A WDW Fan Tackles DLR in California - A DVC TR

[kikiq]

And these buses are driving me nuts today. It seems Every. Other. Park. Has 4 running, but where I want to go...NO. Just one. Can't wait for November and just walking a few seconds to hop between (maybe a minute...if there's a line at the turnstiles)

And WDW fans always have to ask "is it worth it to visit DLR"?

 

[SSRFred]

Erika,

Your trip report was so great, I convinced DH that our "someday" trip to DLR should be now. He called MS yesterday and booked a 2 BR at GCV for the end of the summer. We're so excited for our first trip to DLR.

 

[3DisneyKids]

Erika,

Your trip report was so great, I convinced DH that our "someday" trip to DLR should be now. He called MS yesterday and booked a 2 BR at GCV for the end of the summer. We're so excited for our first trip to DLR.

WOW, Fred! That is awesome! I am so excited for you! PLEASE do a trip report, and I am really interested to hear about your experience. Honestly, anyone who considers themselves a Disney fan absolutely MUST do a Disneyland trip. It is the original after all! And sure, it is much smaller than World, but that can be a GOOD thing.

Most of us don't return from our WDW vacations rested and relaxed, right? I can't count how many times I have read on these boards (and said myself), "I need a vacation after my vacation!" But I just didn't get that at all with DL! I felt like it was truly the perfect blend of a Disney vacation and a relaxing vacation.

And look at you--getting VGC with fairly short notice! Wonderful! And you will have World of Color to look forward to! We missed it by just a few short weeks. And since most of the Villas have that theme park view, there is a great chance that you will be able to see it right from your room--and that will be AWESOME!

 

[SSRFred]

DH is definitely the trip report guy. I'm more of a lurker (especially since I hijack his screen name when I post anything).

We were really surprised anything was available at such short notice. We would have preferred a 1 BR to save points, but no such luck. At least the kids will have their own room and mom and dad don't have to tiptoe to get a glass of water.

Now I have lots of research to do. Being a WDW pro won't help for this trip.

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

DH is definitely the trip report guy. I'm more of a lurker (especially since I hijack his screen name when I post anything).

We were really surprised anything was available at such short notice. We would have preferred a 1 BR to save points, but no such luck. At least the kids will have their own room and mom and dad don't have to tiptoe to get a glass of water.

Now I have lots of research to do. Being a WDW pro won't help for this trip.

yea from a VGC owner! You will be amazed. Really. Just got back from 4 nights at GCH (with a friend, not on points). SO glad I added on!! The Disneyland boards are (IMO) far friendlier than the WDW boards. No judgment, just solid touring plans and suggestions. Hydroguy's tips are a must. Read them first. PM me any questions you have! I am definitely a DLR "pro" who is also a WDW fan as well. VGC can't be understated as the BOMB of Disney resorts. Really, really, really.

And Erika... how's it going with the add-on these days????

Christine

 

[nunzia]

And these buses are driving me nuts today. It seems Every. Other. Park. Has 4 running, but where I want to go...NO. Just one. Can't wait for November and just walking a few seconds to hop between (maybe a minute...if there's a line at the turnstiles)

Christopher...you should do a DLR vet tackles WDW for a nice perspective from the other side

 

[ADAMANDLISA]

Uh oh Erika.....my husband doesn't like you very much !

I guess I will have to read trip reports in secret now....apparently he thinks they are going to cost him too much money!

 

[3DisneyKids]

Morning EMH @ Epcot today. Phew, that hike in to get to Soarin'...I'm bushed already. Can't wait for November and December and that 30 second walk!!

Ha! So true! Didn't realize you were down there. Hope you had a great week-end!

And these buses are driving me nuts today. It seems Every. Other. Park. Has 4 running, but where I want to go...NO. Just one. Can't wait for November and just walking a few seconds to hop between (maybe a minute...if there's a line at the turnstiles)

Ah yes, you have bad bus karma. It happens. What have you done that the Transportation Gods are punishing you?!?!

Uh oh Erika.....my husband doesn't like you very much !

I guess I will have to read trip reports in secret now....apparently he thinks they are going to cost him too much money!

Sorry Lisa! I get that way with TRs, too. If I latch on to a good one, I just have to start planning our own next trip.

Christopher...you should do a DLR vet tackles WDW for a nice perspective from the other side

I would love for someone to do that! Christopher has been to WDW a bazillion times along with DLR, so he would have one perspective. I would also love to hear from a DLR vet who is a newbie to WDW. Now THAT would be truly interesting!

yea from a VGC owner! You will be amazed. Really. Just got back from 4 nights at GCH (with a friend, not on points). SO glad I added on!! The Disneyland boards are (IMO) far friendlier than the WDW boards. No judgment, just solid touring plans and suggestions. Hydroguy's tips are a must. Read them first. PM me any questions you have! I am definitely a DLR "pro" who is also a WDW fan as well. VGC can't be understated as the BOMB of Disney resorts. Really, really, really.

And Erika... how's it going with the add-on these days????

Christine

Christine is right--read Hydroguy's tips--he has done an absolutely amazing job! OMG, the DIS needs to give him some sort of stipend for the amount of work he has done for that section of the boards!

As for the add-on...well, I have to call my guide today with a bunch of questions. The first one being...where is my gigantic fed ex box? It should have been here Weds. -- Thursday at the latest. So I am wondering what the hold up is.

But, I ran a bunch of numbers over the week-end (yes, more DVC math!) and in terms of price per point, by adding on 200 pts at BLT, I am definitely getting the worst PPP of all of the options I looked at. So. That just means I have more thinking and planning to do. My big issue about that is that I have not yet stayed at BLT. I am sure we will like it, as we like ALL of the DVCs. But will I love it enough to make it worth paying all of the extra money for home resort booking advantage there? I don't mind paying extra for my first choice resort. But I don't KNOW that it is my first choice, if that makes sense.

 

[ADAMANDLISA]

Sorry Lisa! I get that way with TRs, too. If I latch on to a good one, I just have to start planning our own next trip.

It's worse than that.....it's addonitis!

 

[tink too]

What a fabulous TR - thanks for sharing all your thoughts, tips and great photos.

We stayed at DLH in 2008 - the rooms were nice then, but have obviously been refurbed as they look awesome now!

We took the train down to San Diego and spent the day at the zoo - yes, it truly is "world famous" as we'd heard so much about it here in Scotland, that we took a day out of our DLR vacay to go visit it! Your photos bring back great memories for us.

Morning EMH @ Epcot today. Phew, that hike in to get to Soarin'...I'm bushed already. Can't wait for November and December and that 30 second walk!!

Just how do you DL regulars cope at WDW?

I don't mind paying extra for my first choice resort. But I don't KNOW that it is my first choice, if that makes sense.

Yes, that makes perfect sense to me. We bought at SSR "site unseen" on our first DCL cruise, so we were unsure for a while if we'd made the right choice for us. After staying there though we knew we'd be OK - the resort is beautiful and we can walk to DTD - both plusses for us!

 

[stopher1]

Ha! So true! Didn't realize you were down there. Hope you had a great week-end!

Surprise! Yeah, that was not originally supposed to happen, but then a work trip came up late last week that would put me into Jacksonville, so of course I called up to see if there was anything available for a couple of nights for the certain number of points I had available. "Old Reliable" (OKW) came through once more, and sure enough, I was able to stick around for a couple of nights... big bonus, of course, was that I was able to catch the opening of Summer Nightastic and see my beloved Main Street Electrical Parade once more on a Main St. where it belongs, and not on the parade corridor at DCA. (I just wish they would move it back from DCA to where it truly belongs...Disneyland).

It was a wonderful time - and I can't wait to be back there at AKV for a Daddy/Daughter Adventure in just about 11 weeks. I had such fun doing all kinds of different things. My favorite part though was to go up in the new Characters in Flight balloon. Loved, LOVED, LOVED that! I've always enjoyed seeing different parts of the world from the air or in aerial photography, but it's just such a cool experience to personally see it from 400 ft in the air. And watching HYPERSPACE HOOPLA at the end of the Star Wars Weekends day at the Studios was hysterical. I loved that.

I just didn't care for the heat. Last year when I took my sons for Star Wars Weekends (a week prior than this one), the temps weren't so bad. This year however, ughhhh. The "real feel" or heat index as they were saying there, was 107 on Saturday, and 110 on Sunday. Yuck!!! There's a reason my wife refuses to step foot in Florida from April to October. When I told her that I had to go to FL in the first place - all she said was - "have fun. Glad I won't be there."

But I did come home with this little beauty...

Ah yes, you have bad bus karma. It happens. What have you done that the Transportation Gods are punishing you?!?!

That or I am just razzing you since you can't just walk everywhere at WDW and be there within moments... sure there were a couple of frustrating times when I needed a MK bus and none showed up - but I just changed and hopped onto an Epcot bus and then took the monorail to the MK. Time consuming either way. Less time in your day for the parks in the long run, especially on those days when the park hours are shorter, but not bad overall.

Christopher...you should do a DLR vet tackles WDW for a nice perspective from the other side

I would love for someone to do that! Christopher has been to WDW a bazillion times along with DLR, so he would have one perspective. I would also love to hear from a DLR vet who is a newbie to WDW. Now THAT would be truly interesting!

WELLLLLLLL, a bazillion might be stretching it, but you're not far off Erika.

Actually, I was just calculating it out for some buddies over on the Dis Dad's board - and in rough estimate form, I've been to Walt Disney World 45 or 46 times (certainly NOT all week trips - many just 2 or 3 nights, some 10 nights, some 5 or 6, a couple just 1, etc) - or roughly the equivalent of half a year. Family trips each year since 2003, and lots of solo visits since 2002. On-site, off-site, and in all levels of Disney accomodations. Single resort stays and split stays.

As far as Disneyland goes, I've stayed in all 3 of the DLR hotels, as well as a number of the good neighbor hotels on Harbor... but in reality that's just a drop in the bucket for my DL history. I grew up about 30 mins from DL. My parents would take my brother and I an average of 7x per year until I was about 17. Add on various incentive trips for youth group, sports, school and friends' birthday trips, etc - and I probably got to go 12-13x per year.

Then I got a job there and worked there for 3 years, one of which was full time, 5 days a week. Add on all of the afterhours sign-ins with friends to hang out, and the times I signed-in family or other friends and went in to hang out with them as well.

Then I got married, and DW and I lived 10 mins from the park, and had AP's. (I've had an AP for 19 years now.) - BUT - where did we choose to honeymoon... not DL - we chose WDW. That was my DW's first visit to the World, but not mine. My first visit was a couple of years prior, followed by another visit the year prior to our wedding, then came our honeymoon.

Living so close to DL, we could "pop over" to the park for lunch or dinner, just do some shopping, go on a ride or two and then go home. I also worked about 10 mins in another direction from the park, and often found myself running up to it for lunch, or a quick ride in lieu of eating. Sometimes just to get an ice cream cone from the parlor on Main Street. During the 40th celebration in '95 they ran a special promo giving out collectors cards for each year of the park's history... only one year per day. I was there for all of them.

Factor in kids, and the park made a great Daddy/Son time. Fun to go and people watch, or catch a show or quick ride.

1996 saw the "retiring" of the classic Main Street Electrical Parade before it was supposed to "glow away" forever (which of course it didn't in reality). We were there on Main Street to watch it practically every single night of the summer.

Years and years of visits to DL. I've got probably a couple of thousand visits to DL under my belt. So YEAH - it is truly my first love.

BUT, I do love my visits to WDW as well. There are obvious differences - from both sides of the equation. But I definitely DO NOT have a newbie's perspective AT ALL. But I do agree with you - it would be a very interesting read!

But, I ran a bunch of numbers over the week-end (yes, more DVC math!) and in terms of price per point, by adding on 200 pts at BLT, I am definitely getting the worst PPP of all of the options I looked at. So. That just means I have more thinking and planning to do. My big issue about that is that I have not yet stayed at BLT. I am sure we will like it, as we like ALL of the DVCs. But will I love it enough to make it worth paying all of the extra money for home resort booking advantage there? I don't mind paying extra for my first choice resort. But I don't KNOW that it is my first choice, if that makes sense

Well that is interesting.

I will say that one thing that I did on this quick weekend trip was to be sure to get over to the Member Gathering at the TOTWL. The lounge, BTW, is beautiful, and the view is quite nice. BUT - and this is totally just my own opinion here - but I just did not like what I saw at BLT. I'd seen the models before at the Doorway to Dreams store in Chicagoland, and didn't really like it there, but wasn't turned off completely as she was. But when I walked into the tower, I thought it was entirely too institutional, bland and utilitarian for my liking. But then my favorite resorts are VGC, WL and AKV - all very rich in theming and decor. The hallways just felt very much like a hospital to me. Very bland, and very cold. Not warm and inviting like the other three I mentioned. And I certainly don't like how the entire place is just locked down and you can't visit it on your own. But again - that's just my opinion. I know that LOTS of people like it. Many people love it. And that's okay by me. Someday I think it would be nice to try staying there for a) the experience, and b) to be able to complete the "I've stayed at all DVC resorts" concept (I''m not there yet, with 4 to go, but that's the goal), but after this weekend visit, I can say that I am totally in agreement with my DW that we have no need to own there.

Just how do you DL regulars cope at WDW?

That really was more tongue-in-cheek, playing on Erika's praises for the private entrance into DCA from VGC and the 30 second walk from there to the Soarin' queue.

WDW certainly is a different animal than DL - but what else can you expect with a resort twice the size of Manhattan, or the same as the city of San Francisco... compared to a resort that could fit inside of Animal Kingdom? LOTS and LOTS of walking!!!! I know it, and really don't mind it. Each destination is completely a different experience, and both have wonderful aspects to them. I really love both... I just love DL more.

 

[tink too]

... big bonus, of course, was that I was able to catch the opening of Summer Nightastic and see my beloved Main Street Electrical Parade once more on a Main St. where it belongs, and not on the parade corridor at DCA. (I just wish they would move it back from DCA to Disneyland where it truly belongs)

I agree there. I was thrilled that my DD could finally experience ELP when we visited DLR on our "one-time only" visit in 2008. However, it would have been sooo much better if we were watching from near the Castle.

That really was more tongue-in-cheek, playing on Erika's praises for the private entrance into DCA from VGC and the 30 second walk from there to the Soarin' queue.

WDW certainly is a different animal than DL - but what else can you expect with a resort twice the size of Manhattan, or the same as the city of San Francisco... compared to a resort that could fit inside of Animal Kingdom? LOTS and LOTS of walking!!!! I know it, and really don't mind it. Each destination is completely a different experience, and both have wonderful aspects to them. I really love both... I just love DL more.

I realised that you were just kidding - but it sure is a shock for WDW regulars to be able to WALK to everything at DLR!

Although DLR was to be a "once in a lifetime" trip for us, we would love to return, but for now, WDW is nearer - it's only a 4 hour drive, followed by a 9 hour flight!

Technically, DLP is closest for us, and it has the same "compact" feel as DLR, but although it is beautiful, it loses out in charm.

 

[3DisneyKids]

Congratulations to you! Did you know that you are part of a truly elite Disney club? There are only about 500-600 folks who held APs to both parks and thus got the new Premium pass.





I will say that one thing that I did on this quick weekend trip was to be sure to get over to the Member Gathering at the TOTWL. The lounge, BTW, is beautiful, and the view is quite nice. BUT - and this is totally just my own opinion here - but I just did not like what I saw at BLT. I'd seen the models before at the Doorway to Dreams store in Chicagoland, and didn't really like it there, but wasn't turned off completely as she was. But when I walked into the tower, I thought it was entirely too institutional, bland and utilitarian for my liking. But then my favorite resorts are VGC, WL and AKV - all very rich in theming and decor. The hallways just felt very much like a hospital to me. Very bland, and very cold. Not warm and inviting like the other three I mentioned. And I certainly don't like how the entire place is just locked down and you can't visit it on your own. But again - that's just my opinion. I know that LOTS of people like it. Many people love it. And that's okay by me. Someday I think it would be nice to try staying there for a) the experience, and b) to be able to complete the "I've stayed at all DVC resorts" concept (I''m not there yet, with 4 to go, but that's the goal), but after this weekend visit, I can say that I am totally in agreement with my DW that we have no need to own there.

And this is my exact concern. I have heard this from several folks. And honestly, I just don't know whether or not I will LOVE it. I know without question that I will be happy staying there--I am happy with all of the properties. But theming and "feel" are important to me. As is a great pool area. And from what I have heard, BLT is lacking in these. Now, I think I will like the decor (not for my home, certainly! ), but I think it would be fun and funky for vacation. And the size is GREAT. That extra bathroom makes a big difference for our family. And the larger table area and the better kitchen layout, etc.

But of course, the big draw is the monorail and having easier access. We adore both MK and Epcot--those are by far our two favorite parks. So being on the monorail would be wonderful for us. And there is nostalgia as well. I grew up going to WDW in the 70s. And we stayed at both the Poly and the Contemporary numerous times, as those were the only two resorts. And I will just *never* forget going THROUGH the Contemporary on the monorail. I mean, the futuristic train-like thing goes THROUGH a building! I am still a 7 year-old every time that happens.



That really was more tongue-in-cheek, playing on Erika's praises for the private entrance into DCA from VGC and the 30 second walk from there to the Soarin' queue.

SO TRUE. Just amazing! I still haven't gotten over it!

I realised that you were just kidding - but it sure is a shock for WDW regulars to be able to WALK to everything at DLR!

Although DLR was to be a "once in a lifetime" trip for us, we would love to return, but for now, WDW is nearer - it's only a 4 hour drive, followed by a 9 hour flight!

Technically, DLP is closest for us, and it has the same "compact" feel as DLR, but although it is beautiful, it loses out in charm.

DLRP is next on my list! I would love to visit and may get the chance in September. My husband spends about 1/3 of the year in Asia and is regularly in Tokyo and Hong Kong and has been to neither Disney resort. It KILLS me, I tell you. He keeps saying that he just doesn't want to do it alone, he would feel too guilty to do it without me and the kids, and so on. And I know that eventually we will all go with him to Asia--when it is summer here and we can take the kids for a month--maybe next year. We almost did it this year, but too many family and other life issues got in the way. So there is a real possibility that I will get to visit every Disney park!

But back to what Tink, too said--the fact that DLR is SO much further for us the issue that will prevent us from going more often. It truly takes ALL day to travel there. About 11 hours door-to-door and that is with a direct flight, which is hard to come by.

 

[stopher1]

Technically, DLP is closest for us, and it has the same "compact" feel as DLR, but although it is beautiful, it loses out in charm.

I've read that and heard that from several I know who've been there. The pics I've seen are gorgeous. I can't wait to be able to get there myself one day. And the Asian parks too...

It KILLS me, I tell you. He keeps saying that he just doesn't want to do it alone, he would feel too guilty to do it without me and the kids, and so on.

Sad to say, but if were me, I'd do it in a heartbeat. Sure I might feel bad about it after the fact, but come on - right there, and not going... that wouldn't be me. But then I do have the Disney bug a whole lot more than my DW and kids do anyway.

And of yeah, about that Premier AP thing... yes I heard about what a small group I'm in throughout the weekend. In fact the CM who rang up my purchases at WOD didn't really understand what it was and almost didn't give me the appropriate discount, until she finally read the fine print on the back and then realized. I really debated doing it as most years it will make more sense to just keep them separate with staggered expiration dates - but this year, it actually did make sense what with the various upcoming trips I've got to both coasts, so I just went for it.