WDW vet going to DL for first time - questions

[ohiocindy]

I am planning a short trip (3 days) to DL with my DH and DS8. We are WDW vets, but first timers to DL.

Is staying on property worth the money at DL? We always stay on property at WDW usually in deluxe resorts.

I think we will not be planning any character meals - unless I hear that there is something different and really fun at DL - thoughts?

What sit down restaurants are must do?

Thanks for the help! We are really looking forward to it!

 

[samkj]

The best place to look is Hydroguys tips... http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483 He has made a guide for WDW vets.

 

[Leofoenget]

I am planning a short trip (3 days) to DL with my DH and DS8. We are WDW vets, but first timers to DL.

Is staying on property worth the money at DL? We always stay on property at WDW usually in deluxe resorts.

I think we will not be planning any character meals - unless I hear that there is something different and really fun at DL - thoughts?

What sit down restaurants are must do?

Thanks for the help! We are really looking forward to it!

I would not feel the "need" to stay on property, but if it's something you enjoy, do it. There are many nice places across the street that are both very close and much cheaper than staying on property. i always stay across the street and walk back and forth.

 

[CinderellaDreamer]

I personally do not think that the hotels are worth the money - since you can stay as close or closer to the parks in a non-Disney property. There are numerous ones to pick from on Harbor Blvd., many with suites. (see map with links to all hotels) http://www.geocities.com/ashpsyche/DisneylandLinkMap.html

I like staying close at WDW because of the transport time and the early entry. Neither are an issue at DL.

I have dining reservations at some neat places. Blue Bayou (non-character)- looks out over the inside of the Pirates of the Carribean ride. Carnation Cafe (non-character). Goofy's Kitchen. Storyteller's Cafe. Ariel's Grotto. All 3 with characters. There are lots more to choose from. But I really like character dining, so perhaps I am not the best to ask.

I checked out Birnbaum's guide at the library for DL and got some great info.

Good luck with your planning!

 

[DLR29]

I have never stayed onsite because of the price (although I hope to this upcoming summer). There are TONS of offsite hotels that are within about the same walking distance as the Paradise Pier and the DL hotels. My guess is that since you stay onsite at WDW, you will not want to stay at a cheap motel at DL, however the price differences are huge for not many benefits. Just something to think about.

For good table service restaurants, check out the Blue Bayou in DL. It is THE restaurant to go to at DL. You are sitting next to a bayou with the Pirates ride floating next to you. Very nice and very good food, but you need to make reservations fast.

Also, one major aspect that is different between WDW and DL is that everything is within walking distance. It takes less than a minute to park hop. Downtown Disney is a minute away from the park entrances and the onsite hotels are just past DTD. This makes dining in DL's DTD much easier than at WDW because you can just hop out of the park and walk 5 minutes to any restaurant. Or you can take the monorail from Tomorrowland to right next to the Rainforest Cafe and vice versa.

Here are some rides unique to DLR that you won't want to miss:
Indiana Jones (ride vehicles like Dinosaur, much better themed with an amazing que line)
Pirate's Lair (Tom Sawyer Island with a pirate theme, lots of pirate caves to explore, a pirate show, CMs dressed up as pirates just wandering the island, plus a Captain Jack Sparrow meet & greet)
Pinocchio (Fantasyland dark ride *a little scary)
Alice in Wonderland (Fantasyland dark ride)
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride (Fantasyland dark ride *a little scary)
Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin (Spinning Toontown dark ride)
Matterhorn (1st ever tubular steel coaster)
Casey Jr. Circus Train and Storybookland Canal Boats (gentle rides through Storybookland. Good for kids)
Everything at DCA except Soarin, ToT, Muppets and Bug movies, and Turtle Talk

Rides that are significantly different:
Jungle Cruise (different jokes, some different scenes)
PotC (much longer and better)
Pooh (no long lines at DL because it's tucked away in the corner, different ride vehicle)
Splash (different seating, shorter ride, not as long lines as MK except during summer)
IASW (original version)
Tiki Room (original version)
Autopia vs. TIS (actually has scenery and stuff to look at, you even go off roading)
Buzz (removable guns make for easier aiming)
Space (completely dark, and smoother with music)
ToT (different scenes, no 4th dimension room)

 

[CoolPool]

There is no offsite "deluxe" WDW equivalent within walking distance. If you are a person who likes the "bubble" feel of WDW then I highly recommend the Disney hotels. Personally, I'm in the less than 5% on the boards who strongly prefers to stay Disney. I want restaurants, convenience, first class amenities and I'm willing to pay for that. That said, I can understand the other side's arguement, its just that DL is largely surrounded by motels and 2 stars which doesn't have a great appeal for me. It kind of a shame that you have the Disney hotels priced very high and the motels cheaper but offering so dang little even if they are "just a place to sleep". I think Pop Century puts the local DLR offsite motels to shame for similar pricing. Its pathetic.

 

[drag n' fly]

We have always stayed offsite. Then we went to WDW in Feb and got spolied by staying onsite and will never stay offsite again. You stated you are accustomed to staying deluxe at WDW. I highly recommend staying onsite at DLH or GC. Both are very nice DLH is more Disney themed and GC is very much like Wilderness Lodge.

 

[drag n' fly]

There is no offsite "deluxe" WDW equivalent within walking distance. If you are a person who likes the "bubble" feel of WDW then I highly recommend the Disney hotels. Personally, I'm in the less than 5% on the boards who strongly prefers to stay Disney. I want restaurants, convenience, first class amenities and I'm willing to pay for that. That said, I can understand the other side's arguement, its just that DL is largely surrounded by motels and 2 stars which doesn't have a great appeal for me. It kind of a shame that you have the Disney hotels priced very high and the motels cheaper but offering so dang little even if they are "just a place to sleep". I think Pop Century puts the local DLR offsite motels to shame for similar pricing. Its pathetic.

Boy you hit the nail on the head with this comment. I 100% agree with you.

 

[dl5]

I agree staying on site is a must. If you are used to deluxe WDW resorts then stay at GCH. It is the only hotel that compares to the ones at WDW.

 

[Hound 109]

I am planning a short trip (3 days) to DL with my DH and DS8. We are WDW vets, but first timers to DL.

Is staying on property worth the money at DL? We always stay on property at WDW usually in deluxe resorts.

I think we will not be planning any character meals - unless I hear that there is something different and really fun at DL - thoughts?

What sit down restaurants are must do?

Thanks for the help! We are really looking forward to it!

What dates (or days of the week) are you planning on coming? It makes a difference.

Given your preference at WDW, you probably would enjoy the GCH....since you enjoy "deluxe" resorts (& are used to spending for it).

& read all of Hydroguy's tips....especially the DLR for WDW Vets tip thread.

Have fun at Walt's park.

 

[samkj]

We loved our one experience staying onsite. Like others have mentioned there really is no comparison. I think you will be disappointed if you are used to the deluxe hotels at WDW if you try to stay anywhere else. If money was an issue, then sure look someplace else, but for pure magic go with Disney.

 

[Tink208]

We had always stayed off-property until a trip I took with my older son (he was 6 yo at the time). We splurged and stayed at the DLH and loved it! We stayed there again on our next trip (again just me and my older son), and we are staying there next month when we all go down for my younger son's first Disneyland visit. For this trip, I did actually do the fiscally responsible thing and price off-property hotels, and found that, due to the current 4th night free deal, it was less than $200 more to stay at the DLH, and that amount of money was worth it to us.

 

[matthew_hull]

Here are some rides unique to DLR that you won't want to miss:
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Thank you so very much! *#$! I love this site.

-- Matthew