Going to Disneyland today!

[auroralark]

...And I'm super excited. It's my first trip. DH and I have been in CA a little over a week now, and we're taking Amtrak from San Diego up to Anaheim this morning. (Thanks to the DIS for that info.) We're taking the holiday lights tour this afternoon and staying at the HOJO. Any last minute tips for me? I'm a little nervous about heading to a park I've never been to!

 

[OKW Lover]

No tips from me, but have a great time. I'm envious!

I will say that you should avoid trying to compare it to WDW (which a lot of people do) and instead just go and take it all in as a brand new adventure.

Be sure to come back and let us all know how it went.

 

[oc_tony]

If you're used to WDW's Magic Kingdom, you'll love DL. It's more compact and has a certain charm about it. This is the last day of the holiday season, so crowds will be heavy as the day wears on. Take note of FP attractions and try to eat at non-peak times.

Definitely do things that are unique to DL such as Indy (Adventureland, use FP) and Matterhorn (no FP, you can't miss it). Also, IASW and HM have special overlays for the holidays that are not to be missed. Lastly, most people agree that DL's Space, POTC, and Fantasmic! are superior, so be sure to catch those as well. Otherwise, grab a park map and go for it!

Have a great time at Walt's original magic kingdom!

 

[disneymom8589]

I agree about not comparing DLR to WDW...each is unique. Make sure to go on POTC and IASW! Also, the "Tiana's Showboat Jubilee" parade/show is lots of fun!

 

[kathrna]

Wow! I hope that you have a blast. We were there in November after not having been for eight years. It was GREAT! I hope that you do California Adventure. Paradise Pier over there is so much fun especially at night! Let us know how your trip was!

 

[daneenm]

Can't wait to hear how you like it. Since it is my 'home park' it hold a special place in my heart.

 

[auroralark]

Well, I've been at DL for two days now, and I am LOVING IT! I plan to do a full trip report at some point, but for now I'll just say that I knew as a fan of Disney I was going to love the park, but I love it more than I even thought I would. It's hard to explain. It definitely is a more intimate park, and I'm really enjoying it. (And there are definitely things here that are better than WDW...and vice versa, of course, but I'm trying not to compare things too much!)

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

And there are definitely things here that are better than WDW...and vice versa...

What do you mean "vice versa"?????

Everything is better at DL....

Ok. Maybe not the food.

But, everything else....

Oh, and the fact that WDW's Peter Pan has a Fastpass.

But nothing else....

Well, Mickey's Philharmagic is pretty cool.

But WDW doesn't have the Matterhorn. So there!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

What do you mean "vice versa"?????

Everything is better at DL....

Ok. Maybe not the food.

But, everything else....

Oh, and the fact that WDW's Peter Pan has a Fastpass.

But nothing else....

Well, Mickey's Philharmagic is pretty cool.

But WDW doesn't have the Matterhorn. So there!

I think I've been on Facebook too much, I just tried to "Like" your post.

So, I'll give a


Glad you're enjoying your visit Auroralark.

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

I think I've been on Facebook too much, I just tried to "Like" your post.

 

[SamIAm21]

Oddly enough, on my first trip to DL, I thought I was going to really dislike it. I really expected to be "stuck" halfway across the country at this little park. As I walked up Harbor Blvd toward the park, I thought it was going to be a real drag compared to WDW. Harbor isn't exactly brimming with MAGIC. I also stayed at the HOJO, which I thought was going to be awful and I couldn't have been more WRONG on all accounts. The HOJO was very nice and comfortable! Loved the pool! Disneyland completely captured my heart and the park is amazing. Once you walk into the promenade between the two parks everything else outside slips away. I did do a bit of comparing, but I was completely overwhelmed by how much I loved DLR. I would love to go back someday very soon.

 

[auroralark]

Oddly enough, on my first trip to DL, I thought I was going to really dislike it. I really expected to be "stuck" halfway across the country at this little park. As I walked up Harbor Blvd toward the park, I thought it was going to be a real drag compared to WDW. Harbor isn't exactly brimming with MAGIC. I also stayed at the HOJO, which I thought was going to be awful and I couldn't have been more WRONG on all accounts. The HOJO was very nice and comfortable! Loved the pool! Disneyland completely captured my heart and the park is amazing. Once you walk into the promenade between the two parks everything else outside slips away. I did do a bit of comparing, but I was completely overwhelmed by how much I loved DLR. I would love to go back someday very soon.

I can totally relate to pretty much all of this! We also stayed at the HOJO, and I almost changed our hotel like 5 times based on some reviews and complaints on how it was a far walk. Well, I'm glad I didn't. We really liked it, and didn't find it a far walk at all.

DL definitely has us hooked. We both loved it. Even DH - who likes Disney, but isn't a nut like me, was really sad to leave DL! He's never like that when we leave WDW! There really is something extra magical about DL. I already can't wait to go back. (Can't say the same for California Adventure... But there were sooooo many construction walls up, I think that really didn't help at all. We'll go back when it's finished.)

We're in LA now - the last leg of our two week trip. We're headed to Universal Studios tomorrow. Haven't been to the one in Orlando in years, so I'm excited to ride The Mummy and The Simpsons ride.

 

[PinkBudgie]

Glad you had fun! It is neat to see DLR, my "home park" given a good plug here because mostly the comments in here are about WDW and I've never been there. (But I am learning a lot for whenever we do go!)

People on the DLR board love Hojos- they like the Diser's rate and also the Entertainment Book rate they can get there. I've never stayed there but might have to try it one of these times. Next time we plan to try Candy Cane Inn. I've heard good things about that one and we've never stayed within walking distance of the parks. We always drive.

Also, there are reports of Disneyland execs looking closer at DL to see what new attractions they can add to the Disneyland park. That, combined with the "new" DCA, should make DLR pretty awesome within the next 5 years. Oh, and crowded. Oh well.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Glad you had fun at DL.

You're in my neck of the woods right now with Universal and that. I live very close to there. If you need some dinner recommendations, PM me and let me know.