I am a Disneyland convert-

[krismom]

We just got back from 4 days at the Grand Californian. All I can say is WOW! DL was so much "easier" than WDW! Navigating through the parks, the beautiful (and comfortable) weather, the close proximity to the hotel (it was IN the park!) was so amazing. The "same but different" appeal of the rides( Peter Pan is soooooo mucher cooler!) The amazing Main street parade, hearing Walt's rededication speech at the flag pole (gave me chills!) and, of course, the Fantasmic balcony seating (we felt like celebrities!)
The only complaint I had was that the food was pretty bad- same chicken strips and mac and cheese for the kids though!
All in all- we all loved California adventure (rode Monsters Inc at least 5 times) and the plane ride wasn't all that bad- we are used to going NY-FLa, and I thought the time difference would be tough.
If anyone is debating a trip- go for it! I wish we had made ours longer- (we were visiting family and only did the end of the week at DL-

 

[TimNDansMom]

I agree! We had such a great time last summer that we are going back! Can't wait!

 

[slp87]

That's exactly how we felt! We've always visited WDW more and went to DL this past November after an 8 year absence. We also stayed at the GCH and never left the property. The ease of never having to board a bus, especially with my mom's ECV, and being able to walk between the 2 parks was fabulous. I have to agree about the food. Luckily we were staying on the concierge level, or we would have gotten tired of the choices. We'll be back in 2 weeks for DD's dance competition and I can't wait to ride Monsters! How 'bout Space Mountain?? It is so awesome at DL!! Puts WDW's to shame!

 

[Dopey & Grumpy]

I agree totally. We've been twice already and we're going back again in Sept. My DH never wanted to go - he was such a Disney World fan. I ended up convincing him when my DMom wanted to know if we'd go with her to visit family in the San Diego area. My DH went, reluctantly, but he had a great time. We only visited DL that time but the second time, we did more and plan on doing even more this time. Don't get me wrong. We still love WDW but we love DL too.

 

[brando5111]

Wow - I love hearing all the reviews. We are complete WDW LOVERS and feel that DL and DCA just does not embrace the total vacation experience you feel when in WDW. Our favorite hotels happen to be moderates. Especially Port Orleans Riverside. We now prefer to stay in the Bayou section as the rooms have been recently re-done and are very nice for the price. (Especially when compared to LA!).

Best to all and let's face it, any Disney vacation is better than being at work!!!!

jr

 

[GailT]

well you people have me excited...I know I am not going to be in WDW and have been second guessing my decision to go to DL but I htink it will be a perfect new experience. I have stayed at the DWD hotels but GC looks really nicee, I just hope I get that disney feeling at Christmas time, I know that WDW looks great that time of the year, I have seen it on TV

 

[4 mickey]

I also have fallen for disneyland been to wdw 6 times , tought I would miss on something ( 4 parks versus only 2) well guess what not a bit .
The fact that you can walk from place to place in only minutes versus the buses systems in wdw even if quite good ) I really liked to be anbla to hopp from one to the other in a matter of minutes ,the rides different one , also same one but some quite better like small world , aladin show as good as a broadway show ( wich I have been to ) .
The fact that after fireworks in minutes ( depending were you stay ) your in your shower lol...lol....as opposed to wdw where you have sometimes to wait for a few buses in order to get to your resort , don't get me wrong wdw is fantastick but I must say there is a feel like home kind of feeling to disneyland

 

[Echo queen]

We just returned from our third WDW/DCL vacation and I said where do you all want to go next summer(this was the planner in me speaking). DISNEYLAND that was 3 of 4 cheers. So all of your info will come in handy .

 

[Yookeroo]

I just hope I get that disney feeling at Christmas time

Won't be a problem. Check out Small World. And the light show. And there's Haunted Mansion Holiday with Jack Skellington. The resort is beautiful that time of year.

 

[slp87]

We visited a few days before Thanksgiving last year just so we could experience the Christmas decorations and they were fabulous! I loved Toontown and New Orleans Square. We went back to the Big Thunder Ranch and saw the reindeer, then DD bought a gingerbread cookie to decorate.

 

[minniecarousel]

The Grand Californian is decorated so beautifully at Christmastime. I never thought I'd be able to be in Disneyland on Dec.21 any year, but we did it a few years ago, & I still got Christmas ready at home - no problem!
The Grand is such a terrific hotel - I love the Arts & Crafts style. And I love being right THERE!

I have been to WDW several times, but Disneyland is home to me. If they could just do something about the heat & humidity in Florida!

 

[Sleeping Jedi Beauty]

As wonderful as WDW is, it doesn't have Walt's personal touch. Disneyland is where the dream began, and for whatever reason, Disneyland almost always has the more detailed and longer version of the same attraction. When I compare park to park, I like Disneyland better than any park in WDW. I feel sorry for those who don't try Disneyland because it's not WDW. They have no idea what they're missing out on.

 

[Deb & Bill]

As wonderful as WDW is, it doesn't have Walt's personal touch. Disneyland is where the dream began, and for whatever reason, Disneyland almost always has the more detailed and longer version of the same attraction. When I compare park to park, I like Disneyland better than any park in WDW. I feel sorry for those who don't try Disneyland because it's not WDW. They have no idea what they're missing out on.

I don't quite agree with your statement about WDW not having Walt's touch. He bought the land, he had the plans, he just didn't get to see them finished.

It's too bad he didn't have more money when he built DL because it could be fabulous if he had more land. We're having a great time at DL because everything is so close to each other. But DL seems really crowded. And they don't seem as customer oriented at times. Like holding you back until 10 min before the show starts to fill up the theater. Or having so many major rides shut down in the early morning hours because they aren't working - Space Mt, Buzz Lightyear, Matterhorn, Indiana Jones, California Screamin'.

It's very convenient not to have to ride a bus, but at times it just seems crowded.

I do like the attractions here in DL that we don't have in FL. The Aladdin show is fantastic.

I'm glad we had a chance to come to DL and we'll be back in Sept for the 1/2 marathon.

 

[GailT]

Won't be a problem. Check out Small World. And the light show. And there's Haunted Mansion Holiday with Jack Skellington. The resort is beautiful that time of year.

tHANK YOU pAUL, NOW THE EXCITMENT IS BUILDING. i BOOKED THIS TRIP LAST dECEBER 2005 AND i ONLY HAVE 6 MORE MONTHS of waiting time. Sorry I hit the cap lock button.

 

[Michelle2]

Welcome to the club krismom! I have always loved DL like no other Disney park, and I have about seen them all!
And who could forget Indy????
I also saw that the new renovations to Pirates was going to kick WDW's can. I cannot wait to see them in 9/2007!!!

 

[momsgoofy]

DL is awesome!

I just got back from my first trip ever and had a great time! I'm not sure if I'm a total convert yet...I'd say I'm at a toss up as there are aspects of DL that I think are better while some at WDW are better. We stayed at the GC also, got bumped up from a standard room to a courtyard view. (I was offered a std, but with handicap accessible shower and all, which I really didn't want and wanted to be available for someone who really needed it so they relocated us. Yeah!) We were there from June 2 - 7...a nice length for a first trip I think.

Let me see if I can sum up my two cents...

DL is better...
The TIki Room is so much better! No Yago, whom I really can't stand except in the movie.
Space Mountain is better!
Everything really is within walking distance!
The weather was fantastic...like someone else said...if only Florida could get rid of the humidity! (We have Florida like weather here before and after the DL trip and since our return it's just been sucking the breath out of me.)
Small World (IMO) is more enjoyable!
California Screamin' is a blast!
Tower of Terror was awesome...might even like it better at DCA...have to really compare next month at WDW.
I enjoyed Fantasmic better at DL, but it's still not one of my favorites.
Indy is the best!
And, hey...the original Electric Parade rules!

Okay, WDW is better...
WDW seems to have fewer ride breakdowns.
I like the Wishes fireworks better!
Overall, we like the food at WDW better, but Granville's is superb!
I like the monorail better at WDW!
Downtown Disney is bigger at WDW, but I like both equally.
WDW has more offerings with the 4 parks...but that can also be a negative sometimes.

Okay...that is all I can think of right now. I can say that I will be returning to DL and I'd love to see it during the Christmas season! I can only imagine how beautiful it is.

 

[ACDSNY]

It's nice to hear good things about Disneyland. I grew up going to DL so it will always have a special place in my heart and memories. I didn't make it to WDW until I was in my late thirties. To me they are two totally different vacations experiences.

 

[flagen]

We also liked DL better...Just about all the best rides from 4 parks all in 2. No buses...the food is at the HOTELS.....Storytellers Cafe=FANTASTIC...Napa Rose=SUPER Fantastic. (We went to Spago the same trip and Napa was BETTER).

We stayed at the Grand Cal...Short walk and in the park...downtown Disney and DL.

Sure the water parks are not there and no Hoop-De-Doo....But Billy Hill & the Hillbillies is GREAT....Please Disney Land and DW Bring back the Golden Horseshoes!!!!! Put on a dinner show with Billy Hill & the Hillbillies!!!!

I know there are millions of people that are are die hard WDW fans and will bash DL due to size...We are DVCers from Pa and when and if a DVC opens at DL we know were we are going

 

[SamIAm21]

I just got home from Disneyland too and although we stayed at a Good Neighbor hotel, the HoJo, I found Disneyland to be completely magical and enchanting. I loved everything from Main Street to Critter Country. I thought New Orleans Square was just so amazing, especially that little "hidden" staircase with the flower pots and gorgeous blooms lining each step. My gosh what a great picture spot. I thought Main Street was far nicer than the WDW version with the trolley's double decker buses and horse carriages. I loved the beautiful sort of muted colors on the buildings, the Firehouse made me teary-eyed because they have left the light on for Walt. Peter Pan was awesome, but a wee bit shorter than the WDW version, which was fine because the quality of the ride was much better. Small World was great in that the "river" is narrower and the dolls and scenes were much closer. The picture taking opportunities are more plentiful. Toontown is a hoot and the talking box and gag doors are great fun for kids of all ages.

The Haunted Mansion totally rocked! It is far far superior to the Haunted Mansion at WDW. The story line makes more sense. I don't like to compare because I love both parks, but there are rides at DL that are so well done, you can't help but notice the difference.

The landscaping, the blooming trees, the flowers EVERYWHERE, the scent of flowers everywhere is just overwhelming. The level of detail is just far superior and you can just tell this was Walt's park! Even in the que lines there are things to look at, read and most of them help set the "scene" for the ride itself, especially RR's Cartoon Spin.

I have to say, I had the best time at DL and wouldn't hesitate to go back in the future.

 

[tiggersis]

Disneyland will always be special to me. It holds so many memories and the stories my parents tell me from their days working at the park. I love it so much. As much as I would love going back to WDW, I can't give up my Disneyland APs. I'm selfish, I know