A WDW Junkie is going to DL? Crazy!

[Verstehen]

Hi everyone!

So, I'm a WDW annual passholder, but in a few weeks I'll be going to a conference in Long Beach. And since I will be arriving a day early, I've decided to rent a car and spend the day at what my friend Shelby would call the mouse-in-law (though she lives in Anaheim, so technically, my mouse is her mouse-in-law). I won't be going to CA, just MK, and I was wondering if y'all had any suggestions for what to do. To give you an idea of what I'm interested in:

-I may or may not have a friend with me. If I do, would you recommend any of the sit down places? It would have to be pretty reasonable, because I don't want to strain her wallet. Otherwise, where are the best counter service places?
-I'm totally fine with doing an attraction that can also be found in WDW, unless it's a carbon copy. I've heard that POTC and iasw are better than their WDW counterparts. And I'm a huge HM fan, so of course that's going on the list.
-I know Fantasmic is slightly different from the HL version, but is it worth it? Is the parade any different from the WDW version?

Any tips, suggestions, whatever, are totally appreciated. I know all four WDW pretty much like the back of my hand, but I know that DL is different, though similar in some ways too. I know it's nothing new to visit both resorts, but being that I live so close to WDW and love it so much this feels like a whole new experience for some reason.

 

[KCmike]

Plaza inn for counter service.

You have to ride:
Pirates
IASM
Space Mtn
Tiki Room
All of Fantasyland
See Billy Hill and the Hillbillies at the Golden Horseshoe
Buzz Lightyear essentially the same ride but with extra room and guns are removable
Fantasmic! is much better than at WDW
Parades are different
Remember Dreams Come True Fireworks is SO MUCH BETTER than Wishes! It's my favorite fireworks show.
If you can Ride the Lilly Belle train car
Splash isn't as good as WDW
Don't miss Indy either.

Have a blast at Walt's park and this WDW vets new "home park"!

 

[HydroGuy]

This may help:

"A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

-I may or may not have a friend with me. If I do, would you recommend any of the sit down places? It would have to be pretty reasonable, because I don't want to strain her wallet. Otherwise, where are the best counter service places?

Cafe Orleans would be a nice table service option for you. Counter service? Lots of options and you will get lots of opinions. Redd Rockett's Pizza Port, Rancho Zolcalo, Plaza Inn.

-I'm totally fine with doing an attraction that can also be found in WDW, unless it's a carbon copy. I've heard that POTC and iasw are better than their WDW counterparts. And I'm a huge HM fan, so of course that's going on the list.

Do Space Mtn also. The DL version had a major refurb a few years ago and it is awesome.

Also look at the Fantasyland rides - Storybook Land Canal Boats would be totally worth it. Finding Nemo subs might be a fun for you.

Also, if you can handle Dinosaur do Indiana Jones ride.

-I know Fantasmic is slightly different from the HL version, but is it worth it? Is the parade any different from the WDW version?

DL has a cool SoundSational parade that is totally worth it. Fantasmic at DL is better than at WDW but is probably not worth your time if only on a day trip because of all the waiting you would need to do. This thread may help:

"Fantasmic! Superthread" http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2671983

Any tips, suggestions, whatever, are totally appreciated. I know all four WDW pretty much like the back of my hand, but I know that DL is different, though similar in some ways too. I know it's nothing new to visit both resorts, but being that I live so close to WDW and love it so much this feels like a whole new experience for some reason.

Read the DLR Guide linked at the top and the stickies at the top of this forum.

 

[CamoMama]

Definitely do PoTC, IASW and Space Mountain. They're all far better at DL. Also I second Storybook Land Canal boats, it's been one of my favorites since the late 70s and just gets better every time I go back. Also, if you like the Tiki Room and Dole Whips, go to DLs Tik Room, you can get a Dole Whip right outside and enjoy it during the show. I like the DL Tiki pre-show a bit better as well, it's very different than the one at WDW.

As for food, I'd agree with the above. The Blue Bayou is my favorite Disney restaurant anywhere, but it's pricey. If you can swing it though (I'd say to budget about $40 per person), there's nothing better than eating your meal inside the ride. I adore watching the "fireflies" on the bayou and seeing the boats sliding by.

Mostly just have a good time. Disneyland is an amazing place.

 

[Verstehen]

Thanks all! The guide for vets is awesome. The Dinosaur ride is actually one of the few rides at WDW that I *can't* handle, but that's because the animatronics freak me out, and not the ride mechanics. Is that what you were referring to, HydroGuy?

 

[limace]

Dinosaur scares the crap outa me but I do fine on Indiana. The ride mechanism is the same and some people find it too jarring.

 

[tinkermell]

Fantasyland!
Do all of the dark rides not found in WDW first thing in the morning. Very important!!! This would be: Alice, Pinnochio, Toad.
Next would be Storybook Land, Casey Junior Train, walk through Sleeping Beauty's Castle. (Which by the way, will be way smaller than Cindy's. LOL. You have been warned.)

Matterhorn if open? First tubular roller coaster built. A classic.

Small world.
Walk a little farther and check out Toon Town. It is set up way nicer than the now 'torn' down one at WDW.

Space!!

Pirates for sure!!!

An absolute must is Indiana Jones. Far superior to Dinosaur! The queue is worth it alone!

New Orleans Square is probably one of everyone's favorite places to see and sit down for a breather. Usually have jazz bands playing.

The new parade Soundsational is wonderful. You might catch it while walking in the afternoon.

Like KCMike said, the firework show Remember Dreams Come True, is by far the best one Disney has. Very nostalgic to Walt Disney and the Magic Kingdom. If you love Disney, this should give you goose bumps. Be sure to watch it from the hub facing the castle with no trees in the way!

One of my new favorite counter service places to eat is the Holly Jolly Bakery and Sandwich shop. Homemade chips and super good caprese and tuna sandwiches.

My fav sit down would be Cafe Orleans. Order the pomme frites and Mickey Beignets for sure. If you order the Monte Cristo, be sure to share. It is very heavy, but is also a classic.

If you have time, go see the Billy Hill show. Super fun and good.

Last but certainly not least, do not forget to read Hydroguy's stickys!!

By the way, welcome to the DL boards!

 

[tinkermell]

Thanks all! The guide for vets is awesome. The Dinosaur ride is actually one of the few rides at WDW that I *can't* handle, but that's because the animatronics freak me out, and not the ride mechanics. Is that what you were referring to, HydroGuy?

LOL, Dinosaur scared me too. I shut my eyes practically the whole time.

Not so for Indy! It is just plain fantastic!!

 

[mmmears]

POTC is a must-do. It's so much better at DL!!! I wouldn't miss it! HM is a little different, and since you like it at the MK, it might be fun to check out the one at DL.

And Indiana Jones really is amazing. We hate the Dinosaur ride at AK, but love Indy -- I wish it were less jerky, but the scenes in that ride are really amazing.

Little things in Fantasyland come to mind, like Alice in Wonderland, Mr. Toad and Storybookland Canal Boats. And there is a ride in Toontown if you like Roger Rabbit.

Personally, I think Fantasmic is much better in DL, but much harder to watch since there is no dedicated space to sit and watch it like there is in DHS. Love the show, though.

I hope you have a great time in DL. It's a great park and you will be amazed how close all the rides are to one another after walking through the MK.

 

[MAH4546]

Fantasmic! is significantly different, and significantly better, at Disneyland. You can also literally show up 15 minutes before and get a great spot, unlike the endless waiting in Orlando.

 

[AndyLL]

Indy is a must see. Best ride in all the parks. (IMO)

IASW & Pirates & Buzz are much much better at Disneyland.

Remember Dreams Come True if it is showing when you are there is the best fireworks so in all the parks. (IMO)

At least walk through toontown... the rides are simular to what used to be at WDW but the theming is great.

I think Fantasmic is better at DL then WDW but if I had to choose between Fantasmic and RDCT I'd choose the fireworks.

If they are running 2 shows it's easy to slide into a good seat for the 2nd show.

Nemo is much different in DL. Space and Splash are a little different.

 

[HydroGuy]

Thanks all! The guide for vets is awesome. The Dinosaur ride is actually one of the few rides at WDW that I *can't* handle, but that's because the animatronics freak me out, and not the ride mechanics. Is that what you were referring to, HydroGuy?

Yes, I meant the ride mechanism which does bother some people. If you can handle that, Indy will really wow you.

 

[Verstehen]

Thank you guys so much! One more question, what to do about tickets? Last time a family member came to WDW with me, I had her purchase her passes from Undercover Tourist, but it seems that UT doesn't have discount DLR tickets. I haven't been able to find any AAA discounts for just a one day ticket, and I'm hopeful, but not optimistic, that DLR offers a discount for WDW passholders. Should I just order from the official site, or is there another option I might try?

 

[HydroGuy]

Thank you guys so much! One more question, what to do about tickets? Last time a family member came to WDW with me, I had her purchase her passes from Undercover Tourist, but it seems that UT doesn't have discount DLR tickets. I haven't been able to find any AAA discounts for just a one day ticket, and I'm hopeful, but not optimistic, that DLR offers a discount for WDW passholders. Should I just order from the official site, or is there another option I might try?

There are many places but the two most respected sites around here are Ares and GAT:

www.arestravel.com
www.getawaytoday.com

I have bought thru Ares several times. Never thru GAT but I would not hesitate to. You can usually get a better deal at one of these than on the Disney site directly - and much better than at the gate.

Make sure you do it at least 2 weeks in advance so there is time to receive your tickets at home before you leave!

 

[Dziactor]

At DL my favorite counter service is Bengal BBQ. Indiana Jones and Billy Hill & The Hillbillies are a must. I'd do all the rides not at DW like others have said. Have fun!

 

[DisneyMomma81]

If you decide to visit both parks *why not? it's easy....* *here's* how we spent 1 day mid July at both parks.

 

[ktlm]

WDW vet here. I HATE Dinosaur. I would be perfectly happy if I never rode it again. I LOVE Indy, it is one of my absolute favorite rides in any Disney park, to the point that if it was under rehab, I might change my DL dates. I think one of the differences other than the giant Dinosaurs trying to eat you, is that Dinosaur is pitch black for a good portion of the ride, so you can't even tell where you are going and it feels like you are being thrown all over the place, Indy is dim, but not pitch black dark so it doesn't feel quite as rough- not that it is not rough, but it sure is fun!

You might want to rethink not going to CA. It isn't like WDW where you need to pick a park and stay there or else lose time. DL/CA are basically one park. There is only a plaza between and you can go back and forth all day. You can get from the far corner of DL to the opposite far corner of CA in about 10 minutes, we've done it.

My first trip to DL/CA since I was a kid was like yours. I had a business trip in the area on a Monday so DH and I went out over the weekend and spent one day at DL/CA. If you get there at opening and stay until about closing you can get a ton of stuff done in both parks. We even fit in the 40 minute Aladdin show at CA that day, which if you are there on a day when it is showing I would highly recommend. It is better than any show I have ever seen at WDW, and I like the shows there too. It is definitely a don't miss for a DL visit. I also think the Monster's Inc ride at CA is a really cute dark ride. Plus, there is the Little Mermaid which you can't ride yet at WDW. If you like RNRC, California Screamin is basically the outdoor version of that. Mickey's fun wheel will give you some fantastic views. I would get the hopper on the tickets.

As far as Fantasmic, we far prefer the DL version to WDW. We love the Peter Pan sequence at DL (takes the place of the Pochahontas sequence at WDW). However, with you only having one day, I might not take the time to do Fantasmic. Fantasmic at DL is a huge time suck. There are people that stake out spots hours in advance. WOC at CA is also terrific, but again- even with the "Fast Pass" system they use for it, it involves a whole lot of time to get a decent spot. You might want to save the night shows for another trip.

I know, I know, right now you are saying this will be your one and only trip and then you are back to WDW. I said that on my business trip in 2008. DD (then 2) wasn't with us on that trip. We did take her to WDW first after that for her first trip (booked immediately upon returning from DL- directly related to our guilt for spending a day at DL without her). But she just had to have a trip to see the Aladdin show at DL/CA, since she loves Aladdin, That was 2010, and then we went back in 2011, and we will be going back in 2012. (I do love that Indy ride, and DH loves the fact that you can walk everywhere in a short amount of time with no buses, boats etc.) Be careful, it is very easy to fall in love with DL!

By the way-- your WDW is showing. There is no MK in California. The parks are DL and CA and together (with DTD and the hotels) they are DLR! Have fun!

 

[CamoMama]

By the way-- your WDW is showing. There is no MK in California. The parks are DL and CA and together (with DTD and the hotels) they are DLR! Have fun!

I hate it when people say this. There most definitely IS a Magic Kingdom in California. The main Disneyland park has always been referred to as the Magic Kingdom. It was the first, and just because you have to differentiate in WDW does not mean that the one in CA is any less so.

 

[Verstehen]

Haha, well since my work is paying my airfare and I don't get much in the way of vacation time (or pay) I'm not sure when I'll be able to go back to Cali. I also have limited funds so that's why I'm thinking a park hopper might not be the best option (plus, there's the fact that I may have a friend with me, and I don't want to pressure her to buy a park hopper since she might not have the funds either). But I will definitely keep your advice in mind! It does sound, though, like if I had to pick one MK (or DL?) would be the better option.

 

[Verstehen]

There are many places but the two most respected sites around here are Ares and GAT:

www.arestravel.com
www.getawaytoday.com

I have bought thru Ares several times. Never thru GAT but I would not hesitate to. You can usually get a better deal at one of these than on the Disney site directly - and much better than at the gate.

Make sure you do it at least 2 weeks in advance so there is time to receive your tickets at home before you leave!

Aw, neither of those offer discounts for one day tickets :-(

If I had more than one day to go, I'd definitely buy there. Sadly, I do not. Does anyone know of potential discounts on one day tickets?