A few DLR observations from a WDW regular.

[cobright]

First off, like most of you, I love Disney. I never would have guessed that I would be one of those 'Disney People' but there it is. We go to WDW at least once a year with the kids. The wife and I pop down when schedules permit. If I found myself alone in Orlando I would probably stop in to visit the mouse al by my lonesome ... my god...

Anyway... Wife and I hit the DLR parks a year ago and had a sort of 'meh' reaction. But there were a ton of closures at the time so I held my tongue. We just got back from another trip out to Disney Worlds's western relation and I have to say my piece.

It's a less magical vacation.

Sure, there are a couple rides at DL that beat the WDW version and some great rides without a Florida peer. Not really the scope of this missive to go into that. Instead, here's a short list of a few of the things that raised my hackles a bit.

1. It's dirtier. I'm not exactly saying it's dirty. But compared to the WDW parks it's dirtier. I have seen trash and garbage on the sidewalks so often on my DLR trips now that I stopped counting. More than that, I stopped pointing it out to the cast because even when I do, say on my way into a ride, it's still there 20 minutes later!
2. Kind of a subset of earlier point ... the bathrooms are dirtier. Again, not horrible, just not what I've come to expect. In one case it was pretty shocking, and remained so even 15 minutes after I had let a CM know.
3. CMs for the most part are great, but I've been told, "no" at DLR a few times and have witnessed single finger pointing on this trip. I know ... clutch my pearls. I'm not saying it's bad, just that it's less magical and it says something about the overall management dicipline
4. Sort of like #3, ride CMs seem less "into" their roles. None of the Nemo submarine ride CMs faked an Aussie accent. The HM CM at the fastpass reader actually told us, "Have fun!" in the cutest chipper happy voice you ever heard, and she was not doing so ironically.
5. The Character MnG system is a real pain. I get it, a line makes things less magical for some people. Nostalgia reminds us when the characters would just wander freely. But what we have in DLR is mob rule, 5 second photo-ops.

I know people have fun comparing the two resorts and there's a lot of cool things at DLR that you can't see and do at WDW. But this was my 2nd try and I have no desire to go back.

 

[HydroGuy]

First off, like most of you, I love Disney. I never would have guessed that I would be one of those 'Disney People' but there it is. We go to WDW at least once a year with the kids. The wife and I pop down when schedules permit. If I found myself alone in Orlando I would probably stop in to visit the mouse al by my lonesome ... my god...

Anyway... Wife and I hit the DLR parks a year ago and had a sort of 'meh' reaction. But there were a ton of closures at the time so I held my tongue. We just got back from another trip out to Disney Worlds's western relation and I have to say my piece.

It's a less magical vacation.

Sure, there are a couple rides at DL that beat the WDW version and some great rides without a Florida peer. Not really the scope of this missive to go into that. Instead, here's a short list of a few of the things that raised my hackles a bit.

1. It's dirtier. I'm not exactly saying it's dirty. But compared to the WDW parks it's dirtier. I have seen trash and garbage on the sidewalks so often on my DLR trips now that I stopped counting. More than that, I stopped pointing it out to the cast because even when I do, say on my way into a ride, it's still there 20 minutes later!
2. Kind of a subset of earlier point ... the bathrooms are dirtier. Again, not horrible, just not what I've come to expect. In one case it was pretty shocking, and remained so even 15 minutes after I had let a CM know.
3. CMs for the most part are great, but I've been told, "no" at DLR a few times and have witnessed single finger pointing on this trip. I know ... clutch my pearls. I'm not saying it's bad, just that it's less magical and it says something about the overall management dicipline
4. Sort of like #3, ride CMs seem less "into" their roles. None of the Nemo submarine ride CMs faked an Aussie accent. The HM CM at the fastpass reader actually told us, "Have fun!" in the cutest chipper happy voice you ever heard, and she was not doing so ironically.
5. The Character MnG system is a real pain. I get it, a line makes things less magical for some people. Nostalgia reminds us when the characters would just wander freely. But what we have in DLR is mob rule, 5 second photo-ops.

I know people have fun comparing the two resorts and there's a lot of cool things at DLR that you can't see and do at WDW. But this was my 2nd try and I have no desire to go back.

Sorry to hear that and wish you the best.

I would say in general that January is not the best time to visit DLR. For some, maybe. But in general, not for most. Even so, I do not want to come across as dismissive of your post. I think DLR vets who are accustomed to DLR's more mild weather and make a first visit to WDW in August and hate it because of the weather, I would say the same thing. August is not the best time to visit WDW for most. Personally I would vote for March or May (LOL, as you can see from signature!).

Did you get a chance to see World of Color, Fantasmic and the Frozen stage show? Also, too bad you were too early to see the Paint the Night parade moving to DCA in April. PTN is by far my favorite Disney parade.

 

[sherilaine]

I have never understood the point of these posts - listing out all the things wrong with DLR on a board filled with huge fans of the place. From all I have read comparing the two parks - being so very different - is like disliking an apple cause it's not an orange.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

It is funny... I am in the DLR parks a lot. A LOT. I rarely notice things like trash on the ground or a dirty bathroom. Is it that those things are always there and I just don't pick up on them? Or that I'm not looking for things to criticize? Or that they are not there frequently so all of my visits combined they don't stand out? I really don't know. I am sure the OP saw trash a dirty bathrooms. I am sorry that DL didn't feel "magical" to the OP because I can honestly say that there hasn't been one visit where something really special and magical hasn't happened to me, whether from a CM or fellow guest or just a happenstance lucky thing. There have been annoying things too and thingsbthat detract from the magic *in the moment* but in general for me, I find DL to be a very magical place. There is a reason I go so much!

 

[cobright]

I would say in general that January is not the best time to visit DLR. For some, maybe. But in general, not for most. Even so, I do not want to come across as dismissive of your post. I think DLR vets who are accustomed to DLR's more mild weather and make a first visit to WDW in August and hate it because of the weather, I would say the same thing. August is not the best time to visit WDW for most. Personally I would vote for March or May (LOL, as you can see from signature!).

I will give you weather. Weather out here was perfect, and I will happily warn the WDW weather can be a trip killer.

Did you get a chance to see World of Color, Fantasmic and the Frozen stage show? Also, too bad you were too early to see the Paint the Night parade moving to DCA in April. PTN is by far my favorite Disney parade.

We did see Fantasmic, from some great seating at Liberty Tree Tavern. The show was much better than when we saw it at Hollywood Studios.

I have never understood the point of these posts - listing out all the things wrong with DLR on a board filled with huge fans of the place. From all I have read comparing the two parks - being so very different - is like disliking an apple cause it's not an orange.

Would you suppose that Roger Ebert likes movies, even though he spends his days sorting the good from the bad and the good and bad points present in each? Both resorts are expressions of one man's vision. To the extent that most of the DL rides and many of the DCA rides have a WDW counterpart. I think that pointing out areas where one side excels while the other falls short is fair. I can recall at least one recent thread on the WDW side where a lifetime DL veteran was unsure what to expect on their trip to WDW.

Is it that those things are always there and I just don't pick up on them? Or that I'm not looking for things to criticize?

Think about it from the other side of the coin. In the hundred or so days I have spent in the WDW parks over the last 10 years the reliability of certain expectations solidified them into constants. Within the first few days at WDW you realize that you have never seen a trashed bathroom or a pile of trash along a ride queue railing or gum stuck to the underside of said railing; it's actually a little shocking. So you start to pay attention to those things and sure you find an occasional wad of gum or bit of trash but then you think just how incredibly rare those digressions are and it shocks you again. Even during the busiest day of the year I can walk into any bathroom in the WDW parks knowing there is a seat clean enough to sit on behind the first stall door I open. If I have to shop for a stall in WDW I'm shocked, I let someone know, and 10 minutes later it's fixed.

in general for me, I find DL to be a very magical place.

I never said Disneyland wasn't magical. Only that if a comparison should be made, it is less so than WDW. And I know it sounds very 'first world problems' to critique the 'magicalness' of one park over another. I choose that adjective only because it is the common positive descriptor used within Disney properties.

Just to give a visual on what I'm describing here. This is the waste basket in the Carthay Circle Restaurant in DCA. Really one of the nicest restaurants on any Disney property. Better than Hollywood Brown Derby all around and the food was as good as the Yachtsman or California Grill even if the menu was less ambitious. We had their first reservation of the day, an 11:30 AM lunch. We bought a seating package for the Frozen show but the menu prices for our lunch came to $64 per person. Just to be clear, the place had just opened...


My wife said the bin in the ladies room was just as bad. Worse, I mentioned the problem to someone on the floor there and it was still like this 20 minutes later.
Now... all I'm saying is that from the perspective of someone who frequents Orlando Disney a lot, this is shocking.

 

[GatorChris]

I agree, sort of, with what you said. After numerous trips over the last 5 years to DL, I've started to get used to what you were talking about. I was pretty disappointed my first several trips with these things and several others miscues. But I've learned that DL is waaaayyyy different than WDW. I could try to explain it all, but it wouldn't do any good. There's a lot of stuff I like a lot more at DL: easy park hopping, LegacyFP/MaxPass, better MK rides, easy to get to, right next to the convention center. I'd love for WDW to have these items. But there's a lot that I wish DL had from the WDW parks, too. But....

They're two different places. And if you love WDW more and are closer, go there. You can say you've done the Original and seen the cool things it has to offer. Now that you've done it....twice!....go and enjoy what you love the most.

 

[chris1212]

We are WDW vets and just had our first DL trip. While we loved it, I do agree on the CM not as much into their job and seemed less professional to us. I know it totally depends on the person, for every one not into it there are probably some around the corner that are.

Here is our example, waiting to get onto Space Mountain. The couple in front of us, the man got on, but the gates closed before the woman got on. I think due to the people getting off before were slower. So the guy is yelling from the ride, his wife standing by the gates is yelling that they are together and she wasn't on. CM's clearly saw what had happened and were just like "Go Go Go" to the ride and sent him off alone without his wife. So they basically wrecked the ride for this man and his wife, I couldn't really believe I saw this happen, I have never seen this in WDW.

Also seen lots of not measuring kids when they get into line and them getting pulled out right when loading the ride, and these were kids inches under the height limit, so it's not like they measured okay going in. We had a few instances of loading the ride and they ask how old my kids are, they reply 4 and 6, then we are told we can't ride together. So then we are stuck trying to find my husband who is off walking around the park with the baby. This could have easily been avoided if they had told us that at the ride entrance.

There were definitely some little things like this that we have never encountered to WDW.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

We are WDW vets and just had our first DL trip. While we loved it, I do agree on the CM not as much into their job and seemed less professional to us. I know it totally depends on the person, for every one not into it there are probably some around the corner that are.

Here is our example, waiting to get onto Space Mountain. The couple in front of us, the man got on, but the gates closed before the woman got on. I think due to the people getting off before were slower. So the guy is yelling from the ride, his wife standing by the gates is yelling that they are together and she wasn't on. CM's clearly saw what had happened and were just like "Go Go Go" to the ride and sent him off alone without his wife. So they basically wrecked the ride for this man and his wife, I couldn't really believe I saw this happen, I have never seen this in WDW.

Also seen lots of not measuring kids when they get into line and them getting pulled out right when loading the ride, and these were kids inches under the height limit, so it's not like they measured okay going in. We had a few instances of loading the ride and they ask how old my kids are, they reply 4 and 6, then we are told we can't ride together. So then we are stuck trying to find my husband who is off walking around the park with the baby. This could have easily been avoided if they had told us that at the ride entrance.

There were definitely some little things like this that we have never encountered to WDW.

I’m not really interested in “defending” DL over WDW - I think both are different, it’s great that both exist and people can go where they please (and hey, less people coming to DL wouldn’t bother me!).

But regarding Space Mountain, that ride automatically shuts down for 30 minutes if the loading delays enough. So that is probably what was happening with the husband and wife that got separated. It definitely sucks for them; I’m just giving some perspective into why the CMs would do that since I’m sure it looked like a jerk move. It’s one of the main reasons SM is “temporarily closed” so often and the CMs can’t override it and get in trouble when it happens!

 

[22Tink]

I'm sorry you had a less than magical trip. I really haven't experienced any of your concerns during any of my trips but I've never gone in January. This year in particular with all the closures, it does look a bit dismal. August is our favourite time of year to go, it's fabulous!
As mentioned above, they are definitely two different experiences, each with their own good and bad points, so it's hard to compare fairly. I've done both WDW and DL and while I enjoy WDW, it doesn't hold the same level of magic for me as DL. To each their own I guess! Now at least you can say you tried DL a couple of times, but if WDW is where your heart is then stick to that!

 

[HydroGuy]

I have never understood the point of these posts - listing out all the things wrong with DLR on a board filled with huge fans of the place. From all I have read comparing the two parks - being so very different - is like disliking an apple cause it's not an orange.

I think these are forums for folks to post opinions and experiences. That is what the OP did. And as far as that goes, what the OP said is totally appropriate. Heck, most of us here on this forum are here to get practical info and share common experiences both good and bad.

Posts like the OP vary a lot. Some WDW vets come to DLR and it is apparent they did little or no research and made many obvious mistakes. What I do not care for are WDW vets who never find time ahead of their trip to come to this DLR forum and get some obvious mistakes and misconceptions resolved ahead of time. But somehow they do find time after their trip to come here and complain. That kind of post is rare, but when it happens, I am happy to point out how unfair they are being. Some folks just like to complain.

Some WDW vets do their research and when they post negative things about DLR it is clear they are coming from an attempt at being fair and balanced and reasonable. Some of those folks reasonably conclude they like WDW much better and do not wish to come to DLR anymore.

Finally, some WDW vets post a range of "wow, I liked this better about DLR" along with "these are things I do not like about DLR". I find these posts most helpful of all and it is easier to engage and have thoughtful discussion.

To the OP's credit, he/she at least gave DLR two chances before drawing some (apparently) final conclusions. I happy to leave it at that although I am always sad to hear someone who does not like DLR.

 

[chris1212]

I’m not really interested in “defending” DL over WDW - I think both are different, it’s great that both exist and people can go where they please (and hey, less people coming to DL wouldn’t bother me!).

But regarding Space Mountain, that ride automatically shuts down for 30 minutes if the loading delays enough. So that is probably what was happening with the husband and wife that got separated. It definitely sucks for them; I’m just giving some perspective into why the CMs would do that since I’m sure it looked like a jerk move. It’s one of the main reasons SM is “temporarily closed” so often and the CMs can’t override it and get in trouble when it happens!

Thanks for the perspective, did not know this! In this case then I would have thought someone would have explained this to the lady left behind. Would have probably made her feel better that they weren't just ignoring her as it seemed.

 

[mom2rtk]

Thanks for the perspective, did not know this! In this case then I would have thought someone would have explained this to the lady left behind. Would have probably made her feel better that they weren't just ignoring her as it seemed.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if they were given a chance to get back on together after they were both done riding alone. If they weren't, I doubt a request to do so would have been turned down.

 

[HydroGuy]

We are WDW vets and just had our first DL trip. While we loved it, I do agree on the CM not as much into their job and seemed less professional to us. I know it totally depends on the person, for every one not into it there are probably some around the corner that are.

Here is our example, waiting to get onto Space Mountain. The couple in front of us, the man got on, but the gates closed before the woman got on. I think due to the people getting off before were slower. So the guy is yelling from the ride, his wife standing by the gates is yelling that they are together and she wasn't on. CM's clearly saw what had happened and were just like "Go Go Go" to the ride and sent him off alone without his wife. So they basically wrecked the ride for this man and his wife, I couldn't really believe I saw this happen, I have never seen this in WDW.

Also seen lots of not measuring kids when they get into line and them getting pulled out right when loading the ride, and these were kids inches under the height limit, so it's not like they measured okay going in. We had a few instances of loading the ride and they ask how old my kids are, they reply 4 and 6, then we are told we can't ride together. So then we are stuck trying to find my husband who is off walking around the park with the baby. This could have easily been avoided if they had told us that at the ride entrance.

There were definitely some little things like this that we have never encountered to WDW.

After my first trip to WDW some 12 years ago I concluded that folks are much more aware of such incidents when visiting a park for the first time. At DLR I rarely see such things but I saw a lot of it at WDW. Frankly I was shocked how little WDW CMs seemed to know about anything outside their specific little area. One benign example was one evening I was near JC and trying to find out how to cross the night time parade (SpectroMagic at the time) to get to Splash Mtn. The CM told me not to bother as Splash Mtn always closed at dusk (!!!).

Now I know my way around WDW pretty well and I do not get confusing answers like the above because I do not need to ask.

 

[tiffjoy]

DLR > WDW (like, by a lot)

... but you won't find me trying to convince people otherwise! It's crowded enough as it is!

So I say, yes DLR is not as good! Go to WDW!

 

[mickeyboof]

I actually had this same exact list in my mind too... but completely opposite on which coast it was directed towards.

I was stunned at how clean DL was during a visit in August, therefore so deeply disappointed in the state of WDW's bathrooms and general cleanliness.

My experience with DL was shock at how immaculate it is kept, even going to the bathroom was generally enjoyable there.

At WDW, the stench of urinal cakes was almost unbearable (and often wafted out of the men's room and through the surrounding area) and the slippery wet floors made every trip to the bathroom unbearable. They felt like gross beach bathrooms.

I also was somewhat disappointed in the mostly bored Cast Members at WDW, with glazed over eyes, always waving to us like their wrists were being pulled by invisible puppet strings. However, I was entertained on each and every attraction and restaurant by DL's stellar cast.

Lastly, I felt in WDW having the characters are stuck like concrete to their MnG locations was truly unmagical, compartmentalized and packaged into fabricated "experiences." There truly is nothing like walking through the park, and have a character strolling next to you on a whim. Why do people want a photo and an autograph when they can have an ACTUAL interaction with the characters? At DL, anyone can play and laugh and share a moment, rather than shove a sharpie at them and pose awkwardly next to them for a photo that millions of other people have, only to walk away with nothing meaningful.

That being said, I still love WDW more than I can possibly say.

It is truly fascinating how opinions on these topics are typically on polar opposite ends of the spectrum!

 

[Texans_loyal]

CMs for the most part are great, but I've been told, "no" at DLR a few times and have witnessed single finger pointing on this trip.

WDW vet here and I have experienced this also! I love DL and have no problems with it but the CMs aren't as magical as WDW CMs. not saying CMs are bad but Maybe customer service isn't as high on the list?

 

[BadPinkTink]

and the same perspective when people visit Disneyland Paris.

The Disneyland Paris Vets who venture to America and try either Disneyland or Walt Disney World have the same sort of views, the things they are used to and the way things are done in Disneyland Paris is different in America and they come home and post only the negative view point.

The American people who are used to Disneyland or Walt Disney World, well you should take a look at the Disneyland Paris section here on Dis, many very similar posts written by Americans listing out the negative points from their trip to Disneyland Paris.

The point I'm making is park vets have their home park, the park they fell in love with, the park that holds a special place in their heart, the park where they feel the Disney magic.

Then they get a bit adventurous and curious about the other parks and decide to experience a different park. They forget that each part is basically a stand along park and sub consciously expect the new park to be exactly the same in every way as their home park. They get frustrated and angry that what their brain is expecting to experience does not happen. Instead of celebrating the differences and embracing change, they just compare everything to their home park which causes negativity... in my home park this would not happen, in my home park they dont do things like that.

Its not Disneys fault, its that people expectations dont live up to reality

 

[mickeyboof]

and the same perspective when people visit Disneyland Paris.

The Disneyland Paris Vets who venture to America and try either Disneyland or Walt Disney World have the same sort of views, the things they are used to and the way things are done in Disneyland Paris is different in America and they come home and post only the negative view point.

The American people who are used to Disneyland or Walt Disney World, well you should take a look at the Disneyland Paris section here on Dis, many very similar posts written by Americans listing out the negative points from their trip to Disneyland Paris.

The point I'm making is park vets have their home park, the park they fell in love with, the park that holds a special place in their heart, the park where they feel the Disney magic.

Then they get a bit adventurous and curious about the other parks and decide to experience a different park. They forget that each part is basically a stand along park and sub consciously expect the new park to be exactly the same in every way as their home park. They get frustrated and angry that what their brain is expecting to experience does not happen. Instead of celebrating the differences and embracing change, they just compare everything to their home park which causes negativity... in my home park this would not happen, in my home park they dont do things like that.

Its not Disneys fault, its that people expectations dont live up to reality

This is very very true, however it is important to remember simply recognizing differences is very different than being discouraged or upset in an overall experience.

Some people just get too emotional about the differences, rather than celebrating them.

Walt Disney World absolutely exceeded my expectations tenfold, however I recognized a vastly different operating system that I didn't necessarily understand the reasoning for. Luckily, for me, it didn't discourage me!

 

[Nonsuch]

...Here is our example, waiting to get onto Space Mountain. The couple in front of us, the man got on, but the gates closed before the woman got on. I think due to the people getting off before were slower. So the guy is yelling from the ride, his wife standing by the gates is yelling that they are together and she wasn't on. CM's clearly saw what had happened and were just like "Go Go Go" to the ride and sent him off alone without his wife. So they basically wrecked the ride for this man and his wife, I couldn't really believe I saw this happen, I have never seen this in WDW...

In this particular situation the CM likely acted correctly. SM must load quickly or will shutdown. Splitting a couple is unfortunate, but better than delaying everyone for 10 minutes or more.

 

[LilyJC]

I actually had this same exact list in my mind too... but completely opposite on which coast it was directed towards.

This post cracks me up because I had the same exact thoughts. As a DLR “veteran” with countless visits to our home parks over the years, we were shocked at how filthy WDW was during our first trip. The bathrooms were disgusting everywhere we went in the parks and in the majority of restaurant bathrooms. Don’t even get me started on the monorail cleanliness differences.... The nastiest I’ve ever seen Disneyland was after Moonlight Magic this past November for DVC members. Disappointing that members and their guests trashed the park, and our family felt so badly for the CMs left to deal with that piggie behavior.

We also came across the rudest CMs we’ve ever encountered during our trip to WDW and were truly shocked by some of the strange interactions we experienced with other CMs. I’ve never filed a formal complaint anywhere Disney, but this trip changed that track record unfortunately. One especially inappropriate CM at Epcot had to be reported.

My family couldn’t care less about meeting characters, and at WDW I was never more grateful about that. The lines to meet them were absolutely ridiculous and to use a fastpass to meet them seems absurd. We do enjoy seeing the different characters at DLR wandering around and randomly interacting with guests. It always makes us smile and makes it that much more special.

All of that said, we still managed to fall in love with WDW because we love all things Disney. DLR is certainly home and always will be, but we’ll definitely plan future trips to WDW.