Having Second Thoughts on DL vacation

[LisainCalifornia]

It sounds to me like you should really consider staying on site. I can tell from your posts that you probably won't enjoy it if you don't. I think it makes all the difference, personally.

As far as loving the buses, as long as you stay within walking distance (like across the street on Harbor or on site), then there is no need for a bus.

The beauty of Disneyland is that you don't have to waste so much time planning like you do WDW.


If you really don't want to go, then by all means cancel. I am sorry I don't know what you mean about "negative posts" about Disneyland, because they are pretty much all positive when I read them. I think you may be reading your own feelings into those replies.

 

[Yukonjack]

I feel you about losing your children's younger moments to growing up. I have a 15 year old son, and he enjoyed DL last year (at 14) so much that he sacked out every day when we went back to the hotel for a nap! He acted as the fastpass runner for us (my DW and I also had our younger daughters with us), and would routinely snag a ride on Buzz, Space, or Indy while snagging fastpasses while we rode Pooh with the girls. He had a lot more independence and I think really enjoyed being able to navigate the parks by himself. Plus, because we were able to do parent swap on some of the rides, he would get to ride those rides twice in a row.

We were concerned that he would feel too held back by his little sisters, so one night when we went to the hotel for the night, my wife took him to the parks until closing, and the next night I did it with him. He got to be out very late, and interestingly, he wanted to do different things with each of us (he wanted to eat and wander around DDT with my wife, and ride rides, watch fireworks, and see Fantasmic with me). Everyone got to have their own memories, and we get to see it through his eyes, even if he is outgrowing Disney a bit.

Just thought I woudl share.

 

[SplashMo]

That is really cool....

 

[LavenderPeach]

I'm looking at things like the Citypass that include Universal and the Zoo etc and we're probably gonna head North and stay in San Diego a couple days.

I don't know if that was just a typo but wanted to point out that you will need to go South from DLR to see San Diego. Just want to make sure you don't get lost!

 

[babyruth]

yes sorry typo

 

[dlander]

Oh I so agree with bumbershoot! I had to giggle when you mentioned hunger induced moods. My family knows if I say I'm hungry, they better hop to a CS quickly

Disneyland truly is the happy place! I hope you can take the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour. What a wonderful experience! I love listening to the Dapper Dan's on Main St or the Disneyland Marching Band. Don't miss the flag ceremony at dusk, truly moving. Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln is always a winner! Duck into the Main St. Cinema for a fun look back at the original Mickey movies. Such a hoot! Take the complete ride on the Disneyland Railroad, it is a great attraction! Can you tell I love Main St?

I love the food at Disneyland! In fact, I have been known to say at 6:00pm, I feel like the fried chicken at Plaza Inn, and then jumping in the car to go get it And we live 90 miles away! A corn dog at the Red Wagon on Main St is a must for DH(okay, me too!). The Baked Potato soup at Carnation Cafe is so yummy! Breakfast there is good too, and you might get lucky and be greeted by Oscar the Chef Sit at the Coca-cola corner and have a Chili bread bowl and listen to the piano player. Sometimes Alice and the Mad Hatter pop by for a game of musical chairs. I know your boys are older, but my daughter is 17 and thinks it's a riot! One evening we were there with a large group of college age kids who were having a great time.

Cafe Orleans has delicious French Onion Soup and of course, the famous Monte Cristo! Blue Bayou is a cool place. We love the Big Thunder Ranch BBQ. Family style and the food is so good! Oh, my favorite pancakes in the world are served up at the River Belle Terrace. Sitting early in the morning right by the Rivers of America watching people start their day is incredible. I also love sitting at the Hungry Bear watching the Mark Twain go by and the canoes.

Okay, I'm sorry I could go on and on about my beloved Disneyland. I also love Disneyworld!! We have been there about 10 times and are returning in June 2011. Such an amazing place. However, there is the special something that Disneyland has that I truly believe comes from being the park that Walt built. I am lucky enough to go about once a month and just never get tired of it. I know you and your family will have an amazing time

 

[shelemm]

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!

SoCal is such an amazing place to visit. Sounds to me like you should look beyond the amusement parks to see and do some of the great things it has to offer. You are an easy drive to Palm Springs which has the dramatic aerial tram up Mt San Jacinto and Joshua Tree National Park. Also many film industry sites throughout the area, including well known movie locations in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Venice Beach is a great place, and it's also fairly easy to go up the coast toward Santa Barbara.

Unless you feel you have to do and see everything at DLR, it's the better part of three days, especially to see Aladdin which has a limited schedule. Then explore elsewhere!

 

[bumbershoot]

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.

that just cracked me up. It's a bit ridiculous, isn't it? To have just the one area for Disneyland, while the "theme park attractions and strategies" (or whatever it's called) board is actually for WDW, as is just about everything else? Post something about DLR transportation in the transportation forum and you'll be directed here. Augh.

 

[nana50]

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.

I love the feeling of being transported when I walk into Mainstreet. I feel "I'm here, I'm at Disneyland" I leave the real world behind. I feel that way the whole time. Even when I walk through DTD to my hotel. If you can afford it, the Disneyland Hotel is really special for the kids. The original, (although spruced up) Walt Disney hotel and the original Disneyland.
I am sad tht you would even feel a twinge of sadness about not being in WDW. DL is my first and only love. There is also so much to do in the area. San Diego is a hop jump and skip away. Also check the hotel prices for January. You can often stay at one of the onsites for well under $200.00 a night. I've stayed at the PP for $129.00

 

[KCmike]

It worries me that you are staying on Harbor Blvd yet you want total immersion. Just know that you are staying outside the park. You should visit Grand Californian and DL hotel so when you go back (because you will!!) you will see what you like.

Okay we were WDW vets before a few years ago. The first thing you will notice is that the front gate and main street are much smaller in scale but after you get over that fact you will be in such complete awe of how wonderful and intimate things are at DL. Remember this was Walt's baby and you won't be disappointed especially if you love all things disney.

Here are my favorites:
Remember Dreams Come True Fireworks - this is what should be showing for you and its absolutely the best in any disney park.
Fantasmic! - the dragon will be down but it rocks.
World of Color - Really good!
Fantasyland - There are so many rides and it really is so much better than WDW
ISAM, Space, Pirates, are all better at DL
Splash is better at WDW
Billy Hill and the Hillbillies is a must see
Aladdin stage show at DCA is a MUST see!
Soarin' - although its the same as Epcot you need to see it because its all things CALIFORNIA and at the end its DISNEYLAND just like at Epcot. That always cracks me up!
Grizzly River Run is fun
Monsters Inc is good for a dark ride as well.

Downtown Disney is fun and its an easy walk.

So much to tell you. We thought WDW was the end all be all to family vacations too. Then we went to DL. Now we have been back to California for the last few years. We've hit San Diego (Hotel Del Coronado..think the first Grand Floridian), Monterey, San Fran, and Yosemite National Park which is absolutely stunning. The best beach to hit in my opinion is Corona Del Mar and then you could hop back to Newport Beach for a sunset cruise. I would bypass Hollywood.

Lax is a fine airport and you won't have any trouble.
Don't get caught in rush hour as it will take three times as long to get anywhere if you get caught in it.

Here are some of my favorite quotes:

Al Lutz from miceage.com
There's an answer the old timers at Disney like to give when asked to compare the Anaheim and Orlando main parks, and to me it still applies as to how they are currently run: Disneyland is a park designed by a father for his daughters, while the Magic Kingdom is designed by a committee for the hordes.

Tony Baxter:
Tony Baxter also serves as Creative Executive for Disneyland; a role he has filled on and off for nearly 25 years. He enjoys the position because he grew up with Disneyland, and it still evokes powerful feelings that are different from the other parks. Tony describes Disneyland as “a park that was not manufactured to reproduce something successful. It was that successful thing that all the other parks have been trying to emulate.” Thus, Disneyland is one example of a wildly outrageous and successful project that is the product of these creative attitudes Tony will be describe in his keynote presentation in Buffalo. Disneyland can never be duplicated because it was the original “I’ve never seen anything like this!”

So much to tell you. If you have any questions feel free to ask or pm me. Where in the midwest are you from?

 

[nana50]

^^^Everything he said. when I think of Walt and that park, I get a lump in my throat.

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

Al Lutz from miceage.com
There's an answer the old timers at Disney like to give when asked to compare the Anaheim and Orlando main parks, and to me it still applies as to how they are currently run: Disneyland is a park designed by a father for his daughters, while the Magic Kingdom is designed by a committee for the hordes.

Tony Baxter:
Tony Baxter also serves as Creative Executive for Disneyland; a role he has filled on and off for nearly 25 years. He enjoys the position because he grew up with Disneyland, and it still evokes powerful feelings that are different from the other parks. Tony describes Disneyland as “a park that was not manufactured to reproduce something successful. It was that successful thing that all the other parks have been trying to emulate.” Thus, Disneyland is one example of a wildly outrageous and successful project that is the product of these creative attitudes Tony will be describe in his keynote presentation in Buffalo. Disneyland can never be duplicated because it was the original “I’ve never seen anything like this!”

I have a cold and maybe I was a little snuffly already, but reading this made me start to seriously tear up.

I'm loving reading all of these encouraging posts. I adore Disneyland so much and it makes me all gushy inside when I hear what other people love about this beautiful place. Maddie, I hope you are feeling so much better about your trip.

 

[nana50]

I'm going for my fifth visit this year, (I live in San Diego)I take one grandchild at a time and we stay either onsite, (when it is cheap) or at the Sheraton Anaheim, (only $129.00 and beautiful). I love going and never get tired of walking onto Main Street. Trust me, I am not a mushy person, I hate mushy anything, but Disney does it to me. I'm old enough to remember Walt Disney and my father looked so much like him that it is all ties up together.

 

[tdashgirl]

Very well said KCMike. I got chills (the good kind!) reading your post.

 

[Maddie2]

Maddie, I hope you are feeling so much better about your trip.

Yes, absolutely! I apologize to any of you who took offense to any of my postings, I certainly did not intend to offend anyone - and for the most part, my posts did exactly what they were intended to do - and that was to encourage everyone to write of the positive and wonderful things about DL!

And to those of you who have had similar thoughts/concerns - THANK YOU! It's nice to have company in these thoughts. We are a budget family and any Disney vacation is a big expense - so I think it is completely normal to want to feel that we are making good choices.

We will probably still buy the 6 day tickets. We'll plan to spend at least 3-4 full days in the parks and then probably look for other things to do in the area on some of the other days. With the 6 day tickets we can still run over for an evening show, a parade, or just a few rides if we choose to. Once you get past a certain point, the cost to add another day or two isn't much and I think we will like having the options.

Someone mentioned not arriving at LAX during rush hour. Unfortunately, we do. We land around 4:30pm on a Monday - but it is Martin Luther King Monday, so maybe enough people will have the day off that rush hour traffic won't be the normal Monday rush hour? Any idea what time Rush Hour traffic usually starts getting better? We might be better off taking our time at the airport getting our rental car, etc. I'm sure park numbers will be up on that day as well with kids out of school, etc. We don't plan to actually go into the parks until Tuesday, so that should help.

DH's relatives (I don't know them well) live in Santa Monica and one works in film (indirectly) in finance. So, there may some different options there too. We haven't told them that we are coming out yet though. As much as we would like to see them while we are there, we really don't want to spend the entire week with them and they would probably insist we stay with them if they knew were coming out. They are lovely people, but we really enjoy having our (just the 4 of us) family bonding time away from home.

A good friend told me just this evening that they are thinking about taking their first WDW trip in January (possibly the same week we are going to DL) and she would like my help planning their trip (first Disney trip at all). For a split second it crossed my mind that perhaps we should switch and go to WDW too as our boys are best friends and I know we would all have a great time together. But, thanks to all of your loving DL posts, it was easier to stay in the DL lane. She does not know of our DL trip plans (our kids were right there and ours is a surprise for our kids), but once she does, I have a feeling she'll try to get us to go to WDW. And, as much as I do love WDW, I am really looking forward to our DL vacation! Thanks!

 

[Sherry E]

Yes, absolutely! I apologize to any of you who took offense to any of my postings, I certainly did not intend to offend anyone - and for the most part, my posts did exactly what they were intended to do - and that was to encourage everyone to write of the positive and wonderful things about DL!

And to those of you who have had similar thoughts/concerns - THANK YOU! It's nice to have company in these thoughts. We are a budget family and any Disney vacation is a big expense - so I think it is completely normal to want to feel that we are making good choices.

We will probably still buy the 6 day tickets. We'll plan to spend at least 3-4 full days in the parks and then probably look for other things to do in the area on some of the other days. With the 6 day tickets we can still run over for an evening show, a parade, or just a few rides if we choose to. Once you get past a certain point, the cost to add another day or two isn't much and I think we will like having the options.

Someone mentioned not arriving at LAX during rush hour. Unfortunately, we do. We land around 4:30pm on a Monday - but it is Martin Luther King Monday, so maybe enough people will have the day off that rush hour traffic won't be the normal Monday rush hour? Any idea what time Rush Hour traffic usually starts getting better? We might be better off taking our time at the airport getting our rental car, etc. I'm sure park numbers will be up on that day as well with kids out of school, etc. We don't plan to actually go into the parks until Tuesday, so that should help.

DH's relatives (I don't know them well) live in Santa Monica and one works in film (indirectly) in finance. So, there may some different options there too. We haven't told them that we are coming out yet though. As much as we would like to see them while we are there, we really don't want to spend the entire week with them and they would probably insist we stay with them if they knew were coming out. They are lovely people, but we really enjoy having our (just the 4 of us) family bonding time away from home.

A good friend told me just this evening that they are thinking about taking their first WDW trip in January (possibly the same week we are going to DL) and she would like my help planning their trip (first Disney trip at all). For a split second it crossed my mind that perhaps we should switch and go to WDW too as our boys are best friends and I know we would all have a great time together. But, thanks to all of your loving DL posts, it was easier to stay in the DL lane. She does not know of our DL trip plans (our kids were right there and ours is a surprise for our kids), but once she does, I have a feeling she'll try to get us to go to WDW. And, as much as I do love WDW, I am really looking forward to our DL vacation! Thanks!

I'm glad to see you are slowly changing your mindset and coming around to realizing you are not short-changing your family and yourself by making a trip to DLR! There's still a lot of work to be done, though. The way you phrased this sentence - "...and that was to encourage everyone to write of the positive and wonderful things about DL..." makes it sound to me like you are still thinking of this as a negative thing somehow, and are trying to find positive aspects about it - when really, it's just not what you're used to, plain and simple. It's not a bad thing at all - it's just not what you're familiar with.

That 'find the positive' tactic might work if you were going in for surgery...or having a root canal...or waiting in line at the bank...or dealing with the after effects of a fire...or trying to collect insurance money after a car accident You know - find a 'positive' about a negative experience. But Disneyland is nothing but positive and wonderful and happy and fascinating!

We must get you to see that there is nothing negative about going to Disneyland! The whole place is wonderful and positive!! If anything, finding the negative aspects would be more of a task. The only things that would ever be considered negative about DLR are the exact same things that could be considered negative about WDW - high prices, crowds, questionable food quality, etc. And even the food issue is subjective. People have different tastes. But DLR has its own advantages over WDW - all of which have been outlined by previous posters.

So keep an upbeat attitude about DLR. Don't look at it as a step down. Really, truly - all the pieces of the puzzle are there to provide a magical time. You just have to be the one to assemble them!

 

[suzcruz]

There are so many great & true comments here that there is not much left to say but having been to WDW once & Disneyland many, many times (AP holder), a big difference for me is, as a planner, I felt overwhelmed by WDW, had a great time & would love to go back. There is so much I didn't get to do while at DL, as bumbershoot said, you can do it all & then do your favorites again. You will really have a feeling of satisfaction when you are done, and not feel like you missed something.

The only potential problem with your plan that i can see is the 6 day tickets. I'm not sure how much the cost difference is, but i do think your boys would get tired of 6 days there in a row. I understand that you want to go do different things & then run into DL or DCA, but given the rush hour realities, you may be getting back too late or be too tired to actually do it. Hours in January are more limited-for example, before WOC began, sometimes DCA would close at 6 pm. Not sure what they will do in 2011. I think DL closes at 9 or 10 pm, with the shops on main street staying open for an extra hour.

Are your boys into the beach/seeing the surfers. etc.? I know you're not telling them until christmas but you may want to take a beach day, even though it will be cold. Maybe research what they would want to do, or let them plan a day after you tell them about the trip. You could try to get into a TV taping, if that's something they would like.

Re the traffic, rush hour begins at 330 pm and lasts until about 7 pm, it is awful! But the good news is that you're coming on a holiday so it should be lighter traffic. From LAX to DL it takes about 45 minutes without traffic. If you're arriving at 430 pm, allow 1/2 hour to get your bags & another 1/2 hour (at least) to get your rental car. That takes you to 530 pm. If you just have the mindset that you might not get there until 7 pm or so, you'll be fine. Or you can eat around LAX & then just drive there in 45 mins.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to pm me.

 

[yupikgal]

We also have two teens, a daughter who is a freshman in college this year, and a son who's a sophomore in high school. Our kids LOVE DL, we haven't been to WDW since 2003, so I can't compare it since they have turned a lot older since we were last there. As an avid planner, I can tell you that you can still plan your trip, yes, it can be frustrating not to know the schedule (although since the last posting here, now they have it up until the 2nd week in January, so it's getting closer!) but there are a lot of other things to look into, and by the way, the restaurants have YUMMY food! We went to the Blue Bayou, Napa Rose (very nice) White Water Snacks (great chicken nachos) Character Breakfast at the Paradise Pier, Rainforest Cafe, the desserts at Fantasmic (you have to reserve the seats and pay extra, but it's worth it!) the Carnation Cafe has delicious breakfasts and lunch (I love the turkey sandwich on Pretzel Bread) the bacon wrapped asparagus at Bengal BBQ, the Pomme Frittes at Cafe Orleans, and much more!!

Does anyone know if ISW is going to be closed through the entire month due to taking down the holiday decor? Are there any other rides that they would be doing this to?

I hope you have a great time, we sure do! We normally stay at the Fairfield Inn, right across the street, makes it easy to get to, no buses, cars, worrying about parking, etc.!

 

[azdisneylover]

Maddie,
Vacations should be fun, especially when you are going to DISNEYLAND!!! May I suggest, reading a bit about Walt Disney and then check out the layout, rides, and attractions of the parks with your family to see what you all would like to do and see. The history in Disneyland is amazing. The details to the smallest thing is mind blowing. There are people working at Disneyland that were there when Walt was!
I think KC MIKE posted 'Disneyland is a park designed by a father for his daughters, while the Magic Kingdom is designed by a committee for the hordes.' This is so true. Mr. Disney created Disneyland for families to have fun together. He thought of this while watching children play in a park.
It wasn't meant to be a place of hurry, hurry, get this and that done, check it off a list, and rest when you get home, but a magical place where all your senses are entertained in a pleasant, wonderful way! If something is closed, no problem, ride it the next day (or next trip), line too long, come back later, etc.
Others have suggested visiting Knotts Berry Farm (about 7 miles away from Disneyland on Beach Blvdalong with Midevil Times (SP).) They are adding more thrill rides. Their chicken dinners were very good. We used to go to Knotts before they charged admission!
Maybe you can see if you can get tickets to a TV show at the website? (Like for Jay Leno, for example). Those tickets are free, same with game shows.
What ever you decide, have a great time. California is a beautiful state, and Disneyland is truly the happiest place on earth.

 

[Jenlan]

For my son and I it's simple...

this is the park that Walt built, the one he walked through, the one he dreamed of and fought for. It's magic.

Make sure to look up at the window over the Fire Station. There will be a light glowing. It was his private apt. in the park. We always say "thanks, Mr. Disney" when we leave at night.

As for staying off-site - don't worry. In my opinion staying on-site does not guarantee the total immersion feeling. It's in you and your family. I'm a teacher and single parent so I know the budget thing and for the past ten years we've stayed at HoJo's the week after Thanksgiving and have never had a negative experience or time. We have always felt safe with walking back to the hotel - along with lots of other families - and the nearby eateries such as Mimi's and Millie's are great.

Go with an open mind and let the magic happen. And sometimes just going with the flow is when you truly experience it. Have a great trip!