Hope you have a GREAT time.
Went to DL for the first time ever last year while on a business trip to Costa Mesa. It is beautiful and tons of fun but tiny if you are used to WDW. Landscaping is completely mature and totally amazing -- particularly around Frontierland and (I think it's called) Rivers of America. Lines were not bad at all -- POTC (my all time fave) was a walk-on and they have restaurant facing the ride called Blue Bayoo that looks pretty interesting. Went on a ride or two that I probably wouldn't have at the world and I gotta say Winnie-the-Pooh's adventure was a gas. (I was with a co-worker/friend -- kinda a tough guy --shaved head, lotsa tattoos, and bulging muscles everywhere and he liked it too*** FOR THE RECORD; totally sweet adorable man who was completely onboard with going to DL instead of hitting the bars that day*** Together, I think we probably looked like "Vin Diesel and his mom" wherever we went on that trip but the great thing about California is even that didn't raise an eyebrow)
I highly recommend "The California Bakery" just outside the ticket entrance (I think it might be built into the first story of big new California lodge but I'm not sure.) Awesome sandwiches, salads, etc, and If you like REAL Sour Dough bread -- this is the best stuff I've ever had outside of Berkely.
HAVE A GREAT TIME -- you also might want to bundle up and go over to one of the beaches @ Costa Mesa -- you might see some whales or dolphins.
HAVE FUN!
