First Time To Disneyland

[jhaig]

My family and I are considering our next vacation to be at DL. For the last 4 years we have enjoyed our annual vacation at WDW in Orlando. I have had several people tell us that if you love Disneyworld, you will be disappointed with Disneyland. Is that possible? I know it's smaller, but how in general would a trip to Disneyland compare if we have only been to WDW before? Will it be a letdown?

 

[skiingfast]

I think some people have closed minds. If you do it could be a problem.

It not less, it's compact, and easier to take in than WDW. Try reading the DLR for WDW vets guide linked below.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[jhaig]

I think some people have closed minds. If you do it could be a problem.

It not less, it's compact, and easier to take in than WDW. Try reading the DLR for WDW vets guide linked below.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

That's the way I see it too. Can both parks be done in 3-4 days if you wanted to see everything?

 

[Keurigirl]

Can both parks be done in 3-4 days if you wanted to see everything?

Yes, absolutely! If you plan and tour with a plan, you will absolutely see everything in four days. We've done it in two with low crowds.

Disneyland is only missing Epcot and Animal Kingdom, although it includes Soarin' and Bug's Life. You'll find it's smaller but packs more rides for the same space that DW has. I prefer Disneyland, since it's so much more doable and less overwhelming than Disneyworld.

You'll also find that Space Mountain FAR exceeds the one at DW, as well as Tower of Terror.

Bottom line is that it's a Disney park. How could it be that bad??

 

[MichelleVW]

I am a Disney World vet who visited Disneyland for the first time last Feb....I LOVED IT!! It was neat to be at "Walt's" park.

I just booked at trip to Disneyland for Spring Break for me and my two college daughters...I can't wait to go back!

 

[skiingfast]

That's the way I see it too. Can both parks be done in 3-4 days if you wanted to see everything?

You will see this covered in the link. Does WDW have more? Size yes but attractions barely more even though it has 4 parks.

3 days yes you can do it all if the crowds are low, but remember that some of the night shows are Fri-Sun only in slow seasons. 4 days is better if you include a weekend because every weekend at DLR is much better. 5 if it's over a busy holiday period. Also depending on when you aim to come, next summers Carsland is opening and this will likely mean you can't do it all in 3 days anymore.

I would also urge anyone coming for a visit to DLR to make sure they see World of Color, Fantasmic and Remember Dreams Come True. This is of course because only DLR has WoC. Fantasmic is a bit different and in my opinion better at DL. RDCT is the best firework show Disney puts on.

 

[merfsko]

To echo what's been said, I don't think you'll be disappointed at all, unless you go into your trip with that mindset. I'm a WDW vet (and did an ICP there) so it's definitely my "home" park, but I absolutely loved DLR when I went two years ago. Enough that I'm going back in October I personally do not like comparing the parks, because they're both special and memorable in their own ways.

If you guys end up going, I hope you have a magical trip!

 

[HydroGuy]

My family and I are considering our next vacation to be at DL. For the last 4 years we have enjoyed our annual vacation at WDW in Orlando. I have had several people tell us that if you love Disneyworld, you will be disappointed with Disneyland. Is that possible? I know it's smaller, but how in general would a trip to Disneyland compare if we have only been to WDW before? Will it be a letdown?

I wish we could run down all the WDW people who say this and find out what they actually know. I would bet that one of the following is true:

A. They have never actually been to DLR so have no idea what they are talking about.

B. They visited DL as a child some 30 years ago - and 30 years ago WDW was not what it is today either! Epcot had not even opened yet!

C. They did come to DLR recently and did not like it because it is not WDW

Kinda funny if you think about it, but what do some WDW vets want? A carbon copy of WDW just on the west coast? If that is what they want then why bother?

DLR is different from WDW. Is WDW better than DLR? Yes in some ways. And no in others. For those who love real Disney magic I cannot imagine them not loving DLR.

For those who have convinced themselves that the WDW model is the only way to experience Disney and anything different is inferior by definition, then they might not care for DLR. Or Tokyo Disney or Disney Paris either since both those resorts are also different from WDW.

 

[IBLarsen]

We have always done DLR and this past April we surprised our kids with a trip to WDW for their bday week. I was very excited to see WDW but was almost worried that after being at WDW that I would think less of DLR.
We did like WDW (who doesn't if you like Disney) and we loved the resort feel and never leaving the magic because we were onsite. At DLR we stay across the street on Harbor Blvd, because you don't 'need' to be onsite.
Other than the resort feel, I still like DLR better. Once we were in the parks we felt more limited at WDW because it wasn't so easy to go do anything offered within the day like at DLR. On the days we weren't at Magic Kingdom, my kids kept asking why we couldn't see the castle and main st for the day. It dawned on me that we love that each and every day of our DLR trips we start off walking down Main St and seeing the castle and we love that feeling and then we can still go over the CA side and do what we like over there. So my point is we felt limited at WDW by which park we happened to be in. We like having access to everything so quickly and conveniently at DLR. And less overwhelming and not worrying about getting from point a to point b. We love how quaint and charming DLR still feels, we didn't have that same feeling at WDW. We would still like to go back to WDW for the different experiences it offers, but my heart is all for DLR still.

 

[Disney Addicted]

I haven't been to Disneyland (yet!) and I'm not sure how I could be disappointed! There are so many NEW rides to try, things to see, restaurants to eat at. I'm looking forward to being there one day! The only downside is less days but since we would be pairing it with a cruise, that's ok!

 

[scion5220]

I think it really just depends on what it is that people enjoy about WDW. If you enjoy being at a resort with all that that includes you will probably find DL lacking in some ways. Even though there are Disney hotels at DL they are not secluded and in fact the only Disney built hotel (Grand Californian) has park guests traipsing through it all day coming to and from the parks and Downtown Disney.

However, if you are an attraction and park lover, you will enjoy DL because there are more attractions closer together. If I were going for the first time though I would really wait for DCA to complete their expansions. Having the entrance to that park be walled off walkways that seems to cut the park in half is not conducive to making first time visitors love their time there. And the logisitics of WOC really take away from enjoying that show, in my opinion.

I just came back from a week at DL and can say that while I still enjoy WDW more, I found many things I liked about the current incarnation of DL. (I have been several times over the last 20 years.)

 

[furb & dez]

If you plan and tour with a plan, you will absolutely see everything in four days. We've done it in two with low crowds.

If you have four days at DLR, you don't even need a plan. Just go, see what you want, have fun.

 

[sweetlovin']

My family and I are considering our next vacation to be at DL. For the last 4 years we have enjoyed our annual vacation at WDW in Orlando. I have had several people tell us that if you love Disneyworld, you will be disappointed with Disneyland. Is that possible? I know it's smaller, but how in general would a trip to Disneyland compare if we have only been to WDW before? Will it be a letdown?

I have been to WDW at least 3 times a year in the past 6-7 years and I love it! My 10yo son has been over 18 times (some of the trips I left the kids at home) I haven't been to Disneyland (yet) I am going in 2012 for a surpise trip with my 9yo.

However, last April I went to Disneyland Paris which has only 2 parks. I wasn't sure how my kids (who have grown into WDW experts) would respond. I loved it and my kids loved it so much they are asking to go back soon (2014). My 9yo loved Space Mountain over there. My 6yo was tall enough (by their standards) to ride Aerosmith. And my 10yo had never experienced Indiana Jones as a ride and loved it. Even their Pirates Ride was so unique, it felt like we were experiencing an entire new side to Disney.

I think if you go in with the attitude that it is an entirely different Disney experience you will have an amazing time.

 

[jhaig]

However, if you are an attraction and park lover, you will enjoy DL because there are more attractions closer together. If I were going for the first time though I would really wait for DCA to complete their expansions. Having the

What expansions are going on right now and when should they be completed?

 

[skiingfast]

What expansions are going on right now and when should they be completed?

In DCA they are redoing the entry and addings on Carsland. These will be done for next summer.

 

[HydroGuy]

What expansions are going on right now and when should they be completed?

Most of the big stuff at DCA should be completed by June 2012.

See this post from MiceChat:

Disney California Adventure Project Tracker 12

 

[disneymom0104]

We are taking our first family DL trip next month after 3 WDW trips and we cannot be more excited (well, my DH and I are- our kids don't know about the trip!) I grew up going to DL but it has been well over 20 years since I have been there. I can't wait to go with my family. While it is different than WDW I know it will be just as special and magical as WDW. I am sure it will be amazing for your family, too!

 

[jhaig]

We are taking our first family DL trip next month after 3 WDW trips and we cannot be more excited (well, my DH and I are- our kids don't know about the trip!) I grew up going to DL but it has been well over 20 years since I have been there. I can't wait to go with my family. While it is different than WDW I know it will be just as special and magical as WDW. I am sure it will be amazing for your family, too!

I think that's the way it will be for us if we decide to go. Other questions I have are:

- Does DLR have Magical Express service from the airport?

- Should we stay off-site or in one of the three Disney hotels?

 

[skiingfast]

I think that's the way it will be for us if we decide to go. Other questions I have are:

- Does DLR have Magical Express service from the airport?

- Should we stay off-site or in one of the three Disney hotels?

No DME. Nothing free. Where you stay will play into this decision and where you come from.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2318297


Off or onsite is tough. It depends if you want to be close(which is either in many cases), what you would like to pay or the style of hotel you want.

 

[puakinikini]

I have never been to WDW - going for the first time in October. So, keep that in mind, but living in So. Cal I have been to Disneyland A LOT and I cannot imagine being disappointed. It is a magical place.