To FL DISers - is DL just as magical??

[PamNC]

Hi everyone! I'm going through something - something perhaps silly. My DH & I live for our Disney trips - we go at least once a year, usually 2x, sometimes even 3. Disney, and FL in general, is our second home. Usually by April we have our trip planned for either May, June or July. And by now we're all excited counting down the days and planning and dreaming. You all know what I'm talking about. Here's the deal. I don't have a WDW Florida trip planned BUT we have a trip planned to Southern California. It's a business/personal trip - but we'll have lots of time for fun. 5 1/2 days. of course, we're going to visit Disneyland and CA Adventure, along with all the other things to do in the area. I haven't been in about 18 years and neither has my DH - we've never been together.

Well - I'm sad. I'm excited to be going, but on one hand I'm so sad that I don't have a WDW trip planned. We're not as excited about the trip - not planning a lot, not daydreaming about it, watching the tapes, etc...like we usually do when we're planning a WDW trip. We call this time period before the trip "PD" Pre-Disney. I don't feel like I'm "PD".

How many of your FL visitors went to DL and liked it just as well and had just as magical an experience? I'm looking for consoling here.

Thanks -

PamNC

 

[safetymom]

I have been several times to DL and thought it was magical also. I liked DL because I felt I could see Walt's hand in so many parts of the parks. It is a great place to visit.

 

[AladdinsPrincess]

While DL is definitely different, it's still very magical! I thought it was especially magical because it's the original, and Walt walked those very streets.

My husband and I went to CA on vacation two years ago and we only allotted one day for DL because we didn't think we'd like it as much as WDW. It was absolutely the highlight of our trip though and we were kicking ourselves that we didn't stay there longer so that we could really check everything out. We're going back in October...

So I'm sure you will have fun!

 

[keagansmom]

We were there in Spetember and had a great time! What we loved-- loved the "different" rides available only in DL such as Mr. Toads wild ride, Alice in wonderland, etc. The CM were just as amazing (to us anyway). A CM traded pins ,not really traded since my DS doesn't like to give up his pins, I should say gave some pins to my son. We loved our hotel room-- stayed at Paradise Pier Concierge- had a suite that overlooked the parks-- wonderful! Mousekeeping was awesome! My son was amazed that "Mickey Mouse" left little treats on his bed for him every night. My son loved California Adventure (much to my surprise). Food was great. Really had a magical experience. We met a ton of characters! It seemed to me like they were everywhere! The Aladdin show in CA is a MUST SEE! CM's at our hotel were fantastic-- concierge helped us get amazing seats at restaurants, the day we left a CM for the valet parking (which we didn't even use) gave my son some special autographed photo's of Mickey and Minnie - and he played basketball with my son.

Didn't like: The monorail -- seemed slow and inefficient compared to WDW. Only 2 parks-- not quite as much to do, Loved our Hotel but it was lacking in the theming arena-- However, the grand Califonia hotel was lovely and reminded me of the WL. The good far outweighs the bad (and the bad wasn't really bad). You'll have fun, just remember that it's smaller in size. Be prepared for how much smaller the castle is, that always shocks me. Not bad, just different.

 

[PamNC]

for the replies!! I'll tell you - I am excited about seeing the original Tiki Bird show and doing the Indiana Jones ride. We're allowing 3 days for Disneyland and CA Adventure, a beach day, an LA/Hollywood day, and an open day.

PamNC

 

[MinnieM21]

I've been going to Disneyland since I was a little girl and love it! Of course DL is just as magical or in my opinion, even more magical because it's the original magic kingdom.

 

[ufgator]

DL is magical, and some things are better there than WDW. I haven't been to California Adventure park yet. DL's POTC is better than WDW's, but WDW's HM is better. DL has rides that WDW doesn't even have. DL is smaller and quaint. You'll have fun, but just don't expect it to be exactly like WDW. But it's definitely magical.

 

[llij]

We went to DL last July and we loved it! I hadn't been there is over 20 years, so I didn't really have any expectations. It was definitely magical and I would love to go back again and spend a little more time there!

 

[drakethib]

Hi everyone! I'm going through something - something perhaps silly. My DH & I live for our Disney trips - we go at least once a year, usually 2x, sometimes even 3. Disney, and FL in general, is our second home. Usually by April we have our trip planned for either May, June or July. And by now we're all excited counting down the days and planning and dreaming. You all know what I'm talking about. Here's the deal. I don't have a WDW Florida trip planned BUT we have a trip planned to Southern California. It's a business/personal trip - but we'll have lots of time for fun. 5 1/2 days. of course, we're going to visit Disneyland and CA Adventure, along with all the other things to do in the area. I haven't been in about 18 years and neither has my DH - we've never been together.

Well - I'm sad. I'm excited to be going, but on one hand I'm so sad that I don't have a WDW trip planned. We're not as excited about the trip - not planning a lot, not daydreaming about it, watching the tapes, etc...like we usually do when we're planning a WDW trip. We call this time period before the trip "PD" Pre-Disney. I don't feel like I'm "PD".

How many of your FL visitors went to DL and liked it just as well and had just as magical an experience? I'm looking for consoling here.

Thanks -

PamNC

I hjave been to both but was a little shocked at DL. FOr some reason I was expecting it to be much bigger.

But don't get me wrong, we had a great time and the CM's were just as magical as in WDW.

I think you can pretty much do everything you want in DL in a 3 day trip IMHO.

We will proably go back in the near future.

I sure wish a DVC resort would open there soon.