WDW vet back from first DLR Trip...Thoughts, Views and Special Thanks to Hydroguy

[skiingfast]

I had a large post written yesterday with commentary on the OP's commentary, and lost my internet connection over and over.

Suffice it to say I enjoyed the quick but detailed TR and am glad you had a great visit.

 

[PHXscuba]

I appreciate the trip report and good-hearted comparison of the parks. DLR is special when you see it with an open mind as Walt's original rather than bemoaning how it doesn't measure up to WDW.

I'm busy with the reverse -- planning my kids' first trip (my second) to WDW from the perspective of a DLR vet. And yes, I've read HydroGuy's "WDW for a DLR vet" until I can practically quote it (and I'd love it if you updated it, Trey) I am having to break myself of the feeling that I need to run to Peter Pan first, since it has a FP at WDW!

PHXscuba

 

[smiles33]

Just chiming in to thank OP for pointing out the Adventureland traffic jam issue. I will definitely plan to avoid that part of the park with my DDs and our DOUBLE side-by-sde stroller. I can't imagine trying to navigate it through such a dense crowd. I am NOT a stroller nazi and try extra hard to be really careful around crowds, but if it's that crowded, that is really tough.

I hope FL is nice and wide open as that's where we'll be spending almost all our time (until DH takes them back to nap and I get to have fun on the Mountains).

 

[HydroGuy]

Just chiming in to thank OP for pointing out the Adventureland traffic jam issue. I will definitely plan to avoid that part of the park with my DDs and our DOUBLE side-by-sde stroller. I can't imagine trying to navigate it through such a dense crowd. I am NOT a stroller nazi and try extra hard to be really careful around crowds, but if it's that crowded, that is really tough.

I hope FL is nice and wide open as that's where we'll be spending almost all our time (until DH takes them back to nap and I get to have fun on the Mountains).

Nothing at DLR is really "nice and wide open". Fantasyland does not get as congested as Adventureland and you should be fine.

 

[IloveDisney77]

I appreciate the trip report and good-hearted comparison of the parks. DLR is special when you see it with an open mind as Walt's original rather than bemoaning how it doesn't measure up to WDW.

I'm busy with the reverse -- planning my kids' first trip (my second) to WDW from the perspective of a DLR vet. And yes, I've read HydroGuy's "WDW for a DLR vet" until I can practically quote it (and I'd love it if you updated it, Trey) I am having to break myself of the feeling that I need to run to Peter Pan first, since it has a FP at WDW!

PHXscuba

Thank you. In terms of Peter Pan at WDW...yes it is drastically different. At rope drop, the group headed into Fantasyland dashes to Dumbo...not Peter. Our daughter loves Dumbo so we usually ride it twice. The first time with minimal wait and the next time with about 10 minutes or so. After that, we head to Peter where the wait (we are now about 20 to 25 minutes or so after rope Drop) is still only 5 minutes or so. It is very unlike DL where on 2 straight days we headed straight to Peter and still waited 10 to 15 minutes each time and watched the line grow very quickly from there.

I think part of the issue is how the loading occurs. At WDW, the flying ships do not stop. You step on a moving walkway and dash onto the ship before the bar comes down. At DL, I thought it odd that they stop each ship for boarding. I'm sure that must detract quite a bit from how many it can handle in an hour.

Since there are quite a few less rides (actually, a lot less rides) in Fantasyland at MK versus DL, you can always get all of them done within the first hour of the park being open(Dumbo, Peter, IASW, Snow White-while she is still there, Pooh, Cups, Carousal). Save PhilharMagic (it has a FP as well) for the afternoon when it is hot out.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[rackerlee92]

....we've been to WDW 3x and DL 1x (so far).

We are planning our second DL vacation for Feb 2012...why DL and not WDW again...the kids requested DL for many of the same reasons the OP mentioned. We LOVE the intimacy of DL.

We will miss the wonderful dining options at WDW, but will look forward to Carnation Cafe, etc.

Can't wait for our return trip.

OP, Thanks for the great review!

 

[IloveDisney77]

Disney 77 (& Orca), how did you (& your kids) like:

- Alice
- Storybookland
- Pinocchio
- The Bugs Life area
- Screamin'
- Monsters Inc

(Pirates, Indy & SM deservedly get the love & are cool E ticket rides.....but it's the smaller DLR exclusive dark rides that has me wishing I was there right now. )

I'm glad you asked! One of our favorite rides, which really surprised all of us, was Storybook Land!!! I don't know what it was about that darn ride but all of us, especially my daughter as she was the whale watcher for our boat, greatly enjoyed it. We rode it again at night and were just struck about how real everything looked. We still talk about how beautiful that ride was. We also did enjoy Pinocchio, Alice, and Toad. As an aside, the Tea-Cups were fantastic with them being outside and especially at night with the lights on!

We all liked Monster's but spent no time time in the Bug's Life area. I wish we had but somehow, even after 4.5 days, we still didn't see everything. I personally really wanted to see Great Moments with Lincoln but unfortunately ran out of time.

My daughter was too short to ride Screamin' so when my wife/daugther stopped to watch a Disney Rocks show, I did the Single rider and rode it 4 times within 27 minutes. I thought it was a great ride and it was nice that it was so long!

 

[OrcaPotter]

I think there has been a move to combine merchandise between WDW and DLR. I was frustrated numerous times at WDW in March trying to get WDW-specific items and all it would say was "Disney" - so that they could use the same items at DLR.

I had a conversation with a CM in Off the Page in CA and she revealed that Disney is making a move to make all the parks more "universal." She admitted that there are still a lot of changes in the future in this regard, and she stated that that makes her feel nervous and disappointed that DLR will be losing its soul as result. You could even tell by the shopping bags, which lacked the "Disneyland" logo and instead just "Disney Parks" with both castles on either side. I told her that this was ridiculous; making the parks unique only creates more incentive for everyone to experience them all. I'd be crushed to return to DL and find that their soul has been tainted and cloned with WDW.

Ahh, a kindred spirit! I still have not figured out why DLR fans on this forum rank this show third after DL's Fantasmic and DL's top fireworks show RDCT. But be aware that you missed RDCT which to me is almost as good as WOC. Remember Dreams Come True does not run in the summer but it is the most awesome Disney fireworks show ever - with lasers and other cool special effects. You really need to go back to DLR to see it.

I honestly don't know why it ranks third, either. I've seen Fantasmic many times, and honestly, it has never done anything significant for me. In fact, I haven't seen it in years, since it has never been my favorite and I haven't wanted to fight the crowds. As such, I didn't bother to try while at DL; it was absolutely insane that people were camped out 5 hours before the show started as it was. I'm surprised that my group wasn't interested in seeing the fireworks. I guess our attitude was, "we've seen Disney fireworks and can do so at home." My favorite fireworks show is Illuminations, followed by Hallowishes and the new year's celebration at MK. On my next trip to DL, I will make sure to take the time out for the fireworks, though. But yeah, I'd think it'd be nice to retire Fantasmic here and replace it with WOC---but I think many would disagree!

Disney 77 (& Orca), how did you (& your kids) like:

- Alice
- Storybookland
- Pinocchio
- The Bugs Life area
- Screamin'
- Monsters Inc

Myself and my group does not have kids, but we loved everything you listed. The youngest kids would love Storybook Land and perhaps Alice; Pinocchio might scare sensitive or real young children. Bug's Land was cute and perfect for young kids as well. Older kids would love Screamin' and all kids, if they liked the movie, should really like the Monsters Inc ride.

 

[rune_74]

One suggestion I would make to anyone going to disneyland is to not only visit the parks but some of the great other attracions in the area such as sea world, the san diego zoo, universal studios and Knotts berry farm...I find all these worth at least some time, and you have come so far.

 

[IloveDisney77]

One suggestion I would make to anyone going to disneyland is to not only visit the parks but some of the great other attracions in the area such as sea world, the san diego zoo, universal studios and Knotts berry farm...I find all these worth at least some time, and you have come so far.

I absolutely agree! Prior to heading up to DLR, we spent some time in San Diego and bought a GO Card via Costco. We ended up going to the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Wild Animal Park, Sea World, Point Loma, a couple museums and a Harbor Cruise. All of which I definitely recommend.