First visit in a year and a half (as my WDW AP expired)

[ilovethisplace]

After visiting WDW multiple times a year for about 15 years (probably 40+ trips) with 10-12 sporadic DL trips peppered in I have come to a conclusion... if I lived closer to DL I would never, ever visit WDW again. I find DL superior in just about every conceivable way. The first and most important reason I say this is the lack of a certain faction of large groups of rude, obnoxious, pushy folks (who will remain nameless because I don't want my post edited but I'm sure you can read between the lines of whom I speak). To me this makes DL better on it's own. You are able to tour the parks in a much more relaxed fashion not needing to zig when they zag. You don't have to plan months in advance like WDW. We went to DL on a whim because we got smoked out of King's Canyon. If this was WDW we would never have gotten FPs for the biggest rides while at DL we rode all of the big rides. I did have to readjust getting used to paper fastpasses again, but I was back in the swing pretty quick. I find DL cleaner, better staffed, more cheerful overall. I have to admit I do miss Spaceship Earth, Kilimanjaro Safaris and Peter Pan with fastpass but beyond that there really isn't anything else. I think Radiator springs is better than Test Track and IJ is better than Dinosaur. DHS has become a 1/4 day park and will be getting worse before it gets better, FW at Epcot is also a shell of it's former self and to me comparing MK to DL park isn't even a fair comparison because DL is that much better. The enhancements to BTMRR and AIW are awesome. I think having a vocal local core of AP holders makes a huge difference too. When folks were disappointed with DCA that spoke with their feet and Disney was forced to react by investing huge sums of money. WDW is almost purely filled with vacationers (huge portion from South America) who buy multi-day passes and will visit all of the parks regardless. The old adage that WDW is for tourists and DL is for purists has never been more true.


Although I live 3000 miles away (MA), I am proud to be a DL AP holder again and I really don't see any trips to WDW in my future (maybe when Star Wars Land opens). Keep up the great work DL, I really think Walt would be proud of his park.

PS I think the state of FL is a cesspool

 

[GatorChris]

LOL, a cesspool??? You must've gone between May and October. In my 7 trips to WDW (all very long trips), I've only been in the summer (a 6 month affair in FL) once. And that was the first time. FL is great in the winter. When it's foggy, rainy, and cold here, Florida is perfect. In the summer, it's just miserable. A minister-friend of mine once said, "Florida is a tough place to preach. It's so nice in the winter that no one thinks about going to Heaven, and it's so hot in the summer that no one's scared of Hell."

I'll admit that DL has grown on me over the past 2 years - especially as an AP holder. But....like you, I do miss a lot of the attractions from WDW (Safari, ExEv, SSE, Voices of Liberty, World Showcase, superior Tot and Splash Mt), and I really miss the nightly fireworks (Wishes and Illuminations can't be matched!). I also miss affordable Disney resorts and that magical bubble feeling. I haven't been able to get that feeling at DL - even with a 4 day stay at DLH.

But DL is really great with the relaxed feel. It took me two trips to adjust to it, though. Now that I'm removed from the uber-planning WDW trips, I really don't miss getting dining ressies at 6 months out, and I'm glad I never had to do FP+. I used to think all the planning was fun, but I'm not sure I'd want to go back to it anymore.

 

[OKW Lover]

While I might agree with the OP's opinion about DL I really don't consider the entire state of FL a cesspool.