10 Reasons to Visit Disneyland California Instead
Going to Disney World feels like a can't-miss obligation for New York City parents: like if we don't take our children to the Magic Kingdom before they outgrow the magic it will just be another decade of therapy to pile on to all our other parental misdeeds.
I'm sure Walt Disney World is 100% as magical as it is said to be, but here are 10 reasons why New York parents should consider opting for Disneyland instead:
1) Airline fairs to California are incredibly cheap recently. We have consistently been seeing fares for under $300 round trip to Los Angeles.
2) Avoid the crowds. Californians have different vacations than we do and while every other New Yorker is herding to Orlando, slip off to LA.
3) Orlando has your number. They know when our breaks are and airfares and hotel prices peak for them.
4) It's not in Orlando.
5) To elaborate, there are other things to do besides go to theme parks, like the Getty Museum, the San Diego Zoo...and, I think there's at least one more thing...
6) Disneyland has all the magic stuff, but it's a smaller, more intimate park. Perfect for visiting with little Princesses and Jedis.
7) New (as of 2001) california Adventures park, adjacent to Disneyland with Hollywood backlot, more rides and new hotels doubles the fun.
8) Jedi Training Academy. Awesome fun for boys and girls. (Yes, they have this at Disney World too. Don't bog me down with details).
9) Now through April 24, book a three-day vacation package starting as low as $68 per person, per day at the nearby Quality Inn. Go to disneyparks.com for more Spring and Summer Disneyland deals and discounts.
10) It's not in Orlando.
Just kidding, Orlando. You're great. Coming up next. 10 reasons why you should go to DisneyWorld. ;)
We did Disneyworld, and it
We did Disneyworld, and it was horrendous. Even if a crowd doesn't really exist, they CREATE one--velvet rope-style. The day begins with everyone crowding the gate, and when the announcer says, "Go", it's a cattle race, with strollers running over feet and people pushing...ugly. And for what? To pay $90 for a crappy buffet character breakfast with a chipmunk, the Fairy Godmother and some squirrel for photo ops? Every single ride involves an exit through a store. Even if your kid isn't a nagger, believe me, they'll get trained quickly. Meals are wicked expensive. Rides short and waits long. Many were closed when we went (in September). Never again.
Wow, Teresa, sorry you had a
Wow, Teresa, sorry you had a bad experience there. I agree that theme parks can be rough sometimes, that's why I liked going to Disneyland. It's smaller and more chill, plus all the california kids were in school, so while it wasn't line-free, it was not a harrowing experience by far.
Legoland!
Legoland!
Disneyworld (Magic Kingdom)
Disneyworld (Magic Kingdom) is great it's so well run it's astounding. I always say we should abolish the MTA and give the job to Disney. You just have to plan like well, not the iraq war or the bay of pigs more like the d-day invasions. You need to do your research, read the unoffical guide from cover to cover. Check out all the photo-ops on flickr and get the lay of the land with google earth beacuse there's a lot of walking involved and dashing backwards and forwards required. Being late risers we never get there till 2pm and always end up parked in the dopey lot and make it to mainstreet just in time for the daytime parade. But the park is open late a few days a week and if your kid doesn't mind staying up till ten to see mickey after the fireworks then the queue is a lot shorter for that and the goofy barnstormer. Mastery of the fastpass is key. Especially if you want to do at least two of the mountains. Don't go on Dumbo there's no fastpass and there's a passable knock-off at Dino's at Coney Island.
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