Disneyland vs. Walt Disney World and other ???

[lissiesmum]

Hi there, I'm new to this side of the planning threads My curiousity about Disneyland is growing and I was looking for some info. What airport do you fly into? Is there some kind of Magical Express or other transportation to the resorts? If not, what do you take? How far is the airport to the resorts? What is the difference in the three resorts? How do they compare to the ones in Orlando? How does Disneyland compare to the Magic Kingdom? Are the rides the same?

I apologize for so many questions! I am thinking of trying Disneyland at some point and this is my first round of questions

 

[disneynerd420]

I suggest checking out Hydroguy's Guide to DLR for WDW vets.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

I hope this helps.

 

[disneynerd420]

Also, most people fly into either John Wayne, or LAX.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Hi & welcome to the DISneyland side of the boards.

Hi there, I'm new to this side of the planning threads My curiousity about Disneyland is growing and I was looking for some info. What airport do you fly into?

There are five airports in the area, with four of them being more convenient to fly in to. We have information here on the DIS
http://www.wdwinfo.com/Disneyland/transportation.htm

But, in a nutshell, Orange County Airport is closest, and small & easy to navigate. Long Beach Airport is just a bit farther, and I believe a smaller airport (Jet Blue flies in to Long Beach), Ontario is also small, and a bit farther away. LAX is a large, international airport, and about the same distance as Ontario. Some people are intimidated by LAX, but it's the only airport I've used, and to me it's quite simple.

Is there some kind of Magical Express or other transportation to the resorts?

There is no transportation like Magical Express

If not, what do you take?

There are two types of transportation: Disneyland Resort Express, which is a big bus that will pick you up from either LAX or Orange County, or SuperShuttle vans, which will pick you up from any of the airports. There are also other shuttles, like PrimeTime, but the first two are the most popular. If you have four or more people, you might just consider a taxi or limo.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/Disneyland/disneyland-ground-transportation.htm

What is the difference in the three resorts?

The most luxurious is the Grand Californian (think Grand Floridian/Wilderness Lodge combined, and this has private entrance to California Adventure. The Disneyland Hotel is broken in three towers, Neverland themed pool, lighter color rooms that are a bit bigger than Grand Californian. The Paradise Pier Hotel is the least expensive, with rooms that look over California Adventure or over the city. Pool is not themed, but has a cool slide.

You can see pics here:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneyland/disneyland-resorts/

How do they compare to the ones in Orlando?

Well, they are expensive, but they do not compare to the ones at WDW due to being in the middle of the city with less room to develop real theming. However, I enjoy them.

How does Disneyland compare to the Magic Kingdom? Are the rides the same?

Disneyland is much smaller, however, has more attractions than Magic Kingdom. You will find attractions at DL that at WDW you'd find at Hollywood Studios or Epcot. Some of the attractions are the same, most are better, and some are better at WDW. Others will chime in with links to comparisons.

I apologize for so many questions! I am thinking of trying Disneyland at some point and this is my first round of questions

Have fun planning!

 

[lissiesmum]

Wow, thanks for the great info! I"m going to see how much flights are out to California I've been to WDW twice with my DD, and we've only been to Epcot and MK...seems like DLR is a great mix of all of the 4 WDW parks combined!

 

[jkh1978]

What airport do you fly into?
We are from DC. We fly JetBlue into Long Beach.

Is there some kind of Magical Express or other transportation to the resorts? If not, what do you take?
We did not need a car since everything is so close inside the resort. We took a taxi. If Im recalling correctly, from Long Beach Airport to the resort is a flat $40. Getting back, the driver asked if we wanted the faster way or the shorter way. I believe it was under $40 getting back since we said we didn't need to rush.

How far is the airport to the resorts?
John Wayne is closest, then Long Beach, and then LAX is far away.

What is the difference in the three resorts? How do they compare to the ones in Orlando?
We always stay at the Grand Californian. We are a couple 30 years old with no kids. That's where we went the first time, and now we are too spoiled to try somewhere else. Its comparible to the Wilderness Lodge (designed by the same person).

How does Disneyland compare to the Magic Kingdom? Are the rides the same?
Some of the rides are named the same. Some are better at WDW; some are better at Disneyland. Ride Pirates! It feels smaller to me - the castle is smaller and the rides are closer together.

If you have any other questions, send me a message.

 

[MrShiny]

DL is definitely worth seeing. It will be much less walking than WDW, but just about as many rides as all of WDW (fewer shows and exhibits, though).

DCA right now has a lot of construction, but still worth a look, although the best things in it (Toy Story Mania and Soarin') exist at WDW. The Aladdin show is worth seeing though, as is the Electrical Parade.

At DL, Pirates alone almost justifies the trip, making the WDW version seem weak by comparison (DL's is about twice as long). DL has more rides than MK, all packed into an area about as big as DHS. Don't miss Finding Nemo (although I think the effects are easier to see at The Seas) and Indiana Jones.

As far as airports, SNA (John Wayne) is the closest, but LAX is not too bad. Be prepared for long security lines going home from LAX though. There are a bunch of airports there - Long Beach (Jet Blue flies there), Ontario, Burbank. Any of these will do, so look at air fares and drive times.

The DL hotels are nice, but you can get a very nice clean motel room that is actually much closer to the gates of the park (my favorite is the Del Sol). Grand Californian is the only one themed like those in WDW - it's like the WL with the service of the GF. DL Hotel is neat (much better in a few years after a major rehab, Paradise Pier is OK, but nothing that special (we've stayed at all 3).

Because of its size, DL won't take as long as a trip to WDW, but there are many other attractions in driving distance. Sea World and San Diego Zoo (90 minutes), Legoland (60 minutes), Knott's Berry Farm (10 minutes) and Hollywood (the El Capitan a great place to see a Disney film - 20 minutes).

A rental car is a good way to go (they tend to be pretty reasonable too). SuperShuttle is a great option too.

Anyone who loves WDW should see Disneyland. It has many charming surprises for the WDW vet, and really gives you a sense of how it all began.

 

[FairyDust2008]

We flew into LAX but next time on our return trip in 2010, we will most likely fly into either Orange County or John Wayne. We were about 40-45 minutes from Disneyland. We took a small shuttle to our resort which was the Grand California which I would HIGHLY recommend On the trip back, we took the Disneyland Express Big bus back to LAX. We had a VERY early flight on the way there and on our return trip. The Disneyland Express picked us up at 4:45 a.m. right in front of the hotel. We enjoyed that trip much better because it was more roomier than the trip from LAX to Grand California. We were crowded with another woman and her child packed into the other shuttle and nobody was talking on the trip home on the Big Express Bus which was great because the lady on the way to Disneyland never stopped talking, LOL As I said before, we stayed at the Grand Californian and we LOVED LOVED LOVED it there That is where we will stay again in 2010. It was just AWESOME! This was our 1st family trip to Disneyland. Last year was our 1st family trip to WDW and when we returned last year from WDW, I had thought it couldn't get any better but that was UNTIL.......................Disneyland. That is why we are going back in 2010 and California in general is GORDEOUS! We took one day and rented a convertible and drove the coast to San Diego. It was AWESOME There are 3 resorts, Paradise Pier, Disneyland Hotel and Grand Californian. You really need to research to see which suits your family best. We chose Grand Californian and didn't regret our decision one bit Location, Location, Location. You walk out your resort and you are in Downtown Disney and then you walk a bit and you are entering Disneyland Park on the Left or California Adventure on the right. Also, when staying at the Grand California, you have a private entrance into California Adventure directly. Downtown Disney is WONDERFUL! We spent alot of time there too! Liked it much better than WDW Downtown Disney. We preferred Disneyland over WDW period in pretty much everything. It just can't be beat! It was Walt's original and you can just feel the MAGIC everywhere you go. All of our character meals were WONDERFUL as well. The rides differ and you need to research that as well for yourself. Goodluck in planning and if you have any specific questions, feel free to ask me and I'll try and help the best I can. Our family gives Disneyland 100 thumbsups It was our BEST vacation EVER

 

[FairyDust2008]

We flew into LAX but next time on our return trip in 2010, we will most likely fly into either Orange County or John Wayne. We were about 40-45 minutes from Disneyland. We took a small shuttle to our resort which was the Grand California which I would HIGHLY recommend On the trip back, we took the Disneyland Express Big bus back to LAX. We had a VERY early flight on the way there and on our return trip. The Disneyland Express picked us up at 4:45 a.m. right in front of the hotel. We enjoyed that trip much better because it was more roomier than the trip from LAX to Grand California. We were crowded with another woman and her child packed into the other shuttle and nobody was talking on the trip home on the Big Express Bus which was great because the lady on the way to Disneyland never stopped talking, LOL As I said before, we stayed at the Grand Californian and we LOVED LOVED LOVED it there That is where we will stay again in 2010. It was just AWESOME! This was our 1st family trip to Disneyland. Last year was our 1st family trip to WDW and when we returned last year from WDW, I had thought it couldn't get any better but that was UNTIL.......................Disneyland. That is why we are going back in 2010 and California in general is GORDEOUS! We took one day and rented a convertible and drove the coast to San Diego. It was AWESOME There are 3 resorts, Paradise Pier, Disneyland Hotel and Grand Californian. You really need to research to see which suits your family best. We chose Grand Californian and didn't regret our decision one bit Location, Location, Location. You walk out your resort and you are in Downtown Disney and then you walk a bit and you are entering Disneyland Park on the Left or California Adventure on the right. Also, when staying at the Grand California, you have a private entrance into California Adventure directly. Downtown Disney is WONDERFUL! We spent alot of time there too! Liked it much better than WDW Downtown Disney. We preferred Disneyland over WDW period in pretty much everything. It just can't be beat! It was Walt's original and you can just feel the MAGIC everywhere you go. All of our character meals were WONDERFUL as well. The rides differ and you need to research that as well for yourself. Goodluck in planning and if you have any specific questions, feel free to ask me and I'll try and help the best I can. Our family gives Disneyland 100 thumbsups It was our BEST vacation EVER The Magic Kingdom and California Adventure both were AWESOME parks! We loved things about both of them!

 

[FairyDust2008]

Sorry for the duplicate posts, my bad