WDW or Disneyland for 2013?

[captainkidd]

Not looking to start another debate between the 2 here, but just curious what people think. We originally had planned on going to Disneyland for the 1st time next summer, but after consideration, decided we'd miss Universal and some aspects of WDW too much. But now, I'm rethinking our decision based on all the things going on at WDW over the next year in terms of construction, maintenance, new changes. My biggest concern is NexGen. Is this going to be affecting Disneyland as well?

I guess I'm just thinking, maybe we should live without Universal for a year and wait until 2014 to go back to WDW. By that time, Splash will hopefully have been fixed, Mine Train should be open, and FLE will be completed.

Thoughts?

 

[Disneykidder]

I have been to DL and I think every major Disney fan should go there at least once. I plan to go back in a couple of years when my kids can sustain the long plane ride. Our plan is to go to DL for a couple of days and then fly to Aulani in Hawaii. We all cannot wait to go to Carsland. (Hopefully DHS will go ahead with it, too!!)

With that, you need to do what is best for you and your family and your pocket. DL is a more expensive trip due to not needing as many days as WDW there. DL is amazing, though. It was inspiring walking through the castle knowing that Walt did that walk himself many times.

Good luck.

 

[Texas84]

Just got back from DLR. First trip there since the 90's. The place is absolutely beautiful. Try to stay onsite. Everything is walking distance. There are even offsite hotels right across the street. If you need more to do try Knott's Berry Farm and Universal Hollywood.

 

[captainkidd]

I'm actually entertaining this exact thing.
The airfare is outrages...I looked at trains too...way to expensive.
I'm now entertaining a rental car....
I've always wanted to drive cross country...
My wife's vacation time is the issue now.

Just don't rent "the family truckster".

 

[coachwnh]

we had an opportunity to do DL this past June (family lives in AZ, so a quick 6 hr ride and a fantastic 1 wk later, we had our fix!!) If you havent been to DL ever, or in a few years, its a must. Carsland is amazing!!! The parks have so many advantages (walking to both through DDT is a major plus). The rides are so much closer together and in general the lines seemed so much shorter than in WDW. Plus the 7 am start is great if you stay on site. heres to deciding!

 

[captainkidd]

Alright, do you feel your finances are good to make the trip?

Actually, that's one reason I think I want to go to DLR next year. Our WDW trip, combined with Universal is INSANELY expensive. No word of a lie - With hotels, airfare and park tickets, I'm spending $13K. We're going for 18 nights, but I'm having a really tough time justifying spending that much, no matter how much I love my family. I could go to DLR for a week, and spend a day at Universal and Knotts Berry Farm for far less.

Part of the thing holding me back from DLR honestly is the ticket options. Since this will probably be a one time trek out there, I'd really like to spend a good 7-8 days at the parks. They only sell a 5 day ticket, or I'd have to get AP's which are wicked expensive. I know people will say we don't need that much time there, but keep in mind, we go to WDW every year and spend 4 days at the Magic Kingdom. If we can spend 4 days at the MK, I'm willing to be we'll want to spend more time at Disneyland Park.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

The adventurous spirit in me says go where you've not been before. If we didn't already have 2 cruises committed with family next year I'd be DL bound.

 

[ShookieJones]

Just don't rent "the family truckster".

LOL! Do you know how often my wife refers to me as "Clark Griswald"?

 

[Californian Elitist]

Actually, that's one reason I think I want to go to DLR next year. Our WDW trip, combined with Universal is INSANELY expensive. No word of a lie - With hotels, airfare and park tickets, I'm spending $13K. We're going for 18 nights, but I'm having a really tough time justifying spending that much, no matter how much I love my family. I could go to DLR for a week, and spend a day at Universal and Knotts Berry Farm for far less.

Part of the thing holding me back from DLR honestly is the ticket options. Since this will probably be a one time trek out there, I'd really like to spend a good 7-8 days at the parks. They only sell a 5 day ticket, or I'd have to get AP's which are wicked expensive. I know people will say we don't need that much time there, but keep in mind, we go to WDW every year and spend 4 days at the Magic Kingdom. If we can spend 4 days at the MK, I'm willing to be we'll want to spend more time at Disneyland Park.

Three whole weeks? Wow.

Seriously, five days at Disneyland is plenty enough, but if you want to tack on more days, after your five days is over, you can buy extra two or three day park hopper tickets. As many more attractions as Disneyland has, five is just enough, and park hopping is so easy. It doesn't take up much time to park hop. You can use those extra two or three days to go some place else Disney, like the El Capitan Theatre and the Disney Soda Fountain, both in Hollywood. Also, didn't you say you wanted to visit Magic Mountain?

 

[Mukta]

Part of the thing holding me back from DLR honestly is the ticket options. Since this will probably be a one time trek out there, I'd really like to spend a good 7-8 days at the parks. They only sell a 5 day ticket, or I'd have to get AP's which are wicked expensive. I know people will say we don't need that much time there, but keep in mind, we go to WDW every year and spend 4 days at the Magic Kingdom. If we can spend 4 days at the MK, I'm willing to be we'll want to spend more time at Disneyland Park.

I bet you could spend 7-8 days there too. I know I do. Next time I am there, I am going to ask about ticket options and adding days to a park hopper.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

I'm saying Disneyland...partly b/c you've never visited, but also b/c there are other things to do out there that could be pretty cool. I mean- you could spend the entire time there, but you could also look into a variety of things in SoCal that you wouldn't get in FL. Examples- before we had to cxl our June trip, I was looking at going whale watching, checking out San Diego for a couple of days- including the Del since I've always thought it inspired at least some of the GF design, and a few other things in the area if we stuck with this vs my earler San Francisco to San Diego idea.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Hubby and I asked ourselves the same question a couple months ago. We decided to go to DL. We are going to roadtrip out there, stopping at Yellowstone and Yosemite on our way. It will be great, but I'm starting to have some WDW withdrawl, but I'll just have to wait until 2014 for WDW.

 

[DisneyGirl3820]

Interesting how the poll has Disneyland so far ahead! Guess WDW folks want to keep the crowds down in 2013.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Part of the thing holding me back from DLR honestly is the ticket options. Since this will probably be a one time trek out there, I'd really like to spend a good 7-8 days at the parks. They only sell a 5 day ticket, or I'd have to get AP's which are wicked expensive. I know people will say we don't need that much time there, but keep in mind, we go to WDW every year and spend 4 days at the Magic Kingdom. If we can spend 4 days at the MK, I'm willing to be we'll want to spend more time at Disneyland Park.

I bet you could spend 7-8 days there too. I know I do. Next time I am there, I am going to ask about ticket options and adding days to a park hopper.

I've never been so don't take this for expert advice but I've read in the past that you can add days to your multi-day tickets/parkhoppers for a greatly reduced per day rate over purchasing additional new multi-day tickets. I was kinda thrown when this year's ticket price increase came out for DL and they took the 6-day ticket off the offerings. I'd have thought with the culmination of all the recent reworks & additions they'd offer longer multi-day tickets, not the opposite. When we do make it out to DL we fully intend to spend no less than 6 or 7 days in the Disney parks alone taking our time combing every inch of the place for details & history.