10 Things We’ll Never Do Again at Disneyland
Disneyland and Disney California Adventure are two of our favorite places on earth, and we seldom have a bad experience at either park. With that said, we have had our share of truly awful experiences over the last decade-plus, and have come up of this just-for-fun list of things we will never do again, because they are not-so-fun.
Truthfully, there are very few things at Disneyland or DCA that we will never do again. Just about everything deserves a second chance–menus at restaurants change, hotels are overhauled, and attractions are tweaked or re-imagined over time. This is especially true at the California parks, which are necessarily receptive to feedback, as they depend upon repeat business from locals. (It’s not as easy as with the unsuspecting first-time tourists that populate the parks at Walt Disney World!)
There are also ways the parks have changed. If this list were made a few years ago, it would’ve included specific days of the week, under-the-radar holidays, and even bag check areas at certain times. Despite being problems for ages, all of those things are pretty much non-issues now.
Beyond the parks changing, there are ways we have changed. People change, as do preferences; things that were once loathed are now loved, and vice-versa. For example, we used to hate parking in the Toy Story lot, but have been won over in the last year.
Finally, if I’m being honest with myself and you all, there’s also the reality that I have the memory of a goldfish Blue Hippo Tang named Dory. Insane as it might be, I make the same mistakes again and again, either forgetting past mistakes or foolishly expecting a different outcome. “Live and learn” is my motto, minus the learn part.
Another thing to note is that this list only covers things that are within our control. Over the years, the company has made the “choice” for us, by eliminating a lot of things that we’d otherwise love to do again. We’d love to enter the grid of elecTRONica, see Country Bear Jamboree, or redeem a free FastPass, but it seems that Disney will deny us those opportunities. And I think I speak for every Disneyland fan who would like another ride on the PeopleMover or Superstar Limo. 😉
Those are things we will technically never do again at Disneyland, but are very much not in the spirit of this list, which is more like shouting “NEVER AGAIN!” than lamenting never again. 😢 With that in mind, here are the “top” 10 things that we’ll (try to) never do again at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure…
Goofy’s Sky School – Earlier this year while testing Genie+ and Lightning Lane strategy, we did Goofy’s Sky School for the first time in what had to have been close to 5 years. For whatever reason, I was actually looking forward to the attraction, fondly remembering the fun details and Easter eggs while, apparently, forgetting just how punishing the ride is…and with zero payoff.
On several occasions, I felt like I was going to fly off the corner of the ride (so in a way, it does deliver thrills!) or was in physical pain as the coaster abruptly started, stopped, and whipped around. There are plenty of rides that are overrated or underwhelming at Disneyland, but this is the only one that’s downright unpleasant and offers no upside to counterbalance that. I’ll probably forget this in another 5 years (hopefully it’s demolished by then), but for now, I have no intentions of ever doing Goofy’s Sky School again.
BONUS: Matterhorn – This cannot legally be included on my list because it’s a “mistake” I make again and again on purpose. Every time I ride Matterhorn, it’s a painful experience due to the vibrating of the bobsleds on the track. The rickety ‘ole roller coaster makes me feel like a rickety ‘ole geezer after I get off…yet I keep getting back on to relive nostalgia for bygone days. And so goes my love-hate relationship with Matterhorn, which I will never stop riding, even though my body is pleading with me to give it up!
World of Color Dessert Party – I’m generally averse to upcharge offerings at Disneyland, especially given its more laid back nature than Walt Disney World. Nevertheless, there’s a pervasive sense of FOMO on social media and in certain online planning communities–even Disneyland-centric ones–that drives many people to spend on unnecessary add-ons. This is exacerbated by certain popular experiences booking up quickly, which only serves to perpetuate the cycle of hype. (In reality, it’s less a reflection of quality and demand than it is limited supply.)
The FOMO machine go into overdrive with the World of Color Dessert Parties. Yes, this can book up quickly and guarantees a seat for the popular (and excellent) nighttime spectacular. But the quality of the dessert spread and substance of the experience leaves so much to be desired. Beyond that, it simply is not necessary for watching World of Color. There are other (relatively easy) ways to get great views. I can understand why certain guests with unique circumstances book it, but for 95% of people, it’s unnecessary overkill and a waste of money. (For more, see our World of Color Dessert Party Review.)
Abide Affronts to Award Wieners or Suffer Schmoozie’s Smack Talk – DCA 1.0, as it’s now known among fans, has a lot of haters. By extension, some Disneyland diehards still turn their noses up when it comes to any remnants of the much-maligned circa-2001 park. This was never acceptable when it came to Schmoozie’s, which is always out there giving 110% in furtherance of the art of high-quality smoothies and shakes.
At one point, the Disneyland dieharders’ disdain was understandable when it came to Award Wieners. The walk-up window was insanely popular despite mediocre meat medleys served on plain buns and with bags of generic Lay’s potato chips. However, that stopped being the case several years ago, as the quality was upgraded across the board. The all-beef meat, toppings, and buns have all improved considerably. Filmstrip fries are top-notch, too. Award Wieners now lives up to its name, and is deserving of a major award.
In fact, Award Wieners is where I eat more than anywhere else in Disney California Adventure, and I make a point of always getting the seasonal dog. It’s always inventive, loaded with toppings, and filling for a relatively reasonable price. It’s a similar story with the regular menu, which offers the best bang-for-buck at DCA. (I also love the Asada Fries, but I wouldn’t call those a great value.)
TIE: Navigate New Orleans Square Around Fantasmic – I can’t speak to how things are right now as this became a ‘never again’ for us several months ago after witnessing fights (plural), but navigating through New Orleans Square is a nightmare around Fantasmic. The viewing areas are all packed, and there’s not much consistency as to how or when they fill up. There are ropes that form cattle corrals for guests to watch Fantasmic and more ropes to bypass it, but if you’re a first-timer, it’s difficult to make sense of what’s going on. (Even as a seasoned Disneyland veteran, I had a tough time.) It’s simply a bad way to experience the park’s best land.
TIE: Main Street Before Fireworks or Parades – It’s a similar story around the front of the park before fireworks or a nighttime parade. It seems like half of the park becomes one-way, and you literally might need to do a 10-minute loop to access something that started in your general vicinity, but was on the other side of the one-way walkway.
All of this is compounded by the reality that Disneyland PAC Cast Members are “battle hardened.” To put it politely, they have seen some things, experiencing chaos, congestion, and the aforementioned fights. As a result, they (understandably) run a tight ship and make sure walkways are kept clear and people continue moving. The downside to this is a lot of yelling (don’t you dare stop for a photo of Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle!) to keep people in check.
Eat in Tomorrowland – Did you hear that Galactic Grill has a new menu item that looks fantastic in the stock photo? Did you know that Alien Pizza Planet is actually good if you order X and modify your order to Y? Have you tried this new seasonal dish that has the makings of something special?
If something sounds too good to be true with Tomorrowland dining at Disneyland, it is. All of the “questions” above are variations of things I’ve heard over the years, most many times. I’ve eaten in Tomorrowland at least two-dozen times over the last decade, and I can count the number of satisfactory meals on one hand. By contrast, I’ve lost track of how many nearly-inedible “foods” I’ve consumed in Tomorrowland. If you hear something surprisingly positive about food in Tomorrowland, remember the wise words of Admiral Ackbar: it’s a trap!
Camp Out for Opening Day Stuff – Here is the first of a few “do as we say, not as we do” entries. Few people know this, but Disney bloggers have a code of conduct that’s more stringent than the American Board of Neurological Surgery Code of Ethics. Okay, not really. The blogger code is more what you call guidelines than actual rules.
One of those is that we attend the opening day of everything, no matter how insignificant. And since there are a lot of bloggers, vloggers, and social media influencers residing in Southern California, this means surprisingly big crowds for seemingly inconsequential things. (I still vividly recall waiting in line several hours for Super Heroes HQ, an overlay to Innoventions that would never have any wait.)
I am incredibly excited for Disney’s 100th Anniversary, World of Color – One at DCA, and the Wondrous Journeys fireworks at Disneyland. I’m also dreading the day one crowds that are sure to descend upon the parks. Sure, I could just go the following week, but the code demands otherwise. Let us serve as a cautionary tale, and don’t make the same “mistake” as us if you are not required to by some so-called code!
Fly into LAX – We fly into and out of Los Angeles International Airport all the time–including the day before Thanksgiving this year. It isn’t my favorite airport in the world, but I also don’t agree with all of the hate LAX gets. Once you learn the ins and outs (speaking of which, be sure to make a pit stop on the In-N-Out Burger on Sepulveda before flying out!), it feels a bit like taming a beast. You know the tricks for avoiding the traffic jams into and out of the airport, where the best lounges are located, and how to get through security in minutes.
However, you will have exactly none of this knowledge on your first trip to California. For the uninitiated, LAX is absolutely overwhelming, bordering on nightmarish. This is especially true if you’re from a small/suburban town or your home airport is regional, you will likely experience significant culture shock. LAX is like trial by fire, and the chaos and crowds can start your trip off on the wrong foot. (That’s especially true if you or someone traveling with you already has negative, preconceived notions about California.)
Meanwhile, John Wayne Airport (SNA) is laid back, quiet, and seldom crowded. Despite being in a highly populated area and only a short drive from Disneyland, it feels very much like a quaint, regional airport. If there were a list ranking the best airports for napping, SNA would be near the top and LAX would be near the bottom.
BONUS: Take the Tram at Park Closing – On the topic of transportation mistakes, we’d put taking the tram at or around park closing relatively high on the list. There’s usually a long line, and it’s often chaotic and unpleasant. Then again, we typically prefer walking to Mickey & Friends, so this might be a “just us” never again entry. If you have small children or elderly family members…or if your ‘dogs are barkin’, then maybe the tram will be a welcome sight, even with a long line!
Stay at Paradise Pier Hotel – Did you ever hear about how Chuck E. Cheese rebranded itself as Pasqually’s Pizza & Wings to dupe unsuspecting Grubhub customers who otherwise never would’ve ordered from there due to horror stories or urban legends about recycled pizza? That sounds similar to what Disney is doing right now with Paradise Pier Hotel.
Currently being rebranded as Pixar Place Hotel, I have little doubt that the hotel will improve in certain ways. In large part, this is because it cannot conceivably get worse. Inefficient elevators, no real restaurants, absurdly-bad value for money, dated everything, rooms that are 2-star caliber, and more–not all of this can be remedied by a quick “reimagining” that is mostly cosmetic. Paradise Pier Hotel is arguably worse than 3 dozen off-site hotels near Disneyland. It is inarguably worse than both Disneyland Hotel and the Grand Californian, as well as at least one dozen off-site hotels near Disneyland.
Some fans will claim that Paradise Pier Hotel is not as bad as we claim, that this is exaggeration. That is their prerogative. Perhaps they are correct, or maybe it’s possible that fans have sentimentality or nostalgia for something that is objectively bad.
There are very few Disney things we hate with a passion, but Paradise Pier Hotel is right up there with Dino-Rama and Rainforest Cafe. If you’re booking a trip to Disneyland and want to stay on-site, upgrade to the Grand Californian. If that’s out of your price range, “downgrade” and stay in a significantly cheaper and nicer off-site option. Avoid Paradise Pier Hotel at all costs. Seriously, there are hundreds if not thousands of better ways to use your vacation budget at Disneyland Resort.
Underestimate Southern California Weather – The first time we visited Disneyland, it was the heart of summer. In typical Southern California fashion, the weather was perfect. Plenty of sunshine, minimal humidity, not a cloud in the sky, and warm enough that it was not chilly even at night. We even missed the infamous June gloom. That ideal weather was part of the reason we fell in love with the state–a far cry from what we had experienced in Florida during the same timeframe.
The next time we visited Disneyland, it was late November into early December. It rained almost every day (something I did not know was possible in Southern California!) and both early mornings and evenings were freezing. I was utterly unprepared, having looked only at the average daily high temperatures (which were not that far off from our summer trip) when packing.
I learned a lot that trip about California weather, and have never made the same mistake again. To the contrary, we now use it to our advantage–targeting rainy days or times when there’s a sharp drop in daytime v. nighttime temperatures. I’ll happily wear a parka to the park if it means low crowds and wait times!
Overplan – You don’t need to devote nearly as much time to planning a Disneyland trip as you would a Walt Disney World vacation. Honestly, it’s better to be “underprepared” for Disneyland than overprepared. Planning everything down to the minute or even hour leaves no room for spontaneity, and Disneyland is all about the spontaneous experiences.
Characters appear out of nowhere, there’s atmospheric entertainment you never knew about, and a wealth of “little things” you’ll want to stop to experience. These spontaneous little moments can be the highlight of a Disneyland vacation, and planning everything down to the smallest detail might “force” you to skip these things when you see them.
A detailed itinerary also sets unrealistic expectations. If you plan a trip checklist style with 15 things that you “must accomplish” in a given day, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. The practical realities of navigating crowds, weather, longer-than-expected lines, attraction downtime, or other unplanned variables mean you might not be able to get everything done.
It’s better to go into a Disneyland trip with a rough plan of attack with plenty of downtime–and be prepared to bail on even what you do have on your schedule. Sometimes we have the most fun when we toss aside our plans. The bottom line is that arriving early, staying late, or buying Genie+ at Disneyland will give you a lot of latitude to enjoy an easy-going pace, roll with the punches, and enjoy the spontaneity of the more-relaxed Disney parks in the United States.
Planning a Southern California vacation? For park admission deals, read Tips for Saving Money on Disneyland Tickets. Learn about on-site and off-site hotels in our Anaheim Hotel Reviews & Rankings. For where to eat, check out our Disneyland Restaurant Reviews. For unique ideas of things that’ll improve your trip, check out What to Pack for Disney. For comprehensive advice, consult our Disneyland Vacation Planning Guide. Finally, for guides beyond Disney, check out our Southern California Itineraries for day trips to Los Angeles, Laguna Beach, and tons of other places!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What things at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure would you never do again? Is any restaurant, resort, or ride beyond redemption for you? Any day of the week, holiday, or time of year you’d never visit? Do you agree or disagree with our list? Would you do any of these things again? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
I believe the Paradise Pier Hotel was originally built to house athletes for the Olympic Games. Not much of a shell to work with. We stay in One of the Harbor bvld good friends hotels, or the Disneyland Hotel if we have enough cash!
Tom! All you have to do on the Matterhorn, to avoid having your back unnecessarily adjusted, is hold on to the handle bars and lean forward a little. As long as your back isn’t against the seat back, it’s great. Once we figured this out it became one of our favourite rides!
I have tried all of the tricks for a comfortable ride. This, leaning all the way back and pressing down/out with me feet/arms, you name it. Part of the problem is probably that I’m bony, and nothing is cushioned very well, so the uneven ride really gets me. I dunno. Still love the Matterhorn, just hate how it leaves me in pain!
i so agree with the spontaneity comment about Disneyland…
one visit I was killing time on a bench on Main Street before having to leave for the airport…witnessed Chip (maybe it was Dale…probably Dale) walking up to an elderly female guest in a wheelchair and gave her a flower picked from the flowerbed nearby no doubt…
same Dale also went up to someone’s bag while the owner sat nonchalantly next to it and witnessed Dale ‘stealing’ a souvenir out of his bag…didn’t react at all when Dale made off with it, only to return a short while later and put it back…
I don’t think something like that could ever happen at Disney World…the character would be smothered by people coming up for autographs and pictures…
I agree with most things on this list except Goofy’s Sky School! That ride is so much fun, and scarier than Incredicoaster. The feeling that you’re going to fly over the side, the gut punching stops..I’m giggling like a little girl at the end. This ride is super underestimated because it looks dinky but I have to ride it a few times every trip. The line is usually not very long, and they have single rider line as well. Tom, you gotta learn HOW to ride GSS. Then you unlock the fun.
PRO TIP: Ride at night!
Apart from the endless roadwork, I think LAX is one of the best airports in the world! You can always get a flight, usually direct, usually for a good price, and, while I can’t speak to John Wayne, it’s far superior to Burbank in my opinion. The actual Burbank airport is fine but the takeoff feels dicey and the landing is like being dropped directly down from the sky into a jagged bowl of mountains. It’s horrid. I can’t do Burbank sober. LAX by contrast has a pretty mellow, drawn-out descent and the takeoff is not too bad even though you sometimes bank steeply over the ocean (cue hyperventilation, sweating, listening for the rattle of the drinks cart). LAX has great parking options plus there are myriad car services to pick you up, and lots of shops and restaurants. It really is quite good! I agree about the Goofy ride. Not good for the human skeletal system. Never again.
Takeoff and landing at SNA can be interesting at times, possibly for some of the same reasons, as Irvine and Newport are strict about noise and the flight path. I don’t think it’s necessarily bad or rough, but the pilot often gives a ‘warning’ before the descent, so maybe others have an issue with it?
I lived in southern California until I was 14. we went to Disneyland regularly until it became too expensive. what I dislike is how they changed from a family friendly park to a Disney Pixar nonsense theme. I miss country bear jamboree, the rocket ship ride, space mountain etc. Wish they would go back to the way it was when I was a kid.
Goodness – we stay at paradise pier next week. I guess I should have done the Disneyland hotel instead. Oh well it’s only two nights.
we stayed at Paradise Pier a few years ago and it was a nice hotel. way above 2 stars. I’d be interested to find out how you find it.
Paradise Pier is a very nice hotel (granted it is getting a refurbishment right now). We have stayed there three times and we loved it (twice using DVC points and once paying cash after a generous military discount). The rooms were big and nice, the beds comfortable, and I liked the theming. Sometimes I think Tom tries too hard to find flaws in things so he does not come off like a homer for Disney.
We stayed at Paradise Pier in January and really enjoyed it. Granted, many of the lobby amenities were still closed because of the pandemic (not the hotel’s fault), but it was very pleasant, great location, easy to park, we had a great view of California Adventure, and the staff was great. I think you’ll enjoy it there.
I value your advice Tom and enjoy reading it but as someone who loves Rainforest and Dinoland and can’t stand Country Bears, I find I question your taste at times.
Interesting list! Re: Goofy’s sky school…the reasons you don’t like it are the whole point of the ride…he can’t fly! Anyway, I love that ride and am usually laughing when it’s over…but to each his own! As for the rest, the best hotel is one that is clean and cheap. There are several of those right next to the park. Unless the plan is to enjoy a day lounging at the pool, don’t waste money on a themed hotel. All you need is a clean bed.
I agree! Goofy’s is SO fun! Plus it’s a great one for kids getting their coaster wings. Tom is just sounding like an older man than he is!
We travelled from Australia to Disneyland in April this year, third visit for me, second for my daughter. We had a wonderful time despite the unpredicted crowds and can’t wait to go back again. My “won’t ever do again” is stay at Howard Johnson Hotel. Don’t get me wrong, its a lovely hotel and we loved our stay. The reason I chose it was because it was the only one within our price range that had some Disney theming however when we go again we will be choosing a hotel directly opposite the entrance. I can’t tell you how I would have loved to have been staying just that bit closer to the main gate. That extra walk, albeit not that long, at the end of a long day touring was brutal and we realised we didn’t really need the Disney theming. I also will swallow my pride and hire an ECV at the START of the holiday as I now know my ageing knees do not cope as well as they used to with long days in the park. I do have to disagree with you though on Goofy’s Sky School. We absolutely loved it and did it several times as it was just so darn crazy. We loved the feeling of running off the tracks and the dips and sharp turns had us squealing and laughing our socks off. We had a ball. Can’t do Matterhorn as my knees won’t let me get in and out of that darn sled but can’t wait for the re-themed Splash Mountain despite getting saturated.
The last 2 trips to Disneyland this year we stayed at a hotel on Katella right across the street. It was a very short walk and far less lines to go through for security and bag check. Quality Inn and Suites has free parking, free wifi and best of all free breakfast. Full breakfast not grab and go!
Re: The Paradise Pier Hotel. I’m mostly in agreement here. But a HUGE plus for us was the designated entrance to DCA that was for Paradise Pier Hotel guests only. Perfect for us with our cumbersome Oogie Boogie Bash Halloween costumes we wore into the party. When the refit to Pixar is complete we’re looking forward to staying there again.
what if the run down vibe of Paradise Pier was embraced, renamed the Happiness Hotel and got a complete Muppets re-theming. There would be no other place I’d stay.
As a Disneyland diehard fan, I can agree with all of these things- except the food at Alien Pizza Planet. We cannot leave a DL trip without a stop for Countdown Chicken Fusilli Pasta. I dream of this pasta.