A few observations from WDW vet

[houseful of boys]

We are just back from our first trip to DLR last week. First let me say, It was wonderful!!! We had 5 day tickets and so glad we took that much time because it took a couple days for me to get my bearings and relax.

Things I loved:

Disneyland is so "pretty." I loved the theming of Adventureland, New Orleans, Fantasyland. I couldn't get over how pretty the Haunted Mansion is. I loved the Storybook Canal Land and POC. Everything is beautiful.

My 6 yr old LOVED Indiana Jones. He is a huge fan of the films and he couldn't get enough.

Character greets. It was so much easier to meet the characters. Yes, there were lines but nothing compared to what we're used to. Often, there would be just a couple of families waiting.

We all loved WOC!

I loved that we were able to put in huge days (from opening to closing) and not feel like I'd run a marathon. (those of you from WDW know what I'm talking about)

I also loved the dining. I know that DLR is not known for the food, and we didn't find any "food" that was amazing but the whole "dining experience" was so much better than WDW. There was always plenty of room to sit, often in the shade, with great views. When you are at the world you have to fight for every seat you get. And the food was fine. One of our favorite things was we just happened to be walking from Fantasyland to Fronteirland around 5:00pm and stumbled across the Big Thunder Barbecue. It was empty and they were trying to get walk bys to come in. The show was going on and we had tired, hungry kids. So we stopped and had a great time. It was so peaceful, we loved it.

And last but not least.....We got our share of "magic"! My 6 yr old has tried for the last two years at WDW to do the jedi academy, and talk with crush but never gets picked. To the point where he had no interest to even try. Well, at DLR We happened to walk by Jedi Academy at the beginning of first show of the day and I heard it coming on and encouraged him to give it a try and he got selected! Similar thing with Crush, he got called on twice! Plus other little things, it just felt like Disney was smiling on us

A few disappointments:

Rope Drop. We were just crammed on to Main St. for 30 minutes and then all there is, is a kind of lame countdown.

Lack of Fast Passes. Made touring plans a little more challenging, but I did get the hang of it. Never had to wait longer than 30 min. (except for Toy Story which was 45) Also, I understand why, but I didn't enjoy seeing the queues on the walkways. It just seemed more amusement parkish and less Disney to me.

Fantasmic. Yes, the dragon was cool. And we loved the Peter Pan/Hook scene. But I hated sitting on concrete, having to reserve 3 hrs ahead, and still not having a great view. Not at all worth it to me. Much prefer HS Fantasmic.

All in All - so glad we were able to visit DLR. In our five days we rode and saw every attraction (and I mean every one!) We all had a wonderful time and will remember it always. But being from Ohio, WDW will always be our #1 park.

 

[Sherry E]

That's so wonderful that you had a great time!!

I'm glad you enjoyed the dining too! I think the food at DLR gets a bad rap. I think it's underrated a lot of the time. Because WDW has so much more space to house dozens of restaurants and DLR simply doesn't have that kind of space, I think DLR is seen by many folks as either having inadequate food or that dining isn't a focus for guests. It certainly would be a huge focus if only we had the space to build more places to eat! I thoroughly enjoy the restaurants at DLR that I go back to on every visit to DLR - and the dining IS a big part of my whole DLR experience. Plus, I'm not from out of state. I live in Los Angeles. But I lump the dining in with my entire Disney experience.

Sure, the food is not gourmet food - but I don't need or want gourmet food at a theme park. (And actually, Napa Rose in the GCH is very much a fine dining restaurant.) I am happy if I can get a nice chicken dish, tasty meat loaf or chow down at the buffet at Goofy's Kitchen!

Back in the '80s up to pre-1990 or so, much of the food at DLR was pretty awful (like it used to be absolutely terrible at Universal Studios too), especially at the counter service places. And then DLR started making great strides in improving the quality of the food, as well as offering healthier alternatives. I have not had a meal that I thought was awful since pre-1991 or so. I've had some meals that were not great because the restaurant overall was having an 'off day' (which happens to every restaurant, everywhere). Otherwise, I really enjoy the dining as part of a DLR trip, and I can't wait for more restaurants to open up (in Carsland, when it debuts in 2012, there will be a couple of new places, as well as a new Tahitian-themed place that is going to open at the Disneyland Hotel).

 

[PinkBudgie]

Thanks for your observations. I always love reading what WDW people think. That' really neat your son finally got picked for both things!
I know what you mean about F! That's why I haven't seen it years. I never thought about the lines on the walkways before. It never occured to me that they wouldn't be there. And I also never thought twice about rope drop and what it should or shouldn't be. Actually, I've only been there a few times when they've done it.
I always hear so much about how the food at WDW is wonderful and I am disppointed that we don't have more choices at DLR, but I never realized it would be hard to find seats at WDW. You'd think it would be easier with more places to eat. So that was interesting. Thanks! I'm glad you had fun!

 

[PinkBudgie]

Back in the '80s up to pre-1990 or so, much of the food at DLR was pretty awful (like it used to be absolutely terrible at Universal Studios too), especially at the counter service places. And then DLR started making great strides in improving the quality of the food, as well as offering healthier alternatives.

I remember those days. About all you could get was a hamburger that was so so. It was like eating at The Hungry Bear all over. We used to go over to the DLH in search of something that was different out of desperation!

 

[hookedonears]

What? No fast passes? I'm not sure we're going to know what to do. Would love to hear a few touring pointers to help us get our feet on the ground with as short of a learning curve as possible.

 

[Sherry E]

I remember those days. About all you could get was a hamburger that was so so. It was like eating at The Hungry Bear all over. We used to go over to the DLH in search of something that was different out of desperation!

Yes, exactly! In the old days, you were lucky if you got a somewhat edible burger. And also, no one thought of eating at the DLH - only in DL. That's why places like the Monorail Cafe were such a breath of fresh air when people started discovering it (and the other eateries) at the DLH - it was actually delicious diner/coffee shop food! Places like Carnation Cafe really stepped up their game too, and the food became quite good in the early '90s. Plus, the fruit - the fruit at DLR is just delicious!!

 

[HydroGuy]

What? No fast passes? I'm not sure we're going to know what to do. Would love to hear a few touring pointers to help us get our feet on the ground with as short of a learning curve as possible.

Not sure what the OP meant but DLR has plenty of Fastpasses. It works pretty much the same as WDW. Maybe she meant no FPs for PP or Dumbo? Which is true because DLR has no space for FPs at these rides.

 

[Judy from Boise]

I agree with you about the food at DLR, I find the dining experience more pleasant at DLR than WDW for the reasons you listed. At WDW most choices involve sitting elbow to elbow with fellow diners inside a building.
I vastly prefer finding a nice spot outside on my own terms.

 

[sewingmolly]

I wouldn't call myself a WDW veteran (we've only been once - March 09), but I also was in DLR for the first time last week. We had a fabulous time - thanks to all the great info and advice from Disers. We liked DL better that MK. Only the castle is better at WDW. We stayed at the GCH, so we loved how convenient everything was.

My BIL was only there for Fri night June 11 and Saturday. We rest of us had three more days. It was BIL's first Disney experience and my sister and niece really wanted him to have a magical time. I had read about WOC and was concerned about crowds, but it turned out that I was unnecessarily worried. We did 28 attractions between 7:00 am and 6:45pm with a coffee break about 9:30, lunch at WCT and changing clothes after getting soaked on GBR. I thought that the lower number of fastpass rides would be a problem, but the only time we really needed a fastpass and couldn't get one was for TSM. We had to wait 30 minutes, because we missed rope drop at DCA. We got to the DL at 6:55 and were the third family in line. Then we were the first on the Matterhorn. My niece loves being first on a ride.

We really enjoyed the dining. It seamed strange to eat at half empty restaurants, but the food and service were very good. If we had stayed longer (which we wished we had), we would have wanted more TS choices.

I think the crowds are more laid back. There was less of the - This is an expensive, once in a lifetime trip, and I better get my money's worth or else attitude, and more of a go with the flow, I'll be back mood.

For us, touring plan basics were the same as WDW - get there early and maximize riding in the morning, collect fastpasses as you go, relax in the afternoon and enjoy short lines after 10:00 pm.

 

[KCmike]

Great observations. We have been the last four years now after being WDW vets. My kids love DL and California so much more than Florida and WDW. As I get older I just love how close everything is, how detailed the park is, and the nostalgia. I don't enjoy walking miles between attractions and having to be bused between parks anymore. I will say that I miss Epcot.

 

[PinkBudgie]

What? No fast passes? I'm not sure we're going to know what to do. Would love to hear a few touring pointers to help us get our feet on the ground with as short of a learning curve as possible.

Don't worry, there are FPs. That's why you want to get there early. Pick up FPs in the morning and use them later. TSMM doesn't have FPs and I don't know if it does at WDW. But other rides do. Maybe the OP meant they were used to FPs for certain rides that DLR does use them on.

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

TSMM in WDW does have FPs and a really great queue. That is one thing that has surprised me reading about DLR, that they aren't the same. Looking forward to seeing how it works compared to WDW when we get there next month.

I love reading the comments of WDW Vets because that is my frame of reference. Very glad to hear that you were about to do everything in 5 days. We will be in the Parks 3 full days, one nearly full day (leaving for dinner at Napa Rose), 1/2 of one morning and one evening from dinner time on. Hoping that is going to give us enough time to see all that we want to.

 

[Spixydust]

So glad to hear you enjoyed the Original Happiest Place on Earth!

We find it so much more relaxing being at DLR that WDW, although I totally agree about the Fantasmic experience.

I have heard (but have not yet experienced) that WOC is much more enjoyable, and takes into account the lack of seating at Fantasmic.

Some of my favorite dining places include StoryTellers Cafe at the Grand, their Corn Chowder is Delish! Ralph Brennan's Jazz kitchen is another favorite, found at DTD. Their Mint Juleps are to die for! Blue Bayou is fab for the atmosphere, not the most economical, but something we like to do every other trip or so.

We make it a quest to find a Chimichanga every trip also! There is some magical ingredient in those things that I can't find anywhere else!

 

[pigby]

After many (10+) trips to the UK from WDW, we are shortly visiting DLR for the first time.

I like the idea of not have to fight for a table when you're hungry - we normally try to beat the crowds by eating lunch and dinner very early -11am and around 5pm - is this not necessary at DLR?

 

[houseful of boys]

I didn't mean to imply there are no fast passes. We definitely took advantage of Fast Passes while at DLR. However there are more rides that are "first thing in the morning" rides due to slow loading and no fast passes. Eg. Peter Pan, Nemo, Toy Story Mania, Dumbo, Matterhorn. Also, to add to this, temporarily Tower of Terror and Grizzly Run and (while we were there) Mulholland Madness also were not offering fast passes. It was doable but challenging. We decided to skip Peter Pan since we can ride this at WDW and I didn't want to take a "first thing in the morning spot" for it. Instead on our Fantasyland day we went straight to Dumbo and were the first riders on then were able to finish Fantasyland in about 1 hour and 20 minutes. We just watched Matterhorn until the line was around 20 minutes and hopped in line, and ended up on in about 10! We rode Nemo directly after we watched WOC on a Sat. night and waited for about 20 min. We were very pleased, we were able to ride many rides more than once, POC, Buzz Lightyear, Indiana Jones to name a few. But I'm used to WDW where at each of the 4 parks if you get a couple big name attractions out of the way first thing (we are rope drop people ) and pick up fastpasses the rest of the time, you can literally not see much of a line all day.

And don't forget, I LOVED my experience at DLR. This is just one minor observation from my experience.

 

[LavenderPeach]

After many (10+) trips to the UK from WDW, we are shortly visiting DLR for the first time.

I like the idea of not have to fight for a table when you're hungry - we normally try to beat the crowds by eating lunch and dinner very early -11am and around 5pm - is this not necessary at DLR?[/QUOTE]

It depends on how crowded it is when you go and which places you want to eat at. Taste Pilot's Grill in DCA comes to mind as one place that is SLOW so I would only go there if i went early or at least not too late into lunch time. I personally prefer to eat early (11am and 5pm - like you mentioned) to avoid having to wait longer than I need to but it's not always necessary. When we went during spring break last year we made sure to go early because the lines got pretty bad. I can't really compare to WDW because I've only been once (10 years ago) and I don't remember what the lines were like.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Yay ~ I'm glad you had a great time!