DLR Can't miss attractions?

[RickNJane]

So question to all DLR regulars. It has been 25 years or so since DW and I made the trip to DLR. We leave in 16 days!!!! This is an adult trip. ( Telling the Grandkids it is a Fact Finding Mission! )

We plan on hitting our old favorites and OG attractions, but what would you suggest as can't or shouldn't miss? Downtown Disney is completely different as is CA. We will be there for 6 nights at VDH.

We are not buying any Lightning Lane products and plan on riding Standby only.

Thanks!

 

[irlandaise]

Have you been to WDW in the interim? Our recommendations will be different if you've done certain rides there already.

 

[RickNJane]

Have you been to WDW in the interim? Our recommendations will be different if you've done certain rides there already.

YUP. Last WDW trip was December 2023. We have 2 more tips to WDW this year (plus a UOR). Hope to make VDH more often as it is a real easy and much cheaper flight.

 

[LKing]

I'll start by sharing BrianL's list of differences between the two parks.

DL Exclusive Attractions:
Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye (uses same ride system as DINOSAUR at AK)
Snow White's Enchanted Wish
Pinocchio's Daring Journey
Mister Toad's Wild Ride
Casey Jr. Circus Train
Storybook Land Canal Boats
Alice in Wonderland
Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough
Roger Rabbit's Car-Toon Spin
Chip & Dale's Gadget Coaster
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
The Matterhorn (note this uses the same ride system as Space Mountain at MK)
Space Mountain (same theme but completely different ride)

DL Similar but not exactly the same:
Enchanted Tiki Room - longer show
Pirates of the Caribbean - longer with more show scenes
Haunted Mansion - even without the Nightmare overlay it is slightly different
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Big Thunder Mountain - some additional effects and scenery
Autopia - much longer than the Tomorrowland Speedway, but basically the same
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters - removable laser blasters make it a little better

DL Exactly (or basically) the same:
Peter Pan's Flight - technically some minor differences
Dumbo
King Aruthur Carousel
Milennium Falcon: Smugglers Run - all of Galaxy's Edge is practically identical
Rise of the Resistance
Mad Tea Party
Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway - The queue is very different and cool
Star Tours
Astro Orbitor - though at ground level

CA Exclusive Attractions:
Monsters Inc. Mike & Sully to the Rescue
Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout - based on Tower of Terror, though the DL version works a little differently
WEB Slingers
Radiator Springs Racers - this is like a massively bigger Test Track
Luigi's Rollicking Roadsters
Incredicoaster
Inside-Out Emotional Whirlwind
Silly Symphony Swings - though this is an off-the shelf "wave swinger" ride
Jumpin' Jellyfish
Golden Zephyr
Goofy's Sky School

CA Similar but not exactly the same:
Mater's Junkyard Jamboree - the same as Alien Swirling Saucers
Grizzly River Run - longer version of Kali River Rapids - definitely a wet ride!

CA Exactly (or basically) the same:
Mickey's Philharmagic! - smaller screen though
Turtle Talk with Crush
Ariel's Undersea Adventure - same as Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid
Jessie's Critter Carousel
Soarin' - though note during the Food & Wine Festival, they run it with the original Sorain' over California, in which case it is a must do!


I'll add that Food & Wine starts on Feb 28 this year. Lines to see the original Soarin will be much longer than normal. The first few days of your trip will be Soarin over the World. On the 28th, it changes to Soarin over California. They give out clementines to guests riding on the 28th.

Brian L made this list before Tiana's opened at Disneyland. I would put that in the "similar but not exactly the same" category. It is often a very wet ride. Make sure you have shoe coverings and a poncho.

 

[wendlle]

Everything LOL
All the rides IMO are better than their WDW counterparts.
I'm not sure how many park days you have but with 6 nights you'll be able to do everything multiple times.

 

[LKing]

Downtown Disney is completely different as is CA.

Downtown Disney is quite a bit smaller than Disney Springs. You will walk through DTD as you walk from the Disneyland Hotel (DLH) to the parks.

For a 6 day trip, I would encourage you to do park hoppers. At WDW, the parks are a trek from each other. At DLR, they are <100 feet from turnstile to turnstile.

 

[RickNJane]

Everything LOL
All the rides IMO are better than their WDW counterparts.
I'm not sure how many park days you have but with 6 nights you'll be able to do everything multiple times.

That is kinda what we were thinking . However, just wanted to check the wisdom of the boards to be sure! We are very excited to get back the Original. My first trip was in the mid 1960's in a family road trip from Texas. I was hooked. Since then we went late durning 1990's with my kids. Always stayed at DLH. Became a WDW family with DVC purchase 1997. Now we have DVC at DLR! Can't wait to start a new tradition of shorter more often stays with the Grandkids at the place where it all started. Ok maybe sneak in an adult trip or two .

 

[Pluto468]

I agree with everyone else that you should do everything
Have a great time!

 

[Kit Jackson]

Not trying to pry, just seeking information that will be helpful in making recommendations. Any issues with simulators or roller coasters? (I like simulators, but I'm a ride coward who won't do the Mountains, so no judgement. It's just about likes/dislikes/preferences).

Radiator Springs may be one of the greatest accomplishments in the U.S Disney Parks. It is absolute pure magic, especially at night when the neon lights are on, and while I have not seen it, being there for the Sh-Boom moment is on my bucket list. Radiator Springs Racers is awesome daytime or nighttime. (It is also pretty much my limit for thrill rides; I did say I was a ride coward).

 

[Jawwdoc]

DL - Fantasyland is the OG and IMHO far superior to MK @ WDW. All the mountains are classic and different than their WDW counterparts. DCA - GotG, RSR and Incredicoaster are unique and fun if you enjoy thrill rides. The theming in Cars Land is top notch especially at night, including the “Sha-boom” moment at sunset when the fluorescent lights get turned on. Soarin - California version is unique and available for a limited time during Food and Wine festival. Have a great trip!

 

[RickNJane]

Not trying to pry, just seeking information that will be helpful in making recommendations. Any issues with simulators or roller coasters? (I like simulators, but I'm a ride coward who won't do the Mountains, so no judgement. It's just about likes/dislikes/preferences).

Radiator Springs may be one of the greatest accomplishments in the U.S Disney Parks. It is absolute pure magic, especially at night when the neon lights are on, and while I have not seen it, being there for the Sh-Boom moment is on my bucket list. Radiator Springs Racers is awesome daytime or nighttime. (It is also pretty much my limit for thrill rides; I did say I was a ride coward).

Thanks! There was a time when there were not rides that were high or fast enough for us. Now, not so much. Really like the smoother rides such as 7 dwarfs at WDW now days. However that being said, Matterhorn, Tiana's, and Space Mountain are definitely on the list. I am also looking forward to RSR!

 

[RickNJane]

DL - Fantasyland is the OG and IMHO far superior to MK @ WDW. All the mountains are classic and different than their WDW counterparts. DCA - GotG, RSR and Incredicoaster are unique and fun if you enjoy thrill rides. The theming in Cars Land is top notch especially at night, including the “Sha-boom” moment at sunset when the fluorescent lights get turned on. Soarin - California version is unique and available for a limited time during Food and Wine festival. Have a great trip!

Nice. Thanks! We are really looking forward to it! I think we will skip Incredicoaster this trip. It made me sick 20 odd times years ago, don't think my equilibrium has improved!

 

[starry_solo]

Mr. Toads wild ride, because where else can you go to hell in a Disney theme park?