Help! Disneyland vs. WDW

A

Agent

New Member
Original Poster
I am considering taking my family to Disneyland for Spring Break this year (the last full week of March). Before I shell out the cash, however, I need to know if it is worth it (I live near Tallahassee, Florida and the airfare is giong to cost me about $1,600.00 roundtrip for my wife, 10 year old son and newborn son).

I know that there are differences in terms of what rides are available (as well as a different park - DCA), but is it worth the trek to California to get a similar experience just 4 1/2 hours away?

If so, at which hotel should we stay - the Disneyland Hotel or the Grand Californian? Are they both on the monorail line?

How many days should I set aside to visit Disneyland and DCA? I would also like to see other sites in the LA area (Disneyland's page offers a ticket to Universal Studios - Hollywood, SeaWorld - San Diego and the San Diego Zoo).

I am reading the Unofficial Guide to Disneyland, but so far haven't gotten any clues except that there are different rides and some are better at WDW while others are better at Disneyland/DCA. But is this enough to justify the trip?

Thank you for any suggestions.
 
nicholas

nicholas

New Member
I'm no DL expert, but recently took my first trip there after only knowing WDW. And I have to say it was absolutely incredible. As far as which hotel to stay at, I stayed off property, immediately across the street. From my hotel room door to the esplanade took about ten minutes, including waiting for the street light. The hotels right across the street are a great bargain unless you absolutely want to stay on property.

None of the Disneyland resorts are on the monorail line as the monorail there is more of an attraction than a means of transportation. But each resort is a mere five minute walk through Downtown Disney to the main esplanade. You will be amazed at how close everything is. For example, you can go into Disneyland, get a FP for Indy, then head over to DCA and ride Soarin, grab a FP for Grizzley, then head back to Disneyland to ride Indy with your FP. It's a whole new way of Park Hopping.

And absolutely nothing at WDW can compare to the fireworks at Disneyland. They are mind blowing.
 
yellowrocket

yellowrocket

Active Member
Hmm..
In my humble opinion (been to Disneyland 2 times, just got back; Walt Disney World about 20 or so)... If you're comparing the Magic Kingdom to Disneyland, they are pretty much equal. The each of better and inferior attractions than their counterpart...

ADVANTAGE DISNEYLAND
+ Better, Longer Pirates of the Carribbean
+ Better Space Mountain (WAY BETTER)
+ Better, Longer It's a Small World
+ Better Buzz Lightyear Attraction (AstroBlasters)
+ Better (somewhat) Jungle Cruise
+ Better, Shorter Main Street USA
+ Better Riverboat (Mark Twain)
+ Better Car Attraction (Autopia)
+ Better Toontown (Mickey's Toontown)
+ Indiana Jones Adventure
+ The Matterhorn!
+ New Orleans Square
+ Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin
+ Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
+ Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
+ Pinocchio's Daring Journey
+ Davy Crocket Explorer Canoes
+ Monorail (as an attraction)
+ Remember, Dreams Come True Fireworks
+ The Sailing Ship Columbia
+ Snow White, An Enchanting Musical
+ Closer Hotels (both on property and off)
+ The Happiest Celebration on Earth
+ DISNEY's CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE
+ Shorter Line for Soarin' (Soarin' Over California)
+ Pixar Block Party Bash (AWESOME)
+ Aladdin, A Musical Spectacular
+ a bug's land
+ Paradise Pier attractions
+ Better Disney animation attraction
+ Better It's Tough to Be A Bug
+ Disney's Electrical Parade
+ Monster's Inc. Dark Ride (coming 2006)

ADVANTAGE MAGIC KINGDOM (and other WDW attractions)
+ Better, Longer Splash Mountain
+ Better, Longer Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
+ Better Castle
+ Better Tomorrowland
+ Better Frontierland
+ Better Tom Sawyer's Island
+ Better Restaurants (CRT, Crystal Palace, LTT, etc.)
+ Longer Haunted Mansion
+ Better Enchanted Tiki Room
+ Better Family/Children's Coaster (Goofy's Barnstormer)
+ Better Teacups
+ Better Adventure's of Winnie the Pooh
+ Liberty Square
+ Flying Carpets of Aladdin
+ Country Bear Jamboree
+ The Hall of Presidents
+ Carousel of Progress
+ Timekeeper (when open)
+ Tomorrowland Transit Authority
+ Stitch's Great Escape
+ Mickey's Philharmagic
+ Share a Dream Come True parade
+ SpectroMagic parade
+ Better Hotels, Theming
+ EPCOT (attractions & restaurants)
+ DISNEY/MGM STUDIOS (attractions & restaurants)
- Better Tower of Terror
- Better Muppet*Vision 3-D
- Better Star Tours
+ DISNEY's ANIMAL KINGDOM (attractions & restaurants)
 
stranger

stranger

New Member
Disneyland could be a nice change for you. I’ve never visited the Magic Kingdom, but I’ve read how others comparing the two parks to find Disneyland to have a bit of a charm that the MK is missing. Besides, you can visit other sites around California. There’s so much to do and see outside the Disneyland resort.

You can easily do both parks in 3 days…2 for Disneyland and one day in DCA. I agree with Nicholas, the firework’s show is mind-blowing. :wave:
 
brich

brich

New Member
My opinion is that if your a Disney Nut, you really should experience Disneyland. To many, it may be very simliar. But to someone who really enjoys Disney, it's fun to see where it all started as well as enjoy the little differences. It may also make you appreciate more what WDW has become. You never know when you'll get the chance again so I say, go West my friend, go West!!:wave:
 
mhead

mhead

Active Member
Did the DL thing this summer. Glad we did it, but have no plans to go back. MUCH smaller, much more cramped feeling, much less organized, much less knowledgeable castmembers. Enjoyed the different attractions but to sum it up it was very underwhelming and just wet our appetite to get back to WDW.
 
T

TTFN-Tiggger

New Member
Disneyland VS WDW

I did visit DL last year. I would recommend the Grand Californian hotel. Very nice hotel and courteous staff. You have a seperate entrance to the California Adventure park too which is very cool. If I ever had the choice between the two - WDW wins hands down for me. There is just so much more to do there.:wave:
 
Chase24

Chase24

Member
Can anyone reccomend a book or a website similar to this one. I am also considering a short Disney trip for the holiday, but to go to WDW, I can't afford the time to do it right, so I have been considering Disneyland instead for a couple of days, just for a nice break (fix) from the action.

Thanks in advance :wave:
 
yellowrocket

yellowrocket

Active Member
I've stayed at both the Paradise Pier Hotel and the Disneyland Hotel (with my mom for her 50th Birthday, and hotel's 50th). That's one of the big advantages of Disneyland... there's just something magical waking up and looking at a theme park from your bed. Of course, that's possible from the Grand Floridian and the Contemporary, and I guess a little from some of the rooms at the Polynesian, but it's so much closer at the Disneyland Hotels. Laying in bed, I woke up looking at 3 Mountain attractions (Matterhorn, Space, Splash) and the Indiana Jones Show Building... If I stretched my head a little, I could see Paradise Pier at DCA.

Here was my view from the Sierra Tower at the Disneyland Hotel.. it was so magical... everything from the Mickey Hand sconces to the glow-in-the-dark pixie dust in the wall-paper... it truly is the only Disney hotel, at least in the U.S., that is themed to Disney.... and it's not only themed to Disney, but the rooms are basically themed to Disney Theme Parks. Even, the art in the hallways have Concept Art from Disney attractions.

Watch Out... These are big files...

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A

Agent

New Member
Original Poster
Thanks for all your help and suggestions. I picked up the Unofficial Guide and am working my way through it. Hopefully, I can make a final decision before Christmas. Santa needs to know these things!:xmas:
 
DisneyFreak529

DisneyFreak529

New Member
My husband & I went to California for our Honeymoon! We spent 3 days in Disneyland & 2 days in Hollywood & we got to see the coastline & Universal Studios & Warner brother studios.

California has a lot to offer & Disneyland is nice and relaxing!
 
H

hoser

New Member
Just a heads up and something you might want to consider. I was there that same week last year with my 2 boys(have been to DL 12 times all together). That week is very, very crowded, and since Dl is a little small to begin with, it makes it seem even more crowded. We were there a week, only spent one off day in Sea World, and we needed the whole week. Advantages to DL in my opinion are the fairly close proximity to Universal, Knotts Berry Farm, Sea World, Legoland, Sand Diego Zoo, and Magic Mountain. That particular week, however, I don't recomend. Just too crowded for a small park.
 

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