DL instead of WDW

[KCmike]

Wisconsin. Wife and I and DS7 and DD4

I personally think that DL plays better for kids of that age. Fantasyland has so many rides and unique fun attractions (casey jr, storybook canal boats, mickey and the magical map). I will warn you though that LA feels dirty till you get out into the suburbs. The ocean and the beaches are gorgeous though. Would you stay onsite or out on Harbor Blvd?

 

[Pbeh]

I'm not sure where we would stay. In Orlando we often stay at a family place so it saves us money on lodging, and we drive so we have our car and it's cheaper then airfare. So a DLR trip would be pricier for us with the airfare, hotel, plus maybe a rental car. That's been the reason we haven't gone yet.

 

[msdaisy]

Forgive me for not having an answer to the OP's question - I actually have more questions! I've only been to WDW, and never to DLR. So if this is not an inappropriate place for me to ask them (please let me know if I should start a new thread instead)...

1. I've taken Rock n Roller, and quite enjoyed it (in the dark, I could hardly tell during the inversions), but looking at California Screamin' scares the h*ll out of me. I understand this is subjective, but to you guys, which is more intense? Should I give it a shot?



2. I see that TSM isn't a fastpass attraction over in DCA, compared to in WDW. What are the wait times like? Should I worry about it if I plan to ride it in the late morning, e.g. 10.30 am

On another note, I must totally agree that i wish DLR had value / moderate resorts, on property!

3. How much of an impact do 'grad nights' in DLR have on crowds and wait times? I'm trying to pick which 3 days to visit the parks from 26 (Tue) - 29 (Fri) May, and 26-27 are grad nights, while 29 is a blockout date for SoCal Select. I'm also not sure whether to rely on touringplans (which would recommend 27-29) or isitpacked.com for a better crowd calendar!

This is my opinion of screamin. I ride rock n roller coaster every trip for my kids. It just about kills my head because it's just so rough. I rode screamin several times on our trip because I enjoyed it! Love that ride!

We didn't have a problem with TSM. However, we didn't try to ride it in the afternoon. We headed over there after RSR. It was still just about walk on when we rode it. I mainly noticed about a 30 minute wait when we would walk by it. Another shocker is Peter Plan's Flight isn't a FP ride either. We also did that one first thing one morning fearing it would be impossible like WDW.

 

[PinkBudgie]

This is my opinion of screamin. I ride rock n roller coaster every trip for my kids. It just about kills my head because it's just so rough. I rode screamin several times on our trip because I enjoyed it! Love that ride!

Yes! Every time I mention that RnRc is bumpy and rough, no one else seems to have noticed or know what I'm talking about! It gave me a headache. (Imagine if the Matterhorn went upside down!) I wanted to like that ride and did it twice just to be sure. Screamin so smooth and actually less twisty. Just the one loop.

 

[bellazachmom]

Why go to DL? Because it's the original park that Walt Disney designed. Because it's such a special place. Because there is just so much magic there.

Cool things that I love about DL:
1. The weather
2. Still has paper FP
3. Peter Pan
4. dumbo
5. POTC
6. HM
7. Great counter service options
8. There IS a Disney bubble
9. Blue Bayou - eating a meal INSIDE AN ATTRACTION!
10. Park hopping is SO easy
11. RSR
12. Tiki Room
13. it's a small world
14. The dioramas on the train loop
15. They still have Great Moment with Mr Lincoln after 60 years

I agree with ALL of these but just wanted to point out that you can eat inside TWO attractions at WDW, both in Epcot ~ there are restaurants inside the boat ride witihin Mexico and looking at the aquariums in The Seas (that now has a Nemo name that I can't quit recall )

 

[mom2rtk]

Who did you hear this from? I know there has been talk of MyMagic+ coming to DL, but I haven't seen any confirmation of what this will entail. If this is fact, I'm seriously upset right now.

Actually an article linked in post 141 of this thread in the last couple days now quotes Tom Staggs saying the likelihood of MagicBands coming to DLR is small. Stay tuned. Thing seem to be fairly fluid.

 

[SailorsWife]

Love Disneyland. The man walked those streets, had an apartment over the fire station on Main Street and Matterhorn is only at DL. Toontown is different in DL than parts of the Fantasyland in WDW. Things to me feel more intimate. They are smaller parks and closer together. I enjoy being able to walk between the parks or just "pop out" and go to Downtown Disney. The hotels are close too. The bonus to me is the Good Neighbor Hotels that are across the street. Walking distance and cheaper than the resort hotels. (You miss out on Early Entry). The dinning is more laid back. Yes, I would get reservations for any sit down place. Just not stalking the websites 6 months prior to going. Carthway Circle in California Adventure is well worth the cost of a fancy meal. Blue Bayou still is a sentimental favorite for me.

California Adventure has some more "showcasing" of the regions of California. So the waterfront area has foods and sites that just don't match WDW. Bug's Life area and Cars Land are excellent.

Disneyland has a similar layout but some things are not where you find them in WDW. it's a small world has the outside clock tower and loading area is pretty cool. Oh, the submarines. There is always rumors of them closing them down. Doubt it, the Nemo makeover took a long time and was $$.

The one thing I wish DL had still was the Country Bear's Jamboree.

 

[HydroGuy]

However, we love the immersive aspect of a WDW vacation (to us, the resorts and restaurants at WDW are as important to our vacation experience as the parks). I also don't mind the heavy planning aspect of WDW because, for me, planning the vacation is half the fun.

To me, the most attractive aspect of DLR versus WDW is the intimacy (everything is so close together). Along those lines, I sort of suspect we may end up liking the parks aspect of DLR better than WDW. But I'm concerned that we'll miss that immersive, all-inclusive feel of a WDW vacation that extends well beyond the parks.

There are so many ways to answer the OP's questions - and many of the posts in this thread touch on these.

I often say that WDW vets place higher value on the resort experience. DLR vets place more value on the park experience. You thus see ironic posts where WDW vets feel DLR is too small and DLR vets feel WDW is too big and hard to get around. Both are correct. And incorrect. Depending on what you value.

IMO DLR's smaller size makes it a better choice for those with younger children (no buses or boats to deal with strollers). WDW's larger size works better for those with teens and tweens.

As others have said DLR definitely requires less planning while WDW requires so much planning and hard fought knowledge.

DLR has better weather most of the year but I will take WDW in the Spring. DLR in the summer every time.

DLR's top shows are just plain better than those at WDW. I have decided I can no longer see Fantasmic at WDW as it just pales in comparison to DL's.

WDW does have LMA and FOTLK which I adore. And yes some rides that I adore such as RnR, EE and Philharmagic. Plus WDW has more variety and creativity in their dining options - although DLR is catching up.

Although DLR is clearly where my heart is, I love WDW and it has so many things that DLR will never have. Both are brimming with Disney magic.

 

[shirleyb]

Great thread! My first Disney experience was DL back in 1986 I think but since then, have only been to WDW. Last visit to WDW in 2013.

This summer, DD18 and I will be visiting Southern California and were planning 2 days at DL - one for each park, but this thread has me wondering if we need a 3rd day and a hopper, instead of 1 park tickets. I'd appreciate any input.

Also, what's the difference in fast passes you guys are talking about? I remember old FP at WDW that I could use outside of the window, but last trip that had changed. Is that what you're referring to?

Also, considering staying at the Embassy Suites in Anaheim. Any opinions? I have Hilton points so will be staying somewhere on my Hilton points.

 

[Pbeh]

All of these have been really helpful! I've always loved WDW, but now I really want to go to DLR too, lol. It just really stinks for us that our location and circumstances make a DLR vacation about 2x more then WDW for us (we have family in Orlando and we drive). But I think we need to experience it at least once after all of these great reports.

 

[Astridia]

I really think DLR is a much easier experience than WDW. Especially now with FP+ at WDW. DLR is smaller, but they really have used the space well. It seems that all WDW is doing lately is adding more cement!

 

[fly girl]

WDW is our base park. No doubt, as we go once a year if not twice.


That said, we love DL! It's smaller, but has so much to offer. We don't always hit Downtown Disney on our WDW visits (don't get me started on the Epcot Resorts busses ), but it's RIGHT THERE at DL!!


Cars Land, just WOW! Dh's favorite. I adore World of Color. So cool.


I agree that it isn't uber planning like WDW, which is always a wonderful change of pace. The micro-managing is even a little over the top for this Type A. (I'm not a fan of FP+, don't like the strategies with park hopping at all.)


I do miss Magic Express. We take a private shuttle, worth the cost in our eyes. But really that's not terrible.


It's worth it to try something new IMHO. It's always fun comparing the rides too. POTC, Space Mountain better at DL. Splash and ToT better at WDW.


If you can swing the added cost, GO FOR IT!

 

[dalstitch45]

Growing up on the east coast, WDW was the place my family always went. I remember the first time going to WDW and my favorite ride was 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. I truly loved WDW. I have been there so many times. We used to go at least three to four times a year. I started going to DLR in 2007 because of a work conference in Anaheim. I have to say my biggest challenge was overcoming the size of Sleeping Beauty's castle vs. Cinderella's castle. It took me until about the third trip to DLR before fell completely in love with it. I continued to love them both for different reasons. However, the more I went to DLR, the more I loved it. Now I try to make it to DLR at least three times a year. I haven't been to WDW in a couple of years. It's just different to me since they got the Magic Bands. It just seems more commercial, less about the experience.

To the OP, if you can go to DLR, please go. It is such a much more intimate place. There is something truly magical about being inside DL. I wish I lived closer, then I would go all the time. Whenever I go to DLR, I usually stay off-site. It is every expensive to stay even at PP. Everything is in such close proximity anyway. To Shirleyb, stayed at the Embassy Suites South, you will be fine there. However, being a Hilton girl myself, I like the Hilton Anaheim, and my new favorite the Doubletree Suites Convention Center.

I still miss Illuminations at Epcot. It is still the best laser/fireworks show. I also miss FOTLK show, and RNR. However, to me everything else about DLR is better. I love being able to just "wing it", and have spontaneous fun. One of my classic favorites is Mr. Toads Wild Ride. IMO, the CM's are friendlier, and the character interaction is so much better. One of my favorite seasons at DLR is Christmas Time. There are no MVMCP's, so you get to experience all the magic of the season without paying extra for it.

I'm a WDW vet who has now become a proud DLR convert.

 

[Tattylou]

We just got home from DL on Thursday. We are WDW vets and this was my first time at DL since I was a teen in the 90s (way before California Adventure existed). I wasn't sure how DL would compare, but I absolutely loved it! We are from Boston so Florida is closer for us and we usually do one Disney trip per year, which has always been to WDW, but now I am thinking we might go to DL again next year! We have to fly regardless of which one we choose so cost is pretty equal (in fact it seems that sometimes a direct flight is cheaper from Boston to LAX than to Orlando). I loved how easily accessible everything is in both parks and felt like it was more time efficient to get to rides as well as park hop. I loved Radiator Springs Racers and the Indiana Jones ride, which are unique to DL. It was also nice to be able to get a character meal reservation with 24 hours notice instead of 180 days notice. I didn't miss the Florida humidity or rain either. I would totally recommend checking out DL.

 

[larryz]

Actually an article linked in post 141 of this thread in the last couple days now quotes Tom Staggs saying the likelihood of MagicBands coming to DLR is small. Stay tuned. Thing seem to be fairly fluid.

Everybody, clap real loud! It worked to bring Tinkerbell back to life, maybe it will keep the MBs away from DLR!

 

[Astridia]

Everybody, clap real loud! It worked to bring Tinkerbell back to life, maybe it will keep the MBs away from DLR!

I think a combination of the expense and the customer backlash will prevent MB's from coming to DLR. Not that the MB's are bad, FP+ is the only thing that I hate about MDE.

 

[larryz]

I think a combination of the expense and the customer backlash will prevent MB's from coming to DLR. Not that the MB's are bad, FP+ is the only thing that I hate about MDE.

I'm still clapping... loud and hard.

 

[Astridia]

I'm still clapping... loud and hard.

Totally agree

 

[mummabear]

We also live in NZ (can't wait for the new Houston direct flight!), we basically alternate both and love them both for different reasons.
There is a thread over on the Disneyland boards called something like Disneyland for WDW vets. It is excellent.
Some quick points:
-I would definitely recommend a hopper ticket as the two parks are so close together that we treat them as one park.
-The ride concentration is excellent, there is as many between the 2 parks as between WDWs 4
-If you are going after May 22nd there will be a new parade and fireworks show to celebrate the 60th anniversary, I think there will be a new WOC as well
-The planning will probably drive you a little nuts (or maybe you will love the lack of it) the hours are not released until about 60 days out, dining cannot be booked until then either0dining doesn't book out like at WDW so you still have a good chance booking a couple of weeks out
-Be prepared Sleeping Beauty's castle is underwhelming compared to Cinderellas but there is a really cute walk through
-check historical hours, depending on the time of year you plan to travel the have a real off season where the parade and fireworks are weekends only and the parks shut pretty early plus loads of refurbs.
-As of now still FP-
-It is nowhere near as important to stay onsite, check the good neighbour hotels, some of them are closer to the parks as the onsite ones.
-Not getting into which rides are better, people have different opinions on this but Carsland is unlike anything WDW has and if you have are going between Sept and Jan the Holidays Haunted Mansion is the best!

I think it is worth the trip, we normally spend 5-10 days at DL (NZer's can buy a 10 day ticket-you will be capped at 5) then we check out other LA's offerings and drive to San Diego for SeaWorld/the Zoo.
I agree with McNs that when we are in Orlando we tend to do theme parks only(we do US, SW and drive to Tampa for BG) plus some shopping but we have done the Space Centre and things in the past, it is just that the LA area has more other things depending on your trip length

 

[Experiment]

I hope FP+ never comes to DLR. IMO it would ruin the charm.