WDW CM overwhelmed by DLR planning!

[ColoradoMom!!]

Enjoy each for what they are!!!

Obviously I have a long history with DL (see avatar) and so it is my home resort - great way to put it Hydroguy! There is just something so special about the original Fantasyland to me, and I must admit that I said "You've got to be kidding me" when I say the queue line for Small World at WDW - really - just a sign - wow.

But instead of saying what one is lacking over the other - be glad there is two places to enjoy what we love best!

I also like the comment about feeling like someone rearranged the furniture. I love not needing at map at DL - and it has all my favorites in one place - so there are some upsides for DL for me!

I hope you enjoy your visit! Just kick back and have FUN!!

 

[IndayMichelle]

I wonder if many way over plan their WDW or DLR trips.

Of course a lot of us over plan! That's why I joined the Disboards in the first place!


I have a template spreadsheet for DLR and a separate one for WDW. I don't use them for DLR daytrips or WDW trips with DBF's family. His family already has Disney planners among them.

 

[nunzia]

And this one is from Sunday Morning

..and this concludes the reason why I bought VGC DVC

 

[PatMcDuck]

I'm a CM for WDW that visited DL 20 years ago as a child.

Is there anything you could suggest to me to help me navigate this new territory? Especially any CMs or former CMs that can get me the low down on
dining discounts and other perks. Thanks!

I sent you a PM!

 

[Shakthi]

As a WDW vet with too many trips to WDW to count, I feel for you. Let me see if I can help a little, not from a CM perspective.

... Staying on site at DL is not as big a deal as at WDW. You might consider one of the off-site hotels right outside the DL gates. Some of those hotels are actually closer to the park entrance than the DL hotels are...

...Dining--do not worry at all about a dining plan or making advance reservations. Most dining there is outside, no advance reservation necessary. If there is somewhere you really want to try, most of the time you can book it the same day...

Three or four days will give gracious plenty time for an experienced park person to take in all of DL. Make sure you put the attractions we don't have at WDW before anything else. Then do the duplicates that you really like to see which you like better. From experience, I really like Peter Pan, Pirates and Its a Small World better at DL.

Fantasmic at DL is good, but a real hassle unless you book the dessert seating, which is pretty expensive. World of Color is a far better option and worth using some wait time for.

You will love DL, but don't worry if you find yourself comparing--you won't be able to help it.

Have a wonderful trip and don't stress. DL is easier to do than WDW and you really do not have to plan as much.

Totally agree. We are regular DL and just came back from our first WDW trip. We stayed on property at WDW. Still had to walk a lot from our room to the bus stop in the morning and back at night. Then, from the bus stop to the turnstiles in the park was a pretty walk as well. The hotels across the street at DL are not far from that, and some have Entertainment or AP rates. You can pay up to 50% off.

Never needed reservations other than for the Character Dinners and Breakfasts at DL. DL is much easier and relaxed as far as planning goes. Just get a room somewhere across the street, near the entrance, and go have fun.

NO NEED FOR STRESS AT ALL.

 

[DisneyBride'03]

Thanks OP for starting this thread! Ive learned alot already...and those photos that were posted...THANK YOU!

 

[quantumottle]

OMG HydroGuy, can I steal this quote from you? I am always struggling to explain the differences to WDW friends - and usually do a poor job of it. You have summed it all up so well in this quote.

You WDW vets have no idea how easy you have it! Here is the situation at DLR...

- No need to make dining ADRs or choose parks 6 months or even one day in advance

- No need to think about transportation from hotels and between parks (if you stay onsite or one of the many good neighbors within walking distance)

- Rarely need to think about weather (I have never even thought about bringing a rain poncho to DLR)

All of the above are big issues at WDW that require considerable effort and/or pre-planning at WDW.

DLR does not have ME. It is not because DLR does not have its act together like WDW does. It is because there are six airports that people use for DLR while WDW has one. Further, WDW is a big fish in the small Orlando pond and has more leverage to negotiate with the city and airport. DLR is a small fish in the big SoCal pond. It has less than half the visitors each year than WDW spread out across all the airports. It does not make sense to have ME even if they could negotiate it with the different California cities impacted.

Dining is just not as big a deal at DLR than it is at WDW and hence a dining plan is in much less demand. There are lots more locals on day trips (even partial day trips for some of the 900,000 AP holders) and they tend to not take as much time for food. There are some good dining options at DLR but it does play the same role as WDW.

Further, a DLR trip does not lend itself to pre-planned dining reservations. It is much more dynamic and, well, flexible. You will love how easy it is at DLR to change just about anything on your trip at the last minute. Stress goes hand-in-hand with a WDW pre-planned trip. Leave the stress in Florida and be ready to relax and enjoy the flexibility DLR offers.

I always get a little concerned by WDW vets who start comparing DLR to WDW too much at the planning stage. If they were the same why would you bother going to DLR? DLR is not WDW and has many areas that are better than WDW. Be ready to be blown away by some of the DLR major entertainment such as Fantasmic, World of Color and Aladdin. And, if it is playing, Remember Dreams Come True.

 

[quantumottle]

I was not aware of any criticism. If I came across as critical then I blew it. Sincerely sorry! <snip>

Do Not Sweat It HydroGuy. I spent a couple years on the WDW side of The Dis and believe me, it is nowhere near as friendly as the DL side. I don't know why, maybe it's in the water, but the WDW boards are choked full of argumentative and condemning posts/threads. That's just the way it is. The post accusing you of being critical is very typical of what you find on the WDW forums at DisBoards, unfortunately..