First time visit - main differences from WDW?

[disneysteve]

We are WDW veterans - I've been 22 times, 15 for DW and 11 for DD. But none of us has ever been to Disneyland. We're just starting to plan our own California adventure for next year. I'm figuring on going toward the end of the summer. All the pre-50th rehabbing should be over.

I have a million questions, but one basic one for now. What are the main differences between Disneyland and WDW that I need to be aware of in the planning process? I understand that there are hotels that are within walking distance to the parks, obviously not the case in Florida. What other types of fundamental differences are there along those lines?

Thanks for any guidance you can give.

 

[iceskatejen]

First off, the DL resort is way smaller. The 2 parks are just across the ticket plaza from eachother and DTD is right next door. So if you want to park hop or eat, shop, or see a movie in DTD it's all within easy walking distance (though the monorail from DL does drop off right by the movie theater and a couple restaurants). So to figure out how much time you need to get from place to place is just how far is it and how fast can you walk there? The only transportation Disney provides are the monorail and the paking lot trams. While I was at WDW I would not have considered staying anywhere but on-property, for DL I would definetely consider off property as distances are much shorter (though I've never actually stayed overnight for a DL trip).

Secondly, even though WDW (MK esp.) has many of the same rides, there are definate differences between some the WDW versions and the DL versions. DL's POTC is longer and much better, HM is different, BTM is different, Splash Mountain is different, you get the idea. Our Jungle Cruise guides are funnier (try it at night, they're hilarious), our Fantasmic is better (and people claim their spots early--no stadium) and even if you're right up front for it you don't really get wet unless the wind is in your face. DL has New Orleans Square instead of Liberty Square and NOS is more interesting and has all sorts of nooks and crannies (plus some really fun shops). Make sure you catch a perfomance by this quartet there--they sing accapella and throw beads to the audience. DL is a bit smaller the WDW's MK, but I think it's more charming. Our Toontown is 10 times better (and bigger). At DCA, make sure to check out the Animation building--follow the ramp into the sorcerers workshop (and do that if you want) but the cool parts come up next--the Beast's Library, where Lumiere will ask you some questions and tell you which Disney character you're most like; and Ursula's Grotto, where she steals your voice (as she puts it).

That's probably a lot to chew on for the moment.

 

[jlmarr]

This page has a nice arial shot showing the DL area:

http://www.beachcalifornia.com/dlmp.html

As you can see, the DL Resort is surrounded by hotels, streets, freeways, and residential districts, which is quite different than WDW's 47 square miles of Disney property as a buffer from reality.

 

[LuvTigger]

Ditto what iceskatejen said.

I think the two key differences are:
(1) Transportation from the airport and between DL and other areas. In WDW, there are many shuttles, car services, etc. In CA, I personally think it's better to just rent a car, especially if you plan to do things other than DL.

(2) Hotels. Like iceskatejen, in WDW, I only stay onsite because of the amenities and convenience. At DL, I only stay "onsite" if I want to splurge, but staying onsite won't make-or-break the trip. There are TONS of hotels within walking distance, and even those that aren't walking distance have reliable and frequent shuttles. (Last year I got a Hyatt on priceline for $44, it wasn't walking distance, but they had a great shuttle, it was in a great area close to restaurants, etc., and it was beautiful!)

If you want to splurge and stay at one of the Disney hotels, my favorite is the Grand Californian. (I am a big fan of WL at WDW, and they're pretty similar.)

However, do keep in mind that many of the hotels in the immediate vicinity are mostly like motels (smaller, exterior hallways, etc), but they are for the most part very nice, and it's a safe area. There are hotels in the area too, Sheraton, Hyatt, etc., but they may not be as convenient in terms of walking distance.

 

[disneychrista]

The main difference no busses!! You can walk every where you need to be on site. Its great!!!

 

[disneysteve]

Thanks for the replies so far.

We are Marriott Reward members so I'll probably be looking at the Marriott properties in the area. I know there are a couple of Residence Inns nearby.

I have a question about the aerial photo in jlmarr's link. Where is the entrance to the parks? If the entrance is toward the top of the photo near the Disney hotels, how far of a walk is that from the hotels along the bottom of the photo?

 

[iceskatejen]

You can't realy see the park entrances from that photo, but they are directly across from one another. The Grand Californian is the closest hotel to the park entrances. The park entrances are actually closer to Harbor Blvd than to Disneyland Drive where you park for the hotels and DTD. It's probably about 1/4-1/3 of a mile walk to the DL hotel from the park entrances and less than 1/4 mile to the McDonalds on the other side of Harbor Blvd. I wouldn't consider the hotels at the bottom of the picture to be within walking distance (at least not at the end of the day when feet are tired), but pretty much all the area hotels have shuttles. There is a drop-off area to the east side of the park entrances. The Disney hotels are on the west side of the entrances.

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by iceskatejen
I wouldn't consider the hotels at the bottom of the picture to be within walking distance (at least not at the end of the day when feet are tired), but pretty much all the area hotels have shuttles. There is a drop-off area to the east side of the park entrances. The Disney hotels are on the west side of the entrances.

That's what it looked like to me.

Do the hotel shuttles run frequently or just a few times per day like in Florida?

 

[Amberle3]

Most of the hotels don't have their own shuttles but rather use the Anaheim Resort Transit, or ART. I've had mixed experiences with ART. Sometimes the service was really good, sometimes it was not. Buses usually run about evey 20 minutes, more frequently at peak time (like park opening and closing). It isn't free, but it doesn't cost too horribly much - $12 for ages 10 and up for 5 days use. They have a website at http://www.atnetwork.org/anaheim_resort.html with some information on pricing and routes. One nice thing about the ART - your passes are good for unlimited usage of all ART routes (not just the one to your hotel) so if there's something in the area you want to go to it makes it a little easier.

I toured the Residence Inn a few months ago and it looks really nice. They have a private shuttle that they share with one or two other hotels in the area. I don't recall how often it runs. I'll be staying there in December.

Of the hotels that do use private shuttles, I think they usually run every half hour during non-peak times, and probably about every 10 minutes during peak. That's just a guess though.

 

[iceskatejen]

If you look toward the bottom of the picture to the right, the hotels from the Ramada Maingate (at the left) to the Fairfield Inn (at the right), I would consider to be within walking distance (to me, walking distance means I can hoof it there at the end of the day, not just at the beginning)--they are literally right across the street from where the drop-off area (the yellow circles near the railroad by Tommorrowland) is. Anything else you would probably want a shuttle.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font color=navy>There are three Marriott hotels in the area.

Residence Inn by Marriott on Clementine Street - if you go to the stuck thread at the top of the Disneyland Discussion Board, you'll see a thread regarding Disneyland - click on that & scroll down - I have a thread in there with pictures of the Residence Inn by Marriott. I really liked this resort. They have their own shuttle that goes to the parks.

Residence Inn by Marriott-Resort Area on Harbor. The rooms at this resort are really nice, and they have kid suites with bunk beds. I like this resort, too, but there are really no grounds here, other than the area set aside for grills, pool, and volleyball courts. You would take the ART from here, which is $12 for your stay per adult, kids up to and including 9 are free with adults - at 4 adults you get the family ticket which includes everyone in your party.

Anaheim Marriott - typical Marriott hotel, next to the Anaheim convention center. I believe you take the ART from this hotel, too, but not sure. I'd have to check my notes.

You could technically walk from the first hotel to the Disneyland Resort - it would be about 10 minutes. Dis4me who posts on the DIS has done that.

If I were to recommend hotels that were really close, it would be the Candy Cane Inn and Best Western Park Place Inn. The Howard Johnson is also close, but you might want to get an ART pass, since it's a bit of a walk.

If you want to stay in a really nice non-Disney hotel, try the Sheraton - it has its own shuttle, but parking is $10/night.

 

[dletz]

Here's a link to an excel comparison file I had made. I have hopes of expanding it with more info on the differences between the rides and stuff, but here's a start on what is available.

http://f2.pg.briefcase.yahoo.com/bc...scounts&.dnm=Land+-+World+Compare.xls&.src=bc

 

[JIMINOCCHIO]

to give you a bearing on actual distance, it is 1 mile from Ball Road (the main street just north of Disneyland) to Katella (the main street bordering the south side of DCA) All of DLR sits on approximately 3/4 of a square mile. I would consider any of the hotels on Harbor or Katella within walking distance.

 

[heart4dis]

but the REAL question to me is...

Is there Magic at DL?

Is it as magical as WDW?

 

[iceskatejen]

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Actually, I think DL is about 10,000,000 more magical. Sure MK at WDW is grand and all, but it lacks DL's charm and warmth. And don't forget--DL is the original. Remember--Walt Disney actually spent a lot of time at DL. He never got to at WDW. Also, many of the rides (POTC in particular) are better at DL. The only real exception I found was BTM, otherwise I generally like the DL versions better. I thought MK's Jungle Cruise was cool, but DL's guides are funnier.

 

[Firefly777]

Originally posted by heart4dis
but the REAL question to me is...

Is there Magic at DL?

Is it as magical as WDW?

Of course there is magic at DL and it's definitely as magical as WDW to me, if not more. But of course, it's all subjective.

 

[jlmarr]

Originally posted by heart4dis
but the REAL question to me is...

Is there Magic at DL?

Is it as magical as WDW?

Yes, there's magic, but it's Disneyland magic, not WDW magic. They're both magical in their own ways. Just go in with the knowledge that DL is quite space limited, which WDW surely is not. After you get over that I think you'll have a great time.

 

[JIMINOCCHIO]

What is all this talk about DLR being space limited as a bad thing, let's not forget the advantage here... a lot less walking with a lot more fun. DL has 49 attractions, MK has 34. Now... who manages their space better? HA!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I can understand comparing rides between the two parks. IE, the outside of It's a Small World is much nicer at DL than MK, etc. I can also understand asking about the differences between DL and WDW, comparing and contrasting everything that both areas have to offer. I do hope that people appreciate all that DL and WDW have without feeling that they are disloyal to one or the other. This happens all the time with people comparing WDW with Unviersal Orlando. Some people expect UO to have the "Disney magic", which of course is impossible, but both places are wonderful, with a variety of rides, shows, and activities to please most people.

I grew up with DL and went to WDW for my first time 6 years ago. I haven't been to DL for almost 10 years and only several times as an adult. In the last 6 years I've been to WDW 6 times and plan to go 2-3 times this year. I'm also very excited about returning to DL in a year or so and seeing CA for the first time. Doesn't mean I don't like WDW, just like my few trips to Universal doesn't mean that I don't like WDW.

Even though DL and WDW are both Disney, they are very different experiences.

The funny thing about Disney for me is that my husband grew up on Harriet Lane in Anaheim and could see the fireworks from his house, but he just doesn't get my Disney obsession, and neither do my in-laws.

T&B

 

[Firefly777]

Originally posted by JIMINOCCHIO
What is all this talk about DLR being space limited as a bad thing, let's not forget the advantage here... a lot less walking with a lot more fun. DL has 49 attractions, MK has 34. Now... who manages their space better? HA!

Even after going to both parks, DL never feels small to me. I guess if you are used to the MK, DL might feel small. But, to me, they are both equally immersive. DL just has more stuff to do.