Need October HELP!! - a WDW Pro who is a DL Schmoe

[DocSooner08]

Help!! We are going for our first ever DL trip on Thurs and Fri October 11 & 12 - though we've probably spent 3 months at the world. I know all the Orlando tricks but I'm afraid I'm going to be one of those poor lost souls who make all the mistakes. With only two days we really only want to focus on the differences and enjoying Walt's original creation - and of course checking out Cars Land! So we are off-site (rookie mistake número UNO at WDW - so we dont get EMH. I was going to skip hoppers and do one park a day.

Sounds like we should do the parks on the days they don't offer EMH to resort guests so I guess we'll do CA on Thursday and DLP on Friday - is that right? No Halloween party's to contend with, but fantastic isn't offered either day - but that's OK. Does anyone know what the crowd scores are supposed to be that day? I know I'm supposed to race to RSR to get FP's and ride Luigi early at CA - I'm not sure how to attack DLP? Want to hit the different rides - Mr. Toad!, Matterhorn, Nemo, (Indian jones is closed), nightmare haunted mansion ghost galaxy - any advice on an order - plan of attack?

Any special meals or things we should be sure not to miss (things like the fireworks dessert party at WDW, or the Kitchen sink at beaches and cream) Daughters are 8 & 10 and are starting to grow out of characters - BTW - we're staying at the Best Western Plus right at the entrance so hope that will be a good one.

ANY thoughts would be greatly appreciated!!!!

 

[DocSooner08]

BTW - that should have said Fantasmic - oh yeah and we're supposed to always go Wide Right at DCA right!

 

[KalamityJane]

There is a Halloween Party on Friday, so you will have to leave the park at 7pm. I would get parkhoppers or party tickets so you can enjoy the rest of Friday evening. Heck, you should get PH regardless, the 2 parks are so close, it is very easy to parkhop.

 

[DocSooner08]

Oh youre right! I thinking knew that - we were originally switching days but when I read about EMH cars land headaches I switched em! Good thought

 

[KalamityJane]

If you get PH, you can head to DL Friday morning when everyone else is at DCA, and hit up all of those rides, then back over to DCA when the party starts.

 

[d1gitman]

rope drop and from what i've been told on these boards DLCA still allows stacking FP's. we too are WDW vets and DLCA does have a lot of different nuances. We did live in SoCal for a yr and did DLCA as locals but that is a different flavor from making a trip. We are going in December from MA and i feel a bit lost as well. I just learned that parking isn't free for onsite guests. Dining ressies can't be made before 60 days, etc...lot's of differences.

however, i can tell you that we like DLCA better than WDW. sorry to hear Indy Jones will be closed for your trip, that is probably our all time favorite attraction between FL & CA

 

[d1gitman]

the loaded baked potato soup at Carnation Cafe is one of our favorite eats....highly recommend making dining reservations for Carnation Cafe.

We were introduced to Churros at DLCA and is a favorite treat of ours.

spacemountain is waaaaaay better at DLCA. in general we think all the attraction at DLCA that WDW has are done better at DLCA. the only noteable thing we like better at WDW is the exterior of Haunted Mansion but we like the attraction itself better at DLCA.

It will be interesting to see what you think of DLCA vs. WDW. They are two very different experiences but we all in all we love DLCA.

 

[KalamityJane]

The soups in bread bowls are amazing at Pacific Wharf in DCA

 

[k3chantal]

Help!! We are going for our first ever DL trip on Thurs and Fri October 11 & 12 - though we've probably spent 3 months at the world. I know all the Orlando tricks but I'm afraid I'm going to be one of those poor lost souls who make all the mistakes. With only two days we really only want to focus on the differences and enjoying Walt's original creation - and of course checking out Cars Land! So we are off-site (rookie mistake número UNO at WDW - so we dont get EMH. I was going to skip hoppers and do one park a day.

Sounds like we should do the parks on the days they don't offer EMH to resort guests so I guess we'll do CA on Thursday and DLP on Friday - is that right? No Halloween party's to contend with, but fantastic isn't offered either day - but that's OK. Does anyone know what the crowd scores are supposed to be that day? I know I'm supposed to race to RSR to get FP's and ride Luigi early at CA - I'm not sure how to attack DLP? Want to hit the different rides - Mr. Toad!, Matterhorn, Nemo, (Indian jones is closed), nightmare haunted mansion ghost galaxy - any advice on an order - plan of attack?

Any special meals or things we should be sure not to miss (things like the fireworks dessert party at WDW, or the Kitchen sink at beaches and cream) Daughters are 8 & 10 and are starting to grow out of characters - BTW - we're staying at the Best Western Plus right at the entrance so hope that will be a good one.

ANY thoughts would be greatly appreciated!!!!

If you have any interest in riding Space Mountain, go there first thing in the morning, grab a fast pass and get in line. This way you may be able ride twice. Fast passes generally go quickly, the ride does break down a lot so you are increasing your chances if you start early.

The Best Western Plus should be a Good Neighbor hotel. Have you checked out the 'benefits' of staying at a Good Neighbor hotel? There should be some; at least in the past there were. All the hotels are older on that street but they are actually closer to the entrance to both parks than the Disney properties (except Disney Grand Californian's entrance to the California park; can't get closer since the entrance is 'in' the park)

On your California Park day, I would head to Cars Land first (I haven't been there yet) and Toy Story Mania early. Toy Story Mania always has a huge line and I hear the crowds at Cars Lands are long but worth it. The good news is that California Screamin' is right next door to Toy Story Mania and that is a great roller coaster.

Food....definitely not the same as WDW read: a lot less choice. A popular place is the Blue Bayou. It is really dark in the restaurant but you get to hear if not see (depending on where you sit) The Pirates of the Caribbean. I like their Monte Cristo sandwich. I will need to warn you the place is not the cheapest. And, even though I just recommended it, this is never my favorite place to go. To be honest, I am struggling to have a 'favorite' restaurant at DL ever since they closed down the sushi restaurant.

Highly recommend making dining reservations. October is a popular time to go to Disneyland because of the decorations so you will be happier if you know you have your dinner reservations made. I would call the dining reservation number and chat with the CM. They can give you good suggestions depending on what you like to eat and what price point you want to stay at. However, I would take a close look at the restaurants that are in the Disney hotel properties; they tend to be better than what you can get in the parks. And, don't forget looking at the restaurants in Downtown disney.

I will think about other tips but right now I have got to go.....

Have fun!

 

[Mary09]

With only two days we really only want to focus on the differences and enjoying Walt's original creation - and of course checking out Cars Land! So we are off-site (rookie mistake número UNO at WDW - so we dont get EMH. I was going to skip hoppers and do one park a day.

I would recommend park hoppers. That Thurs. the crowds should be light. You can probably see a lot of both parks then.

Also, it sounds you don't plan to check out CA except for Cars Land? If you've never seen any of CA, I might do about the opposite. Why fight the crowds to see the one thing new to them when the rest of the park is new to you? With two days I don't think you need to skip CL but I'd hate to see someone skip the rest of CA. It's not a huge park, you should check it out. Some of the rides shouldn't be missed.

 

[d1gitman]

....On your California Park day, I would head to Cars Land first (I haven't been there yet) and Toy Story Mania (there is no FP for this attraction - one of those differences between WDW and DLCA that can catch you by surprise) early. Toy Story Mania always has a huge line and I hear the crowds at Cars Lands are long but worth it. The good news is that California Screamin' (this is a fantastic coaster which IMHO crushes RNR and this does have FP) is right next door to Toy Story Mania and that is a great roller coaster....And, don't forget looking at the restaurants in Downtown disney (Naples pizza is one of our favorites...pricey pizza but we love it. Also, the smell of the kettle corn in Downtown Disney is intoxicating).

I will think about other tips but right now I have got to go.....

Have fun!

.

 

[sandy6879]

I'm a huge WDW fan myself (from east coast originally) and I like Disneyland, but it's definitely not the same feel to it. All the rides are a lot closer together, which means bigger feel to the crowds.

I will second that Space Mountain is much better at DL. The rest - eh. To us, the differences don't make up for the time to wait in lines.

Honestly, I would check out California Adventure for as much time as you can. We really enjoy that park, it has a lot that is different from WDW as well as some of our favorite rides all in one park. World of Color is amazing, they did a wonderful job on that.

Either way, I'm sure you will enjoy your trip. DL has a completely different feel than WDW and it's one that everyone who loves one, should always experience the other

 

[poohj80]

We'll be there too, taking DD to DL for the first time (but she's a WDW vet so will be interesting to see a kid's perspective on the differences).

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

Toy Story Mania does not have FP like it does at DHS, so aside from Carsland, when you go to DCA, that would be a ride to hit first thing in the morning as the line does get long. The ride is exact as DHS's but the queue is different.

None of the rides in Fantasyland have FP either, a good order to go in Peter Pan first and the other dark rides, then head over to the Matterhorn.

Space Mountain, it's a small world, and Pirates are much better at DLR than at WDW, IMO. The Splash at DL is a tad shorter than the one at MK and DCA's TOT is slightly different too. Plus right now HM has the Nightmare Before Christmas which you won't want to miss, HM does have FP during the holiday season.

DCA's Soarin' is exactly the same as Epcot's, aside from the queue.

Since you're so close to your hotel, it's a great idea to walk back for an afternoon nap.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

If you haven't already, read this thread for WDW vets going to DLR: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599
You will find lots of helpful info there.