We went in February for the first time and thought Space Mountain was way better! Also really enjoyed lunch at Lamplight Lounge
3:55pm on 4/19/26 by
RigbyC
Haven't been to DLR in years, but a special memory was having a mint julep with my DH in New Orleans square
3:56pm on 4/19/26 by
disneymama3
DL is special. You can tell it's older. Pirates is so cool. Not sure when you are going, but they have great tours. They just do them so well out there. My favorite I've done was a Christmas tour. I like walking through downtown disney to parks.
4:11pm on 4/19/26 by
momma4fun
I'm glad to hear the tours are special. We leave in three weeks for our Adventures by Disney vacation to Southern California and Disneyland. There are several tours on the schedule, including Walt's apartment and meeting with an Imagineer. Free time too.
4:35pm on 4/19/26 by
anneofcreek
I hope you have an amazing trip! Ride all the rides! Pirates is awesome and there are many Fantasyland rides that are not at WDW. Are you planning to go to California Adventure? Radiator Springs Racers is one of my all time favorites!
4:48pm on 4/19/26 by
T07
Please report back on your trip!
5:17pm on 4/19/26 by
momma4fun
Paint the night- so good
And we've not seen WoC as it was broken when we went- hoping to see that this year.
F! also very unique there- hadn't planned to go but loved it
6:39pm on 4/19/26 by
hodg
And the guardians take on ToT is such fun
6:39pm on 4/19/26 by
hodg
I really like the WOC dessert party but its $$$$
6:56pm on 4/19/26 by
Totsypooh
The nighttime shows are great. We did each one once. WoC was my favorite. I don't know if they still do something special at It's a Small World at night, but we enjoyed that too because it was less crowded. So many fun rides & things to do - enjoy!
10:15pm on 4/19/26 by
Ange425
Hi @totsy! I actually just booked that for our trip today, so glad to hear your recommendation!
10:49pm on 4/19/26 by
JERancher
Hi @anne- I'm in a similar boat (taking my whole family soon), but I've been once before. I had fun prioritizing the rides that DL has that aren't at WDW, and the rides that DL does differently (bec DL's are often better). For me, that list is:
10:52pm on 4/19/26 by
JERancher
DL: Indy, Big Thunder, HM (esp if holiday version), IASW, Matterhorn, Space Mt, all the dark rides in FL (minus PPF unless there's time), Storyland Canal Boats, Roger Rabbit, Finding Nemo, and Pirates.
DCA: Incredicoaster, Soarin (if over CA), all of...
10:56pm on 4/19/26 by
JERancher
...Carsland, Grizzly River Run, Pixar Pal-Around, Webslingers and the shows in Avenger's Campus.
When I was planning this trip, I asked a similar question over on the DL side of Lines, and they highly recommended Paint the Night, Wondrous Journeys, Wo...
10:58pm on 4/19/26 by
JERancher
....World of Color (which I've seen a diff version of, and it's awesome!), the 70th cavalcade, and Tapestry of Happiness on IaSW. A few also recommended the 70th tour. Hope this helps!
11:00pm on 4/19/26 by
JERancher
Oh, one more thought. I love Disney history, so I had fun looking for the little unique things at DL: the mismatched light bulb, the little man of DL, Wendy and Peter's initials in the tree, the brick wall, Jingles the horse... These things light me up!
11:06pm on 4/19/26 by
JERancher
Just 7 days until my Disneyland trip. Join the Disneyland chat. They aren't as quick to respond as here. I got a lot of great advice. Since there's no real benefit to staying onsite I'm not. Going for the 70th and for Star Wars night :) so excited
11:29pm on 4/19/26 by
WorldTraveler34
If you go to Pixar place hotel you can rent a car and return it lax for no extra charge. All but candy cane charge for parking. Eva and wallie meet in the lobby on Wednesdays in April for earth day
11:31pm on 4/19/26 by
WorldTraveler34
^Agree with @world re: offsite hotels. I tend to stay at the Park Vue Inn, which is zero frills. But it's clean, across the street (closer to DCA than even the DL Hotel), and they don't charge for th parking either.
7:30am on 4/20/26 by
JERancher
DL is a lot of fun. Much more manageable. Parks are right next to each other. Downtown area is fun - we did dinner there on our arrival day. The rides that are also at WDW are often better at DL but IMO DL doesn't have the likes of SDD, GotG, FoP, Tron.
2:09pm on 4/20/26 by
ma14
I don't love the LL system without letting you book beforehand. But they have very regular LL drops which helped us a ton.
2:10pm on 4/20/26 by
ma14
Agree with all of the above. We stay at grand legacy. Quick and safe walk.
2:29pm on 4/20/26 by
matterhorn55
I'm doing best western I'll report back on the 3rd when it's over
11:31am on 4/21/26 by
WorldTraveler34
Please report, @WT34! I'm considering taking a week out there next winter instead of the Pop stay that I have on the books.
3:11pm on 4/21/26 by
Ali Ababwa
Indiana Jones, Carsland, and Mr Toad!
5:15pm on 4/21/26 by
moondance07
SFL. We're hoping to go next year. My mum said forget DL and stick with WDW, but we want to visit DL!
6:01pm on 4/21/26 by
ejhnstn
We always have to eat at the Blue Bayou since it's inside POTC
6:58pm on 4/21/26 by
AgentCarter
Indy, pirates, and Mr. Toads for sure!
7:25pm on 4/21/26 by
cobia
Pirates has always been my favorite. I grew up at DL
7:34pm on 4/21/26 by
cobia
I'm going this summer- first time. Great lists!
9:00pm on 4/21/26 by
Figment20
Mr Toad! Do the castle walk through with the story of Sleeping Beauty. Also look closely & up for the window that the Evil Queen is watching from.
9:31pm on 4/21/26 by
el_1102
I loved the canal boats and the canoes! The Spider-Man show. Walking through Grizzly Peak. Guardians and Radiator Springs Racers rides. Incredicoaster.
9:36pm on 4/21/26 by
TumbleMonkeys
The Disney Gallery is fun to check out. It's just after the right side entrance at DL park. Also agree with WOC dessert party, ask for a high top table for a good view. Sorcerer's workshop in the animation building and Redwood creek challenge trail at DCA
11:17pm on 4/21/26 by
WildernessPixie
Fantasyland especially is so packed with attractions, you get off one and the queue for the next is just a couple of steps away. No wasted space.
7:49am on 4/22/26 by
irenek
I am here now for the first time. Downtown Disney is underwhelming compared to Disney springs. Fantasy land gets incredibly packed- there is no space, but ride lines move quickly. Iconic rides are better here than WDW. Not impressed at all with food here.
11:16am on 4/22/26 by
Jsanta26
There isn't many indoor shows to filter crowds out, so nowhere to escape for a few quiet moments. Cast members are a little more scarce and less likely to interact. Being able to walk between parks is awesome. Cars land is amazing, GoTG is awesome.
11:18am on 4/22/26 by
Jsanta26
Go to the theatre where the Lincoln show is. Lots of Disney history! Paint the night is awesome. I personally like space mountain at WDW better ;)
11:20am on 4/22/26 by
Jsanta26
We did our first trip to DL/DCA last year and loved it! DS6 did Mr Toad over and over. Radiator springs is incredible. I loved the live entertainment and the chill vibe of the whole place. It was relaxing! In three days we did everything we wanted to.
11:47am on 4/22/26 by
royjoyahoy
Bump for @lori
9:16am by
T07
Ha! Already bumped
9:18am by
moondance07
Bengal BBQ
5:05pm by
JackOfAll