DLR Newbie questions

[JillC LI]

So I am contemplating our family first trip to DLR (we usually go to WDW). I would, of course, research all the details once we decide to book something, but I have some general questions first. We may be able to fly from NY to CA on Saturday (the day before Easter), visit with some family in the area on Saturday and Sunday, and visit DLR on Mon-Wed morning before flying home Wednesday afternoon. Would that give us enough time to do DLR for the first time? How would the crowds be AFTER Easter weekend? What is the weather like then? Anything else I should be aware of for that time of year? Thanks for any input you can provide.

 

[BubbaQuest]

Edit: Something I did not think about is parks hours that time of year. I'd assume the parks will be open later the week before Easter, but not sure about the week after. It's possible the parks will close at 8pm and probably no Fantasmic show. Not sure if that matters to you. That also makes DL in a day more difficult as you cannot postpone the larger attractions until later in the evening.


I think you should be okay. I don't think I've been to the park the day after Easter, but it seems like the crowds are worse before Easter rather than after. I'm sure Monday will have larger crowds, but I wouldn't expect them to be unmanageable.

You can definitely do the parks in the 2 days. Probably the biggest conflict would be if you want to see every show or visit every restaurant -- that isn't going to happen. If you are more the type to just play it by ear and do counter service restaurants, 2 days is a breeze.

Park hoppers are nice to have if you are staying at a DLR hotel, but if you plan to do Fantasmic one night and WOC the other night, there isn't really a need for them. Most of your day will be planning around those events at a single park.

Weather should be mild, although rain is a possibility. The most important thing is to bring jackets for nighttime.

Hope you have a great trip if it happens.

 

[JillC LI]

Thank you for the information @BubbaQuest. I am definitely more interested in WOC than F! We would probably reserve one sit-down restaurant for dinner each night but otherwise wing it foodwise. This is all so tentative at the moment, but fingers crossed as they say!

 

[gboiler1]

Overall I agree, you should be able to tackle most everything you want with that plan.
Personally I'm planning on a similar schedule when we visit in July 2014.

Make sure you have time to see all attractions that are unique to California and slightly different than in Florida, like Pirates and iasw. I like to allow 3 days to hit everything in each park and then the extra day or partial day to redo some favorites.

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

So I am contemplating our family first trip to DLR (we usually go to WDW). I would, of course, research all the details once we decide to book something, but I have some general questions first. We may be able to fly from NY to CA on Saturday (the day before Easter), visit with some family in the area on Saturday and Sunday, and visit DLR on Mon-Wed morning before flying home Wednesday afternoon. Would that give us enough time to do DLR for the first time? How would the crowds be AFTER Easter weekend? What is the weather like then? Anything else I should be aware of for that time of year? Thanks for any input you can provide.

We've got a TON of info in this thread:

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/guide-to-dlr-for-wdw-veterans.875596/

Expect crowds; it may not be pandemonium, but it will be crowded. Weather should be gorgeous.

 

[JillC LI]

Thank you @gboiler1 and @GiveMeTheMusic .

 

[Cosmic Commando]

The important thing is to manage your expectations. You can do a good chunk of DLR in two days, but you probably won't be able to see everything you want. I think you'll be able to see all of the different/better stuff, though. And don't sell Fantasmic short!

What's your family makeup like? How long do you think you'll be in the parks each day?

 

[Californian Elitist]

The important thing is to manage your expectations. You can do a good chunk of DLR in two days, but you probably won't be able to see everything you want. I think you'll be able to see all of the different/better stuff, though. And don't sell Fantasmic short!

What's your family makeup like? How long do you think you'll be in the parks each day?

I agree with this. Two days aren't enough to see much, especially if one's planning on park hopping. And Fantasmic! is great!

 

[Mukta]

Fantasmic! is not to be missed at DL.

I think that if you are going for weekdays only, you won't be able to see the nighttime spectaculars.

DL and DCA have almost as many attractions at the 4 parks in WDW, so 2.5 days will be good, but you definitely won't see everything.

 

[Cosmic Commando]

Fantasmic! is not to be missed at DL.

I think that if you are going for weekdays only, you won't be able to see the nighttime spectaculars.

I forgot about that aspect of it. World of Color normally runs every night, but the OP probably won't be able to see Fantasmic on a Mon-Wed trip.

 

[thomas998]

So I am contemplating our family first trip to DLR (we usually go to WDW). I would, of course, research all the details once we decide to book something, but I have some general questions first. We may be able to fly from NY to CA on Saturday (the day before Easter), visit with some family in the area on Saturday and Sunday, and visit DLR on Mon-Wed morning before flying home Wednesday afternoon. Would that give us enough time to do DLR for the first time? How would the crowds be AFTER Easter weekend? What is the weather like then? Anything else I should be aware of for that time of year? Thanks for any input you can provide.

No knowing which airport you are going to be flying out of or when your flight is... you may actually only have 2 days. Don't forget that DL is not right by the airport, and you are dealing with LA traffic... You might be able to sneak in a couple of hours on Wed, but you are probably realistically looking at 2 full days only.

That said, with a little planning and getting up early I think you can probably do all that you want to in two days... provided you aren't planning on doing things like shows... Shows can be a time killer as things like Aladdin aren't that good if you aren't there soon enough to get a good spot, we've had the upper balcony and it was simply different to watch a show where you see more of the tops of peoples heads than anything else... Also be prepared for more crowds about the time people get off work... Which means if you want to watch things like a parade you will need to waste a least an hour sitting in a spot so you can see it when it happens... Are you more inclined to do the rides or shows?

 

[JillC LI]

I appreciate all the advice. We are a family of 2 adults and 2 kids (ages 14 and 12). We are more interested in rides than shows. I only said that F! was secondary because we have seen it at DHS - is it much different in California? We are early risers who run run run from rope drop to closing. Sleep is irrelevant!

 

[Californian Elitist]

I appreciate all the advice. We are a family of 2 adults and 2 kids (ages 14 and 12). We are more interested in rides than shows. I only said that F! was secondary because we have seen it at DHS - is it much different in California? We are early risers who run run run from rope drop to closing. Sleep is irrelevant!

It's MUCH different in California. The basic storyline is the same, but the execution is different.

If you'll be visiting during the middle of the week, you won't have to worry about seeing Fantasmic! because it won't be playing during the week.

 

[flynnibus]

I appreciate all the advice. We are a family of 2 adults and 2 kids (ages 14 and 12). We are more interested in rides than shows. I only said that F! was secondary because we have seen it at DHS - is it much different in California? We are early risers who run run run from rope drop to closing. Sleep is irrelevant!

3 days is a good balance for those who don't need to see 'everything' - but still lets you do most of the stuff. Doing 2 days, one really has to be commando to fit stuff in. Realize.. DLR basically has the same # of attractions as WDW.. but stuffed in a much smaller space. F! is not to be missed.. it's worlds better in Cali. If given the choice, I'd prioritize F! over WoC.

Where are you flying out of? If you are flying Wednesday afternoon.. I'd doubt you'd have much time in the parks.

 

[JillC LI]

3 days is a good balance for those who don't need to see 'everything' - but still lets you do most of the stuff. Doing 2 days, one really has to be commando to fit stuff in. Realize.. DLR basically has the same # of attractions as WDW.. but stuffed in a much smaller space. F! is not to be missed.. it's worlds better in Cali. If given the choice, I'd prioritize F! over WoC.

Where are you flying out of? If you are flying Wednesday afternoon.. I'd doubt you'd have much time in the parks.

Didn't realize F! was so different there. Since this trip is still only hypothetical at the moment, no flights planned, but I would say in all likelihood that you are right about us not having much time in the Parks Wednesday if we plan the trip this way. Just trying to feel it out. Two days is short, but it's two days more than no days, right?!

 

[flynnibus]

2 days will be a blast... but it will just be a 'visit' - you need to decide for yourself if you just want a 'hit and run' or if you are trying to see all of DLR.

Touringplans predicts those days (Mon-Wed) to be peak days (8-10 out of 10) so it won't be quiet in the parks. DLR is quite expensive to get in the gate for short trips.. so you'll have to balance what you want and what you'll tolerate for your dollars.

 

[trylon57]

I also am planning a visit to Disneyland, and I also will be flying from NY. My question is, which airport is better to fly to, LAX or John Wayne? And what about transportation to Disneyland area. Rent a car or take a town car. We only intend to visit Disney, no other sightseeing this trip. We think 4 days will be adequate. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Cosmic Commando]

John Wayne is better, but LAX will likely be cheaper. It's not the end of the world if you fly into LAX. It's about an hour from LAX to Disneyland under ideal conditions versus maybe 20 minutes for SNA. SNA is also much smaller, so there's that, too. If you're not going any place else, then a shuttle or a town car is probably the way to go. No sense for paying for the rental car to sit in the parking lot while you're at the parks (and I'd say most hotels charge for parking around Disneyland).

Also check out flying into LGB. That's another small airport that's closer than LAX. I'm pretty sure JetBlue flies there.

 

[trylon57]

Any and all advice is appreciated, thank you. We have been to Florida many times, but this is our first to California.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Any and all advice is appreciated, thank you. We have been to Florida many times, but this is our first to California.

What month are you planning on coming in?