Was at DLR Aug-14-22- a few things I wanted to mention

[lworts]

We had such a great time. We were warned about crowds in August, but they were never a problem for us. We didnt wait for a ride longer than 15 mins, with the exception of one 20 min wait for Indy, one time. We went on every ride MULTPLE times (we were there for 8 days mind you!) by utilizing the FP. It worked so well, and I was grateful for reading up on it ahead of time and would gather several in the morning hours, go back to DLH for a swim and then return to rides. It was GREAT.

We saw every show, with a great view, and only really waited long for Fantasmic (1 hr). It was worth it.

We had two character dining experiences. Both were mediocre in terms of food. I am vegetarian and there really are poor options for veggies everywhere in the DLR. The characters at Goofy's Kitchen were lacking, and I got food poisoning from Ariels Grotto. That was the worst of our trip. 6 hrs of h*ll in my hotel room, but fortunately it was through the night, and by the end of the next day I was fine.

We paid for Front of the Line passes at Universal and they were excellent. We were the only ones on our tour bus that managed to do everything there in the 8 hrs. We went on Jurassic Park and the Mummy 6 times each. In all, I didnt care for Universal, but I guess DL spoils you!

My 3 children didnt always want to do the same thing, and I think my 7 yo enjoyed it the most because she was the right age for everything small or big. Hollywood Tower Hotel was everyone's favorite ride, and there was never a wait more than 15 mins.

I was very pleased with the DL hotel. We had a problem with the sliding door coming off the rails and an 'engineer' was sent to our room within 10 mins. The CM's there were very helpful and the room was clean and had a great view of the fireworks (Sierra Tower/standard view).

Anyways, thanks so much to the DisBoards for all the great info and advice, and especially Mary Jo.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Wow - sounds like your family had a wonderful vacation, except for the food poisoning ... but despite that, you made the most of your vacation, and that is so good to read.

Right now, we're going through a hot spell, and when I was at DL Thursday afternoon, my car thermometer read 102º, compared to the 88º at my house, which is closer to the ocean... so it was HOT!

Hope you missed the worst of the heat since that can really sap your strength.

So, what would you go back and do again that was fun for you & your family?

 

[redwingsmickey]

We were planning on making priority seating arrangements for Goofy's Kitchen for next month. What do you mean that the characters were lacking? What day of the week and time were you there?

Thanks

 

[lworts]

It was very hot on the last day we were there. Over 100degrees, but very nice upper 80's the rest of the time. We loved hanging out at the Neverland Pool. It was definitely a highlight. We all would love to get to Knott's Berry Farm next time around. We also couldnt get enough of Space Mountain and the Hollywood Tower (of Terror) Hotel.

The meal at Goofys was a Tuesday morning, and cost 100.00 for the 5 of us (3 kids). The characters were Chip and Dale (only Dale came to our table), the Mad Hatter, and Pluto that came to our table. Mary Poppins was there and my oldest dd loves her and we waited and waited for her to get to us but she never did. We were there for over an hour, so when we were leaving my dd went up and asked for a pic and autograph and I could tell she was very rushed and wasnt really supposed to stop except at the tables. Goofy never came to the table at all. That was it. Compared to the Princess dining experience, where Belle, Ariel, Jasmine, Aurora, Snow White, and Mulan all spent a decent amount of time at every table in the restaurant, I just thought it was lacking. Hope that explains it.

 

[caimakale]

It was very hot on the last day we were there. Over 100degrees, but very nice upper 80's the rest of the time. We loved hanging out at the Neverland Pool. It was definitely a highlight. We all would love to get to Knott's Berry Farm next time around. We also couldnt get enough of Space Mountain and the Hollywood Tower (of Terror) Hotel.

The meal at Goofys was a Tuesday morning, and cost 100.00 for the 5 of us (3 kids). The characters were Chip and Dale (only Dale came to our table), the Mad Hatter, and Pluto that came to our table. Mary Poppins was there and my oldest dd loves her and we waited and waited for her to get to us but she never did. We were there for over an hour, so when we were leaving my dd went up and asked for a pic and autograph and I could tell she was very rushed and wasnt really supposed to stop except at the tables. Goofy never came to the table at all. That was it. Compared to the Princess dining experience, where Belle, Ariel, Jasmine, Aurora, Snow White, and Mulan all spent a decent amount of time at every table in the restaurant, I just thought it was lacking. Hope that explains it.

I agree completely. We did goofy's and princess dinner both on 8/20 for my daughters birthday. Goofy's was a joke. We seen snow white, mad hatter, and pluto. Goofy was there but didn't stop by as well as some other characters. The princess dinner was great, every princess stopped by our table and my 3 girls got to spend time with each of them. Their favorite was when belle was at the table, the beauty and the beast song came on and she invited my 3 girls out to dance. They all danced for a minute or so, it was great and they had SSSOOOOO much fun.

Personally, I think goofy's is too big without enough characters. I liked the buffet, but it is a big place and the characters are streched thin there. I don't think I will go back to goofy's, next time I might try storytellers breakfast.

 

[CamColt]

Thanks for the review!

We were there the week before you and I felt the same about Goofy's Kitchen...the characters were lacking. We only had Chip, Mary Poppins and Goofy come to our table. We saw Pluto outside at a table when we left. I thought it could have been due to Oprah being in the room next door, that maybe the characters were making unusal visits over there to see her "kids", but I guess that wasnt the case.

Sorry about the food poisoning. Yuk! Glad it didnt ruin your trip.