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Guide to DLR for WDW Veterans!
- Thread starter GiveMeTheMusic
- Start date
ajrwdwgirl
Premium Member
I’ve eaten at both and it really is just a matter of what sounds good to you. Food at both was fine. Rancho is the cheapest option. If you eat at Cafe Orleans there is a dining package, just ask for it when your arrive or mention it to your server.
I prefer the 1st show because then I can just stay in the area and watch the Fireworks from my Fantasmic spot. There are projections on the water during the fireworks.
chadwpalm
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- No
The viewing spots are equally good for either one, so just base it off of food selection, price, and which show you want to see.
JohnD
Well-Known Member
Disney Analyst
Well-Known Member
We were happy with Rancho. Especially given how Fantasmic is not in its prime currently.
JohnD
Well-Known Member
I decided on River Belle Brunch at 12:10 for the 1st show. Yeah, I heard the dragon is no more. Regardless, I'll be seeing the HS Fantasmic on 5/13 (I've seen it multiple times) then the DLP Fantasmic 5/16 several days later. Will be interesting to compare.
SamusAranX
Well-Known Member
So I hope this is the right thread for this…
I am hoping to go to DCA for the first time ever in June. A few questions because I’ve only been to WDW.
1. Does lightning lane work the same there now? Like WDW? How many selections do I get? How far out can I make said selections for a single day ticket (military based, if that makes any difference)
2. Is there still a VQ for world of color?
3. Is mid-June traditionally extra packed? Or is it like WDW, with the summer becoming more of a softer season now?
I am hoping to go to DCA for the first time ever in June. A few questions because I’ve only been to WDW.
1. Does lightning lane work the same there now? Like WDW? How many selections do I get? How far out can I make said selections for a single day ticket (military based, if that makes any difference)
2. Is there still a VQ for world of color?
3. Is mid-June traditionally extra packed? Or is it like WDW, with the summer becoming more of a softer season now?
1. No, you can only book once you tap in. If you have a park hopper it’s good for both, and also good for photopass. Guardians, TSMM, GRRR, Soarin, Web Slingers, Indicoaster, Monsters, TLM, Goofy.
2. Yes, noon.
3. Depends, look up what passes are good the day you are going, the less that are, the less crowded it will be, especially if it’s a weekday. It’s also Grad Bash season, and the parties are at DCA so look up that schedule. They will effect crowds too.
2. Yes, noon.
3. Depends, look up what passes are good the day you are going, the less that are, the less crowded it will be, especially if it’s a weekday. It’s also Grad Bash season, and the parties are at DCA so look up that schedule. They will effect crowds too.
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Disneyland is running a ton of specials this summer on multi day ticket pricing. I got this from Undercover Tourist but other sites are also offering specials.
The lower pricing is between May 16 and August 14.
I'd imagine with the lower pricing the crowds will be pretty high also considering it's Disneyland's 70th anniversary.
Rivergirl05
New Member
Any tricks on getting an adr at trader sam’s? My window opens in two weeks. I’m trying to get 2 for 5 o’clock.
ajrwdwgirl
Premium Member
Just make sure you are on right away. I always have a couple days planned in which I could fit it in so if I miss out the first day then I have others to try for.
PiratesMansion
Well-Known Member
Trader Sam's is super tiny out west and they don't reserve much of its capacity for reservations. It's one of the few you really do need to reserve the moment it becomes available.
dmw
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- No
wow! We had a great time at DLR week of 4/1. First time ever visiting DCA, and first time back at DL in over 30 years.
We had lightning lane multi and it worked very well in both parks. Of course, by late in the day not many top attractions and times were left.
We got very lucky and got walk-up twice for lunch at Cafe Orleans for the Monte Carlo sandwiches, and also got luck to get the Fantasmic dining package in a walk-up. That was very cool!
It was a short, three-day visit, but was so much fun!
We had lightning lane multi and it worked very well in both parks. Of course, by late in the day not many top attractions and times were left.
We got very lucky and got walk-up twice for lunch at Cafe Orleans for the Monte Carlo sandwiches, and also got luck to get the Fantasmic dining package in a walk-up. That was very cool!
It was a short, three-day visit, but was so much fun!
SamusAranX
Well-Known Member
Thanks for this!
Thankfully, no grad bash I looked. Does LL multi pass include photo pass if I just do DCA? Unfortunately this time around I won’t have time for both parks and I really want to soak DCA in as it’s mostly unique from WDW, my traditional stomping grounds.
Best sit downs for DCA? If you or others know. I keep seeing the Lamplight (?) at Pixar Pier being highlighted.
MPLL is one product at DL, you pay the same irregardless of if you can to both parks so yes it’s included. Have you been to DL ever? Because if you haven’t, I highly, highly recommend changing your park choice, it might seem similar to MK but there is so much stuff unique to DL (Indy, Casey Jr, Storybook Cruise, Toad, Snow White, Pinocchio, Alice, Rodger Rabbit, Matterhorn) and the stuff that is repeated in FL is usually better, some very much so (Pirates, Space.) Not to mention that it’s going to be the 70th by then so you will be able to see Paint the Night and Wonderous Journeys. RSR is incredible, but the rest of the park is kind of on par with DHS, just bigger.
Resturants wise, in DCA Lamplight isn’t my thing, Cathay Circle is better, also consider the Hearthstone Lodge at the Grand.
SamusAranX
Well-Known Member
I definitely considered DL but my friend attending with me is a more milder Disney fan and is more attracted to the new IPs and dining. I also really want to experience MB and RSR myself.
Unfortunately I will miss world of color. Basically I have a whole “day” in LA as I have the red eye flight home and I wanted to at least try to experience DCA. But with a flight departure at 10:50 and LA freeways and LAX security having the notorious reputation they have, I don’t want to leave the park later then 7/7:30
PiratesMansion
Well-Known Member
If you can only visit one park, I would always always always advise Disneyland over DCA, even if you've been to Magic Kingdom and your friend isn't a huge Disney fan. In addition to longer park hours, it's the classic park, it's where it all started, it has more and better attractions (few of which are identical to their WDW counterparts, some/many of which are better than their WDW counterparts), and honestly it's where the California resort shines. Not to say that there's no redeeming value at DCA, but it's a bit like someone going to Orlando for only one day right now and deciding to go to...Universal Studios Florida. Sure, there's some good stuff there, including one great land, but with very few exceptions you're not getting the best stuff. There are NO circumstances in which I would advise someone with only one day to choose DCA over Disneyland. Not one.
While WDW is table service oriented, DLR is counter service oriented, to the point that personally, I wouldn't feel the need to do a sitdown place if you only have one day and are ending the day with a big commute to the airport. There's more than enough good counter service and/or snacking options to go around, and if you're a mobile order pro, you don't even have to wait all that long to get it. Getting counter service would allow you to be more efficient in your day and wouldn't deprive you of great options in any way.
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SamusAranX
Well-Known Member
I will do my best to convince him. He wants to ride Guardians, Spider-Man, etc and I can’t convince him that the latter is at least not a great attraction. You know how the casuals are! lol
Can he not be lured by the Star Wars ride? Or the Indy ride?
SamusAranX
Well-Known Member
He’s done Star Wars when he did HS. He’s a Florida > Cali transplant