no idea about DL

[Kez250]

DH has to take a trip to CA for a conference - have spoken to DS & DD teachers and they have no problem with us taking the kids out of school for a couple of days so that we can all go. Figured I'd take them to DL DCA during the day while he's doing his thing.

We've spent a bucket of time in WDW and I am completely good with last minute trips there. But I've never been to DL. Have read it's very different in a lot of ways - am nervous of trip planning for somewhere I know nothing about. Kids are 5 and 6 so their happiness and my sanity depends on my ability to navigate them to the attractions that they want to see without too much line time or arguing (yes I know i want the whole world and chocolate sauce as well). Which for DS means anything Star Wars and for DD yep you guessed it anything Princessy

To be honest I'm feeling a little overwhelmed with it, help, suggestions, ideas all gratefully received

Thanks
K.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

The first thing you need to do is check out the stickys on stop of the DL forum. Hydroguy has one that answers questions for WDW vets and compares the 2 parks. DL/DCA is very easy to navigate compared to WDW simply because of the close promixity to each other.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

It's actually easier to plan DL vs. WDW.

DL is smaller and more compact, you can walk easily everywhere, especially if you plan to stay on property. If you can afford a DL hotel, then it is a complete no-brainer.

Visit the sticky at the top of this forum to get started. HydroGuy made a wonderful guide. He even has one for folks who are WDW pros.

 

[figmentgoofy]

DH has to take a trip to CA for a conference - have spoken to DS & DD teachers and they have no problem with us taking the kids out of school for a couple of days so that we can all go. Figured I'd take them to DL DCA during the day while he's doing his thing.

We've spent a bucket of time in WDW and I am completely good with last minute trips there. But I've never been to DL. Have read it's very different in a lot of ways - am nervous of trip planning for somewhere I know nothing about. Kids are 5 and 6 so their happiness and my sanity depends on my ability to navigate them to the attractions that they want to see without too much line time or arguing (yes I know i want the whole world and chocolate sauce as well). Which for DS means anything Star Wars and for DD yep you guessed it anything Princessy

To be honest I'm feeling a little overwhelmed with it, help, suggestions, ideas all gratefully received

Thanks
K.

All the posts you've gotten on this topic are right on the button. The area is not that big, it is no where near the size of wdw. DCA is 50 feet, give or take a few depending on the size of the shoe, from Land. Parking is easy, there are several inexpensive hotels near by, I'd look into the Annabella it is a great hotel, but there is a best western near by too. Its really a lot easier than one might think. Everything is laid out in walking distance to make your stay simple.

 

[Disney_Villain]

Enjoy the park that Walt designed, oversaw the construction of, and walked in. Gas lamps imported from Baltimore that were 100 years old at the time are on Main Street Disneyland - and they over 150 years old today and still burning on gas!

You're going to enjoy it.

 

[sameyeyam]

For me going to WDW is a destination, you can totally immerse yourself in it and feel like you are in another land. DL to me just doesn't have that same feel. Mind you I do like both places and they both have pros & cons. But overall DL is fun also. You will find it much easier to see everything and navigate around.

My sister lives in FL, so my children frequented WDW, but I took them to DL for the first time a year ago. My then 15yo daughter stood on Main St. pointing at the castle and laughing, asking "what is that?!". So yes, there are very obvious differences. But she soon learned that DL has some advantages over WDW. No long bus rides to get to the hotels, Downtown Disney or to head to the other park. Just a short walk!

My biggest problem was getting lost in DL. I would be headed for a certain attraction and then realize that oops, it's in another place at WDW. Some things like the Indiana Jones ride are different, but the same. For instance, the Dinosaur ride at AK is about the same as the Indiana Jones ride at DL. Splash Mt. at DL seats 1 rider per row, while the one at WDW seats 2. Probably on your first trip you will find yourself doing a lot of comparing.

I never get park hopper tickets at WDW, but highly recommend them at DL. My best tip is to get to DL before opening and hit Fantasyland first, it gets VERY crowded and is in a much smaller/more confined space than WDW. When DL starts getting crowded during by the afternoon, take a short 1 minute walk over to DCA, which has many wide open areas that don't feel nearly as crowded. Overall I found DL to be much less exhausting in terms of planning and logistics than WDW.

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

If you think WDW is easy then DL will be a PIECE OF CAKE.

It's really pretty simple, the parks are right across from one another, you can hop through out the day if you want. DTD is right there too.

For your DS there is the Jedi Training Acadamy I'm sure he will love, it's in Tomorrow Land. Star Tours is also right there and there is a lot of Star Wars merchandise over there too.

If your DD is a princess fan she will love the princess fantasy fair, she can meet the princess. This will be located near Toon Town in DL. There is also a princess lunch over at Arials Grotto in DCA near the warf area.

Both of these will take time out of your day though. The princess thing will take the longest because you will have to wait in line to meet them.