My hat is off to you DL vets that then go to WDW

[RweTHEREyet]

Being a WDW vet that finds planning a trip to DL to be a daunting task, my hat is off to those of you DL vets that decide to give WDW a try. There have been many times when planning my trip to DL that I was so thankful that I was not planning a WDW trip for the first time.

My biggest challenges in planning a DL trip are tansportation from the airport, which airport to fly into, if I should try to do the Fantasmic dessert package, if I want to do a tour or not.

I can only imagine that for those of you that must decide on the many WDW hotels to choose from, rent a car or Magical Express, which parks on which days, how to get from one Park to the other, book ADR's or not (and which ones), how many days to stay at WDW, take a break in the middle of the day or not, and so on and so on, how much time and effort this must take. To have 4 major parks, a separate Downtown Disney and then the water parks to try and negotiate has got to be very overwhelming.

I am just thankful that I am a skilled WDW visitor and that DL came second for me and not the other way around.

While I have found Ridemax to be helpful in planning our DL trip, it is probably most helpful to locals that are planning a one-day trip and wish to do it the most efficient way. For us to have 5 days at DL and CA, I am not sure Ridemax is that critical, especially since we thoroughly enjoy just being in the Parks, listening to the music and soaking up the atmosphere, so a little bit of a wait in a line is not an issue for us. Along those same lines, Tour Guide Mike is available for those planning a trip to WDW, and he can suggest which days for which parks, how to do everything the most efficient way, and I still use it even after a couple of hundred trips. (No, I do not work for TGM or get any kind of kick back from him), I just know that if I were in the shoes of anyone planning a trip to WDW, that Tour Guide Mike is a wonderful, wonderful resource.

Again, my hat is off to those of you doing the opposite of what I am doing. I have saluted you silently throughout my planning process.

 

[AmyK]

I don't know. I think it's hard both ways. I found parts of planning our first (and only so far) trip to WDW easier in that I knew I wanted to stay onsite, and with our budget, only 2 resorts fit that. Fine, pick one. Automatically know I'm taking the bus transportation because we weren't renting a car. That also determined that I was using ME to get from airport to resort. That stuff was all easy.

The hard part was determining which days to which park and then how to tour those parks.

But for CA, we still need to determine the best days to visit the parks, figure out which of the myriad of neighboring motels to stay at, figure out how to drive in since we are driving this time. AP block out dates are a bigger deal this time etc. Park touring will be easier as it's the 2 parks and close by... I think. We also are going down to San Diego which has it's own planning challenges and more hotels. At WDW, we flew in, parked at the resort for a week and flew home.

I think it's difficult to plan a trip to either place the first time. If you really want to plan and make the most of your trip, it's overwhelming at first. But I learned at WDW that the planning made all the difference. When your 6 year old can say "thanks, Mama for making our trip so fun" because she never stood in a line longer than 20 minutes... it's worth it.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Everything I had read here had indicated that deciding on which days for DL or CA really didn't matter that much, but you think it does? Maybe you can help me out with some of that decision. We will have 6 days, with check in being on a Sunday, but the first day will be spent mostly at CA with the Food and Wine and attending a Sweet Sunday seminar. Do you have suggestions for the other days? I was really thinking that with 5 full days we could take our time and do everything at a real slow pace and just take it all in, but maybe not?

 

[rentayenta]

This DLR vet loves planning for WDW and found that planning for our first trip in 2007 overwhelming. We went again to WDW in 2009 and that trip was far easier to plan as I had some real life insights. While I adore Disneyland, planning for WDW is so much more fun!!! So much more to choose from including DVC, restaurants, parks, water parks, and shows.

Have a great trip.

 

[AmyK]

No, I didn't mean to make you doubt yourself. lol I am certainly no expert as I am only planning formy first DL trip. For US, we are planning a late June trip. Which means, I've learned, that you have to take into consideration AP block out dates, which days of the week... avoid weekends, or go for block outs etc, grad nights. I'm not worrying about which day we'll go to DL vs DCA, I don't think... other than which day will I take advantage of the one early entry day I'll gain with 3 day park hoppers and which days we'll hit different night time shows.

All I was saying is that there's a lot to consider if you are planning a So Cal trip and that in some ways, WDW was easier for me. Right now. When I started planning WDW I was over whelmed but as I made one decision at a time, others fell into place as a result of that decision. Much as our So Cal trip will.

For now, I'm still overwhelmed with which hotel to go for with all the differing opinions, and waiting for the AP calendar to come out to decide if the dates we have tentatively planned will work or be insanely crowded. lol

 

[blackjackdelta]

No, I didn't mean to make you doubt yourself. lol I am certainly no expert as I am only planning formy first DL trip. For US, we are planning a late June trip. Which means, I've learned, that you have to take into consideration AP block out dates, which days of the week... avoid weekends, or go for block outs etc, grad nights. I'm not worrying about which day we'll go to DL vs DCA, I don't think... other than which day will I take advantage of the one early entry day I'll gain with 3 day park hoppers and which days we'll hit different night time shows.

All I was saying is that there's a lot to consider if you are planning a So Cal trip and that in some ways, WDW was easier for me. Right now. When I started planning WDW I was over whelmed but as I made one decision at a time, others fell into place as a result of that decision. Much as our So Cal trip will.

For now, I'm still overwhelmed with which hotel to go for with all the differing opinions, and waiting for the AP calendar to come out to decide if the dates we have tentatively planned will work or be insanely crowded. lol

Definately won't be a problem for my family, they won't go to WDW.

Jack

 

[kelmac284]

I've been to DL more times than I can count and feel like I know it like the back of my hand. Whereas I have only been to DW 3 times although I now feel preety comfortable planning a trip there as well.

As far as DL goes it depends on my particular budget for that trip and what I want to accomplish. MOST times it is all about saving money and we usually try to get the best deal on the closest and nicest good neighbor hotel that we can. We usually either stay at the DI or Ramada Maingate but have tried some of the others but usually the closer the better. Recently though we have stayed at some of the onsights because we have gotten some deals. They were STILL more expensive then any good neighbor but we were willing to pay a little extra for the "magic" and I must admit you DO feel more immersed EVEN at DL while staying on property. We swam in the neverland pool and ate at Hook's and never really left the "property" the entire time in Oct and even when we stayed at PP in Feb we still never really got away from DTD. Whereas staying over off Harbor you are def in a different world. Also I don't feel the need to make many adr's when I go to DL and usually only make 1 or 2 if any. There just simply aren't that many table service restaurants to begin with and we don't usually feel the need to eat at them anyway. Our plans usually involve getting to the parks VERY early and getting as much touring done and collecting as many fp's as we can early in the day at either park and that is what we do no matter what time of year we go.

Now for DW it is a WHOLE other animal. The first time we went in 02 we stayed on property and used disney transportation but never again. Not saying I won't stay on property ever again but we prefer to have our own vehicle and not have to relay on buses or the monorail. When we are ready to go we like to go! Plus there is always 5 or 6 of us and it is just easier. Plus we usually like to go to other places and take breaks in the middle of the trip to do NON disney stuff so it is nice to have the car.

And I DEF plan the trip to a T. I plan which park which days and at least ONE meal a day I make an ADR for. Doesn't mean we always keep it but at least we HAVE it! Esp since the last two trips we went during high seasons. I have done a TON of research in books and on here for DW but feel pretty informed and there is still SO much more I haven't done and would like to do but when you live in CA it is hard to get back there much. So eventually I hope to do some of the things I have yet to do but we shall see. I have STILL never been to the waterparks, ridden on any watercraft etc etc.

 

[kkmcan]

I didn't do a lot of planning for our first WDW trip other than what park on what days. We stayed onsite at Allstars for 2 nights, then off to our cruise and then offsite for 4 days. We totally winged it. It turned out pretty well, I think.

Our next trip, this past Dec, involved tons of planning. We did onsite with free QS dining for 4 nights- that was fun!! Then we went on our cruise and then we returned and stayed off site for another couple of nights. Because it was Dec and xmas time, I bought Tourguidemike and used that to choose which parks on which days. I also extensively researched QS dining places that my kids would like. We had a total blast and visited DHS which we had never seen before.

Now, maybe for our next trip we should consider regular disney dining so we can do those amazing table service restaurants and character dining experiences!

I think I planned for months and months to get everything to work out nicely. I got a composition book and some of those sticky tabs and made sections for parks, dining, schedules, etc. I even put in pockets to hold index cards, confirmations etc.

I just planned our DL for June in about 1 hour. Then again I know it so well it was a cinch.

I do love WDW planning though. I keeps me occupied for a good 6 months to a year!

 

[Mom2micayla]

Seasoned DL vet here, and I'm in the process of planning DH & I's anniversary trip to WDW next year. Neither one of us has been in almost 20 years, so it's like starting all over. It's definitely a little overwhelming, but fun. Our hotel choice is pretty much set (timeshare trade in to either Saratoga, Boardwalk or Wilderness Lodge). We're going to use ME since we're not renting a car (at least I don't think we are?). The things that's most overwhelming to me is the restaurant choices. Holy Moly, there are a ton!! It's hard to even know where to begin. I've been perusing All Ears menus and keep changing my mind. I'm not in the 180 day window for ADR's anyway, so I've got time.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Seasoned DL vet here, and I'm in the process of planning DH & I's anniversary trip to WDW next year. Neither one of us has been in almost 20 years, so it's like starting all over. It's definitely a little overwhelming, but fun. Our hotel choice is pretty much set (timeshare trade in to either Saratoga, Boardwalk or Wilderness Lodge). We're going to use ME since we're not renting a car (at least I don't think we are?). The things that's most overwhelming to me is the restaurant choices. Holy Moly, there are a ton!! It's hard to even know where to begin. I've been perusing All Ears menus and keep changing my mind. I'm not in the 180 day window for ADR's anyway, so I've got time.

Yes, there are a lot of restaurant choices, and you ae on the right track by checking out All Ears. I would make sure and book everything you think you want even if there is only the slightest chance you may use it. There is nothing worse at WDW than being hungry and tired and not having something firmed up for your meals. Good luck, and I hope you have a great trip.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

We visited WDW last early Oct. ~ and while it was way too hot and humid we had a wonderful time. Planning was stressful at times ~ DINING was tough *we had Free Dining so meals were a big part of our trip. I used the Dis Boards, the Ultimate Guide, TGM and touringplans.com ~ we were prepared and that really helped. DLR is much easier to plan and will always be #1 to me.

*I woke up just before 4am my time on 7/3 *DD's B~day* and tried to get online to make our ADRs but I had unplugged the router unknowingly **to charge my cell in case I needed to call in **the router was in a seperate room not even near the computer! *I had spent the night at my mom's. I could not get online! I finally called right at 5am and was able to get what we needed, but not on the 1st call, after securing CRT and Le Cellier we got disconnected *I was in the basement* I went out to my car, called back waited on hold for a bit then got what we wanted.

 

[chrissiecutie]

I'm 28 and have been going to DLR since I was 3, so over 25 years now. I can confidently call myself a DLR Vet. IMO, there's just not too much to plan when going to DL or DCA. The most critical part is choosing the right dates. As the parks have expanded, it's become a little more difficult.

However many of the questions I see on here seem almost silly to me....the Dining Plan is a joke, most of the restaurants are counter service that serve basically the same food, the Fantasmic dessert package seems like a waste of money (you still have to get there early to check in, then come back and the reserved seating isn't much better then what you could reserve for yourself). I get the impression that folks are so used to planning, planning, planning when it comes to WDW that this just naturally carries over to DLR.

Don't get me wrong, there's lots of great questions and answers on here and you do need to plan a bit and make a few PS for the sit down restaurants (though often you can walk right in with little to no wait), especially in the summer months but just not to the same extent that it appears you would plan for WDW.

I've never been to WDW but it just seems like there's SO many more options. More parks, more hotels, more food choices, more special packages/tours, bigger Downtown Disney and the like. It is overwhelming and that added to the bigger cost is why I've never gone. I'll get there someday though!

IMO, DLR requires a little strategic planning and then just relax and enjoy. It's not nearly the daunting task that WDW seems to be. That's one of the things I like most about it. Lots of times, I've simply "let go" of my plans for that day and everything always works out great!

So, OP- YeS! From a DLR vet, WDW seems very daunting!

 

[Docter419]

Thank you! My wife and I haven't yet, but we are planning on going to WDW in the next couple years. We were looking at the Orleans beach resort. We can't wait, but we have to save up for it first!

 

[AmyK]

I'm kind of jealous of all you vets. Being able to be so laid back about it means that you've been to Disney much more often than we have! I think getting the room reservations in Anaheim and San Diego are my most stressful parts right now. Perhaps once I've done that, I'll be able to relax about it more.... as long as I don't then worry that I could have gotten a better deal elsewhere. lol

 

[Disney Dreams]

I also think it is possible to over-plan.

Being a DLR local/regular, I am amazed at some of the degrees people here go to plan their days at DLR. I would HATE something like Ridemax. We like to have the freedom to say, "Hey! Let's go do THAT!" and not be held to a schedule.

We planned an impromptu first-time in 10 years trip to WDW in about a month and a half. We locked in ADRs where we could, called everyday hoping for cancellations for the few we couldn't get that we REALLY wanted (and in the end got them all), and decided which Park on which day based on hours, entertainment, etc. so we would not miss out on anything in our 8 days.

We had an amazing trip! Did we do e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g? Heck no! Did we have an incredible vacation that we will forever remember? Absolutely!

To OP: WDW was very overwhelming to plan, but - I also think it is possible to make ANY vacation over-complicated. DLR is certainly open to this "trap." We went to WDW with a general plan, locked in the "have tos" and went free-form from there. I may suggest, this can sometimes result in the best vacation.

- Dreams

 

[rmom]

I find it so much fun to plan for a WDW trip. We did our first trip in 2001 for 15 nights. We stayed in 3 different hotels. While there is so much more to plan at WDW there is also a nice selection of levels of hotels & restaurants that you don't find at DL. I wish they would bring some of the receipes from WDW to DL - especially the french toast loaf at the Main Street Bakery. For us DL is like planning to go to the beach where as WDW is like a trip overseas.

Have a great time is DL! We will be there the week before you.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

I find it so much fun to plan for a WDW trip. We did our first trip in 2001 for 15 nights. We stayed in 3 different hotels. While there is so much more to plan at WDW there is also a nice selection of levels of hotels & restaurants that you don't find at DL. I wish they would bring some of the receipes from WDW to DL - especially the french toast loaf at the Main Street Bakery. For us DL is like planning to go to the beach where as WDW is like a trip overseas.

Have a great time is DL! We will be there the week before you.

Great analogy, trip to the beach versus the trip overseas, I like that.

Thanks for the well wishes. I guess my only concern is that "I don't really know what I don't know about DL". I just don't want to miss something that is available only at DL, only to come home and read about it on the DIS. We will certainly be back again, now that our son lives close by, but I have a feeling that some future trips will involve seeing things outside of Anaheim. That is blaspheem, I know, to some people, but there is a lot of stuff to explore in California that is new to us.

 

[chrissiecutie]

I find it so much fun to plan for a WDW trip. We did our first trip in 2001 for 15 nights. We stayed in 3 different hotels. While there is so much more to plan at WDW there is also a nice selection of levels of hotels & restaurants that you don't find at DL. I wish they would bring some of the receipes from WDW to DL - especially the french toast loaf at the Main Street Bakery. For us DL is like planning to go to the beach where as WDW is like a trip overseas.

Have a great time is DL! We will be there the week before you.

EXACTLY!

DL= relax, make a few ressies, book hotel, choose days and your done!
WDW =yikes!

 

[chrissiecutie]

Great analogy, trip to the beach versus the trip overseas, I like that.

Thanks for the well wishes. I guess my only concern is that "I don't really know what I don't know about DL". I just don't want to miss something that is available only at DL, only to come home and read about it on the DIS. We will certainly be back again, now that our son lives close by, but I have a feeling that some future trips will involve seeing things outside of Anaheim. That is blaspheem, I know, to some people, but there is a lot of stuff to explore in California that is new to us.

Have you checked out that thread/sticky about WDW vets going to DL for the 1st time? There might also be one about things/rides unique to DL only- I would do a search here for them- super helpful. There's quite a bit that's unique to DLR...

 

[raftislander]

Completely agree with the beach/overseas analogy to planning a DLR vs. WDW trip. But in both instances, reading these boards is invaluable as things change faster than any guidebook can keep up! Here is one thing I noticed on my last trip to DLR that may help you plan your days if you have an early entry opportunity. Our multi day passes gave us one magic morning/early entry that we could use on either Sunday or Tuesday. We opted for Sunday because DL opened at 8:00am on Sunday and at 9:00am on Tuesday. I thought that the 7:00 am early entry would be less attended, despite being on the weekend, than the 8:00 Tuesday early entry. I was right but really surprised at the degree of difference. Lines of people at gates on Sunday were relatively short. My daughter and I were the first to enter Fantasyland on Sunday, went straight to Peter Pan, got off, went back in line- no wait, got off, line was still essentially a walk-on. (As Peter Pan does not have a FP at DLR and remains a popular ride, generally the only way to avoid a wait is to hit it first thing when the park opens) I walked over on Tuesday morning to see what the crowds looked like at the gates while on my way to picking up some beignets at Ralph Brennan's. Could not believe the difference. Hordes of parents with small kids were coming through the DTD security checkpoints from Disney hotels as onsite guests can attend every magic morning occurring during their stay. Did not see this on Sunday.