Disneyland vs Disneyworld

[disneyuniverse]

We have been to Disney World lot of times. Planning a trip to Disneyland next year. Any suggestions would be appreciated- Places to stay, any favorite rides??

 

[jlmarr]

The standard advice is to read Hydroguy's tips for WDW vets - a sticky note at the top of the page, but here's a short-cut for you:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

That's a great start, then come on back and ask questions so we can fill in the blanks.

(Fave ride? Possibly Indiana Jones. Be sure to ride Pirates of the Caribbean - DL has a much more elaborate version, and it's the last ride that Walt personally worked on.)

 

[Leshaface]

I would say definitely ride the duplicate rides...Space, Splash, Pirates, etc....there are lots of subtle differences in each ride.

Disneyland is waaaay more different than WDW...you don't have to plan on transportation from park to park since they are literally across from each other.

DTD is much smaller here at the DLR vs WDW, but I feel more immersed in the magic at DL than WDW.

There are a lot of great hotels around the resort, but the hotels on-site are all fabulous! Especially the Grand Californian if you want to splurge.

Prepare to feel squished at Disneyland...Magic Kingdom is soooo nice and spaced out over there...but you're gonna love it!

 

[ktlm]

Fellow WDW vet here. You will love DL!!! We stayed at DLH this Summer and fell in love with it. It feels so classic. They did start changing a big section of the grounds completely right after we left (removed some waterfalls and a shop area to put in another pool). I don't know when that is supposed to be completed. We loved that from DLH you just walked through DTD to get to the parks. The Grand Californian is absolutely beautiful, but if you have stayed at WL or AKL, it really felt like just a scaled down version of that to us. The great thing is that there is an entrance to CA from GC. If you want to stay offsite, a lot of people love the HOJO (Howard Johnson).

If you are looking for character meals, we thought Minnie's Breakfast was fantastic (better than any character meal at WDW)! We saw 9 characters (Minnie, Fairy Godmother, Pooh, Eeyore, Hook, Rafiki, Max, Chip, and Dale)and some of them spent quite a bit of time with DD (4). They played with her and danced with her. Goofy's kitchen was good too. I think we saw 7 characters there.

Don't miss Pirates, it is much longer at DL. Space Mountain is another one that is better at DL. I preferred Fantasmic at DL too, but part of that may be that they have a Peter Pan section instead of a Pochahontas section. We are big Peter Pan fans at our house. If you feel like really splurging, we loved the Fantasmic Dessert Package. The CMs treat you like royalty.

 

[figment_jii]

Not that it's easy to miss, but Small World looks more impressive at DL (probably because the building and loading que is outside). Try to be near it on one of the 15-minute marks (the little show with the dolls is cute).

Also, DLR's Buzz is slightly different because you can remove the guns from the car. Gives you more flexibility when working with (or against) the other person in the car!

I actually liked MK's Space Mtn better, but both are still fun! You should definately try Matterhorn (if you like coasters).

I also like the fact that you can just walk from DLR to DCA and DTD (you can see both from the entrance of DLR) because DCA is just across the courtyard.

I think that Peter Pan, Snow White, Pincocchio, Dumbo, Tea Cups, Tiki Birds, and Splash Mountain are fairly similiar, though there are subtle differences. Soarin', TSM, and Muppets are the same as at WDW (I think).

One of the key things is, I think, to not spend the trip thinking, "this is not like MK" especially in terms of size and layout. Enjoy DLR for what it is and remember that with everything being closer together, you can get to things faster! (And with less walking!)

 

[jwwi]

I loved how close together everything was, it was so easy to hop from park to park to enjoy favorite attractions. GCH was so worth the splurge, we loved staying there. What is not to love about being able to walk right from the side entrance into DCA? The upgrade to park view, and being able to see WOC each night from the balcony was icing on the cake.
Wish we lived closer to CA..........

 

[SD33]

any favorite rides??

I would totally recommend checking out many of the duplicate rides at DL as some of them are vastly superior to their counterparts at WDW.

Rides and shows not to be missed:

Space Mountain (way better at DL)
Indiana Jones (hard to beat)
Splash Mountain
Pirates (also way better)
California Screamin (one of the best coasters in the Disney lineup...as smooth as Expedition Everest)
Soarin (better overall theming for the queue than WDW)
Aladdin (best Broadway style show in any Disney theme park, period)
World of Color (this is what is making all those East Coast residents so jealous)

You will love DL and DCA. They are both small parks compared to the ones you are used to at WDW, but they cram (tastefully) a ton of attractions into them. If dinning is a big focus at WDW, then rides are at DL and DCA. It's hard to even compare the two resorts. WDW wins for overall escapism since the resort is so secluded from the rest of the world. DL and DCA win on attractions for me...DL also wins on pure charm. Walt's original park feels like Walt's original park...and the Magic Kingdom, for all of its greatness, just can't duplicate the nostalgia and charm of DL. Have fun!

 

[Lesleyluvsdisney]

The standard advice is to read Hydroguy's tips for WDW vets - a sticky note at the top of the page, but here's a short-cut for you:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

That's a great start, then come on back and ask questions so we can fill in the blanks.

(Fave ride? Possibly Indiana Jones. Be sure to ride Pirates of the Caribbean - DL has a much more elaborate version, and it's the last ride that Walt personally worked on.)

Absolutely!! This guy is amazing!! I read this loads of times before our first trip to Disneyland last year!!! He gets everything right! Indiana Jones is great! Space Mountain is 100 times better! Fantasmic is amazing!

x

 

[disneyuniverse]

Thanks a lot for all your input. Seems like I'm getting advise from disney family!!! Has anyone done Universal studio, Lego World & Sea world. I'm planning 1 week vacation next year to California- trying to do as much as I can in 1 week- not sure to spend more time at Disneyland or other parks??

 

[disneyuniverse]

I read bits & pieces of the post suggested to me- will need more time to read the whole post. It is very informative. Thanks for the suggestion. I had another question- I was thinking of either going up to San Fransisco or do Hoover dam/Grand Canyon?? Anyone had done LA & Grand canyon in 1 trip??

 

[sportbettor]

Thanks a lot for all your input. Seems like I'm getting advise from disney family!!! Has anyone done Universal studio, Lego World & Sea world. I'm planning 1 week vacation next year to California- trying to do as much as I can in 1 week- not sure to spend more time at Disneyland or other parks??

We have APs for WdW, DL, Seaworld, Legoland and Universal orlando. I can tell you that my DS8 likes Legoland as much or more than any other park. Legoland kind of depends on the age of the kids. If they are 6-12 they will probably love it because all the rides are geared toward that age group. And if they like legos theres a ton of lego activities to do. Seaworld is ok especially if you've never been there before, but we've found its not that great after you've seen everything multiple times. I've never been to the Universal in hollywood. We were going to try to go this trip but we didnt have time.

1 Week is kinda short to squeeze all those parks in though. If you do decide to do legoland and or seaworld you are probably going to want to change hotels and get a hotel nearby because its an hour+ drive to legoland and another 30min to seaworld. We usually stay in Del Mar if hotel rooms are cheap there. its halfway between seaworld and legoland and its a nice area.

 

[KCmike]

We have done Fairfield Inn and HOJO for outside hotels. We prefer FFI just because its closer. I would choose to stay inside if I had the choice. I know that won't win any opinions on this board but it just feels more Disney when I don't see Harbor Blvd and to me its worth the extra money.

Now I have stayed at DLH and Grand Californian too. GC is amazing. Everything about it is worth it. Go and splurge if you can.

On to the rides...
Fantasyland is amazing. WDW will never beat it. It's that good. So many dark rides and unique quaint rides like storybook canal and casey jr. This is what WDW should be doing instead of building more meet and greets!!!

Space is mind blowing compared to WDW.
Splash is not as good as WDW. Still my favorite ride at WDW.
Tiki Room is the original and it was Walt's baby. Love it! How dare WDW change it.
There are so many great rides at DL. Pirates has to be the showstopper in my opinion. Its just perfect.
At DCA you will enjoy Aladdin stage show as it is the best in class for any disney park. Think Broadway good.
They keep adding attractions there and it just keeps getting to be a better park each year.
I love Downtown Disney in the summer because musicians play in the walkways and the ambiance is something WDW needs in their downtown.
The proximity of everything is just amazing.

I would also suggest you stay longer than 3 days. Most say you can get through everything in 3 days and as that may be true you will want that extra day or two to just relax and enjoy. I suggest 5 days as a perfect DL vacation. If you can visit San Diego, Monterey, San Fran, and my favorite Yosemite National Park. The Pacific Ocean is so beautiful. I suggest Corona Del Mar beach for a family. It is ideal. Any other questions feel free to ask.

Oh yeah one last thing. Remember Dreams Come True Fireworks is a showstopper. The best of all disney fireworks. Also Fantasmic! is much better at DL. There are no seats but it is still worth it. Great Great Show.

 

[disneyuniverse]

so much to do, so little time!!! How to squeeze it all in 1 week!!

 

[ktlm]

Thanks a lot for all your input. Seems like I'm getting advise from disney family!!! Has anyone done Universal studio, Lego World & Sea world. I'm planning 1 week vacation next year to California- trying to do as much as I can in 1 week- not sure to spend more time at Disneyland or other parks??

We did Legoland this June. It really depends on the age of your kids. DD (4) liked Legoland, but she much preferred DL/CA. DH and I were underwhelmed. It has a lot for the 3-6 year old set, but unlike DL/CA where there are things adults enjoy too, there isn't much at Legoland for grown-ups or even older kids. My friend took his 6 year old son while his 8 and 10 year old boys were at summer camp, and he said he was glad he did not have the older boys with him as he thought they were too old for it and would have been bored with it. His 6 year old really liked it though.

 

[Lesleyluvsdisney]

Thanks a lot for all your input. Seems like I'm getting advise from disney family!!! Has anyone done Universal studio, Lego World & Sea world. I'm planning 1 week vacation next year to California- trying to do as much as I can in 1 week- not sure to spend more time at Disneyland or other parks??

We did Universal one day, Didn't see eveything. But that's because I poured down with rain the entire day, really hard! We did the tour, (kind of like the Backlot Tour) first, and had to wait 1.5 hours for it! Is more of a working studio as opposed to a theme park. Be prepared for escalators!! It's over 2 levels!!

 

[Lesleyluvsdisney]

so much to do, so little time!!! How to squeeze it all in 1 week!!

We did 8 nights overall all and pre purchSed a 5 day Disney hopper pass. The only slight drawback to that was, having been used to unlimited access at WDW I missed just being able to go into the parks at anytime. If we had been to universal or sightseeing during the day, we just went to DTD at night. X

 

[dalstitch45]

I would totally recommend checking out many of the duplicate rides at DL as some of them are vastly superior to their counterparts at WDW.

Rides and shows not to be missed:

Space Mountain (way better at DL)
Indiana Jones (hard to beat)
Splash Mountain
Pirates (also way better)
California Screamin (one of the best coasters in the Disney lineup...as smooth as Expedition Everest)
Soarin (better overall theming for the queue than WDW)
Aladdin (best Broadway style show in any Disney theme park, period)
World of Color (this is what is making all those East Coast residents so jealous)

You will love DL and DCA. They are both small parks compared to the ones you are used to at WDW, but they cram (tastefully) a ton of attractions into them. If dinning is a big focus at WDW, then rides are at DL and DCA. It's hard to even compare the two resorts. WDW wins for overall escapism since the resort is so secluded from the rest of the world. DL and DCA win on attractions for me...DL also wins on pure charm. Walt's original park feels like Walt's original park...and the Magic Kingdom, for all of its greatness, just can't duplicate the nostalgia and charm of DL. Have fun!

As a WDW vet, I have to agree with most of your take on the differences. I love FOTLK (Festival of the Lion King) at WDW, so this is one is tied with Aladdin IMO. Plus, I think California Screamin is more like RockNRollercoaster only it's outside. I don't know, WOC was okay. It is worth seeing at least one time. I can't say I was really impressed with it. It was more like an expanded WDW Fantasmic with the whole show being water projection. Just my opinion, though even though I am from the east coast.

To the OP, DLR is an experience not to miss. Even though it is smaller than WDW, it packs a whole lot of punch. DLR and WDW are both my favorites for their differences and similarities. Just keep an open mind regarding the size. Some people do get hung up on that one. I think DLR and WDW are unique in their own way. Other than the similarities that are different (rides/attractions), it is like comparing apples and oranges. I used to believe it could not get any better than WDW. Happily, I am in love with both coasts. I cannot wait to become a DLR vet, also. Any park with Disney is the place to be.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I read bits & pieces of the post suggested to me- will need more time to read the whole post. It is very informative. Thanks for the suggestion. I had another question- I was thinking of either going up to San Fransisco or do Hoover dam/Grand Canyon?? Anyone had done LA & Grand canyon in 1 trip??

I had guests come out last year for about two weeks and we took them to Disneyland, San Francisco, Yosemite, Sequoia, and the Grand Canyon (south rim & the Skywalk at the west rim). We did the Grand Canyon in 3 days (south & west rim).

Let me know what questions you have & I'll be happy to answer. They (& we) had a wonderful time.