Talk me into Disneyland!!!

[KCmike]

If you stay outside the park then the top two in my opinion are Fairfield Inn and HOJO. They both will sleep five with a rollaway at HOJO or an oversized chair that pulls out into a twin sort of sleeper at Fairfield. I personally like Fairfield. It is closer to the parks, McDonalds is the same lot, a pizza hut express is inside the building, etc. Hojo does have a new kiddie water park area featuring one of those those tubs that fills up and spills over you.

Inside the resort DLH and GC both sleep 5. This is the nice thing about Disneyland is that almost all will sleep this number unlike WDW. We always stayed at Port Orleans Riverside because of that fact.

Really the poximity of everything is a major plus for us at DL. When we got back from our first visit there we were like "it is so nice not having to walk a mile to get to the next attraction" or "it is so nice not having to take the bus after a long day at the parks". DL is smaller. It really isn't a resort. There are no water parks, mini golf or surrey bikes like WDW has. They do have some nice upscale restaurants though. Although I haven't stayed inside the resort yet (we will this June) I think it especially will feel like a theme park if you stay outside the park. You will get more of a resort feel if you stay inside. Just my personal opinion.

If you never been you have to go. If your a true Disney fan you have to see it. We are hooked.

 

[WonkaKid]

DL also has Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, which WDW closed about 11 years ago. I also think that the fireworks show at DL is a lot better than at WDW. Indeed, Tinkerbell flies around the castle during the show. The first time I saw that I was truly amazed.

To reiterate what many posters have already said, there's magic in knowing that DL is the park that Walt built. It has a magic and history that WDW simply doesn't hold for me.

Lastly, I'm a vegetarian and find it easier at DL than at WDW to get things to eat. I really like Rancho del Zocalo. Their vegetarian tacos are awesome! Try it. It's conveniently located near Big Thunder Mountain.

Enjoy!

Rob

 

[bethy]

Besides what everyone else has said I would say that if you are a huge Disney fan and are used to staying on site at WDW then you should stay onsite at Disneyland. The biggest thing WDW has over DL IMO is that WDW is more "insulated" from the real world - more of a total immersion. If this aspect of your Disney vacation is important to you (it's huge for my family and the main reason we do Disney) then staying offsite will be sort of a buzzkill IMO.

Also, the only other big advantage WDW has over DL IMO is the food. The food at DL is just not that great IMO. There are a few nicer options here and there but we definitely don't go there for the food.

Other than those two issues DLR is my favorite of the two resorts. Have fun!

 

[Hound 109]

Thanks Jack! Awesome map! I am just amazed at how small and compact it all looks compared to WDW. I could definitely do without the animal kingdom, but we love the world showcase over there. We usually eat supper in a different country every night. What kind of food places/options do we have at DL.?

Very similar to my thoughts about WDW. I love world showcase.

To piggyback on what others have mentioned:

- I like all the lodging options at WDW....but gladly give them up for no buses. & I've stayed at 4 different properties at (or next to) DLR....all were good to great.

- I love all the food options at WDW (& have enjoyed the dining plan twice). But for a 3-5 day trip to DLR, there are plenty of options to enjoy. Not 200 places like WDW, but 10 - 20 off the top of my head. I've been to DLR 5 times now for short (very short) visits, & there are dozen restaurants I still want to try out. But i could see for the Diser's who've been 20+ times, it would be nice to have a few more dining options. (& I'd love to have a 50s Prime Time, an Ohana & a Brown Derby at DLR....Brown Derby would be a natural at DLR).

- Except for Everest & the Birds of Prey show, I could do fine w/o AK (Griz Rapids in DCA is similar & a little better than Kali, fwiw). Those along with WS, Mission Space, Mickey's Philharmagic, & a couple of Studio's attractions are all I miss having at DLR....BUT....the positives (to me) outweigh not having these fine WDW attractions. Such as:

- NO STINKIN' BUSES, Pinocchio, Alice, Matterhorn, Toady, Screamin', Storybookland, a beautiful IASW, Aladdin show, NO STINKIN' BUSES, Walt's magic, a better Pirates, a better SM, a better Fantasyland, a better Buzz...& did i say.... NO STINKIN' BUSES.

In my perfect world, I would visit WDW once for every 4-5 DLR visits.

 

[Disneycup]

Thanks for the thread! It's exactly what I need to know too! We are considering a family trip to DL-have been to WDW several times. What's the closest time of the year to visit? We are considering Sept, Oct., Nov., or Dec.
Thanks!

 

[Sleepless Knight]

What is so different at Disneyland that we should consider it?

The light on in the apartment above the Main Street Fire Department. It seems like such a simple thing, but it alone accounts for why Disneyland is so special. And for those who don't know, that apartment belonged to the Disney family. Whenever Walt was in Disneyland, the light was turned on so that CMs knew he was there. After his passing, they turned the light on and haven't turned it off since.

As much as I enjoy WDW (and can't wait to be there in 3 weeks), Disneyland is the single best theme park in the entire world. It's a very different experience, but it's a wonderful one. Make sure you research what those differences are and enjoy what makes Disneyland special.

WDW has much better dining options, but for the most part Disneyland has better attraction options. POTC in Disneyland is literally twice as long as the one in the MK. Fantasyland in the MK pales in comparison.

 

[HydroGuy]

What is so different at Disneyland that we should consider it?

My top reasons...

1. Proximity - walking distance hotels, 1 minute park hopping DL to DCA, 1 minute to DTD

2. Ride Concentration - WDW's four parks have only 10% more rides than DLR's two parks

3. Weather - IMO better on average at DLR. Less rain, less humidity and if you are into summer visits, much more tolerable in the summer.

4. Entertainment - The top shows at DLR are better than the WDW counterparts. The Aladdin stage show at DCA is better than any of the WDW stage shows. The RDCT fireworks/laser/special effects show (soon to go away ) is the best Disney has ever created. And most prefer Fantasmic at DLR over WDW.

5. Magic - The DL park has a special magic about it being the original and only park Walt built himself