I’m gonna take a different viewpoint than others here and preface it with I haven’t been back to DLR since Covid (but I have done WDW post-Covid a few times).Let me preface that we’ve been to WDW many times but never DL.
We were just @ WDW in mid-February and this is the source of my anxiety.
It was the worst of our trips. Genie, the lines, the ride breakdowns, the people. It was just exhausting.
We have 6 nights booked for early June @ DL Hotel w/ 5 days of hoppers.
Tell me we’re gonna have a good time and my money is being well spent, please.
I just looked at early June and park reservations are actually wide open right now. Surprised me. Maybe America’s National park obsession of the last couple years is dying down?Since I live that direction, just want to make sure you realize Yosemite is at least a 6 hour drive one way. And make sure you have reservations set up, they are harder than Disneyland reservations.
I’ll be curious for your comparison after your April trip. I hope (and believe) you will be pleasantly surprised with the differences between Genie+ at DLR. There are more rides (particularly with park hoppers) and we are not seeing the reports of return times only in the evenings like from WDW (or even the recent statement about expecting 2-3 LL a day).I too was at WDW mid-Feb actually. I didn’t it think it was that bad but I forked over the cash for ILL & G+ on a number of days. I’m expecting a more crowded feeling for my DLR Apr trip. Long afternoon breaks will be key.
I’ll definitely report back!!I’ll be curious for your comparison after your April trip. I hope (and believe) you will be pleasantly surprised with the differences between Genie+ at DLR. There are more rides (particularly with park hoppers) and we are not seeing the reports of return times only in the evenings like from WDW (or even the recent statement about expecting 2-3 LL a day).
We had almost instant return times during a very bust week in December and I was able to stack our evening LL in our second park. Ride breakdowns mean ME LL (there is even a post about “phishing” for ME LL on this board.) My only complaint is no re-rides but with a good morning strategy (or late night) you can accomplish so much. No big.
That said, afternoon breaks are always key! I hope you have a fabulous trip!
Have you looked at DLR wait times vs WDW?I’m gonna take a different viewpoint than others here and preface it with I haven’t been back to DLR since Covid (but I have done WDW post-Covid a few times).
DLR has almost the same recipe as what disappointed you at WDW so I am not going to tell you to expect a different result. Genie is the same. Lines are lines. Ride breakdowns seem more common based on reports. Crowds feel more to me at DLR than WDW because of how much smaller DL is. There is no early entry for on-site guests. And there is construction at DLH as they’re building a 4th tower so while noise complaints have not been reported generally it won’t be relaxing oasis situation at the pool. People are people so I really don’t what you want to hear about that? That they’re nicer? They aren’t. No buses for transportation so that’s nice!
Oh, brace for nighttime shoes. Fantasmic & WOC are STANDING shows where people are packed into sections to stand and watch. Like fireworks at MK.
I too was at WDW mid-Feb actually. I didn’t it think it was that bad but I forked over the cash for ILL & G+ on a number of days. I’m expecting a more crowded feeling for my DLR Apr trip. Long afternoon breaks will be key.
If I had a miserable time at WDW in mid-Feb I wouldn’t be going to DLR in early June expecting it to be different. If I NEEDED it to be a better happier experience? I definitely wouldn’t go. Book a relaxing vacay somewhere relaxing and use your DLR tickets at some time when you’re ready for crowds and lines and Genie+ again.
Myself, I have in preparation for my DL trip. The seem high for DL( historically)....but defiantly better then WDW.....I am so glad we choose to go to DL this summer....I would not want to be anywhere near WDW this summer.Have you looked at DLR wait times vs WDW?
I have been checking for a friend who has an upcoming WDW trip, contrasting it to my trip mid April and night and day wait times. Still high mid day, that’s to be expected. One of the real pluses for DLR and Genie+ is you can *not* book your first LL return until you have entered the park, vs 7am for WDW. That alone will make a huge difference in inventory, and give morning guests a real head start. We actually didn’t need Genie+ until after 10:30.Have you looked at DLR wait times vs WDW?
I’m gonna take a different viewpoint than others here and preface it with I haven’t been back to DLR since Covid (but I have done WDW post-Covid a few times).
DLR has almost the same recipe as what disappointed you at WDW so I am not going to tell you to expect a different result. Genie is the same. Lines are lines. Ride breakdowns seem more common based on reports. Crowds feel more to me at DLR than WDW because of how much smaller DL is. There is no early entry for on-site guests. And there is construction at DLH as they’re building a 4th tower so while noise complaints have not been reported generally it won’t be relaxing oasis situation at the pool. People are people so I really don’t what you want to hear about that? That they’re nicer? They aren’t. No buses for transportation so that’s nice!
Oh, brace for nighttime shoes. Fantasmic & WOC are STANDING shows where people are packed into sections to stand and watch. Like fireworks at MK.
I too was at WDW mid-Feb actually. I didn’t it think it was that bad but I forked over the cash for ILL & G+ on a number of days. I’m expecting a more crowded feeling for my DLR Apr trip. Long afternoon breaks will be key.
If I had a miserable time at WDW in mid-Feb I wouldn’t be going to DLR in early June expecting it to be different. If I NEEDED it to be a better happier experience? I definitely wouldn’t go. Book a relaxing vacay somewhere relaxing and use your DLR tickets at some time when you’re ready for crowds and lines and Genie+ again.
They need to fire their park reservation guessing team. There is no excuse for Disneyland not hit those numbers with the calendars saying the parks are full... By all accounts, Disneyland is still not hitting their desired attendance numbers.
I love the local audience in DLR. Especially with such an extended closure, everyone seems so happy to just *be* there. I always love spotting the people on “disney dates” whether that be a couple or a parent/child, or friends. Spread that joy!Well, we can hope for a classier crowd...but I can tell you , since lockdowns are ending , retail people have been very demanding and impatient. The seem to have forgotten how to interact in a crowd, and how to deal with waiting again.
May offer a different frame of reference that might allow you to approach the entire stay more relaxedly?
You have been to WDW. Most of the offerings at DLC have like offerings at WDW. Slightly different in some, but overall the same.
The difference at DLC is the history, the feeling that you are seeing the park through Walt's own eyes. Take in the look and feel of everything, the aura of the park is markedly different than WDW.
Certainly ride the attractions that are unique to DL and DCA, and the other rides that most appeal to you withon the time you have, but most of all enjoy especially the Disneyland side as a delightful relic of a more innocent era. It's Southern California, breathe!