Adjusting from WDW to DL

[Hound 109]

Sleeping Beauty prefers a charming older & functional dwelling instead of a McMansion in a swamp out in the boonies.

The trick to enjoying the castle at DL is to not expect to see it (like at all) from the front gate. I repeat.....don't expect to even see it (yeah....I know you can see it...but it's better enjoyed at the Hub).

When you get to the Hub, get a Dole Whip, sit next to the Goofy (or Alice's Rabit) statue & enjoy the charming castle.....knowing this is where it all started.

 

[DirkLogan]

Yeah the character meetings are aggravating sometimes at DLR. Some parents follow a nice line, others just go for it and take your politeness and trample it. They seemed to have been making some changes to some of the meetings, but not all. I haven't been since Feb of this year, but renewing my pass this weekend, so we shall see.

 

[fairycat]

Sleeping Beauty prefers a charming older & functional dwelling instead of a McMansion in a swamp out in the boonies.

The trick to enjoying the castle at DL is to not expect to see it (like at all) from the front gate. I repeat.....don't expect to even see it (yeah....I know you can see it...but it's better enjoyed at the Hub).

When you get to the Hub, get a Dole Whip, sit next to the Goofy (or Alice's Rabit) statue & enjoy the charming castle.....knowing this is where it all started.

As someone once said to me DL regulars look and say "There is the Mattterhorn we are at Disneyland!!!" and go to WDW and ask "Where is the Mountain??" WDW regulars say "Wow the Castle rocks!!" and go to DL and ask "That's the castle?"

It's all about perspective and expectations. I won't lie I still have a hard time with WDW because I miss the Matterhorn and IASW (one view of DLR vs. WDW everyone will get this one). WDW regulars reverse that and can't get past the small stature of Sleeping Beauty's castle. Go in looking at the Mountain and you will never be sad, then walk through the castle and joy!, then to IASW and WOW!

I also need to point out that every study shows that you only get 10% less attractions at DLR vs. WDW (that's two parks vs. four) and you NEVER need to take a bus! After taking the WDW bus I truely appreciate DLR's easy of park hopping. I hated that bus by the end of our trip (ok even the first day to be honest!). There is a lot to be said about the compactness at DLR vs. WDW. Except at parade time.

 

[TinkerKell-ey]

"I also need to point out that every study shows that you only get 10% less attractions at DLR vs. WDW (that's two parks vs. four) and you NEVER need to take a bus! After taking the WDW bus I truely appreciate DLR's easy of park hopping."

I debated responding to this 'cause I don't want to start an arguement (my husband just told me to "step away from the keyboard!") . . . but, I can't believe this is true. (The bus part is 100% right on though!!!)

I absolutely LOVED our recent and first trip to DLR. I hope we can return someday. And if we do, it will hopefully be for 4 or 5 true DL days. I am confident we can "DO IT ALL" in that amount of time. On the other hand, my dream WDW vacation would be two weeks. And I know that isn't enough. Water parks, really cool mini golf, Disney Quest, hotel touring (most have cool programs like night viewing of savannah animals at AKL), golf, sport center, themed restaurants (like the Sci Fi and Prime Time diners) are just a few things that come to mind. Then there's the theme parks . . . yep, DL itself has more goodies than Magic Kingdom ( and I think maybe this is actually what you are referencing). But to compare 4 parks to 2, you just can't.

Again, not wanting to offend anyone - I LOVED DLR!!! But my heart is in WDW and I felt the need to defend her.

 

[HydroGuy]

"I also need to point out that every study shows that you only get 10% less attractions at DLR vs. WDW (that's two parks vs. four) and you NEVER need to take a bus! After taking the WDW bus I truely appreciate DLR's easy of park hopping."

I debated responding to this 'cause I don't want to start an arguement (my husband just told me to "step away from the keyboard!") . . . but, I can't believe this is true. (The bus part is 100% right on though!!!)

I absolutely LOVED our recent and first trip to DLR. I hope we can return someday. And if we do, it will hopefully be for 4 or 5 true DL days. I am confident we can "DO IT ALL" in that amount of time. On the other hand, my dream WDW vacation would be two weeks. And I know that isn't enough. Water parks, really cool mini golf, Disney Quest, hotel touring (most have cool programs like night viewing of savannah animals at AKL), golf, sport center, themed restaurants (like the Sci Fi and Prime Time diners) are just a few things that come to mind. Then there's the theme parks . . . yep, DL itself has more goodies than Magic Kingdom ( and I think maybe this is actually what you are referencing). But to compare 4 parks to 2, you just can't.

Again, not wanting to offend anyone - I LOVED DLR!!! But my heart is in WDW and I felt the need to defend her.

If you are questioning the part about 10% difference in rides, here are my lists which are somewhat subjective and have not been updated to include the new Nemo ride at Epcot or DL.

http://hydroguy.smugmug.com/gallery/1819958#90919696-A-LB

http://hydroguy.smugmug.com/gallery/1819958#90919695-A-LB


73 at WDW vs 67 at DLR counting both Nemos.

But as most of us know, rides are just part of the Disney resort experience. Shows are another and WDW has about twice as many as DLR. And dining is another and WDW seems like it has 10 times as many.

Now, I too do not want to have an argument and would agree with everything else you said. WDW provides so much to do. Yes, one has to use buses or boats, or cars, to get around because it is so much larger (50 sq miles at WDW vs 1 sq mile at DLR). The transportation barrier (as I thought about it) was the price to have access to so many more activities.

As everyone says, the DLR experience has many differences from WDW and both have their advantages. I love being so close to the parks at DLR and the near zero transporation, but now that I have been to WDW I missed RnR, EE and SciFi Dine-In among other things on recent DLR trips. Their just seems like their are infinite number of things to do at WDW while at DLR it seems much more finite.

 

[fairycat]

Thanks Hydroguy this was what I was referencing!

My point is that because many people agree that you need less time to do DLR, I wanted to point out that the reason this is so true is because the park is so compact not that it has so much less to do.

Not talking water parks, DTD or other special things outside of the parks attraction wise DLR is not far behind WDW and with the upgrades time will tell where DLR sits. No it does not have the dining (partially size, partially the easy of out of park eating effect this), or the shows but it does hold its own in attractions.

I won't lie DLR definetly is my pride and joy, but that is because I grew up in this park and have been 100's of times (or more hahaha!), I know the system and the in's and outs and this makes it the perfect park for me, especially since WDW was such a fish out of water experience for me. This is why I play on this board now my WDW trip is over. I want to offer my knowledge of DL and to help people maybe skew their expectations so that everyone has a great time instead of comparing.

 

[HydroGuy]

My point is that because many people agree that you need less time to do DLR, I wanted to point out that the reason this is so true is because the park is so compact not that it has so much less to do.

I agree that is part of the reason you need less time at DLR. We spent 10 days at WDW and what I found out was that we spent much less time inside the parks. On DLR trips we usually spend 10-12 hours of each day inside the parks, but at WDW we spent 5-8 hours of each day inside the parks - about 30-50% less. Why? Here were some of the reasons:

1. The "transportation barrier", as I came to think of it - We hit rope drop on six days. We would go back for a break in the afternoon and on some days not everyone wanted to spend the effort to get back to a park. So we didn't go back. At DLR it is so close to get back to the parks that it is an easier decision to head out for the night.

2. Weather - our trip was mid-June and it was hot, humid and rainy. So that made us not want go back to the parks.

3. Park hours - they are less at WDW unless you count EMH which we never did. Plus, when you have parks which close early like AK, MGM or Epcot it is harder to go back out in the evening after a break because you know you do not have much time. In other words, is it worth it to go back to Epcot at 6PM in the evening and do the 30-60 transportation when you know it closes at 9PM? More often than not the answer was no.

4. Parkhopping - this follows from #3 above. Because DL and DCA are so close then essentially you can experience DCA at night and then easily and quickly hop to DL afterwards. At WDW parkhopping was more of a hassle, took more time, and it cost more. So when a park closed at night at WDW that was the end of our day. That also tended to shorten our days. At DL it was worthwhile to go back to DCA in the evening for a couple hours because you knew after DCA closed you could quickly hop to DL for 2-3 more hours. That makes the decision to go back out after a break much easier.

5. Outside activities at WDW - we did the Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue, watched an outside movie at FW, went to DQ and the water parks, etc. So this too pulled us away from the main parks - but it also gave us a more broad experience.

 

[Disney Davo]

Very good points. WDW is so large and does take allot of time to just get around. WDW is a large resort and you need to take your time to really enjoy everthing it has to offer. We have done about 6 trips there all from 4-7 days each time and we still have not done everything there is to do there. I really think you need to spend about 10 or more days to really get the most of it planning some time just to relax.
I honestly don't know how many times I've been to DL. The first time was most likely 1968 and I have not stopped loving it everytime I go. The neat thing over WDW is at DL you can get on allot more rides and shows in on one day due to the closeness of all the attractions. Again love them both and after a few years away from WDW we will most likely have to plan a trip to go back.

 

[Judy from Boise]

This is a great thread, I fall into the "I love both" camp. But I do want to say that the resort choice at WDW can mitigate the transportation barrier. By staying at the Swan or the Dolphin (great DIS sponsors) you can walk to two of the 4 parks, plus from Epcot you can catch an almost direct monorail to MK.
Part of loving WDW correlates with staying where you don't need bus transportation for every park.

 

[ballarinamom]

DH and I are more quality over quantity. That being said, alot of the rides at the various WDW parks are just copies of other rides in the park. DL has the quality of rides compared to WDW, IASW, Pirates (No Bayou and more), Peter Pan, (stars over London), Space Mountain (lights), Tea Cups ( under the stars instead of under a canapy), Indy over Dino always! The facades of all of the rides at DL are better as well. And don't even get me started on Toontown. WDW can't even begin to compare on DL's Toontown.
Yes, WDW has more rides. Not much more but more. However, so many rides at WDW are copies of some of the other rides. At WDW Dumbo can aso been seen on the Alladin ride and the triceratop spin at AK- all the same ride. And there are others.
As previous poster said, at the Swan you can walk or monorail to 3 parks but you still have bus to the other parks or DTD.

I want to tell a quick story. On a trip to Dl our camera battery went dead. DH jumped on the monorail, went to DLH and was back at the park before we off of IASW. LOVE THAT!!!! If it happened at WDW, we would have had to look for and buy a new battery or a disposible
As for the dining choices, WDW menus have really declined and have homogenized. You may have more choices of buildings but the food tastes the same. And if you can't get into Blue Bayou, walk to DTD.

 

[nunzia]

Sleeping Beauty prefers a charming older & functional dwelling instead of a McMansion in a swamp out in the boonies.

The trick to enjoying the castle at DL is to not expect to see it (like at all) from the front gate. I repeat.....don't expect to even see it (yeah....I know you can see it...but it's better enjoyed at the Hub).

When you get to the Hub, get a Dole Whip, sit next to the Goofy (or Alice's Rabit) statue & enjoy the charming castle.....knowing this is where it all started.

OK..I've never had a Dole Whip. Where do you get one?

We only went to WDW once, 15 years ago, and none of us liked it, so we are planning another trip out...without the kids who are all grown up now...to see what everyone raves about.
We all love DLR. DLR is just lovely with little Walt touches, and on un crowded days (if there is such a thing anymore) it is truly the best place in the world. (IMHO) Stay on site so the So CA mess doesn't intrude, take advantage of the proximity of everything (I am already dreading those darn WDW buses). Blue Bayou a must! New Pirates Lair at old Tom Sawyer Island, the rapids ride, Indy. The original Peter Pan, and Mr Toad. It's a great place..

 

[HydroGuy]

OK..I've never had a Dole Whip. Where do you get one?

Tiki Room.

 

[fairycat]

OK..I've never had a Dole Whip. Where do you get one?

We only went to WDW once, 15 years ago, and none of us liked it, so we are planning another trip out...without the kids who are all grown up now...to see what everyone raves about.
We all love DLR. DLR is just lovely with little Walt touches, and on un crowded days (if there is such a thing anymore) it is truly the best place in the world. (IMHO) Stay on site so the So CA mess doesn't intrude, take advantage of the porximity of everything (I am already dreading those darn WDW buses). Blue Bayou a must! New Pirates Lair at old Tom Sawyer Island, the rapids ride, Indy. The original Peter Pan, and Mr Toad. It's a great place..

Unless you are staying for weeks look into renting a car. I would even pay for Taxi's over the buses. They are TERRIBLE and made it hard to enjoy our trip.

Mr. Toad ROCKS!!! Best FL ride ever!!

 

[TB'sWidow]

I wish to thank everyone for their great responses and to Op for posting this ,
It is great to get all these views. I have been wondering the same things.
I have never been to DLR and am taking the family on their first trip in May We all absolutley love WDW but older DD is getting married and this trip is her family honeymoon ,she loves sleeping beauty and really wants to see the castle. We are going with an open mind.

 

[kimis]

Hi all,
We are big WDW fans, but we are finally going to DL (families first trip, my first trip in 20 years!) from Dec 30 - Jan 2 and I am beginning to realize that I have to significantly shift my thinking. Today I got the urge to try Goofy's Kitchen, but since we will be there in a month, I thought "no way, no how" but, lo and behold, as a family of 5 we had our choice of time!

What do I need to be most prepared for...in other words, what would be a big surprise for a WDW master?

Anne B

We love both parks--DL and WDW! However there are differences. For starters the dining plan is so much easier (and better) at WDW than DL. Everything is on the plastic card at DW but you get paper coupons that cover up to a certain amount at DL. There are other differences too so just have fun anyway. We do! P.S. WHo can't have fun at disney? LOL

 

[disney-super-mom]

I know a lot of people hate the WDW busses, but when DH and I went to WDW for our first time in January, we LOVED the busses! We thought they were great and convenient. When we take our little boys to WDW for their first trip in 2008, their going to get a big kick out of those busses.

Oh, and we thought Magical Express was awesome!

 

[Leofoenget]

Hi all,
We are big WDW fans, but we are finally going to DL (families first trip, my first trip in 20 years!) from Dec 30 - Jan 2 and I am beginning to realize that I have to significantly shift my thinking. Today I got the urge to try Goofy's Kitchen, but since we will be there in a month, I thought "no way, no how" but, lo and behold, as a family of 5 we had our choice of time!

What do I need to be most prepared for...in other words, what would be a big surprise for a WDW master?

Anne B

Based on the dates you are going, be prepared for VERY LARGE CROWDS. IF you leave make sure you get your hand stamped, even if you have an AP.