Recently Back from First Trip!

[poohs_hunny]

I was at DLR for my first trip from 10/19-10/22. We were in the parks On Saturday all day and Sunday afternoon and evening. There were crowds in the afternoon and evening, but we were able to do most rides with a minimal wait. Couldn't do Nemo Submarines because that line was always crazy. Weather was gorgeous on Saturday - it was so nice to be at the parks and not sweltering like at WDW! Sunday was VERY windy with dirt/sand constantly blowing from the Santa Ana winds. Things were falling over like crazy and all stores/ride queues were filled with leaves and debris. Fireworks were cancelled this night.
My favorite rides were: 1) Soarin' Over California (no surprise since this is my favorite at WDW too), 2) Matterhorn (I wish they had this at WDW!), and tied for 3) Indiana Jones & Grizzly River Run.
We stayed at Howard Johnson's and had a pleasant stay. Staff was very helpful and friendly, especially when checking in/storing bags. The only problem we encountered was on our last night (Sunday) when it was really windy. There was something banging on the roof several times a minute (we were on the top floor). We called the front desk, but they didn't seem too concerned about it. It continued for most of the night. Luckily by morning, the winds had died down a bit.
It was a much different experience than WDW. It was nice having the two parks so close together and we took advantage of hopping back and forth multiple times. I also loved being able to walk to the parks each day instead of waiting for a bus. The fact that the parks are kind of just "plopped" in the middle of a busy street, however, did take away some of the magic. The isolation of WDW has its own appeal. Overall, a great trip! I hope to return someday!

 

[disney-super-mom]

Thanks for the great report. I'm happy to hear you enjoyed your first visit to DL. Things are only going to get better in the next five years and beyond, so when you return, there ought to be some big changes for you to experience and enjoy!!!

Did you get to see the fireworks at all? Fantasmic?

It's too bad you didn't get to ride Nemo. What did you think of Pirates? How about Pirates Lair on the island?

We went on our first trip to WDW this year (January), and had a wonderful time. We're planning on going back next year, and this time we're bringing our kids. I think they'll love it!

 

[poohs_hunny]

Thanks for the great report. I'm happy to hear you enjoyed your first visit to DL. Things are only going to get better in the next five years and beyond, so when you return, there ought to be some big changes for you to experience and enjoy!!!

Did you get to see the fireworks at all? Fantasmic?

It's too bad you didn't get to ride Nemo. What did you think of Pirates? How about Pirates Lair on the island?

We went on our first trip to WDW this year (January), and had a wonderful time. We're planning on going back next year, and this time we're bringing our kids. I think they'll love it!

We didn't make the fireworks or Fantasmic. I've seen Fastasmic at WDW, so that wasn't a must-do. On Saturday, we were too wiped to stay for the fireworks since we were at DL at 8AM and went all day with no break. Since they were cancelled on Sunday, we didn't have a chance to see them. We did catch some from our hotel room, though.
Pirates was great, much better than WDW's. We didn't get to the Pirate's Lair. We did eat at Blue Bayou right by the water - amazing food!

 

[Karnever]

next time you come you have to see Fantasmic. It is very different from the WDW one more magical I think.

 

[Crazy4Disney72]

next time you come you have to see Fantasmic. It is very different from the WDW one more magical I think.

Speaking as someone who has viewed both versions multiple times, I would agree with you, Fantasmic is definitely better at DL! The only thing that could make it better would be to have seating like at WDW, but once the show starts, you are so enthralled it doesn't matter you are seated on the ground!

 

[JennyW]

The fact that the parks are kind of just "plopped" in the middle of a busy street, however, did take away some of the magic. The isolation of WDW has its own appeal.

When they built it, it wasn't in the middle of a busy street! It was pretty much in the middle of nowhere.