Disney Parks Expectations

[KCheatle]

I have a habit of building up my expectations pre-trip, but then freaking myself out that I've built them up too high and will be disappointed. I'm at that point right now with my upcoming DL trip A few weeks ago, I was ecstatic about the trip, but now I'm getting nervous that I'm going to get there and wish I was at WDW or just not really like it. What do you do? What have your experiences been compared to your expectations? Curious if people are like me

 

[Chef Mickey]

Hate to tell you, but youre right to think WDW is superior.

I love DL, but view it as a weekend getaway type experience and not a vacation like WDW. I went to DL only after I got my WDW experience and spent a lot of the time criticizing DL and Anaheim in general. Anaheim is an absolute dump outside the DL resort. You just never feel like you're immersed in the experience...totally different feel.

I recommend having a good time but plan a WDW trip afterward to get the real deal.

So yes, aim like you, probably worse.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Hate to tell you, but youre right to think WDW is superior.

I love DL, but view it as a weekend getaway type experience and not a vacation like WDW. I went to DL only after I got my WDW experience and spent a lot of the time criticizing DL and Anaheim in general. Anaheim is an absolute dump outside the DL resort. You just never feel like you're immersed in the experience...totally different feel.

I recommend having a good time but plan a WDW trip afterward to get the real deal.

So yes, aim like you, probably worse.

The "real deal"? Oh, the irony. Anaheim is a dump? Really?

OP, try not to hype yourself up too much. Just go, have fun, and enjoy Disneyland. If you end up disliking it, you'll know not to return. You won't know until you try it for yourself, and try not to listen to the ignorance that comes out of people's mouths/posts, such as the one my post is quoting.

 

[SCB502]

I don't get it when people say they don't feel immersed in Disney while at Disneyland. We stayed at the Grand Californian for five days and all I saw for the five days was Disney. I never had to get on a bus or a boat or drive myself anywhere. My feet never touched ANYTHING that wasn't a Disney park, Disney hotel or Downtown Disney. You can't get much more immersed than that. And oh yeah, the parks are better. Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom are a wash and California Adventure has more rides than the other three parks combined.
I will say that the hotel probably played a large part in making the experience so great. But if you love WDW I don't see any way you wouldn't enjoy Disneyland every bit as much if not more.

 

[BigRedDad]

Of course capitalism has infected Disney. The parks will never be like they were in the 70s and early 80s. They have pushed to quadrupled park attendance but they have not quarupled the effort within the park. It is just not possible. There are small things that I miss from when I was a kid there, but it is still the best park to vacation.

 

[OSUgirl77]

My first experience with the parks was WDW as well, and I was finally able to go to DL around 2001, making several trips between then and 2005. I fell in love the second I walked inside. Unlike an earlier poster, I felt like I was finally experiencing the "real deal." It's the park that Walt built, and it shows. There are so many special touches that you don't find at the Magic Kingdom, and it felt much less commercial to me for some reason. It's greener with more flowers and benches. There are more attractions, some that used to be at WDW, but are now only at DL. A few others that both parks have, like POTC, are far superior at DL.

As for DCA, I haven't been since the makeover and addition of Carsland, but it's supposed to be amazing, and I'm looking forward to finally seeing it myself later this year.

Oh, and California is beautiful and the weather is perfect. It kills me to leave, as opposed to central FL where, if it weren't for theme parks, I wouldn't care if I ever went back again. But that's just my opinion...

 

[Tinkerfan4ever]

I loved our trip to Disneyland. We stayed at Paradise Pier and walked everywhere while we were there. Instead of finding myself missing the World - I often found myself thinking... I wish they would have this at DW. I loved that we didn't make any dining reservations and still had many many great meals, both TS and QS. As mentioned above the weather is absolutely perfect. We were there in Aug and we did just fine, we would never even consider Florida in Aug.

The only thing that I missed was Magical Express. We had a rental car because of some days in San Diego and the driving in CA is crazy! 8 lanes of traffic, motorcycles driving in between cars, 60 mph to complete standstills. That we could have done without! LOL. But it didn't diminish from our vacation what so ever and as we plan our future vacations, I can't wait to get back to California!

 

[Chef Mickey]

The "real deal"? Oh, the irony. Anaheim is a dump? Really?

OP, try not to hype yourself up too much. Just go, have fun, and enjoy Disneyland. If you end up disliking it, you'll know not to return. You won't know until you try it for yourself, and try not to listen to the ignorance that comes out of people's mouths/posts, such as the one my post is quoting.

I knew it wouldn't be popular, but it's not ignorance. It's just my opinion.

Sure, DL is the original and I've been many times. I love it. It just doesn't have the aura of WDW for me. Most of it is because I grew up going to WDW, but it's also because it's just not nearly the spectacle and scale of WDW.

Anaheim is pretty awful outside of the DL area.

 

[KCheatle]

I knew it wouldn't be popular, but it's not ignorance. It's just my opinion.

Sure, DL is the original and I've been many times. I love it. It just doesn't have the aura of WDW for me. Most of it is because I grew up going to WDW, but it's also because it's just not nearly the spectacle and scale of WDW.

Anaheim is pretty awful outside of the DL area.

Either way, we aren't leaving DL property. We are taking a cab to Grand Californian and then staying on property the entire time. We're only going for 5 days -- which is really 3 1/2 days because we don't get in until close to dinner on the first day and then leave pretty early on the last day. So, I'm hoping it'll be the perfect amount of time for DL??

The reason I getting the jitters is because it's something new. Admittedly, I'm not great at trying new things. My usual motto is that if I know something and like it (and when it comes to WDW, it's more like love it), why risk not liking something different? Normally, my motto is a point of dispute between my DH and I at restaurants with trying new things on the menu. But, ordering meals is really no big deal because I'm out like $20 if I don't like it. But with DL, if I don't like it, I'm out $3500 + flights. So... there's a bit more to lose I guess when I could've gone to WDW for a week (at a mod resort, of course) for the same price. So, I think that's where my nerves are coming into play here.

But, as the saying goes, you never know until you try, and based on what the majority of you are telling me, I will probably walk away loving it.

 

[Californian Elitist]

I knew it wouldn't be popular, but it's not ignorance. It's just my opinion.

Sure, DL is the original and I've been many times. I love it. It just doesn't have the aura of WDW for me. Most of it is because I grew up going to WDW, but it's also because it's just not nearly the spectacle and scale of WDW.

Anaheim is pretty awful outside of the DL area.

No, it's ignorance. I can tell you've most likely never been to Watts or South Central in general, since you think Anaheim is a "dump."

Your opinion of the resorts is valid, but I find it funny you mentioned you criticize both Disneyland and Anaheim, a "dump," but you return to the dump and claim you love Disneyland.

There was no sense in making those comments. The OP is already second-guessing their choice as it is and your first post didn't help.

 

[Chef Mickey]

Either way, we aren't leaving DL property. We are taking a cab to Grand Californian and then staying on property the entire time. We're only going for 5 days -- which is really 3 1/2 days because we don't get in until close to dinner on the first day and then leave pretty early on the last day. So, I'm hoping it'll be the perfect amount of time for DL??

The reason I getting the jitters is because it's something new. Admittedly, I'm not great at trying new things. My usual motto is that if I know something and like it (and when it comes to WDW, it's more like love it), why risk not liking something different? Normally, my motto is a point of dispute between my DH and I at restaurants with trying new things on the menu. But, ordering meals is really no big deal because I'm out like $20 if I don't like it. But with DL, if I don't like it, I'm out $3500 + flights. So... there's a bit more to lose I guess when I could've gone to WDW for a week (at a mod resort, of course) for the same price. So, I think that's where my nerves are coming into play here.

But, as the saying goes, you never know until you try, and based on what the majority of you are telling me, I will probably walk away loving it.

Honestly, you'll have a great time at DL. It's not WDW, but the World of Color is a wonderful show. I absolutely love getting to ride Mr. Toad, Pinnochio, Alice, and Snow White.

Carsland is incredible, by far the most impressive land in all of Disney. The ride is outstanding.

 

[Chef Mickey]

No, it's ignorance. I can tell you've most likely never been to Watts or South Central in general, since you think Anaheim is a "dump."

Your opinion of the resorts is valid, but I find it funny you mentioned you criticize both Disneyland and Anaheim, a "dump," but you return to the dump and claim you love Disneyland.

There was no sense in making those comments. The OP is already second-guessing their choice as it is and your first post didn't help.

I do love Disneyland, just not nearly as much as WDW.

Anaheim IS a dump...you can think it's not, but it is. California is generally beat down and a broke state with a water problem.

Anaheim even is called "Anacrime" due to its dumpiness.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Anacrime

I have distant family in California and have visited MANY times. BEverly Hills and San Diego (certain parts) are about the only places I'd go. Most of LA is AWFUL. You have some of the worst and most dangerous cities in America there. Oakland, Long Beach, LA, Stockton, etc.



LOL....I've seen dumps. I live in a major city and know a dump when I see it. Anaheim is not nice at all and if Disneyland left, it'd be left for dead. The only reason it's passable is because of DL.

 

[OSUgirl77]

Either way, we aren't leaving DL property. We are taking a cab to Grand Californian and then staying on property the entire time. We're only going for 5 days -- which is really 3 1/2 days because we don't get in until close to dinner on the first day and then leave pretty early on the last day. So, I'm hoping it'll be the perfect amount of time for DL??

The reason I getting the jitters is because it's something new. Admittedly, I'm not great at trying new things. My usual motto is that if I know something and like it (and when it comes to WDW, it's more like love it), why risk not liking something different? Normally, my motto is a point of dispute between my DH and I at restaurants with trying new things on the menu. But, ordering meals is really no big deal because I'm out like $20 if I don't like it. But with DL, if I don't like it, I'm out $3500 + flights. So... there's a bit more to lose I guess when I could've gone to WDW for a week (at a mod resort, of course) for the same price. So, I think that's where my nerves are coming into play here.

But, as the saying goes, you never know until you try, and based on what the majority of you are telling me, I will probably walk away loving it.

Glad to hear you are staying on property. Being able to walk everywhere is one of the things I love most about DLR. Personally, I don't feel all that "immersed in the magic" when I'm squished on a bus filled with too many people, on the way back to my resort after a day at Animal Kingdom.

 

[Californian Elitist]

I do love Disneyland, just not nearly as much as WDW.

Anaheim IS a dump...you can think it's not, but it is. California is generally beat down and a broke state with a water problem.

Anaheim even is called "Anacrime" due to its dumpiness.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Anacrime

I have distant family in California and have visited MANY times. BEverly Hills and San Diego (certain parts) are about the only places I'd go. Most of LA is AWFUL. You have some of the worst and most dangerous cities in America there. Oakland, Long Beach, LA, Stockton, etc.



LOL....I've seen dumps. I live in a major city and know a dump when I see it. Anaheim is not nice at all and if Disneyland left, it'd be left for dead. The only reason it's passable is because of DL.

Now you're throwing insults at the entire state of California.

Bye, Felicia.

 

[Chernaboggles]

The reason I getting the jitters is because it's something new. Admittedly, I'm not great at trying new things. My usual motto is that if I know something and like it (and when it comes to WDW, it's more like love it), why risk not liking something different? Normally, my motto is a point of dispute between my DH and I at restaurants with trying new things on the menu. But, ordering meals is really no big deal because I'm out like $20 if I don't like it. But with DL, if I don't like it, I'm out $3500 + flights. So... there's a bit more to lose I guess when I could've gone to WDW for a week (at a mod resort, of course) for the same price. So, I think that's where my nerves are coming into play here.

I also have trouble managing my expectations before any much-anticipated event. I plan and plan and plan, get really worked up for months or weeks in advance of the trip and then find myself exhausted and easily discouraged by the time it rolls around.

My advice (which I try to take myself before Disney trips!) is to try not to think about the parks themselves so much or get hung up on comparisons, but focus on your love of Disney in general. Watch some Disney favorites that you know have rides or are present in the theme at DL. Get psyched for the travel part, for the fun of going away with your family and new experiences offered by a brand you love. Explore DL for what it is and try not to worry about what it's not. If you discover you love DL best, it doesn't invalidate the fun you've had at WDW, and if you decide you prefer WDW, well, it isn't going anywhere.

If all else fails, remember this: stressing about which vacation spot you're going to like better is itself a great luxury. Try to keep perspective, and have fun!

 

[JIMINYCR]

When planning I build my WDW trip expectations/hopes high up and have yet to be disappointed. Sure there is always some little things that I could probably gripe about but you would get little missteps on any trip anywhere else. Disney does it better than any place else, and I would be crazy to expect 100% perfection from any vacation spot.... even with the money I'm paying, I come away from my trip feeling I got full value for my time & money spent there. Count me as a Happy Guest willing to return again and again.

 

[Tinkerfan4ever]

We're only going for 5 days -- which is really 3 1/2 days because we don't get in until close to dinner on the first day and then leave pretty early on the last day. So, I'm hoping it'll be the perfect amount of time for DL??

We stayed in CA for 8 days and spent 3 fulls days between Disneyland and California Adventure. We had originally thought about adding on a 4th day, but as we toured we felt 3 days was perfect and chose to spend the other days exploring other parts of California. So I think you will find 3 1/2 days will be perfect for you.

California and the Disneyland Resort is really great. You will enjoy it. It is NOT Disney World. Some of my favorite rides at DW had much shorter wait times at DL. There are some great rides that DW doesn't have. Park hopping... SO EASY. Less time to park hop than to get from Spaceship Earth to American Adventure. Some of the best quick service restaurants. We loved Flo's Cafe and the Plaza. Definitely watch World of Color. Most importantly, relax and enjoy.

 

[Daniel Johnson]

I don't really plan. I just take the day as it goes, gives a little room for spontaneity. Always people watching and listening to others converse. Thats just how we do it. The wife and I both stress a little when we pre plan, it makes it easier to just let the park plan for us

 

[WDW74]

Might not be the best thread to post this on, but this post form WDWInfo on "why we go", really speaks volumes.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/walt-disney-world/the-whole-world-and-beyond-in-27-square-miles/

 

[notslim99]

I have a habit of building up my expectations pre-trip, but then freaking myself out that I've built them up too high and will be disappointed. I'm at that point right now with my upcoming DL trip A few weeks ago, I was ecstatic about the trip, but now I'm getting nervous that I'm going to get there and wish I was at WDW or just not really like it. What do you do? What have your experiences been compared to your expectations? Curious if people are like me

I'm like you. I build things up, then reality generally falls short of my expectations. The reason that I love WDW so much is that is has NEVER disappointed me or fallen short of my expectations. Every time I go to WDW, they exceed them. I'm sure DL is the same way. Quit worrying and enjoy your trip!