1st timer at DL... help!? Please :-)

[Ana~n~Joseph]

Hi, everyone!

I consider myself a WDW and DCL pro, but I've never been to DL. BFF and I are planning on doing our annual "girls-only" trip and visit DL for a few days in 2019. Help me get started!! Where do we stay? What do we do? But most importantly, where do we eat!? To MaxPass or not? What else do I need to know about DL?? Is there a tour we should consider? We are looking at going sometime in late September /early October.

A little background....BFF and I travel yearly, usually to WDW or on DCL, and it's just the two of us; we leave husbands and kids behind for a few days. We love to ride rides and eat.

Thanks in advance!

 

[BrianL]

I suggest starting here - https://www.disboards.com/threads/a-dlr-guide-for-wdw-vets.1162599/ - @HydroGuy's DLR tips for WDW vets. This is the gold-standard guide.

Where you stay depends on budget. The onsite properties are great, but they are all what WDW would call deluxe resorts, and rather expensive. They do not have moderate and value tiers, so you would stay offsite. Many hotels are within walking distance (or right across the street), so they can be a great choice. The great thing about DLR is that it is very compact. With a Park Hopper you can treat DL and CA as one big park! I also find that, in general, the food is better at DLR, especially counter service. Have a corn dog from Little Red Wagon and any DLR churro - they are much better than WDW versions!

Have fun!

 

[Gaugersaurus]

You should check out some of the following threads as there's a lot of good information in them.

DLR for WDW Vets
Maxpass/Fastpass overview & strategy

SW: GE should be open by September/October so be prepared for "extra" crowds during you trip as Halloween time is always busy for DLR. If you like Disney history you can do the Walking in Walt's Footsteps tour.

It's a consensus that counter service at DLR is better than WDW but table service can be lacking.

Most Harbor Blvd. hotels are closer to the parks than the Disney owned hotels so they're a great option if you're not willing to break the bank on a Disney owned hotel.

 

[tweak89]

Where do we stay? Save your money and stay offsite (the "bubble" experience is not like it is at WDW). There are dozens of hotels within easy walking distance, and will save you hundreds over the "onsite" hotels. We've done both and will only stay offsite after being dissapointed with our onsite stay (cost vs benefits just wasn't there).
What do we do? Have fun! DLR is a MUCH MORE relaxing experience then WDW.
But most importantly, where do we eat!? Tons of places just outside the gates. Lots of great places within a short drive/uber ride as well. If you want the skinny on food inside the park I highly recommend looking up Magic Journeys on youtube, they do a fantastic job of covering all things food related at DLR.
To MaxPass or not? YES!! It's awesome, includes Photopass (with ride pictures) and will make you wish WDW would ditch FP+ for Maxpass.
What else do I need to know about DL?? Stay Calm and Disney On!! As I mentioned before, this is not the stress test that WDW can be. With Maxpass and the close proximity of the parks you'll be in and out of both with ease throughout the day.
Is there a tour we should consider? If your a Disney history buff, Walk In Walt's footsteps is great. It covers areas of the park that Walt was directly involved with and ends up with a trip to his apartment (which is just as it was when he passed).

As far as timing, we went mid-September last year and found the crowds very manageable, especially with Maxpass. The only thing we didn't ride multiple times during our visit was Matterhorn, and that was because it was being refurbished!!

 

[Ana~n~Joseph]

Thanks, everyone!! I'll definitely look into the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour! Does anyone have an offsite hotel they would recommend? And I see many of you mention eating offsite or CS, but are there any "special" Table Service restaurants that we should consider? SOmething "must do" (ie character meal, etc).

Thanks again! Y'all are awesome!
-Ana

 

[theluckyrabbit]

For good hotel information: www.disboards.com/threads/choosing-the-right-hotel-for-you.3656512/. For us, we love the Candy Cane Inn and the Sheraton Park -- where we stay depends on our need for proximity, a private shuttle, and whether we're using points for a free night. CCI offers various discounts so check to see if you qualify for something.
Check this thread for TS ideas: Table service must-dos for a 1st (and likely only) timer?.