WDW Veterans head to DL for the first time - Thoughts and Strategy

[Disney_Alli]

Wow I've had practically the exact opposite experiences of those posted here. I have had many more experiences with AWESOME CMs at DL than at WDW. One photographer remembered my name and that I was travelling solo for my birthday they entire week I was at DL and most were outstanding. While the parks are smalled and can feel crowded at times I find that since a lot of guests are locals there seems to be less people wandering around staring at maps that I have to dodge when they suddenly realize where they need to go. I've never had any cleanliness issues in the park either. Although I am upset about the increase in cost of PP and the elimination of PP+ I think many other benefits outweigh that. Please don't give up on DL before you even get there... or if you do just skip it and hang out in LA for a week.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

I agree that it seems like self sabotage to write off DLR based on other people's negative comments. If someone is already convinced that the vacation will be a waste before even giving DLR a chance, then the vacation probably will be a waste. Disney trips on either coast are what you make them. Having a positive attitude and trying to make the best out of things instead of complaining can really help make the magic happen.
And in answer to a previous comment about so many CMs being local, we've found that local CMs take a real pride in DLR as "their" park. We have lots of friends who are CMs, and they have so many stories about loving the parks and doing their best to make Walt proud. They couldn't wait to get jobs at DLR and are truly proud to be CMs. We think this pride really shows. Friends who've traveled to almost all the other Disney parks say that the CM pride at DLR really makes a difference.

 

[Kender]

So very disappointed in hearing this but it does make sense, I guess. 'll keep to going to WDW where we ALWAYS feel welcome, and I'm always impressed by how clean they can keep such large parks. I guess it does make sense if the CMs are from around the world that they REALLY want to be there so the service would be better. I've regretted making the decision to go to DL over my usual visits to WDW. I'm stuck since we already purchased the airline tickets and bought the package. From what I'm reading in these threads, it seems like they nickel and dime you for every little thing. Yes, this will definitely be our last trip to DL. So sad.

Please do not take to heart the comments of others. Good and bad. Experience for yourself.

I've had mostly good encounters with employees and guests at DLR (I go about once every six weeks the last year and a half and went a few times before that since the mid 90s), but have experienced rudeness from all at WDW as well. I would never say that the rule at WDW, though. That would be silly of me to assign an observation to even most of the CMs and guests when I very likely did not encounter even a discernable fraction of them.

The smoke comment baffles me because there are only two places you can smoke between both parks (one in each) and I encountered a lot more smoke in Florida. They removed other smoking areas that used to exist. California law is extremely strict about smoking. If you see someone smoking outside the smoking area, do feel free to report it to a nearby CM and let them handle it.

If you go in expecting negative experiences, then that may be all you will have. Go with an open mind to enjoy a park you've never been to and do your best to not compare it with any other park.

 

[mad hatter fan]

We have had the opposite experience as well. I have experienced DL CMs to be more friendly than WDW CMs. Also, I have never experienced DLR not being kept clean nor people smoking all over.

 

[TehGhostHost]

It has been a few years since I have made it out to Disneyland (but a new trip is planned for October) but one of the things I took away from Disneyland is how courteous and nice the cast members were. I love my home here at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom and I have never had a "bad" or unprofessional CM here. But it seems they ones who really go above and beyond can be a little few and far between, while at Disneyland they were everywhere. A few of them took particularly great care of me because I was from the opposite coast and not a local.

 

[Kender]

It has been a few years since I have made it out to Disneyland (but a new trip is planned for October) but one of the things I took away from Disneyland is how courteous and nice the cast members were. I love my home here at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom and I have never had a "bad" or unprofessional CM here. But it seems they ones who really go above and beyond can be a little few and far between, while at Disneyland they were everywhere. A few of them took particularly great care of me because I was from the opposite coast and not a local.

Some of the CMs at DLR will even go above and beyond for me even though I'm a passholder (but not technically a local since I live 400 miles away). I've encountered a few who are so taken with my panda stuffy that they will give him buttons to wear as well as stickers.

There is this one incredible CM in DCA over in one of the Boardwalk shops that does special birthday buttons for guests. She keeps a box of stickers below the counter at the embroidery location and will put your favorite character (if she has them) on the button. She then puts tape over the button to be sure the writing and sticker are protected.

I've brought her stickers she's missing/has trouble finding before. It's incredibly fun to be a small part of the magic she brings

I was sadly unable to find her during my actual birthday last year, but she still made me a button several months later so I had one from her. And she made one in advance for a teenager a friend and I knew would be coming down a month later with her parents.

Magic is all over at both DLR and WDW. But they are definitely two very different parks.

 

[msr709]

I guess you are all right, I have to experience it for myself. I'm just surprised at how expensive everything is and how nickel and dime it is. I'm so used to paying everything at once in the package that its kind of buyer shock of how everything is so separate. But I do have to get a better attitude because I really want this to be a good vacation mainly for my DGS and DD since it is their first time. I'm sure I'm just getting anxious because of the extra $ I'll be dishing out. Going to WDW I used to only have to be concerned with my DGS souvenirs, this trip its everything and it can be overwhelming, separate expenses for transportation, dining, special events (PTN & WOC packages) they are all so much more expensive. I think that is most of my problem.
.
Anyway, we are going on vacation to Disney so I guess I'll be happy about that. Thanks for the encouragement!

 

[Lothlórien]

So very disappointed in hearing this but it does make sense, I guess. 'll keep to going to WDW where we ALWAYS feel welcome, and I'm always impressed by how clean they can keep such large parks. I guess it does make sense if the CMs are from around the world that they REALLY want to be there so the service would be better. I've regretted making the decision to go to DL over my usual visits to WDW. I'm stuck since we already purchased the airline tickets and bought the package. From what I'm reading in these threads, it seems like they nickel and dime you for every little thing. Yes, this will definitely be our last trip to DL. So sad.

My experience with DLR was disappointing, but I still had fun. I refuse to let others ruin my vacation. I prefer WDW to DLR. If DLR was my first experience of Disney parks, it would have been my last.
Having said that, if the whole family were planning another trip next year, I would do it. My first choice would be WDW, but I would not say no to the opportunity to spend time with my family at Walt's house.

To me, WDW is the "Happiest Place on Earth". People at DLR all seemed unhappy, but we weren't. You should still go and enjoy your vacation. You just have to remember that East Coast/West Coast is going to provide a different experience.. And, DLR was better than Brazilian Tour Groups.

 

[Kender]

I guess you are all right, I have to experience it for myself. I'm just surprised at how expensive everything is and how nickel and dime it is. I'm so used to paying everything at once in the package that its kind of buyer shock of how everything is so separate. But I do have to get a better attitude because I really want this to be a good vacation mainly for my DGS and DD since it is their first time. I'm sure I'm just getting anxious because of the extra $ I'll be dishing out. Going to WDW I used to only have to be concerned with my DGS souvenirs, this trip its everything and it can be overwhelming, separate expenses for transportation, dining, special events (PTN & WOC packages) they are all so much more expensive. I think that is most of my problem.
.
Anyway, we are going on vacation to Disney so I guess I'll be happy about that. Thanks for the encouragement!

WDW is far more expensive than DLR for me and I don't even pay to get in when I go (if I'm visiting Florida, it's because I'm visiting my best friend who happens to be a cast member otherwise I wouldn't go to Florida at all if I wasn't visiting her). The meal plans are a waste if you never intended to eat as much as one provides. They aren't really as much of a savings as they appear to be. They're more of a convenience (assuming one is paying separately and not getting it as part of a hotel stay deal). And that is what one is missing at DLR is the convenience when it comes to meals. But I prefer to eat on the fly and not worry I'm "getting my money's worth". When I've done that, I get sick and then I'm definitely not getting my money's worth.

You could prepay by buying vouchers for the character meals. It adds convenience back in if that's something you need and they can be a savings if it's during the seasonal dining increase (happens at both WDW and DLR as I recall).

Both parks really do cost about the same. Depending on how far you're coming is what adds to the cost, but discounting that you really don't pay much differently at either one. WDW is the one that charges extra for their winter holiday party (all winter holiday offerings at DLR are currently included with your standard ticket, but it is Disney so that could change some day). But both also charge for other premium experiences. It's Disney. They are always charging you out the nose whether it's as a package or broken up.

Keep a good attitude and I think you're going to have a great time . WDW is magical to me, but DLR will always be my happy place.

 

[mlnbabies]

We have been to WDW 5 times between 2003 and 2013. In 12-2014 we made our first trip to DL for my 50th birthday. We loved it! Loved the extra Christmas things at DL vs. WDW. Loved how both parks are close together for park hopping. Loved walking through the GCH to get to DCA. The thing that was most meaningful to me was that Walt built this park and he walked the streets.

We did go back to WDW for my dd's 16th birthday last year in Dec. and had a wonderful time.

My dh went back to DL in August 2015 for an adult trip. We wanted to go back to DL vs going to WDW for our adult trip.

My dh and I chose to go to DL for our 20th wedding anniversary next Feb.

There are pros and cons for both parks but have an open mind and enjoy your vacation at either park.

 

[kathy884]

We are WDW vets 39 visits for me since 1971 and 15 visits for DS 20 who will be going to Disneyland for two days/three nights next January (a day at each park). We are spending a day and a 1/2 - one night in LA / Hollywood before heading to Anaheim. We are really looking forward to seeing Walt's original park and doing something different. Of course we'll do some comparing to WDW just for fun. // DS has always wanted to check this park out and I'm feeling a little burned out on WDW/Orlando, so this is perfect for a mini trip.

For us Orlando is such a great value and so easy to get to, so it has taken us a long time to go all the way to California, but here we come. It might be our only trip ever to Disneyland, but it just feels like the right time and the right circumstance to fly to LAX instead of Orlando.

I love hearing everyone's comments and posts, though. This helps us level set expectations.

 

[Lothlórien]

WDW is far more expensive than DLR

Really? We found it to be just the opposite.
I guess it just all depends on where you stay, eat and what kind of tickets you get.

 

[DnA2010]

I have been to WDW more times than I can remember. We love it there. We are here, currently at DLR, and I am so disappointed. It is hard to believe that this place is owned by the same company. You really have to get WDW out of your head. Here is what we have found:

• The CMs here are RUDE! I do mean RUDE. They are unfriendly, very "cross" when you ask for an explanation and their tone is nearly hateful. They just can't be bothered with guests. On the other hand, they are super friendly to their fellow CMs.
• Guests here, in general, are rude. It is West Coast culture I suppose. Nobody says excuse me or I'm sorry. They just ram into you to pass.
• The parks are nowhere near as clean as WDW parks. People are allowed to eat in the line.
• The restrooms here are mostly dirty all of the time.
• There is a lot less walking space, so it seems like everybody has a stroller. LOL
• The line cutting here is INSANE!!! People literally crawl over bushes and short fences to cut lines and they do it so obviously. Not sneaky at all.
• The parks are smaller, so going from attraction to attraction is much easier.
• There are much fewer shops here. If you want something, you need to get it when you see it. It is not like WDW where all of the shops have the same items.
• Here, you see Walt everywhere. It is truly nostalgic.
• Downtown Disney is much smaller and easier to maneuver. We like that a lot.
• People smoke EVERYWHERE. If you are sensitive to smoke, keep that in mind.
• We notice people do not constantly take photos on dark rides like they do at WDW. That has been very nice.

Wow we've found totally the opposite! We found the CMs at WDW ok, but the DL is where we really saw some magic. On our last Oct trip to DL we commented on how extra clean the parks seemed, eventhough it was quite busy. We don't do much shopping so can't comment there, and I didn't see any smoking anywhere.
We did love the variety of parks of WDW but didn't like the travel between.

While we thought WDW was outstanding in variety, we think DL has the magic, being Walt's park...

 

[HydroGuy]

I have been to WDW more times than I can remember. We love it there. We are here, currently at DLR, and I am so disappointed. It is hard to believe that this place is owned by the same company. You really have to get WDW out of your head. Here is what we have found:

• The CMs here are RUDE! I do mean RUDE. They are unfriendly, very "cross" when you ask for an explanation and their tone is nearly hateful. They just can't be bothered with guests. On the other hand, they are super friendly to their fellow CMs.
• Guests here, in general, are rude. It is West Coast culture I suppose. Nobody says excuse me or I'm sorry. They just ram into you to pass.
• The parks are nowhere near as clean as WDW parks. People are allowed to eat in the line.
• The restrooms here are mostly dirty all of the time.
• There is a lot less walking space, so it seems like everybody has a stroller. LOL
• The line cutting here is INSANE!!! People literally crawl over bushes and short fences to cut lines and they do it so obviously. Not sneaky at all.
• The parks are smaller, so going from attraction to attraction is much easier.
• There are much fewer shops here. If you want something, you need to get it when you see it. It is not like WDW where all of the shops have the same items.
• Here, you see Walt everywhere. It is truly nostalgic.
• Downtown Disney is much smaller and easier to maneuver. We like that a lot.
• People smoke EVERYWHERE. If you are sensitive to smoke, keep that in mind.
• We notice people do not constantly take photos on dark rides like they do at WDW. That has been very nice.

I wanted to comment on a few of the experiences by the PP.

• I have never noticed a huge difference in CMs between DLR and WDW - but in my experience I would give the edge to the WDW CMs
• Guest rudeness - I find that more at WDW than at DLR. Guests at WDW are on vacation and they seem to have a lot more emotional (and financial) investment in their Disney visit than the average DLR visitor. Thus the (rare) rude guest I find at WDW more often.
• Over the last 10 years I have consistently found the DLR parks to be noticeably cleaner and better maintained than the WDW parks
• I have never noticed any difference in restroom cleanliness between DLR and WDW
• I see line cutting rarely but when I do I see it more often at DLR than at WDW. It has never appeared to me to be anywhere near "INSANE" as the PP experienced.
• Having some young adult smokers among my kids (unfortunately), finding smoking spots at DLR and WDW is something I am now aware of. I have never, ever seen a person smoking at DLR or WDW outside of designated smoking spots in the parks. The PP experienced people smoking "everywhere". I have never experienced anyone smoking anywhere (except permitted spots).

 

[Lothlórien]

I wanted to comment on a few of the experiences by the PP.

• I have never noticed a huge difference in CMs between DLR and WDW - but in my experience I would give the edge to the WDW CMs
• Guest rudeness - I find that more at WDW than at DLR. Guests at WDW are on vacation and they seem to have a lot more emotional (and financial) investment in their Disney visit than the average DLR visitor. Thus the (rare) rude guest I find at WDW more often.
• Over the last 10 years I have consistently found the DLR parks to be noticeably cleaner and better maintained than the WDW parks
• I have never noticed any difference in restroom cleanliness between DLR and WDW
• I see line cutting rarely but when I do I see it more often at DLR than at WDW. It has never appeared to me to be anywhere near "INSANE" as the PP experienced.
• Having some young adult smokers among my kids (unfortunately), finding smoking spots at DLR and WDW is something I am now aware of. I have never, ever seen a person smoking at DLR or WDW outside of designated smoking spots in the parks. The PP experienced people smoking "everywhere". I have never experienced anyone smoking anywhere (except permitted spots).

Perhaps the time of the year affects the experience. I usually visit WDW the first 2 weeks of December. When I have gone in the summer I tend to notice guests are a bit more aggressive and CMs seem to be a bit more easily aggravated. There were 6 of us in our party and we all felt the same way. We had a good time regardless, but just very different than our WDW experiences.

For the record, your last comment (several of them actually) almost came across like you were calling me a liar. It's great that your experience has been different. 3 of the people in our party are highly allergic to cigarette smoke. Nobody was imagining it or making it up.

 

[Lothlórien]

Wow we've found totally the opposite! We found the CMs at WDW ok, but the DL is where we really saw some magic. On our last Oct trip to DL we commented on how extra clean the parks seemed, eventhough it was quite busy. We don't do much shopping so can't comment there, and I didn't see any smoking anywhere.
We did love the variety of parks of WDW but didn't like the travel between.

While we thought WDW was outstanding in variety, we think DL has the magic, being Walt's park...

We loved the nostalgia of DLR and there was something wonderful about being there, knowing it was Walt's creation. I agree about the traveling between the parks. It was great to walk from our hotel room to the park of our choosing.

The Food and Wine Festival as well as a cheerleading championship was going on during our visit. Perhaps that played into the parks and restrooms being so dirty. ??? A lot of it was in the lines and it is probably because WDW has CMs at the ride entrance stopping guests from taking food and open drinks into rides where DLR does not do that. I don't know why there was toilet paper among other stuff in 3/4 of the toilets, why every bathroom smelled like poop (see previous part about toilets LOL), why there was toilet paper, diapers and empty food packages on the bathroom floors. Most of the auto-flush toilets in DLR didnt work. We had to still push it manually to make it flush. We just don't experience that in WDW. I realize that is a guest issue, but it seems that WDW is faster about cleaning up.

Like I said in another post in this thread, I would go back as a part of a big family trip again, but it just didn't have that "happy feeling" that WDW has.

 

[mad hatter fan]

I don't think anyone was trying to say that you were lying. I think they were trying to point out that some of your experiences were very out of the norm for Disneyland. I hope you do try it again someday and have a better experience.

 

[HydroGuy]

Perhaps the time of the year affects the experience. I usually visit WDW the first 2 weeks of December. When I have gone in the summer I tend to notice guests are a bit more aggressive and CMs seem to be a bit more easily aggravated. There were 6 of us in our party and we all felt the same way. We had a good time regardless, but just very different than our WDW experiences.

For the record, your last comment (several of them actually) almost came across like you were calling me a liar. It's great that your experience has been different. 3 of the people in our party are highly allergic to cigarette smoke. Nobody was imagining it or making it up.

I don't think anyone was trying to say that you were lying. I think they were trying to point out that some of your experiences were very out of the norm for Disneyland. I hope you do try it again someday and have a better experience.

Nope, not at all as Mad Hatter observed above. I just found some of your experiences so different from my own that I did not want folks to read your report and think it was the norm. IMO you had some negative experiences which are outside the norm but unfortunately happened when you were there.

And I agree with Mad Hatter, I hope you have a chance in the future to experience DLR again and have a better experience. Right now is not the best time to visit DL especially with the construction. I found the congestion at DL in March (I was there for a half-day visit during a business trip) to be intolerable especially in the evening. You did not mention that but if you had I would have wholeheartedly agreed.

You also did not get to see Fantasmic! (much better at DL IMO), the DCA stage show (awesome Aladdin show for the last 12 years but now in transition to Frozen) or the regular World of Color (best Disney show anywhere anytime IMO).

I am a huge WDW fan by the way and WDW does offer a lot that DLR does not. But in my experience DLR has tons of Disney magic that unfortunately did not seem to connect with you.

 

[Kender]

Really? We found it to be just the opposite.
I guess it just all depends on where you stay, eat and what kind of tickets you get.

I stay with a friend who works for Disney World so I stay for free and get into the parks for free. I only have to pay for my food, souvenirs, and travel.

But that's not a normal situation.

I've done spreadsheets previously comparing if I had to pay for lodging and tickets at either location and I've also looked at food and other such comparisons. WDW always ends up costing more even not counting that I have to fly there (DLR is a just a long drive from NorCal).

But that's why I specified that WDW is more expensive for me. I know it's not for everyone. I wanted to draw attention that it's different for everyone.

 

[Lothlórien]

I stay with a friend who works for Disney World so I stay for free and get into the parks for free. I only have to pay for my food, souvenirs, and travel.

But that's not a normal situation.

I've done spreadsheets previously comparing if I had to pay for lodging and tickets at either location and I've also looked at food and other such comparisons. WDW always ends up costing more even not counting that I have to fly there (DLR is a just a long drive from NorCal).

But that's why I specified that WDW is more expensive for me. I know it's not for everyone. I wanted to draw attention that it's different for everyone.

I totally get that.