Just Got Back-Wonderful First Visit!!!!

[DisneyFans4]

Just got in late last night and our first trip to Disneyland was wonderful! Weather was great the entire time and the crowds weren't that bad at all. Being a WDW veteran for 12 straight years alot of rides were definitely better at Disneyland. I was disappointed not to be able to ride It's A Small World which is being refurbished. They announced it would reopen for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Had a perfect room at the Disneyland Hotel. We could watch the fireworks from our room and we had a great view of Downtown Disney and the pool area but high enough, the 11th floor, that we didn't hear the pool noise. The only noise I could hear was the waterfall from the koi pool which was also beautiful.

Loved California Adventure as well and I hope they install Fastpass at the new Toy Story Mania because that ride had over an hour wait almost everyday. It's very fun and I liked it better than Buzz Lightyear.

We were also Year of a Million Dreams winners and got the special Year of a Million Dreams Mickey Ears.

I definitely cannot wait to go back!!!!

If anyone has any questions I will be glad to answer them.

 

[avalon451]

Sounds like a fabulous trip! Thanks for sharing!

Would love more details, if you'd be inclined to post a trip report over on the trip report thread.

 

[KCmike]

We are now Disneyland lovers as well. I loved it so much. The fireworks (Remember Dreams Come True), Fantasmic!, and the whole park in general just kick WDW's butt. The rides have so much more detail and care. Glad you went and had a fantastic time.

 

[PinkBudgie]

That's neat you were able to come all the way out here! I'm glad you had fun. I'm looking forward to being able to visit WDW for the first time some year.

 

[PatMcDuck]

We are just back as well, from a DL make a wish trip. We were at Paradise Pier. We loved that view of Cal. Adv park, esp at night. We were on the 11th floor, and could watch the ELP every night and hear it too. I wish we had a webcam, I liked the view even early in the am, watching them test the rides before the park opened, etc.

We usually go to WDW, and LOVED DL! The weather is 100% better in August at DL vs. WDW, for one thing.

I am lucky enough to have a 2nd trip Oct 2-6 coming up to DL, too!

 

[brenda1966]

I love to read about WDW vets loving DL. It is a great park, Walt's park, isn't it.

 

[Gisele]

Welcome back from your first trip to Dl.!

It sounds like you and your family had an awesome time, and I am glad that the weather cooperated for you.

 

[heatherleigh]

Were you in the wonder tower? I have heard that is the one right by the koi ponds. We are staying at the DLH for the first time this winter, so I have no concept to the lay out. Did you pay for a standard room, or was yours a view room? I'm going to call DP on Monday and see if I can request a free upgrade.

Also, how was the pool area? My kids love waterslides, but they're used to the one at PPH, which appears to be bigger. I don't know though, because we've never visited the DLH pool. I'm glad you had a good time!!

 

[wazowskiLOVER:)]

I'm so glad that you loved DL so much. I've been to WDW and I still love DLR THE MOST! Although it could be that I'm a born and raised Californian with a deep love for the original Happiest Place on Earth ! I really can't wait to see the refurb of IASW. I know some people are upset that they are adding new stuff to the ride, but I for one am stoked

 

[edit1]

Glad to hear your first trip was great! Congratulations on winning the ears, how exciting especially for your first time!

 

[DisneyFans4]

We usually go to WDW, and LOVED DL! The weather is 100% better in August at DL vs. WDW, for one thing

Ah yes...the weather! We usually travel in August and WDW at this time is very hot and sticky so the weather in Disneyland was a big change and it was wonderful. Thank goodness we changed our plans from WDW to DL this year because we would have been there for the storm. I feel bad for those that were there for that but then we were there when Charley hit too.

DH and DS are going back to WDW in October when my husband attends a convention.

 

[DisneyFans4]

We are now Disneyland lovers as well. I loved it so much. The fireworks (Remember Dreams Come True), Fantasmic!, and the whole park in general just kick WDW's butt. The rides have so much more detail and care. Glad you went and had a fantastic time.

Agreed! Fireworks are way better at DL, especially Fantasmic! AT WDW with their stage everything is so far away where at DL you are right there and the main fireworks I just love how they play the music from all the major rides, absolutely way better.

Pirates and Haunted Mansion are also way better. I loved the fact that you actually walk around and into the Mansion at DL where at WDW you don't go near the mansion at all.

I did miss Epcot though since that is my favorite park at WDW.

 

[DisneyFans4]

Were you in the wonder tower? I have heard that is the one right by the koi ponds. We are staying at the DLH for the first time this winter, so I have no concept to the lay out. Did you pay for a standard room, or was yours a view room? I'm going to call DP on Monday and see if I can request a free upgrade.

Also, how was the pool area? My kids love waterslides, but they're used to the one at PPH, which appears to be bigger. I don't know though, because we've never visited the DLH pool. I'm glad you had a good time!!

Yes, we were in the Wonder Tower. I had a package which included a premium view room. Be sure to ask your agent to have you up high though because lower levels will get the view of trees since there are many of them.

We never went to the main pool because it was always full when we were there so DH and I always went to the quiet pool which was very nice. The laundry room and fitness center is also right there so I could do my laundry and be by the pool. Very small laundry room, however, and can get crowded since guests from Paradise Pier also came there since I was told that hotel doesn't have laundry facilities which I'm surprised to hear.

 

[DisneyFans4]

Glad to hear your first trip was great! Congratulations on winning the ears, how exciting especially for your first time!

Yes, that was a great surprise! We got them in the morning in Downtown Disney as we were headed for the park.

 

[jonsmom57]

Welcome Back! We are WDW vets planning our first visit next August.

I understand that food choices do not stack up to WDW, so we arent sure where to dine. Where did you guys dine?

WDW can be humid in August, was it humid?

Where did you fly into?

Did you visit San Diego or just DL?

Tell me about Fantasmic. I am used to going to sit in bleachers at Hollywood Studios and I understand that this Fantasmic is shown in a different type of venue. Any advice?

Thanks.

 

[mollies_mum]

Hi,
This is so great to hear as we are currently planning our first DLR trip for October 2010. we can't wait1

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Glad you had such a nice trip. I like staying at the Wonder Tower, especially since they have that tiny little parking area right next to it. It was convenient for me.

 

[DisneyFans4]

Welcome Back! We are WDW vets planning our first visit next August.

I understand that food choices do not stack up to WDW, so we arent sure where to dine. Where did you guys dine?

WDW can be humid in August, was it humid?

Where did you fly into?

Did you visit San Diego or just DL?

Tell me about Fantasmic. I am used to going to sit in bleachers at Hollywood Studios and I understand that this Fantasmic is shown in a different type of venue. Any advice?

Thanks.

Yes, there are alot more places to dine in WDW but DL has alot of good spots too because Downtown is there as well as the 2 parks. All the hotels also have their own restaurants as well so there is alot to choose from and we never had a problem eating someplace different everyday.

August at WDW is extremely hot and humid so be ready for that!! It is not unusual to get into the 100's and it rains almost daily but they are short storms but can be strong ones which is typical for that time of year. The air is much dryer in California so the heat doesn't seem so bad.

We started our trip in San Francisco, then spent some time in LA to do Universal and then ended our trip in Disneyland. We flew from JFK into SFO and then when we left SanFran to get to LA we flew American into LAX and then LAX to EWR to get back home.

Fantasmic is much better at Disneyland because you are right there unlike WDW where they have the been arena for it and even though it's a great show depending on where you are sitting it seems far away.

 

[DisneyFans4]

Glad you had such a nice trip. I like staying at the Wonder Tower, especially since they have that tiny little parking area right next to it. It was convenient for me.

Yes! We rented a car so we used that lot and when we left we went out the back entrance by the elevator and there was our car. I was able to keep an eye on it everyday since it was right in the front. We only used it a couple of times, mostly to buy groceries.

It's the one thing DL doesn't have that WDW has is alot of sundry stores.

 

[jonsmom57]

Thanks DisneyFan. I dont know about NJ, but we have had the best week of the summer and another beauty coming up - temps in the 70's and 80's and cool at night - no humidity