Need Advice: DL a few weeks after WDW & DCL trip

[Cruisin Spartan]

My parents are taking my Brother and I (and our families) to WDW 10/29-11/2, then we are sailing on Disney Dream for 4 days from 11/2-11/6. Then, it's back to reality for a couple of weeks before heading to the Bay Area for Thanksgiving with my DW's family.

She is trying to convince me to extend that trip by a few days and do Disneyland/Cali's Adventure on 11/29 - 12/1, flying home on 12/2. I'm not as concerned with the $ aspect as my parents are picking up the majority of the tab for the WDW & DCL trip. However, I'm also concerned that our kids DS (3) & DD (1) will potentially be burnt out. Also, I've never been to either of the parks out West. If we go on the heels of the other trip will I be able to impartially compare them, or will they run together too much?

Am I being silly or do I have valid concerns? I will say that our DS LOVES Cars so the Cars Land out there should be a big hit.

 

[figment_jii]

I think the tendency to compare resorts is pretty inevitable, but that doesn't mean you can't have a lot of fun at both resorts. As long as you don't go expecting DLR to be WDW, then I think you can a great time.

Have you been to WDW before? If so, HydroGuy's DLR Guide for WDW Vets is helpful to summarize the similarities and differences between the two resorts.

It's worth noting that by that point, DLR will have a lot of its holiday decor up and running. Assuming they don't stun everyone and not do the holiday overlays this year, by that time, Haunted Mansion Holiday, Jingle Cruise, It's A Small World Holiday will all be up and running. HMH and IaSWH are unique to DLR. Likewise, Paint the Night, Disneyland Forever, and World of Color Celebrate are new for the 60th an are unique to DLR.

 

[AngiTN]

We went to WDW on 5/19-5/25 and then DL from 6/2-6/9
It was not overload
DGD7 had a great time and was not bored
I did not compare DL to WDW on our trip. I went to DL for it to be different, and wanted it to be different, from WDW and it was. I found it was like going to 6 different parks.
Do not miss a chance to see DL for the 60th. Disney knocked it out of the park, as far as I'm concerned, with this celebration.

 

[Cruisin Spartan]

To answer figment_jii's question about being to WDW before, the answer is yes. I've been several times, although this year will be my first time bringing my kids. The last time I was there was for the DW & I's 1st anniversary in 2007. I will likely read the guide, and do my best not to compare.

Thanks to AngiTN for the insights. That's the info I was trying to glean. I also thank you for bringing up the 60th thing. I completely forgot about that.

Keep the advice coming. You guys just might convince me.

 

[GatorChris]

If you were spending a week+ at WDW, I'd say don't do it because you would definitely get burnt out. Probably. Well, maybe. Anyway. When you go to WDW, make sure you hit the other 3 parks other than the MK in a big way. That way DL won't be a repeat of the MK. Also, Hollywood Studios has Tower, Star Tours, and Rockin'Rollercoaster...all of which are at DLR (Screamin').

And if your son likes Cars, there's no way you should miss CalAdv. Just be sure to get there at rope drop to get in line fast or grab a FP for later in the day.

 

[ktlm]

That sounds fantastic to me! I don't know about the 1 year old, but I know DD would have been thrilled when she was 3. We are WDW vets, but fell in love with DL/CA and have alternated between DL and WDW the last 5 years, doing DL in the summer and WDW in the fall or winter. DL/CA has its own special magic. Carsland is amazing and we aren't even Cars fans. If you have the chance to go see the west coast parks you should grab it! Plus Disney is beautiful during the Christmas season!

 

[Drusilla99]

I think it really depends on the people on whether or not you'll get burned out. I don't think that kids do get burnt out, at least my teens haven't. We have premier passes, spent Easter at wdw, then 4 nights on the dream in April, I went girls weekend on the wonder in May, 24 event at dl in May, we'll be at wdw for 6 days starting Monday & we still go to dl at least once a month. Too much for my hubby, so he skips a lot of trips, not a lot for us. I think you'll be fine, it's seems like a very tame and varied itinerary.

 

[Cruisin Spartan]

Thanks for the advice all. Unfortunately, after discussing it with DW's family, it doesn't sound like they are going to be available to join us, so we're putting it off until we can all go. Also, we realized that our DS will probably not be tall enough to ride Radiator Springs Racers if we go this fall. He'll be super disappointed if he misses out on that one.

I think we're planning a trip in 2017 as the new date. That's a long way off, but we have another, longer WDW trip planned for fall '16 so it's all good.

 

[tiffjoy]

We completely unintentionally did three Disney parks in 4 months recently. In January, we went to WDW for four days for DD3's birthday. My DH decided that we should visit DLR for the Frozen Fun for a couple day trip before it ended, and he also surprised me by being on board with APs (our next trip is August). Then, in April, we went to Japan, so we had to spend at least one day at Disney and chose DisneySea.

I see by your update that your plans have changed, but hopefully you will have fun when you do come out!