Other WDW vets thinking about Disneyland??

[jimmysmom74]

We went to DL last Thanksgiving break and had the most amazing time. I was so impressed, I really fell in love with it. It is much different, but the same too. We stayed off property, which really freaked me out cause I'm on property kinda girl, but it was great...walking distance to everything. Hopping from CA to DL so easy. Crowds were not bad, even on Thanksgiving. CarsLand awesome. Really worth it, and a nice change. Highly Recommend!

 

[SoarinSC]

We've considered it but only because we've never been and also want to check out California Adventure. Maybe in 2015. FP+ isn't a factor. Question...reading Mouse Tales...Disney insisted that no high rises be built around DLR...is that still the case? Aren't the DLR hotels rather tall? If so are they covered by themeing?

 

[North of Mouse]

Nope, have been to Disneyland once, but prefer WDW. For the distance we'd have to travel, we have no plans to return.

So much more that we enjoy doing at WDW.

 

[Planogirl]

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.

Ooh, Aulani! Have you been to Hawaii? This sounds like a good substitute for the Polynesian, at least until they get the construction done.

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!

We stayed at the Candy Cane Inn and really liked it. It was so nice to be just a short stroll away from the parks.

We also prefer California overall to Florida to be honest. Florida has some great things but there is tons to do in California and the weather was amazing.

 

[Mom of a princess]

After our trip this December ,We are definitely going to Disneyland next time.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

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.

Do Disneyland/DCA AND Hawaii together in the same trip. That's what we did this past July. When I booked my flights in May it only cost an extra $50 a ticket to do a multi city ticket with a 5 day layover at LAX. If I had booked in Feb (like I should have!), it would not have cost any extra money for the multi city ticket. We went from BWI to LAX (stayed for 5 days), LAX to LIH (stayed on Kauai for 7 days), LIH to HNL (stayed in Waikiki for 4 days) then HNL back to BWI. It was a great trip!

 

[PinkBudgie]

We've considered it but only because we've never been and also want to check out California Adventure. Maybe in 2015. FP+ isn't a factor. Question...reading Mouse Tales...Disney insisted that no high rises be built around DLR...is that still the case? Aren't the DLR hotels rather tall? If so are they covered by themeing?

Most of the places right around the immediate DLR area are smaller "motel" type places. From inside Disneyland I've never noticed anything "outside". From DCA you can see their Paradise Pier and Grand Californian hotels.
At WDW, we are staying on property and never even considered off property. At DLR we can stay an 8 minute walk from the parks for a whole week for the same price of several nights at a DLR hotel. We'd rather have more park days.

 

[o0quirkygirl0o]

We're starting tentative plans to spend our one year anniversary at Disneyland. (To be honest, I'm just excited that I was able to convince DH that we need to do something Disney again so quickly.)

I'm getting super excited to go. He hasn't been to Disneyland since he was 8. I only went to LA once, when I was about 12 and we only went to California Adventure because it had just opened a few weeks before. I'm still sad we didn't make it to DL on that trip.

I'm totally stoked... and still nearly a year out. I'll probably plan this thing to death.

 

[SoarinSC]

Most of the places right around the immediate DLR area are smaller "motel" type places. From inside Disneyland I've never noticed anything "outside". From DCA you can see their Paradise Pier and Grand Californian hotels.
At WDW, we are staying on property and never even considered off property. At DLR we can stay an 8 minute walk from the parks for a whole week for the same price of several nights at a DLR hotel. We'd rather have more park days.

Thanks for satisfying my curiosity!

 

[SoarinSC]

We're starting tentative plans to spend our one year anniversary at Disneyland. (To be honest, I'm just excited that I was able to convince DH that we need to do something Disney again so quickly.)

I'm getting super excited to go. He hasn't been to Disneyland since he was 8. I only went to LA once, when I was about 12 and we only went to California Adventure because it had just opened a few weeks before. I'm still sad we didn't make it to DL on that trip.

I'm totally stoked... and still nearly a year out. I'll probably plan this thing to death.

Congrats on the recent nuptials and isn't that the DISer way?

 

[iheartwalt]

We are planning on going to DL for our Feb 2015 trip but it is not a result of FP+. Our Jan/Feb trip in 2014 will be 14 nights and for the following year we need something that uses a bit less of our paid vacation at work.so we are planning a sunday-saturday for DL.
I have been briefly one evening after a work convention in Anaheim but it will be all new for DH and DS.

 

[cygnusx1jg]

I love Disney but I also love thrill ride parks too. If I went all the way to Cali, I'd do them before DL and CA.

For the West coasters, how is Six Flags Magic Mountain? I'd love to go on that X2 ride as well as the other, what, 18 or so roller coasters.

 

[huhwhat]

WDL was my first DP....I love it !!!!!

 

[DPCummerbund]

I love Disney but I also love thrill ride parks too. If I went all the way to Cali, I'd do them before DL and CA.

For the West coasters, how is Six Flags Magic Mountain? I'd love to go on that X2 ride as well as the other, what, 18 or so roller coasters.

It's funny, I almost started a thread with the same exact subject a few days ago.

I've been to DL a million times, but WDW only a few times. Generally, it's because I have relatives near DL, so it's easier to make a trip there. However, the weather is also much better in California than in Florida. It's usually milder in all seasons, and less likely to rain. I don't think any theme parks are all that fun when you're soaked from the rain or sweating to death. FP+, crowds, and everything else aside, I'd say the bad Florida weather (at least when we've managed to go) is the #1 reason we don't go to WDW instead of DL.

And as many have mentioned, DL is smaller than MK. I find crowds to be much more of an issue at DL than in MK, but DL is still more manageable due to its size. This is especially true if you go during somewhat off hours; even during a busy summer season, I've usually been able to get on all the headliner attractions with little or no wait during the last hour or two when the park is open. And when you can run from BTMRR to Space Mountain and back several times within one hour, you hardly need FP- anyway.

Lastly... there's just something special about Disneyland, a feeling I just don't get at WDW. I remember being there once in my late 20s, just when I was starting to think that I was getting too old to enjoy Disney, that it was just too fake/saccharine/artificial for a "serious" person to enjoy. But we were at DL on a warm summer evening right after sunset, and the lights were just starting to turn on, and it was as if the whole park was transforming into something else. A park that was fun by day was turning into something... "magical" at night. I usually scoff at the way the word "magic" is thrown around at WDW and on the DIS, but I definitely felt it that day - as if Walt's true vision for the park finally hit me, and I just sat there and said "Oh. I see. Thank you."

I love WDW too. But if DL is in many ways a "copy" of the real world, then WDW is a copy of a copy, and sometimes I think maybe that's a bit too far. I really think every Disney enthusiast should see Disneyland as Walt built it, and hopefully feel that magic for themselves.

 

[disneyerin]

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

The best BY FAR!!!! I can almost taste that Monte Cristo sandwich melting in my mouth!!

I grew up in Southern California and Disneyland will always have a special place in my heart. SO MANY wonderful memories including 2 Grad Nights and a marriage proposal on the Matterhorn!

The first time I went to WDW was on my honeymoon in 1987. It was absolutely love at first sight. As a park, I much prefer Disneyland over MK. That is, except for the castle.... But Epcot, the open spaces, and the resorts always bring us back.

But, with the new FP+ system, the need to be much more strategic and "quick on the draw", the race for ADRs, the pressure to get up at 7am (4am to our bodies...which are getting older...and older..) just to ride a favorite ride once, the increasing crowds, the cost (we live in Oregon), and the growing fear of what horrible thing might happen if we just "show up", be in the moment, and pick things to do spontaneously (which is what we used to love SO MUCH about WDW), I think this will be our last trip to WDW.

But my DH, DD and I will ALWAYS have Disneyland!!



December 16th here we come!!

 

[Itinkso]

For the West coasters, how is Six Flags Magic Mountain? I'd love to go on that X2 ride as well as the other, what, 18 or so roller coasters.

My family went to Magic Mountain quite often when my brothers and I were teens and in turn, we took our daughters at least annually and fit it in around our DL trips.

It is definitely worth it for the thrill rides. When our local high school seniors are allowed to vote for their "Grad Nite," they choose Magic Mountain over DL/DCA.

Lines do get long so plan on park opening. Magic Mountain is only an hour away from Anaheim if you get an early start. In 'n Out and Tommy's burgers - two classic hamburger chains - are close by!

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

Lastly... there's just something special about Disneyland, a feeling I just don't get at WDW. I remember being there once in my late 20s, just when I was starting to think that I was getting too old to enjoy Disney, that it was just too fake/saccharine/artificial for a "serious" person to enjoy. But we were at DL on a warm summer evening right after sunset, and the lights were just starting to turn on, and it was as if the whole park was transforming into something else. A park that was fun by day was turning into something... "magical" at night. I usually scoff at the way the word "magic" is thrown around at WDW and on the DIS, but I definitely felt it that day - as if Walt's true vision for the park finally hit me, and I just sat there and said "Oh. I see. Thank you."

I had the exact same experience Christmas Eve, 2001. I was 35 years old and DH and I were in DL with our toddlers for the first time. I had grown up going to DL, loved it, but had gotten so used to it that it was kind of "same old, same old". Not that night. As the sun started to set, we walked from the Frontierland entrance into the castle hub. The twinkle lights went on, the Christmas music was playing...it was so beautiful & magical that it literally took my breath away. I stopped pushing the stroller and just stood there spellbound. All I could say was "whoa!". I remember thinking if DL could have this impact on me, a jaded adult, children must think they've died and gone to heaven. I just love that place!

 

[PHXscuba]

Tips for a great DL/DCA vacation:

1. Read HydroGuy's "DLR for WDW vets" thread to get a broad overview as you start planning

2. Don't go looking to compare it to WDW -- it's way better in some ways and lacking in certain areas because it was the original. Enjoy the charm and the differences

3. Spend some time at the beach, other theme parks, Hollywood, San Diego, etc. Enjoy the great (non-humid) California outdoors!

4. Stop over to the Disneyland section of the DIS -- way, way, down under the cruise section and internationals stuff. :roll eyes: It's a smaller, friendly community of people who love Disneyland and are happy to help new visitors plan as well as locals enjoy.

Best of luck to all who decide to visit this happy place!

PHXscuba

 

[Micca]

Tips for a great DL/DCA vacation:

1. Read HydroGuy's "DLR for WDW vets" thread to get a broad overview as you start planning

2. Don't go looking to compare it to WDW -- it's way better in some ways and lacking in certain areas because it was the original. Enjoy the charm and the differences

3. Spend some time at the beach, other theme parks, Hollywood, San Diego, etc. Enjoy the great (non-humid) California outdoors!

4. Stop over to the Disneyland section of the DIS -- way, way, down under the cruise section and internationals stuff. :roll eyes: It's a smaller, friendly community of people who love Disneyland and are happy to help new visitors plan as well as locals enjoy.

Best of luck to all who decide to visit this happy place!

PHXscuba

Nice post--especially agree with #2. Succinctly said

 

[dalstitch45]

I have truly come to love DLR even better than WDW. I think I love the atmosphere, and intimacy of DLR. Just me, but I prefer going to DLR more now. A little , but I haven't been on the WDW forums much this year, so I just discovered PAP's don't get 20% anymore. My fault, should have been checking. Here now.