Just had 1st WDW trip & really, really missed DLR!

[albertamom]

I just had to come to my happy place and say how much I LOVE DLR! After 9 trips to Anaheim, we decided to give Florida a try before our kids graduate and head off to University.

We had a fabulous time, are very glad that we did it, but without a doubt, all 4 of us absolutely prefer Disneyland!

We all loved World Showcase, and would return simply because of that. The dining options there, and throughout the parks, were outstanding.

We were SO disappointed in Space, Buzz and Pirates, that we only rode them once. Of course, the rides that are exclusive to WDW were a blast, and we focused on them.

Overall, you just can't beat the convenience of having the two parks, hotels and Downtown Disney all in one place. Having to wait for and take a bus or the monorail every time we wanted to hop got real old, real fast. I guess we've just been really spoiled by DLR.

I also LOVE how spontaneous you can be at DLR. With WDW dining reservations made 6 months in advance, FP+ 60 days in advance, and transportation times making park-hopping more difficult, even this over-planner felt way too over-scheduled.

I know that each resort has its supporters, and if WDW had been our park for the last 10 years, we'd probably feel differently, but in our little world DLR will always be #1!

 

[loves to dive]

I have yet to go to DLR but it's on my wish list, I go to DW twice a year because I live within a 7 hour drive. I will get there some day, fingers crossed (I'm told I went all the time as a baby since we lived in Cucamonga ((before it was Rancho)) and in Pasadena but I don't remember).

I do want to say a lot of people complain about the having to plan so far in advance, and it really isn't necessary. Yes it you want to meet Anna and Elise or ride SDMT it might need to be booked a little earlier than the day before and there might be one or two restaurants that if you want that 6:30 meal time you might need to book ahead but you can go and have a great time by doing your FPs a week before or even the night before and if you have PHs and can eat a little later in the evening, you can book just about anything you might want the night before of the morning of. We never book ADRs earlier than the night before and our FPs maybe a week before if that far earlier, even then I'm constantly changing them on the fly while in the parks. Now we might have the advantage since we've been going since before any kind of fast pass system and standing in line is the norm for us so we don't mind it, we kind of treat is as part of the experience and since my son is way grown now, we can pretty much eat at any time of the day or night and have PHs so what park we eat at isn't an issue.

Glad it wasn't a total bust for you and you still enjoyed yourself.

 

[albertamom]

I have yet to go to DLR but it's on my wish list, I go to DW twice a year because I live within a 7 hour drive. I will get there some day, fingers crossed (I'm told I went all the time as a baby since we lived in Cucamonga ((before it was Rancho)) and in Pasadena but I don't remember).

I do want to say a lot of people complain about the having to plan so far in advance, and it really isn't necessary. Yes it you want to meet Anna and Elise or ride SDMT it might need to be booked a little earlier than the day before and there might be one or two restaurants that if you want that 6:30 meal time you might need to book ahead but you can go and have a great time by doing your FPs a week before or even the night before and if you have PHs and can eat a little later in the evening, you can book just about anything you might want the night before of the morning of. We never book ADRs earlier than the night before and our FPs maybe a week before if that far earlier, even then I'm constantly changing them on the fly while in the parks. Now we might have the advantage since we've been going since before any kind of fast pass system and standing in line is the norm for us so we don't mind it, we kind of treat is as part of the experience and since my son is way grown now, we can pretty much eat at any time of the day or night and have PHs so what park we eat at isn't an issue.

Glad it wasn't a total bust for you and you still enjoyed yourself.

We definitely had a great time! We did go during President's Day week, which was extremely busy. I tried a number of times to add an ADR or change a FP+ with no luck. If we had gone during a quieter time, I'm sure it would have been much better.

Here's a little pixie dust to get you to DLR some day.

 

[Disney127]

Glad that you had a great time! And thanks for sharing your thoughts. We are headed to DW in 20 days but DL is our home park. We haven't been to DW since 2009 so we are looking forward to experiencing the new rides/attractions. We had no issue with making our FP+ 60 days out and got all the ADRs that we wanted - didn't book too many, we don't like to follow a schedule if we can help it. We also don't run from rides to rides, we like to just take it all in and enjoy the parks leisurely. After spending the Christmas holidays at DL where the parks were packed, maybe we can handle the spring break crowds at DW?

 

[Disney127]

We were SO disappointed in Space, Buzz and Pirates, that we only rode them once. Of course, the rides that are exclusive to WDW were a blast, and we focused on them.

Why was Space so disappointing? Was the ride bumpy like the Matterhorn? Space is one of our favorite rides at DL and we have a few FP+ scheduled so might be changing them if Space at DW is not as good.

 

[dragonflycurls]

I felt the same way! We did go when it was a bit busy in March, and would like to go back in a slower, cooler time as the heat really had me! I didn't plan too much, and was really overwhelmed by everything.

 

[Gamertara]

My DH and I have been to DLR, and personally I've gone at least 9 times as well. We're considering going to WDW since there is so much construction currently at DLR. I know there's construction at WDW, but not nearly as much. We've both been to WDW, but it's been over a decade.

 

[albertamom]

Glad that you had a great time! And thanks for sharing your thoughts. We are headed to DW in 20 days but DL is our home park. We haven't been to DW since 2009 so we are looking forward to experiencing the new rides/attractions. We had no issue with making our FP+ 60 days out and got all the ADRs that we wanted - didn't book too many, we don't like to follow a schedule if we can help it. We also don't run from rides to rides, we like to just take it all in and enjoy the parks leisurely. After spending the Christmas holidays at DL where the parks were packed, maybe we can handle the spring break crowds at DW?

I'm sure that you'll have a fantastic trip! I'm jealous that yours is yet to come and ours is over.

I should add that one thing we really liked is that the parks are spread over a much bigger area, meaning wider streets and less congestion, even when it was really busy. Animal Kingdom was a little more constricted, but what a beautiful park. Loved the lush foliage, and the Safari was so much fun! We did it twice!

 

[sherilaine]

This is the exact reason why I keep putting odd heading to Florida - we really enjoy DLR - maybe someday but not sure when someday will be...

 

[albertamom]

Why was Space so disappointing? Was the ride bumpy like the Matterhorn? Space is one of our favorite rides at DL and we have a few FP+ scheduled so might be changing them if Space at DW is not as good.

So funny you would say that. When we got off we all said that it was as rough as the Matterhorn. I was in the last row of one car, and my daughter was in the first row of the car behind me. At one point we did a drop & a bang & I groaned & then immediately heard her say "ouch" behind me. It didn't seem as fast, did not have the fabulous music (which is a huge part of the ride for me), didn't have the spinning visual effect as you go up the initial ramp, didn't seem to have as many stars (was darker). You also sit single file. I think half the fun of a roller coaster is sharing the enjoyment of the person sitting beside you.

The queue is really neat and interactive. I feel bad that I may have tainted your view of it. You definitely need to ride it once to see for yourself. It's also one of our favourites at DL, so we had very high expectations. I'd say keep your FP+'s for now, unless there's something you're equally keen to try. After you use your first one, you should have no problem switching your ones for other days if you decide, like us, that once is enough.

Have a fabulous trip!!!

 

[albertamom]

This is the exact reason why I keep putting odd heading to Florida - we really enjoy DLR - maybe someday but not sure when someday will be...

I was really overwhelmed by the whole thought, too, which is why we put it off for so long. I am really, really glad that we did it. We made lots of fantastic memories with our almost grown children. I think that every Disney fan needs to try it. My daughter is obsessed with the thought of Disneyland Paris, now.

 

[Gamertara]

My daughter is obsessed with the thought of Disneyland Paris, now.

I've been the same way since I discovered Phantom Manor! It's much more daunting going over there with passports and not knowing much French, but I'm determined to take DH with me for a week at least.

 

[albertamom]

My DH and I have been to DLR, and personally I've gone at least 9 times as well. We're considering going to WDW since there is so much construction currently at DLR. I know there's construction at WDW, but not nearly as much. We've both been to WDW, but it's been over a decade.

You should definitely do it! DLR is definitely my favourite, but we had a fabulous trip, and it was so much fun doing all the rides that are unique to WDW, and Epcot was incredible. One day, I had a margarita in Mexico, lunch in Japan and dessert in France. Absolutely incredible!

 

[albertamom]

I've been the same way since I discovered Phantom Manor! It's much more daunting going over there with passports and not knowing much French, but I'm determined to take DH with me for a week at least.

She's working on me to do it for her graduation, summer of 2017. If you do go, please, please, please do a review.

 

[sherilaine]

I was really overwhelmed by the whole thought, too, which is why we put it off for so long. I am really, really glad that we did it. We made lots of fantastic memories with our almost grown children. I think that every Disney fan needs to try it. My daughter is obsessed with the thought of Disneyland Paris, now.

I imagine that is likely when we will do it - maybe in 4 years before my DD graduates. That'll give me enough time to plan right?

 

[Disney127]

So funny you would say that. When we got off we all said that it was as rough as the Matterhorn. I was in the last row of one car, and my daughter was in the first row of the car behind me. At one point we did a drop & a bang & I groaned & then immediately heard her say "ouch" behind me. It didn't seem as fast, did not have the fabulous music (which is a huge part of the ride for me), didn't have the spinning visual effect as you go up the initial ramp, didn't seem to have as many stars (was darker). You also sit single file. I think half the fun of a roller coaster is sharing the enjoyment of the person sitting beside you.

The queue is really neat and interactive. I feel bad that I may have tainted your view of it. You definitely need to ride it once to see for yourself. It's also one of our favourites at DL, so we had very high expectations. I'd say keep your FP+'s for now, unless there's something you're equally keen to try. After you use your first one, you should have no problem switching your ones for other days if you decide, like us, that once is enough.

Have a fabulous trip!!!

I did read it somewhere on the WDW Disboards about the ride being like the Matterhorn. We will keep at least one of our FP+ and you didn't taint the ride for us at all! It will be nice to see the difference. And it is more fun to ride side by side - going to try Splash which I believe is side by side at DW. We know that things will be different at DW but we thought that after so many trips to DL, we might as well try something new plus we are headed back to DL in July so something else to look forward to!

 

[Fuhnuh]

We just got back from DLR and I missed some things from our WDW trips. Mainly the WS and dining options. We always enjoy ourselves at the parks, but we have been doing alternating WDW and DLR trips for 10+ years and I usually am less excited about the one we just visited. I guess, for us, they are just different enough to enjoy in different ways but close enough that they both feel like a Disney trip.

 

[barbaraann]

I try not to compare resorts when I visit, but I guess it's unavoidable. Let me start by saying that I love both destinations, but I'd much rather visit Disneyland. It captured my heart back in 2005, when I visited it for the first time. I grew up watching Walt Disney on television, and when I visited in 2005, all those memories came rushing back. Disneyland is my preferred destination. I live in Chicago, and it's a 4 hour plane ride for me. I always fly into the John Wayne Airport, and stay at Dolphin's Cove, most of the time. I am lucky enough to have Wyndham Points, so I rarely have to pay a hotel bill. Now that Disneyland is going through massive construction for the new Star Wars Land, I am going into Disneyland withdrawal already. I just returned from a WDW trip, with a friend who was a "first time" visitor. We would have gone to Disneyland, but the February trip just would not have been everything that I would have wanted to share with my friend.

So I guess, I just start saving. I may have to wait a long while to get back to Disneyland. I'm not sure I want to revisit WDW so soon, so maybe I'll take a detour, and check out all the Harry Potter stuff at Universal.

I have made 20 Disney trips in my lifetime, all since 1997. 10 to WDW, and 10 to Disneyland. I am 68 years old, so hopefully, there are more Disney trips for me.

I like reading about other people's experiences. I try to not compare stuff when I am traveling at one place, or the other, but I guess it's normal. I actually had a really nice discussion with a couple on a bus at WDW. We compared stuff like crazy. Who has the best Haunted Mansion? Who has the best Jungle Cruise? Things like that. It was fun.

After all, that's why we go. It's fun. We get to live our inner child. I still get goosebumps when my feet go through the park's entrance on the very first day's of my trips.

 

[albertamom]

I imagine that is likely when we will do it - maybe in 4 years before my DD graduates. That'll give me enough time to plan right?

I would have been completely and totally lost without disboards. I learned so much on the WDW part of the boards, that I felt very prepared and confident when the trip finally arrived. I spent close to a year obsessing over it. You'll be just fine.

 

[albertamom]

I did read it somewhere on the WDW Disboards about the ride being like the Matterhorn. We will keep at least one of our FP+ and you didn't taint the ride for us at all! It will be nice to see the difference. And it is more fun to ride side by side - going to try Splash which I believe is side by side at DW. We know that things will be different at DW but we thought that after so many trips to DL, we might as well try something new plus we are headed back to DL in July so something else to look forward to!

I actually really enjoyed Splash. I was so surprised at how different it was from DL. The characters seemed brighter and more vibrant, and the side-by-side part was really nice. The sides of the logs are taller, and we definitely didn't get as wet (a plus for some and a minus for others).