Another convert here!

[jpeka65844]

DH and got back on 7/5 from a fabulous trip to DLR! We're hooked! I definitely think we're going to start alternating trips to the World with trips to the Land.

Here's the highlights:
Fantasmic- WAY better than at WDW; we did the dessert buffet and it was SOOOO worth it

Being able to walk everywhere- Everything is so close; we couldn't get over it. The first day we made the mistake of assuming our room keys were also our tix. When we realized they weren't it was a short walk back to GCH to dig the travel agent envelope out of our suitcase. At WDW, that would have been a disaster!

Fantasyland- Way more whimsical than WDW, although
smaller......

New Orleans Square- What a fabulously themed area! I could've spent half the day just wondering in and out of the alleys.

Sneak Peek at DCA- Our checkin CM gave us a password and we were able to get in to DCA and on to Soarin at 9:20. There was quite a line already formed at the GCH/DCA entrance but there were only about 10 of us who had the password and got to go. Not sure why we had it and they didn't. Rode Soarin' in an empty building. Then was first in line for the Running of the Tourists for TSMM; however when we got there, it was not operating. So we did CA Screamin' instead.....FUN!

Dinner at Napa Rose- yum; that's all I'll say

Club 33- we knew someone who knew someone who knew someone; once in a lifetime thing we'll probably never get to do again! Amazing food and service. It was also cool that we shut the place down and got a tour at the end of our meal; I've never spent 3 1/2 hours at a meal before!

Early Entry We avoid them at WDW b/c they're worse than the daytime but you can tell the locals don't like to get up early. We did a full day's worth of rides in about an hour!

With the exception of everyone chickening out on ToT at DCA, there wasn't a single major ride that we didn't do. AND we did all of the DL mountains in one day, and some of them TWICE!

Wow! What a great trip! We're thinking we'll be back in December 2011. We've got two WDW trips to plan before then, otherwise it would be sooner. Gotta have priorities, y'know!

 

[blackjackdelta]

Glad you had a great time. Never been to WDW since my youngest refuses to fly so I have no way to compare. We will stick with DLR.

Jack

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

I'm happy you discovered the charm of the west coast Disney parks.

My DH did NOT want to go...insisted it was just too small.

3 years ago a friend and I convinced him to try it.....3 nights...if you hated it, it's only 3 nights.

We have added a trip to DL each year since (we are East Coasters).

He discovered what I already knew. There is a special charm at DL. Besides being the actual place that Walt built - the first - with all the charming stories associated with that.....we love it's compact layout.

We are Grand Cali nuts. Once you wallk through those lovely doors the World is left outside.

We are using a friend's DVC points and will be there 6 nights the first week in December. CANNOT WAIT.

Welcome to the West Coast's little secret!

 

[vettegirl]

DL is so special, I can't wait to visit in December!

 

[Sleepless Knight]

DH and got back on 7/5 from a fabulous trip to DLR! We're hooked! I definitely think we're going to start alternating trips to the World with trips to the Land.

Fantasyland- Way more whimsical than WDW, although
smaller......

Yet it still has more attractions than Fantasyland at the MK.

 

[gcatt]

Sneak Peek at DCA- Our checkin CM gave us a password and we were able to get in to DCA and on to Soarin at 9:20. There was quite a line already formed at the GCH/DCA entrance but there were only about 10 of us who had the password and got to go.​

Has anyone else heard of a password being used? I thought the entrance was open to all Disney hotel guests.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

The entrance is open to all DLR guests, however, the OP & family had a password to get in before the park officially opened. What a nice perk.

 

[jpeka65844]

Sneak Peek at DCA- Our checkin CM gave us a password and we were able to get in to DCA and on to Soarin at 9:20. There was quite a line already formed at the GCH/DCA entrance but there were only about 10 of us who had the password and got to go.​

Has anyone else heard of a password being used? I thought the entrance was open to all Disney hotel guests.

The park opens to all at about 9:30. Anyone can get in and walk Condor Flats and Sunshine Plaza. They then drop ropes to the rest of park (over by Grizzly River Rapids for us) at 10.

There was a manager of some kind at the entrance and we asked her who to tell the password to. She said "Oh! Well just step aside and we'll take you in in a second." She motioned us and about 8 others over and called us a "tour group" ???? Still curious as to how this worked.....

 

[HydroGuy]

For people who really, really love Disney magic, I wonder how they could not love both DLR and WDW. They are both so full of Disney magic!

OP, great post BTW. DLR does have some advantages over WDW and you grasped and experienced most all of them.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

For people who really, really love Disney magic, I wonder how they could not love both DLR and WDW. They are both so full of Disney magic!

I so totally agree.

 

[Albort]

never been to WDW so DLR ftw!!!

 

[Sleepless Knight]

For people who really, really love Disney magic, I wonder how they could not love both DLR and WDW. They are both so full of Disney magic!

Isn't that the truth? I love them both for the different experience they provide. Sometimes I wonder if it comes down to Walt. It seems that those who love Walt understand Disneyland pretty quickly even after a lifetime of visits to WDW.

 

[HydroGuy]

Isn't that the truth? I love them both for the different experience they provide. Sometimes I wonder if it comes down to Walt. It seems that those who love Walt understand Disneyland pretty quickly even after a lifetime of visits to WDW.

I suspect others are similar to me in that now that I have gotten a handle on WDW I cannot visit either resort with "missing" something at the other. While at DLR I now miss EE, RnR and FOTLK - and more. While at WDW I miss Indy, DL's Space Mtn and DCA's Aladdin show - and more.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I suspect others are similar to me in that now that I have gotten a handle on WDW I cannot visit either resort with "missing" something at the other. While at DLR I now miss EE, RnR and FOTLK - and more. While at WDW I miss Indy, DL's Space Mtn and DCA's Aladdin show - and more.

... and when I am at WDW I enjoy the differences from what DLR has. I never want them to be the same.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

I should clarify that the "Walt" factor I mentioned applies only to WDW veterans making their first visit to Disneyland. While Walt did not live to see WDW built, there is a lot there that he would be quite pleased with. It seems to me that many of the WDW veterans who come back from their first visit and love it often admire and respect Walt Disney. I think it becomes harder to not love Disneyland when you respect and admire the man who built it.

I too am glad that both places are different. It helps make it special when I visit the other one.

 

[HydroGuy]

... and when I am at WDW I enjoy the differences from what DLR has. I never want them to be the same.

Its not that I want them to be the same. It is just when I used to go to DLR I was always just satisfied with DLR and never thought anything more about it. Now when I am there I have flashes of WDW from time to time. It does not lessen DLR for me. It just makes me think I need to plan another trip to WDW!

 

[Judy from Boise]

Me too, I love them both......the one thing that gets me back to WDW every years is that in the winter when we like to travel, their parks still operate in "full" mode with long hours and PM shows, and fewer rehabs.