Florida vs. California

[cygnusx1jg]

Will be going this summer to the LA area for a week. We are roller coaster people as well as Disney people, so we are going to SF:MM while we are there.

Question: should we also go to Disneyland/California Adventure?

Now, we live within 90 minutes of WDW and go at least every other Saturday while the Florida Seasonal Pass allows it. We've done all four parks and will continue to do so and love it.

For people that have been to both--Are there enough things different/better in the California parks that we wouldn't be dissapointed since we go so often to the Florida parks? And if so, what are the major differences?

 

[BoardWalkBelle]

Yes, go to Disneyland and CA Adventure!!
Disneyland is MUCH better than the MK in FL. I grew up in Anaheim and spent much time at Dland, and I now live in Orlando, am a CM and go to the MK alot and i can tell you Disneyland is much better. You will love it!

 

[lovedonald]

It is totally worth going to Disneyland and California adventure. If you love the one on Florida you will love the one in California also! They are both special in their own way! Make sure you ride pirates in Disneyland. Just amazing!

 

[HydroGuy]

Will be going this summer to the LA area for a week. We are roller coaster people as well as Disney people, so we are going to SF:MM while we are there.

Question: should we also go to Disneyland/California Adventure?

Now, we live within 90 minutes of WDW and go at least every other Saturday while the Florida Seasonal Pass allows it. We've done all four parks and will continue to do so and love it.

For people that have been to both--Are there enough things different/better in the California parks that we wouldn't be dissapointed since we go so often to the Florida parks? And if so, what are the major differences?

Yes you should go. No you will not be disappointed. This thread may help:

"A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[Itinkso]

Being in the original park, DL, and knowing you are walking where Walt once walked is very cool! These really are must sees:

Shows ~ World of Color, Aladdin, Fantasmic
Rides ~ Indiana Jones, Mr. Toad, Storybook Boats, Casey Jr., Roger Rabbit, all of Cars Land, Screamin' Over California, Nemo Submarines

And, if you aren't going to San Francisco, then definitely eat at Boudin's in DCA!

Really, you shouldn't miss DL/DCA if this is your first opportunity to visit Cali!!

 

[DOOM1001]

I am also coaster people,and even though visiting SFMM is a must since it's a major coaster destination like visiting Cedar Point, I think if I'm going to be in the general vicinity of Disneyland it would be my highest priority to get there,that's like the original and having been to WDW hundreds of times you just have to spend 2-3 days at DL and DCA to check them out and see how they compare.Any SoCal trip for me would require at least 8-10 days there,2-3 at Disneyland and DCA,1 at SFMM,1 at Knotts Berry Farm,1 to Sea World and San Diego and the rest to visit the entire area.

 

[amym2]

Yes, do it! Don't miss California Screamin at DCA. We rode it over and over- awesome!

And don't skip rides at DL thinking they are the same at MK. Pirates, Space Mtn, and others are better at DL.

World of Color is also unique to DLR. Great show!

 

[hgeisler]

I love the quaintness of Disneyland, and the fact that it does have some different rides, as well as some similar rides that have differences.

It's a Small World is beautiful there!
POC is very different. I think it is better in CA.
Haunted Mansion is also superior in CA.

Rides you won't find in FL: Alice in Wonderland, Casey Jr. Train, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride (sigh), the Matterhorn, Indiana Jones (Which is far superior to Dinosaur imo, because you can ride it several times and not experience the same ride twice), a Nemo sub ride, California Screamin', and of course Car's land. They also still have a Toontown

The biggest difference you will notice is the size of the parks. You can walk between DL and California Adventure,and within each park the space between attractions is smaller.

 

[Timsierramist]

I think the census is in and it's 10,000 to zero, go to the parks.

If your a true Disney fan, it should be a no brainer. Walt walked those streets, rode those rides, lived above the fire station, sailed the Mark Twain, drove the trains around the park, etc. This is where it all started.

As other have alluded to, rides are similar, but very different. Then there are rides that are absolutely 100% unique to Disneyland only.

If you can afford it (I know I can't), a stay at the Grand Californian is a must. Wake up, walk downstairs and DCA is right there with it's own hotel guest entrance.

Over at DCA, with a 1 billion+ upgrade, DCA has some absolute must do's. Aladdin is my favorite live show in all of the Disney parks. World of Color will blow your socks off. And Carsland still has that new fresh coat of paint feel to it.

In at the resort at least once a week to keep up to date on the latest changes and news. Never gets old.

BTW: Space Mountain is back up and running at DLAND.

For night time attractions, I have heard it time and time again that Disneyland's Fantasmic is better than HS's. We have several different and unique fireworks hows. If you go soon, you'll see my personal favorite, Magical, where even Dumbo takes flight over Sleeping Beauty castle.

But whatever you do, don't miss World of Color.

Anyways I hope you go. You can squeeze Disneyland and Magic Mountain in. If not, i'd go Disneyland over Magic Mountain.

If you have time, spend 1 day in each park. There is plenty to do and you can't do it all.

 

[The Fox Menagerie]

If you love Disney, yes definitely go to DL/CA. We love FL and Ca there is so much to appreciate at both resorts. PoC at DLR is our favorite.

 

[I Love Pluto]

I suppose they should go to the parks???!!!

Excited here - WDW vet going to CA for the first time July 7th. We can't wait for Mr Toad's Wild Ride, World of Color, Walk in Walt's Footsteps, etc etc etc!

Did I say we are excited???????????

 

[Itinkso]

I suppose they should go to the parks???!!!

Excited here - WDW vet going to CA for the first time July 7th. We can't wait for Mr Toad's Wild Ride, World of Color, Walk in Walt's Footsteps, etc etc etc!

Did I say we are excited???????????

Have a great time! As a DLR vet, I always marveled at the first-time visitors who couldn't believe how different DL is compared to MK. And it wasn't just what they were saying but it was the AWE in their voices! Everyone should experience that!!

 

[mummabear]

Go! We love both DL/DCA has many things that WDW doesn't have-Matterhorn, Carsland, World of Colour to name a few =) Really Carsland alone is worth it.

 

[momof2n2]

I've never done DCA but we went to DL again about 10 years ago. I loved the mood of the park. It was just a totally different feel than the sprawl of WDW. I bet you'd enjoy experiencing it; it doesn't feel "same as" at all.

 

[disneyfreak33]

Will be going this summer to the LA area for a week. We are roller coaster people as well as Disney people, so we are going to SF:MM while we are there.

Question: should we also go to Disneyland/California Adventure?

Now, we live within 90 minutes of WDW and go at least every other Saturday while the Florida Seasonal Pass allows it. We've done all four parks and will continue to do so and love it.

For people that have been to both--Are there enough things different/better in the California parks that we wouldn't be dissapointed since we go so often to the Florida parks? And if so, what are the major differences?

I would go to both, we have a few times. World of Color in CA is not to be missed, IMHO, also if you have the time and you said you are coaster folks I would visit https://www.knotts.com/

it is only about 15 miles or so maybe less from DL. It is fun there as well.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Yes you should go. No you will not be disappointed. This thread may help:

"A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

I was about to come in and recommend your thread, HydroGuy!

Op - yes, it's absolutely worth it to go to DL/DCA!

 

[Stinkerbell1973]

Definitely go! We live within driving distance to WDW and go a couple of times each year. We tacked a 2 day trip onto DH's business trip last October and hit DLR for 2 days.
First day we hit DL and even tix to their Halloween party so we could get even MORE time there. DL is amazing. We loved the Matterhorn, the different POTC (2 drops instead of one - so fun!), the Nemo submarine ride, open air Tea Cups (and I don't ride the tea cups at WDW), IASW, Alice in Wonderland ride was cute....I could go on and on. Space Mountain there was better...and I liked how it's train sat 2 people side by side. We had an amazing day there.
California Adventure was great there too. Carsland is AWESOME. The themeing there is out of this world...talk about TOTAL immersion. California Screamin is a great coaster. Mickey's Fun Wheel.....didn't care for it but DH and DD wanted the gondola that rocks. Haha.
You'll be impressed by the size, and how close everything is.
You're already going to be in the area - don't miss DL. I wish we had more than 2 days.

 

[bleeps]

We went to DL/DCA last year for the first time, after 9 trips to WDW, and we LOVED it. We so wish California weren't so far from us (we live in the Boston area)!

DL is magical. There are so many more attractions tucked into a smaller space -- and the attractions are fantastic! And we had a great time at DCA and hope to get back to check out Cars Land someday.

We stayed at the Grand Cailfornian and it was amazing.

No one should ever pass up the opportunity to go to DL/DCA!

 

[Hootch]

the first Disney park I visited. That was back in the days when the individual tickets were used. Since then we have been to WDW many times. Last year we took a driving tour of the American Southwest. That included a stop in Anaheim.

There are unique rides and attractions (Radiator Springs Racing, Indiana Jones, etc), Extended rides (Pirates) and long lost rides (Mr. Toad and Snow White). But I think the thing that I noticed most was the feel of Disneyland. It feels more personal for some reason. I don't know if I can explain why.

That doesn't mean that I prefer the Anaheim location. There is more to do in Orlando given the available space. That does mean I want to back to Anaheim and spend a little more time soaking up the atmosphere.