Decided to do Disneyland once in my life

[Andynnj]

I am skipping GD in WDW this year to wait for all of the rides in Fantasyland to open. So, I thought I should try Disneyland once in my life. Does anyone have any tips? I know it's not like WDW, but hoping it's still pretty awesome.

 

[DisneyFreak1976]

I haven't been to Disneyland in many years but I can tell you that it's awesome. Especially now with the 2nd park (Disney's California Adventure) and the recent additions.

 

[DLFan123]

Yeah, Disneyland is still pretty awesome. It might even be awesome-er. It is a different type of trip than WDW, but there are so many things that are better at DL or rides/attractions you can't see in Florida.

Here is my quick list:

Better at DL
1.Pirates
2.Space Mountain-waaay faster and smoother ride
3.Downtown Disney (you can walk there from all the resort hotels plus most good neighbor hotels)
4.Splash Mountain
5.Small World-by a mile
6.Fantasmic-by a mile
7.Main Street USA (theming is more authentic-this land in its original form ie the one at DL was inspired by Marceline, his home town. The one in Orlando has a more Victorian feel. Nothing wrong with it, just not exactly what he intended.)

Not at WDW But Available at DL
1.Matterhorn Bobsleds-Walt helped develop this ride and used to ride it himself!
2.Indiana Jones-one of my absolute favorite rides!
3.Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
4.Snow White's Scary Adventures
5.California Screamin'
6.Storybookland Canal Boats
7.Sleeping Beauty Castle Walk thru attraction
8.Cars Land! This is a big one. It is awesome!
9.Radiator Springs Racers (in Cars Land). Park guests who have visited both parks have declared this the best attraction ever at a Disney park!
10.Bugs Land-just about the cutest thing you'll ever see.



Ok so there are plenty more things I could list or describe, but that is enough to get you excited I hope. Check out my DL Dining Review to see samples of some of the food, which is also excellent, but in a different way. You don't need as many ressies and can just eat what you feel like almost all of the time with very good counter service options that serve you on real plates and with real silverware!

Depending on the weather and how long you will be staying, you can visit a beach and really take in the whole southern California experience. Or you can stay at the DLR or a good neighbor resort and walk anywhere and everywhere you might need to go! It's great having everything within walking distance.

I know you will have a great time, but there is so much to see and do, that I'd recommend you get a Birnbaum's guide to DL just so you can brush up on what's availabe so you don't miss out. I have seen other WDW fans go to DL for a one-time trip and they don't realize all there is to see and do, so they leave with the impression that DL is somehow "less than" WDW.

 

[wcpamotm]

Although overall we prefer the Florida resort over the California one, we like Disneyland better than WDW's Magic Kingdom.

Some will disparage the smaller scale at Disneyland ("dinky castle", etc). I prefer to think of it as more intimate and human-scaled.

 

[mrunn0080]

all the rides in fantasy land aren't open? Oh noes!

 

[Madhattr]

As was once said to us by a cast member..." The biggest difference between DL and WDW is that you can see Walt's hand all over DL".

 

[DLFan123]

As was once said to us by a cast member..." The biggest difference between DL and WDW is that you can see Walt's hand all over DL".

I love this quote! Totally agreed, too.

Almost forgot the Aladdin musical at DCA! Best musical on Disney property right now! Don't miss that.

 

[M4travels]

Almost forgot the Aladdin musical at DCA! Best musical on Disney property right now! Don't miss that.

I was wondering how you forgot this!!!!

Michael

 

[jeanigor]

I love this quote! Totally agreed, too.

Almost forgot the Aladdin musical at DCA! Best musical on Disney property right now! Don't miss that.

And soon to be on DCL, I believe.

As previous posters have said, they are different, yet both enjoyable. Regardless of where you stand on the size debate, you will come out of Disneyland just as tired, as a day in the park should be.

 

[TNS_Tinkerbell]

Hi, I have never been to WDW, but I am a seasoned traveller of DL.

My wife and I went twice in 2012, and that includes during December!

My advice, know what type of park person you are, are you a go do all your favorite rides first no matter the area, or do you like to start and work your way around the park?

DL for us as always been hit the park on the magic morning and you should be able to get most of Tommorowland done, within those early minutes. When we went during President's Day weekend 2012, (My mistake btw, we are Canadian and didn't know it was a holiday) it was the busiest I have ever seen the park.

We were able to do all the rides though and have fun, longest wait was Matterhorn, as it broke down just after we bored the train too.

My advice for DCA is know what you want to do first and go there.

AND since your a WDW pro, I am going to assume Soarin isn't you top choice.

Case and Point, CARS LAND... omg.

They let people in early to stand in the fast pass line for Radiator Springs and they fast pass goes quick, in two hours they were gone. We saw the stand by line and it was 3.5 hours. Plus, the ride kept breaking down.

So if CARS is what you want to see, go early to enjoy it. Also, if you have to choose a time issue between the other two cars ride, they are a little "childish" and if Luigi's tire is greater than 20 mins don't wait, the ride is less than 90 seconds. Come pack during the pixar parade.

For Toy Story Mania, either go early in the morning, avoiding the Carsland rush, and do it or later in the day... FP Screaming and then do Toys.

Most of DCA from then on is hit and miss with timing... I would say do the small stuff, like ride the rail car, see little mermaid (always makes me cry) GET SOAKED on grizzly run, they do provide a free locker so have fun.

Enjoy the cheesiness of the Warf, get your free Ghirdelli chocolate and go on the wine tour-tasting it is fun.

I know DCA gets a bad rap, but it is fun!

If you do have a chance go see the Grand Californian Hotel, you can cut through DCA thru the lobby and into DTD.

It is beautiful, and the Napa Rose although $$$$ is an experience in its own.

If you are a character person, Goofy's Kitchen for Dinner is my favorite, it is easily walk able from the park and worth.

And finally, I am assuming you are 21+ do your self a favor and GO to TRADER SAMS...

It is the most epic-ally awesome bar in the entire complex.

It is located near the pool of the Disneyland Hotel, it is Tiki theme complete with everything, think Tiki Room for adults with awesome food and drinks... I;ll post a photo so you can see, it is fun and not bad in pricing.

If you do anything, do go there, order a special drink and get the tuna chivica with wonton crisps, soooo good.

If you have other questions, PM me or ask and I can help.
Again, I don't know WDW, but I know me my DL.

 

[TNS_Tinkerbell]

 

[glenpreece]

It's def awesome in a whole other way. I was shell shocked on my first visit but enjoyed it more the second time.

 

[zeitzeuge]

We prefer DL over WDW and go to DL 2-3 times a year. The best way I can describe the differences other than of course the differences in attractions, which ones have more/less, is that to remember they are totally different parks and to not expect them to be the same.

Biggest difference is that Disneyland "hugs" you when you walk through it's gates. If that makes sense. WDW is on a large scale and is immense. DL doesn't have that feel, it's more intimate. Hence, it hugs you.

 

[SpectroMan71]

What many others say is spot-on: Disneyland has Walt's personal hand and doesn't feel as Corporate or master-planned as the Magic Kingdom does. It's MUCH more intimate...i.e. charming...but will feel VERY tiny to a seasoned WDW visitor. The great part is no buses to deal with; you can walk everywhere which saves a lot of time, which also means you don't need as many days here.

Are you thinking of staying onsite? The Disneyland Hotel is recently remodeled and really nice.

Also, I didn't hear anyone mention that we have Alice in Wonderland as a dark ride! LOL! May not mean much to most people but I'm so proud to say we have the one and only to this date.

 

[TagsMissy]

We prefer DL over WDW and go to DL 2-3 times a year. The best way I can describe the differences other than of course the differences in attractions, which ones have more/less, is that to remember they are totally different parks and to not expect them to be the same.

Biggest difference is that Disneyland "hugs" you when you walk through it's gates. If that makes sense. WDW is on a large scale and is immense. DL doesn't have that feel, it's more intimate. Hence, it hugs you.

Oh I thought you meant the real hugs... I got lots of DL hugs my last trip there!

I went back to DL for the first time in a decade and a half last year ((I used to go almost yearly as a child)) and I forgot how much I missed it! I think we're going to try and make it a habit to visit the parks if not every year every couple of years since it's such an easy trip from here.

 

[Gypsybear]

We're going for our first time together...I've only been one other time when I lived in the LA area...this was back before DCA, so it'll be new to me as well...DP has never been, so this should be interesting for him...

I do remember it being small, but that's not the point for me....the point is to go and enjoy it for what it is....

And we'll be going during Gay Days week....so we hope to really enjoy the parks with others...

 

[jarlow50]

I am skipping GD in WDW this year to wait for all of the rides in Fantasyland to open. So, I thought I should try Disneyland once in my life. Does anyone have any tips? I know it's not like WDW, but hoping it's still pretty awesome.

I hope you have a good trip, I greatly prefer Disneyland to WDW or DP.

 

[greenkai3000]

YAY! You're going to have a blast! When are you going?

We were there for Xmas and loved it! Make sure you don't miss Radiator Springs Racers at DCA as it is the most popular ride there. Will you be staying on property, if so you might be able to ride it during Early Entrance, and after getting a Fast pass before the pass opens to the general public!

 

[lego606]

And we'll be going during Gay Days week....so we hope to really enjoy the parks with others...

Have fun at Gay Days! It's going to be my first time there during them as well (though just watch how I get scheduled all through them )

 

[L&Lfan]

My boyfriend and I always alternate trips to both resorts. WDW is our "home" resort but we adore DL just as much! This year's our 20th anniversary so we decided to mark the occasion by doing WDW in May and DL in October! Can't wait!