Disneyland for a WDW veteran

[Grendel]

Ok we have gone to WDW for the past 8 years...but were thinking of going to california for a visit instead this year....
obviously its a bit different...so how many days to we spend at a Disneyland resort and goto the two parks? also whats a good trip iterniary for first timers...San Diego?? Hollywood?? we really want to get the equivalent of our 7 day WDW vacation in califonria but not sure how to schedule it....

thanks for your help!!!!

Jason.

p.s. Also ill put a shameless plug out here too...my DD10 and I play VMK and we were going to get a Stitch collcection by booking online..but it looks like if we go were going through AAA ....so if anyone has booked a trip online and has one of these codes that they dont want ....my DD10 would love it!!!

 

[jlovesee]

An important thing to remember, Disneyland is NOTHING like Disney World. Its MUCH smaller, and you can see the outside world, hotels mostly. So you could be waiting in line for the Matterhorn and see the Holiday Inn.

With that in mind... I like Disneyland better the WDW. I really think you should atleast alot 3-4 FULL days... Disneyland itself is much bigger then the Magic Kingdom, its like they smashed MGM and Magic Kingdom together and made Fantasyland twice as large. DCA by itself is a one day park usually. Make sure to see Fantasmic and the Main Street Electrical Light Parade, those are both AMAZING, and Fantasmic at Disneyland is SO much better then the one at WDW.

For the resorts, keep in mind a Disneyland resort is not the same as the resorts at WDW. Since the whole resort is not as contained it doesn't seem to make as big of a difference. The nice part about it though is that they are all walkable. Paradise Pier is the furthest, and crosses a major street, The Disneyland Hotel is up aways from the Esplanade (the area the connects DCA and Disneyland) and is quite a walk from both parks. The monorail does stop right outside of the hotel, and you can ride it into Disneyland (it doesn't drop you off at the gate). THe Grand Californian is the best, It is built literally right over DCA and Downtown Disney, and is very similar to Wilderness Lodge in its Arts and Crafts Motif.

As far as other areas, I am only familiar with the parks, not the beaches, so I apologize ahead of time. Do not bother with Magic Mountain, there is a reason those of us in the industry call it Tragic Mountain, its a very pale shadow of what it once was. (see National Lampoon's Vacation). Don't be enticed by its mega rides, it is not worth it. Knott's is a better alternative, in that it has great thrill rides, but in a clean, well kept enviornment. Plus if you are near a Cedar Fair park (Any of the Paramount's, Cedar Point, Dorney Park, Valleyfair, Michigan's Adventure, Worlds of Fun) a Max Pass from any of those parks will gain you admission to Knott's for free. If you do go to Knotts be sure to eat at the Knott's Family Restaurant.

If you want to spend some time in a city I would recommend San Diego over LA any day. I hate LA, and would not recommend spending any more time then necessary there. I am sure there are some that would disagree. I have never been but I have heard that both Sea World and Universal Studios are very nice parks. If you have any smaller kids (5-8) you might want to look into Legoland in Carlsbad. Its a VERY beautiful park, I dare say equal to Disney when it comes to cleanliness and landscaping. It has some cute attractions and rides for younger families.

Last piece of advice. If you can, try to avoid flying into to LAX. I have flown into John Wayne Airport many times and prefer it. Not as crowded, and it seems much cleaner.

Jennifer

 

[mwehttam]

Hey Grendel,

When my DW and I were planning our DL trip for Aug '05 I used the DIS Disneyland forums. Got a lot of info and help.
On our trip we had no desire to see Hollywood or any other attractions and instead spend 5 total days in the parks. It was just the two of us and we had a great time. We flew in on a Sunday and checked into the Grand Californian and looked around DTD. Since we flew in from the East Coast we were in bed by 8PM and up for DL at 6. We Mon, Wed, Fri all DL with Tuesday and Thursday CA and then by night back in DL. Since we don't plan on going back for a long time (unless DVC is added) we felt is was the right amount of time. Got to experience everything and was able to do some tours as well.

Hope this helps.

-Matt

P.S. - love the handle. Grendel was my nickname in HS,

 

[Grendel]

wow..thanks for all the great, detailed advice.

ok let me give you some more details. Besides my wife i have DD10 and DD16. We all love WDW and are anxious to see DL. We all decided that we would prefer to stay at the Grand Californian to be totally emersed in the Disney Experience. As you can see we are huge Beach Club people at WDW and that is because of its location and being centered among so much Disney activity. I can see spending 3 days at DL parks. But I also know that since we are in California...and we are from the east coast..that my girls are going to want to see some california touristy things. San Diego is good because everyone wants to check out the zoo and animal park. We have been toying with the idea of hollywood tours...not staying necissarily in L.A. but just visiting some spots..maybe a studio tour?? or going ot universal to see how different it is from its Orlando counterpart. One of the things we were wondering is if we should spend 5 days or so in DL area...then drive down to san diego..do our stuff down there and fly out of San Diego...rather than go back up to the L.A. area. But I'd love to hear of any must see things we should do since its not likely we will make a regular habit of going to the west coast. I personally could spend a week just at DL...I like to eat and wander..people watch and soak it all in. But the girls are going to want to have that unique experience....

so given that..any more advice?

 

[Grendel]

Hey Grendel,
P.S. - love the handle. Grendel was my nickname in HS,

btw..i get alot of comments about my name..but its funny because eventhough I like Beowolf..its not where i derive the name...its really from my comic book reading days..which is more obscure...as not alot of people know that character

 

[mwehttam]

btw..i get alot of comments about my name..but its funny because eventhough I like Beowolf..its not where i derive the name...its really from my comic book reading days..which is more obscure...as not alot of people know that character

I got it in HS after we read "Grendel" which was a modern book written from Grendel's prospective. Not familiar with the comic book though...will have to look into that.

As for advice on DL, definitely use the Disneyland section of these boards. There are great DL vets down there who helped me a lot in planning my trip.

I highly recommend the GC. It is expensive but well worth it. The hotel is amazing. Since your DD will want to see other site, I think the 3 days should be good. Maybe 2 in Disneyland and 1 (if that much) in California Adventure. Back in Aug of 05, CA could be done is 1/2 a day so you can get more time in DL.

Good luck with your planning!

-Matt

 

[jlovesee]

I loved Grand California, its similar to Wilderness Lodge as I am sure you have heard, it seems more sophisticated though, not so woodsy. It does have the same tranquil, dark atmosphere. There is a tour of the Grand California (like they have at WL) that takes you throughout the hotel explaining the creation of many of the hotel's decorations, etc. Many of them are created by California Artisans. I believe it's free.

Have fun I wish I could go with you!

Jennifer

 

[belle&beast]

We are going to SanDiego this summer for a wedding and I am planning to take the kids to DL. There is something called a City Pass which for one price gets you into the SanDiego Zoo or Animal Park, Sea World and DL/CA. I am just beginning my research, but it seems like a good deal. I also have asked questions on the DL board and the people are great! Oh- one more thing- I ordered a new trip planning dvd for the sole purpose of DL information. Hope you have a great trip!

 

[mwehttam]

There is a tour of the Grand California (like they have at WL) that takes you throughout the hotel explaining the creation of many of the hotel's decorations, etc. Many of them are created by California Artisans. I believe it's free.

Yes the tour is free. My DW and I took it when we stayed there and it was very nice. It is about 45minutes long and offered in the early afternoon. 2PM I think it was.

-Matt

 

[alicenwonder99]

My family also prefers DL over WDW. But, WDW is so much easier to get to. I would never dare to drive in Southern California, dh doesn't mind. So, I can never go to DL alone, unlike WDW where the DME takes you to your hotel and back to the airport.

Anyway, the last time we were at DL, we were there in the beginning of June (right when the kids were out of school), and we stayed at DL for 5 days. It was too long of a stay...even the kids were whining "do we HAVE to go to DL again!!??" Seriously, you can see everything at DL and DCA in 2-3 days. And you don't even have to get there at opening.

We enjoy going to Huntington Beach while in So Calif. You can rent boogie boards and they have life guards. But it really makes me nervous because there always seems to be warnings of the "undertoe"...we've even seen a teen (a tourist) have to be rescued there because he couldn't get back to shore.

We like going into Hollywood and driving around Beverly Hills (Rodeo Drive).

Have a fun trip.

 

[Deb & Bill]

4 days at DL should give you enough time to do the ride, see the shows, whatever. We did DL/San Diego/West Coast/ Western States this past summer. We did the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal park. I was really disappointed in the Wild Animal park. Not as nice as AK. Looks very much like a work in progress. The zoo was very nice.

San Diego/Anaheim/Huntington Beach/etc is known for June Gloom and May Gray. We were there in early/mid June and the days were clearly not we consider to be beach weather. Water was very cold. Winds off the ocean were cold. No sun.

 

[GIGI&MIMI]

The City Pass is the way to go. You can get them at Costco and they are discounted. We paid $139 Adult and $109 Child in 10/05. It included 3 days at Disney, 1 day at Knotts, 1 day at Seaworld, and 1 day at SD Zoo or Animal Park. We stayed at Candy Cane Inn and walked in the morning and took the free shuttle back at night. It convient to stay at Disney, but not necessary as everything is so close. We were able to do DL in 2 days and CA in 1, plus you can hop so we were able to see the parades several times. The parks are so close it's easy to go back and forth.

 

[Grendel]

the other thing is were were planning an end of April trip...so im imagining that outdoor swimming is pretty much out of the question?

ive looked at the City Pass...it defintely looks a like a great deal. I was thinking of booking the vacation through AAA to get their special "fast pass" for DL..but imnot sure how getting the City Pass and still getting that feature works.

 

[quiltymom]

I LOVE DISNEYLAND! I grew up in SoCAL & I always try to go whenever we visit family. The rides are so much better, and they have ones that WDW doesn't, like the Matterhorn & Storybook Land Canals. Even the rides in Fantayland sparkle more!

I've never been to California Adventure, but then I only have 1 day to spend, so DL it is! I'd say spend at least 2 days at DL to see it all. We know the place like the back of our hands and we can "do" more than half of it by opening and closing the park! And then we haven't seen any shows or parades. There's rides to ride, silly!

Do check into getting the CityPass if you want to visit other stuff in the area. I tried looking online for you but all I could find was travel agencies selling it. You'll get good discounts on the other attractions - I just wish I remembered what they were. Sorry! But LA is a fantastic place to visit - and don't be intimidated by the driving. The drivers are the most courteous there compared to other large cities I've driven in.

Have fun!

 

[Grendel]

I LOVE DISNEYLAND! I grew up in SoCAL & I always try to go whenever we visit family. The rides are so much better, and they have ones that WDW doesn't, like the Matterhorn & Storybook Land Canals. Even the rides in Fantayland sparkle more!

I've never been to California Adventure, but then I only have 1 day to spend, so DL it is! I'd say spend at least 2 days at DL to see it all. We know the place like the back of our hands and we can "do" more than half of it by opening and closing the park! And then we haven't seen any shows or parades. There's rides to ride, silly!

Do check into getting the CityPass if you want to visit other stuff in the area. I tried looking online for you but all I could find was travel agencies selling it. You'll get good discounts on the other attractions - I just wish I remembered what they were. Sorry! But LA is a fantastic place to visit - and don't be intimidated by the driving. The drivers are the most courteous there compared to other large cities I've driven in.

Have fun!

thanks!! great info!

whats the weather like at the end of april??
i think the city pass is a must.....i know it probably sounds so touristy to locals..but we have to do a hollywood tour of some kind...
Im not worried about the driving...I drive in Boston all the time!!!