Florida Family Coming To See Disneyland

[erinlees_mommie]

I am from Florida..Hubby is from Idaho.He has been to DL once and DW MANY times *thanks to me* ... He doesn't remember much except how much smaller it is compared to DW.

Sell me on planning a trip to DL...
What do I need to know...where is there to stay without renting a car...Best character dining experiences....We will be coming with our 4 yr old DD who is Dis crazy.

I am wanting to think outside of DW but it is hard because it is SO CLOSE...and I have been going since I was 2.

Thanks for all information y'all can send my way to help me convince myself that I should travel to Cali to see where it all began!

 

[avalon451]

Welcome to the Left Coast Dis! You are going to LOVE Walt's park!

It's very different from WDW, but in a good way. It's so compact, and everything is walking distance-- no riding the bus, monorail, etc. to get around. There are both parks right next to each other, and only 10% fewer rides than all of WDW!

There's just a magic about being the park that Walt designed and walked around in.

For more details and differences, Hydroguy has an excellent tips thread, which includes "DL for WDW Vets" http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483 Lots of good info about the parks there. Read that, and then c'mon back with any questions!

Hope that helps.

 

[Mike_M]

From my own experience visiting both coasts and from reading here, The main thing to keep in mind above all the other differences is that each coast's resort has a different perspective from the other.

For WDW, the resort itself is the immersive factor. Once you are on property, you are pretty visually isolated from Orlando and I believe it's especially apparent to WDW vets. In CA, it's only within the DL berm itself where we feel distant from the outside world. Specifically for me, walking through the tunnel under the train tracks at the main gate is where the outside stresses and problems melt away and I feel like I'm home again. It's sounds like such a little thing, but I think realizing that ahead of time is really helpful in keeping yourself from overly comparing DLR to WDW (Which is still difficult for Disney Vets from either coast) so that you can simply enjoy the trip.

 

[erinlees_mommie]

Thanks Y'all ....
I am tinkering with the idea of heading that way.It might be nice for a change
We were stationed in WA..and I don't know why we never went while we were over there.
Hopefully by the time I can plan this we can get some good deals on flights and such to sway me too

THANKS again !! I will keep checking back!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

I think the best advice I can give you is not to compare the 2 parks. Come to Disneyland to experience it. It is much smaller, but we like that. We can come & go between Disneyland & DCA & DTD & even to the 3 DL resort hotels or motels across from the entrance on Harbor Blvd.

The 3 hotels are fabulous: Paradise Pier Hotel takes on a beach theme, but kept Disney. Disneyland Hotel is full of history with beautiful grounds. The Grand Californian Hotel is majestic. Harbor Blvd is full of motels/hotels that are within walking distance of the park. Lots of people on here tend to love the Howard Johnson, but there are many more that are well liked.

There are 5 character meals offered:
Goofy's Kitchen breakfast/lunch/brunch is our favorite! HUGE buffet with characters like: Goofy, Pluto, Minnie, Baloo, a Princess, Alice, Mad Hatter, etc.
They also do a dinner buffet with the same type of characters.
Minnie & Friends Breakfast buffet. Lots of classic characters that the kids love.
Lilo-n-Stitch breakfast (either buffet or order off menu). More of a tropical themed breakfast & I hear the coconut scones are to die for.
Storytellers Breakfast (either buffet or order off menu). This one usually is frequented by the jungle/animal characters. Chip, Dale, Koda, Kenai, Baloo, Rafiki & such.
Ariel's Grotto is the Princess meal (all 3 meals). You meet Ariel before being seated & then the princesses in attendance are introduced one at a time & they come by each table.

We love the character meals.....the kids like all the interaction & they actually get the character to themselves for a couple minutes.

If you want to spend more time in the area, you are close to so many other wonderful things, that you could really make a trip of it.

 

[S. S. Columbia]

I am from Florida..Hubby is from Idaho.He has been to DL once and DW MANY times *thanks to me* ... He doesn't remember much except how much smaller it is compared to DW.

Sell me on planning a trip to DL...
What do I need to know...where is there to stay without renting a car...Best character dining experiences....We will be coming with our 4 yr old DD who is Dis crazy.

I am wanting to think outside of DW but it is hard because it is SO CLOSE...and I have been going since I was 2.

Thanks for all information y'all can send my way to help me convince myself that I should travel to Cali to see where it all began!

My DD4 really enjoyed the Princess meal at Ariel's Grotto in DCA.

She loved meeting Ariel, Cinderella, Belle, Snow White, and Princess Minnie.

HTH

 

[erinlees_mommie]

Thanks for the info
I am hoping that we can make it out that way...
I would enjoy it I am sure no matter what

Keep the info coming !!! I know that we would want to go to character dining and get around as much as possible...

What else is in the area that is a MUST SEE ?

 

[jolynda]

We have been to both, and the things we love about Disneyland are 1) the smaller, more intimate feel. 2) the ability to walk everywhere. 3) you don't have to plan your meals and make restaurant reservations months in advance. 4) though many of the rides can be found at both DL and WDW, most of them are better at DL (exceptions are Tower of Terror and Splash Mountain, which are better in WDW, where they originated). But you will LOVE DL's Space Mountain - way better! 5) Going to DL/DCA is more relaxing for us. A trip to WDW is a blast, but all the travelling between parks/hotels, etc. can be SO exhausting! 6) Weather is much more pleasant - DO NOT miss the humidity of FL!

That said, we love both places for their unique qualities, but DL will always be our 'favorite' because it feels like 'home'.

 

[MichaelColey]

Although nowhere near as much of a WDW veteran as you, I'm a huge fan. We went for 9 days two years ago, 14 days last year, and are scheduled for 14 days this year. WDW rock! But we experienced DL for the first time last month, and I must say... DL rocks! In many of the same ways, but in a number of different ones.

Definitely read Hydroguy's "DL for WDW Vets" mentioned in post 2. DL and WDW are very different, and many of the things you learn to do in one to get maximum benefit of the park are completely unnecessary in the other. If you go to DL expecting it to be like WDW, you'll be very disappointed. If you understand the differences, take advantage of the benefits of DL, and prepare for the things where DL isn't what you would have expected, you'll love it. Hydroguy's guide will help you understand.