I've seen a bunch of people post questions just like the ones I have had being an experience WDW traveler but embarking on my first DLR trip. So, I have a BUNCH of information I'm going to share. Anyone who might benefit...read on:
Flew BUF to LAX on SW last Tuesday. Everything was smooth on the flight (even got good seats altogether - me, dh, ds7 and dd6). We rented a car. Got a deal for $173 for 8 nights (using code someone on WDW Budget board posted) so by the time we paid for 4 of us to shuttle - IMO, the car was the best bet. Plus we only did 3 days at DLR...Now we're in SD and finishing up our trip up near LA (to be near airport for way home). Anyway - onto DLR specifics:
The first thing that I noticed was the sheer LACK OF acknowledgement that DLR is even in the vicinity. In Orlando, basically from the hotel all the way down the expressways to your hotel (no matter where it is located) - it screams 'MICKEY LIVES HERE'. From LAX to Anaheim, even within a mile or so of DLR - I saw not one billboard/sign/indication that we were even going the right way (thank god for Garmin). My feeling was that it was more of a 'hometown' amusement park than WDW. Not a bad thing...but not good either - just an observation/feeling.
So, we get to HOJO and I have to say THANK YOU to DIS'ers who rave about it. We did love it a bunch. We were in the farthest building from the office, with the deluxe room and DID HEAR freeway noise. I was a bit annoyed because the reason we went deluxe was to stay in a quieter building (or so I thought). However, I have to tell you I am a VERY, VERY light sleeper and even I was used to it/too tired to care after the first 2 nights. Took a quick trip to VONS and spent $85 to stock up on food, drinks and snacks for the room and to bring to parks.
One thing I did not anticipate to the extent it happened was jet lag and adjustment to West Coast time. My kids are on a schedule and wake (at eastern time) about 6:45am every day. I thought since we had been up since 4am to catch the flight that they would just sleep longer and all would be well. But, no everyone was wide awake and rarin' to go at 3:00am on our first full day. Trying to keep them quiet for our neighbors and not bite each others' heads off for 5 hours was tough and made for a VERY LONG day. So, about 8:15 or so FINALLY arrived, and off to DL we go.
Walk from HOJO is excellent - no complaints.
We used a 10 day non-expiring ticket. The 'exchange' went fine - but it does take a few minutes (maybe about 5 - 7 but seems endless as people are passing you going into the park). We used our non-hopping ones for the frist two days (although the woman the 2nd day gave us hopping 'replacement' ones accidentally) and then a hopping one on day 3.
OK in hotel room and battery is going....will write more tomorrow.
Flew BUF to LAX on SW last Tuesday. Everything was smooth on the flight (even got good seats altogether - me, dh, ds7 and dd6). We rented a car. Got a deal for $173 for 8 nights (using code someone on WDW Budget board posted) so by the time we paid for 4 of us to shuttle - IMO, the car was the best bet. Plus we only did 3 days at DLR...Now we're in SD and finishing up our trip up near LA (to be near airport for way home). Anyway - onto DLR specifics:
The first thing that I noticed was the sheer LACK OF acknowledgement that DLR is even in the vicinity. In Orlando, basically from the hotel all the way down the expressways to your hotel (no matter where it is located) - it screams 'MICKEY LIVES HERE'. From LAX to Anaheim, even within a mile or so of DLR - I saw not one billboard/sign/indication that we were even going the right way (thank god for Garmin). My feeling was that it was more of a 'hometown' amusement park than WDW. Not a bad thing...but not good either - just an observation/feeling.
So, we get to HOJO and I have to say THANK YOU to DIS'ers who rave about it. We did love it a bunch. We were in the farthest building from the office, with the deluxe room and DID HEAR freeway noise. I was a bit annoyed because the reason we went deluxe was to stay in a quieter building (or so I thought). However, I have to tell you I am a VERY, VERY light sleeper and even I was used to it/too tired to care after the first 2 nights. Took a quick trip to VONS and spent $85 to stock up on food, drinks and snacks for the room and to bring to parks.
One thing I did not anticipate to the extent it happened was jet lag and adjustment to West Coast time. My kids are on a schedule and wake (at eastern time) about 6:45am every day. I thought since we had been up since 4am to catch the flight that they would just sleep longer and all would be well. But, no everyone was wide awake and rarin' to go at 3:00am on our first full day. Trying to keep them quiet for our neighbors and not bite each others' heads off for 5 hours was tough and made for a VERY LONG day. So, about 8:15 or so FINALLY arrived, and off to DL we go.
Walk from HOJO is excellent - no complaints.
We used a 10 day non-expiring ticket. The 'exchange' went fine - but it does take a few minutes (maybe about 5 - 7 but seems endless as people are passing you going into the park). We used our non-hopping ones for the frist two days (although the woman the 2nd day gave us hopping 'replacement' ones accidentally) and then a hopping one on day 3.
OK in hotel room and battery is going....will write more tomorrow.
Wise words from HygroGuy--- as always!!!
. I grew up going to DL a a child and took my DS there for his frist Disney Magic when he was 8. Since then we have been going to WDW a totatl of 5 times counting this up comeing trip in July.
