I joined this board last year as we were planning a trip to DW. In an effort to pay back all that I learned, I thought I could share a few tips with all of you.
When thinking of when to plan the trip and considering various dates. Look at all all the Block out dates for the deluxe annual pass. Those are the busiest and most crowded days of the year. Weather is rarely a factor, I wouldn't let it influence your planning.
I was shocked when we got to DW and I saw how huge it is, and was very glad I decided to stay on property. With DL, when an off property hotel says it's at maingate, you can truly walk to DL. At DL you don't need to stay on property, the city shuttle service is a few bucks a day and stops at every hotel every 20 minutes. You will not need a car unless you are planning on going beyond disney. I wouldn't spend the money to rent it on the days you will be at at DL.
DL is very different from DW. Unlike DW where you have to book things WAY in advance, you should be able to get all the character dining, dining reservations,tours etc... as little as a few days before arrival. Holidays at DL are really, really crowded, prepare to wait 1-2 hours per ride.
You will get the most character greetings when you arrive at the maingate of DL prior to 4:00, look for more characters in front of Town Hall and Walt's movie theater.
Use your fastpasses! The lines for Indiana Jones, Space Mountain and Soarin can be well over an hour. Go immediately to these rides as you first arrive in the park.
Fantasyland, and Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, can be well over an hour as well. No fastpass for this ride. Go there first thing in the am.
Have babies in diapers? Take a lesson from me. On Thanksgiving 3 years ago, we got stuck for 2 hours on Pirates. BRING diapers on all the rides!
Unlike DW, it is SO easy to park hop. It's a short walk to each park. If DL is too crowded go to DCA.
Did you know you could convert your park hopper to annual passes at the end of your trip? We do this every year. For example, we do like to go over the holidays, even though it is unbelievably crowded. We typically buy deluxe passes, but the last 2 weeks in December are blocked out. so we buy the 5 day park hopper and at the end of our trip add a few bucks to it and get our deluxe annual passes. We get to go during the holidays and all throughout the rest of the year. Just keep in mind this is only for when you are buyinmg new passes. We just let them expire, so we can take advantage of this!
Please feel free to ask more questions! I have been to DL over a 100 times and yet, I still find new things on this board.
Have a Disney Day!
When thinking of when to plan the trip and considering various dates. Look at all all the Block out dates for the deluxe annual pass. Those are the busiest and most crowded days of the year. Weather is rarely a factor, I wouldn't let it influence your planning.
I was shocked when we got to DW and I saw how huge it is, and was very glad I decided to stay on property. With DL, when an off property hotel says it's at maingate, you can truly walk to DL. At DL you don't need to stay on property, the city shuttle service is a few bucks a day and stops at every hotel every 20 minutes. You will not need a car unless you are planning on going beyond disney. I wouldn't spend the money to rent it on the days you will be at at DL.
DL is very different from DW. Unlike DW where you have to book things WAY in advance, you should be able to get all the character dining, dining reservations,tours etc... as little as a few days before arrival. Holidays at DL are really, really crowded, prepare to wait 1-2 hours per ride.
You will get the most character greetings when you arrive at the maingate of DL prior to 4:00, look for more characters in front of Town Hall and Walt's movie theater.
Use your fastpasses! The lines for Indiana Jones, Space Mountain and Soarin can be well over an hour. Go immediately to these rides as you first arrive in the park.
Fantasyland, and Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, can be well over an hour as well. No fastpass for this ride. Go there first thing in the am.
Have babies in diapers? Take a lesson from me. On Thanksgiving 3 years ago, we got stuck for 2 hours on Pirates. BRING diapers on all the rides!
Unlike DW, it is SO easy to park hop. It's a short walk to each park. If DL is too crowded go to DCA.
Did you know you could convert your park hopper to annual passes at the end of your trip? We do this every year. For example, we do like to go over the holidays, even though it is unbelievably crowded. We typically buy deluxe passes, but the last 2 weeks in December are blocked out. so we buy the 5 day park hopper and at the end of our trip add a few bucks to it and get our deluxe annual passes. We get to go during the holidays and all throughout the rest of the year. Just keep in mind this is only for when you are buyinmg new passes. We just let them expire, so we can take advantage of this!
Please feel free to ask more questions! I have been to DL over a 100 times and yet, I still find new things on this board.
Have a Disney Day!
Thanks...great advice!
