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

[albertamom]

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.

That makes a lot of sense. To us, a big part was that DLR just feels like "our" park. We're so comfortable there and so used to everything. I completely agree about WS and the dining options. We had so many fabulous meals, with so much variety in food and atmosphere.

 

[albertamom]

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.

What a fantastic attitude! I actually got goosebumps reading your comment about goosebumps.

We also did a 2-day side-trip to Universal and you absolutely must check it out! We could have spent much more time there. Like DLR in that there are 2 parks, Citywalk and the hotels all side-by-side-by-side. Very convenient! The Harry Potter stuff was incredible!

 

[barbaraann]

I actually have been to Universal,. However, it was only for one 1/2 day. It was also before the Train Ride was added between IOA and Universal. I definitely am shooting for a possible 2017 trip, if I can save the money. I figure I can stay at a Universal hotel, and just take my sweet time enjoying all the Harry Potter stuff. When I was younger, and I visited WDW with my grandson, we would go commando. Those days are gone. Now, I travel mostly solo, and I love to take pictures. I can see myself returning to Universal/IOA, and coming home with thousands of pics of my adventure. I'm strange in that I'd rather go to Florida in the warmer weather. It always seems crowded, and it seems like there is no such thing as an off season anymore anywhere., If I do my research, I am sure I can figure out the best time for me, weather wise, and price wise.

 

[albertamom]

I actually have been to Universal,. However, it was only for one 1/2 day. It was also before the Train Ride was added between IOA and Universal. I definitely am shooting for a possible 2017 trip, if I can save the money. I figure I can stay at a Universal hotel, and just take my sweet time enjoying all the Harry Potter stuff. When I was younger, and I visited WDW with my grandson, we would go commando. Those days are gone. Now, I travel mostly solo, and I love to take pictures. I can see myself returning to Universal/IOA, and coming home with thousands of pics of my adventure. I'm strange in that I'd rather go to Florida in the warmer weather. It always seems crowded, and it seems like there is no such thing as an off season anymore anywhere., If I do my research, I am sure I can figure out the best time for me, weather wise, and price wise.

Getting the Express Pass by staying at a Universal hotel was a huge benefit. Sometimes we still had a bit of a wait, but many times we just walked right onto the ride. Of course, it doesn't work for the two main Harry Potter rides or the Hogwarts Express, but for everything else.

 

[barbaraann]

The Disboards are great, and I am sure once I definitely make the decision to where I might vacation in 2017, I will get great advice and answers to all my Universal questions. I'm not into thrill rides, but I am sure I'll find plenty to do. I loved the Potter books, and to actually see Diagon Alley, and Hogwarts again really appeals to me. Not to mention all the other attractions in both parks.

 

[DahliaRW]

We felt the same way after going to WDW. I really, really, really hated having to take the shuttle busses and such everywhere. I love the walk-ability of DLR. I did, however, like FP+.

Universal, however, we LOVED. I told my dh next time we go to Florida we should skip WDW and just to Universal! It felt Disney quality to me.

 

[barbaraann]

I agree with the OP. I love the compactness of the Disneyland Resort. Once I have arrived in the Esplanade in the morning, everything is right there and I can walk to where I want to be. By the way, I absolutely love the Esplanade.

I once had a dream that I wanted to stay at all of the WDW resort hotels at least once. I have stayed at a lot of them, but I eventually got priced out. I never stayed at the Wilderness, or the AK Lodge, or POFQ. I managed to do all the other moderates. At least I made it to the top 3 monorail hotels, and the Beach Club. That was my grandson's favorite, when he felt the sand on the bottom of their pool.

Perhaps one day I will save enough money to stay at one of the Disneyland Resort Hotels. No desire to do ParadisePier, but the other two are tempting until I check the prices.

May I ask the OP where she stays with her family when she visits DLR?

 

[Indiana Scott]

We really feel the same way.
WDW is great but it's a far second to DLR.
The Magic kingdom is a huge let down for us, there just isn't enough there although it is truly beautiful.
We like EPCOT for the same reason - the dining options. To me a perfect trip would be eating at a different country every night.
But there's just too much walking, bussing and attractions are often short on content.

 

[DahliaRW]

I should add, we did love eating in THE castle at MK. Dd was 4 and getting to eat where Cinderella "lives" and meeting all her princess friends was truly magical for her. We're did Ariel's at DCA, but it's just not the same.

 

[Fuhnuh]

We are from Seattle, so it's natural for us to go to DLR for short trips and WDW for long ones. I think no matter where I lived that this would be my preference. I enjoy the compactness of Disneyland and the entire resort while I am there, but also enjoy the less cramped MK, even if it offers less rides. I do like driving around and checking out all that WDW has to offer, including other hotels. I can certainly understand the arguments for each. Our last trip was to DLR, so I am excited for our next one in WDW.

It's strange what I miss when I get used to things on these trips. John Wayne Airport has had a specific brand of popcorn that I grab at the magazine stand every time we go. They changed brands! I ordered a case of it from Amazon and ate my first bag earlier just to cap off my trip last week.

 

[albertamom]

I agree with the OP. I love the compactness of the Disneyland Resort. Once I have arrived in the Esplanade in the morning, everything is right there and I can walk to where I want to be. By the way, I absolutely love the Esplanade.

I once had a dream that I wanted to stay at all of the WDW resort hotels at least once. I have stayed at a lot of them, but I eventually got priced out. I never stayed at the Wilderness, or the AK Lodge, or POFQ. I managed to do all the other moderates. At least I made it to the top 3 monorail hotels, and the Beach Club. That was my grandson's favorite, when he felt the sand on the bottom of their pool.

Perhaps one day I will save enough money to stay at one of the Disneyland Resort Hotels. No desire to do ParadisePier, but the other two are tempting until I check the prices.

May I ask the OP where she stays with her family when she visits DLR?

We started our visits to DLR staying at the Harbor hotels, but now only stay at Disney hotels. I love that extra hour of quiet park time in the morning, and never having to leave the Disney bubble.

If money were no option, I'd stay at the Grand Californian every time. It is so incredibly magical to use the private entrance into the hotel from California Adventure, and pop quickly up to your room. I wouldn't rule out Paradise Pier, if I were you. It's remarkably cheaper than the other two, but by crossing the street and cutting through the Grand Californian, it's actually a fair bit closer to the park gates than the Disneyland Hotel. The rooms are nice and bright and large. DLH was our least favourite, but only because it seemed like such a long walk. We were there in the heat of July, though, when we were hot and tired after late nights and 7:00 early entry. The monorail is handy, if you're coming and going from Tomorrowland.

*OMG...now I'm missing DLR even more!!!*

 

[albertamom]

We really feel the same way.
WDW is great but it's a far second to DLR.
The Magic kingdom is a huge let down for us, there just isn't enough there although it is truly beautiful.
We like EPCOT for the same reason - the dining options. To me a perfect trip would be eating at a different country every night.
But there's just too much walking, bussing and attractions are often short on content.

I think that on another trip, we'd stay at an Epcot hotel, spend part of one day at each of the other parks and have dinner and an evening stroll in Epcot every night. I agree about MK, but it reminds me of DL, so gets major plus points there.

(We'd also have to throw in a few nights at Universal.)

 

[MrInfinity]

Having been to both parks a lot, I can assure anyone who is yet unsure that neither park is "better". The very concept of applying better to these is as crazy as asking what's better -- ice cream or pizza. Both are wonderful. Both serve very different functions. At WDW you don't need the parks to be across the street from each other because typical guests have a week here and that is plenty of time to hit one park per day and still have lots of time left. Some people say there is less to do at a WDW park which isn't really true... there is just less to do that is like Disneyland... in that there are not as many rides. However there are more places to eat, and things like Sorcerers, Wilderness Kits, Phineas & Ferb quests, building roller coasters, playing with the computer stuff at the end of some rides, and so on. At Disneyland they are trying to pull in locals and weekend-warriors so they need a big punch in a small area. Disney World is more focused on the family experience, providing everything they need to live off the Disney system for a week. Disneyland doesn't have to do this because most guests are either locals or just driving in for a short time and staying nearby... with the massive city of LA providing most of their sustenance. People say the Disneyland versions of the rides are mostly better, and that is true. Especially Small World and Space Mountain. But the SDMT completely crushes the Matterhorn as a central mountain. Not a fair comparison because of the age of the Matterhorn, but WDW Fantasyland has gotten the latest makeover. Once Star Wars hits DL the scales will not only tip but completely slam to that direction of Disneyland being the single best individual park... But for a family asking where to go on vacation, I would still recommend Disney World, not Disneyland because there is so much to do there once you have ridden the rides. That said, our next trip is to Disneyland! We are really looking forward to revisiting the parks that only a couple of our kids visited, back when they were really little. It is more of a small portion of a bigger trip though, with 3 days in Disneyland.

 

[CAmommy]

I agree that Space Mountain at WDW was a huge disappointment and now I know why the line was minimal even on a busy day. I nearly got a migraine from it! DL is truly far superior for Space Mountain and Buzz Lightyear. WDW definitely takes the cake for Haunted Mansion, though. I found it to be way better than Disneyland. It was fun comparing. I also loved Animal Kingdom, which we don't have here and I wish we did. The Everest ride was worth the price of admission!!

 

[NewbieMouse]

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.

"Fellow" albertamom, we went to DLP in the summer of 2013 and felt the same way the OP did - we really appreciated DLR even more. But it is certainly worth going and is very, very beautiful (but not as clean). Space was terrible there [shudder].

We are going to WDW in May and I am excited, but suspect I will also miss my paper FP, the quick hopping, etc. Disneyland is 'home' for us. There will always be a special place in my heart for DLR.

 

[Nonsuch]

Thanks for your report, we visited WDW and Universal last month.

...Overall, you just can't beat the convenience of having the two parks, hotels and Downtown Disney all in one place...

Universal Orlando is similar to DLR, the 2 parks and City Walk are clustered together. We stayed onsite at the Portofino.

...Having to wait for and take a bus or the monorail every time we wanted to hop got real old, real fast...

Renting a car is much better than waiting for a bus, and a minor expense (relative to the overall trip).

 

[daneenm]

I think that on another trip, we'd stay at an Epcot hotel, spend part of one day at each of the other parks and have dinner and an evening stroll in Epcot every night.

This is exactly what we do! We really enjoy the Epcot restaurants.

For me comparing DL and WDW is really like comparing apples and oranges. As a general statement for my family, MK is not as good as DL. However the whole of each property is so different, we don't even try to compare and just enjoy each for what different things they bring. Of course, being Left Coasters, DL will always be home.

 

[albertamom]

Thanks for your report, we visited WDW and Universal last month.

Universal Orlando is similar to DLR, the 2 parks and City Walk are clustered together. We stayed onsite at the Portofino.


Renting a car is much better than waiting for a bus, and a minor expense (relative to the overall trip).

We stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel at Universal. The walk to the parks was absolutely beautiful, and the water taxi service was great, as well. Loved Universal!

Neither one of us wants to drive when we're on vacation, so it's Disney Transportation for us. Even though it was inconvenient (compared to DLR), I will say that the frequency of the buses was excellent, and even though it was a very busy week at the parks, we only had to stand twice all week.

This is exactly what we do! We really enjoy the Epcot restaurants.

For me comparing DL and WDW is really like comparing apples and oranges. As a general statement for my family, MK is not as good as DL. However the whole of each property is so different, we don't even try to compare and just enjoy each for what different things they bring. Of course, being Left Coasters, DL will always be home.

This makes a lot of sense. If we were to go back to WDW, I'm sure that I would approach it more like you do. Being our first trip, I think we couldn't help but compare it to our beloved DLR.

 

[albertamom]

"Fellow" albertamom, we went to DLP in the summer of 2013 and felt the same way the OP did - we really appreciated DLR even more. But it is certainly worth going and is very, very beautiful (but not as clean). Space was terrible there [shudder].

We are going to WDW in May and I am excited, but suspect I will also miss my paper FP, the quick hopping, etc. Disneyland is 'home' for us. There will always be a special place in my heart for DLR.

Your [shudder] made me laugh. That's exactly how we felt after Space at WDW.

DLP really does look beautiful. I've heard that it's not as clean and that the service is not as good, either. Did you find that? Where did you stay? The Disneyland Hotel is breathtaking and fabulously located, but SO expensive.

 

[natfrac]

I grew up in Southern California and also felt disappointed the first time we went to WDW. We had a great time, but realized WDW does not hold the "magic" for us. Maybe it's nostalgia, but DLR feels like the house that Walt built and we love its charm. That being said, we love going to WDW but it's a completely different vacation. When we go to WDW, we only focus on the rides not found at DLR and it's more of a party vacation now that all the kids are over 21. We drink our way around the world and hit Jellyrolls almost every night. We stay at the Boardwalk, which feels more adult and makes it easy to crawl back to our room. Being on the west coast and DD living in LA makes it easy for us to visit DLR resort whenever we feel the need for a magical Disney fix.