Help a WDW addict with DL!!

[ajay3]

So, we know every inch of WDW and how it works. But we just decided to visit friends in CA next week and we're thinking of checking out Disneyland!!

My biggest question is: Is it worth it, since it is spring break for much of California? Will we wait in lines all day and regret wasting our time when we are going to WDW in Sept anyway?

Thanks!! And any other tips are greatly appreciated... we will probably be taking our best friends too, who have never been to Disney at all.

 

[skiingfast]

So, we know every inch of WDW and how it works. But we just decided to visit friends in CA next week and we're thinking of checking out Disneyland!!

My biggest question is: Is it worth it, since it is spring break for much of California? Will we wait in lines all day and regret wasting our time when we are going to WDW in Sept anyway?

Thanks!! And any other tips are greatly appreciated... we will probably be taking our best friends too, who have never been to Disney at all.

It's totally worth it.

But before you start considering this or that, read the link below to get your mind out of the WDW rut and into DLR thinking..

DLR guide for WDW vets

 

[HydroGuy]

So, we know every inch of WDW and how it works. But we just decided to visit friends in CA next week and we're thinking of checking out Disneyland!!

My biggest question is: Is it worth it, since it is spring break for much of California? Will we wait in lines all day and regret wasting our time when we are going to WDW in Sept anyway?

Thanks!! And any other tips are greatly appreciated... we will probably be taking our best friends too, who have never been to Disney at all.

Just back on Sunday from a Spring Break trip to WDW myself!

Is it worth it to go to DLR? Well, many here would say it is always worth it to go to a Disney park!

Be aware that there is a ton of construction going on right now at the DCA park. The entire park is being refurbed - really - and that will finish in June 2012 it appears.

Does that mean you should not go? Maybe. If you can go in June 2012 instead of now it will be better then with the construction complete. But what if you can't go in 2012? Only now. In that case I would say DLR is totally worth it now.

This link might help. Enjoy!

"A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[ajay3]

This is likely the ONLY time we will ever be in California. My husband doesn't fly, and this is just a last minute trip I decided to take the kids on. So, it's the first and only time we'll probably ever see the west coast. I feel like we'd really regret not seeing DL since we are Disney lovers.

skiingfast- Thank you for the link! It's perfect.

 

[skiingfast]

This is likely the ONLY time we will ever be in California. My husband doesn't fly, and this is just a last minute trip I decided to take the kids on. So, it's the first and only time we'll probably ever see the west coast. I feel like we'd really regret not seeing DL since we are Disney lovers.

skiingfast- Thank you for the link! It's perfect.

If you don't go, you may or may not regret passing up on it. But it's really worth it.

Then again I could say the same things about California's beaches, Hollywood, SF or LV..............

 

[Hound 109]

This is likely the ONLY time we will ever be in California. My husband doesn't fly, and this is just a last minute trip I decided to take the kids on. So, it's the first and only time we'll probably ever see the west coast. I feel like we'd really regret not seeing DL since we are Disney lovers.

skiingfast- Thank you for the link! It's perfect.

Lots of DLR newbies this week.

Yes worth it, but have a plan. I'll link HG's (for the third time ) thread along with others...here's info i posted recently:

HydroGuy's DLR for the WDW veteran tip thread. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1478699


Also, lots of good info for the WDW vet in Mary Jo's tip thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=802084



& KNOW THESE FP THREADS:

"Getting the Most Out of FastPass During High Season" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885132

"FastPass for Dummies and Smarties - A Photographic Explanation" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1186052

"Which Fast Pass First?" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1107718 (see my post #4 in that thread)

"Strategies For Using DL and DCA Opening Time Differences to Collect More Fastpasses"
www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1553197

"Why I Park Hop" http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1491961



Also, the first page of my trip report might be helpful. (linked in my signature below). Probably best to have a DLR map handy when reading. After reading many of these tip threads you'll get an idea how easy it is to Park Hop between the parks and also to slip into DTD or the GCH for a little break.....& you never have to get on a stinkin' bus!!

Have a great time planning a visit to Walt's Park.

Post back after you've worked thru the threads...if you decide to go you'll have further questions i'm guessing.

 

[luvthemouse71]

I will be doing a solo trip to DL in September- abd checking out some other things as well.

Im psyched!! I think any Disney fan should check out DL at least once.

 

[vew-tori]

WDW vet here that just returned from DL two weeks ago. I loved the things that were the same for the two parks and I LOVED the things that were different. Then again, I just love Disney. I say go, go, go. Yes there was construction and yes it was Spring Break for many but I still thought the crowds were less than WDW. We had a great time.

 

[KCmike]

This WDW vet thinks that Disneyland is by far the best of all parks!!!! It is now my home park. I love it. You must go. Leave now!

 

[Halloweenqueen]

Another WDW addict here....

I've fallen in love with DL. Totally worth a trip! I'm leaving this weekend for GCH! I know it is going to be busy, but with a good strategy you can hit everything you want to experience.

 

[Dizneydaz]

So nice to hear everyone loves DLR. I love going to WDW every year (sort of) but I'm so glad I live so close to DLR. It's a totally different vibe, at least for me.

Since we go to DLR a lot when we go it's not all about the rides. We know we can always come back.

In fact we went yesterday for a short visit (10-3) and only did 4 rides. Would have done a 5th if Indy hadn't broken down just was we boarded. This is the 2nd time in less than a week we've been on it and it has broken down. It totally needs the scheduled maintenance in May, just sayin..

We (DD11 and I) sat at the hub for about 45 min. yesterday just watching the guests and enjoying the beautiful day. One of the PP photogs (a DLR friend) would come over and talk to us when no one was waiting for a picture. It was very pleasant just to sit there and enjoy the ambiance.

I digress, yes, go. It's the original.

BTW, it wasn't too bad yesterday. Space of course had a wait. We got our FP at about 10 and the return time was already 12:30. I saw Buzz only had a 10 min. wait. ToT was 20 at about 11 a.m. All in all, not too bad. With planning, and getting there before opening, you can still have an enjoyable day. And the advantage to going during Disneyland's Spring Break period (6 weeks I was told) is that the hours are longer and there's more entertainment and less ride closures.

 

[cjnix29]

I'm in the same boat...going next week. Maybe we'll run into each other! Never been there before, honestly a little nervous about it. Can't wait to see Walt's park though!

 

[Janell]

Seeing the original is worth it. And you said you may not get back to CA, then defiantly go. Just go with an open mind and try not to compare DL to MK. They are very different and great in their own ways. The weather in So Ca has warmed up if you are here and its hot, go early in the morning and rest in the afternoon and then go back in to the parks at night. Stay till closing if you can, the lines get shorter late at night.

Have a wonderful trip.