Disneyland trip regret??

[mmmears]

We live in CA, so obviously go to DLR more often than WDW, but here's my 2 cents:

WDW is great for a week or 2 week vacation. We absolutely love it. But DLR is just as great, just a different kind of vacation for us (more of a long weekend).


DLR Pros:

It takes less days to see and do everything.

You can walk to both parks (and park hop in about 2 minutes of walking).

In DL, your next ride/experience is just around the corner. You'll be shocked at how close the attractions are to each other. Makes touring SO much easier.

Fantasyland, Fantasyland, Fantasyland. Rides like Storybookland Canal, Casey Jr., Mr. Toad, Pinocchio and Alice in Wonderland just dont exist in WDW, and we always miss these gems when in FL.

Pirates is the BEST in DLR, always disappoints us in WDW. It's also really nice to dine inside the ride and become part of the scenery at the Blue Bayou.

Indiana Jones is spectacular.

Roger Rabbit and Monsters, Inc. are also only at DLR.

The Aladdin Show at DCA is fantastic, as well.

** One thing -- if you are used to staying at the themed hotels at WDW, I would suggest the Grand California Resort if you can stay there. Kinda reminds me of a mission-style WL, really beautiful architecture inside, and terriffic location.

If you are looking for a longer vacation, I would suggest taking in some other LA/SD attractions. We've often spent a few days in LA then moved to SD for the rest of the week. LA has Universal, the La Brea Tar Pits (really cool) and an American Girl store. SD has the zoo, Sea World (which IMO is not as good as the one in Orlando) and Legoland, which is really fun for the younger set.

Good luck making your decision. It's a hard one, but if your expectations are realistic, you'll probably have a fantastic time experiencing the new attractions and parks!

 

[RMH]

I completely agree that setting expectations is the key to enjoying either destination. Our only trip to WDW was a disappointment because we planned it like a DL trip. We stayed off site thinking we would still be close (WRONG - it took us 30 minutes to drive back to the hotel each night). We went in early Feb thinking we would have no crowds and be able to walk on to all the rides (WRONG - although a CM did tell us it was not crowded at all for WDW standards). We planned to Park Hop - we figured 4 parks and lots of hopping (WRONG - we spend way too much time getting from place to place).

Our unanimous favorite day was our day at Sea World since it was exactly what we expected - we went from out hotel to Sea World for the day and back to the hotel.

As for gang members we didn't see them at any of the parks, but they were there in force at the biggest McDonalds in the US which for some perverted reason was on our itinerary. We didn't spend a lot of time eating and I was just glad to get out of the parking lot with all 4 wheels and all 3 kids.

It has been said before - if you treat WDW like DL, you will be disappointed. And likely if you treat and plan DL like WDW you will be disappointed as well. Fortunately there is a lot of great info on these boards to help in the planning and hopefully no one will make the same mistake I did. Where were you all when I needed you ???

 

[MissRoseRed]

Would adding two days before Day 1 be overwhelming? I don't know any of the areas and I thought it would be fun but WDW is so much work, ya know? I feel like if I tried to go to WDW for 2 days I would leave extremely stressed or disappointed because I missed stuff and had spent so much money. Does that make sense? On one hand I am sure we can relax leisurely around the Sand Diego zoo or the other full days I just don't want to feel like I will get back to NY and need a vacation from my vacation, ya know? What do you think?

ThinkTink: Doing DLR at the start of such a big trip definitely will take a bit of a toll on you. I added 3 days of DLR onto the beginning of a business trip this time and I am still trying to recover 2 weeks later. But, since the rest of your trip seems pretty energetic, I'm guessing you're up for it. I think you might regret not going more than going. After all, you're there -- you should check it out. WDW is darn near impossible in 2 or 3 days (I've tried), but that's plenty of time to have a nice DLR experience. My first time was only a day trip and I left happy. Sure, there are things you will miss, but you can catch most of it and know if it's worth ever going back for more. (and I didn't spend very much there -- it's not nearly as expensive as the world)

Even though I probably sounded a little negative in my first post, I do think DLR is something all Disney fans should experience -- especially if it can be added on to something else. Like someone in here said, it might not be worth flying all the way across the country just for that, and if I could only do one Disney trip it would be to WDW, but DLR is cool.

 

[Captjackson]

Hey guys! It's always fun for me to read these DLR vs WDW threads when they pop up. I've always considered myself a DLR honk, but I gotta admit that my feelings might be changing after our last WDW trip. I can see how a WDW vet might be "let down" by a DLR visit. Certainly, you can't completely immerse yourself in all things Disney at DLR like you can at WDW. It's still magical to me walking down Main Street and seeing Sleeping Beauty's Castle, even if she didn't marry as well as Cinderella did. I still think that DL is better than any individual park in Orlando. However, if time and finances allowed, I'd like our next Disney trip to be in Orlando.

To the OP: If you go to Disneyland expecting the same experience as WDW, then yes, you probably will be dissapointed. However, if you look at it as a new experience that still Disney, then I think you will not regret it. My advice would be to go and enjoy.

 

[GeminiAngel]

Ok so here is my question...
My boyfriend and I are going to WDW for our second time this summer! Yeah! But the vacation I want to take in Summer 2008 is a big one so I am starting my planning now to get an idea of how much I want to save during the school year (I am a social studies teacher). The trip is a tour with the Contiki group... its an 8 day vacation that starts in LA, but the tour just starts there- no sight seeing time is included. Since its going to cost us an arm and a leg for flights we figured we should make the best of it and fly in a little earlier (2 days) to see LA. Of course, to me that means Disneyland! Here is the basic outline of the tour group:

Day 1: Los Angeles (Anaheim) to Tiahuana to San Diego
Day 2: San Diego
Day 3: San Diego to Phoenix
Day 4: Phoenix to the Grand Canyon
Day 5: Grand Canyon National Park
Day 6: Grand Canyon to Las Vegas
Day 7: Las Vegas at leisure
Day 8: Las Vegas to home (NY)

Would adding two days before Day 1 be overwhelming? I don't know any of the areas and I thought it would be fun but WDW is so much work, ya know? I feel like if I tried to go to WDW for 2 days I would leave extremely stressed or disappointed because I missed stuff and had spent so much money. Does that make sense? On one hand I am sure we can relax leisurely around the Sand Diego zoo or the other full days I just don't want to feel like I will get back to NY and need a vacation from my vacation, ya know? What do you think?

Why on God's green earth would you visit Vegas during the fire pits of hell months of summer!? I live here, cause I'm prepping for my final resting place. LOL!!

 

[Parkhopper]

We have gone to WDW every year since it opened and have taken 5-6 trips there every year since 1999, so I would say that we have been there a lot!

That said, I wanted to go to Disneyland in 2003 and was told by numerous people that I would be bored and it would be a disappointment. I went with the attitude that I would enjoy the park that Walt walked in.

What happened was the EXACT opposite of what people told me. Instead of being disappointed in DL, I was embarrassed that WDW was so inferior in so many ways. WDW has an abundance of space...but does not utilize it well.

The feel of the Disneyland park is very different from the Magic Kingdom at WDW. It is smaller. My feet appreciated how much smaller as I never had a night where I felt like I needed to hobble back to bed. I did feel like I was "home" and someone had rearranged all of my furniture. It was an odd feeling to hear someone ask where the nearest bathroom was and realize that...I didn't KNOW!

So many of the attractions are far superior in DL. Space Mountain is AMAZING, It's a Small World, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Enchanted Tiki Room are so much better than their counterparts in WDW. Then there are some attractions in DL that do not even exist in WDW like Indiana Jones, Matterhorn, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Storybookland, Alice in Wonderland, Casey Jr., etc.

The dark rides in DL were better too. I was amazed to feel like I was going through Peter Pan and Snow White's Scary Adventure by myself as I could not see a car in front of me.

Instead of feeling let down by DL, I was embarrassed that WDW did not do more (or even as much as DL did) when they had such a luxury of space. Why did the attractions become inferior...why was the theming less?

I say GO! Enjoy Disneyland for there is plenty to enjoy!

Suzi

 

[pittypat]

We've been to both parks and LOVE them both. I don't think I could say which I "prefer". I've read almost all of this thread but may have missed if the OP said if she/he had kids and how old they are. DL with small children is a much easier experience that WDW. We found WDW to be exhausting with little ones, but DL was no problem.

 

[ThinkTink75]

Why on God's green earth would you visit Vegas during the fire pits of hell months of summer!? I live here, cause I'm prepping for my final resting place. LOL!!

LOL! That cracked me up!
I am pretty sure it will feel even worse in the desert! lol! We only have small windows of opportunity time since we are NYers and I am a teacher with summer being mid-june through early september!
We are thinking of ditching the tour and splitting it up ourselves...

Maybe a summer trip to see the sights in LA, Hollywood, San Diego (maybe cross the border into Tiahuana for a night) and then come back to go to Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Red Rocks on our own during cooler months like December or March during the breaks.

I guess you would agree on that- not being in the desert states during the hazardous to your health heat!

 

[quiltymom]

The feel of the Disneyland park is very different from the Magic Kingdom at WDW. It is smaller. My feet appreciated how much smaller as I never had a night where I felt like I needed to hobble back to bed. I did feel like I was "home" and someone had rearranged all of my furniture. It was an odd feeling to hear someone ask where the nearest bathroom was and realize that...I didn't KNOW!

Ain't it the truth? I'm so used to DL, that when I go to the MK I have a real bad sense of deja vu... I think I know where things are, but they aren't there! I catch myself shaking my head to clear out the cobwebs all day long to see if things will reappear. But then I'm blonde - I'm easily confused.

 

[codimouse]

We are going in a few weeks. Our first ever trip to DLR. We are huge WDW vets (last annual trip was this past march)....however with ANY vacation I never get my expectations up.
So I am never disappointed. Plus it's Disney. Who can go wrong??

 

[clcb13]

But here's my thoughts-WDW is fabulous, and I'd go there every year if I could afford it. On the other hand, I find it a little-well-stressful.... While I like some of the hotel theming at WDW tremendously, sometimes it's just too expensive to stay there.

Wow...this post is exactly what I was going to say! I live in WA state and going to FL is a huge expense and a vacation we really have to save up for...like every 10 years or so! Regardless of what rides are best and so forth DL is always our first choice...it is just less stressful overall. We know we can visit more often and our money goes farther. I love staying at a Disney Hotel in Florida and we did love the DW dinning plan last fall...that was a huge money saver but you have to plan on staying at least a week to see everything. While DL you can go for just a few days and get your Disney fix.

Just be glad everyone that Walt was smart/able to build TWO parks in the US for everyone to enjoy!!

 

[ArielAdventurer]

We felt like we were in the middle of "gang-land". It wasn't just that we felt like the only Anglos (we live in an area that is mostly Hispanic anyway), it was that we were in a sea of foul-languaged, heavily tatooed, bandana wearing, chip-on-the-shoulder, rude people. We were very turned off by the "guests" and the general "condition" of the park. Lumps of chewing gum that used to be scraped off nightly, peeling paint, trash on the ground (I remember when there were CM's who just wisked trash off the ground almost before you could see it).

I don' t know what part of Disneyland you were visiting..Filth? You must have been trying to find it..because I noted that even while in line at Peter Pan..the sanitation person was sweeping around my feet..I told him I had never had to move around in line while someone swept under my feet before..He said if he didn't stay on it during a busy day..it would be more work later...As far as cultures go..DLR has nothing on WDW..they are both diverse..and whenever large crowds get together..you will see some less than savory characters..it can't be helped.. this isn't indicative of DLR
..DL holds my heart..California Adventure has many of the same attractions as all the other parks at WDW..and DLR is as good a park as Magic Kingdom in Florida..If one lives on the east coast..I think WDW is a great choice..but it is not superior in any way...These parks aren't supposed to be compared..they were both created for fun and magic..not to be torn apart by pessimistic people...

 

[lilpixie]

I grew up in FL and loved WDW and just went to DL for the first time in February during the 50th anniversary. The park looked great and very clean to me! The person who said they felt like they were around gangs and foul-mouthed people at DL -- well, that could easily be found in any park!! And spending the majority of my growing up years in FL, there were plenty of rude people at WDW (both tourists and locals) -- not to mention people wearing bikinis with not much covering them around the park and thinking that was appropriate attire. But, there were so many great people there at WDW and I have magical memories. Sometimes there is just bad with the good, ya know??
I loved DL -- it was fun, clean and I loved that it was more compact so my little ones didn't have to do as much walking. I really want to take my family to WDW sometime, too -- because I think it would be fun to go back. But for now, we are planning our next trip to DL!!
Oh, and as far as the two castles go -- yes, Cindy's castle at WDW is much bigger -- but to my girls, they thought Sleeping Beauty's Castle was so magical!

 

[bld disney]

We have been to DW more times than we can count. Went to DLR last month for the first time in 21 years.
We love both parks!!
We stayed at the GC, and possibly because of that, felt totally immersed in the Disney experience.
We loved the weather- it was glorious!! We loved being able to walk easily between the parks.
It was interesting how similar, yet different some of the rides were. Splash mountain at DL was great, as well as POTC.
We didn't encounter any rude castmembers.
In fact, I don't think we expected to enjoy DLR as much as we did. We only had 2 days in the parks, and I wish we had more.
We probably won't be able to return to DL for a long while, and I'm sad about that, but I know that WDW will be a possibility in the not too distant future.

 

[kkmcan]

Okay here's my take. I didn't read all of the replies so I don't know if anyone else mentioned it but here goes.

Being from Arizona we've only ever done Disneyland- love, love, love it! We took our first Disney cruise last November and decided to tack on an extra couple of days to see the World. We found it somewhat disappointing. Especially Magic Kingdom. We couldn't find anything- it's so different from Disneyland. Magic Kindom never felt special or Disneylike to us. Fantasyland in WDW does not come close to DL's Fantasyland. Many of the rides are better at DL- Pirates, Indy, Haunted Mansion, Space Mtn, BTMR etc.

We depised how much time it took just to get to the park. 45 minutes to hop from park to the next. That was valuable time for us since we only had 4 days to tour the parks. Never did get to see MGM and only spent a morning at AK.

We loved Epcot and would love to return there someday but we might skip Magic Kindom. It certainly didn't seem to have any magic for us.

We are on the opposite side of the spectrum but it's something to think about.

 

[Snookies]

I'm not sure any of my comments are new, given the previous posts, but I am a perfect fit of your description of someone who went to DLR for the first time after many trips to WDW. Many posters have gone into great detail, which I will not, but I will say that both of our trips to DLR were enjoyable and I would definitely go again. In fact, we are going again for the post-Christmas week. I don't want to go in the direction of suggesting one is better than the other because, as my college roomate would say, some prefer stick, some prefer spray. For example, I actually prefer the WDW version of Pirates to the DLR version, but that is just my preference and not an opinion as to which is better. I've also experienced the "tatoo'd teenager effect" and behavior described by some, but I chalk that up to the exuberance of youth and found that encounters of that type, while potentially momentarily unpleasant, are not necessarily more pervasive at DLR and can quickly be put in your rearview mirror. I believe that some of the behaviors described by others are a result of DLR being a local destination, as well as a tourist destination, while much of the attendance at WDW is comprised of tourists rather than locals. With respect to maintenance, I'm of the general opinion that maintenance at all US Disney parks isn't what it used to be, but I don't think either DLR or WDW is necessarily better or worse with respect to maintenance than the other. Physical appearance of DLR may be better because of the sprucing up it received for the 50th, but ride maintenance may or may not be superior. For example, as many are aware, HM at WDW has gone down for a lengthy period for a much needed refurb. Small World received similar treatment at WDW some time ago. IMO, if you enjoy WDW, you will enjoy DLR, particularly if you try to avoid the inevitable comparison of one to the other.

 

[Disney-Kim]

We have been to both parks many times over the years.

I do have to say IMHO that DL has changed over the years. It's not as family filled and more local/young teens filled. The have such cheap deals for locals that they get a lot of "day" traffic.
this does take away from the feeling you want I think.

it makes the atmosphere/ambience different. the park itself is so quaint and we love it. but I also agree that it doesn't seem to get the upkeep WDW does. but....having a bunch of disrespectful kids running around doesn't help.
I have noticed GUM, trash, grafitti, destructive behaviour. its sad.

DL is still a wonderful park...just don't expect WDW.

 

[Hound 109]

I don't get the "immersion" argument.

I can only asssume that some want to go to Disney Resort to shop at a mall, go to a water park, or golf. Since there are better water parks & golf courses where i live, (& i don't do that "shopping" thing), these items are irrelevant to my Disney vacation.

I have felt "immersion" both places. But much more at DLR.

I don't feel Disney Immersion when:

- I'm waiting at a bus stop for 20 min. to go to a WDW park. (or to get back to my hotel at night.)
- It's 70%-90% humidity (this just feels like houston, where i grew up... and flee'd from)
- When I'm on a bus, in traffic..... trying to get to AKL....and it seems like we're driving to Tampa.
- I'm at a shopping mall (got dragged to DTD at WDW once...40 min. over & 40 min. back - ate at a good restaurant though).
- I can't find Mr. Toad.

At DLR (for both of our 3 day trips) we were immersed 24/7. Short walk from hotel to gate. Many more hours in the parks. Great themed restaurants & snacks. Walk to DTD and have my pick of great meals. Didn't have to hop on a bus to eat....to buy a t-shirt....to park hop, or to check out GCH (hey...i think i'll stay there next time).

Two things that i enjoyed at WDW (that DLR doesn't have) were AK & Epcot WS. But i can get my fix by heading down to SD for the best zoo in the world. & frankly at Epcot WS....I have "done it" so many times. They need some new countries. Maybe next week i'll eat at a Greek, Korean, Argentinian & Vietnamese restaurants (here in Austin) & I'll get far more of an ethnic variety of dining, since World Showcase never changes & Epcot has the same ol'... same ol' restaurants.

14 things i enjoy about DLR (Toad, Alice, Roger Rabbit, Indy, Pinocchio, StorybookLand, a pretty IASW, Jedi Warriors, Aladdin, Griz Rapids, a real Tiki Room, a Screamin' Roller Coaster (ok...WDW has R&R Coaster - even), a pretty pink castle (as opposed to a gaudy big castle), & a Matterhorn (but Everest does make this even)....WDW doesn't have.

The only thing I really, really miss is Mission Space.


I know some of you believe that WDW is your home park & is better.

I know some of you think that each is charming & wonderful in their own way.

I know some of you love both, but prefer DLR cause it's your home park & you feel "at home".

All of you are wrong. ()

WDW is an inferior resort, stuck in a humid, hurricane & tornado plagued state, with inferior rides & an inefficeint transportation system.

hound

 

[HydroGuy]

I know some of you love both, but prefer DLR cause it's your home park & you feel "at home".

All of you are wrong. ()

WDW is an inferior resort, stuck in a humid, hurricane & tornado plagued state, with inferior rides & an inefficeint transportation system.

hound

Wow, Hound, why don't you just come out and tell us what you really think?

Now that we are going to DLR next week I will be missing Expedition Everest and Rock n Rollercoaster (way better than California Screamin IMO), plus a number of other things from WDW.

It is fun to have more than one destination to choose from. And now for me, having bagged DLR Paris, there are things about that resort that are amazing and better than the American resorts. They have a jaw dropping Tarzan show that is better than Aladdin and a Fantasyland that makes DL and MK look second rate by comparison.

I am glad that all the resorts have their own strengths.

I do agree in general with Hound that some WDW vets dismiss DLR much too quickly and demand something from DLR it is not setup to offer, thereby missing some of its special (and better) features. There be magic in that original Disney park in California...

 

[HydroGuy]

We depised how much time it took just to get to the park. 45 minutes to hop from park to the next. That was valuable time for us since we only had 4 days to tour the parks. Never did get to see MGM and only spent a morning at AK.

When WDW vets go for a first visit to DLR, or when DLR vets go for a first visit to WDW, it is just so important to not force the opposite resort into your home resort expectations. That will only lead to frustration. Let each resort be what it is.

At MK the castle is spectacular and much larger than the DL castle. It is centerpiece of the park. But, they have no Matterhorn which has come to be the centerpiece of DL. DL has a smaller castle, a disappointment to many MK vets, but they have that Matterhorn. WDW vets will enjoy DL better if they realize that the Matterhorn is central to DL, not the castle.

Adjust your expectations... Do not try to force the DL castle to match the MK castle. And do not try to force the WDW transportation to match the DLR nearby hotels. WDW is just much bigger than DLR and they must have a more involved transportation center to allow you to access all of those incredibly diverse activities. It goes with the territory.

Four days at WDW can be frustrating, just like 1.5 dayas at DLR could be frustrating. It is just not enough time and you feel like you are missing out. We had ten days at WDW and so the transportation delays did not bother us very much - plus we were expecting the delays and just accepted them.