not sure florida or california?

[dalt01]

we spend 10 days to 2 weeks at WDW every year and thought about DISNEYLAND PARK this year. the question is, will we be disappointed and will we be able to fill that time period without getting bored.

 

[disneychrista]

There is so much to do in Southern California 2 weeks will only brush the surface.

Disneyland Resort is a totally different experience then WDW. Everything on DLR property is walking distance. You can literally HOP (or walk, jump, skip, run etc) between DLP and DCA. If you want to go to DTD for dinner, you can walk there from either park and then walk back. You spend A LOT less time in transit which is a big plus to me.

Come west and enjoy Disneyland, where the magic began.

 

[daannzzz]

You could spend 5 Days at Disneyland resort but after that you would probably want to do something else. It is not like at WDW where you are surrounded by Disney property. It is located in an urban area. http://www.beachcalifornia.com/dlmp.html
There are allot of other things to do though. You can do Universal which has some really old movie sets along with the other stuff. You can feel some film history here. You can try other studio tours. You can head down to San Diego and see attractions there.
If you want only Disney for 10-14 days you might be hard pressed to spend it all at Disneyland resort.

 

[Rodrigo]

DLR for 2 weeks can be bored, but there is a lot of things to do in California. Besides the best ride of the Disney parks, IMHO, is Soarin' over California a must see for a Disney fan.

 

[Letsbgoofy]

I can't imagine wanting to spend more than 3 or 4 days at DL. There are so many other things to do in CA though...we spent 3 days there last summer as a Las Vegas/Grand Canyon sidetrip, and we are going back to CA for our whole vacation this summer because we loved it! We are spending part of the time in San Diego, and part in Anaheim doing Disney and LA things.

You really can't compare DL to WDW in my opinion. We were not at all disappointed in DL. There were some things that we didn't like as much (like less variety of rides and shows) and some that we liked better (much less walking and MUCH better weather). In all, they are two separate destinations and I wouldn't say one is better than the other. What I do like about DL is that you don't need to spend your whole vacation at the parks in order to see everything there is to see.

 

[joeysbomb]

You could also hit Universal Studios, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Knott's Berry Farms as well as site see. We go to FL every year and this year we are hitting DL instead! I am really looking forward to it

 

[NancyIL]

Don't forget that CA has an ocean close by (closer than Orlando)and beautiful mountains...and very little humidity!

 

[suzannen]

This past summer we spent 3 full days at DL, 2 in San Diego, 5 in Laguna Beach by the ocean (beautiful) and 2 in Beverly Hills. It was all magic. You were so thrilled at the difference between WDW as far as how easy it is walking around the parks, the lesser crowds and that unbelievable weather. There are so many more characters out because of it. You should definitely try it out!

 

[Dana_Buckley]

I agree that 3 or 4 days at DL would be best. I live in San Diego, and would highly recommend visiting here for part of your vacation. There is Legoland (if your kids are 4-10 yrs old), SD Zoo and Wild Animal Park, SeaWorld and Balboa Park (a beautiful collection of museums and fountains etc), not to mention the beach, LaJolla or Coronado! There is also a waterpark in Irvine, though I haven't been there. And Santa Monica pier, Mission San Juan Capistrano, there are so many things you could do in CA! And there is no humidity or thundershowers!
Happy planning & Have a great vacation!

 

[JenniferW]

It is a completely different experince in my mind. There is so much to do culturally in the LA and San Diego area that I woulnd't feel bored, but I definitely wouldn't do DL/DCA for more than 4-5 days if you like to be leisurely 3-4 if you aren't. Florida is easier to drive around and everything revolves around tourism and much aorund Disney, but Ca is very different. It has a life of its own and DL is just a small part of it. They have some world class museums/ attractions in other parts of LA and San Diego. Also, the desert is an amazing place to see if that is something you are interested in. Since you haven't been here I'd said go for it and figure out what kinds of things you would like to do/see. In California being in the right location for what you want will really help out.

Jenn

 

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says............................., Take a side trip to Northern California for a few days! Within three hours of Sacramento: Monteray bay/Carmel/ Pebble Beach, Great America, San Francsco/Fishermans Wharf/Alctaraz, THE wine country, Reno , Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park, Six Flags, Santa Cruz Boardwalk. Come on up!

 

[JimC]

Where WDW requires 8 - 10 days to see and do it all, Disneyland (both parks, Downtown Disney and the three resort hotels) can be covered in three to four days at a leisurely pace.

You will be bery surprised at the almost intimate nature of Disneyland. WDW requires lead time to travel from venue to venue. At Dinseyland you are a few minutes walk. No you will not be disappointed. Each park has its own personality. Note while you are there how parks are similar and how they are different. Note the subtle differences at Small World, Pirates and Haunted Mansion. See if you can match Indiana Jones ride with its related ride in WDW.

The Grand Californian Hotel is the best hotel in Disneyland. Theming is on par with WL or AKL (minus the savannah). And you have a private entrance into CA.

To round out the trip, rent a car and drive to San Diego, easily worth a week. The zoo and wild animal park will more than satisfy your urgings for the AK safari and will require a couple of days easily. In addition, go on the Old Town Trolly Tour, visit Balboa Park and Mission Bay Aquatic Park. And that only touches the surface.

Enjoy!

 

[hookedup]

I think that 4 full days at DL/DCA can cover it well (heck I could do a week myself but that is just me!) the cool thing is that there is ton to do around the area of So Cal. In Orange Co there is Knotts Berry Farm (a one day visit is all you need there) and some really cool beaches like Newport Beach, etc.
In LA there is Six Flags Magic Mountain and Universal Studios plus a ton of other stuff to check out.
In San Diego there is Seaworld, the Famous SD Zoo - and even better the Wild Animal Park, Legoland (only good if you have children under 10 or are the BIGGEST Lego Fanatic in the world) and of course beaches and other cool stuff.

Instead of being a total Disney trip like WDW would probably be you could have much more of a vacation by combining DL and So Cal together.

 

[Judgekw]

I just got back from three days at Disneyland and it was fabulous! We always go to Disneyworld at least once a year and I was really impressed with Disneyland. The ease of getting around is really wonderful. The rides are all a little different and it was so fun to try some new things. All the people at Disneyland were incredibly friendly and nice and they seemed more excited to have tourists from areas besides California. As many of the others mentioned the weather is fabulous. There is also so much to do around the area. The beach, San Diego, Hollywood and so much else. I would not hesitate to try Disneyland. I definetly want to go back and spend at least four days there. In addition, when you buy a package through Walt Disney World and stay at a Disneyland hotel you get unlimited Fast passes. It was absolutely great to be able to get to the front of the line on almost everything. I felt like we really got special treatment staying on property unlike Disneyworld where so many people stay on property that it is not that special. Try IT our , you will like it.

 

[#1MMFan]

It is a very common view that after about 4 days in DL you will get bored.

I didn't feel this. I stayed at DLH in October for one week and by the end of the time, I felt that I still had plenty to do and see. I think it is very dependent on how you 'do' your vacations. With my family a favourite thing is to take it leisurely and redo attractions we've enjoyed multiple times. We also spend a fair time in the shops.

As well as going to DL and DCA parks we liked Downtown Disney a lot (seemed much more manageable than DD at WDW) and we also visited Universal Studios, San Diego Zoo and did a Hollywood tour.

While definitely different from WDW, we really enjoyed ourselves and hope to go back in the not too distant future.

#1MMFan

 

[Grog]

It is a very common view that after about 4 days in DL you will get bored.

I didn't feel this

Same here. Last time we went (8/2001) was for three days and we felt that there was so much we didn't do. Our next trip is six days (five at DLR, one for USH) and we plan to do everything we did last time plus everything we didn't, without having to rush.

 

[joeysbomb]

Just back from DL (first time, have gone to WDW numerous times) and I definately was NOT disappointed! First off, weather is much better than Florida. I actually liked DL better than WDW! We also did DCA, Six Flags Magic Mountain and Knott's Berry Farm as well. Were inpressed by all parks visted. Just wish we would have had time for the zoos as well as Universal Studios (only had 4 days there).

 

[dletz]

Yes, DLR only has 2 parks instead of 4 and no water parks (although there are other waterparks around) There also other amusement parks around. There's a lot to see besides just Disney also. Yes, these two parks are smaller, and yes, you can see things faster because they're smaller so you don't have to walk as far. And Yes, there aren't as many shows and parades to watch. However did you know that DL/DCA actually has more rides (and I'm not counting shows here) that all 4 WDW parks combined, and that DL has more than MK. So you really do get to see lots. Plus most rides are not the same. Dumbo, tea cups are the same basic ride, but look different. Honey I shrunk the audience, and It's tough to be a bug are the same. My understanding is that the Playhouse Disney show will also be the same as at WDW.