We were first time visitors June 22-24 (Wed-Fri) which were blocked days. We've been to WDW once, where we had a wonderful time. Now we had such a good time at DLR that we aren't sure where we want to return in a few years for our "the girls are teenagers at Disney" trip. It was fabulous.
I wanted to do a more detailed report but I may never get it done if I wait so here's a few thoughts.
The "cons"
We just weren't impressed with the castle. I know it's original and loved but we liked Cinderella's better.
The queue for TSMM stinks!! We waited one time for TSM with a 45 minute wait and I was shocked that all there was to look at were some poster type things on the walls. The queue is so much better at WDW with toy pieces and hanging monkeys and vibrant colors and a talking Potato Head. We love the ride but only were willing to wait once.
It is easier to meet characters at WDW. We only met Mickey and Minnie here and the rest of the time would see characters and ask the girls if they wanted to wait in line or keep going and they chose to keep goingbut I know my 9 year old would have liked to meet more. At WDW, there are character spots where you wait in one line andmeet most of the Fab 5, or all Pooh characters. Glad we did that when characters were REALLY important.
a pro AND con:
It is easier to hop since the parks are so close. That was great in that we rode some of our favorites every day. The downside is that it is a lot more walking (Screamin is SO far back in the park, especially with all the construction) and my feet and legs were so sore. Also because it was so easy, it tempted my family to cut breaks short etc because they wanted to get back to ride stuff more... hence more soreness. lol
Pro and things we loved:
Space Mountain... loved it. a lot. My 11 year olds fave roller coaster for sure. Never did it at WDW due to their ages and how jerky I heard it was. Not sure I want to go back to ride it at WDW unless they update it (they haven't have they?)
Indy... SO much fun! the last time we rode it we were in front and that was awesome. lol I usually have a problem with my neck and it did o.k. on the ride. I got lucky with that the whole time for once.
Screamin'... my 9 year old's favorite coaster, and possibly ride, of the trip. We loved that too. Rode it 5 times I think all together. Just wish it weren't so far back. But maybe when the construction is done and we don't have to swing way out around GRR it won't be so bad.
GRR... definitely better than Kali at WDW.
We watched the fireworks from Small World as we jsut weren't willing to stake out a spot for hours. It was a good show. We were happy. Enjoyed the show on Small World before it too. I suggested trying BTMRR at night after the fireworks and we had a ride with short wait and found out that ride rocks at night, especially the last cars! After we left that, we walked past the Fantasmic area about 15 minutes before the 2nd show and decided to see if we could find a spot. Thanks to this board, I headed over to the area by PoTC, just behind the reserved seating area. We got right behind the rope, where they had stairs blocked off for seating. Great view. 10 minute wait! Fantasmic was a really good show. Didn't see it at WDW but can't imagine how it'd be as good without the Rivers of America. So neat to see those boats and floats come around the island.
We had no interest in Star Tours, and that worked to our advantage big time. At rope drop, it seemed like 2/3 of the crowd veered right. We either veered left to Indy or straight to Fantasyland. Yay for Star Tours crowds. lol
Before anyone comments, we chose not to watch WoC, and we don't regret the decision.
MM was awesome. By 7:30, we had ridden PP, Mr. Toad, Alice, Teacups 2X, and Matterhorn (which wasn't supposed to be open and was with a 5 min wait). We then did Dumbo, Buzz, and had my DH get a FP for Space right at 8 as the crowds came pouring in. We rode Autopia, then walked right on Small World, and got off that 10 minutes before Toontown opened. Do have to say Mr Toad is a wierd ride and none of us would ride it again. lol Sorry to the fans.
Worked my FPs well. Had great return times and had my handful of FPs for afternoons. Love those things. Has spoiled us for regular theme parks for sure!
If we choose to come back here in 4 years tho, I need 4 days so we can relax more. There are things we didn't do, that I would like to do (Tiki Room, Bill whatever show in Golden Horseshoe, anyof the Paradise Pier rides outside of Screamin). The girls chose what we did on our 3rd day and they wanted repeats of their favorites. And we didn't take rest breaks as well as we should as we felt like we had so little time. And extra day or two would let us relax a little more and save my poor feet! lol
In summary, I went with no expectations to compare to WDW (what I did above, just jumped out at me but I did go with an open mind) and jsut wanted to "do Disney" after 3 years, and enjoy my family and the park. I didn't expect to love it so much or to have us wonder which place we'd return to next time.
Thanks for the help this board gives.
I wanted to do a more detailed report but I may never get it done if I wait so here's a few thoughts.
The "cons"
We just weren't impressed with the castle. I know it's original and loved but we liked Cinderella's better.
The queue for TSMM stinks!! We waited one time for TSM with a 45 minute wait and I was shocked that all there was to look at were some poster type things on the walls. The queue is so much better at WDW with toy pieces and hanging monkeys and vibrant colors and a talking Potato Head. We love the ride but only were willing to wait once.
It is easier to meet characters at WDW. We only met Mickey and Minnie here and the rest of the time would see characters and ask the girls if they wanted to wait in line or keep going and they chose to keep goingbut I know my 9 year old would have liked to meet more. At WDW, there are character spots where you wait in one line andmeet most of the Fab 5, or all Pooh characters. Glad we did that when characters were REALLY important.
a pro AND con:
It is easier to hop since the parks are so close. That was great in that we rode some of our favorites every day. The downside is that it is a lot more walking (Screamin is SO far back in the park, especially with all the construction) and my feet and legs were so sore. Also because it was so easy, it tempted my family to cut breaks short etc because they wanted to get back to ride stuff more... hence more soreness. lol
Pro and things we loved:
Space Mountain... loved it. a lot. My 11 year olds fave roller coaster for sure. Never did it at WDW due to their ages and how jerky I heard it was. Not sure I want to go back to ride it at WDW unless they update it (they haven't have they?)
Indy... SO much fun! the last time we rode it we were in front and that was awesome. lol I usually have a problem with my neck and it did o.k. on the ride. I got lucky with that the whole time for once.
Screamin'... my 9 year old's favorite coaster, and possibly ride, of the trip. We loved that too. Rode it 5 times I think all together. Just wish it weren't so far back. But maybe when the construction is done and we don't have to swing way out around GRR it won't be so bad.
GRR... definitely better than Kali at WDW.
We watched the fireworks from Small World as we jsut weren't willing to stake out a spot for hours. It was a good show. We were happy. Enjoyed the show on Small World before it too. I suggested trying BTMRR at night after the fireworks and we had a ride with short wait and found out that ride rocks at night, especially the last cars! After we left that, we walked past the Fantasmic area about 15 minutes before the 2nd show and decided to see if we could find a spot. Thanks to this board, I headed over to the area by PoTC, just behind the reserved seating area. We got right behind the rope, where they had stairs blocked off for seating. Great view. 10 minute wait! Fantasmic was a really good show. Didn't see it at WDW but can't imagine how it'd be as good without the Rivers of America. So neat to see those boats and floats come around the island.
We had no interest in Star Tours, and that worked to our advantage big time. At rope drop, it seemed like 2/3 of the crowd veered right. We either veered left to Indy or straight to Fantasyland. Yay for Star Tours crowds. lol
Before anyone comments, we chose not to watch WoC, and we don't regret the decision.
MM was awesome. By 7:30, we had ridden PP, Mr. Toad, Alice, Teacups 2X, and Matterhorn (which wasn't supposed to be open and was with a 5 min wait). We then did Dumbo, Buzz, and had my DH get a FP for Space right at 8 as the crowds came pouring in. We rode Autopia, then walked right on Small World, and got off that 10 minutes before Toontown opened. Do have to say Mr Toad is a wierd ride and none of us would ride it again. lol Sorry to the fans.
Worked my FPs well. Had great return times and had my handful of FPs for afternoons. Love those things. Has spoiled us for regular theme parks for sure!
If we choose to come back here in 4 years tho, I need 4 days so we can relax more. There are things we didn't do, that I would like to do (Tiki Room, Bill whatever show in Golden Horseshoe, anyof the Paradise Pier rides outside of Screamin). The girls chose what we did on our 3rd day and they wanted repeats of their favorites. And we didn't take rest breaks as well as we should as we felt like we had so little time. And extra day or two would let us relax a little more and save my poor feet! lol
In summary, I went with no expectations to compare to WDW (what I did above, just jumped out at me but I did go with an open mind) and jsut wanted to "do Disney" after 3 years, and enjoy my family and the park. I didn't expect to love it so much or to have us wonder which place we'd return to next time.
Thanks for the help this board gives.
). I'm glad your family had a good time & Thanks so much for coming back & posting how the DIS advice helped you & also posting your thoughts & experiences at Walt's Park. 
Very strage concept there..but the nostalgia of the classic ride is pretty cool! I love Screamin also..sad to hear that construction will make my walk there longer...ugh!!
I prefer the intimacy of 
