anyone been to Disneyland?

[eric8]

I've never been to Disneyland but I read yesterday that it was alot smaller than WDW. However some of the rides were a little better, etc.

So, for those of you who have been.........if you could only go to one (disneyland vs disney world) which would you choose? I would like to visit Disneyland once but I have a feeling that I would love WDW lots better.

 

[WDSearcher]

Disneyland is a classic park, and every Disney fan should visit. They have some rides (like the Indiana Jones ride) that are different from WDW, and places like New Orleans Square that WDW doesn't have. But if someone is asking "which would you rather see?", most people will answer WDW simply because there's ten times more to see and do. All of Disneyland, plus its hotels and parking lots, can fit into the Epcot parking lot, and still leave spaces empty. WDW has more variety, more diversity, more attractions, more space. Disneyland is the only park that Walt touched.

 

[missypie]

I would advise anyone with small children to go to DL in CA first. The parks are lovely and more compact, the "deluxe" hotels much more affordable. Plus, if you stay on site, you can walk everywhere...no busses, trams or boats required!

We went to DL first because my husband is the kind who exhausts us on vacation...if it can be done, it MUST be done. I figured that if there was less to do, maybe we wouldn't come back dead tired.

DL is very nice.

 

[weluv M&M]

Due to the fact that we are much closer to WDW we have visited WDW often and are BID Disney fans. When the upportunity presented itself to visit DL we thought we would give it a try. Like other posters have said it is much more compact. It is much more "doable" in a day than the very large parks in Florida. Especially great if you have young kids. California Adventure is good too. I think that if you had never been to WDW and didn't try to compare the two you would be very impressed with DL. It has many things to offer and there is still plenty of MAGIC there . In my book is see DL as a great place to visit while in California, but I see WDW as a destination for an entire vacation.

 

[WheresGoofy]

I decided a few years ago that I would go check out DL and loved it. They were starting DCA construction at the time. DL has turned into an almost annual trip. Skipped a year while my DW was pregnant. In just a couple weeks we will be going again and taking our DD for her first visit. Yes, they have some of the same rides, but some that at WDW and DL are different in ways.

Some rides that are not at WDW:
Indiana Jones and the temple of the forbidden eye - very fun - similiar to Dinosaur, but much better.
The Matterhorn bobsleds
California Screamin'
the Maliboomer
Soarin' Over California - soon to be at Epcot - DW's favorite ride
Roger Rabbits Toon Spin
Other rides at DCA - some are similiar to some offered at WDW

Rides that are different:
Splash Mountain - different boats
Space mountain - getting a makeover for the 50th celebration -was better than WDW in my opinion.
Pirates of the Carribean - much better than WDW

These are just some of the things different. We normally stay at one of the Good Neighborhood Hotels that are within walking distance of DL. Everything is nice and compact. You have DL entrance...walk across an open area and walk into DCA...walk over in the other direction and you are Downtown Disney. Very nice. The first time I took my DW, we stayed at the Grand Californian and that was very, very nice with its own entrance right into DCA.

 

[Bellefan66]

I'v been twice. Yes, it's the original, and so there's a VERY Disney feel to the place. I love their "Pirates" better. There are some differences, but mainly the size. I personally LOVE DW better. Bigger,better weather,and of course, MGM,Epcot and AK... I would love to go back someday,but given the choice, it's DW hands down!

 

[nursemelis374]

I really think a lot of it depends on where you are from and where you have been more. I grew up and still live in Southern California and have had an AP for 10 years to DL. I love it there. I went to WDW for the first time in October and had a great time, but Disneyland is still more of a magical place to me and more like 'home'. I think that this was probably why the MK was my least favorite park. It just doesn't have that same feel as DL does. I also want to add to the list of differences above that I think DL's Fantasyland is way better. The themeing of the land blows that of WDWs out of the water! I love both though and can't wait to return to WDW!

 

[LittleBoPeep]

As you can see from my signature, we've been to Disneyland quite a bit. As many have said already, there are a number of rides that WDW does not have, such as the Matterhorn (my all-time fave) and the Indiana Jones Jeep ride. And some that are common to both parks are better at Disneyland, such as the POTC and I think the Fantasmic! show is much better (but DL can't beat WDW's Splash Mountain--it is a longer ride and much more fun!!). And I totally agree with nursemelis374, DL's Fantasyland is awesome--far better than at MK. However, if you made Disneyland/Disney's California Adventure your vacation destination for a week, you'd be done with it by the end of day 3. It's great for a long weekend trip, but WDW is definitely better for a weeklong vacation.
The best thing about DL/DCA is that it's so affordable. A good number of the off-site hotels and restaurants are a 5-10 minute walk from the front gates of the parks, and a good majority of them are "Good Neighbor" hotels that have Disney deals. And while SoCal does not get as humid-hot as Florida, it does get hot--there are a lot more shaded areas to duck under than you find at WDW. DL and DCA do not have near as many character dining opportunities, but we never had any problems finding any of the characters out and about around the parks.
DH and I agree...if you had to pick one, WDW is more of a vacation experience. But you must go to DL at least once in your life to experience the magic Walt built with his own hands and wonderful imagination.

 

[Doug Whitson]

We recently did both. I would have to say the main difference is you can spend 1 to 2 weeks at WDW and never have to leave the property. Since there are only two parks (DL and CA) at Disneyland, you can do the whole thing in a few days.

I will say we stayed at the "lodge themed" hotel that is on the grounds of California Adventure park and it was one of our best ever Disney hotel experiences. On one side it looks onto the park and on the other, dowtown disney. You can definetely get that "staying in Disney" feeling you get with a WDW resort.

DL ride advantages over WDW include the Roller coaster in California Adventure - nothing touches it in WDW. Also the big Sun Wheel scared the pants off of me and my dd, and we normally will ride any coaster, etc. without breaking a sweat. Indiana Jones is similar to Dinosaur, but I like it better. There is the matterhorn which is a great "roller coaster " type ride that is a lot of fun but not too scary. The DL "racetrack ride" is much better than WDW in my opinion. The "river raft ride" in CA is three times as good as Kali River Rapids. And of course Soarin is one of Disney's better rides, but I understand it is coming to WDW this year. Another advantage they had was that the deal we were on let us have unlimited fast passes since we were staying at the hotel. That worked out good. When we got tired of Disney we did the tour of Hollywood and Beverly Hills and made a huge impression on my two dd's

I think the WDW Space Mountain is a better, less jerky ride than the DL version. And of course there are the Golf Courses , the water parks, etc.

 

[missypie]

I must add that California Screamin' at DCA is my favorite roller coaster anywhere....lots of thrills, but totally smooth!

Here is how we spend a full week's vacation at DL and were never bored:
Sat. - arrived; swam; dinner at Goofy's Kitchen
Sun. - church at Crystal Cathedral; beach
Mon. - all day at Disneyland
Tues - all day at DCA
Wed. - Universal
Thurs. - all day at Disneyland
Fri. - parkhopped between DL and DCA
Sat. - character breakfast, then home

I could have definitly skipped Universal and spent another day at the parks.

 

[Brian Noble]

I didn't have to choose, since I've been to DL last year, and am going to WDW this year. But, if I had to pick only one, I'd pick the one that's easiest to travel to---in other words, I'm in Eastern time, WDW is too, and that's where I'd go. They will both provide several days' to a week's worth of entertainment easily (especially if you also consider other attractions nearby Disneyland like Knott's, Universal Studios, etc.)

Out of our six day trip to DL, we spent one day at Knott's and the other five at DL, and *still* didn't do everything we wanted (though we did repeat several things several times.) We certainly weren't bored.

 

[henrylovespooh]

I've been to both, and I would agree with the poster that said that WDW is a vacation in itself, while DL is a stop on a vacation in California. If I went to DL again, it would be a part of a visit various places in Orange County and Los Angeles, maybe even San Diego.

 

[Montana Minnies]

I've never been to Disneyland but I read yesterday that it was alot smaller than WDW. However some of the rides were a little better, etc.

So, for those of you who have been.........if you could only go to one (disneyland vs disney world) which would you choose? I would like to visit Disneyland once but I have a feeling that I would love WDW lots better.

Eric8

I just posted the same question on one of the Disney Forums! Great information. The last time I was at Disneyland was June 2000 and California Adventure was under construction. I did not know until recently that a Downtown Disney had also been built there. A lot can change in just a short period of time it seems like with Disney! I'd like to talk my sister into going there again, besides a trip to WDW. I know my one niece is game for it since she is moving to California in just a few weeks. Wish me luck on trying to convience big sister to take a mini vacation to DL sometime in the near future I am going to send her the information posted on this thread!

 

[Maridw]

I, too, grew up in So Cal. So we went to DL annually. Now I live in FL and we try to go to WDW at least once a year.

But when we go home to CA for a visit, we always plan a visit to DL. We went this summer and went to DCA for the first time. We stayed at a Good Neighbor Hotel and walked everywhere (Restaurants, etc). We got there early and checked into our hotel, but the room was not ready. So since we already had our parking permit for the hotel, parked our car and walked on over to DL. We spent most of the day there and then around dinner, walked back and got into our room. Went to dinner and then headed back to DL.

We spent one evening just walking around Downtown Disney and then stopped in at the Grand Californian and had a drink and dessert in front of the fireplace in the lounge.

We spent part of one day in DCA.

I love Pirates at DL better than WDW. Plus I love the Matterhorn. On our second morning there we were really surprised at how few people there were there at 9-9:30. We walked onto quite a few rides. We were surprised at how much things had changed since we were there in 99. Especially in Tomorrowland. But we really enjoyed the visit.

DCA is okay, but it seemed like there weren't as many shady places to sit. It was a very warm (hot) day and after going on CA Screamin, I was feeling a little nauseous. After getting something cold to drink, that went away, but still felt they could use more benches/tables in the shade.

I will always love DL especially since I went to Grad Night there and have visited when there has been only 5000 people in the park. (Imagine walking thru Frontierland to Splash Mountain and seeing nobody at all, not even a cast member). That particular night was for College/University Students and they had expected at least 10,000 people but only had about 5000. So the park was EMPTY.

Don't even try to compare the parks as far as size, because you will be disappointed. Just remember it was the one that started it all.

 

[llij]

I used to live in California and Florida so I have been fortunate to be able to experience both places. Our latest trip to WDW was 7 weeks ago. Our latest trip to DL was 6 months ago.

I honestly can't choose between the two. They are both very special in many different ways. DL is the original...you can walk up Main Street and imagine what it was like when Walt was there. At WDW, well, it is just huge and you can go there a million times and not see it all. It is definitely a vacation destination!

I remember a poster awhile back saying that having to choose which place you liked better was like having to choose which child you loved more... It is too hard to pick b/c I love them both!

 

[my3kids]

I'm not sure that I would pick WDW over DL. I love the weather in So. CA, I love the smaller size. We left feeling like we really had done it all. I loved the walking with no need to drive or take a bus. In DL, for the most part, you think you are in the MK. Yes, some differences, but basically VERY similar. CA Adventure is different but we loved it. Loved the hotels, pools etc. I would love to go back to DL.

 

[ryley26]

I was in DL in January the park is a must see for a disney fanatuc but wdw is in my opinion worlds better. MY brother and I both went and agree pirates is better Indy is great but the rest is fair at best.

 

[DVC-Don]

Always wanted to go to DL and finally did last April. It was nice and I'm glad we went, but WDW is much better. A Disney fan should go to DL at least once.

 

[funnygarcia]

We go to DL every year.. WDW may be closer (MN) but DL is much less $$ and I feel that we can have a nice 5 day trip and not feel exhausted when done. Haven't been to WDW yet, kinda nervous about the planning required but do plan to go when DH graduates at end of 2006.

We do go each day of a 5 to 6 day trip into the parks - we ride our favorites mulitple times, take in shows/parades, take time to enjoy the small things that make the park so unique, people watch .. no commondo style needed at Disneyland!

The 50th celebration kicks off May 5th, new fireworks, new parade, tons of refurbished rides/buildings, an atttraction showcasing DL history, new Buzz ride opening , completely rebuilt Tiki Room, completely rebuilt Space Mountain to open in the fall/winter. I am totally hyped and having a hard time waiting unitl May 15th when we go!!