Is DisneyLand worth it?

[disneylover102]

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

I don’t even have to read your post, the answer is YES!!!!!!!

 

[JavaDuck]

That being said, can my DL experts here give me some itinerary/agenda ideas for each park?
for our California Adventure day should we go back to our room at VGC at some point? No idea how the layouts of these parks compare in size/scope to let’s say MK. Thank you!

The Grand Cal has an entrance right into DCA, so it will be easy to take a break during the day if you want. If you are a rope drop family, I recommend heading to Pixar Pier first. You will be able to ride Toy Story Mania, Incredicoaster, and Goofy's Sky School with minimal waits. You will most likely be able to ride some of them more than once if you want.

For Disneyland, I recommend heading to Fantasyland first. You can do all of the classic dark rides with minimal waits.

Have a great trip! One of my favorite parts of Disneyland is all of the small details that makes Disney parks stand out. For example, the red and white light bulb at Coke Corner.

 

[Dory92130]

OP - with six kids; you'll love being on-site and able to shuttle back-forth for breaks. ALL of Disneyland can fit into MK. It's very compact compared to WDW.

Noted it appears to be split stay with 1 park days so you'll have to prioritize what you want in the AM if rope dropping. Park officially opens 8AM, but gates usually open around 730A. Security usually lets Grand in a few minutes earlier so perfect if you're a RD family set to do a set of rides in the AM. I would take full advantage of that with Genie+ and large yound family kids to get fantasyland out of the way early and save huge amounts of time and Genie+ for reriding them daytime and close out the evening after fireworks

 

[petunia]

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.

First timer planning DCL (been to wdw many times)..what is meant by 5 is the maximum length of ticket one can buy, is not entrance for the whole day?

 

[cdoc29]

First timer planning DCL (been to wdw many times)..what is meant by 5 is the maximum length of ticket one can buy, is not entrance for the whole day?

Disneyland has a maximum 5 day ticket. You cannot purchase one for longer, like 6 days or 7 unless you purchase a 5 day and single day for 6 or 5 day and two day for 7

 

[petunia]

Disneyland has a maximum 5 day ticket. You cannot purchase one for longer, like 6 days or 7 unless you purchase a 5 day and single day for 6 or 5 day and two day for 7

Thank you! Was thinking it meant a 5hr time limit

 

[goodshepherd]

i would say yes if you havent been there in years.......

ive been there 3 times THIS year hahahaha and we got a little bored and are ready for an orlando trip next time.



so we are taking a little disneyland break


we went in july, and october halloween DCA time, and just now for xmas

but had a good time too


If i had the choice of orlando or disneyland, i would choose orlando most definately!!!

more newer rides...... and lots more of them.

 

[goodshepherd]

5 days at disney? hmmm depends if you do full days or just half days......

people that start late and just do half days and chil in hotel etc, then yah 5 days i can see that.

if you are a disneyland warrior with genie+ you can hit all the rides in 1 day if you start at 8 am when the lines are 5-10 min each.
if you do this, then 2 days is all you may need to get thoroughly bored.

so yah 5 days for us, we get bored on the 3rd day.

 

[Nonsuch]

So we decided to go. Was too good an opportunity and with non- VGC DVC points able to book some rooms there, we had to…
Do we’ll be there mid January . Wife and I and 6 kids (age 1-14). We’ve been to WDW many times but never DL.
We’ll be in one park each day, no park hoppers.
We did purchase Disney Genie +, and will likely pay the LL to do the rides we want.

I assume you have a 2-bedroom villa. You should make a view request in advance, I like to submit a list of specific room numbers.
A typical request might be: "Prefer high floor with Pixar Pier view. Room preference: 6500, 5506, 5500, 4506, 4500, 5518, 4518"
VGC is too small to have view catagories, so view requests can be very helpful.
Submit requests through DVC Member Services, phone or use the message option on the member website.

Upgrading tickets with a large party can get expensive, but I highly recommend getting park hoppers. Push the budget and add more days.
Save money with a grocery delivery (Vons/Pavilions) and cook in the room. There are gas barbecues (which are seldom used).

Welcome Home

 

[Epcot Forever Forever]

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

Yes, it’s far more enjoyable on a moment to moment basis than WDW.