DisneyLand??

[brighteyes]

Who here has been to disneyland? And how is it compared to DW?

How long do you need to stay there to get $$ worth?

Another question, what airport do u fly into?

How much are flights usually from Toronto, or Buff?

I have a friend who is wanting to go, thanks in advance.

Stephanie

 

[jakoky]

hi there, i grew up going to DL ( i live in bc, canada) and since growing up have taken my kids to WDW once and DL twice...give them the question where they would prefer, they would go with DL...i think my dh and i would agree...the only thing we all miss at WDW are the waterparks...they are both awesome, DL just seemed easier...we flew into lax...all our trips have been 9 or 10 nights, our last trip was sept 07 and we did 5 days in DL, a day at the beach, a day shopping, and two pool/downtown disney days...we always figure that if we are spending that kind of money, we are going to make it a real vacation with some relaxing...both choices are great, but we LOVE disneyland!!!
sharon

 

[brighteyes]

Cool, so which DL hotel? onsite ones look expensive, any experience with offsite hotels?

Probably looking at a value or mod. mostly value though. What is the transportation like? Can she still get to the parks if she stays offsite without a car?

Sorry so many questions. And do they have deals out she is probably looking to go in August.

Stephanie

 

[jakoky]

hi there, we stayed at candy cane inn in may 06( about a 7 minute walk) and then howard johnson in sept 07 (about 7 min again)..in DW we stayed on site, at DL i am unsure if we will, it is quite costly and there are many motels within 10 minutes of DL gate-so different than DW...We loved both the candy cane and HOJO, both were great and very similiar priced...we walked everywhere, only took transportation to the airport and our shopping days...i thinkg this is what my kids liked about DL, close to everything...any more questions, feel free to ask me anything, we arent going back to til june 09 for my daughters grad and my 40th...this helps pass the time thinking back on our awesome trips
sharon

 

[yxe dad]

I've been to DL a few times and enjoy it as much if not more than WDW. The reason I've been going to WDW instead of DL lately is because of DVC along with US/IoA, Seaworld and the cruises. It's alot easier to get to these other parks in FL. I would spend at least 5 days between the 2 DL parks.

The great thing about DL/CA is they have the same rides if not more than WDW and you don't waste all that time travelling between parks.

The on-site hotels are pricey at DL, so I've only stayed off-site. I've stayed at the Carousel Inn x2, the Fairfield Inn, and a Travelodge across from CA. All were really close to the parks and we walked instead of taking the shuttles. The Hojo is highly recommended by mousesavers and tripadviser. I plan on using priceline for my trip in Nov. The "name your own price" seems to get great deals on the 3 stars in the area.

Shayne

 

[drag n' fly]

I have been to DL many many times. My fav offsite hotel is Hojo. We stayed onsite for the first time in November at GC and liked the convenience. It was not worth the money imo. If flying from the east I recommend a minimum of five days. You can do both parks at leisure. I highly recommend a park hopper as you can easily walk back and forth between parks. You may also want to add in a day and drive down the coast to San Diego. You can explore all the beautiful beaches and shopping. As for flights ??? as we are in Calgary.

 

[giftcard]

I also grew up going to Disneyland. We have never stayed onsite. We've stayed at the Carousel Inn many times and last Oct stayed at one of the Best Westerns (can't remember which one). It's great how close things are -- just walk across the street and you're there! Park hopping is a breeze. We never use the rental car when we're there, it just sits in the hotel's parking lot.

Unable to help about flights as I'm in BC.

My parents were at WDW the year before and while they really enjoyed it my mom said she much preferred Disneyland. Make sure your friend tries the Indiana Jones ride and has a meal at the Blue Bayou (restaurant "inside" the Pirates ride).

This Oct is my second trip to WDW (first time as an adult). I'm very excited for it but Disneyland will always be "home" since that's where the memories are.

 

[jp71]

Agreeing with earlier posts. We just returned from our first DW trip. As hard as it is to admit I think we all preferred DL/CA. It was just more doable and not overwhelming. We would never consider staying off site at DW but DL it's a no brainer. We stayed at the Fairfield and it was a maybe 5 minute walk to the park entrances. The onsite hotels at DL seem REALLY expensive! Parkhoppers forsure, it's so easy to just "bop" over to the other park! Five days for us at DL felt great! Six days at DW and we needed another day or two of recovery!!
I believe you have a choice on airports LAX and is it orange county or john wayne? Now I can't remember. It may seem a little more in flights coming from the east? We're in Kelowna so not too sure on that.

 

[Torontogal]

I was there in Oct.
Disneyland is a different experience from WDW. It is much smaller and more intimate. You really cannot compare. Many people say the Disneyland castle is disappointing due to small size but you have to remember it all started there and there is a lot of history there (Walt being very involved in all the touches).
If you go - stay at Disneyland Hotel - I loved it.
I would also spend time in other non-Disney places as there is a ton to see in CA. I really loved it and would love to go again.

 

[brighteyes]

Thanks guys I will tell her all the info you gave here. I am sure it will help her out.

Now she says she is waffling between DL and Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay Florida.

Geez some people, I mean like really, I would be going to WDW first chance I got.

Stephanie