DL vs. WDW comments

[RweTHEREyet]

I have thoroughly enjoyed this thread. We will be making our first trip to DL in 2010 after making more trips than I can remember to WDW. I had planned on coming here and asking those that have been to both about the differences I might find. I can't imagine trying to compare the two, but there have to be obvious differences. One of the things I am most looking forward to is better weather and hopefully, lower humidity.

I have to say that after reading some DL trip reports, it seems that folks still have a strategy and try to make the most of early entry, and I guess with the DL Resort being smaller, I wasn't really expecting that. I had it in my head that it would be a much more laid back experience and not as much need to really "plan" the trip. Guess I am kind of naive as far as DL is concerned.

 

[HydroGuy]

I have to say that after reading some DL trip reports, it seems that folks still have a strategy and try to make the most of early entry, and I guess with the DL Resort being smaller, I wasn't really expecting that. I had it in my head that it would be a much more laid back experience and not as much need to really "plan" the trip. Guess I am kind of naive as far as DL is concerned.

I think it depends highly on the individual. I hear some people talk about DLR being more slow paced, but that is not true for us. For us DLR is always a sprint for 2-3 days. We typically dspend 11-12 hours of each day inside the parks at DLR. Since our two WDW trips have been so long (both 10 days) we feel like we have more time and take it much slower there - more like a marathon. We tend to spend 5-8 hours per day inside the parks at WDW but do spend more time outside dining, water parks, etc. I would not generalize that one resort is faster or slower than the other. It depends highly on your comfort level, how you tour and how much time you have.

 

[tksbaskets]

I think it depends highly on the individual. I hear some people talk about DLR being more slow paced, but that is not true for us. For us DLR is always a sprint for 2-3 days. We typically dspend 11-12 hours of each day inside the parks at DLR. Since our two WDW trips have been so long (both 10 days) we feel like we have more time and take it much slower there - more like a marathon. We tend to spend 5-8 hours per day inside the parks at WDW but do spend more time outside dining, water parks, etc. I would not generalize that one resort is faster or slower than the other. It depends highly on your comfort level, how you tour and how much time you have.

Very good observations. It is an individual choice how you approach a trip to Disney. I always say we're going to be more relaxed and then the thrill of the fast-pass hunt hits my family and we usually wake up early and hit the parks like a military campaign.

I loved your reports on DL Paris and the Disney resort in Japan. They both made for a very enjoyable Sunday morning. Much better than reading the news paper. LOVED the great pictures!

TK

 

[d1gitman]

We have worked on our approach to WDW over the years, getting to that point where it is very laid back for us yet we see and do most everything each trip. We are not rope drop people at all! However, with DL we did rope drop the first two days. It was less crowded in the AM and we did get a good amount of attractions in. On day 3 we did DCA at their opening (10am). Day 4 we did DCA at 10:30am - 1:00pm and then went over to DL. Day 4 was Wed, Nov 25th and was definitely crowded but we noticed the lines still weren't crazy long waits like we expected. We were very surprised on all 4 days how manageable the crowds were and with the fast passes, it was easy to navigate. We definitely liked the fast passing better than at WDW. In the future, we won't worry about rope drop at DL as we found the lines to be very manageable throughout the day.

 

[d1gitman]

On a different note, the one thing that did annoy us was at DCA. the two mornings we were there at opening, several attractions and shops were not up and running within the first 30min of opening. We thought it to be a bit weak that all rides and shops were not ready at opening (pending any unforseen technical difficulties). Rides that were down that we are talking about are California Screamin, Grizzly River Run, Camp Redwood, the store at GRR.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

We have worked on our approach to WDW over the years, getting to that point where it is very laid back for us yet we see and do most everything each trip. We are not rope drop people at all! However, with DL we did rope drop the first two days. It was less crowded in the AM and we did get a good amount of attractions in. On day 3 we did DCA at their opening (10am). Day 4 we did DCA at 10:30am - 1:00pm and then went over to DL. Day 4 was Wed, Nov 25th and was definitely crowded but we noticed the lines still weren't crazy long waits like we expected. We were very surprised on all 4 days how manageable the crowds were and with the fast passes, it was easy to navigate. We definitely liked the fast passing better than at WDW. In the future, we won't worry about rope drop at DL as we found the lines to be very manageable throughout the day.

Thanks, I appreciated your observations. We will probably do rope drop at least the first day just because we won't be able to contain ourselves. We will be in Anaheim for 7 or 8 days, staying at VGC for 5 days (Sun-Thurs) and not sure where we will be staying day of arrival and then the three nights at the tail end of the trip. Not sure we will be in the parks all 5 days, but I think we will have enough time to do everything.

 

[Dizneydaz]

I love both WDW and DLR for different reasons, like many who have posted here.

DLR has my heart. We have AP and go as often as we can. When we are there we take our time, aren't there for just the rides, and experience the feel of DLR. DL beats MK, hands down. I also like DCA the way it is (well, without all the constuction walls.) but I'm sure I'll like when it's finished. Except for the crowds that is.

Our favorite parks at WDW are AK and EPCOT. We spend very little time at MK, since DL has more, and is better. But our absolute favorite park(s) are the waterparks. Last trip we spent 2 days at TL and 1 at BB. Usually we spend one day at each but the extra day at TL was great!

The weather at WDW can be a problem. However, we go in Sept., expect it to be hot and rainy, and if it's not, so much the better. This year we only had one day of rain in 11 days. We don't do June-Aug. in WDW-it's just too hot.

Oh, and at DLR you can experience all the magic of Christmas, without having to pay extra for a hard ticketed event (MVMCP). Of course, you do have to deal with the massive crowds, which is where DL beats MK-boy can DL get packed! Standing room only. and don't try to leave the park right after the fireworks.

 

[kikiq]

Oh, and at DLR you can experience all the magic of Christmas, without having to pay extra for a hard ticketed event (MVMCP). Of course, you do have to deal with the massive crowds, which is where DL beats MK-boy can DL get packed! Standing room only. and don't try to leave the park right after the fireworks.

It is standing room only. And sometimes I think staying onsite is worth it when we have to go home after the fireworks and brave the traffic out of the parking structure and that's once you decide whether you want to wait for the tram OR walk. But it is such a small price to pay to be able to go whenever we want as AP holders. Planning to go in the next week to shop and in 2 weeks to take my grand daughter.

 

[Judy from Boise]

well, there is nice sitting if you watch from Small world plaza, we really like to watch from the steps.