I have been doing a lot of thinking in the last few days. First of all, thank you very much to all of you DISers who keep up with contacting Disney, etc., as
it is so important that they hear our voices, and I do believe they have someone monitoring this thread, which now has well over 28,000 views.
What I want to say is this - although it is 'nice' to receive some fast passes from Disneyland (here or there) for those who have made mention of that in this thread, it will NEVER make up for the fact that some families such as mine, traveling such long distances (Northern Alberta to Anaheim, via $$$$ flight) can now no longer plan to spend 6 or 7 days in the parks. Disneyland is
not always about 'getting in all of the attractions.'
For my family, the Disneyland Resort is about spending quality family time together - enjoying our hard earned dollars [saved year round] to be able to receive the same rate or better (per day) than those purchasing the 5 day park hopper passes would receive, since we will clearly be spending more money in the parks (family, lunches, supper, breakfast sometimes, snacks, and more) since we are spending more time there.
Our Disney vacation to us is about spending enough time there to
not have to go back home only to experience troublesome dreams whereby it is our last day in the parks, and yet we haven't seen all of the attractions that we want to see, and haven't even been to New Orleans square, and we can never ever, [in my dreams], find the Haunted Mansion.
The time spent in the Disneyland Parks should be a leisurely, fun, and exciting week spent with our family, not just 'up to 5 days' wildly racing around. (Please Disney, don't even suggest the add on passes that are expensive on an already-expensive trip, or the 'annual pass' which is even more pricey per day, and which doesn't pan out for non-locals.)
What do you like to do with your families when in the parks, Disney execs? I bet you would enjoy taking time to stop and watch the California Screamin' ride take off. We have watched countless amount of the coasters taking off. You might enjoy stopping to rest your weary feet for lunch or a snack while the children look at the ducks at the Hungry Bear. You might smile to see the delight when they spot a feral cat somewhere on property (who helps to keep any potential mice at bay, but they know better than to catch Mickey Mouse, I know.
) You might enjoy just sitting down somewhere by Paradise Pier and watch the sunset. We have done that before.
I bet... if you lived in a climate where in the winter time the snow and ice falls so quickly, and the snow lays so thick and deep that it can quickly send you off into feeling very down as you wake up to days of darkness, and evenings that end quickly due to the fast approaching darkness -that you would thoroughly enjoy an escape once a year into a place where it is almost always sunny. [Or, when it's not, you would probably enjoy feeling the sting of raindrops on your face and laugh, upon hearing your kids squealing with laughter, amidst their little yelps of 'Ouch, the rain is pelting me in the face' yet laughing hysterically when on California Screamin'.] Sometimes sitting on a bench and eating a churro is what makes life sweet. Or watching a parade. Or looking at the characters on the streets, as they mingle with the guests. Browsing through shops, watching the people in the candy shop make candy, or seeing Chef Oscar smiling at his guests and shaking their hands is all part of the Disney experience for us.
It is the
ambience, Disney, and you created it - how can you expect us to want to leave right away, in only 5 short days?
Please Disney, would you let us all see a little bit of the customer service experience that you are world wide famous for - one who listens and understands, and seeks to make this (6 and 7 day park hopper passes as previously offered) possible for us? This is what we all are seeking. In no way will a few 'fast passes', or whatever they are being randomly offered, 'help' a family to cram more things into their trip. 5 days is 5 days, is 5 days, just as 6 and 7 days are 6 and 7. As well, if some people get them sent out, and others don't, it will create a bad experience for some. And really, in the course of 5 days, assuming a family goes on at least 10 rides, do you really think a handful of fast passes or whatever passes those are will 'make up' for lost time in the parks?
Disney execs., you may never know the sad feeling of waking up on day 3 or 4 of your trip, and counting the days down until the wonderful trip is over.
Disneyland might be familiar to you - but to my family, and to many others as well, it is pure magic. All of the time.
Walt Disney himself would not have wanted for people to feel they had to limit or restrict their time at his wonderful park - so why do you?
I don't want to go to a beach for my holiday.
I want to go to Disneyland with my family... The happiest place on earth.
Looking forward to your post when you receive your mail from Disney. 
. Perhaps showing ID doesn't do much since your name isn't actually on the ticket itself but for a moment there I had hope.
