Family not looking forward to DL

[I Intrigue You]

My family will soon be off on our first trip ever to DL. My problem is no one is excited but me. My daughter doesn't think this trip is going to be as much fun as a trip to WDW. The only thing everyone seems to be looking forward to is riding POTC. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to make this vacation just a memorable as the WDW trips.

Thanks

Almost in the double digits!!!!!

 

[EmmasGrammy]

I'm not sure how old your kids are, but if they are old enough try to make them understand that this is the park Walt himself designed, created and even walked through on a regular basis. I get chills thinking that this is the place that started the empire. There would be no WDW if not for the sucess of DL. If your kids are younger, get some books and do a little history of the park. There are so many pictures of Walt in the park. Help them understand it is so much more than an amusement park. This is Walt's Dream!!

If they are worried about being bored I am sure their fears will be calmed when they see the cool "stuff" @ Cal. Adventure. The rides @ DL are very simular to WDW and the Materhorn is really fun!!! I'm sure they are worried because they aren't sure what to expect, so maybe some pictures and park info. will help out. I'm sure they will LOVE IT when they get there.

Keep your chin up. I'm sending some pixie dust your way!!!

 

[westjones]

I see you are from Florida, we are from Indiana, and next month we are going to DL and we are not as excited as we are when we go to WDW. Part of the problem for all of us is the 'trip'. None of us is looking forward to flying out there and back. When we fly to Florida, it is less then 2 hours. We wake up in Indiana and we have lunch at WDW!

I am sure once we are actually there, we will enjoy ourselves. We are only going there because DH has a conference there and we are tagging along.

I bet once your family is there, they will have a lot of fun. That is what I keep telling myself!

DJ

 

[Disneyland_emily]

Ive done both DL and WDW and I love both but my heart still is DL- Because it does alot of thing better- Pirates shames the WDW one- so does Fantasmic!- It is a smaller park thats more condensed but that adds charm

One thing Ive found is what you know is what you will like best- If youve done WDW more and thats "home park" then alot of things at DL will be "wrong" and you just wont like them better- I have the same for WDW- DL is my "home park" and its gets a little frustrating when you get on auto pilot and realize pirates and HM are NOT right next to each other and such- But I love them both-

DL has alot more history built into the park than MK does, it being Walt's Park and such-If you like history there are several great books on DLs history that might be fun-

Or ya can do what I do with my family who doesnt look forward to Disney- Leave them at home Until they learn to appreciate it they stay home...
-em

 

[Tink33]

Yikes - not excited about a trip to Disneyland?

Tell us about your family. How old is your DD? What does she like about WDW? What types of things does she enjoy doing at home or with her friends? Are you planning to do anything outside the resort?

I am sure that we can come up with some ideas that will make her excited to visit Disneyland and California Adventure.

 

[Brynnie]

I went to DL for the first time in Dec. and I loved it! Focus on the attractions that they can't see in DL like, Indiana Jones (SOO MUCH FUN!), Roger Rabbits Car toon spin, The Matterhorn, Alice in Wonderland, Pinocchio, California Adventure attractions, etc....

I will post a trip report later tonight and maybe it will be of some help to you. I LOVE WDW but I was just as happy with DL!!! Your family will be happy when they see it!

Have a great time!

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Don't worry...the second your family walks through the gates, their attitudes will change. I have been to WDW and DL several times, as well as my DH, DD (11), and DS (9). We all enjoy both locations equally. The thing to keep in mind is that the trip should not be spent doing comparisons between the parks -- just enjoy the day and remember you're at the Happiest Place on Earth!!!

By the way, don't forget to get PS at Blue Bayou and ask for waterside seating. You won't find this restaurant @ WDW and it shouldn't be missed!

HAVE FUN!!!

P.S. Please post a follow-up when you return to help more of the die-hard WDW fans take a chance on experiencing some of our "West Coast Magic"

 

[I Intrigue You]

Originally posted by Tink33
Yikes - not excited about a trip to Disneyland?

Tell us about your family. How old is your DD? What does she like about WDW? What types of things does she enjoy doing at home or with her friends? Are you planning to do anything outside the resort?

I am sure that we can come up with some ideas that will make her excited to visit Disneyland and California Adventure.

First of all thanks for all of the positive posts!

DD is 10 and her favorite ride at WDW is BTMRR, even though she is getting to the "tweenage" she still enjoys searching for characters and getting autographs. I'm thinking of maybe doing lunch at Ariel's since this is her favorite princess.

We are planning on driving down to San Deigo to take in the Zoo but other than that we have no other plans. Since we will be there for 6 days I'm sure we will be looking for other things to do? DD and myself have never been to CA but DH has been several times. One of the top things on my list is other than DL is I must see the Pacific Ocean. I'm sure you guys know a lot of good viewing locations


Thanks!

 

[Carlen T]

Now, I have never been to WDW, but this will be my 3rd time going to DL. I myself have an 8 year old daughter, and she is very afraid to fly (we're in Oregon) but is looking forward to DL itself. She may even try Screamin' California! I know that my aunt told me when my uncle died, about a year or so after his passing, my cousins were teenagers (or just barely) and she gave them a choice of going to Hawaii or Disneyland- they chose Hawaii! So, it could be the age. I hope you can have a great time. I'm sure your daughter's attitude changes once you get there.

 

[YCFAN]

The Indiana Jones ride at DL is one of the best rides at either park!! Just like a lot of other posters said, it's extra special because it was (is) Walt's park.

 

[cheshcat]

I'd recommend taking the "A Walk in Walt's Footsteps" tour. It really gives you a feeling of the "history" in the park. If your daughter is at all interested in Hidden Mickeys in the parks, this is a great tour. You can also visit the Disney Gallery and see the apartment that was built for the Disneys. There is a (free) tour for that as well. Just ask at the register in the Gallery.

Also a big difference between DL and WDW is how close DL and California Adventure are. If you have a park hopper ticket, you can easily switch between the parks just by walking across the esplanade.

DL is my "home" park, but I remember on my (only) trip to WDW how fun it was to compare the Magic Kingdom and Disneyland. Try to look for the fun differences, like how the seating for Splash Mountain is different or where the rides are in relations to others.

 

[AnNaNiCoLe]

too bad..don't try to force Disney Cheer on your children, it'll jus' get worse

 

[RLAlden]

We're making our first family trip to DL in a few weeks too. And being regulars at WDW, I'm sure this will be a little different. Normally when we go to WDW, we're there for a week or so and will spend the entire time at WDW, and we've still got a lot we've never been able to do yet. With our trip to DL and DCA, we're planning a lot of other things around it, such as; San Francisco, Alcatraz, Grand Sequoia, Beaches, etc... So, to this point, everyone is really excited about it, even though we still believe DL and DCA will be the highlight.

 

[minniecarousel]

There are a lot of things to do in Hollywood. You can even go to Universal-Hollywood for a day. I haven't been to Knots Berry Farm in many years - but it might be worth a day. (anyone know?) You can also look into television show tapings - not sure which ones allow kids.
Going to San Francisco requires an overnight (at least). It's a 6 hour drive, if you know where you're going.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Knotts Berry Farm is definitely no DL, but it's worthwhile if you have some extra time. They have some great roller coasters but most of them have minimum heighth requirements that most elementary school aged children wouldn't meet.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Knotts Berry Farm is definitely no DL, but it's worthwhile if you have some extra time. They have some great roller coasters but most of them have minimum heighth requirements that most elementary school aged children wouldn't meet.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Oops, sorry for the trigger finger...didn't mean to post twice!!!

 

[jlima]

You can see the ocean from the top of the MaliBoomer!!

Seriously, try to go to Laguna Beach. There is a public park on the beach, and lots of shops and restaurants that you will probably enjoy very much. You will not be too far from the best mall in the world, Fashion Island in Newport Beach (and you can see the ocean from the Cheesecake Factory's windows).

You may want to consider going to Legoland. Ten is not too old! My kids love that place and California is the only place in the US you can have the Legoland experience (and you can see the ocean from the top of the Technics roller coaster).

If you make it to Knotts be sure to try the Chicken Dinner Restaurant (no ocean view, but the best chicken you'll ever have.)

 

[iceskatejen]

FYI Indy will be down until May (not sure when) for refurbishment but it's a cool ride, so if you're going in June, it should be up and running.

So. Cal. has lots to do. Knotts is pretty fun. Ghostrider rocks and yes, the chicken is good. So good, it's the reason the amusement park is there--Walter Knott started building Ghost Town to entertain guests while they waited for a seat in the restaurant. Universal is pretty fun, too and in the summer the new Mummy coaster opens--Universal Hollywood's first coaster.

And DL (DCA too) have my heart. Screamin' is my 3rd fave coaster and on weekdays it's common to be able to ride it over and over w/o much wait.

 

[kjcolv]

ICeskatejen

What's your top 2 fav roller coasters???

Our family choice for #1 is Millenium Force at CP after that we start having different opinions...some like Beast, some like Son of Beast some like Hulk at USF..We are looking forward to Screamin and Ghostrider. We counted last night and after this trip we will be at about 96 different roller coasters we have ridden as a family!