WDW or DL

[pigletforever]

We have plans to go back to WDW in January. But DH is getting transferred to Sacramento in July. I am now looking at going to DL instead and als spening time at Sea World, San diego zoo, and Universal. It will be me and DH, DS19 and DS6. I know NOTHING about DL, their packages or that whole area. At WDW we were spending 12 days. Could we stay that busy at DL and area for that long? an some one who is in the know please fill me in.

Or maybe we should consider a cruise - do any leave from California?

Airline tickets to WDW for the 4 of us will be 1500. That alone is making me reconsider WDW. Should we stay in a DL resort or off site? How do the meals work - do they have a dining plan similar to WDW?

Thanks in advance.

 

[KerTggr]

While I love DL, I would go to WDW if I had 12 days to spare, but I have some serious sentimental attachments there.

Re: spending 12 days in the DL are, it could be done, but not solely @ DL. You are aware that Universal is a good 30 minutes away from DL (and not as cool as Universal in FL IMO). Also, SanDiego is another 3-4 hours from DL. I think it really would depend on the price of gas, if you are planning on driving or renting or flying, and what kind of itinerary you are looking at. CA might be a good choice as you could start in Anaheim area, do DLR for 3-4 days, go to Universal for 1 day, the beach on your way down to San Diego (maybe take 2 days so you aren't in the car non-stop also the newport area would be OK with some decent hotels), then spend the remainder 4 days in San Diego area doing seaworld, wild animal park and the beaches down there.

There are cruises that leave from CA, but the ones that leave from the LA area primarily go to Mexico, so not a ton of choice like in FL

 

[Disney Anna]

As you have never been to DL before, that is one big reason to go. IMHO, DL is the single best park. WDW is a great resort destination, but MK v. DL, DL wins hands down.

You cannot entertain yourself for 12 days at DL resort. The most would be four days and that is stretching it. Probably closer to 3 days to see both DL and DCA. But you could go at a nice pace and see everything, including DD and enjoying your hotel and its amenities.

I live in San Diego and it is not 3 hours from DL. From my home, near SDSU, to DL, it is 99 miles. This trip usually takes me 1.5 hours and it's a nice drive mainly along the coast. In San Diego, you can visit the beach (La Jolla or Coronado -my fave); Old Town; the Zoo; Sea World; Wild Animal Park; Legoland...

At DLR, I don't believe they do a meal plan. My eating preferences: StoryTellers Cafe for a very good character meal, breakfast buffet; La Brea Bakery for a quick, breakfast; Hungry Bear restaurant for lunch (cool view of Tom Sawyer's Island)....

You may also want to hit Universal Studios and some of the other sites in Los Angeles... maybe take in a baseball game (Dodgers, Angels or Padres).

 

[ironpig70]

dlr at a leisurely pace for you seeing how your kids are 6 and 19 would be 4 days. but there is alot of things besides disney in los angeles. there's universal, knotts berry farm and magic mountain just for theme parks. then there is the la zoo, griffith obserbatory, (and maybe somebody can help me here but i can't remember the name of the new musuem on the hill), also there's long beach aquarium and hollywood.


head south to san diego for sea world, balboa park and even head south into mexico.

 

[HoneyBee06]

12 days at Disneyland/DCA? No
12 days in southern California? Yes.

Disneyland/DCA/downtown Disney can be done easily in 3-4 days.

Downtown Disney is much smaller than the one at WDW.
Disneyland vs. Magic Kingdom in Florida...Disneyland wins. There are more rides and the attention to detail is amazing.
California Adventure isn't great...but it doesn't have some enjoyable rides. I could ride California Screamin' a bunch of times and not get bored.

There are only 3 Disney hotels and they are all fairly expensive. We stay offsite at the Anaheim Plaza. It's a great price and pretty close to the parks. Only a 10 minute walk or so. However, if we had it in our budget, we'd stat on-site because I've heard it really enhances the experience. We used to be "locals" so we're fine with just staying in a cheaper off site place.

The Anabella is a nicer off site hotel that is also within a decent walking distance.

You won't need to take a bus to park hop. The parks are basically attached....as is Downtown Disney.

I don't believe there is a meal plan at Disneyland. There are plenty of good places to eat in the park. There are also fast food places, Denny's, Coco's, etc. right outside the park to eat at too.

Southern California has a couple other theme parks, Sea World, beaches, shopping, and a bunch of other stuff...depending on what you like to do....I'm sure there's plenty to do for 12 days.

 

[kaoden39]

You know I think there is enough to do on a trip to S. California. You can do everything everybody else mentioned and you can go to Beverly Hills and visit Rodeo Drive. Heck you can even go to visit Richard Simmon at Slimmons and exercise with him. We've done this and it was brilliant and wonderful. You can take DS 6 to Legoland I am sure he would love it. Older DS might even enjoy it. There is a lot of things you can do in San Diego and what about a day at the beach. We have some beautiful beaches here in California. Goodness the whole state is beautiful as you can find out when you move here. In Sacramento you will be close to so many places like Lake Tahoe. You're gonna love California. Welcome neighbor.

Michele

 

[honeymom]

If you do a Southern California trip, I would recommend staying at hotels in San Diego, DL and the LA area.

 

[Hound 109]

We have plans to go back to WDW in January. But DH is getting transferred to Sacramento in July. I am now looking at going to DL instead and als spening time at Sea World, San diego zoo, and Universal. It will be me and DH, DS19 and DS6. I know NOTHING about DL, their packages or that whole area. At WDW we were spending 12 days. Could we stay that busy at DL and area for that long? an some one who is in the know please fill me in.

Or maybe we should consider a cruise - do any leave from California?

Airline tickets to WDW for the 4 of us will be 1500. That alone is making me reconsider WDW. Should we stay in a DL resort or off site? How do the meals work - do they have a dining plan similar to WDW?

Thanks in advance.

This is the place to start. (print the first two threads & read the rest).

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483

For DLR (imo) 4 nights 5 days.

Since you could spend 12 months (as opposed to 12 days) touring central & southern california, this would be my recommendation given your info above.

(assuming you'll do SF some other time since you'll be a couple hours away)

- 2 days one night Monterey.
- Highway one (big sur, hearst castle, elephant seals etc.)....spend night in Cambria.
- Morro Bay, SLO, Santa Barbara, Malibu, spend next two nights in Hollywood.
- Hollywood, Universal, LA, etc.
- next 4 nights at DLR (with a 5 day hopper)
- down to SD, 2 nights & 2-3 days in SD.
- Drive home.

Since it's Jan, i'd skip Yosemite & the Sierras....but you could add Death Valley or Vegas to the mix.

Have fun planning a visit to Walt's Park.


hound -