Observations and questions from my first DLR trip

[Dr.Mickey]

My first DLR trip was amazing. I have been back for two weeks, and I just now have the time to write about my trip. I was at DLR for 4 days, June 15-18 (Wed to Sat), and it was my first trip to California from the East Coast. I am a WDW vet (at least 25 trips), and I loved my time at DLR. So here are some observations and a few questions:

1. The Disney magic is in the people. There are many debates on these boards about which resort is best. But just like at WDW, the cast members at DLR make the difference between a nice amusement park and the magic of Disney. In four days at the parks, I never had a negative experience with a cast member.

2. Speaking of cast members…I love to check cast member name badges at WDW for the most interesting home towns, since nearly every state (and country) are represented. After a day at DLR, I realized that every name badge I had noticed had CA as the home state. I am sure there are cast members from elsewhere, but I only noticed one out of state tag all week.

3. I love love love love love Space Mountain at DLR. I still love the one at WDW, too. But I tip my cap to the West Coast version.

4. Speaking of Space Mountain…Anyone who says that WDW’s Space Mountain is as rough as the Matterhorn is telling a lie. I liked the Matterhorn – mostly for the Disney nostalgia. But that ride should be sponsored by Stedman’s Chiropractic. Thankfully my Saturday in CA was the one Saturday the ride was open, and I can check it off of my bucket list.

5. World of Color was fantastic. The WofC picnic meal? Not so much. I am ready for the imagineers at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in FL to tear out Fantasmic and set up WofC. The 5000 seat stadium would take all of the stress out of an otherwise perfect show. Thankfully I’m tall, and I got to stand on the steps in the Blue section. But anyone under 6ft tall who doesn’t arrive a day early to sit by the rail may be out of luck.

6. There are a ton of restaurants in the DLR parks. I like a few better at WDW, but the overall number of places to eat was surprising. Even on the most crowded days, there was hardly a wait anywhere.

7. I am a fan of the Candy Cane Inn. Yes, it is just a motel. But so are the rest of the rooms within walking distance. And I could not swing the GCH this time. CCI is beautiful. I like the cobblestone parking, the gardens, the hanging vines along the rail. The rooms are ok, but not spectacular. But I would stay there again.

8. I loved DLR’s Pirates ride. I don’t remember pirate ships being a big deal in the Mississippi delta, but even so, the detail on this version is great.

9. One of Walt’s stated aims in building WDW was to avoid having the city spring up right next to the park. Well, by the time you get to the bag check, the rest of the world is gone. The music of Main St is waiting. And, when your feet get tired, it’s only ten minutes back to the motel.

10. Now, for my favorite thing about DLR. I LOVE THAT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WEATHER! I was there in the middle of June. The high temps were 70 to 75 each day. 70 degrees? Really? In mid June? Now the crazy part. The locals kept calling this the June Gloom. Well, it was a little cloudy in the morning. But so what? By lunch time, the sun was shining bright, and by 2pm, there was not a cloud in the sky. Several of the locals called it gloomy, even when the sun was shining bright. Well guess what? On the East Coast, we don’t call that kind of weather gloomy. We call it autumn, and it is our favorite time of year. So here is my advice to all SoCal residents...When the Santa Anna winds kick in later in the summer, you can complain. Until then, just enjoy your perfect weather and hush.


Now, for anyone who is still with me, I have a few questions:

1. Where do you eat when it rains? Nearly every restaurant has outdoor seating. I know it doesn’t rain often, but it does rain occasionally. And sometimes it rains a lot.

2. Why was it less crowded on Saturday than Wednesday? I know the local APs have a big impact on parks, but I had still heard it was the worst on Saturday. None of the waits were unmanageable, except maybe ST2.0.

3. At WDW, the actual wait is almost always shorter than the posted wait time (I think it helps morale). But at DLR, I usually had to wait LONGER than the posted wait time. Is this normal, or was that just bad timing?

Well, I loved my trip to DLR. Thanks for reading this very long post. Maybe I can come back west in June again to enjoy the gloomy weather. Thanks for reading. And thanks to all DLR vets for the advice.

 

[PinkBudgie]

Thanks for posting about your trip! I always love to hear what WDW vets have to say about their first trip to DLR. And you wisely avoided complaining that the castle is too small.

I agree with you on the Matterhorn. That ride gives me a head ache. I hope by the time they are done with all the refurbs it will ride smoother.

1. I don't know where to eat when it rains. I've never been there when it rained. I do know what happens during an earthquake though.

2. Well, on Sat. all the AP except most expensive one is blocked. We have the deluxe so we are arriving on a Sunday and leaving on Saturday when we couldn't go in anyway.

3. DH always times the lines on his watch. Usually they are pretty much right on or a tad faster. Probably just depends. Sometimes they give us a paper to hold with the time written on it. We give it to the CM at the front of the line and they use that to test wait time.

 

[MonkeyDishwasher]

Most places that offer outdoor seating also offer indoor seating. When it rains, a good majority of people don't come to the parks as planned. Thus, when it rains, the people who do "brave the weather" eat inside.

 

[MyYearWithTheMouse]

As a local (living 3 miles away from DL), it rains so infrequently, the locals just stay home when it's damp . I was an employee/CM at Downtown Disney and we used to dread the rain, since everyone either stayed home or they were dedicated to getting their money's worth at the part and not DTD. No idea on where to eat when it rains, other than places like the Corner Cafe when you try to get an umbrella seat.

RE: the state tags-- DLR quite simply doesn't have the staffing needs as WDW. We don't have the kind of massive college program that WDW has. We don't need special dorms or apartments for DLR cast members. There just really are enough who live in the general area to be CMs. The Orange County/ LA county area is just HUGE, population-wise, as opposed to WDW, so there's no shortage of locals to staff. I know plenty of locals who are turned away as CMs.

As far as the Matterhorn--believe it or not, it's MUCH smoother than it used to be! I can seriously remember in high school walking off that ride with practically whiplash. it was the first coaster with a tubular track. Still, with the scheduled refurb, you can expect this to be an even smoother coaster in the future. For the record, I think California Screamin' is one of the most pleasant coasters track-wise that I've ever read. DLR is constantly working on this. Come back next summer and see how you like it .

Regarding the June Gloom, quite frankly, locals are spoiled. Having grown up in SoCal, living in the Midwest for 8 years, and coming back to OC, it's easy to grow used to the semi-arid desert that CA really is. We are intolerant of any type of fog or overcast-ness. It can get hot as h*ll during the day, but I'll take that over humidity in a heartbeat. And I actually enjoy the Santa Anas.

DLR tries to be more accurate with wait times through using cards or electronic cards to track our waits. The thing is, Fastpass is a relatively new introduction to DLR--much newer than WDW. And the fact that you can use a FP any time after your stated window also throws our wait times off. I think that WDW figures an estimated wait and adds on top of that, while DLR still calculates wait based mostly on the standby line, so the FP folks slow people down. It really depends on the ride and on the crowd, but I think it's not unusual to have a standby line be longer than posted if there's a FP involved.

 

[bumbershoot]

Anyone who says that WDW’s Space Mountain is as rough as the Matterhorn is telling a lie.

I say it. Because that's my experience. I like Matterhorn, because I'm expecting the roughness, but WDW's Space was horrid. Just as rough, and unexpected to me (b/c even though I knew they were different, even though people said it was rough, I just couldn't believe it).

So I'm not sure what you're saying, but I say what you say is a lie, and I'm not lying. It was my experience. (and the experience of everyone who says it)

 

[stubby]

By no means a DL expert but pretty sure Plaza Inn and River Belle have indoor seating. Also we saw many leave and go to DTD to eat or the hotels.

 

[smile4stamps]

If you thought the 15th of June was crowded you should have been there the 13th & 14th! It was absolutly crazy!! I was there the 6th - 16th and the busiest days by far were the 13th & 14th. My best freind was with me the 6th - 11th and I texted her the following week saying I was thankful she was here then because it was packed and nuts! All the school groups were insane!!

 

[Bungle]

I've always thought sunday was more crowded than saturday, but to be honest it's pretty much just luck of the draw on which days are crowded. I've been there on Tuesdays where it was horrid and Saturdays where the crowd was really light.

Glad you enjoyed your trip.

 

[HydroGuy]

Now, for anyone who is still with me, I have a few questions:

1. Where do you eat when it rains? Nearly every restaurant has outdoor seating. I know it doesn’t rain often, but it does rain occasionally. And sometimes it rains a lot.

2. Why was it less crowded on Saturday than Wednesday? I know the local APs have a big impact on parks, but I had still heard it was the worst on Saturday. None of the waits were unmanageable, except maybe ST2.0.

3. At WDW, the actual wait is almost always shorter than the posted wait time (I think it helps morale). But at DLR, I usually had to wait LONGER than the posted wait time. Is this normal, or was that just bad timing?

Well, I loved my trip to DLR. Thanks for reading this very long post. Maybe I can come back west in June again to enjoy the gloomy weather. Thanks for reading. And thanks to all DLR vets for the advice.

Great report and nice to see still another vet who "got it" about DLR and did not become so fixated on all the differences. I agree that WDW vets who have never been to DLR have no idea what they are missing at Space Mtn and POTC. And you did not mention Indiana Jones!

ITA about the SoCal weather. Especially the summer. I had a nice trip to WDW in March and we managed to miss rainy days before and after but the Florida warmth in March was appreciated over what you normally see in SoCal. Otherwise I will take SoCal weather just about every time.

As others have said, SoCal folks stay away from DLR when it rains and the attendance really drops. I have never been to DLR in the rain in my life. But I definitely have done WDW in the rain! Once during a tropical storm. So I do not know where to eat when it rains but many places of course have inside or covered eating areas and since the attendance is so low on rainy days I doubt this is an ever an issue.

I think your issue with posted wait times was a fluke. At DLR and WDW it has always been my experience the posted time are slightly exaggerated.

The Wed vs Sat crowd is an AP thing and specific to June and August touring. It is different in July and early August and I would take Wednesday every time once all the blockouts kick in.

 

[DeluxePrincess]

I pretty much agree with everything you said, except the WDW Space/Matterhorn thing. WDW's Space Mountain is way rougher on me than Matterhorn was.

I found it funny how some locals were apologizing to me about the "June gloom". Give me that June gloom any day! CMs would find out that it was our first Disneyland trip after lots of WDW trips and again they apologized for the weather. They all perceive WDW's summers to be better. Disneyland's June weather was perfect! WDW in the summer is tough.

Saturday was our least busiest day, as well. Sunday was the busiest. I chalk it up to the AP blockout thing.

Glad you enjoyed your trip. Looks like you will be wanting to go back, as well!

 

[disneydreamer74]

I enjoyed reading your post. I have been to both parks also, so I understand your comparisons completely. Just 2 comments for ya.
*the wait time cards must have been a fluke because everytime I am there I love that I don't wait as long as the posted wait time!! Guess it depends on the ebb and flow!!
*also, I confess that I have a secret obsession with reading locations of CM's on nametags just to see if I can find someone there from my hometown!! Strange, but hey..its fun!! I have seen tags from several neighboring states, such as AZ and NM and even Lousiana. I usually wear a New Mexico State University t-shirt during the trip because let's face it..I am a proud Aggie!!!I ALWAYS get stopped by CM's that either lived in Las Cruces or attended the school some 30 years ago! It's fun discussing what changes have been made to the campus, etc. So, you never know who you will meet and how you are connected.Have to agree with you on most of your comments, especially the CM's. As you stated, this level of customer service is what allows DLR and WDW to stand apart from other theme parks! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

 

[nunzia]

I enjoyed reading your post. I have been to both parks also, so I understand your comparisons completely. Just 2 comments for ya.
*the wait time cards must have been a fluke because everytime I am there I love that I don't wait as long as the posted wait time!! Guess it depends on the ebb and flow!!
*also, I confess that I have a secret obsession with reading locations of CM's on nametags just to see if I can find someone there from my hometown!! Strange, but hey..its fun!! I have seen tags from several neighboring states, such as AZ and NM and even Lousiana. I usually wear a New Mexico State University t-shirt during the trip because let's face it..I am a proud Aggie!!!I ALWAYS get stopped by CM's that either lived in Las Cruces or attended the school some 30 years ago! It's fun discussing what changes have been made to the campus, etc. So, you never know who you will meet and how you are connected.Have to agree with you on most of your comments, especially the CM's. As you stated, this level of customer service is what allows DLR and WDW to stand apart from other theme parks! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

NMSU grad here too
Frankly, being an original No Cal girl living in NM, I look forward to gloom but heat always seems to follow. May a few years ago it was 105 and last September it was over 112 (whilst running the Scavenger Hunt.holy cow)

 

[KCmike]

Loved your trip report.
Laughed out loud about the weather and comparing it to Autumn. We love the weather out West as well. Disneyland has become my home resort. We have been to WDW a few more times than DL but I consider DL to be the better place to vacation and its my favorite park. There is just so much to see and do in CA vs. FL.

Again nice report and agreed with just about everything. It's funny because I like looking at the name tags too and we noticed a few more out of staters while we were there last summer. In fact a fellow KC native cast memeber stopped us because my son was wearing a KC Royals shirt and we had a good conversation for a few minutes.

Glad to hear you had a wonderful time!

 

[Dr.Mickey]

Here's a couple of follow-up thoughts.

1. It is very odd to get lost in a Disney park. That's the first time I've used a park map since I was 10 years old. I even had to ask for directions several times.

2. Great chicken tamales at the Mexican restaurant on Paradise Pier. I only had a few meals to try as many restaurants as possible, and I ate there for dinner two of the nights. Of course, the second time was after picking at the cold fried chicken in my World of Color picnic until I realized that I was not going to get full without a second meal.

3. I was only in the parks from mid-afternoon to closing (or as near to closing as my East Coast time zone would allow) because of a meeting, so I didn't really do an all day plan. I just made a list of the major attractions or sights I wanted to see, and I did as many as I could.

4. I loved Indiana Jones, but I think that comparing it to the show at WDW just doesn't work. One is a ride (a good one), and one is a show (also a good one).

5. The line for California Screamin wasn't bad. Plus, I used single rider. I rode it twice in just 10 minutes. If I were younger, I would have ridden it all day long. But alas, that ship has sailed. After 2 rides, I was content to watch the launch from the Pier for about 30 minutes while nursing a drink.

6. The scenery around the Grizzly River Run (or whatever it is called) is amazing. Absolutely beautiful.

7. I missed ST 2.0. But that should be pretty much the same the next time I'm at WDW. I figured 90 minutes in line wasn't worth it for my first trip to DLR.

8. Did I mention the perfect weather? Oh, that's right...

 

[KCmike]

I don't think anybody compares Indy the ride to Indy the show that I've heard of. Most compare it to Dinosaur in Animal Kingdom. And most think it blows it away. I agree.

Too bad you didn't get full days. Sounds like a second trip is in order!

 

[MyYearWithTheMouse]

On non-blockout AP days, crowds vary during the time of day as well. Mid to late afternoon is when the teens get out of school or people talk a half day or a few hours off. Mornings are much less crowded (this is out of season, when the SoCal passes all still work). Additionally, my experience with Sundays has been that the crowds are very light in the morning during church hours, then get increasingly greater afternoon as people get out of church and bring the family over on the weekend.

 

[skiingfast]

I don't think anybody compares Indy the ride to Indy the show that I've heard of. Most compare it to Dinosaur in Animal Kingdom. And most think it blows it away. I agree.

I think the comparison of Indy in DL to Dinosaur in AK is a text book example of comparing Apples to Oranges.

Apples and Oranges are fruits that grow on trees. Indy and Dinosaur use the same ride system and track layout. And the similarities end there. From that point on, totally different.

People should not be comparing Apples to Oranges. That is the point of the saying.

Splash to Splash, or BTMRR to BTMRR are good attractions to contrast.

 

[DeluxePrincess]

Here's a couple of follow-up thoughts.
1. It is very odd to get lost in a Disney park. That's the first time I've used a park map since I was 10 years old. I even had to ask for directions several times.

Haha I know the feeling! We had to check a map and ask for directions too. We were acting like total newbies. The funniest was DH insisting that Splash Mountain was next to Thunder Mountain. We stood around asking ourselves, "So where the heck IS Splash?" Totally forgot about Critter Country.

 

[HydroGuy]

Haha I know the feeling! We had to check a map and ask for directions too. We were acting like total newbies. The funniest was DH insisting that Splash Mountain was next to Thunder Mountain. We stood around asking ourselves, "So where the heck IS Splash?" Totally forgot about Critter Country.

A bit of history, but Splash and BTMRR were both built first at DL and then later at MK. That they are next to each other at WDW is because MK is the odd one.