WDW Vets - first time DL trip

[MouseBrief]

ultimately decided that I want that first-time experience like the first time I went to MK when I was 4 years old, or the first time I took each one of my kids and everything was new and magical

I love this idea. It’s the same reason I avoid coverage of new attractions until I experiences them myself.
I think that magic will be worth any fleeting confusion. Plus, the Disneyland app is such a powerful tool. If you are feeling a little lost, you can find things as small as water bottle fillers just by searching in the app.
As someone who grew-up on Disneyland and went to Magic Kingdom for the first time as an adult, I will say the many similarities mixed with some surprise differences can be disorienting. But… it also felt like reading a favorite book for the hundredth time and discovering there were new secret chapters I had never known were there!
I am so excited for you!

 

[LAS2AMS]

It doesn’t hurt to familiarize yourself with the DLR before you visit, so you know what to expect . If I had a $1 for every time a WDW fanatic ventured to DLR, then posted ‘WDW is so much better because of the Disney bubble…’

 

[xipotec]

I would absolutely know the path layout. Things are kinda hidden in DL versus WDW. Not sense in getting lost.

I felt POTC , Space and Galaxy's Edge to be a bit hidden compared to the WDW versions. There are plenty of signs of course, but honesty feel so much is tucked into DL its wise to have a general idea of where things are.

 

[ilovebassets]

I really appreciate all the info you guys have given me about DLR. It's truly a bucket-list item for me and I don't know much at all about it. I know WDW inside and out - have stayed at multiple resorts, know the transportation system like I know my own city, and tell my kids they could blindfold me and set me down in the MK and I'd be able to tell them where I am by the sounds and smells, it's as familiar as my own neighborhood. It's kind of an odd feeling for me to be anticipating a trip to a Disney property and really have no idea how it's laid out, where anything is, or what it looks like. I've thought about watching some videos and such, but ultimately decided that I want that first-time experience like the first time I went to MK when I was 4 years old, or the first time I took each one of my kids and everything was new and magical.

It really is fun to go for the first time as a WDW vet, and I totally endorse NOT watching videos and just letting the new experiences wash over you including getting lost! The one thing we did enjoy was watching the "Behind the Attractions" series on Disney+ prior to going. It gives a lot of historical information about attraction (and a few other things like the Disneyland Hotel) development including differences between the parks. It was a lot of fun looking for the small thing at DL that are different--like the goat on BTMRR.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

I did think of a couple of questions: I just want to confirm that my MagicBand will work at DL, and wondering if they do pin trading at DL? My husband loves to pin trade so before I schlep our lanyards and some traders across the country, I want to make sure it's worth taking them.