Why the bad reviews?

[wendow]

I love nighttime EMH at WDW

We were just at WDW and the evening EMH are rare there now in the 'slower' times. Those are my fav also.

WDW also is cutting back there in what they *think* is a slow time. It's the same as at DLR. We have been regular Sept guests for many years and Sept is crazy busy now at WDW. Staff cuts, attractions down, less hours but gobs of people.

We are planning our first family DLR trip next summer. We need a break from the chaos that WDW has become. Honestly reading this thread doesn't seem any different than how many WDW vets feel about what has changed at WDW I'm wondering if we all just have a 'grass must be greener' thinking.

 

[mummabear]

We were just at WDW and the evening EMH are rare there now in the 'slower' times. Those are my fav also.

WDW also is cutting back there in what they *think* is a slow time. It's the same as at DLR. We have been regular Sept guests for many years and Sept is crazy busy now at WDW. Staff cuts, attractions down, less hours but gobs of people.

We are planning our first family DLR trip next summer. We need a break from the chaos that WDW has become. Honestly reading this thread doesn't seem any different than how many WDW vets feel about what has changed at WDW I'm wondering if we all just have a 'grass must be greener' thinking.

We have alternated DL and WDW for several years. Usually May for WDW (although last WDW trip was Oct/Nov) and Sept for DLR.
What I like about WDW is that (in my experience) things like F! And fireworks are every night, while they may cut back hours they never close as early as 8pm. And especially that the hours, party dates etc are announced way in advance, where DL think 6 weeks prior to the date to know hours!
But still if you haven’t done it before I would recommend a DLR trip.
Search out @HydroGuy thread on DLR for a WDW vet.

 

[Linkura]

We are planning our first family DLR trip next summer. We need a break from the chaos that WDW has become. Honestly reading this thread doesn't seem any different than how many WDW vets feel about what has changed at WDW I'm wondering if we all just have a 'grass must be greener' thinking.

DLR is MUCH MORE chaotic than WDW, trust me. I wouldn't go to DLR for that reason at all.

 

[KBinCO]

we have been to WDW when it's been deader than dead. I dont feel like that exists at DL.

 

[wendow]

DLR is MUCH MORE chaotic than WDW, trust me. I wouldn't go to DLR for that reason at all.

That isn't our sole reason for going to DLR but it's part of it. Not having to rely on Disney transport is very enticing after our last trip where we felt all we did is wait for buses.

we have been to WDW when it's been deader than dead. I dont feel like that exists at DL.

I have too. But it's been YEARS. Last time for us was Sept 2012 or 2013 and this last month only because the day we left was the same day everything shut down for Irma. The Friday before was pretty dead in MK.

I don't think the deader than dead feel can happen at DL simply cause of the size. I have been to DL just not with my youngest two kiddos. So I said this is our first family trip there but we've been before. I know how congested it can feel very quickly.

 

[mom2rtk]

we have been to WDW when it's been deader than dead. I dont feel like that exists at DL.

I think part of that is just the physical layout of the parks. At WDW, the parks are farther apart, and you can hit a park that isn't as busy as the others. You can also make choices increasing your odds of hitting the less busy crowd of the day.

At DLR, it's more like one big park. More people have hoppers, and the entrances are side by side. So if one of the parks is less busy, that remedies itself with people hopping over to take advantage.

I understand the local AP base has some impact as well, but if that was a huge factor, DLR would have more annual attendance than WDW. And I don't believe it does.

 

[ColoradoMom!!]

DLR is MUCH MORE chaotic than WDW, trust me. I wouldn't go to DLR for that reason at all.

I've noticed you have mentioned this a few times. I must be honest. I went to WDW this last May -the week before Memorial Day Weekend - right before Pandora opened. Just getting into MK on a Thursday (supposed to be a lower crowd day - no early entry) was a 1.5 hour nightmare. Both the Boat and Monorail were working - just took that long. I could go on, but during our entire week stay, I wished we had gone to DL instead. I just felt like it took forever to get the rides in that I could do at DL even with the FP+ system that I had refreshing the entire day.

To me WDW was a more chaotic and this wasn't my first time. Everyone's experience is different, and includes MANY factors.

 

[mom2rtk]

I've noticed you have mentioned this a few times. I must be honest. I went to WDW this last May -the week before Memorial Day Weekend - right before Pandora opened. Just getting into MK on a Thursday (supposed to be a lower crowd day - no early entry) was a 1.5 hour nightmare. Both the Boat and Monorail were working - just took that long. I could go on, but during our entire week stay, I wished we had gone to DL instead. I just felt like it took forever to get the rides in that I could do at DL even with the FP+ system that I had refreshing the entire day.

To me WDW was a more chaotic and this wasn't my first time. Everyone's experience is different, and includes MANY factors.

We were experienced WDW visitors when we swapped to DLR 4 years when FP+ rolled out for an easier, less stressful Disney experience. It certainly has not disappointed.

 

[KBinCO]

We were experienced WDW visitors when we swapped to DLR 4 years when FP+ rolled out for an easier, less stressful Disney experience. It certainly has not disappointed.

yeah, WDW just isn't an enjoyable vacation for us anymore. We enjoy DL more, but it doesn't mean we won't be disappointed and that there isn't room for improvement

 

[mom2rtk]

yeah, WDW just isn't an enjoyable vacation for us anymore. We enjoy DL more, but it doesn't mean we won't be disappointed and that there isn't room for improvement

Seems like a fair assessment. I don't mean to imply that everything is perfect. Crowds do continue to be an issue that affects our enjoyment. But I do love that I don't have to commit to so many "appointments" so many months in advance. It's certainly less complicated to plan trips closer to the date of travel.

 

[KBinCO]

Seems like a fair assessment. I don't mean to imply that everything is perfect. Crowds do continue to be an issue that affects our enjoyment. But I do love that I don't have to commit to so many "appointments" so many months in advance. It's certainly less complicated to plan trips closer to the date of travel.

yes, I am at a point where we don't plan any trips more than 2-3 months in advance. I don't like waiting

 

[wendow]

We were experienced WDW visitors when we swapped to DLR 4 years when FP+ rolled out for an easier, less stressful Disney experience. It certainly has not disappointed.

This is encouraging to me to read. We also feel WDW has just gotten so much more stressful. I miss the legacy FP system. FP+ has not been a 'plus' for us at all.

 

[Linkura]

I've noticed you have mentioned this a few times. I must be honest. I went to WDW this last May -the week before Memorial Day Weekend - right before Pandora opened. Just getting into MK on a Thursday (supposed to be a lower crowd day - no early entry) was a 1.5 hour nightmare. Both the Boat and Monorail were working - just took that long. I could go on, but during our entire week stay, I wished we had gone to DL instead. I just felt like it took forever to get the rides in that I could do at DL even with the FP+ system that I had refreshing the entire day.

To me WDW was a more chaotic and this wasn't my first time. Everyone's experience is different, and includes MANY factors.

I don't know what to say other than that's been the opposite of my experience. I do RD, stay onsite and use the buses, and constantly refresh for FP+. I don't go at crowded times- last been mid-September and early March. When it comes to FP+, I've had luck getting additional FP+s for even big rides (except FEA, 7DMT, and PPF) for within an hour or less (immediate for most rides) during the day. It may also be because we don't have children and I either go solo or with my husband. Much easier to get additional FPs for smaller parties.

 

[mom2rtk]

I don't know what to say other than that's been the opposite of my experience. I do RD, stay onsite and use the buses, and constantly refresh for FP+. I don't go at crowded times- last been mid-September and early March. When it comes to FP+, I've had luck getting additional FP+s for even big rides (except FEA, 7DMT, and PPF) for within an hour or less (immediate for most rides) during the day. It may also be because we don't have children and I either go solo or with my husband. Much easier to get additional FPs for smaller parties.

I just have zero interest in refreshing my smart phone screen all day. I would much rather just go to a park where all FPs are still available at the start of every day. I want availability to be fairly predictable. Not random.

 

[Linkura]

I just have zero interest in refreshing my smart phone screen all day. I would much rather just go to a park where all FPs are still available at the start of every day. I want availability to be fairly predictable. Not random.

I find it more predictable at WDW. You know 60 days in advance what your first 3 FPs are. And for the most part, it's VERY predictable which rides will have additional FP easily or not so easily available.

I also personally find it almost like a game to keep refreshing for FPs, but I can certainly understand why others wouldn't like it- especially if you have larger parties, as it can get MUCH more difficult to find FPs for larger parties. For solo and small parties, WDW's system works VERY well. I can see if you have a family of 4+ why you might have some trouble at WDW and prefer DL.

Not saying which is better- you and others bring up good points. I personally prefer WDW's way, but there are MANY factors at work and I can certainly understand why DLR's systems work better for others.

 

[DizMe]

We literally just got back from a trip a few hours ago. We usually stay at the hotels for about three days. This time we decided to we wanted more flexibilty with our trip and with our daughter getting older she wanted to see her grandparents who live about a half hour away. So we stayed the week with them. Got up, drove got to the parks around nine, so no big lines to get in to parking garage, security or front gates. Got the fast passes, at breakfast....you know the drill. I guess what I am saying is we relaxed a lot. No big time tables, no rushing. except for making sure everyone was always feed and bathrooms, we let the day unfold, instead dog trying to plan every second. IT was wonderful. We hopped back and forth between parks, let the kiddo play with the water ball near space mountain, got coffee, people watched...

Yes, I still got run over buy two strollers and I still have issues with 8 year old boys in the women's bathrooms. Some food is over prices, but before every trip we look over all the new offerings, menus and restaurants to figure out where ewe want to eat. We also share A LOT. Most ice cream, popcorn and even chocolate can be shared.

But I relaxed. Kiddo still started melting down around 9:30, but it didn't bother me this time. I think you need to plan your trip and then stop watching the clock once you arrive. Smile, remember pleas and thank you. Joke with people in line and always understand there are bigger worries in life then a ride going down!

Just my two cents.

I agree with what you said, and do find it much nicer to take things more in stride. However, you simply can't with the kind of crowds plus short hours people have been reporting for Sept. I was just in DLR myself (Sept 30-Oct 3) and the crowds were not that bad most days, but the parks opened early and closed late. It's a lot easier to relax and take things as they come when you have the time and space to do it. I can understand the frustration of high crowds, rides breaking down, short hours etc. with nothing to compensate for it.

 

[peterpanandwendy]

We never use touring plans ever. I actually hate the thought of booking fp's months in advance, which is probably why I have never even considered going to Disney World. Something about that whole process really bothers me. I don't go to Disneyland just to ride rides. If I wanted to just ride rides there are plenty of other amusement parks closer to me that have great rides. But they don't have great shows, live music on every corner, beautiful scenery and ambiance, detailed theming... those are all the reasons we keep going back to Disneyland. We always go at peak season, and always take it easy with no plan. I guess the only plan we really stick to is "be there by rope drop" but only because we are all early risers and are up anyway.

Last time we went with tiny toddlers and had no intentions of riding rides "single". We were there to enjoy good days with the kids, not pack everything all in. We went for four days and didn't do any of the headliners because the kids were too small, but we still had a great time on heimlich's choo choo and exploring Pirate Lair Island.

So I agree with above poster that a relaxed method is the best method for us. We like to see where the day takes us. If we have fast passes for a ride, but decideto just get some watermelon and watch a parade, then we do that. If we are hungry we eat. If a ride has too long of a line we do something else and come back to it another time. Sometimes we get an ice cream and wait out those hour long lines because why not? We'd be waiting somewhere else anyway.

Booking fast passes six month in advance seems crazy to me, like the opposite of a fun, relaxing, family holiday.

But I see now hat perhaps peak season is the time to go! Lol, at least we can be there from 7am to midnight so we have time to fit everything in.

 

[audrianna890]

Last time we went with tiny toddlers and had no intentions of riding rides "single". We were there to enjoy good days with the kids, not pack everything all in. We went for four days and didn't do any of the headliners because the kids were too small, but we still had a great time on heimlich's choo choo and exploring Pirate Lair Island.

This! I don't do any rides that my daughter doesn't, for the most part. I go to DL to take my kids, not for me. KWIM?

 

[mummabear]

DLR is MUCH MORE chaotic than WDW, trust me. I wouldn't go to DLR for that reason at all.

I don’t agree. I do think they can be different kinds of chaotic. Things like watching F! Are much easier at WDW but I think DLRs ride density helps, crowds can easily be absorbed much more at DL than at MK

That isn't our sole reason for going to DLR but it's part of it. Not having to rely on Disney transport is very enticing after our last trip where we felt all we did is wait for buses.

 

[wendow]

But I see now hat perhaps peak season is the time to go! Lol, at least we can be there from 7am to midnight so we have time to fit everything in.

As a long time Sept family to WDW (only missed 2014 and went in Dec, but according to the boards, Sept was busy), I can say we are considering moving to a time like Spring Break or summer. I keep hearing how dead summer is compared to the fall. So, I have always said that since we homeschool, we'd go when others were in school. But now, everyone goes when others are in school so I guess we will go when school is out. Confusing? Yes, me too.