A Wdw Vet's Review Of Dlr

[3for Me]

We just returned from a trip to the DLR (June 4-7). Stayed at the Disneyland Hotel and did both parks and LOTS of DTD activities.

Here are some thoughts/opinions...

Disneyland is by far our favorite of the six Disney parks. We loved the fact that there was such a VARIETY of rides and there is just a charm there that can not be explained.

We did all the rides that WDW does not offer except Mr. Toad which was down for rehab. We did miss the train not running as well. (I just love that opening ceremony!)

Rides we thought were better than WDW:

Haunted Mansion
Splash
Pirates
Small World
Space Mountain

I think Buzz is better at WDW, as are the Astro Orbiter and the monorail - I know it's just a "ride" at Disneyland, but I think its so much nicer at WDW.

Kids LOVED the churros! We probably spent $30.00 just on churros. It was a nice alternative to popcorn. We also really enjoyed Blue Bayou and Cafe Orleans. We had breakfast one morning at Riverbelle Terrace and that was yummy as well. Got my kids hooked on Dole Whip Floats this trip. I hardly got to eat any of mine.

We also loved CA - reminded me alot of MGM (which is my least favorite park at WDW) in it's "feel", but liked it better than MGM for what it offered. We all LOVED the Aladdin show - really not to be missed, loved California Screamin' and the kids overall favorite ride of the trip was Grizzly River Run. I lost count of how many times they rode it!

DTD is far better than the WDW version, although we missed Earl of Sandwich and Ghiradelli.

We liked the Disneyland Hotel, but would probably not stay there again. The bathroom was almost unusable due to the size and configuration. For two people it would have been fine, but for our family - YIKES! Otherwise, the room was fine and we had a great view from the 8th floor of the Bonita Tower. My kids LOVED the pool and the grounds were nicely kept. Great gift shops and we liked Goofy's Kitchen much better than Chef Mickey's.

I would love to go back again someday. I am still a WDW girl at heart, but can really see how people love this place. Overall, it was a great trip. I'd be happy to answer any questions!

Thanks so much to all who gave advice before my trip. As usual, I would have been LOST without the DIS!!!

 

[brenda1966]

Thanks for sharing! I like seeing all the love for DL, especially from WDW vets. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

 

[dbanzai]

I'm just curious why you like DTD better in CA over FL... Would you feel otherwise without kids? Otherwise, I agree with a lot of what you say.

 

[daannzzz]

Don't give up on the Disneyland hotel jsut yet.
The bonita Tower has just a plain old hotel bathroom. The other two towers have great bathrooms, that are large and compartmentalized so more than one person can do stuff. We will be there in a month and I requested not to be in the Bonita tower but anywhere else would be fine.

 

[3for Me]

I'm just curious why you like DTD better in CA over FL... Would you feel otherwise without kids? Otherwise, I agree with a lot of what you say.

I think you might be right...we don't really use the clubs at DTD in WDW...just liked the whole layout better, and the variety of shops that were there.

From a strictly personal perspective, we liked the food offerings much better over all as well.

 

[3for Me]

Don't give up on the Disneyland hotel jsut yet.
The bonita Tower has just a plain old hotel bathroom. The other two towers have great bathrooms, that are large and compartmentalized so more than one person can do stuff. We will be there in a month and I requested not to be in the Bonita tower but anywhere else would be fine.

Darn!!! I wish I had known...we did request Sierra Tower, but the entire hotel was sold out, so I took what was given to me. Had I known, I would have very politely asked if it was possible to switch, because honestly, the bathroom was a big bummer! Loved the rest of the hotel, though!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Yep those Bonita Tower bathrooms aren't the best. Although I love that tower due to its proximity to the Koi Ponds and waterfalls. They need to refurb that tower and give its bathrooms a much needed change!

I enjoyed your report and also prefer DTD in DL over WDW's. For me, I enjoy the outdoor performers, the intimacy of it and think the restaurants are better. It has prettier landscaping touches, similar to the outdoor malls we have here in Downtown Denver and Boulder. The DTD in WDW feels more like a tourist trap whereas Disneyland's to me feels like more of an upscale shopping and retail area. Also the convenience factor of being next to the parks and hotels cannot be beat.

Welcome back, glad your first trip to Disneyland was so much fun!

 

[3for Me]

Yep those Bonita Tower bathrooms aren't the best. Although I love that tower due to its proximity to the Koi Ponds and waterfalls. They need to refurb that tower and give its bathrooms a much needed change!

I enjoy the outdoor performers, the intimacy of it and think the restaurants are better. It has prettier landscaping touches, similar to the outdoor malls we have here in Downtown Denver and Boulder. The DTD in WDW feels more like a tourist trap whereas Disneyland's to me feels like more of an upscale shopping and retail area. Also the convenience factor of being next to the parks and hotels cannot be beat.

Welcome back, glad your first trip to Disneyland was so much fun!

All right, how did I miss all this bathroom info on the DIS?? I did enjoy the proximity to the waterfalls...they were right outside of our sliding doors.

You really summed up the reasons I prefer DTD at the DLR...it seems..."classier". I also like that it's a passageway to the parks.

 

[Amy&Dan]

All right, how did I miss all this bathroom info on the DIS?? I did enjoy the proximity to the waterfalls...they were right outside of our sliding doors.

You really summed up the reasons I prefer DTD at the DLR...it seems..."classier". I also like that it's a passageway to the parks.

I actually feel kinda bad, I frequently recommend the Bonita because I love those waterfalls and ponds! Then I see the bathroom comments of late and it all comes back to me! The last time I stayed in the Bonita was three years ago. Back then my daughter was seven, now she's going on 11 and God help me if we have that bathroom set up given the amount of time she can spend getting ready! Also, as I recall, PP rooms have that same bathroom set up, where the sink is in the same area as the toilet and tub. Not great for families.

 

[Danemom]

Thanks for your post. We're visiting DL for the first time next month and I can't wait to see what we think of the differences!

 

[Jeanne B]

Loved reading your post, we're also WDW veterans and we'll be visiting DL for the first time next week.

 

[GailT]

I have to agree about DTD better than at DW. I like the parks much better too. I am a WDW vet sunce I have been 17 now at 50 I found my new love, DL. when I went last december i said I would probly go back due to $$$, ya right, I am hooked on DL and now that is my place of choice. I am going back in September, I wanted to see what it was like in the NON holiday season, this is going to be my yearly trip

 

[jlima]

I think Buzz is better at WDW

Remember, at DL the "guns" detach from the car and you hold them in your hands . . . at WDW they are attached to the car and you can't aim them as well.

 

[HydroGuy]

Remember, at DL the "guns" detach from the car and you hold them in your hands . . . at WDW they are attached to the car and you can't aim them as well.

That is why I like Buzz better at DL than MK.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

That is why I like Buzz better at DL than MK.

Me too. I remember not being able to hit certain targets simply because the gun wouldn't swivel up high enough to get em.

 

[CruznLexi]

Thanks for the review! I too am a WDW vet and will be going west in Just 16 weeks! We will stay at PP for 1 night and then PP for a 3 night package after our cruise.
Lexi

 

[3for Me]

Remember, at DL the "guns" detach from the car and you hold them in your hands . . . at WDW they are attached to the car and you can't aim them as well.

I know the guns detach, and I guess I liked that part better, but the ride itself - in my humble little opinion - was done "better" at WDW. More intense color and overall feel was just "more" of something. Hard to describe.