A DLR Guide for WDW Vets

[momof2n2]

My DH and I are East Coasters who met in Philly. While on our honeymoon in Hawaii, we decided we just couldn't go back to live there permanently, so we decided we'd move to California. Moved back, DH quit his job, and we moved to the Bay Area once he found a new job out there (that's the short version ). One of his interviews was in Orange County. I was so excited to go to the beach because I was picturing the water to be like it was in Hawaii. I went running into it. Boy was that a shock!!

It only got worse when we moved up to the San Francisco Bay Area. It is often (and I mean almost always) chilly in the city. I work in South San Francisco and it's never ending wind all summer long.

But I love it all. Wouldn't move back to the East Coast unless we absolutely had to.

At least you don't get snow...

I'm still reeling over the cold ocean bit. I never knew. ... it seems like such a waste of waterfront. Sort of like Newfoundland...

You mean Gidget surfed in those bikinis in cold water? (Young people will have no idea what I am talking about.)

 

[ellab]

Thanks Hydroguy! We live in NorCal, and I've only been to Disneyland 3 times before, and twice to WDW. I feel like I have WDW down with the ADRs and FP+, but it's been 3 years since our last DL trip, and this was a great post to see the differences. We just got our DL annual pass so we are doing DL a few times this year. I can't wait!

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Bravo HydroGuy

I have not been to Disneyland since the 80s...

Shhhhh we will not discuss my age!

...and my BF has NEVER been to DL!

I have however made a ton of trips to WDW, as evident by my signature block (and my BF has a few WDW trips under his belt as well).

What brings me back to Disneyland after all these years, Star Wars Celebration Anaheim in 2015. I and my BF are members of the 501st and this is our first SWC!

We are staying at Disney PPH and got 5 day hopper passes to DLR.

I loved this thread. Not only am I a SW fan I am a WALT Disney Fan, and I have always loved the house Walt built! I know that he had influence and plans for WDW, but Walt built DL and I will always have a fondness for it even though I haven't been back since the 80s. (Heck I even tear up when I hear/watch Walt Disney's opening speech for Disneyland, I know I am bad.)

So for me being in love with Walt Disney I think it will be easy for me to take in the DLR magic, but what I love about this thread is how you explained things so that I can show that magic to my BF.

This is an awesome thread, with alot of time and effort put in. Thank you!

QUESTION TIME: Has anyone heard of how SWC Anaheim is going to affect DLR? I know that all the hotels around the convention center (across the street of DRL) are booked, and have been booked for a long time... HOWEVER last night when my BF and I decided to switch to a DLR Hotel instead of using our reservation at the Sheraton it was a snap, there wasn't a single warning that any of the rooms were unavailable when using the DLR website to make our travel arrangements.

 

[jpolak]

Amazing info. so helpful

 

[Shula]

Thank you for your info, huge help for beginning my new research project!

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

Great guide with lots of great info! I appreciate the effort you have put into this. I have a few questions as a WDW vet...

We are planning for 12 days over January February in California. Starting with 5 nights near DL at a good neighbour.

Should we pack sweaters?

It appears that last year over that time period Fantasmic didnt play once, even on weekends. Is that a recurring trend? or a fluke?

If the Ocean is 72 in the summer, whats it like in February lol?

 

[MouseEXP]

Great guide with lots of great info! I appreciate the effort you have put into this. I have a few questions as a WDW vet...

We are planning for 12 days over January February in California. Starting with 5 nights near DL at a good neighbour.

Should we pack sweaters?

It appears that last year over that time period Fantasmic didnt play once, even on weekends. Is that a recurring trend? or a fluke?

If the Ocean is 72 in the summer, whats it like in February lol?

Yes you should pack sweaters. It may be warm during the day, but the temperature will drop at night

Fantasmic unknown

The Ocean is probably a chilly 40-50 degrees

 

[amandamichelle]

bump

 

[andrewilley]

bump

Did you hurt yourself with all your bumping?

Andre

 

[starjazz]

DEFINITELY pack sweaters. We got a couple of rainy days last year during this timeframe, and it was down right chilly. NEEDED some extra layers for sure.

 

[HydroGuy]

We are planning for 12 days over January February in California. Starting with 5 nights near DL at a good neighbour.

Should we pack sweaters?

Sweaters for sure and rain gear just in case. On good days you will need sweaters early morn and eve. On bad days you will need them all day.

"Detailed Weather Data for DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=23004158

We are planning for 12 days over January February in California. Starting with 5 nights near DL at a good neighbour.

Should we pack sweaters?

Not a fluke but not something that happens every year. F! is affected by refurbs on the island or river. Can't remember last year but when refurbs happen on F! they usually happen then.

Bottom line is a Jan-Feb trip is always susceptible to lots of refurbs. But there is not reason to think F! is more likely than anything else to be closed.

If the Ocean is 72 in the summer, whats it like in February lol?

Way too cold to swim if that is what you mean. Probably in the 50s.

 

[crazymomof4]

I have JUST started reading this thread and I feel it's going to be the perfect info for us! We are WDW "vets" and, while I've visited DL in 1979 (when I was very young), the rest of our family have never been. We are planning a trip to CA in '15 or possibly '16. So often, when WDW people hear of our plans, they say something to the effect of, "Oh, you're going to be disappointed! DL is soooo much smaller!" I really hate hearing this! I hope by reading through this thread, I will be armed with enough info to have a positive answer for these nay-sayers!

 

[sleepydog25]

I have JUST started reading this thread and I feel it's going to be the perfect info for us! We are WDW "vets" and, while I've visited DL in 1979 (when I was very young), the rest of our family have never been. We are planning a trip to CA in '15 or possibly '16. So often, when WDW people hear of our plans, they say something to the effect of, "Oh, you're going to be disappointed! DL is soooo much smaller!" I really hate hearing this! I hope by reading through this thread, I will be armed with enough info to have a positive answer for these nay-sayers!

I contributed to this thread much earlier (we traveled to DL back in April), but as you say, the info provided herein will help you immensely. The experiences you take from each resort--DL and WDW--are uniquely different. Even the same rides at each give you a different perspective. You'll love some rides at DL better than their counterparts at WDW and vice versa. You'll also discover new favorites (or as in my case, a new "old" favorite such as Storybook Land which was a fave of mine back in the 80s), and you'll appreciate the closeness of CA, DL, and DD. My wife loved her surprise visit to DL, and I'm certain you guys will enjoy it, too. Have fun planning!

 

[mgothel]

Thank you for this thread! It's so very helpful!

 

[mgothel]

Thank you for this thread

 

[nevergrowup826]

Bump

 

[Tardisblue]

Outstanding info here. Makes me re-evaluate my one trip to DLR back in 2001. I now want to go back and appreciate the original more than I did then.

Kudos.

 

[bookgirl]

Outstanding info here. Makes me re-evaluate my one trip to DLR back in 2001. I now want to go back and appreciate the original more than I did then.

Kudos.

My one and only trip to DLR was around 2000 before they finished DCA. I'm a WDW vet who has decided to retry the west coast. I will be there Sunday and can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Tardisblue]

My one and only trip to DLR was around 2000 before they finished DCA. I'm a WDW vet who has decided to retry the west coast. I will be there Sunday and can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We were there in the summer of 2001, so right after it opened. I rode Soarin' for the first time there and was blown away by it. There were some other cool aspects to DCA, but I just remember thinking how small it seemed. Space Mountain at DL seemed very dated to me at the time and I honestly can't remember riding Matterhorn, so we must have not done it. I definitely want to give it another chance.

 

[bookgirl]

We were there in the summer of 2001, so right after it opened. I rode Soarin' for the first time there and was blown away by it. There were some other cool aspects to DCA, but I just remember thinking how small it seemed. Space Mountain at DL seemed very dated to me at the time and I honestly can't remember riding Matterhorn, so we must have not done it. I definitely want to give it another chance.

Matterhorn was down when I was there in 2000 and guess what......it's down next week as well. Guess I might have to make another trip just to ride it. LOL