A lot of Disney World visitors never consider a trip to Disneyland because it’s so much smaller, but I have lots of good reasons why you might want to think about planning a trip there.
I also have recent news, a featured company, and a quick tip of the day.
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In this article
UPDATE:
So much has changed since we first brought you this podcast, including the addition of an entire section on the site dedicated to Disneyland.
We have tons of pages and resources to help you plan the perfect Disneyland vacation.
Get started with our Complete Guide to Disneyland (with comparisons to Walt Disney World).
These are notes from this episode. There’s much more info included in the audio so be sure to listen to the episode for a better explanation.
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Call in your non-Disney World questions
If you have a non-Disney World question about websites, podcasts, business, personal stuff, etc., please leave me a SpeakPipe message and I’ll put them together for a show at the end of the year. You can do that by downloading the SpeakPipe app or using your computer at https://www.speakpipe.com/WDWPrepToGo.
Reasons WDW fans should consider Disneyland
Disneyland has lots of perks that Disney World doesn’t, such as:
- Better weather (no ponchos needed!)
- Can be less expensive, especially if staying offsite at a budget chain
- More laid back planning process
- History (Walt touched everything)
- Ability to add other things to your trip, such as a trip to the beach or nearby cities
- Better versions of attractions (especially Pirates of the Caribbean and Space Mountain)
- Unique things that Disney World doesn’t have – Cars Land, Paint the Night parade, the new fireworks, etc.
For more info on planning, see my info on how to do Disneyland if you’re a Disney World veteran and also check out DLRPrepSchool.com.
News
- 1-day Memory Maker is available at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party now. The cost is $40 and it can be purchased at Guest Relations.
- Purple MagicBands might be coming.
- Park ticket prices likely going up soon.
- Homecoming: Florida Kitchen and Southern Shine, an Art Smith restaurant, opens at Disney Springs in summer 2016.
Featured company
Today’s featured company is NerdBoy Apps, my son’s app development company. He created the WDW Prep Countdown app to help people count down to their trips and have calendar reminders set as well.
Quick tip of the day
Disney-related subscription boxes make a fun gift idea or a way to countdown time until your next trip. Check this subscription box list for options and reviews.
Subscribe to get new episodes
There are a few ways to get new episodes of WDW Prep To Go (if you’re used to listening on the website, subscribe so you can take new episodes with you on your phone)
- Subscribe in iTunes (and please leave a review!)
- Subscribe to the feed
- Listen on Stitcher
- New Car Locator Feature Coming to My Disney Experience & Disneyland Apps
- 2023 Disneyland Packages Now Available To Book
- Traditional Character Meet & Greets Are Returning To Disney World & Disneyland
- Main Street Electrical Parade, World of Color, & Fantasmic Get Return Dates at Disneyland
- How to Use Disney World’s Car Locator Feature in the My Disney Experience App
- Planning Special Events at Disney World with Allison Mertzman – PREP 322 - September 13, 2022
- Gideon’s Bakehouse Origin Story – PREP320 - August 30, 2022
- Is the 2022 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party worth it? (Review & Strategy) - August 23, 2022
Sarah
Monday 19th of October 2015
Hi Shannon,
I'm loving your podcasts! After this one, I'm planning a kid free trip with my husband to Disneyland, although I have always thought it couldn't compare to Disneyworld. Anyway, one of the things I'm looking forward to is the time change. I may sound silly, but it makes a huge difference to me. We live in Texas, so it's 2 hours earlier in CA. I always feel well rested there because even if I get up at 6, it's like sleeping in until 8 to my body. In Orlando, I'm always exhausted by getting to the parks when they open because getting up at 6 there is like 5!
Leigh Agnew
Friday 16th of October 2015
Hi Shannon, as someone from New Zealand who has been to DLR twice and am now planning our first trip to DWR, I was interested to hear your comparison. I love DLR and we particularly enjoyed Cars land on our last visit. Our daughter was 3 1/2 and was just tall enough for the main Cars ride and she loved it! I'm loving the planning aspect to our DWR trip, but hope that when we get there I can still relax and go with the flow the way we do at DLR. Roll on Jan 16 ... Might have to go and check out that App :)
Elise
Thursday 15th of October 2015
P.S.- From what I can gather, they don't use a magic band system or fast pass plus (logging in 60/30 days in advance to book rides by web)? Just paper fast pass kiosks?
Shannon Albert
Thursday 15th of October 2015
Yes, just paper there for now.
Elise
Thursday 15th of October 2015
Oh my goodness, Shannon... just when I thought I couldn't research anymore about Disney! :) Now I'm obsessed with DL! I stayed up on you tube last night "riding the rides"! LOL -The Cars ride at C.A. (wow!!), Monsters, Inc, ride (precious!), Roger Rabbit, and I'm an Alice in Wonderland nut (that ride looks amazing!) My parents took me when I was 4 and I remember some of it, especially the Matahorn (sp?)! And the storybook canal boats rides look adorable! I have to go now!! Thank you!
Shannon Albert
Thursday 15th of October 2015
Yes, yes, all of that stuff is fantastic! I hope you do get to go.