Disneyland in someone else's shoes

[oo_nrb]

Originally Posted by TrevorD

Haha you guys make it sound like once a month is average! I've been three times in my life and from where I live they think im addicted just by that huge number! I cannot fathom what the park would become if my trips weren't rushed fastpass-baised tours of the park trying to absorb every ride i can as quickly as I can. I love the theming of the park but I have no time to enjoy it.

If I suddenly had an AP, the percived exclusiveness of the park would fade but the fact that I could use it like I use a park here to stroll through and look around would be amazing. I would spend a ton of time just looking.

That about sums it up for me as well I've only been 3 times ('00, '06, '09) and would love the opportunity to just sit on a bench and just kind of "be there", you know?

Of course, in a perfect world I'd more love to actually work there - be the one that helps to create the magic for everyone. But living closer than Colorado would be nice too .

[AmbuhVee]

If I could go to the park more than once a year, things would change. I'd die! (from happiness.)

[dland_lover]

You people are depressing me... not knowing if you'll be back in the next 10 years? Egads! *faints*

[DisneyIPresume]

Originally Posted by GummiBears_Rock

the only reason i've been able to go once a year lately is because of school. but i'm in college now, my money is tight, and our family spends a lot for my brother's athletics, my college tuition, and bills. and just those little things that add up quickly.

if i could go even once every 2 months would be a dream for me, and i've consider transferring to a college in LA just because of DLR

Originally Posted by Datameister

Understandable. Just a word of advice from a UCLA student, though - keep in mind that just being somewhere in the LA basin does not guarantee you'll be close enough to justify having an AP. For instance, it usually takes me 2-3 hours to get to the park via public transportation. Obviously, things'll be different at different schools (or if you have a car), but it's just something to keep in mind.

If you are thinking or have thought of moving to "LA" just for Disneyland, you really want to look at colleges in Orange County. There is Cal State Fullerton or Cal State Long Beach (technically in LA County but on the border of Orange County). Also in Orange County near Disneyland is Chapman University and UC Irvine. There are many junior colleges in the area. The closest to Disneyland are probably Fullerton College and I'm thinking Cypress College. Orange Coast College is not too far away but is arguably the most popular jc in Orange County.

And Data -- what's your major? Have you considered a transfer from UCLA to the equally prestigious UC Irvine so that you can be a lot closer to Disneyland? My niece is a Physics major at UCI and works as a seasonal DL cast member so it is very possible to go to school there and easily enjoy Disneyland.

OK -- back to the topic. I cannot fathom living too far to where I couldn't go when I wanted I've lived here all my life and I distinctly remember as a little boy thinking I'm never going to move too far from Disneyland to where I couldn't go. I'm 41 and I still live 20 minutes away.

[TrevorD]

Originally Posted by oo_nrb

That about sums it up for me as well I've only been 3 times ('00, '06, '09) and would love the opportunity to just sit on a bench and just kind of "be there", you know?

Of course, in a perfect world I'd more love to actually work there - be the one that helps to create the magic for everyone. But living closer than Colorado would be nice too .

Originally Posted by dland_lover

You people are depressing me... not knowing if you'll be back in the next 10 years? Egads! *faints*

We need to start a support group haha. I'm glad its not just me.

[wvnative]

Currently residing in Phoenix, we are th closest we have ever been to DLR. We try to go once a year and hope to get DAP's in March so we can go more than once next year.

How will AP's change things? Well, first off, it significantly reduces the costs since we go for 3-4 days each trip. It may also allow us to do 2 day trips and fly instead of driving.

My kid is half considering transferring to an Anaheim area college for her Bachelor's degree. If she does, I can see many more trips to DLR in my future. lol

If we lived closer, we'd do PAP's and go as often as we could I'm sure. Even within a couple of hours of the park.

[tukogirl]

Before I moved to Southern California 2.5 years ago, I was a huge Disneyland fan and loved the parks. Now that I live here, we go about once a month. While I loved Disneyland before the move, I love it even more now. Being able to go so often allows me time to notice the little things that make the park special. Now there is a feeling of intimacy that makes me even fonder of the park.

We went on our first Disneyworld trip in August. The experience was fantastic and we enjoyed every minute of the trip. Because the trip was fast and furious for 6 days straight and we had never been before, I kept telling my husband that something was missing. I wasn't getting that feeling of intimacy that I do at Disneyland. I'm sure if we went more often that feeling would grow, but it definitely made for a different experience than Disneyland.

If we didn't live so close, I'm sure I'd miss the park. Going so often can be sort of addicting, and if we were to move, I think there would be a definite period of adjustment. But we have lots of other hobbies and activities to fill our time.

[Madame_Leota]

I live in NorCal and can only make it out once every few years. I haven't been since 2007. FNSV wasn't even open last time I went, so there's a lot that I haven't seen yet. Also, last time I went, Splash Mountain was closed, which made me very sad. The problem with not going as often is that if a ride happens to be closed when you visit, it might be a few years before you can ride it again. I'm planning on visiting in January, but had to change my plans because I was going the day after the holiday celebrations so I had to change my plans to fit the holiday stuff in.

I wish I lived closer so I wouldn't have to worry about changing my schedule or what rides will be closed.

[Jachywalcott]

Even if I lived close enough to go more often I wouldn't more than 2-3 times per year, so I could keep it from getting routine. It's like being intimate with someone you really love, as much as you wanna do it, waiting makes it that much more special.

[Colorized]

When I was younger, it would take approximately 7 hours to drive to Disneyland, so we would never go just for Disneyland. My grandma lived/lives about an hour away, so when we'd visit her for a week or so we'd visit Disneyland, generally during Christmas break, Thanksgiving break, Spring break, or Summer break (when they're tons of crowds).

This past year, though, we moved around the country, so I had a full Disneyland-less year. :[

We got our Annual Passes renewed this summer in June and since then I've been only two more times (July and November). If I could go more often, I would love to, but I can't drag my family out whenever I please.

If we were closer, like 10-20 minutes away, I'm pretty sure I'd be able to go more often.
If we lived in another state, then we probably would go back to visiting in Summer or Christmas, because it takes money to drive out / flyplaces (we're not too fond of flying; we've driven all the way from Northern California to Texas!)

[TrevorD]

Heres another question:

For those of you who have AP's. Can you imagine instead of just running to the park for the afternoon, having to book time of work half a year in advance, then save up and spend over two thousand dollers just to go to the park for a week?

Basically the cost for me and my family can be calculated as such:
200[13+9(t-1)] where t is how many travellers are in the group. Kinda makes you wonder who should get that 10% off.

[HiddenMickeyBook]

Yes, if I lived closer, I would go more often, possibly even getting a job there if I could. We would probably upgrade to the premium passport so we could go whenever we wanted and take friends more often.

Yes, it would alter my life - and I hope we are able to!

[Madame_Leota]

Originally Posted by HiddenMickeyBook

Yes, if I lived closer, I would go more often, possibly even getting a job there if I could.

I would totally get a job there. I always wanted to work either as a cast member or as an imagineer. I'm studying graphic design right now and I kind of hope I can do graphic design for Disney!

[GummiBears_Rock]

Originally Posted by DisneyIPresume

If you are thinking or have thought of moving to "LA" just for Disneyland, you really want to look at colleges in Orange County. There is Cal State Fullerton or Cal State Long Beach (technically in LA County but on the border of Orange County). Also in Orange County near Disneyland is Chapman University and UC Irvine. There are many junior colleges in the area. The closest to Disneyland are probably Fullerton College and I'm thinking Cypress College. Orange Coast College is not too far away but is arguably the most popular jc in Orange County.

thanks! that really helps!
you might have just changed my life with that information

[JungleCruiseFan]

Yes, definitely. If I lived in (or near) Anaheim, I would do anything to pick up and AP, and would go probably once a week. But on the other hand, I don't know if I would get tired of it if I went that often. Something I hopefully will one day find out when I live in SoCal
Oh and since we're talking about colleges, I have to apply next year! I'm scared. I really hope I get into UC Irvine. My fallback is Cal State Fullerton. I basically chose those because A. They have good arts programs and B. I want to do a Disneyland College Internship. Alright that was rather off-topic. But yes, in case you were wondering about my plans for college, there ya go