HELP!! Disneyland or Cruise?

[Lloyd Dobler]

Also at DCA, there's a new Aladdin show in the Hyperion Theater which is really great. There's the new "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" attraction, where you can win a cruise if you're good (and lucky). The "Tower of Terror" ride opens next year.

I agree that DCA should not cost as much as DL, but I think it's a good park for what it is. If you have park-hopper passes, you can spend the better part of the day there. Make sure to catch some of the smaller rides, such as the Orange Stinger or the Golden Zephyr. These remind me of childhood trips to the Jersey shore.

In DL, Space Mountain is closed until 2005, I think. They're apparently rebuilding the whole track. Big Thunder is still closed since the accident back in Sept., not sure when it's scheduled to re-open. I was just at the park on Sunday, but I didn't notice whether the Matterhorn was closed or not. I also like the circus train (Casey Jr.'s) and the Storyland canal boats, which follows the same path as the train, although at a much slower pace.

Please feel free to PM me if you have questions about DL.

 

[disneyholic family]

is the golden zephyr the big ferris wheel there?...
i'm terrified of heights so i didn't go on it, but it looked amazing...
the ones that slide up and down in addition to round and round made me nauseous just to look at them, but for someone who enjoys that kind of ride, it looked like a lot of fun...

oh...and by the way, my 19 year old daughter loves DCA....she thinks it's a great park....my son, on the other hand, thinks that michael eisner should be tarred and feathered for how it turned out...
but we did have a nice time.....the parade was fun, but i don't know if they still have it....it was very different from the parade at DL....

 

[Lloyd Dobler]

The Golden Zephyr is the rocket ship ride across the "bay" from the ferris wheel (I think it's called the Sun Wheel). It's deceptively named, in that the rockets are silver, not gold. You basically swing in a circle from a tower. It's more a nostalgic ride than a thrilling one.

The ferris wheel is fun, but you're not on it very long, so I don't do it if the line is more than 10-15 minutes. I like the sliding cars, but there are also stationary ones, which don't move around, but actually get higher than the sliders.

Also, the Maliboomer is a fun ride. You get a great 2-second view of the area. If you do this, use the single-rider line, the wait is usually only about 5 minutes or so.

My biggest problem with DCA is that it's about 1/3 the size of DL park, but it costs the same to get in. With an annual pass, that's not an issue for me, but it's the principle of it that bothers me. Also, since it's a new park, the trees aren't very mature. There's not very much shade in there and it can get unbearably hot on a summer day.

 

[disneyholic family]

they might not be thrillling, but for someone afraid of heights, they're still pretty off-limits...
you're right about the shade problem....we were there at the end of july 2002, and it was deadly....and we're from a tropical climate so it's not as if we're not used to it...
that's why it was nice staying at the grand californian....we went back and forth from DCA....we would go in for an hour to get some shade and something to drink and then back out again into the oven....

by the way, when we were there, lines weren't a problem at all in DCA....in DL the lines were unbelievable...2 hours long at indiana and splash.....but in DCA the only long line was at that wild mouse ride.....the rest were basically walk-ons....even california screamin.....

 

[Lloyd Dobler]

You're right about the lines. You need to use FastPass to do Indy and Splash, and should get the Splash Mountain FastPass as soon as you get there in the morning, as they go pretty fast. The DCA rides all have FastPass and single-rider lines, so you hardly ever have to wait very long. I finally went on the wild mouse ride (Mulholland Madness) a few weeks ago. That line moves really slow! The ride's over in a hurry, too. I finally got a FastPass for it and went on. It's a fun little ride, but I'd never wait 45 minutes for it. It seems that Mulholland and Grizzly River Run are the only rides which back up. Grizzly has a single-rider line, too, so we usually go with that, and usually don't even get split up.

It was ridiculously hot this summer. I remember one day we retreated to DL and cooled down inside Mr. Lincoln for a while. Nice soft benches and air conditioning. The Bug's Life show is good for this, too.

 

[disneyholic family]

or right....i forgot about bug's life....it's hard for me to remember what's in DL/CA that's also in WDW...
though the movie is the same as in animal kingdom, they improved the theater and the robots a bit in CA....

as for mulhulland madness, we only used fastpasses for it...
and also for grizzly river run......since we were right near there at the hotel, every time my family went in to rest, i ran over to grizzly and mulhulland to get fastpasses.....when we were there (summer of 2002) grizzly was a 'free' fastpass....that is, you could take it and it didn't interfere with any other fastpass.....so i could hold two fastpasses at once, if one of them was for grizzly ....(they had the machine disconnected from the park wide system)...
as a result we got to go on both of those quite a bit, since being the good mom that i am, i ran around and got lots of fastpasses while everyone else crashed.........

 

[ericnj]

I have personally not been to Disneyland but I do hear that it is less of an experience than DisneyWorld. Having said that you could put in a day at Legoland, Seaworld and other SoCal attrations that would be more educating and a little more hectic than relaxing on the cruise ship. It really is a matter of personal preference and my preference is to do both. We live in New Jersey so after our 7 night western in 2004 we will head to the west coast to hit Disneyland and the rest for 2005 vacation. Good luck in your decision you really can't go wrong.

 

[princssdisnygina]

Yeah, I do know Disneyland is not as "big" as WDW, and I enjoy it anyway. We planned on going to Universal and Sea World also! And then one day would be open to anything we want, shopping, staying at the hotel, whatever! Does anyone know how the Downtown Dis area compares to WDW? I love that area at WDW! I am getting so excited! I still haven't completely made up my mind though. hhmmm.... I don't want my DH to be disappointed, I don't think he will be because he has never been, but surprises are always risky.

Gina

 

[disneyholic family]

i think there is an online disneyland site where you can see what stores/restaurants they have at downtown disney...
i thought it was really nice there....they built it with a nice wide open area to walk so you get this nice open feel to it......
i'm not sure if it's as big as the one at WDW, but it was very nice....

 

[LuvTigger]

I am in the reverse situation...I go to DL almost every year (and the years I don't I go to WDW), and I've only been on DCL once. I want to go on a cruise again since I haven't done it in a while, so I guess my answer to you is that if you haven't done DL in a while, I would do that next year.

As far as Downtown Disney, it's not like the one in WDW, but as you know, you can't really compare DL to WDW because they're two different animals, and that's how I feel about the DD in DL. What I like about the DD in DL is that it has a lot of pretty good restaurants, and I like the fact that everything is walking distance. You can walk to the Grand Californian and Disneyland Hotel from the parks (btw, I would like to put in a plug for GC, we LOVED that hotel so much! Reminded us a little of the Wilderness Lodge). It has a World of Disney Store, Sephora, I think Illuminations is there now, a Lego Store, theaters, a bunch of restaurants, among other things.

While DCA isn't quite the magical place that DL is, I still think they have some pretty good rides and attractions. My favorites are the Aladdin show, Soarin' Over CA, CA Screaming, a Bug's Life, Muppet Vision, Maliboomer, and the Sun Wheel.

There are several other park options such as Knott's Berry Farm and Magic Mountain (if you like coasters). I love the shopping area outside of Knott's. Also, at Universal Studios they opened a Shrek attraction in May, which I thought was pretty cool. And I like Universal City Walk, the shopping area outside of Universal. You could also drive around Hollywood and Beverly Hills to check out some sights.

I think that as long as you go there without comparing it to WDW that you'll be fine. You might want to check out www.mouseplanet.com for some info too.

 

[jlawall]

I've done both a few times and I would recommend DCL. DL is very special and not to be missed but DCL is unbelievable!!!

 

[Tluvs2talk]

CRUISE!


Teri

 

[hayesktrm]

We had Disneyland annual passes when we lived in Washington State--that's how much we love DL. Now that we live within an hour we go about once a month. We love California Screamin', and Soaring Over California (only Disney ride I have ever been on that there is applause after the ride almost every time!). The Shrek ride at Universal is so great, as is the tour. Too bad so many rides are closed...you will have a great time, though.

 

[makaylee]

I would pick the cruise! I could be saying this because I grew up right next to Disneyland and even though I live a ways away now I still go at least once a year (for my dd6) Maybe im worn out on it, I dont know. We have only cruised once, the Eastern in May and we had the absolute time of our lives. If I HAD to choose between going on just one more cruise and never going to Disneyland again I would still pick the cruise. But thats just me, everyone has their own opinion. If you could I would do the 7 day then spend a day or two at wdw. Califorina Adventure must really be a matter of taste because I and others I know do not care for it much but, then you hear about other people who love it.

 

[rob'n]

I have never been on the cruise...we are planning our first one for 2005 and can't wait. We have, however, been to DL a gazillion times because my parents live 30 minutes away. When we visit, we are there almost everyday. There are many things I love about DL. It is the original and has a different charm to it than the MK. Walt is a part of so very much there and the CMs love to tell you all the little stories and the history of differnet attractions. We also love CA. It is themed so beautifully. The Grand Californian Hotel is neat because you can enter CA from its back door. Another neat place not too far away is Legoland in Carlsbad. Perfect for ages 3 to 12... Good luck with your decision...you can't go wrong, I am sure!

Robin

 

[starwood]

If it were me (and I wish it were

) I would do the cruise. Disneyland is not as nice as WDW. It's smaller, more crowded and not as well run. If you have not seen CA then maybe DL but you only need 1 day to do CA and maybe 2 for MK.

 

[jrabbit]

Nothing has been officially announced for DIsneylands 50th anniversary. But according to MiceAge it's looking better (or at least has a better chance of not being a total embarsement and waste of time). Thats thanks to Matt Ouimet (former head honcho of DCL) and the team he brought to Disneyland.

Activities and attractions will be improved from the prior plans (hey, lets sell some more overprice trinkets) and we MAY get the Magic for a short stint on the west coast.

Hey east coasters, sorry about wanting a ship out west because its such a long trip for you to come to the west coast. Guess what, it's just as long of a trip for us going over to Florida as it is for you going to S. Cal.

 

[rae519]

For my 2 cents, been to Disneyland and would still take the cruise over it. Just more relaxing to have someone else do the driving and cooking and cleaning!!!

Rae

 

[Carasoyn]

Couple of notes. The question of whether to go DCL or DL really comes down to the needs of your family and I think you miss DL and rightly so can't wait to introduce your son to it. What a treat!

"There are many things I love about DL. It is the original and has a different charm to it than the MK. Walt is a part of so very much there and the CMs love to tell you all the little stories and the history of differnet attractions."

DL is Walt's heart. And it is the original! If not for DL there would be no WDW, no Epcot, no DCL and no CAA not to mention a host of other beloved Disney venues. Disneyland was where Walt was at his most original, most thorough and took the greatest risk. My mom was there opening day (5 yo) and I worked there (so I absolutely disagree that the CM's at DL suffer by comparison to anyone else).

we enjoyed it....we just thought the CMs weren't up to the level of the CMs at WDW...

Maybe it just runs in my blood but "there's nothing like the real thing baby!"[

 

[Tandyc]

We live in Washington State and go to DL fairly often. It is the origional. There is now better feeling than walking into DL and down main street.

The cruise is not something I have done yet so I can't say how I'll feel about it for sure. I can't imagine getting that DL main street high on a cruise however. Honestly, I was surprised that I didn't get more of that feeling in WDW. WDW is great, very different than DL. Some things improved, but they have lost that Walt touch IMO.

If you've cruised recently, go to DL. Enjoy the more laid back, less walking origional feel. CA is much different than either DL or WDW. I like it in it's own right, and it does get better and better with the more they add. I think of it as a bonus to DL, not a comparable park.

You can't go wrong eith way, but in your situation I'd head to DL.

BTW, I'm heading to DCL so maybe I just contridicted everything I just said.