Disney California.

[Skallywag]

We have visited Orlando many times and are this year starting our Paname cruise from LA. We have booked into the Grand Californian for 2 nights and plan on perhaps doing the park on one of the days.

How large is the park and are there many different things to see than Florida.
Would very much welcome any advice on this and if it is worth us trying to do this.
Brenda

 

[GailT]

well you are talking to one of those people that had a hard time straying from DW, I had been going every years since I was 18 but at 49 (last Christmas) I took the plunge. Stayed at GC. the start of my love for DL was right at the LB airport, that was so easy then the drive to DL was better then DW then walking into the GC was breathtaking. OK so now we are off to the parks Holy moly instant love. DL is more compact, not sure if that is the right word or not but the poxcimity to the parks and DTD from GC was FANTASTIC. I Love everything so much I am going back in 3 days, 9 months later to catch the things I missed being there for Christmas. This yr I am buying the AP which I am using to get my room for an AP4 rate GC concierge theme park view for $289.00,,,,,,,,I can't want till I go. You are going to have a FUNtastic time, it is really a dream come true, a differnt feeling.....OK, I'll stop cause I could good on for days.

 

[funhouse8]

We stayed at this Hotel and I have to say WOW. It was beautiful. The two perks I want to mention that we used were An EArly Morning PowerWalk given to Hotel Guest in DCA Park before it opens. When we did this there were only four guests and the Cast Member. What a great way to start the day. We went back to the room for a quick shower headed back to our special gate into the park and were admitted 1/2 hour early to ride soaring. Again there were only a hand full of us (proably from these boards) that went into the park early. Enjoy your trip.

 

[Skallywag]

It sounds great and being more compact than Florida assume we will be able to see most in a day. Are there any different rides that we should make for?

Brenda

 

[DLR29]

It sounds great and being more compact than Florida assume we will be able to see most in a day. Are there any different rides that we should make for?

Brenda

Here are some rides that are unique to DL and should not be missed for a WDW vet:
Indiana Jones (like Dinosaur, much better themed)
Pirate's Lair (Tom Sawyer Island with a pirate theme)
Pinocchio, Alice in Wonderland, Mr. Toad, Monster's Inc (DCA), Roger Rabbit (different dark rides, Roger Rabbit you can spin your vehicle)
Matterhorn (1st ever tubular steel coaster)
Casey Jr. Circus Train and Storybookland Canal Boats
Everything at DCA except Soarin, ToT, Muppets and Bug movies, and Turtle Talk

Rides that are significantly different:
Jungle Cruise
PotC (much longer and better)
Pooh (no long lines at DL because it's tucked away in the corner)
Splash (different seating, shorter ride)
IASW (original version)
Tiki Room (original version)
Autopia vs. TIS (Autopia actually has scenery and stuff to look at, you even go off roading)
Buzz (removable guns make for easier aiming)
Space (completely dark, and smoother with music)
ToT (different scenes, no 4th dimension room)

 

[DangerMouse]

We have visited Orlando many times and are this year starting our Paname cruise from LA. We have booked into the Grand Californian for 2 nights and plan on perhaps doing the park on one of the days.

How large is the park and are there many different things to see than Florida.
Would very much welcome any advice on this and if it is worth us trying to do this.
Brenda

Make sure you read Hydroguy's sticky thread at the top of this page. You'll definitely want to read "A DLR guide for the WDW Vet."

 

[HydroGuy]

Make sure you read Hydroguy's sticky thread at the top of this page. You'll definitely want to read "A DLR guide for the WDW Vet."

Here is the link:

"A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[HydroGuy]

It sounds great and being more compact than Florida assume we will be able to see most in a day. Are there any different rides that we should make for?

Brenda

Uhhh, no. While DLR only has two parks, it is much more packed with rides than the WDW parks. In fact WDW only has 10% more rides than DLR. To experience DLR thoroughly one needs three days and four would be better. If you only have one day, that would sort of be like having 2-3 days to visit WDW. Enough time to have fun, to be sure, but not enough to really visit the parks.

In any case, figure out what you want to do and go for it. If you only have one day, IMO it would be best to focus on DL and skip DCA.

 

[CoolPool]

Also a WDW vet. You'll love that with only 2 nights you will see so much more, so much faster than at WDW. Everything is an easy stroll away.

Some of the rides are much better here at DLR. For example, Space Mountain is significantly smoother and more enjoyable to me. I agree PotC is better here. I also even think Winne the Pooh is better here. Alice in Wonderland is my favorite ride in the whole park. The Grizzly River Rapids ride in DCA is WAY better than the Kali version. The Nemo subs are certainly interesting although I like the Nemo ride at WDW better - don't tell anyone. They are missing a country in IASW here that is on display at WDW which irks me, but I don't boycott the ride over it. Storybook is so cute! Etc, etc, and on and on...

You'll miss the immersive bubble feeling you get at WDW, but DLR makes up for it charm.

 

[Hound 109]

It sounds great and being more compact than Florida assume we will be able to see most in a day. Are there any different rides that we should make for?

Brenda

Three days minimum.

& as others have said, read HydroGuy's treads. Especially the DLR for WDW vets. thread.

About 20 rides that are "different" or better at DLR than at WDW. HydroGuy's & Mary Jo's stickys cover that info too.

Have fun at Uncle Walt's Park.

hound -

 

[Hound 109]

Also a WDW vet. You'll love that with only 2 nights you will see so much more, so much faster than at WDW. Everything is an easy stroll away.

Some of the rides are much better here at DLR. For example, Space Mountain is significantly smoother and more enjoyable to me. I agree PotC is better here. I also even think Winne the Pooh is better here. Alice in Wonderland is my favorite ride in the whole park. The Grizzly River Rapids ride in DCA is WAY better than the Kali version. The Nemo subs are certainly interesting although I like the Nemo ride at WDW better - don't tell anyone. They are missing a country in IASW here that is on display at WDW which irks me, but I don't boycott the ride over it. Storybook is so cute! Etc, etc, and on and on...

You'll miss the immersive bubble feeling you get at WDW, but DLR makes up for it charm.

I love Alice too.

Cool Pool, what country are they missing (on IASW)? I didn't know that.

hound

 

[CoolPool]

Wait a minute! Do I actually know something that other Disney fans aren't aware of??? It can't be! There must have been discussion of this somewhere in Disneyphilia-ville!

 

[tinkermell]

We have visited Orlando many times and are this year starting our Paname cruise from LA. We have booked into the Grand Californian for 2 nights and plan on perhaps doing the park on one of the days.

How large is the park and are there many different things to see than Florida.
Would very much welcome any advice on this and if it is worth us trying to do this.
Brenda

WOW! Only one day?? Try for 2 at least!!

And make sure you see the fireworks at DL, and the musical Alladin at DCA. Two of the best Disney shows IMO, and also my highlights for the parks.

You will love the GC. The location is the BEST!!!!!!!!

 

[ShawnaF]

I agree with Hydroguy, hit as much of DL as you can first. I've heard so many WDW people talk about Pirates after their visit, make sure you do that.

 

[Hound 109]

Wait a minute! Do I actually know something that other Disney fans aren't aware of??? It can't be! There must have been discussion of this somewhere in Disneyphilia-ville!

I'm waiting for the answer.

 

[MUDisneyCouple]

I want to know too...what country is missing???

 

[DLR29]

Technically there is no country missing. DLs was built first and so the "missing country" just wasn't in the original, but added to a later version. Though I don't know which country it is.

 

[LittleWoodenHead]

Technically there is no country missing. DLs was built first and so the "missing country" just wasn't in the original, but added to a later version. Though I don't know which country it is.

I did the "Walk in Walt's Footsteps" Tour on Labor Day, and, because it was such a hot day, the CM added both POTC and IASW to our itinerary.

Anyway, while on IASW, she said that one major country was not represented when it was first built, but that they have added a few figures to the ride now.

That country is...
< drumroll >

China!

(Makes sense when you think about it.)