We went to DLR for our first time last summer (been to WDW 24 times over the last 14 years). We LOVED it. It's just an amazing place. I was shocked at how different DL is from MK. Not only is it tiny (and I mean tiny), but even the attractions that are the same (PotC, HM, Splash and Space Mtn, etc) are actually really different.
We were there from the 8 to the 14 last year, and the crowds actually weren't that bad.
At DL, from about 9:00-11:00, there were no more than 20 min waits. Then from like, 11:30ish-4:00ish it was pretty much what you'd expect with crowds, the big rides were like, an 1hr-1hr1/2 wait, the small ones were around 30 mins. After 5:00 though crowds were wonderful. One thing that was interesting, FL attractions don't have fast pass. This actually works well, as I don't think the FL wait times were ever more than 30-45 mins, much better than the 60+min waits at WDW.
Fantasmic was a major pain in the butt. They cram you in the viewing area like sardines, and people camp out to watch the show starting at like, 2:00pm. My brother could not see at all. It was really sad actually lol. We were very dissapointed because with the crowds, it was really hard to enjoy, and people are constantly trying to shove in front of you and it's just a giant mess. I know everyone seems to like the fact that Fantasmic at DL isn't in a stadium, but honestly, I think the stadium makes the show a lot easier to enjoy...maybe it's not so bad in the fall, idk. :shrug:
The best part about DL? The fireworks show, Magical. Just like the name says, it's probably the most magical show I've ever seen. I LOVED it. It really is Disney magic in its purest form...
From what I remember, at DCA there weren't very many waits at all. I think we may have waited like, 20 mins for Soarin' (and that was at like, noon. It was sooo wonderful compared to the Epcot wait!) and maybe about the same at California Screamin'. Little Mermaid is always walk on, which was cool. Grizzly River Rapids was like, an hour wait from like, noon-5:00, but all other times the attraction was pretty much walk on. I'm not sure how things will change given the fact that BVST and Carsland are opening...I would imagine crowds will be hoppin' this year...
World of Color was AMAZING. One of the coolest shows I've ever seen. The only thing is, you need a ticket in order to get in the viewing area. Normally, that wouldn't be too big of a deal, except that the ticket looks an awful lot like a FP, and you receive one the same way you receive a FP, and so, my family thought they were Fast Passes...they aren't. We thought we would be allowed access for the viewing area before other guests, assuming our ticket was a FP, and it's not. Get your ticket first thing you do when you walk into DCA (it's located near GRR). About an hr before the show starts, a line forms outside the viewing area. I would recommend getting in line for WoC at least 30 mins before the show starts...at least. The viewing area is a lot nicer than Fantasmic's, and my guess is you can enjoy the show no matter where you are, it's just gonna be a lot more enjoyable to be in front of the crowd rather than behind it.
Overall, we had a wonderful trip. It's awesome staying so close to the parks that you just walk them, and you're staying litterally right next to the parks, so that'll be really cool. Having the parks right across from each other is a plus too, because when you finish with DCA, you just walk right over to DL. And Downtown Disney has some really tasty restaurants (The Jazz Kitchen has amazing beignets, perfect for breakfast before heading into the parks), so that's fun too. Have fun! :wave:
Edit: I just saw you said you were going to Uni too! I don't know if you guys are early morning people or not, but if you get to the park as soon as it opens, you'll have probably about a 3 hr period where all rides are walk on, at least we did (I'm assuming crowds will be about the same lol). The Tram Tour is incredible. We did a survey at the front of the park, and they gave us a pass to skip the Tram Tour line, so that was really awesome lol (stop for surveys if you're asked to!) All of the other attractions are pretty well the same as what's found in USF. But yeah, basically we got everything done by Noon, got in line for the tram tour, finished that up and were out of the park by like, 3:00. With 10 days, I suppose you guys may want to spend a little more time there maybe, but I don't think 10 days is going to feel that long at all honestly...idk.
One other point, if you tour Hollywood, don't be dissapointed by the fact that it's no where near as pretty as DHS :lol:. My expectations were just a tad too high I'm afraid lol.
