How did WDW fans feel the first time they went to DL?

[IhrkeFamily]

Our family is die hard WDW fans. I love the vast expanse of space, having four theme parks, the many resorts, and the water parks. Just to name a few! However; we are considering going to DL some time since we could also see my dad. He normally visits us, but due to declining health may not be able to again. For those that have always done WDW and then did DL, how was it?

Remove the argument of "possible last chance to see dad" since that's already in play. I hate to spend the money to visit DL if we'll be disappointed. Would rather figure out how to visit dad and WDW.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

I feel that DL is just as magical, but in a different way. We love both! The small size is an adjustment, but it's nice. DCA is our favorite park overall, including WDW and DL.

 

[Robo]

We LOVE DLR!

 

[godders]

I went to DL in February for the first time in about 10 years and in that time I've been to WDW 4 times. IMO DL isn't the same, it's smaller and doesn't have to same vibe mostly because it's a "locals" park. At WDW you are completely in the Disney zone (with the resorts, buses etc) whereas you really don't get that at DL. Plus not one CM wished me a "magical" day

That being said..... DL has some great bits too! POTC is different and Hyperspace Mountain is AWESOME! Cars Land is Disney themeing at it's best and there are characters just walking around. World of Colour was impressive and Paint the Night is a brilliant parade.

I think if you go in knowing it's not the same and really try to do the things that are different then you'll still have a great time (it's still Disney after all!)

 

[Tinkerdreams]

Our family is die hard WDW fans. I love the vast expanse of space, having four theme parks, the many resorts, and the water parks. Just to name a few! However; we are considering going to DL some time since we could also see my dad. He normally visits us, but due to declining health may not be able to again. For those that have always done WDW and then did DL, how was it?

Remove the argument of "possible last chance to see dad" since that's already in play. I hate to spend the money to visit DL if we'll be disappointed. Would rather figure out how to visit dad and WDW.

Well, I've never been to DL but a friend of mine went. They've been to WDW only many times and commented that DL just didn't have the same feel as WDW. They said it was nice, but since its off a main boulevard, it didn't have the same vibe.

WDW is in its own little bubble and they said that's what makes it special.

 

[DisCatGirl]

As long as you understand before arriving - it's a very different place. WDW is relatively secluded - the whole area is WDW. You are surrounded by the magic 24/7. DL is different - it's urban. It's a whole lot smaller and compact. It has a different vibe. Not bad, just different. Don't go there expecting WDW and you will enjoy it.

 

[ALA3Princesses]

It's worth a visit. The biggest detractor to me is the other visitors in DL. Many groups of local rowdy teens on the last couple of times we visited. It wouldn't stop me from going back, but it's definitely not as 'magical' as WDW for our family. I had actually been to DL before going to WDW and was amazed at how different they felt. If you go during the week while school is in session, this should be less of an issue. If you will already be out west then a day or 2 at DL is not the huge expense of a full vacation at WDW, so keep that in mind.

 

[mom2rtk]

WDW used to be our home resort. Now it's really DLR. It's not the same, but it's so much more efficient. I love that. Just brace yourself for the puny castle. I'm still adjusting to the fact that you can't eat in it. But on balance, the pros outweigh the cons. There is so much to do in such a compact area. My die hard Disney daughter can't seem to be talked into going back to WDW. What DLR lacks in acreage, it more than makes up for in charm.

 

[thelittlemermaid2]

Our home is WDW, but we gave DL a try and liked it! I agree that it is different, but I found the magic there too! Its a lot smaller so the style of travel is different (a lot less walking), but what was so special to me was that this was Walt's home. Also, I don't care how old you are, everyone in the world needs to see Cars Land at some point or another. I say go for it! Even if just for a day or two

 

[IhrkeFamily]

Thanks for all the great feedback. We probably will going during the school year and would now try to schedule our DL time during the week when kids are in school. The culture shock of a smaller park will be the hardest thing for us. WDW is our Utopia where I immerse myself in Disney magic. I would have to be willing to give up. But as a huge Walt Disney fan it would also be cool to actually be in the the theme park he created.

 

[elaine amj]

DLR was amazing. We went last summer for the 60th. And there's the amazing California sunshine. We also spent some time along the Central California coast and I LOVED the vibe.

That said, my heart remains at WDW for some weird reason. That's just me though. DH and my kids all say they enjoy both equally.

On the plus side, it was AMAZING being able to easily walk to both parks. We also enjoyed the shopping and having DTD so easily accessible was fantastic. Carsland took my breath away. Radiator Springs Racers is as good as everyone says. Just about every ride where there is a twin in both places...DLR does it better. The few rides WDW does better are Little Mermaid, Winnie the Pooh, and Big Thunder. Every other ride DLR has WDW beat by a mile. DLR's Space Mountain is amazing. They have MUSIC!!

And the Monte Cristo at Blue Bayou....W O W. The shows are also sensational. They are all outstanding.

We did 7 nights and 5 park days and it was just barely enough to cover it all.

U are going to have an amazing time Did I mention the awesome sunshine? We went in July and yes, it was HOT in the sun, but step into the shade and it was perfect.

 

[rastahomie]

You will find that DLR fanatics and WDW fanatics love arguing with each other over each location's strengths and weaknesses.

A while back YouTuber TheTimTracker - a lifelong Orlando resident and WDW passholder - went to DLR, and they had a blast. I got a kick out of watching him point out the differences between the Orlando versions of various attractions and the Anaheim versions.

One thing that stood out to me was how compact DLR is. Guests in line and guests on the rides are right on top of each other.

Another thing I noticed is that at DLR, every tile, every brick, every drop of paint bears Walt Disney's personal touch.

To me, comparing DLR to WDW is like comparing Saint Louis to New York. Both have their strengths and weaknesses, but at the end of the day, there is simply no comparing one to the other. They're not even on the same page.

 

[katt789]

My first adult trip to DLR after multiple WDW's was SOLO, and off property, and honestly, I wasn't the biggest fan, they weren't as accepting or normal towards solo travelers as WDW was, and there was a lot of awkwardness in some situations.
Flash forward nearly 5 years and I ABSOLUTELY loved it. I went back with a friend who was from that coast and knew the place better than WDW, and had ALL THE FUN.
The park is different, I do a lot of entertainment stuff at WDW, where as DLR is all about the rides, run to one, fp another, run to another, use fp, fp something else, run somewhere else, lots of that kinda stuff, many more rides.
But all in all it comes back to appreciating the park, there's just something more magical about a place that Walt ACTUALLY walked, and actually got to see come true. (though wdw will always be my love)

They both have amazing aspects to them, and some downsides. There are plenty of the same rides, but some are better in DLR (potc, haunted mansion, pooh IMO) some are better in WDW (I think splash is, bff thinks splash is better in cali) We both found the fur characters to be FAR better interactions in dlr, while the face was better in wdw, nighttime ent is better in dlr (imo).

Both parks are VERY worth visits and will both be amazing, you may feel there is "less" to do in DLR, but that may mean there's more time to stop and smell the roses

 

[jnfr2424]

Went to DL for the first time for Thanksgiving in 2015 (which for the past 10 years was spent in WDW) and my family fell in love with DL!
Even though its smaller, we felt the rides were better there as well (POTC was amazing and loved the restaurant there as well). The only downside for us was the food as we are foodies. There was not that many spots that were on par with WDW. I was amazed by the character interaction, DL characters actually can roam around the park and not be mobbed like in WDW. We stayed at Paradise Pier and loved how close we could walk to the parks and to their DTD.
The only problem I had was I felt that DL catered to locals more than tourists whereas WDW is total opposite. I didn't get the bend over backwards treatment I am spoiled with from WDW in DL. And yes I have to agree Radiator Springs is EVERYTHING you ever seen or heard about and the nighttime shows are just amazing!!!

 

[mlnbabies]

Another WDW family that fell in love with DL. We had been to WDW 5 times before we went on our first DL in Dec. 2014. The weather was perfect, park hopping so much easier, and the DL hotels are close. An easy walk to check them out and DTD is close to. The hardest thing to get used to is the castle. For me, I love being in Walt's park. It's magical. My dh made this comparison of the 2/ DL is a themed park with rides and WDW is a ride park with some themes. My dh and I chose to go back to DL vs WDW for an adult trip last summer. We did go to WDW last Dec. for my 16 y/o b-day because she wanted to stay at the GF. We loved it and had a great time. My dh and I are going to DL for our 20th wedding anniversary next year because we both love it.

We love things at both parks and being in TX, it's the same distance to either place so that's good. With all of the changes at WDW, last Dec. was probably our last trip there.

 

[HollyL]

I prefer the original Disneyland. We're doing WDW this summer because airfare was obscenely cheap. We live in Texas, so we're kind of in the middle. My family is in Phoenix, so we usually combine a week at Disneyland with a week with them in AZ. If you throw out Animal Kingdom, The Disneyland resort in California pretty much has everything else contained between the 2 parks which are situated right across from one another, with Downtown Disney right there as well. I love that everything is together rather than spread out like at WDW. It makes park hopping so much easier. Also, Southern California weather is so much nicer, and there are so many things to do in the L.A. area. I'm a California native, I grew up going to Disneyland, so maybe I am biased. I do have to say that Pirates of the Caribbean is so much better at the California park, and California also has Alice in Wonderland and the Matterhorn. If you love Disney, I could not imagine being disappointed or let down by the original.