WDW Vets/DLR Newbies Unite!

[TheTXTaylors5]

I have seen numerous post from WDW veterans, planning a first DLR trip (including us!).

What is bringing you away from WDW to DLR this year? For us, it is for a change of scenery. Don't worry. We're not abandoning WDW. We'll be back in November for MVMCP and a Wonder cruise. We feel as if we know the WDW parks inside and out. We can't afford a Disneyland Paris or Tokyo trip right now. So, going "home" to Disneyland California seems like the next best Disney adventure for our family. Also, DH celebrates a milestone birthday this year. He stated he did NOT want to be at WDW for his birthday. He never said anything about DLR.

What about you? Why are you going to DLR this year?

Jennifer

 

[wmp.dll]

We went to Disneyland last August, and were planning on going to Walt Disney World this year, but since Space Mountain is going to be down for a refurbishment, were going to wait and will just go to Disneyland Instead.

 

[Disney Princess]

We love WDW and are not abandoning it at all - we, like you, wanted a change in scenery. We thought it would be fun to do something we've never done before (at least not together). We are looking forward to a "fresh" Disney experience. But we'll be back at WDW in January (and maybe November if the flight prices come down!)

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

If y'all don't already listen to the DIS Unplugged Podcast - run by the owners of this board, you should. From here on out, they will be featuring stories on DL planning - from dining and hotel reviews, to cool things to do around the parks. They should be a lot of fun and will help with your trips!

(Of course, I completely realize this is a shamless plug to get more of our DL folks to listen!!!! )

 

[f15robyn]

Well I'd been to WDW a number of times before I met my husband. His first trip ever was with me, but it's not something we got to experience together for the first time.

In his short 2 trips to WDW, he's become as BIG a fan as I am.

(And lots of recent business travel lead to a JetBlue award flight and some credits )

So it's off to DLR in May for the first time for either of us

 

[fairycat]

Can I say WOW!! You WDW peeps get back to the world a lot!!! No wonder you like the joint!!!

And welcome to the Land side of the dis!!!!!!

 

[TinkSassy]

We're actually going to WDW in the fall.

Our DL trip came up as a girl's trip - one of our close friends is having a milestone as well! LA was a lot cheaper for everyone to get to than FL - so away we go! I'm looking so forward to it! I've only been once and I was 8 so it will feel like a whole new experience.

 

[robynv]

For us it was the Military deal that came out last month. While I knew we couldn't afford another trip to the world, I thought we could swing one to the land. Being in Colorado helps as we are closer (although I'm still looking for good airfare) Also we hadn't been to the land since 2000 before Ca adventure opened so we"ve never seen it.

 

[carj]

We tagged along when my husband went to Orlando for a conference. That was our children's first trip to WDW.

This year his conference is in San Francisco so...since he has to be in California anyway... Why not go visit Mickey?

I am feeling a bit overwhelmed and very excited.

Sadly, this probably means that I won't be able to talk my husband into a WDW trip in 2010 for our 10 year anniversary. ( Besides, next year his conference is in Las Vegas )

 

[Brady's Mom]

Well the good news is that Las Vegas is actually closer to DLR than San Francisco! So maybe you won't get to go to WDW, but maybe you can swing another trip to DLR!

 

[ksbean]

We're heading to California in May for two weeks primarily as I told DH we needed to visit someplace we've never been before. So we'll be off to visit the San Diego Zoo, Disneyland, Universal Hollywood, Death Valley Nat'l Park, Sequoia and Kings Canyon Nat'l Park and Yosemite Nat'l Park in a few months. Yippee!

I do have to admit to trying to see if we can't fit in a week visit to WDW in the fall to take advantage of a 40% off pin code and possibly to visit over a birthday.

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

If y'all don't already listen to the DIS Unplugged Podcast - run by the owners of this board, you should. From here on out, they will be featuring stories on DL planning - from dining and hotel reviews, to cool things to do around the parks. They should be a lot of fun and will help with your trips!

(Of course, I completely realize this is a shamless plug to get more of our DL folks to listen!!!! )

Congratulations on being a Disneyland Correspondent!

Did you meet with Pete while he was in CA (or is he still there?)? DH has me hooked on the DIS Unplugged Podcasts. He downloads them on Thursday and then we lay in bed that night listening to them. Sometimes, it puts me asleep. So, we have to relisten a few times to hear the whole Podcasts sometimes. I can't wait to hear your DLR contributions to the show. Good luck!

It seems more and more die-hard WDW guests are venturing west to the original park. A WDW - DLR comparison would be great. Does Hydroguy have something like that? I've seen his name on the Disneyland California boards quite often. I am totally comfortable planning a WDW trip. But, DLR has been all new to me. How come they don't call things the same thing (ie: Magic Mornings (EMH), Priority Seating (ADR), etc ...). Being consistent among ALL Disney parks and resorts would make planning a little easier.

Everyone have a magical trip!

Jennifer

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

We're heading to California in May for two weeks primarily as I told DH we needed to visit someplace we've never been before. So we'll be off to visit the San Diego Zoo, Disneyland, Universal Hollywood, Death Valley Nat'l Park, Sequoia and Kings Canyon Nat'l Park and Yosemite Nat'l Park in a few months. Yippee!

We're squeezing San Diego into our DLR trip too. I can't wait! DH was there last year on business and emailed some photos. It looks beautiful.

Here's our "tentative" itinerary (We're driving. Anyone else having their own "Griswold" vacation too? ):
TX - NM (hotel ?)
NM - San Diego, CA (2 nights @ Hotel del Coronado)
San Diego, CA - Anaheim, CA (4 nights @ Disneyland Hotel)
Anaheim, CA - Las Vegas, NV (2 nights @ Paris hotel and casino)
NV - Grand Canyon, AZ
AZ - NM (hotel ?)
NM - TX (Home!)

Jennifer

 

[Melynny]

Hi Guys! I am a WDW vet, Heading to DL for a conference in March! I still love WDW, but work is funding the majority of this trip. Add to that it's at the DLH and I can't pass it up! I'll be using my DVC points for a few extra nights so I welcome ANY tips. It's been 30 years since I have been to DL and I CAN'T WAIT!

It's been strange, planning I mean, going the WDW has become more of a "what's new or changed" This is ALL NEW, I really do feel the pain of total Disney theme park newbies.. I had forgotten how intimidating it is! by the way, thanks for starting this thread!

 

[Sunshineminnie]

Oooo what a fun thread!

I am hoping to run in the DL marathon so that I can get a Coast to Coast medal as I just ran Goofy at DW in January. What a great excuse to slip off to California with the family!

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Hi Guys! I am a WDW vet, Heading to DL for a conference in March! I still love WDW, but work is funding the majority of this trip. Add to that it's at the DLH and I can't pass it up! I'll be using my DVC points for a few extra nights so I welcome ANY tips. It's been 30 years since I have been to DL and I CAN'T WAIT!

It's been strange, planning I mean, going the WDW has become more of a "what's new or changed" This is ALL NEW, I really do feel the pain of total Disney theme park newbies.. I had forgotten how intimidating it is! by the way, thanks for starting this thread!

Welcome to the thread!

We are also DVC members. However, our points for this and next year are tied up in our November/December WDW trip. We're going with extended family and I am sure you know how that goes, bigger room(s) means more points. I hope one year to stay at the new GC Villas. I plan to check out the models while at DLR. A fellow DVC Member DISer said they are amazing.

Jennifer

 

[gowensby]

May 4-8 will be my first trip to DLR. I grew up on the East Coast (PA) and lived in Florida for 8 years. So I've been to WDW over 50 times, but I also wanted to do something different and new. Now that I'm in TX and have a free Southwest flight and Disney VISA points I'm going to DLR.

I'm excited, but a bit overwhelmed by the planning. The park-hopping talk is what I can't fathom. I never do it at WDW because of time, but it just seems like I could do more if I stay in one park all day. Hmmm.

I'm a huge Disney fan and though I'm married with three sons, this is a research/fun solo trip for me. Everyone will be in school and dad gets to go play for a few days!

I'm going to go to an Angels game too.

Transportation from and to LAX is a concern. I'm not going to rent a car and am looking at mixed reviews of Super Shuttle.

Must say, I don't know what I would do without the DIS boards!

 

[Disney Princess]

: We are also DVC members. [. . ]I plan to check out the model while at DLR. A fellow DVC member DISer said they amazing.

Jennifer

We are DVC members too - we are going to check out the models as a break from the heat. We can't wait to see what they look like!

 

[Disney Princess]

Lots of us in TX! Guess we are between the two parks, so it is easy to hit both! How lucky are we!!!!!!

 

[gowensby]

Yes! I'm just South of Dallas. Enjoying a beautiful day where the stars at night are big and bright.