Advice for WDW vetran's 1st visit to Disneyland

[vavalynn2]

I have been to WDW a handful of times and been to all of the parks. We are flying out to see my friend for a week in LA and really did not plan to go to Disneyland. I think we have changed our minds as it is something we would like to do at least once.

Do you suggest going to one park over the other (time only allows us to go for one day)? I think we are leaning towards Disneyland as it is the original. And if so, do you have any good park strategies?

Also, I would make PS at a resturant, but which do you recommend for a 20something couple who likes mostly everything, but most enjoys a break from the park in the mid afternoon? (we will be getting dropped off for the day) Is it possible to walk to resturants nearby?

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks so much!

 

[minniecarousel]

Definetly do Disneyland if you only have one day. Get there early and use fastpasses. Make sure you ride the Matterhorn - since there isn't one at WDW. The train is wonderful in the heat of the afternoon - & it's different than MK because of the diorama betweeen Tomorrowland and Main Street. The Blue Bayou is a great place for lunch. But you could check out some Downtown Disney Restaruants of the Napa Rose at the Grand Californian. I'm sure you'll get more suggestions here.

 

[dtauer]

Having been to WDW many times and just back from our first DL trip, there are a few things that I feel would be good to experience if you have limited time.

POTC is a different, and we think better, ride at DL.

The Haunted Mansions are similar but the experience is different, especially the stretching room.

Winnie the Pooh and Splash Mountain are different between the parks, but we feel both are much better at WDW.

As someone else mentioned, the Matterhorn is a good ride you can't experience at WDW.

Innoventions is very different at DL. I wouldn't spend much time there on a tight schedule but it's interesting. They also have a chance to ride a Segway, not sure if that is available at WDW or not.

Indiana Jones ride is something you can't experience at WDW and is worth waiting or getting a fastpass for.

The Tiki Room is still the original show, not the "updated" version you see at WDW.

Peter Pan is similar to WDW but is different enough you may want to experience it at DL.

Mr. Toad, Alice in Wonderland and Pinnochio are all dark rides that are not available at WDW but kind of fun.

If you can handle Small World, the exterior at DL is great to see and we like the ride inside better as well at DL.

We found there were enough differences between DL and WDW that there was plenty of new stuff to experience.

If for some reason you end up at California Adventure, I think Soarin, ToT (different version) and California Screamin are must sees and not available (at least not yet) at WDW.

 

[vavalynn2]

thanks for the info. it sounds like we will definately go to disneyland instead of california advent.

i checked the website and it looks like alice in wonderland and space mountain are being refurbished.

i have also read that weekends and mondays are busy, so i am hoping a thursday works out.

i will call tonight to make ps reservations at the blue bayou.

THANKS so much for the information!

 

[vavalynn2]

as many times as i have been to dw, i have never seen fantasmic. how early do i need to get there before the show starts?

 

[JudithM]

Darren, thanks for the taking the time to share your comparison/contrast between DL & WDW.

 

[maci]

vavalynn,

Others may be able to tell you better what time to get to fantasmic. I know they have said people get there up to 3 hours early sometimes!! But since you are going in the summer, there will probably be 2 showings...the 2nd is usually less crowded!!

By the way, it is not to be missed!! The DL version is so much better than WDW!! I saw it first at DL, and was so disappointed in the one at WDW!!

Cant wait to see it again!!!

 

[Alice28]

DEFINITELY go to Disneyland!

See Fantasmic! It's so much better than MGM's version.

In addition to the Matterhorn, Indy, Pirates, and other attractions people have mentioned, you must go on my favorite "sleeper" attraction- the Storybookland Canal Boats. A Walt original. A classic. Darling. You'll love it if you love the Disney classic movies.

Toontown is also much more lively at DL.

 

[year2late]

Just know that when you visity Disneyland, sleepy Beauty has castle envy.

Great advice on the second Fantasmic show - it is well worth waiting for the second show.

Siarin' and Alladin would be the a must do if you end up being able to go to DCA (and the Electric Parade of course)

 

[Firefly777]

Originally posted by year2late
Just know that when you visity Disneyland, sleepy Beauty has castle envy.

It's smaller but I always thought it looked nicer. Of course that could just be me.

 

[francie]

hi, is the electrical parade in california adv. or disneyland? thanks in advance.

 

[Firefly777]

The electrical parade is at DCA.

 

[francie]

thank you

 

[Chicago526]

I have to agree, SB's castle is a let down, Cindy has a MUCH better pad!

But IASW is awsome at DL. 15 minutes long (I timed it) so you'd better like the song, though! The outside is a clock that has a little show every 15 minutes.

Mr. Toad. Gotta do it!

Matterhorn, great coaster for kids of all ages!

POTC. Love both versions, but if I had to pick, I like MK's better. I do like the chickens in DL's though, don't ask me why!

DL's Splash Mtn is differant than MK's, but both are equally good, IMHO.

Space and Indiana Jones were both closed, so I can't comment.

The whole thing is very sureal, it looks a lot like MK, but things are in differant places, ride exteriors look differant in DL than MK. It's kind of like being in an alternate universe.

In any event, you'll have a great time!

 

[Firefly777]

Originally posted by Chicago526

POTC. Love both versions, but if I had to pick, I like MK's better.

Now that's a rare opinion. May I ask why?

 

[IandGsmom]

Make PS for the Blue Bayou, make sure to ask for waterside seats. I think they give priority to the earliest PS. We just got back last week from WDW for the first time. I agree the Fantasmic is way better at DL. The only advantage MGM has is the seats.
POTC was disappointing to me in MK, they have so much space that there was sections that seemed to lack scenery. I also missed the drops.

 

[iceskatejen]

Yeah, I don't get it either. The DL version is much longer and, to me anyway, has a better storyline. MK's goes straight into the pirate battle with no buildup whatsoever.

 

[Alice28]

Originally posted by IandGsmom
Make PS for the Blue Bayou, make sure to ask for waterside seats. I think they give priority to the earliest PS. We just got back last week from WDW for the first time. I agree the Fantasmic is way better at DL. The only advantage MGM has is the seats.
POTC was disappointing to me in MK, they have so much space that there was sections that seemed to lack scenery. I also missed the drops.

Hello from a native San Jose resident!

I agree with both of your thoughts- Fantasmic and Pirates are MUCH better at DL!

 

[Alison Wonderland]

I don't remember exactly which ones but this is something to look into. Some of the FastPass machines are not connected at DisneyLand so you can get multiple FP at the same time. Maybe do a search on this board or www.laughingplace.com

 

[danacath]

The most detailed explanation of multiple FP at DL that I've seen is at MIboards.com. Go to http://www.miboards.com/showthread.php?t=13186.

HTH
--danacath