like the Grocery Outlet is absolutely flooded with "pumpkin spice" everything in the months of November and December... because not that many people actually want to drink/eat it 🤣🤣🤣
Awesome video!!!! I'm so glad you enjoyed your trip!!!!! I hope you can come back for all the Christmas festivities!!! 🥰🥰🥰
We just got back from DL, we were also pretty disappointed. I specifically chose a time when crowds were supposed to be light, they were definitely NOT. We got up super early to get in just to find out our first 2 ride choices were closed. I didn't mind the app and having to use the phone part, but even with the Lightning Lane, you were having to pay for or still return way later in the day, so a couple of times we just sucked it up and stood in line.
I went to Orlando and I think the reservation was amazing. As a father a brand new baby knowing there is some kind of measure is nice
I went a few weeks ago. MASSIVE CROWDS, couldn't hardly move around. Genie+ hijacking the wait times creating excessive waits (moved very little on space mountain for 30 mins) it was amazingly unpleasant and costly. Completely changed how I feel about Disneyland.
I love y’all!! Y’all are soooo beautiful and speak the truth!!
Thank you for this video, I had planned a trip to Disneyland for christmas but now I'm canceling...not worth the hassle at all. I can't believe how they want you to reserve for restaurants even! Like wow....that's insane.
I LOVE U GUYS. Yes Disneyland the best because of Walt but today it's not Magical any longer as it was back then. I've been around since 1958 every year last 8 years passholder and I'm NOT reupping my pass in August it's too much work Hassel not fun anymore. I'll miss it so I'm going to obsorb as much in the next 8 visits or so. Keep bringing us the vlogs so we can live thru you. 😘
Hello, I’ve been watching your videos for a while now and just wanted to tell you that I currently have the flu and your videos have been taking my mind off of being sick and have made me feel a lot better. Thank you and keep up the good work!
Oh no please feel better!
that mummy macaroon is everything! it's soo good :P
Disneyland has totally lost its magic. Being on the app to make ride reservations completely pulls you away. You are constantly planning your next ride and cannot enjoy the flow of the park. You end up missing so many other things because you're always worried about getting to your next reservation. And if you don't use Genie+, you end up waiting hours in line. It's so sad really!
Dev, how was your back after tha Matterhorn ride??? I used to love that ride, but getting older, it is BRUTAL on your back! Really wish they could cushion the ride better so its not such a hard ride!
Never ride matterhorn. They need more than cushion to fix that ride. 🤣
Just discovered your channel and I find your vlogging so enjoyable and well done that I am subscribing! 😃 Been going to Disney since my eldest was 3 (he's 15 now) and I remember what a treat it was to go in October because there was no crowd. It was very leasurely and you pretty much just walk to the ride.
Unfortunately, there is no more off-season. Whether it is on a Tues or a weekend, the crowd seems the same. It amazes me because with the price hikes, less services, less staff, less magic, and hearing so many people saying they are not coming back, the crowds just keep on getting bigger. Just look at the massive amounts of strollers parked. Still love Disney and will continue to come as our budget allows, but I do miss the more magical years when my kids were smaller and the park less chaotic.
Jolly Holiday is my go to for grilled cheese and tomato bisque soup, especially on cooler days! Beignets are a must. Ordering 30-1hr before you estimate eat time and outside typical busy times is key. Last went I ate late lunch at 2. So fun!
DL just once and it’s so fantastic!!! No buses, all in one place!!!
I do really enjoy not having to worry about buses and not having to walk very far for park hopping and downtown Disney.
Used to go alot 5 years back when I lived in Vegas. Never had reservations never had to use an app just enjoyed the park and California adventures. I don't think I will ever go back now . I went to world once and did enjoy the wristbands but I've heard it's gotten bad too.
We were there this past Monday and we had the same bad experience even with genie plus, the crowds, prices, long lines to eat even just to buy anything,having to be constantly on your phone, etc. We were in line for the Haunted Mansion and when the genie line comes together with the regular line, the people literally push you aside in a rude way. The service was great but the experience was more work than the fun experience it used to be years ago. This was definitely our last time ever coming to Disneyland which is sad for us Californians. We spent so much on tickets, food, drinks and a souvenir just to end up with such a bad experience.
Interesting fact about haunted mansion at Disneyland in Anaheim the stretch room was actually not part of the original design but because it's right next to the train tracks they had to build an elevator to go down underneath the tracks
I know in Florida everything was open considerably sooner but they actually for quite some time were not actually using the stretch room at all you actually had to go back-and-forth through a side entrance down to where you got on the little carts for at least 2 months
I love traveling to the parks with you folks. It makes me feel so happy! I'm planning to go to Disneyland for theirs and my 70th birthday. I hope by then they have gotten their act together. For someone like myself it's a very expensive trip. My Daughter was there last weekend with her daughter. they had only two days for both parks. She said three major rides were down. What's really sad is that it will be years before she will be able to return. By then her daughter will already be away at college. It makes me very sad. I feel like Disney doesn't care anymore. Please go back for Christmas!
Love the video. Sorry rides were breaking down. I know that these rides are years old and a pain to maintain. I wish Matterhorn would get a nrw track. But that will nevwr happen. The whole mountain will need to get torn down in order for that to happen. Building codes have changed a lot. Hopefully you and Bianca can come back for the holidays. Nothing like being at Disneyland when its chilly, you have a hot chocolate and are bundled up.
Thanks Dev and Bianca, we love this clog! We have never been to Disneyland and this was amazing!
I’m glad even with the many issues you were able to at least enjoy the food and the rides that were operating. Great footage. I really enjoyed the video. I like seeing so many of the characters, We don’t see at WDW. It was like being there with you both. Will always have a soft spot for Disneyland . God Bless you both Dev , and Bianca. Hope you had a safe flight home. ❤
I like that the reservations mean there are less people there but I hate that the rides are constantly breaking down when you pay so much money to go in!
I couldn't get a reservation at the Blue Bayou in advance, but it couldn't have been easier just walking up. I'm sure I was a little lucky, but don't give up without trying to walk up.
We were there a couple weeks ago, same issues with Genie+ and the food reservations. We were also there during Veteran's Day so it was very busy. The gap for the LL times were huge! We reserved a ride on Star Tours at 2;40 and the next LL times reservation for most rides were 5'ish then by 4 pm, most rides were reserved for 7-9 pm. We had to use the regular lines to kill time in between the reserved LL rides. By 7'ish, most rides didnt allow LL reservations.
As for the food reservation, it was nearly a 2 hour wait, I cancelled and stood in line and got the food within 30-45 minutes.
It was still a good experience but they really need to work on this reservation app/concept. Too much planning required kind of takes the fun out of the park experience.
The way they have random characters at Disneyland is how they used to do WDW like in the 1990’s I remember waiting my turn like how people were doing in your video Dev. I wish it was like that again,but we just have way too many guests now.Also wish our haunted mansion would be decorated like how it is for Halloween and Christmas in Disneyland.
Disneyland at Christmas time is the best!
The new systems are lame. They don't want you to be spontaneous. Like you said, you have to pay now (on top of already paying alot for everything) to enjoy yourself. Also, I don't want to need my phone for a bunch of stuff in the park. I would rather forget about the outside world while I'm there. Then there's the extra costs at WDW with parking, magical express gone, price increases,.. its all a really bad trend that is whittling away at my desire to be there.
Hi Dev,
It's prerry bad that there were a lot of closures and malfunctions, especially if Bianca had never been on some of the rides. Disney keeps raising prices making it totally unaffordable for anyone. The California park is much smaller than Orlando, so just imagine how packed Disneyland is Monday thru Sunday. I live 15 minutes from California Disneyland and I can't even find a time that its slow. Pretty sad but that's the reality. That's why I enjoy your content. God 🙌
Same at Hollywood studios,the lightning lane is making ride waits crazy long
Yess!! THANK YOU Bianca!! Keep it as is lol! She’s a keeper fursure Dev! 😂💕
It’s always fun to see Florida bloggers that come to Disneyland (my home park). But, I feel like you all leave disappointed because it’s so much smaller so it’s more crowded. Also the castle comparison is always, “it’s so small”. lol
I have been going to Disneyland since I was a little kid and I agree with you on a lot of things that have changed this park and not for the better. I miss old Disneyland for sure!
It's the same with USH vs. UOR.
I like seeing and hearing how your experience was here at Disneyland. As I local I am really sad to see how much changes has happened a few years since I was a AP holder but you and many of my friends all feel that they don’t have that same magical feeling Disneyland use to be and I really hope the creators and management stop with the money grabbing and always having to be on your phone just to be able to experience anything at Disney. I really did enjoy your content and look forward to more of your videos!
Thanks so much for your honest reviews on the parks Dev and Bianca, I still love Disney and long to take the grandkids on the one hand but on the other it seems like such hard work
Hope you had a great time on your trip ❤️❤️❤️
Doesn’t have to be hard work. I absolutely love taking my granddaughters and we are looking forward to our next visit in December. We don’t pay the extra for anything. If a line is too long we wait and it gets shorter at a different time of day. Rope dropping is a great. We also enjoy watching the Dapper Dans and the band on Main Street as well as attractions that almost never have lines like Main Street Vehicles, canoes, Mark Twain (take a mint julep along for the best relaxing experience), and others. We like checking the ride board to let that decide our next ride. We don’t get Genie + but I do recommend mobile ordering - when we start getting hungry we order food while standing in line and it is ready when we are off the ride. We make the most of standing in line by talking and chatting with those in line with us. Lines are part of the experience but don’t have to be awful - you’re still in Disneyland.
Bob Chapek and corporate greed have ruined Walt’s dream. Now it’s just about the money, not the magic. So sad😢
I haven’t been here in over a decade and I live 20 min away. I worked here for a few years and never used my free tickets. Yes I’m fun at parties.
I miss Disney so much! I haven't been there since 2019. 😕 Thanks for sharing your video
As much as people didn't like Max pass you still have the free option for fast pass.
Genie+ gives you less for a higher price. You can only use that feature once per ride per day... It's basically a rip off compared to max pass
We were there end of August first couple of days in September. Crowds were not as bad then. We had a very relaxing magical time. Since then crowds have looked crazy!
Also we didn't get Genie plus at all. I guess timing was good for us.
it’s so annoying that you have to be on your phone all day long !! God forbid you forget your phone , might as well just turn around and go home !! At least at Universal you can enjoy yourself and don’t have to be on the phone the whole time !! Great video as usual !!!
Don’t use it. The only things I use it for are entering the parks and if I decide to mobile order. We have never done Genie+ or Lightning lane. Rope drop, stay late, rest mid day if you choose. A ride with a long line can literally be a lot shorter at a different time of day
Disney plus last time we went had us criss crossing back and forth all over the park. Would have liked to just make my choice for the day go left to frontierland or right to tomorrowland at disneyworld.
Hi Dev ! Made a day before reservation to DL in June when I was visiting for a Dodgers game. Had the best time. Not overly crowded , didn’t wait longer than 25 min for any ride . Had no problems with Genie + . I think I was blessed 🙏🏽 I’m glad you & B had fun regardless
Missed opportunity to make that dollop of rice in the gumbo Mickey-shaped 😄!
Once you book your LL, put a timer on your phone for 2 hrs to book your next LL to alert you so you spend less time on your phone.
I love Disneyland's Christmas Haunted Mansion it is really nice. I haven't been to Disneyland since pre covid. I have been to Disney World many times after covid, and having to be parked on your phone constantly is just the pits. I'm carrying around all these extra batteries to charge my phone, it's such a mess. There's no spontaneity, the magic is gone. I was hoping Disneyland would be a little better, but from what you're showing, it's just as miserable as florida. It's so sad that they destroyed such an iconic Park. It's so far from what Walt ever wanted🥺
Except for making the initial reservation for my park, I absolutely refuse to use my phone for time spent at the parks. I just spend my time doing it old school.
Locals to Disneyland always felt a trip was more like going to a movie. Just show up. Now it's so much work. The one thing I hate about wdw has been implemented here and everyone hates it
@@briandavis6898 there is no spontaneity left. No more waking up in the morning and randomly deciding to go to the park. 🥺
@@DisneyUpBoilerUp I had a park pass for 15 years and we used to just go after work. Grab a bite to eat and then take on a ride or two. Those days are long gone. You can't even find a place to eat now without having a reservation 30 days in advance.
@@briandavis6898 the magic has left the building.
Great video. Love the Pluto hat tat. Is Genie+ a replacement for Fast Pass? Because I would say its worth it for the shorter lines. I also used to use an app for ride times to figure out which ones I wanted to go on next.
The best beignets are at the Jazz Kitchen in Downtown Disney. ♥️
We always eat in downtown Disney when we go, hate eating in the park. Go in and out. Better then trying to find anything in the park.
We had passes this last year they just expired on 11/4. The lines have got out of hand and the rides keep breaking down. Maybe its time they shut down for 6 months install some new rides and refubish the old ones.
Enjoyed this Disneyland journey with y’all. Thanks for sharing! 🎢🎡
It's definitely not the same. The lines are insane and the prices are outrageous. The most frustrating part is that Disney doesn't care. As long as people keeping packing each park, they have no reason to change. They just watch the $$$ roll in. The magical feeling of Disney is gone.
if you're a shareholder, park reservations is a brilliant move by Disney, they can control how many and who is in the park at all times. which equal guests who spend the most money just like Disney World
As an adult now, I prefer to skip the rides and just “hang out” at Disneyland. It’s stress free and I still have a fun and pleasant day.
Thanks for taking us on this amazing trip to California I really need to make it there!! Can't wait for the next adventure!!!