To make the trip or not....

[WDW Obsessed]

I'll be making the trip to CA for a business meeting at the end of next month. I'm looking for conformation that it'll be worth the 1.5hrs from San Diego to Disneyland. Lat time I went was 20+ years ago!!! Being from the east coast I usually only go to WDW, but my trip to CA kinda makes me think I should hit up the Land. It's funny because if I do decide to make the trip up to Disneyland, I'll hit both Disneyland AND Disney world within the same week.

 

[Ozdisneydreamin]

Definitely will be worth 1.5 hours. You can never have enough Disney in one week

 

[d1gitman]

that's a no brainer...yes!!!

it's been 2.5 yrs. since we've been to DLCA and there have been major changes to look forward to. i can't imagine what has changed since 20 yrs. ago.

 

[tiffjoy]

Definitely! It's a quick trip. We are in San Diego right now for the second half of our vacation after DL.

 

[WDW Obsessed]

I'm leaning towards yes, but don't really wanna do it alone. I'll have to get a co-worker or buddy to go with me. Also, should I do just DL park, or hit up the adventure section?? Realistically it'll only be for 1 day if I decide to do it.

 

[Mary09]

Don't miss California Adventure, especially if you've never seen it. Get a park hopper. The parks are easy to hop between (unlike WDW).

Maybe you could rent a convertible and drive up the PCH.

 

[DharmaLou]

I'd absolutely do it - and I'd go alone! Think of all the time you'll save waiting in single rider lines. You'll be able to hit up more rides and make more of the day that way.

 

[seadd67]

OK let me start by telling you I am a WDW die hart, I live on the west coast and we make yearly trips to the world every year. Now, Next Tuesday we to are making a surprise trip to DL. Weather its a 1 1/2 hr drive or a two hour flight, if you love Disney, and sounds like you do, you will most diffidently want to see DL you will want to see it at least once!. To see where Walt started his dream and gift to all of us. You will see the first POTC, and In my mind the best one(sorry WDW, yours is nice, but the DL version is just so much better), Where you will see the only N America Matterhorn! its a fact!! LOL ok my fact.

I understand your deli-ma, but you will not be dis pointed. Where doing the drive to go to San Diego zoo, and i would drive three times that long to see DL.

 

[mydisneyfix]

Don't miss California Adventure, especially if you've never seen it. Get a park hopper. The parks are easy to hop between (unlike WDW).

Maybe you could rent a convertible and drive up the PCH.

If you want to actually spend time in DL I would not recommend driving that section of the PCH. We did in July and regretted it. Stop and go traffic was awful! The northern CA part is the drive that's nice. I would just get to DL the quick way and soak up as much DL time as you can

 

[WDW Obsessed]

Yeah, last time I went, I was like 7yo......that was 27years ago!! I did like it there and am obviously interested in going again. Sounds like I'd buy a hopper pass and hit both parks. It's scary to think I'll be doing both DL and WDW back to back!! How is hopping from park to park, as well as DTD?? I'm used to WDW since we go 4 times a year, so this will be an unknown to me.

 

[Mary09]

How is hopping from park to park, as well as DTD?? I'm used to WDW since we go 4 times a year, so this will be an unknown to me.

Both parks together are about the size of EPCOT, in area. Check them out on Google Maps.

 

[All American]

Make the drive!

I grew up in Alabama, and when we were kids, our dad would have to travel regularly to California. He always made it a point to stop in at Disneyland, even if there was only enough time to catch a parade and grab some Snickerdoodles to bring home to us. It's definitely worth the 1.5 hours and worth going by yourself. It's a different place when you go at your own pace on your own whims.

 

[tiffjoy]

I agree about the PCH. When we drive it, we hop off at Pismo Beach and take 101 the rest of the way south. It's completely stop and go through LA area and the beautiful part is up north.

It's so easy to park hop at DL! So much easier than WDW. It takes about 1 minute to exit one park, get you hand stamped, walk across the esplanade, and enter through the gates of the other park. DTD is right there as well. We sometimes leave the parks for lunch or dinner to eat in DTD because it's so easy. (I would not recommend doing that with only one day there. Just commenting on how close the three places are to each other.)

If no one will go with you, go by yourself! I wouldn't want to miss this chance. Personally, I'd rather go by myself unless my coworker was as into Disney as I am- I wouldn't want someone bringing me down or in a hurry to leave.

 

[LizzyS]

Definitely go if you can! That's not a bad drive at all. You should probably get a park hopper and check out both parks. When we went last year for the first time, we only did Disneyland as we were only there one day, but next trip we'll be staying longer to see California Adventure as well.

Everything is within walking distance and I LOVE that!

 

[WDW Obsessed]

Good to know thanks all!! You all have tempted me to go. Just gotta sort out transportation from SD to DL.

 

[WDW Obsessed]

what are the 3 main attractions that I need to FP? At WDW toy story mania is a must FP first due to the lines in the AM. Is there anything comparable for DL?? Also, what would be the best place to eat? I'm a steak and potatoes guy, no fufu food for me. TIA!

 

[Mary09]

I can't help you with the steak but our favorite food in the park is the pomme frites, dressed-up fries, at Cafe Orleans. You might like the meat at Bengal Barbecue in Adventureland, too.

If Indy is open when you're there, I'd put it on your FP list.

Good to know about the PCH being slow, all. I've done it the other direction, when not in a hurry, is all. The beach towns amuse me, but yeah, I guess the traffic is always there.

 

[WDW Obsessed]

I can't help you with the steak but our favorite food in the park is the pomme frites, dressed-up fries, at Cafe Orleans. You might like the meat at Bengal Barbecue in Adventureland, too.

If Indy is open when you're there, I'd put it on your FP list.

Good to know about the PCH being slow, all. I've done it the other direction, when not in a hurry, is all. The beach towns amuse me, but yeah, I guess the traffic is always there.

I looked and Indy is being referb'd at that time.

 

[Stitch35]

Because you can single rider a lot of E ticket rides, including RSR, Matterhorn, Indy, screaming, soaring, GRR, and i think Splash, there isn't much you need to fast pass. If you go during the Halloween overlay for haunted mansion, there may be fast passes for that, SM is usually one to get a FP for, Star tours, tower of terror and Roger Rabbit can get long and have FP as well. You can use your FP anytime after the start time, unlike wdw.

 

[WDW Obsessed]

Because you can single rider a lot of E ticket rides, including RSR, Matterhorn, Indy, screaming, soaring, GRR, and i think Splash, there isn't much you need to fast pass. If you go during the Halloween overlay for haunted mansion, there may be fast passes for that, SM is usually one to get a FP for, Star tours, tower of terror and Roger Rabbit can get long and have FP as well. You can use your FP anytime after the start time, unlike wdw.

Thanks. I plan on going either the 21,22,or 23 of Oct.

What are the "must do's" that are 100% different than the WDW rides. Those are the ones I HAVE TO DO.