Disappointed by Disneyland!?

RMichael21

RMichael21

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Hi all! So for about a year now, I've been trying to convince my family to take a trip to Disneyland with me. But here's the thing: My parents feel that my family and I will be disappointed if we go to Disneyland as we are WDW veterans. And also, they both went to Disneyland when they were kids. They think there is still one park and Disneyland park is very, very tiny. EUH! Can anyone give me any points to bring up to them?
 
Californian Elitist

Californian Elitist

Well-Known Member
Lots of people who are used to WDW, or know people who are used to WDW will tell others to stay away from Disneyland because they automatically think smaller=less to do and boring. That is common and expected. Disneyland is tiny, compared to Magic Kingdom, but it has more rides. You can tell your parents that actually, between Disneyland's two parks, there are more rides than WDW has in their four combined. Rides, upon rides, upon rides. You can also tell them we've had multiple firework shows and parades in the last couple of decades. We just got Cars Land, which is fabulous. We've got a Downtown Disney as well. The Disneyland Resort is nowhere near the size of Walt Disney World, and we don't have resort activities like golf and other things. In saying that, Disneyland is an attraction, and California is the destination. You could easily turn a Disneyland visit into a California vacation.
 
gboiler1

gboiler1

Active Member
Raven nailed it. With the exception of a visit to WDW in 1971, I was far more aquainted with Disneyland. I think nearly anything you read will tell you how quaint DL is and how jammed with different experiences it is. Nearly all the attrations differ than their counterparts in Orlando. They'll enjoy most their favorites from WDW but new experiences too. WDW is closer to me but the trips to DL are extra special for the longer distance.
In addition, California offers so much more than the parks without the heat and humidity.
Check out these threads for more help...http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/the-official-explore-southern-california-thread.872243/ & http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/guide-to-dlr-for-wdw-veterans.875596/.
 
Travel Junkie

Travel Junkie

Well-Known Member
To add to Raven’s spot on comments, if you are looking to get disappointed you will be. If you let the smaller scale or the size of the castle bother you, it will. If it turns you off the Haunted Mansion is in the “wrong spot” or can’t get over Disneyland being smack dab in the middle of a large city even though you can’t see the outside world inside Disneyland, you will not have as good a time as you could.
Instead you can embrace the differences. Smaller can be an advantage. DLR is more intimate. Enjoy the larger and better entertainment offerings. Enjoy you fact you can experience as many attractions as all of WDW in a space the size of Epcot. Your feet will thank you.
Most people that have experienced both coasts prefer DL Park to MK park and they rank DCA above DHS, AK and sometimes even Epcot. The real WDW advantage comes in the resorts and non-theme park activities. California and its variety of activities more than makes up for it. Final thought: While most of the country is digging out of the snow, it is currently 80 here…in February.
 
flynnibus

flynnibus

Premium Member
RMicheal21 said:
Hi all! So for about a year now, I've been trying to convince my family to take a trip to Disneyland with me. But here's the thing: My parents feel that my family and I will be disappointed if we go to Disneyland as we are WDW veterans. And also, they both went to Disneyland when they were kids. They think there is still one park and Disneyland park is very, very tiny. EUH! Can anyone give me any points to bring up to them?
Click to expand...

tell they have as many attractions in the space they knew as DL as WDW has over it's entire property. Tell them they have the REAL F! show. Show them pictures of Carsland and ask them where is that in WDW... tell them 'imagine if you could do all of WDW without getting on a bus'

Acknowledge DL doesn't have the resort aspect that WDW does.. but for theme parks.. it's it's equal in many ways and better in some others.
 
Walt Disney1955

Walt Disney1955

Well-Known Member
RMicheal21 said:
Hi all! So for about a year now, I've been trying to convince my family to take a trip to Disneyland with me. But here's the thing: My parents feel that my family and I will be disappointed if we go to Disneyland as we are WDW veterans. And also, they both went to Disneyland when they were kids. They think there is still one park and Disneyland park is very, very tiny. EUH! Can anyone give me any points to bring up to them?
Click to expand...

Look at my signature. I am a life long WDW veteran who took the plunge and went to Disneyland in 2012. Actually Raven24 gave me a lot of nice tips before I went about Southern California in general. One thing, don't go there solely for Disneyland. SoCal is a nice area to visit, there is lots to see and do and who knows the next time you get to visit the west coast? Don't just go with Disneyland in mind. You can have it center around that but Disneyland Resort is 3-4 days maximum full days. It is a grand time, and Downtown Disney is fun too, but don't miss other things SoCal has to offer.

I can assure you your parents haven't researched a thing. We can do this on the internet and they should be able to find out that Disneyland Resort has two parks. One being the king and the other one is a surprisingly great stand alone park. Any negativity you hear about California Adventure is a myth. I loved it.

Disneyland is the best individual park. It is better than Magic Kingdom. Honestly. You'll notice the differences and the amount of rides. There are some similarities and some differences and you'll love all of them equally. If you love Pirates then go to Disneyland because that is the better and longer version. Yeah don't miss the chance. It is worth it. This coming from a WDW vet who was a little bias against it when he first went, not knowing what to expect.

Going to Disneyland or WDW is like choosing between steak and lobster.
 
ajrwdwgirl

ajrwdwgirl

Premium Member
The first time I went to DL I thought that I would be underwhelmed and I even though I might have a nice time there was probably no way that I would ever go back. Well....I was wrong! DL exceeded and continues to exceed expectations. I've been back a few times and even though I love WDW, part of me thinks that DL is really better than WDW. :eek: Your family should definitely go and give it a chance.
 
T

trs518

Active Member
I was at Disneyland last week for the first time and this is something that people haven't brought up. Disneyland, while having more rides and is in a smaller space than the Magic Kingdom. That means less walking. A lot less walking.
 
coachwnh

coachwnh

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
We have been WDW AP holders for several years. Two summers ago, we took a trip west to visit DL. Last summer, we became AP holders for both DL and WDW! We take several trips to WDW each year, but honestly, I look forward to that week in DL. The place is amazing! There are more attractions in the two parks then in all four WDW parks combined! Plus, they are so close together. You leave your hotel (we have stayed at DL Hotel and PP) and your already in DTD. After a 10 minute walk (if your slow) you're at the entrance. It won't rain in SoCal in summer either. Go and have a great time in DL!!!!!
 
teacherlady19

teacherlady19

Active Member
Here are a few things others have not mentioned:

1) No (or very little) humidity at any time of the year.

2) You do not HAVE to have dinner reservations unless you really want. (That was our shock when we went to WDW in 2012 -- dinner reservations??? Why??? we asked.) Walk up to any dinner place and you can usually get served within 10 minutes (maybe a little more at Blue Bayou, Napa Rose, Carthay Circle or the Trattoria). Go a little before or a little after the normal meal hour, and you'll get in faster (except at those 4).

3) Staying on property is not needed. It's less expensive to stay off-site and walk in, if you can, or take a hotel or the Anaheim shuttle. As others have pointed out, no waiting for buses or monorails (unless you wait for your hotel shuttle or the tram to your car).

In WDW we did park-hop, because we had the park hoppers. We don't feel we really need park hoppers at DLR, but we usually get them anyway because DL and DCA are so close (as others have pointed out).

Do they like DAK at WDW? Take them down to the San Diego Zoo or Safari Park (or both if you can). If they want to golf, there are some wonderful golf courses in LA that are public courses. See the Southern California thread for a hundred other things to see anddo in SoCal.


Donna
 
Minnie1976

Minnie1976

Well-Known Member
I have been to WDW about 26 times, but only 2 to DLR. Once in 1985 and then last year, 2013. I really enjoyed DLR. There was no disappointment on my part. I enjoyed their MK and DCA. There were different attractions and old ones that WDW doesn't have any longer. Downtown Disney was right there. We never had to take a bus, etc. I didn't stay at Disney hotel but one they call a Disney Friends hotel. We were able to walk to the parks and Downtown Disney was right by them. I look forward to one day going on another trip to DLR. It isn't WDW and not as big, but I really enjoyed MK, DCA and Downtown Disney. You can still ask and they will let you ride in the front of the monorail. I ate at only one character breakfast in the MK, but I have never had the characters pass by my table so much. You never had to wonder if you were going to see them. My husband would say here come those squirrels again. I would have gone back to DLR this year, but we are taking our granddaughter who hasn't been to WDW in 5 years so she wanted to go back to WDW since that is what she knows.

I would never go to Universal out there again. It isn't as good as Orlando and was a waste.
 
Hakunamatata

Hakunamatata

Le Meh
Premium Member
RMicheal21 said:
Hi all! So for about a year now, I've been trying to convince my family to take a trip to Disneyland with me. But here's the thing: My parents feel that my family and I will be disappointed if we go to Disneyland as we are WDW veterans. And also, they both went to Disneyland when they were kids. They think there is still one park and Disneyland park is very, very tiny. EUH! Can anyone give me any points to bring up to them?
Click to expand...
Mr. Toads. Longer IASW and POTC. More attractions in their MK than WDWs. Shorter walks.
 
Figments Friend

Figments Friend

Well-Known Member
Another long time WDW Vet here, and i received the same comments from people i knew at the time before my first visit to DL in 2007.
They would tell me i would not like it, because it is so *small*. They claimed i was far too used to WDW Property with it*s vastness and expanses of space to enjoy DL, saying it would make me feel too *caged in*.
They made it sound like it was the size of a a convenient store parking lot.

Yeah....right.....!

I had wanted to go for years, but was not really able to until May of 2007.
I had done a little research via books, and went in with a open mind and made it a point to avoid *comparisons* between what i was already familiar with and what was now being presented before me.
I absolutely LOVED the Park.
When i left CA i was a changed person.

Three visits later ( forth coming up this May..) and i have really turned a new corner.
DL has my full attention now....WDW has fallen somewhat by the wayside.
My last two *Disney Vacation* weeks have both been at DL...not WDW.

I was a fairly positive advocate for WDW a few years back, but my attitude has changed after experiencing DL.
I will confess to lately considering getting a AP to DL...and i have never had one even for WDW.
Call my crazy, but that is how turned on i have become to *Walt*s Original*.

I encourage other WDW Vets who may be sitting on the fence about deciding to visit or not to DO IT.
It will bring your perspective to a higher level, and the differences between the two coasts MK is a huge plus in my opinion.
The differences strengthen the experience...they do not diminish it.
 

Register on WDWMAGIC. This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.

Back
Top Bottom