DVC MIKE.....questions about DL

[keishashadow]

Orange County (John Wayne airport) is the closest to DL. LAX and Burbank are too far away. In fact, when you fly into Orange Co., you can see the Matterhorn at DL!

agree, we had a much longer drive even in multi-passenger line up to LAX for flight home

Another factor to take into account when setting up your flight arrangements is the traffic conditions in So Cal. Try to arrive at non peak times (esp. if you are going to land in LAX).

I think 5 or 6 days would be good for your first DL visit. When DL gets too crowded for us we head over to DCA which always seems to be less attended than Walt's original.

we stayed 5 nights @ DLH & wished we had more time, really nice (and different) from WDW experience. Even if u don't rent a car, there are many tours available via grayline, reasonable; we enjoyed a trip to USH-see avatar

my DH has a CDL & was offended when i wouldn't agree to leisurely drive to DL across the desert from our 2nd stop of Las Vegas last summer (don't feel bad, he did get to drive to the grand canyon). After seeing the gridlock on the highway, even he agreed he was glad we did a towncar; for 3 of us sim in price to the shuttle.

had to laugh, when standing in line in the parks chatting w/locals many indicated that they hadn't been on a freeway in years & would drive miles out of their way to take the back roads

 

[SoCalKDG]

A nice secret on FP that I'll share.

You can have get a FP to Roger Rabbit, another ride in DL(Space or Splash, etc), one at DCA(TOT, Soaring, etc), plus a 4th at Grizzley Rapids all at the same time (or in the 15 minutes it takes you to get to those different locations). Approx. 2 hours later you can get another Roger Rabbit and Grizzley Rapids a second time, as well as add two new rides at DCA and DL. You could then own 8 fast passes for the day, remembering that you can show up later then your scheduled time on your FP.

Rapids and Rabbit aren't linked, thus are available all the time. So if you want to park hop for the day, do the following:

1 - Hit DL in the morning, grabbing one FP to a top ride. Ride some things in Fantasy Land.

2 - Around 10:30 I'll grab Roger Roger Rabbit and another top DL ride and head over to DCA.

3 - I'll usually grab Soaring and then Rapids at the same time. Now I have 5 FP in hand.

4 - I'll spend a few hours at DCA, then grab another FP at a top attraction and finish with Soaring then the Rapids(do it this way so your not wet in Soaring.

5 - Then head back to DL drying off while walking. Pick up a new FP to a top attraction. You can then ride Roger Rabbit and use your first FP.

6 - Mix and match however you see fit.



When I don't park hop I'll always combine Soaring and Rapids in FP gathering at DCA first thing in the morning. Later ride Soaring then Rapids.

At DL I'll grab Space or Thunder Mountain FP, then go to Toon Town, grab Roger Rabbit, then spend time in Toon Town plus ride Small World. You can then use your Roger Rabbit FP. Then just grab another FP to a top attraction and use your first FP.

The ability to use 6-8 FP in a day sure makes it easier to wait in the Nemo Subs or Indiana Jones line for an hour.

 

[deej696]

We flew into LAX last year and it was pretty easy, although I can see how rush hour would play a big part in the decision. We used Super Shuttle and it was very convenient. Basically just went out front, told the lady we were going to Disneyland and they loaded us into a van. The driver was spot on time for our return pick up as well. We spent 4 full days at DL, and it was more than enough time as we didnt do anything else....

 

[Disneypirate85]

OK...this is crazy, We got excited reading Mikes TR so decided we would price out a trip to DLR departing Indianapolis arriving SNA and LAX roughly $1300.00 and change for DW and I, 2 seperate time frames, Christmas 2009 and Summer 2010, It SERIOUSLY is cheaper for us departing Indy transfer in Chicago overnight flight to PARIS France for DLP $954.00 total for Dw and I . Now still in the "lets think about this" stage but thinkn we are heading across the pond next year, assuaming air fare remains consistant....Shawn

 

[rascalmom]

We spent several days at DL over Spring Break in March. We used to live in Orange County, but this was our first visit back there in many years. DH grew up in Fullerton - neighbor to Anaheim, so DL is his old stomping grounds.

We planned for 4 full days at DL and ended up adding a 5th day (adding on to the tickets was a nominal cost at the gate). We thoroughly enjoyed everything about our stay - the parks were wonderful, DGCH was superb.

We used our DVC point & traded out to an Artisan Suite. This gave us the next best thing to a DVC one-bedroom (no kitchen, but we did have two mini-fridges & two baths).

The walk out the door and to the park was amazingly convenient. DTD there is much smaller, but lively and appealing. I agree with the pp who said many of the rides/attractions are superior at DL. It was wonderful nostalgia - not just because it was "Walt's" park, but because we spent the early years of our marriage there.

Our only disappointment was the food. None of the table service meals we had compared even remotely to what we are used to at WDW. Not a problem - but if you go expecting food to be on the same level as the standard TS favorites in Florida, you might be a bit disappointed.

We are so glad we went - it won't replace our WDW trips, but we will put it in the "rotation" every few years.

 

[bmalonef45]

Many of the attractions that are at both DL and WDW originated at DL - several are superior versions at DL in theming, length and overall show.

The Dinosaur attraction at AK is actually exactly the same as Indiana Jones at DL except for the theming

The Nemo ride at Epcot was based on the work being done to bring back the Subs at DL... while Epcot's version is cute, DL's is much more immersive

Fantasmic originated at DL in 1992 along the shores of the Rivers of America. It them opened at WDW with a dedicated amphitheatre - but the show at DL is much more impressive and fun. Both the Mark Twain and the Sailing Ship Columbia are used, and it's absolutely awesome. Sure the seating situation isn't as nice at DL as at DHS, but the show pack more of a punch at DL

Other attractions unique to DL include:

Alice In Wonderland
Casey Jr. Circus Train
Davey Crockett Explorer Canoes
Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln (returns to DL this fall after a few year hiatus)

At DCA...Toy Story Midway Mania may not have Fastpass, but it does have a Single Rider Line which can help speed things along if you are by yourself or willing to ride separately. California Screamin and Soaring also have Single Rider Lines.

At DL there's a Single Rider line at Splash Moutain too.

There is a really good book titled "The Disney Mountains" by Jason Surrell that talks about the similarities and differences between rides developed at DL and then opened at WDW. Interesting how rides with the same name are quite a bit different at each park. Mainly due to size constraints in DL. I know its off topic but if you can find the book its an interesting read.

 

[stopher1]

There is a really good book titled "The Disney Mountains" by Jason Surrell that talks about the similarities and differences between rides developed at DL and then opened at WDW. Interesting how rides with the same name are quite a bit different at each park. Mainly due to size constraints in DL. I know its off topic but if you can find the book its an interesting read.

Agreed, it is an excellent read. Lots of great photos and background information on each mountain in the range, the imagineers and just how each mountain came to be.

 

[keishashadow]

The walk out the door and to the park was amazingly convenient. DTD there is much smaller, but lively and appealing. I agree with the pp who said many of the rides/attractions are superior at DL. It was wonderful nostalgia - not just because it was "Walt's" park, but because we spent the early years of our marriage there.

Our only disappointment was the food. None of the table service meals we had compared even remotely to what we are used to at WDW. Not a problem - but if you go expecting food to be on the same level as the standard TS favorites in Florida, you might be a bit disappointed.

We are so glad we went - it won't replace our WDW trips, but we will put it in the "rotation" every few years.

i was eager to try new dining during DL trip, wasn't disappointed in the least.

Blue Bayou is amazing (food & service great, although they could've served only hot dogs & we'd have been happy, the atmosphere alone is worth it!). Goofy's kitchen (DLH) charactar interaction way superior to Chef Mickey's imo, we almost had to chase them away in order to eat. Wasn't blown away by ESPN DTD, yet the rainforest was the best of any we've patronized, roof top seating nice for adults vs the din downstairs.

we never made it over to harbor or any of the eateries there, would work them in on next trip as the distance is certainly easier to navigate than offsite eatieries @ WDW.