A jillion trips to WDW but first time to DL CA...am I going to be disappointed?

[Satchmo128]

I haven't read any of the responses, but my initial reaction is NO! You will not be disappointed! DL and DCA are magical and wonderful parks and, though you will probably be a bit disoriented in DL (since the similarities and difference from MK can be confusing), the west coast parks are amazing and full of Walt's special touches. Have a wonderful trip and be sure to ride Radiator Springs Racers at night!

 

[southlake]

We said he same thing about DL! Being used to WDW, if you ever asked a question that someone didn't know the answer to, you didn't have to wait long for the WDW CM to find someone who did know the answer. At DL, they'd say "no, sorry" and you'd be out of luck. That's not to say it ruined any part of our trip. Just a little culture shock I suppose.

One thing that throws me off going from WDW to DL is that I'm used to over planning and tweaking reservations. So many times we found ourselves in DL just hanging around waiting for something to happen. We spent a whole afternoon at the flag pole waiting for different characters to come out so we could take fun photos or have different interactions. While I prefaced this with what sounded like a negative - "waiting around", it wasn't. It was just a different way of enjoying the parks. Could you imagine in WDW just waiting for characters to come out randomly and having a few fun moments with them? Nope. Even Characterpalooza in HS is cut-throat compared to DL.

On a separate and weird DL note... We met Jasmine at the main entrance to DL. As someone mentioned, there are no PhotoPass people or CMs with characters sometimes, which is never the case in WDW. About 2 minutes into waiting, Jasmine holds the line, walks up to us and says "you will be the last family in line. Can you tell other families that come after you?"... Umm.... Sure... We proceeded to do that and about 3-4 groups said to us "oh well maybe we can still meet her"... Didn't happen. But what am I supposed to do as a DL guest? Police the line? Weird.

I'm shocked by your experience! You must have had bad luck. We've been to DL countless times and haven't encountered a rude cast member that I can think of! Everyone has always been really nice.

As far as characters without PhotoPass, yes sometimes it happens in the front of DL. We encountered Ariel one day when we were leaving the park and got some unexpected, amazing photos with our daughter with her. That was the only time we've seen that happen. It's rare for a character to not have a host managing the line for them. But DL is a smaller, more organic park and I actually like that some characters are just walking around without PhotoPass photographers and hosts trailing them. For instance, we've seen Mary Poppins and her co-character (can't think of his name!) walking around saying hi but not stopping for photos. It was just a character sighting which I thought was kind of cool, to just see them walking by as if you were in a Disney movie

 

[fly girl]

Disappointed? NO WAY!!

Sure, it's not as big but that isn't disappointing. We actually love that you can easily park hop and enjoy Downtown Disney on foot!

Not as much pre-planning, hip hip hooray! Good golly, who wants to book dining 6 months out? Not us.

Comparing! We love comparing the parks. PoC, DL hands down. Splash Mountain, MK gets the win. It's fun to enjoy similar rides in a new way.

And lastly you're at Disney! You'll only be disappointed if you convince yourself to feel that way. Worst case scenario, you learn you like WDW better. But if you go in eager and open, no doubt you'll find things you like better at DLR. (need I say Cars Land?)

 

[pmaurer74]

I am looking forward to our trip as something different and new. I cannot wait... that being said I am excited to go a few weeks later to WDW and see Pandora and the Happily Ever After.... It does seem weird to not have many plans and I don't know what I am doing... it is refreshing.

 

[grnflash]

Going in with low expectations is a great strategy to not be disappointed (lol, but only kinda.) Our first trip to WDW was disappointing, in hindsight we expected too much. Coming from WDW you have the advantage of knowing very clearly what DLR is not - as in not a full fledged resort. In reverse, it's not clear how WDW parks are so much less than DLR's. Basically if you're a park aficionado, you're set to be blown away. If you're more of a full resort person, you're hopefully prepared to not have that experience and have set your high expectations elsewhere (as in the parks.)

 

[jlmarr]

You might be disappointed if the size of the castle is very very important to you. Otherwise I think you'll have a good time.

 

[jrjankowski8]

You might be disappointed if the size of the castle is very very important to you. Otherwise I think you'll have a good time.

As a WDW person, I didn't think differently of the castle. It's a different park so it a way to signify that. Also I'm not sure how many people do it, but I really enjoyed walking through the castle and seeing all the hidden effects related to Sleeping Beauty. Sure beats an overpriced restaurant!

 

[gigienrique]

I need to de-lurk for a minute to put my experience out there - I went to DL for a day trip in 2002. I was... underwhelmed to say the least. I thought it was way to crowded and the castle was too small (lol). I just didn't get the hype, and I am a huge theme park fan. I went to WDW for the 1st time in 2015 for a week long trip and I was mesmerized by it all! I loved all the parks, the rides, the castle was what I expected ... but funnily enough, now all I want to do is go back to DL! I realize now that the experience I had there 15 years ago is colored by the rest of trip - I had gone with my bf (at the time)'s family and our touring styles are complete opposites. I am actually going on a work trip to Anaheim next week and I am debating whether to see if my co-worker would want to do a day in DL with me so I can at least have a more positive experience now that I am older and wiser! Basically what I am saying OP is no they are NOT the same ... but as long as you have an open mind about it and realize that (as I did not all those years ago!!) you WILL have a good time.

 

[abuck75]

After 6 trips to WDW in 6 years, I'm a little concerned our current trip to Disneyland has ruined the world.

Park hopping, food, quant feel and ease without monorail/ferryboats make me concerned about the next WDW experience.

Also, having all rides available all days, and that if you ignore WS, DCA offers the best of HS and EPCOT

 

[HydroGuy]

I am looking forward to our trip as something different and new. I cannot wait... that being said I am excited to go a few weeks later to WDW and see Pandora and the Happily Ever After.... It does seem weird to not have many plans and I don't know what I am doing... it is refreshing.

Did Pandora and FOP/NRJ today and saw HEA on Thursday.

HEA just really rocks. Over the last 10 years I have had to hold my tongue when WDW vets gushed about Wishes. IMO DLR has been killing it on fireworks since 2005 and WDW was a very distant second. WDW vets did not know what they were missing. That has now changed. HEA brought WDW up to the DLR level on fireworks and maybe now better than DLR. Just really, really good.

 

[pmaurer74]

awesome! I am glad the fireworks are good at DLR, I had low expectations. There are so many places I want to eat!

Did Pandora and FOP/NRJ today and saw HEA on Thursday.

HEA just really rocks. Over the last 10 years I have had to hold my tongue when WDW vets gushed about Wishes. IMO DLR has been killing it on fireworks since 2005 and WDW was a very distant second. WDW vets did not know what they were missing. That has now changed. HEA brought WDW up to the DLR level on fireworks and maybe now better than DLR. Just really, really good.

 

[Tattylou]

I grew up going to WDW and it holds a special place in my heart. I had the same worry that DL would not live up to WDW, but we loved DL. My DH prefers DL to WDW. I like them both for their own reasons, but DL is much easier in many ways and that gives it the edge.

 

[k5thbeatle]

Well we went and had a fantastic time! So much much more relaxing than a WDW trip where you must micro-manage your time almost down to the minute. Ate at Napa Rose...awesome, Steakhouse 55...very good. Just a LOT more relaxed vacation overall compared to WDW in mho. Such a wonderful time!

Thanks to everyone who replied to this thread.

PS...Hey you guys were right, the castle was smaller!!!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

So glad to hear that you enjoyed your trip!