Disneyland.. worth it?

[jayrose]

Sorry if this has been posted before but I'm sure it has.

I'm planning a vacation in California for 10 days driving down the coast and I have a few questions.

1. Is Disneyland worth it? I've some people say not to waste a day on it. I go to the World once a year and really want to do Disney land but my time is limited.

2. Can I tour the Burbank studios or the Pixar studios?

3. Anything else cool to see Disney wise?

Thanks

 

[devoy1701]

Sorry if this has been posted before but I'm sure it has.

I'm planning a vacation in California for 10 days driving down the coast and I have a few questions.

1. Is Disneyland worth it? I've some people say not to waste a day on it. I go to the World once a year and really want to do Disney land but my time is limited.

2. Can I tour the Burbank studios or the Pixar studios?

3. Anything else cool to see Disney wise?

Thanks

1. Yes....my God Yes....Yes YES YES. Not sure who would tell you otherwise. Probably people who haven't actually been there recently.

2. No. Only if you book an Adventures by Disney Vacation can you tour the Studios. Or if you know somebody who know's somebody.

3. The Disney Family Museum in San Francisco is a must if you're driving through so I've been told. I haven't had the opportunity to get up there yet myself.

 

[Figment82]

The Disney Family Museum in San Francisco is a must if you're driving through so I've been told. I haven't had the opportunity to get up there yet myself.

It's definitely worth it if you're in the area or able to fly up to San Francisco for a side-trip. If you have even the slightest interest in Walt Disney, you'll absolutely love it! We spent over 6 hours in there and could have easily stayed longer if it wasn't getting close to closing time. The place is beautiful and is filled with amazing displays. The model of Disneyland alone is worth the price of admission, in my humble opinion.

And yes, by all means, visit Disneyland. It's an incredible place!

 

[heartodisney]

I had a general disscussion with a patient one day, she being a disneyholic as myself, and we talked about days NOT to go to WDW due to crowds. I mentioned offhand I really would like to see WDW during 4th of July, but I had read that this was one of the times that had large crowds. She metioned going to Disneyland on the 4th of July, she had done this many times and it was mostly locals at this time...so, this could be our next trip!

 

[TP2000]

Sorry if this has been posted before but I'm sure it has.

I'm planning a vacation in California for 10 days driving down the coast and I have a few questions.

1. Is Disneyland worth it? I've some people say not to waste a day on it. I go to the World once a year and really want to do Disney land but my time is limited.

Nope, not worth it. After Walt had died and they got WDW opened in the early 70's, Disney CEO Card Walker considered bulldozing Disneyland and turning the place into condos and a strip mall, and that would have been a better use of the land.

There's a WalMart in Anaheim just up Harbor Blvd. that has good prices on tires, and if you are waiting for your tires to be installed or your alignment done and you have a free ticket then Disneyland can be a better place to wait than the plastic chairs in the WalMart Auto Center customer lounge. Otherwise, avoid the place like the Plague.

2. Can I tour the Burbank studios or the Pixar studios?

No. Only employees or specially approved tours are allowed in to those facilities. You can drive by and look inside the gates though, although loiterers hanging around more than a few minutes may be questioned by Studio security.

3. Anything else cool to see Disney wise?

As already mentioned, when in San Francisco, The Walt Disney Family Museum in the Presidio is a must see for anyone who has more than a passing interest in Walt Disney. Be warned however, it focuses on Walt Disney and his life up through his death in late 1966. As such, there is very, very little mention of Walt Disney World that was opened five years after Walt died. Disneyland gets a very large and lavish exhibit in the museum, but the New York World's Fair of 1964-65 gets more attention in the museum than the "Florida Property" as it was known. But if you are interested in Walt and his Company, the museum is an mind-blowingly awesome experience.

 

[Little John]

If you are going to be out in California, Disneyland is a must for a Disney fan. We just spent three days there this past June as part of a longer trip to CA. Disneyland and California Adventure are two great parks. Getting do things that we do not have at WDW like the Matterhorn, Mr. Toads Wild Ride, California Screamin, and other attractions is awesome.

 

[nemofinder22]

This is the way I figure it. If your a Disney Parks and Resorts fan by all means yes. If your a one resort fan than no.

 

[DisneyJoe]

2. No. Only if you book an Adventures by Disney Vacation can you tour the Studios. Or if you know somebody who know's somebody.

Today Disney released an add-on full-day ABD excursion that can be added onto a Disneyland vacation package.

It's called "Lights…Camera…Magic!"

 

[Communicore]

I want to go back to Disneyland again, it's been ages, I've been to Socal several times but had other agendas so no Disneyland.

Disneyland is the original!

 

[KentB3]

Nope, not worth it. After Walt had died and they got WDW opened in the early 70's, Disney CEO Card Walker considered bulldozing Disneyland and turning the place into condos and a strip mall, and that would have been a better use of the land.

Where did you hear about THAT?!

 

[TP2000]

Where did you hear about THAT?!

The bus driver from Port Orleans to Animal Kingdom told us that a couple years ago when he found out Californians were on the bus. It's true!

And those 22 Million people who visit Disneyland Resort each year? They're mostly just waiting for their tires to be done at the WalMart up Harbor Blvd.

 

[supdog]

Disneyland is totally worth it. My last vacation was to Disneyland and my family and I had a great time. It's the original, the first, it was Walt's dreams come to life. They have Walt's office on display. You can see his desk, his chair, and all his figures of his characters that he created.

 

[Atomicmickey]

As a WDW veteran who just visited Disneyland last week, I can answer emphatically YES.

I have also heard nothing but GREAT things about the Disney Family Museum in SF, but have not been there. I will some day.

supdog, where was Walt's desk? I did not see that. I saw it, or a replica of it, in "One Man's Dream" in DHS, but, um, wrong coast! The Disneyland story had a cool model of the way that Disneyland looked on opening day, though. I loved that.

 

[Mickey_777]

If you're a fan of Disney parks and you're anywhere near DL, yes you must make an effort to go.

Other disney things to do? When we went to Cali we visited the Disney Soda Fountain/El Capitan theatre on Hollywood BLVD and the Walt Disney Concert Hall downtown in LA also.

 

[Walt Disney1955]

Well, my wife is on her maternity leave up until April. Women get one full year in Canada after having a baby so she goes back to work early April. I am thinking of taking a trip (just the two of us) to SoCal from March 24th-April 2nd. That would be 9 days. The plan is to hopefully stay at the surprisingly affordable and highly revered Howard Johnson across from Disneyland.

I figure getting a three day hopper pass is enough for DL. Then I want to hit Universal for a day for sure and see that (apparently the tour is worth the price of admission alone).

That will take up 4 days. I would love to hear other suggestions of how to fill up the last 5 days since I will be a California rookie, but I figure hitting the beaches (Laguna and Malibu seem to be the most ideal), Santa Monica Pier, Hollywood, Warner Bros. studio tour, and a sporting event since I am a huge sports nut would fill in the rest of the time.

But what are other suggestions?

Is the water warm enough to swim in late March/early April? If so, what beaches are the warmest?

Is there some "can't miss" tours that I should hit up?

If we had a spare day would Knott's Berry Farm or Magic Mountain be worth it?

Where are the places with the best atmosphere?

 

[pmaljr]

Anyone who says that Disneyland Park is a waste of time has no idea what they are talking about. We went in May for the first time from SC after making over 20 week long trips to WDW and that place is in pristine condition. Unless you are going just for food, we liked every ride at Disneyland that exists at WDW more than the ones at WDW, other than Winnie the Pooh. Plus, you get to ride rides that don't exist at WDW such as Mr. Toad, Pinnochio, Storybook Land, Alice in Wonderland, Casey Jr, and the Matterhorn to name an equisite few. Plus, Pirates, Thunder Mtn., Snow White, Peter Pan, Space Mountain, and Small World are tons better there. You will be mad at the comparison of the same rides at WDW after you leave and wish WDW would scrap the Fantasyland Expansion and just do what they've done at DLP. And anyone who says differently just hasn't been there. Don't rely on a bus driver, rely on someone who just made the trip and it exceeded all expectations, like me :wave:

I still love WDW and will be there this weekend for another week long trip, but it is a must visit if you are in Anaheim.

 

[216bruce]

Everything in the last post is SO true. I never thought that Disneyland could be better than Magic KIingdom...man, I was so wrong. Much more intimate feel. Better attractions (misses Philharmagic though). Otherwise it's a slam dunk. DCA is so-so until they open Carsland and get done with all the other enhancements. It should be a lot better then. Yeah, definitely worth it.

 

[captainkidd]

1. Yes....my God Yes....Yes YES YES. Not sure who would tell you otherwise. Probably people who haven't actually been there recently.

I think you'd be surprised. We had a trip to Disneyland (our first) planned for next summer, but changed back to WDW after several people who have been to both, said we would be terribly disappointed in Disneyland. We'll go eventually, but I'll admit, we keep putting it off because people that have been there tell us not to bother.

 

[Cosmic Commando]

I think you'd be surprised. We had a trip to Disneyland (our first) planned for next summer, but changed back to WDW after several people who have been to both, said we would be terribly disappointed in Disneyland. We'll go eventually, but I'll admit, we keep putting it off because people that have been there tell us not to bother.

Wow. I've never talked to anyone who has been to both resorts that feels that way. Sure, you may still end up liking WDW better after the whole thing's over, but Disneyland is an amazing experience of its own. Make sure you get there some day!

 

[Hulasista]

Pixar Studios is in Emeryville ... on the other side of the bay from San Francisco. Did something change that I don't know about? lol:shrug:

But like others have said - you need to know someone or apply for a job lol

I'm a serious disneyland vet (been going for 38 years) and i've been to disney world as world - folks are telling tales when they say its a disappointmetn over wdw. its two totally different experiences. plus disneyland IS the original. without dland there wouldn't have been a wdw.:lol:

anyone need advice how to tour southern california with the dland property being much smaller, feel free to email me and i'll give you some great advice and recommendations! you have to change your perspective: its a disneyland resort trip with a visit to California.

oraleeannie@sbcglobal.net

have fun planning ya'll! (my next dland trip is march 25-31!):sohappy::sohappy: