Disneyland IS better--WOC, uh, not so much

[rtravels]

Just got back from a great one day trip to both Disneyland and DCA.
I haven't been to Disneyland since I was 8, so this was a big deal for me.
Since my partner and I only had one day to see both parks, we went all out.
So here are my impressions/advice

1. Do the Minnie Character Breakfast
I'm an adult without kids. I avoid character breakfasts at all costs at WDW. Out of desperation, we walked up without reservations at Minnie's Breakfast at the Plaza Restaurant on Main Street. Highlight of the day! The characters were so fun--so much better than what I've experienced at WDW.
Seriously worth the money--we hung around for awhile and have great pics.
Again, not really a character person so I was really surprised.

2. Disneyland is just better
Disneyland puts the Magic Kingdom to shame. I can barely stand half a day at the Magic Kingdom, but I love Disneyland. Space Mountain at Disneyland rocked my world. I could not believe what a great ride that is.
The MK version is a sad, sad inbred cousin. Same goes for Pirates. WDW should not have even bothered. And Indiana Jones is really well done. The cast members overall seemed so much nicer and more eager to please.

3. We didn't wait long for anything--I was worried
We got there at opening and thought something was wrong. It was walk-on for all the major attractions we saw in Tomorrowland, Frontierland, New Orleans Square. And this was a magic morning. I was so worried about that.
It got crowded as the day went on--with fastpass, we were golden.

4. DCA is indeed strange
DCA was even stranger than I thought it would be. I've been reading about this place for years and I still wasn't adequately prepared. The Hollywood section really worked for me and I quite liked their Tower of Terror.
But that Paradise Pier is truly hideous. The whole place looks better in the dark--and after a couple of drinks.

5. Ariel's Grotto
I enjoyed our dinner here--it was kind of adult and nice. The fish I had was really good and the service was prompt and friendly. In other words, the opposite of what I read on these boards.


6. World of Color
Better on You Tube. Seriously. I was so looking forward to this show.
Love the beginning. Love the ending. The long middle I can do without. It starts to feel like the same bag of tricks put on repeat. They should rename it "Fuzzy Images on Water". The water and light are really beautiful--but they rely on those projections entirely too much. The whole show looks like a movie you are watching out of focus. The beginning is so great because it uses video sparingly to suggest a movie or character, rather than to literally show you a scene from the movie. I'm a tall person who was standing in the preferred dining section which was half-full--and I still thought it was just alright. The show is not for kids or little people--they won't be able to see anything.


Overall--the highlight of my year. Thanks Disneyland Resort!
It was an expensive day (park hopper was 100 bucks each, plus the character morning meal plus the evening WOC dining package)
But for this Disney fan--well worth it.

 

[Flitterific]

Just got back from a great one day trip to both Disneyland and DCA.
I haven't been to Disneyland since I was 8, so this was a big deal for me.
Since my partner and I only had one day to see both parks, we went all out.
So here are my impressions/advice

1. Do the Minnie Character Breakfast
I'm an adult without kids. I avoid character breakfasts at all costs at WDW. Out of desperation, we walked up without reservations at Minnie's Breakfast at the Plaza Restaurant on Main Street. Highlight of the day! The characters were so fun--so much better than what I've experienced at WDW.
Seriously worth the money--we hung around for awhile and have great pics.
Again, not really a character person so I was really surprised.

2. Disneyland is just better
Disneyland puts the Magic Kingdom to shame. I can barely stand half a day at the Magic Kingdom, but I love Disneyland. Space Mountain at Disneyland rocked my world. I could not believe what a great ride that is.
The MK version is a sad, sad inbred cousin. Same goes for Pirates. WDW should not have even bothered. And Indiana Jones is really well done. The cast members overall seemed so much nicer and more eager to please.

3. We didn't wait long for anything--I was worried
We got there at opening and thought something was wrong. It was walk-on for all the major attractions we saw in Tomorrowland, Frontierland, New Orleans Square. And this was a magic morning. I was so worried about that.
It got crowded as the day went on--with fastpass, we were golden.

4. DCA is indeed strange
DCA was even stranger than I thought it would be. I've been reading about this place for years and I still wasn't adequately prepared. The Hollywood section really worked for me and I quite liked their Tower of Terror.
But that Paradise Pier is truly hideous. The whole place looks better in the dark--and after a couple of drinks.

5. Ariel's Grotto
I enjoyed our dinner here--it was kind of adult and nice. The fish I had was really good and the service was prompt and friendly. In other words, the opposite of what I read on these boards.


6. World of Color
Better on You Tube. Seriously. I was so looking forward to this show.
Love the beginning. Love the ending. The long middle I can do without. It starts to feel like the same bag of tricks put on repeat. They should rename it "Fuzzy Images on Water". The water and light are really beautiful--but they rely on those projections entirely too much. The whole show looks like a movie you are watching out of focus. The beginning is so great because it uses video sparingly to suggest a movie or character, rather than to literally show you a scene from the movie. I'm a tall person who was standing in the preferred dining section which was half-full--and I still thought it was just alright. The show is not for kids or little people--they won't be able to see anything.


Overall--the highlight of my year. Thanks Disneyland Resort!
It was an expensive day (park hopper was 100 bucks each, plus the character morning meal plus the evening WOC dining package)
But for this Disney fan--well worth it.

Hi rtravels! Thanks for sharing your experience with us...sounds like you had a magical trip for the most part Sorry to hear that WoC was not as great as you had anticipated...I personally watched the show from 3 different spots and thought the best view was next to the rail of the wheelchair ramp. I felt that I enjoyed the show most when I was able to see the whole picture (i.e. all three screens). Were you able to see the whole show from your view?

 

[Raindown]

Glad you had such a great time. I always enjoy hearing what people have to say about DLR having been away for a while.

 

[Funball]

i think ur looking at the glass half full woc is better in person then it was on youtube ..i saw the opening night live stream,,it was not that great. i saw it in person..waaayy better and for 80 million that took to make it it better be fantastic witch it was. so i think that u need to see it a couple of times to really appreciate the show itself

 

[Malela9]

Hello!
So glad you enjoyed your trip to Disneyland. I just got back from WDW and although they have some attractions that we do not have, mainly Epcot for me, I took a trip to Disneyland too.
I find I am more Disney satisfied after a day of Disneyland. Please remember that DCA is under a major rehab right now and is not yet to her full glory.
I agree, that I like our Tower of Terror. ( I only rode it twice and DS because I have it at home and I like the one at DCA better. )
You can't really compare Disneyland to WDW park to park because we are more of a mix of all 4 parks in two. But, with all the amazing things happening here, come back in 2 years and see the results of the DCA remodel!

 

[Sherry E]

Sounds like a great time. What a bonus that you stumbled upon Minnie & Friends without a reservation and had a fantastic time! That's the character meal with the most characters out of all 5 character meals at DLR, so how wonderful that you picked a good one!

I've read about and heard people say a lot of things about DCA over the years - I said some things myself, before DCA grew on me - but I have never heard the word "strange" thrown around. So that's interesting to hear. I actually think the Paradise Pier area is quite pretty at night (without alcohol!!). The Hollywood area has always been lacking for me somewhat.

Ariel's Grotto has been getting great reviews - especially since WoC began. I've read very few bad reviews on this board. Most people enjoy the food who eat there, but it's the type of food that not everyone would necessarily be interested in, seeing that it's a tiny bit more upscale and "adult," as you said. You kind of have to like that sort of food (seafood and things beyond the standard menu fare) to begin with, and maybe some folks ate there who just didn't care for the selections. AG used to get bad reviews a few years ago, when the menu was different. This is the restaurant that used to be Wolfgang Puck's Avalon Cove - which was an homage to Catalina Island here in SoCal. I guess they kept a lot of the same decorations inside when Avalon Cove changed to Ariel's Grotto. For a while AG was hosting the Captain Mickey character meal, and until 2008 the food reviews were not good (the menu changed in the latter part of 2008, I think).

 

[KCmike]

You have to admit that the Buzz part of WOC is amazing. I have to disagree with you on WOC. I was shockingly suprised how good it was. Maybe its because I had low expectations. We saw it twice the week we were there and the first night the fountains hidden in the rose bushes didn't work nor did the lights change colors on all the lamp posts they fill the area. They worked the second night and really added another dimension.

 

[HydroGuy]

You have to admit that the Buzz part of WOC is amazing. I have to disagree with you on WOC. I was shockingly suprised how good it was. Maybe its because I had low expectations. We saw it twice the week we were there and the first night the fountains hidden in the rose bushes didn't work nor did the lights change colors on all the lamp posts they fill the area. They worked the second night and really added another dimension.

Us too. My expectations were moderate beforehand and after we saw it we were all blown away. I could not imagine how anyone else would not like this show unless they just could not see - which happens a lot I understand. We got a front rail spot.

But everyone is different!

 

[aan1701]

I am going to defend the OP on WOC. The show is just allright. I mean it is good but lacking in the story. I mean please, what was up with the Up part. It just seemed like it was thrown in. There is no flow to the show it just jumps from scene to scene like Soarin with no cohesive transition. Yes I had a clear view the two times I saw it. I wanted to give it a second chance but my original opinion stands, Fantsamic is the show to beat at Disneyland Resort for nighttime entertainment. So OP here is someone who agrees with you about WOC. Oh I also agree with you about WDW Pirates. Space Mountain, sorry I like it better at WDW. It has a way better track layout. I will admit it need the on board audio.

 

[Minuet888]

We had a great view of WoC from the preferred dining disabled section.
Thank God we were there because as the OP said little people can't see.

I liked WoC I really did, but I agree with the OP about the bluriness of the water screens, and I had a straight on view. Also there were there white dome shaped things the periodically came up out of the water and showed things on them....well even if I stood in my section, I couldn't see them.

I must say though I immensely enjoyed the pre-show, those puppets are amazing and came right in front of us!

 

[tdashgirl]

This was such an interesting post, thanks so much for sharing! DLR is like my "home" park having lived in Cali since I was 3, and I've only been to WDW *once* ... right after they built Epcot So it's interesting to read another perspective.

Everyone has opinions but it's always boggled my mind when I've read Ariel's Grotto bashing posts ... my family (from ages 3 - 40something) has always LOVED the food there. It's pricey but delish

I too kinda agree DCA is strange. But - It seems to be coming more into it's own lately, if that makes any sense. hearing all the positive effects WoC/glow fest/etc. are having ... Love that!

 

[rtravels]

Hey everybody, thanks for all the replies. I am really in love with Disneyland now and can't wait to go back someday. I live one state away from Disney World, but I think I would rather wait and go back to Disneyland Resort--I liked it that much. I love Disney World--but the compact, urban nature of Disneyland is more up my alley. It's like comparing living in the suburbs to living in the city. Sprawl versus density and walkability. And DCA is going to continue getting better.

 

[aprincess@mail.com]

Glad you enjoyed your trip here!
I have lived in CA all my life and have made more trips to DL than I can count and I still love it!!!

We have been to WDW twice and it was also a great experience.
Just costly...

Hope you can come back and visit soon.