Tell me about Disneyland...

[Queen2PrincessG]

DH said yes to Disneyworld during Christmas 2011 but now I'm looking at Disneyland as a possibility. Neither one of us have been there.

 

[DLtorgo]

You will want to start by looking at Hydroguy's wonderful thread - a guide to DL for WDW vets. Then if you have any specific questions let them roll.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[Mugglemama]

DH said yes to Disneyworld during Christmas 2011 but now I'm looking at Disneyland as a possibility. Neither one of us have been there.

I've never been to WDW, but about once a year I start contemplating a trip there. After a few days of trying to figure out bus trips between parks and realizing that we have to trek through 4 parks to find all of our favorite rides (as opposed to just 2 parks), not to mention trying to figure out the dining situation - I always end up heading right back to planning another Disneyland trip, lol.

So, in my opinion, unless it's going to cost you considerably more to visit DLR as opposed to WDW, the reason I would suggest DLR is that it's very convenient. It's a 2 minute walk (if that) between the parks.

 

[*Meagan*]

Hmmmm Im an outcast for sure. I prefer WDW over DL anytime. I was not a huge fan of DL. But Im sure you will love it! have a blast!

 

[spacepixie2]

It seems that WDW takes a whole lot more advanced planning than DL. We've planned a DL trip this year when 3-6 months ago we would have been closed out of many of the dining/character/holiday experiences.

There should still be plenty of "magic" to be found at DL.

Best wishes on your planning endeavors.

 

[skiingfast]

DH said yes to Disneyworld during Christmas 2011 but now I'm looking at Disneyland as a possibility. Neither one of us have been there.

One difference is the MVMCP is free at DL, though it's suggested it won't be next year. They also deck out it's a small world. You must plan to ride it and it will require a long wait. Also plan to see it at night when they have a show on the exterior. Also HM has a christmas version. Plan on a longer wait for this too.

You can visit Santa in the Grand Californian lobby.

In DCA it's hard to say if there will be anything extra special there. DCA is undergoing a rennisance but currently the have a specail show going on in half of it that is not holiday related. At night in the other half is WoC. It will have some major work going on between now and then so it will be hard to say what will be happening during your visit or if they will want to decorate over the new sights in the park.

 

[LisaCat]

DH said yes to Disneyworld during Christmas 2011 but now I'm looking at Disneyland as a possibility. Neither one of us have been there.

Having just been to WDW, but being a DL girl, I would say that the BIGGEST difference is that you CAN DO the WHOLE DL resort in a few days. No car. No convoluted transportation options. Both parks would fit inside Magic Kingdom. Which gives you a MUCH more kicked back, real VACATION, but still gives you all the Disney MAGIC!

 

[jason417]

The convenience is why we keep coming back to DL. We book a hotel right across the street so it's a 4 to 5 minute walk to the gate. Walking between parks is about the same distance as walking to your car when you exit Walmart.

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

Thanks! I didn't realize the parks were so close.

 

[Sherry E]

The parks are literally facing each other, just a minute or two apart.

In case you haven't done so already, take some time to scroll through the "Disney at Christmas" superthread, which is a very popular thread all about Disneyland Resort during the holiday season (from mid-November - early January). It's comprised of photos, planning tips, information, details, updates, etc. It's a long thread, but you will see from the photos and descriptions that that there are many, many wonderful things to experience. Sure, DLR is not the same size as WDW, but it is very magical - especially at Christmastime!

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

Thanks Sherry!

I've been doing tons of research these last few days. Is it me or is Disneyland a bit more younger kid friendly?

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

Thanks Sherry!

I've been doing tons of research these last few days. Is it me or is Disneyland a bit more younger kid friendly?

I definitely think DLR is more younger kid friendly than WDW. I've only been to WDW once (pre-kids) and I'd love to go again with my DDs. I keep putting it off, though. Partly because of the cost of flying across country, but mostly because of the thought of how exhausted the girls will get with all the transportation to and between parks. We generally stay on-site when we go to DLR and especially when we stay at the Grand Californian, we know we can walk back to our hotel room somewhere in between five and ten minutes.

Disneyland itself is so very magical. Though it is much smaller in acerage than the Magic Kingdom, it's packed full of way more rides and charm. Everywhere you turn, there's amazing little details and surprises. I think the scope of the park makes it more child firendly in terms of younger kids being able to get around from the park from one end to the other. My girls have no problem walking around a full day at DL and DCA. (Again, it helps that we can go back to the hotel so easily for a midday break if needed.) As HydroGuy is fond of pointing out, even though there are "only" two parks, overall the number of rides and attractions is not that much different (10% more at WDW).

Because you don't have to walk as far to get back to your hotel (whether on-site or one of the very close Good Neighbor hotels), you can stay a little more easily to watch the night time entertainment. When my family was there in September, we pre-ordered the picnic dinners for WOC for our first night. When it ended, we wandered back to our hotel via the entrance straight from DCA right into the GCH. We had the girls in bed about 20 minutes after the show was over.

 

[Funball]

DH said yes to Disneyworld during Christmas 2011 but now I'm looking at Disneyland as a possibility. Neither one of us have been there.

Queen2PrincessG,

This is super exciting for you!! Disneyland is a lot smaller then WDW, it’s takes less then 20min to walk from the Main st. train station to toontown!!

There is so much to do and see at Disneyland, plus we have DCA (Disney’s California adventure park) witch is a ‘edgier’ diseny park with a slight California theme! The rides are much bigger at DCA, and they have one of the best roller coasters ever….

I have compiled some info for you on the DLR.

this first link is from allears.net, they have a rundown on DL so i would look at this!

allears.net click here

..this next link is a complete list of places to eat at disneyland and menus prices!

all disneyland places to eat with menus! click here

downtown disney places to eat and menus


parking info!!

parking info! click here


..and last but not least if you'd like a real park map of our two parks, please look at my thread link i have provided!

My map thread!