DL Newbie/ WDW Vet ...one park day?

[Bama_C]

Okay, I have been to WDW enough that I am very, very familiar with it. I have never been to DL, but hubby and I are going out for the BCS Champ Game. If we only have 1 park day, should we (can we?) do a park hopper for both DL and DCA... or would that be too much to tackle in a day. Realistically, we know we will not be able to ride everything... were in WDW in October for 12 days so we don't feel the need to do all attractions. However, we know we want to do the classic DL attractions and all the ones that WDW does not have (Matterhorn, Indiana Jones, etc.) Could we do both parks, or is that overly ambitious? Should we just do DL and save DCA for another trip? (I did read through HydroGuy's tips and attractions for WDW vets.)

For those of you who are very familiar with both WDW and DL, what attractions would you not miss at DL?

We have several of the WD Treasures dvds including Disneyland Secrets, and it has made us really want to get to DL. This BCS game has given us a good excuse to get there!

Thanks!

 

[numbat1]

We've had anual passes these last couple of years but when we don't we still always buy Park Hoppers.

In one day you can not do everything at either park however you can move easily between them to experience the best of both.

In my opinion it is definitely worth the Park Hopper.

 

[gatorfreud]

You can't do everything in one day - but I would get parkhoppers anyway. DCA is not that great - especially since stuff has started closing for the refurb - BUT I would not come all the way here and not even see it. Plus it is always less crowded over there, so it's a good place to escape to if DL gets super crowded. Plus TSM is over there and I am addicted.

Let's see... I would definitely do the rides that WDW does not have... Indiana Jones, some of the Fantasyland stuff, Matterhorn, Nemo Subs...

And I would try to hit the ones they both have but DL's is better - Pirates, Small World (think that might be closed for you though), Buzz. Buzz is SO MUCH better at DL.

Kim

 

[HydroGuy]

I think one could easily make a case to spend the whole day at DL or to parkhop. If you parkhop, the primary benefits if you are looking for things at DCA that are different from WDW and cool are:

California Screamin
Monsters Inc
Animation Studios
Grizzly River Run (maybe - it is like Kali but better)
Aladdin show (if you have lots of time and it is showing that day)

I would vote to focus the day on the DL park. But I can understand those who vote to hop. It is not a slam dunk decision.

At the DL park here are things to focus on:

Indiana Jones
Space Mtn (light years better than Space at MK)
POTC (much better than MK)
Matterhorn
Alice in Wonderland
Storybookland Canal Boats
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage (decent - not great)
ToonTown - just walk through it - no need to ride anything except maybe Roger Rabbit
Fantasmic (if you have time and it is showing)

 

[Bama_C]

Thanks all, for your input on this. It may be that we do two days, but I think that if we only do one we'll park hop. I can't imagine not doing Cal Screamin' or Monsters Inc.


Good advice!

 

[S. S. Columbia]

...

For those of you who are very familiar with both WDW and DL, what attractions would you not miss at DL?

...

I would add...

Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough

Enchanted Tiki Room (Under Walt Disney's Management)

It's A Small World Holiday (should be open until Jan. 18)

Pinocchio's Daring Journey (it's not a major attraction, but IMO it's underrated)

The Remember...Dreams Come True fireworks show is on the calendar (link) on Jan. 8, 9, & 10. The Remember fireworks show is not-to-be-missed. If you can see them, try to get a spot in the hub, with a view of both the castle and the Matterhorn.

Try to take the DLRR from the Tomorrowland Station to the Main Street Station, to see the Grand Canyon / Primeval World (dinosaurs) diorama. It's not a major attraction, and it's a bit dated, but IMO it's worth seeing.

FYI, Fantasmic isn't on the calendar after Jan. 3. (It likely won't be back until mid-June.)

Hope this helps.

 

[jlmarr]

Here's another vote for Aladdin. It's in the same neck of the woods as Monsters Inc and the Animation Studios. In the Animation Studios be sure to check out the Toy Story Zoetrope - it's quite mesmerizing.

Unfortunately Haunted Mansion Holiday will be closed starting Jan 4th, but It's A Small World will still be in holiday mode until Jan 18th.

 

[Bama_C]

I have to say, hubby and I tend to love ALL Disney attractions no matter how seemingly dated or "corny." We are just Disney nuts, so we'll want to do as much as we can of what WDW doesn't have.... which pretty much includes all that you mentioned... and also the ones that WDW does have that are special/different. I love how the It's a Small World entrance and theming is outside... I am really looking forward to seeing it in person. And it's fun to know that it will still have Christmas theming. Now, if we can just get all the other travel details worked out.... surfing, surfing, surfiing for just the right flight, hotel, transportation, etc.