Other WDW vets thinking about Disneyland??

[kathy884]

Orlando / WDW is great, but with some of the uncertainty for us about FP+ for offsite visitors, the fact that next trip is during the busy spring break season, and my lack of enthusiasm for paying the high prices I'm seeing for Moderates over spring break just to insure some FP+ options, we're using this as an excuse to try something different and going to do an LA / Disneyland trip instead (staying in Hollywood for a few nights and then staying in Anaheim for a few nights). lol I's been 48 years since I've been to Disneyland and we've done 34 WDW trips in between.

For the Anaheim portion of the trip, we'll stay at the Fairfield Inn, even getting a larger than normal room that is Disney themed with two Queens and a sofa bed. There is a McDonalds and nice little café right next door and it's an 8 minute walk to the Disneyland main gate. I like the idea of being able to walk over to Disneyland and California Adventure. // Of course, we'll be back to Orlando too, but thought we'd give California a try for spring break.

Is anyone else who usually goes to WDW doing or considering a Disneyland/CA Adventure trip and if so what were your thoughts / reasoning.

 

[mesaboy2]

Going next year. Ready for something slightly different, and never been.

 

[DebbieB]

I love Disneyland, I was there in August. For the past 6 or 7 years I have been doing both. I like them for different reasons. I like how everything is within walking distance at DL. I love the new DCA. It's nice to switch it up for something different. I would expect DL to get FP+ eventually, they already took away the late fastpass returns.

 

[AquaDame]

DL is our original and favourite park. So, yes.

 

[rwdavis2]

I highly recommend a visit to Disneyland. Do not forget Universal as well. The backlot tour is awesome. Warner Brothers Studio tour is pretty neat too.

 

[EMom]

We just canceled our Nov. trip to WDW because the changes to FP do not mesh well with our touring/vacationing style. Too much uncertainty as well. We are debating going to either Disneyland, Universal after the new HP section opens, or Hawaii. We still love going to Disney and I think Disneyland during the week may suit us well. We went to Universal in CA back in the late 80s and I'd be interested to see it again, given all the changes.

 

[wisblue]

Disneyland is great, and any WDW lover has to visit there, if only for the historic value of visiting Walt's original park.

The two parks are also great because they both have a lot of attractions, including several that are unique to DL.

It's also fun to compare some of the attractions to their WDW counterparts, because many of them are different in some way. In our opinions, some are better and some not as good.

If you've never been there, though, be prepared for the fact that it is a significantly different experience than WDW because of being hemmed in tightly by chain motels and fast food establishments.

I also recommend Universal because the backlot tour there by itself is worth the price of admission (though we haven't seen it since the big fire a few years ago).

We may go next year as part of a trip to see the Rose Parade and San Diego Zoo (and not because of FP+).

 

[Peanut Giggleface]

Love Disneyland - it has a certain touch that MK doesn't have. While i don't have any plans to go visit it, the lack of FP+ does have its appeal. I do understand that they do intend to bring FP+ there eventually too. So if you're planning on going to avoid FP+ go soon.

 

[kathy884]

I highly recommend a visit to Disneyland. Do not forget Universal as well. The backlot tour is awesome. Warner Brothers Studio tour is pretty neat too.

Thanks for the tips everyone. I've heard the Paramount Studio tour is excellent too. That's the one I currently have booked for when we are staying in the Hollywood area.

 

[Planogirl]

Disneyland is great and we actually have been talking about going back. We have never seen the California Universal park either and would really like to.

Someday and maybe sooner than I thought.

 

[Itinkso]

50+ plus years going to Disneyland and our family's strategy for both parks in one day still holds true even with the addition of Cars Land. In September, a friend and I only pulled one Fp and that was for WoC...we still accomplished everything we wanted to do in one day.

My next two trips to WDW will not include Fp+ so we'll focus on the fact we are going to the place where DD works and hopefully can spend some time with her around her 50-60 hour work weeks. Oh well, at least we have some great ADRs planned!

I do highly recommend Disneyland/DCA if you have never been. And from LAX in the off-season, you can fly round-trip to Hawaii for around $350!

 

[pigletto]

I'd love to go. Plane tickets to California for us however would be very very costly. So when I start running those numbers I start thinking it better be a long trip and include numerous places and in California that I want to see. That's usually about the time that I get overwhelmed with the cost and the planning and give up.

I'd love to go for a few days though. It would just be part of a larger trip.

 

[Dorisk3]

For those on the fence over going to Disneyland, DO IT! You won't be sorry in the least.

We went over Jersey Week, first week in November and did two days at Universal, and five days at Disneyland. The weather was incredible and we had an excellent time.

The best thing was that we got our Disney fix, but with something new. The amount of rides in Disneyland is amazing and there really is a certain kind of charm that Orlando lacks. Yes, there are some things to get used to,such as more straight forward and not as themed queue lines and consistent crowds. But the up side is you can make dining reservations the same day or a few days in advance and you can walk from one park to the other.

Cars Land truly is amazing as well as Indiana Jones. I would go so far to say Indiana Jones blows pretty much anything in Disney World out of the water. It was so good I actually got mad we are stuck with Dinosaur. We also loved the submarines, Matterhorn and all the wonderful little fantasyland dark rides.

I'll also admit I was relieved that we could just use our traditional fastpasses and not worry about all the magic band controversy!

 

[MrInfinity]

Oooh... Blue Bayou Restaurant. Best Disney restaurant from east to west.

 

[Micca]

DLR is so cool, it's hard to imagine that anyone who truly loves Disney wouldn't be thrilled to be there. We sure don't get out there very often, but it is a first rate experience

 

[mfulk]

We are seriously considering a trip to Disney Land and Aulani in May instead of the trip we'd planned to WDW. Between the construction at the Polynesian, our favourite place to stay, and the uncertainty of FP+ we think it might be a good time to do the DL/Aulani trip we've been talking about.

 

[ProudMommyof2]

We are tentatively planning Spring 2015. I have not been since I graduated H.S. i remember enjoying Knott's Berry Farm too.

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

Yup. It's been a few years since we last went to DLR, and we were just thinking that, with all these changes to FP/FP+/etc, our next trip will probably be back to DLR while we wait and see how everything at WDW shakes out...

 

[PinkBudgie]

This thread is funny to me because I've gone to Disneyland my entire life and we are going to WDW for the first time this June. I will tell you that it is much easier to go to DLR than WDW.
Stay walking distance from the parks and you don't need a bus or tram and it is much cheaper than on property. Candy Cane Inn even provides a free breakfast.
Unless you want to eat at BB or maybe a character meal you can call a few weeks before you go. Or, most of the time, you can just walk up and eat! What a concept! And best of all, go on any ride in either park on a whim. Whatever you feel like! Start in DL, hop to DCA for lunch, then back to DL for the parade, and then head to DTD for dinner.
I'm so excited to see WDW for the first time, but boy is it complicated!

 

[DoughR]

Even before FP+, you couldn't repeat headliners in WDW like you can in DLR. You can get so much done in one day it's insane.