Am I right about DLR?

[sonjaandsue]

Please let me know if my impression of DLR vs WDW is correct. I've read the wonderful DLR for WDW veterans thread. But I am nervous about our decision.

We went to WDW in Jan. for the first time. Loved it! But felt rushed, overwhelmed and disappointed by how little we were able to see. (We are a very slow moving group because of a mobility issue - we were able to do about 4-6 hours of touring a day and could not rush from attraction to attraction). I want to have some Disney magic without feeling so stressed. So, it seemed like DLR might be the next choice for us. We are planning on being there for a week and staying at the GC. Do you think DLR will help us be less worried about missing something good and more able to kick back and enjoy?

 

[disneydreamer74]

Having been to both parks, I would say YES!! DLR is much more intimate and rides are closer in proximity than WDW's rides. I have yet to do everything in the park, but I don't feel stressed to move quickly or rush at all! Most people go to their rooms for a midday nap or pool break, I know we sure do!! I think you will really enjoy your trip and delight in the differences!!

 

[blackjackdelta]

Please let me know if my impression of DLR vs WDW is correct. I've read the wonderful DLR for WDW veterans thread. But I am nervous about our decision.

We went to WDW in Jan. for the first time. Loved it! But felt rushed, overwhelmed and disappointed by how little we were able to see. (We are a very slow moving group because of a mobility issue - we were able to do about 4-6 hours of touring a day and could not rush from attraction to attraction). I want to have some Disney magic without feeling so stressed. So, it seemed like DLR might be the next choice for us. We are planning on being there for a week and staying at the GC. Do you think DLR will help us be less worried about missing something good and more able to kick back and enjoy?

It is more compact, but mobility issues are mobility issues(many different types.). What do you want to do? What are the must see's. You will love the Grand. I would not worry there are zillions of folks with mobility issuses seem to have a grand time.

Jack

 

[ktlm]

Absolutely!!! We love both places. One of things we love about DL/CA is that it is so compact. It doesn't take that long to get from place to place there, and the two parks are right by each other. At the GC, you will have an entrance straight into California Adventure. For us at WDW, we have to spend a week and we never have time to leave the property and see anything else in the area. . At DL/CA we can spend 3-4 days, and spend the rest of the week other places in southern California. I think with a whole week there you should be able to see things and enjoy without feeling overly rushed.

 

[raftislander]

Absolutely! Everything is so close together and staying at the GC will put you right in the middle of it. I grew up going to DLR and have been to WDW twice. I enjoy both experiences, but you can spend a lot of time just getting from one place to another in WDW. Not so DLR.

The things that you may miss at DLR are: the variety of sit down restaurants in the parks; the Animal Kingdom;and, the World Showcase. You wont find every attraction that is at WDW, but on the other hand, there is alot at DLR that is not at WDW. I think that you will be happy with your choice.

 

[sonjaandsue]

Thank you! I am reassured that we made the right choice. I know we will still have some choices to make - we are choosing to not make ADRs (just Napa Rose) and not doing any special ressies for Fantasmic & WoC so we are not so tied down in schedule. Our main priority is to see the attractions and take time to enjoy the details. If our son wants to spend the afternoon on Tom Sawyer/Pirate Island, I want to let him without being worried we are late for something else!

 

[Eeee-va]

Thank you! I am reassured that we made the right choice. I know we will still have some choices to make - we are choosing to not make ADRs (just Napa Rose) and not doing any special ressies for Fantasmic & WoC so we are not so tied down in schedule. Our main priority is to see the attractions and take time to enjoy the details. If our son wants to spend the afternoon on Tom Sawyer/Pirate Island, I want to let him without being worried we are late for something else!

Great thinking! If you want to see World of Color you (pretty much) have to get a Fastpass for it. But you can get them from the machines for free with just a short wait, so you could get the FPs and then if you don't use them, no big deal. (Frankly, if you're looking for spontaneity or even low stress, World of Color does not foster that!)

You might want to put (714) 781-DINE (Disneyland's dining line) in your cell phone. If you decide you want to eat somewhere that day (besides the Blue Bayou) and there's a line, I understand you can often call that number for same-day reservations. That would give you time to go off and do something else instead of waiting.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Yes, 100%. Because there are fewer parks, it takes less time to cover the attractions. I went to DL this past summer after only going to WDW for years and found that I could see everything in about three days. However, if you have mobility issues you might want to consider using an ECV, if that's possible for you. It'll ease things a bit.

 

[Susie63]

You have the right idea playing it by ear. I too have mobility issues and we went for our first trip to DL in Feb 2010. We were a slow moving group and did not park hop. We would visit one land and do EVERYTHING that we wanted and then move on to the next land. We only ate at counter service with the exception of a character meal and it worked out great for us.
We stayed at the DLH and spent 6 days in the parks,but we still didn't see everything.That is the way it goes when you are moving at turtle speed....but it does mean we have to make a return trip in 2013.
Because we went in the off season it meant less standing around and shorter hours...but we would hit the park at 10 and leave at 8 when it closed with lots of rest breaks.Have fun...and get a GAC. I didn't know about it when we went but the CM's always made my waiting time less when they saw my cane.

 

[sonjaandsue]

You might want to put (714) 781-DINE (Disneyland's dining line) in your cell phone. If you decide you want to eat somewhere that day (besides the Blue Bayou) and there's a line, I understand you can often call that number for same-day reservations. That would give you time to go off and do something else instead of waiting.

Great idea! Thank you! That is a another nice difference from WDW.

We did rent a ECV at the parks for my DP at WDW - but getting to the Parks took a long time. I am excited that at DL she can take it directly from the hotel to the parks - that should help us alot!

Thanks again for the suggestions/reassurance!

 

[cmwade77]

Please note that I have gotten same day reservations for Blue Bayou, but the service there is now so bad that I cannot recommend the restaurant. As a matter of fact, I have yet to not be able to get a same day reservation for anything (including WOC dinners) anytime I have wanted (I believe you have to call at least 2 hours in advance though)

As for it being more intimate, it definitely is. If you count the total number of attractions, we have more attractions in our two parks than in all four of the theme parks in WDW and the parks are smaller. We simply make better use of the land here. We have fewer people and more attractions, which equals shorter lines.

That being said, during busier times, it can seem more crowded (especially at DL), because we have smaller walkways.