Can You Please Tell Me About Disneyland

[jnjusoioa]

Hi All,
I will be spending two days in Disneyland and CA. My question is, what are the high spots, also which hotel to stay at?? Also what are the good character spots at Disneyland, I am good with WDW but clueless when it comes to Disneyland. Also how is the Downtown Disney area?? Is it as big as WDW, do they have a lot of the same places, etc? Is it easy to get around Disneyland, from park to park and Downtown Disney and the hotels. Also where is a nice place either at the hotels or at Downtown Disney to take some friends to eat?? Your help is greatly appreciated. Thanks so much.

 

[TwingleMum]

As for food at DTD check out allears.net for menus but I'd recommend Brennens its unique and unless you go to New Orleans someplace your not likely to dine at. They also have music. In the parks Blue Bayou is a unique Disneyland experience the restaurant is in the POC ride so the atmosphere is hard to beat and the signature Monte Cristo is a Disneyland favorite. Unlike WDW there are plenty of off site hotels that are very close walking distance to DL. Search this forum for recommendations. I can't help you there I'm staying onsite for 1st time in 9 days!!!!! Have fun planning everyone here is very helpful.

 

[casaazul]

DL and DCA are within a 2 minute walk from each other. There is a large plaza area where both parks are. Hopping from one to the other is very easy.

In 2 days you should be able to do most of what you want. Visit the official Disneyland site and check out the informatin on this website and board.

I would do Matterhorn, Pirates and Indiana Jones at DL and Calif Screamin and Soarin at DCA.

Hotels : If you want the full Disney experience, stay at the Grand Californian or Disneyland Hotel. If you are on a budget, there are many right across the street, Carousel Inn, Best West Park Place, HoJo's etc.

DTD is fun, and nothing like the one at WDW I've heard. There are some fun restaurants Rainforest Cafe, ESPN Zone and Brennans are all good, plus shopping is fun too.

Ask more questions and I'm sure we all can help you!

 

[Husker Mickey]

I agree with everything so far. I also would tell you that DTD is also within very close walking distance. It is a lot smaller than WDW. It makes a nice side trip for when the parks get too busy, like on a weekend afternoon. The shops are fun, but just not as many as in WDW. Don't get me wrong, it is still worth taking a stroll and checking out the shops. There is also evening entertainment on the sidewalks. Have fun!!! We will be there in just over 2 weeks and can't wait!!!

 

[tinkermell]

You need to check out HydroGuys thread on WDW vets going to DL for the first time.
DTD is way smaller than WDW, but has more of a variety of shops to look at. By that I mean that there are shops, besides all Disney merchandise.
DCA and DL are separated by a plaza. When you walk into the resort...one direction is DL and the other way is DCA. You can stand right in the middle and say, "Hmmm...which one shall I go to??? And if you are staying onsite, then you will walk down DTD to get there. That's how close everything is.
If you choose the Grand Californian, there is an entrance that goes directly into DCA! It is a beautiful hotel, kind of a cross between the Wilderness and the Grand Floridian. Stayed there last time and loved it...but it is quite expensive. Alot of people love the DLH, because they feel it is more Disney themed. We're staying there for the first time in years in June, since all of the major changes made to the resort. Have also stayed at BW Park Place Inn,(which is the closest motel to DL), and Candy Cane Inn, which were nice too. Alot of people like HoJos.
Be sure to ride Indianna Jones which I know most people have told you. It is bar none a true Disney ride. The queue is almost as good as the ride itself. Of course ride Pirates, way better than WDW. So are a few other rides that others have mentioned. The Matterhorn is a great attraction just knowing that it is unique to Disneyland and Walt.
I could go on, but I know others will join in. Have lots of fun!

 

[HydroGuy]

Here is some info that may help: "A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

DLR is weaker than WDW in the area of dining, but there are some good options as others have described.

In the link above there is a list of "not to be missed at DLR" that is tailored for a WDW vet.

It seems obvious to say this, but DLR is not WDW. It is not even "WDW lite". It is it's own resort with areas where is exceeds WDW, and areas where it doesn't. It is much smaller, but smaller does not equate to lesser. There is less to do outside the parks, but more to do inside the parks. The two DLR parks have almost as many rides as the four WDW parks put together. And IMO the shows currently at DLR are better than the ones currently at WDW. Specifically, the Remember Dreams Come True fireworks show at DL and Aladdin at DCA are better than any of the comparable shows at WDW. Fantasmic is down until June because of the work on Tom Sawyer Island, but most people who have seen both prefer the Fantasmic at DL. This is not to put WDW down - which has some great things as well, and has more variety - just to relate that DLR has areas where it shines. Keep an open mind and you will have a great time.

 

[jnjusoioa]

Thank you for all these great replies. I am looking forward to my time in Disneyland, while it won't be long it will still be awesome I think. Any other advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[jnjusoioa]

Also what are the good highs and lows of the characters, where they can be found, what time of day. etc??

 

[Caitsmama]

Subscribing to this thread, as we are going in Feb to DL, and i haven't been in about 15 yrs, but we go to WDW every year.. so i am sure a TON has changed..
I just remember walking from my uncles house to DLR, he is less than a mile. Ahhhh.. to be that close!! LOL

Thanks for the link on the WDW vets thread!

 

[Andrew812]

If you're looking for a nice hotel, the Embassy Suits on Harbour is really nice. It has a full breakfast evry morning aswell as a managers cocktail every afternoon.. As for high lite in D.L, it depends on your tastes

 

[RMH]

Toon Town is probably the best area for the most characters in a small spot. That is where they all live and you can visit Mickey and Minnie's house and they are usually home (it opens one hour after the rest of the park so don't head there first thing). But they are all over the park - a lot of them hang out in Fantasyland and Tigger and Pooh are in Critter Country or Bear Country or whatever it is called now. A lot of them are scheduled and you wait in a long line, but a lot of them just show up unannounced. Mainstreet is also a popular place to see them and they don't seem to have the hoards of people around like in Fantasyland. There are not a many characters in DCA, but the kids can interact with Crush or learn to draw Donald and they like that. Most of that is in the Backlots area section - head left as soon as you enter the park.

 

[sters]

Here is some info that may help: "A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

DLR is weaker than WDW in the area of dining, but there are some good options as others have described.

In the link above there is a list of "not to be missed at DLR" that is tailored for a WDW vet.

It seems obvious to say this, but DLR is not WDW. It is not even "WDW lite". It is it's own resort with areas where is exceeds WDW, and areas where it doesn't. It is much smaller, but smaller does not equate to lesser. There is less to do outside the parks, but more to do inside the parks. The two DLR parks have almost as many rides as the four WDW parks put together. And IMO the shows currently at DLR are better than the ones currently at WDW. Specifically, the Remember Dreams Come True fireworks show at DL and Aladdin at DCA are better than any of the comparable shows at WDW. Fantasmic is down until June because of the work on Tom Sawyer Island, but most people who have seen both prefer the Fantasmic at DL. This is not to put WDW down - which has some great things as well, and has more variety - just to relate that DLR has areas where it shines. Keep an open mind and you will have a great time.

I'd agree with just about everything said above, except that (1) there are a whole lot more attractions when you add up the 4 WDW theme parks than the two DL parks (2) the attractions in Florida are more spread out and garden-like, more flowers, more trees, more benches, (3) you never see the "real world" at WDW as you do in Disneyland and (4) the hotels in WDW are also better themed and having stayed at the Disneyland Hotel, which is a great hotel don't get me wrong, I'd probably just stay at the HoJo's.

Obviously, I'm more of a WDW person because I like the resort feel whereas Disneyland is more of a local, day-tripping park...that's my bias. Having said all that, I LOVE Disneyland! It is, as this poster said, a completely different park, with unique attractions, both shows and rides, that it make it worth seeing. It isn't WDW and it isn't WDW Lite. And, I sure hope Disney maintains unique things about both parks, othewise there'd be no reason to cross the country.

Enjoy your trip and if you do stay on site, seriously consider booking with AAA if they still offer the unlimited Fastpass feature.

 

[ScooterL]

Also what are the good highs and lows of the characters, where they can be found, what time of day. etc??

There are LOTS of characters out on Main Street (in Town Square) just after the park opens. And in Toontown you can visit Mickey and Minnie in their houses during the day. The princesses used to hang out around the castle...I don't know if that's still true or if they are mostly over in Princess Fantasy Faire now (where the lines to see them are really long). Aladdin and Jasmine are available for meet and greets after the Aladdin and Jasmine StoryTale Adventures show. And the Pooh characters are often hanging around Critter Country. Woody and Jessie are often found outside the Golden Horseshoe.
And Ariel is in her grotto.

 

[HydroGuy]

I'd agree with just about everything said above, except that (1) there are a whole lot more attractions when you add up the 4 WDW theme parks than the two DL parks

By my count DLR's two parks have 66 attractions (with one new one coming in June - Nemo subs - which will bring it to 67) and WDW's four parks have 73. About 10% more.

For a DLR count see: http://hydroguy.smugmug.com/gallery/1819958#90919695-L-LB

For a WDW count (prior to Nemo at Epcot which brings the total to 73) see: http://hydroguy.smugmug.com/gallery/1819958#90919696-L-LB

This is subject to interpretation, but I think it was fairly done. It does not mean DLR has almost as much to do as WDW. What is not counted is "hard to account for" places at WDW like World Showcase. If there is a true attraction at the country, it was counted. If not, it was not counted. Also, nothing was counted at the WDW water parks as these are not theme parks in a conventional sense.

My point is that the DLR parks have more rides/attractions packed into them on average. Heck, DL has 30% more than MK alone. I am not trying to say that this somehow makes DLR better.

 

[nurse.darcy]

Toon Town is probably the best area for the most characters in a small spot. That is where they all live and you can visit Mickey and Minnie's house and they are usually home (it opens one hour after the rest of the park so don't head there first thing). But they are all over the park - a lot of them hang out in Fantasyland and Tigger and Pooh are in Critter Country or Bear Country or whatever it is called now. A lot of them are scheduled and you wait in a long line, but a lot of them just show up unannounced. Mainstreet is also a popular place to see them and they don't seem to have the hoards of people around like in Fantasyland. There are not a many characters in DCA, but the kids can interact with Crush or learn to draw Donald and they like that. Most of that is in the Backlots area section - head left as soon as you enter the park.

I must say that may have been true but lately I see a lot more characters in DCA than before. I was there on Thursday and in the Hollywood backlot area I saw Cinderella, Snow White, Zero, Mike and Sully, Jasmine and some others. In fact Snow White was there all day long. There were no ques for scheduled times, they just show up. Zero was super funny. He was dancing around and greeting people. It was hysterical.

 

[nurse.darcy]

To the OP and anyone else who cares. I cannot compare WDW with DLR as I have only been to DLR and I go at least once a month. The coolness of DLR is its connectedness. Stay onsite, stay offsite, it doesn't really matter because you don't have to decide which park to come back to if you leave to go to your hotel. You can still do both parks. Downtown Disney is the greatest thing they built in DLR to pull the hotels and the theme parks together. I love how it feels "Disney" from the moment you step on the property. If you are a WDW veteran you MUST see Indiana Jones, Matterhorn and California Screamin - you also need to see POTC and Haunted House to compare with WDW. I was just in Haunted House the other day and was really impressed with this last Refurb. I havent been on that ride in a while so I was glad to see how the animatronics timing is working so much better and the speakers sound much more improved. Very nice. Splash mountain would be a must see for comparison but it is closed right now for refurbishment and I don't recall when its supposed to be released.

That's all I got. . .others will have more.

 

[Judy from Boise]

Please browse the planning content at the top of the site too, lots of good stuff there.

 

[quiltymom]

Don't forget to do some of the Fantasyland rides that are unique to DL - Alice in Wonderland, Pinocchio, Storybook Land Canals, Casey Jr., Matterhorn, and of course, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride! Yippee!!!

And if it's hot, make sure to get splashed real good on the canoe ride in Frontierland! They're so much fun.

I just love Disneyland. I love WDW, but there's just something about DL that makes me feel GOOD! You'll have a wonderful time no matter what you do.

And don't forget to get some fritters & a mint julep from the mint julep bar that's behind the French Market in New Orlean's Square. Yum-yum! That's the snack that tops Dole Whips for me any old day!

 

[nurse.darcy]

Don't forget to do some of the Fantasyland rides that are unique to DL - Alice in Wonderland, Pinocchio, Storybook Land Canals, Casey Jr., Matterhorn, and of course, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride! Yippee!!!

And if it's hot, make sure to get splashed real good on the canoe ride in Frontierland! They're so much fun.

I just love Disneyland. I love WDW, but there's just something about DL that makes me feel GOOD! You'll have a wonderful time no matter what you do.

And don't forget to get some fritters & a mint julep from the mint julep bar that's behind the French Market in New Orlean's Square. Yum-yum! That's the snack that tops Dole Whips for me any old day!

I always forget about the fritters. . .I can't eat them now but used to love them sooooo much.

 

[Dchef]

I must say going in--I am a bit skeptical...but full out ready to put all of that aside as soon as I get there. WDW is still so fresh in my mind and I know there have been comparrisons about the Dreams...Fireworks, but I have to say that the ones in Epcot were AMAZING and will be hard to beat, but then it was our last night there too. I look forward to my adventure if only a short one and embrassing the differences of both parks--I will personally keep an open mind.