Disney Land Worth a Trip?

[Coach81]

How does Disney Land compare to WDW? Thinking of taking a trip there perhaps in the years to come. Is it worth it?

 

[chalee94]

here is a very helpful thread:

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

IMO it's worth it, but it's a very different experience... i probably wouldn't spend more than a few days there.

 

[TMB1203]

IMO it's worth it, but it's a very different experience... i probably wouldn't spend more than a few days there.

I totally agree! Worth the trip, but not more than a few days.
I love the fact that everything is in walking distance (no waiting for transportation) and that from the GC you can walk right into CA.
IMO, the crowds are harder to deal with at DL-it seems much more crowded than WDW.

 

[wideeyedwonder]

How does Disney Land compare to WDW? Thinking of taking a trip there perhaps in the years to come. Is it worth it?

The short answer is "yes", but the long answer is much more complicated (certain rides are different, certain others don't exist at WDW, number of rides isn't vastly different even though it's 2 parks vs. 4, you don't need to board any transportation if you stay at an on-site hotel, etc. etc. etc.)

Search the Disneyland forum for similar questions, or, just ask your question there. There are many WDW + DL vets that can go into much more detail on "why Disneyland?":

http://disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=26

My current preference is DLR (over WDW), but it's partially based on a lot to do in a walkable space. We do miss Epcot, however, so maybe every 5 years we'll do WDW...thank God for DVC!

 

[thelionqueen]

DEFINITELY YES!!

I disagree with other posters that say a few days is sufficient. Especially if you haven't been to DL you need at least 4 days IMO. There are some "can't miss" attractions that are very time consuming (Aladdin show comes immediately to mind as well as Submarine Voyage).

Also, if you plan on going in late 2010 or beyond, Carsland will be open as well as World of color and the Little Mermaid ride, not to mention all the other improvements @ DCA.

I absolutely love DL and have been more times than I can count (at least 30). We stay at least 7 nights, but that includes time at the beach (less than 20 mins away) as well as a day @ Knott's Berry Farm (less than 15 mins away).

DL is very much a different experience than WDW, but is so excellent and is a MUST DO for everyone IMHO.

 

[Anal Annie]

We went for 3 nights as an add-on to our 2005 DCL (the first time they did the Mexican Riviera) and we were glad that we went. Three days was plenty to do both parks tho - it is not a week long thing like FL. That was before we bought DVC and bought AP's. We would go again if Disney would allow our AP's to be used on both coasts. That should be an option somewhere. We would likely split our trips between both coasts if the passes had more diversity. We actually ALMOST planned a trip to DL this past spring. I found good airfare (about $200 pp) and was prepared to call MS & see about using points at Paradise Pier (me thinks VGC is over priced per point so we'd likely not stay there) and then we realized that we'd also have to buy park tix. Well, that made it not so affordable anymore so we didn't go.

This Friday DCL is set to announce their 2011 itineraries at the D23 Expo in Anaheim. They've already said they're repositioning the Wonder in early 2011 to LA - maybe you could tie a trip to DL as an add-on to a DCL like we did?! That worked out well.

 

[chalee94]

a few of the differences:

you can dine at a restaurant in DL while the pirates of the caribbean riders drift past...

Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride is still there
Finding Nemo Submarine ride
matterhorn ride
in december, the haunted mansion at DL has a holiday overlay

Fantasmic is different
they also get a flying dumbo during the fireworks show

 

[funatdisney]

And let's not forget that the It's a Small World is just stunning during the Holiday season. A must see that you won't soon forget.

I think if you were to go to DLR one time only, I would pick December. Not only is it a very special time and the parks are decorated, but HM and IASW are completely diferent this time of year. Both are a must see and worth the trip.

I also must say, Halloween Time is also very unique to DLR when compared to WDW, and is the second choice I would recommend for a visit.

 

[robert@dvcstore]

I agree with all the previous posters. But, the best part for me about Disneyland is that it is "Walt's Park". Imagine Walt walking the park the day before opening, overseeing his kingdom. Many original ideas for a Disney theme park came from Walt and Disneyland. That type of history you just don't find at Walt Disney World.

If you have a chance to read a biography of Walt before you travel to Disneyland, you will enjoy the park that much more. I am glad to see that they are incorporating many of Walt's California adventures into the rebuilding of Disney's California Adventure. We can't forget that it all started with a mouse and a man named Walt Disney.

Robert

 

[Coach81]

Thanks for all the responses. Looks like I'll need to do a bit more homework on the parks before we make a decision. The info is much appreciated.

 

[Oshawa]

We just got back yesterday from our first ever trip to Disneyland. We loved it. We stayed at the GC. I loved that you were able to walk to the parks.

We purchased a 6 day park hopper (it was on sale for the price of a 4 day). We just wanted to be in the parks and enjoy everything that Walt dreamed of. It does have totally different vibe to it. Like he is still there. It was really touching to see the light on his office over top of the fire station.

We have been to WDW 4 times now but this was a totally different experience. We do plan on going back sometime in the future. Once the changes are made DCA.

 

[mattmommy]

It's like having 2 kids. Which do you love more?

DL was the original, but WDW improved on some things.

Some top attractions:

Indiana Jones ride (like Dinosaur but WAY better)

The Aladdin Show (on a Broadway caliber in a real theater

All the rides are EMPTY during Fantasmic.

Walk between the two parks.

 

[DVC Mike]

yes!

 

[malonefamily]

There are dozens of modest differences, and a decent list of large differences between the attractions available between the two coasts. But the real difference is that the DLR, if you stay at the GCV, is unique in all of the Disney experiences. I compare it to what it would be like if Epcot and the Magic Kingdom were side by side and you were staying the the Yacht or Beach Club... the very best Disney has to offer, with zero bus riding, car parking, tram riding, etc.

We usually do 3 or 4 days at the two parks, 1 day at Knotts Berry Farm (with dinner at Medieval Times or similar that night), and then, when we're feeling indulgent, maybe a day for Universal Studios, SeaWorld or another southern CA attraction... there are many of course. It's easy to spend a week at DLR if you want to, but the core Disney parks are 3-4 days for most people.

It amazes me how many attractions are in Disneyland itself, the imagineers make use of every square inch of that park to their full advantage.

 

[tink_lover]

We LOVED DL and hope to go back soon! Everyone is going to have different answers based on personal preferences....i.e. I disagree with previous poster regarding Indiana Jones being better than Dinosaur. The word that describes DL is charming. It is a beautiful park. Our family felt that ride comparison to ride, DL won hands down. And as far as crowdedness of the park (is that a word?), DL over spring break was very light in crowds compared to our prior 3 spring break trips to WDW. I'm sure it depends on the time of year you visit. We did miss Epcot and AK which is why I came home and booked the trip we took last week We loved GC and look forward to staying there again.

 

[jerseygal]

Loved being so close to the action! Loved the GCH; beautiful resort; great service! Really enjoyed Downtown Disney.. so close! Did 4 nights GCH/3 nights San Diego! Loved DL, but I especially loved combining with another city!

IF you're beach lovers, try Huntington Beach, which is about 25/30 minutes by car from GCH! Great beach!

Can't wait to return in about 2/3 yrs! Can't wait for the enhancements to CA I believe they said 2011? Little Mermaid Show, Brand New Viewing Platform for Fantasmic I think they said?

Hope I can book 7 months out in a few years at GCV! Models at GCV looked AWESOME!

Had 8 days of sunny weather! Not 1 drop of rain! AWESOME WEATHER!

 

[jerseygal]

Good Luck on your decision! Disneyland California Forum has great info!

 

[Inkmahm]

Loved being so close to the action! Loved the GCH; beautiful resort; great service! Really enjoyed Downtown Disney.. so close! Did 4 nights GCH/3 nights San Diego! Loved DL, but I especially loved combining with another city!

IF you're beach lovers, try Huntington Beach, which is about 25/30 minutes by car from GCH! Great beach!

Can't wait to return in about 2/3 yrs! Can't wait for the enhancements to CA I believe they said 2011? Little Mermaid Show, Brand New Viewing Platform for Fantasmic I think they said?

Hope I can book 7 months out in a few years at GCV! Models at GCV looked AWESOME!

Had 8 days of sunny weather! Not 1 drop of rain! AWESOME WEATHER!

I was there in August and agree with all of the above.

We did 3 full days in the parks and htat was the right amount of time, I think.

We love WDW but Disneyland is also great. Disneyland Paris is very very similar to Disneyland in CA. Same kind of layout with two parks very close and downtown Disney right there. I love that layout, very easy to walk everywhere. The GCH is great, too. Very similar to the WL, a personal favorite.

 

[rentayenta]

It's totally worth it. Once DCA is complete in 2012, we will be back!

 

[Deb & Bill]

DL is outstanding. I'd go back in a minute. In fact, we're talking about taking our son to college in Fall '12 and he's looking at the NW states. Bill suggested we take a side trip to Vancouver Island and visit Victoria BC again. I said what about DL???

And if our son decides to stay in Louisiana or Texas instead, we can still head out west without him (but he'll be mad).