"Why can't I quit you, Disneyland?"

[YukonMommy]

Hello Northern Neighbor I live in the Yukon Territories so I get where you are coming from!

We always keep going back to Disneyland because its closer, cheaper, and most importantly its like going home!

For my 50th in 10 years Hubby has promised me a trip to DW (just the two of us)...but he always laughs and says we will end up in DL!

 

[Dvc808]

Family and I just returned from WDW past week and loved it. We have been to DL several times and enjoy it but WDW blew us away. Perhaps because it wasn't very crowded, weather was perfect. Stayed at 3 resorts that we liked. Transportation was excellent.
I was just saying to wife that DL might not be the same after that trip. It just costs too much for us to travel to orlando as we live in hawaii. Might be able to do another florida trip but still will do DL as it is easier and we like doing other things in Cali.

 

[yupikgal]

Wow good to know there are so many like us that keep going back to DL over and over! FYI..we have been to Orlando 3 times, but the last time was in 2003. The first 2 times, it was just with our daughter when she was 10.5 months, and a little over 2 years old, then the last time was when our kids were 8 and 11. I know we would enjoy it, it's not that I think we wouldn't. Since we haven't been for so many years, so much has changed, the fastpass system, for one. There's something to be said for the old paper tickets! Trying to figure out which resort to stay at, where we would eat, which parks we would go to on what day, and the transportation, WHEW! Wears me out just thinking of it!!

A good part of our reluctance is the time and energy it takes to fly down. If we left on a red-eye, we wouldn't get there until 5p Florida time. Actually, my husband and I would have to leave even earlier, because we live an 1.5 hr jet ride away from Anchorage. I was already thinking I would want to overnight in Seattle just to break up the trip into reasonable lengths of time. I just remember the last time we were there, we went straight to our hotel, ordered pizza, and went to bed, we were exhausted! Also, the humidity can be hard on us if it's hot, although it is great for our brittle Alaskan skin!

One part of me wants to go for it and try something new, but the other thing is, DL is normally one part of our trip, we also like to venture out and do other things in So. Cal, so it's never the same! We love San Diego too, and Vegas, so who knows? Love to be near the beaches. Our daughter already said she would go back to California in a heartbeat, we all love it there!!

It's so easy for dining reservations there, and the pace never seems as rigid as I have a feeling WDW would be-especially since we would want to "see it all" since we probably wouldn't go back for a while after this one.

If the distance was the same to both parks, I'm sure we would have gone to WDW a lot more, just for variety-but DL definitely is our FAV park!! It's so magical, quaint, familiar, LOVE DCA too, my new fav ride...RSR (no surprise!)
Whichever one we end up going to, I'm sure we will be as happy as pigs in you know what!!

Thanks for all your opinions, suggestions, stories and reasons why you love DL too!! Long Live Walt!!!

 

[love2go2disney2]

I grew up in Alabama, so our family made a couple trips to WDW. My first trip was in 1992, and I have loved Disney since then. I have had 6 trips to WDW and the last one was in 2005 with my hubby. We have been in the Phoenix valley since, 2006 and our first trip to DL was in 2007. Since then, we have made 14 trips to DL. I told my husband I would like to go back to WDW, however, then we would have to miss Disneyland for over 1 year, ( to save for WDW). But we just can not do it, we love Disneyland!! We are looking forward to Celebrating Disneyland 60th!!

 

[yupikgal]

Hard part is-after talking it over with our daughter, she doesn't want to go until early 2017, wants to wait until after she actually graduates. Makes sense, I guess! That's a long time off!! Does anyone here plan that far ahead? Also, I've been in mid Feb before, but not January-which is better??

 

[Davidthedfactor]

I agree with most of the people here, but I'm in a totally opposite circumstance. I live in South Carolina so I'm about a 5-6 hour drive from WDW, where it's about a 5 hour flight to Disneyland...having said that I just can't get into the WDW thing. Don't get me wrong...I am a hardcore Disney fanatic, and WDW is great, I'd certainly much rather go there than 6 flags or something, and I have been known to randomly wake up at 3 am and take an Impromptu drive down to Orlando for the day - but when I want to really scratch a Disney itch the only thing that can satisfy me is a trip to Disneyland.


My family being from California meant that I was able to go to Disneyland once or twice a year growing up, so even on the east coast Disneyland was my "home" park. I don't know...WDW just doesn't feel the same at all, and I always leave wishing that I had been to Disneyland instead. Planning a trip to Disneyland is a major operation now...and I am lucky to be able to financially pull it off once a year. Disneyland feels like an event to me, where WDW just kinda feels like something to do. I hope this doesn't come off harsh to any WDW fans here...just my honest opinion.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

I know the feeling. We want to save up for a big trip to WDW when the kids are all old enough to fly that far. We live in CA. I went to WDW once for my 16th birthday. It was amazing. I want that for my kids. But...We love DL way too much! I'm never going to save the money for a trip across the country when we can't stop buying annual passes and scheduling overnight trips in our own backyard.

I think it's the nostalgia...or maybe there's just something special about Disneyland being the original. I don't know.

 

[TheDoleWhipper]

I would LOVE to get a chance to go to WDW! We have never been to DL either, but we have an upcoming trip planned for DLR in June. So glad I finally get to experience the disney magic for the first time in my life! It's kind of funny, because we are on the east coast, and you would have thought that we probably would have gone to WDW before DL. But my parents think that disney resorts are the stereotypical "theme parks", and they didn't even want to go to DL in the first place (they are doing it just for my brother and I). I wish that they would understand that disney is so much more than crowds, heat, rude workers, and lame mid-way rides and games! I feel so jealous of those who live super close and get to visit WDW and DLR several times each year! One day, when I'm older, I will be sure to plan a super big trip to all the disney resorts in the world! I am sure I will love DL, but I wish I could get a chance to visit WDW too!

 

[Disneyluvr2]

I would LOVE to get a chance to go to WDW! We have never been to DL either, but we have an upcoming trip planned for DLR in June. So glad I finally get to experience the disney magic for the first time in my life! It's kind of funny, because we are on the east coast, and you would have thought that we probably would have gone to WDW before DL. But my parents think that disney resorts are the stereotypical "theme parks", and they didn't even want to go to DL in the first place (they are doing it just for my brother and I). I wish that they would understand that disney is so much more than crowds, heat, rude workers, and lame mid-way rides and games! I feel so jealous of those who live super close and get to visit WDW and DLR several times each year! One day, when I'm older, I will be sure to plan a super big trip to all the disney resorts in the world! I am sure I will love DL, but I wish I could get a chance to visit WDW too!

If you're sure you'll love DL, you will...just as those who are sure they won't, don't. It's all in your attitude so I'm sure you'll have a great time! I hope your parents see how much fun you and your brother are having and choose to have a great time too. Maybe you can teach them a little Disneyland history before your trip and then they'll realize DL is not your stereotypical theme park. It was a park built by a father for his daughters and other families to enjoy together, and it has so much history...unlike those other theme parks. Have a great 1st trip, TheDoleWhipper!!

 

[TheDoleWhipper]

If you're sure you'll love DL, you will...just as those who are sure they won't, don't. It's all in your attitude so I'm sure you'll have a great time! I hope your parents see how much fun you and your brother are having and choose to have a great time too. Maybe you can teach them a little Disneyland history before your trip and then they'll realize DL is not your stereotypical theme park. It was a park built by a father for his daughters and other families to enjoy together, and it has so much history...unlike those other theme parks. Have a great 1st trip, TheDoleWhipper!!

Thank you so much!

 

[Eddygirl]

I've been to WDW. It's probably worth doing once, but I much prefer DL. But, I'd go to Orlando just for Universal!

This is me!!! We went to DW this past May. We had a blast.... But I do not have a need to go back soon. For me it was a once and done thing. However we are planing another trip in either 2016 or 2017...... Just so we can go back to Universal and see the Harry Potter expansion. We of course will go to DW too for a week or so.

I like how compact DLR is. I really like not having to preplan every hour of everyday 6 months out!! We like the GN hotel we stay at (a 15 min walk away) and I like park hopping back and forth. I feel like a week of vacation at DL is lots of time and we can take our time and relax. 1 week in Orlando would be a rushed trip for us.

 

[cp11]

It makes me so excited to hear I am not the only way that feels this way. We start to plan a WDW trip, then end up scrapping plans and heading back to DL. I keep telling my husband some day we will end up there, but I'm starting to wonder. I always feel so overwhelmed by the planning and I can quickly book my DL trip without even breaking a sweat. lol

Maybe we will try for daughter's college graduation. That was the original plan for her HS grad and we ended up scrapping plans and spending 14 days in Cali instead!

 

[gottalovepluto]

I find this to be such an interesting thread. We've started looking at WDW trips a couple times but by the time we added in airfare it could have choked a horse. We looked at staying off site but that was going to be so much work. And the second time we looked we began to understand just how long we would have to go in order not to feel really stressed time wise. On one trip to DL we met a family who told us they go to WDW for 2 weeks & we thought they sounded crazy- joke was on us when we did more research. We keep going back to DL every couple years & while we want to see WDW we just keep ending back at DL & love it every trip!

 

[luulu1999]

WDW is actually closer and probably cheaper for us but I just love DL!! We are going a 4 day weekend to WDW it is our first trip for Halloween because it is impossible for us to make it to DL for Halloween and I have always wanted to go but then next year we are hopefully going back to DL for another "last trip"

 

[yupikgal]

I love reading everyone's perspectives and experiences!
Thanks for solidifying in my mind that DLR is the greatest park ever!

We will go to DLR in 2017 and love every minute of it. I just read on FB that they are planning on going to a FP system similar to WDW, I sure hope not!

I love to plan in advance, but 2 years? It's going to be a tough one! In the meantime, I need to finish my TR from our November trip and get it posted!!

 

[Belledisney]

We have the same issue. We could get to WDW So easy being on the east coast but I just can't seem to stop going to DL I think because in from cali and I have a pass but I just would 100 percent rather go over to DL even if it means flying across the county. We're going next month. I can't wait. Woo.

 

[AmberStar]

On one trip to DL we met a family who told us they go to WDW for 2 weeks & we thought they sounded crazy- joke was on us when we did more research.

Every time I hear of someone going to WDW for at minimum 10-14 days my eyes bulge out of my head. My husband has a hard enough time getting 5 consecutive days off. Plus the added cost of airfare for a family of 5 and being a must to stay onsite. And the cost of food for 10-14 days!!! ugh... sounds pricy. I've never looked in to the total price for a stay at WDW... I'm not sure I want too without having a defibrillator close by.

 

[mrsbicewdw]

Every time I hear of someone going to WDW for at minimum 10-14 days my eyes bulge out of my head. My husband has a hard enough time getting 5 consecutive days off. Plus the added cost of airfare for a family of 5 and being a must to stay onsite. And the cost of food for 10-14 days!!! ugh... sounds pricy. I've never looked in to the total price for a stay at WDW... I'm not sure I want too without having a defibrillator close by.

It's true that for many people to have a trip "worth it" to WDW it has to be long. The least amount of days I would do would be eight. Hence why we are doing DLR for the first time this year! 1) you can cover both parks in three days, plus two for travel - 5 day trip. That is doable for my husband's work. 2) it's more compact and less walking for little feet and we have little kids. 3) we would have to spend twice as much and stay twice as long for WDW which just isn't in our plans right now. We would rather be able to camp all summer and go to another city and all that + DLR. If we did WDW we would have to do ONLY that.

All that said, I love WDW. It's a little world all on its own and my home park. But I am beyond excited to see DLR.

 

[DahliaRW]

It's true that for many people to have a trip "worth it" to WDW it has to be long. The least amount of days I would do would be eight. Hence why we are doing DLR for the first time this year! 1) you can cover both parks in three days, plus two for travel - 5 day trip. That is doable for my husband's work. 2) it's more compact and less walking for little feet and we have little kids. 3) we would have to spend twice as much and stay twice as long for WDW which just isn't in our plans right now. We would rather be able to camp all summer and go to another city and all that + DLR. If we did WDW we would have to do ONLY that.

All that said, I love WDW. It's a little world all on its own and my home park. But I am beyond excited to see DLR.

We did 5 at WDW and it was enough for us. We got through everything we were interested in at the satellite parks in one day each (honestly, half a day would have been more than enough for HS). MK is the only one I'd spend more than a day in. As it was, we did spend 2 in Epcot instead because we had to go back to meet Anna and Elsa which was pretty much mandatory according to my then 4yo! The water parks really don't interest us, and we're not ones to just lounge around the resort. I could have done 6 and added in a pool day I suppose, but for the cost per night, probably wouldn't!

We do 5 at DLR every time we go!