Another Disney Crusie or Disneyland for the first time?

[tink1970]

If you want relaxing, then I'd vote for the cruise.

If you want sort of relaxing but to visit DL, I'd go to DL for maybe 4 or 5 days and spring for Grand Californian.

I've been on 11 cruises and to DL multiple times (too lazy to count) and they are both wonderful. So win-win

 

[cruisehopeful]

Is 6 days really too much at Disney even if we are playing more of a relaxing trip. We were not planning on doing anything really out in LA but Disneyland.

Not really. You could easily go back and forth between the hotel and the parks to give yourself lots of down time. There will be plenty of things that you will want to do/see again. You may end up being there during one of the halloween parties. You need another ticket for that, but that will take up one evening. I just recently learned about mahaloween at Trader sam's at the DL Hotel. That is another extra ticket event, but if you are there during that time, that would take up another evening.

 

[Hundredacre]

OMG!! Disneyland, of course. And The Disneyland Hotel? Amazing.

 

[swimfin]

please help, we just go back last month from our 3rd trip to Disney World in 3 years and we have done 2 Disney cruises in that same period (a 7 day and a 15 day) and now we are looking at planning a trip over Halloween and we have trouble deciding between a 6 night stay at Disneyland (staying at the Disneyland Hotel) or doing a back to back cruise on the Disney Dream for a total of 7 nights. My estimate budget outlook for the trip shows that the cruise would be about $500 more then Disneyland but with a longer trip. What would others decide as the best option?

I agree, as others have said, six days is too long for Disneyland. I would say though, that if you're going for the first time to Disneyland, Halloween is a special time there. There are many things that take place during Halloween at Disneyland that WDW does not do. So if you decide to cruise this fall and wait on Disneyland may I suggest that you make your first trip to Disneyland in October of another year! Cheers!

 

[Hundredacre]

Just read everyone else's posts and I guess I am odd man out because when we went to DL for the first time, we did five days and felt we could have stayed longer. We also liked The Disneyland Hotel over The Grand Californian , although we did not stay in either. We did the Hyatt. But we did walk around and through the Disney hotels and ate in a couple of their restaurants and decided that one day when we go back and stay on site we would stay at The Disneyland Hotel. The Grand Californian was a bit dark for us and full of people who did not seem to be staying there (I guess since it is connected to the park)-- way to bustling. The Disneyland Hotel was bright, modern and retro at the same time, as well as very quiet and private. Very relaxing. We had been to wdw maybe 20 times before going to dl and dl is definitely different-- California itself makes it feel very different. The weather is so nice there compared to wdw. And I actually like florida weather, but California is something else, truly paradise. I see why so many films were made there- we took the best photos of our lives there.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

please help, we just go back last month from our 3rd trip to Disney World in 3 years and we have done 2 Disney cruises in that same period (a 7 day and a 15 day) and now we are looking at planning a trip over Halloween and we have trouble deciding between a 6 night stay at Disneyland (staying at the Disneyland Hotel) or doing a back to back cruise on the Disney Dream for a total of 7 nights. My estimate budget outlook for the trip shows that the cruise would be about $500 more then Disneyland but with a longer trip. What would others decide as the best option?

We live in AZ and are about 5.5 hours from DL so have been able to go about 3-5 times per year for the last 10 years. We've also done 4 DCL cruises and 5 trips to WDW. DCL is our favorite vacation of the 3, mainly because of the relaxation aspect.

With that said, if I was in your shoes, I'd do the DL trip and I completely disagree with most posters, I don't thing 6 days is too long. Disneyland is way more relaxed than WDW it definitely has the relaxed California vibe. You don't have to reserve everything early, (meals and fastpasses), and can fly by the seat of your pants. Because the 2 parks are so close together and you can walk to downtown Disney, and all 3 hotels it's really like being in one giant theme park that you can walk everywhere.

Also, there is just as much to do in the 2 parks as there is at the 4 parks in Florida. The weather in Southern California in October/November is beautiful, no heat to exhaust you. Crowds during that time are nothing like during Christmas as was speculated earlier, (based on being there in October every year since 2004, except 2011).

Your 6 days would be relaxed there to really soak it all in and not push yourself. As far as hotels go, I would split your stay between the Disneyland hotel and Grand Californian. I would certainly avoid Paradise Pier. DL hotel is full of whimsy and certainly Disney. GC is relaxed and pampering, definitely visit the spa while there.

BTW , Disneys California Adventure is getting an all new Soarin' Over California this year! You can also do the tour that takes you through Walt's apartment that looks over Main Street, it's really amazing to be in there. DL is truly Walt's Park and you can feel the magic walking down Main St., it has a vibe there like no other Disney entity.

Just my $.02, feel free to ask any specific questions you may have.

 

[cccdisney]

That would be nice if Disney had 3-4 night cruises out of San Diego.

They do! We did a 3 night cruise on the Wonder last October. They only do a handful a year though. Living in California, I wish they did more west coast cruises!

 

[1926Moon]

We JUST returned on Sunday from our first ever Disney Cruise (7 nights on the Fantasy) followed by our first ever WDW trip (8 nights!), however, we have been to Disneyland, many, many times - in fact, we were married in California because I wanted to spend my wedding day at Disneyland I think all of that gives me a fairly unique view. As DL vets, we were pretty overwhelmed with planning the WDW portion of the trip - all we heard and read about was how much bigger it was; how it was more, more, more; and how it was some how better. I feel like I need to defend DL and the idea of SIX WHOLE DAYS at DL

I did go to WDW with an open mind. I knew that it would be different and I can appreciate different. However, I actually ended up being underwhelmed by WDW. Yes, it is bigger, but it is so freaking spread out! You go on a ride and then you have to walk ages to get to the next one. At DL, you go on one ride, exit, and the next ride is right there! I found it fascinating that DL manages to fit into two parks what WDW fits into four, as there are actually a comparable number of rides and attractions between DL and WDW.

The California heat is different, the Florida heat exhausted us, we found we had to take way more and longer breaks, which was a pain in the butt because we had to get back to the resort :/ Taking a break at DL - simply stroll to your room, which is so much easier when wanting to go back. I found it weird that at WDW it took me longer from resort to park than my work commute at home

The crowds are different - we find way more season pass holders locals at DL, which makes for busy weekends but blessedly quiet weekdays...WDW seemed to be just steady busy. Also, we found a different attitude with guests at WDW as well.

Six days at DL - GO FOR IT!!! We are married with no kids, have been at least ten times and still get a 5-day pass Out of the five days we end up taking afternoon swim breaks on two of the days. Six days would be great, you certainly aren't going to run out of things to do, and you also won't feel rushed or like you are missing out on something.

Halloween at DL is amazing, so much fun!! The nostalgia - I only really seemed to feel the nostalgia at WDW on Main Street, whereas DL seems to have Walt written all over it, so you are a fan of the nostalgia you will appreciate that at DL.

I enjoyed WDW and I certainly wouldn't turn down a trip there, but I can't see us going every year like DL - maybe once every five years? I came home from my WDW vacation needing a vacation, something that never happened with our DL vacations!!

 

[1926Moon]

Also, I have one more thing to add - Halloween crowds at DL are nothing like xmas crowds, you could not pay me enough $$ to visit any time in the two weeks surrounding xmas, halloween is busy on the weekends, weekdays are still okay

 

[Anisum]

Disneyland is fun and I think several of the rides that you'd be familiar with in WDW. Space Mountain, POTC, Small World in particular come to mind. Character appearances are generally better than in Disney World just because it's more laid back (We saw Mary Poppins and Bert just walking around and playing with kids when we were there). The LA area has a ton of things to do but if your focus is Disneyland I would say no more than four or five days at a leisurely pace but I also did both parks in one day once so even at a more leisurely pace I feel like I may be faster to cover the parks than others. I recently came back from doing three days in the park (more like three half days because of the RunDisney races) and found we hit everything we wanted and more. With regards to the hotel I think Disneyland Hotel is perfect. It has very cool pools if you plan on relaxing a lot and of course it's where Trader Sam's is. I will say the parks are different though, you can walk between them with ease so it's good to get a park hopper and I think you'll find Disneyland caters to a more local crowd.

As far as picking it over a cruise, I wouldn't generally because I hate flying out to LA. I'm way too East Coast to ever do well in California. It's a totally different way of life. That being said, I'm all about seeing new places so if you've done the Disney cruise itinerary (or even large portions of it) that you would be booking if you chose to go on the cruise then go to California. Both are great vacations so no matter what you do you'll have a great time.

 

[kmix78]

please help, we just go back last month from our 3rd trip to Disney World in 3 years and we have done 2 Disney cruises in that same period (a 7 day and a 15 day) and now we are looking at planning a trip over Halloween and we have trouble deciding between a 6 night stay at Disneyland (staying at the Disneyland Hotel) or doing a back to back cruise on the Disney Dream for a total of 7 nights. My estimate budget outlook for the trip shows that the cruise would be about $500 more then Disneyland but with a longer trip. What would others decide as the best option?

I would do Disneyland if you've never been. 6 days is a lot for the parks though, 3-4 days for parks, then a trip to Catalina Island to round out your trip with some scenic relaxation!

 

[KimDis]

Disney Parks & Cruise Line lover here. Don't think 6 days is too long at all for a relaxing vacation at DL. Actually I think this allows you to actually do what you're aiming for. Enjoy the fine dining, al fresco spaces, rent a cabana, go to the spa. I've stayed at GCH & DH & I'm a Disney Hotel Adventure Tower girl (love the park & DTD views, easy walk to Sam's, cool pool, relatively small hotel building) but I don't think you can go very wrong with either choice.

Would it be out of line to wonder if the ABD Backstage Magic Tour is an option? It may not be due to timing or budget, but wanted to suggest it just in case.

 

[moremouse]

I haven't been to DL and would totally go there! I'd stay a whole week to be able to take in everything at DL, head over to Universal, and probably try to take in as much of the west coast scenery that I could. I'd find so much to do in California. One day...

If you're going during Halloween, they both have activities.

I hope you have a great time no matter what you choose.

 

[darnheather]

I want to go to Disneyland too, but because of flights it would be as expensive to do two night there as it cost us to do a 7 night cruise on the Magic. I keep trying to talk my girls into camping across country so that we could Disneyland as part of it but so far no go.

 

[TrySomethingNew]

ABD Backstage Magic, I have only heard great things about!! New for 2017 (maybe 16 also?) is an ABD for southern Florida/ WDW also. We've done one shorter ABD, and it was really nice and well run.

 

[jubjubrsx]

would do a cruise over DL any day...IMO DL is just to crowded all of the time for me.

 

[BruinEd03]

If you've never been to DL before, then do DL. Caveat: Ex season passholder at DL.

Yes, there may only be 2 parks, but it is more ride dense than Disney World. So you will still have to go to a bunch of rides. Also, there are sometimes you will not be able to hit the nightly shows at the same time. E.g., you won't be able to hit Phantasmic and World of Color at the same time. In addition, if you are going during Halloween, the park may close early for the Halloween Haunts. If you feel 6 days is too much, fine, have a relaxing 5 night stay and bank the extra money towards the deposit for a future cruise. You'll also be able to walk back to your hotel during the day, so you don't have to stay once you are in the park (and it can be more relaxing that way).

I know you're staying at DL Hotel, but Grand Californian also has a private entrance to Disney's California Adventures (might be a consideration if you really do think 6 days is too long - I don't).

 

[Princess Minnie of Disney]

I personally have never been to Disneyland (someday though!) but I went through a similar thing between WDW and DCL, personally I would go to Disneyland because it's not just a trip but your first trip . It's bound to be super magical and you will want to explore every little piece. I would suggest maybe doing less days or exploring what else the amazing California has to offer, perhaps with less days you can save quicker towards a Disney cruise. Either way it's bound to be amazing so have fun

 

[MaleficentRN]

Everyone should do The Mother Land (Disneyland) at least once.

 

[Hundredacre]

My Mecca= Disneyland