Just back from DL - a very quick trip report

[Tyr23]

We just got back late last night from DLR and I thought I'd share some thoughts. Having just been down for a quick trip in November, it was interesting to be able to compare both trips.

Crowds, CMs & Attractions
We arrived in the parks on 6/23 (Tuesday) and noticed that the crowds seemed to grow each day. According to the CMs we talked to, the crowds, however, were nowhere nearly as large as the week before.

The CMs were pretty friendly for the most part, but we were surprised that very few wore pins for trading. I spoke with a few and they mentioned that it's not a requirement as it is in WDW. The ones who had pins to trade seemed more engaging and interested in interacting with guests, but overall, everyone was friendly.

As others have mentioned, the attractions seemed to be down a lot of the time. Space, Indy, Big Thunder and Splash were all down a considerable bit of time which put a crimp in our touring plans but we worked around it with FPs.

Hotel, food and transportation

We stayed at the Embassy Suites South in Garden Grove for the 3rd time in 6 years. While the location isn't within walking distance, the ART stop is right outside the door and ran fairly regularly. When we stayed at the CCI in November, we ended up hoofing it quite a bit to the parks because it was closer. Of course, this took a huge toll on our legs (and I walk/run 4 miles a day on average!) and it was nice to make ourselves rely on the shuttle this time.

We ate at the Blue Bayou as is our tradition and I wasn't as impressed as I've been in the past. Both in November and on this trip, the service was extremely rushed and the food was mediocre compared to the prices charged. As much as we love the atmosphere, I think we'll skip it on our next trip. Dinner at Ralph Brennans was also not great, but we had a wonderful dinner at Catal and a good meal at Wine Country Trattoria.

We did the Fantasmic Dessert seating and while it was fun to do once, I don't know that I'd do it again. F! was having a few technical difficulties that night but it's still fun to see.

Any questions - just ask!

 

[Leofoenget]

I was there for the Tuesday Fantasmic. First it started about 15mins late, then it didnt' do Pinocchio and the marrionettes. I also noticed the lack of CM's wearing Pins AND hardly any photopass photogs. Kind of a pain. We also ate at Blue Boyau and I was not impressed although service was good.

 

[bumbershoot]

At DLR, you can't take a lack of a pin lanyard to mean they don't trade. They just don't wear them, especially the store CMs. Store CMs will often pull their lanyard out from under the counter.

And I was there Thurs and Fri, and I was impressed at how MANY CMs were wearing those funny display things for their pins...not a lanyard but kind of like a big card on a strap, and some had it on their waist like a fanny pack, while some had them bandoleer style.

 

[FairyDust2008]

We were there the week before you spoke of when it was VERY busy because of June Grad parties, alot of local AP holders. I thought everyone was VERY friendly on our visit. The most unfriendly we encountered was at both airports in TX and at LAX with staff. Everyone at Disneyland, California Adventure, Downtown Disney and our hotel at Grand Californian. All of the staff at the breakfasts and dinners we attended were awesome! I saw a good deal of pin trading going on at Disneyland. Much more than when we were at WDW quite frankly.

 

[FairyDust2008]

And a castmember on the Maliboomer was trading with a couple people while me and daughter were waiting for hubby and son to finish riding the Maliboomer.

 

[FairyDust2008]

I meant to say in California Adventure on the Maliboomer.

 

[FairyDust2008]

As far as ride breakdowns while we were there, Splash Mt. was temporarily closed but reopened later in the early afternoon. The only ride down while we were there was Snow White's Scary Adventure.

 

[FairyDust2008]

Pinocchio did close during the last part of our visit which wasn't a big deal as we already rode on it once.