Disneyland sounds like a Six Flags.

[ArielRae]

Listening to the Disneyland podcast makes it sounds like a day at a Six Flags. Bad food, local crowds, and hit or miss fireworks go with a Six Flags Great Adventure day trip for us. Do you really need to plan out your day like you would for walt disney world? I never had to plan my day for Six flags.

 

[msteddom]

It really does help to go to Disneyland with a plan, even if it is just a day trip. I always have a plan of attack for fastpasses and a dining reservation somewhere.

Melissa

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Listening to the Disneyland podcast makes it sounds like a day at a Six Flags. Bad food, local crowds, and hit or miss fireworks go with a Six Flags Great Adventure day trip for us. Do you really need to plan out your day like you would for walt disney world? I never had to plan my day for Six flags.

You know you can say the exact same things about the Magic Kingdom. I've had my share of bad food, crowds, and hit or miss things, there, too. Really not a fair comparison to Six Flags. (I grew up with Six Flags Over Mid America in St. Louis - no comparison to DL in any way possible.)


Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom are copmparable experiences, except that DL is more compact and intimate. You CANNOT say the same thing about any Six Flags park.

 

[Iggipolka]

I have to defend my beloved DisneyLand! It is not a Six Flags by any stretch of the imagination. DisneyLand is wonderful and magical and the most special of all of the Disney Parks. Walking on the paths that Walt walked and seeing his special touches throughout the park, is what makes it so special.

Having a plan is always a good idea as there is a lot to see, even though the park is smaller than MK in Orlando. There's a lot of wonderful attractions, views and special things that you can miss if you treat DisneyLand like just any ol' "amusement park".

 

[mmmears]

While Disneyland is technically "smaller" than the MK, it's jam-packed with rides and attractions, way more than there are at the MK. So, yes, you really need a plan unless you go on an off-day when the park is empty.

 

[WLfan]

I knew this would be a hot-spot for many devoted Disneylanders when I saw the thread title.

Disneyland is different than MK. Fantasyland in particular. I love that they have unique rides like Alice in Wonderland (wish they had that in MK) and Pinocchio. There's the Storybook (I'm sorry I don't remember the proper name) ride and of course Matahorn. You have New Orleans Square instead of Liberty Square and the Haunted Mansion's architecture matches that theme instead of the Philadelphia/NE theme of MK. I love that there's a restaurant INSIDE Pirates! How cool is that! Isn't the new Nemo attraction at Disneyland too? I think because there are so many differences yet still the obvious similarities, you get a UNIQUE Disney feel from it. It does take planning because of the differences. You want to make sure that you hit the attractions that are unique to Disneyland.

I've been to many Six Flags and while I have fun, it is no where near the Disney experience. I go to Six Flags for big roller coasters. Being at Disney (land or MK) is an entirely different experience. It's about the magic, the atmosphere, the small details, and the history (especially rich at Disneyland). Disneyland was the first Disney park I went to when I was 4. I have to admit I have a preference for WDW, but that's also probably because I'm an eastcoaster. I've been there more as an adult so it's what I'm more familiar with.

Everyone will have their own preference, I guess. Good thing there are many Disney parks to choose from!

Now let's send Pete to Disneyland Hong Kong and Kevin to Disneyland Paris!

 

[astrodrummergirl]

Kevin to Disneyland Paris!

Yes please!!!

 

[DisneyKevin]

Yes please!!!

Say the word......just say the word.

 

[DISNEYNV]

We have not had the opportunity to take a trip to DL yet, but I hope it would never compare to a Six Flaggs. Went a few years ago in NJ and was very unimpressed. I know DL is an older park and so is the SF but the rides at DL are classic Disney rides with nastalgic flare. The rides at SF just seemed delapidated and unkept since the last time I went. I don't think adisney would let that happen to their park(s)...any of them

 

[wishspirit]

Say the word......just say the word.

THE WORD, THE WORD, THE WORD!!!

I'm sure Charlotte and me can live off even more basic student rations (esspecially as she's given up the sugary stuff, hows that going btw??) and scrounge up the money for a trip to Disneyland Paris.

You KNOW you want to Kevin!

 

[safetymom]

I don't think Disneyland is like a Six Flags. I think there is a place for Disneyland and WDW lovers. We personally vacation at DL and we live 12 miles from WDW.

 

[lugnut33]

Two words for making a Disneyland visit go well, "Hydroguy's Tips".

I love Disneyland.

 

[DWFan4Life]

Same here, we really need to plan our trip. It turns out good for us and make it as wonderful as possible.

Have a nice day.

 

[astrodrummergirl]

THE WORD, THE WORD, THE WORD!!!

I'm sure Charlotte and me can live off even more basic student rations (esspecially as she's given up the sugary stuff, hows that going btw??) and scrounge up the money for a trip to Disneyland Paris.

You KNOW you want to Kevin!

Surely if we scrounged up enough, we ourselves then couldn't afford to go and then be Kevin's entourage????

Oh and the no sugary stuff is working well, I did have a few headaches last week due to the lack of regular sugar and caffine but they've cleared up now

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Another one chiming in about Disneyland being like a 6-Flags.

I think it is better to have a plan when going to Disneyland. It saves a lot of walking back and forth, better dining experiences, and getting on more attractions.

My cousins were here this past weekend, with 3-day hoppers Thu-Fri-Sat. I met up with them Friday afternoon & all day Saturday. They were literally worn out on Thursday and Friday, and I think if they had planned out their days better they would have been able to stay later. Also, they ate junk food, so they didn't really properly fuel their bodies.

On Saturday, they went a little later (9 instead of 8am), and they had a really good meal at Ariel's Grotto (I'm talking delicious tri tip, grilled chicken, fish, etc.). They were able to stay for Fantasmic, their feet weren't killing them, and they had more energy. They did a lot, but at the same time, they also missed out on some attractions - the main thing, though, is they had a blast.

Their highlights: Aladdin the Musical (California Adventure), Toy Story Mania (California Adventure), Pirates of the Caribbean (DLand), Haunted Mansion (DLand), Animation Station with their drawings of Goofy & Mickey (Calif Adv), It's a Small World (DLand-with the new Disney characters), Fantasmic (DLand-we saw it from Riverbelle Terrace & sat in chairs instead of the ground), and my cousin's picture of Mickey Mouse & the Fireman that he got Mickey Mouse to autograph (my cousin is a fireman).

I also noted that they loved all the food, including the fried chicken at Plaza Inn. They raved about it.

 

[Matt@WDWR]

Six Flags is also trading at .26 cents a share and on the verge of bankruptcy. The best difference between Six Flags and Disneyland/MK is that there aren't roving bands of teenage boys at Disneyland/MK. hahaha

 

[DSNY4ever]

Hmm Disneyland is nothing like Six Flags. But I also don't do nearly as much planning as I need to do for WDW, it is more relaxing and I can go with the flow there.

Pete was partially right about the food. We have way less dining options (and the dining is generally just less exciting than in WDW). But there are some good table service options. I love the Plaza Inn for counter service (um, I like the fried chicken, but I like their pasta options and salads better) and the bread bowls in California Adventure's Warf area are good, and the blue ribbon bakery items taste much better to me than the baked goods in WDW. I was so disappointed with my muffins on our last WDW trip I almost didn't eat them. I do wish they would build more uniquely themed sit downs like in WDW- that is one of the most exciting things when we go to WDW! Disneyland's fireworks are WAY better. But Pete mentioned they aren't running them to save money, which I am sure is probably true, but there are also A LOT more environmental regulations due to the air quality in So. Cal that restrict how often they can do fireworks.

And if you are flying in from Florida definitely check out the area, you only need like 3 days in the DLR, San Diego and Catalina Island are beautiful

 

[stitchlover]

I grew up going to Disney World every other summer for years. As an adult I have been 6 times with my 7th trip coming next week. I love WDW and couldn't imagine how DLR could compare. We went for the first time last June and I fell in love with it. I still love WDW don't get me wrong but I really can't wait to get back to DLR. I am trying to talk DH into going there for our 20th anniversary in August. They are each so unique and different in their own ways. I worked at Six Flags Over Texas for four years and would in now way compare any of the WDW or DLR parks to that!

 

[jlmarr]

They are each so unique and different in their own ways.

Yes, isn't that great? I'm hoping this "One Disney" concept that the Podcast is talking about as a Jay Rasulo initiative doesn't infect the guest experience.