WDW Vet going to DL

[surgefest]

Now i've read Hydro guy's write up on this and LOVED IT... but i was wondering from those of you out there who have an opinion what you think... And this isnt to "bash" one place to make the other seem "better"... just wondering what the common differences and misconceptions are for a WDW Vet going to DL for the first time... maybe what was your biggest disapointment and your biggest surprise... Thanks to all of you who respond!

 

[KCmike]

Pluses:

Proximity of two parks and the rides inside DL (love it)
Charm and nostalgia...walt built, lived in it, and it still feels like he's there
Almost the same amount of rides in two parks vs. the four at WDW
The Weather - I'll never (well I shouldn't say never) go back to Florida
Most rides are superior especially Pirates, Space, Jungle Cruise (dense jungle feel, Fantasmic!, RDCT fireworks, Tiki Room, Aladdin show etc
You can visit San Diego, Pacific Ocean and so much else

Minuses-

Lacks resort feel
Food options are inferior to WDW
No Epcot - I love that park
Splash Mountain is my favorite ride and WDW has the superior version
So many more choices of resort hotels
Spectromagic - love that parade


These are just a few things off the top of my head.

 

[JenniBarra]

Minuses-
[...]
Spectromagic - love that parade

But DCA (in the summer months) has the Electrical Parade, something many DL vets (myself included) feel very sentimental about.

 

[LittleWoodenHead]

just wondering what the common differences and misconceptions are for a WDW Vet going to DL for the first time...

Don't get hung up on the size of Sleeping Beauty's Castle. It's as big as Walt wanted it to be.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Leofoenget]

Don't get hung up on the size of Sleeping Beauty's Castle. It's as big as Walt wanted it to be.

Enjoy your trip!

And you can walk inside it

 

[disneystick]

I'm a DW vet been 18+ times and was set up to be disappointed by DL. Was I wrong. It was wonderful...knowing that Walt walked these same street. DL was his baby and the history of the place was awesome. We went after Christmas and celebrated NYE there. The Haunted Mansion during that time was way better then DW and its a Small World was also much better, along with the Pirate's ride.

And if staying at one of DL hotels...what a difference compared to DW in distance from park to hotel. How close it was and to be able to eat at Hotels/Downtown Disney and walk back to the park was awesome vs. eating fast food all the time inside the park.

Plus the weather in So. Cal any time of the year beats Florida weather in a heart beat. Enjoy, Enjoy...we sure did.

 

[ballarinamom]

And you can walk inside it

Yah but Cindy's castle has a restaurant inside of it which is cool. That's probably where our likes of WDW ends.

You'll love that IASW loads outside. The facade is beautiful and the soldiers, clock and music make it so special. Pooh also has a great loading area that is outside and in Critter Country instead of Fantasy land. Haunted Mansion you actually walk through the front door of a mansion instead of going in the back/ garage door like WDW. Because of the lesser chance of rain in Ca, the rides are more open.

AS someone posted, there are almost as many rides at DL/DCA as the 4 parks of WDW. But I think DL has a better variety. The Alladin Magic Carpet Rida and the Dino Whirl (I think that;s what its called at AK) are all just a remake of the Dumbo ride.

Alice is a great little ride. One of our favorites
We enjoy Indy over the Dino ride as it has a better story type ride. I mean you're trying to save INDY!!! That is so much cooler than looking for a baby Dino.

DTD is right there. Which is a great place for dining options.

French Quarter is so much cooler than Liberty Square. I just spend so much time looking up at all of the beads and decoration

TWO words- Blue Bayou.

You can buy your Dole Whip right at the Tiki Room AND take it in. Plus no annoying Gilbert Godfrey sounding bird.

Toontown is so much bigger at DL. I know many people won't see this as a big deal. But WDW is so cramped. Mickey isn't is his house and they have something like PFF for the character meet and greet and it takes FOREVER!!! DL has an amazing surreal affect. We love taking DD's picture on the water fountain in front of Mickey's because you can't tell where the park facade ends and the real sky begins. Plus Roger Rabbit is a fun ride

Grizzle River Rapids has better/bigger drops that Kali River Rapids.

We prefer a close GoodNeighbor hotel or any of the 3 Disney properties over WDW choices as you do not have to take a bus, boat or monorail. We would wait 15 minutes for a bus only to not get on as there was not enough room. At night it could take almost 45 minutes to get back to the hotel! We took cabs more often than not because we just wanted to get to the park or back to the hotel without waiting. Also, the only hotel that had a "True Disney" theming was the AllStar Movies. We would have preferred the Grand Floridian or AKL but DD was 5 and wanted to stay where the big Buzz Lightyear and Woody were! I have never stayed at a hotel where the furniture was chained to the wall!

We do prefer the dining options at WDW but we have never had a hard time finding great places to eat at DL

Plus we love the older CM's who do the countdown at park opening. They are so cute!!!