Dznefreek
It's not Magic, it's marketing . . . .
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2000
- Messages
- 6,336
So my wife (who is not a theme park enthusiast) agreed to go to DL with me for the 35th anniversary of our first date. Dates were 9/15-9/20/2024. We flew into LAX and UBERed everywhere.
We spent 6 days/5 nights at the Hotel Lulu. It is a beach/surfing themed resort. It was a 12 minute walk to DL. We had a deluxe king suite. I personally do not believe that WDW/DL hotels are worth the money.
We spent 2 days in Disneyland 1 day in DCA, and 1 day at Newport Beach. We purchased the $83.00 per day tickets and I did purchase LLMP. Our goal was to ride as many things as possible and I must say all the DL versions of rides that are in WDW are far superior in my opinion.
I was able to get a VQ for Haunted Mansion Holiday both days. I did not purchase LLSP for Rise or Radiator Springs. Both wait times were severely overstated. RSR 60 minutes; got on in 28. Rise was 75 minutes; got on in 45. Even the Fantasyland wait times were shorter that stated.
Disneyland:
Security could use an upgrade as you still pass through one at a time.
You could enter the park early but you were held at the entrance to each land like WDW. Adventureland and Fantasyland had the biggest line.
We were able to do a total of 20 rides over the 2 days in DL thanks to LLMP. We probably waited in line for a total of less than an hour for 9 LLMP rides. Average stand-by was 35-55 minutes(except ROTR). We skipped Buzz, Start Tours, Peter Pan, and Nemo Subs. We averaged 7 hours in the park. I spoke to a CM who said it was more crowded at night.
My wife loved the Storybook Land Canal Boats.
Crowds were insane in the afternoon and especially in Fantasyland. I have never seen so many strollers and kids not even in WDW. I attribute it to the fact to DL is more compact and the weather was absolutely perfect after their recent heat wave.
We ate at Jolly Holiday Bakery and Flo’s V* Cafe in DCA. Everything else was snacks on the go.
Disney California Adventure:
Park was much more relaxed. We did 10 rides in 6 hours again thanks to LLMP.
My wife loved Soarin’ and GOTG: Mission Breakout. I have to say GOTG had the clearest screen I have ever seen on a ride. I really liked Radiator Springs Racers.
DTD:
We ate at Ballast Point, Earl of Sandwich Tavern, and Centrico.
Some construction and some closed stores.
We spent 6 days/5 nights at the Hotel Lulu. It is a beach/surfing themed resort. It was a 12 minute walk to DL. We had a deluxe king suite. I personally do not believe that WDW/DL hotels are worth the money.
We spent 2 days in Disneyland 1 day in DCA, and 1 day at Newport Beach. We purchased the $83.00 per day tickets and I did purchase LLMP. Our goal was to ride as many things as possible and I must say all the DL versions of rides that are in WDW are far superior in my opinion.
I was able to get a VQ for Haunted Mansion Holiday both days. I did not purchase LLSP for Rise or Radiator Springs. Both wait times were severely overstated. RSR 60 minutes; got on in 28. Rise was 75 minutes; got on in 45. Even the Fantasyland wait times were shorter that stated.
Disneyland:
Security could use an upgrade as you still pass through one at a time.
You could enter the park early but you were held at the entrance to each land like WDW. Adventureland and Fantasyland had the biggest line.
We were able to do a total of 20 rides over the 2 days in DL thanks to LLMP. We probably waited in line for a total of less than an hour for 9 LLMP rides. Average stand-by was 35-55 minutes(except ROTR). We skipped Buzz, Start Tours, Peter Pan, and Nemo Subs. We averaged 7 hours in the park. I spoke to a CM who said it was more crowded at night.
My wife loved the Storybook Land Canal Boats.
Crowds were insane in the afternoon and especially in Fantasyland. I have never seen so many strollers and kids not even in WDW. I attribute it to the fact to DL is more compact and the weather was absolutely perfect after their recent heat wave.
We ate at Jolly Holiday Bakery and Flo’s V* Cafe in DCA. Everything else was snacks on the go.
Disney California Adventure:
Park was much more relaxed. We did 10 rides in 6 hours again thanks to LLMP.
My wife loved Soarin’ and GOTG: Mission Breakout. I have to say GOTG had the clearest screen I have ever seen on a ride. I really liked Radiator Springs Racers.
DTD:
We ate at Ballast Point, Earl of Sandwich Tavern, and Centrico.
Some construction and some closed stores.
