WL or DCL or Disneyland or Hawaii!!

[*Fantasia*]

I have WL-Courtyard reserved for Feb 12-19. But I was toying about taking another Disney cruise for 4 nights and then stay 2 nights at WL after the cruise. Or I was thinking of maybe visiting Maui again for 5 nights. Then there's your Disneyland in Cali. My kids never been to Cali...

What would be your choice? Or do you have any suggestions. My kids are 8 and will be 6 when we go. I want to get away from this freezing overcast weather!

Or how about trying the west side of Florida and stay on the beach? Or the east side like maybe Miami or Ft Lauderdale or Palm Beach?
__________________

 

[Aisling]

I like the Disneyland idea. I've never been to Cali either, and would love trying out the Grand Californian. Or even the original Disneyland resort, I can't think of the name, but it's onsite. The only negative is that Disneyland may seem like not much after being in WDW!

 

[*Fantasia*]

I know I was thinking about that. I might get dissapointed because there is no comparisson that WDW is better..in my opinion. Thanks for sharing...

What would you pick..please share your thoughts! Thanks!

 

[jel0511]

We're going to Disneyland next year, and I'm actually looking forward to it. All of my research states, that if you plan on going for 9 - 10 days, WDW is the place to go. If you plan on gonig for around 4 - 5 days, then Disneyland is the place to go. The reason is that Disneyland is just as good (if not better because it's the original) and with the smaller scope of the resort, much easier to accomplish in a few days time. Now, I have to admit our DL stop is part of a much larger trip (note signature) so it's not our only destination. Hawaii is just so far away, that unless you plan going for two weeks, it's just not worth it, IMO. Being the WDW freak I am, I'm actually excited about going to DL and can't wait to go! It's going to be a big adventure for us, and something new too.

 

[chasbos]

My family is looking into Hawaii for next year! We are doing the Disney Cruise this year and I have been looking at Hawaii prices and they are quite reasonable considering what we are spending to go on a 4 day cruise!

I would personally opt for Hawaii if that is a choice! Definitely warmer than Florida and you are not going to get snowed on!

 

[westjones]

We went to Disneyland this year (DH had a conference in California). We enjoyed it a lot. It isn't WDW, but there are some neat things there that aren't at WDW. We actually got to ride a Segway! That was the coolest! It was free too! We just had to wait in line and sign some papers (there is an age min,, either 16 or 18).

One thing I really liked is that everything is pretty close together, so I didn't feel like I was walking as much. The California park is right across from Disneyland, no cars or anything to avoid, you just walk over to which ever park you want to go to.

They had a really nice exhibit that we enjoyed at the California Park that showed how animation is made (we could record our voices into a film clip, and many other things--they really should have this exhibit at MGM at WDW, my kids loved it).

The stage show, Snow White, was cute. We also enjoyed the Fantasmic show in the evening.

The ticket prices were less than WDW too, so that is a plus. We found a great little hotel (recommended from the DIS Disneyland Board people) called the Candy Cane Inn. We could just walk to and from the park along the sidewalk (they did have a shuttle van you could take if you wanted and we did take it when we were tired). They had breakfast in the mornings too. So you can stay in walking distance of the parks for a very reasonable price (we paid $79/night during spring break).

Anyway, we like DL, but we do like WDW better.

DJ

 

[pppiglet]

I personally would pick Hawaii! I go to DL all the time. But I think your kids would have more fun at DL. Plus California Adventure and Downtown Disney are right there and you would probably enjoy those quite a bit. Of course Hawaii would be warmer!

Debbie

 

[Lil1062]

Hi
We went to Disneyland for Spring Break last year (April 04)
DH, me, dd (15), ds (11)
and had a BLAST -
we spent alot of time comparing rides, etc - but we didn't feel that the park was too small
I would go again - but not too soon as we covered almost every inch of the park

we found a 5 day ticket special online thru Disneyland official site under Hot Deals (or something like that) for only $129 and it included $10 in ESPN money
the parks are across from each other and Downtown Disney is in walking distance
we did a side trip of Hollywood and saw John Travolta and Uma Thurman, and another trip to Universal Hollywood

Good Luck deciding!!!
Lil

 

[chrisn]

So my vote is for Maui! The perfect solution would be to fly into LA a couple days early and hit DL/DCA then fly to Maui and Relax. We did this back in 2003 when we spent 9 days at Disney then 5 in Playa Del Carmen. It was wonderful! This February we are trying another first. 9 Days in Disney then 4 nights on the Wonder. I'd do something different, especially if you've just gotten off the Wonder.

 

[westjones]

Hi
We went to Disneyland for Spring Break last year (April 04)
DH, me, dd (15), ds (11)
and had a BLAST -
we spent alot of time comparing rides, etc - but we didn't feel that the park was too small
I would go again - but not too soon as we covered almost every inch of the park

we found a 5 day ticket special online thru Disneyland official site under Hot Deals (or something like that) for only $129 and it included $10 in ESPN money
the parks are across from each other and Downtown Disney is in walking distance
we did a side trip of Hollywood and saw John Travolta and Uma Thurman, and another trip to Universal Hollywood

Good Luck deciding!!!
Lil

I wonder if we were there at the same time! How funny! We got those same tickets: 5 days for $129 plus $10 in ESPN money (the kids used this for the games at the ESPN place at Downtown Disney while DH and I sat and rested). I thought this was a fantastic deal considering what we pay to go to WDW.

We really enjoyed both parks, and our try on the Segways was the highlight of our trip!

DJ

 

[Beth8266]

Took my then 7 and 5 yo DD to DL and CA and we loved it. My sister is in LA so we stay with her. thier fav was having dinner at CA and eating at Ariels Grotto. It's a charcter meal and of course Ariel was there. Great meal too!! They cant wait to go back to DL!!

 

[slabeaume]

I suppose the kids would enjoy DW better, but my personal vote would be Hawaii. You mentioned having been to Maui (I think)---have you thought of giving Kauai a try? THat's our #1 vacation spot!

 

[jfis1020]

Here's my two cents.....

I love WDW and DCL no doubt, but those are pretty "attainable" and "affordable" for us due to location.

I have been to DL, but not in years. We are planning a trip in July with a DCL on the west coast. I think DL is going to be great too.

But, one thing that sticks out in my mind that might be interesting........my parents used to go to Maui in February (that's the time you are vacationing, right?). That is the rainy season in Hawaii, but it is also when the whales are in Hawaii!!! What an awesome experience! Your kids would love seeing whales right in the ocean!


Just a thought!

 

[tvguy]

Sorry, I'm a Disney nut. It's Disneyland's 50th birthday, and the special events start THIS Saturday. Disneyland all the way. You can go to Hawaii anytime, but there will be only one 50th birthday celebration.
BTW, my first trip to Disneyland was for the 10th birthday.....and somehow have managed to make it every 5 years ever since. Not sure if we'll make it this year (kid about to start college), but I hope so.

 

[pppiglet]

I heard that the 50th specials don't start til May 5th. Do you have a list of things that start this weekend? I would really like a copy of it or maybe you could put a link to it here. I have a pass and would really like to take advantage of it this year.

 

[disneygatorfan]

have the kids been to Hawaii?? I don't know... I absolutely love DCL and WDW... but I might take Hawaii... but I have never been there so, not sure how they would compare.

 

[mickeyfanmom]

We have been to all three places that you have mentioned. WDW is the most fun for small children by far. (You didn't list the ages of your children, but if those are recent pics, I'm assuming that they are under 10, am I right?)

But if you have already been to WDW, then Disneyland is fun. Disney's California Adventure park is fun but do realize that it is a "seaside carnival type" of atmosphere without a ton of thrill rides. But "Soarin'" and "California Screamin'" are both awesome rides and DL now has a ToT too! Plus there are many things to do for kids in that area of California and then down in the San Diego area, including Legoland which is specifically for younger kids, Seaworld, the San Diego zoo, harbor tours, Old Town (yes we did drive some and do all of these places in one trip) Knott's Berry Farm etc. We had a blast!

While Hawaii is gorgeous and fun, some of it may be lost on small children. Our favorite places in Hawaii are the road to Hana in Maui which may be kind of long and boring for kids, Volcanoes Nat'l Park on Hawaii which may seem kind of desolate and boring for kids, Diamond Head on Oahu which may be kind of a long hike and possibly not thrilling for kids, and hiking through the flower trail on Kauai, which again may not be thrilling for kids. But the Polynesian cultural center would be cool for kids and also the many shows- but you could just go to the Poly at Disney and book a luau and not have to fly so far!

So I guess my bottom line is that your best bet would be WDW, but if you have already done that do DL and book an "adults-only" trip to Hawaii or wait until the kids are teens to do Hawaii again! IMHO only of course!

 

[tvguy]

I heard that the 50th specials don't start til May 5th. Do you have a list of things that start this weekend? I would really like a copy of it or maybe you could put a link to it here. I have a pass and would really like to take advantage of it this year.

I stand corrected. The advertising campaign for the 50th starts during the Tournament of Roses parade, the events start May 5.