Having Second Thoughts on DL vacation

[uncle duck]

hi maddie2
i would definitely go and like every one has said relax. don't need much planning, no malti transpotation changes to get anywhere. get up. walk across the street and your there. most off property motels are disney themed. some motels that are a little further away have direct shuttle busses. MK is diff. the castle is diff. and i feel that its a small world rides appearance is much nicer better than wdw's. same with cal adv. the names of the rides are the same but some are actually differant.
enjoy. uncle duck
wdw 3 times
dlr 5times

 

[barbaraann]

I wish you luck planning your January trip. I am also going in January too. I don't know my exact dates yet, but I am excited to see Disneyland again. I haven't been since Christmastime in 2008.

Disneyland is a marvelous place. I am a compulsive planner, but I don't plan as much as I do at WDW. You should take advantage of early morning for sure. Some of the character meals are well worth the visit. I highly recommend Storytellers, and perhaps Goofy's Kitchen. The Blue Bayou is a place everyone should visit at least once in their Disneyland experience.

Have fun. I know I will.

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

I've only been to WDW once and it was almost exactly ten years ago. The trip was fun and I definitely plan on going back some day, but I have trouble getting enthused enough to plan a trip to WDW when I love Disneyland so much. The theming at DLR is so incredible that it really does make me feel as though I'm far removed from the rest of the world in a unique and magical place. No thoughts of the surrounding city of Anaheim ever intrude for me once I'm actually in the park.

Kevin Yee at Mice Age just posted a new article about the renovations in Fantasyland at WDW. I thought his comment about theming and quality was an excellent example on why people love Disneyland so much:

In fact, some of the same high-quality theming is starting to poke out of the Fantasyland project. A wall has appeared at the Winnie the Pooh exit, giving a taste for what the revised attraction (and the surrounding area) will look like when New Fantasyland is finally done. I have to say that I’m impressed. It would have been so easy to go with a straight wall here, with boring bricks. Instead, this wall has, well, character. It’s the sort of thing I’m used to seeing in Disneyland rather than the Magic Kingdom, and it has me very interested in what may be coming our way when the land is finished.

 

[Gipperland]

Hi Maddie2, We have gone to WDW so many times that we have lost count. My DH use to work for the airlines, so we would go to WDW several times a year and DL once a year. We have been to DL at least 6x. Even though my kids love WDW they prefer DL. We haven't been to DL in 10 years and are returning this coming February and can't wait to return.

The differences that we noticed were;

As a tram driver in WDW once told us, DL fits in 1 parking lot in WDW. Even though DL is much smaller, we never felt it. The only way you can feel it is when you go from place to place because it takes less time. This is due to them being less spread out.

The rides have the same name and appearance, but are so different. This is 1 of our favorite parts, which is seeing how very different the rides truly are.

The crowd is very different. The crowd in DL seems to be mostly locals. There have been times when the parks are so crowded, yet the lines are so short (at least by WDW standards). We think that the local people come to DL to hang out and see the shows. If they can ride the rides great, if not next time.

Now the shows are very different, they are very crowded, especially the night time shows. All of the trips we have made to DL, we have never stayed for a night time show. The crowds start getting in postion hours and hours before the the show. When we go in Feb., we will most likely get the boxed lunch and dessert, so we can have prefered seating for WOC and F. I would highly reccommend this.

We have stayed on and off property. I do prefer to stay on property, but the budget doesn't always allow that. We will be staying at HoJo this trip.

We usually eat before we go into the parks at DL and eat after we leave the park (we always do the the meal plan in WDW). It is expensive to eat in the parks and not all that good. There was a blog about dining tips, but I can't remember where. They had ideas about coupons and using resturant.com. Hope I can find it before we go because they had great tips!

The weather in Cali is usually nicer, less hot and humid than Florida.

AAA has DL tickets that include parking. Great deal depending on how many days you are going for. If not, Mousesavers.com has other places to get discounted tickets.

There are other differences but those are the biggies. All in all, if you like Disney, you will enjoy DL.

 

[shelemm]

DLR is a must for any Disney nut. You will love it.

DL is just so perfect. Everything is closer! New Orleans Square is beautiful. Two great thrill rides in Indiana Jones and Matterhorn. More family rides. More street entertainment than MK. Plus you can hop to CA anytime. No stress because it's so easy.

We are WDW vets. Stayed at the BW Park Place across the street from the DLR entrance. We were in the parks quicker than you can walk to breakfast in your typical WDW resort. There are tons of people out at all hours. You will feel very safe.

Of course, WDW is much bigger, and there is more to do there. But ounce for ounce, DL is to be cherished for how awesome it is.

 

[Yukonjack]

I am always confused by folks who are concerned about flying into LAX. I dont get it. I would prefer to fly into SNA, but the prices are always cheaper when flying into LAX (for us anyway, on SW Airlines). I flew into LAX last fall with a DD2 (2.5 yrs old), DD1 (5 yrs old), and DS (14), by myself. My wife had to fly in from DC since she was there for work. Maybe I am just used to flying more than others? We did not rent a car though, we just took the DL Express, which did make life easier since the pickup/dropoff was so simple.

At any rate, if one parent can do it, two can easily navigate LAX. It just doesnt seem like a "bummer" factor to me. My wife and I are going to DL together in Feb for the first time without kids, and we are flying into LAX again. The only difference is that we are going to take a limo to the VGC (wife doesnt know about the limo yet!).

Go, your going to have fun. Its always easier to have fun once you are there and done with the travel part.

Greg

 

[DisneyMomma81]

WE DLR - very much prefer it over WDW *the only thing DLR is missing that WDW has IMO is Epcot's World Showcase* Fantasy Land is so much better at DLR. I have no problem staying close by on Harbor and we've made a few trips just me and my kids *this past July it was just DD & I* staying on site is nice - we only do this when we do a split stay ~ either start or end the trip on site - the other nights are somewhere much less expensive. This leaves $$ for other things or just makes it possible to even go! I hope you make it to DLR in Jan and I really hope you have a fantastic time.

Here's the schedule from Jan. this year *to give you an idea ~ http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneyland/park-hours.cfm?month=1&year=2010

 

[daniele_ut]

BY way of some background, I was born and raised in the NYC area so WDW was far more accessible to us. I've visited WDW 3 times as an adult (all pre-kids). Now that I live out west, though, DLR is much closer. We went to DLR once right after DCA opened and we just got back from our most recent trip to DLR, our first with our kids, on Tuesday. I can truly say that I am a DLR convert!

I LOVE WDW, dh not so much, though he's only been once. He was put off by how large it is and how much time it takes to get from place to place. We also went in June and I was pregnant, so that factored in. It was hot as Hades and unbearably humid.

We both felt that in DL we got far more done in less time because of the size of the park. We saw more, ate more lmao and experienced more rides in just 2.5 park days. I would have liked to spend more time and even dh, who only wanted to do 2 park days on our first trip) says he can see why people come and spend a week there. Our next trip will certainly be longer.

We stayed at HoJo and didn't mind the walk, but if I could swing it I would stay on site next time. We just couldn't beat the entertainment rate and the gifted tickets we had for a "budget" trip this time.

Go. Really. You won't regret it!

 

[disney4metoo]

I agree, switching to the Grand Californian will give you the full Disney immersion or the other two on-site hotels, but GCH is my favorite and the only on-site hotel we stay in.

Do you stay on-site at WDW?

I grew up going to Disneyland and recently visited WDW in June. We loved it and we will be going back in May 2011. However, WDW and DLR are different. WDW is huge, lots of things to do, different parks to see, but the downside is the distance of the on-site hotels to the parks. Rides are spend out over many parks.

Disneyland is quaint and has much more detail and character than the Magic Kingdom. DLR is most like the Magic Kingdom, but much better. If you did compare WDW to DLR, DLR also has more rides in it's smaller area than any of WDW rides. DL Space Mountain is so much better than the Space Mountain at WDW. Our kids say that WDW Space Mountain is lame. DL also has the Indian Jones ride, which is awesome and WDW does not have the ride. Small World is better at DL and Peter Pan is also a must do at DL, because WDW Peter Pan is not as good either. DL has New Orleans area which is unique and special. Fantasmic is also hands down better at DL than WDW. The two can even be compared! Churros are also much better at DLR than WDW! Not to mention the weather is better than the hot, humid weather in WDW!

Disneyland is special because it is where the dream started. Walt hand prints are all over Disneyland ( figuratively speaking.) Disneyland is dripping with Walt history...you may be able to ride the "Lilley Belle" Walt's private train car.

California Adventure is also unique and WDW does not have California Screaming. But you will find Tower of Terror, TSM, Monster Inc, and Bug's Life at DCA. WOC is a must see and there is not anything like it in WDW.

Our favorite parks at WDW are Epcot and Animal Kingdom. The kids loved Rock and Roll Roller coaster, Mission Space, Expedition Everest, and the Dinosaur ride in AK. However, they did not like the Magic Kingdom, and did not think it was a nice as DLR. They did miss the Indian Jones ride and Space Mountain ride at DLR.

While we were in WDW we stayed at Bay Lake Towers and Animal Kingdom Lodge. We loved both resorts but BLT was our favorite. However, neither one of those resorts could compare to our Grand Californian Hotel with the amazing park view and easy, fast access to the parks. You are literally in the parks in a few minutes. It's all about location, location, location. I would definitely stay on-site at the Grand Californian to give you the best experience. Stay off-site in my opinion would not be the same.

Both WDW and Disneyland are each special in their own way. DL is not WDW, nor vice versa. Enjoy each park for what it is, each having special attributes. We love WDW and DLR, each has something unique to offer. Just remember in the end it is all good because it's all Disney!

Some suggestions:
-If at all possible John Wayne Airport will be much more convenient and you will not have to deal with the horrible freeway gridlock traffic. If not be prepared and don't get discouraged with traffic.

- Stay at the Grand Californian with a park view or pool view

-Think about eating at the Blue Bayou a Disneyland Classic and be sure to make a ressie

-Have a corn dog and bowl of chowder in DCA

- Get a Tigger Tail in DLR

-Eat a Disneyland Churro

-Have a Dole Whip or Float while watching Tiki Room Show

-Buy a loaf of Boudin Sourdough Bread and read the history about it

-Take a picture of front of Club 33

-Have a loaded Baked Potato at Troubadour the CS is nothing special but they make a good baked potato!

-Take the tour "Walk in Walt's Footsteps"

- Fantasmic, Aladdin (in DCA) and WOC are must sees

-Since you will have a car, check out the Garden Walk and eat at the Cheesecake Factory.

-If you want a signature meal "Napa Rose" at the GCH

- Storyteller's Cafe is also a good TS restaurant at GCH

-If you stay at the GCH you can see WOC from the special GCH platform. It will not be as good as seeing it from the designated area in front of WOC, but it is a good alternative if you aren't up to waiting in lines, etc.

-Use the special entrance into DCA from the Grand Californian Hotel

-Lastly, enjoy your trip you are going to visit the place where it all began!

 

[tdashgirl]

A lot has already been said in this thread I just wanted to point out dining since it was a concern of yours - yes DLR does not have a dining program and/or restaurants like WDW. But there are several wonderful places to eat ... and you don't need to make complicated reservations The parks have several counter service restaurants, as well as a few sit-down places (Cafe Orleans is a favorite of mine). Downtown Disney, with several unique restaurants along with chain ESPNZone, Rainforest Cafe & House of Blues are just steps away from the parks and still keep that "Disney immersive" experience. In other words, the chain restaurants on Harbor are just another option (which actually are nice to have.) You'll love it. I know it

 

[Goofy_Mom]

My two cents: We have gone every year for the last 6 years. We are planning our first WDW trip for October 2011. From what I can gather, DL is much easier to plan/navigate than WDW. We always stay offsite within walking distance and have never encoutered a homeless person. We always have a great time and I felt emearsed in the magic. I like the transition from the walk between Harbor Blvd and DL gates. We plan 3 days in the parks and never feel rushed, in fact we have time to do favorites a second time. After we arrive at our hotel, our car doesn't move because eveything is within walking distance. I think this year it may change, I'm going to try and talk DH into dinner at Cheesecake factory or Joes Crab Shack.

 

[ktlm]

Maddie, take deep breaths! As a WDW vet, I know it is hard to relax about planning. I was completely stressed about DL's short term posting of hours and only 60 day ADR time (which you can't even make online) before our trip. What no ADR confirmation number....you are just taking my name? Only being able to book the Fantasmic dessert package 30 days out about put me over the edge. I know it is different, but you really don't need to do too much planning with DL!!! If you call for dining reservations 60 days out, you will get what you want. In fact, when I said my dates, the CM laughed and said, I can tell you are a "World" person. Most DL vets don't even think about dining that early-- the locals haven't even decided to go that day yet! You don't have to plan what park you want to be in what day because they are about a 2 minute walk apart- you can go back and forth all day if you want. Remember, at DL park, you will be walking where Walt walked! Plus, DL park really is nicer than MK just because it is so quaint. It is different, but still very familiar. Yes, the castle is much smaller, but you can walk through it! We love going in the castle and seeing Sleeping Beauty's story there. Plus, it doesn't take any time at all to get anywhere! You can get so much more done in a day because things are so close together!

Minnie's character breakfast beats all the WDW character meals. We saw 7 characters and they spent a ton of time with DD! We really liked the food at DL. Carnation Cafe has incredible potato soup! We liked Blue Bayou and Goofy's Kitchen too. Ariel's Grotto, the food was just okay, but you can't beat the Princesses as far as DD is concerned! You will get to experience a lot of the same rides, but new ones you have not done before too, and even some of the standards have a different twist at DL. The Indiana Jones ride is worth a trip to DL all on its own! We stayed at DLH, so we parked at the hotel and stayed on property until we left DL. We felt completely immersed. Try riding the monorail into the park from DTD one day. The DL monorail is really neat, it is almost more of a ride than transporation. You enter the park through Tomorowland when you take it which is a neat change (I wouldn't do it the 1st time you enter the park for the week, because you have to have that 1st walk down Main street!)

You will probably want to spend 3-4 days at DL/CA and then spend the rest of your time seeing other California sights. That will give your DH a Disney break! We spent 3 days in the parks, and I really would have liked to have had 4.

Don't think about comparing the two parks! Just love DL/CA for its own charms! If you go to DL with the right mindset, you will love it!!!

 

[daneenm]

It has been said several times before, but why not flog the horse until I am sure it is dead

I see lots of 'yes, but...' kind of responses almost as if you are trying to talk yourself into it being a bad time. This is Web-based discussion board and, like all others, people like to express themselves, often more dramatically than they would do in person. I would have to disagree about there not being bad postings about WDW, because when I planned my trip there (and used the DIS boards to figure it all out) I thought we had made a terrible mistake picking WDW. There was nothing but bad comments about the restaurants we chose, our hotel, etc. Guess what, we had a fantastic time!

Is DL different than WDW? Most certainly
Does it have great features that many folks have pointed out? Most certainly
Are there good restaurants? Most certainly (agreed, not as many choices as WDW...check out DTD for more than 6 days of yummy options)

Will you and your family have fun? If you decide to, most certainly.

Have a great time, enjoy the special differences DL has to offer.

 

[Maddie2]

Thank you to everyone for your replies. I'm sure we'll go and I'm sure we'll have a good time. I think, at least for me, the biggest difference is the lack of need of planning ... and I LOVE to plan, almost as much as the trip itself! For a WDW vacation, the fun starts the day you book and continues through all of the planning and then through the actual trip. Whereas, with DL, booking it was exciting and now we wait. This "lull" time isn't so fun. Until the schedules come out there isn't as much to do. That is different and being used to doing that, it is kind of hard.

The on-property hotels sound wonderful, but unfortunately, the budget does not allow. We have another family vacation planned for the end of summer and the travel budget just would not cover the higher rates. I'm sure we'll be fine across the street. Good to read your comments about what to expect in that area.

We will probably purchase 6 day tickets so that we can spend partial days in the parks and partial days doing other things in the area. This is a stretch for me (the planner!), but I will take a leap of faith and say that we will just see what the weather allows and what we feel like. Guess we can leave the commando mentality at home for this trip.

Thanks again! It was especially great to read your favorite things! We will have to search out many of them.

 

[DisSarahK]

I LOVE to plan, almost as much as the trip itself! For a WDW vacation, the fun starts the day you book and continues through all of the planning and then through the actual trip. Whereas, with DL, booking it was exciting and now we wait. This "lull" time isn't so fun.

I'm a planner too. I spent a lot of time planning my children's Disneyland wardrobe. Are you into that sort of stuff? I shopped etsy.com and found cute custom outfits for my children to wear each day at DL. This trip I even found people who could embroider custom patches (*so* cute) that I could then iron onto shirts that I bought at Target...they looked like custom embroidered t-shirts, but were half the cost. I did a couple of those instead of full-on custom outfits for half the days.

Anyhow, thats how I spent some of my planning energy. I have to have *something* to plan, after all!

Oh, and my children also are convinced that Minnie Mouse visits our hotel while they're sleeping and leaves them presents. So I spend some of my planning energy finding little Disney themed presents for them to wakeup to each morning. That's one way we keep the magic alive in our hotel room, too.

And of course you get entertainment (Disney themed crosswords/wordsearches/etc) ready for the plane that you've found on the internet... There is lots of stuff you can do to plan!

 

[Maddie2]

I'm a planner too. I spent a lot of time planning my children's Disneyland wardrobe. Are you into that sort of stuff? I shopped etsy.com and found cute custom outfits for my children to wear each day at DL. This trip I even found people who could embroider custom patches (*so* cute) that I could then iron onto shirts that I bought at Target...they looked like custom embroidered t-shirts, but were half the cost. I did a couple of those instead of full-on custom outfits for half the days.

Anyhow, thats how I spent some of my planning energy. I have to have *something* to plan, after all!

Oh, and my children also are convinced that Minnie Mouse visits our hotel while they're sleeping and leaves them presents. So I spend some of my planning energy finding little Disney themed presents for them to wakeup to each morning. That's one way we keep the magic alive in our hotel room, too.

And of course you get entertainment (Disney themed crosswords/wordsearches/etc) ready for the plane that you've found on the internet... There is lots of stuff you can do to plan!

Sounds like fun!!! I guess I haven't mentioned the ages of my kids - 2 boys, ages 13 and 16. So probably not much luck getting them to wear all the adorable custom outfits you can find (or make yourself) out there! I do sew and would love to make outfits for little ones, but I'll probably have to wait for grandchildren at this point.

I may make some cutesy pillowcases - which I'm sure they will think are silly or dumb, but hey, a Mom's gotta have her fun too! They do enjoy trading pins so I may get them new lanyards and more pins. I'll probably pick up some glow necklaces at the dollar store and we'll pick up snacks at Target not far from DL and we'll likely find the Disney outlets in the area once we get there, but alas, with kids this age, it just isn't the same as when they were little. This might end up as our Disney last-hurrah with the kids.

With kids these ages, we are planning our vacations for the next 3 years. We have "must get to" places before our oldest child graduates and goes off to college, etc. We do have great vacations to look forward to but saying goodbye to Disney and our kids' younger years is a bit sad. I'm sure some of you other parents can relate to that.

I do sew and I am a crafter, so eventually I may just have to make up some samples and find my way to ebay or Etsy ... maybe I can live vicariously through other mommies buying cutesies for their little ones for disney vacations.

Thanks again for your suggestions and ideas!

 

[bumbershoot]

I've only read your first post.

We are planning our first DL vacation in January 2011. We've been to WDW 3x with our kids and my DH has no desire to return there. The kids and I LOVE WDW, but DL was my idea to get DH to come along. I also thought about going to WDW w/o DH, but though we would enjoy it, I really prefer having the whole family together for family vacations. So I guess you could say from the beginning, DL is a compromise destination, though our kids don't know anything about it and won't until Christmas.

When I first started planning the trip I was pretty excited about it, but my enthusiasm is waning.

This is very very normal...I just hit the "oh this trip is going to be massively boring, it's not worth it, we won't get anything done, let's just pretend we went" wall with our planned WDW trip! Plenty of people hit that point 2ish months before (mine was late, yours is early), even on wedding/honeymoon planning boards, peple will hit the wall and think that the wedding will be ridiculous and the honeymoon skippable

Partially because the January schedule is not out and I can't really do much planning and partially because I have read so many negative posts on this message board. I'm beginning to wonder if this trip is going to be worth it in the end???

What negative reviews? OK I just posted something relatively negative about MTTMM yesterday, but as I said in the post, that was based on MY experience...some of my opinions aren't even shared by my family, who were right with me as experiences happen. Don't worry about the schedule very much. It will come out and the planning time will be perfect. It's NOT as important as it is at WDW, trust me!


One thing we love about WDW is the total immersion in Disney. For the most part, once we arrive, we do not see the "outside" at all. To us, WDW is an escape from realism during the time we are there. Do you get that at DL?

That sort of feeling isn't overly important to me, but FWIW, you can walk along the Disney side of the street to HoJo and hear the music from inside Disneyland...that's lovely! Can't hear the inside-of-Disneyland sounds when, say, walking through DTD to get to the Grand...instead you hear Peruvian music and various other musics, etc etc etc.

From what I've been reading lately, it feels more like just a theme park.

Oh, I can't agree with that one!

I am also finding it confusing thinking about blackout dates, etc for AP holders.

Do NOT worry about AP holders! AP holders are, for the most part, experienced. I would rather be at a capacity park with AP holders than at a halfway full park with ONLY one-time tourists (or people like my "stop and look at the map" brother who buys a one-day one-park ticket when family comes to town, even though he lives in the So Cal AP zip codes area). Since you're planning and using the Dis, you're a step above (or a few steps) the people like my brother; you're going towards the knowledge base of the AP holder who has been there often...in fact a lot of the advice given on this board is FROM AP holders sharing their (sniffle, I don't have an AP right now) knowledge with ya. Do not worry about it...the only thing AP holders *might* add is extra crowds, but you know what to do in crowds b/c you've been to WDW and have been planning!

The whole thought process and touring planning system is so different than WDW. I normally love the planning part of a vacation, but this is frustrating!

It's just different, that's all. You're used to WDW planning like I'm used to DLR. DLR planning takes a shorter amount of time, or could, and it's just different. It'll be OK, though.


What is your favorite part of Disneyland and DCA? What makes you come back? And, for those of you who have been to both DL and WDW, do you feel as safe at DL as you do at WDW? We find WDW to be completely carefree and I am hoping that we will find the same at DL. Thanks!

I love bug's life in DCA, and riding Grizzly. I like the feeling of DL, the sights, sounds, smells. Dusk in Tomorrowland (though it's LOUD, bring earplugs!), early morning in Fantasyland... Seeing happy families, seeing upset families (I've been there, yes indeedy!), seeing solo travelers, it all makes me happy.

My son and I...on brisk mornings with some fog, we'll say "it reminds me of Disneyland"...at dusk if we are in certain situations, it'll remind us of it again. It's a place where, even if we aren't happy at the exact moment, we're still happy. Life happens everywhere, crankiness happens everywhere, stupid little hunger-caused arguments can happen anywhere...might as well have body and mind in Disneyland while life is happening, rather than at home! We get over the bad moments MUCH quicker! OK now it sounds like we're miserable; we're not, but I'm just really honest in my trip reports LOL.

 

[barbaraann]

I am having a wonderful time reading these posts about a first timer's concerns about their first trip to Disneyland. I was once the same as this poster. I guess we all were before our first trip to DL, unless perhaps you have been lucky to have been visiting your whole life.

I went to WDW first, and was a compulsive planner. I did a lot of planning for my first DL trip back in 2005. Now, I plan a little, but not as much.

I say during these weeks when the schedules are not out yet you might want to just familiarize yourself with Disneyland, and DCA. There's a lot of information out there about the parks. You can benefit from learning as much as you can. Study the maps. Read about the restaurants, and entertainment, etc;. It will make your waiting time go faster, and then when the schedules do get posted, you will make better informed choices.

 

[sasywtch]

I've been to both WDW and DL is my home park. Our 10 night WDW trip was great but not relaxing. Think of DL as a relaxing Disney experience and you won't go wrong. You didn't mention which motel/hotel on Harbor. Yes Harbor has all the McD's, Dennys, IHOPs but what I've always found is 90% of the people around you either walking on the sidewalk or in the restaurants are tourists jdust like you. Standing at the light/crosswalk on Harbor going to DL, people have their Mickey ears on, Micky tee shirts, everyone is excited. Yes private cars/buses are going by but all I've ever noticed is that everyone around me is a Disney tourist and excited just like me.

What you may want to do is take the shuttle to DL and when you get ready to go somewhere, rent a car (I know there is a rental in the lobby of Best Western or next to it).

My thought is, with your boys that age, I would maybe thinking about asking them if there is something they want to see in CA. I may get shot for this but I'd shorten my DL part of it to 4 days and maybe go toward the ocean, one day-maybe checking out the footprints at the Chinese theatre. My boys at that age would have liked a day at Universal or Knotts Berry Farm (I use to love Knotts but since it's changed to a 6 Flag type, not so much). A tour of Warner Bros is a great tour.

If you go in with the thought you'll enjoy, you will.

 

[babyruth]

Maddie I was glad to read a post with some similar concerns that I am having. In fact I have been freaking out a little bit just by the tiny wittle section on DIS devoted to DLR when all the rest of it is screaming WDW reminding me of the fun. I'm a WDW vet, I was even a local for awhile, and I was having trouble grasping the concept of DLR too. At this point, myself having boys aged 9, 12 and 14- we are looking at more of a SoCal vacation than a "Disney" trip. I'm finding that the prices are hard to swallow for something that going to take what seems like 3 days to see. With active boys who are not interested in princesses or mesmerized by character meals I've had to realize this trip is just going to be different than a WDW trip. I think you knew that too because you needed to find something different for your DH. They want action rides, technology, shows, swimming and lots of food. I'm looking at things like the Citypass that include Universal and the Zoo etc and we're probably gonna head to stay in San Diego a couple days. I really wanted to stay on property at first but because we are a family of 5 and now want to go to these other attractions, the suites off-property are so much more affordable. Once we started looking at all the other great things to do in the area we weren't as bummed. Disney will still be a part of it, it will be a few days of magic instead of a week- but here's to a new experience!