Well all good things must come to an end…we just got back from our 10 day “out west” trip on Sunday which included a 4 night 3 day stay at DLR. The family had a great time. We have been to WDW many times but this was our first family trip to “the happiest place on earth”. The last time I was there, I was too young to really remember anything.
We arrived on a Tuesday night around 7 to check into the DLH. I pulled up expecting some traffic, only to find one car at the porte cochere and a pleasant cast member greeting. We easily got checked in and our standard room at the Fantasy Tower was waiting. It instantly seemed more laid back than all our hectic arrivals at WDW. The room was fantastic with a pull out day bed (great for our youngest) and a side view of DL and the Matterhorn. Size wise it reminded us of the Contemporary. We got settled in and went exploring to end up at Trader Sam’s for some food and drink. It was after 8:30 so we sat outside and the wife and I commented on how great it was to soak in the atmosphere on the comfy couch listening to live music, eating a variety of yummy finger foods, sipping on a cocktail. We all enjoyed our opening night. Side note: At the advice of Figments Friend, I took my youngest to see the BTMRR model at the Frontier Tower, he loved it!
Hit DCA early Wednesday at 7 with our extra magic hour and went first thing to RSR. What a fantastic ride, it didn't disappoint. We had hoped to get a fastpass for later ride but after the initial wait of 25 min, the FP line was looking a little too long and we wanted to see as much as possible. Luigi’s Flying Tires were closed the entire time, bummer. Junkyard Jamboree was fun as we rode it twice just to hear the music. Oldest son enjoyed Cali Screamin’ 4 times that day (thanks to FP’s and younger brother opting out). Couldn't believe we able to get on TSM and Soarin’ with so little wait. Those two alone at WDW can cause you a lot of line time. Youngest son loved Goofy’s Sky School (2 times much to my wife’s dismay). Slight downer: I had made reservations at the Carthay Circle thinking you could get WOC passes as long as you ordered an entree and appetizer and/or dessert. Turns out you had to order from a separate three course menu to get the WOC passes. Although the menu was limited, we still opted to do it and grab the passes. Food was fine but really wanted the whole menu option. I will say our WOC passes were good and the boys both had nice viewing for the show with little prep/wait time, so it was all good in the end. Took about a 2 hour break mid day for some swimming / down time back at DLH (really enjoyed that place). Enjoyed using the monorail for quick getaways back to the hotel. Headed back about 6 and stayed till 9:45 and called it a night with another early morning coming Thursday for DL. Overall impression of DCA - good, with Cars Land being the obvious “wow factor”.
Day two and three are combined below as we decided to forgo another DCA visit and spend next two days at DL.
Woke up and arrived at DL about 7:30 and went straight over to Indy…it was down. Sinking feeling went over us as we were really excited to experience this one. Left and went over SM and whoa, what a change from WDW (and this wasn't the only attraction). It was awesome and quickly became the boy’s favorite. The ride was so smooth, darker and the soundtrack…well there actually is one. My youngest son promptly forgot about BTMRR being down and requested SM several more times (4 times to be exact). Yes, overall Tomorrowland theme is pretty disappointing with Astro Orbitor being in a strange location and no Wedway is dreadful but it was nice to get on Buzz without waiting 45 min either. Went back over to Fantasyland to hit the Matterhorn and wow what a rough ride! I imagine that must be what a real bobsled feels like, the boys pushed for another ride the next day and we relented (one of those must do’s at DL). The look and feel of DL Fantasyland puts WDW’s to shame. Hit all the fantasyland rides and thought my wife was going to shed a tear about riding Toad that she misses so much from WDW. Enjoyed experiencing the attractions that are not at WDW from the Storybook Land Canal Boats to Snow White, to Alice, to Pinocchio, to the Castle walkthrough. Headed back to Indy and it was working!! Rode with 20 min wait and we all really enjoyed it so we got FP’s next day for a second ride. It is definitely one of those attractions to ride more than once to “see it all”. Rode JC twice, once during the day and another at night. JC at night is just fun. New Orleans Square was tops for me, just loved the coziness. Pirates was another blow away moment compared to what we were used to (hit that one 3 times). HM (rode twice) was a little different in some ways but very similar in others. I loved that when you left the stretching room you weren't funneled into a “cattle chute”. Those that have been to WDW will know what I mean. Had reservations at Blue Bayou, it was the family favorite. Requested a water side table and within 20 minutes we were sitting by the bayou listening to the banjo play in the background. Food was wonderful. Disappointed the fort is “closed” on TSI but the boys loved the little caves to explore. Toontown is done right; it really makes you wonder what WDW was trying to do. After watching Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, I now see where portions of Hall of Presidents and The American Adventure get their cues from. Some of the same pictures and music are used except DL has cleaner images and better sound. I think some of it has to do with a smaller, more intimate theater than its WDW siblings. Spent several hours both days back at the pool (great idea). Ate at Hungry Bear and Plaza Inn. Plaza was especially good; the fried chicken and the cobb salad were really tasty. We waited in line way too long (twice) for Dole Whips, had Mickey Premium Bar, jalapeno and cream cheese stuffed pretzels, beignets and mint juleps. Overall impression of DL – it is awesome, a “must do” for any true Disney lover.
The whole family agreed in comparing DL to MK, we would all choose DL. It worked out great that our time at DLR was one of several stops for our trip out west. Definitely wouldn't want to travel all that way to just see DLR and nothing else and that is one of the differences from WDW. Spending a week (or more) at WDW is pretty commonplace and is justifiable due to its size. Another noticeable difference was how much more emphasis is put into the queue lines at WDW. I guess I get it though, the temperatures and rain at WDW are far greater and the need to get folks “out of the elements” is something TDO feels important (I don’t disagree) but part of me would like a little more attention on the attractions themselves. Something small but I noticed as I walked to get a stuffed pretzel at Bengal BBQ and then onto the Coke refreshment on Main Street is that they both didn't open till 11:00 am, what?!? I've been up since 6 am and kinda want a snack, can I not get one? I thought this was really odd.
Sorry for the length but wanted to tell a little bit about our visit. I will be posting photos in the pics section soon. Thanks to all for the information that is shared on this website.
We arrived on a Tuesday night around 7 to check into the DLH. I pulled up expecting some traffic, only to find one car at the porte cochere and a pleasant cast member greeting. We easily got checked in and our standard room at the Fantasy Tower was waiting. It instantly seemed more laid back than all our hectic arrivals at WDW. The room was fantastic with a pull out day bed (great for our youngest) and a side view of DL and the Matterhorn. Size wise it reminded us of the Contemporary. We got settled in and went exploring to end up at Trader Sam’s for some food and drink. It was after 8:30 so we sat outside and the wife and I commented on how great it was to soak in the atmosphere on the comfy couch listening to live music, eating a variety of yummy finger foods, sipping on a cocktail. We all enjoyed our opening night. Side note: At the advice of Figments Friend, I took my youngest to see the BTMRR model at the Frontier Tower, he loved it!
Hit DCA early Wednesday at 7 with our extra magic hour and went first thing to RSR. What a fantastic ride, it didn't disappoint. We had hoped to get a fastpass for later ride but after the initial wait of 25 min, the FP line was looking a little too long and we wanted to see as much as possible. Luigi’s Flying Tires were closed the entire time, bummer. Junkyard Jamboree was fun as we rode it twice just to hear the music. Oldest son enjoyed Cali Screamin’ 4 times that day (thanks to FP’s and younger brother opting out). Couldn't believe we able to get on TSM and Soarin’ with so little wait. Those two alone at WDW can cause you a lot of line time. Youngest son loved Goofy’s Sky School (2 times much to my wife’s dismay). Slight downer: I had made reservations at the Carthay Circle thinking you could get WOC passes as long as you ordered an entree and appetizer and/or dessert. Turns out you had to order from a separate three course menu to get the WOC passes. Although the menu was limited, we still opted to do it and grab the passes. Food was fine but really wanted the whole menu option. I will say our WOC passes were good and the boys both had nice viewing for the show with little prep/wait time, so it was all good in the end. Took about a 2 hour break mid day for some swimming / down time back at DLH (really enjoyed that place). Enjoyed using the monorail for quick getaways back to the hotel. Headed back about 6 and stayed till 9:45 and called it a night with another early morning coming Thursday for DL. Overall impression of DCA - good, with Cars Land being the obvious “wow factor”.
Day two and three are combined below as we decided to forgo another DCA visit and spend next two days at DL.
Woke up and arrived at DL about 7:30 and went straight over to Indy…it was down. Sinking feeling went over us as we were really excited to experience this one. Left and went over SM and whoa, what a change from WDW (and this wasn't the only attraction). It was awesome and quickly became the boy’s favorite. The ride was so smooth, darker and the soundtrack…well there actually is one. My youngest son promptly forgot about BTMRR being down and requested SM several more times (4 times to be exact). Yes, overall Tomorrowland theme is pretty disappointing with Astro Orbitor being in a strange location and no Wedway is dreadful but it was nice to get on Buzz without waiting 45 min either. Went back over to Fantasyland to hit the Matterhorn and wow what a rough ride! I imagine that must be what a real bobsled feels like, the boys pushed for another ride the next day and we relented (one of those must do’s at DL). The look and feel of DL Fantasyland puts WDW’s to shame. Hit all the fantasyland rides and thought my wife was going to shed a tear about riding Toad that she misses so much from WDW. Enjoyed experiencing the attractions that are not at WDW from the Storybook Land Canal Boats to Snow White, to Alice, to Pinocchio, to the Castle walkthrough. Headed back to Indy and it was working!! Rode with 20 min wait and we all really enjoyed it so we got FP’s next day for a second ride. It is definitely one of those attractions to ride more than once to “see it all”. Rode JC twice, once during the day and another at night. JC at night is just fun. New Orleans Square was tops for me, just loved the coziness. Pirates was another blow away moment compared to what we were used to (hit that one 3 times). HM (rode twice) was a little different in some ways but very similar in others. I loved that when you left the stretching room you weren't funneled into a “cattle chute”. Those that have been to WDW will know what I mean. Had reservations at Blue Bayou, it was the family favorite. Requested a water side table and within 20 minutes we were sitting by the bayou listening to the banjo play in the background. Food was wonderful. Disappointed the fort is “closed” on TSI but the boys loved the little caves to explore. Toontown is done right; it really makes you wonder what WDW was trying to do. After watching Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, I now see where portions of Hall of Presidents and The American Adventure get their cues from. Some of the same pictures and music are used except DL has cleaner images and better sound. I think some of it has to do with a smaller, more intimate theater than its WDW siblings. Spent several hours both days back at the pool (great idea). Ate at Hungry Bear and Plaza Inn. Plaza was especially good; the fried chicken and the cobb salad were really tasty. We waited in line way too long (twice) for Dole Whips, had Mickey Premium Bar, jalapeno and cream cheese stuffed pretzels, beignets and mint juleps. Overall impression of DL – it is awesome, a “must do” for any true Disney lover.
The whole family agreed in comparing DL to MK, we would all choose DL. It worked out great that our time at DLR was one of several stops for our trip out west. Definitely wouldn't want to travel all that way to just see DLR and nothing else and that is one of the differences from WDW. Spending a week (or more) at WDW is pretty commonplace and is justifiable due to its size. Another noticeable difference was how much more emphasis is put into the queue lines at WDW. I guess I get it though, the temperatures and rain at WDW are far greater and the need to get folks “out of the elements” is something TDO feels important (I don’t disagree) but part of me would like a little more attention on the attractions themselves. Something small but I noticed as I walked to get a stuffed pretzel at Bengal BBQ and then onto the Coke refreshment on Main Street is that they both didn't open till 11:00 am, what?!? I've been up since 6 am and kinda want a snack, can I not get one? I thought this was really odd.
Sorry for the length but wanted to tell a little bit about our visit. I will be posting photos in the pics section soon. Thanks to all for the information that is shared on this website.
