Disneyland over WDW will I be disappointed

[curtisrs]

Hi all , thanks in advance for your replies. I don't want to start a fight about this. But early this year we a had a two week vacation in WDW from Australia and we just loved it. We did not think that we would be back for a very long time but friends have asked us to come with them on a trip next October to Disneyland. As much as I know that the kids 4 and 7 will love it I just wanted to know some opions on whether I will feel a lillte let down with Disneyland after being at WDW. The things I have read say that to go to both but more so if you have only been to Disneyland. I think it is just that I love the whole feel of Florida etc. Please can you let me know what you think and is it as much fun or better. This being said when we were at WDW we spent most of our time at either Magic Kingdom or MGM as did not real love Animal Kingdom or Epcot.
Thanks
Mum for Australia

 

[Albort]

you gotta know that Disneyland has no way to expand. Which is why Walt Disney World was created. Its more original in a sense.

Sorry you feel that way...

 

[Bmwdsny]

while i am a big time fan of WDW..been there 50 plus times,am a DVC member, but i DO LOVE DISNEYLAND!!! There something intimate about it and the fact that Walt orginally started there. yes, it is smaller, less parks, but there are many rides and shows..(love the Aladdan Show!! ) that WDW does not have. I go DL again and again. In fact, going there in March!!!

 

[Robert and Kelley]

I would say if you go into it with an open mind you will love both parks. We have been to both several times and they are special in their own ways. You mentioned that you were not big fans of Epcot and AK. They have nothing similar to these at Disneyland. Disneyland is very close to the MK and California Adventure is closer to the studios than any other park. I would also suggest you stay at the Disney resort to make it more special.

 

[MinnieFan]

I have to say that we had your same concerns when planning our first DL vacation, since we love WDW so much. But you will not be disappointed if you visit DL. We aboslutely loved it and would go back in a heartbeat. DL has a much more intimate feeling than WDW, but the magic is still there. And we found that, of the attractions which are in both DL and WDW, in most cases the DL version is superior (especially Pirates of the Caribbean). WDW does have the advantage when it comes to restaurants, but if dining is important to you there are some very good restaurants in the DL hotels. Hope that helps!

 

[Alex2kMommy]

Don't forget to read HydroGuy's comparison of the two resorts. I think you would find that very helpful! Here's the link:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599


We took our first trip to DL a month ago, so I have no basis for comparison, but I had been waiting nearly 40 years to go to DL, and finally did it with my DH and two young boys. It was so incredible in every way, and we had the most wonderful time! We are already planning a trip back, hopefully in fall 2007.

One thing I do like very much is that the two parks are just a walkway apart, and that our hotel was within walking distance of both. (I understand you have to drive or take a tram or something between the parks at WDW?) We used our rental car only once during our stay, and that was to get groceries right after we arrived. Next time we'll just get a cab.

 

[cinderella_mom]

We just had our first WDW vacation in August. We thoroughly enjoyed it, but there's something great about being able to park-hop back and forth. We haven't stayed at any of the hotels since we live so close, but I'm sure staying in a DLR hotel will enhance the "Disney-ness" of your trip.

Enjoy your time in CA.

 

[mad hatter fan]

We have been to Disneyland 3 times and are planning our 4th now. We took our 1st trip to WDW this last Jan. and I just have to mention that I personally was actually disappointed with the MK when compared with Disneyland. Besides that, the two destinations are very different from one another and there is plently of great things about each one to get excited about. The Indiana Jones ride is awsome and the Matterhorn and Alice in Wonderland and the Aladdin show are some of my favorites. Oh and as to wondering if you will feel the "magic" at Disneyland, I personally felt more of it at Disneyland, but maybe that has to do with which one I fell in love with first. I have found that Disneyland and WDW are very different and each has different strengths but it is OK to love them both! You should certainly try Disneyland too.

 

[HydroGuy]

A few posts above Alex2kMommy was kind enough to recommend my DLR Guide for WDW Vets. I discuss there many of these issues, but here are some nutshell obserservations.

I think the biggest risk lies in your expectations. I have seen DLR people make their first visit to WDW, and vice versa, and they expected more similarity than actually exists. For some people the differences can become a disappointment rather than something to be enjoyed. If you let DLR be DLR, and not try to force it into being WDW, it will be a great experience and will approach or maybe even surpass your WDW experience.

One of the best examples of misapplied expectations relates to castles. At MK the castle is truly spectacular and is the central landmark of the MK park. The castle at DL is one-third the size of the one at MK and not nearly as grand. It is not uncommon for a WDW vet to enter DL for the first time and be immediately disappointed by the castle. When one of your first experiences is one of disappointment then DL has to really play catch up to MK.

However, what a WDW vet often does not understand is that a DL vet does not consider the castle as the visual landmark of the park. It is obvious to DL vets that the Matterhorn mountain, adjacent to the castle, is the visual landmark. When I was a child it was always a family game as we approached DL in our car to see who would be the first one to catch a glimpse of the Matterhorn. I have since learned that many other families had a similar game.

Therefore, a WDW vet who brings the MK castle expectations to DL may be let down, but one who understands that at DL the Matterhorn is the important landmark may be lifted up, especially since MK does not even have a Matterhorn. By understanding some of the WDW vs. DLR resort differences and keeping a reasonable check on your expectations, each resort will offer the maximum enjoyment.

On a final note, I agree with "Robert and Kelley" that if you liked MK and MGM Studios the best at WDW, you are the most likely of all WDW vets to like DLR - since DL and DCA have a similar feel to MK and MGM. In fact, that is probably why I enjoyed MK and MGM Studios the most at WDW during my first trip there earlier this year.

 

[curtisrs]

Thankyou to all of you. You have all put my mind at rest that I will enjoy the whole experience. So what more can I say THANKYOU. One other question I would like to know is that we will probably stay a couple of nights in a Disney Hotel and then move of site. When in Florida we stay in a vacatiopn rental house but there seems to be very few around Disneyland so we would likt to stay in a Suite hotel. Can anyine tell what is close to the park and nice. Thanks again.
Australian Mummy

 

[Tasmen]

However, what a WDW vet often does not understand is that a DL vet does not consider the castle as the visual landmark of the park. It is obvious to DL vets that the Matterhorn mountain, adjacent to the castle, is the visual landmark. When I was a child it was always a family game as we approached DL in our car to see who would be the first one to catch a glimpse of the Matterhorn. I have since learned that many other families had a similar game.

I hadn't even thought about that until I read it here. You are right. When I lived in Los Angeles, I would go to Disneyland quite often. And for me, I always knew I was just about there and about to have a blast when I saw the Matterhorn in the distance. It is definitely one of my favorite rides in the park too. Whenever I walk into Disneyland or really even think about it, I hear in my head 'Please stay in your seats' in Spanish

 

[cats mom]

There are many, many hotel choices nearby.

I'll list a few that I have personally stayed at and would recommend, but just realize there are lots of other options too.

Embassy Suites South
Homewood Suites
Hilton Garden Inn
Hampton Inn & Suites
Residence Inn

These are all in the same general area in Garden Grove. Obviously we like that area.
It's a bit too far to walk to the parks IMO, but some folks do.
The above are all on the ART bus system as well.

Ask away if you have any questions about them and I'll try to help but you might want to try TripAdvisor too. Lots of good info and reviews from folks there.

One thing I think you'll really like about Disneyland compared to WDW, especially with the ages of your children, is the ease of getting around.

I can do a full out commando style trip to Disneyland for days and be just fine, but I just got back from only a couple of days at WDW and my feet are still killing me!

 

[allison k]

I think what everyone wrote here gives such great insight. For me, personally, DL just has a special magic which is why I will personally love it most. I always like to think it's because Walt was there for it - and is still there in spirit.

I think Hydroguy's tips are perfect. I also remember looking for Matterhorn on the way. We went every summer in daycare, and we kids would get soooooo excited when you could spot the Matterhorn. Thanks for bringing back such fond memories.

Interestingly enough, one of the reasons we love WDW so much is because we love Epcot. I would say that we spend about 2/3 of our time there. Since MK is so similar to DL, it doesn't hold as much appeal. We see the couple of things that aren't or are no longer at DL. (Country Bears )

Oh, and there is something about the Florida weather (even in the middle of the summer) that my DH and I seem to enjoy. I don't get it, we're weird.

I think you'll have a great time....

 

[allison k]

Oh, one more thing. Catsmom mentioned some hotels that are in Garden Grove. My DH grew up there and his parents still live there. There was an attempt to make it a "resort" area several years ago. When that happened, the area around Harbor/Chapman cleaned up and livened up quite a bit. It's not far from the parks at all and there are some good restaurants around. Including a Chinese place that my in-laws swear by. They've been going there for more than 20 years. Chu's Wok Inn at Chapman and Haster (I think). You know it's gotta be good when it's where the Chinese tour groups come for dinner.