Guide to DLR for WDW Veterans!

[Sirwalterraleigh]

DL has changed... a LOT. Prior to our visit this past April, the last visit was in 2000. Before that 80s-91, we lived in SD/LA so we had visited more often.

I did not care for some of the changes. But, there is a lot to like at DL compared to MK. I don't know that one is better than the other. Here are my thoughts...

• I originally had wanted to visit DL the way we used to when we lived in SoCal - no planning, just show up and have fun. After reading this forum, I decided to do more planning - so glad I did!
• We purchased LLMP for our visit (both DL and DCA). I really like picking the first LL upon entry into the park, and not having to plan in advance. And, it worked mostly well to get shorter lines for most of our favorites. The only ride it did not work well for was Tianna. It was cold in April, and we had wanted to get an LL for the warmer part of the afternoon. I did not select it soon enough, and the only available times were past 7pm. Bummer... still have not ridden Splash in either MK or DL since the rebrand.
• Biggest challenge to me was navigating. After having season passes to WDW in 2019, I know MK inside and out, and the best ways to get around. I definitely did not have that knowledge at DL, and it showed.
• While it was good to see the Davey Crockett canoes and TSI, the riverfront is not as nice and open as MK. And, as much as I enjoyed Fantasmic, it just doesn't fit at DL.
• Pirates queue is a hot mess. MK definitely is better. And, did they shorten the bayou section? I thought it used to be longer.
• I miss the skyride. Interesting that the station in Fantasyland is still there (but repurposed), if you look closely...
• I really like that the submarines are still there, even if themed to Nemo
• Space Mountain had the Star Wars overlay when we visited. I really like SM at DL - so much better than MK.
• Oh, so many old classics and dark rides. We did not get on all of them, but good to see them still there. At least we got on Toad's ride and Matterhorn.
• The exterior of Small World is absolutely the best! It's almost hidden in MK. Bummer that the ride was being refurbed while we were at DL.
• Autopia is SOOOOOO much better at DL. MK just needs to get rid of the short, sad disaster that is left.
• I like how the expansion for Toon Town and GE were done. Definitely a LOT more to do in DL than MK. I wish we had planned for three days instead of two at DL. One day at DCA was good.
• I don't like that the monorail at DL requires you to have a park ticket, but it is convenient to get to Downtown Disney for a quick bite
• I really like DCA being so close to DL. We did not park hop, but it was great to be able to walk the same distance from our off site hotel to either park. Big advantage over WDW.
• Disney hotels at DLR... very dissapointing. No transportation to the parks, even more overpriced than WDW, and a longer walk from some of the Disney hotels, than from the "off site" hotels. And, Disney hotels are basically off site, too.
• People mover...
• COP...

…got some bad news about that riverfront in Magic kingdom

 

[dmw]

…got some bad news about that riverfront in Magic kingdom

yeah... I know. I felt to cramped at the riverfront in DL. I sure hope it stays wide at MK with Piston Peak having the river as the buffer.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

yeah... I know. I felt to cramped at the riverfront in DL. I sure hope it stays wide at MK with Piston Peak having the river as the buffer.

Are we sure they’re not filling it in? Didn’t look good

 

[SamusAranX]

DL has changed... a LOT. Prior to our visit this past April, the last visit was in 2000. Before that 80s-91, we lived in SD/LA so we had visited more often.

I did not care for some of the changes. But, there is a lot to like at DL compared to MK. I don't know that one is better than the other. Here are my thoughts...

• I originally had wanted to visit DL the way we used to when we lived in SoCal - no planning, just show up and have fun. After reading this forum, I decided to do more planning - so glad I did!
• We purchased LLMP for our visit (both DL and DCA). I really like picking the first LL upon entry into the park, and not having to plan in advance. And, it worked mostly well to get shorter lines for most of our favorites. The only ride it did not work well for was Tianna. It was cold in April, and we had wanted to get an LL for the warmer part of the afternoon. I did not select it soon enough, and the only available times were past 7pm. Bummer... still have not ridden Splash in either MK or DL since the rebrand.
• Biggest challenge to me was navigating. After having season passes to WDW in 2019, I know MK inside and out, and the best ways to get around. I definitely did not have that knowledge at DL, and it showed.
• While it was good to see the Davey Crockett canoes and TSI, the riverfront is not as nice and open as MK. And, as much as I enjoyed Fantasmic, it just doesn't fit at DL.
• Pirates queue is a hot mess. MK definitely is better. And, did they shorten the bayou section? I thought it used to be longer.
• I miss the skyride. Interesting that the station in Fantasyland is still there (but repurposed), if you look closely...
• I really like that the submarines are still there, even if themed to Nemo
• Space Mountain had the Star Wars overlay when we visited. I really like SM at DL - so much better than MK.
• Oh, so many old classics and dark rides. We did not get on all of them, but good to see them still there. At least we got on Toad's ride and Matterhorn.
• The exterior of Small World is absolutely the best! It's almost hidden in MK. Bummer that the ride was being refurbed while we were at DL.
• Autopia is SOOOOOO much better at DL. MK just needs to get rid of the short, sad disaster that is left.
• I like how the expansion for Toon Town and GE were done. Definitely a LOT more to do in DL than MK. I wish we had planned for three days instead of two at DL. One day at DCA was good.
• I don't like that the monorail at DL requires you to have a park ticket, but it is convenient to get to Downtown Disney for a quick bite
• I really like DCA being so close to DL. We did not park hop, but it was great to be able to walk the same distance from our off site hotel to either park. Big advantage over WDW.
• Disney hotels at DLR... very dissapointing. No transportation to the parks, even more overpriced than WDW, and a longer walk from some of the Disney hotels, than from the "off site" hotels. And, Disney hotels are basically off site, too.
• People mover...
• COP...

yah getting into the park as a first timer from the Pixar garage was a bit confusing.

I loved Mr Toad! Has charm. Yes, SM there was better and seemed better themed. Also Matterhorn was being refurbed

One other thing I noticed was just how well integrated MRR was at toontown and with its own original queue versus how they really deposited it into the Chinese theater at HS and called it a day.

Also food variety and quality was better than MK but definitely not as extensive as Epcot and AK. But that’s a hard bar to meet let alone clear

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Also food variety and quality was better than MK but definitely not as extensive as Epcot and AK.

The food has declined rapidly at DL. It was really bad right after Covid and has improved some - but I used to genuinely love eating at DL and now it’s like “eh… what’s close by and has something edible…. Should I just go to earl of sandwich?”

I agree Epcot and DAK have some genuinely good options these days.

 

[Too Many Hats]

The food has declined rapidly at DL. It was really bad right after Covid and has improved some - but I used to genuinely love eating at DL and now it’s like “eh… what’s close by and has something edible…. Should I just go to earl of sandwich?”

I agree Epcot and DAK have some genuinely good options these days.

Can you be more specific? Just curious. I feel like the food at Disneyland is pretty decent (for theme park food), certainly better than MK. Blue Bayou's menu was improved a couple years ago. French Market got a glow-up when it became Tiana's (and I liked French Market).

Maybe I missed out on the heyday for food at Disneyland (my first visit was 2017).

 

[PiratesMansion]

Can you be more specific? Just curious. I feel like the food at Disneyland is pretty decent (for theme park food), certainly better than MK. Blue Bayou's menu was improved a couple years ago. French Market got a glow-up when it became Tiana's (and I liked French Market).

Maybe I missed out on the heyday for food at Disneyland (my first visit was 2017).

I would echo that. I certainly miss a few individual items from pre-covid, and I don't know that I would go so far as to say the food is the best it's ever been, but I'd say that more of it is good than not, and I genuinely can't think of any parks that have better counter service right now (can't speak for Florida as of the last several years) other than maybe Silver Dollar City or Knoebels.

It's also, generally, cheaper than a lot of other places right now with much better variety.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Can you be more specific? Just curious.

Absolutely.

Rancho del Zoca for example - they used to have great enchiladas, large burritos, and crazy good fish tacos. Photos below from around 2014 posted on Disney Tourist Blog (Tom Bricker is the best with photography- even food!)

below is the current “trio of street tacos” (photo from touring plans) plate - compare that with the fish taco plate above. I’ve had both…. I can tell you which one tasted a lot better too.

This example is pretty much the case all over the resort in my experience.

Lots of menus have been simplified, and quality downgraded.

And hey…. I had the street tacos couple weeks ago, they were fine. Better than pecos bills currently is. But the food there used to be sooooo good. Same with the Mexican restaurant at DCA.

 

[Too Many Hats]

I would echo that. I certainly miss a few individual items from pre-covid, and I don't know that I would go so far as to say the food is the best it's ever been, but I'd say that more of it is good than not, and I genuinely can't think of any parks that have better counter service right now (can't speak for Florida as of the last several years) other than maybe Silver Dollar City or Knoebels.

It's also, generally, cheaper than a lot of other places right now with much better variety.

100% agree. If we're talking counter service, I haven't been to a U.S. park that outshines Disneyland.

If we're talking table service... I'm not the best person to weigh in. My honest opinion is that even the widely-praised table service at Epcot isn't truly spectacular or really worth waiting for, and I know that's a hot take, so I'll bow out of the convo.

 

[Touchdown]

100% agree. If we're talking counter service, I haven't been to a U.S. park that outshines Disneyland.

If we're talking table service... I'm not the best person to weigh in. My honest opinion is that even the widely-praised table service at Epcot isn't truly spectacular or really worth waiting for, and I know that's a hot take, so I'll bow out of the convo.

It’s not like many parks have table service in the US. You have Disney, Universal, and a smattering of parks that have only 1 option (mainly chains.) WDW as a rule has the best TS at the resorts, with the exception of Epcot, at Universal I think the best TS is in Citywalk. If I was to rank my favorite in park restaurants in the US based on food quality it would be:
1. Le Celier (Epcot)
2. Cathay Circle (DCA)
3. Via Napoli (Epcot)
4. Be Our Guest (MK)
5. Cafe Orleans (DL)

 

[mickEblu]

I would echo that. I certainly miss a few individual items from pre-covid, and I don't know that I would go so far as to say the food is the best it's ever been, but I'd say that more of it is good than not, and I genuinely can't think of any parks that have better counter service right now (can't speak for Florida as of the last several years) other than maybe Silver Dollar City or Knoebels.

It's also, generally, cheaper than a lot of other places right now with much better variety.

I’ve been going to DLR all my life but have been an AP since 2013. Can’t really comment on the food quality pre 2013 as food was not as important to me back then on my once a year trip or so. But from 2013 on overall I’d say the quality is about the same. Portions have gone down. Prices have gone up. Quick service food I’d say the quality has actually gone up but I’m not sure if this opinion is being colored by the fact that there is just so much more variety. Which very well could be as last week my cheeseburger at Hurricane Harbor killed Disneylands. Sea Worlds chicken sandwich kills Hungry Bears. Universals…. Never mind all the food sucks at Universal. Toads Cafe is the worst theme park food I have ever had period.

I think when people say food quality has gone down it’s a blanket statement for all of the above - prices, portions etc. Or perhaps they went to Blue Bayou once 10 years ago like me and had a great experience only to go back years later and it not be as great. I remember really enjoying my filet and lobster tail at Blue Bayou. Cafe Orleans kind of feels like it’s been downgraded. Not because the food quality has gone down but they do guest unfriendly things like eliminating pomme frittes as an app. Looking forward to August where I pretend to be a tourist and go to Blue Bayou, Trader Sam’s and stay at the DL Hotel. Might even catch PTN, Tapestry of Magic and whatever they call the projection show at Star Wars land. Blue Bayou reservations are easy now. Trader Sam’s not so much. It was really fun staying up til 3am last week only for them not to release the reservations. Ok not that big of deal as I was binge watching season 3 of Squid Games anyway. 9am that morning reservations were gone.

 

[PiratesMansion]

100% agree. If we're talking counter service, I haven't been to a U.S. park that outshines Disneyland.

If we're talking table service... I'm not the best person to weigh in. My honest opinion is that even the widely-praised table service at Epcot isn't truly spectacular or really worth waiting for, and I know that's a hot take, so I'll bow out of the convo.

I don't think any sane person can argue that DLR has the best table service in any wide-reaching category, let alone within the parks. I will say I haven't had any bad table service, really, but I'd say the only thing that approaches elite theme park resort restaurant would be Napa Rose. Others have good ambience, good individual options, etc. but aren't home runs. WDW absolutely wins on Table Service, even if we go down to just table service within the parks.

I’ve been going to DLR all my life but have been an AP since 2013. Can’t really comment on the food quality pre 2013 as food was not as important to me back then on my once a year trip or so. But from 2013 on overall I’d say the quality is about the same. Portions have gone down. Prices have gone up. Quick service food I’d say the quality has actually gone up but I’m not sure if this opinion is being colored by the fact that there is just so much more variety. Which very well could be as last week my cheeseburger at Hurricane Harbor killed Disneylands. Sea Worlds chicken sandwich kills Hungry Bears. Universals…. Never mind all the food sucks at Universal. Toads Cafe is the worst theme park food I have ever had period.

I think when people say food quality has gone down it’s a blanket statement for all of the above - prices, portions etc. Or perhaps they went to Blue Bayou once 10 years ago like me and had a great experience only to go back years later and it not be as great. I remember really enjoying my filet and lobster tail at Blue Bayou. Cafe Orleans kind of feels like it’s been downgraded. Not because the food quality has gone down but they do guest unfriendly things like eliminating pomme frittes as an app. Looking forward to August where I pretend to be a tourist and go to Blue Bayou, Trader Sam’s and stay at the DL Hotel. Might even catch PTN, Tapestry of Magic and whatever they call the projection show at Star Wars land. Blue Bayou reservations are easy now. Trader Sam’s not so much. It was really fun staying up til 3am last week only for them not to release the reservations. Ok not that big of deal as I was binge watching season 3 of Squid Games anyway. 9am that morning reservations were gone.

I would say the only definite downgrade I noticed was actually this past Christmas at Carnation. I ordered the chicken fried chicken and it was DEFINITELY smaller than the exact same entree I'd ordered a year or two before. That is the only time I've noticed blatant downsizing, not to say it's not happening elsewhere.

I actually prefer the current monte cristo/opmme frites portion sizing for me personally. Back pre-covid I would order the pomme frites and monte cristo, and I could never finish it, and I am not one to usually leave food on a plate. So for my own needs, pomme frites and two sandwiches allows me to actually finish the meal and save some money, since I'm no longer ordering an app AND an entree. I do agree that it makes no sense that they don't let people order the pomme frites on their own as an appetizer though, that feels like money being left on the table.

I don't feel like pricing, in most instances, is a problem right now-it strikes me as better and with more variety than most other places at the moment, but I don't think anyone would complain if they increased portion sizes a tad.

Trader Sam's is tough, they only allocate a small amount of seating for reservations, so you pretty much get them right when they drop or you don't get them at all. That said, I've tried going right at opening before and gotten a seat easily, so you can always try that.

 

[Centauri Space Station]

100% agree. If we're talking counter service, I haven't been to a U.S. park that outshines Disneyland.

If we're talking table service... I'm not the best person to weigh in. My honest opinion is that even the widely-praised table service at Epcot isn't truly spectacular or really worth waiting for, and I know that's a hot take, so I'll bow out of the convo.

I definitely think DL has amazing QS. Tiana’s, plaza inn, docking bay, are all fantastic. I think Epcot generally has high quality food. QS Connections, Choza de margarita, Kringla norway bakery, Regal eagle, Patisserie france bakery, france gelato place, Yorkshire shop and Sunshine seasons are usually good. TS can be hit or miss at times but i generally find Space 220, Garden Grill, San angel inn, Biergarten, Via napoli, Chefs de france, creperie, Shiki sai, Spice road, and Le cellier to be top notch.

 

[truecoat]

Absolutely.

Rancho del Zoca for example - they used to have great enchiladas, large burritos, and crazy good fish tacos. Photos below from around 2014 posted on Disney Tourist Blog (Tom Bricker is the best with photography- even food!)

View attachment 868400View attachment 868399

below is the current “trio of street tacos” (photo from touring plans) plate - compare that with the fish taco plate above. I’ve had both…. I can tell you which one tasted a lot better too.

View attachment 868401

This example is pretty much the case all over the resort in my experience.

Lots of menus have been simplified, and quality downgraded.

And hey…. I had the street tacos couple weeks ago, they were fine. Better than pecos bills currently is. But the food there used to be sooooo good. Same with the Mexican restaurant at DCA.

The change to del Zoca was very disappointing. There's always money in the corndog cart.

 

[Too Many Hats]

Absolutely.

Rancho del Zoca for example - they used to have great enchiladas, large burritos, and crazy good fish tacos. Photos below from around 2014 posted on Disney Tourist Blog (Tom Bricker is the best with photography- even food!)

View attachment 868400View attachment 868399

below is the current “trio of street tacos” (photo from touring plans) plate - compare that with the fish taco plate above. I’ve had both…. I can tell you which one tasted a lot better too.

View attachment 868401

This example is pretty much the case all over the resort in my experience.

Lots of menus have been simplified, and quality downgraded.

And hey…. I had the street tacos couple weeks ago, they were fine. Better than pecos bills currently is. But the food there used to be sooooo good. Same with the Mexican restaurant at DCA.

Oh wow, I was not aware the quality had declined at Rancho del Zocalo. Great photo evidence btw. I haven’t eaten there in years; I remember my enchilada meal looking more like the “before” photos.

I guess that means it’s plausible other restaurants around Disneyland have changed and I haven’t noticed.

 

[Too Many Hats]

I definitely think DL has amazing QS. Tiana’s, plaza inn, docking bay, are all fantastic. I think Epcot generally has high quality food. QS Connections, Choza de margarita, Kringla norway bakery, Regal eagle, Patisserie france bakery, france gelato place, Yorkshire shop and Sunshine seasons are usually good. TS can be hit or miss at times but i generally find Space 220, Garden Grill, San angel inn, Biergarten, Via napoli, Chefs de france, creperie, Shiki sai, Spice road, and Le cellier to be top notch.

You’ve been to more Epcot restaurants than I have, but I’ll say IMO Garden Grill, Teppan Edo, San Angel, and Le Cellier are all perfectly lovely experiences and I understand why they’re popular but my meals at these restaurants were merely good as opposed to transcendently great and nowhere near worth the effort/stress of getting a reservation.

I’m sure there are reservation tips/hacks I’m unaware of but also maybe theme park table service just isn’t my thing. I like the themed environments but if I’m being honest I’d probably rather just grab an impromptu quick meal at Regal Eagle and follow it up with a casual margarita at Choza.

 

[Too Many Hats]

Cafe Orleans kind of feels like it’s been downgraded. Not because the food quality has gone down but they do guest unfriendly things like eliminating pomme frittes as an app.

So egregious and unnecessary.

 

[Too Many Hats]

Trader Sam's is tough, they only allocate a small amount of seating for reservations, so you pretty much get them right when they drop or you don't get them at all. That said, I've tried going right at opening before and gotten a seat easily, so you can always try that.

Very curious about this lol. Isn’t Trader Sam’s open essentially all day? What time have you had success just showing up?

I’m very lazy when it comes to theme park planning. I did the 3am thing once to snag a Trader Sam’s reservation, and while it was worth it (my group had a fantastic experience), waking up at 3am was obnoxious and felt silly. I loved Trader Sam’s but have never returned.

 

[PiratesMansion]

Very curious about this lol. Isn’t Trader Sam’s open essentially all day? What time have you had success just showing up?

I’m very lazy when it comes to theme park planning. I did the 3am thing once to snag a Trader Sam’s reservation, and while it was worth it (my group had a fantastic experience), waking up at 3am was obnoxious and felt silly. I loved Trader Sam’s but have never returned.

I think TS normally opens around 11? Whatever it is, I've done it before. Granted, not twenty times or anything, but it was fairly painless when it happened.

But no one in the US should be waking up at 3 AM to make Disneyland reservations anymore. That might have been the case at one point, but right now, reservations open at 6 AM Pacific (or 8 AM for Central Timers like myself).

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I guess that means it’s plausible other restaurants around Disneyland have changed and I haven’t noticed.

where have you been going that is consistently good for the past 10 years?

Plaza is about it, and unfortunately they just changed the salmon recipe - it’s not necessarily a downgrade cause it’s still salmon but it’s bread crusted and they put a white sauce on it. It was my last “go to” meal at Disneyland other than a baked potato from troubadour tavern. Ha