Disneyland...OMG!!!!!!!!!!

[Disney Ron]

Yes, I’ve read that some things are better in DL! I’m especially excited to ride Disneyland’s Pirates and Haunted Mansion. I’m really looking forward to CA weather, too. Anything has got to be better than the weather we just experienced in Disney in June.

You heard right those rides plus Small World are all better and Indy crushes Dinosaur. Also Guardians is better than Tower of Terror IMO. You could hate the Cars movies and still love Carsland and Avengers Campus is tremendous. You'll have a great trip. My wife and kids said it was our best vacation in years.

 

[Disney Ron]

I'm so glad you had a wonderful first trip to Disneyland. It really is the best!

I live a stones throw from Disneyland and go VERY often. I sometimes wonder if my perspective of DL compared to WDW is sort of tainted by visiting DL so frequently.

Well, I just got back from 9 nights at WDW (first trip there since 2018) and I can confidently say that the following are still true:

WDW food is (much) worse than DL food, especially quick service. I am SO looking forward to some good Disneyland food this Saturday.

WDW guests are not as nice as DL guests

WDW cast members are not as kind OR knowledgeable as DL CMs. I got a LOT of blank stares, "I don't know" answers, and several answers in Spanish (?). I just think WDW is struggling with finding and training good CMs.

WDW parks are not as clean/well kept as Disneyland

We had a great time at WDW, don't get me wrong. My kids love it and it will always have a special place in my heart. I already want to go back. But the differences are glaringly obvious at this point. WDW hasn't quite kept itself as well as DL has. Things there have noticeably gone downhill since my last visit in 2018. Somehow, Disneyland has improved in the same time frame. It's very noticeable.

DLgal, just want to hit on a couple of things you said. We noticed how clean the park bathrooms were compared to WDW and almost every Men's room I went in had a cleaning person in it, like WDW used to be.

And I completely agree on the friendlier guests comment. Just a bunch of people enjoying themselves and being polite to each other.

 

[BrianL]

You heard right those rides plus Small World are all better and Indy crushes Dinosaur. Also Guardians is better than Tower of Terror IMO. You could hate the Cars movies and still love Carsland and Avengers Campus is tremendous. You'll have a great trip. My wife and kids said it was our best vacation in years.

I would say Pirates is definitely better, though HM I think is a closer contest. The WDW one had the slight edge until Hatbox, but they are getting him too, so. I was skepitcal of the GOTG change for ToT, and while I don't know if it's better, it is really fun - however, Cosmic Rewind is a game changer! That ride is so great. Anyway, there's always going to be some things better about each park, which is just a good reason to go to both!

 

[DLgal]

Haven't read all the responses on this thread but just chiming in to say welcome to the DLR side. DLR beats WDW any day! It's our preference by far. Although, we are heading back to WDW this year for the first time in a decade to see Tron. I'm am ready to be disappointed overall since we have been so spoiled by Disneyland.

Tron and Guardians are amazing. Well worth the trip to WDW. If Disneyland had those 2 rides, I might never go back to WDW.

 

[DLgal]

Yes and no...very big, lots of walking and to me the rooms are not anything special. Being close was the main pull at the time.

The GCH rooms far exceed the new renovated BC rooms. Talk about low budget along with a complete lack of theme. I was so disappointed.

 

[Disney Ron]

I appreciate the post, OP! We're headed to DL next week-- DW regulars but first trip out there with the kids from the east coast. Hope we find the same joy you did!

You have a great trip and report back when you get home. You will love it. Really take your time and take in everything. Soak it all in. We've been home for 5 days and are all ready to go back.

 

[BrianL]

Tron and Guardians are amazing. Well worth the trip to WDW. If Disneyland had those 2 rides, I might never go back to WDW.

Maybe Flight of Passage too, though Epcot is alwyas going to have me with things like Spaceship Earth.

 

[DLgal]

Agree my wife and 2 kids had never flown cross country and wasn't looking forward to it, but they are now ready to do it again next summer they loved DL so much.

I don't know what airline you flew, but Delta seat back entertainment has a fantastic selection of movies, shows and games for kids. I was really impressed. They have a ton of Disney and DreamWorks movies. Even new ones. My son watched the Super Mario Movie coming back from WDW last week. It helps a lot to have the kids occupied.

 

[Disney Ron]

I don't know what airline you flew, but Delta seat back entertainment has a fantastic selection of movies, shows and games for kids. I was really impressed. They have a ton of Disney and DreamWorks movies. Even new ones. My son watched the Super Mario Movie coming back from WDW last week. It helps a lot to have the kids occupied.

We flew American and they also had the seat back entertainment, my family is used to a 2.5 hr flight to WDW instead of 6 hrs cross country so that was the issue, but now that they did it and loved DL so much they are ready to go again and so am I.

 

[DLgal]

I would say Pirates is definitely better, though HM I think is a closer contest. The WDW one had the slight edge until Hatbox, but they are getting him too, so. I was skepitcal of the GOTG change for ToT, and while I don't know if it's better, it is really fun - however, Cosmic Rewind is a game changer! That ride is so great. Anyway, there's always going to be some things better about each park, which is just a good reason to go to both!

I haven't been on ToT for a long time, and was surprised how toned down it felt. It felt like a kiddie ride, almost. I don't think we dropped more than 3 stories in any given drop.

Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind is the best roller coaster I've ever been on. It is fantastic!

 

[DLgal]

Maybe Flight of Passage too, though Epcot is alwyas going to have me with things like Spaceship Earth.

Yeah, Epcot has my heart.

Flight of Passage, I can take or leave. I don't find it as impressive as everyone else seems to. The picture is so blurry and low quality looking to me. Put an OLED screen in there, ditch the outdated 3D glasses, and then it would be mind blowing.

 

[BrianL]

I haven't been on ToT for a long time, and was surprised how toned down it felt. It felt like a kiddie ride, almost. I don't think we dropped more than 3 stories in any given drop.

Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind is the best roller coaster I've ever been on. It is fantastic!

Well, the drop sequence is randomized, and I don't think I've noticed any changes on it. It's still a blast, and the WDW version was always the better one because it moves through the "fourth dimension" scene. I don't mind that they changed the DCA one though because now I have both versions to enjoy.

Cosmic Rewind is an absolute blast, hands down!

 

[DLgal]

Well, the drop sequence is randomized, and I don't think I've noticed any changes on it. It's still a blast, and the WDW version was always the better one because it moves through the "fourth dimension" scene. I don't mind that they changed the DCA one though because now I have both versions to enjoy.

Cosmic Rewind is an absolute blast, hands down!

We rode it on 2 different days in different elevator shafts and it was the same drop sequence both times.

 

[tigertides]

We also did DL for first time last month. Agreed- it was great.

One reason why Castmembers in CA seem happier can not be ignored:
They are unionized, correct?

Castmembers in FL were paid poverty wages, and needed food drive over holidays to make ends meet.
Shameful, and this is coming from a WDW-fanatic who's been going since 1980s

 

[BrianL]

Yeah, Epcot has my heart.

Flight of Passage, I can take or leave. I don't find it as impressive as everyone else seems to. The picture is so blurry and low quality looking to me. Put an OLED screen in there, ditch the outdated 3D glasses, and then it would be mind blowing.

If it's blurry, then you likely got bad glasses. It is a 10K, 60FPS image! It stinks to get bum glasses though - I've been there on any of the 3D attractions at times.

 

[DLgal]

We also did DL for first time last month. Agreed- it was great.

One reason why Castmembers in CA seem happier can not be ignored:
They are unionized, correct?

Castmembers in FL were paid poverty wages, and needed food drive over holidays to make ends meet.
Shameful, and this is coming from a WDW-fanatic who's been going since 1980s

They are unionized in FL as well.

 

[wendlle]

You heard right those rides plus Small World are all better and Indy crushes Dinosaur. Also Guardians is better than Tower of Terror IMO. You could hate the Cars movies and still love Carsland and Avengers Campus is tremendous. You'll have a great trip. My wife and kids said it was our best vacation in years.

Add Big Thunder to the list, I think the DL version is far superior to the one at WDW

 

[BrianL]

Add Big Thunder to the list, I think the DL version is far superior to the one at WDW

It is. I have no idea why they never brought those projection effects to the final room on the MK one. They'd be about equal but for that.

 

[Jwaire]

5) California Adventure- Gem of a park. I don't know what more I can say about it.

You lost me at this. I have several adjectives for CA, but gem isn't one of them.

I'm kidding. Glad you had a great time. They're definitely different, but yet familiar experiences. You can't go wrong with Grand Cal. It's like if Wilderness Lodge was across the street from the Magic Kingdom.

Last time we went, we had a great meal at Blue Bayou. Sad to see hear the quality has decreased.

Flight of Passage, I can take or leave. I don't find it as impressive as everyone else seems to. The picture is so blurry and low quality looking to me. Put an OLED screen in there, ditch the outdated 3D glasses, and then it would be mind blowing.

I feel the same way. I also hate being trapped in the FOP ride vehicle too.

 

[Rich M]

Tron and Guardians are amazing. Well worth the trip to WDW. If Disneyland had those 2 rides, I might never go back to WDW.

I would gladly give up those two rides coming to DL if we could have the Rocket Rods back.