cemeb4dk
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2008
- Messages
- 516
Ok back a day or so ago and things are returning back to normal.
As the title states we are WDW vets about 12 times in last 10 years or so.
So we went to DLR for our first time from 7/30-8/4
Here are just some random thoughts that maybe able to help out some other DLR newbies.
First off we flew in on Virgin America, what a fantastic airlines, I would only fly them if I could, hopefully they will be adding Orlando soon. We used Disneland Resort express and since it took an hour for lax to get our bags to us, we missed a bus and had to wait almost the full half hour for another. We stayed at the Tropicanna and it seemed to take forever to get us there due to all the stoplights and stops. But we arrived safely so no complaints really. the tropicanna was an excellent motel for what it is, clean great maid service and all we would expect for our $129 a night. Pool was clean and never crowded, breakfast while not great it was perfect for us we would grab some pastries and juice buy a milk or 2 and eat them back in the room. I think we spent on average an $1.50 a day for breakfast for the 3 of us. The walk to the DL could not be any easier 5 minutes tops.
As far as the parks go I will break it up into 2 parts DL and CA Adv. As far as Disneyland goes we were pleasantly surprised upon walking onto mainstreet all the different characters that were out and always seemed to be full of characters. It took us awhile to get used to the layout of the park as we kept looking for what would be in wdw around the corner. But once we got used to it, it was easy. We ate at the Plaza Inn 3 times and the chicken was fantastic. We enjoyed the differences in the rides and really enjoyed all of DL versions over WDW. Space Mountain we liked that you sit 2 across as we have a 6 year old daughter that loves Space Mtn now, it was so much smoother but hardly any drops compared to WDW. Small world not even a comparison. The matterhorn we hated it was crammed cars and a very rough ride, I dont get the buzz other than it being an original, thank God we rode it at night and basically walked on. Pirates was amazing compared to WDW also. we celebrated our 10 year anniversary on 8/3 and we ate at blue bayou waterside table good meal and service, and they brought out a chocolate mousse with a candle in it for us. The highlight was that while waiting to be seating we saw Debbie Ryan from Disney Channel and my daughter got to meet her and get a pic, she was very sweet to my daughter.
As far as Cal Adv. we loved the theming and carsland was worth all the hype it so feel like your walking in the movie, and we got to dance with DJ as he came out all lit up in his neon and played a bunch of songs. We enjoyed the pier area, california screaming was fun but a bit bumpy on the loop.
We got to do the disneyblog vip world of color event on 7/30 where we got our free ears and got vip seating. It was an excellent show, one iof Disneys best we thought. Being surrounded by a bunch of ears glowing defintley added to thrill.
Well that is a quick wrap up of our thoughts, if anyone has any questions I will try to answer them, and if your wondering when I asked where everyone wanted to go next time, it was unanimous DLR. and I agreed, the added thrill rides and the closeness of everything just made it much easier to enjoy everything and less time spent traveling park to park. But we will try the grand californian next time, just because we are dvc members and see what the disney resort adds to the trip. So for those WDW people on the fence or in the planning stages be prepared for pleasant surprises as we where.
Ps. we used the photpass plus, we used it with no problems dinner at ariels grotto was a non issue as was all our ride photos, we got the card at the photoshop on mainstreet they punched the date on the back, and we had no issues all week with it. One thing to note was not al character meet and greets had a photopass photographer with them as in WDW
As the title states we are WDW vets about 12 times in last 10 years or so.
So we went to DLR for our first time from 7/30-8/4
Here are just some random thoughts that maybe able to help out some other DLR newbies.
First off we flew in on Virgin America, what a fantastic airlines, I would only fly them if I could, hopefully they will be adding Orlando soon. We used Disneland Resort express and since it took an hour for lax to get our bags to us, we missed a bus and had to wait almost the full half hour for another. We stayed at the Tropicanna and it seemed to take forever to get us there due to all the stoplights and stops. But we arrived safely so no complaints really. the tropicanna was an excellent motel for what it is, clean great maid service and all we would expect for our $129 a night. Pool was clean and never crowded, breakfast while not great it was perfect for us we would grab some pastries and juice buy a milk or 2 and eat them back in the room. I think we spent on average an $1.50 a day for breakfast for the 3 of us. The walk to the DL could not be any easier 5 minutes tops.
As far as the parks go I will break it up into 2 parts DL and CA Adv. As far as Disneyland goes we were pleasantly surprised upon walking onto mainstreet all the different characters that were out and always seemed to be full of characters. It took us awhile to get used to the layout of the park as we kept looking for what would be in wdw around the corner. But once we got used to it, it was easy. We ate at the Plaza Inn 3 times and the chicken was fantastic. We enjoyed the differences in the rides and really enjoyed all of DL versions over WDW. Space Mountain we liked that you sit 2 across as we have a 6 year old daughter that loves Space Mtn now, it was so much smoother but hardly any drops compared to WDW. Small world not even a comparison. The matterhorn we hated it was crammed cars and a very rough ride, I dont get the buzz other than it being an original, thank God we rode it at night and basically walked on. Pirates was amazing compared to WDW also. we celebrated our 10 year anniversary on 8/3 and we ate at blue bayou waterside table good meal and service, and they brought out a chocolate mousse with a candle in it for us. The highlight was that while waiting to be seating we saw Debbie Ryan from Disney Channel and my daughter got to meet her and get a pic, she was very sweet to my daughter.
As far as Cal Adv. we loved the theming and carsland was worth all the hype it so feel like your walking in the movie, and we got to dance with DJ as he came out all lit up in his neon and played a bunch of songs. We enjoyed the pier area, california screaming was fun but a bit bumpy on the loop.
We got to do the disneyblog vip world of color event on 7/30 where we got our free ears and got vip seating. It was an excellent show, one iof Disneys best we thought. Being surrounded by a bunch of ears glowing defintley added to thrill.
Well that is a quick wrap up of our thoughts, if anyone has any questions I will try to answer them, and if your wondering when I asked where everyone wanted to go next time, it was unanimous DLR. and I agreed, the added thrill rides and the closeness of everything just made it much easier to enjoy everything and less time spent traveling park to park. But we will try the grand californian next time, just because we are dvc members and see what the disney resort adds to the trip. So for those WDW people on the fence or in the planning stages be prepared for pleasant surprises as we where.
Ps. we used the photpass plus, we used it with no problems dinner at ariels grotto was a non issue as was all our ride photos, we got the card at the photoshop on mainstreet they punched the date on the back, and we had no issues all week with it. One thing to note was not al character meet and greets had a photopass photographer with them as in WDW
