A WDW Vet's Impressions From A First Trip to DLR

[nunzia]

I think you're doing yourself a disservice and missing out on an amazing Disney experience.

I've been to WDW twice and DLR scores of time and I really want to like WDW..I really do..but so far just can't! I am determined to figure it out, so at some point we will plan a long visit there and try to figure out why people like it..it just seems so big, and so difficult to get around and kind of dated and sketchy on amount of things to actually DO. OK..I get World Showcase..very pretty, nice architecture..but what to actually DO there..you have a snack and a drink, look at a shop..and...?? And I was there last time during the garden show time so they had nice little pop up food kiosks (and really uninterested in being friendly CMs manning them) but how much can you eat and drink around the world and how many shops can you look at? I'm really just confused at the appeal . Honestly, I think when we retire we will go out there and stay like 2 weeks (we are DVC so can easily stay at Beach Club or somewhere) and really try to FIGURE IT OUT since I want to like it.

 

[nunzia]

Although the Mermaid rides at CA and MK are identical inside, the exterior of the CA version is pretty boring compared with the gorgeous theming at MK.

Yes, USHollywood is planning a Wizarding World but they haven't confirmed an opening date yet.

Yea..what is going on with THAT?! Hurry up already.

 

[HydroGuy]

I've been to WDW twice and DLR scores of time and I really want to like WDW..I really do..but so far just can't! I am determined to figure it out, so at some point we will plan a long visit there and try to figure out why people like it..it just seems so big, and so difficult to get around and kind of dated and sketchy on amount of things to actually DO. OK..I get World Showcase..very pretty, nice architecture..but what to actually DO there..you have a snack and a drink, look at a shop..and...?? And I was there last time during the garden show time so they had nice little pop up food kiosks (and really uninterested in being friendly CMs manning them) but how much can you eat and drink around the world and how many shops can you look at? I'm really just confused at the appeal . Honestly, I think when we retire we will go out there and stay like 2 weeks (we are DVC so can easily stay at Beach Club or somewhere) and really try to FIGURE IT OUT since I want to like it.

I will say that I had similar feelings about Epcot and it has grown on me. I liked DHS instantly and Ak as well. But Epcot was an acquired taste.

In general, I do not do WDW like I do DLR. First, you of course need more time at WDW. Take two days for Epcot.

As I have said many times around here, DLR vets are more park centric and WDW vets are more resort centric.

Here is how I approach WDW including Epcot:

1. I take in way more music and street shows - these are in abundance at Epcot and especially World Showcase. My favorite is Off Kilter. Have you seen them? Last trip I saw them like 3 times! The Chinese acrobats. British Invasion in the UK area (they used to be better and are not that good but worth doing once - I usually see them once per trip). I always see the Voices of Liberty at the American Pavilion and I usually end up tearing up. See the Fife and Drum Corp. Also the street performer in Italy is hilarious. The street performers in the UK area are also very funny.

Seeing all of that takes a couple days. I do wander into the different pavilions when I have time.

2. And then the WS dining is cool. I have hit almost all the WS restaurants at least once and usually hit 2-3 each trip. My favorites are Canada (Le Cellier- hard to get - I have eaten there twice), Mexico (very good Mexican food for a place in Florida - I grew up in SoCal and know what I am talking about), and the food in the Italy pavilion.

3. See Illuminations - not my favorite show but it is cool how they tie it together with the whole WS

4. Plus just take in the beauty of the park and the plants and trees and water.

5. The Future World part is interesting too.

6. And then hitting Beaches & Cream coming out of Epcot at the Beach Club is something we usually do. Very fun.

7. Plan an evening where you take off from parks and watch a movie on the lawn there at the Beach Club/Yacht Club area. I have not seen an outside movie there but I have at Fort Wilderness and it was very fun.

8. Outside of the Epcot area, take in the rest of the resort. Go to the water parks. Go see Hoop-Dee-Doo Review. Go eat at Whispering Canyon. Or Boma's. Listen to the African storyteller at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Slooooooow dooooown over the pace you set at DLR. At DLR we always seem to be on a sprint. At WDW we really slow down the pace.

9. Go on a tour. The Backstage Magic Tour is awesome!

Hope that helps!

 

[capeach]

I'm so excited to read this review/comparison/contrast. I went to Disneyland for the first time in the 1960s, going there for a total of 5 times and visited DW for the first time in 2001, with a total of 4 visits there. I'll be taking my husband and my son for their first trip to DL and I'm excited to read that people still enjoy it as they did way back then.

I too love the smaller size of DL because of the ability to get around quickly. Much time at DW is just spent in getting from place to place.

Anyway, thanks again!

 

[momto3gr8boys]

I enjoyed reading your recap. We are also WDW vets who went to DL this past January for the first time. I admit to being hesitant based on a lot of reports I had read (in hindsight it seems like a lot of those opinions were from people who thought they knew DL but had never been there ). What a wonderful surprise!

We stayed at the GCH, so we really were immersed in the bubble, which absolutely exists despite people claiming it does not.

I totally agree with you on POTC. I'm almost nervous to ride it in WDW on our next trip. We also loved being able to eat at Blue Bayou and enjoy the ride from that perspective.

I adored Fantasyland in DL! It was so much more authentic to the older films - the ones my kids and I grew up on. Maybe because I have three boys, and maybe because they are now teens, WDW FL is wonderful, but it doesn't hold that same kind of magic for me. It's too "new". The one in DL, albeit crowded, was so nostalgic and simple and sweet. And to be able to ride Mr. Toad's Wild Ride for the first time in almost 20 years was a real treat!

DCA was also fantastic. WDW really needs to add in more of the great Pixar aspects to DHS. And we loved WOC. We did the dining package so we didn't have to stand too long. I agree that the viewing needs work though - they just don't have the room for a stadium like WDW does. But once the show started, you kind of forget you are just standing there.

I loved being able to walk out one door of our hotel into DTD and the other into DCA. Not having to deal with transportation was wonderful! We usually stay at the BC in WDW so we can walk to two parks. Boy did DLR spoil us lol! It just made it so leisurely.

And there is a difference in crowds as well. I think because DLR is more popular with locals, and even tourists only spend a few days, people are more relaxed. They aren't exhausted from the go go go of a week at Disney the way you see in WDW. Fewer kids melting down, fewer haggard exhausted looks, fewer people feeling the need to push, shove and do as much as they can cram in in a week. It was just much more relaxed.

I fell in love with DL in a way I never imagined I would. But that said, I am counting the days (143 of them!) until I am back in the World!

 

[nunzia]

thanks, that's what i heard. So far, so good!

yippee

 

[nunzia]

I will say that I had similar feelings about Epcot and it has grown on me. I liked DHS instantly and Ak as well. But Epcot was an acquired taste.

In general, I do not do WDW like I do DLR. First, you of course need more time at WDW. Take two days for Epcot.

As I have said many times around here, DLR vets are more park centric and WDW vets are more resort centric.

Here is how I approach WDW including Epcot:

1. I take in way more music and street shows - these are in abundance at Epcot and especially World Showcase. My favorite is Off Kilter. Have you seen them? Last trip I saw them like 3 times! The Chinese acrobats. British Invasion in the UK area (they used to be better and are not that good but worth doing once - I usually see them once per trip). I always see the Voices of Liberty at the American Pavilion and I usually end up tearing up. See the Fife and Drum Corp. Also the street performer in Italy is hilarious. The street performers in the UK area are also very funny.

Seeing all of that takes a couple days. I do wander into the different pavilions when I have time.

2. And then the WS dining is cool. I have hit almost all the WS restaurants at least once and usually hit 2-3 each trip. My favorites are Canada (Le Cellier- hard to get - I have eaten there twice), Mexico (very good Mexican food for a place in Florida - I grew up in SoCal and know what I am talking about), and the food in the Italy pavilion.

3. See Illuminations - not my favorite show but it is cool how they tie it together with the whole WS

4. Plus just take in the beauty of the park and the plants and trees and water.

5. The Future World part is interesting too.

6. And then hitting Beaches & Cream coming out of Epcot at the Beach Club is something we usually do. Very fun.

7. Plan an evening where you take off from parks and watch a movie on the lawn there at the Beach Club/Yacht Club area. I have not seen an outside movie there but I have at Fort Wilderness and it was very fun.

8. Outside of the Epcot area, take in the rest of the resort. Go to the water parks. Go see Hoop-Dee-Doo Review. Go eat at Whispering Canyon. Or Boma's. Listen to the African storyteller at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Slooooooow dooooown over the pace you set at DLR. At DLR we always seem to be on a sprint. At WDW we really slow down the pace.

9. Go on a tour. The Backstage Magic Tour is awesome!

Hope that helps!

Thanks..all things I want to do..and that is why a long trip is in the cards when we can get away for a big enough hunk..I stayed at Beach Club once and LOVED it and will stay there again if I can since points are low..of course a night or two at the Poly new DVC might be in the ticket too. Just need to retire!