Should we go to Disneyland this year?

[ADisneyQueen]

I am trying to plan a trip to DL for March. We went to WDW Dec. 2001, Nov. 2003 (8 days in the parks) and Oct. 2004. There seem to be some different things in DL, although it will be smaller. For those of you who have been to both, any advice? DH wants to go to DL. I just hope we would not be wishing we were at WDW. BTW, we have two DD ages will be 9 and 5 and we would be in the parks for 5 days and we do not really want to drive to other places or theme parks in the area. Help!

 

[Lindy Loo]

Having done both, if you can afford it I would choose WDW Orlando EVERY TIME...... I dont particularly like the attitude we came across of the French. The queues were a shambles, everyone pushin in, the characters meet and greet was not organised at all, and we found it expensive. and cold ( though it being cold was our faught for going in Feb)

 

[Canuckdad]

Having done both, if you can afford it I would choose WDW Orlando EVERY TIME...... I dont particularly like the attitude we came across of the French. The queues were a shambles, everyone pushin in, the characters meet and greet was not organised at all, and we found it expensive. and cold ( though it being cold was our faught for going in Feb)

Uhhh . . . not sure how many French there are in California. I'm sure the OP was referring to the SoCal version, the original. And yes, it's wonderful, magical, spectacular, all of the above. And even if you wanted to make a side trip to Knott's Berry Farm or LegoLand (just to name a couple), it's very easily done, plenty of buses to where ever you want to go.

 

[ADisneyQueen]

Yes, I was referring to the one in Ca., but someday I hope to be able to go to all of them!

 

[Horizons16]

I was like French.... hmm odd I remember a lot of people speaking spanish



I would say everyone that loves WDW has to go to DL at least once. Its a completely different experience. A lot smaller yes, but just as fun and magical. There is something about walking down Main Street and standing in the castle knowing it was the original and that walt stood at that same spot 50 years ago.
I would say go for it. Always good to try new things

 

[henrylovespooh]

I used to live in Southern California and went to DL a few times. I loved it, but I always considered it a one day thing. I guess now with California Adventure you can make a two, three or four day trip out of it. If you decide to go out there, I would make it part of a larger trip that included Legoland down toward San Diego, maybe throw in the SD Zoo too.

Once you've done WDW, DL seems so small.

 

[boo72]

Go to Disneyland!

Make sure everyone realizes it will be a little different (castle is a lot smaller, but very charming). There is magic in knowing Walt walked in the same spots you are standing on. I agree with Horizons, everyone should go to both at least once.

If you can stay in one of the Disney resort hotels it's super easy to walk from both parks, and DTD to the hotel. No transportation necessary besides feet.

Lots of new things to discover!

We are doing WDW in October and DL in November. I can't say which I am more excited about!

 

[Bumbles]

I made my first trip to DL and I loved it! I think parts of it are much nicer than WDW's MK.

I made my first trip there this May, fell in love with it so much I went back in July for the 50th and will be there again this December.

Keep in mind, I'm about a 2 hour drive from WDW and I'll spend more time in DL this year than WDW...that's how cool I thought it was

 

[manchurianbrownbear]

We've been to WDW a couple times and just spent three days at DL and CA in August of this year.

I really enjoyed DL and I would highly recommend visiting there. Especially during the 50th Anniversary celebration!

WDW has way more to do, but I loved DL. We're from Minnesota and we did some tourist things while in SoCal; Hollywood, a Dodgers game, a day at the beach... If you're committed to spending five days in the parks, you'll definitely get to do everything in the two parks. I don't think it's possible to do everything at WDW in five days!

As others have said, DL is smaller and it's easier to get around the park. The only time we felt like it was really crowded was when Fantasmic or the fireworks ended and we were part of the mass exodous.

DL has a different "vibe"; more nostalgic. There are some things that are better at DL (POTC) than at WDW and some things that DL/CA have that WDW doesn't (Aladdin Show and Matterhorn).

I'm not sure about the weather in March, but when we were there in August, I'm sure the weather was much nicer in CA than in FL!

What part of the country are you in? Is it a lot easier to get to one of the parks?

Have you checked out hotels? If it's really important for you to stay on-site, there aren't as many options at DL. After staying on-site at WDW, I thought staying off-site would really take away from our DL stay. But we stayed right outside the DL gate at Best Western Park Place Inn and in worked great.

I don't think you can go wrong either way!

 

[mill4023]

"Off-site" has a different meaning at DL than at WDW. There are many inexpensive hotels you can stay at "off-site" that are literally a 5 minute walk to the front gates of both Disneyland and California Adventure.
We've never spent more than one full day in the park on our DL trips, though you could definitely spend 2 days at DL and a day at CA.

I love DL and have visited at least 10-15 times in the past 30 years (I'm 34 now) and just visited WDW for the first time this past May. I still love DL, but it just can't compare to the variety of parks, resorts, etc. at WDW.

So yes, you should go to DL, but spending 5 days there really might be too much, and don't expect it to be like WDW.

Tips if you decide to go:
If you've already seen Fantasmic at WDW, skip it at DL. It's still a great show, but it doesn't have it's own arena or seating so it's incredibly packed and people sit or stand on the ground.
Go on Indiana Jones Adventure. It's similar to Dinosaur, but a different experience.
Go on the Matterhorn.
Go on POTC (it's far better than WDW's version)
Go on HM (not better or worse, just different)
Eat at the Blue Bayou.
Go to Toontown (much bigger and better than WDW's)

 

[mtb2005]

But what is it like compared to magic kingdom.

 

[heatherfeather24]

But what is it like compared to magic kingdom.

In my experience, certain individual attractions are far superior at DL (Small World and Pirates come to mind). It's also neat to try the attractions that simply aren't at WDW -- I particularly enjoyed Indiana Jones and, believe it or not, the Alice in Wonderland dark ride. Unfortunately, Matterhorn was closed during my visit. I also appreciated the different (and sometimes better) theming. New Orleans square was really neat -- Blue Bayou, the restaurant in Pirates (kind of like San Angel in EPCOT) is not to be missed. The themeing in Fantasyland is, IMO, FAR SUPERIOR at DL.

However, all that said, I mostly found DL to be smaller and more crowded. It was harder to enjoy the details because it seemed so very crowded. Also, I went in 2000 and the disrepair was noticeable. However, I've read that since the "regime-change" it's gotten much better.

Overall, I would say that DL is much more of a 3-4 day trip, but I could spend two weeks at WDW. There just isn't nearly as much to do at DL -- but what there is, is really good.

 

[Simba's Mom]

If you've got young children, you really should take them to see DL. I think Fantasyland there is so much better. I also agree about PoTC. And it's so nostalgic to see Walt's park. But after a couple days, it was a "been there, done that" feeling for me, definitely not deserving of a long trip. But the main purpose of my trip was to see DS, who was a CM, performing in the park every day. If it weren't for that, the trip wouldn't have "Wowed" me.

 

[Amyg]

We took my then 5 yr old son to DL for three days and he loved it, he rode Dumbo 3 times, Matterhorn twice, and some of the California Adventure rides 2-3 times as well. Although I've not yet been to WDW and cannot compare, I doubt that it would be a waste of time. There are attractions that are not in WDW and from what I understand some that are longer and better.

We always stay at one of the motels right outside the gate since it's just a quick 5 minute walk to the entrance. Plus there's a MacD's, IHOP and some other quickie restaurants right there along the Blvd!

If you do choose to go to another park, Knott's Berry Farm is fun for kids since they have Camp Snoopy (kiddie rides) and they have really good fried chicken!

Have a great trip!

 

[applepwnz]

I haven't been to DL in a VERY long time, and I'd like to go some time to visit California Adventure, etc, but WDW seems to be better from what I remember, plus, a few months ago my girlfriend was on a school trip where they got to spend a day at DL, and she said that it didn't seem to be very "Disneylike" (ie: things were kind of dirty, CMs weren't very friendly, food was not of high quality, etc.)

 

[bubba73]

I just got back from DL for the first time and would have to say that everyone needs to experience it at least once, if at all possible. I had the time of my life. I didn't encounter anybody that was rude at all. There was hardly any lines. The longest one I had to wait in was for the Matterhorn and that's because only one lane was open. I was able to do Buzz Lightyear twice and SM 3 times. Both of which are better than what is at WDW. POC is also better. I was disappointed in the Castle being as small as it was. Just some parts of it, after going to WDW so many times, seemed very small scale but hey! The park is 50 years old. I would go.

 

[Daryl]

As others have said you should do both at some point. Also I agree Fantasyland in DL is far nicer. Mr. Toad, Small world, Alice and Casey Juniors train are wonderful and charming. Peter Pan in my opinion is much better in DL. Space Mountain is different, some like me, think better and Indiana jones is not to be missed. The Grand Californian is a wonderful on site hotel, the lobby is so beautiful, in a Wilderness Lodge kind of way, that you almost don't want to go to your room. The rooms are also nice. Yes onsite is different in DL and not at all essential but it is unbelievably convenient. Having said all this keep in mind you will have everything done in DL in 2 days, 3 tops. Bottom line: I would go to DL if there were lots of other things (like beaches) that I wanted to do in southern Cal. Otherwise you just can't beat WDW. There is just so much to do. and there are several new attractions including a not to be missed "Soarin". Whatever you choose, I know you'll have lots of Fun!!!!!! P.S. I just reread my post and can't believe I left out the fact that Soarin is a DL original

 

[muffyn]

I also suggest going to DL.. at least once .. we went there this spring ( last time 9 yrs ago) < we are closer to WDW & go there about once a year>
It really is an experience , to Walts original park! & even thought many rides are the same........ they have enough differences to make it unique!! plus they have indiana Jones!.
If you can afford it ,, attend the fantasmic desset buffet, ($50.pp) but the view is wonderful..... have to time your reservations as specific as cindy's royal table...... they go fast!

 

[Ride Junkie]

Since I'm here in CA, I've been to DL dozens of times, and it holds a special place in my heart. Compared to WDW, it is much smaller (2 parks instead of 4), but it's also easier to park-hop (it's a couple of minutes to walk between parks, compared to a 25-minute bus ride). If you're taking a weeklong vacation, WDW is the place to go. You can see DL & DCA in about 3 days.

There are some things I like better at MK than DL (better Tomorrowland), and there some cool things MK has that DL doesn't. But I have to admit I like DL better. They have the Matterhorn and the Indiana Jones ride, and Pirates is way better at DL. I love the Blue Bayou restaurant located inside Pirates. Plus, DL just has a certain original charm for me, and childhood memories.

So overall, I love WDW, but I'd pick DL over MK.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Yes...go if you can! If you do, try to squelch the thoughts that WDW is bigger, WDW is better, etc. DL is not WDW, so it's not really fair to try and compare apples to apples. For a smaller park that is now 50 years old--it's still pretty incredible. As mentioned, many of the attractions are better @ DL and many people really enjoy the fact that being smaller, it is more intimate. You could definitely spend five days there and see/do everything as well as having time to enjoy swimming, shopping, etc. Of course, the time of year you go makes a big difference as well, on how crowded the parks will be (just like WDW!). We alternate between WDW/DL and love them both. Hope you do the trip and have a wonderful time.