Disneyland Vs. Wdw Vs. Cruise

[Ocean Angel]

Hi Everyone - I'm new to these boards. Our family is beginning to plan a vacation for 2009 - yes, I said 2009. Our girls will be graduating and we want to plan a big family trip to celebrate -- and it will more than likely be the last "family" trip we take together since usually once kids go off to college and gain that independence, they don't want to hang out with parents any more.

Our dilema - we can't decide where to go!! We've been to WDW before and loved it. We were thinking the land/sea cruise, but the DH isn't a big fan of cruising (he maintains a low-grade headache for the duration of the cruise). People have said that if you've been to WDW you'll be disappointed with DL. Anyone out there who's been to both who can help?

My thought is that it's a different experience - what do you think?

 

[VegasMike21]

I wouldn't do the cruise thing especially if someone doesn't like the whole boating scene and plus with girls getting ready the graduate i believe they would probably rather do something more exciting. i do agree with what you said about once you go to WDW going to DL might be a little dissapointing but DL has lots to offer and they do have different attractions that are limited to the park plus DCA an entirely different park with some cool rides like California Screamin', Grizzly River Run, and the Sun Wheel. I would say go to Disneyland since you haven't been there before. And actually I would suggest getting the So Cal City pass which gives you 6 days of activities
(3 days at DL/DCA, 1 day at Sea World, 1 day at Universal Studios Hollywood, and 1 day at the San Diego Zoo or Wild Animal Park) You can't go wrong for the price just $217 at Costco.com. $247 without a costco membership. If you have any questions just ask us, we're more then happy to help. Also at DL your better off staying off site instead of disney property will save you a bunch of $$$ especially if staying for a week which what you would ned to do if you decided to get to So Cal City Pass.

 

[safetymom]

I have done all 3 this year. I think they are all great. We live outside WDW so I can go anytime but still enjoy the parks. I found the cruise to be the most relaxing and truly feel like I got away from it all. We just got back yesterday and had a wonderful stay at DL.

We enjoy going to DL to see the parks that started it all. There is some stuff that is the same but I think I prefer DL for that true hometown feel that Walt was going for.

Gool luck deciding what you want to do.

 

[Ocean Angel]

Thanks for the responses. We are considering staying on-site just for the experience of being at a property hotel. At WDW we usually stay at one of the All-Star resorts since you really don't spend much time in the room anyway, but I love the idea of the Peter Pan Pool at DLH - I'm a big TINK fan.

Does the monorail only go through or near the Grand Californian?

 

[ScooterL]

The monorail actually goes through the Grand Californian but it doesn't stop there - the only monorail stops are in Tomorrowland and at Downtown Disney. The Disneyland Hotel is the closest to the monorail station, but it's a few minutes' walk - and if you're in the Wonder tower, which is furthest away, it's longer.

If your DH doesn't want to cruise then I wouldn't do it - he won't enjoy it much if he isn't feeling well the whole time, and sounds like you want this to be a special trip!!!

I think you can have a great time at Disneyland even though it's not as big as WDW...it's still got almost as many attractions as WDW, and it has a few things that are unique to Disneyland.

One thing about DL's small size means it's not nearly as important to say on-site at DL as it is at WDW! Some of the hotels on Harbor Blvd across from DL are just as close (and often closer) to the parks than the DL hotels. And much cheaper with suites available. So if you spend less on lodging you might want to look into some "premium" experiences like the Fantasmic! dessert buffet or a tour like the Segway tour or more character meals or that kind of thing.

 

[HydroGuy]

People have said that if you've been to WDW you'll be disappointed with DL. Anyone out there who's been to both who can help?

My thought is that it's a different experience - what do you think?

People who have been to WDW and expect a WDW-like experience at DLR will likely be disappointed. Interestingly, the reverse is also true. Why? Because the two resorts have different strengths. Many WDW fans enjoy a 6-10 visit there. DLR itself does not have enough support that long of a visit. A solid visit to DLR will take 3-5 days. However, Southern California offers enough for a 6-10 visit if that is what one is looking for.

WDW vets who successfully make the transition to enjoy DLR are ones who do not force their WDW expectations onto DLR. DLR has its stengths. Embrace them and enjoy them. Here are a few:

1. Higher concentration of rides - WDW's four parks only has 10% more rides than DLR's two parks.

2. Outstanding shows - DL's fireworks show is incredible and many others would agree with me that it is better than anything at WDW including Illuminations. Most prefer DLR's Fantasmic over WDW's. And the Aladdin stage show at DCA is hilarious and better than anything comparable at WDW.

3. Lots of walking distance hotels (commute to DLR on your feet can be 5-10 minutes), easy park hopping, and longer park hours - makes it easier to get in more park hours and take breaks. At DLR we spend about 50% more time inside the parks than we did at WDW.

4. Better weather overall - especially in the summer. Very little rain.

5. Well kept - the DLR resort is kept up better than WDW and has been getting more attention from Disney.

None of this is to criticize WDW which of course has its own strengths. For more info check out this thread: "A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[MPHARJ]

My favorite will always be WDW just due to the vast variety of things to keep us busy the entire stay. However saying that we went to DL last summer and really enjoyed ourselves, I have another trip booked out there this year. I am just more adjusted to WDW, being able to drive every where and feel comfortable the flight is only 2 hours. DL costs us much more then WDW ever did, with the flights and everything. I enjoy them both for their differences and similarities! Good luck deciding.

 

[HydroGuy]

My favorite will always be WDW just due to the vast variety of things to keep us busy the entire stay. However saying that we went to DL last summer and really enjoyed ourselves, I have another trip booked out there this year. I am just more adjusted to WDW, being able to drive every where and feel comfortable the flight is only 2 hours. DL costs us much more then WDW ever did, with the flights and everything. I enjoy them both for their differences and similarities! Good luck deciding.

No judgement here at all as I agree with you, just an observation that "due to the vast variety of things to keep us busy the entire stay" is a common way that WDW vets think. DLR vets are not as inclined to think of the DLR as a vacation destination - it is not in the same way that WDW is. DLR vets are more likely to focus on a quality, intense Disney experience for a shorter duration.

FWIW, when I compared trip reports on our 10-day WDW visit to a 4-day visit we made to DLR a few years ago, I found out that we went on an equal number of rides - about 65-70. Rides are only part of a Disney park visit and are an imperfect barometer - but it points up that DLR tends to be more focused while not having the variety of activities outside the park borders.

 

[tigergrad]

We are planning a family vacation this year. We will be celebrating our 25th anniversary and our middle daughter's HS graduation. We wanted to take our whole family ( me, DH, DS (11), DD (17), DD (23), DSIL (28). We have been to WDW several times, in fact was there last Aug. To be honest the DCL is way out of our budget since we are taking 6 people. We decided to try Disneyland. We have booked a flight from Atlanta (we live in SC) and 5 nights at the DLH. We have rented points form a DVC member for the hotel. We are saving about $1,000 by doing this. Planning this trip has been a blast because it's so new. It's like going to WDW for the first time. Reading all the travel books and the DISboards has been exciting and helpful. Can't wait 'til June.

 

[VegasMike21]

We are planning a family vacation this year. We will be celebrating our 25th anniversary and our middle daughter's HS graduation. We wanted to take our whole family ( me, DH, DS (11), DD (17), DD (23), DSIL (28). We have been to WDW several times, in fact was there last Aug. To be honest the DCL is way out of our budget since we are taking 6 people. We decided to try Disneyland. We have booked a flight from Atlanta (we live in SC) and 5 nights at the DLH. We have rented points form a DVC member for the hotel. We are saving about $1,000 by doing this. Planning this trip has been a blast because it's so new. It's like going to WDW for the first time. Reading all the travel books and the DISboards has been exciting and helpful. Can't wait 'til June.

your gonna have a blast! DL is truly a different experience from WDW. your staying at the original hotel of DL which is a really nice hotel stayed there twice in the 90's. very nice property. have fun!

 

[Ocean Angel]

Thanks everyone - I'm glad to see that most people have the same thoughts as I do - it will be a different experience altogether! I like to plan way in advance just so I have the opportunity to get feedback like this. Still deciding whether or not to say on-site or off - I'm the type who would rather save the $$$ on the room and spend it having fun. I've looked at a lot of the threads and have seen that there are few very close hotels that are great - so that might just sway me.

Thanks

 

[VegasMike21]

Thanks everyone - I'm glad to see that most people have the same thoughts as I do - it will be a different experience altogether! I like to plan way in advance just so I have the opportunity to get feedback like this. Still deciding whether or not to say on-site or off - I'm the type who would rather save the $$$ on the room and spend it having fun. I've looked at a lot of the threads and have seen that there are few very close hotels that are great - so that might just sway me.

Thanks

yes it's a different experience and yes you can save big $$$ by staying offsite and just across the street at the hojo, candy cane, best western park place inn, or any of the other better hotels over there.