Disneyland...OMG!!!!!!!!!!

[LKing]

I was gonna say, even the passholders and locals hate them too!

I wish Disney would find an area that isn't used much and designate it for pin trading (but I do get that a pin store is right across from that spot, so they want people going over there to buy pins too).

Don't they also trade at the round tables near the lockers just outside the main entrance?

 

[Chili327]

Don't they also trade at the round tables near the lockers just outside the main entrance?

That's where they should be.

 

[Rich M]

That's where they should be.

I recall seeing people doing this at Epcot. They had like 3 or 4 tables near a popcorn cart. Does that still happen?

 

[DLgal]

Don't they also trade at the round tables near the lockers just outside the main entrance?

Haven't seen that.

 

[Diana ZP]

Hubby and I are going to WDW in November…gotta tell you, not excited about it. He hates DL (I have Magic Key). He likes the World because “there is so much more to do.” Yeah, well, thats true. We haven’t been in about 15 years, went lots back in 90s and early 2000s when our boy was young, almost every year in fact. But I just can’t get up for this trip…what????? NO AVENGERS???? Are you kidding me? They should build a whole Avengers park with all the room they have!

I’m with @DLgal ,,,yeah, we DO own the place. I just love knowing where I am going, where the crowds are, what to avoid. DL is just like HOME.

I’m sure we will have a good time, see new things, looking forward to riding Tron, Everest. But I’ll be ever so happy when December rolls around and I’m back where I belong !! (And hoping that they keep running RTM through the end of the year!)

Oh, yes, let’s not forget about the cost…I can just about do my 4-5 trips to DL for what this little jaunt to Florida is costing.

I love both places...one of the BEST trips anywhere was at Disneyworld...we were super spoiled the whole time! But I have met some incredible cast members at Disneyland and had excellent memories there too! As for cost...I can do 10 days at the World on site for the same price as 5 days on site at Disneyland...just have to find the time and energy

 

[WonkaKid]

I’ve been to all six Disney parks and DL Anaheim (“the original,” I like to call it) is by far my favorite.

 

[Chili327]

I’ve been to all six Disney parks and DL Anaheim (“the original,” I like to call it) is by far my favorite.

I'm going to make a poll... it'll be interesting to see how it plays out over time.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/favorite-park-us.3927079/

 

[pks_domer]

I appreciate the post, OP! We're headed to DL next week-- DW regulars but first trip out there with the kids from the east coast. Hope we find the same joy you did!

 

[MartyParty]

I appreciate the post, OP! We're headed to DL next week-- DW regulars but first trip out there with the kids from the east coast. Hope we find the same joy you did!

Disneyland suggestion. Buy the park hopper.

We seldom do for WDW as the parks are big and we try to avoid lost time traveling between the parks.

For Disneyland we love winging it each day via a park hopper. DL and DCA are right next to each other. I love the DCA lights and sounds at night. DW loves the DL classic rides at night. With a park hopper you get to do both.

Enjoy.

 

[StarlitNight05]

Disneyland suggestion. Buy the park hopper.

We seldom do for WDW as the parks are big and we try to avoid lost time traveling between the parks.

For Disneyland we love winging it each day via a park hopper. DL and DCA are right next to each other. I love the DCA lights and sounds at night. DW loves the DL classic rides at night. With a park hopper you get to do both.

Enjoy.

Agreed! And another plus to a hopper is if one park is having a lot of ride closures, which unfortunately is somewhat common these days, you can hop to the other one (after 11am).

 

[pks_domer]

Disneyland suggestion. Buy the park hopper.

We seldom do for WDW as the parks are big and we try to avoid lost time traveling between the parks.

For Disneyland we love winging it each day via a park hopper. DL and DCA are right next to each other. I love the DCA lights and sounds at night. DW loves the DL classic rides at night. With a park hopper you get to do both.

Enjoy.

Agreed! And another plus to a hopper is if one park is having a lot of ride closures, which unfortunately is somewhat common these days, you can hop to the other one (after 11am).

Thanks! We did get hoppers, so very glad to hear you'd recommend it. Our kids are still little-- 5 and 2 (though youngest turns 3 during the trip)-- and we're still solidly in the mode of nap breaks etc. So, totally looking forward to staying at Grand Cal and popping into whichever park seems to be the thing to do after naps. We know which WDW equivalent rides will resonate with the kids, and I'm curious to see which of the unique-to-CA rides strike a chord. We grabbed Genie+ too, just for the added flexibility.

 

[irlandaise]

As for cost...I can do 10 days at the World on site for the same price as 5 days on site at Disneyland...just have to find the time and energy

How does that break down regarding park tickets, hotels, etc.?

 

[Chili327]

How does that break down regarding park tickets, hotels, etc.?

I'd guess the main difference is you have much cheaper hotel options in WDW "On Property" than DLR which are ALL very pricey compared. I assume park tix are similar unless you get a 10-day ticket at WDW where the last few days are very cheap, day 10 I believe is only like $20. DLR you can only get a 5-day ticket.

 

[starry_solo]

Don't they also trade at the round tables near the lockers just outside the main entrance?

sundays usually

 

[starry_solo]

Got it. I miss the old dinner when you could choose between the buffet and the menu. I find the buffet to be very lacking in selection overall. I do like brunch very much. Be sure to ask about the served plate selection. Not sure the advertise it still or not but last time we were there they still let us order some stuff. Its mostly the kids meal stuff like Sliders, Fries, Chicken Strips, and Grilled Cheese but they are honestly really good. The best part is the beignets if they still have them. Last time they were passion fruit. So good and nice an warm. You have to order them from your server.

do they have the corn chowder at brunch? I don’t remember seeing it on the menu

 

[HIRyeDVC]

Weather, food, and proximity. And early entry/rope drop is so much more pleasant at DLR. The biggest draw to WDW for me is Epcot. Ain't no place like it.

 

[Diana ZP]

How does that break down regarding park tickets, hotels, etc.?

The tickets do get cheaper the longer you stay, we usually do 10 days and stay at a Moderate...watching for deals etc you can do it pretty cheap

 

[irlandaise]

The tickets do get cheaper the longer you stay, we usually do 10 days and stay at a Moderate...watching for deals etc you can do it pretty cheap

And when you go to DLR you stay onsite? Is that why it's more expensive for you? Because there are certainly hotels along Harbor Blvd. that would be equivalent in price to the Moderates at WDW.

I don't currently have plans to visit WDW, but if I do I'll stay in a Deluxe again. Animal Kingdom Lodge is my favorite! I stayed at Port Orleans Riverside once and really enjoyed the boat ride to and from what's now called Disney Springs, especially at night.

 

[Dudekiwi]

We came back Friday from our first trip ever to Disneyland. We are from Rhode Island clear across the country and are WDW veterans, my oldest daughter actually works for WDW, but it's always been my dream to see the park that Walt built. Well we were not disappointed, in fact myself, wife 16 & 14 y/o all loved DL more than WDW. So much so that we are leaning toward a return to DL next year. We thought it was much more magical than WDW. We stayed at the Grand California Hotel which my WDW daughter was able to get us a Cast Member Family & Friends discount which saved us 40% off rack rate which was very nice.

I'll list our pro's & cons in no particular order.

Pros:

1) Weather- Even though it was hot and a touch muggy it was nothing like the heat we have in Florida every summer at WDW. At WDW we are shot by 7 PM from the humidity while at DL we were closing the parks.

2) People- We found the guests much more friendlier at DL. If I bumped into someone and said I'm sorry everyone had a smile and said no problem. Nobody seemed ready to tell you off and we found everyone more polite.

3) Magic- From the cast members to the characters, from the history to the rides we just found DL more magical. Last Thursday afternoon in the lobby of the GCH we ran into Ryno from the DIS who was there for the event they were going to have and we had our picture taken with him. What a great guy very friendly with a big smile and we told him we were from Rhode Island knowing he grew up in Carver, Massachusetts and he really perked up since we were fellow New Englanders.

4) Food- We thought the food was better at DL especially the quick service restaurants.

5) California Adventure- Gem of a park. I don't know what more I can say about it.

Cons:

NONE!!!

Then to top off our magical trip we were waiting to board our plane back to Boston Friday morning when a man walks toward us and my wife and I look at each other and say "is that" well yes it was. We flew back to Boston with none other than Captain Kirk, William Shatner, on our flight. He was wearing a mask but we think he was doing it more to be anonymous, but as he approached I said "Good morning Mr. Shatner" and he responded "Is it that obvious?"

What a great trip!

What a great trip report! I am glad you and your family had such a wonderful time.

 

[DLgal]

do they have the corn chowder at brunch? I don’t remember seeing it on the menu

No