Just Back~WDW Vet's DLR Trip Observations

I would encourage all DLR vets thinking about WDW to move outside the standard DLR strengths of rides and shows and make time for some of the little things WDW offers. There is so much Disney magic at WDW and you have to approach it in a different way than DLR...

Perfect advice! You do need to have your down time at WDW and go "off the beaten path" of the 4 theme parks. Otherwise, you will wear yourself out quickly. WDW is incredibly fun, but you will notice more meltdowns there....from kids and adults.
 
I was so happy to find your post. We are WDW fanatics and usually end up there for most of our vacations. Our first trip to DLR is in two weeks....cant wait!! We are also on the East Coast and we are hoping DD5 and DD6 adjust well.

I have been worried that we would be disappointed after experiencing so much magic at WDW (Epcot is my favorite park). After reading this thread I feel much better. :goodvibes We are very excited to experience all the differences and the magic within the parks!

We are NOT staying onsite, but at suite a few blocks away. I hope I dont regret this decision, as Im one to also recommend anyone going to WDW to stay onsite!

We plan to open and close each park, which is something we NEVER do at WDW anymore. We have been so many times and its wonderful to take it in at a leisurely pace (and we STILL have not done and seen it all).

Thanks again for sharing your experience. I will be back in a few weeks to share ours as well! :thumbsup2
 
I am love with Disneyland's Fantasyland!:love: It really makes WDW's version look bad. The area really resembles a charming little village which fits perfectly with the castle. I was not let down by the castle at all. It felt "right" for the area. DD and I spent lots of time on the teacups during the MMs. I love that the teacups were not covered. It really makes the colors and lanterns stand out. Just magical! I will be so disappointed to ride WDW's teacups again. It's just not the same.

:

I so agree with you! Especially at night, when the lanterns are lit and the white lights are twinkling in the nearby trees -truly magical! At WDW I felt like I was inside a tin can. I understand that the attraction needs to be covered at WDW, but they did a very poor job of it. At DLRP the ride is covered but it was done in a much more attractive way. You feel as if you are in a big tent with lanterns hanging from the supports rather than being inside a storage shed.

So glad you had a great trip to DL. Hurry back!
 
I was so happy to find your post. We are WDW fanatics and usually end up there for most of our vacations. Our first trip to DLR is in two weeks....cant wait!! We are also on the East Coast and we are hoping DD5 and DD6 adjust well.

I have been worried that we would be disappointed after experiencing so much magic at WDW (Epcot is my favorite park). After reading this thread I feel much better. :goodvibes We are very excited to experience all the differences and the magic within the parks!

We are NOT staying onsite, but at suite a few blocks away. I hope I dont regret this decision, as Im one to also recommend anyone going to WDW to stay onsite!

We plan to open and close each park, which is something we NEVER do at WDW anymore. We have been so many times and its wonderful to take it in at a leisurely pace (and we STILL have not done and seen it all).

Thanks again for sharing your experience. I will be back in a few weeks to share ours as well! :thumbsup2

You are describing my family to the tee on each point you made.:rotfl: As a fellow WDW vet, trust me you will not be disappointed. We always stay onsite at WDW, but not at DLR. Even though you don't stay onsite at DLR, it just seems like the whole town is immersed in Disney. This is how it feels to me.

I just started going to DLR in the last five (5) years, and I fall in love with it more and more each time I go. You know how we can't wait to plan another trip to WDW while we are still there, I am doing the same thing with DLR. I just came back Saturday, and I am already planning another trip.:woohoo: I am having serious corn dog withdrawl!:hyper:

I know you will enjoy your trip. Have fun!:dance3:
 

We are NOT staying onsite, but at suite a few blocks away. I hope I dont regret this decision, as Im one to also recommend anyone going to WDW to stay onsite!

I think you will be just fine. It's great to stay onsite but, unlike WDW, I haven't read too many complaints about being miserable offsite. Everything is so close, which may be my favorite thing about DLR. Have fun! Can't wait to read your reviews.:wizard:
 
My personal opinion is that unless you're staying at the Grand Californian (which is just a stunningly beautiful hotel, but very pricey as we all know), the one and only advantage of staying in the other two hotels are the MM hours. The theming of the rooms is pleasant, but IMO not worth a huge price differential between that and the Harbor/Katella hotels. And walking wise, there are several hotels that are either closer or just as close to the esplanade (between parks) than Paradise Pier and even the Disneyland Hotel. Remember, the Disneyland Hotel was the only Disney property hotel up until 2001, and it wasn't even owned by Disney until the lat 80's. WDW was designed to be an immersive, all-inclusive resort and DLR wasn't. I think at WDW, staying off-property you might lose some of the "magic," but that's definitely not the case at DLR I don't think. I say, save yourself some money and get a nice, clean, walkable room. You won't spend much time there anyway ;).

And then there's the GCH *sigh of happiness*. That is truly an experience to behold. People think we're crazy, but we are actually considering spending a night or two there just for the experience, and we live 3 miles away!!! :rotfl2:
 
As I just wrote over on the community board, WDW can be tons of fun if you learn to work the system. It has taken me a couple trips but I have learned how to keep transportation to a minimum. I get taxis here and there to get somewhere which is time sensitive. And I found things about WDW to which I have grown fond. Oh, and I try to avoid the worst weather months. Our March trip was deee-lightful weather - better than your typical SoCal weather in March and really just about like DLR in the summer. Highs were mid 70's up to 80 with clear skies for most of the time. Humidity was not a factor.

At WDW I love the DHS park even though WDW vets often rank it #4 or 3 at best. I still do not get Epcot and it does little for me. I will admit though that Epcot grows a little on me each time I go. Everyone gets excited about Illuminations. I feel zero magic about that show and IMO is laughable compared to WOC. Illuminations is a spectacle for sure - I saw it twice on my last visit from different vantage points just to get a better grasp of it (I have now seen it four times). It is a spectacle but it is not magical.

But WDW does have music. Lots of music which DLR lacks such as Off Kilter and Mulch, Sweat & Shears. And they do have those side-splitting Streetmosphere characters at DHS which are desperately needed at DCA. And they have some cool rides like Rock 'n Rollercoaster and Philharmagic and Expedition Everest that are quintessential Disney. Some cool shows like Festival of the Lion King. And lots of cool restaurants. When WDW vets talk about Disney immersion they are right. WDW delivers that in a way that DLR never can. You really have to slow down at WDW and spread things out more. At DLR we can zip through and catch our breath after the trip. At WDW you need to build in off-days and go to water parks and see shows like Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue. And catch the water pageant one night or see a Disney movie under the stars at the Fort Wilderness campground or the beach at the Beach Club. How about renting water craft and driving around the canals and lagoons? Soooo much to do at WDW you will never do it all...

I would encourage all DLR vets thinking about WDW to move outside the standard DLR strengths of rides and shows and make time for some of the little things WDW offers. There is so much Disney magic at WDW and you have to approach it in a different way than DLR...

You're right..that's why I'm trying to see it with fresh eyes next time..really..without the kids we can try it at our pace, although DH is still iffy about it. It will really take more planning and forethought. DLR is just such a second home and so comfortable and easy. It's always a surprise when I hear people take taxis there..it feels odd there are taxis on WDW property, then I think "Of course there is, it's like a little state!" I really think the weather put us off..it was truly a miserable March. I'm hoping to take quite a few days this time and really planning on what we want to experience. My friend has stressed that we would really enjoy the Behind the Magic or whatever it's called tour, so we'll probably do that. A couple special dining things are a must... you can rent watercraft to go around canals? need to look into that. When we get closer (next year is our first Disney cruise so that is why 2013 came to mind) I may actually tip toe into the WDW board to get a better handle (I've read all the guidebooks but nothing helps more than DISers)
 
I just started going to DLR in the last five (5) years, and I fall in love with it more and more each time I go. You know how we can't wait to plan another trip to WDW while we are still there, I am doing the same thing with DLR. I just came back Saturday, and I am already planning another trip.:woohoo: I am having serious corn dog withdrawl!:hyper:

I know you will enjoy your trip. Have fun!:dance3:

Ive seen the corn dogs mentioned in several threads and cant wait to try them! :)

We are always planning our next trip to WDW while we are still there too, haha. Although DLR will be few and far between...I have a feeling we will be going back! (its the airfare for our family of 5 that hits the budget the hardest!)

I think you will be just fine. It's great to stay onsite but, unlike WDW, I haven't read too many complaints about being miserable offsite. Everything is so close, which may be my favorite thing about DLR. Have fun! Can't wait to read your reviews.:wizard:

I cant wait to experience the difference! Thanks again for sharing your thoughts and experience....Im not as worried now and twice as excited! :goodvibes
 
My personal opinion is that unless you're staying at the Grand Californian (which is just a stunningly beautiful hotel, but very pricey as we all know), the one and only advantage of staying in the other two hotels are the MM hours. The theming of the rooms is pleasant, but IMO not worth a huge price differential between that and the Harbor/Katella hotels. And walking wise, there are several hotels that are either closer or just as close to the esplanade (between parks) than Paradise Pier and even the Disneyland Hotel. Remember, the Disneyland Hotel was the only Disney property hotel up until 2001, and it wasn't even owned by Disney until the lat 80's. WDW was designed to be an immersive, all-inclusive resort and DLR wasn't. I think at WDW, staying off-property you might lose some of the "magic," but that's definitely not the case at DLR I don't think. I say, save yourself some money and get a nice, clean, walkable room. You won't spend much time there anyway ;).

And then there's the GCH *sigh of happiness*. That is truly an experience to behold. People think we're crazy, but we are actually considering spending a night or two there just for the experience, and we live 3 miles away!!! :rotfl2:

You made me smile today. We love GCH as well.

I wouldn't discount Disneyland Hotel either though. We liked the Neverland Pool and hot tub when we went. I know its all changing/being updated but I still prefer walking through downtown disney vs. harbor blvd.

We stayed at Fairfield Inn the first time we went and it was fine. We have also done HOJO which was fine as well. DLR hotels was like staying onsite at WDW for us.
 
You made me smile today. We love GCH as well.

I wouldn't discount Disneyland Hotel either though. We liked the Neverland Pool and hot tub when we went. I know its all changing/being updated but I still prefer walking through downtown disney vs. harbor blvd.

We stayed at Fairfield Inn the first time we went and it was fine. We have also done HOJO which was fine as well. DLR hotels was like staying onsite at WDW for us.

Excellent points--the pool at DH is going to be seriously awesome when it's done. And DTD is certainly a nicer stroll than Harbor. But if there's a huge price difference, I say get a cheaper non-property room and use the extra money on churros ;).
 
... We are WDW fanatics and usually end up there for most of our vacations. Our first trip to DLR is in two weeks....cant wait!! We are also on the East Coast and we are hoping DD5 and DD6 adjust well.

Plan on touring EARLY the first few days. The time zone difference is your friend. (but will have you getting tired in the early evening).



We are NOT staying onsite, but at suite a few blocks away. I hope I dont regret this decision, as Im one to also recommend anyone going to WDW to stay onsite!

Are you using ART? a cab? walking? Driving?



We plan to open and close each park, which is something we NEVER do at WDW anymore.

Are you taking a mid day break? Closing the park is going to be difficult the first few days (because of the time change).



We have been so many times and its wonderful to take it in at a leisurely pace (and we STILL have not done and seen it all).

Thanks again for sharing your experience. I will be back in a few weeks to share ours as well! :thumbsup2

Have a good time, but be aware of the challenges of staying "a few blocks away" & trying to enjoy both a 7AM (or 8am) opening along with a midnight closing. :eek:

:)
 
Loved your report, and so glad that you and your family had such a wonderful visit at the original Magic Kingdom.

Thanks for sharing, it was a delight to read. :flower:
 
Excellent points--the pool at DH is going to be seriously awesome when it's done. And DTD is certainly a nicer stroll than Harbor. But if there's a huge price difference, I say get a cheaper non-property room and use the extra money on churros ;).

Oh My Goodness that is a singularly LARGE quantity of churros you are talkin' there!!!

:drinking1
 





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