DL: How does it compare? New question! About This Page:

[disneygramma]

So okay, we have made several trips to WDW and now DH says he is "tired" of doing only WDW as a vacation and wants to go soewhere else for a change. (boohoo), BUT he always has talked about going to California (ie, San Diego, Los Angeles etc...) I got to thinking, hmmmm, Anaheim=Disney Land and so I told him that I would willing accept going somewhere else on vacation if he still wants to go to California I would be willing to go there. He was thrilled. Then I hit him with my criteria, we go to DL and DCA and saty on property for a few days. He is seriously considering it. We may have to haggle as he thinks 1 day in each park is enough. So any advise? What can you tell me about DL to help my cause that DL is NOT exactly the same as WDW. What is different there, what other attractions are there. What are not to be missed (for firs timers). HELP ME get to the original Happy Place. Thanks in advance.

I am thakful for the responses new question addedto reply sction

[chezp]

Oh my goodness, where to start? There is so much difference between Disneyland and Walt Disney World. One of the things we loved was that the theming of a lot of the rides seemed a lot better and we adored the California Adventure, especially as we'd been touring the state. This park is especially beautiful at night - Paradise Pier is really something to see all lit up.

Some of the highlights from our trip included:
- Indiana Jones Adventure, you must try this, it's out of this world!
- Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, a lot of fun!
- Pinocchio's Daring Journey, so nice to be able to enjoy this in English, as opposed to French in Disneyland Paris! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img]
- Snow White's Scary Adventures, this is the original scary version. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img]
- the whole New Orleans Square area - I thought this was a lovely part of the park.
- Remember - Dreams Come True - another awesome firework display and well worth seeing.
- Monsters Inc. - this is a really cool ride and I hope that it makes it to some other Disney parks.
- Turtle Talk - we loved the theatre style seating there, much better than WDW.
- Disney's Electrical Parade in the California Adventure

We also really enjoyed the way that the monorail runs into the park and you can board it in Downtown Disney and have your tickets checked there. It's like you're starting your visit into the magic early! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] We also loved the hotels and their theming, particularly the Disneyland Hotel, where we stayed - it's just packed with lovely Disney touches. It's also really cool the way that the parks are just opposite each other - I loved being able to walk from one to the other.

By the way, although the Matterhorn wasn't our thing (too fast and too bumpy [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] ) or the Enchanted Tiki Room (we prefer the WDW version), they're both things that are well worth trying as well. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Definitely give Disneyland a go - there were lots of things that we didn't get time to do and we hope to go back.

[disneygramma]

Thanks, already getting the idea that I could be happy going there. Any more ideas out there passporters?

[SarahJ]

I really don't think you can compare the two and I think I actually ended up liking DLR more than WDW. Afterall, DL is where Walt walked and you can just feel the magic throughout the park. DL is much more intimate than WDW. You can walk everywhere and don't have to rely on busses, boats or monorails to get to any destination.

We loved meeting cast members who had been there for 30 years and chatting with them about the changes, etc.

Pirates at DL is much better than at WDW and is not to be missed. And the entire New Orleans Square area is really well themed and fun. I could have spent an entire day just sitting around this area.

CA is totally different than anything at WDW and the Aladdin show is amazing.

We stayed at the Disneyland Hotel and it was so magical. DDs loved the pool area and breakfast at Goofy's Kitchen.

Lets put it this way, I cannot wait to go back to DLR and do it all over again.

[IdahoDisneyMom]

DL is a classic. Think MK, but bigger and better. There's character there (no pun intended). I agree with Cheryl, it's hard to put DL in a nutshell. If you've never been, and if you're going during a quieter season, I'd give DL 2 days, and DCA one. DL has so many neat things to observe and admire, as well as enjoying the rides and attractions. If you can, go on Mark Twain's steamboat. Ride the monorail, as it takes you around both parks and through DTD as well. Nemo's new ride should be opening up soon, and I'm not sure, but it may be different than WDW's new one. There are so many things to do and see there. We've gone at least once a year since I was a kid, and I never get tired of it!!!

WDW is seriously a "world" in its own, and DL is really a different experience. Once you're there, you feel as if you're in your own little protected world. But the reality is that while DL itself is awesome, you're still in the middle of Anaheim. I hate to say it, but if you're really thinking of going, get the DL Passporter. It'll do a better job of detailing the parks than I can here tonight!!

Find some other places to visit and things to do while you're there. Go to San Diego if you can, it's beautiful and there's lots to do. Go shopping at the Grove in Los Angeles. Go to the Hollywood Bowl and see a show.

Have a fantastic time, and have fun planning!!!

[DebiDebiDebi]

to me, WDW/MK is like going to the big city. Big, exciting, amazing. Going to DLR is like going home...cozy, intimate, inviting. Both are great, both are magical, but really, they are very different.

One day per park would be pretty commando...doable, but not my recommendation. I would suggest 2 per park.

[snoozy]

I can't compare the two parks, I've only been to Disneyland. But, another thing is you will be in area that is filled with other things to do. LA or San Deigo are not that far from Anaheim. Southern CA is full of fun entertainment.

[DopeyGirl]

[ QUOTE ]
to me, WDW/MK is like going to the big city. Big, exciting, amazing. Going to DLR is like going home...cozy, intimate, inviting. Both are great, both are magical, but really, they are very different.

One day per park would be pretty commando...doable, but not my recommendation. I would suggest 2 per park.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree with Debbie on this! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img]

I recommend at least a day and a half to 2 days per park as well! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[BarryH]

This may be minor to some, but a lot of the queues at DL are outside. A lot of the queues at WDW, on the other hand, are inside. It may not mean much to most, but on a hot California day, you might wish the line would move faster!

[MelissaL]

Here are a few pages at allearsnet.com that highlight the differences between Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom:
http://www.allearsnet.com/tp/mk/mk_dl.htm
http://www.allearsnet.com/dlr/tp/dl/dlmk.htm

We have tried to do Disneyland Park in one day twice, and both times we ended up missing a lot, so I'd allot two days. For California Adventure, we were able to do almost everything except the Midway rides in one day (and we didn't try for those rides, so maybe we could have fit them in too).

I will say that if cost is an issue, it is less important to stay on property at Disneyland than at Disney World, because many "off site" hotels are actually walking distance (or a quick shuttle ride) from the parks. That said, there is certainly magic to be found at the onsite hotels that you won't get elsewhere.

Enjoy!
Melissa

[disneygramma]

Weather and crowds questioned:
If we need to choose time in DL based on weather and crowds here are our choices, which is better:
A) Summer time either mid to end of June or anytime in July as I teach school and can't go during regular school times

B) The week Prior to Christmas as it is our Break Time (or Week following Christmas)

So weather wise I get that summer is an oven but how about DEC?
Crowd wise what is what how bd is it so near the holidays?
And $$$ wise is there a big difference in cost of rooms as it seems that holiday time will be best in terms of weather.
Also what about special events would it be best to go in DEC? or are there good events in summer? We really had a fab time in Dec at WDW!

These are all important factors. What are pros and cons of each in YOUR experience? I will also purchase a passporter if it looks like we will plan to go on that trip to DL.

[6ofus]

The week Prior to Christmas is a wonderful time to go. Crowds aren't too bad, yet the entertainment is at a maximum. You chance rain, but we've not run into that ourselves. The week between Christmas and New Years is one of the busiest times of the year! It wouldn't be a good time crowd-wise. For $, I think it's pretty close. We just find December to be extra magical, with all the holiday decor and SNOW on main street. Santa is there with reindeer, etc. I don't see any cons with the week before Christmas (that's when we'll be there this year!) For the week after it would have to be the crowds. DL has maxed it's occupancy that week before and people were turned away! I can't begin to imagine the lines for rides either. I think summer is crowded the majority of the time, but that's just from what I've read as we have never gone then. I also think the heat would be awful! But, just my opinion, some people love the heat, I prefer 70s. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] HTH!

[MinnieMary]

Don't forget to take the train all the way around DL. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] IMO Space Mountain and POTC are much better in DL than in MK at WDW.

Not sure if you were planning on going elsewhere besides the parks, but if you wanted to go to the beaches in SoCal it can be foggy in the mornings in June. I went in mid July last year and it wasn't too hot. Make sure to bring a misty fan if you do go then. Do not go on 4th of July. It is so crowded and hot.

[Nicole626Stitch]

Hi! Me and my husband are passholders to DL and DCA and I used to work at Disneyland. So maybe I can help! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] We went to WDW for the first time last summer for our honeymoon and we loved it! Going to DL my whole life and working there, I always thought DL was the best, but WDW is awesome!! I think DL is still on top with me because it is the original and it is so intimate. There are so many differences and similarities between the two, I could go on for days. As in rides, some are better at WDW compared to DL and vice versa but they are also different rides. For example I think our Space Mountain is better than WDW, although I like WDW's Splash Mountain better. I guess it is all in opinion. If you can DO NOT WHATEVER YOU DO, IF YOU CAN POSSIBLY HELP IT (LOL) go in the summer!! We LOVE when all the kiddies go back to school in September because the parks are awesome!! Pretty much September-November and the beginning of December, especially during the week. And January-February, although it pretty much is alright up to May. The weather is pretty much always good here, although it's been FREEZING here lately. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] I came off Califonia Screamin' the other night frozen, and some lady from Canada laughed at me because I said it was so cold....But it is pretty much mild here.
If you need anymore help or want to know specifically what is different/better let me know and I will go on for days. LOL [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Geri Alexander]

I LOVE DL! I go to WDW twice a year, but I try to get to DL once every three years.
I went this past May and we stayed in the Grand Californian. It was a gorgeous hotel, and we got a room upgrade as I was celebrating my birthday! The pool was great, and there was a great view of CA from the pool area.

I like the description that DL is more like home and WDW is more like a big city--it's perfect, because that's just how it feels. New Orleans Square is amazing, and it is true that a lot of the theming is much better at DL. Plus, they have lots of great added attractions that you can't get in WDW. I love the Storybook boats and the Alice in Wonderland ride! And I am an HUGE fan of the Matterhorn. I also love the jewelry shop they have in New Orleans' square--the one tucked back there that sells estate and antique jewelry.

California Adventure is not one of my favorites, but with the new Monsters Inc ride, and the new Tower of Terror there, it's getting better. If you ride Monsters Inc, look for the HTH bath robe during your ride. I do love Paradise Pier and the sun ferris wheel is awesome with the "added twist." It's not your typical ferris wheel ride!

And of course, there are lots of imagineer tricks and hidden Mickeys you'll find at DL, but not at WDW. It's a whole new adventure!