DLR Newbies!

[PixyDst]

My husband and I are SO excited for our first trip to DLR in October for our wedding anniversary. But...we are die hard WDW loyalists, so we don't know what to expect with DLR.

I've done quite a bit of research on the rides and the two parks, and the differences. We're staying at a Good Neighbor Hotel, and taking the Motorcoach from the airport to the resort area. We are spending 4 days at the parks. Some questions though...

1) Is the Motorcoach the same as Magical Express?
2) What are your recommended DO NOT MISS experiences?
3) Any tips for things to bring/things to skip that would be different from WDW?

Thanks a million!

 

[figment_jii]

1) Is the Motorcoach the same as Magical Express?

Unfortunately, DLR doesn't have anything like Magical Express. There are several transportation options from area airports to DLR, but none are owned/operated by Disney:
https://disneyland.disney.go.com/guest-services/transportation/

2) What are your recommended DO NOT MISS experiences?
3) Any tips for things to bring/things to skip that would be different from WDW?

I highly recommend taking a look at HydroGuy's A DLR Guide for WDW Vets as a good starting place. It'll help give you a sense of the similarities and differences between the two resorts.

If you go in October, HalloweenTime should be in full swing. In general, there isn't a lot of Halloween decor throughout the resort, but there should be some in DL and DTD (based on the recent past). The Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay should also be up and running. There is a HalloweenTime overlay for Space Mountain (Ghost Galaxy), but we don't yet know if that will be presented this year given the popularity of HyperSpace Mountain (the Star Wars themed overlay). They have not yet announced the dates, but there should also be a few Mickey's Halloween Parties while your there (similar, but yet different, from MNSSHP).

The 60th Anniversary Celebration will be over by then (end date is supposed to be September 5), but I expect PtN, Disneyland Forever Fireworks, and WoC: Celebrate to continue to be presented. Both PtN and Disneyland Forever are well worth seeing. WoC is unique to DLR, and generally popular, but I'm not a huge fan of it (the viewing area is problematic for shorter individuals).

 

[chrisaman]

Take advantage of some of the unique dining experiences too like blue bayou

 

[LizzyS]

Definitely hit up all of the rides that are either unique or (allegedly by many, anyway) better at DLR than at WDW.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Enjoy the atmosphere and all the little details that make up Walt's original park. This was the only park that Walt lived to see, so that alone makes it special. Maybe you would enjoy a tour like the Welcome to Disneyland tour or the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour?

 

[ashnjam]

We take the Disneyland Resort Express on our trips... disney owned but ours have always been wrapped in a disney theme, and good service.

And I would say do everything! Lol or as much as you can, its hard not to compare everything to WDW..but I would say the absolute do not miss attraction is POTC.

 

[pa. dad]

We tried to focus on the attractions that were unique to Ca. first while doing our favorites also.
The Nemo Subs, the Matterhorn and Mr Toad are great. The river rapids is a lot longer in DCA than in the AK in Fl. There is a lot to do in the 2 parks. Have fun.

 

[Ndusmama]

Ok you have to do the Matterhorn cause WDW doesn't even have it. Space mountain is different (my opinion better but that's cause it was my first roller coaster ever). I think radiator springs is a better theme than test track. Tower of terror is different (I like WDW better).
An absolute must, GET A CHURRO! Seriously I went to WDW and there was only two locations selling churros and they were horrible. California's I think just do the whole churro thing better.
Be prepared to make comparisons. I did that for my first trip to WDW in January. I've been to DL over 1000 times in my life. One of my relatives sold the property and had a lifetime pass, wish that could have been transferred. Just remember it's the original, yes it's smaller, and some rides are different, some are the same, but it's the only place Walt actually stayed and walked. Go see his bench, and enjoy the experience. It doesn't take as long as WDW.

 

[wench]

My biggest tip would be to know the rides that are really slow loading and/or have horrible wait times, so you can plan accordingly....

Fantasyland: Peter Pan, Alice & Mr. Toad (with Peter Pan being the worst) will normally get busy right away in the morning & stay steady all day long. Casey Junior, Storybook Land Canal Boats & Dumbo can also get bad because the capacity is fairly limited. Matterhorn will get a very long line, but don't be fooled. With two tracks the line actually moves really fast. We've been a couple of times where the posted wait time was 45 minutes, but I don't think we waited anymore than 30.

Tomorrowland: Space Mountain is always popular, but has gotten even more busy due to the Hyperspace Mountain overlay & FP will go quickly. The submarines are another that loads very slowly, so the line tends to stay long all day. Star Tours is normally much busier at DL, than at WDW. If you happen to pick up a FP for Star Tours be sure to grab one for Astro Blasters while you're there. Those machines are just to the left of the Star Tours ones & they're not linked to the rest of the FP system. So, you can have an Astro Blasters FP while holding another.

Adventureland: Indy, Indy, Indy! It's consistently one of the most popular rides in the park & tends to break down quite a bit. FP is your friend for Indy. It also has single rider, but I don't think it works well on that ride. The time I tried using it, I think we waited longer than it we would have going through the queue. And that was with a short single rider line.

Frontierland: Big Thunder is really the only attraction left open while all the construction is underway for Star Wars Land. Normally the wait isn't really that bad, but with so much in that area being closed, it might be busier for a while.

New Orleans Square: Normally the wait isn't too extreme for anything unless it's a very crowded day. I'm sure you know this, but you have to do Pirates! It's so much better at DL!

Critter Country: Of course Splash can get bad, especially if you go when it's hot. But, I feel like the wait times at DL normally stay more manageable that WDW.

Toontown: Roger Rabbit can get a pretty decent wait going sometimes, but it does have FP if it's a really bad day.

For DCA, I'm not going to bother to break down by land. Radiator Springs Racers of course. This is a must to do either first thing in the morning or get a FP. FP will run out a few hours after park opening, so don't wait too long. Midway Mania gets busy, but nowhere near as bad as at WDW. Keep in mind that there isn't a FP available for it though. I'm not much into thrill rides, so I never go on Tower of Terror or California Screamin', but most people love them, so they get busy. Last, but not least, Mickey's Death Wheel. I don't honestly know if the lines get bad because I don't normally walk by it, but it seems like it would load very slow. I've heard many of the bravest people I've ever met, say this ride terrified them more than anything...ever. Grown men that admitted to crying like a baby on the ride. If you're thrill seekers, you may not want to miss it.

Most importantly have fun! You'll love Disneyland!

 

[Disney Lvr of Old]

Last, but not least, Mickey's Death Wheel. I don't honestly know if the lines get bad because I don't normally walk by it, but it seems like it would load very slow. I've heard many of the bravest people I've ever met, say this ride terrified them more than anything...ever. Grown men that admitted to crying like a baby on the ride. If you're thrill seekers, you may not want to miss it.

Most importantly have fun! You'll love Disneyland!

I have to agree about the DEATH WHEEL. my 5 year old wanted to try it and I screamed and cried my eyes out- he was perfectly fine and then made me do it AGAIN. (we are bargainers- I had to do it again because I forced him onto Tower of Terror which he hated)! We are going back again this year so I will be very interested to see if he remembers and wants to do it again.

On my last trip I brought a few postage paid large flat rate boxes from USPS; when I filled up on souvenirs I stuffed the box full and sent it home. It was MUCH cheaper than paying for an overweight bag on the plane. And instead of the coach I would look into Uber- It's only about $20 and so much faster than taking a shuttle.