We just got back from DLR and still prefer DLR to WDW. 4 people - 2 adults, 2 girls ages 11 & 13. We had originally planned to leave on the 10th, but extended our trip to experience the beginning of the holiday season at DLR. Last time we were in DLR in April - the week after spring break was over. We prefer the spring for the longer days and operating hours.
Hotel - Homewood Suites Main Gate. Not sure why they call it main gate, but it has a nice shuttle. They do charge for the shuttle, but we thought we had read that it was a free shuttle, so they gave us the passes for free. Room was a nice 2 room suite for the less as motels across the street from DLR. We had a lot of room. The included breakfast was great every day. The evening "happy hour" snacks were just OK but we made dinner out of it most of the nights. We were happy with our choice of hotel.
We went to the parks 5 days taking Wednesday off to go to the beach and rest. We bought parkhoppers from LMT Club and using the tickets was a breeze.
Highlights:
Hotel - Homewood Suites Main Gate. Not sure why they call it main gate, but it has a nice shuttle. They do charge for the shuttle, but we thought we had read that it was a free shuttle, so they gave us the passes for free. Room was a nice 2 room suite for the less as motels across the street from DLR. We had a lot of room. The included breakfast was great every day. The evening "happy hour" snacks were just OK but we made dinner out of it most of the nights. We were happy with our choice of hotel.
We went to the parks 5 days taking Wednesday off to go to the beach and rest. We bought parkhoppers from LMT Club and using the tickets was a breeze.
Highlights:
- Seeing the changes as they added additional holiday decorations each day.
- Starting on Tuesday there are many more Disney photographers around the parks.
- Love being able to see the wandering characters - there were none at WDW last year.
- The holiday fireworks show and snow that smelled like gingerbread.
- Jingle cruise was a lot of fun.
- We didn't follow any specific plan and just did what we thought would be best as we went. We got to ride everything we wanted each day - even with the larger crowds than we expected.
- Finally tried the biegnets - loved them.
- Silhouette shop was great once again.
- We did rope drop for the first time on Monday. It was a horrible experience and didn't gain us anything. We were up early so we got to DL 1.5 hours before opening. We only had 10 people in front of us at the gates. By the time they opened the gates, we were already tired of standing in line. They opened the gates 1/2 hour before rope drop. Quickly moved on to the ropes. We were 1 layer deep at the ropes. Once the CM finally dropped the rope everybody ran. There was no one telling anyone not to run. We were way behind in a matter of seconds. We decided that rope drop was a horrible experience and we didn't need to have tired feet before the official opening.
- Soarin was better when the movie was California.
- The short operating hours were frustrating.
- Whole families cutting in line to catch up to the single family member that stood in line while they did something else.
- The lady from Orlando that complained nonstop behind us waiting to get into California Adventures. If WDW is that great, why are you here?
- Still no chocolate covered Mickey ice cream bars.
- The high temperatures for November - not a Disney problem, it was just hard to get into the holiday theme with such arm temperatures. (I'm originally from Las Vegas so I've experienced warm Christmas' before).
