Just back - some observations

[disneyderns]

Just back from 5 days at DLR with the family...here are some observations...

1. GO EARLY! I know everyone says this but they say it because it works. We went to be there for opening and stayed until 11:30. Most rides were practically walk on - even Nemo was only 5-10 min at 9:30AM! By 11 the crowds got thick and wait times jumped. Now, because of my kids we don't do the "mountains" but even those seemed doable.

2. Weekend mornings are even better. We went on Sat morning and the waits were even shorter! The park seemed like it was off season! (we usually go in late Oct. and it felt like that time of year.

3. TSMM was a complete zoo!! For some reason it was crazy. We waited 50 minutes and we got to the ride 10 minutes after park opening. It was like that all the time! every day we were there

4. Weekdays got busier earlier for us - there were several day camps that brought bus loads of kids...

5. SEE WOC. The show is incredible - we had picnics and were in the blue section. First showing, great location and were not packed in like sardines.

6. Nights were busy even until midnight but ride times decreased.

7. Fireworks and fantasmic! were awesome and packed, but the disney CMs handle the crowds beautifully.

8. All meals were great - service was slow at Cafe Orleans but everything tasted awesome.

9. I've decided that I like Disneyland better than the Magic Kingdom @ WDW


Any questions? ask away!

 

[JH87]

Glad to hear you had a good time! I also just got back from Disneyland less than a week ago and we arrived early on Friday morning and did all the major rides (thunder mountain, Matterhorn, pirates, haunted mansion...etc) really early! All before noon! We even stopped for a snack. We only got a Fast Pass for Space Mountain at 11.

I am planning on going back to Disneyland October 16, for that Saturday-Sunday. I read that you usually go in October, and was wondering if you could give me any info like weather, crowds, etc.
I usually go in the summer so I am not sure what to expect in Ocotober (besides all the fun Halloween decor)

 

[Joan S.]

Hi, Thanks for the info!! (We are WDW MK veterans and EARLY is always the way to do it there too!!) We are so excited about visiting DL and this info we help me get my plan together!! Joan

 

[PinkBudgie]

Thanks for reporting back. We went the first week of August and by good use of FPs and getting there at opening the only thing we had to wait longer than 25 min for was TSMM. It was 48 minutes when we went around 1:30. There is just no avoiding a long line on that one.

Did you see Aladdin?

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

Thanks for the report--did you notice you still put DW instead of DL in your first sentence? Old habits die hard! Glad we converted you!

 

[CapCom]

Dying to see WOC...leaving in two weeks and can't wait!!!

Thanks for the report.

 

[HydroGuy]

Hi, Thanks for the info!! (We are WDW MK veterans and EARLY is always the way to do it there too!!) We are so excited about visiting DL and this info we help me get my plan together!! Joan

For all the WDW vets going in summer or other high season, remember that early at DL does not mean the same thing as MK. DL opens at 8AM in high season and has four Magic Mornings each week - at 7AM. I know MK has EMH but that is still only 8AM.

The good news is if you stay at a nearby hotel you can have a 5-10 commute. So leave your room by 6:20-6:30AM and you will be fine - usually. We left our GCH room one morning to DL at 6:40AM and were still fine - about 5th in line at the gates.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

9. I've decided that I like Disneyland better than the Magic Kingdom @ WDW

Me too! I'm glad you had a great time

 

[Hound 109]

Hi, Thanks for the info!! (We are WDW MK veterans and EARLY is always the way to do it there too!!) We are so excited about visiting DL and this info we help me get my plan together!! Joan

I'm an early riser & multi trip veteran of DLR AND WDW. Following the early morning strategies mentioned in all the tip threads are FAR MORE BENEFICIAL at DLR than they even are at WDW.....for all sorts of reasons.

If you're an early morning riser who likes to plan & likes to take a break mid day (& don't like humidity or buses).....DLR is a dream come true (even more so than WDW).



Thanks for your observations, Disneyderns.

Glad that you had a good time at Walt's Park.


(btw, you can edit your first line to say DLR instead of DW if you want to.)

 

[blackjackdelta]

Thank you for reporting back. We start the drive tomorrow, in the park Sunday afternoon.

Jack

 

[HydroGuy]

Thank you for reporting back. We start the drive tomorrow, in the park Sunday afternoon.

Jack

We will be interested in yoru crowd reports vs. the unblocked AP week last year.

 

[Joan S.]

For all the WDW vets going in summer or other high season, remember that early at DL does not mean the same thing as MK. DL opens at 8AM in high season and has four Magic Mornings each week - at 7AM. I know MK has EMH but that is still only 8AM.

The good news is if you stay at a nearby hotel you can have a 5-10 commute. So leave your room by 6:20-6:30AM and you will be fine - usually. We left our GCH room one morning to DL at 6:40AM and were still fine - about 5th in line at the gates.

THANKS!! Okay coming from the East Coast I should be good for arriving at DL at 7am!! My DD should be okay with this too. But my DH and DS, well they may be a bit behind us. But all is good because it is my DD(26) and I that LOVE to do ALL the rides!! Joan

 

[jimreuter]

Glad you enjoyed your stay. Come back and see us again.