Your opinion please...

[TChrist05]

My wife and I will be going to DL for the first time on 8/7...we have been lifelong travelers to Disney World....now that I talk to people they are all telling us we will be very disappointed at DL...the castle is smaller, etc.etc...we are kind of excited because we have never been there and it will be a new adventure....I know that things are much smaller in regards to the size of the parks...but it seems like they do have a lot at the parks regards to nighttime entertainment....what do you think? People are getting us down about it before we get there....and staying at the Disneyland Hotel is exciting although I know I overpaid for the hotel.....need some insightful and positive imput....really...what do you think?
Thanks...Tom

 

[ParkFreak]

I've made many, many trips to WDW, and 2 to DL (well 3 if you count the family trip when I was 3 years old) I think you're going to love Disneyland! Some of the rides are better than at the MK (Pirates, Space Mtn., Tiki Room IMHO, and Buzz from all accounts) And Indy and Roger Rabbit are two unique and wonderful experiences!

The key is enjoying the Magic which DL has in spades. Yes, it's not on the same Grand Scale as the MK, but that's what I liked about it. It offers pretty much the same experiences as far as attractions, but in a more intimate setting. Plus you use a lot less shoe leather there which is a plus in my book! Plus, you can always stop and remember. . .Walt was actually here!

Granted, WDW has 4 parks which offer unique experiences and again, IMHO, DCA is a waste of space, but it's still worth checking out. For the time being, at least it's an uncrowded respite during the busy times of the day at DL.

Anyway, hope I haven't rambled too much and hopefully you are becoming as excited as I am about my trip in October! I can't wait to enjoy Walt's Park during it's big 5-0.

 

[Hermosa11]

Well, I may not be of much help, but I had to reply since you seem to be on the road to disaster if you are drinking in everyone's negative opinions on DL. Here is another thread (just below yours) that might be of interest: DS vs WDW rides
I am a long time visitor to DL and visited WDW for first time last year. Sure, WDW is so much more vast with the different parks in addition to Magic Kingdom. But I have seen WDW experts say how much more quaint DL is! You see some same , yet different rides! The matterhorn will be a new site for you! Sure, the castle is smaller, but how much is this going to be to dwell on with such a grand vacation you are planning? Just drink in the DL experience, realize it is different, yet same. It is the park Walt personally had his hands on developing..........think positive and you will enjoy enjoy and enjoy. Califorinia Adventure is also a park you will be able to enjoy. DL hotel is great!!!! My cousin stayed there just recently and enjoyed it very much. It is just a few minute walk or BAM! you are right at the monorail station into the park! woo hoo! You will enjoy your trip so much. When people start spouting off their opinions, just sort of politely interrupt and say, you will let them now what you think when you return. Or you could say: "Yeah, you're right, how could I possibly consider a trip from NY to California and even think! I could enjoy myself."
enjoy!!!!

 

[kc10family]

Tom, You enjoy your trip to So Cal! Disneyland is smaller, yes, but ever so nice. Stop listening to negative people and after your trip is over you can say wjat ou think of Disneyland. Like or not. But just because I tell you red apples are the only apples you should eat and you want to try the green apples. Tom try the green apples and do it with a smile. HAVE A GREAT TRIP!!

 

[CherCrazy]

We thought DL was great too....after numerous trips to WDW.

Here's the funny thing....

I have friends and relatives who live in California who think of DL as "their" park just as we think of WDW as "our" park. When they visit WDW, they feel that Disney took the best of DL and spread it out over 4 parks. They think that WDW is way too big, considering how DL is so compact.

When we visited DL, we felt that they jammed in all the rides because it is soooo small.

You have to enjoy DL for what it is. The landscaping is just beautiful, and even though the park is smaller, it has many turns hidden by lush landscaping, so that you really can't see what's around the corner.

I really liked the Haunted Mansion in DL better. Pretty much the same on the inside, but different mansion on the outside.

Loved California Adventure. The roller coaster was GREAT!! That's my hair 0 to 30 seconds.

 

[DVC Daisy]

Yeah - what they all said!

Plus - you cannot beat the weather

 

[CalGal]

Yeah - what they all said!

Plus - you cannot beat the weather

August at DL can be pretty warm, but it's generally so much milder than WDW -- Even on the hottest days, mornings and evenings will be very pleasant. The humidity is low and no thunderstorms.

I love WDW, even in August, but DL is fabulous also. Just different. Don't expect it to be just a smaller Disney World. There are several things that DL does not do to the extent that WDW does -- The character meet and greets are not to the same scale, you don't have as many dining options, and you have to leave Disney if you want to golf or go to a waterpark. And it will feel more crowded (especially this 50th year) because DL is not as spread out as Magic Kingdom. But you can emerse yourself in Disney without ever getting on a car or bus, you can experience a lot of great rides, characters, and shows. (Fewer smokers also) Keep an open mind and you can and should have a really great time.

I'll wave to you as we leave after our week's vacation.

 

[allears]

Hey Tom, here's our two cents. We've made a number of awesome trips to Disney World and think the whole experience is fabulous. You can just get lost in the "world" and it is so vast.

We've also been to Disneyland three time, and as you can see are only a week away from a return trip. Yep, Disneyland is different, smaller, set in the middle of a city, but no less magical. In fact, we get a slightly enhanced sense of the magic, being in the orignal place, and as one poster said, Walt was actually there. And this year being the 50th is especially cool. There would be no WDW if DL hadn't been suce a success.

Just go, drink in the experience and enjoy! And heck, it's Disney, what could be bad!

 

[Kaelyn]

i also love disneyland and am looking forward to going back thre for a luxerious four days in october! all the way from mass! as many of the others have said, some of the rides are just better... poc, small world... and then there is the matterhorn, indiana jones, the story book canal and mr. toad still resides there!!!!! i can't wait. and while the dca is not as grand as the ak or epcot, it has a lot to offer. the ferris wheel is the coolest that i have ever been on, the roller coaster is the best, soarin' may be the best disney ride i have eve been on (altho they now have on in fl), and i spent hours in the animation building.

some eating tips: as you walk up main street and turn to go to tomorrowland, just before the turn is a little red wagon selling the best corn dog that you will ever eat. don't even bother with the ones in dca if you eat these one's first. get the family in line for now white and then send one ro two off for corn dogs. and make ps arrangements at the blue bayou and ask for a table by the balcony. it is the only disney restaurant on any property located inside a ride: the poc! and the food is good and reasonble. it is a good, dark, cool, escape from the sun and crowds.

all dl needs to compete with wdw, imho, is a water park and a world showcase. if it weren't for the world showcase at epcot, i would not go back to wdw at all but only got to dl. but alas, the world showcase is the reason that i have gone back.

okay, done babbling!

 

[dcfromva]

Tom,
I have always enjoyed DL for its size. While I love WDW, you really need to spend at least a week there to do it justice. However, you can cover most of the highlights at DCA/DL in 3 days.. This gives you a chance to enjoy some of the other sights in the LA area.

I do not think you are wasting your money by staying at a DL hotel. The Disney accomodations are very comfortable. Our experience (coming from the east coast) is the first couple of days, we generally wake up at 3:30 or 4:30 in the morning--just can't sleep in any later. (The first day is an excellant early entry day--if it is offered ) By mid-day, we take a break from the crowds and the heat back at the hotel so that we can enjoy the evening's entertainment.

As a DL hotel guest, you get to enjoy early entry into the park every day that it is offered (with your park admission ). This is an excellant perk. We were able to ride on SM, Buzz Lightyear (twice) and the Matterhorn all prior to 8am--then, we moved over to Adventureland/Frontierland for park opening. By 11am, we had gone on quite a few attractions. On another early entry day, we rode on the Fantasyland attractions.

Someone already mentioned the WX-- we did so enjoy the weather on our visit last week. It was hot during midday, but the mornings and evenings were sooo nice. We also took a break and visited the beach during the hot part of the day one day--the sea breeze was so pleasant. It was such a huge contrast to the hot/heavy/humid thunderstorm infested weather we had been experiencing at home.

-DC

 

[dcfromva]

I just thought of another cool perk that you get as a Disney Resort guest, you get expedited access to the monorail (inside the park).

-DC

 

[mlshields]

22+ visits to WDW.

First Visited DL in 2003, again in 2005 and again in 2006 - we visited WDW in 2004 and were actually disappointed with WDW!!!

We love the quaintness, Walt feeling you get in DL - not to mention better rides, and Mr. Toads!

Have a great time.......

 

[Amy&Dan]

I am always amazed that people who love WDW trash Disneyland! Just don't get it. The same Disney magic they enjoy at WDW in a more compact, quainter, less humid setting! I think the size thing is so ridiculous, after all size isn't everything! There have been some negative postings lately from WDW vets who are visiting Disneyland for the 50th. There have also been some great, very positive posts, like the ones above, from WDW vets who have been to DL and had a great time! Disneyland has the greatest show IMO, Aladdin and Snow White is pretty wonderful too. The shows at Disneyland are more what I would call a full length show. If you have never seen Aladdin for example, you would enjoy the Aladdin Show at DCA and feel like you saw a story not just an excerpt. Park hopping should be called park walking because it takes about 1 minute to walk from the gate of Disneyland to the gate of DCA. The castle at Disneyland is so pretty and all decked out for the 50th, I don't think you will be disappointed. As far as the Disneyland Hotel, it is our favorite hotel to stay at anywhere. I love walking through DTD on my way to or from the DLH, it beats waiting for the bus or boat at MK after Wishes! It is pricey and I think that is why some people have at times posted negative reviews. The more you spend the more you expect (and rightly so) so there is more room for error. I have always found the CM's at the DLH and Disneyland in general to be very helpful and accomodating. Go with an open mind. I think reviews of Disneyland are like reviews of anything else be it movies or restuarants. They are opinions and only you can make your own review! Have a great trip!

 

[CalGal]

As a DL hotel guest, you get to enjoy early entry into the park every day that it is offered (with your park admission ). This is an excellant perk. We were able to ride on SM, Buzz Lightyear (twice) and the Matterhorn all prior to 8am--then, we moved over to Adventureland/Frontierland for park opening. By 11am, we had gone on quite a few attractions. On another early entry day, we rode on the Fantasyland attractions.

:

Since when did the guests at the on-sight hotels get early entry? I know they used to years ago, but I had heard that since it started up again, EE was only available through the PH plus - -and then, only once. Only one week to test this out!

 

[JonetteA]

I know it kinda freaked me out the first time that I went. I was like "And the castle is where???" But keep in mind that this is the "REAL DEAL" This is the park that Walt built, literally. And good for DL, they have kept the attractions to be the original for the most part. Pirates rocks, the haunted mansion is GREAT!, Small World which (I really don't like that song) is amazing, and the Tiki room is the best! I am going back again, and will be there a few days before you. Just remember that this is the original, you are walking with Walt, and make sure that you pay attention to the light above the firestation. Just make sure to keep all of it in your mind and you won't be disappointed. There is something special about the magic at DL.

 

[TChrist05]

thanks all for all the positives....I kind of feel like a kid in a candy store now....getting excited about it all....and it is nice just thinking of going back and relaxing at the hotel in the afternoon and then a short walk backto the magic.....
thanks again...
Tom

 

[mickey4ver]

An opportunity arose for me to get to go to DL...something I always had wanted to do, cause Walt walked there, Walt built it and I just wanted to BECAUSE...well, I went with the mindset that I probably would not enjoy it as much as my numerous trips to WDW...but off we went.......WE LOVED IT....we are going back for our 3rd trip this fall because life has given us a chance to be out that way again and we are taking the grandkids. So go and enjoy it for what it is, not what others have told you to expect. Yes, it is different, but different in its own way that makes it wonderful!!

Enjoy

 

[dcfromva]

Since when did the guests at the on-sight hotels get early entry?

CalGal,
We took advantage of this last week--the CM at GC told me that it was available to Disney resort guests each day it was offered and that the 1 day early entry on the park hoppers was for the benefit of the good neighbor hotels (or anybody who buys a PH, really).

I believe there was a period of time when they did away with EE completely --it seems like when we visited last year they didn't have it at all. (Or maybe we just didn't try to get in early--I can't remember).

On our most recent visit, we did early entry twice--the second time, we showed our resort ID (the little paper that you use to make room charges) to get in early. All I can say is if it is not a benefit of hotel guests, there are at least two CM's (the CM at the GC and the fellow who let us into the park) that don't know that.


-DC

 

[CalGal]

DC-
Yes, they did do away with EE altogether for a couple of years, and just restarted it this year. In previous years, this perk was available to onsight guests, but reports have been that it was not a perk this year for onsight guests. EE has been reportedly only available for PH plus holders (regardless of where they stayed), and then, only for one EE. You are the first and so far only person I've heard of that has reported getting this perk for staying onsite. I'm guessing they must have just now started extending this perk to onsight guests. You must have brought your pixie dust with you to have been among the first to get multiple EEs during your visit.
Thanks!

 

[CindyT]

We just got back from 4 days at DL, stayed at the Disneyland Hotel. We also have only been to WDW, but we had a fabulous time. California summer weather is the best!! We loved the walk to the parks thru DD and the ease of going from one park to the other. Listening to music in DD, wine at the Trattoria in CA, good food. It is different from WDW, not so massive and less to do, but truly wonderful in its own way. Go, and have a marvelous vacation. We would be happy to answer any questions that we can.