So sad - I missed out on a Disneyland trip!

[SleepyatDVC]

Well, dh had a to go to Anaheim on business last week - 7/10 to 7/14/02.

I debated on whether to tag along or not. I checked out airfare from NYC and the cheapest non-stop was at least $350. I would have preferred to be on the same flight as dh (company paid $596! ) Dh would be busy from 7AM until after dinner (9ish) on Thursday & Friday. Only Saturday was free - early flight back on Sunday. If I had decided to go, I would have had to bring my 3 1/2 DD for company.

So, I decided not to tag along. For $700 ($350@ for me & DD) plus $$ for food (company takes dh out for meals) and DL admission, it was kind of expensive for a long weekend. Only hotel would be free. I would have gone if the trip was longer than 3 full days.

For a lot less than that amount I could bring my DD to WDW for a separate Mother/Daughter trip. Airfare from NYC for 2 ($300 - $350), accommodations ($0 - DVC ), transportation from/to airport ($50?), food ($100), and admission ($0 - prepaid AP's).

It was the right decision, ...but I'm still sad, I didn't get to go. The company put dh up at the Sheraton Anaheim Hotel on S Disneyland Drive. He could see the fireworks from the hotel!! The first night he called me on the cell while watching the fireworks - boy, were they loud! On Saturday, he went to Dana Point for lunch. Again, he called me on the cell while eating lunch and watching the sailboats go by on the water to tell me that he wished I was there!

At least he brought back some souveniers from DL! He went to Downtown Disney early Saturday evening. Apparently the hotel has a shuttle that runs every 1/2 hour. He brought back some brochures too. One card had Child Hopper discounts - $49 for 3 days & $59 for 4-days!!!!

Oh well, WDW here we come in 60 days!!!!!!!!!!



p.s. Anybody else decide AGAINST a trip to DL because going to WDW DVC would be so much less $$$?

 

[eva]

I'm leaving for a convention in Anaheim August 15th. I hope that my husband doesn't feel the same way afterwards. He opted not to go too. I will be in seminars most of the day during the 4 days I am there. But I do plan on checking out DL the first day I arrive. Our group is staying at the Hilton near the Convention Center. The webste says we are only a block from DL. I wonder if you can see the fireworks from there too. Wish that I had more time to check out DL since I have never been before. But we are planning a trip to New England this fall and I can't spare the vacation days. Maybe a quick trip to WDW will make up for missing out on DL!

 

[Carrieberry]

It might just be my opinion, but after you've been to WDW, Disneyland really is a downer. I grew up going there and we still try to go to WDW once a year just because it's so much better! I was at DL and CA last month and it was so crowded all of the fast passes at DL were gone by 10 am, and that is for every ride! CA wasnt as crowded, but I found it also doesn't have that true Disney feel. Don't be sad..you'll have much more fun spending that money you saved at WDW! BTW-Downtown Disney there isn't as great either! Most of the stores are ones you can find at the local mall, with the only good one being the World of Disney.

Again just my opinion!

 

[ceejay13]

Although my heart is at WDW, we love DL. We've been there twice this year and since the addition of DD and DCA, it has much more of the WDW feel. My absolute favorite Disney hotel at either place is the GC. It doesn't get more magical than getting a theme park view, and feeling like you are in the middle of the park day and night. (It's totally quiet, however, with the patio door shut.) It certainly can get busy just like WDW and we don't like it as much either when it is busy. We have learned to avoid the busier times but even when DL is busy we have found DCA to be much easier to navigate. There certainly isn't as much to do or enjoy as there is in Florida, but our trips to DL are still special.

 

[trishy]

I love DL - we have always had the AP's. The atmosphere is incredible - it has so much more "spirit" there than WDW (just my opinion folks). However, you should be thankful you weren't in the midst of the enormous crowds lately. Just Thursday it was shoulder to shoulder and the fast passes were gone by noon. It's very, very busy right now. We won't go back until the second week of September when the summer crowd is gone. It's too frustrating to have to wait in those long lines. It is definitely worth a visit, though.