Disney World Veterans go to Disneyland

[Kuffam]

We’ve had Disneyland on our bucket list for a while, but always seemed to go to Disney World because it was closer and familiar. Well, the time was right to cash in some Disney Card Reward points and see Disneyland for its 60th anniversary – and it did not disappoint! I’ll share some highlights and low lights from our trip:

Non-Disney Thoughts

• (Low) I rented a car through Southwest from Payless Car Rental. While the staff was nice, the service was slow. It took an hour to get a car. Next time I am staying with my Blue Chip Thrifty car.
• (High) I would like to thank Mary Jo Mellado Willey for her Day 6 segments. We went to Santa Monica the day we flew in and it made a beautiful afternoon that said – WE ARE ON VACATION! Parking was hard to find, but we got lucky at the library (which is cheaper than the other municipal lots). The library has a nice bookstore and café for a nice lunch and coffee. My wife and daughter explored The Third Street Promenade while my son and I walked to Santa Monica Pier (now I have photos from the start and end of Route 66!).
• (High) I rented a two-bedroom townhome from Gina’s Vacation Homes for the price of suits in surrounding hotels. We were within walking distance to the parks and had all the comforts of home. I would definably recommend her for families with small children, she has everything from toys, highchairs, strollers, and equipment for a nice beach outing.

• (Even) We spent one day in Hollywood and took the Starline Hop-on Hop-off tour, which was ok. The highlight was a stop at The Farmers Market for lunch and shopping. We also walked around the Walk of Fame and Madame Tussauds Wax Museum (Was able to score a ½ promo around closing time). I was glad I didn’t paid full price for Madame Tussauds, but my daughter really wanted to go and had a fun time taking selfies (which is encouraged). Because of a premier, we could not visit the Chinese Theater, well maybe next time.

 

[kaoden39]

I'm glad that you liked it enough to say next time!!

 

[Kuffam]

California Adventure

· (Highs) – Radiator Spring Racers - This is the must do attraction for the park, as well as visiting Cars Land. Aladdin’s Musical Spectacular - It is hard to imagine the Genie without Robin Williams, but we felt they did him justices. My daughter also enjoyed Animators Academy, where she learned to draw Jack Skellington.

· (High) – Bread Bowl soups at Pacific Wharf Café.

· (Even) – We did the World of Color dinner package at Wine Country Trattoria. Food quality was on par with Olive Garden, but service was good. The staff worked well with my daughter to accommodate her milk allergy.

· (Even) – Maybe it was the hype, but World of Color only met my expectations. The effects are cool, but the “storyline” seemed disjointed. I felt they should have focused more on the material that Walt actually did and skip the newer material. We also felt packed in like sardines and there is no place to sit down and wait for the show. However, the color wheel challenge was fun to do while waiting for the show.

· (Even) – It was nice to only have to wait around 30 minutes to play Toy Story Mania (It usually an hour at WDW), but the first time I rode it my gun didn’t work and the second time the 3D effects didn’t line up.

 

[momtohms]

California Adventure

· (Highs) – Radiator Spring Racers - This is the must do attraction for the park, as well as visiting Cars Land. Aladdin’s Musical Spectacular - It is hard to imagine the Genie without Robin Williams, but we felt they did him justices. My daughter also enjoyed Animators Academy, where she learned to draw Jack Skellington.

· (High) – Bread Bowl soups at Pacific Wharf Café.

· (Even) – We did the World of Color dinner package at Wine Country Trattoria. Food quality was on par with Olive Garden, but service was good. The staff worked well with my daughter to accommodate her milk allergy.

· (Even) – Maybe it was the hype, but World of Color only met my expectations. The effects are cool, but the “storyline” seemed disjointed. I felt they should have focused more on the material that Walt actually did and skip the newer material. We also felt packed in like sardines and there is no place to sit down and wait for the show. However, the color wheel challenge was fun to do while waiting for the show.

· (Even) – It was nice to only have to wait around 30 minutes to play Toy Story Mania (It usually an hour at WDW), but the first time I rode it my gun didn’t work and the second time the 3D effects didn’t line up.

I had the same thoughts, re: the bolded. I thought both the Frozen & Star Wars parts were longer than they should've been especially.

 

[Kuffam]

Downtown Disney

· (Low) – We wish there were more variety of stores, snack vendors, and entertainment venues.

· (High, per my daughter) – Starbucks, it was different from our normal Starbucks here. She also likes the video wall from Orlando’s Starbuck.

· (High) – Street Entertainment, A variety of different music styles, two were great to sit down with a nice cup of coffee and enjoy the music and the main stage was for rocking out.