We just got back from three days at DLR April 3-6. This was our first visit ever, though we are veterans of WDW, having visited many many times dating back to 1973. We loved DLR, but inevitably ended up comparing everything to WDW. Here are our observations in a perhaps less than coherent order.
We stayed off site at the Anaheim Hilton. Adequate hotel and the walk wasn't too bad. We (almost) always stay on site at WDW, but we were visiting for a conference so we wanted to stay in the same hotel. If visiting just for DLR, I would stay ether closer or on site next time.
The lines for security and admission were insanely long every day we went. We aren't rope drop commando people so this was between 8:30 and 9:30 AM. I've never seen lines like this at WDW either during spring break or the summer. That said, our last WDW visit was in August so maybe things have changed. But once through, this was a memory quickly.
I'm sure everyone says this, but the castle is so small. You can hardly see it from the end of main street. That said, I've waited for years to see the walk through and was't disappointed. (Big Sleeping Beauty fan). Otherwise, Main Street was much better than at WDW. So much more to see and do. And the dioramas that change are amazing. And more cars and carriages carrying passengers and almost always free seats.
I'm torn on the fast passes. I liked being able to get fast passes the day of. You could actually get space mountain fast passes. On the other hand, I like how you don't have to run around at WDW.
We loved the characters just walking around. We saw more charactrs walk past than we have seen in the past 10 years combined at WDW.
I've never seen so many rides break down. Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, Mr. Toad, Cars Racers, Soarin, and Splash Mountain were all down at some point, two of them while we were waiting on line. In 40 years of going to WDW, I can remember only once waiting on line when a ride broke. Happened twice while we were at DLR.
As for rides, I'll summarize here:
Hyperspace Mountain was awesome. We usually skip space mountain at WDW. This was vastly superior especially being able to sit side by side. And we loved the Star Wars overlay.
We preferred WDW Splash Mountain because you can sit next to your spouse. But the single rider line was great!
Pirates at DLR is vastly better. It is like twice as long. But the queue out in the middle of the pathway made the place feel so crowded. Disney World hides the crowds better. This was a repeated theme everywhere. The queues take up the street space!
The monorail at DLR is much cleaner and nicer. That said, it serves little purpose. But we loved the great scenic tour!
I wanted to love the submarines. I remember the WDW ones fondly. But as blasphemous as it may sound, we actually prefer the Finding Nemo Ride in EPCOT to the submarines. It was so cramped for a 6ft tall man.
LOVED LOVED LOVED MR. Toad and Snow White. Wish they were still at WDW. Just as I remember them! Made me so happy!
Tiki Room at DLR is vastly superior! Nuff said. And I got tiki room glasses and plates! Always was my favorite at WDW before the dark times.
Bugs life, Ariel, Big Thunder Mountain, Soarin, probably a few others were a push. Essentially equivalent to my eyes.
Indiana Jones was amazing. Reminded us a little of the mummy ride at UO. But Indy is a better theme.
Which brings up Cars World. What an amazing place. And the ride was amazing. That said, we raced in in the am to get a fast pass and then we waited 20 minutes on fast pass line and then it broke down after we got to the front. We waited another 40 minutes until they said it wasn't getting fixed right away. We returned later and were able to use a new fast pass they gave us but had to wait about 30 minutes on a wicked long FP line. I know it wasn't their fault, but things seem to break way to easily there.
We generally preferred the food to WDW. We had reservations at the Blue Bayou for my wife's birthday and sat by the water. The food was super tasty and service excellent. We had a great breakfast in cars world. And we had a great lunch at the River Belle Terrace. (But weirdly they have no bathroom and the nearest one is FAR away!) I loved that we could get same day reservations. At WDW you need to reserve months in advance.
The first night we watched the fire works from the hotel (they have a private lounge that when it isn't being used they will unlock for you). The second night we had world of color fast passes and waltzed in at 9PM. Our space wasn't great but the show was great! We snuck out 1 minute before it ended and watched the fire works form the plaza between the parks. That was awesome!
I'm sure there is more I am missing. Trying to organize my thoughts while I'm still a little jet lagged. So my final verdict is probably a bit of a tie. Some things at each place are better. Think I'd have enjoyed the whole experience more at a less crowded time, but that was when we could go. Love WDW and now also love DLR! Given the location (we live in Boston and go to Florida once or twice a year) we may not make it back soon. And out poor kids missed out because of school. Oh well...
We stayed off site at the Anaheim Hilton. Adequate hotel and the walk wasn't too bad. We (almost) always stay on site at WDW, but we were visiting for a conference so we wanted to stay in the same hotel. If visiting just for DLR, I would stay ether closer or on site next time.
The lines for security and admission were insanely long every day we went. We aren't rope drop commando people so this was between 8:30 and 9:30 AM. I've never seen lines like this at WDW either during spring break or the summer. That said, our last WDW visit was in August so maybe things have changed. But once through, this was a memory quickly.
I'm sure everyone says this, but the castle is so small. You can hardly see it from the end of main street. That said, I've waited for years to see the walk through and was't disappointed. (Big Sleeping Beauty fan). Otherwise, Main Street was much better than at WDW. So much more to see and do. And the dioramas that change are amazing. And more cars and carriages carrying passengers and almost always free seats.
I'm torn on the fast passes. I liked being able to get fast passes the day of. You could actually get space mountain fast passes. On the other hand, I like how you don't have to run around at WDW.
We loved the characters just walking around. We saw more charactrs walk past than we have seen in the past 10 years combined at WDW.
I've never seen so many rides break down. Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, Mr. Toad, Cars Racers, Soarin, and Splash Mountain were all down at some point, two of them while we were waiting on line. In 40 years of going to WDW, I can remember only once waiting on line when a ride broke. Happened twice while we were at DLR.
As for rides, I'll summarize here:
Hyperspace Mountain was awesome. We usually skip space mountain at WDW. This was vastly superior especially being able to sit side by side. And we loved the Star Wars overlay.
We preferred WDW Splash Mountain because you can sit next to your spouse. But the single rider line was great!
Pirates at DLR is vastly better. It is like twice as long. But the queue out in the middle of the pathway made the place feel so crowded. Disney World hides the crowds better. This was a repeated theme everywhere. The queues take up the street space!
The monorail at DLR is much cleaner and nicer. That said, it serves little purpose. But we loved the great scenic tour!
I wanted to love the submarines. I remember the WDW ones fondly. But as blasphemous as it may sound, we actually prefer the Finding Nemo Ride in EPCOT to the submarines. It was so cramped for a 6ft tall man.
LOVED LOVED LOVED MR. Toad and Snow White. Wish they were still at WDW. Just as I remember them! Made me so happy!
Tiki Room at DLR is vastly superior! Nuff said. And I got tiki room glasses and plates! Always was my favorite at WDW before the dark times.
Bugs life, Ariel, Big Thunder Mountain, Soarin, probably a few others were a push. Essentially equivalent to my eyes.
Indiana Jones was amazing. Reminded us a little of the mummy ride at UO. But Indy is a better theme.
Which brings up Cars World. What an amazing place. And the ride was amazing. That said, we raced in in the am to get a fast pass and then we waited 20 minutes on fast pass line and then it broke down after we got to the front. We waited another 40 minutes until they said it wasn't getting fixed right away. We returned later and were able to use a new fast pass they gave us but had to wait about 30 minutes on a wicked long FP line. I know it wasn't their fault, but things seem to break way to easily there.
We generally preferred the food to WDW. We had reservations at the Blue Bayou for my wife's birthday and sat by the water. The food was super tasty and service excellent. We had a great breakfast in cars world. And we had a great lunch at the River Belle Terrace. (But weirdly they have no bathroom and the nearest one is FAR away!) I loved that we could get same day reservations. At WDW you need to reserve months in advance.
The first night we watched the fire works from the hotel (they have a private lounge that when it isn't being used they will unlock for you). The second night we had world of color fast passes and waltzed in at 9PM. Our space wasn't great but the show was great! We snuck out 1 minute before it ended and watched the fire works form the plaza between the parks. That was awesome!
I'm sure there is more I am missing. Trying to organize my thoughts while I'm still a little jet lagged. So my final verdict is probably a bit of a tie. Some things at each place are better. Think I'd have enjoyed the whole experience more at a less crowded time, but that was when we could go. Love WDW and now also love DLR! Given the location (we live in Boston and go to Florida once or twice a year) we may not make it back soon. And out poor kids missed out because of school. Oh well...
