UGH - Why didn't I pick Disneyland? Pleae give me some good reasons..

[Tweetybug]

So we were orignally going to go to Disneyland but then friends of ours belong to a vacations club and said we could use there week and stay at Westgate Vacation Villas so we thought we'd go to DW . We live on Vancouver Island so we figured it will be easier to one day go back to Disneyland but we may never get to DW again. It's costing a fortune even with the free condo but were sucking it up hoping it will be worth it. But now I'm seeing all these SMOKING HOT deals to Disneyland Like kids stay and fly fee, super package deals, etc, etc. I could kick myself. Our kids are 4 and 8, we're going in May and it's the first time any of us have ever really been anywhere. Definetly our first family trip please make me feel better and tell me it will be worth it - all I'm thinking right now is of all the money I could be saving

Sorry, this is only my second post ever and I'm being a drag - I'll be more perky later

 

[joech]

We have been to Disneyland once back in 1991 and we went to Disneyworld twice last year and let me tell you, once we've been to Disneyworld, we do not want to go to Disneyland at all. We went to Dineyworld last March for the 1st time for 7 days staying at Animal Kingdom lodge and as soon as we retured home, we booked our second trips back for our christams for 2 weeks at the same resort. We felt like going to a different world once we were inside the Disneyworld area (lot less traffic, different color road sign within the park) There is a lot of deal going to disneyland even for Calgarian, but I would rather spend the extra money to visit Disney world again. We are debating if we are going again this Christmas. PM me if you have question regarding Disneyworld.

 

[amw]

We went to DL last year for the first time, after going to WDW quite a few ... I agree with the previous poster. Disneyland was a nice sideline if you were touring California ... Hollywood, San Diego, the National Parks ... but it's not a destination onto itself. That was my overall feeling.

Don't get me wrong. I enjoyed our trip overall, and loved the differences of the parks. There is a charm to the original Magic Kingdom. I just didn't feel it was as much of an escape -- not the resort feel of WDW.

For a once in a lifetime trip, you certainly can't beat WDW. You can always go to DLR later

By the way, we went to DLR in March because it's off-season for them (whereas it's crazy in Florida). They offer those specials (adult passes for kids, kids fly free, etc.) every year. I would return, but only when my DDs are old enough to enjoy the rest of the state. It was beautiful there ... but then being in BC, you're used to a different scenery than I am

 

[drag n' fly]

We live in Calgary and have been to Disneyland many times and Disneyworld once last year and going again twice this year and we just bought DVC. The package deals are great yes but they do come with restrictions. Crappy flight times and not the greatest hotel choices on some of them. It is a good way to get your kids to Disney and stay there but it all costs the same amount of money once you are there. Food is expensive in Disneyland. Their dining package is no savings it is pre-paid food with restrictions.
With that being said we love DL and WDW both for different reasons. DL is compact and a fantastic park experience. Every visit is wonderful and we love being where all the Disney magic began. No busses, low humidity etc. Once the GCV are complete we will be adding on points there. There is some incredible plans and changes coming for the two parks! The drive down the coast and the beaches are spectacular. Hollywood, Beverly Hills it's all good!
WDW is wonderful for the resort inclusive experience. It is a destination holiday. You can go there and not go anywhere else and have a great time if you choose to. Even with the increases the DDP is still a good value for our family of five. We bought at AKV we like it so much!
There should be no regrets for choosing one park over the other. They are both wonderful for their own reasons and one simply cannot be compared to the other! Have a great trip!

 

[CrazyDisneyMommy1]

You will love Disney World. I have been to DL 5 times and WDW 4 times and am planning another WDW trip now. I am trying to convince my husband that we should get annual WDW passes. We will probably never go back to DL again till we have grand children, to give them the experience. I agree with the above post. For the extra money I will go to WDW before DL. I think if you can eventually go to DL once for the comparison it is great, but you will be happy with your WDW decision, I'm sure!!!! As for the price, right now there may be some alright ones, but have to agree with times and hotels. At Christmas it was actually going to cost us almost $1000 more to go to DL than WDW. Have a GREAT time!!!!

 

[Tweetybug]

We have been to Disneyland once back in 1991 and we went to Disneyworld twice last year and let me tell you, once we've been to Disneyworld, we do not want to go to Disneyland at all. We went to Dineyworld last March for the 1st time for 7 days staying at Animal Kingdom lodge and as soon as we retured home, we booked our second trips back for our christams for 2 weeks at the same resort. We felt like going to a different world once we were inside the Disneyworld area (lot less traffic, different color road sign within the park) There is a lot of deal going to disneyland even for Calgarian, but I would rather spend the extra money to visit Disney world again. We are debating if we are going again this Christmas. PM me if you have question regarding Disneyworld.

I wrote a huge long message and tried to PM you but for some reason I couldn't ARGH! So to summarize -- I wanted to thank you for your quick response and making me feel better. I would love to get the benefit of your experience and ask if there's anything we should definetly do or definetly not do.

Also, what's your take on transportation? We were planning on taking cabs to and from parks and not renting a car. Do you think that's reasonable?

I've been reading and researching like crazy, nothing like the pressure of making our first vacation perfect.

 

[amw]

Also, what's your take on transportation? We were planning on taking cabs to and from parks and not renting a car. Do you think that's reasonable?

I've been reading and researching like crazy, nothing like the pressure of making our first vacation perfect.

Just my two cents on transportation ... many people make the mistake of thinking the parks are super close to each other. Unless you are staying at a Disney hotel and have access to their transportation, I would highly suggest you rent a car. You can get some real cheap deals for Florida. Check out mousesavers.com for the latest discount codes and coupons, and get no-obligation quotes online. Besides, a rental car allows you to go shopping/dining elsewher too

 

[so_are_you]

we used to live in ladysmith check your flight out of bellingham my GF flys out of seattle now and even taking the ferry over and driving down and staying a night in a hotel its still up to $3000 cheaper to do that
also check your flights on flightbuddy.com
and as for cheap disneyland we checked the kids fly free but the base for that fare was more then if we booked them with out it
and flight center had $299 a person I called the day it was released and it was booked but I could get the $1300 per person package

 

[bbangel]

Disneyland is great (I actually prefer it to DW) but Disney World is great too. I love the Animal Kingdom and as drag n' fly said, it is a destination. Your family will have a great time. You will want a car.

Things not to miss:

Festival of the Lion King and Flights of wonder - shows in AK
Wishes - fireworks in MK
Mickey's Philharmagic - in MK
Fantasmic - show in Disney Hollywood Studios (aka MGM)

As far as rides go, most people have their favourites. Check out the attraction descriptions on the Disney website to see what is in each park that might interest the members of your group.

 

[SandraC]

Don't worry about THE DEALS NOW.....because there will ALWAYS be another deal.

RENT A CAR......I think alamo has them as low as $139 per week. S

 

[DearDaisyinDurham]

We live in Calgary and have been to Disneyland many times and Disneyworld once last year and going again twice this year and we just bought DVC. The package deals are great yes but they do come with restrictions. Crappy flight times and not the greatest hotel choices on some of them. It is a good way to get your kids to Disney and stay there but it all costs the same amount of money once you are there. Food is expensive in Disneyland. Their dining package is no savings it is pre-paid food with restrictions.
With that being said we love DL and WDW both for different reasons. DL is compact and a fantastic park experience. Every visit is wonderful and we love being where all the Disney magic began. No busses, low humidity etc. Once the GCV are complete we will be adding on points there. There is some incredible plans and changes coming for the two parks! The drive down the coast and the beaches are spectacular. Hollywood, Beverly Hills it's all good!
WDW is wonderful for the resort inclusive experience. It is a destination holiday. You can go there and not go anywhere else and have a great time if you choose to. Even with the increases the DDP is still a good value for our family of five. We bought at AKV we like it so much!
There should be no regrets for choosing one park over the other. They are both wonderful for their own reasons and one simply cannot be compared to the other! Have a great trip!

I agree whole heartedly, have been to WDW and DLR each about half a dozen times (even Tokyo Disney once) and they're different experiences - each equally fun, just different.

 

[disneyfan2]

I wrote a huge long message and tried to PM you but for some reason I couldn't ARGH! :

don't think you can send PM until your post count gets to at least 10

 

[I Run Long]

You won't regret it! I've been to DL twice (which I admit was when I was 12) and I loved it. Now since I have been to DW I wouldn't look back. It's like comparing apples with oranges. DL is really just a theme park whereas DW is an "experience" Don't get me wrong, DL is great, it just can't compare to DW. A previous poster is correct, try for flights out of Seattle - it's much cheaper than trying to get directly off the island.