First time going to DL from Orlando - what's not to miss?

[Backstage_Gal]

Hi, I am going to DL in October (hopefully) first time ever. I am a 37 year CM at WDW, so I am excited to see the original. What are the attractions not to miss that we don't have at WDW (or that are better there)?
Also, best place to stay, I would prefer a Disney property.
Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[diznygirl]

The Grand Californian is absolutely Grand, but I'm old-school and prefer the Disneyland Hotel.

Definitely do Pirates and Haunted Mansion. They still have subs - the Finding Nemo ride. There is also still a Mr. Toad's. They also have an Alice in Wonderland ride and of course Matterhorn. Love Toontown!! Do the Roger Rabbit ride - the line is also great for fans.

Make sure you see Fantasmic - although I'm not sure they have all the bugs worked out from the new additions. My fave part of the park is New Orleans Square. Make ressies at Blue Bayou.

I'm sure you can get much more detail from the DL board.

 

[minniecarousel]

Oh, there are all those things that you don't have at WDW. The original Tiki Room and Indiana Jones!, along with the above-mentioned rides. The "It's a Small World" is different - it has a much prettier entrance. Comparing the Pirates ride is fun - the queue isn't as extensive, but the ride is better.

I prefer the Grand Californian - it's closer to Disneyland and has a seperate entrance to DCA.

 

[Backstage_Gal]

Thanks much, Diznygirl. All duly noted. Unfortunately, I am afraid the GC is not not in my budget though. Funny, I worked on a plan to buy (or was it rennovate?) the DL Hotel many years ago, shoot, I can't remember, something with DLH, so I might stay there.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

Yes, PLEASE make reservations for Blue Bayou...ask for a waterside table so you can watch the POTC boats ride by. And DO NOT miss the Indiana Jones ride. It's my favorite non old ride on the park. And like the PP said, do the Matterhorn. You will LOVE Downtown Disney...you can walk to Disneyland and California Adventure. OH, and go to California Adventure to ride Soarin. It's so much more special seeing it in California. Don't miss the Alladin show at California Adventure. And like the PP said, ride Mr. Toad. It smells old, but thats one of the things I liked about. I LOVE DL. Just try not to go into it expecting WDW. IMO, Disneyland is the best because Walt built that park. And when you are Main Street, on the right is the Disney Fire Dept. That's where Walt actually had an apartment and stayed there occasionally. Oh, and Billy Hill and the Hillbillies are very popular. Its a show/restaurant and very enjoyable.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

Thanks much, Diznygirl. All duly noted. Unfortunately, I am afraid the GC is not not in my budget though. Funny, I worked on a plan to buy (or was it rennovate?) the DL Hotel many years ago, shoot, I can't remember, something with DLH, so I might stay there.

We stayed in Paradise Pier. It's like a Mod at WDW. I loved it. We were able to walk across the street into the Grand Californian and exit out and end up in Downtown Disney.

 

[Backstage_Gal]

Thanks, CalDreaming, I will definitely book Blue bayoo. Im off to look at the menu and the hotels. Plus I have some (very loose) connections out there, now that we are "ONE DISNEY" and consolidate our financial resutls. I heard rumors about possible seeing Club 33 and/or Walts apt. But those are very slim hopes. Our main purpose is to go see our son graduate from 1 1/2 years in officer school in the AF, so this is just a nice perk, but I love it!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I have two irreverent comments.

One is that when you get onto Main Street your first thought will be "Where is the Castle"? Cinderella Castle is 189 feet tall and visible from just about anywhere in the Park, Sleeping Beauty Castle is only 75 feet tall. (2.52 times higher)

The other is you will get lost in the park. For example, Splash is not even close to Big Thunder.

Some of the differences are that Splash has front and back seating while Space has side-by-side. But there is a lot that is there that is not at WDW. And Toon Town is not primarily a kiddie play area.

 

[Backstage_Gal]

Thanks, C-Figment. Holy cow, I was just looking at hotel prices. I think I am going to stay at a non-Disney hotel, I am way too cheap to spend $245 a night ! Nice hotel nearby for $89 works for me.

 

[IDoDis]

You must not miss the live Aladdin show at California Adventure. I think it's better than any live play at WDW.

 

[DisneyBlonde]

The Indiana Jones ride is awesome, wish we had that in WDW.

I second the Blue Bayou. And check out the private club next door - Club 33. You can hardly make out that there's a door there...look for the 33.

 

[Danauk]

Even if you aren't going to stay at the Grand Californian I would still pop in and have a look, it is beautiful. Napa Rose there does amazing food.

One attraction that I haven't seen mentioned is the Storybook Land Canal boats, the ride is quite cute and not at WDW. I agree with other posters about the Nemo subs, Roger Rabbit ride, Matterhorn etc. I would also ride Grizzly River Run in Californian Adventure, very fun and different to Kali River Rapids.