We are WDW PAP hand go a lot, but I've only been to DL 2x previously. I'm starting our daily planning - and will also check out my Touringplans.com, but was hoping for suggestions from park regulars to get the most out of our 2 days (mid-week) at the parks. It's just spouse and I and we go on pretty much everything unless it goes upside down. Also, recommendations for fining - quick and table service would be appreciated. Thank you!
I would start by checking out HydroGuy's thread on DLR for WDW Vets. It'll give you a sense of the rides that unique, similiar and the same, plus useful information about DLR.
When are you going in September? If it's in the second half, you'll likely see HalloweenTime at DL, which means Haunted Mansion Holiday (HMH), Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy (SMGG), Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree's Halloween Carnival, and DL with some Halloween decorations. If you're going in the early part of September, then some things might be down. HM goes down in the end of August for the HMH overlay to be installed. Space will go down for about a week before HalloweenTime starts. The Jamboree are won't be open yet.
In terms of dining, DLR is not like WDW where making reservations as soon as possible are needed. It's still recommended to make reservations if you have a specific place you want to eat at a specific time, but you can often get reservations the day before or even day of, especially on weekdays. I know that Blue Bayou is one place where walk-ups are fairly unlikely, so if you want to eat there it's best to have a reservation. DLR reservations open up 60-day in advance, but the operating calendars aren't posted until about 45-days in advance (detailed entertainment, EMH/MM, etc. schedules aren't posted until about 4 weeks out).
You can use Touring Plans as another resource, but the general feeling here is that they aren't really DLR-focused so some of their info is a little suspect. The crowd calendars are pretty unreliable, so I wouldn't put to much stock into them.
If you are only planning on going on weekdays (Mon-Thur), note that you'll miss out on fireworks and Fantasmic. Those generally only run on the weekends. WoC will probably run nightly, as will the DL parade. Given that DLR runs relatively short hours on weekdays in September, plan on being there at rope drop. You can get a lot done in the first few hours.
