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You should consider a trip to Disneyland – PREP111

You should consider a trip to Disneyland – PREP111

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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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).

Disneyland

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.

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Our recommend travel agency

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Want to stay deluxe on a moderate budget?

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Private car service

Quicksilver Tours will transport you in style. They assist with luggage at the airport, provide car seats, and include a free grocery stop. Book your car ➡️

Need a stroller, wheelchair, or scooter?

Buena Vista Scooters is a company with a great reputation who offers in-person resort drop off and pick up of strollers, scooters, and wheelchairs. Book your rental ➡️

Amazon recommendations

Check out our Amazon shop with trip essentials we love. Start shopping ➡️

WDW Prep merch

Get WDW Prep merch to show off your Disney knowledge (especially fun for spotting others during your trip!). Check out the WDW Prep merch shop ➡️

Shannon Albert
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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.