Is DisneyLand worth it?

[SCDVC2000]

We have a stay at GCV in Jan booked partially with non-GCV points (lucky to get this). 6 children 14 and under. We’ve been to WDW many times but never DL. For those with WDW experience who have been to DL is it worth it? We’ll have to take kids out of school and fly across the country. I’m torn b/c time is blowing by, and I want to do as much fun/travel with the kids before they get older… any advice welcome

 

[Halloweenqueen]

Disneyland is a far superior experience than WDW, imho. I grew up on the east coast and have been to WDW numerous times. My husband was transferred to Washington State and we decided to give DL a try. We absolutely fell in love. There is a special spirit there that can not be duplicated. So much to do within two parks. Less time getting to places. Better entertainment, food, rides, etc. The list is endless. I say WDW has my heart, but DL has my soul.

 

[SherylLC]

A lot less walking and with kids so young that may be a big plus! And you will love the Grand.

 

[rangerxenos]

A BIG YES. It's certainly different that WDW, but it's still wonderful. Being able to walk between the parks is such a pleasure, you don't have to get on a bus to go anywhere.

 

[wowzadisney]

its better than WDW because there is so much more to do outside of disney, the LA area. you get to have fun at disney and also experience the LA area and all the sites

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Roughly speaking, Disneyland (Park) is Magic Kingdom... only better, and California Adventure is Hollywood Studios... only better. I still prefer Walt Disney World because I really enjoy "the bubble," but if you've never done Disneyland you absolutely should.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

If you have a chance to enjoy time at DL staying at GCV, absolutely keep the reservation. It'll be an amazing trip. We did it recently, and would do it again in a heartbeat. We still prefer WDW in general, but the DL/CA trip is amazing, too. And the ability to enter directly into CA from the resort is such a convenience. Hope you go and hope you have a great trip!

 

[DisneyKidds]

Roughly speaking, Disneyland (Park) is Magic Kingdom... only better, and California Adventure is Hollywood Studios... only better. I still prefer Walt Disney World because I really enjoy "the bubble," but if you've never done Disneyland you absolutely should.

I couldn’t agree more, although maybe I’d say Hollywood Studios is better than California Adventure. Or not. Point being, while similar in ways the CA parks are very different than the FL parks. The whole experience is, and it’s definitely worth doing, especially for a Disney fan. Perhaps younger kids won’t appreciate the differences between the Magic Kingdom and Disneyland Park, but older kids and adult Disney fans certainly will. We’ve been going to WDW for 30 years. We’ve only begun going to DL the last few years since our oldest headed to LA. We love doing DL now.

 

[MillauFr]

The biggest problem you are going to have if you go to Disneyland is you are going to feel cheated next time you to DIsneyworld. DIsneyland generally has far superior rides.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

The biggest problem you are going to have if you go to Disneyland is you are going to feel cheated next time you to DIsneyworld. DIsneyland generally has far superior rides.

People always say that but I'm not sure I agree.

Disneyland has MORE rides, but I wouldn't say they're better, aside from Pirates.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

The biggest problem you are going to have if you go to Disneyland is you are going to feel cheated next time you to DIsneyworld. DIsneyland generally has far superior rides.

These boards are to express opinions, which is great. We would disagree with your opinion in this case. DL has many different attractions, and many that are exactly the same. DL is also missing many of our favorites from WDW. The parks at DL and WDW are different and we never feel cheated visiting either.

 

[Steven G]

From a historical perspective, you can't beat Disneyland in Anaheim.

Right now, the entertainment is kind of lacking in Disneyland (even more than Disneyworld) because of Covid and the furloughs, especially without Fantasmic and World of Color. But otherwise, I believe Disneyland is a better experience.

 

[SG131]

I love both. I don't necessarily see one as superior to the other, they're both VERY different experiences both with pros and cons and I love each for its unique experience. Sure there are some overlapping rides, but doing DL is a different feel and atmosphere. For me it is 100% worth it and I can't wait to take my son out to CA to see DL, especially Cars Land and now the Avenger's Campus. If you have any fans of super heroes or cars in your family, it's definitely a must do!

 

[cdoc29]

We live in Virginia and and have taken the kids to to both Disney World and Disneyland. Our last trip to WDW was this past Feb. and our next Disneyland Trip is this coming Jan.

The Resorts have enough difference it is worth visiting both.

Here a few thoughts I have when comparing the two parks

Ride times: Times seem to be shorter overall at Disneyland, I am guessing because it has more of a locals vibe that if the line is too long people figure they can ride it next time while WDW is more of a visitor from somewhere else vibe and for many it’s their one in a lifetime visit. However WDW has way more rides since they have 4 parks

Restaurants: There are way more (and in the authors opinion, better) options at WDW for table service than Disneyland, that being said I like the quick service options better at Disneyland.

Time: While I could spend 7+ days at WDW you’ll be hard pressed to spend more than 5 (which by the way is the maximum length of ticket you can buy) at Disneyland. Also recreation and activities are non-existent outside of the resort pools if your staying on property. When we visit WDW we do a lot of the activities outside of the parks like mini golf, hanging out at the resort, bike riding, movies under the stars, etc….

Shopping, Downtown Disney at WDW way better than Disneyland, by a lot.

Resorts: while I love staying on property (or used too before all the perks disappeared) at WDW, at Disneyland you can actually get closer to the main gate than Disneyland Hotel or Paradise Pier, places right across the street are probably a little better in terms of convenience. When we stayed at the Disneyland hotel last there was no microwave in the room and the seating was very limited for a family of 4, this next time we are staying at Homewood Suites (on points) that has a full kitchen and living area and even if we were paying cash it would be less than half the price, the hotel is next to the Toy Story parking lot so we can catch the bus over to the park if we don’t feel like walking the 15 minutes to the main gate.

Parks: I love having a Parkhopper at Disneyland while I never feel i get my moneys worth at WDW. I can be in one park at Disneyland see that the line is short for something i want to ride in the other and walk over there no problem. Plus downtown Disney is right between the parks so popping over thier for lunch is just a simple.

Shows and Parades, both have excellent Kiss Goodnights when they are up and running, both have good parades.

Character meet and greets: when the are running like normal WDW has a more structured feel, where as Disneyland they have character meet and greets they also have a ton of characters wandering around interacting with guests, I hope they bring this part back.

I love both Resorts and it is definitely worth visiting both if you are able. While some things are the same at both, there is enough difference that you can’t really say one is better than the other.

 

[cruisehopeful]

It will come down to your particular priorities. Are you only planning this because you were able to secure VGC for those dates? What are the consequences of that many kids missing school days?

I always enjoy a January/February visit because if it's not around the national holidays, the parks are much quieter and it's a slower paced environment. With that said, I wouldn't fly across the country to visit during that time. The park hours are normally shorter, less things are open, while most shows/entertainment is already closed, it is a time when those things are less available and as someone who lives in southern California, once the sun goes down, it can get very cold, very quickly. It will get dark about 5pm every night.

If you think it's possibly your last chance to go in the next several years, I'm sure you'll have a great time.

 

[evilmommie]

Oh my gosh, yes! Come have some adventures out here at Walt’s original park! So easy to get around and the GCH is amazing.

 

[SCDVC2000]

I really appreciate all the replies, thank you so much all

 

[Steven G]

I think the biggest shortcoming in Disneyland are the queues. The average queue in Disneyland is outdoors, with minimal theming (especially in Fantasyland). Compare Peter Pan, or winnie the pooh for example.

The second shortcoming are the various chokepoints throughout Disneyland. They have tried to improve these recently though.

 

[Kender]

Ride times: Times seem to be shorter overall at Disneyland, I am guessing because it has more of a locals vibe that if the line is too long people figure they can ride it next time while WDW is more of a visitor from somewhere else vibe and for many it’s their one in a lifetime visit. However WDW has way more rides since they have 4 parks

DLR in two parks and WDW in four parks have roughly the same number of attractions. If you go by just rides, there's a higher density at DLR than WDW. A quick rough count using the criteria "rides that move/have a ride vehicle", there were actually a few more at DLR than WDW.

 

[DLgal]

From a historical perspective, you can't beat Disneyland in Anaheim.

Right now, the entertainment is kind of lacking in Disneyland (even more than Disneyworld) because of Covid and the furloughs, especially without Fantasmic and World of Color. But otherwise, I believe Disneyland is a better experience.

This isn't really that accurate regarding entertainment. I feel like DL has more live entertainment currently than WDW. We have the Disneyland band, DapperDan's, Pearly Band, various live acts at Paradise Gardens in DCA, live musicians in New Orleans Square, frequent cavalcades at both parks, fireworks on weekends since July 4th, and the Christmas parade starts in 11 days as well as the Main St Electrical Parade returning soon. WDW still has no parades. World of Color is set to return early 2022 as well as Fantasmic.

There also seems to be more and better character sightings at DLR vs WDW.