Should I cancel my WDW vacation for DL

[LinnieMinnie2]

We have been to WDW at least 12 times and absolutely love it. However, after visiting the DL web site my kids ages 7,8 and 11 have shown a huge interest in visiting Disneyland. We are currently booked the week before Presidents day at the Polynesian as ususal. Should we "step out of our box" and try DL. We are big Magic Kingdom fans and DL seems to have a lot of what we are looking for. We would be going the same time in February and I've heard the weather is not that great in Dl at that time of year, however the crowds are minimal

Please help.

 

[Tink]

I am going to DL during Feb. break this year. I have been a few times, and it is definately worth experiencing. I think some of the rides out there are better (Pirates and Peter Pan). Plus Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye is the best Disney ride EVER (TOT being a close second, and I haven't been to Tokoyo Disneyland, which I hear is awesome)

There is a charm to Disneyland, also. Some things are so different it's amazing. The one drawback is that it is not like WDW is the total vacation experience, since WDW is really a resort and DL doesn't have as many hotels and it is a smaller property.

I haven't been to DL since 99 and I am really looking foward to going back. If you can swing it, you should try it, and stay at one of their hotels, for a more Disney atmousephere

 

[*Fantasia*]

I'm going this September, not because I want to do DL, but because we have a wedding to attend. But since the hotel is in Annaheim, we're going to head out to DL. I just wish that their reception would be in Orlando! I could almost picture myself missing WDW. And I would miss my favorite resorts too! DL is just not the same as WDW. They don't have Epcot nor AK. I'm sure they don't have all the rides/attractions like WDW has. If it wasn't for the wedding, I wouldn't be in California visiting DL.

 

[maxaroni]

We have been to WDW at least 12 times and absolutely love it. However, after visiting the DL web site my kids ages 7,8 and 11 have shown a huge interest in visiting Disneyland. We are currently booked the week before Presidents day at the Polynesian as ususal. Should we "step out of our box" and try DL. We are big Magic Kingdom fans and DL seems to have a lot of what we are looking for. We would be going the same time in February and I've heard the weather is not that great in Dl at that time of year, however the crowds are minimal

Please help.

Change is good but IMO, I would stick with WDW. We've never been to DL but if we go, it wouldn't be a vacation to DL. I think it would be a vacation to CA w/a day or 2 at DL. I think what you would have to decide is if you go to DL, it wouldn't be your only vacation destination and consider doing other things. That is fine, if that's what you want. WDW, seems to be, IMO, a one stop vacation. Don't know if that makes sense or not but just my thinking....FWIT.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Change is good but IMO, I would stick with WDW. We've never been to DL but if we go, it wouldn't be a vacation to DL. I think it would be a vacation to CA w/a day or 2 at DL. I think what you would have to decide is if you go to DL, it wouldn't be your only vacation destination and consider doing other things. That is fine, if that's what you want. WDW, seems to be, IMO, a one stop vacation. Don't know if that makes sense or not but just my thinking....FWIT.

I am so with you! My thought exactly. I like how you put it "one stop vacation." There is just so much to do and so much to see and you're still in one big Disney property and you don't have to worry about getting there.

If it wasn't for my neice (our very first neice) getting married, I would go back to WDW and do the FREE dining package right now! I can't believe I will be paying so much to fly to California. I could fly to Orlando twice for that one trip to California! It's like $400 rt pp! That would be $1200 for the three of us! While I know I can pay $200 rt pp to Orlando!

I'm not swaying you to not do Disneyland. I think it's great that your children are excited to try something different. And I am sure you and your family will enjoy DL!! I'm sure it will be a wonderful experience to try California Adventure. Which ever you choose... you will have a "magical" time!! It's Disney!!

Sowwie... my post is looong!

 

[NancyIL]

This is a great time to go to Disneyland with the 50th anniversary celebration going on! I was at WDW in April and will be there again in October. However, I'll spend a weekend at Disneyland before a 4-day Baha Mexico cruise with my 2 college-age daughters next March!

 

[rosiejo]

We went to DL a few years back and it is a great place to visit - but we spent three days there and we were done.

We fitted in the trip on a three week tour of San Franciso, Vegas and then the three days in Anaheim.

Don't dismiss it - especially this year as the anniversary is really meant for DL. Just make sure you plan to do other stuff as it won't fill a two week vacation like WDW does :0)

 

[Michelle2]

I am really biased so take my advice as that. But I LOVE Disneyland, and we are kinda in the same boat as you are in. Since we are going on a Disney cruise, and have family going to DL, we decided to cut off our WDW portion (after the cruise) and make a trip down to DL instead. I am not regretting it one bit, especially since it is the 50th anniversary. All the parks are so similiar and yet so different.
For me, it is a one stop vacation...always has been (not for 2 weeks of course, but we will make a special trip down to go for a week --about 4-5 days at DL). There is plenty to do in a few days, and definitely things that they do not have at WDW/or are better as in every Disney park. Just remember that they may not have things that WDW has, but WDW doesn't have alot of things that DL has either! I can go to WDW, and still miss DL, and I am sure vice versa when we go back to DL in September. Things are much more convenient to get around, especially staying on site. DL also has more Fantasyland rides for kids. If your kids would like to try it sometime, try it...we love it there, it will always be my favorite Disney park!

 

[alicenwonder99]

We actually like DL better than WDW. You really can't spend more than a few days at DL, even if you do go to DCA. We spent 5 days there a couple of years ago, and even the children were complaining "do we HAVE to go to DL AGAIN???" lol.

If you're able to rent a car and visit other areas of Southern California, then it would be a wonderful vacation! There is so much to see and do in So Cal! The beaches, San Diego, Hollywood, Rodeo Drive. We still like buying a map of the stars' homes from Sunset Blvd and drive through the hills. One year we actually saw Halley Berry (sp?) outside her gates. OK...I know that's such a touristy thing to do, but we enjoy it.

Southern California's weather is pretty much the same all year round. It does get a bit cooler in the winter, but nothing awful. You should probably go visit the DL DIS board and talk to the "locals" on specifics like weather and other places to visit (btw, Passporter is publishing a DL area book next month that should be good).

Some of our favorites at DL: Indiana Jones (the BEST Disney ride), IASW, Blue Bayou restaurant (located inside Pirates ride), Alice ride, Pinocchio ride, Casey Jr. train, Storybook ride, Snow White's grotto (it's really nothing to look at, but we've always loved it and it's the first thing we visit on all our trips).

Mary

 

[zipDdoodah]

Definitely go to DL! We love to go to both, and that way you get a rounded experience. We just got back from WDW, and we have a pre-Christmas trip planned for DL. They are different and hard to compare, but both have unique and special qualities as many others have noted above. Don't miss Pirates at DL. It's soooooo much better! We can easily spend 3-4 days at the DL Resort, and I highly suggest staying at the Grand Californian. They do have a spa with limited services, great restaurants, a fun pool, and step outside the hotel and your'e at DTD or DCA. It's just a whole different experience than WDW and one not to be missed!

Plus, there are plenty of other things to do in California. You will definitely not run out of fun things to go do and see while you're there.

 

[All Aboard]

I've spent a lifetime at WDW, literally, having gone more than 100 times. We are a huge Disney family. So, our first trip (ever) this year to Disneyland in May was unbelievably special.

If you go hoping to feel Walt's inspiration and enjoy the subtleties and hidden treasures - you'll love it. Seeing the original Pirates, Small World, Tiki Room are real treats. Fantasyland is an absolute treasure. It was great to see Mr. Toad again for the first time in nearly 7 years. The Storybookland Canal Boats travel through such an elaborate and detailed landscape. And, New Orleans Square is a gem.

A trek to the original park is an absolute must for any true Disney fan. And, this is one great time to do it. As soon as we got back home we booked another trip for October.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I'm going this September, not because I want to do DL, but because we have a wedding to attend. But since the hotel is in Annaheim, we're going to head out to DL. I just wish that their reception would be in Orlando! I could almost picture myself missing WDW. And I would miss my favorite resorts too! DL is just not the same as WDW. They don't have Epcot nor AK. I'm sure they don't have all the rides/attractions like WDW has. If it wasn't for the wedding, I wouldn't be in California visiting DL.

Actually, I read somewhere (probably on disboards, where else lol) that Disneyland has more rides, shows etc. than all four WDW parks combined. We have been to DL around 7 times in the last two years and love it. We also love WDW too, enough to buy into DVC this year. I cannot imagine anybody who loves WDW not enjoying a trip to Disneyland as well. I posted on the Disneyland side of disboards to questions the OP had about Disneyland so I won't double post all my thoughts again BUT I just have to say that I think any Disney lover needs to see the "origninal" at least once. And during the 50th, with the park all spruced up, Space Mountain refurbed and apparently awesome, a 17 minute fireworks display and everything else they have going on, seems like a great time to go. We never consider Disneyland a poor relation to WDW and don't ever come home feeling jipped. Give it a try and go with an open mind and you might be surprised!

 

[DisneyRefugee]

I was at DL last year in conjunction with a convention. It is good to try different Disney parks, having been to Paris as well. It really depends upon what you want:

- I found the sister rides at DL to be of a smaller scale. Honey I Shrunk the Audience was smaller, and Splash Mountain felt far more amateurish
- That magic was not nearly as strong there (but certainly stronger than Paris)
- I was not all that impressed with California Adventure. The boardwalk type area was basically rides on the cheap. The story of california thing tried to pull off the emotional appeal of The American Adventure film, but there was not enough there. Soarin was really there, but now its at Epcot, of course. The Great California Hotel was really nice, reminding me of Wilderness Lodge
- Universal Studios there is far weaker than the one in Florida, if that makes a difference as well (though SeaWorld in San Diego was pretty nice, at least back in 1995)

Granted, I was there without my daughter, going through the park solo, which is just not as fun...

If your family goes for the above reasons, DL may not be as nice for them. If you want to try new things but still have ties to Disney, it could be a good option (especially if you could do some vacationing in San Diego or San Francisco). You should have fun either way!

 

[mitros]

Never been to DL, but BiL and DS have been to DL several times and WDW many times, as we have, and they tell us if you go to DL, DO NOT expect anything like WDW. I guess the MK in California can fit into Epcots parking lot, so that says something.

 

[kellyf2626]

Ok...so DH and I went to Disneyland when we went to visit his sister in San Diego a few years back. We had a GREAT time, but IMHO it does not hold a candle to WDW. It was nice to compare, and see the original rides....but it just didn't have the magic of WDW.

Don't get me wrong...I thoroughly enjoyed my visit , and had a wonderful time. But, I wouldn't cancel a trip to WDW to go there instead. We were in the area, so we went. I think I would have been very disappointed if I had cancelled a trip to WDW to visit DL. But, everyone is different...

 

[escape]

I'd go to Disneyland! I absolutely love WDW - I've been ~15 times (not including the 2 summers that I was a seasonal CM there). However, DL is the mother of all Disney parks. It's her 50th birthday....best time to go! I've been about 5 times and I'm looking forward to going back. If you like the MK at WDW, you'll love DL. And besides, it will be like visiting a new park but with the some of the same familiar sights you've grown to love at WDW. And of course, the California Adventure park will be mostly new to you.

As a previous poster has stated, try staying at the Grand Californian hotel. When I stayed there last year, we had a room that faced intside the California Adventure park. We had a good view of the Grizzly River Run and could see the rafts coming down the large drop at the end of the ride. Too much fun!

One of my favorite places to eat in DL is the Blue Bayou restaurant...I think another poster mentioned this. Good food and great atmosphere (inside of POC ride).

Again, like I said earlier, I love WDW. However, I think it's fun to visit the other Disney parks every now and then as well.

Decisions, decisions!

 

[musicmama]

We went for Christmas 2003, and spent 5 days between the 2 parks. We had a great time, you can easily go back and forth between them and DTD is just "down the block". Different/better shops (for me at least), more rides (Tiki and IASW are better than WDW, Indiana Jones is just awesome!), great outdoor areas like New Orleans Square. Both places are special - seeing both really makes you aware of that.

 

[DisnyMama]

We have DL resort AP's and go to DL and CA Adventure quite often. We absolutely love being there. Staying in one of the Resort hotels, you can do both parks in about 3 days. However, we LOVE WDW!! We think Florida is pretty cool also. It's different than California. The Magic Kingdom and Disneyland are so similar yet so completely different. I have debated this with many non-disney people.

I have compared prices of resort packages at different times over the years and so often it has turned out to be cheaper for us to go to WDW than to stay at the Disnyland Resort. This did not include Air but at times we did get airfare as low as $199.00 RT. (however, those days are over, I think).

Whatever you decide to do- Disneyland Resort or WDW- Have a Magical Vacation!!!

 

[bubba73]

I have asked a friend of mine who works for Disney and here is his answer. DL is great really for the older crowd (teenage and up). WDW is better for the whole family because there is so much to do. You can fit DL in one of the parking lots at WDW. Of course, his favorite of the trifecta is the Disney Cruise Line.

Now, personally, I would only do DL if I had another reason to go out to California. They only have the 2 parks (related to Disney) so it would be practically a weekend trip. Maybe one day but as of right now, let me go to Orlando and see my favorite park EPCOT.

 

[dvcgirl]

This is always a tough one. Like everyone says, DL really isn't a resort like WDW is. Not even close. You never get that feeling as though you're in a different world, or if you do, it's short-lived for as soon as you exit the park you can see the "real world" right there. Walt knew he had sort of made a mistake in Anaheim when he saw all the tacky hotels pop up right across the street from his beloved Disneyland. That's why he bought *so* much property in Florida...so that his guests would feel as though they were in a different world.

Resort-wise, it's not even close. The Grand Californian is a very nice hotel, and has theming, but the other two hotels are like staying in a business hotel. No theming whatsoever.

Having said all of that, Disneyland itself is the best themepark on the planet. Indy is the *best* ride on the planet. DL has such cool details. I love the French Quarter area. Fantasmic is just *awesome* at DL...why they changed it when they brought it to WDW I'll never-ever understand. Even if they had the same show at WDW, there's something special to seeing it performed right in the lake in the center of the park. Space Mountain is much cooler at DL. There's just so much history.

It's definitely something to see. And if you are big MK fans and spend a few days there, then you'll love DL. I just don't like for people to think it's the same as WDW, because it's not. But MK vs. DL....give me DL any day.