DL Newbie, WDW Veteran

[MonorailPilotMulan]

So my fiancee and I will be taking our honeymoon in May to Aulani with a stop over to DL on our way home to Orlando, FL. This will be my very first time at DL and my fiancee's second (his first was in 2006). I would love to hear any tips, advice and overall comments on how to tackle DL when the both of us are WDW babies. We obviously live in Orlando and visit the parks very often on our days off from work. But of course we both work at WDW (Transportation, Entertainment) so it's safe to say that WDW is our home. I know the basic information about DL and we keep up with Disney news (congrats on Star Tours, Mermaid and Disneyland Hotel openings!) but I havent heard much in the way of what to pack that may help, touring strategies and such. As much as we have visited WDW, I've never visited a Disney park and come back to a hotel room, we always just come home. I'd love to hear what anyone has to say! Thank you everyone

 

[Jynxed]

Hydrogen has a sticky DLR for WDW vets ( sorry I can't link from phone). It was very helpful with lots of info for me.

 

[Lucille1963]

How long will you be staying?

I'd definitely recommend the "Walk in Walt's Footsteps" tour if time allows. It offers great insight to the park and why things are the way they are. We loved it!

 

[HydroGuy]

Hydrogen has a sticky DLR for WDW vets ( sorry I can't link from phone). It was very helpful with lots of info for me.

"A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[TeddiBarra]

I'd recommend staying on property- check the Hub but the discounts get rolled out about two months prior at a time, but almost always you can get the CM discount on rooms- which is basically the same type of discounts you see w/WDW but you just can't CONFIRM that rate as far ahead of time. To do almost everything, stay at least 3 full days in the parks. Remember there are three night times things to check out- WOC, F! and Fireworks. If you go in May it will probably be Dreams for fireworks which are awesome.

Oh, also visit the Studios in BURBANK! And the Company D store (it's not actually ON DLR property it's a couple miles away).

Discounts: free rentals/parking (however, I do not think this applies to parking at the disney hotels..which unlike WDW is NOT included in roomrates), it is currently $15/day plus tax (which in Anacrime is 17% right now, for hotel tax). You will get your general A vs B discount and UNLIKE WDW where it is more painful to get the discount on dining, at DLR it's very easy- show your MEP or CM ID and you get your discount - no special times or CM ADRs necessary. Also- even the permanent stands you get your discount too (but not at the moveable carts). Make sure you also check out the MEP blackout dates- there were a fair amount of them in May this year (especially Saturdays), so keep that in mind. PM if you have specific questions.

 

[chigirl]

Being a WDW employee and vet, you may be disappointed. I am a HUGE fan of Walt Disney the man and took my family to DL/DCA 2 weeks ago to celebrate my DD's graduation (she wants to be an animator, so this trip to Walt's park was special). Last time I visited DL was 1995, but we've been to WDW multiple times, always staying onsite.

I knew what I was getting into, that DL is a different experience, but I was really let down. NOT that I didn't have FUN, which I did...but there is a huge something missing. Overall, the castmembers at DL are less friendly than at WDW. I also think the fact that DL/DCA is just in the middle of a suburb really kills it for me. WDW is so isolated, you really feel like you're in another world. I also have to say that the castle stinks. I seriously do not remember it being as tiny and unimpressive in 1995! I truly think if Walt were alive today, he'd want the castle enlarged. The Main Street experience was lacking, too...no streetmosphere characters, etc...no opening show. DL just seems like a really cool theme park and not the magic place WDW is. Maybe I am a dork or old-fashioned, but seeing Mayor Weaver and the other people makes the experience for me at WDW. Even the characters do not act as epic as they do at WDW. Downtown Disney stinks at DL, sorry. I hated the line jumpers...were are the laid-back California people? Too many uptight people who could not wait 10 minutes for a ride...plus I did not like the Asian gangbangers who showed up every night.

Now, not all is doom and gloom. The DL-only stuff rocks: mr. Toad, Matterhorn, the storybook boats, etc. All great. Indiana Jones rocks! Tom Sawyer's island is great! The food is good, too....yummy corn dogs at the red wagon cart, Bengal Barbeque skewers, Mickey beignets....plus we LOVED New Orleans Square, which I kept accidently calling French Quarter because it looks like the resort in WDW. Fantasmic is better at WDW, especially in the premier seating dessert area! California Adventure is fun and the stuff they're building there looks great! WOC is seriously amazing.

I will have to say we will NOT go back to DL....saving our next pot o cash for the WDW fantasyland expansion/Art of Animation resort opening.

 

[pinktink83]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[HydroGuy]

Being a WDW employee and vet, you may be disappointed. I am a HUGE fan of Walt Disney the man and took my family to DL/DCA 2 weeks ago to celebrate my DD's graduation (she wants to be an animator, so this trip to Walt's park was special). Last time I visited DL was 1995, but we've been to WDW multiple times, always staying onsite.

I knew what I was getting into, that DL is a different experience, but I was really let down. NOT that I didn't have FUN, which I did...but there is a huge something missing. Overall, the castmembers at DL are less friendly than at WDW. I also think the fact that DL/DCA is just in the middle of a suburb really kills it for me. WDW is so isolated, you really feel like you're in another world. I also have to say that the castle stinks. I seriously do not remember it being as tiny and unimpressive in 1995! I truly think if Walt were alive today, he'd want the castle enlarged. The Main Street experience was lacking, too...no streetmosphere characters, etc...no opening show. DL just seems like a really cool theme park and not the magic place WDW is. Maybe I am a dork or old-fashioned, but seeing Mayor Weaver and the other people makes the experience for me at WDW. Even the characters do not act as epic as they do at WDW. Downtown Disney stinks at DL, sorry. I hated the line jumpers...were are the laid-back California people? Too many uptight people who could not wait 10 minutes for a ride...plus I did not like the Asian gangbangers who showed up every night.

Now, not all is doom and gloom. The DL-only stuff rocks: mr. Toad, Matterhorn, the storybook boats, etc. All great. Indiana Jones rocks! Tom Sawyer's island is great! The food is good, too....yummy corn dogs at the red wagon cart, Bengal Barbeque skewers, Mickey beignets....plus we LOVED New Orleans Square, which I kept accidently calling French Quarter because it looks like the resort in WDW. Fantasmic is better at WDW, especially in the premier seating dessert area! California Adventure is fun and the stuff they're building there looks great! WOC is seriously amazing.

I will have to say we will NOT go back to DL....saving our next pot o cash for the WDW fantasyland expansion/Art of Animation resort opening.

Thanks for voicing your opinion! It is good to get a healthy range of perspectives! This forum would be a rather boring place it we all agreed on everything.

Just to point out, some of the things you point out as disadvantages of DLR others consider to be advantages. Such as DLR's smaller scale. Some people see the proximity of the parks and hotels at DLR as a huge benefit.

I saw your mini-report but can't remember where you stayed. Did you stay onsite at DLR? Or within walking distance?

Other things you did not mention is how miserable a summer trip to WDW can be but how the weather at DLR is - on average - way, way, WAY better. And how - if you look for it - WDW invests less in maintenance and is more run down looking than DLR. And how you can plan a DLR trip a week in advance and not miss anything, but unless you start 6 months in advance at WDW you will be locked out of certain restaurants because of their ADR system.

And it is funny the things you prefer about WDW over DLR are totally different from the things I prefer. There certainly is room for lots of different perspectives!

 

[Hound 109]

So my fiancee and I will be taking our honeymoon in May to Aulani with a stop over to DL on our way home to Orlando, FL. This will be my very first time at DL and my fiancee's second (his first was in 2006). I would love to hear any tips, advice and overall comments on how to tackle DL when the both of us are WDW babies. We obviously live in Orlando and visit the parks very often on our days off from work. But of course we both work at WDW (Transportation, Entertainment) so it's safe to say that WDW is our home. I know the basic information about DL and we keep up with Disney news (congrats on Star Tours, Mermaid and Disneyland Hotel openings!) but I havent heard much in the way of what to pack that may help, touring strategies and such. As much as we have visited WDW, I've never visited a Disney park and come back to a hotel room, we always just come home. I'd love to hear what anyone has to say! Thank you everyone

Definitely read HG's link above FIRST.


Here was my response to a similar question posted a couple of weeks ago (with some additional info & links):


Good basic info for the first time DLR visitor:

Quote:
If you are a WDW veteran, then here is your primer.....a must read!!:

HydroGuy's DLR for the WDW veteran tip thread. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1478699


Also, lots of good info for the WDW vet in Mary Jo's tip thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=802084


Regarding touring DLR....the two most important things to remember is to:

- Get to the parks BEFORE opening &
- Know how to use FP at DLR.


30 minutes early is typically when security opens (so getting in THIS line 5-15 minutes prior to security opening is best). Being one of the first 8-10 families at Security will get you up front (probably first thru third family) in line at the DL turnstile. Being very near the front of the turnstiles is important (to me) so that:

- For MM I'm first on Peter Pan...if i'm first on PP then the rest of MM flows easily. & even if i'm not doing PP, i would want to be first on Matterhorn...or SM (or whatever) during MM.

"Critique of MM/EE" by Hound 109 www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1392671


- Even on a non MM day, I want to be one of the first few the turnstiles so i can get to SM (or Indy) FP machine first (to start the FP collection clock). Then we'll hop on our first ride a minute or two later & begin the important first 90-120 min. of the day at DLR.



KNOW THESE FP THREADS:

"Getting the Most Out of FastPass During High Season" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885132

"FastPass for Dummies and Smarties - A Photographic Explanation" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1186052

"Which Fast Pass First?" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1107718

"Strategies For Using DL and DCA Opening Time Differences to Collect More Fastpasses"
www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1553197


"Why I Park Hop" http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1491961


If you have kiddos ages 4-11, then Jedi Training is a must:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1478699


Regarding getting to the Security Tent 35-45 min. prior to general admission (or MM) opening.....in other words... 5-15 min before SECURITY opens:

The one time that I strolled up 5 min. before MM opening (instead of arriving 35 minutes before opening), I was way back (40-50 families back) at the turnstiles when i walked up. 2-3 rides could have been ridden by the time I've made it thru the turnstiles 10-12 min. after opening.

Plus there's lots to do while you wait the 30 min.... Pics to take, maps (& touring plans) to study, sunscreen to put on, McBreakfasts to munch on, people watching to do, talking to others in line who are as pumped up as you.

Have a great time planning a visit to Walt's Park!

 

[Hound 109]

Being a WDW employee and vet, you may be disappointed. I am a HUGE fan of Walt Disney the man and took my family to DL/DCA 2 weeks ago to celebrate my DD's graduation (she wants to be an animator, so this trip to Walt's park was special). Last time I visited DL was 1995, but we've been to WDW multiple times, always staying onsite.

I knew what I was getting into, that DL is a different experience, but I was really let down. NOT that I didn't have FUN, which I did...but there is a huge something missing.

Humidity? 100 degree days? Long bus rides?

Overall, the castmembers at DL are less friendly than at WDW.

I'm thinking the new attraction openings might have everyone a little stressed. I've been to DLR & WDW over 5 times each, & find the CMs pretty similar.

I also think the fact that DL/DCA is just in the middle of a suburb really kills it for me. WDW is so isolated, you really feel like you're in another world.

That you have to stand in 15 min. bus lines & ride buses to get to different parts of "another world".

I also have to say that the castle stinks. I seriously do not remember it being as tiny and unimpressive in 1995!

It's the perfect size. Any bigger & it would overwhelm & detract from Main Street of Marceline Mo.

I truly think if Walt were alive today, he'd want the castle enlarged. The Main Street experience was lacking, too...no streetmosphere characters, etc...no opening show. DL just seems like a really cool theme park and not the magic place WDW is.

Lots of magic in Walt's park. Really.....it's a long list of items.

Maybe I am a dork or old-fashioned, but seeing Mayor Weaver and the other people makes the experience for me at WDW.

But WDW doesn't have Oscar....or Walt's apt. etc. etc. etc.

Even the characters do not act as epic as they do at WDW. Downtown Disney stinks at DL, sorry.

DTD is a PAIN at WDW.....don't need to ride a stinkin' bus to enjoy 30-60 min. of DTD at DLR.

I hated the line jumpers...were are the laid-back California people? Too many uptight people who could not wait 10 minutes for a ride...plus I did not like the Asian gangbangers who showed up every night.

I'll take Asian gangbangers (really??....asian bangers?) over Brazillian youth groups.



Now, not all is doom and gloom. The DL-only stuff rocks: mr. Toad, Matterhorn, the storybook boats, etc. All great. Indiana Jones rocks! Tom Sawyer's island is great!

You forgot Pinocchio, Alice, Screamin', Monster's Inc., Griz Rapids, etc. etc.

The food is good, too....yummy corn dogs at the red wagon cart, Bengal Barbeque skewers, Mickey beignets....plus we LOVED New Orleans Square, which I kept accidently calling French Quarter because it looks like the resort in WDW. Fantasmic is better at WDW, especially in the premier seating dessert area! California Adventure is fun and the stuff they're building there looks great! WOC is seriously amazing.

I will have to say we will NOT go back to DL....saving our next pot o cash for the WDW fantasyland expansion/Art of Animation resort opening.

Yep...the castle is tiny (but the perfect size). HG is more diplomatic than i am....I'll take Walt's park over the resort in the swamp any day.

 

[GrandBob]

Thanks for voicing your opinion! It is good to get a healthy range of perspectives! This forum would be a rather boring place it we all agreed on everything.

Just to point out, some of the things you point out as disadvantages of DLR others consider to be advantages. Such as DLR's smaller scale. Some people see the proximity of the parks and hotels at DLR as a huge benefit.

I saw your mini-report but can't remember where you stayed. Did you stay onsite at DLR? Or within walking distance?

Other things you did not mention is how miserable a summer trip to WDW can be but how the weather at DLR is - on average - way, way, WAY better. And how - if you look for it - WDW invests less in maintenance and is more run down looking than DLR. And how you can plan a DLR trip a week in advance and not miss anything, but unless you start 6 months in advance at WDW you will be locked out of certain restaurants because of their ADR system.

And it is funny the things you prefer about WDW over DLR are totally different from the things I prefer. There certainly is room for lots of different perspectives!

Hydroguy, you're being much more patient and accepting of these comments than I would. I salute you. Personally, I think that it's a case of a WDWer coming to DLR with a chip on her shoulder. We all know about WDWers going to DLR, or DLRers going to WDW, expecting the "other" park to be just like the one they're used to. And they're not the same! They're different, with each having advantages and disadvantages.

Still, I find the comments curious. Many of the points she makes are usually quoted in the opposite direction:

- While I've certainly seen claims in both directions, most folks will agree that the CMs at DLR are friendlier and more knowledgeable than the ones at WDW. However, this is likely to depend on who you've run into at each park. Certainly, CMs have a bad day at both locations.

- Line jumping can be a problem at both parks. But to anyone claiming it's worse at DLR, I have only one thing to say: Brazilian tour groups. 'Nuff said.

Chigirl, I hope you come back to Walt's park with a more open mind, and give it another chance.

But please, to quote another DISer from the left side of the boards, "Hands off our Castle!"

-Bob

ETA - Hound, you beat me to it again! Even got in the Brazilian tour group thing.

 

[Hound 109]

Bob...every diser who enjoys either (or both) resorts should experience several thousand vacationing brazilians at least once in their life....just for a reference point.

 

[TeddiBarra]

Just to clarify re: dining...in DL you get a discount on both QA and TS locations.

 

[KCmike]

Just the opposite of another poster from above.

We were WDW vets and now we have become Disneyland purists for sure. We just came back From WDW and we're totally disappointed after visiting DL so much. It lacked so much emotion and spirit of Walt. My kids even told me how much they missed DL. Have fun and be prepared to get hooked. It truly is amazing. I let others pipe in now.

 

[MenchieMan87]

I disagree with anyone and everyone who says WDW regulars will be disappointed by Disneyland. I grew up going to WDW every few years (I'm from the east coast) and am now a proud Disneyland Annual Passholder. Here's my recommendation for a WDWr's first time at the original Magic Kingdom:

Don't Miss:

Matterhorn Bobsleds
Storybook Land Canal Boats
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride (if you miss it as much as I did!)
Alice in Wonderland
Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye
Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin
Space Mountain (it's different/better)
Mark Twain Riverboat (or Sailing Ship Columbia)

If you have time:

Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters (if you like it in WDW, you'll love it here)
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage (Not as good as Epcot's ride, but it's cool to be in the submarines if you're not claustrophobic)
Disneyland Monorail (round trip, or FROM Downtown TO Disneyland. When the Monorail first opened it only had one stop so it does a fun 'tour' of the kingdom that way.)
Casey Jr. Circus Train
Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room
Disneyland Railroad (if you're nerdy enough to enjoy being on Walt's original railroad)
Fantasmic (the show isn't as good as WDW, but the way they do it is very cool)

As far as California Adventure is concerned, you could skip it and be just fine, but if you do go be sure to check out:

Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!
California Screamin'
The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure (if you want to ride it before WDW!)
World of Color (very cool show, but you need a fastpass to get anything out of it. I recommend the picnic meals.)
The Bakery Tour (it's quick, strange, and you get free bread!)
Also, there is a building in the Hollywood area dedicated to Animation. It's a lot of stuff copied straight from WDW, but there is something in there called the Toy Story Zoetrope which is very worth checking out. When I brought my brother to DL/DCA for the first time he said it was his favorite thing at either park!

 

[MonorailPilotMulan]

Thank you so much to everyone's opinions and comments. I am very VERY excited to experience Walt's park. I do very much love and adore WDW, I know just as well that it has its flaws. Waiting in bus lines in 100 degree weather and taking at least 30 minutes to get between parks is all I've ever known, even if I use the buses to get to work more than anything else I'm looking forward to a change of pace. From talking to my fiancee, he says that Main Street is about half the size, plays the same music and Cast Members wear different costumes (which will bother the heck out of me as I can typically tell where a CM works by theie costume). It will certainly be strange to be there and have so many things be similar and yet so much be different. I can't wait! I will certainly need to have the camcorder running while we step into Main Street for the first time together

Thank you all again!

 

[Hound 109]

Thank you so much to everyone's opinions and comments. I am very VERY excited to experience Walt's park. I do very much love and adore WDW, I know just as well that it has its flaws. Waiting in bus lines in 100 degree weather and taking at least 30 minutes to get between parks is all I've ever known, even if I use the buses to get to work more than anything else I'm looking forward to a change of pace. From talking to my fiancee, he says that Main Street is about half the size, plays the same music and Cast Members wear different costumes (which will bother the heck out of me as I can typically tell where a CM works by theie costume). It will certainly be strange to be there and have so many things be similar and yet so much be different. I can't wait! I will certainly need to have the camcorder running while we step into Main Street for the first time together Thank you all again!

Just remember that when you "step into Main Street" with your camcorder.....you WON'T see the castle (or barely see it). Seriously.....so don't bother looking for it.

Point the camcorder over towards Sleeping Beauty's Castle when you get to the partner's Castle (after you've left 1890s Main St.).....then point towards the Matterhorn next.

Have a great time.