Disneyland for a World family?

[danikoski]

I would like to take the family to WDW or Disneyland next year before my toddler turns 3. We are made up of my husband, myself, our toddler (who will be 3 in Nov. 2020), and my 15 year old stepson (whose has high functioning autism). We all went to WDW in June this year before SWGE opened. But my family are Star Wars fans and want to do SWGE.

Based on the amount of planning and cost, I'm leaning towards possibly doing Disneyland next year like the first week of August. We are from Iowa...by August, heat is normal...like a 100 plus heat index isn't uncommon. We'd probably go midweek, like a Tues, Wed, Thu. I know this year, crowds were lower than expected. But how bad are crowds usually on a weekday in the summer? For comparison, in June, on a Wednesday in WDW, by 9:30 on a 9 am opening day, Peter Pan was already at a 45 minute wait. And that was moderately busy. So how does DL and DCA compare?
So far my plusses for DLR include:
- Smaller footprint, not as much walking.
- Less planning...WDW has become kind of ridiculous on the planning
- A bit cheaper...we don't need as many days of tickets to do just two parks. Also, looking at staying at maybe the Howard Johnson or one of the other right off property hotels, which cost about the price of a moderate hotel at WDW.
- Potentially lower crowds than WDW.

I've been to WDW around 13 times, with four of those times in the last six years. I know how to plan a WDW trip, it's just a lot. The June trip was my family plus more family for a group of seven. And I planned it all...so I'm feeling a bit burned out on the planning aspect of WDW.

I've been to DL and DCA back in July 2009. So it's been awhile, and it was just me. I found the mornings to be calm and not super busy on a weekday, but I wasn't sure how much that's changed.

Thanks for any input or tips or thoughts!

 

[limace]

I would totally do DL-I love both but I’ll admit my bias and say DL is my favorite. I’d especially do it with the party you’re bringing since I find DL to be so much more flexible, especially on the fly, which is a plus for toddlers and those with special needs. Just being able to escape to your hotel easily or change plans on the fly is huge-without that sense of “but I booked this fast last two months ago so WE ARE GOING!!!” that WDW gives me.

 

[smartlabelprint]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599This info may help you decide?

 

[planningjollyholiday]

I think DL would be way easier with a toddler. It's a smaller park which means the attractions are closer together so there is way less walking. There are lots of hotel options within walking distance which makes it so much easier than DW to just run back for a break, and not have to deal with wasting time waiting for a bus.

 

[Blue32]

Welcome to the DL side! We are from Iowa as well! We have done 3 trips to DLR and 2 trips to WDW. While we love both resorts, there is just something about DL park. And I know my wife prefers DL to WDW.
You will enjoy the laid back feel of DL if you are getting burned out on the planning aspect. I would suggest possibly adding another day if you can swing 4 days. If not, we really enjoy the SoCal beaches as well.
If you plan to see Fantasmic I would suggest a dining package so you have a spot to sit. Many would say get MaxPass as well. I’ll be getting it the next time we go.
As far as crowds, mornings at DL are soooo nice. You can get so much done in the first 2-3 hours. Much more than at WDW parks. We also love summer at DL. Weather is warm but usually not crazy hot. Evenings feel great.
You do feel the crowds in DL park at some pinch points because of the walkways. But the wait times are usually much better than WDW.
We also enjoy the food more at DLR as well. We don’t do a lot of table service because the quick service is so good at most places there.

 

[bethannie203]

I LOVE Disneyland! We went in December 2017, not the summer, but we went on weekdays, and the crowds were great until mid-afternoon-evening, and even then they were manageable. It was just a lot more noticeable then, particularly in the walkways as others have mentioned. We did 3 1/2 days in the parks, per most people's suggestion of 2-3 days, and we wish we had planned more time. It's enough time to do everything at least once, but in our family we are repeat riders...we like to ride our favorites as many times as possible! We took full advantage of MaxPass on each day we were there, and since we don;t make it to DL often, we will definitely be purchasing that again! PhotoPass photos are included in the purchase of MaxPass, so that was an awesome extra perk! We are tentatively planning a DL trip next year (we are APs at WDW this year) and we hope to plan for 5 days in the parks this time.

The small size and therefore much less walking is a big bonus. But don't let the size fool you... DL actually has MORE attractions than WDW! And so many of them are unique to DL, and there is a special feeling of knowing Walt literally had his hand in everything designing that park, and even lived there part of the time in his apartment!
I love how easy it is to get from attraction to attraction or even park-to-park or resort-to-park and back without having to take literal hours out of your day like it does at WDW sometimes. The weather is GREAT, and the Good Neighbor Hotel we stayed in was cheaper than a Value at WDW. We stayed at Castle Inn & Suites and it was a 10-15 min. walk to the entrance. At the time we went, they were having a Book 3 nights, get the 4th free when we booked through Disney.

There are also so many restaurants within walking distance outside the parks if you are trying to save money that way, which is nice for families. Downtown Disney is also connected right there with the parks, so literally everything you can walk to easily! You can also do so much more on the fly, especially with MaxPass, so not nearly as much planning is required, as you mentioned already!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

These threads will give you lots of good information:
* DLR Info/Links - Maps, Hotels, DISer Reviews, Hydroguy's tips, NEWBIE INFO here! -- from the sticky threads at the top of the first page
From that sticky:
A DLR Guide for WDW Vets -- pre-SWGE, but still a classic thread with very helpful information
HydroGuy Tips Compilation -- so many great threads here
From the above thread:
Airport Proximity to DLR and Ground Transportation Information ~ 3TinksAndAnEeyore -- closest airports to DLR are SNA (John Wayne) and LGB (Long Beach). LAX can be a headache, but often has lower fares and direct/non-stop flights, so it's a trade off.
"HydroGuy's Hotel Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862
"Choosing the Right DLR Area Hotel for You" www.disboards.com/threads/choosing-the-right-hotel-for-you.3656512/ -- as you already know, staying off site can be a huge plus at DLR -- the money you save compared to staying on site can be put to very good use inside the parks -- and being walking distance will save you time, sanity, wear and tear, etc.
"Maxpass/Fastpass: an overview and some strategy" by @Skyegirl1999 - www.disboards.com/threads/maxpass-fastpass-an-overview-and-some-strategy.3726246/ -- read up on MP and ask any questions in this thread -- if you will be using DAS for your stepson, DAS and MP work very well together.

After you've gone over the above threads, come on back with further questions!

 

[Karin1984]

You only list pros of DL. If you put next to it a list of pros of WDW, and cons of both parks. And give a ranking to it. WDW has more to offer, but if the less planning at DL is more important, then it makes it easier to see what your 'better' option really is.