Trip Report DLR 3/21-3/26

[ionfreeway]

Well, my trip report ended up being really really long, so long in fact that the board wouldn't let me submit it. So I made it into html and threw it up on my website. You can access it by clicking below:

http://www.solidefy.com/dlr_tr_1.php3

I set it up in 2 parts, the basic trip report and my review/comparison of DL vs WDW. hope you enjoy!

-Steve

[Iridium130]

very nice(and long ) trip report! glad to see you enjoyed the resort!

[DLMAGICDARREN]

Wow what an excellent report.

You hit the nail on the head with many of your observations, which were very well rounded, and accurate.

I'm glad your overall opinion of DCA was a good one. I agree that somebody from New Jersey probably sees DCA in a very different light then those from California.

You seem to appreciate Disneyland park for what it is, and yet at the same time understand what a WDW vacation is.

I abosolutley agree that Disneyland park is simply awesome, and in no way feels to small in comparison to the Magic Kingdom, even though it is slightly lower in acerage. I also agree inside the resort nobody feels like you are in the city.

I think the "too crowded so you feel like you are in the city" come from a lot of people who recognize the challenges for Disneyland resort to grow, more then anybody really feels inside the park you are giving it much thought.

Although I prefer Animal Kingdom over DCA, I absolutely loved reading your opinions.

I think the so called problems of DCA over the internet, are pretty much because there are so many locals visiting DCA, therefore more websites and critisms spread, because locals see it every week or so. They judge harshly (not all of course, but some).

WDW on the other hand does not have nearly as many locals, and while there are wonderful WDW websites out there, many are supported by webmasters not even living in Florida, so the day to day is not nearly as well documented.

Then many go into the "why WDW is better then DLR", or "why DLR is better then WDW" arguements which fustrate me to death.

DLR and WDW are both wonderful resorts, that have a different intent. DLR being mostly for locals or short vacations, while WDW is geard torwads the one week vacation audience.

Certain aspects of certain things are done better at one resort over the other pretty equally in my opinion.

It sounds like you cought onto that idea fairly easily.

Thanks for the very interesting report!

[Alpha]

Nice report, good idea to divide it into segments, long, but flowed nicely, glad you had a good time and shared some personal things too.

[Jennifer]

Wonderful trip report! I agree with you on a lot what you posted. I am curious if you were able to get sound on Space Mountain...it really makes the attraction! Also, were you able to catch the fireworks? If so, what did you think of them?

[ionfreeway]

Thanks everyone for the kind words! I tried to take in as much as possible without letting the things i've heard and read influence my opinions.

Jennifer - No there was no sound on Space Mountain, which I was eager to hear. However, considering WDW's SM has never had sound, I can't really say that I missed it. Still, it would have been cool, maybe next time.

Honestly I was afraid that I wasn't going to like the place because of all the negative things I've read on the net (not on this site). As much as you don't want to believe that you're influenced by things people say, sometimes it's just out of your control. Once I got there, however, I am happy to say that I became a "blank slate". Not once did I notice paint peeling, poor sinage, or anything else that I've read about.

We're gonna try and do a WDW Cruise for our 2 Year anniversary in October 2003, then back to the DLR sometime after that for the TOT!

Thanks again everyone!

[cinder]

DEFINITELY do the Disney cruise for your anniversary. The 3 day WDW, 4 day cruise is best. We did that for our honeymoon last year, and it was probably the best experience of our entire lives! I can't wait to do it again!

[toominnie]

Really enjoyed your trip report. One of the best I have read!

I enjoyed all the details you put in and your comparisons of the parks.

Brought back alot of memories!!!!!