Biggest surprises going to Disneyland after visiting WDW first?

[agamble]

Also, the weather is nice. You don't have to worry about daily downpours in the summer.

One of my sharpest memories of our trip to WDW was that we got soaked walking through DTD trying to get to our ADR at House of Blues. We didn't realize how big DTD was or that the bus dropped off on both ends. It was a long, wet, walk. LOL!

 

[Delilah1310]

all really good points so far.
I would agree and emphasize that the quick service/counter service meals in DLR and DCA are not to be missed ... so much variety and quality.

this is a random little thing, but one thing you might notice is that most of the queue lines for each DLR/DCA ride are outside ... there is very little queue left once you get up the to structure. So while the line might look long outside, that's often ALL of the line.
I think it just wasn't built for the volume like WDW and some of the newer attractions. Plus nicer weather.

I would absolutely recommend park hoppers - sometimes my family will get the parks mixed up and want to do an attraction that lives at the other park. For example, DCA often "feels" like DHS because of some of the attractions and my kiddo will ask to go on Star Tours next. I have to remind him that ST is over at DLR. the two parks are so, so close ... there is absolutely no hassle to hopping, and I can't imagine not having that option.

have a great trip! be sure to leave a report and let us know what you thought.

 

[Tattylou]

I think everyone has already shared the main and obvious differences. I'm just here as a WDW vet who now prefers DL. It just seemed so much easier, less rushed, and charming. It was also less crowded - like walk on or 15 min or less lines in April, which I haven't seen at WDW since I don't even know when. WDW is super sentimental to me bc it is the park I grew up going to, but I enjoy DL more now. It might be bc DL feels like how WDW used to be when I went as a kid in the 80s and 90s....back before ADRs, FP+, and the seemingly always insane crowds. DH never had a "home" park bc he didn't go to any Disney parks at all until we took our kids. He prefers DL too. It is just a little more magical and a whole lot easier.

 

[DDhunter]

We are use to walking. We averaged 10-13 miles per day on our last trip to WDW. I was amazed that my son who had just turned 7, was there step for step, with the exception of one after bus ride walk to our room. We criss crossed parks a fair bit, contributing to the long walk days.

We aren't sure about Sunday evening for a couple of reasons. Friday and Saturday are going to be flat out days for myself. Sunday AM, I may have residual work to do. Our thought was just to take in Long Beach a bit and get to hotel by disney when we can. If we are there early enough we'd take in downtown disney, as I'm assuming that is a free access area like wdw.

There is also a movie theater in downtown Disney. Our favorite Downtown Disney thing to do is the Uva Bar. You can just sit, have a drink, a nice snack (or meal) and people watch. Or Trader Sam's at DLH, great fun as well.

 

[psac]

I think everyone has already shared the main and obvious differences. I'm just here as a WDW vet who now prefers DL. It just seemed so much easier, less rushed, and charming. It was also less crowded - like walk on or 15 min or less lines in April, which I haven't seen at WDW since I don't even know when. WDW is super sentimental to me bc it is the park I grew up going to, but I enjoy DL more now. It might be bc DL feels like how WDW used to be when I went as a kid in the 80s and 90s....back before ADRs, FP+, and the seemingly always insane crowds. DH never had a "home" park bc he didn't go to any Disney parks at all until we took our kids. He prefers DL too. It is just a little more magical and a whole lot easier.

You're obviously not in DL this week! After a 55 minute wait ready for Hyperspace Mountain on Tuesday at 7:30 a.m., and still not being able to pull a FP since it wasn't regular open yet, I really missed the FP+ from WDW. I realized how much I didn't miss the backtracking and everything that was involved with the old paper FP system. I don't like the old system at all.

 

[psac]

Here in DL now. One of the biggest differences is pickles. Lots of pickles. At almost every drink cart, wrapped pickles in ice. must be a west coast thing.

We did a character breakfast at the Plaza Inn, which is somewhat similar to Crystal Palace (not the Plaza) at WDW. Lots of characters, but the breakfast setup was bizarre. Everything was self-serve, including the drinks, but the food was served by servers instead of buffet stations, so the lines for just regular scrambled eggs, sausage, etc., were 10 minutes long. Justnit what we were used to.

 

[longboard55]

Much smaller, much much smaller. A lot more Disney gear worn in Disneyland. Disneyland gets late crows, WDW gets early crowds. Be there at the rope drop and you have the whole place to yourself. By Noon its busy, by dinner its a madhouse.

 

[sachilles]

Much smaller, much much smaller. A lot more Disney gear worn in Disneyland. Disneyland gets late crows, WDW gets early crowds. Be there at the rope drop and you have the whole place to yourself. By Noon its busy, by dinner its a madhouse.

That is a bit of a bummer, our 8 year old is night owl. At age 5 we'd leave the magic kingdom on the bus at park close after midnight. Kids would be passed out before we left the bus depot, along with the half the parents. He'd just be chatting a way. He doesn't sleep in either for that matter, and we'll be coming from the east coast, so I doubt he'll get used to California time in the two days.
He'll be a bear when it all catches up to him.

 

[psac]

One thing I've noticed -- how many guys here don't wash their hands after using the facilities!! Four in the first 3 days here. Don't see it that often in WDW. So don't shake any stranger's hands!!

 

[agamble]

That is a bit of a bummer, our 8 year old is night owl. At age 5 we'd leave the magic kingdom on the bus at park close after midnight. Kids would be passed out before we left the bus depot, along with the half the parents. He'd just be chatting a way. He doesn't sleep in either for that matter, and we'll be coming from the east coast, so I doubt he'll get used to California time in the two days.
He'll be a bear when it all catches up to him.

You can still do late nights. The crowds will calm down after the afternoon parade a bit and then again after the fireworks. The last couple hours are usually pretty magical if your kids have that stamina.

 

[DDhunter]

That is a bit of a bummer, our 8 year old is night owl. At age 5 we'd leave the magic kingdom on the bus at park close after midnight. Kids would be passed out before we left the bus depot, along with the half the parents. He'd just be chatting a way. He doesn't sleep in either for that matter, and we'll be coming from the east coast, so I doubt he'll get used to California time in the two days.
He'll be a bear when it all catches up to him.

There is a mass exodus of the park after the fireworks, making the last couple of hours significantly less crowded.

 

[kathy884]

After 30 + trips to WDW and 14+ for DS 21, DS and I visited Disneyland for the first time this past January:

Loved the park.

Biggest surprises:
-- Even thought we knew how much smaller the castle was, it was still surprising how small it was.
-- How much we both loved doing the little fantasy land rides like the story book land canal boats
-- How much better It's a Small World was
-- How wonderful parents were with their little ones -- no melt downs, no rushing, no trying to see it all, just parents having a wonderful time with their little toddlers (it was so wonderful to see). Lots of local I think -- week day in January.
-- That I liked it better than the Magic Kingdom (which I love by the way). It had a charm and a story book type feel that is different than the Magic Kingdom that was really cool, yet in so many ways the two parks are very similar

Even though I liked it better, Orlando will be in my future rather than Anaheim, as airfare is cheaper, I have relatives in Orlando and Tampa I like to visit, I can get great accommodations for a great price in Orlando, and Anaheim is just a lot more difficult for us to get to. I'm thrilled, though that DS and I did our bucket list trip to see Walt's park, and it did not disappoint.

 

[westie55]

As an east coast resident, I grew up going to WDW. I love it, probably even more so as an adult. I had always heard that Disneyland isn't as good as WDW. One day for no reason I looked at the DL website and was amazed at how much was there that wasn't at WDW. Since I love WDW so much, I HAD to go to DL. It would be like 30 new things opening at WDW. Needless to say, I booked a trip to DL. It was my first with a baby, incidentally. I fell in love with DL. It has all the magic WDW has with many unique features that make it totally worthwhile as its own destination. WOC is my favorite nighttime show in either park by far. I loved Cars Land. In fact, DCA was a terrific park as a whole. Main St. in both DLP and MK were very similar. It was nice to revisit old favorites from my childhood like Mr. Toad's Wild Ride and the Nemo subs, formerly 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea in its earlier version at WDW. I think many of the queues at WDW are more elaborate. It is definitely true that the lines at WDW are mostly shaded or under a roof whereas at DL you do wait in the sun. However, DL weather was much more predictable when I visited than WDW, where storms pop up regularly. The convenience of DL can't be beat, especially with a baby. We stayed at the GCH and I was shocked that it exited right into Downtown Disney through one door and right into DCA through another. DLP was just a short walk away. That was mind boggling after waiting for buses so often in WDW. Both WDW and DL are awesome, IMO, and I intend to continue to visit both with my family for years to come.

 

[Tattylou]

You're obviously not in DL this week! After a 55 minute wait ready for Hyperspace Mountain on Tuesday at 7:30 a.m., and still not being able to pull a FP since it wasn't regular open yet, I really missed the FP+ from WDW. I realized how much I didn't miss the backtracking and everything that was involved with the old paper FP system. I don't like the old system at all.

Maybe we just got lucky!! It was mid-April 2015...actually at the same time there was a Star Wars convention in Anaheim so I was worried, but it had no impact I could see on crowds.
Planning to go back next April and hope I get a week like I had and not one like you're describing!!

 

[sachilles]

So we've just returned. I'm not sure I've fully recovered from the red eye flight.
It might take a couple of posts before my tired brain covers my reactions to everything, but feel free to ask questions.

So as I mentioned previously, I was in the area for work. I work in auto racing. As with most events, I arrive on a wednesday, and usually work from early AM, to midnight or later through Saturday or Sunday. This was no exception. My family came out on Thursday to watch the race. We finished on Saturday. So from Sunday AM, we were on family time until we left at 12:42 am Wednesday morning.
I'm use to that work schedule, but my wife and son are not. While I was working, they toured the San Pedro/Long Beach area. Being Vermonters, the time change played a big role in our energy level. It was also unseasonably hot when we actually ended up at Disney.
Ultimately, we had 2 full days in the parks(and a half day at downtown Disney). We went rope drop to park close on Monday, and Tuesday slept in a bit and went into the parks around 10am, and had tickets to the Halloween party, sadly having to leave the park at 9:45, to grab our rental car and get to the airport. We timed it right, being at the gate of the flight about 15 minutes before boarding.

So what were the big differences to me?
Walking from the hotel to the park, was a nice change. We stayed at the Fairfield as I get Marriott points through work, and paid for our 2 nights with them. I'd say the hotel is pretty typical for the brand. It was very clean, and well kept. It's architecture and room size give away that the building isn't the newest one on the block, despite that it has been kept up very well. We were lucky enough to be upgraded to a "family" suite on the 7th floor, with a moderate view of the park. You could really only see the Matterhorn if I'm honest. However, we were able to watch the fireworks on the night we checked in from our balcony. I'd say the room itself is better than a florida Value property, closer but not quite as good to a moderate. The staff were very nice, and did their job well.
While the walk was convenient, you did realize you were in the real world, as you would encounter a few folks down on their luck along the way.

I liked having Downtown Disney attached to the exterior of the parks, we spent Sunday afternoon there. We did some shopping and had dinner at the rain forest cafe, before retiring to our room to watch the fireworks. That being said, it's noticeably smaller than Disney Springs. We grabbed our tickets for the park on our way out so that we wouldn't have to deal with it in the morning.

Disneyland is so familiar but unique. As mentioned, the castle is smaller. I do appreciate how the WDW expanded the center of Magic Kingdom in front of the castle, in Disneyland it felt quite tight, with less bypass routes. In terms of attractions, the Indiana Jones ride was one of my favorites, waaaay better than it's cousin Dinosaur, in both theme and ride quality. I liked pirates better than the Florida version. Splash mountain was basically the same to me. Big Thunder was closed. Space Mtn Ghost Galaxy was neat, it felt darker inside the ride, and therefore harder to judge the upcoming changes in direction. I think Autopia was a better executed version of Tomorrowland speedway. I enjoyed the nemo submarine ride, mostly because I miss 20,000 leagues in Florida. I liked Matterhorn, but my body didn't. I have a less than stellar back, and I just couldn't bend right to fit in the bobsleds. I'm not a big person (5' 8", 180), but could stand to eat a salad more often. I just couldn't get my hips to open up enough to fit right in there, as a result the bumps on the ride were less pleasant. If it were the ride vehicle from just about any disney coaster, I'd be fine. So that was a bummer for me(still went on it 3 times). We all thought the California yeti was much better than Florida. We loved that there seemed to be more "dark" rides. Those scream Disney to me, and we really enjoy them. Gadgets go coaster was also a hit with my son who really enjoys goofy's barnstormer in FLA.
I liked the maxpass system, I think that is a good fit for the california parks. I wouldn't hate seeing it end up in florida. I was a little disappointed in photopass, in that there are not nearly as many photographers around the park.

That's the quick and dirty about Disneyland. I'll share my thoughts on DCA and the halloween party in my next post in a little bit.

 

[Frozen2014]

Thanks for reporting back. I subscribed to your thread before our first DL trip in the summer as we had been to WDW once before. Sounds like you had a great trip! I pretty much agree with your comments...being so close and having Downtown Disney and the parks in walking distance is great. I think that plus MaxPass is what I liked best about DL (and that is what surprised me most as per your post as I thought I'd like WDW more but I think DL has the slight edge). Agree too that Indiana Jones is amazing. Also loved loved loved Cars land. Would love to hear your comments there too.

Another thing that surprised me was that during "off season" (last week in Aug for us), fireworks and fanstasmic only showed on Fri-Sun. Luckily our last day was Fri, but we almost came Mon-Thurs and would have missed then.
WOC is amazing though!

PS - Big Thunder is pretty close. My son is a Splash Mountain fan and he thought that WDW is better as it has more of a story.

 

[sachilles]

I have a few more minutes, for a little more.

DCA, I loved the park. If there was one quibble, I felt like shade was a challenge to find it most of the park. I really enjoyed the Grizzly peak area, the theme serves my family well, as we are country bumpkins...and we enjoy the national parks as well. It felt a good 10 degrees cooler on that side of the park.
I (we) loved carsland. How could we not, auto racing is in my families blood. The halloween overlay was pretty cool. Radiator Springs racers was incredible, unfortunately we only rode it once. I enjoyed it more than test track. The other rides in carsland were cool and that general atmosphere in the area was good. We liked the cozey cone, but felt they were understaffed for the demand. I really liked the Paradise Pier area. Would have enjoyed spending more time there, and a bit like world showcase in that it felt more suited to grown ups. Maybe it was a bit of a cross over from world showcase to the boardwalk. Had it just been my wife and I, we may very well have spent more time there enjoying the shops/food/beverages in the area.

More to share about DCA and the party, but I need to run back to reality for a bit.

 

[sachilles]

A couple of more thoughts.
We really like the Soarin' in DCA, despite almost forgetting it was there. It showed up on Maxpass, and we grabbed it. It was just enough different, and I liked the aeronautic stuff in the attraction queue.
World of Color was a little bit of a disappointment. Most of the projections were on the low side, so they were barely view-able from roped off area intended for us to view, mostly because the folks in the reserved areas in front. If a child wasn't on the shoulders of a parent, they weren't seeing the whole show. So if this show is important to you, make sure you figure out a way into some of the reserved seating options. I'm sure it was fantastic for those with a clear view.
We didn't ride screamin or the ferris wheel, mostly by choice, we had time and opportunity. We did like that general area.
We did hit the Frozen stage show at 3pm. It wouldn't have been my first choice in most instances, but in the afternoon heat, it was a nice cool hour, and beer was available....which I totally would have gone for if I didn't think I'd regret it in the afternoon sun.

In previous trips to Disneyworld, we've always done park hoppers. Typically we go back to our home resort after lunch for a quick nap. We had originally done it for my son's benefit. We didn't do that for the first time on this trip as it was just 2 days, and we wanted to maximize time. My son doesn't take naps normally at his current age. It seemed like a good idea. In retrospect, my son wasn't the only one that benefited from the naps. We regretted skipping the nap on day one, as we were gassed from the 90°+ heat. Circumstances limited us to a two day trip. I would have been happier with a three or four day trip, allowing us to ease up on the pace and allow us to stop and smell the roses more often. We were not commando touring by any stretch, but we certainly were pushing harder than we should have for a quality trip.

We made sure to get a halloween party ticket. We were very happy we did, we were only sad that it was our night to flight out of town, so we left the gate at 9:45 pm. The trick or treat trails were incredible. I can't image the amount of candy they went through. All the attractions were walk ons. We spent more time walking through the queues than we did waiting for the rides board.
The parade was pretty darn cool as well. We found an elevated spot across from It's a small world, to view it, which was great. Incidentally, I didn't like the California version of it's a small world as much as florida. It seemed like it was left side heavy, and from my vantage point, I could see a lot of the mechanical stuff that is intended to be back stage. I tend to see better attention to detail on that sort of stuff in other disney attractions. We were able to watch the halloween fireworks from near the entrance, which isn't as ideal as by the castle. We could still see some of the projections. Sadly, our time constraints required us to be near the exit as soon as the fireworks concluded. Thankfully that all worked out.

Lastly, .......food. In general, I though the food was better than florida in the quick service locations. There was better variety and the quality was better. Speed of service varied. The heat killed our appetites though, so I don't think we ate as much as we do in Florida. Seating was adequate everywhere which was nice. We didn't do any table service on this trip, largely due to time restrictions and lack of appetite.

So in summary,

We all enjoyed it. It's a nice change, yet it all feels familiar. That castle sure is tiny. Overall, if you have 4 days to play on disney property, I don't think you'll be bored. You can manage it in 2 days, but you'll be rushed, 3 days less so. My biggest surprise was how the time change and heat really affected my family. For that reason, I think it's pretty important to take your time, and not push too hard.
Maxpass isn't a real stretch to anyone accustomed to the florida fastpass system, you simply can't choose them until you enter the park. I think the weather was hotter than average, and there were no clouds to be seen. That was tough for us. While we don't like the typical afternoon showers of our Spring Florida trips, sometimes a cool shower is just what the doctor ordered.