Well, we are back home after a great trip, but gotta love
DVC, we'll be at WDW in March... Just wanted to post a few thoughts on DL in general and touch on the inevitable comparisons to WDW. Note that these are nothing more than one member's opinion..
1) Disneyland Resort is a wonderful place to visit.
I would go here again in a heartbeat. I know that WDW gets more of the traffic, but DLR is every bit as fun to visit, it is just different than WDW. WDW is more of a complete resort experience from hotel to dining to parks and it is more of an immersive experience that DLR is, however, DLR definitely had its charms and advantages. First off, due to the close proximity of everything, it is super easy to get around to everything. We timed our trip from Tomorrowland to our room at DLH at about 9 minutes. Also, this made taking afternoon breaks very easy as well. Second, they have done an excellent job of landscaping the Disney area to truly make it seem shut off from the outside as much as is possible in Anaheim, especially coming in from the Hotels side of DTD. Third, it is truly remarkable how many rides and how well laid out rides are in DL, especially in Fantasyland, which leads to...
2) Fantasyland, Toontown, and Space Mountain in DL are superior to the WDW versions in the MK.
There are so many more rides in DL's Fantasyland that it makes you wonder what is going on in Orlando. Mr. Toad, Alice, Pinocchio, Casey Jr. Circus Train, Matterhorn, and Storybookland Canal boats all have no equivalents in WDW. The only thing in WDW missing in DL is Mickey's Philharmagic. Also, the overall theming of the area is better than the theming in WDW. This area could definitely use some upgrading in Orlando. Going to both parks really brings out the differences such as how much wasted space there is in WDW's Fantasyland from Ariel's Grotto, past the defunct Sub ride over to the Pooh play area. I would think that they could at least get 2 more rides out of this area and that would bring more of a balance between the two parks. As to Toontown, there is no comparison. WDW's MK is just extremely weak by comparison in this area. As to Space Mountain, let's just hope that the changes made in DL come to WDW as well. This is a much better ride with the changes.
3) There are a few things at WDW that are good though...
I have read time and time again as to how much better DL's Pirates of the Caribbean ride is than the one in WDW. Yes, the ride is longer with a couple more drops than the WDW version, but I was surprised that there really is no queue area theming like at WDW. The dungeons that we are all familiar with are not there. Also, we kept getting bumped into by boats behind and in front of us on the DL ride. From the best we could figure that is because you have to ride up the incline at the end of the ride in DL before disembarkation and that incline backs all of the boats up. At WDW, you disembark before the incline. Also, I didn't get the whole cajun thing at the beginning.
There are a few attractions at WDW that do not exist at DL. Hall of Presidents, Mickey's Philharmagic, Country Bear Jamboree, Fort Sam Clemens, Carousel of Progress, WEDWay/People Mover/Tomorrowland Transit Authority, and Monsters Inc Laugh Floor don't have DL equivalents that are currently operating. (I refuse to claim Stitch or the corny Aladdin ride).
4) California Adventure is definitely worth checking out
I really enjoyed DCA, especially the updated Electrical Parade and the Aladdin show. TOT is good, but misses the "travel" part of the elevators to the shaft. California Screamin', Soarin', and Toy Story Midway Mania are excellent. This park may not be a standalone attraction, but it is in every way an excellent complimentary park, much in the way DHS and DAK are at WDW. I think by the time they add the Little Mermaid ride and Cars Land, that this will definitely be a "Can't miss" park.
5) DL has crowd management issues, especially with "Fantasmic"
While we enjoyed both the fireworks and Fantasmic at DL, they both get out about the same time and it creates major traffic flow issues, especially around Adventureland and Frontierland. You can forget about getting around these areas of the park for a good 30 minutes getting out of these shows. This in turn creates logjams in other parts of the parks. While having "Fantasmic" where it is in DL is neat (especially with the use of the ships), logistically, it works much, much better in the dedicated amphitheater in DHS.
Also, as a whole, DL seems more crowded than the MK at WDW. I have read that this is due to the walkways being smaller and that may very well be the case. We did feel that many times we were running in to people or getting bumped into, especially during busy times like mid-day. Of course, the solution to this was to take the super convenient Monorail back to the hotel for a mid-day break!
6) Disneyland Hotel and Grand Californian are fantastic.
I'd stay at either of these properties in a heartbeat. Paradise Pier would be OK too, but why not spring for the extra point a night and go for the DLH. We loved the big rooms with all of the Disneyana touches and the wonderful Neverland pool complex. As super convenient as DLH is, GCH is even more convenient. There is a park entrance to DCA from the hotel. Very cool. Also, the hotel is absolutely gorgeous. Can't wait for the Villas...
7) That being said, I still don't mind the busses in WDW
I don't think that it is that big of a deal to take a bus in WDW as long as it is air conditioned...
8) It can be just as hot in California as it is in Florida.
Don't let all of the PR fool you. It can get really hot at DLR. Generally, however, we found that it was most unbearable between 1 and 4pm, so it made for a easy decision as to when to go back to the hotel for a pool break.
9) I loved DL, but I don't get the whole "This is Walt's park" thing
I feel the Disney magic at both resorts, DLR and WDW, which leads to my final point...
10) We are lucky to have 2 great resorts and I love both of them
It is easy to get into the nitpicking of which park is better at what because as I said before, it is just human nature to start comparing things between the two. You just find yourself asking things like "Why is Pinocchio's Village Haus on that side of the walkway?", "I don't remember this scene from Pirates", and "OK, Space Mountain will never be the same again!". All of that being said, the truth of the matter is that both parks are truly wonderful and great places to visit. I think that all Disney Junkies should visit both and truly appreciate the magic at each location. Sure DL has more rides and WDW has more varied hotel, dining, and recreational experiences (and Water Parks!), but both are great.
So I have come to the opinion that I don't have to say that one park is better than the other, but that they each have their strengths and weaknesses and are wonderful in their own ways. I am actually very happy that the two are different as it breaks up the Disney experience and you feel that you truly are experiencing something new if you haven't visited the other park in awhile, whether you are a DLR or WDW regular. We decided that DLR is definitely worth a trip for us (WDW regulars) and we plan on going back to DLR when the Grand Californian Villas are completed.
