My husband and I were lucky to visit DL and DCA on February 8th (without our kids too)! We are regular visitors to WDW but this was our first visit to the CA parks. We had a very enjoyable day despite the fact that it was only in the 30's/40's and rainy/hailing. Coming from KY, we are used to the cold, but we could definitely tell the CM's were miserable all day! Let me say, while I loved this experience, WDW will always feel like my park/my home away from home. Here are a few of our favorites and least favorite things about the parks.
Things I loved about DL/DCA:
1. Indiana Jones- I mean, "Wow"! Such a fun ride. Great theming, lengthy, just fantastic. We were able to ride it twice, but wish it could have been more.
2. Eating a Dole whip float while in the Enchanted Tiki Room! I noticed that everyone sang along and had a great time during the show. WDW folks seem way more reserved. Maybe it's the Dole whips...
3. It was super convenient to walk around these smaller lands and between the 2 parks. I feel like we got most of what we wanted to do accomplished.
4. The Plaza Inn- yum! My husband has a milk allergy so I asked a CM if anything on their menu could work for him or be substituted. They were wonderful, as expected. We were surprised to find out that the chicken wasn't dipped in milk or buttermilk, so my hubby could enjoy this meal, minus the potatoes but double the beans. I literally could eat that meal every day of my life. Wish there was a meal similar to this at WDW.
5. Loved the quaint feeling on Main Street. However, we both remarked right away how quiet it seemed when we walked in the park. I don't know why this was the case.
6. Seeing Walt's light on above the fire house.
7. Pirates was wonderful! We only got to experience it once but it was really well done.
8.Monsters, Inc.- I just love the movie, so the ride was a treat.
9. Radiator Springs Racers should be on my list 20 times. It was that good. We rode it twice, first with the fast pass and later as single riders. I can only hope CarsLand will make it to WDW one day.
10. Cars Land, in general, was just so cute. I wish we could have had more time to explore it.
11. Liked walking into Sleeping Beauty's castle.
12. Loved experiencing Tower of Terror with just my hubby.
13. I really enjoyed the firework show at DL. There were a few parts when I teared up. It was truly special.
I hate to call this least favorites, as every moment in Disney is better than being in the regular world, but these were things I noticed:
1. The line to get fastpasses for RSR. I was shocked that we had to wait in line for at least 20-30 minutes just to pick one up. Now it may have been backed up due to the ride being down for a few hours that morning. I don't know, but it was a weird way to start our day.
2. I don't think I fully appreciated the theming of DCA. When we were by Toy Story, we noted that it just felt like an amusement park that they decided to add Disney rides to. I know this is kind of the point, but to me, I don't want to ride a ferris wheel or regular roller coaster at Disney. Just my opinion.
3. Having so many rides down during our trip. I know this is just how it goes, but it was sad to not ride It's a small World.
4. Being told we had to stand across the street for World of Color. In all reality, it was ok, because we could leave quickly to get to the fireworks at DL. However, I expected we could walk down front or to the side for a better view. For this reason, I didn't enjoy the show as much as I could have. It was neat, but it was also cold and rainy, so the whole experience was just average.
5. I know I may get blasted over this one...but the general friendliness of the CM's was somewhat lacking. We did meet a few that were superb, but had more than a handful that just seemed miserable. I do think the weather played a part, but it just took a little of the magic away for us. At the end of the night, we asked a photo pass photographer to take our picture in front of Flo's. We both could tell that she was totally perturbed that we asked. I have never felt that at any Disney park.
6. We tried to go to the Aladdin show at 6pm. We open the door to walk in and there is a wooden barricade. There isn't one in front of the other door, so we assume we used the wrong entrance. Others were coming in with us. Next thing you know a CM comes running toward us yelling that the show is closed. Someone asks "really", to which he snidely remarks, "that's why the barricade is there". Ok- I get it. You are closed, but why isn't there a CM outside the door saying that. Why throw a fit if the doors are unlocked. We don't know where the show is inside the building. We did the logical thing by opening the door to go in. It was just awkward and he was completely rude.
7. I am going to throw this one in for my husband. He swears DL is trying to hide the bathrooms from guests! All day he remarked how hard it was to find one! I don't know if this is true, but it became comical every time he began the search!
8. All day long I had told my husband we had to try the beignets. We purposely held off until after the fireworks so we could grab a coffee and this snack. So, we head to NO Square. Keep in mind, this is the first weekend of Bayou Bash. When we arrived at the first food cart we asked where to go to get some. She sent us to the Mint Julep bar. (This was said as she was closing up-around 9 pm. Keep in mind, the park is open until 11.) We get to the bar and they are closed. At this point, I'm thinking where is the Bash? We stop at another cart and they say go to the Blue Bayou. They, of course, don't have any and remarked, "They are closed? It's 9 o'clock." Yep-my thoughts exactly. They suggest going to Downtown Disney for some beignets. Well, we are frustrated, it's cold, hubby is over the parks, etc., but I convince him to head over to ride the submarines. We get there and they have 3 CM's stationed out front saying it's closed. Really? What is open? Why is everything closed by 9:30 if the park is open until 11? It was just weird. So, a little after 10 we leave the parks to head to DD. We stop in a store for a bit to shop. Finally make it to the New Orleans restaurant at 11, and yep, they are closed. What? Such a disappointing way to end the night. Maybe it's different here than at WDW, but WDW usually states which rides, restaurants close earlier than the park. Oh well!
9. Last, but not least, not having my kids with me! It was fun experiencing the parks with just my husband, but our kids definitely make the experiences so much better.
Thanks to all of you who helped us plan for this day. We did have a great time overall and hope to one day visit again!
Things I loved about DL/DCA:
1. Indiana Jones- I mean, "Wow"! Such a fun ride. Great theming, lengthy, just fantastic. We were able to ride it twice, but wish it could have been more.
2. Eating a Dole whip float while in the Enchanted Tiki Room! I noticed that everyone sang along and had a great time during the show. WDW folks seem way more reserved. Maybe it's the Dole whips...
3. It was super convenient to walk around these smaller lands and between the 2 parks. I feel like we got most of what we wanted to do accomplished.
4. The Plaza Inn- yum! My husband has a milk allergy so I asked a CM if anything on their menu could work for him or be substituted. They were wonderful, as expected. We were surprised to find out that the chicken wasn't dipped in milk or buttermilk, so my hubby could enjoy this meal, minus the potatoes but double the beans. I literally could eat that meal every day of my life. Wish there was a meal similar to this at WDW.
5. Loved the quaint feeling on Main Street. However, we both remarked right away how quiet it seemed when we walked in the park. I don't know why this was the case.
6. Seeing Walt's light on above the fire house.
7. Pirates was wonderful! We only got to experience it once but it was really well done.
8.Monsters, Inc.- I just love the movie, so the ride was a treat.
9. Radiator Springs Racers should be on my list 20 times. It was that good. We rode it twice, first with the fast pass and later as single riders. I can only hope CarsLand will make it to WDW one day.
10. Cars Land, in general, was just so cute. I wish we could have had more time to explore it.
11. Liked walking into Sleeping Beauty's castle.
12. Loved experiencing Tower of Terror with just my hubby.
13. I really enjoyed the firework show at DL. There were a few parts when I teared up. It was truly special.
I hate to call this least favorites, as every moment in Disney is better than being in the regular world, but these were things I noticed:
1. The line to get fastpasses for RSR. I was shocked that we had to wait in line for at least 20-30 minutes just to pick one up. Now it may have been backed up due to the ride being down for a few hours that morning. I don't know, but it was a weird way to start our day.
2. I don't think I fully appreciated the theming of DCA. When we were by Toy Story, we noted that it just felt like an amusement park that they decided to add Disney rides to. I know this is kind of the point, but to me, I don't want to ride a ferris wheel or regular roller coaster at Disney. Just my opinion.
3. Having so many rides down during our trip. I know this is just how it goes, but it was sad to not ride It's a small World.
4. Being told we had to stand across the street for World of Color. In all reality, it was ok, because we could leave quickly to get to the fireworks at DL. However, I expected we could walk down front or to the side for a better view. For this reason, I didn't enjoy the show as much as I could have. It was neat, but it was also cold and rainy, so the whole experience was just average.
5. I know I may get blasted over this one...but the general friendliness of the CM's was somewhat lacking. We did meet a few that were superb, but had more than a handful that just seemed miserable. I do think the weather played a part, but it just took a little of the magic away for us. At the end of the night, we asked a photo pass photographer to take our picture in front of Flo's. We both could tell that she was totally perturbed that we asked. I have never felt that at any Disney park.
6. We tried to go to the Aladdin show at 6pm. We open the door to walk in and there is a wooden barricade. There isn't one in front of the other door, so we assume we used the wrong entrance. Others were coming in with us. Next thing you know a CM comes running toward us yelling that the show is closed. Someone asks "really", to which he snidely remarks, "that's why the barricade is there". Ok- I get it. You are closed, but why isn't there a CM outside the door saying that. Why throw a fit if the doors are unlocked. We don't know where the show is inside the building. We did the logical thing by opening the door to go in. It was just awkward and he was completely rude.
7. I am going to throw this one in for my husband. He swears DL is trying to hide the bathrooms from guests! All day he remarked how hard it was to find one! I don't know if this is true, but it became comical every time he began the search!
8. All day long I had told my husband we had to try the beignets. We purposely held off until after the fireworks so we could grab a coffee and this snack. So, we head to NO Square. Keep in mind, this is the first weekend of Bayou Bash. When we arrived at the first food cart we asked where to go to get some. She sent us to the Mint Julep bar. (This was said as she was closing up-around 9 pm. Keep in mind, the park is open until 11.) We get to the bar and they are closed. At this point, I'm thinking where is the Bash? We stop at another cart and they say go to the Blue Bayou. They, of course, don't have any and remarked, "They are closed? It's 9 o'clock." Yep-my thoughts exactly. They suggest going to Downtown Disney for some beignets. Well, we are frustrated, it's cold, hubby is over the parks, etc., but I convince him to head over to ride the submarines. We get there and they have 3 CM's stationed out front saying it's closed. Really? What is open? Why is everything closed by 9:30 if the park is open until 11? It was just weird. So, a little after 10 we leave the parks to head to DD. We stop in a store for a bit to shop. Finally make it to the New Orleans restaurant at 11, and yep, they are closed. What? Such a disappointing way to end the night. Maybe it's different here than at WDW, but WDW usually states which rides, restaurants close earlier than the park. Oh well!
9. Last, but not least, not having my kids with me! It was fun experiencing the parks with just my husband, but our kids definitely make the experiences so much better.
Thanks to all of you who helped us plan for this day. We did have a great time overall and hope to one day visit again!
