Is DL worth it?

[HockeyDadof2]

We have been to and love WDW and everything else that is in Orlando. The wife and I are going to California for a national specialty dog show next summer and are considering making a vacation of it with the kids. Is DL and everything around it as much fun as WDW? What else is there to do around DL? Knotts Berry Farms was something I did as a kid when we live in San Diego, is that still around? Is it fun? My kids will be 11 and 7 by then. Thanks in Adavance.

 

[Horizons16]

Because you have never been to DL it will be fun. Everything is a lot smaller than WDW though. You will walk from one land to another and just be like oh we have been through there already? But its your first and it will be fun no matter how small you may think it is.

~Steve

 

[HockeyDadof2]

How close are Universal Studios, and Knotts Berry Farm to DL. Is it similiar to Orlando where everything is relatively close?

 

[year2late]

Knotts Berry Farm is very close (about 10 minute drive?)
Universal Studios Hollywood on a verrrrry good day is about an hour away. Not many verrrrrry good driving days down there!

Have you considered San Diego? Sea World/San Diego Zoo/Wild Animal Park are all worthwhile. Legoland (in Carlsbad) might be fun for the kids if they are legomaniacs - IMHO the park is more of a diversion, but my son (8) loves it!

I have been to both WDW and DLR. Although DCA gets very bad press, we love it! Soaring over CA is THE best ride I have ever been on. You might want to go to DLR to experience the diffference. DLR is an intimate experience - DD/DL/DCA are literally steps away from each other.

Good luck planning.

 

[cinderellakh20]

Definitely worth it!!!!! I love Disneyland and DCA and you will find many different aspects of the attractions interesting when you compare them to WDW. Disneyland is Walts baby - what is there to not like??? Knotts is great too and hardly ever crowded

 

[AKASnowWhite]

Originally posted by HockeyDadof2
We have been to and love WDW and everything else that is in Orlando. .... Is DL and everything around it as much fun as WDW?

We too are WDW fanatics......and we just returned (less than 2 hours ago!!) from a FABULOUS trip to DL!!!! We were unsure of what we'd think.....but we LOVED it! We spent 4 very long, full days at DL and CA and honestly could have stayed longer. I couldn't possibly begin to tell you in one short post how much FUN we had! It is very different in some ways than WDW, but so WONDERFUL! If you have the opportunity to go, DON'T MISS IT!!!

 

[Greg K.]

We're WDW die-hards, but my wife adores DL -- the first and, in her mind, the best.

The park has a charm and an intimacy that are lacking in The World. And many of the attractions -- notably, the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean -- are superior to their Orlando counterparts. You'll also find a few surprises that you just don't see in Florida (I'm thinking of Storybook Land, and Snow White's Wishing Well in particular...)

Go and enjoy!

BTW: Anaheim has improved mightily over the last couple years -- the area around Disneyland is beautifully landscaped and the roads and signs are excellent.

 

[HockeyDadof2]

OK, now you guys have me excited about DL. Does anyone know about how far Anaheim is from Riverside? The show is in Riverside and once we are done we will be switching hotels and staying in Anaheim. For some reason I can't find Riverside on my map.

 

[ceejay13]

I know we have driven through Riverside but can't remember how far it is from Anaheim. Just my two cents on DL vs WDW - I also think you will love it. We visit WDW once or twice a year as DVC members. We also love everything about WDW but also the last 6 or 7 years have made yearly business trips to San Diego. Being the Disney lovers we are we always go for an extra 4 or 5 days and drive up to Anaheim. We usually spend all but one of the days in DL and make a side trip into LA. With the addition of DCA and Downtown Disney it has much more of a WDW feel. If you can swing it, the theme park view at the GC hotel is incredible. There is not an hotel in Florida that you can stay that looks directly out into one of the parks. It also has it's own entrance into the park which is so convenient. Even the DD view are great. Just like being in the middle of the excitement. We are returning in 10 days for our 4th stay there and we absolutely love it. We also love DCA, despite it's bad press and if you like tours at all try the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour at DL. After being fortunate to visit both coasts the last few years, I have realized how much more I like the DL park than the MK. With the exception of the castle in Florida, the rest of the park does have significant history and a few little extras that the MK doesn't. Of course there is still much more to do in Florida but I think you will really enjoy yourself.

 

[princessKT]

Of course it is! What kind of question is that?

 

[daannzzz]

According to Mapquest Riverside is about 37 miles from Anaheim and a 40 minute drive.
Aside from the urban location of the Disneyland Resort you should enjoy it quite well. Be prepared to compare the differences and enjoy them.

 

[Amusement Park Junkie]

It should be less than 40 minutes if you avoid rush hour(s) and much much more during rush hour. There is only one route from Riverside to Orange county, and many people live in Riverside while working in OC. You want to avoid the Riverside ==> Anaheim drive between 6 and 9 AM. For the same reason, avoid Anaheim ==> Riverside between 3 and 6 PM (even later on a Friday).

 

[Captain_Nemo]

I think that Horizons16 might have it a little backward. Yes, Disneyland is smaller that all of WDW, but DL is bigger that MK. In fact the two are very similar, so if you’er used to the MK you will keep getting off guard by the differences. For example, you won’t find the Haunted Mansion in the same place…they moved it . Or walking from one land to another will take a little more time that you are used too.

I know I had the same problem when I was at MK.

You will love the differences though. It brings back some of that feeling from the first time you went. Remember when you didn’t know where everything was?


Have fun!

 

[AKASnowWhite]

Originally posted by Captain_Nemo
.......In fact the two are very similar, so if you’er used to the MK you will keep getting off guard by the differences. For example, you won’t find the Haunted Mansion in the same place…they moved it .

That is SO very true! I found myself getting VERY disoriented at DL.....things simply were not where I expected them to be!

 

[HockeyDadof2]

OK, I am now completely excited about our California trip this summer.

I would love to stay at the Grand Californian, but since this trip also includes going to our national specialty dog show, we are going to have 2 of our four-legged kids with us and none of the Disney resorts allow pets. Any suggestions for a hotel near the parks?

 

[HockeyDadof2]

Bump

 

[year2late]

Originally posted by HockeyDadof2
we are going to have 2 of our four-legged kids with us and none of the Disney resorts allow pets. Any suggestions for a hotel near the parks?

Anaheim, CA Hotel Street Zip Phone
Anaheim Marriott 700 West Convention Way 92802 714-750-8000
Policy: No fee. No restrictions. All sizes accepted. Do not leave in room unattended. Pets in first floor rooms, only.

Amenities: Sliding glass doors to outside for easy entry and exit.


Rates: Single, Double: $179-199 (rates vary)
Best Western Anaheim Stardust 1057 W. Ball Road 92802 714-774-7600
Policy: Fee: $10 per day, nonrefundable. Dogs under 50 lbs accepted (call). Must stay in smoking rooms. Do not leave unattended in room.

Amenities: Dog bones.


Rates: Single, Double: $60-99 (up to 4 persons)
Embassy Suites Hotel Anaheim 3100 E. Frontera St. 92806 714-632-1221
Policy: Fee: $50, nonrefundable. Medium dogs and cats, up to 50 lbs. Animals must be house-trained. Do not leave unattended in room.



Rates: Single, Double: $143
Hawthorn Suites 1752 S. Clementine Street 92802 714-535-7773
Policy: Fee: $150, refundable. All pets accepted. Please call for specific policy.



Rates: Single, Double: $99-159
Quality Hotel Maingate 616 Convention Way 92802 714-750-3131
Policy: Fee: $25 per night per pet, plus $25 cleaning fee, nonrefundable. Only dogs 40 lbs and under allowed.

Amenities: Baggies for pet clean-up, places to walk.


Rates: Single, Double: $59-259
Red Roof Inn 1251 North Harbor Blvd. 92801 714-635-6461
Policy: Fee: $10. Pets under 50 lbs accepted. Must be leashed to and from rooms. Do not leave in room unattended.



Rates: Single, Double: $49-55
Cavalier Inn & Suites 11811 S. Harbor Blvd. 92802 714-750-1000




Residence Inn Anaheim 1700 South Clementine Street 92802 714-533-3555




Station Inn & Suites 989 W. Ball Road 92802 800-874-6265




Travelodge 1166 W Katella Ave 92802 714 774-7817