Mesaboy's DLR Trip Report -- The Quest To See Dumbo Fly

[amandaw]

Love the update!

Sounds like y'all had a successful 1st day!

Your comparison of DLR to US/IoA really helped put things into perspective for me since I haven't done DLR yet.

 

[mom2rtk]

What a great start. And FWIW, I think you made the right call on the upgrade. Since this was such a long trek, and such a big celebration, what better way to take it all in?

I enjoyed your description of a first timer's entry into the park. It felt like it was new again. Although to be honest, I think we took the monorail in the first time without even realizing that meant we wouldn't be entering from Main Street.

So glad your DD enjoyed IASW. It's a shame you don't live close enough to visit over the holidays. As awesome as it is the rest of the year, it takes on a whole new life over the holidays.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Making that connection with only 45 minutes in the schedule...that's what I call magical!

Kudos on going for the upgrade! Stuff like that is so fun especially when it's spontaneous.

 

[mesaboy2]

Love the update!

Sounds like y'all had a successful 1st day!

Your comparison of DLR to US/IoA really helped put things into perspective for me since I haven't done DLR yet.

From a geographical standpoint, DLR and UO are very similar for sure. If you enjoy UO's layout, DLR will be a piece of cake.

What a great start. And FWIW, I think you made the right call on the upgrade. Since this was such a long trek, and such a big celebration, what better way to take it all in?

I enjoyed your description of a first timer's entry into the park. It felt like it was new again. Although to be honest, I think we took the monorail in the first time without even realizing that meant we wouldn't be entering from Main Street.

So glad your DD enjoyed IASW. It's a shame you don't live close enough to visit over the holidays. As awesome as it is the rest of the year, it takes on a whole new life over the holidays.

I was fully conscious at the time of a what a weird and once-in-a-lifetime experience walking into Disneyland would be. I knew it would be odd on an intellectual level, but to experience the weirdness first-hand was interesting for sure. Any subsequent visits to DLR won't have the same effect since I've been there now.

Making that connection with only 45 minutes in the schedule...that's what I call magical!

Kudos on going for the upgrade! Stuff like that is so fun especially when it's spontaneous.

Definitely was a little nervous about that for sure. What I did do was see if seats were available on later flights in case we missed our connection, and there were. United seems to fling airplanes from ORD to LAX every hour or two. The only real impact to our first day would have been missing BB, but that would have been the worst of it. That and getting off on the wrong foot a bit.

 

[mom2rtk]

I was fully conscious at the time of a what a weird and once-in-a-lifetime experience walking into Disneyland would be. I knew it would be odd on an intellectual level, but to experience the weirdness first-hand was interesting for sure. Any subsequent visits to DLR won't have the same effect since I've been there now.

At the time we first went to DLR, we had only been to WDW a few times, so that really wasn't cemented in our heads yet. So when we went back to WDW, it was weird all over again. But it was a fun sort of weird.

I'm pretty sure you won't have that issue though.

 

[mesaboy2]

I'm so excited to have found your TR!

Just today, my family decided that we're going to cancel our 2015 cruise on the Fantasy & go to DLR instead. It'll be our 1st time there.

Very interested to read more. I'm especially interested to hear how the crowds were - we'll be going either the 1st or 2nd week of June next year.

I meant to go ahead and answer this earlier, in case I forget to address it otherwise. I don't think I'll be saying anything new or that I haven't read before, but at least I'll add my voice to the chorus.

Crowds at DLR are just...different.

Every day we were there, in either park, everywhere you looked there were just throngs of people it seemed. Getting from almost any point to any other point in a park is a bit of a chore. I would liken the "feels like" crowds at 8 or 9 compared to what I'm familiar with at WDW. Particular spots in DL I remember being crowded at almost all times were the heart of Fantasyland (from Mad Tea Party and Storybook Canal Boats to Casey Junior Circus Train and the Anna/Elsa M&G), Adventureland from Indiana Jones to Tarzan's Treehouse, all of New Orleans Square, all of Tomorrowland (add me to those who think Astro Orbiter's in a really bad spot) and Critter Country back to Pooh--even though that's a dead-end. Less bad it seemed were Main Street, Toon Town and Fantasyland back to IaSW. DCA was also crowded everywhere you looked with the possible exception of Condor Flats, but that could have been because GRR was undergoing refurb.

Now that I've depressed you a bit, let me give you the good news. We didn't wait a tremendously long time for ANYTHING, except for an obvious attraction or two. DL in particular, while small, is absolutely packed with stuff to do. This means that all those people I see milling about outside are being spread among what, 40 attractions or so? At MK that number might be closer to 30. (I'm guessing at both numbers.) I think the effect on ride waits is huge though, and in DLR's favor.

We waited 75 minutes for WOC using HydroGuy's most excellent advice, but even that didn't seem so bad since we had some nice people around us, it was relatively cool, and we brought some stuff to do while we waited. Plus we sat on the ground for most of it. After that, I don't think we waited more than 45 minutes for anything. (Granted, A&E exceeded this by a huge margin but that was not a priority for us this trip. Neither were virtual duplicates Soarin' or TSM, which looked to have 45-60 minute waits whenever I checked.) Those 45-minute waits were for maybe three things--Pan, Fantasmic, and RSR standby...all highly popular. I think we waited 30 minutes for Indy WITH FP, but that FP merge point is a long way from the boarding area--that was I think our longest FP wait by far.

DTD was a bit of a chore also at anytime other than an early-morning start, but no worse I think than WDW's version. We opted at least twice to skip it by taking advantage of our DLH stay and it's proximity to the DTD monorail station.

Hopefully that helps you a bit, though it may not be anything new.

 

[momof2n2]

Just found this! Looking forward to reading it!

Ditto! So far so good...
Love the WDW refugees over here on DLR pages.

Mesaboy2 keep it coming.

 

[momof2n2]

I meant to go ahead and answer this earlier, in case I forget to address it otherwise. I don't think I'll be saying anything new or that I haven't read before, but at least I'll add my voice to the chorus. Crowds at DLR are just...different. Every day we were there, in either park, everywhere you looked there were just throngs of people it seemed. Getting from almost any point to any other point in a park is a bit of a chore. I would liken the "feels like" crowds at 8 or 9 compared to what I'm familiar with at WDW. Particular spots in DL I remember being crowded at almost all times were the heart of Fantasyland (from Mad Tea Party and Storybook Canal Boats to Casey Junior Circus Train and the Anna/Elsa M&G), Adventureland from Indiana Jones to Tarzan's Treehouse, all of New Orleans Square, all of Tomorrowland (add me to those who think Astro Orbiter's in a really bad spot) and Critter Country back to Pooh--even though that's a dead-end. Less bad it seemed were Main Street, Toon Town and Fantasyland back to IaSW. DCA was also crowded everywhere you looked with the possible exception of Condor Flats, but that could have been because GRR was undergoing refurb. Now that I've depressed you a bit, let me give you the good news. We didn't wait a tremendously long time for ANYTHING, except for an obvious attraction or two. DL in particular, while small, is absolutely packed with stuff to do. This means that all those people I see milling about outside are being spread among what, 40 attractions or so? At MK that number might be closer to 30. (I'm guessing at both numbers.) I think the effect on ride waits is huge though, and in DLR's favor. We waited 75 minutes for WOC using HydroGuy's most excellent advice, but even that didn't seem so bad since we had some nice people around us, it was relatively cool, and we brought some stuff to do while we waited. Plus we sat on the ground for most of it. After that, I don't think we waited more than 45 minutes for anything. (Granted, A&E exceeded this by a huge margin but that was not a priority for us this trip. Neither were virtual duplicates Soarin' or TSM, which looked to have 45-60 minute waits whenever I checked.) Those 45-minute waits were for maybe three things--Pan, Fantasmic, and RSR standby...all highly popular. I think we waited 30 minutes for Indy WITH FP, but that FP merge point is a long way from the boarding area--that was I think our longest FP wait by far. DTD was a bit if a chore also at anytime other than an early-morning start, but no worse I think than WDW's version. We opted at least twice to skip it by taking advantage of our DLH stay and it's proximity to the DTD monorail station. Hopefully that helps you a bit, though it may not be anything new.

This is good to process. The idea of "crowds" raises my stress level a bit, but not if we still get to do everything.

I'm a little annoyed with myself for sort of deciding to pursue DLR just after the 12 month window passed for our potential trip as I'm looking backward at details (does that make any sense? As in not watching park hours/airfare & hotel rates, etc.). Your recent trip comes close! (My cousin JUST announced his wedding next year as 6/5/15 UGH.). I think we 'll need to do 5/26-6/3. So I'm reading this TR like a hawk. So THANK YOU.

 

[mesaboy2]

Ditto! So far so good...
Love the WDW refugees over here on DLR pages.

Mesaboy2 keep it coming.

I think I'm being way too wordy. Others here let their pictures do a lot of the talking, but I'm not planning on many of those.

Thoughts? I can take it.

 

[mesaboy2]

This is good to process. The idea of "crowds" raises my stress level a bit, but not if we still get to do everything.

I'm a little annoyed with myself for sort of deciding to pursue DLR just after the 12 month window passed for our potential trip as I'm looking backward at details (does that make any sense? As in not watching park hours/airfare & hotel rates, etc.). Your recent trip comes close! (My cousin JUST announced his wedding next year as 6/5/15 UGH.). I think we 'll need to do 5/26-6/3. So I'm reading this TR like a hawk. So THANK YOU.

I wouldn't worry about it, you've got plenty of time. The only other thing I've ever planned this far in advance was our DCL Dream cruise on 2011, but that was definitely to save money. Generally cruise fares are lowest when first offered and only go up over time--and I like a bargain!

 

[momof2n2]

I think I'm being way too wordy. Others here let their pictures do a lot of the talking, but I'm not planning on many of those. Thoughts? I can take it.

If I had to choose between words and pictures I'd choose words. I love pics, but (for example) if you just had a pic of crowds I'd panic...

What age group is your DD?

 

[mesaboy2]

If I had to choose between words and pictures I'd choose words. I love pics, but (for example) if you just had a pic of crowds I'd panic...

What age group is your DD?

Ten. As far as I'm concerned, the ideal age for this. Old enough and tall enough to do anything, yet young enough to still be interested somewhat in the traditionally younger stuff (M&Gs, kiddie coasters, Fantasyland rides, etc.)

Actually, 9yo would be a little better because she'd be cheaper!

 

[clsteve]

Excellent start! I especially liked how you described your first impressions. Entering a Park for the first time is about as special as it gets.

And hey, don't worry one bit about getting too "wordy"! They've never hurt anyone and you definitely know how to use them.

I'm signing on for a few weeks of good summer reading

(Oh, if that greying out the face thing works well, can you help get mine out of the pictures in my TR...?)

 

[jeaneg]

Really enjoying this report! I always appreciate your posts on the WDW side.

 

[amandaw]

I meant to go ahead and answer this earlier, in case I forget to address it otherwise. I don't think I'll be saying anything new or that I haven't read before, but at least I'll add my voice to the chorus.

Crowds at DLR are just...different.

Thank you so much for all the info in your answer to me. It was truly helpful. This was the most helpful post I've read so far as to what expect crowd-wise. The thought of large crowds does make me a bit anxious but I'm glad to hear that the waits weren't horrible.

And I'll be another vote saying that you are not too wordy. I really appreciate all of your posts because they are always so informative.

 

[momto3gr8boys]

I think I'm being way too wordy. Others here let their pictures do a lot of the talking, but I'm not planning on many of those. Thoughts? I can take it.

Great start to you TR! I don't think you are being too wordy at all. I am enjoying your descriptions as I felt similar when I first entered MS, etc.

Good call on the upgrade! We chose the GCH for the same "once in a lifetime" trip - although now we are already talking about how and when to go back! I didn't notice the add on figures on IASW, but we saw it with the Christmas overlay, so it was all very different.

And I agree that the crowds are different. I think a lot of locals just hang out as opposed to hitting all the rides and that helps too.

Can't wait to hear more!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Linda67]

Great start !
Good for you - upgrading to concierge, can't wait to hear what you thought about the experience overall

 

[ProudMommyof2]

Very excited to read your TR! I hope you plan on including some of the Hawaii info and planning as well.

It is more than a little freaky that the 1st day I mosey over to the DLR forum, I find your TR.

7/1/15 will be my 20th wedding anniversary and we have decided on a DLR/Hawaii vacation that includes our kids to celebrate as well.

There is a medical conference (I am a NP) at the Grand Californian at the end of next June. So 5 nights at the GCH and my airfare to LA is on my boss. We will leave from there for 1 week in Hawaii- and will actually be there on our anniversary.

The conference ends each day at noon, so I will miss some of the fun. AS much as I would love to stay at Aulani, I do not think the price tag will make it worth it, especially because I would want at least a 1 bedroom. Thinking about staying at the Marriott Ko Olina next door in a 2 bed ocean view and perhaps renting points for a studio for 1 night at Aulani. We wouldn't stay there but it would get us 2 days using the Aulani facilities and if timed right, the Starlight Hui. However, the Hawaii part is far from planned.

I have always enjoyed your WDW tips and can't wait to see how you do DLR!

 

[mesaboy2]

Very excited to read your TR! I hope you plan on including some of the Hawaii info and planning as well.

You are not the first to tell me that. I may do some quick summaries of our HI days at the end.

It is more than a little freaky that the 1st day I mosey over to the DLR forum, I find your TR.

I'm everywhere these days. You may want to avoid the Tokyo Disney forums too.

7/1/15 will be my 20th wedding anniversary and we have decided on a DLR/Hawaii vacation that includes our kids to celebrate as well.

There is a medical conference (I am a NP) at the Grand Californian at the end of next June. So 5 nights at the GCH and my airfare to LA is on my boss. We will leave from there for 1 week in Hawaii- and will actually be there on our anniversary.

All this sounds very familiar. 5 days DLR, 7 days HI, kids included on anniversary trip? Check, check, and check!

The conference ends each day at noon, so I will miss some of the fun. AS much as I would love to stay at Aulani, I do not think the price tag will make it worth it, especially because I would want at least a 1 bedroom. Thinking about staying at the Marriott Ko Olina next door in a 2 bed ocean view and perhaps renting points for a studio for 1 night at Aulani. We wouldn't stay there but it would get us 2 days using the Aulani facilities and if timed right, the Starlight Hui. However, the Hawaii part is far from planned.

Aulani is just too far for me to reach either, or at least justify. As I explained to DD--Disney is expensive, Hawaii is expensive. Disney in Hawaii is OMG!!!!!

I have always enjoyed your WDW tips and can't wait to see how you do DLR!

Thanks!

Responses in red above.

 

[HydroGuy]

I meant to go ahead and answer this earlier, in case I forget to address it otherwise. I don't think I'll be saying anything new or that I haven't read before, but at least I'll add my voice to the chorus.

Crowds at DLR are just...different.

Every day we were there, in either park, everywhere you looked there were just throngs of people it seemed. Getting from almost any point to any other point in a park is a bit of a chore. I would liken the "feels like" crowds at 8 or 9 compared to what I'm familiar with at WDW. Particular spots in DL I remember being crowded at almost all times were the heart of Fantasyland (from Mad Tea Party and Storybook Canal Boats to Casey Junior Circus Train and the Anna/Elsa M&G), Adventureland from Indiana Jones to Tarzan's Treehouse, all of New Orleans Square, all of Tomorrowland (add me to those who think Astro Orbiter's in a really bad spot) and Critter Country back to Pooh--even though that's a dead-end. Less bad it seemed were Main Street, Toon Town and Fantasyland back to IaSW. DCA was also crowded everywhere you looked with the possible exception of Condor Flats, but that could have been because GRR was undergoing refurb.

Now that I've depressed you a bit, let me give you the good news. We didn't wait a tremendously long time for ANYTHING, except for an obvious attraction or two. DL in particular, while small, is absolutely packed with stuff to do. This means that all those people I see milling about outside are being spread among what, 40 attractions or so? At MK that number might be closer to 30. (I'm guessing at both numbers.) I think the effect on ride waits is huge though, and in DLR's favor.

OK, waiting for all the other day reports!

Talking about crowd differences between DLR and WDW is difficult for the reasons you outlines. Some people say "DL was extremely crowded". What they mean are the congestion points at key times. The waits for rides may not be all that long and when another person writes "I was there that day and it was not crowded at all - I got on Indiana Jones standby in 30 minutes at noon" then both posters are correct even though they disagreed.

DL feels more crowded than MK but generally has shorted lines for rides. The math is not too hard to figure out. MK has more annual attendance than DL (by about 10% these days), less rides (by 20-25%) and more physical space (by 30%). More people and less rides means longer wait times. More space with not much more people means MK does not feel as crowded when you are just moving around.