May Have to Solo - Orlando or Anaheim?

[Amysita]

I do both solo...both have their pros & cons. Going back to DLR this year...the pros I'm looking forward to are: the 2 parks being so close / walkable from one another, MUCH better / easier park hopping; more of a 'locals' park I get 'adopted' far more often there than WDW. The locals notice things / people around them more than @ WDW, and are more apt to strike up conversations, invite you to join them on a ride, give tips & tips (they're very proud of their parks), or even share a table for a meal. It feels more like friends & family @ DLR, and more like strangers @ WDW.

 

[BrianL]

Well, I'm doing it! Anaheim on August 22nd and 23rd (with the 21st as a possible half day should I want to since I get in early - LAX though, booo!). This is a birthday present to myself, even though a week late. I will finally get to see the 60th anniversary stuff, just in time too! It'll end up costing me a little mroe than I'd like it too, but really not that bad (airfare on SW was only $230 and I got a cheap hotel rate from work). I'll be at the Embassy Suites, which is further than I'd like, but still walkable.

I am excited!

 

[Alfredo68]

Well, I'm doing it! Anaheim on August 22nd and 23rd (with the 21st as a possible half day should I want to since I get in early - LAX though, booo!). This is a birthday present to myself, even though a week late. I will finally get to see the 60th anniversary stuff, just in time too! It'll end up costing me a little mroe than I'd like it too, but really not that bad (airfare on SW was only $230 and I got a cheap hotel rate from work). I'll be at the Embassy Suites, which is further than I'd like, but still walkable.

I am excited!

I must admit to having been to Disney World about 20 times in my life, and finally visiting Disneyland in 2012 for the first time. Since I was so used to WDW, Disneyland was a bit of a letdown for me. This probably has a lot to do with being used to WDW, which is pretty large in size. I am not sure I'll do DLR again, even though I am in Los Angeles on and off for my work. That said, I did LOVE the fact that DLR has the Alice in Wonderland and Pinocchio rides and still has Snow White, Mr. Toad and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. I miss those at WDW.

 

[BrianL]

I must admit to having been to Disney World about 20 times in my life, and finally visiting Disneyland in 2012 for the first time. Since I was so used to WDW, Disneyland was a bit of a letdown for me. This probably has a lot to do with being used to WDW, which is pretty large in size. I am not sure I'll do DLR again, even though I am in Los Angeles on and off for my work. That said, I did LOVE the fact that DLR has the Alice in Wonderland and Pinocchio rides and still has Snow White, Mr. Toad and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. I miss those at WDW.

I totally get that. My first time at DL I was...underwhelmed, but it does have a lot going for it as well. I like that it's different. The one thing I really missed was Welcome Show...the opening was just so unceremonious. Everything's a little less grand, but it has a lot of charm. It also has better food in my estimation, so that's a plus (a plus for California in general I think). They do have all the classic dark rides too, though actually they never had 20,000 Leagues, but it's precursor "Submarine Adventure" (now a Finding Nemo themed ride). It's still cool, but nothing beats riding in the Nautilus! I go to WDW more, but I like to change it up too. Plus, I really want to see Disneyland Forever and Paint the Night, which are supposed to be spectacular!

So, this time it's DLR...but I won't be surprised if I'm back at WDW for Rivers of Light before too long!

 

[bryanb]

I must admit to having been to Disney World about 20 times in my life, and finally visiting Disneyland in 2012 for the first time. Since I was so used to WDW, Disneyland was a bit of a letdown for me. This probably has a lot to do with being used to WDW, which is pretty large in size. I am not sure I'll do DLR again, even though I am in Los Angeles on and off for my work. That said, I did LOVE the fact that DLR has the Alice in Wonderland and Pinocchio rides and still has Snow White, Mr. Toad and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. I miss those at WDW.

Wow, I'm kind of sad to hear anyone say they won't go to Disneyland again (even strangers on the internet). I was going to write a paragraph about all the great reasons to go, but once you get over that impression, I'd hope you'll find more reasons to stop in again.

 

[Alfredo68]

Wow, I'm kind of sad to hear anyone say they won't go to Disneyland again (even strangers on the internet). I was going to write a paragraph about all the great reasons to go, but once you get over that impression, I'd hope you'll find more reasons to stop in again.

Well, if you think I am a 5 hour car drive from Walt Disney World, while Disneyland is on the other side of the country, Disneyland does not have the same pull for me. I do have friends who work for Disney Animation in Los Angeles, and I would to Disneyland with them when I am in LA if they were going, but generally, I find WDW more appealing. This does not mean Disneyland is not wonderful, but I guess it is what some of us are used to.