Should we visit DL?

[FreeTime]

We are considering our 1st trip for the summer of 2006. Our kids will be 5 & 6. I wanted to take them when they were still young enough to do the things that are not at WDW (we have taken them to WDW 14 times), but I keep finding reasons to not begin planning a trip. Such as, they will still be too young. Wait until they are older and then you won't have to plan to go again. The airline problems now are concerning me because I don't know if we will be able to find a reasonably priced flight from the midwest (I want to pay no more than $300 RT and would consider flying in to LV which is consistently $200 from our airport), I am not familiar with the area, but then I wasn't familiar with WDW, LV, Reno, etc until we visited them either, and the long flight time for our kids. So tell me why we should plan on going. Is DL more magical then WDW? Is there enough to do for a week or should we look at other attractions as well? What do you like about DL? Is it worth it to visit when we ar eso much closer to WDW?
Thanks for helping me with my wishy washyness!

 

[LucyKate]

Never been to WDW so can't compare the two, but my 6 year old adored DL. She was brave enough to try rides like Splash Mountain and the Matterhorn (which she didn't like) and California Soarin and Grizzley River Run (which were her two favourites).

She also loved the rides aimed at her age group like Mr Toad, Peter Pan, Snow White, Dumbo etc.

DL is much smaller than WDW so everything is more compant and close together - this gives it a wonderful feel with everything always happening nearby or around you.

 

[AFMom]

DL is very different from WDW, but certainly not in a bad way! My kids love it there. You could easily spend 5 days in the 2 parks and not run out of things to do. Also - DTD is right there, more than enough to fill a day. If you're interested in non-theme park ideas - the beach is very close, and SO CA is packed with other things to do. To my family, DL will always be more magical because it is where we gre up going..... we also think the Fantasmic! there is much better! There are also some great rides that aren't at WDW. Everything is right there - once you're at the park/DTD area, you can go back and forth between CA ADV and DL and DTD without any mode of transport - except your feet! I'd definately go, they'll have a blast!

 

[wdwgirl03]

YES!! Definitely go to Disneyland! I recently returned from my first visit to DL after having visited WDW 8 times, and I loved it!!! If you go, I'm sure you'll have a great time.

 

[pammypooh]

We loved our trip to Disneyland this past June. Although it is smaller, I did not feel like anything was missing. In fact, we really loved that we could get soaked on Grizzley River Rapids, then run back to the room to get dry clothes. My husband appreciated the fact that we could walk everywhere and did not have to rely on other transportation methods. I love WDW, but I also love DL. As an East coaster, WDW is much closer for us (especially since we drive), but I hope to someday once again in the not to distant future to be in the California sun and the happiest place on earth.

Pam

 

[jxgriffi]

Our kids are spoiled as we basically have Disneyland in our backyard (about 10 minute drive). Our DS7 has been going since he was 14 days old. Our DD2.5 made her first trip at 9 or 10 days old. They have grown up on the characters and the attractions. Your kids will love it.

We are leaving in a little over a week for the kids first experience with WDW! It's going to be so overwhelming to them, but it's going to be great.

I'd definitely say go for it!!! Yes, we are smaller, but that just makes it more enchanting. There are so many things that set it apart from the MK that it's definitely worth it.

 

[got2travel]

I agree with everyone else. True there are some attractions that are similar, but there is still always some differences. Plus walking where Walt walked is the biggest thrill for me.

In respect to airports, there are 4 that I always check airfare on and just go with the cheapest. The closest airport is Santa Ana/Orange County, 15 minutes away. Then you've got Long Beach (served by Jet Blue) that is 25 minutes. Finally Ontario and Los Angeles are about 45 minutes away.

Be forewarned, you may just get hooked. My son and I are Disneyland annual pass holders. We went to WDW for the very first time in 2003 and it is now starting to become an annual trip. So even though one coast may be your favorite and more accessible, there are still things that draw you to the other side of the continent.