Greetings, all. We're WDW regulars, but this is our first time to DL and DCA. We have a 7 year old boy, and we'll be there for 3 days in September. If you were us, what would you do or NOT do in DCA and DL? We are staying at one of the hotels outside the park.
I would highly recommend taking a look at HydroGuy's
DLR Guide for WDW Vets. It provides a lot of good information about the similarities and differences between the two resorts.
If the 7 year old likes Cars, then I would highly recommend checking out Carsland. RSR is one of the most popular rides in DLR. All of Carsland, in general, is done very well and it does feel like you're walking into Radiator Springs. They even have a meet and greet with Mater or McQueen or Red (varies)...it's cool to see them drive out to the meet and greet and interact with guests.
Assuming you're not there right now, but will be arriving sometime on or after the 12th, DLR will be HalloweenTime-mode. So that means the Haunted Mansion Holiday (HM with a NBC overlay) and Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy (still the same ride, but with some spooky projections and music) will both be running. Given that WDW does not have the HMH overlay, I would highly recommend seeing it at least once. SMGG is also unique to DL. Likewise, the Big Thunder Ranch will have the Halloween Carnival going on. It's worth checking out, if nothing else, to see the amazing carved pumpkins. There will be two Mickey's Halloween Parties in September (9/26 and 9/30), which is something to keep in mind (if you're going then).
September generally has shorter hours and less entertainment than the busier times of the year. Fireworks and Fantasmic! will probably only run on weekends (Fri-Sun, and not when there is a MHP). WoC will probably run nightly, but Mad T Party will only run Fri-Sun. Park hours will be long on weekends, but short on weekdays.
