Sitting at airport headed home - thoughts from a 1st time visitor

[ninergrl6]

So glad your first Disneyland visit was a success! I love hearing such nice things from first time visitors.

As for the homeless issue that a few people mentioned up thread, on my last DL visit in November, I took the complimentary bottled water from my hotel and the snacks I had brought for my road trip and gave them to the homeless people I walked by on my way into the park. It's the least I could do.

 

[Christin82]

We have never been to WDW, so we can’t compare the two, but we love DL for the reasons you mentioned. We’ve put off visiting the Florida parks because, aside from the distance and associated expenses, we are a bit intimidated by how much long-range, rigid planning is necessary on the other coast.

With MaxPass and efficient rope-dropping, we are generally able to see and do everything we want at DL and CA without waiting longer than about 20 minutes (usually less). I know it’s tough to get Fastpasses for the most sought-after headliners in WDW, and I can’t imagine waiting in hour-plus lines with my kids. I also don’t like how spread out the parks are, based on what I’ve heard. I like the fact that all the attractions in both parks at DLR are within walking distance. We will visit WDW someday, but in the meantime, we are more than happy with the way things work at DL. Glad to hear you had a great trip!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

So glad you enjoyed your trip and that the research you did here paid off! If you do plan another visit to DLR in the future, come on back here with all your questions! We'll be ready to help.

 

[lsumatt72]

Thanks everyone. I booked this trip last June and did so much research and planning only to realize once I got here that it really wasn’t necessary. I guess I’m just fixed in that mindset due to being a longtime WDW visitor haha!

I can’t wait to go back but it will probably be quite a while. This was a mommy/daddy trip so once the kids get a bit older we will revisit for sure. In the meantime, DW is already planning on us returning to WDW in 2020/21 and even looking into our first Disney cruise (I think she forgets I’m on a teachers salary sometimes!!!)

Regardless, I plan to hang around on the DLR board. You all have been super helpful with all my questions over the last 7-8 months and I’m very appreciative of that

 

[Mike_M]

For what it is I have no qualms. Very clean, friendly staff, breakfast included (which could use an upgrade) and only 10 minute walk. Would stay there again with no hesitation

We stayed at the King’s Inn last month for the first time. I thought it was an excellent value and close enough to the main gate. The breakfast could be slightly better, but that would be my only negative. It’s roughly where my family would stay back in the 80s when I was a kid so it had an interesting nostalgic feel for me too. A clean and safe place to sleep is all I’ve ever needed for my Disney trips and this place fits the bill well.

I’ve got a 2nd trip planned for later in the year and already decided to rebook there again.

If it remains in the price point it currently is, I have no problem making it a more usual choice.

 

[BrianL]

- CMs at DLR just seem so much more into their jobs and nicer overall. I know WDW is mostly college kids but the contrast was definitely observable.

- I will say WDW beats DLR in the food department overall. Though we didn’t eat one bad thing while we were at DLR

It's funny, but I have to say that I feel the exact opposite about these two points. I find CMs at DLR to be more laid-back, but a bit less courteous and friendly. The CMs at WDW tend to have this almost cult-like happiness about them. I mean, maybe it's fake, but you don't see it. I also think the food at DLR is much better (food in California is better as a whole). The F&W items we tried were much better than those at Epcot, plus a basic counter service burger is just better and less dry. WDW can't even get pizza right! That's just my experience with it though.

 

[nkereina]

We are WDW vets visiting DLR for the first time in May. I like reading others' experiences - we're getting excited!

I am surprised, though, on your comments regarding the food. Do you think WDW's food wins out simply because they have more options being larger? I usually read that DLR's food is superior to WDW. I always assumed it was because WDW is ordering, cooking, and supplying to the masses while DLR is on a smaller scale, easier to manager. I know that when I see food items on Instagram or Disney Food Blog that look amazing, they usually end being at DLR! lol!

 

[lsumatt72]

We are WDW vets visiting DLR for the first time in May. I like reading others' experiences - we're getting excited!

I am surprised, though, on your comments regarding the food. Do you think WDW's food wins out simply because they have more options being larger? I usually read that DLR's food is superior to WDW. I always assumed it was because WDW is ordering, cooking, and supplying to the masses while DLR is on a smaller scale, easier to manager. I know that when I see food items on Instagram or Disney Food Blog that look amazing, they usually end being at DLR! lol!

Yes basically I enjoy having more options, but all the food at DLR we had was good. I should have just clarified on the options aspect of it