WDW vet going to DL for the first time..I'd better get reading!

[patty57]

Title says it. Our niece is getting married at the end of Oct. close to DL. Might as well take advantage of that, and finally see DL. There is so much I don't know. I've read Hydroguy's threads (great stuff), but really need to do some work on this.

One quick question...would anyone know if the Halloween Party at DL is less crowded than at WDW? I've never been to the party at WDW, but with less time at DL (maybe 2-3 days), it looks like we would be there on Halloween itself, and see that tickets are still available.

I'm all ears (pun somewhat intended) for any tips from DL vets.

 

[Meldev]

Same here Patty57 - but we'll be there in early October. First time and quick 3 day visit!

 

[ktlm]

The good thing is DLR is SOOO much easier than WDW! (We are WDW vets). In July, at the last minute we wound up having to fly in early (long story) and wound up with 2 extra park days at the beginning of our trip. Added 2 days to our 3 day hoppers when we got there and set out with nothing pre-planned. Even in July, we had no trouble getting great dining reservations (even a Princess lunch at Ariel's) and without having to deal with FP+, park days at the spur of the moment are a breeze! Don't stress- you will be fine!

You can book dining reservations online 60 days in advance. If you want to splurge there is a great WOC dessert party. In the fall, it is the off season, so some shows and fireworks are only on the weekend. We have not been to the DLR Halloween party, but we have been to the one at WDW several times and it is fantastic, so if I had the chance to go at DLR , we absolutely would do that!

The main things are that Radiator Springs Racers FP are the first to run out. Another thing, is that it has a single rider line- so if everyone in your party is at least 7 years old, that is a great thing to take advantage of- we always ride it several times and rarely wait more than 10 minutes in single rider. Also, you must see Carsland at night if at all possible, it is beautiful, and if you can ride RSR at night- it is like a totally different ride. I also highly recommend entering Carsland at night from the Wharf at some point- the view is amazing! TSM has no FP, but the lines are not as long as WDW-- typically 30 to 45 minutes (instead of an hour or hour and a half).

Indiana Jones is a great ride. It also has single rider, but that can be confusing the first time. You enter through the exit. Ask the CM at the entrance and they can direct you. They used to hand you a single rider card to take with you, I'm not sure if they still do that-- we did FP and did not single rider that one our last trip.

Star Tours has a MUCH longer line at DLR than you usually find at WDW. Space Mountain's FPs are running out the earliest at DLR since the Star Wars overlay.

Have a great time!!!! We love DLR!

 

[patty57]

Great info. Thanks so much. Think it will be nice to not have to plan as much as wdw requires.

 

[BrianL]

Make sure you read the HydroGuy thread titled a DLR Guide for WDW Vets.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/a-dlr-guide-for-wdw-vets.1162599/

This is invaluable.

 

[patty57]

Make sure you read the HydroGuy thread titles a DLR Guide for WDW Vets.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/a-dlr-guide-for-wdw-vets.1162599/

This is invaluable.

I did read them. Agree..they were great.

 

[figment_jii]

One quick question...would anyone know if the Halloween Party at DL is less crowded than at WDW? I've never been to the party at WDW, but with less time at DL (maybe 2-3 days), it looks like we would be there on Halloween itself, and see that tickets are still available.

It's hard to gauge whether the park is more or less crowded than MK during the Halloween Party because DL has less space (i.e., acreage) to start with, so it generally feels more crowded regardless. I do think you can get a lot done during the party, but it depends on what you're hoping/wanting to do. HalloweenScreams is well worth seeing (I actually like it more than HalloWishes). Unless it changes, the Halloween Cavalcade is cute, but it's not on the same scale as Boo-To-You (I'd still go see it because it is exclusive to the party). DLR has a lot of trick-or-treating and almost everything is a treat trail, so you can end up with a ton of candy (I think it's easier to get more candy at MHP than at MNSSHP). There are party specific characters (just like MNSSHP). There are a few dance parties, but no stage show (at least not in the past). They do have atmospheric entertainment (e.g., Cadaver Dans).

In terms of ticketing, in the past, DL's MHP have almost always sold out in advance. Last year (2015), the Halloween night party sold out on August 8. It was the first to sell out. Most of the other parties sold anywhere from a few days to several weeks in advance. I tracked the sell out dates in this post:
http://www.disboards.com/threads/2015-calendar-of-events-school-breaks-and-dlr.3358090/

 

[patty57]

Silly question maybe, but is there a difference between morning Extra Magic Hours and Morning Magic, or are they different names for the same thing?

 

[figment_jii]

It's one of those confusing things...Magic Morning is what's available to guests with certain 3-day or longer tickets and only happens in DL. Extra Magic Hour happens in both DL and DCA (usually alternating days) and is a perk for guests staying on-site. DL has (usually) Magic Morning and Extra Magic Hour on the same day (so on those days, there really isn't much difference between EMH and MM).
https://disneyland.disney.go.com/guest-services/early-admission-options/

 

[patty57]

It's one of those confusing things...Magic Morning is what's available to guests with certain 3-day or longer tickets and only happens in DL. Extra Magic Hour happens in both DL and DCA (usually alternating days) and is a perk for guests staying on-site. DL has (usually) Magic Morning and Extra Magic Hour on the same day (so on those days, there really isn't much difference between EMH and MM).
https://disneyland.disney.go.com/guest-services/early-admission-options/

I see...thank you.

 

[maltdizzy]

I have never been to MNSSHP at WDW, can't compare.

We have done a few MHP at DL, including on some busy weeks and found them manageable. It seems the crowds at MHP travel in herds...there can be 45-minute wait for an attraction the first time you walk by and a 5 minute the second. But, Halloween is most popular party night, and since Disney never announces attendance numbers, I can't be sure how many tickets they sell or if they make more available for Fridays and Halloween.

Otherwise, enjoy the less planned, more roam-as-you -wish atmosphere at DL. Much of it is like MK and Epcot were back in the '80.

 

[patty57]

It's hard to gauge whether the park is more or less crowded than MK during the Halloween Party because DL has less space (i.e., acreage) to start with, so it generally feels more crowded regardless. I do think you can get a lot done during the party, but it depends on what you're hoping/wanting to do. HalloweenScreams is well worth seeing (I actually like it more than HalloWishes). Unless it changes, the Halloween Cavalcade is cute, but it's not on the same scale as Boo-To-You (I'd still go see it because it is exclusive to the party). DLR has a lot of trick-or-treating and almost everything is a treat trail, so you can end up with a ton of candy (I think it's easier to get more candy at MHP than at MNSSHP). There are party specific characters (just like MNSSHP). There are a few dance parties, but no stage show (at least not in the past). They do have atmospheric entertainment (e.g., Cadaver Dans).

In terms of ticketing, in the past, DL's MHP have almost always sold out in advance. Last year (2015), the Halloween night party sold out on August 8. It was the first to sell out. Most of the other parties sold anywhere from a few days to several weeks in advance. I tracked the sell out dates in this post:
http://www.disboards.com/threads/2015-calendar-of-events-school-breaks-and-dlr.3358090/

Thanks for the info.