Hi Lauralei - we haven't been to Vero yet, but we have definitely been to DL (DW, oldest DS and I are CA natives, plus I worked at DL in hs & college)... it's a definite must-do at some point in your life. The primary reason, of course, is that it's the ORIGINAL Disney-park... the granddaddy of them all. It's Walt's park... the only Disney park he ever set foot in (and ate it, and slept in - his apartment is still above the Firestation on MS - and talked with guests in, and and and ....).
The MK is wonderful. WDW is wonderful. But
Disneyland is even better - simply by nature of the history and experiences it offers. True it's a smaller park than the MK - but there are more attractions, etc in that single park than any one of the WDW parks. Most of the attractions found at the MK have their roots in DL - and the DL versions are longer and/or more elaborate. New Orleans Square is such a richly detailed, lavish land. Fantasyland is more initmate - but much more richly themed and has not just more attractions, but 100% unique attractions you won't find in any Disney park in the world (the same with other lands as well). True the Sleeping Beauty Castle is much smaller and more intimate - but it's definitely more charming than Cinderella Castle - plus the interior walk-thru is slated to finally reopen this fall (it was closed shortly after 9-11). The Subs are back... and, and, and.
Southern California in general is a great attraction in and of itself. Some of the best beaches in the US can be found in So. Cal. There are also awesome museums, restuarants, the movie industry is based there, and various other parks and resorts. It's a definite experience - at least once in your life.
