Here's where you need to start. Hydroguy's DLR for WDW vet's guide. TOns of detail.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599
Here's some of my advice:
Rides unique to DLR:
Indiana Jones (ride vehicles like Dinosaur, much better themed with an amazing que line)
Pirate's Lair (Tom Sawyer Island with a pirate theme, lots of pirate caves to explore, a pirate show, CMs dressed up as pirates just wandering the island, plus a Captain Jack Sparrow meet & greet)
Pinocchio (Fantasyland dark ride *a little scary)
Alice in Wonderland (Fantasyland dark ride)
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride (Fantasyland dark ride *a little scary)
Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin (Spinning Toontown dark ride)
Matterhorn (1st ever tubular steel coaster)
Casey Jr. Circus Train and Storybookland Canal Boats (gentle rides through Storybookland. Good for kids)
Everything at DCA except Soarin, ToT, Muppets and Bug movies, and Turtle Talk
Rides that are significantly different:
Jungle Cruise (different jokes, some different scenes)
PotC (much longer and better)
Pooh (no long lines at DL because it's tucked away in the corner, different ride vehicle)
Splash (different seating, shorter ride, not as long lines as MK except during summer)
IASW (original version)
Tiki Room (no Zazu or Iago, just tikis and birds)
Autopia vs. TIS (actually has scenery and stuff to look at, you even go off roading)
Buzz (removable guns make for easier aiming)
Space (completely dark, and smoother with music)
ToT (different scenes, no 4th dimension room)
For dining, it works very different from WDW. The dining plan does not get you an amount of food per day (CS, TS, snack), but instead it gets you a certain amount of $ per day. Each person gets vouchers for different $ amounts. When you pay for food items you use vouchers; however, you will not receive change. This may not be so bad for something costing $9.90, in which you would pay with a $10 voucher and lose $.10. However, if you have to pay for something that costs $9.01, you will lose $.99, which can add up after a while. In short, the dining plan at DL saves nothing but convenience.
Here are my top #10 tips for WDW vets
•#1 tip. Get there EARLY! There are NO long lines in the first hour-hour and a half. Pick up a FP and enjoy some rides without lines
•Use FastPass! (same kind of system as WDW)
•Do not expect WDW size. DLR is so compact it is very easy to get around. Park hopping (or going to Downtown Disney) takes a grand total of 1 minute to cross the large plaza separating the two parks. It also makes walking the main transportation here, as opposed to buses.
•I do not recommend staying onsite for a combination of two reasons. Cost and closeness. There are many many many offsite hotels with much cheaper prices. Also there are a handful of hotels that are closer to the parks than the
Disneyland or Paradise Pier Hotels. With cheaper prices and shorter/equal walk, I have always stayed offsite. While the quality may not be as good, it's just a place to sleep right? However if you intend to spend a lot of time at the pool or lobby or hanging around the hotel, you might be the kind of person who will want to shell out the dough, though I highly discourage it. More money for the parks!
•Buy admission in advance definitely. Nothing like standing in another long line just to get into the park.
•Eat breakfast at your hotel, or while waiting for the gates to open. Plus, breakfast in the park is mucho $.
•Don’t miss spectacular shows such as the Aladdin Musical at DCA and the nighttime shows Electrical Parade at DCA and the nightly fireworks show and Fantasmic! at DL.
•Do not eat lunch and dinner at normal hours to avoid food lines and take advantage of shorter ride lines
•An alternative to carrying around all your stuff all day is to rent a locker. They’re about $5 each and can hold a little more than a backpack size. Perfect for storing sweatshirts during the middle of the day. Lockers are located about half way down Main Street to the right in a little corner at DL. At DCA they are just to the right of the entrance
•Have fun!
