WDW vs DL ***Editor's note: Lot's of good info for first time trip planners

I too had been to WDW 5 times & we just took our first trip to DL Dec. 8 - Dec. 11th. I ADORED it!! It was so fun for us to compare the rides that were the same. My kids had a great time riding Mr. Toad-which we miss at MK. The charm of the park is undescribable. I loved the Storybook Land ride and the Alice in Wonderland ride. It was so weird to be sitting side by side in Space Mountain and single file in Splash Mtn.

We stayed at Fairfield Inn. There are several decent hotels nearby. This was just your basic hotel, but it was clean. There is a McDonald's in their parking lot & a great restaurant-Millie's there also. We ate there several times. Both will deliver to your room. We ate lunch at Goofy's Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel. It was fabulous! We describe it as a great Chef Mickey's.

We could leave our hotel and be in the parks in 10 minutes. There were a lot of people walking, so we felt safe.

We stayed for 9 hours on Friday, about 2 hours on Saturday morning and then about 7 hours on Sunday. We did everything we wanted and many attractions several times. We saw the fireworks twice, the Christmas parade once & Fantasmic 1.5 times.

If you love Walt like we do, you will not be disappointed. I can't wait to go back

WDW 96-DxL DL 00-Fairfield Inn
97-WL
98-FWC
99-WL
00-PO/CR

 
larkedup,
The airport code for John Wayne Airport is SNA. It is a bit more expensive than flying into Los Angeles, but I think it is worth it to avoid LAX! ;)

As far as comparing DL to WDW, I must say that I like DL much better. We just got back from our first trip to WDW, and it just was not as "magical" as DL. The best thing was the World Showcase at Epcot, which would be the only thing I would really want to see again. Animal Kingdom and MGM were just okay, and the Magic Kingdom was the biggest disappointment compared to DL. It was way too crowded for the "off-season" (we were there 12/17-12/22), most of the rides were not as good as at DL or just not there at all (Alice, Matterhorn...), and the atmosphere (buildings, landscaping, etc.) was just not as good as DL.

The things I liked better about WDW were Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Splash Mountain. Things they have there but not at DL that I liked were the World Showcase, Tower of Terror and Rock 'n Rollercoaster at MGM, and Buzz Lightyear at the Magic Kingdom. Oh, and the castle was bigger. :rolleyes:

For anyone who has only been to WDW, I would definitely suggest a trip to DL! It does not involve as much planning or money and is just as fun as WDW. Just my two cents... ;)

JiminyCricket.gif
<font face="cac one seventy"><font color="green">"...always let your conscience be your guide."
<font face="cac one seventy"><font color="blue">
WDW: December 2000!
Disneyland: 1981, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1995, 1997, 1999
 
Bumping up the thread to help some of our new posters :)

<img width = "200" SRC = "http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/judyfromboise/flowers.gif"> What lies behind us
and what lies before us
are tiny matters
compared to what lies within us -Emerson
 


It's really DL vs Magic Kingdom. If you are used to going to the Magic Kingdom, DL will be very similar, but yes, I agree with most the folks here that it is the better version, save for the castle (imho).

I didn't have time to read all the posts so I don't know whether anyone else mentioned it, but Space Mountain is definitely better at DL. You can sit beside the person you are riding with rather than in front or back. This is especially important if you are going with a child who sort of wants to go but is a bit timid about it. (We really worried when they strapped our 6 year old into the front seat of one of the "rockets" at MK! -- he loved it though!)

Otherwise, whether you decide to try DL should depend on how big a part of your visit to WDW is enjoyed at the Magic Kingdom since there is no Epcot, Animal Kingdom, etc. in CA. Of course, this is an excellent year to try DL with the opening of DCA. This promises to be something that will definitely make the DL experience unique!

Happy vacationing, whatever you decide! :cool: :cool: :cool:

Toodles
WDW 79, 83, 99
DL 91, 92, 93, 95
 
Well, this is obviously a matter of personal choice. We easterners who habitually go to WDW see it as a great thing, which it is, and you folks out west think DL is the tops. I will say this , Walt learned from his errors in land mansgement in Anaheim and really kept WDW as aa entitty away from "civilization" where he could build and build etc. DL is quaint and charming and I loved it the only time I was there, but it is in the middle of many hotels, restaurants and generally what Disney strives to make you forget. What this old fella remembers is that Fantasmic was greater at DL as was Small World. I will see in May and know I will be impressed, which is something for a 53 year old man!
 
I am bumping this up as we have a lot of new posters planning 1st time trips ! :)

valentine.gif

What lies behind us
and what lies before us
are tiny matters
compared to what lies within us -Emerson
 


We just returned from our first trip to DL a few weeks ago so I am going through Disney depression!! I have been to WDW about 10 times but DL was fantastic!! I agree with a previous post-DL is so charming. From the main entrance throughout the entire park everything is a little smaller and closer together which I thought gave it a cozier feeling. I loved Fantasyland-Small World was just beautiful. Our daughter loved ToonTown. We spent three days at the park and were able to enjoy things that we are usually too rushed to see at WDW. Maybe because it was 10 degrees when we left PA and haven't seen a flower in months but I thought the landscaping was especially nice. I have to admit when we drove in on the freeway and was able to see the park I was a little disappointed in it being in the middle of everything. I think WDW being "hidden" adds some magic. But once you in DL you would never know you are a few minutes from the freeway. Well can you tell I loved DL!! My husband is tired of hearing my daughter and I say we want to go back!
 
...because of all of the renewed interest the DL board seems to be getting lately!

<font size=4 color=#FF0066>D°o°die</font>
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March 2001 - WDW Surprise!! (Disney Institute & Dixie Landings)
March 2001 - Our first trip to Disneyland!! (Grand Californian)
March 2000 - WDW (All Star Music)
May 1998 - WDW (Dixie Landings)
March 1997 - WDW (Dixie Landings)
May 1996 - WDW (Dixie Landings)
March 1995 - WDW (Dixie Landings)
March 1994 - WDW (Honeymoon! Dixie Landings)

 
I'm giving this a bump for our first time planners :)

<img width="200" src="http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/judyfromboise/easter.gif">

 
It's just that I have been to DL so many times that it set the standard for me. Just like it has been said many time above, there is just some extra magic or memories at DL. For me the MK just doesn't have the same feel. The place it its home is in Fantasyland and Small World. There is just something about the clock on Small World, the plant animals that must feels so magical. There are more rides in Fantasyland at DL (above post have done a great job) and the theming at DL is just more kid friendly to me.
I am a big fan of Epcot, Disney Studios and the Animal Kingdom but to go and be that kid again, it is Disneyland! And I think Walt's touch has lasted well at DL.


:) BAS
 

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