First DLR trip with family

[momof2n2]

DH and I are planning our family's first trip to DLR next spring. We are frequent FL visitors with oodles of WDW experience.

We are trying to narrow down the better time of year for us to visit. I'm thinking March or May (steering clear of spring breaks, we hope).

I know the temps in March are cooler/cold, but I'm guessing the crowds may be more manageable. I'm worried that May might be busier because schools end earlier out west (we are from NY) and/or I'm wondering if DLR/DCA get droves of end-of-the-year school groups. This last concern is based on our recent FL trip that included two wonderful days each in touring Busch Gardens Tampa and SeaWorld. While we did have a blast, we were not prepared for the endless gaggle of school groups that log-jammed lines and counter service restaurants on the weekdays. Does DLR contend with that?

The deal is that this is a once-ever trip for us. We are pretty turned off WDW at present, and are LONGING to get back on a DCL in 2016. So DLR is the 2015 goal, but in visiting then we want to do every last thing we can possibly do in a week. We anticipate flying in on a Tuesday and leaving the following Wednesday. I'm undecided if we want 4-day or 5-day tickets. I can/will be seeking that info. as the other stuff gets hammered out.

But first goal is to pick a month.

I'm not buying any access to unofficial guides just yet, so I am hoping anecdotal infor from DISboards fans will help me in determining what may make one month better than another.

If we went in March, I'm really open to any weeks.
If we went in May, we'd likely go May 5 - 13.

TIA for your info!

 

[Cheshirecatty]

We personally, LOVE the first week of March!!!

We visit during this particular week every year, and have great luck with beautiful weather/temps., and also very manageable crowds!

The Spring Break rush usually begins the 2nd week in March, and goes until after Easter, but we have found that we miss that initial rush of crowds by visiting the 1st week!(We also usually visit the end of the 1st week/beginning of the 2nd week of May, but have found the weather to have been quite warm, and the crowds a bit increased---but not enough to deter us!)

 

[tiffjoy]

Your first stop should be this thread Hydroguy wrote for WDW vets who are DLR newbies. That will cover a lot of your research right there. DLR is many, many times easier to plan than WDW. We go every year or so to WDW and a couple times a year to DLR. WDW trips stress me out a little to plan while I have such fun planning DLR trips.

I tend to think May would be worse, crowd wise. In terms of weather, it's SoCal, so it's really all relative. It might rain, and it might be cold, but it's not going to be torrential downpours for days and freezing temps. DLR doesn't really have an "off season" anymore, as we discovered our last few "off season" trips that were highly crowded.

I would get 5 day tickets as the extra cost is pretty minimal and you said this is anticipated to be a one time trip. (I'm curious as to how that works out for you as most who come with that mindset can't wait to return!) You could do it in 4 days, which is typically our trip, but 5 gives you cushion for crowds or any issues with rides going down. It's fun to also be able to take in the parks rather than just go ride to ride. Seeing Fantasmic can be a time commitment as well, and I do highly recommend seeing it as it's better than WDW but there is not a stadium so seating is a "stake it out" situation unless you spring for the dessert package (which is still a time commitment). We have been to DLR about a dozen times now and still haven't done it all, if you can believe that. Some things we have done many times, and others not at all. There's only a handful of attractions less in DLR than WDW, it's just closer together.

PS I was just in Western NY last week, driving through from my DH's hometown of Erie, PA, to Cortland, NY, to visit my hometown. I loved seeing the familiar towns along the thruway and trying to describe locations to my DH: "I used to go to riding camp in Delevan which was kinda near Holland which was past East Aurora which is a little ways off this exit here. Which is to say, the middle of nowhere."

 

[figment_jii]

As a WDW vet, I highly recommend you take a look at HydroGuy's DLR guide for WDW Vets. It'll help highlight the similiarities and differences between the two resorts.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

In terms of crowds...that's a tough question because there is really no "off season" anymore. There are crowds year-around, especially on the weekends. That being said, there are times of the year when the general crowd level is lower and it's possible to get a fair amount of stuff done.

In terms of Spring Break 2015, Disneyland is probably expecting the highest crowds from 3/27/15 through 4/12/15. That is when the SoCal and SoCal Select APs are blocked out.

I don't necessarily think that DLR seems a huge spike in crowds at the end of the school year. I was there just before Memorial Day and the weekdays were manageable, but the weekends are pretty busy. If you go in May you'll likely have to content with Grad Nights. Some folks dislike Grad Nights, others are more meh about them. I do think there are more teenagers in the park, but I haven't noticed that much more "bad" behavior.

If you go in March, your bigger concern is weather. It may rain, which isn't horrible, but can affect some rides. It's very rare for it rain non-stop all day, but if it rains enough, some rides will shut down (e.g., Alice, Dumbo, RSR, etc.).

Unless you go after the summer season starts in May (which has been Memorial Day weekend the last few years), you'll have limited hours and entertainment in the parks. In both March (not including spring break) and May, fireworks and Fantasmic only run on Fri-Sun. WoC is nightly. The parks runs short hours during the weekdays (10-8 is not uncommon).

Given that you're thinking of May 5-13, it would be worth noting that the Tinkerbell Half Marathon is slated for May 7-10, which means high crowds at the parks that weekend. Given that you were thinking of being there during that period, I would probably aim for March.

 

[momof2n2]

We personally, LOVE the first week of March!!!

We visit during this particular week every year, and have great luck with beautiful weather/temps., and also very manageable crowds!

The Spring Break rush usually begins the 2nd week in March, and goes until after Easter, but we have found that we miss that initial rush of crowds by visiting the 1st week!(We also usually visit the end of the 1st week/beginning of the 2nd week of May, but have found the weather to have been quite warm, and the crowds a bit increased---but not enough to deter us!)

Thanks for this. Glad to hear you find both times of the year likable.

Your first stop should be this thread Hydroguy wrote for WDW vets who are DLR newbies. That will cover a lot of your research right there. DLR is many, many times easier to plan than WDW. We go every year or so to WDW and a couple times a year to DLR. WDW trips stress me out a little to plan while I have such fun planning DLR trips.

I tend to think May would be worse, crowd wise. In terms of weather, it's SoCal, so it's really all relative. It might rain, and it might be cold, but it's not going to be torrential downpours for days and freezing temps. DLR doesn't really have an "off season" anymore, as we discovered our last few "off season" trips that were highly crowded.

I would get 5 day tickets as the extra cost is pretty minimal and you said this is anticipated to be a one time trip. (I'm curious as to how that works out for you as most who come with that mindset can't wait to return!) You could do it in 4 days, which is typically our trip, but 5 gives you cushion for crowds or any issues with rides going down. It's fun to also be able to take in the parks rather than just go ride to ride. Seeing Fantasmic can be a time commitment as well, and I do highly recommend seeing it as it's better than WDW but there is not a stadium so seating is a "stake it out" situation unless you spring for the dessert package (which is still a time commitment). We have been to DLR about a dozen times now and still haven't done it all, if you can believe that. Some things we have done many times, and others not at all. There's only a handful of attractions less in DLR than WDW, it's just closer together.

PS I was just in Western NY last week, driving through from my DH's hometown of Erie, PA, to Cortland, NY, to visit my hometown. I loved seeing the familiar towns along the thruway and trying to describe locations to my DH: "I used to go to riding camp in Delevan which was kinda near Holland which was past East Aurora which is a little ways off this exit here. Which is to say, the middle of nowhere."

Thank you for the link and the info. See, I didn't realize DLR had F!
I am sure we will love DLR. But the airfare to get there will be about $2300 and a rental van large enough for our family is another $600+. Compared to driving our own van to FL which cost us less than $800 for the 2700 miles round trip AND all the running around we did from Gulf to Cape Canaveral and all parks in between. Then, we get a 5 bedroom rental house for $105 a night there, vs. a 2 bedroom hotel for $250-ish a night. So - I have to tell myself this is a one-time thing, b/c the cost is just exceptionally higher per-person/per-night.

Lots of "nowhere" to pass through in Western NY, for sure! Hope you got some decent weather while you were here. It's a pretty miserable spring.

As a WDW vet, I highly recommend you take a look at HydroGuy's DLR guide for WDW Vets. It'll help highlight the similiarities and differences between the two resorts.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

In terms of crowds...that's a tough question because there is really no "off season" anymore. There are crowds year-around, especially on the weekends. That being said, there are times of the year when the general crowd level is lower and it's possible to get a fair amount of stuff done.

In terms of Spring Break 2015, Disneyland is probably expecting the highest crowds from 3/27/15 through 4/12/15. That is when the SoCal and SoCal Select APs are blocked out.

I don't necessarily think that DLR seems a huge spike in crowds at the end of the school year. I was there just before Memorial Day and the weekdays were manageable, but the weekends are pretty busy. If you go in May you'll likely have to content with Grad Nights. Some folks dislike Grad Nights, others are more meh about them. I do think there are more teenagers in the park, but I haven't noticed that much more "bad" behavior.

If you go in March, your bigger concern is weather. It may rain, which isn't horrible, but can affect some rides. It's very rare for it rain non-stop all day, but if it rains enough, some rides will shut down (e.g., Alice, Dumbo, RSR, etc.).

Unless you go after the summer season starts in May (which has been Memorial Day weekend the last few years), you'll have limited hours and entertainment in the parks. In both March (not including spring break) and May, fireworks and Fantasmic only run on Fri-Sun. WoC is nightly. The parks runs short hours during the weekdays (10-8 is not uncommon).

Given that you're thinking of May 5-13, it would be worth noting that the Tinkerbell Half Marathon is slated for May 7-10, which means high crowds at the parks that weekend. Given that you were thinking of being there during that period, I would probably aim for March.

Again - Thank you for the link. See - this is why the DISboards rock. Hard dates and hours of operation noted in the fourth post.

For clarity, though, anyone who has been there both times - - you feel like the crowds are fairly similar early March and early May? And park hours are about the same (I hate short park hours - phooey). But the difference is May is warmer? Less rainy? I'm all about warmer and less rainy - I live in NY!

I am thinking we will fly in on a Tuesday (to San Diego - it's about $60/per person less airfare and with 8 of us that is a lot of meals it would pay for) and stay 8 nights leaving the following Wednesday. Off the top of my head I am thinking visit parks Wedneday, Friday, Monday & Tuesday. I have no idea what we will do Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Well, I would like to visit a beach and get my feet wet in the Pacific Ocean.

 

[tiffjoy]

Thank you for the link and the info. See, I didn't realize DLR had F!
I am sure we will love DLR. But the airfare to get there will be about $2300 and a rental van large enough for our family is another $600+. Compared to driving our own van to FL which cost us less than $800 for the 2700 miles round trip AND all the running around we did from Gulf to Cape Canaveral and all parks in between. Then, we get a 5 bedroom rental house for $105 a night there, vs. a 2 bedroom hotel for $250-ish a night. So - I have to tell myself this is a one-time thing, b/c the cost is just exceptionally higher per-person/per-night.

Oh, i definitely get the cost difference. I was just saying so often, people say this is a one time trip, and I think they might be thinking WDW and DLR are relatively comparable. That's all.

There are rental homes around Disney if you are more interested in that. I have had a few friends go that path. Several found places within walking distance. Long walk, but still a walk.

Yes, DLR has F! There's a whole thread on it that can give you a ton of info. I think it's a far superior show, personally, but the seating might be a bit of a frustration for a WDW vet. So many locals show up and stake out places for hours ahead of time. If this is a one time trip, I would highly recommend the dessert seating.

Lots of "nowhere" to pass through in Western NY, for sure! Hope you got some decent weather while you were here. It's a pretty miserable spring.

We did not. It rained and was very muggy (for us West Coast transplants, at least.) I do wish we could have bottled the rain and brought it back with us. My children were a bit puzzled by rain. My DD4 said, "But mama, it's summer!"

For clarity, though, anyone who has been there both times - - you feel like the crowds are fairly similar early March and early May? And park hours are about the same (I hate short park hours - phooey). But the difference is May is warmer? Less rainy? I'm all about warmer and less rainy - I live in NY!

There is far less chance of rain and cold (in SoCal, not NY, terms ) in May vs March. But as mentioned above, the crowds for the week you mentioned in May will be higher due to the Tink marathon. (I might be there though! Still deciding if I want to do the 10K or half or just stick to local runs.) Here's the thing we have discovered: get to DL early in the morning, either at or soon after RD. Do DL all morning. Around early afternoon, the park starts to crowd up. That's when we parkhop over to DCA. It's almost always less crowded, and being newer, the walkways were built to accommodate the crowds (which is why DLR can often feel more crowded than it truly is). If we want to see fireworks or F!, we head back over t DL after dinner (or we sometimes stake out a spot and eat dinner on the blanket while we wait). That little jaunt over to DCA can really help.

 

[Butterfly123]

Something to consider...since they only have fireworks and Fantasmic off season on Fri, Sat, and Sun, and if you only have one of those three days, it will be hard to see both shows in the same night and see them well. The spring fireworks show is fantastic, and you really need a good spot in front of the castle to do if justice. Fantasmic at Disneyland is also amazing. I wouldn't want to miss either one.

 

[momof2n2]

Something to consider...since they only have fireworks and Fantasmic off season on Fri, Sat, and Sun, and if you only have one of those three days, it will be hard to see both shows in the same night and see them well. The spring fireworks show is fantastic, and you really need a good spot in front of the castle to do if justice. Fantasmic at Disneyland is also amazing. I wouldn't want to miss either one.

Are both March & May considered off season? We could do other days, but I was thinking we'd avoid weekends d/t crowds.

I have a lot to learn about seasons there, I can see.

 

[momof2n2]

Oh, i definitely get the cost difference. I was just saying so often, people say this is a one time trip, and I think they might be thinking WDW and DLR are relatively comparable. That's all. There are rental homes around Disney if you are more interested in that. I have had a few friends go that path. Several found places within walking distance. Long walk, but still a walk. Yes, DLR has F! There's a whole thread on it that can give you a ton of info. I think it's a far superior show, personally, but the seating might be a bit of a frustration for a WDW vet. So many locals show up and stake out places for hours ahead of time. If this is a one time trip, I would highly recommend the dessert seating. We did not. It rained and was very muggy (for us West Coast transplants, at least.) I do wish we could have bottled the rain and brought it back with us. My children were a bit puzzled by rain. My DD4 said, "But mama, it's summer!" There is far less chance of rain and cold (in SoCal, not NY, terms ) in May vs March. But as mentioned above, the crowds for the week you mentioned in May will be higher due to the Tink marathon. (I might be there though! Still deciding if I want to do the 10K or half or just stick to local runs.) Here's the thing we have discovered: get to DL early in the morning, either at or soon after RD. Do DL all morning. Around early afternoon, the park starts to crowd up. That's when we parkhop over to DCA. It's almost always less crowded, and being newer, the walkways were built to accommodate the crowds (which is why DLR can often feel more crowded than it truly is). If we want to see fireworks or F!, we head back over t DL after dinner (or we sometimes stake out a spot and eat dinner on the blanket while we wait). That little jaunt over to DCA can really help.

Thanks for all this info!

We are definitely rope-drop-to-park-close people at WDW which is why I would try to spread the days out some.
Nice to hear how painless hopping is. We haven't hopped at WDW in years as we find it a time hog of sorts.

I did find some rental condos right near DL but the pool options weren't all that great. March- no problem; but May we'd want one.

Thanks again for the info! I'm going to read through hydroguy's thread ASAP!

 

[HydroGuy]

DH and I are planning our family's first trip to DLR next spring. We are frequent FL visitors with oodles of WDW experience.

We are trying to narrow down the better time of year for us to visit. I'm thinking March or May (steering clear of spring breaks, we hope).

I know the temps in March are cooler/cold, but I'm guessing the crowds may be more manageable.



If we went in March, I'm really open to any weeks.
If we went in May, we'd likely go May 5 - 13.

Here are some more links that may help you...

"Choosing When To Visit DLR: Summary of High and Low Season and When Each Happens" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=36509602

Next year will be DL's 60th and that may impact both March and May. See

"What to expect for DL's 60th anniversary in 2015" - http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3280301

If it was me I would choose May over March next year. And later in May if possible.

In general the weather in May is good. March is more iffy. See

"Detailed Weather Data for DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=23004158

 

[HydroGuy]

Thank you for the link and the info. See, I didn't realize DLR had F!

Ahem...cough, cough...

Fantasmic! was started at DL. WDW later followed with their own.

And as others have said, other than the stadium seating at WDW, it is not as good as the original at DL.

 

[tiffjoy]

Are both March & May considered off season? We could do other days, but I was thinking we'd avoid weekends d/t crowds.

I have a lot to learn about seasons there, I can see.

Be careful about avoiding weekends. While they are busier, during the characterized "off-season" that isn't so off , evening entertainment only happens on the weekend. DLR is located in a residential area. They have some sort of agreement with the city regarding fireworks, so those only happen on weekend nights while school is going, with some exceptions, like the Christmas season. So if you want to see F! and the fireworks, you will need to pick two weekend nights. It is possible to do both in one night (if you do the fireworks then the later showing of F! or watch from your first showing F! viewing area to see the fireworks afterwards- view is ok, not great), but fireworks at DLR are often cancelled due to wind, so if you only plan for one chance, you might miss it. We usually plan to see fireworks the very first opportunity of our trip with at least one other backup night, if we can. Never assume you will be able to see them the next night- you might not.

 

[momof2n2]

Here are some more links that may help you...

"Choosing When To Visit DLR: Summary of High and Low Season and When Each Happens" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=36509602

Next year will be DL's 60th and that may impact both March and May. See

"What to expect for DL's 60th anniversary in 2015" - http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3280301

If it was me I would choose May over March next year. And later in May if possible.

In general the weather in May is good. March is more iffy. See

"Detailed Weather Data for DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=23004158

Thanks for all the links. I appreciate that so much is earmarked for info. gaining purposes.

Why later May? Our schedules are pretty wide open (we homeschool) and I'm most about hitting a good week for touring.

Ahem...cough, cough...

Fantasmic! was started at DL. WDW later followed with their own.

And as others have said, other than the stadium seating at WDW, it is not as good as the original at DL.

I've never been a F! fan and have avoided it for the last decade. You increase my interest with this statement alone!

Be careful about avoiding weekends. While they are busier, during the characterized "off-season" that isn't so off , evening entertainment only happens on the weekend. DLR is located in a residential area. They have some sort of agreement with the city regarding fireworks, so those only happen on weekend nights while school is going, with some exceptions, like the Christmas season. So if you want to see F! and the fireworks, you will need to pick two weekend nights. It is possible to do both in one night (if you do the fireworks then the later showing of F! or watch from your first showing F! viewing area to see the fireworks afterwards- view is ok, not great), but fireworks at DLR are often cancelled due to wind, so if you only plan for one chance, you might miss it. We usually plan to see fireworks the very first opportunity of our trip with at least one other backup night, if we can. Never assume you will be able to see them the next night- you might not.

I'm starting to get a little stressed and it is only my second day of info. gathering. I'm getting a taste of how WDW newbies feel, huh?

The whole propensity for cancellations annoys me a bit. (I'm a commando tour-er from way back.) I am willing to do weekends if it means seeing/doing more. I am also willing to go for 5-day passes over 4-day passes if need be to see everything, but I doubt we'd go from RD to close daily in that case. Believe it or not... our family gets tired of WDW quickly. We spread 5 days over 2 weeks and don't go two days in a row. We love the rides and attractions, but get tired of all the "magic." Five days out of 7 might be too much if we try to do full days...

I need to finish the Hydroguy thread. It's clearly not WDW on the west coast, huh?

Actually - I have been to DL twice. Once in 1977, and again in 1998. Clearly I remember little about 1977... but we very much enjoyed our two days there in 1998. But we were there the first week in Feb. and pretty much walked onto everything for two days straight. It'll be different this time.

 

[HydroGuy]

Why later May? Our schedules are pretty wide open (we homeschool) and I'm most about hitting a good week for touring.

Greater chance that refurbs will be finished, park schedules will be more generous, and the 60th anniversary will be in place.

I've never been a F! fan and have avoided it for the last decade. You increase my interest with this statement alone!

I saw Fantasmic at DHS in May last year and I promised myself I will never do that again. The truth is I find it rather boring at DHS. But for many reasons the DL version is better and worth seeing. I strongly suggest you see it.

I'm starting to get a little stressed and it is only my second day of info. gathering. I'm getting a taste of how WDW newbies feel, huh?

A very little taste. WDW for a newbie is 10 times harder than DLR for a newbie. At DLR, no ADR's 180 days in advance, no choosing parks 180 days in advance as a result of ADR's, no having to figure how in the h*ll to use the transportation system, no FP+ (yet), and a number of other things that make it easier to visit.

I need to finish the Hydroguy thread. It's clearly not WDW on the west coast, huh?

If it was WDW West, it would not be worth your time if it is farther than WDW. Since you have been to DL before you have an idea. But DL has changed a lot since 1998 with the addition of DCA, DTD and basically becoming a resort like WDW. Well, sort of like WDW. From a resort point of view DLR is WDW lite. But from a parks point of view, DLR is excellent for those who love Disney magic.

 

[momof2n2]

Greater chance that refurbs will be finished, park schedules will be more generous, and the 60th anniversary will be in place.

Okay - this makes sense and I'm glad for this insight. I think I am beginning to understand the philosophy of a locally supported park with outside guests vs. WDW an internationally supported park with local guests.

I saw Fantasmic at DHS in May last year and I promised myself I will never do that again. The truth is I find it rather boring at DHS. But for many reasons the DL version is better and worth seeing. I strongly suggest you see it.

I expect the entire of DHS could be a little bit of a let down after what I have read here the last few days. It sounds like the BEST DHS has to offer exists at DLR and is often exceeded. The novel parts of DHS (LMA!, BatB, RnRC) wouldn't take that long to experience. Although food is fun at DHS...

A very little taste. WDW for a newbie is 10 times harder than DLR for a newbie. At DLR, no ADR's 180 days in advance, no choosing parks 180 days in advance as a result of ADR's, no having to figure how in the h*ll to use the transportation system, no FP+ (yet), and a number of other things that make it easier to visit.

Touché. I take for granted how I haven't had a crash course in WDW. I confess that these days when friends ask me for info for their first ever trips I point them to (sometimes buy them) Unofficial Guide and tell them to ask me questions after they read it. It is a lot to process...

If it was WDW West, it would not be worth your time if it is farther than WDW. Since you have been to DL before you have an idea. But DL has changed a lot since 1998 with the addition of DCA, DTD and basically becoming a resort like WDW. Well, sort of like WDW. From a resort point of view DLR is WDW lite. But from a parks point of view, DLR is excellent for those who love Disney magic.

We are all about rides and attractions. It looks like DLR has quite a few things new to us. (WDW is painfully slow to add ANYTHING new these days.)
I hope we are able to pull this off. I've set my sights on early June 2015, but I can't know hotel costs, airfare costs, etc., just yet.

Thanks again for all your help and all the links. I've really enjoyed reading them. I've learned so much in 48 hours.

Most significantly, however, that the Pacific Ocean is cold. Never knew that!

 

[HydroGuy]

Most significantly, however, that the Pacific Ocean is cold. Never knew that!

It is warm somewhere. Just not in California.

The Pacific Ocean is definitely warmer in Hawaii!