GoofyDisney
<a href="http://www.wdwinfo.com/dis-sponsor/index.
- Joined
- May 14, 2001
- Messages
- 845
This post is part comparison, and part trip report. I decided to post it on this board for the comparison, but would understand if the moderators moved it. 
Well, we just returned from our first ever trip to DL. After a gazillion trips to Disneyworld, we were in for a pleasant surprise. My brother lives in San Diego and we met my parents there and went to DL together. my parents returned after more than 30 years.
I have always heard that DL is smaller and disappointing compared to WDW. So, I was prepared for the let down. But I was pleasantly surprised!!! DL was GREAT!
We started out on Christmas Eve at CAAD. We enjoyed this. It is a park with less rides for the little ones. But the Monsters, Inc. show completely made up for any diappointment in the entertainment for the little ones!!!!!!!!
Paradise Pier was very nice. I think the Midway is a waste of space. But the ambience is nostalgic and exciting at the same time. DH did all the roller coasters. Two thumbs way up for all. The large orange looks just like the large orange on 192 in Kissimee, Fl. hehehe
Our nephew was glad to see the McD's. And we really enjoyed the chicken fingers and cheese sticks.
We liked the tortilla factory! Yummy! And a quick break from the crowds.
Thought that Hollywood backlot was really well done. The stores were better than elsewhere. LOVED THE ABC SOAP STORE AND BISTRO. What a great idea. And a much nicer homage than the one poster of ABC soaps in the Commisary at MGM/WDW.
I think we may be the only people who really enjoyed the Superstar Limo. We did it twice!
7 years ago on Christmas Eve, we were at Epcot/WDW watching Illuminations, and this year we were at CAAD watching Luminaria. What a nice show. It was small, but really well done. Someone behind us saw their child's card. This is worth waiting around for.
Then Christmas Day and the day after, we spent in Disneyland. The crowds were really insane. But no better or worse than WDW has been. However, even with light crowds I would imagine that the corridor from Adventureland and New Orleans Square is always CARAZY!!!
We started our day by having our pics taken by the DL photographers in front of the castle. They are some of our favorite souveniers.
I must tell you, it was hard to get over how small the castle is. But it was much harder to remember that DL was first, and that even though some things seem better, WDW is still the copy of the original!
My friend was right, Pirates and Small world are better at DL than WDW.
Fantasyland has more and better rides. (They need Pooh, but other than that it is better) Pinocchio, Mr. Toad, Storybook land, circus train, matterhorn, etc. (I had been missing Mr Toad since they removed it from WDW). Peter Pan is better at WDW. The mermaid lagoon is so nice at WDW. Overall this Fantasyland ROCKS!!!
I do not like the movie "Alice in WOnderland", but must say that Alice ride was one of our very fav rides!!!! Not to be missed!!! This ride is also longer, as a CM pointed out, than most. Snow White is 47 seconds, and Alice is over a minute and a half.
Toontown is very small. Probably gets overcrowded quickly.
Splash Mountain is better at WDW, but still so much fun here. The logs you ride in are SOOOO much more comfortable at DL.
Indiana Jones was a BLAST!!!!!!!!!!!! This was the funnest ride!!!!!!! This is a MUST do! At one point, i was saying out loud to DH, "I'm scared. I'm scared!"
We did the Jungle Cruise at night and our driver, Eric, was the most hysterical guy. He was the perfect driver. It is a totally different ride at night. If you can do it in day and night time, I recommend it!
I had read that they had changed Haunted Mansion to the Nightmare before Christmas theme, and I was not looking forward to it. HM is one of my favs at WDW, and I wanted to experience it at DL. I am now converted!!! I hope they leave it as NBC!!! (it goes back Jan 6th) But I loved it! I have never even seen the movie, but was so captivated by the way they changed it, it was fantastic!!!!!!!!!!
The WD Train around the parks was really nice. I would do this again if I need a rest for my feet!
I had a Corn Dog at the cart next to the photo shop. UNBELIEVABLE!!!! The best corn dogs I have had in my life! I had two they were so yummy!!! I want one now....
On Dec 25th, we went to the Holiday Buffett at Goofy's Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel. It was a character meal. I must tell you that this is the best Character meal we have ever done, and we have done a lot! THe food was outstanding. They had more desserts than entrees! And the place was not crowded at all, so we basically had the characters all to ourselves. Seriously, they must have come around to our table 15 to 20 times. Sometimes we had them all at once.
On Dec 26th, we ate dinner at the Blue Bayou in New Orleans square and really enjoyed it. At Epcot/WDW, the Mexico ride also passes the restaraunt closely, but the restaraunt is loud due to the shopping area right next to it. The experience at the Blue Bayou, with the Pirates ride passing you as you eat was so much better! It was quiet, and the ambience of the ride, with crickets chirping and frogs croaking was so pleasant and relaxing!
I have to say that I never got my bearings when it came to the parks. Everything "felt" the same, but when you walked one place and expected something to be there, it wasn't. I know all the shortcuts at WDW, and it took me a while to find some good ones at DL. I was disorientated, and ended up doing the cardinal no-no...criss-crossing the park with no real strategy. It was much too crowded for poor strategy.
DL was very helpful to our family in two big ways. #1, my dad forgot his special needs/handicap letter, so he could have a pass. The first day at CAAD, he did it normally, but was worn out very quickly. Then at DL, while talking with a CM in Fantasyland, she recommended my dad just ask for one, so he did. He went to City Hall, and explained the situation, and they gave him a special needs pass with no problems. Then we got him a wheelchair and our day went so much better from there. #2, on Dec 24th, we drove from San Diego to DL. My brother, had gotten our tickets on the naval base, and gone to the effort to put them in the diaper bag, then by accident, left the diaper bag in the hotel lobby we had stayed at. So, he and his wife and baby went back for the bag. We knew we would be waiting about 3 hours for them to get back, so we went to guest relations to see if we could buy tickets for that day and then they credit them back to us when we show them the 5 day passes after my brother returned. She said not to worry and handed us tickets for that day so we could get in immediately.
On Dec 26th, we waited for "Believe", the holiday fireworks show. It was good. However, at WDW, the fireworks are directly over the castle, and no matter where you stand on Main Street, you get a good view. This was not the case. THe fireworks were off to the left behind the castle. So, if you stood on the left side of MS, you had a VERY POOR VIEW. But, when it was over, and the machines began to pump out snow, there were very few people without tears. When the lights came up and you could see the "snow" falling, people were hugging and crying and kissing. It was a TRULY MAGICAL MOMENT.
On our first trip to WDW, we stayed outside the parks. At that time, we vowed we would never do it again. And now that we have children, would definitely not do it. And ever since, we stay on property at WDW.
For Disneyland, my friend recommended we stay at the Candy Cane Inn. WOW!!!!!!!! I would stay here every time, and recommend it to everyone I know! This hotel was immediately next door to the parks. It had its own designated shuttle. The continental breakfast was out of this world! On Chrismas Day, Santa Claus made an appearance at breakfast. The rooms were divine! The bedding....well, let me tell you that I wanted to take it home. The beds had down comforters with European shams. The furniture was beautiful. It felt like your better B & Bs, rather than your basic, outdoor hotel. The little touches really made it spectacular. They fold the blanket inside two sheets on the bed. They give a shower cap and comb in the toiletries, the towels are bigger than your standard hotel...I could go on and on. The shuttle was always there when we needed it, and it was a very quick ride to and from.
Okay, I will stop. Suffice it to say, I was so pleased with DL and CAAD. I loved the Candy Cane Inn and wish they had one every where we traveled.
I would make another trip to California just to go to DL. It was so much fun! I hope you have enjoyed reading this. I hope you have a Happy New Year!!!!!
GoofyDisney
Well, we just returned from our first ever trip to DL. After a gazillion trips to Disneyworld, we were in for a pleasant surprise. My brother lives in San Diego and we met my parents there and went to DL together. my parents returned after more than 30 years.
I have always heard that DL is smaller and disappointing compared to WDW. So, I was prepared for the let down. But I was pleasantly surprised!!! DL was GREAT!
We started out on Christmas Eve at CAAD. We enjoyed this. It is a park with less rides for the little ones. But the Monsters, Inc. show completely made up for any diappointment in the entertainment for the little ones!!!!!!!!
Paradise Pier was very nice. I think the Midway is a waste of space. But the ambience is nostalgic and exciting at the same time. DH did all the roller coasters. Two thumbs way up for all. The large orange looks just like the large orange on 192 in Kissimee, Fl. hehehe
Our nephew was glad to see the McD's. And we really enjoyed the chicken fingers and cheese sticks.
We liked the tortilla factory! Yummy! And a quick break from the crowds.
Thought that Hollywood backlot was really well done. The stores were better than elsewhere. LOVED THE ABC SOAP STORE AND BISTRO. What a great idea. And a much nicer homage than the one poster of ABC soaps in the Commisary at MGM/WDW.
I think we may be the only people who really enjoyed the Superstar Limo. We did it twice!
7 years ago on Christmas Eve, we were at Epcot/WDW watching Illuminations, and this year we were at CAAD watching Luminaria. What a nice show. It was small, but really well done. Someone behind us saw their child's card. This is worth waiting around for.
Then Christmas Day and the day after, we spent in Disneyland. The crowds were really insane. But no better or worse than WDW has been. However, even with light crowds I would imagine that the corridor from Adventureland and New Orleans Square is always CARAZY!!!
We started our day by having our pics taken by the DL photographers in front of the castle. They are some of our favorite souveniers.
I must tell you, it was hard to get over how small the castle is. But it was much harder to remember that DL was first, and that even though some things seem better, WDW is still the copy of the original!
My friend was right, Pirates and Small world are better at DL than WDW.
Fantasyland has more and better rides. (They need Pooh, but other than that it is better) Pinocchio, Mr. Toad, Storybook land, circus train, matterhorn, etc. (I had been missing Mr Toad since they removed it from WDW). Peter Pan is better at WDW. The mermaid lagoon is so nice at WDW. Overall this Fantasyland ROCKS!!!
I do not like the movie "Alice in WOnderland", but must say that Alice ride was one of our very fav rides!!!! Not to be missed!!! This ride is also longer, as a CM pointed out, than most. Snow White is 47 seconds, and Alice is over a minute and a half.
Toontown is very small. Probably gets overcrowded quickly.
Splash Mountain is better at WDW, but still so much fun here. The logs you ride in are SOOOO much more comfortable at DL.
Indiana Jones was a BLAST!!!!!!!!!!!! This was the funnest ride!!!!!!! This is a MUST do! At one point, i was saying out loud to DH, "I'm scared. I'm scared!"
We did the Jungle Cruise at night and our driver, Eric, was the most hysterical guy. He was the perfect driver. It is a totally different ride at night. If you can do it in day and night time, I recommend it!
I had read that they had changed Haunted Mansion to the Nightmare before Christmas theme, and I was not looking forward to it. HM is one of my favs at WDW, and I wanted to experience it at DL. I am now converted!!! I hope they leave it as NBC!!! (it goes back Jan 6th) But I loved it! I have never even seen the movie, but was so captivated by the way they changed it, it was fantastic!!!!!!!!!!
The WD Train around the parks was really nice. I would do this again if I need a rest for my feet!
I had a Corn Dog at the cart next to the photo shop. UNBELIEVABLE!!!! The best corn dogs I have had in my life! I had two they were so yummy!!! I want one now....
On Dec 25th, we went to the Holiday Buffett at Goofy's Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel. It was a character meal. I must tell you that this is the best Character meal we have ever done, and we have done a lot! THe food was outstanding. They had more desserts than entrees! And the place was not crowded at all, so we basically had the characters all to ourselves. Seriously, they must have come around to our table 15 to 20 times. Sometimes we had them all at once.
On Dec 26th, we ate dinner at the Blue Bayou in New Orleans square and really enjoyed it. At Epcot/WDW, the Mexico ride also passes the restaraunt closely, but the restaraunt is loud due to the shopping area right next to it. The experience at the Blue Bayou, with the Pirates ride passing you as you eat was so much better! It was quiet, and the ambience of the ride, with crickets chirping and frogs croaking was so pleasant and relaxing!
I have to say that I never got my bearings when it came to the parks. Everything "felt" the same, but when you walked one place and expected something to be there, it wasn't. I know all the shortcuts at WDW, and it took me a while to find some good ones at DL. I was disorientated, and ended up doing the cardinal no-no...criss-crossing the park with no real strategy. It was much too crowded for poor strategy.
DL was very helpful to our family in two big ways. #1, my dad forgot his special needs/handicap letter, so he could have a pass. The first day at CAAD, he did it normally, but was worn out very quickly. Then at DL, while talking with a CM in Fantasyland, she recommended my dad just ask for one, so he did. He went to City Hall, and explained the situation, and they gave him a special needs pass with no problems. Then we got him a wheelchair and our day went so much better from there. #2, on Dec 24th, we drove from San Diego to DL. My brother, had gotten our tickets on the naval base, and gone to the effort to put them in the diaper bag, then by accident, left the diaper bag in the hotel lobby we had stayed at. So, he and his wife and baby went back for the bag. We knew we would be waiting about 3 hours for them to get back, so we went to guest relations to see if we could buy tickets for that day and then they credit them back to us when we show them the 5 day passes after my brother returned. She said not to worry and handed us tickets for that day so we could get in immediately.
On Dec 26th, we waited for "Believe", the holiday fireworks show. It was good. However, at WDW, the fireworks are directly over the castle, and no matter where you stand on Main Street, you get a good view. This was not the case. THe fireworks were off to the left behind the castle. So, if you stood on the left side of MS, you had a VERY POOR VIEW. But, when it was over, and the machines began to pump out snow, there were very few people without tears. When the lights came up and you could see the "snow" falling, people were hugging and crying and kissing. It was a TRULY MAGICAL MOMENT.
On our first trip to WDW, we stayed outside the parks. At that time, we vowed we would never do it again. And now that we have children, would definitely not do it. And ever since, we stay on property at WDW.
For Disneyland, my friend recommended we stay at the Candy Cane Inn. WOW!!!!!!!! I would stay here every time, and recommend it to everyone I know! This hotel was immediately next door to the parks. It had its own designated shuttle. The continental breakfast was out of this world! On Chrismas Day, Santa Claus made an appearance at breakfast. The rooms were divine! The bedding....well, let me tell you that I wanted to take it home. The beds had down comforters with European shams. The furniture was beautiful. It felt like your better B & Bs, rather than your basic, outdoor hotel. The little touches really made it spectacular. They fold the blanket inside two sheets on the bed. They give a shower cap and comb in the toiletries, the towels are bigger than your standard hotel...I could go on and on. The shuttle was always there when we needed it, and it was a very quick ride to and from.
Okay, I will stop. Suffice it to say, I was so pleased with DL and CAAD. I loved the Candy Cane Inn and wish they had one every where we traveled.
I would make another trip to California just to go to DL. It was so much fun! I hope you have enjoyed reading this. I hope you have a Happy New Year!!!!!
GoofyDisney
)
