Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<But again, in the last 11 years we have been to WDW twice and DL twice, and we would prefer DL. Maybe it is because we do non Disney things and we also tend to stay at the Grand Californian in Anaheim. Maybe that makes a big difference.>> I imagine it does. I've always been too intimidated by LA to venture off Disney property. Probably because I know nothing about it. Chicago doesn't bother me at all, but I've been there many times.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub Hey RT funny that we would both be typing the word intiminating at the same time...That is why Disney thought DCA/Californialand would be the correct theme. Even the locals will someday realize what is disappearing due to costs of gasoline and traffic on the freeways,etc. They could have remembered their State with just a visit to DCA. Want to see Santa Monica pier without vagrants and drug dealers and no parking and crowds on the weekend...I will miss the original DCA and know I will luv the new...Just wanted to say Californialand might not have been that clueless after all. p.s. my original poster name was Californialand on LP.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 I imagine it does. I've always been too intimidated by LA to venture off Disney property. Probably because I know nothing about it. Chicago doesn't bother me at all, but I've been there many times. -------------- that's because of all the great people that lie in the Chi Town area --LOL !!! And of course there are lots of things to do. However RT- I strongly suggest you venture out into LA and surrounding areas when in DL next time. I lived there for a while and have many relatives in the area- in Coranado and Newport Beach. LA should not be any more intimidating that Chicago, except for Chicago looks more like your days in Miinesota. But a wealth of fun things in and around LA- and even San Diego which is not far at all. When we go to DL we spent 2-3 days in and out of the parks and the remainder of the 10 days in the area..lots of favorite places I could help you with. Might be tempted to do the same in WDW if Orlando was LA- which no offense meant- it certainly is not. That is why we don't mind spending almost all of our time on the grounds..at least until we venture across the state to Vero or down to Key West ( almost called it Old Key West)
Originally Posted By RoadTrip One major difference is the stuff to do in Los Angeles is so spread out. In Chicago I can stay in a hotel on Miracle Mile and be just a short cab ride, train ride, or walking distance away from anything I want to see. In LA you either take out a second mortgage to pay for cab fare or venture out on the freeways yourself. It is scary enough jut getting to Disneyland. Six lanes of traffic going down Cajon Pass with everyone going 90 miles per hour. You have no choice but to keep up... it is grab on to the steering wheel and pray time!
Originally Posted By vbdad55 The Harbor freeway has nothing in scare factor on the Dan Ryans expressway. But yes, a car is the most needed item next to oxygen in LA-- that is a true statement
Originally Posted By tashajilek "But yes, a car is the most needed item next to oxygen in LA-- that is a true statement" Yupp, and i priceline mine for about $15-$20 a day which is not to bad.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "I've always been too intimidated by LA to venture off Disney property." You should at least plan to spend the day at Laguna Beach the next time you go down there. It's beautiful.
Originally Posted By epcotplanner I think that to compare "apples to apples" one should take the entire vacation destination into account, not just the Disney "bubble": ie. Orlando vs. LA/OC. Disneyland Resort was specifically designed to give visitors a few days worth of a car-free pedestrian oasis as well as a taste of the broader LA culture for those afraid of freeways. However, that doesn't have to keep you plugged into the dream world of the Matrix! Even if a family doesn't want to deal with rental cars, etc, there are free shuttles to Universal (world's largest REAL studio and the original Citywalk...still a great LA gathering place). From there one could hit Hollywood/Highland Chinese Theatre/El Capitan, LA Live (downtown), Olvera Street/Chinatown without ever getting in a car. And I agree with Hans, going to OC without hitting the beach (especially Laguna Beach) is a crime.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 I think WDW counts on a large number of guests who visit because it is comfortable and they're afraid to travel elsewhere. I'm not even talking internationally (and frankly, I'm more afraid of returning to the USA than I am of leaving it nowadays and is sad to say that). When people fear going to LA (my second home for much of the past decade) to see DL and all the great things in the Southland, well ... TDO suits just smile and start planning the next DVC.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<When people fear going to LA (my second home for much of the past decade) to see DL and all the great things in the Southland, well ... TDO suits just smile and start planning the next DVC.>> Fine Spirit... you can have LA. I'm not afraid of large cities... I'm not even afraid of cities with a reputation for a certain amount of crime. I love Chicago... I stay downtown and walk or use public transit to get everywhere safely and comfortably. DC is WONDERFUL!! The Metro is probably the best transit system in the U.S. I like staying in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood where the hotels cost a little less but the Metro is still just a block or two away. I'm sorry, but LA is just a major PITA for visitors. If I want to ENJOY California I head for Monterey and points north of that. Don't need no LA... don't want no LA. Sorry... that is just the way I see it. P.S. One exception to the above comment… DlandDug once offered to show me LA if I came out again. Now THAT I would LOVE. Just don’t want to do it on my own. I really hate driving when I’m on vacation and don’t know the area well.
Originally Posted By epcotplanner LA can be pretty intimidating and hard to get to know, but worth the effort. While OC has chosen to widen freeways and become Autopia, LA has put its money into a great Metro/subway system that connects downtown & Hollywood with Universal City, Pasadena, Long Beach, and soon, the Westside. For those afraid of mass transit, the tour vans through Hollywood/Beverly Hills/Santa Monica are fun & painless. My recommendation though would be to stay at Santa Monica Beach, rent a car, and basically stay on 1 road....Sunset Boulevard. It will take you through/past Malibu, Westwood, Getty Center, Sunset Strip, Hollywood, and Silverlake/Sunset Junction to Olvera Street, without dealing with any confusing freeways.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Don't need no LA... don't want no LA. Sorry... that is just the way I see it. --------- picturing Randy Newman -stunned with jaw agape reading this
Originally Posted By vbdad55 TDO suits just smile and start planning the next DVC. ---- remember DVC wanted to do Newport Beach site--but snobs ( including some of my relatives)- were aghast that could have encouraged southern CA wandering I love my home city of Chicago for things to do..but also dig LA big time
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<picturing Randy Newman -stunned with jaw agape reading this>> Oh well. We all know what the SOB thinks about short guys like me anyway! LOL
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>remember DVC wanted to do Newport Beach site--but snobs ( including some of my relatives)- were aghast<<< Yep, and now there is an awesome Italianate MVCI resort there, across the street from the excellent Pelican Sands Golf Course. It was a wonderful place to bade ourselves for a week - great ocean views and seafood with fire pits, easy drive to the Missions, Knott's Berry Farm, USH, the Getty, Disneyland, Legoland, Seaworld, San Diego Zoo, and the rest of SoCal. while I too prefer Northern California to LA, it was a much nicer vacation than Orlando. Although we cheated, after a week there, we stayed at the Grand Californian for 5 days and did Disneyland that way. I had to laugh, a friend of mine is going to Orlando for a short break and does not want to do any theme parks other than Holyland and IOA for the WWOHP. She was upset that the only thing she could find in the area were theme parks (I did point her to the museums of Orlando). She said she should have gone to california instead. Lol. I agreed.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>> I like staying in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood where the hotels cost a little less but the Metro is still just a block or two away<<< Ohhhhh, Georgetown. I LOVE it there. Such a fantastic, classy place to stroll around, eat, and just BE THERE. Really need to get back to DC.
Originally Posted By tashajilek I think it's a nice change to explore the city instead of just the theme parks. When i go to Orlando im going to probably head over to Miami and see some of the beaches.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost ^^^It's a pretty long ride to Miami. If you are just doing day trips...Cocoa Beach or Tampa bay my be much more accessible. Just a thought.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper Yea...and Miami sucks(No offense EE). If you're looking for the best beach within a reasonable drive from WDW, head to Clearwater.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt Actually RT what you should considering doing when you visit DLR, skip LA and come up to San Francisco. Considering how much you like DC and Chicago, San Francisco seems like it would be more to your liking.
