Observations from a First Timer

[ksam97]

We were at DL for the first time 4/6-4/15 staying at Paradise Pier. The party consisted of me (43) and my sister (30). We have been to Disney World more times than we can count and there were a few differences we found that we did not see in our research.

1. Not many people or kids wore Disney attire such as shirts, sweatshirts or hats and there were not nearly as many girls who were dressed as princesses. This seems to be a much bigger ordeal at DW.

2. Most eating facilities are outside. It was cold and windy a lot of the evenings we were there and the food got cold quickly.

3. Finding our way around DL was more difficult than I imagined. The signage was not as clear. It was also a bit confusing going through the GC hotel to get to DL.

4. The return times for the fast passes are not posted at the fast pass machines but at the ride entrances. We could not find wait times at some of the rides.

5. We used Mouse Wait all the time and Ride Max was pretty spot on with the itinerary times.

6. If you had a vacation package you got special viewing spots for the parade and Aladin. The VIP parade viewing spot was right across from It’s A Small World. About 5 minutes before the parade started they opened it up to everyone. We found it was not as VIP as we thought. The Aladin viewing was great. We got to pick our seats before the rest of the guests. We sat in the first row of the Mezzanine. It was great because no one was in front of us.

7. The cars in Autopia were not as loud and the tires did not squeal.

8. As recommended try to see the fireworks early in your vacation. It was quite windy the week we were there and the fireworks only went off twice. What we didn’t know was that they only announced the cancelling of the fireworks right before they we set to go off causing a lot of angry people. They put up 4-5 balloons prior to the fireworks going off and if they went straight up the fireworks were more likely to go off. We really enjoyed Tinker Bell sailing across the sky and the incorporation of the ride music into the show.

All in all we had a great time considering it was spring break. I hope some of this information is useful to DW veterans who are going to DL for the first time.

 

[DLR29]

Excellent observations! I never thought about the FP return time locations just because I go so much that I know where they are, but you make a good point.

And also, after working at WDW last summer, I agree with the dressing up part. You see a lot more families with matching Disney vacation shirts at WDW. I guess it could be partly because a lot of people at DLR come after school or work and don't really think about what they're gonna be wearing.

 

[SGMCO]

Thanks for sharing, our family are WDW Vets and I'm trying not to get
scared about our upcoming visit to DL. We choose DL this year because
plane tixs never got affordable, for the cost of 3 tixs I was able to get a 7/8days at a Good neighbor across the street and airfare. I couldn't afford a Disney hotel like I can at WDW--would love to stay onsite.I'm also going to miss the Magic Express and the Dining Choices, but look forward to exploring DL and seeing some of the different things it has to offer. Did you get to see WOC?

 

[Huff]

The majority of visitors to DLR are locals and AP'ers. Far more than at WDW. That could explain fewer princesses and family t-shirts. That said, on our visit in March we saw quite a few of both. Maybe it depends on the season.

Not so sure about signage lacking vs. WDW. Its not great at either. True, signs are lacking (but some exist) in GC directing you to DL or DTD. At WDW Boardwalk has similar issues for people walking through to get from EP to DS. At least you don't have to figure out whether to take a bus, boat or monorail to get where you want...you just walk!

Autopia I find about the same. Never noticed tires squeeling so I'll have to keep my ears open! The cars at either are almost impossible to control with extrememly loose steering!! Kids sure love it so we go every time but the exhaust fumes get to me!

 

[kittycruize]

Hi Ksam97! We too have been to WDW too many times to count, and are considering going to DL the end of August. Can you give me your honest perspective on DL compared to WDW? We are major fans, and I just can't seem to commit to going, as I think I will be disappointed. I am so tempted to go, but it is so so much money, and am worried I will have wished I had spent it on WDW! Please share as much as you can, and please don't hold back your honest opinions!!

 

[Hound 109]

Hi Ksam97! We too have been to WDW too many times to count, and are considering going to DL the end of August. Can you give me your honest perspective on DL compared to WDW? We are major fans, and I just can't seem to commit to going, as I think I will be disappointed. I am so tempted to go, but it is so so much money, and am worried I will have wished I had spent it on WDW! Please share as much as you can, and please don't hold back your honest opinions!!

I can think of a dozen + posters (on the DLR board regularly) who have been to WDW many many times. Opinions & comparisons are littered throughout this board. Ksam's observations are spot on, as are the dozens of others who are WDW (& DLR) vets.

Start with HGs superthread. Read & digest with confidence. Then read all the other posts / threads contributed by DLR / WDW vets. Tell us what YOU like about WDW (& what you don't like) & folks will offer "honest" opinions.

Ksam, good comment about the stroll thru the GCH to DTD (& on to the turnstile). I highly recommend all folks staying on site (at any of the 3 hotels) to KNOW the pathways thru the GCH to & from DTD...or DCA....or the PPH. If one doesn't KNOW it ahead of time, ask two different CMs at the GCH desk when you first walk in. (for double confirmation).

Knowing these pathways takes the stress out of the first day (& subsequent days).

Kittycruize.....comparing WDW to DLR is like comparing NYC to Boston. Both worth visiting, but VERY VERY different. Forget the long bus rides, forget the humidity, forget the 32 meal reservations made 6 mos. out & try to enjoy the magic of Walt's park.

 

[disneydreamer74]

I guess it does depend on the time of year visiting. We have always seen a number of people dressed in Disney attire and Princess dresses! Including my family, we always dress in Disney attire. I have been to both parks and have not noticed a difference as far as that goes, but again, it could be the time you visited!

 

[PinkBudgie]

I agree about the GCH. I always get confused and turned around in there. I know my way from DCA to White Water Snacks and that's it.

 

[DharmaLou]

Kittycruize.....comparing WDW to DLR is like comparing NYC to Boston. Both worth visiting, but VERY VERY different. Forget the long bus rides, forget the humidity, forget the 32 meal reservations made 6 mos. out & try to enjoy the magic of Walt's park.

This exactly!

I've been to both - DLR many more times than WDW (3 times) - and to be completely honest, I prefer DLR. But it's almost apples & oranges. Just go and enjoy!

 

[Jrsy Boy]

Thanks for sharing, our family are WDW Vets and I'm trying not to get scared about our upcoming visit to DL. We choose DL this year because plane tixs never got affordable, for the cost of 3 tixs I was able to get a 7/8days at a Good neighbor across the street and airfare. I couldn't afford a Disney hotel like I can at WDW--would love to stay onsite.I'm also going to miss the Magic Express and the Dining Choices, but look forward to exploring DL and seeing some of the different things it has to offer. Did you get to see WOC?

I am also from Colorado and was not exactly a WDW vet, but had been a few times before my first DLR visit. After that first visit we went again the next year and again the next. The only reason we didn't last year is because we vowed to wait until CarsLand is open before going back. You'll love the short, direct flight and how much you can accomplish in a short trip. I suspect you'll be back...

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I guess it does depend on the time of year visiting. We have always seen a number of people dressed in Disney attire and Princess dresses! Including my family, we always dress in Disney attire. I have been to both parks and have not noticed a difference as far as that goes, but again, it could be the time you visited!

We do too, but we are not locals, just lucky to live close enough for a 1 *long* day drive or a quick *cheap* flight. If I lived 30 min or less from Disney I don't think I'd wear a Mickey shirt each time I visited *which would be often.

 

[ksam97]

The one problem I had while at DL was that I kept getting disoriented. For instance- I kept wondering why Buzz Light Year was in the location of Stiches Great Escape and why Star Tours was in the Monsters Ink Laughing Floor location and Peter Pan was where Snow White should be...... It was funny how conditioned the mind gets when going to a place over and over.

I really did enjoy the different rides at DL and being able to walk through the castle. Luckily my sister read about this prior to us going. The other bonus at DL was that you can enjoy a Dole Whip while watching the birds in the Enchanted Tiki Room.

We were at DL over spring break so the crowds were large. I would not pick this time of year normally but this trip was combined with a business conference.

 

[Cinderpamela]

Kittycruize.....comparing WDW to DLR is like comparing NYC to Boston. Both worth visiting, but VERY VERY different. Forget the long bus rides, forget the humidity, forget the 32 meal reservations made 6 mos. out & try to enjoy the magic of Walt's park.

I love this.... cound not have said it better myself!

We went back to WDW for the first time this past December, and while you cannot help but compare and contrast the two resorts, I found that I love them both, but for completely different reasons. That said DL is still my sentimental fave.
That and I love the fact that you dont have to be so OCD when planning a trip to DLR.... not that I dont love to plan or anything....

The one problem I had while at DL was that I kept getting disoriented. For instance- I kept wondering why Buzz Light Year was in the location of Stiches Great Escape and why Star Tours was in the Monsters Ink Laughing Floor location and Peter Pan was where Snow White should be...... It was funny how conditioned the mind gets when going to a place over and over.

We had similar issues at first in WDW MK, it was really quite funny, but we managed to overcome ;-)!

 

[brenda1966]

We are fortunate to be able to visit both parks with some regularity. And I agree that comparing them is an apples to oranges deal. I like each experience for different reasons and I expect different things out of each park. They are different.

I do find that when I'm at WDW's Magic Kingdom I do feel a longing to return to Disneyland. Every time. The reverse doesn't happen. I don't feel a need to return to WDW when I visit DL. So, I guess my heart belongs to Walt's orignal park and I think any true Disney fan should make a point to visit it at least once.

 

[HydroGuy]

I do find that when I'm at WDW's Magic Kingdom I do feel a longing to return to Disneyland. Every time. The reverse doesn't happen. I don't feel a need to return to WDW when I visit DL. So, I guess my heart belongs to Walt's orignal park and I think any true Disney fan should make a point to visit it at least once.

For me it does, and I call it the reverse boomerang effect. Here is how it works:

A DLR vet goes to WDW for the first time - or vice versa - and wonders if they will love the other resort as much as their home resort. And they wonder how they will manage without some favorite ride or show or restaurant not being at the opposite resort.

Sure enough, they visit the opposite resort and try as they might they do miss certain favorite things from their home resort.

After they visit the opposite resort - which is usually a good experience because both resorts are so full of Disney magic - they make their first return to their home resort. And then a strange thing happens. They were always perfectly happy at their home resort before but now not quite so much as before. Why? Because they find themselves missing something from the opposite resort.

Now they have experienced the Disney reverse boomerang effect and are on their way to becoming bi-coastal Disney visitors.

 

[Cinderpamela]

Totally agree with this Hydroguy! We are now officially "Boomerangers"!!!

 

[brenda1966]

Totally agree with this Hydroguy! We are now officially "Boomerangers"!!!

Boomerang is a great way to describe it. Once you start going to both, you want to keep going to both because of the differences. I wouldn't feel happy just going back to only one location.

Lately DL and CA have just felt more exciting and fresher to me --new things like the Mermaid ride, WOC, and now Carsland make it feel bright and new. WDW hasn't introduced anything lately to generate that excitement in me. And unfortunately DD is outgrowing the Princess phase completely, so the new Fantasyland that will eventually emerge at WDW is about a decade too late for us. I'll still want to see it, of course.

 

[Judy from Boise]

I am a definite boomeranger.......but for me it is the Florida winter weather that draws me there. I love Boise, but a need a dose of warm and sunny in February,and that is much more Florida than CA. But you couldn't get me to Florida June - October !
so I pick parks based on who has the best weather at the time I want to go.