Help! Disney World Pro who's clueless about Disneyland

[Jess6001]

Help us! I'm going to California on business and now get to take a last minute 2-day trip to Disneyland. So excited but so confused! We're staying at a non-Disney hotel for 3 nights. Planning on doing the first night of arrival at Downtown Disney followed by a day each at Disneyland and California adventure. To all the Disneyland pros out there:

1) What are the top attractions in each park not to miss (especially those that aren't at WDW)?

2) What's the best table service and counter service at each park? at Downtown Disney?

3) Special holiday events not to miss?

4) any other advice for Disneyland vs. WDW?

Help me get a start on planning this last minute trip! Thank you in advance to all the DISers!

 

[lsulindy]

Hydroguy's thread A DLR Guide for WDW Vets is a great place to start. As well as all of the tips found in his siggy. I'm still researching myself. Have fun!

 

[Jess6001]

Great! Thanks for finding that!

 

[Girimama33]

Start with this thread...http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599
Should answer most of your questions.
As far as dining goes...Here are some of my favorites:
DL - Plaza Inn, Turkey Legs, Corn Dogs, Tommorowland Terrace (breakfast). Blue Bayou is great for ambiance.
DCA - Ariel's Grotto, CCT, Flo's V8 Cafe, Taste Pilots grill.
DTD - We like Naples and Tortilla Joe's

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

You also might want to check out the 03/01/12 DIS Unplugged: Disneyland Edition podcast, where each podcaster proposes a one-day touring plan, most specific to WDW veterans.

March 1, 2012 Podcast

The segment about the touring plan starts around 46 minutes in.

 

[Sgtfox]

If I had one tip for you, it would be to make dining reservations now to eat at the Blue Bayou. It's a great meal in a unique environment that you can't get at WDW.

Kinda the same gimmick as the Sci-Fi Dine In, but with actual high-class quality and inside of the Pirates of the Carribean attraction. Tres cool!

 

[KCmike]

1) What are the top attractions in each park not to miss (especially those that aren't at WDW)?

Pirates of the Carribean (amazing at DL!), Haunted Mansion overlay of Nightmare Before Christmas, Space Mtn, all of fantasyland, The original Tiki Room, Indiana Jones, and It's a Small World (again much better at DL plus it has an overlay for Christmas!). In DCA you have to see the Aladdin Stage Show, do all of Carsland!, Screamin', and Monsters Inc.

2) What's the best table service and counter service at each park? at Downtown Disney?

DL - Plaza Inn, Hungry Bear for Burgers for counter service. Table service would be Steakhouse 55 in Disneyland Hotel, Napa Rose in Grand Californian.

3) Special holiday events not to miss?

Holiday Parades, Holiday Fireworks.

4) any other advice for Disneyland vs. WDW?

Wish you could take more time. There are so many little things to see and do! If you have a chance you should ask to ride the Lilly Belle train car. Walt dedicated it to his wife. It's amazing. See Billy Hill and Hillbillies Show. Watch Fantasmic! and World of Color.

Lookout for Walt's lamp above the Firehouse. Savor the original Mainstreet.

So much more to tell you!!!

 

[ParkHopper1]

Biggest difference is that in WDW, most people need to plan out every move like a military operation...and that is often needed at that resort. At DLR, it is much more relaxed and since everything is so close...both gates are in the same esplanade...you can go much more with the flow at DLR. Make some reservations for table service, but other then that you can really make it up much more as you go!

 

[Jess6001]

Thanks so much for the tips! I'm getting really excited!