As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
So it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our long-running forums. They came online in 2000 and brought together so many wonderful Disney fans. We had friendships form, careers launch, couples marry, children born ... all because of this amazing community.
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There are other changes as well.
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We go on to the joy and through the tears
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Moving on with the current of the years.
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To a new day, we go on.
It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
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Great report Kathy, thanks for sharing your adventure! I have never been to DL and probably never will. I don't have anyone in the west to go to that would warrant a trip to DL, and WDW is just so much closer to me...and bigger! LOL
DisneyDana, Ashli, and I always have this argument. D-Dana prefers DL and she is always saying that is has a charm that WDW doesn't have. I can't judge bc of never going to DL, but I can say from everything I have seen and read, I am a WDW girl all the way. Now Ashli just went to DL this year and she said that there were a few things that she felt were better, but overall she is a WDW gal all the way too. We are always debating if DL is Wa;t's original vision (which is Dana's opinion) or whether WDW was Walt's ultimate vision (mine and Ashli's opinion). I just found it interesting that you said the same things Dana always says.
Anyhow, great end to your report!
Just to continue the "argument". I don't like DL better than WDW. I like DL better than WDW's Magic Kingdom just because of that spark of charm and knowing that Walt had his hands all over that park. When I'm choosing a vacation spot I'll take WDW over DLR any day for a long trip. You don't get that "whole other world" feeling at DL because it's smack in the middle of the urban sprawl. We're lucky to have all these great places to go and I'm glad each park has its fervent proponents.
[QUOTE=lauriep;3815699] When I'm choosing a vacation spot I'll take WDW over DLR any day for a long trip. You don't get that "whole other world" feeling at DL because it's smack in the middle of the urban sprawl. QUOTE]
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Thank you so much for sharing your trip with us, you've gotten me so excited to go back to DL next year! I agree, many of the shared rides are better at DL. I find Space and Pirates to be much better there.
Thanks for sharing! I'm glad you had a chance to see DL for yourself! I remember the first time I visited WDW (and only time so far!). It was so huge! I grew up with Walt's little Disneyland! I hope you have a chance to make it back to DLR soon!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shnewell
Great TR, Kathy!! Thanks for sharing your vacation with us!
I agree with you that DLR has a certain charm that WDW lacks. When we planned our first trip to DLR in September 2010, everyone told us we would be disappointed by it because we had been to WDW so many times. On the contrary, we fell in love with it! It is a nice way to get a Disney "fix" without the overwhelming-ness (ok, that's not really a word) of a WDW trip.
I'm glad you enjoyed your trip and hope you will get a chance to return to DLR soon!!
I had people tell I would be disappointed in how small DLR was. But I wasn't disappointed at all. Like you, I fell in love with the park and can't wait to go back!
Quote:
Originally Posted by cubfancolleen
Great TR, Kathy! Makes me miss DL! I agree that their version of the same rides is often better, and can say that goes for PotC and Splash Mtn.
Hope you're able to get back there again to spend more time.
Thanks for reading along!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
Great wrap up! Thanks for sharing your trip with us!
You're Welcome, and thanks for reading!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep
Thanks, Kathy. I really enjoyed the TR and wrap-up. I agree with you that the feel of DL is just more Disney than MK. I think Pirates and Splash are the only two rides I've done at both parks. Small World was closed for re-hab when I was at DL. Pirates I agree is better at DL. Splash I like better at WDW because I don't like the logs at DL. I love just walking around DL-- charm is the perfect description.
Thanks for all the tips on the things at DCA I've never done. I can't wait!
As much as I love WDW, I can see why the people of California love Disneyland so much. I really just want to live in Fantasyland!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by OneLittleSpark
Great report Kathy, thanks for sharing your adventure! I have never been to DL and probably never will. I don't have anyone in the west to go to that would warrant a trip to DL, and WDW is just so much closer to me...and bigger! LOL
DisneyDana, Ashli, and I always have this argument. D-Dana prefers DL and she is always saying that is has a charm that WDW doesn't have. I can't judge bc of never going to DL, but I can say from everything I have seen and read, I am a WDW girl all the way. Now Ashli just went to DL this year and she said that there were a few things that she felt were better, but overall she is a WDW gal all the way too. We are always debating if DL is Wa;t's original vision (which is Dana's opinion) or whether WDW was Walt's ultimate vision (mine and Ashli's opinion). I just found it interesting that you said the same things Dana always says.
Anyhow, great end to your report!
I have to say that WDW will always have that special place in my heart. It's the park I grew up going too. I do agree that I think WDW was what Walt's ultimate's vision was. But there is certainly Walt's fingerprints and vision all over Disneyland that could never be duplicated at WDW. I think that is what makes Disneyland so special.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep
Just to continue the "argument". I don't like DL better than WDW. I like DL better than WDW's Magic Kingdom just because of that spark of charm and knowing that Walt had his hands all over that park. When I'm choosing a vacation spot I'll take WDW over DLR any day for a long trip. You don't get that "whole other world" feeling at DL because it's smack in the middle of the urban sprawl. We're lucky to have all these great places to go and I'm glad each park has its fervent proponents.
I agree, there is no Disney bubble at Disneyland. I wonder if you stay at a hotel on Disney property there, you feel different. And that's a plus for WDW. You pass under those gates and there is no outside world. It's Disney 24/7!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Great finish Kathy! Thanks for sharing your trip with us! Having rode both PotC and Space Mt at DL, they are better there as well than at WDW!
Thanks for reading along! Hopefully I will be able to get back to DL and ride PoTC one of these days!!
[QUOTE=OneLittleSpark;3815825]
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep
When I'm choosing a vacation spot I'll take WDW over DLR any day for a long trip. You don't get that "whole other world" feeling at DL because it's smack in the middle of the urban sprawl. QUOTE]
Which is exactly why I love WDW!
Nothing beats the Disney Bubble!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by WishIwasinDisney
Thank you so much for sharing your trip with us, you've gotten me so excited to go back to DL next year! I agree, many of the shared rides are better at DL. I find Space and Pirates to be much better there.
I'm glad my report can add to your excitement of you upcoming trip!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by PrincessSharon
Great finish, Kathy! I enjoyed your TR. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Thank you for reading along!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dlandmom2
Thanks for sharing! I'm glad you had a chance to see DL for yourself! I remember the first time I visited WDW (and only time so far!). It was so huge! I grew up with Walt's little Disneyland! I hope you have a chance to make it back to DLR soon!
Me too! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for next year at Christmas time!!! I really want to see Cars Land!
Quote:
Originally Posted by ilovedisney247
Thanks for sharing your trip to DL! I can't wait to go next month!
Thanks for reading Heather!! I hope you do a TR for your DL trip. I would love to hear your thoughts on DL!!
I know I'm late to the party in reading your TR but thanks so much for sharing it with us. I enjoyed it.
Quote:
I loved the addition of the characters to Small World. I've heard others say they don't like them, but I think it's a cute touch
I haven't seen the SW changes in person but I've seen them on YouTube videos and I think the addition was done very nicely and it all ties in together so I guess I don't get why people don't like it. I'd love to see them in person but I'm not sure if we'll ever get out to California.
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Sparky hush up! You have never even been to DL, you can't chooooose!
But I have, and I'll vouch for the fact that Spark would like WDW better anyway! Just like ME! LOL!
Kathy, I have no idea how I missed your TR before! I went to DLR just a couple months before you (end of June 2011). I'd been to DL once before, but that was pre-DCA, so I had a lot of new things to see. As Spark said, I prefer WDW, but I'd never turn down the chance to visit a Disney park! My ranking order would be #1 - WDW, #2 - DL Paris, #3 - DLCA.
I liked that you went on Matterhorn but not Space Mt because you don't like it at WDW. I feel the same way, and would you know that I found out later that Matterhorn has the exact same track as SM at WDW? I guess it's not so bad since you're not in the dark and can brace yourself a bit for the sharp turns. I did end up going on SM at DL to appease DH, but I hated it even more than SM at WDW. It just goes around and around and around and around and by the end I was feeling seriously ill. I'll definitely be skipping that one next time!
Anyway, I liked your TR and reading your thoughts on the two parks. You definitely need to try to hit the MNSSHP at WDW sometime. It's really awesome and to me it feels more Hallowen intensive with how big and dark MK can be.
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Better late then never, Ashli!!! Glad you enjoyed reading about my trip. I had no idea that you had been there just a few months before me. I'd really love to go back now that all the construction work at DCA is done. It looks awesome! WDW will also be #1, but DL now holds a special place in my heart too
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Thanks for sharing your trip with us! 
"Sparky"(My first trip.)
Thanks for sharing your TR! 
I guess it's not so bad since you're not in the dark and can brace yourself a bit for the sharp turns. I did end up going on SM at DL to appease DH, but I hated it even more than SM at WDW. It just goes around and around and around and around and by the end I was feeling seriously ill. I'll definitely be skipping that one next time!
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