First time to California - to DL or not to DL?

[DizzyDis]

Hello all!

This is my first post over on this side of the house! I am in Eastern Canada, so typically go to WDW (every 2-3 years) and actually just went in April with my young kids and husband. I may be able to go to LA in June for work, so my husband is looking to come with me and spend a couple of days sightseeing. Neither of us have ever been before, so are trying to decide if we want to do the typical Hollywood-type adult tourist activities, go to DL or some combination of the 2. We will likely have 1-2 days together, then my husband will be on his own.

I am the big-time Disney fan in the house, so am looking for advice on if it would be a good idea to have a DL day (it will be early June, so big crowds) or if it would be a poor introduction to that coast (if you can't do it right, don't go at all). I would consider staying on site so we can take advantage of site perks before checking into the conference hotel (which is up near Hollywood). This is a whole new area for me, and the opportunity came up very quickly, so will take any advice I can get!

Thanks!

 

[Zbugz]

I personally would do it, but most likely it will leave you wanting more. You could go with the goal of hitting things that are distinctive and/or better at DL. Obviously there is no way to do it all in one to two days. Focus on just one park. In your case, staying on site is a great idea. The crowds are manageable in the summer for two people with a good touring plan.

 

[tdhickey]

ummm...Yes.

I think you'd regret not spending at least one day in Disneyland being so close. One thing to note, there isn't much of a perk in staying on site other than an extra magic hour early in the morning. Still fun, but the Harbour hotels are actually closer/same distance to the main gate.

 

[Disney Lvr of Old]

YES! YES! YES! I think in 1 1/2 - 2 days you can get a lot done; especially the stuff unique to DLR. There's no way I could visit FL and not go to WDW. If you find you love it then you can go back again with the whole family. Staying on site gives you EMH which is very valuable during the busier days. And 2 people are a lot easier to plan for than a family. Have fun. JUST DO IT!!

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

I think it'd be a nice 'taste'. I'd do one day so you can see how you feel about the park and maybe try DL next time you plan a disney trip. But I'm a huge disnerd. I went to California once and went to DTD but didn't go to DL and it KILLED ME.

The benefit would be seeing why we all love it so much. I've never bothered doing all the 'adult stuff' in California tho. We tend to hit up the beach and disneyland. You'll have thicker crowds but you'll have longer hours.

 

[Belle83]

Definitely! I went to a conference for work near Universal Studios Hollywood (I actually stayed in a hotel within walking distance to US) but didn't visit Universal. I drove to Disneyland for 1 day and bought a park hopper ticket. You have to go! If you have time, I'd try to spend 2 full days there between DL and CA.

 

[DnA2010]

heck ya! I've been many times, but I can't imagine going to the area and not going to DL

 

[gottalovepluto]

Yes to DL. So much more magical than Hollywood. No, I'm not being sarcastic!

 

[Jerryp49]

Yes, go but are you aware of the closures due to the building of Star Wars Land? No Rivers of America, no Railroad. Get park hoppers so can also visit DCA for Grizzly River and Radiator Springs

 

[crystal1313]

Yes! Even if you don't go into he parks, Steakhouse 55 and Trader Sam's are always enjoyable =)

 

[snowybelle]

I agree with the poster above who said Disneyland is MUCH more magical than Hollywood/LA touristy stuff. There are some awe-inspiring places in the great state of California, but in my opinion Los Angeles is not one of them. Disneyland, on the other hand, is an important pilgrimage for any die-hard Disney fan! I just returned from my very first trip there yesterday and I am hooked!

(I've spent a great deal of time in Los Angeles, btw, and I am just not a fan. At least, not as a vacation destination...)

 

[MrJT]

I say YES. Of course that's coming from a guy who had only 2 days in Paris, ever, and went to Disneyland on one of them.

 

[mmmears]

I say yes, also, but look where you are asking Whenever we go to LA (and for whatever reason) we always try to squeeze in a day or two to visit Disneyland. If you have only been to WDW, then double yes, since DL is different and very special.

 

[ktlm]

DL with hoppers!!! I was in your boat 8 years ago. I had only been to DL once as a kid. We had been to WDW several times. I had a business trip in Orange County in June. My meeting was on Monday, so I took DH out with me for the weekend. We left DD (then 2) home with Grandma. We decided at the spur of the moment to try DL/CA. We spent one day there pretty much from open to close and we had a fantastic time. We got a ton done in that day. When DD was 4, we took her out for her first time at DL (she had already been to WDW), and we have been alternating coasts ever since. DL/CA has its own brand of magic. Carsland really is a must see- especially at night!

 

[kathy884]

I'm going to LA/Disneyland with my 20 year old. We have three days and FYI this is what we picked to do:
Overnight in Hollywood area: Day 1 -- Warner Brother's Studio tour, Griffith Observatory, Santa Monica Pier - we'll hit the walk of fame and Chinese theatre arrival night too FYI
Then thee nights in Anaheim: Disneyland day 2, California Adventure day 3 (DS is a huge Titanic fan and we will see the Titanic attraction on Day 2 also).

Note: I have been to WDW 39 times, DS has been to WDW 15 times, but never to Disneyland. It is a dream of ours, though, to see Walt's Original Park, and Carsland in CA Adventure looks too cool to pass up too.. I was at Disneyland in 1964 when I was four, but not since and DS has never been.

It all depends on you. Do LA activities interest you more or does Disneyland sound like it would be a blast? I'd in your shoes probably do LA activities one day and a one day park hopper at Disneyland the other. But we just think it would be so cool to see the California parks and in our case the main reason for going out is to do that.

We, though, are huge Disney fan and even in a magical city like Paris would squeeze a day in too (most tourist wouldn't dream of that in that fabulous city unless they had a ton of time there).

I have a friend on the other hand that would dream of going to LA without hitting the Getty which is known to be a real treasure in LA. Obviously with a short timeframe you have to pick and choose, and everyone is different. And DH FYI is actually skipping this trip - thinks the majority of our activities sound too cheesy and he doesn't like theme parks. (We'll all go somewhere he likes and we all like on our main vacation -- Colorado and the mountains this summer).

 

[Disney Dad ADL]

I agree with the poster above who said Disneyland is MUCH more magical than Hollywood/LA touristy stuff. There are some awe-inspiring places in the great state of California, but in my opinion Los Angeles is not one of them. Disneyland, on the other hand, is an important pilgrimage for any die-hard Disney fan! I just returned from my very first trip there yesterday and I am hooked!

(I've spent a great deal of time in Los Angeles, btw, and I am just not a fan. At least, not as a vacation destination...)

Yeah, I'm with you on that. LA proper is really not that interesting for tourists IMO. LA great for eating and for nightlife, but not for tourist attractions. Hollywood is fine for like a 1/2 day, but I'm not sure if it's a "must-do", except to say that you've seen it. See the Hollywood sign, see the Walk of Fame, maybe the Chinese Theater, then you're done. The beach cities are much more interesting, or San Diego. If I had only 1 day in Southern California (as a tourist), I would either hit one or more of the beach cities, go to San Diego, or go to Disneyland. And I would eat a lot.

 

[DizzyDis]

Awesome! Thank you all so much! I realize I am asking a biased population, but I hoped you would support my real dream! DH is less interested in DL, so it should work well for us to do DL together and then have can do things that are more traditional Hollywood when I am working.

I forgot to ask and haven't seen it elsewhere, is the shuttle from the airport to DL the same as WDW? Do you have to prebook and stay inside? We will be traveling light, so public transportation is our preferred option for this trip. Thank you!

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

I agree. I'd hit up a great beach instead of LA

 

[Watchtower]

Awesome! Thank you all so much! I realize I am asking a biased population, but I hoped you would support my real dream! DH is less interested in DL, so it should work well for us to do DL together and then have can do things that are more traditional Hollywood when I am working.

I forgot to ask and haven't seen it elsewhere, is the shuttle from the airport to DL the same as WDW? Do you have to prebook and stay inside? We will be traveling light, so public transportation is our preferred option for this trip. Thank you!

No Magical Express at Disneyland like there is at Disney World. There's a "Disneyland Express" run by Gray Line Shuttles (www.graylineanaheim.com/docs/DRE%20Brochure.pdf) that has service to LAX and SNA, but even that can be a little pricey. More and more people these days are saving money and time with Uber and Lyft.....or even just a regular ol' taxi.

 

[KCAshley]

Fwiw, my husband and I are spending a week in LA/Sam Diego and that includes two days at DLR. My argument was that we can't go all the way there (from Kansas City) and be so close and not check it out! We'll be there in early June as well.

I've found that most people suggest a longer amount of time than two days, but in my mind two is better than zero and no matter how much time we have it would never be enough so why not make the most of it (says the girl who only spent 56 hours in Paris and doesn't feel the need to go again). Also, without kids, it's a lot easier to your!