WDW to Disneyland

[yesiamcrazy]

My family and I have been to WDW 3 times now, but are considering a trip to DL. I can't find as much information about it. What are the Must Do attractions? What are the great offsite hotels that are nearby? What else is essential to know?

 

[Jynxed]

Hydroguys sticky up top about DLR for WDW vets includes a lot of helpful info. As a first timer myself, what I am looking forward the most is WOC, and POTC since I hear it is better in DL. Plus some of the rides not available in the world.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Much info in the stickys, here is Hydroguys thread...http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

Jack

 

[charmama4]

welcome!
Must do attractions for our family are Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Disneyland and Toy Story Mania in Disney's Californa Adventure. Of course all that may change with Little Mermaid opening up in DCA and the re-open of Star Tours in DL. We will experience them on Monday

We always stay at Anaheim Plaza in the Deluxe Family Suites. They are huge! For (up to, depending on time of year) $140 we get 2 comfy queen beds, 2 bathrooms, 2 mini fridges, and 2 micro's. It's well within walking distance of the entrance to the parks. They are clean and don't mind the requests of extra towels and pillows.

Essentials for our family is to have a churro while waiting in line for the Matterhorn and a dole whip while watching the Tiki Room show.

Hydroguy has some great posts on the differences of DL and WDW and other great info. I'd do a search in the forums here.

Have a great time at Disneyland!!

 

[karrit2000]

My family and I have been to WDW 3 times now, but are considering a trip to DL. I can't find as much information about it. What are the Must Do attractions? What are the great offsite hotels that are nearby? What else is essential to know?

My absolute favorite is Indiana Jones & the Temple of the Forbidden Eye. It is the same ride vehicle & track as Dinosaur in AK but themed 1,000,000 times better. I usually pass on Dinosaur since I don't like strobe lights but I ride Indy as many times as I possibly can. Pirates is awesome. I did Star Tours recently at WDW and I would say it is definitely a must do. Buzz is different, I still don't do as well as I do at WDW on this one, the laser guns are on a cord so they aren't fixed in place with limited movement like at WDW. The Matterhorn is fun but a very bumpy, jerky ride. IASW is the original that I remember from the NY World's Fair and way better than the WDW version. The Nemo Subs are interesting but not a good fit for my long legs, I couldn't wait for the ride to end because I was so uncomfortable so I've never gone back on them.

Soarin is definitely one of my top picks in DCA as is TSMM. I haven't seen World of Color yet. I enjoy California Screamin. TOT isn't one of my must do rides but I'll go on it if I'm with a group that wants to. The Aladdin Musical is really good.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Must-do attractions vary depending upon what your family enjoys. I would start with the attractions that do not exist at WDW, and there are many.

Then I would look at the ones that exist at WDW, but are different (ex: Pirate's of the Caribbean, which many feel is better at DL).

More than anything, just enjoy the Park. It's the same, but different at the exact same time. Take time to notice the little details that make DL so special.

- Dreams

 

[Hound 109]

Agree with others who say to read the stickys at the top & read all of Hydroguy's tip threads.

My family and I have been to WDW 3 times now, but are considering a trip to DL. I can't find as much information about it. What are the Must Do attractions? What are the great offsite hotels that are nearby? What else is essential to know?

In order to give good info it would be helpful to know:

- The ages of your group.
- What you like to do (& not do) at WDW.
- What is your definition of "great" hotel? (where do you stay & enjoy at WDW?)
- What is your definition of "nearby"? Nearby walk to the parks? Or nearby fancy hotel that you have to schlepp on a bus to get to the parks.

It's essential to know:

- Hydroguy's tip threads (found here):

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

- How to use FP.
- That there is magic in Walt's Park.


Have a good time reading about & contemplating a visit to Walt's Park.

 

[KCmike]

Must Do's - Everything! Fantasyland is so much better, Space, Pirates, IASM, Original Tiki Room, Fireworks, Fantasmic!,etc..
Off Site hotels - Hojo, Fairfield Inn, Best Western Park Place Inn
Stay onsite if you can though its nicer.
Parks are smaller but have as many rides/attractions in two parks as compared to four parks at WDW.
No Buses!!!!
Downtown Disney has live performers in the summertime.
Not to be missed at DCA - Aladdin, Toy Story, Screamin', Little Mermaid, Grizzly River Run, Soarin', Monsters Inc., World of Color
So much to tell you....

 

[yesiamcrazy]

Agree with others who say to read the stickys at the top & read all of Hydroguy's tip threads.



In order to give good info it would be helpful to know:

- The ages of your group.

Me and dh 35 and 40, kids 12,10,7,7,5,and almost 1
- What you like to do (& not do) at WDW.

Love thrill rides, kiddie rides, characters, not as much about the shows but enjoy some of those as well
- What is your definition of "great" hotel? (where do you stay & enjoy at WDW?)

At WDW we stay at the values. Great hotels are clean, cheap, and nearby.

- What is your definition of "nearby"? Nearby walk to the parks? Or nearby fancy hotel that you have to schlepp on a bus to get to the parks.

Nearby as in walking distance.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

The research I've done listed Desert Inn and Suites, Howard Johnson, Best Western Park Place Inn, and Fairfield Inn as decent hotels right nearby.

Candy Cane Inn also gets good reviews but I'd think I'd have to take a shuttle if I stayed there.

Check out Hydroguy's thread. I've been to WDW 16 times so far and needed to find info about DL. I found tons of great info on that thread.

I'm really looking forward to going - we will be there Tuesday!