SnackyStacky
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 29, 2002
- Messages
- 6,799
Ive never been very good at the narrative, creative style trip reports, so Im going to bypass that and in true type-A form, Ill be doing some bullet points for my trip report. 
As a Walt Disney World vet, my thoughts on Disneyland: Is it worth a trip to southern California JUST to see Disneyland? If youre an east coaster like me, absolutely not. Its FANTASTIC but you need more to do. I came during busy season and with proper touring advice (thanks HydroGuy!
) I managed to fit in everything I wanted to see and do for the most part into 2 days. We had a three day ticket. The first day we rode Tower of Terror, Alice in Wonderland and saw Its Tough To Be a Bug. But more than anything, that first day we were just getting a feel for things and learning the lay of the land. We really only toured for 2 days. Having said all that, if youre coming to see Disneyland, Hollywood, Los Angeles, San Diego, Universal Studios a bunch of Southern California attractions? Its DEFINITELY worth it. My point is dont plan a southern California vacation just to see Disneyland. See Disneyland if youre here anyway, or plan on seeing more than just Disneyland.
Disneyland Resort vs. Walt Disney World Resort: Theres absolutely no comparison. For me, Walt Disney World Resort blows the Disneyland Resort out of the water.
Disneyland Park vs. Magic Kingdom park: Theres absolutely no comparison. For me, Disneyland park blows the Magic Kingdom Park out of the water.
It has a more, for lack of a better work, enchanted feel. Because theyre working in such a confined space things are much smaller and closer together. I never felt this way until I visited Disneyland park, but I now feel like the Magic Kingdom is mass-produced entertainment. Thats not to say I dont love it. Because I still do. But Disneyland doesnt have that feeling. Its sort of like the difference between a huge warehouse and a small independently owned grocery store. You can get the same things at both, but you can tell that the warehouse was designed for bigger things after youve visited the independently owned grocery store.
West coast version vs. East coast version:
Big Thunder Mountain: I much prefer the East Coast version. Its more enveloping. Big Thunder aint so big. Its more like a little rumble.
Splash Mountain: No contest. East coast is WAAAAAY better. Its longer, and has better ride vehicles.
Space Mountain: No contest. West coast is WAAAAAY better. Its longer and has better ride vehicles.
Peter Pan: West coast is better. They fly you through a star field!
Snow White: Im not fond of either one.
The castle: I dont think one is better than the other. I think each park has the castle that is appropriate. Cinderella Castle would be COMPLETELY out of place at Disneyland. I really liked the feeling of Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Haunted Mansion: West Coast is better but marginally. Im excited to see what its going to look like once the refurb is done in Florida. The floating Leota head was AWESOME. And the bride is RIGHT scary!!!!!!
Pirates of the Caribbean: NO CONTEST. They need to bring the FULL West Coast version to Florida. I love that the last portion of the ride floats right by the queue!
Tower of Terror: East Coast. WAY better. Hands down. The queue is just so pathetic in California, and I miss the vehicle moving into the Twilight Zone scene.
Soarin Over California: Didnt do it. Didnt feel the need to since all they did was bring the SAME movie over to Florida. Didnt want to waste time Fastpassing or waiting in standby.
My thoughts on Disneyland-Exclusives:
The Matterhorn: LOVED IT! I saw it first thing in the morning with virtually no wait. I dont think its worth the 45+ minute waits I saw later in the day. But I did love it!
Mr. Toads Wild Ride: If the Florida version was anything like this one I can see why they scrapped it. Really neat but I didnt know the Wind in the Willows storyline and couldnt follow it from the ride.
Pinocchio: I know this one gets a bad rep, but I really liked it! I thought it was cute.
Alice in Wonderland: My absolute favorite Fantasyland ride in both East and West coast!!!
California Screamin: A great coaster! I think Disney completely dropped the ball though. They usually give you a story. Here, they just give you a backdrop and a Mickey head. Meh. As coasters go, this one is AWESOME. But its not a Disney-caliber roller coaster.
I think both California and Florida have their pros and their cons.
The resorts:
I only stayed at the Paradise Pier and only one night at that. But there really is just nothing like a Disney hotel. Even if its just a bland, re-purposed everyday hotel. From the outside, I wasnt expecting too much. But once we got into our room, I was pleasantly surprised. We had a 12th floor, theme park view room and it was beautiful. They carried out the Pier theme throughout the room. From the furnishings, to the wall sconces, to the soft goods. Everything was cohesive and carried through the story I think they were trying to tell. We also visited the outside areas of the Disneyland hotel. It was beautiful! I loved the waterfalls and Neverland pool. We also used the Grand Californian entrance to California Adventure. It was SO beautiful inside. The only problem I have with this place is that while a Downtown Disney view room seems really neat in theory I dont know how well it would go over listening to the really loud music and the crowds below. Likewise a rooms that has a theme park view thats actually IN the theme park. But it really is a beautiful resort!
My overall impression is that I really like both places for very different reasons. And I wouldnt hesitate to visit again. And it REALLY makes me wish I were a local so I could just drop by for the day.
Some pictures can be found here:
http://www.theverythoughtofyou.net
As a Walt Disney World vet, my thoughts on Disneyland: Is it worth a trip to southern California JUST to see Disneyland? If youre an east coaster like me, absolutely not. Its FANTASTIC but you need more to do. I came during busy season and with proper touring advice (thanks HydroGuy!
) I managed to fit in everything I wanted to see and do for the most part into 2 days. We had a three day ticket. The first day we rode Tower of Terror, Alice in Wonderland and saw Its Tough To Be a Bug. But more than anything, that first day we were just getting a feel for things and learning the lay of the land. We really only toured for 2 days. Having said all that, if youre coming to see Disneyland, Hollywood, Los Angeles, San Diego, Universal Studios a bunch of Southern California attractions? Its DEFINITELY worth it. My point is dont plan a southern California vacation just to see Disneyland. See Disneyland if youre here anyway, or plan on seeing more than just Disneyland.Disneyland Resort vs. Walt Disney World Resort: Theres absolutely no comparison. For me, Walt Disney World Resort blows the Disneyland Resort out of the water.
Disneyland Park vs. Magic Kingdom park: Theres absolutely no comparison. For me, Disneyland park blows the Magic Kingdom Park out of the water.
It has a more, for lack of a better work, enchanted feel. Because theyre working in such a confined space things are much smaller and closer together. I never felt this way until I visited Disneyland park, but I now feel like the Magic Kingdom is mass-produced entertainment. Thats not to say I dont love it. Because I still do. But Disneyland doesnt have that feeling. Its sort of like the difference between a huge warehouse and a small independently owned grocery store. You can get the same things at both, but you can tell that the warehouse was designed for bigger things after youve visited the independently owned grocery store. West coast version vs. East coast version:
Big Thunder Mountain: I much prefer the East Coast version. Its more enveloping. Big Thunder aint so big. Its more like a little rumble.
Splash Mountain: No contest. East coast is WAAAAAY better. Its longer, and has better ride vehicles.
Space Mountain: No contest. West coast is WAAAAAY better. Its longer and has better ride vehicles.
Peter Pan: West coast is better. They fly you through a star field!
Snow White: Im not fond of either one.
The castle: I dont think one is better than the other. I think each park has the castle that is appropriate. Cinderella Castle would be COMPLETELY out of place at Disneyland. I really liked the feeling of Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Haunted Mansion: West Coast is better but marginally. Im excited to see what its going to look like once the refurb is done in Florida. The floating Leota head was AWESOME. And the bride is RIGHT scary!!!!!!
Pirates of the Caribbean: NO CONTEST. They need to bring the FULL West Coast version to Florida. I love that the last portion of the ride floats right by the queue!
Tower of Terror: East Coast. WAY better. Hands down. The queue is just so pathetic in California, and I miss the vehicle moving into the Twilight Zone scene.
Soarin Over California: Didnt do it. Didnt feel the need to since all they did was bring the SAME movie over to Florida. Didnt want to waste time Fastpassing or waiting in standby.
My thoughts on Disneyland-Exclusives:
The Matterhorn: LOVED IT! I saw it first thing in the morning with virtually no wait. I dont think its worth the 45+ minute waits I saw later in the day. But I did love it!
Mr. Toads Wild Ride: If the Florida version was anything like this one I can see why they scrapped it. Really neat but I didnt know the Wind in the Willows storyline and couldnt follow it from the ride.
Pinocchio: I know this one gets a bad rep, but I really liked it! I thought it was cute.
Alice in Wonderland: My absolute favorite Fantasyland ride in both East and West coast!!!
California Screamin: A great coaster! I think Disney completely dropped the ball though. They usually give you a story. Here, they just give you a backdrop and a Mickey head. Meh. As coasters go, this one is AWESOME. But its not a Disney-caliber roller coaster.
I think both California and Florida have their pros and their cons.
The resorts:
I only stayed at the Paradise Pier and only one night at that. But there really is just nothing like a Disney hotel. Even if its just a bland, re-purposed everyday hotel. From the outside, I wasnt expecting too much. But once we got into our room, I was pleasantly surprised. We had a 12th floor, theme park view room and it was beautiful. They carried out the Pier theme throughout the room. From the furnishings, to the wall sconces, to the soft goods. Everything was cohesive and carried through the story I think they were trying to tell. We also visited the outside areas of the Disneyland hotel. It was beautiful! I loved the waterfalls and Neverland pool. We also used the Grand Californian entrance to California Adventure. It was SO beautiful inside. The only problem I have with this place is that while a Downtown Disney view room seems really neat in theory I dont know how well it would go over listening to the really loud music and the crowds below. Likewise a rooms that has a theme park view thats actually IN the theme park. But it really is a beautiful resort!
My overall impression is that I really like both places for very different reasons. And I wouldnt hesitate to visit again. And it REALLY makes me wish I were a local so I could just drop by for the day.
Some pictures can be found here:
http://www.theverythoughtofyou.net
It is nice to hear the comparison of the parks. Hope Ava enjoyed it - she is soooo precious. 
