DL Observations from a WDW Vet

[Diznygrl]

Southern California generally doesn't have to deal with the type of weather that exists in Florida...it rains, but not very often...the weather is mostly beautiful year round. That would explain why there are more outdoor eateries and open air attractions at DL than at WDW, which faces oppressive heat and torrential downpours on a regular basis!

 

[Amommy21]

In response (your observations in bold, then my respnse)....

~~I thought I was prepared I was just the opposite the first time at WDW, not necessarily about the castle, but everything I had a really hard time getting over how big it was and felt overwhelmed. I personally prefer the charm of DL and would choose it over WDW any day.

~~The DL Cast Members are far friendlier i don't remember noticing a difference, but again, maybe because WDW is so much bigger the staff isn't as cozy with eaachother and customers...

~~Tickets appeared to be available only at the Parks. Yes, you can get tickets at your hotel or pick them up if you ordered them as part of a package anyway. ANd themonoral not having a ticket booth, well It wasn't meant as a regular entrance into the park. In fact it used to stop IN on of the DLHotel buildings... it was meant to be sort of like the private Grand entrance... I do love it if you have your tickets ready to go and the once time it was down when we were visiting I was totally put out!

~~Villas at the Grand CalifornianI just love everything at the Grand. it's our favorite place to say and so nice to just wake up and be there at the parks already isn't it.

~~Because it was raining really hard, a lot of stuff was shut down, including the monorail. No food kiosk's were open, I hadn't thought baout that before, but yeah, much of the food at DL is outdoor seating... because it's just about always blue skies this has never been a problem. We have even been there in the rain a few times and usually go in january and ususally don't even get wet because it isn't pouring! But the year we went to WDW we got SOAKED on our last day and felt the same way. Hope next time you get to enjoy the sun.

~~DL and California Adventure are easier to do than WDW. Once you get there, you are there, no major decisions on transportation on how to get somewhere else. You do not waste a lot of your day getting from one Park to another. This is why DL is so charming to us... I feel like WDW is just bigger, which means longer walks, mor stoller parking, just more empty space... I like the compactness of DL and much prefer it. I also love just being right there, parkk hopping or going back to the hotel for a bit if needed and not missing 1/2 a day working out transportation.



~~Que lines are much narrower for the original attractions. Small enough to make you literally single file. Not a problem, just a surprise. The most noticeable to me was Peter Pan, which is better at DL, imho. Again, my favorite part of DL. I think just about any duplicate ride was better in DL.... and part of tha tis the small que and how cozy it is.


~~WOD is the only option for Disney merchandise in DTD. At WDW, it is nice to have the Christmas store, the kitchen store, Goofys Candy Company and the Art of Disney, among others to find specific merchandise. It was surprising to see stores such as Sephora in DTD. because I am not a typical Disney freak I just LOVE this part of DTD... it's my treat too get to run into sephora, and we of course love the lego store, etc...

 

[nunzia]

<<<~~I was surprised that there was no Ghiradelli at DTD--not that the stores should be the same as at WDW, but since Ghiradelli originates in CA, I was just sort of expecting one. >>>>
Excellent point! C'mon Disney, bring on a Ghiradellis!
It is really too bad you were there during the rare rain issues. I've been there on normal rainy days and everything clicked along just fine..I would agree that the mass of construction walls is a distraction in both parks, but very glad they are there for all the goodies being added. Although in DL it's just a refurb, so not as exciting at all.

I'm a little confused about your lobby statement for the villas..I haven't been since they opened, but aren't the villas pretty well integrated into the hotel and wouldn't the hotel lobby also be considered the Villas lobby?

 

[RweTHEREyet]

<<<~~I was surprised that there was no Ghiradelli at DTD--not that the stores should be the same as at WDW, but since Ghiradelli originates in CA, I was just sort of expecting one. >>>>
Excellent point! C'mon Disney, bring on a Ghiradellis!
It is really too bad you were there during the rare rain issues. I've been there on normal rainy days and everything clicked along just fine..I would agree that the mass of construction walls is a distraction in both parks, but very glad they are there for all the goodies being added. Although in DL it's just a refurb, so not as exciting at all.

I'm a little confused about your lobby statement for the villas..I haven't been since they opened, but aren't the villas pretty well integrated into the hotel and wouldn't the hotel lobby also be considered the Villas lobby?

Well, based on the DVC villas at WDW that are attached to hotels, there is usually a lobby area of some sort, not for check-in but with seating, etc. Once you enter the BCV building, there are two lovely rooms for waiting for other guests, or just taking a break or whatever. Nice seating, lovely decor, television, etc. WLV has the same and even BLT has a small lobby area downstairs. All I saw at GCV was a foyer type room where you caught the elevator, no plush seating, etc. Once again, I don't know if we took the shortest route and there may be another entrance to the Villas that is more nicely appointed than the one we used. But I was surprised that the entry way to the Villas was not much bigger than the studio we stayed in. Again, just an observation, no big deal.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

I have contrary opinions about food at WDW and DL. I Much prefer the food at DLR, because of their variety of good CS restaurants, and a focus on alfresco dining. Very little of the CS food at WDW is fresh and tasty, while I find that to be the norm at DLR.

this is a general comment, I understand the poor OP didn't have a chance to sample and see!


I am glad you will have an opportunity to return in May!

Thanks, me too. While we got to enjoy a good number of the rides without any crowds, it appears we missed a lot of the true charm and quaintness of DL because of the weather.

 

[quantumottle]

Great observations I must say, very nice job. Unfortunately, you missed two of of the top things to do at DLR (Remember, Dreams Come True, and the Aladdin show). Hopefully you'll get to enjoy them both when you return in May. There is no show at any park in WDW anywhere near the caliber of Aladdin, it will impress you. And as for RDCT, it has ruined Wishes for me, you won't believe how different a fireworks show can be at two Disney parks.

Enjoy!

 

[HydroGuy]

Great observations I must say, very nice job. Unfortunately, you missed two of of the top things to do at DLR (Remember, Dreams Come True, and the Aladdin show). Hopefully you'll get to enjoy them both when you return in May. There is no show at any park in WDW anywhere near the caliber of Aladdin, it will impress you. And as for RDCT, it has ruined Wishes for me, you won't believe how different a fireworks show can be at two Disney parks.

Enjoy!

Totally agree. Aladdin is better than any WDW stage show and RDCT - when it is showing - is simply the best Disney fireworks show ever.

 

[Grumpygrandpa]

With my son now living in OC, I imagine I will have more trips to DL each year than I will to WDW, something I never thought would would be the case.

Looks like there might be an VGC add on in your future!

 

[TangaroaTiki]

You will walk in and say "it's the same, but different." When you walk under the train station and round the bend, you will notice that there is no "forced perspective" looking down either direction of Main Street. There is enough similar that when you get to the end of Main Street, you will want to know where Casey's is, and then when you pass thru the castle and look to the left, you can't find Mickey's Philharmagic. It is so strange to have so much make you feel that you are in the MK, and then things are just not like you left them. It is also hard to get used to not knowing just where everything is. On the flip side, if you go to WDW as often as we do, it is nice to have a change.

EXACTLY how I felt...I'm in the MK, but everything is not where it's supposed to be I even had trouble finding my way around with the map!

Can't wait to go back though

 

[franandaj]

~~They don't know how to make biscuits out there. We ate breakfast at White Water snacks and then the next day we had breakfast at Storyteller's and the biscuits were absolutely tasteless and hard like hockey pucks--just awful. Of course, I understand they are just learning about sweet tea there, so maybe in a few more years they will know what a real biscuit is. Wonder if all of Cali is like that, or jut DL?

Biscuits have never been good out here! However, we do make a mean burrito!

~~There are like two sit-down places to eat and that is all, the Plaza, not like the one at WDW, and the Blue Bayou. Food options are not nearly as plentiful at DL as they are at WDW. We ended up eating at the Plaza, and it did not open until Noon. I am sure the rain had a lot to do with it, but the lack of food options really surprised me.

There is also Cafe Orleans, The French Market (sort of), Rancho Zocala & Carnation, but because of the rain you're right, they are closed. I found that with respect to CS restaurants the food at DL was far superior to MK. When we were there in Jan, I wanted to eat something besides, Pizza, Burgers, or Rotisserie Chicken. We ate a CHH one day, but ended up at Cosmic Ray's the second. I wanted something interesting like the Bengal BBQ or the Gumbo Bowl.

~~Rain is definitely an issue out there. It has no where to go, no huge drains, etc., and the Cast Members were out with huge brooms, pushing the water off the streets into the small drains they do have. Rain to them is like snow in our area--it shuts them down.

Just think if you tried to go out into the real world! I was lucky enough to be in WDW that week, but kept watching on the news how the houses were sliding off the hills and flash floods were occurring. You are right SoCal was built like a desert community that gets 10 inches of rain a year and I think some places got that much in one day that week! Everywhere was flooded from what I heard from friends and the news. I hope you'll be coming back when the weather is better.

~~DL and California Adventure are easier to do than WDW. Once you get there, you are there, no major decisions on transportation on how to get somewhere else. You do not waste a lot of your day getting from one Park to another.

I love WDW, don't get wrong, but I think this is the biggest charm of our "little parks". You can go from one to the other very easily, if you stay at GCV you can get wet on Grizzly Rapids and go to the room and change. It's easy to take a break in the room, and I can't wait to get a Paradise Pier view room!

You will walk in and say "it's the same, but different." When you walk under the train station and round the bend, you will notice that there is no "forced perspective" looking down either direction of Main Street. There is enough similar that when you get to the end of Main Street, you will want to know where Casey's is, and then when you pass thru the castle and look to the left, you can't find Mickey's Philharmagic. It is so strange to have so much make you feel that you are in the MK, and then things are just not like you left them. It is also hard to get used to not knowing just where everything is. On the flip side, if you go to WDW as often as we do, it is nice to have a change.

Funny I walk down Main Street in MK and ask, "Where is the Disneyana store?", "What happened to the Plaza Inn?", when we were in the MK in Jan, I wanted to ride Space Mtn so we turned right into Tomorrowland, and my DP starts to veer off to the right, "I asked where are you going? It's on the left and straight ahead! "

Thanks for your observations and not criticism, so often those who are WDW Veterans remind me of Texans, "Bigger is Better"! I love the DLR even when it was just the one park, now that it has expanded it's even more fun. I've been coming here for over thirty years and it never loses it's charm!

 

[iheartdisney]

You will walk in and say "it's the same, but different." When you walk under the train station and round the bend, you will notice that there is no "forced perspective" looking down either direction of Main Street. There is enough similar that when you get to the end of Main Street, you will want to know where Casey's is, and then when you pass thru the castle and look to the left, you can't find Mickey's Philharmagic. It is so strange to have so much make you feel that you are in the MK, and then things are just not like you left them. It is also hard to get used to not knowing just where everything is. On the flip side, if you go to WDW as often as we do, it is nice to have a change.

After 2 years in california with an AP, we went to WDW...I remember standing in the middle of Tomorrowland completely confused, because I couldn't find Star Tours...until my mom reminded me it was in another park completely! And my DS4 asking what they did with the Matterhorn!

ITA about Peter Pan- for me, the biggest difference is that WDW's version doesn't have the star field as you are flying over London. All of the "repeat" rides in WDW just seem like cardboard cutouts of DL's rides.

The Pizza Port in Tomorrowland is my favorite CS resturaunt- it is indoors, and the kids get their spegetti and pizza, but I go for the salads...they always hit the spot!

 

[Huff]

When you walk under the train station and round the bend, you will notice that there is no "forced perspective" looking down either direction of Main Street..

There is forced perspective at Disneyland. The buildings at the castle end of main street are slightly smaller, windows are smaller etc. Main street itself is narrower at the castle end.

 

[jimreuter]

Quote"~~The DL Cast Members are far friendlier, in my opinion, than those at WDW. I wore my birthday button, and I got a Happy Birthday from almost every CM we encountered. And any time we asked a question, we got a smile and helpful information, over and above what we asked."

Thank you. Disneyland is (in my experience) the friendliest place on earth. The rain during your visit was way beyond reasonable for SoCal. We're much better when the sun is shining (which is almost all the time).

I hope you get to come back and see us again, without the rain.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

I never revisted this post after our return trip in May (sans rain). Things were a lot different this time. Lots more people, more places to eat. We loved having a longer stay at VGC, loved the convenience of walking into CA from the hotel.

~We ate at Blue Bayou and enjoyed it tremendously.

~Also enjoyed Naples at DTD, enough so we ate pizza there two nights in a row.

~Did the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour, which we enjoyed, along with the lunch provided.

~Dessert seating at Fantasmic, worth the money to do it once, but won't do it again for a while, only because of the sticker shock.

~Loved Carnation Cafe's potato soup--yummo

~Breakfast at Storytellers on two mornings, just delightful, love the decor, the characters and very good food. How Nice to have both menu and buffet options.

~Left a jacket behind one day and it showed up at Lost and Found--would have never gotten it back at WDW.

~Absolutely loved the Aladdin show in CA, had preferred seating, but would gladly wait in the line to see this show again.


We have a return visit coming up this October, and there are still things we have yet to do. We may try Napa Rose, considering the Halloween party (which I understand is very scaled down compared to WDW), definitely want to see WOC--just not sure which meal option to go with. Haven't really figured out anything other than the room, VGC again, and flights. The rest is still a blank canvas at this point. Suggestions are welcome.

 

[tkitty]

Thank you OP for updating! I'm glad you could enjoy DL without treading water. We were there in May also, and had a great trip. Weather, crowds and all was great. Also few closures. Just got back from a super quicky trip, only about 3 hrs in DL, it was sort of a surprize. We hit a few favorites, and had a blast, then headed to DCL to do the same before WOC. Any time spent there is worthwhile!