Lot's of Questions!!Are rides the same as at WDW?Is it worth it to stay "on site"?more...

[pat fan]

We have been tenatively planning a trip to WDW next August,but may switch to DL.Here are a few questions I have to get me started.

Are the rides the same..ie:Haunted Mansion,PoC etc...?
In any pictures I've seen of the DisneyLand Hotel,there doesn't seem to be any "theming" like at WDW Resorts.True?If there isn't,is it worth it to stay on site?If not,what is a good hotel that's still close?
One more question sure to cause debate.Is it worth it to see the DCA?We live near a 6 Flags,so if it's pretty much that,we'll skip it.I was excited to hear Disney was oping a new park,but nothing I've seen or heard about it sounds like "Disney".Then again,some of the new stuff at WDW has me wondering what's going on too.Thanks for any advice.

 

[ChristaMcD]

The rides are simular but have suttle differences from what I hear (see the WDW vs DL posting). DL does have rides that MK doesn't (and vice versa). To me it is not worth the cost of the DL hotels to stay onsite with the number of hotels within walking distance.
As for DCA, I too am not as excited about this park as I was when hearing that a second park was being built. I am sure though, that it is worth a day's visit. It has a lot of things that a six flags does't.

Christa

 

[toodles]

DL and the Magic Kingdom are very close to being alike and I like DL better, however, if you want multiple theme parks in one visit, WDW is a better choice in my opinion. DCA has a sprinkle of MGM, a sprinkle of Animal Kingdom, ala California, and Paradise Pier, which to me is very much like a 6 flags. The single thing that makes DCA worth a visit is Soarin' over California, but only for those who are into flying. Crowd control isn't as good at DCA either. However, if you haven't been to WDW before, more of the rides at DCA will be new to you. See the trip reports board too.

Disneyland Hotel is not themed and it is missing some of the amenities of other hotels in the area, such as in room movies. The thing I like about the DL hotel is the quality of the mattresses -- they beat the heck out of the ones in the Marriott or the Hilton!

Toodles
WDW 79, 83, 99
DL 91, 92, 93, 95

 

[teri]

Having stayed at the Disneyland Hotel, the Disneyland Pacific a few times, and off-site across the street, I would have to say that staying on-site wins hands-down. I think that people who stay off-site miss out on much of the service and magic that make Disney resorts so special. The Disneyland Hotel may not have serious theming like the resorts at WDW, but the pool is wonderful, the restaurants are great, the shops are quite nice, and the monorail is right there. I think it is a wonderful hotel for kids and families. The pool is really super!

Disneyland Park has several more rides than Magic Kingdom at WDW in a smaller space, and it is much better for families with little kids. There is some good shopping there. Fantasmic is a much better show at Disneyland than it is at MGM, even without seating. And there is no better themed restaurant than the Blue Bayou in any Disney park or resort.

I have not yet been to DCA, but I have been multiple times to Great America, and from what I can see the DCA is waaaaaaay beyond that in interestin architecture and imaginative rides. And there is the Downtown Disney, and the new luxury hotel, the Grand Californian...

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE WDW, but Disneyland is very special as well. Good for 2-4 days of great fun. Now, if you wanted to stay a week or more, WDW would be a better choice

"My brain takes a vacation just to give my heart more room..."
teri@iluvdisney.com

 

[pat fan]

Thanks for the reply's.We have been to WDW twice,and were looking into trying DL this time.I think we will!Especially since I see that MSEP is leaving WDW and rumored to be heading to DL.

One more question.Is there no seating at Fantasmic in DL?What do you do,stand for the whole show?

Can anyone recommend a nice hotel whithin walking distance or with a shuttle?We have two boys who will be 13&10.

 

[teri]

Forgive me if this is a duplicate, my post disappeared.

Any hotel on the 1500 block of Harbor is directly across the street from the main pedestrian entrance. All the hotels around there have shuttles, some share, some have their own. Candy Cane seems to be a favorite offsite, as well as Fairfield Inn and Best Western Park Place. Westcoast Anaheim also gets raves. I stayed at Park Inn International, room was fine, but I missed the Disneyland Hotel ambiance.

You stand, or sit on concrete for Fantasmic. Tip: take a foam knee pad to sit on, the kind that gardeners use. Very light, easily fits in pack. (Disney could make a fortune selling those at parade and Fantasmic times!

"My brain takes a vacation just to give my heart more room..."
teri@iluvdisney.com

 

[calbayBWV]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Disneyland Hotel is not themed [/quote]

This simply not true, but I wont call it a lie.

DLR hotels all have various elements of themeing.

Stay onsite if you can afford it.

DCA is not like Six Flags, thats another lie.

DW vs. DLR would depend on airfares and how long you want your vacation to be.

Feel free to send me an email

If you need help with your Disney problem click here:Calbay's 12 Steps of Disneyholics Anonymouse


My recent trip to the Disneyland Resort
Calbay's Holiday 2000 Disneyland Trip Report

 

[Rajah]

I would say that the Disneyland Hotel *is* themed, it's just not themed like anything at WDW. Instead, it's theme concentrates on Disneyland History -- there is a *lot* of memoribelia or photos or sketches all over the walls of the hotel, especially once you get into the conference areas. And there is some minor generic victorian-ish theming once you get into a room (at least my room was).

However, it is *not* themed to an area like the Caribbean (Caribbean Beach) or Yellowstone/Mountains (Wildernes Lodge). The theming is a lot more subtle.

Whether it's worth it to stay on site or off site really depends on what you want to get out of your hotel stay. If all you want really is a room that is close to the park with quick and easy access -- stay offsite and save some money. Best Western Park Place is closer walking distance than the Disneyland Hotel is. But if you want real high-quality service, and you want a hotel with atmosphere (even if it isn't obviously themed) then definitely go with onsite at the Disneyland Hotel.

The Grand Californian may change that opinion, as I haven't seen it in person besides from a distance but it seems to be the best of all worlds -- theming, proximity, and quality.

-Rajah

cdrtrisal@aol.com

(Links will return when I find a new place to host the sites)

 

[Dodie]

I think that this all-encompassing post may answer some of your questions - plus some you didn't even know you had!

It's a comparison of WDW and DL, from this board:

Disneyland vs. WDW FAQ

<font size=4 color=#FF0066>D°o°die</font>

March 2001 - WDW Surprise!! (Disney Institute & Dixie Landings)
March 2001 - Our first trip to Disneyland!! (Grand Californian)
March 2000 - WDW (All Star Music)
May 1998 - WDW (Dixie Landings)
March 1997 - WDW (Dixie Landings)
May 1996 - WDW (Dixie Landings)
March 1995 - WDW (Dixie Landings)
March 1994 - WDW (Honeymoon! Dixie Landings)

 

[IamSusan]

from what I read about it, I think I would like it. I was very slightly dissapointed with the Grand Californian, I had recently stayed in the Grand Floridian and Wilderness Lodge and I just didn't feel as much "magic" at the Californian. It certainly WAS however, a VERY nice hotel.

But in comparing Disneyland and WDW, what I did really enjoy about Disneyland was the charm and history. So I might really like that hotel, because I am looking for Disney "magic" more than upscale or fancy.

 

[DonnaRy]

In my opinion, nothing beats WDW for a big dose of "Disney magic", especially if you stay on property for a week and get to kind of loose touch with reality for awhile jumping from park to park.

But, the Magic Kingdom itself doesn't have the charm of Disneyland. MK is more open and spread out with more landscaping and on a bigger scale, while Disneyland is smaller, cozier and much more quaint. Plus, MK doesn't have Indiana Jones or the Matterhorn (two of my favorites). Also, I think Pirates, the Haunted House, and the Small World are all better at Disneyland.

Just my two cents