we love WDW... would we be disappointed with DL?

[LucyDingo]

You will. At least I do.

I love sitting on a bench in the hub next to Partner’s statue listening to the Main Street music loop and just watching people enjoy their day. Same with just sitting and listening to Snow White sing out of her wishing well. I really love watching the characters interact with guests, so watching the Mad Hatter and Alice play musical chairs at the Coke Corner really makes me smile. I enjoy watching the Disneyland Band play in front of the castle with Mary Poppins and Bert or right at the entrance in front of the floral Mickey.

But it’s hard to say, because what I enjoy as someone who grew up with Disneyland and someone who holds a sentimental value towards Disneyland, what I enjoy might be completely different to someone who feels the same way about WDW and visa versa.

I essentially grew up with WDW (three trips there as a child.) And I didn't go to Disneyland until I was 23 years old. But I think I probably enjoy a lot of the same things at DL that you do. It's a wonderful place.

I think it really just depends on the type of person you are. People like different things. Not everyone is going to like DLR and not everyone is going to like WDW. But if you're a Disney park fan...I think it's worth it to at least try every park once. I'd love to go to HK Disney some day!

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

I essentially grew up with WDW (three trips there as a child.) And I didn't go to Disneyland until I was 23 years old. But I think I probably enjoy a lot of the same things at DL that you do. It's a wonderful place.

I think it really just depends on the type of person you are. People like different things. Not everyone is going to like DLR and not everyone is going to like WDW. But if you're a Disney park fan...I think it's worth it to at least try every park once. I'd love to go to HK Disney some day!

ITA!! I just texted DBF right now and said "I think I want to go to WDW soon?"

I really really badly want to go to Disneyland Toyko. Like baaad!!!!

 

[LucyDingo]

ITA!! I just texted DBF right now and said "I think I want to go to WDW soon?"

I really really badly want to go to Disneyland Toyko. Like baaad!!!!

Have you been to WDW before?

I think Tokyo Sea or whatever it's called looks cool.

 

[RevBob]

We are typically WDW people, since we live in Ohio and it WDW is easier to get to for us. However, because of a mix up in business meeting locations in Nov., my adult daughter and I was able to go to DLR for four days. Here is my response that I submitted to another podcast about our trip: Say you were talking to a Disney World fan club (or in this case me and my family). What positive things about Disneyland would you say to encourage them to visit Disneyland (assume they visit WDW all the time but have never seen Disneyland)?
They are two entirely different experiences. While they have some of the same attractions and rides, there are some that are only at DLR that aren’t at WDW. (Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Indian Jones Adventure, Monster’s Inc-Mike and Sully to the Rescue, and the Matterhorn Bobsleds, to name a few.
Of the identical rides, some are better at DLR and vice a versa.
(IN MY OWN OPINION)
At DLR:
Pirates is much better.
Space Mountain is so, so much better.
Finding Nemo Sub Ride is much better than the Nemo Ride at the Living Seas in Epcot.
RIDES BETTER AT WDW:
Splash Mountain
Big Thunder RailRoad
Tower of Terror
HOWEVER, DL has the ORIGINAL “Enchanted Tiki Room”, without any of this “Under New Management” business!
DLR is much smaller, so there is not as much walking involved. All in all it is different enough to make it an entirely different type of experience one gets at WDW. While most of the time we will be vacationing at WDW because it is closer for us and because of our DVC, I am looking forward to a return trip this summer back to DLR when my wife and I will be out in the LA area for national conference.

Will also add that Magic Mornings at DL are so much better than EMH at WDW. On the Saturday of our stay, we were in the park one hour before it opened to the general public, and before lunch we were able to do 17 rides, the majority of them were walk-ons. This was the first Saturday of the Holiday Activities and Events, so that night the park was packed.

Go for it, DLR is an experience that you shouldn't miss. Have a great time.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

I don't know...I really LOVE feeling immersed at WDW. It's one of my favorite things about a WDW trip. But I still LOVE Disneyland trips just as much. I like the size of Cinderella castle. but I like the color and detail of Sleeping Beauty's castle.

I also love feeling completely immersed at WDW. It makes me forget about the "real world" for a short while. And with the large size of the whole resort, it does really feel like a WORLD!

Let me clarify a bit here about my immersion and castle comment. There are plenty of people who can enjoy and love both Disney park complexes. I'm one of them. I love both the grandeur of Cinderella Castle, and the intimate charm of Sleeping Beauty Castle, which Walt deliberately built smaller because medevial castles were used to intimidate the lower classes and Walt wanted none of that.

You can love both places in different ways as many people do. My comment is directed more at those who must have the total immersion, not those who enjoy the total immersion. Many people who love Disney in general will be happy at both places, noting what they think one does better than the other and vice versa, but still enjoying both.

If the total immersion is a make or break thing for anyone, then they will probably find themselves disappointed in Disneyland. I also love the total immersion of WDW, but it doesn't make Disneyland less special to me. For some people, the total immersion is a must. Each person needs to know what they (and family) are looking for in order to make the best decision for them. And that means educating themselves about what each complex has to offer.

 

[HydroGuy]

All of these fabulous things make MY vacation enjoyable... and I haven't even stepped into a park yet. Will I get that kind of enjoyment at DLR? Like I said, I do like the different attractions, parades, etc... but for me, that isn't the only thing that makes a Disney vacation a good one.

If the total immersion is a make or break thing for anyone, then they will probably find themselves disappointed in Disneyland. I also love the total immersion of WDW, but it doesn't make Disneyland less special to me. For some people, the total immersion is a must. Each person needs to know what they (and family) are looking for in order to make the best decision for them. And that means educating themselves about what each complex has to offer.

I tend to agree with SK here. DLR's strengths tend to be inside the parks, and the best part about the area outside the parks is that it is so easy to get to the parks.

For people who have WDW set up as the ideal Disney vacation, with the strongly themed hotels and restaurants, and all of the entertainment options outside the parks, DLR will appear a poor substitute.

HOWEVER

As I have posted previously in this thread DLR does have strengths over WDW. It would be a shame for people to miss these strengths because DLR must conform to WDW somehow.

OP Chris is asking some very good questions, and my answer is you will probably not get many of the enjoyments at DLR that you value at WDW. But you will likely get others at DLR you cannot get at WDW that you never knew you were missing.

 

[perlster]

I can't forget that it was much easier to get into Disneyland until a certain entity was built on the parking lot.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

As HG noted, I think people really need to examine the strengths of the DLR and decide if those strengths are something that they're looking for in a vacation.

 

[34dukeofearl]

when is the cars attraction set to be finished---thinking for planning for 2010

 

[Sleepless Knight]

2012. World of Color(nightime water spectacular in DCA) is rumored to be opening in 2010.

 

[HydroGuy]

when is the cars attraction set to be finished---thinking for planning for 2010

It is discussed in the link I gave earlier:

http://micechat.com/forums/disneyla...-california-adventure-project-tracker-ii.html

Cars Land opens in 2012.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Chris: I think it can be very immersive to be at Disneyland. I think staying onsite helps, but if you stay near DL, as in walking distance, right there on Harobr that helps too. Because even though you walk across a busy city street to get to your hotel, its still so close to DL that you can see the parks from many of the rooms at the various hotels there on Harbor. The Hojo is very pretty, nicely landscaped and has view rooms which help add to the magic.

I share a lot of your "loves" when it comes to WDW. I enjoy the various resorts, themes, beaches, the water parks and just that completely out of world experience at WDW. But at DL I get much the same feeling inside the park with the Walt factor. I enjoy sitting at the Riverbelle Terrace early in the morning, knowing Walt did that same exact thing many a morning with his coffee and brother Roy. Disneyland has lots of touches that make it very immersive that aren't about attractioins per se, but rather about theme and history. I also love Epcot and AK, but have to say, the incredible live shows and nighttime entertainment of DL is hard to beat. Its like each park has an equal amounts of pros (WDW vs. DL), you just have to nail down what pros are deal makers vs. deal breakers for your trip! I do tend to think going peak season is good for a WDW regular. Since DL winds down hours, shows, fireworks and kills the Electrical Parade during the off season, to me its better to go when things are at full throttle. Knowing WDW as you do, you know to get to the parks at opening and how to use fp which makes even the most crowded days still doable. I just tend to find the refurbishments to many and the shows too few to go in the off seasons anymore at DL.

I also think the DTD in DL runs circles around the one in WDW. If I lived locally in Southern California, I would go to that DTD to shop and dine. If I lived in Orlando, I probably wouldn't. DTD in Anaheim feels more upscale to me vs. the tourist trap feel of th DTD in WDW. I also miss the various live musical acts that DL's DTD has. The three onsite hotels also have some very good dining options and the Disneyland Hotel has lovely grounds to explore and enjoy, including koi ponds and remote control jungle cruise boats. Its not like being at say the Poly, but its still really pretty.

Its hard for me to say yay or nay to your possibly going to Disneyland but I have to say, I have been to DL and WDW around 12 times each in the past five years and never one time, when I am at one, do I miss the other. I do think at DL, its imperative to not be driving in the L.A. traffic or even messing with the ART shuttle. Stay near DL, where you can just walk to and from the parks, there are plenty of choices. Because if you have to drive and you have to mess with that parking garage, I think your trip will be far less enjoyable!

 

[jlima]

I have been to DL and WDW around 12 times each in the past five years and never one time, when I am at one, do I miss the other.

I REALLY missed the DL Space Mountain when I was on the MK Space mountain!!!

 

[LucyDingo]

I REALLY missed the DL Space Mountain when I was on the MK Space mountain!!!

MK's Space Mountain is terrible. When I was little, I was always afraid to go on it. So when I finally made it back to WDW as an adult, I tried it. It was not good. I was so used to the one at DL (which is fantastic.)

 

[KCmike]

If at WDW wouldn't you miss:
all of fantasyland at DL?
space mountain?
pirates?
the real fantasmic?
indy?
remember dreams come true?
2 min. park hopping?
and the list goes on and on.......

 

[LucyDingo]

If at WDW wouldn't you miss:
all of fantasyland at DL?
space mountain?
pirates?
the real fantasmic?
indy?
remember dreams come true?
2 min. park hopping?
and the list goes on and on.......

True. But there are things I, personally, miss about WDW when I'm at Disneyland.

 

[CoolPool]

OP: I live not far from DL but I'll always like WDW a bit more because of the immersion. If you can afford it; please stay at the Grand Cal onsite. Its the only hotel that won't let you down in the area. Possibly you could stay at the DLH but its not roof-to-walkways "themed" so it might not meet your expectations as much.

I would not do a whole week or so. I'd say the whole DL experience tops out at about 3-4 days. After that, its into a rental car to figure out something else to look at. Now SoCal has a lot to see so its not a disaster, but it might not be that restful/laid-back experience of "leave everything to the Mouse."

 

[DoomBugger]

Both are great in their own similiar yet different ways. Part of the fun is experiencing both.

If you like originals go to DLR, if you prefer knock-offs check out WDW.

 

[LucyDingo]

Both are great in their own similiar yet different ways. Part of the fun is experiencing both.

If you like originals go to DLR, if you prefer knock-offs check out WDW.

What about EPCOT and Animal Kingdom? I don't think I'd consider them knock-off's of anything from Disneyland.

 

[DoomBugger]

What about EPCOT and Animal Kingdom? I don't think I'd consider them knock-off's of anything from Disneyland.

True Lucy, I love both of those parks and you could argue that DCA is a knock-off of the other WDW parks.

The centerpieces are MK and DL and that is where my knock-off statement isderived. Don't get me wrong, I like MK for many reasons like Liberty Square, Haunted Manor, PeopleMover, etc. but it is a recreation of the original, the one and only DL park.

If you were to take just the parks and compare them for what they have to offer (not what is around them) I think Anaheim's DL is by far the best single park for it's history, density and high amount of attractions.