WDW vets fall in love with DL

[CamoMama]

Definitely not a perk given with all Parkhoppers. We always stay offsite and have NEVER received those booklets. I book the hotel myself and purchase our tickets separately. Do you book everything separately yourself, or as a package through an agency? I do, now that I think about it, remember seeing the booklets as a perk of booking Good Neighbor Hotel packages with certain agencies. That might have something to do with it.

I book everything myself at Good Neighbor hotels. I won't get the booklets any more though, as I now have an AP.

 

[Judy from Boise]

I used to regularly suggest to DH that we build a mini-golf course in our yard b/c as a family we just love the game. Now that we've experienced this incredible attraction, I've told him my new fantasy goal is to create storybook gardens w/ little houses just like this -- and although of course I'd also love to dig the canal and float through in a little boat, I'd settle for just the gardens

Too funny ! In my backyard i have a succulent garden that was inspired by the patchwork of succulents on the "casey junior/storybook: hill. My house is on the garden tour this year (the fund raiser for our botanical garden) so I guess I did a pretty good job with my Disney inspiration !

 

[PatMcDuck]

Oh -- just to be clear -- there's no question that Disney CMs, whether in FL or CA, provide outstanding service; that difference is a big part of what sets Disney as a whole apart. And as I said, we didn't encounter any CMs in CA who were unpleasant or doing less than a good job. For us, based on just one visit, it was a subtle difference in our eyes -- nothing major, didn't make a negative impact in any way -- but all 3 of us noticed it and we just wondered what it might be. As close as we could come to figuring it out was the local angle; most CMs seemed to be local (based on nametags, which we love to read) and most visitors seemed to be local, so we thought maybe the *regular-ness* of the experience on both sides was the factor -- but hey, our next visit could give us a different perspective (on either park).

Sitting here this morning pricing out visits and dreaming....

It is funny, because I felt the exact opposite, that the DL CMs were so much better! I think a few of them just touched my heart, usually the older senior male CMs. they are so adorable to me for some reason. Even some of the street cleaner types, I would see them dancing to the music to one of the pop up parades, and I would smile..... Another was at the GC gate in the morning, saw him a few times, and he was so sweet.

Anyway, I live in NJ, and most people around here only go to WDW. I make it a point to encourage them to go west to DL, at least once. Some of these people go to WDW EVERY year, over and over. Perhaps more will take the trip once Carsland opens.

 

[bleeps]

My husband and son both enjoy the variety, and this way I can hug Chip and Dale (I hope they're still there?) and eat huevos rancheros.

Thanks so much!

Oh, you'll be all set then; Chip and Dale are absolutely in the line-up, and huevos rancheros (my favorite, too!) are definitely on the menu!! (If I hadn't already indulged earlier in the week, I would have ordered them.)

I'll also say that the timing here worked really well -- everything moved pretty quickly and smoothly in a way that didn't feel rushed, but allowed us to be on the schedule we wanted to keep.

Hope you love DLH -- it does look beautiful.

 

[bleeps]

It is funny, because I felt the exact opposite, that the DL CMs were so much better! I think a few of them just touched my heart, usually the older senior male CMs. they are so adorable to me for some reason. Even some of the street cleaner types, I would see them dancing to the music to one of the pop up parades, and I would smile..... Another was at the GC gate in the morning, saw him a few times, and he was so sweet.

Anyway, I live in NJ, and most people around here only go to WDW. I make it a point to encourage them to go west to DL, at least once. Some of these people go to WDW EVERY year, over and over. Perhaps more will take the trip once Carsland opens.

Lovely to hear of your special CM experiences at DLR!

I do imagine that Carsland will have a huge impact. We could see glimpses of it and were just awestruck at what an amazing job they did on it; once they start featuring it in commercials, etc., I think a LOT more east coasters will go west. (We had a lot of people ask us why we were going "all the way" to DLR when (a) we've been to WDW *so many times already* and (b) *aren't they all the same?* Guess it's just one of those things....)

 

[LisainCalifornia]

Wow.
2. Once in the park (either DL or DCA), you really don't have a sense of the world outside. Oh sure, you can get glimpses of outside hotels when you ride tall attractions, but it's minor and really does not take away from the magic. We surmise that the area around the parks has gone through a lot of updates/upgrades since Walt's day -- we definitely would not describe the area as *seedy,* even though that was the image we had in our minds.

The area around the park was actually farmland/agriculture when Walt first bought the land. So Anaheim has changed so much! You are right--the area around the parks is not necessarily "seedy"--but it has it's challenges. There is prostitution and they have a large homeless/motel only population in the area. You may have heard of the documentary that details the lives of Anaheim's motel kids--these are teens and young adults who live in the surrounding motels. Not so much in the ones closest to the parks, but some are fairly close.

I think it is great that you stayed on property for your first visit. It really does enhance the whole experience. I think sometimes people are told that it doesn't make a difference (on property or off) that are WDW regulars, and then they come back and don't have the same glowing reviews. Off property can be wonderful too--but there is a difference there.

I am so glad you had a good time. I think the weather can make a huge difference! I am a California Native, but my mom's family is from Florida and I have spent many humidity drenched days there. I know some people love it, but I just wilt in that weather.

Thanks for your wonderfully detailed account.

 

[PatMcDuck]

I think it is a big thing for us who started going to WDW, to stay in a Disney Hotel. We are just so USED to doing that, that we just automatically want to book a Disney Hotel. We can't help ourselves.

So, I have stayed at all 3 of the DL Hotels, plus the Villas at GC. It will make it more challenging for East coasters to go to DL, because they will have to stay off property. (due to availability and costs). Maybe someday Disney will be able to acquire some property for more hotels at DL, or buy an existing hotel and Disney-fy it. And yes, I know there are outside hotels that are even a shorter walk to the park gates than the official hotels.

The other adjustment is the small number of dining options at DL, (which is understandable when one realizes their park guests are mostly local AP holders).

But it is all worth it, and count me in as loving the Disney parks on both coasts!

 

[bleeps]

In my backyard i have a succulent garden that was inspired by the patchwork of succulents on the "casey junior/storybook: hill. My house is on the garden tour this year (the fund raiser for our botanical garden) so I guess I did a pretty good job with my Disney inspiration !

TOTALLY awesome!!! My neighbor once planted a giant classic Mickey head in her yard; we walked by just as she was finishing and she asked, hesitantly, if we knew what it was supposed to be. "It's Mickey!" my son shouted, and she just beamed. We used to water it and deadhead it for her when she wasn't around, just to keep it going.

Maybe you could share some photos of your garden with us....

 

[bleeps]

So, I have stayed at all 3 of the DL Hotels, plus the Villas at GC.

What's your favorite? We fell in love with GCH, but the price (along with airfare and everything else to go that distance) is daunting. You're right about WDW fans being in the "stay on site" mindset; I don't think my DH would consider going off-site at this stage of the game.

 

[S. S. Columbia]

 

[kjs1976]

Thanks for your posts! We are WDW vets...so is our DD now 4 but been there 3 times...and I love the comments/comparisons/contrasts. Good points to know and point out.

Can't wait for your Napa Rose review either! I'll be celebrating my b-day while at DL and this place was recommended to me.

 

[ValpoCory]

Yes -- we did do Storytellers for breakfast. It's a funny/interesting mix of characters, and our interaction with each of them was wonderful. (I'll say that the mix isn't the standard WDW mix you'd see, and some of them aren't out much any more at WDW -- the characters seemed surprised/delighted that we knew them all by name).

Thanks bleeps for your reports and responses! Due to Cars Land, my DW and I decided to take the family out west this January for our next Disney vacation, and our first DLR trip to stay on-site. We can't wait. I wanted to ask, which characters did you see at Storytellers besides Chip and Dale? Thanks.

What's your favorite? We fell in love with GCH, but the price (along with airfare and everything else to go that distance) is daunting. You're right about WDW fans being in the "stay on site" mindset; I don't think my DH would consider going off-site at this stage of the game.

A great option to save money and stay on-site at DLR is to rent DVC points at the Villas at Disney's Grand Californian. We are staying in January for 6 nights for $1,070 (107 points). That $178.33 price per night is not bad, considering how close you are.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I wanted to ask, which characters did you see at Storytellers besides Chip and Dale? Thanks.

Typically at the Chip & Dale Breakfast you'll run into Terk (Tarzan), Koda and Kenai from Brother Bear, Rafiki, the Ranger (he's very funny), Meeko (Mulan), and B'rer Bear.

Here's a blog about it - it hasn't changed much since the blog.

Storyteller Character Breakfast

 

[KCmike]

With WDW's Magic Kingdom I thought I saw a Casey JR Circus train. Are they putting one in the new fantasyland in Florida?

My personal favorite is Fantasyland in Disneyland. I love the dark rides and really enjoyed Casey JR, Storybook Canal, and IASM. When my wife and I got to go back at Christmas time for our Anniversary we got to ride ISAM at night with the Christmas lights and it kind of reminded me of a "tunnel of love" ride that I use to read about.

Great trip report!

 

[ValpoCory]

Typically at the Chip & Dale Breakfast you'll run into Terk (Tarzan), Koda and Kenai from Brother Bear, Rafiki, the Ranger (he's very funny), Meeko (Mulan), and B'rer Bear.

Here's a blog about it - it hasn't changed much since the blog.

Storyteller Character Breakfast

Thanks Mary Jo!

 

[ValpoCory]

With WDW's Magic Kingdom I thought I saw a Casey JR Circus train. Are they putting one in the new fantasyland in Florida?

They have a Casey Jr. Splash 'N' Soak Station in the new Fantasyland, with the subtitle, "Enjoy a circus-themed waterplay area". This is next to Dumbo, The Barnstormer, and the Fantasyland WDW Railroad Station.

Video posted Tuesday:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBnD-MYypOI

 

[disneymom0104]

What a great report! I agree with pretty much everything you said! I did a lot of day trips to DL as a child, but had been about 20 years since I had been. We went in Oct. after a few WDW trips (and we live in CO, so WDW is tougher for us to get to) and we loved everything you did. I loved the subtle differences on the rides (like on Peter Pan the boats are not continuously moving on a track. Each boat is stopped for you to get on and then goes on its way) I, too, was surprised how different even that ride was. I do prefer the Pooh ride at WDW (we haven't been since they redid the queue) and it probably is because that is what is "comfortable" I also prefer the side by side seating on Splash but enjoyed how different that ride was, too.

You cannot beat the distance between the parks. I love how many more rides there are in such a smaller area.

Alice is my absolute favorite ride. I remember it from my childhood and from my most recent park prior to that Oct. trip, Tokyo DL. I remember walking in to Fantasyland at WDW for the first time since my childhood in 2007 and thinking "Where the heck are all the rides?" I was most disappointed that Alice wasn't there. My girls absolutely loved it as well. We love Mr. Toad's, Storybook Land, IASW, Matterhorn- everything.

This was our year to return to WDW and my girls BEGGED to go back to DL instead. Pirates and California Screamin' was closed when we were there so they are excited to try those.

What did you think of Indiana Jones? My husband says it is his favorite ride in all the parks.

Anyway- we went into our trip last year thinking we would try DL one time, but continue our vacations at WDW, but that has totally changed after experiencing it. It was instant love for us for so many reasons. We still love WDW, and we will be back there, too. I don't think there is anything wrong with loving them equally. They both have pros and cons. I am sad I won't get to Epcot this year as I love that park so much. I now wonder if everytime we go to WDW we will be talking about what we miss most at DL, and vice versa.

 

[ValpoCory]

I loved the subtle differences on the rides ... I also prefer the side by side seating on Splash but enjoyed how different that ride was, too.

Do you mean Space Mountain? WDW Splash mountain has side by side seating.

2009 video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDDLMLjCLuY

 

[friends with mickey]

I have enjoyed reading this thread. As someone who has been fortunate to have visited WDW, DL, and DL Paris, I know it is hard not to try and compare the parks. My feeling is that the parks are not to be compared, but rather to be enjoyed. And each has so many things to enjoy. As I get older I realize that our family has great memories from all of the Disney parks and the best thing is we continue to make more every year! We have celebrated at least one of each of our kids birthdays in a Disney park as well as celebrating mine and my wife's there too. We will be celebrating our 30th anniversary at DL this September along with our 27 year old son and his fiancee who loves Disney as much as we do,(She is going to fit into our family very well), so the memories will continue.
Which is my favorite park, favorite ride or attraction, favorite restaurant. I can honestly say... It is the one I am enjoying at the time. May we all continue to enjoy the memories that Walt Disney made possible for us all to experience

 

[disneymom0104]

Do you mean Space Mountain? WDW Splash mountain has side by side seating.

2009 video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDDLMLjCLuY

I meant Splash, I was saying I like Splash better at WDW, but enjoyed the differences at DL. I think what got me at DL is I had a very large man behind me the first time I rode and was basically cradled by his legs over every hill and turn- not a very comfy experience for me

I do like the side by side seating on Space Mountain at DL, but we only did that one time because my girls hated the Ghost Galaxy overlay, so we are excited to try that again, too!