Disneyland advice for Disney World veterans

[emi6891]

Hello Disboards community! I am looking for advice on can't miss rides, attractions, shows, etc. at Disneyland for some Disney World veterans. We (2 adults, no children) will be traveling to California in July and want to spend a few days at Disneyland. We have been Disney World annual passholders for years and visit multiple times a year. This trip to California is most likely the only time we'll be able to travel there so want to get as much out of it as we can. I know that Disneyland is much smaller than Disney World, so is 1 day at each park enough? Do we need to do lightning lanes? What rides that are at both parks can we skip or should we absolutely do them to see the differences? Also any advice on hotels, getting to the parks, etc. This community is always so helpful, so looking forward to all your tips and tricks!

 

[LKing]

Here are a couple of threads that might help:

J

Thread 'WDW Vet...Many questions!!!'

Dec 8, 2025

Hi Everyone,
I'm a DVC WDW Vet from the East Coast...
Just book DGCV for July 6-11!!!
Very Excited first West Coast trip: Me (50) Bringing Mom (young 79, DS 18 (graduation trip))
The Plan:
4 day NO HOPPER, 2 Days Each Park (I want to see every inch!) Will purchase LL if necessary
1 day LA TOUR Pickup from Hotel and Return to Hotel.
What are the must eat, (I already heard Churros) But are any restaurants a must for a reservation???
see and ride, that is different? (I know Mr. Toad and Pinnochio)
Been looking at a lot of threads to get ideas but would love some one stop shopping...
Any...

• jupers123
• Replies: 22
• Forum: Disneyland (California)

• 

Thread 'WDW Vets - first time DL trip'

Jan 1, 2025

My husband and I are WDW veterans - we go almost every year or sometimes more than that - but we've never been to DLR. We were invited to a family event taking place in San Diego in February and decided to extend our trip and visit Disneyland. We will be there sometime the week of 2/10-2/14. We're staying in a timeshare somewhere near the park, but I'm not sure what resort - our sister-in-law was given points and booked it. My husband is retired military so we can purchase the Military Salute tickets, which are 3 Park-Hopper days for $295, or we can add LLMP for $391.

We plan to fly...

• Claire&TheBoys
• Replies: 24
• Forum: Disneyland (California)

C

Thread 'First Timers to DLR advise please?'

Jul 7, 2025

We are WDW vets and this is our first time to Disneyland. Any tips or tricks? We have 3 day park hoppers. Is Fantasmic the same as WDW show? We will be there for Labor Day week should we expect big crowds? Not sure if LL is worth purchasing? We are staying at Grand Californian any tips to navigate that resort to enter the parks? Where can we grab a quick cheap breakfast? We have never been to California so very excited!
TIA

• cmlnkb
• Replies: 18
• Forum: Disneyland (California)

 

[LKing]

I know that Disneyland is much smaller than Disney World, so is 1 day at each park enough?

The general recommendation is at least 2 days at DL and 1 day at DCA. Of course, if you have more time, you won't be bored.

Note that, while the footprint may be smaller than WDW, there is much more packed into each park at DLR. The two parks are a two minute walk from each other. Depending on how many days you have, park hoppers will probably be worth it.

Do we need to do lightning lanes?

Yes LL are strongly recommended. They operate like the old Genie + system at WDW. No advance reservations. You can't book your first attraction until after you pass through the entrance turnstiles. LLSP (only ROTR and RSR) do not sell out. RSR has a very efficient single rider line if you are up for that.

Also any advice on hotels, getting to the parks, etc.

Where do you normally stay at WDW? What are you looking for in a hotel and what is your budget?

What rides that are at both parks can we skip or should we absolutely do them to see the differences?

BrianL's list is in the first link above. I will copy and paste it below as well. Note that we still have Tom Sawyer's Island, the Mark Twain river boat, the Columbia, and canoes.

DL Exclusive Attractions:
Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye (uses same ride system as DINOSAUR at AK)
Snow White's Enchanted Wish
Pinocchio's Daring Journey
Mister Toad's Wild Ride
Casey Jr. Circus Train
Storybook Land Canal Boats
Alice in Wonderland
Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough
Roger Rabbit's Car-Toon Spin
Chip & Dale's Gadget Coaster
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
The Matterhorn (note this uses the same ride system as Space Mountain at MK)
Space Mountain (same theme but completely different ride)

DL Similar but not exactly the same:
Enchanted Tiki Room - longer show
Jungle Cruise - No temple/tunnel, a bit shorter
Pirates of the Caribbean - longer with more show scenes
Haunted Mansion - even without the Nightmare overlay it is slightly different
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh - quite simalar, though vehicles are different cosmetically - look for a CBJ easter egg!
Big Thunder Mountain - some additional effects and scenery
it's a small world - very similar though with Disney cahracter peppered in - it does have a much nicer exterior.
Autopia - much longer than the Tomorrowland Speedway, but basically the same
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters - removable laser blasters make it a little better (Note that this is soon coming to the WDW version)

DL Exactly (or basically) the same:
Peter Pan's Flight - technically some minor differences
Dumbo
King Aruthur Carousel
Milennium Falcon: Smugglers Run - all of Galaxy's Edge is practically identical
Rise of the Resistance
Mad Tea Party
Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway - The queue is very different and cool - may be new to you and is worth it if so.
Star Tours
Astro Orbitor - though at ground level

CA Exclusive Attractions:
Monsters Inc. Mike & Sully to the Rescue
Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout - based on Tower of Terror, though the DL version works a little differently
WEB Slingers
Radiator Springs Racers - this is like a massively bigger Test Track
Luigi's Rollicking Roadsters
Incredicoaster
Inside-Out Emotional Whirlwind
Silly Symphony Swings - though this is an off-the shelf "wave swinger" ride
Jumpin' Jellyfish
Golden Zephyr
Goofy's Sky School

CA Similar but not exactly the same:
Mater's Junkyard Jamboree - the same as Alien Swirling Saucers
Grizzly River Run - longer version of Kali River Rapids - definitely a wet ride!

CA Exactly (or basically) the same:
Mickey's Philharmagic! - smaller screen though
Turtle Talk with Crush
Ariel's Undersea Adventure - same as Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid
Jessie's Critter Carousel
Soarin' (Soarin over California during the Food & Wine Festival & Soarin over America starting July 2026)

 

[VandVsmama]

Hello Disboards community! I am looking for advice on can't miss rides, attractions, shows, etc. at Disneyland for some Disney World veterans. We (2 adults, no children) will be traveling to California in July and want to spend a few days at Disneyland. We have been Disney World annual passholders for years and visit multiple times a year. This trip to California is most likely the only time we'll be able to travel there so want to get as much out of it as we can. I know that Disneyland is much smaller than Disney World, so is 1 day at each park enough? Do we need to do lightning lanes? What rides that are at both parks can we skip or should we absolutely do them to see the differences? Also any advice on hotels, getting to the parks, etc. This community is always so helpful, so looking forward to all your tips and tricks!

some suggestions to consider:

• POTC is 2x as long, better ride than WDW. Ride that every day if possible.
• Budget for park hopper tickets.
• Go for min of 3 park days, but preferably 4.
• If budget allows, do 1 of the Fantasmic dining packages. There's no stadium-style seating.
• Make sure you do the Davey Crockett Explorer Canoes. Totally unique experience on Rivers of America. Even better if you can go on 1 of the boats on Rivers of America on the trip, too.
• Train is useful way to get quicker from 1 land to another. For example, from New Orleans Square to Fantasyland.
• Rope drop is very useful at DL & DCA. Most visitors are locals who live in southern CA. As a result, they often don't start showing up in droves until 2 hr after park opening.
• FYI - There's no more early entry for on-site hotel guests.
• Quick serve restaurants are better at DL & DCA than at WDW. Much better. Mobile order is really handy to use here.
• Favorite QS restaurant w/atmosphere: Hungry Bear, preferably sitting at a table on upper level near the water. Fun to watch & listen to all of the river activity go by.
• Matterhorn ride vehicles feel like Space Mtn ride vehicles at MK.
• Space Mtn at DL is better than at MK.
• Park hopping super easy. Like 2 min walk from entrance of 1 park to the other.
• To save money on accommodations, stay at a hotel on Harbor Blvd. Use the $$ saved on other stuff: souvenirs, evening show dinner packages, stuff like that. Our family has stayed at Howard Johnson's (7 min walk to esplanade btwn the 2 parks), Tropicana (right near crosswalk on Harbor Blvd) & Best Western Park Place Inn (right at crosswalk, includes free breakfast). All were totally fine & we enjoyed our stays there. Didn't feel like we were outside a bubble at all because pretty much everybody is staying there in order to go to DL. Stayed 1 time each at Best Western Stovall's and Best Western Plus Pavilions (both on Katella Ave)...those were ~ 1 mile walk to esplanade, kind of a pain in terms of the walk. Would not stay there again unless NOT doing a midday break, but prices there are very affordable. BW Pavilions has a good Italian restaurant right next door.
• You'll probably find that you'll have more energy & stamina at DL compared to at WDW since DL weather much less humid than central FL.

 

[LKing]

DLR parks stay open longer than WDW parks. In July, Disneyland should be open 8 am - midnight and DCA 8 am - 10 pm.

Edit to add:
Not sure when in July you are planning on visiting. Dance the Magic is July 9-11. Disneyland is very crowded during that event. It would be best if you can avoid that weekend.

 

[VandVsmama]

some suggestions to consider:

• POTC is 2x as long, better ride than WDW. Ride that every day if possible.
• Budget for park hopper tickets.
• Go for min of 3 park days, but preferably 4.
• If budget allows, do 1 of the Fantasmic dining packages. There's no stadium-style seating.
• Make sure you do the Davey Crockett Explorer Canoes. Totally unique experience on Rivers of America. Even better if you can go on 1 of the boats on Rivers of America on the trip, too.
• Train is useful way to get quicker from 1 land to another. For example, from New Orleans Square to Fantasyland.
• Rope drop is very useful at DL & DCA. Most visitors are locals who live in southern CA. As a result, they often don't start showing up in droves until 2 hr after park opening.
• FYI - There's no more early entry for on-site hotel guests.
• Quick serve restaurants are better at DL & DCA than at WDW. Much better. Mobile order is really handy to use here.
• Favorite QS restaurant w/atmosphere: Hungry Bear, preferably sitting at a table on upper level near the water. Fun to watch & listen to all of the river activity go by.
• Matterhorn ride vehicles feel like Space Mtn ride vehicles at MK.
• Space Mtn at DL is better than at MK.
• Park hopping super easy. Like 2 min walk from entrance of 1 park to the other.
• To save money on accommodations, stay at a hotel on Harbor Blvd. Use the $$ saved on other stuff: souvenirs, evening show dinner packages, stuff like that. Our family has stayed at Howard Johnson's (7 min walk to esplanade btwn the 2 parks), Tropicana (right near crosswalk on Harbor Blvd) & Best Western Park Place Inn (right at crosswalk, includes free breakfast). All were totally fine & we enjoyed our stays there. Didn't feel like we were outside a bubble at all because pretty much everybody is staying there in order to go to DL. Stayed 1 time each at Best Western Stovall's and Best Western Plus Pavilions (both on Katella Ave)...those were ~ 1 mile walk to esplanade, kind of a pain in terms of the walk. Would not stay there again unless NOT doing a midday break, but prices there are very affordable. BW Pavilions has a good Italian restaurant right next door.
• You'll probably find that you'll have more energy & stamina at DL compared to at WDW since DL weather much less humid than central FL.

Also, purchasing LLMP very very useful at DL in my opinion.

Go to Carsland just before sunset. Right at sunset (check the time on weather app on your phone), they play the Sh-boom song from the movie and turn on all the neon lights. It's pretty magical and awesome.

Also it's super fun to eat at Flo's V-8 Cafe. There's this 1 big dining room in there where you can look out at the ride and hear the cars racing by. Super fun.

DL & DCA have way more characters just roaming around compared to at WDW parks. There's no LL/FP for character meet & greets like at WDW.

My favorite way to knock out a bunch of rides at DL within the first 60-90 minutes of park opening...go on these in this approximate order:

• Dumbo
• Mr Toad
• Alice in Wonderland
• Snow White
• Pinocchio
• Mad Tea Party
• Matterhorn
• go to Toon Town and go on Roger Rabbit

Also, try to get on Indiana Jones before lunch time. Often goes up & down during the day.

Fast Choo Choo (BTMRR) experience is awesome but just a tad different than at MK.

Guardians of the Galaxy is same ride system as Tower of Terror, but experience overall is different.

Grizzly River Run is longer ride than Kali at AK. Much better ride at DCA than at AK. Don't skip this one. Super fun. There's lockers near the entrance for you to store your stuff. Bring a poncho for this.

Lots of queues are outside due to milder weather in Anaheim compared to WDW. Remember that even when it's overcast you can still get sunburned. Solar umbrella helpful for this if you get hot standing in line in an outside queue.

My prediction:
You'll love it. This won't be your one and only Disneyland trip.

 

[Kit Jackson]

CarsLand is beyond amazing. See it during the daylight and at night. It's wonderful and magical at night.

 

[Psymonds]

I know that Disneyland is much smaller than Disney World, so is 1 day at each park enough?

I think it's counterintuitive but keep in mind that DCA has almost as many rides as Magic Kingdom and Disneyland almost 30% more rides than Magic Kingdom. The resort is smaller and has fewer parks, but you should plan on spending more time PER PARK than in WDW.

 

[LKing]

I'm not sure how much you care about entertainment. This is where park hoppers will be convenient.

In July, Disneyland will have:

• Paint the Night
• Wondrous Journeys fireworks
• Fantasmic
• Fire of the Rising Moon
• Shadows of Memory
• Tapestry of Happiness
• 70th Cavalcade

DCA will have World of Color.

 

[emi6891]

DLR parks stay open longer than WDW parks. In July, Disneyland should be open 8 am - midnight and DCA 8 am - 10 pm.

Edit to add:
Not sure when in July you are planning on visiting. Dance the Magic is July 9-11. Disneyland is very crowded during that event. It would be best if you can avoid that weekend.

Going for a convention July 10-14. Parks either before or after

 

[Psymonds]

Going for a convention July 10-14. Parks either before or after

Some conventions offer discounted tickets with convention registration (it's been hit or miss for me, and frankly the last time I saw it was 2019, so YMMV)