starting over at Disneyland

[DemonLlama]

We live north of DIA, and fly Southwest. We got a great deal for all 5 us for tinkerbell marathon weekend $822. We also found taking a cab (costs around $45) from SNA works great and easy.

Kara

SNA!!! that's it!

 

[DemonLlama]

Since everyone is doing such a great job answering you, I just wanted to say hey. Nice seeing you over here.

Hi MaryJo!

 

[cfrith5]

We lived in Michigan until 2 yrs ago but always visited DLR b/c my friend lives in SoCal. Never been to WDW. We have thought about trying WDW over the years, but DLR feels like "home".

 

[ckmouse]

DemonLlama - I was a WDW fanatic/planner until we moved from Atlanta to Oregon. I was concerned about enjoying DLR as much as we did WDW... Could that even be possible??? But I'm hear to tell you it IS possible!! We have converted to MAJOR DLR lovers and actually prefer DLR! We love the laid back feeling of both parks. The way you will see characters just strolling down the street (without handlers!!!) saying hello to everyone without being mobbed! The way you don't need to walk miles & miles to see everything! The way you can walk across the entrance pavilion and be in DCA - WITHOUT taking multiple methods of transportation that take so much time out of your day!!

DLR was a little hard to get used to at first - WHAT?? I don't need to make dining reservations 160 out??? WHAT?? I don't need a daily plan of attack for each park we plan on seeing??? I found it a little strange to be just "going with the flow" and "seeing where the day would take us" but it actually works great! Sure, I make dining reservations for the places we MUST go (Napa Rose, character dining) but I only make those 30-45 days out now.

We went back to WDW last May, the first time since our move west, and we found ourselves missing DLR!! Sure, we'll go back to WDW every five years or so, but I don't feel like I'm missing anything by calling DLR home! We are heading "home" next week and I can't way for a little "Happiest Place On Earth"!!!

Enjoy your upcoming trip, and I hope you love DLR as much as we have grown to love it!!

 

[gokdog]

Just love seeing more Colorado Mouse Lovers!

We live in the Springs, and one other alternative, if you are interested in a slightly longer trip, we drive to California at least one trip and then head down the coast to San Diego for a few days, not that bad of a drive and you avoid some of the transportation cost, but add a few parking ones

The savings of this generally allows us to stay on property, which is one of the bigger differences between WDW and DL, on property means you can walk everywhere and even makes breaks for the little ones a lot easier, even closer than the deluxe resorts at WDW in many cases.

 

[HydroGuy]

Just love seeing more Colorado Mouse Lovers!

We live in the Springs, and one other alternative, if you are interested in a slightly longer trip, we drive to California at least one trip and then head down the coast to San Diego for a few days, not that bad of a drive and you avoid some of the transportation cost, but add a few parking ones

The savings of this generally allows us to stay on property, which is one of the bigger differences between WDW and DL, on property means you can walk everywhere and even makes breaks for the little ones a lot easier, even closer than the deluxe resorts at WDW in many cases.

You Colorado folks are so lucky to live there.

 

[DemonLlama]

You Colorado folks are so lucky to live there.

how southern SoCOL are you HG?

 

[tiggerjay]

One one thing that you should soak in the detail, it seems richer and the cast members friendlier. This is the park that Walt put together himself, it is a reflection of him, not a duplication. It is smaller and more intimate. This isn't to take anything away from WDW which is awesome, but DL is much more intimate, its more like coming home. Its something in the air, try to catch it while you're hear, soak up the atmosphere. Don't miss it!!!

Yes the rides are different, there are tons of comparisons between longer, shorter or just plain different rides, alternate entertainment, which are all incredible, like World of Color which I'm sure you're going to see. But I would say the biggest thing to catch on your first trip to DL is the subtle difference, not the obvious. Seek it out.

Enjoy!

 

[HydroGuy]

how southern SoCOL are you HG?

As they say on the Pikes Peak Cog Railroad, if the train engines give out and the brakes fail, the riders do not have to worry because the railroad has two big springs at the bottom...Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs.