HELP!! Disneyland or Cruise?

[princssdisnygina]

Ok everyone! DH and I just got off the 7 day eastern cruise a few weeks ago and am desperately ready to schedule my next Disney trip! I have not been to Disneyland in 5 years and have not experienced the Califonian Adventure! My DH has never been to Disneyland and I want to take him there! However, I LOVED the cruise and want to try the western! I could go to Disneyland for 5 nights and 6 days and do Universal and only have to take 2 days off work, or I could do the cruise and take 4 days off! I am so torn as to what I should do. Any suggestions would help! Keep in mind I have also done the 4 day cruise twice!

Gina

 

[cindy21494]

You don't say how soon you want to go again, but there has been talk that the Magic may move to the west coast for the 50th anniversary. I too want to go to Disneyland. I'm waiting for the dates for 2005 to come out to see if it will happen. I'm not sure if they are just rumors or not.

If anyone knows more about this, please let me know.

 

[GenieDana]

Unfounded rumors. The port charges in California could be much higher than in Florida, including fuel costs and provisioning. Besides, they do not have a terminal to operate from, and are not in the process of building one. I suppose Disney could lease space (displacing another line) but that is also unlikely. If they plan to operate in 2005 from California, they better announce that very soon because they are taking 2005 ressies now - from Port Canaveral.

Disney would not move a ship to the West coast if it costs more to operate to do so. The margins are just not there, and it doesn't make sense, especially to the shareholders. Disney is making money sailing at capacity in the Caribbean. If they did, it would be for the novelty only.

If they were to build a terminal, it would be for a third ship, which is just in the talking stages - No design, No contract, No plans. The dollar is going to have to do sustained performance against the Euro (and the Yen if you're thinking the Mitsubishi yards). The outlook for the next six months isn't promising, and even if things do turn around, it would take about three years after an order is placed before a third "new" ship could enter service (2007 at the earliest). Perhaps the "Big Red Boat" moves to California try the Pacific, just like Disney did for the Caribbean?

A "little" Magic is better than no Magic!

 

[princssdisnygina]

Ok guys, I appreciate the info, however this is not what I am asking. I want suggestions or advice to help me decide whether to take the Disney 7 day Western cruise or go to Disneyland! Thanks.

I am wanting to go in May, 2004.

Gina

 

[trishy]

Well, to help your decision, you may want to check out a couple of sites. I wouldn't even try to tell you which one you should do, but I do know Tower of Terror is suppose to open around the time you want to be here. Check out LAUGHING PLACE for events, openings, rumors and/or MICEAGE for more info on what may be coming around the corner. You can also check MOUSESAVERS for discounts, packages, event pricing, etc. They're completely different vacations, of course. If it were me, I would just spend some time researching the different options and decide which one excites me more - then you'll have your answer. Good luck - either way you'll have a blast, I'm sure.

 

[hydster]

Our family has practically lived in S. California at Disneyland for the last 8 years. We go at least twice a year for at least a week at a time. That being said if I had to choose between a cruise for 7 days or going to a crowded theme park I would have to choose the cruise. Disneyland does have some rides that WDW doesnt have and some of them have just a little bit different things in them (like Pirates). California Adventure could technically be done in a day if the lines werent long. It isnt that great of a park if you want MY opinion. There are only a few rides worth waiting for in California Adventure but there arent enough to justify to me not going on a cruise. Also Universal Studios is NOTHING in California like it is in Florida. When we took our kids we stayed for about 4-5 hours and hit all the "rides'" if you want to call them that and then we got bored and set out for Disneyland again. Disneyland is very unique and it was the first but if it were me I would MUCH rather go on a cruise than to DL. Maybe we have had Disneyland overload but we much prefer Florida and WDW/Universal/Epcot/MGM and of course the wonderful cruise. We have been to Disneyland for a week and the last 2-3 days we were planning on going back to Disney we ended up at a beach because we had "been there - done that" so many times during the trip. I guess if you hit it in busy season it would take longer but we usually go around Labor day (right after) and the crowds are nothing. We were actually in Disneyland (not in but across the stree) when 9-11 happened. It was scary and very sad but Disneyland was EMPTY for the extra 4 days we had to stay until we could get a flight home. We were supposed to go home that afternoon. We of course were nervous but we got so bored of the same 30 rides over and over and over that we finally went to Knotts Berry Farm for a day.

I know this is long but from our standpoint I dont think you are really missing much by not going to Disney Calif Adventure. The cruise would be my vote.

Heidi

 

[Bbgrizzle]

Since you have already done the cruise a few times, I was going to suggest doing Disneyland. There have been a few changes since the last time you were there, not to mention DCA!

However, you need to keep in mind that there are a lot of rides down right now. Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, Indiana Jones, to name a few. Not sure when Indiana Jones will open up, as the calendar of refurbishments is not out yet for May. But for the next few months, those rides are closed. Maybe someone else knows when Indiana will reopen.

 

[Robert and Kelley]

Our suggestion would be to take the cruise. We have not been to disneyland since 1995 but we are holding out until 2005 for the 50th anniversary of the park. I am sure there will be a lot of special things. We are gettinmg ready for our 2nd western cruise with Disney. We liked it better than the eastern itenerary.

 

[kcashner]

I'd cruise....but then, I'm a cruisaholic! 10th voyage on the Magic is coming up. It's my family's favorite vacation. DD chose it for 13th birthday.

 

[takemeaway]

Living 50 minutes from Disneyland and having season passes, I think there is a lot to do around/near Disneyland. Since you just came back from a cruise and hubby has never been to the parks out here, I would suggest Disneyland. I personally like California Adventure very much. Some of the rides, (Soaring over California, California Screaming) are the most fun that I have ever experienced. My 7 year old would rather go to California Adventure than Disneyland.

Personally, I like to do different things. We are taking our second Disney cruise next year and then after that I want to try another cruise line. I find I get bored with the same things over and over again. Why not try something new this year? There is a lot to do in the city. Universal Stuidios is close and so is Knotts Berry Farm. Hollywood Blvd is a great people watching place. The night life is great in LA and I am sure you will have a terrific time if you research and plan.

Have fun no matter what you decide!

 

[princssdisnygina]

Well, we could do WDW but I have been there over 27 times and need to see the other rides that DL has and WDW doesn't. I was thinking of doing the parks, resting, shopping and doing Universal. I loved Universal the one time I was there (in Cali) and I have been to the one in Florida many times. My DH and I did the 4 day in 2002 (honeymoon) and the 7 day this November so we may need to just go on dry land for a while. Jason has never been to Cali and I was thinking it would be fun to go and just do what we want, sorta unplanned. I want to surprise him with one or the other. Although, I do love cruising! It is so hard. What will be harder though, and maybe why I am swinging away from the cruise is I will want to do WDW too, and I can't take that much time off work. I love both and am very excited, but need to decide soon! I am a little concerned about some of the rides being open. I need to hear more! HELP!

Gina

 

[princssdisnygina]

What site do I find the Disneyland info besides disneyland.com? I want to check out refurbishment times etc. Thanks.

Gina

 

[Lloyd Dobler]

LaughingPlace.com is a great site for Disneyland Resort info. It has a pretty up-to-date schedule of ride closures, refurbishments, etc.

Besides the two DL Resort parks and Universal Studios, there's lots to do in the LA and Orange County areas to justify a stay there.

I personally would vote for the cruise, since I'm at Disneyland about twice a month now that I'm back in So. Cal, but I still think this would be a great trip, too.

 

[ivanova]

My vote: in 2004 do another cruise

If looking at 2005, do Disneyland. For two reasons: it's the 50th anniversary of DL in 2005; and there's that slim chance of a DCL cruise ship being here in 2005.

yes, it's just vicious rumors but 2005 dates haven't been released yet past April/May 2005 with word that the rest of the 2005 dates will be announced in Spring 2004 due to "new itinieraries." Also, Mike Ouimet has toured the cruise terminals out here (he's now the DLR prez, having been the DCL prez before coming out here). Of course his touring the terminals just fuels the rumors more that Disney is looking for terminal space out here.....

Supposedly the 50th celebration news will be made public in a big production sometime in Feb 2004 ... so maybe we won't have to wait much longer for news (if any)

 

[princssdisnygina]

Thanks so much for the info! But since I live on the east coast I really wouldn't be interested in cruising from Cali, well maybe I would now that I think about it. But Disneyland is so far away so we don't get to go that often. I don't know what to do and I want to make my reservations at the end of January!

Gina

 

[disneyholic family]

we have gone to WDW every year for the past 31 years (and some years several times), but the summer before last we embellished a bit...
in addition to the regular 3 weeks in July at WDW, we added a Disney cruise (fabulous!!!) and followed that up with 4 days in Disneyland/California Adventure (we stayed at the grand californian)...
well....it's a bit of comparing apples and elephants...
while we enjoyed seeing DL/CA, we felt it didn't at all measure up to WDW....
i know that if i asked my family which they would prefer, they would jump on the cruise, not DL/CA.....
but every person is different...

 

[princssdisnygina]

And again, I have done the cruise so it wouldn't be anything new. I am trying to save a little money and save my vacation days since I am going to Europe in September. But, I want to do Disney in some way shape or form. I just think since we have done the Disney Cruise the past 3 years we may need something different. I still don't know though. I am still leaning towards DL. I am just concerned that the important things we want to see won't be open. I love DL, I have been there a few times but not in the past five years. Oh, this is so hard!

Gina

 

[disneyholic family]

so go to DL/CA....
we enjoyed it....we just thought the CMs weren't up to the level of the CMs at WDW...
but you definitely can get your disney fix there...
as for things being closed....yes....there are many many closed and probably more will be closing (as they have to take on the additional load from the closed attractions)...

but i think you'll still enjoy DL/CA....
in your situation i'd go for DL/CA...

you didn't ask but here are my must do attractions at DL/CA:
-- the circus train in fantasyland --- don't ask me why but this is my favorite ride at DL....it's just perfect...including the "i think i can" as it goes up the hill..
--- Indiana jones
--- I forgot the name of the Lincoln one....they revamped that one amazingly (with the new earphones)....even my kids thought this one was great....
--- Alice
--- Pirates of the caribbean
--- Haunted Mansion
--- splash mountain (not as good as at WDW, but not bad).
--- Peter Pan's flight

i think that's it for my absolute musts at DL..

as for CA....hmmm.....this park really is a major embarrassment for disney....it so lacks everything that made disneyland great...but all that aside, my must-do rides are:
-- soaring over california
-- the white water rapids one...i can't remember the name...the water ride with the big bear...this one's also kind of fun to watch..
--- the tour of the bread factory - very entertaining...
-- the tour of the taco factory - not entertaining, but interesting..
by the way, my kids loved the factory tours....so these aren't necessarily as corny as you might think...
--- california screaming....my kids loved this one...i didn't go on it...they went on it about 12 times..
--- mulhulland madness?...i can't remember the name...basicallly it's just a wild mouse ride but it was fun...but you can skip it if there's a long line.. (we only used fast passes on this one)...
--- muppet 4 d vision....the same as in WDW....and also enjoyable

i think i've left some things out..

but after going through the list, i think i have to cast my vote for DL/CA over the cruise, given your time constraints....

 

[princssdisnygina]

Thanks so much for the info! I think I am definitely going to go with DL. I will do the cruise in '05. I want to do Indiana Jones and the matterhorn again! And I know the CA may not be all that great but I haven't done it yet, so it will be all new. I know not to expect the same things I get at WDW, and that is ok. I just want to do something different and surprise Jason, and I think this would do it. He gets bored easy and wants to do new things! He never really travelled till he met me so we have a lot to cover! This is just the beginning! Thanks to everyone for you help! I still want to hear other thoughts though! It isn't set in stone until we go!

Thanks,
Gina

 

[disneyholic family]

i'm sure you'll both have fun...
by the way, i think that the matterhorn is closed.......i think it's a major engineering thing that will take a long time to fix..
also, space mountain is closed i think...it needs to be rebuilt from scratch or something like that....
but no matter.....lots of other stuff to go on...indiana jones is awesome...and i just like walking around DL....it's very nice...
oh...i just remembered that i love the tiki birds at DL....it's the original show, before the change made at WDW....