1st. trip to Disneyland

[simba2007]

We are planning our 1st trip to Disneyland this coming June. We have been to WDW several times & love it. We know nothing about DL & I am wondering what the major differences are? Also, since it is a much smaller park, how many days are needed? Does it have the same "magical" feeling as WDW? Are there discounts on hotels like WDW? Thank you for any help you can give!!

 

[heimlichfan]

Okay, I could write forever but I will try to keep this brief!


Major differences:
- size (you will be AMAZED at how small and quaint DL is)
- attractions (some far better, some not near as exciting)
- atmosphere (to me, DL has some "it" factor that WDW is lacking)
- food choices ( not near as many, try the Blue Bayou though!)


Days needed:
-Well, this depends on if you have children with you or not. My friend and I were able to do both parks very well in two days and that was the weekend of the 50th anniversary! (AWESOME time by the way!) I would say short trip if it's a DL exclusive vacation, or a bit longer if you're interested in visiting other SoCal attractions.


Magical feel:
- I believe that there is a magic at DL that will never exist at WDW! I
LOVE WDW, but there are all these small things that DL has:

-Look for the lamp in the window over the
firehouse when you're there-that's the window into Walt's apartment and the light is never turned off.

-Ride Pirates of the Carribbean - the difference is astounding. It is much longer at DL than at WDW and in my opinion much better.

- Enjoy the castle! It's ten times smaller than Cinderella's but it is still so pretty.

- The Indiana Jones ride is AMAZING! I hope they get one like it at WDW. Fabulous is just not big enough of a word.

- Enchanted Tiki Room - I have no nostalgic ties to this attraction personally but the one in DL has gone unchanged unlike the one at WDW. Again, helps you feel some of that original 1955 magic.

- Storybook Canals - another quaint piece of the magic, a nice quiet ride that gives you a whole new perspective on Disney favorites!

- BUZZ LIGHTYEAR!!!!!! I love the Buzz ride in WDW, but the one in DL just opened not long ago and has way better laser guns. (Yes, this important if you need to win!)

- It's a Small World - it's almost as fun to walk up to it as it is to ride it!

-DOLE WHIPS!!!!! Need I say more?

This is just a short list of things I really enjoyed while I was there - I can post more about DL and CA later if you're not totally bored with this post!


As for discounts - yes they do exist, but I don't know any specifics. I'm sure other people can post that info.

Hope this wasn't too long - I certainly enjoyed writing it!

 

[iceskatejen]

3 days is the minimum for first timers and 4 or 5 if you really want to immerse yourself or if you're the type to take breaks back at your hotel.

To me MK at WDW was almost lacking in magic in comparison to DL. MK is pretty, but DL is charming in ways that MK is just to big to understand. Of course, I consider DL to be my home (not just home park, but my true home).