A DLR Guide for WDW Vets

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

Yep, that's your WDW training showing through! That's one of the (many) beauties of DLR - you don't need to obsessively plan for 6 months in advance. Just chill out, have an adult beverage of your choice, and contemplate the great trip you're gonna have!

Now, if you want to go to a character meal or eat at Blue Bayou, it would be wise to make a reservation. But you can do that a couple weeks in advance, and still have a reasonable choice of times. Other than that, just chill and know you're gonna have a great time!

-Bob

The funny thing is, I can plan an eight day WDW trip in a few hours. I sent our ADRs to IPO just a couple of days before our 180 mark. We aren't even doing any extras at DL because we're spending as much time soaking up the ORIGINAL park (and DCA!) as possible. Booked a great DLH room, dining with Minnie and Goofy and hitting the parks. That's it. I still feel like I'm missing something. Glad we did this so last minute, though, because within a couple of weeks we'll be there, and I won't have to worry about what I did or didn't do/research.

 

[MyMuse]

Wonderful guide! Going to DL for the first time this summer.

A very good starting point for me to get things straight, especially since my 60 day window is coming up and I want to know what I'm doing and if it's right. lol

 

[ktlm]

I need to find time to update the WDW Intro thread. Some changes I need to include are that:

o TGM is not keeping up-to-date very well and is not as valuable as it used to be

o The Touring Plans folks are keeping up and are worth a subscription

o The dining reservations are now online

Rumor has it that Mike suffered a personal loss, and just has not gotten back in the swing of things since. He was slow posting the recommended parks/crowd calendar for a while, but as of June 5th, everything seems to be current, at least in that area. I don't know about the other areas of the website, as the reason I purchase it is solely for the crowd calendar. I have not been that happy with Touring Plans, although I know their system has changed since last time I used them. We used it for 2 trips and did not find it to be accurate at all, although others swear by it. I would suggest adding this website to your Intro Thread as it has a free crowd calendar (similar to TGM) that is good:

http://www.easywdw.com/category/calendar/


Definitely need to get the online thing on there. Disneyworld dining reservations have been online for 2 years now! There are still some things that have to be booked by phone like the Bibbiddi Bobbidi Boutique and the Fantasmic Dining package.


Your guides are wonderful!! Thanks for taking the time for doing this one for all the WDW vets!

 

[alicia080979]

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[Jerseyguy's Wife]

I have found this thread to be incredibly helpful (yes, six years after you wrote it). Thank you so much for taking time to write it.

 

[Tracie&Tigger]

WOW. That was awesome! I too am a WDW vet and feel like I know it as a second home. We are going to take our first trip west in 2 weeks and I had no idea what to expect. This is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks so much for taking the time to put it together!

 

[luvgoing2disney]

WOW. That was awesome! I too am a WDW vet and feel like I know it as a second home. We are going to take our first trip west in 2 weeks and I had no idea what to expect. This is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks so much for taking the time to put it together!

Like you, we consider WDW our home park, but I think you will really enjoy DLR. We just returned a couple of months back from our 2nd trip and now when folks ask "Which do you like better" I respond DLR is now tied (and may actually be a little ahead) of WDW. The east of getting to the parks, not nearly as much planning required for ADR's, ease of park hopping---I could go on and on but you will find out for yourself.

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[stormygoddess]

Fantastically detailed. Thanks so much.

However, the Disney good neighbor hotel link is broken and results in Page Not Found on disney's site. A good link is here: http://disneyland.disney.go.com/hotels/good-neighbor/

 

[stormygoddess]

Very comprehensive. Thanks a lot!

 

[HydroGuy]

Fantastically detailed. Thanks so much.

However, the Disney good neighbor hotel link is broken and results in Page Not Found on disney's site. A good link is here: http://disneyland.disney.go.com/hotels/good-neighbor/

Thanks I fixed it. Somewhere along the way Disney changed the link on their website.

Glad you liked the thread. I need to find some time soon to update it. It is still almost completely current but could use a few updates.

 

[panthergirl]

Thank you so much for this wonderful thread. Your tips were right on the mark and helped us navigate DLR. We can't wait to go back. I'm visiting WDW in October and am bracing myself for a huge Pirates letdown. Where the heck did the rest of the ride go?

 

[kermit116]

Great post - thanks so much for writing!

 

[kaffinito]

Great information - thank you!

I'm planning my first DL visit as an adult (I was at DL when I was very little) so I'm trying to soak up as much information as possible.

I know I'm going during the worst travel period possible - over NYE - but it can't be helped due to my kids school schedules so all of these tips and tricks will really help me out.

 

[Clochette nordique]

I have a bit less than 2 days before a DCL cruise and your indications are making my planning a lot easier. At least, I know my priorities!

Poussière de fée!... from Mid-Eastern Canada

 

[Tonyspad]

One brief note-- We have visited WDW over 20 times. This past June we stayed 4 nights at the DLH and had a blast. The weather, parks and coziness of the two parks made us DL converts. We will be returning in 2013!!! DL is not to be missed.

 

[queen mimi]

Thanks so much! After over 50 visits to WDW, going to DL for the first time. We are doing the Tinkerbell Half Marathon. Took notes on lots of things you discussed. With only a few days at DL, want to maximize the experience. Gosh, that sounds like a WDW visitor, doesn't it?? Again, thanks!

 

[mickeyplanner]

Thank you for a great crash course on DLR. We plan to visit in a few years and this was extremely helpful. It also helped to explain why I hardly saw any pre-trip reports on DLR since there does not have to be a lot of preplanning/reservations.

 

[kennedyandkailey]

Thank you so much for taking the time to post and update this thread! We are WDW fans and typically vacation there. However, we are in need of a change and have a shorter time frame to work with due to having a limited number of days (4 nights/3 full days) to take the kids out of school now that they are getting older. I have been overwhelmed trying to plan this vacation at DL through the eyes of a WDW planner. This thread helped me relax a little and see that our job is really done.... booked hotel/park tickets, airline, a couple meals, and transportation. I am looking forward to the closer proximity! My least fav part of WDW is indeed the buses. This is going to be a treat to avoid them entirely! Thanks again for all of your hard work in putting this info together!!

 

[HydroGuy]

Bumping to let the forum regulars know that I have done a complete update of the OP so it is now 100% up to date.

With 58,000 views I am glad to see this thread is still going strong!

 

[arbolita]

Bumping to let the forum regulars know that I have done a complete update of the OP so it is now 100% up to date.

With 58,000 views I am glad to see this thread is still going strong!

Fantastic! Off to read again =)

Going for the first time in November and we've finally really started getting underway with planning. Waiting another 10 months is going to drive me crazy!