Another Disney Crusie or Disneyland for the first time?

[MelDane]

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?

 

[disfam3mi]

I haven't been to Disneyland yet, but from what I hear, 6 days are too much (unless you're headed to lots of other LA attractions). My vote is cruise.

 

[WDWChloe]

We were in the same "dilemma" last year. We sailed on the Fantasy last September and were set on waiting to either book our first Disneyland trip or next Disney Cruise when we get back home. Sitting at Satellite falls on the 2nd day, we decided to rebook onboard for this September! I'd say 6 days is a day or two too long to cover Disneyland/DCA. Are you planning on any other parks or stops around Cali?
We'll eventually get out to Cali, but nothing is as relaxing and all-inclusive as the cruise. Since we have stressful full-time jobs, the cruise appeals most to us. Go with your gut! What do you enjoy most?

 

[jdb in AZ]

How about 3 days at Disneyland followed by a 4-day cruise?

 

[cruisehopeful]

Since you've never been to DL, I'm inclined to suggest going there. I also recommend the Grand Californian over the Disneyland Hotel.
You will walk around a lot and stand in lines a lot. If you are up for that kind of thing, I'm sure you'll have a great time. Be sure to read the Disneyland forum on this website to get a better idea of what to expect.

If you enjoy being pampered, which is what any cruise in any room category is for me, take the back to back instead. It will really depend on how active/busy you want to be. I don't like Disneyland for longer than 3 days, but I've been going there for 45 years on a fairly regular basis.

 

[woodynjessiesmomma]

I've done DL twice, 3 park days both trips, and I'm new to cruising. DL is where it all began so if you like park time at all you should try DL imo. It's quite different from WDW and more relaxed to me.
I agree with PP, try DL for a few days then do one of the cruises out of San Diego.

 

[Love2Cruz]

I had the same dilemma and let my DD decide...for me it was WDW or a DCL cruise, she decided and it's costing me double...as a stay at WDW with my FL discount would have been half the price. But I asked her why she wants the cruise and she said " the parks are too much walking, the cruise has everything in a neat little package and plus it has CC"....can't argue with that!

 

[Captainkate]

You won't need 6 days for Disneyland. It's very small, but it's nice and worth seeing. Some of the shows are different from Disney World. But, there are lots of things to do in LA. You can to to Universal Studios, Paramount studios for a tour, the beaches are very nice..etc

 

[Pooh2]

We did 3 days at Disneyland on our first trip. I would not have minded one more day to be leisurely. And we loved the Disneyland Hotel!
Maybe do 3-4 days at DL and a 3 or 4 night cruise?

 

[wjs3]

Disneyland...but 6 days is a bit too long, so expect to have a pool day or something in there, or expect you'll be redoing some stuff. Really you should be able to see everything you want to in Disneyland in 2 days. Then California Adventure is 1-2 days...so tops 4 days (assuming lines aren't nuts)

I LOVE the cruise, don't get me wrong, but given you've never been to Disneyland and given that you seem to be a big fan, you should see another park IMHO.

Also, agree with the PP--Grand Californian! It has an entrance to DCA which is SWEET.

 

[Chica1581]

We did Disneyland in two days. Unless you want to see LA, I would do the cruise

 

[TrySomethingNew]

DL is my vote too, 6 days is a bit long, but there are other things there too. Everything is so close and compact -easy to get around. Star Wars land is going in, so part of DL is closed (check website for updated info). California Adventure was also very fun. The vibe is different at DL since so many locals are there, and it is surrounded by communities. We stayed concierge in DL hotel and it was totally worth the splurge for a few days.

But.... The cruise sounds good too. Depends on what you are looking for overall.

 

[cccdisney]

I'd do 3 to 4 days in DL and then a 3 or 4 night Disney cruise out of San Diego!

 

[MelDane]

We looked into the idea of doing a cruise after a Disneyland trip but there was not Disney cruise in the time period that works with our schedule. 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. The relaxing aspect of a cruise is what we like about a cruise. We were not even planning on getting of the ship in Nassau if we did the cruise

 

[black magic]

We have been on 2 Disney cruises and WDW 3 times. Last December was our first trip to DL. While it was neat to be there, it was VERY crowded. I'm talking Black Friday crowded at some points and we were still two weeks out from Christmas. I mention this because you say you are looking to go during Halloween. I would guess that it would/could get pretty crowded at that point too. One thing I realized by comparing my DCL trips to my "on land" Disney trips, is even though the cruise is more up front cost, I ended up spending a lot at the parks and after all was said and done, they pretty much equaled out. There is something to buy around every corner at the parks and unless you are very strong willed, you will spend quite a bit. Food is included on the cruise and we personally only went to the shops a couple of times. Now with that said, I can't wait to get back to DL, but it will be during a "slow" time(if there is such a thing).

 

[woodynjessiesmomma]

We looked into the idea of doing a cruise after a Disneyland trip but there was not Disney cruise in the time period that works with our schedule. 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. The relaxing aspect of a cruise is what we like about a cruise. We were not even planning on getting of the ship in Nassau if we did the cruise

So my 3 days at DL was open to close, not on a strict schedule but we kept moving all day. There were things both trips we missed due to schedule conflicts or rain, etc. if you do half days at the parks and enjoy the hotel I guess 6 days could work. The parks are smaller but suprisingly close in number of attractions to WDW. Check out Hydroguy's info threads under the DL section of the Dis. I can spend a while just wandering around taking in the atmosphere so I could probably find enough to do in 6 half days.
I stayed at DL hotel the last time I was there and quite enjoyed it. When DH goes back he insists on the Grand Californian. GC has villas and park views available if that appeals to you. I loved the classic feel of DLH and I would stay there again though.

 

[TrySomethingNew]

We looked into the idea of doing a cruise after a Disneyland trip but there was not Disney cruise in the time period that works with our schedule. 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. The relaxing aspect of a cruise is what we like about a cruise. We were not even planning on getting of the ship in Nassau if we did the cruise

When doing my research for the DL trip last year, a similar question came up with varied answers like here. I do remember one poster that said they go for min 10 days, but prefer at least 14. Others added similar comments of more than your 6 days was preferred. We could have easily enjoyed ourselves for 6 days, as there were things we did not get to do/see, and certainly shows we missed and restaurants we would have liked to try. They also do tours, just like at WDW. I travelled with only my 9yo, so certainly could have done more if it were just adults.

 

[jdb in AZ]

I'd do 3 to 4 days in DL and then a 3 or 4 night Disney cruise out of San Diego!

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

 

[bethy]

We are DL regulars and for a relaxing trip our minimum is 5 day park hoppers. The number of attractions is close to WDW but everything is walkable and close together. We've gone once per year for the past 10 years and still haven't seen or done everything. We travel with 3 children though.

We did WDW last year and tbh probably won't go back without a specific reason - just not our cup of tea.

We love DCL also and agree that if you want to truly relax then that should probably be your choice.

 

[Shock13]

Go to Disneyland! Halloween is so much fun at the parks. If you're into Nightmare Before Christmas, the Haunted Mansion has a holiday overlay that is fantastic. Also Space Mountain is changed to Ghost Galaxy which is a very fun and creepy ride. DL does have a Halloween party that is great but be prepared that their 'parade' is not much of anything but I think the fireworks are outstanding. Also keep in mind that many of the rides at DLR are not at WDW so you'll be experiencing lots of new things. Indiana Jones, Matterhorn and California Screamin' are so much fun. Don't get me started on how awesome Carsland is! And some of the familiar rides like POTC and SM (I think) are a bit better at DL. You could easily do 4 days at the parks if you plan on doing some relaxing and utilizing the hotel amenities. I would say to definitely do a stay at the Disneyland Hotel. I think it has a more Disney feel than the Grand Californian.
There are tons of stuff to do in California for the extra two days.
Just a small word of advice is if you do go to DLR, keep in mind it's not going to be exactly like WDW. I think both parks are great in their unique way. One is not better than the other.