Virgin to Disneyland (California)

[plethera1]

We will be flying out to DL next Saturday and this is one of my biggest concerns with me and my family since we live in Jacksonville, FL and end up at WDW 2 to 3 times a year. I'm trying to temper my expectations and experience DL for what it is and not treating it like WDW. I'm excited about an opportunity to go do a Disney park that I don't like the back of my hand.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

Us too! I like what I'm hearing so far. We have no kids and we are just obsessed with rides. This year at HS and EP, we were bombarded by tons of crowds and we didn't ride nearly as much as we normally do, and we were hot and exhausted too. Not complaining but I won't go early May again. On the other hand, I hear that DLR has lots of rides, all in one compact area. We had issues with some of our party wanting to go back early, but we had a vacation house and limited autos available. As it's been brought out, WDW is less convenient if you are off sight. But I'm hearing the opposite about DLR, in that you can easily come and go as you like, which is going to be a big plus for us.

I'm also excited about all the unknowns and new rides, along with some of the stand bys. I like the castle at WDW, but its not everything to me. I mean, other than photos, most of us don't get to do much with it.

I love the EP ball, its like coming home. WDW used to be more convenient for us because we could drive it in 8 hrs (when we lived on the coast.) And it was still doable twice last year although a 12 hr drive isn't a picnic. This year, we flew to Orlando, which was much more convenient, but it wouldn't be any different than flying to LA either.

So I am gearing myself up to give the West Coast a try, and like what I'm hearing so far. Lots of rides, all in a smaller area, with more accessibility to rooming and transportation.

 

[mummabear]

I honestly do not like either one better than the other, thats why we alternate between them. Each park has it's own strengths (and this doesnt always mean I feel that it is a weakness at the other park).
I agree the SB castle is a little lackluster compared to Cinderellas but the rest of the park is just as magic and I love New Orleans Square and miss that area when at MK.

IMO:
WDW
Better:
-Castle
-Character Meals (range and CRT beats Ariels grotto by a mile)
-Character Meet and Greets (scheduled and easy to find thanks to KtP)
-On site resort range
-General resort feel
-"Extras" PL year round, Pirates cruise, Campfire with chip and dale etc
-Night time entertainment nightly year round
-Calendar/hard ticket party dates released earlier (DL releases this stuff much to late to be any use to someone flying from the other side of the world)
-Prefer the ease of getting into F! (I love the DLR version but I hate the set up to get a spot to view)
DL:
Better:
-Higher ride per park ratio
-Park hopping much easier
-DTD better proximity making it easier to visit
-Prefer several ride versions-or similar in same ride vechile (POTC, HM, SM, Indy)

 

[findmewdw]

Interesting thread. We are going to DL in July for our first time and I am telling myself to not be disappointed if I don't feel the magic. I am one of those mammas who cry when I stroll down Main Street with my family. Memories of my kiddos first visits always just flood through my mind. Now that they are almost 16 and 20, we will be experiencing a new form of Disney together. Crossing my fingers that I will experience the magic at DL, too.

 

[HydroGuy]

Interesting thread. We are going to DL in July for our first time and I am telling myself to not be disappointed if I don't feel the magic. I am one of those mammas who cry when I stroll down Main Street with my family. Memories of my kiddos first visits always just flood through my mind. Now that they are almost 16 and 20, we will be experiencing a new form of Disney together. Crossing my fingers that I will experience the magic at DL, too.

Seriously, if you do not find Disney magic at the only theme park Walt Disney personally built then what you are calling Disney magic is not that all.

Don't cross your fingers. Don't hope you are not going to be disappointed. Open yourself up to embrace DLR. Really. I promise you DLR oozes Disney magic out of every pore. But if anyone insists on viewing DLR thru a WDW set of looking glasses they likely will see a poor version of WDW rather than an awesome version of DLR.

 

[GatorChris]

I felt the same way when we went in 2006, before the DCA upgrade. DLR simply could not compare to WDW. We went again last November and it has dramatically improved. Is it as good as WDW? No way, and it won't be until it gets a third gate and a lot more resorts. WDW just has that great vacation "feel" to it; that feeling of getaway that you can't really get at DL unless you inherit the Carnation fortune and can stay at Grand Cali.

I just picked up APs for DL. Not because the resort is actually worth it, but it takes several trips to DL to compare to one of my 10 night trips to WDW. I just can't afford to fly the family out to Orlando for at least the next 18 months, so DL is a great substitute. But it's still just a substitute for I consider the "real thing".

 

[HydroGuy]

I felt the same way when we went in 2006, before the DCA upgrade. DLR simply could not compare to WDW. We went again last November and it has dramatically improved. Is it as good as WDW? No way, and it won't be until it gets a third gate and a lot more resorts. WDW just has that great vacation "feel" to it; that feeling of getaway that you can't really get at DL unless you inherit the Carnation fortune and can stay at Grand Cali.

I just picked up APs for DL. Not because the resort is actually worth it, but it takes several trips to DL to compare to one of my 10 night trips to WDW. I just can't afford to fly the family out to Orlando for at least the next 18 months, so DL is a great substitute. But it's still just a substitute for I consider the "real thing".

I have no problem with your opinion, but will point out that "DLR not as good as WDW" and "WDW has a great vacation feel" are not the same thing. Even though many WDW vets make it out to be.

To wit, I have never viewed Disney trips (DLR, WDW, TDR or DLRP) as "vacations". So if a Disney resort offers a better vacation experience to me that does not really matter. I view Disney trips as fun, magical experiences. And when viewed that way then DLR is every bit as good as WDW.

Another example. Some people can only manage Disney trips in the summer. With much better weather (on average) at DLR than WDW in the summer such a person might say "DLR is better".

It really depends on how you weight the different factors. As a resort, vacation experience WDW wins hands down. But not everyone defines better on that basis.

 

[Disney Dudette]

Next time you might want to stay at one of the Dis resorts because they too add a large part of what it is to my family to go to Disneyland. We hang at the lost bar by the pool, or have breakfast at Goofy's kitchen. Our trip doesn't begin or end when we walk in the park. The Disney feeling begins when we pull up and get out of the car. I know they are expensive, but most of the resorts in DW are also, so I think that is a fair trade. Hope you give us a try again.

I agree! For us, we have decided it makes a completely different vacation for us staying site. We would rather go less often to save longer, and stay on site! I love DL and have never been to WDW..I think its all what you're used to!!

 

[SeattleRedBear]

Being raised on DL as his home park, HB had that same reaction when he first visited WDW: The Castle's too big...Main Street's too short...Nothing's where it should be. Then we went to Disneyland Paris a couple years later where things are REALLY different and he got it. No more complaints...no more comparisons. Disney magic is Disney magic, no matter the specifics.