Change!!

[disneygal2007]

I'm actually kinda bummed. For a few months now I have been planning a trip to DW. But Friday I was looking at the cost of the whole vacation in general and it was just over 6 grand. The only way I could justify this cost as if I was working steady catering jobs and I don't have the means to do that. Well since we live 18 hours from the park that Walt built we are going to DL! Going to DW has kinda gotten me spoiled with all there is to do. Can anyone tell me about DL? I haven't been there since I was a teen and back then I wasn't the Disney addict that I am now. Please help me get excited

 

[Cheshire Figment]

When you get on Main Street, the first reaction will be "Where is the Castle"?! The Sleeping Beauty Castle is only 75 feet high while Cinderella Castle is 189 feet tall.

 

[BYC]

I have not been to DL since California Adventure was added, so i can't tell you about that. But, while I am glad I went, I would never go again. I felt like we did everything there was to do in 3/4 of a day. Now, Universal Studios was GREAT! So, maybe you can do that too!

 

[disneygal2007]

I have not been to DL since California Adventure was added, so i can't tell you about that. But, while I am glad I went, I would never go again. I felt like we did everything there was to do in 3/4 of a day. Now, Universal Studios was GREAT! So, maybe you can do that too!

We were just talking about that. I think now my kids are old enough to enjoy Universal!

 

[DorkyDisneyMom]

double post.

 

[DorkyDisneyMom]

I'm a huge Disneyland fan and have never been to WDW. I'm planning my trip to The World and am trying to get excited too.

I have a ton of things that I love about Disneyland.

I love that it's small and compact. I can pack a ton of rides in one day because the rides are in 2 parks. The 2 parks are about 100 yards apart. No need for a bus.

I love Fantasyland's charm. It oozes charm and fun. My kids love it. It has Toad and Alice and Casey Junior and Storybook Canal Boats.

It's the park that Walt built. You can go walk by his apartment every day. At night you can see his lamp from the window.

We go in December when the park is all decked out and they don't charge me extra for snow, Christmas parades, or Christmas fireworks.

The TOT doors open when you are at the top scaring you to death!

Pirates is amazing! My favorite ride. Some people say the original is the best. I'll let you know when I get back.

Food isn't great and the castle is smaller. We love the rides so for us those are just minor things. You may be disappointed by them depending on what you love about WDW.

There are a bunch of things to be excited about! You are going to Disney! Isn't that what counts?

You can't really compare the 2. They are different parks and need to be appreciated for all their differences. I love apples and oranges. I hope you do too.

 

[disney-super-mom]

My love is always torn between the two.

Whenever I go to WDW, I miss the ease of getting around between attractions, parks, and DTD, which at Disneyland is simple and easy.....I hate the fact that I have to take buses everywhere.....I miss the abundance of actual rides that Disnyeland/CA offers....and most of all, I miss some of my favorite and/or best done Disney rides. (I really do miss Disneyland's Pirates, Space Mountain, and Indiana Jones A LOT when I'm at WDW.)

Whenever I go to Disneyland, I miss the variety of themeparks and attractions/shows at WDW.....I miss not having all those Disney resorts and restaurants to choose from.....and in all honesty, I really miss Epcot, which I feel is one of the most unique parks in the world.

But......I LOVE THEM BOTH! For very different reasons, but nonetheless, I love them both and always have a magical time at both. The unique magic that each location provides are the reasons I keep going back.

You shouldn't be disappointed AT ALL. Disneyland has the magic. Trust me.

 

[Micca]

DLR is really cool. No it isn't the big expanse that WDW is, but if you love Disney in general, I think you'll really enjoy DLR.

 

[DorkyDisneyMom]

Try this link. It's from the DL board and most people find it really helpful.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[DisGirl23]

When you get on Main Street, the first reaction will be "Where is the Castle"?! The Sleeping Beauty Castle is only 75 feet high while Cinderella Castle is 189 feet tall.

So true! IIRC, the Matterhorn is the tallest thing there. The castle is still very pretty though.
I've been to DL twice and although I enjoyed it, I'm in no rush to go back. I keep saying maybe we can go for a long weekend. But, I'd want to stay at one of the DL hotels (I hate driving around California!) so, when I go to price out a long weekend, I can't pull the trigger because all I keep thinking is that I could do a whole week in Disney World (with sooo much more to offer) for only a little bit more!
You will have a great time though. Every Disney fan should experience the original park at least once!

 

[mad hatter fan]

Make sure you head farther down on the boards and check out the DL sections.

 

[disney-super-mom]

No reason to drive around if you're not staying at one of the DL hotels. There's a bunch of hotels right there across the street, some of which are closer to the front gates of DLR/CA than the Disneyland Hotel or the Paradise Pier Hotel.

I would highly recommend the Howard Johnson on Harbor Blvd, which is only a 10 minute walk at most to the front gates of Disneyland or CA. (And if you can snag an Entertainment Book rate, then that's even better! We always go when they offer those rates and book a room right away. You will pay $59 for a double/double, $69 for a deluxe queen/queen, $79 for a deluxe queen/queen with Disney view, and $99 for a kids suite which has 1 king bed and bath in one bedroom, and twin bunk beds, a twin sofa sleeper, and bath in the second bedroom. Also, it has Castaway Cove, a splash park with pirate ship water slides and hot tub. There's also a lovely quiet pool on property too.)

 

[DonaldTDuck]

My gang of 4 did DLR in 08 and had a blast. We traveled from KY so just DL and CA would not have been worth the trip, but we bought the Southern California CityPass. This included 3 Disney days, a day at USH, a day at SeaWorld and a day at either the San Diego Zoo or the Wildlife park attached to SDZ. Total cost then through Costco was under $220. We stayed 4 nights within walking distance of DL at the Cortona Inns and Suites for $63 a night and 1 night somewhere in SD. We rented a car through HotWire,com and got a Chevy Impala for $129 for a week. The car had less than 400 miles on it. We ate at Garden Walk halfway between our hotel and DL. Also, gotta echo the convenience of DtD to the parks was great. Had a remarkable meal at Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen. Don't fret you won't find stuff to do. It's LA baby. Have a blast.
In the parks, they have some rides that are incredible. California Screamin' is a great coaster. In DL they have an Alice ride and a Pinocchio ride. Fantasyland is twice WDW's with the Storyland Canals and Casey JR. The Matterhorn is fun and was the first steel coaster. Space Mountain blows WDW's out of the water. PotC is twice as long. You'll miss Pickey's Philharmagic but there's so much to do, it'll be fine


and they still have Mr. Toad's Wild Ride

 

[Donut23]

Oh my you are soooooo lucky to live that close to DL. As WDW has become a little shabby around the edges, DL seems even more of a sparkling jewel.

Yes, it's not as large as WDW....but that is such a tremendous advantage. No time wasted on busses.....5 minutes from the Grand Californian and you are on Main Street.

When you step onto Main Street some may say...oooooo...smaller. What I always see is how much more intimate Main Street is at DL.....so much more like a true main street would be.

The castle is just beautiful.....and completely accessible - unlike Cindy's castle. You are walk through it .... stand on the very stones Walk stood on so many years ago. I have to admit missing the magic of walking through the castle at WDW into Fantasy land.

Walk around on the sidewalk to the right of the castle and find the characters from Snow White. These were a gift to Walt by someone who visited DL and fell in love with it. Who? No one knows.

Fantasmic - do the dessert party. It's a far more intimate location - no big stadium. The Fantasmic dragon is soooooo much better than HS.....no comparison.

Space Mountan, Pirates, BTMRR, Indiana...so many of the rides are just plain BETTER than WDW....and the imagineers did SUCH A GREAT JOB with the design and theme of DL vs WDW.

Food is still dumbed-down like WDW....but DL's food began at a much higher level so we find it's simply better overall.

California Adventure is getting a long-overdue facelift on the southwest side of the park. When finished it will be great. As it is.....California Screaming and TSM and so great...they still pull people into the park.

TOT.....so much better than WDW!

I'll get to the resorts in a moment....but as a resort guest you can now enter California Adventure 30 minutes early. 30 minutes, you say....what's the big deal? The big deal is you can have first access to the World of Color fast passes. WOC is Fantasmic......but bigger. Take a peek at You Tube to get a peek at how great it is.

Now, resorts.

No comparison....Grand Californian is 10 times better than anything Disney built in Florida. It's the class of service the Grand Floridian wants to have (but doesn't) with Californian Craftsman theming. Just beautiful.

Same design team at the Wildie and Animal Kingdom lodge, an afternoon of discovery at this beautiful propert is not out of line. They took a tiny footprint and built an intimate resort. Photos will never totally to justice to the beautiful lobby.....nothing better than stepping inside personally.


Disneyland has advantages WDW will never be able to replicate. The advantage of being able to walk everywhere is just wonderful. You can truly immerse yourself in the experience......AND NO BUSSES <---THANK GOD!

It's cleaner than WDW, castmember far better than WDW --- perhaps this is survival since the grownups are so close in Burbank.

Think of everything they have taken away at WDW for the holidays.......resort decorations cutback, LOW gone, stage for EPCOT Christmas tree and characters out for the tree lighting, Country Bears Christmas......shall I continue or do you get the picture.

Now look at DL.....they change Haunted Mansion to the Nightmare Before Christmas.....Small World changes to Small World Holiday.....holiday season is not suffering the sad cutbacks of WDW.


My DH went the first time.....kicking and whining. It didn't take long for DL to shoot right to the top of his favorites list.

So what do you think? Think I like DL better?

 

[aenelson]

I have not been to DL since California Adventure was added, so i can't tell you about that. But, while I am glad I went, I would never go again. I felt like we did everything there was to do in 3/4 of a day. Now, Universal Studios was GREAT! So, maybe you can do that too!

Honestly I got bored with DL after a few days, try adding in Sea World, and UVS it will add to your vacation. I would stay at Cortona, because it is beautiful, low priced, and within 1/2 mile of DL.

 

[Taja]

I grew up and with Disneyland (pre-California Adventure) and still love it!

WDW is my destination resort when I have a longer period (and more $$$) to relax and enjoy. I love it for its size and self-containment.

Disneyland is a much more intimate and detailed resort. The first time I visited WDW (MK was the only park open), I was a tad disappointed. It felt unfinished compared to Disneyland. Now I enjoy both resorts for what they are and have to offer.

I've visited California Adventure only once, and that was in 2006. The Aladdin show was closed for refurb, so I didn't get to experience that. I've heard great things about it. And, of course, CA is the home of the original Soarin' attraction. Overall, CA felt rather disjointed and unfinished when I visited it--it lacked continuity. I was with several locals who visit the parks frequently, so I wasn't able to explore the entire park, which could explain the disjointed feeling. And I've heard they've been making changes at CA.

If your only interest is in the rides, you probably can go through both parks in one to two days, depending on crowds. Slow down and smell the roses a bit and give yourself three days, so you can return to favourite attractions and explore a bit more.

If you're taking a longer vacation, you can visit Universal Studios (in North Hollywood--about 60 to 90 minutes away) and Sea World and Legoland in the San Diego area (90 minutes to 2 hours, depending on traffic). If you visit San Diego, plan to stay in that area rather than drive to/from the Anaheim area. There's a lot more to do in San Diego than the two parks!

 

[sociologygirl]

I can't wait to go back to Disneyland! Love the World, but DLR has such an authentic original park feel. Loved New Orleans Square, riding Mr. Toad and all the rides in Fantasyland you can't find at the World. We stayed at the Disneyland Hotel - loved the Neverland themed pool, Goofy's kitchen and the koi pond area. Smaller, yes, but it is a wonderful resort!

 

[pickles]

perhaps, there are some savings.discounts so a trip to WDW doesnt have to be $6 grand

perhaps, give us an idea of your plans that garnered that much and we can help tighten your belt a bit.

I have done disney with 5 of us (10-13 yr old kids) eating $100 a day average..this included some sit down meals but also the basic peanut butter sandwiches brought from home. We were lucky and got plane tickets for around $150 round trip each. while we do have dvc, you can stay at one of the cheaper resorts or places like swan and dolphin seem to have specials on a regular basis or often the room discounts or free dining becomes a worthwhile deal

maybe a family of 4 staying at a value and a moderate could offer what it costs them

 

[LBIJim]

I'm actually kinda bummed. For a few months now I have been planning a trip to DW. But Friday I was looking at the cost of the whole vacation in general and it was just over 6 grand. The only way I could justify this cost as if I was working steady catering jobs and I don't have the means to do that. Well since we live 18 hours from the park that Walt built we are going to DL! Going to DW has kinda gotten me spoiled with all there is to do. Can anyone tell me about DL? I haven't been there since I was a teen and back then I wasn't the Disney addict that I am now. Please help me get excited

If you love WDW, you'll love DL. Trust me. There are a few attractions there that MK doesn't have. Matterhorn, Indiana Jones. Some of the attractions that both MK and DL have (Pirates, Haunted Mansion) are generally acknowledged to be better at DL. California Adventure is right across the plaza; no need for a bus to park hop. Downtown Disney right next to the parks. Dozens of hotels and restaurants (of varying price and quality) within walking distance.

No need to worry; you'll enjoy it.

Jim

 

[The Hendies]

I agree that $6,000 is ALOT for a vacation. We were able to get good flight prices, free dining, and we're O.K. with a value resort (we spend so much time in the parks, we barely spend any time at the resort.) For 3 adults we're at about a third of that. On the other hand, if I had a chance to be in California, I would definitely be heading to Disneyland.
Hope it all works out for you!