West Coast DLR girl here! DLR is the BEST! Our family finally got to go to WDW in November 2020, and while, WOW! so much to see and do there, our "Magic Kingdom" feels so much more... Disney... than the WDW version. YMMV!
DCA started off pretty awfully (first visited in April 2001) but it has become a truly wonderful park unto itself. Cars Land is awesome. If you ever get a chance to come back for Christmas, DO IT! Cars Land does the holidays very well!
And Guardians of the Galaxy! Super fun, and while missing the creep factor of ToT, I think it's a better ride than DHS ToT (I'll admit I was a bit disappointed in DHS version - so it moves laterally, big whoop! I want THRILLS!
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But, I will defend to the death that our Pirates is far superior! (But I think WDW SM might be better than ours!)
If it's not too late, and if you can snag it, you really should try to get and ADR for Blue Bayou. One of my favorite places in the park, and heck, I haven't even been in there since they started serving alcohol! The food is - okay - the Monte Cristo of course is my go-to - but the atmosphere, especially if you hold out for a waterside table (chef's kiss)!!
So happy for you that you got Trader Sam's!! We're going in October and I am JONESIN' for some tiki and an Uh Oa! (Make sure to order the "fun" drinks!)
Really hope we can get and ADR for it!
Looking forward to reading your TR from your first visit to the Happiest Place on Earth!
ETA: If you come back to DLR, look into flying into Long Beach (LGB) as well as John Wayne (SNA). Tiny little airport, easy to navigate, super fast drive to Anaheim. We used to fly into that airport with JetBlue, but that seems to be a thing of the past now.