Extended queue for people mover!

[cakebaker]

We've been to DL a couple of times and really enjoyed it. It's so much smaller that it's much easier to navigate. Then again, smaller means less to do so it's a trade-off. Much as we enjoyed it, WDW is what we consider "ours" and DL just can't replace it for us.

 

[mom2rtk]

Actually DLR has about as many attractions in 2 side by side parks as WDW has spread out over 4 parks.

 

[cakebaker]

Actually DLR has about as many attractions in 2 side by side parks as WDW has spread out over 4 parks.

Rides perhaps, but they don't have Epcot or AK or anything close to what those are like. We're interested in a great deal more than just the rides. But we did very much enjoy our trips and will most likely return some day.

 

[grecorj]

Just wanted to say thanks for the in-park updates!

 

[Angel Ariel]

Both DLR and WDW have an extensive amount of attractions - and by attractions, I'm including rides, shows, street acts, etc. DLR has a ton of unique to DLR entertainment...it isn't WS in terms of theme, but it isn't lacking in the more to do than rides dept either. I appreciate that the 2 destinations are unique. While we miss epcot while we are at DLR, we miss the size and walkability of DLR when we are at WDW.

They are both wonderful parks, and everyone is going to have their personal preference based on their own personal reasons.

 

[Cormoran]

Actually DLR has about as many attractions in 2 side by side parks as WDW has spread out over 4 parks.

Plus the live entertainment is fabulous: Mickey and the Magical Map, The Royal theater , the Jazz Band in New Orleans Square, the bootstrappers, Alladin. I adore DLR. I also think the CM's are happy.

 

[mom2rtk]

Plus the live entertainment is fabulous: Mickey and the Magical Map, The Royal theater , the Jazz Band in New Orleans Square, the bootstrappers, Alladin. I adore DLR. I also think the CM's are happy.

I agree. The live entertainment is awesome. I can't wait to see the new World of Color and Paint the Night parade this year. I love that they try to keep things fresh there for the large local visitor base. I love the shows at WDW, but after seeing the same thing so many times, I'm ready for new and different. You know me..... always a fan of change.

 

[Mad Hattered]

DLR is MUCH more relaxing and has close to as many attractions as WDW (as mom stated). Not to mention, most are headliners at WDW minus things like RNR or Everest. Throw in some Mr. Toad and Alice in Wonderland (duh) and it sorta evens things out (if one is in to nostalgia or anything like that). The proximity is what makes it for us. Not to mention that they don't even have a need for FP at Toy Story. They have enough entertaining attractions and events that it isn't needed. Nothing like staying at the Grand Californian (or the other onsite hotels) and being able to walk out and be in DTD and in the middle of both parks.

It's a very special feeling to be able to have two valid FPs in your wallet at the same time in two different parks. Proximity. I can have a RS FP for the afternoon and stroll over to DL and have another for Indy or Space or Star Tours early morning. It takes less time to do that than to walk halfway around WS at Epcot at a brisk pace. That isn't everyone's style but we enjoy it. Plus....I can rock the Fitbit! LOL

We find the entertainment value at DLR to be pretty close to WDW. Their Dragon in F! is far more superior than the one they use at HS. World of Color is amazing (wouldn't doubt they incorporate some effects into the AK night show). The Aladdin Musical is nice and is something different than what WDW offers with BATB. Mickey and the Magical map is a great show that isn't offered at WDW that probably should be! They still offer a Pixar Parade which is outstanding! Pixar characters are still very popular.

And then there is the whole dining thing. There are very few restaurants that you MUST book a reservation for. I can pretty much decide where I want to eat "spontaneously" without giving it a second thought. We did reserve one thing for our upcoming trip and that is the Blue Bayou F! dinner package. It comes with a souvenir butt cushion for the show so I bought into it. Oh, and then there is the whole ambiance of the dining experience inside POTC (not to be confused with the Three Caballeros experience). On the last trip we walked from our room at the GC down to Napa Rose for dinner without a reservation. California Grill "wishes" it could be as good.

So yeah. I implore Disney lover's like ourselves to attempt to visit it someday. I think you would be pleasantly surprised. Oh, and then there is that whole Oswald the Lucky Rabbit thing.

 

[Chitownpeeps91]

Thanks for backing me up on DL
WDW is good but nothing compares to the original.

MK has a lot more rides than at the World. Not to mention a much better Pirates and we believe HM. Cars land is worth the trip in itself.

The real benefit you can walk yes walk from your Disney or non Disney hotel & be in the parks 10 minutes maybe 15 if you are far out. Then you can walk right across to Ca Adventure. No waiting for buses.

Now I need to plan a trip back!

 

[wisblue]

I concede that I have absolutely no physical proof of anything that I will report about my current trip or any past trip I have taken. I think the same is true for 99+% of all of the things people report on these boards regarding what attractions they were able to experience in a day and how long they waited for them.

So, whatever I offer has to be taken for what it's worth. If you choose to believe I am making it all up, you are certainly free to do that. But, if you want to believe that I am offering these things with the sincere hope that they will help people enjoy their Disney vacations as much as we enjoy ours, then maybe there is something here for you. I really can't and don't concern myself with whether people that I will never meet think I am making things up.

BTW, the simple reason I chose not to go to Universal today is that I saw Diagon Alley and the rest of the WWOHP last summer and didn't care to spend $150+ to see it all for a second time on a day that Universal figured (and turned out) to be extremely busy

 

[Mad Hattered]

Thanks for backing me up on DL
WDW is good but nothing compares to the original.

MK has a lot more rides than at the World. Not to mention a much better Pirates and we believe HM. Cars land is worth the trip in itself.

The real benefit you can walk yes walk from your Disney or non Disney hotel & be in the parks 10 minutes maybe 15 if you are far out. Then you can walk right across to Ca Adventure. No waiting for buses.

Now I need to plan a trip back!

No problem! And I didn't mean to imply that ONLY resort hotels have this convenience. We've stayed offsite before and literally have had a shorter walk than going from Boardwalk to MGM..ehhh...HS. MUCH shorter! I think people have this misconception that because of the location/perceived size of DLR that you can't escape and find "magic" for a day or two or a week. Those people would be wrong.

 

[Sparkly]

I'm just glad my birthday falls in mid March not late March/early April...Having a birthday trip that always falls in spring break is one thing, having it fall over Easter is another. I think crowds in any park are going to be bonkers crazy, including Disneyland, WDW or Universal!

 

[wisblue]

And, BTW, we have visited Disneyland a few times, most recently around New Year's Day.

We love Disneyland just like we love WDW, but on those crowd level 10 days, the standby lines there are just as long as they are at WDW, and FP doesn't help much.

 

[Planogirl]

Sounds like we should have park hoppers so we aren't stuck in Epcot or Animal Kingdom or Hollywood Studios all day after we use our fast passes? Is it smarter to then go to Magic Kingdom where there are more things to do?

That is smart IMO. We did the opposite. We visited AK early and then headed to Epcot. We picked our 3 FP+ at AK and then added the hopper later. I was afraid to cancel anything but the trouble is that everything was swamped at Epcot. We probably should have used rope drop at AK and then used FP+ at Epcot. AK was busy early though or at least the couple of good rides there were.

Trying it out - View attachment 87015here's the dragon from today's parade!! Wow! Mind blown! Thanks!!

We loved that dragon. This is a great parade.

 

[mom2rtk]

We loved that dragon. This is a great parade.

I can't wait to finally see the dragon for myself!

 

[Angel Ariel]

Trying it out - View attachment 87015here's the dragon from today's parade!! Wow! Mind blown! Thanks!!

Great picture!! I love the FOF parade - truly Disney magic there!

 

[agavegirl1]

Echoing the thoughts of members touting the virtues of DL/CA. Between WDW trips (2010 and 2014), I went to DL/CA for only one full day with a hopper and was able to accomplish so much in that short time. It is compact but it is full of attractions. After my last WDW trip, I am looking toward another California Adventure. When travelling to California, I also have a lot of other agendas.

 

[Mad Hattered]

Echoing the thoughts of members touting the virtues of DL/CA. Between WDW trips (2010 and 2014), I went to DL/CA for only one full day with a hopper and was able to accomplish so much in that short time. It is compact but it is full of attractions. After my last WDW trip, I am looking toward another California Adventure. When travelling to California, I also have a lot of other agendas.

We do as well. We have several days that we are headed offsite. We are driving to Newport Beach to spend some time on the coast. We plan on stopping by Bear Flag Fish Company to pick up some poke for lunch to go, and then heading down to the beach. We are also going to visit Venice Beach on another day because we can. I'm going to try to get my picture taken with Elsa and Anna up there.

 

[beldred]

I have never been to DL and quite honestly (like a lot of WDW "snobs") assumed I wasn't really missing much. Heard the tales of it being smaller, not as exciting, etc. But you guys have really made me change my mind on that. I've always said "oh we should go there once just to say we did" but now I really WANT to go and see it. Plus, hearing they still have Mr Toad's. Well, that was my FAVORITE when I was little. LOL Our problem is it's so far to DL. I've actually never been further west than Dallas, Texas myself. I would love to see California but I can't imagine the expense and the time a trip there would involve.

 

[agavegirl1]

We do as well. We have several days that we are headed offsite. We are driving to Newport Beach to spend some time on the coast. We plan on stopping by Bear Flag Fish Company to pick up some poke for lunch to go, and then heading down to the beach. We are also going to visit Venice Beach on another day because we can. I'm going to try to get my picture taken with Elsa and Anna up there.

Check out my trip report. Got my A&E fix at WDW.

I find more to do in the California area than in the Orlando area overall. When planning a trip to California that involved only a small Disney component, I found the Disneyland boards to be extremely helpful. In fact, I joined this site because of that trip. Prior to that, I only lurked on the boards, read the Unofficial Guide and used Touring Plans for WDW.

Other California Adventures:

Fly into LAX and do a bunch of Hollywood stuff including Disneyland, US Hollywood, Hollywood tours, Knotts Berry Farm (two new revamped dark type rides), and whatever. Drive a rental car from LAX but drive the Pacific Coast Highway and leave from another airport, like, San Francisco. The rental car doesn't cost more if the agency needs to move cars around and may actually cost less. Check out the other California options while there.