Guilty over going to DL instead of WDW

[THEDISFANS]

We always go to WDW but this go around we have decided to go to DL instead. Will we have as much fun at DL. I feel guilty about not going to WDW. We just went to WDW in october. What do you guys think? This will be our first trip to DL.

 

[CDSTapisRouge]

We LOVE DL... Hubby and I live in Orlando, so we spend alot of time at WDW, but we have gone to DL once, sometimes twice a year for the last 6 years. We have just as much fun there as we do at WDW. We actually find DL to be relaxing because there is not as much to do (as far as 4 parks, water parks, etc) so we go at a slower pace while we are there. Don't feel guilty, you will have a great time.

 

[jacksonsmom]

We just did our 1st DL trip last August after going to WDW 3x.
Although WDW still is #1 in our hearts we did love DL and we did have a great time!

Just go on the trip with the mindframe that they are two different parks! Too many people compare the parks and then are disappointed. They are not the same, although have a lot of the same rides.

My mom went with us on this trip and she was disappointed BUT she kept comparing the two parks. You do that you will be disappointed.

If given a choice I would choose WDW over DL, but if I could not make it to WDW but could go to DL I would not think twice.

With that being said, make sure to go on the Matterhorn (we LOVED it)! Space Mountain is AWESOME!!!!!

Just a little suggestion, if you can do an Early Morning and hit Fantasyland RIGHT AWAY!!!! We were able to do all of Fantasyland, except for the Snow White ride within that 1st hour. We hit Peter Pan, Dumbo and Mr. Toad's Wild Ride all with NO wait! We did it in that order and it worked out great. We then hit the less popular Fantasyland rides, Alice, Pinocchio, etc after we did the 3 popluar ones.

Once Early Morning was done, Fantasyland was PACKED We stayed away from it.

Have fun!

 

[Sleeping Jedi Beauty]

Will you have as much fun? Of course. It's Disney. I'm from California, so I've been to Disneyland far more times than WDW. I don't consider WDW more exciting than DL. Different, yes, but not more exciting. I'm doing more planning for this trip than I did for our Christmas trip to DL because I don't WDW like I know DL. I love both places as the most important thing to remember is that it's Disney. I think Fantasyland is much better in DL because it has more rides such as Pinocchio, Storybook Land(a boat ride around Disney movie locales all miniaturized), Alice in Wonderland, and Toad is still here. The building itself for Small World kicks the pants off of MK's. You also have Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye, the original Haunted Mansion and Pirates, the first Disney coaster to go upside down, and the mountain that started Disney's famous mountain ranges. If the Parade of Dreams and Remember, Dreams Come True is still showing, be sure to watch those. Remember is, hands down, the best fireworks show I've ever seen.

Don't feel guilty. It's not like you're betraying WDW. You're going to the park that made WDW possible.

 

[LongIslandCouple]

We were sufferring from similar regrets. I have a good friend getting married in San Diego in late July, so we added a few days onto the trip figuring we'd go to Disneyland.

After a few days we decided that the Land just isn't the World. So now instead of flying from NY to LA, we are going for NY to MCO, staying a few days, then out to CA and back to NY.

The ironic part? It's actually cheaper! We did a cost analysis and we are saving about $10.

Best of all, we still get all the little things in the World that we love: EPCOT, Jellyrolls, Comedy Wearhouse, Dinner @ California Grill and we get to ride EE!

We aren't knocking your decision, just know there are other DISers out there not "strong" enough to make a similar one!

 

[Samsma]

I was really expecting to not love DL, but I do! We went in Nov. and truly the only thing I missed was Test Track. The Matterhorn is awesome! And I'll second the EE for Fantasyland. We have pictures where my family was the only ones on Dumbo! We had a great time!

 

[mskani]

My family and I went to DL last summer and we had a blast! I think that WDW will always be #1 in our books--but DL did not disappoint us. Of course I especially loved the fact that my favorite parade (Electrical Parade) runs nightly at DCA. I also loved the ease of park hopping.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[traciedee]

We have been to Disneyland many a time. Love it. But I understand WDW is much much larger. Try to make it to Universal if you get a chance. If you are roller coaster folks-- Magic Mountain or Knotts Berry Farm. It will be a fun.

 

[HydroGuy]

We are DL vets and absolutely love it there. Planning first trip to WDW in May. Conventional wisdom is that people are more attached to their "home" park, so I am prepared to be a bit disappointed by how "different" things are at WDW.

In any case, I have a hard time thinking how anyone can not have a blast at DLR. You should not feel guilty at all.

My strategy at WDW is to have an open mind and to try and appreciate the differences, rather than be disappointed by them. At WDW I will miss Matterhorn and the Indiana Jones Ride (be sure to do this at least once!).

But I am looking forward to RnR, Test Track and EE. And I am hoping I can handle Mission Space.

Hope you're not going to DLR when POTC is down (March-June). POTC is my personal favorite, with Indy close behind. Also, the upgraded Space Mtn is far better than the old one at DLR.

You can really work the FP system at DLR, more so than at WDW. Check out my DLR FastPass thesis here:

DLR FastPass
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885132

Also, I used an itinerary planning software for some of my days at DLR called RideMax. View my RideMax write-up here:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885134

 

[Yensid_MD]

I think you can have a great time at DL. I too prefer WDW but there are some great different rides at DL. Indiana Jones is probably my favorite ride out of all the parks, and it is great to see the differences between Haunted Mansions etc. Make sure to take time to enjoy DCA as it has some great things to offer as well.

If you arent staying in the Grand Californian make sure to take time to walk through it. It is incredible.

You will have a blast.

 

[Earstou]

I love both parks ! DL is smaller, but has some great things that MK doesn't have! Plus, when you want to park hop, you just walk across the plaza to the DCA.
If POTC is open when you go, be sure to eat at Blue Bayou, and watch the POTC boats go by!

 

[Castillo Mom]

I live about 20 minutes away from Disneyland and absolutely love it! As others have said, the MK and DL are different parks. There are definite similarities but they each have their advantages/disadvantages. Just keep in mind that WDW itself has more parks while the DL resort area has just two. DL has a special place in my heart but I can't really say we like one over the other, we enjoy CA and Orlando equally and for different reasons. Trust me, you'll have a wonderful time!

 

[Kimmumum]

We were just at DL in January. It was nice to go on the Matterhorn and Indy since they don't have them in WDW. Space Mountain was cool because they just finished the rehab. You sit side by side now not in front and back of each other. We also go a sneak peek at Monsters Inc. While it is smaller thatn WDW, it is nice because of the rides that are not at WDW. You will have a great time.

 

[winniedapooh]

I went to DL the beg. of Dec. for a conference near there and of course spent time at the parks. I am so glad I did it. I got to try some new things I had never seen but only heard about. The only problem was I was not feeling well and didn't enjoy the first few days, meanwhile the last few days got very busy there!!! I got to see IASW and HM all done up for the holidays. That in itself was a huge treat! I say go for it and enjoy it. You will be amazed by people saying their feet are killing them in relationship to the size. To me it was small and relatively flat and compact! Have fun.

 

[Mom to a Princess]

You will like DL as long as you listen to what the previous posters have mentioned --- don't compare the two parks. DL and MK do share some similar rides but that is where the comparison ends. In my expericne by treating them as two different Disny parks you can enjoy both. DD and I have been going to DL ever since she was born at least twice a year and have done WDW once every 18 months. When we move to southern CA this year we will ofcourse get AP to DL and still make the trek to the world. Each has its own unique feel and can be really enjoyed!!

Have a great trip!

 

[SeattleRedBear]

Husbear was (and still is) a DL loyalist. During his first trip to MK (ten years ago), everything was wrong. Main Street was too short, the castle was too big, POTC sucked big time, IASW sucks even more, the park had fewer attractions, blah blah blah. We had a good time, but everywhere we turned it was "This should be here" and "Where's my favorite churro place?" and "I don't know where anything is." Four years later, we went to DLP which is even more wrong, but he loved it! At that point, I think he realized that Disney magic is Disney magic, no matter how it's done and that the differences actually make it interesting.

I suggest you go ahead and try DL for yourself. I doubt very much you will think it's a waste of money and time. How can you? If nothing else, just seeing the light in Walt's apartment over the fire station is enough to bring home the idea that this is where it all started.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Pros. Lots of your familiar favorite rides are duplicated.
Lot's of rides that WDW doesn't have and better versions of similar ones.
Off site hotels aren't as scuzzy and are close to the themeparks (Try right across Harbor Blvd.)
More rides and attractions than just the mk. But a couple million fewer visitors per year means in general, shorter lines.
Walt's personal touch.

Cons
You don't get that feeling of isolation within the Disney Universe.
No Value or Mods
Not as big a variety.
Food not as good in general but Blue Bayou and some of the CA places are good.

You'll need about 2 days to get through DL and 1 for CA. Plus 1 to probably hit what you want to do again for a nice leisurely trip.

If you want to stay out there longer, Knott's berry farm is in Buena Park Close by.
Magic Mountain is about an hour and 15-30 minutes away.
Universal Studios is out there, but it's completely different.

I gotta get back there this year in addition to WDW. It's just much more expensive to get out there now that I live back here.

 

[Micca]

WDW is our "home" resort, but DLR rocks. You'll have a fun trip

 

[Babs50]

Think about Disneyland as having Walt's personal touch. It's like visiting Mecca. Indy, the Matterhorn, original TikiBirds, ToonTown, Long Pirates Ride, Mr Toad are so great. I also enjoyed California Advventure and Downtown Disney immensely. Have fun!!!