Having Second Thoughts on DL vacation

[Maddie2]

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. 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???

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? From what I've been reading lately, it feels more like just a theme park. I am also finding it confusing thinking about blackout dates, etc for AP holders. 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!

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!

 

[disneymom23]

I think it will be what you make of it. I have only been to WDW once and while we had fun, it was a stressful vacation. My youngest was 4 at the time and was going through a phase where he was afraid of everything. It really put a damper on the trip. We stayed at the Polynesian, which was great. We did the dining plan, which was great as well. But I remember how long the monorail, or bus, or boat took to get everywhere. I also didn't know the tips I now know so we didn't get a lot done. At the end of it, I was exhausted, mentally and physically.

We have since moved to CA, and my 4 year old is turning 9. We love DL and have gone twice a year for the last 3 years. We stay on property and I feel like we are totally immersed. We have stayed at all 3 on-site hotels and we prefer GCH in the winter and DLH in the summer. I love, love, love that we can leave our hotel room and be at the parks in 5-10 minutes. I love that we can park hop all day long. I love that we now know the layout so well, that a visit is like returning home, we know where everything is. We have only gone at busy times- summer, Christmas, spring break. We have learned to work the system and can generally avoid long lines.

I can't imagine you regretting a trip to DL. There are so many wonderful things to experience. My DH complains a lot too. I am fine taking my kids without him and have booked trips with that plan. But he always ends up coming with us. And then he'll say he's done with DL for a few years. But then he keeps coming with us. I was actually looking forward to taking the kids by myself this summer. He's much more structured than we are. I was looking forward to ice cream for lunch if we wanted. But he came and that was good for the family, even though ice cream became a dessert and not a meal replacement.

I say go for it!

 

[goldies 5]

I agree with everything pp said. You know your DH might enjoy it better at DL, because it doesn't require transportation to get everywhere. If you stay at the GC he can really enjoy the lounge and lobby.
You can check out Mouseplanet to find out the refurb. schedule for January.

 

[Maddie2]

Thanks for your thoughts, Disneymom.

We will be flying into LAX. Is it really as bad as some say it is? We'll be renting a car and driving to the parks - staying off property on Harbor. Should be an easy walk. I do have to say that we love the relaxation of the Disney buses picking us up at MCO. I know I shouldn't compare the two places ... but it is hard.

If the parks would release their schedules sooner, it sure would help! Not knowing when/if we should plan evening activities is difficult. By the time they do release the schedules I'm feeling like I won't have enough time to thoroughly make a touring plan. We loved TourGuideMike for WDW and I am feeling lost without something comparable for DL. Maybe we should go without a plan (shudder to think! ) I am feeling clueless, even after reading so many guidelines and posts!

Would love to read more FAVORITE things about DL! TIA!

 

[Disneylander55]

It's called a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you think you will have fun, you will have fun and also vice versa. I prefer Disneyland any day to Disney World. Disney World is just too big. For reference, I was at WDW just two days ago and Disneyland two months ago.

 

[Maddie2]

Thanks for the Mouseplanet suggestion, goldies 5.

And you're probably right, Disneylander55, about it being a self-fulfilling prophecy. I've just been surprised as so many negative posts lately. I just don't recall reading so many negative posts about WDW - I guess the ppl that don't enjoy WDW just don't come on the disboards as much, whereas, here on the DL side of things, you get such a vast variety of viewpoints about DL.

We actually enjoy WDW being so big. Wide open spaces in some areas. Hoping DL doesn't seem squished together.

 

[skiingfast]

Thanks for your thoughts, Disneymom.

We will be flying into LAX. Is it really as bad as some say it is?

It is a pain in the butt like other airports. The real trouble will be on the freeway, it can go from fine to bad easily.

We'll be renting a car and driving to the parks - staying off property on Harbor. Should be an easy walk. I do have to say that we love the relaxation of the Disney buses picking us up at MCO. I know I shouldn't compare the two places ... but it is hard.

You are either likely to enjoy how close you are or you can enjoy the convinience of ART. Also the anaheim resort district is nicer than world drive in many ways. You don't feel like you are on a regular road in anycity with hotels.

If the parks would release their schedules sooner, it sure would help! Not knowing when/if we should plan evening activities is difficult. By the time they do release the schedules I'm feeling like I won't have enough time to thoroughly make a touring plan. We loved TourGuideMike for WDW and I am feeling lost without something comparable for DL. Maybe we should go without a plan (shudder to think! ) I am feeling clueless, even after reading so many guidelines and posts!

You could try Ridemax that's the TGM equivelent for DLR. Also keep in mind when it comes to entertainment it's way easier than WDW. You can hop so easy and all the shows are close to eachother. No kidding if you wanted to you could see both parades, WoC, F! and fireworks in the same day. It's that easy to do.

Would love to read more FAVORITE things about DL! TIA!

I wish you knew how much better it will feel when you see the calendar.

 

[BC Disney Lover]

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

We've been to Disney 4 times in the last two years and the thing I like most about DL is that I don't have to have much of a touring plan. We have a good idea of where we're headed each morning but the rest of the day is quite relaxing for us. We have a four year old DD so one morning is dedicated to standing in line for the princesses or Tinkerbell while another morning we head straight to Fantasyland first thing. Being able to hop back and forth so easily between the 2 parks is also great.

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'm in the process of planning our first trip to WDW so I can't compare the two but yes I feel very safe in DL. I went alone with my 10yr son and his friend in August and walked to an off site hotel every night and felt very safe.

 

[Maddie2]

I wish you knew how much better it will feel when you see the calendar.

Sure hope you're right about this. I've looked at historical schedules and am concerned that there may not be any evening shows while we are there, even though we will have 6 park days (Tuesday-Sunday) (or partial park days, depending on the family). DH also has relatives within what I "think" is probably about an hour away, but that is by midwest travel standards, not CA travel standards, so probably more like 3 hours travel time (Uffda! ) and they want to know what our plans are and when they can expect to see us .... um, sorry, don't know yet.

Will have to check out Ridemax, skiingfast. Thanks!

 

[Maddie2]

We've been to Disney 4 times in the last two years and the thing I like most about DL is that I don't have to have much of a touring plan. We have a good idea of where we're headed each morning but the rest of the day is quite relaxing for us. We have a four year old DD so one morning is dedicated to standing in line for the princesses or Tinkerbell while another morning we head straight to Fantasyland first thing. Being able to hop back and forth so easily between the 2 parks is also great.


I'm in the process of planning our first trip to WDW so I can't compare the two but yes I feel very safe in DL. I went alone with my 10yr son and his friend in August and walked to an off site hotel every night and felt very safe.

Thanks for your input, BC Disney Lover! If you need any help with WDW plans, just let me know! I love WDW planning!

 

[BC Disney Lover]

Thanks for your input, BC Disney Lover! If you need any help with WDW plans, just let me know! I love WDW planning!

You might be sorry you offered that

 

[Maddie2]

You might be sorry you offered that

LOL, no really! Would love to help!

 

[SplashMo]

You can count on the evening shows on the weekends. Likely Friday as well. WOC seems to be every night at DCA.

During the summer shows are more frequent.

LAX is OK but John Wayne is closer. I would not rent a car but catch a bus/shuttle.

For Planning during winter I like to fly on Monday and hit the parks on Tuesday and have some (hopefully) slow days to ride rides and catch WOC show over at DCA and then come Friday or Saturday DL shows will kick in.

Not seeing the schedule you just want to make sure to capture a weekend for shows. And some days before and after for rides...

 

[Maddie2]

Also the anaheim resort district is nicer than world drive in many ways. You don't feel like you are on a regular road in anycity with hotels.

Ya know, I think that is part of what it is. The "anycity" part of it. Not just the hotels, but the eating establishments. Just looking at area maps, I see McDonalds, IHOP, Denny, Quiznos, etc, etc. These are the same places we see on a regular basis near home.

The dining options at WDW are SO wonderful and diverse and in all price ranges and from most of what I've read, that is lacking at DL. Okay, here I go again ... focus, focus on the POSITIVE. Thanks all!

 

[Maddie2]

You can count on the evening shows on the weekends. Likely Friday as well. WOC seems to be every night at DCA.

During the summer shows are more frequent.

LAX is OK but John Wayne is closer. I would not rent a car but catch a bus/shuttle.

For Planning during winter I like to fly on Monday and hit the parks on Tuesday and have some (hopefully) slow days to ride rides and catch WOC show over at DCA and then come Friday or Saturday DL shows will kick in.

Not seeing the schedule you just want to make sure to capture a weekend for shows. And some days before and after for rides...

Thanks for the info, SplashMo. The airline we are flying only goes to LAX. Bummer. And, with the possibility/likelihood of visiting relatives, we will need a rental car. Yes, we are flying on Mondays, so that should be good.

 

[DisSarahK]

I've never been to Disney World, so I can't speak to that. I can tell you that Disneyland has been a *wonderful* experience for my family. We stayed off-site and felt completely safe going to and from the park (walking) every day.

It is different though, than what I've read about Disney World and I think you need to stop comparing the two quite so much. You can't expect them to be the same. They are two different places and you are going to have two different vacations.

 

[Nala83]

Relax. Really. DL just doesn't require the same type of planning that WDW. I've done both this year, and the planning piece isn't remotely comparable.

January is the off season. The schedule won't be out for a while, but we know some things based the fact that it is the off season. During mid-week, expect park hours to be 10-8. Fireworks and Fantasmic will probably show on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and the parks will be open longer hours (9-11 or 8-mid). WoC has been showing nightly this fall (one show mid-week, two shows weekend). My guess is that pattern will continue in January.

At some point, read through the WoC info and decide if you want to do the dining option or the picnic option. You'll want to purchase those in advance. For sure plan on weekend nights for fireworks and F!

You won't have trouble getting dining reservations, and the window is only 60 days in advance. Start thinking about whether you want to get any reservations, but no need to worry to much yet.

It is way too soon to think about touring plans. Wait for the refurb list to come out (there will be things closed- that's part of the trade-off for traveling in the off season). When the time comes, all of your WDW strategies will come in handy- arriving early, maximizing use of fastpass, etc. People here will help you strategize when the time gets closer.

For now, really, take a deep breath. You will come to love DLR if you set out with the mindset to see what wonderful things it has to offer. It isn't a mini-WDW. It is a very different (and great) experience.

EAT: Just saw the last post. I've got to be honest with you. Staying on Harbor, you are on a busy road and it is reality- complete with McDonalds, 7-Eleven, city buses and the ocassional homeless person. You should know this going in. It is possible to get an immersive experience, but you need to stay at one of the on-site hotels to get it. If this is a big deal for you, you should consider switching hotels.

 

[skiingfast]

Ya know, I think that is part of what it is. The "anycity" part of it. Not just the hotels, but the eating establishments. Just looking at area maps, I see McDonalds, IHOP, Denny, Quiznos, etc, etc. These are the same places we see on a regular basis near home.

The dining options at WDW are SO wonderful and diverse and in all price ranges and from most of what I've read, that is lacking at DL. Okay, here I go again ... focus, focus on the POSITIVE. Thanks all!

I can understand that. But you will notice it when you get close to the parks that the scenery changes.

Also keep in mind that you won't be there for enough days to try every dining place in DLR. Nobody forces anyone to walk to the golden arches for lunch. It's just at DLR you have that choice while in WDW it takes car to get to the one within WDW.

 

[closetmickey]

First let me say, that I am a born and raised Disneyland visitor but that I, like you, have LOVED my 2 trips to WDW. That being said, however, I LOVE Disneyland, too. If you really love WDW, I can't imagine NOT wanting to see DLR. Yes, things are different, but that is the beauty of it!

I'll do my best to sum up some of the trade offs, yet wonderful things about Disneyland!

-I too, love the bus system of WDW. It's fun to plan your daily routes and just hop on. But at DLR, you are in the park in a matter of minutes! If you have a stroller, there is no loading and unloading, there is no waiting if you have just missed the bus, there are no long lines at the end of a busy day....you just walk a few minutes, and you are back at your hotel!

- I love to park hop at WDW. But when you do it at DLR, it takes just a matter of minutes. Right across from each other. You can even run to one park to gather FP for a ride for your group and then be back at the other park.

-The rides! While I loved WDW because it was so fun for me to try something new, many of the rides at Disneyland, in my opinion, are superior to those at WDW. Wait until you see the front of Small World, or until you ride POTC. You will hardly recognize it as the same ride as the one in the MK. Disneyland also has Nemo, Alice in Wonderland, and the Matterhorn- favorites- only at DL. And for ambience, be sure to spend some time hanging out in New Orleans Square. Unique to DL, and an incredible spot.

-As for shows, I was wowed in WDW- particularly by Nemo at the AK, but California's World of Color is terrific, and something that will be new to all of you. And Aladdin, at DCA, is woderful as well!

I guess what I am trying to say, as others have before me, that DLR is special and unique in it's own ways. How can you love one so much without ever seeing the other? I sure couldn't!

Enjoy!

 

[Mortimer Mouse]

I've got to be honest with you. Staying on Harbor, you are on a busy road and it is reality- complete with McDonalds, 7-Eleven, city buses and the ocassional homeless person. You should know this going in. It is possible to get an immersive experience, but you need to stay at one of the on-site hotels to get it. If this is a big deal for you, you should consider switching hotels.

I completely agree with this. If you can swing the GCH do it, you won't be sorry........