M Review: First time at Disneyland (6 times at WDW), how does it compare?

[DisneyD]

All the things I thought I wouldn't like about Disneyland actually turned out to be the things I liked most.

I've been to the Florida parks countless times and this was our first (DH, DD9, DD8) Disneyland trip. Honestly, I was afraid I wouldn't like it and had mentally prepared myself to be disappointed. Boy, was I wrong!

Disneyland and California Adventure were awesome!!! The differences between CA and FL were welcome differences. Here's my take:

Things I liked about DL instead of WDW:

The park is smaller and you don't get as tired going from one attraction to another.

Even though it's smaller, I didn't feel cheated by the amount of rides.

The weather is much better in CA. Not sweltering heat and humidity here. The evenings were even chilly!

I don't know if MK has updated their Space Mountain attraction, but the one at DL was spectacular!!!!!! Total darkness, I felt as though I was flying through space! Speakers in the back of your seat played great music and I never wanted the ride to end!

It's so easy to bounce between the two parks DL and CAdventure. I like that I didn't waste so much in travel time bouncing between parks.

Indiana Jones- awesome ride and they should add it at WDW!

I thought that "Fantasmic" was far better at DL than at MGM.

Things I didn't like about DL:

It didn't seem like there were as many good restaurants as in WDW.

I was disappointed in the cast members. Countless times I watched people cut in line and cast members did nothing about it. That doesn't happen at WDW. Cutters are removed. I've seen it happen more than once.

I saw some very un-Disneylike t-shirts that really bothered me. "Rich *****" comes to mind. I thought there was some sort of policy about that. I didn't appreciate my kids seeing that. I also noticed a fair amount of women who needed a whole lot more clothes on. Literally hanging out of their shirts, no bras.

I loved "Fantasmic" but crowd control and seating for this show is horrendous! A lot of people started to sit on the pavement to see the show and Disney Cast members made them all stand. Wouldn't it have been easier to let everyone stay seated? We managed to find a spot near the fence for the 10:30 show, but the lack of a really good area to view this show was disappointing to me and took a little away from the experience.


Well, that's my first-timers review. Feel free to contact me if you have questions. All in all, we had a GREAT time and the Calif parks far exceeded our expectations!

 

[bjakmom]

Thanks for the report! I'm another WDW 'vet' going to DL for the first time in over 17 years - we can't wait!! F! is a must see for DNeph - it's his favorite show at WDW and he is a big Peter Pan fan - we're planning on trying to see the 10:30 show on both Sat and Sun of our trip (the only 2 nights it runs during our trip). Where did you eat? The dining seems to be the biggest difference between East and West - I'm looking forward to less transportation time - that's what we love most about USF/IOA - walking over to the parks from the hotel! Can't wait to ride DL's Space MT!!!!

 

[calena]

Thanks for posting this. Planning first trip to Disneyland and can't wait!
Deb

 

[DisneyD]

Thanks for the report! I'm another WDW 'vet' going to DL for the first time in over 17 years - we can't wait!! F! is a must see for DNeph - it's his favorite show at WDW and he is a big Peter Pan fan - we're planning on trying to see the 10:30 show on both Sat and Sun of our trip (the only 2 nights it runs during our trip). Where did you eat? The dining seems to be the biggest difference between East and West - I'm looking forward to less transportation time - that's what we love most about USF/IOA - walking over to the parks from the hotel! Can't wait to ride DL's Space MT!!!!

We only tried one restaurant at Disneyland, Plaza Inn on Main Street. We did the character breakfast and it was awesome! The only problem is that there were so many characters to meet that we felt like we didn't really get our money's worth on the food portion. Especially since it was a buffet and leaving your table could mean missing a character.

I heard that Blue Bayou was the place to eat (next to the Pirates ride). But the meals looked too heavy and the prices were steeper than we wanted to pay, so we didn't do it, but it comes highly recommended.

You will love Space Mountain at Disneyland!!! Two people can sit side-by-side and it reminded me of Rock in Roller Coaster at MGM, without the upside down portion. It's pitch black and you feel like you're really flying in space. It's much smoother and there are speakers behind you that pipe in music. After we got off the ride, all we could say was "WOW!!!"

Fantasmic is really good at DL, but beware. It's terribly difficult to get a good viewing spot. We opted for the 10:30 show instead of the 9. We waited on the steps of the Golden Horseshoe while the 9:00 Fantasmic was going on and then just started gradually inching our way to the fence as people started to leave. We found a good spot just right of the stage if you're facing it. It was a good spot to be in because the Pirate ship and the Steamboat came from that side, so I had plenty of time to snap photos. There were also some large, rather smooth rocks for my kids to sit on. That kept whining to a minimum.

 

[AspiringCindy]

Thanks sooo much for the review!...This is my 1st trip to DL as well(7/22), and I am trying not to compare DL with MK! We booked the Fantasmic Balcony dessert buffet because I was worried there wouldn't be places to sit for Fantasmic!!!

 

[disneycrazycatlady]

Thanks sooo much for the review!...This is my 1st trip to DL as well(7/22), and I am trying not to compare DL with MK! We booked the Fantasmic Balcony dessert buffet because I was worried there wouldn't be places to sit for Fantasmic!!!

Great Idea- We recently saw the 10:30 Fantasmic on July 12 and I wish I had seats on that balcony. We were standing in the middle of the crowd for about 45 minutes and were hot and tired and almost left. I did not enjoy the show because of the viewing areas. The seats in the theater WDW built at the studios is a much better way to wait for the show IMO.

 

[Minniespal]

Enjoyed reading your report ~ Thanx for sharing.

 

[GoofieRuthie]

It will also be our first trip to DL. We've been to WDW 3 times and adore it. I've been worried about being disappointed with DL, but reviews like yours help reassure me. I am still worried about Fantasmic! though. Is it really better than the WDW one? Is it worth all of the seating (or lack there of) hassle? There is no way I can afford to pay for the buffet since I can't even eat dessert, lol. Fantasmic! is my favorite show at WDW, so I'd love to see DL's if it is truly worth it. If there isn't that much of a difference I will just skip it.

 

[ilovemyears]

We, too, just returned from DL from our first time there. We chose to skip Fantasmic because of the seating issues and it gave us an opportunity to ride the Indiana Jones ride again without waiting forever. This ride is a MUST and we, too, hope that one of the parks in Florida will add it. We concentrated on riding rides that WDW does not have like Pinocchio, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride (one of the original rides btw), Alice in Wonderland, Storybook Land, the Matterhorn, and Indiana Jones. Autopia (the cars ride) we enjoyed much more and Space Mountain was wicked cool with its improvements (hope they do this at WDW!). Pirates of the Caribbean's changes were amazing and are interested to see them at WDW. For us, WDW and DL were quite different parks and couldn't really say we preferred one more than the other.

One big difference we noticed, though, is that all the Fast Passes for the day for every ride seemed to be gone around noon. Space Mountain's disappeared around 10:15 a.m. so make sure to FastPass that one early!

 

[disneycrazycatlady]

It will also be our first trip to DL. We've been to WDW 3 times and adore it. I've been worried about being disappointed with DL, but reviews like yours help reassure me. I am still worried about Fantasmic! though. Is it really better than the WDW one? Is it worth all of the seating (or lack there of) hassle? There is no way I can afford to pay for the buffet since I can't even eat dessert, lol. Fantasmic! is my favorite show at WDW, so I'd love to see DL's if it is truly worth it. If there isn't that much of a difference I will just skip it.

I saw Fantasmic at DL about a week ago for the first time and I couldnt tell much difference in the show itself between WDW and DL- If I knew how uncomfortable standing around the Rivres of America at DL would be- waiting for this show- I would have skipped it- It is much more comfortable at WDW. The only way I would see Fantasmic at DL again is with reserved seating.

DONT MISS THE FIREWORKS THOUGH- the fireworks are wonderful- stand right at the end of Main Street in front of the hub- right behind the rope.

 

[GailT]

Thanks so much for sharing your trip report. I'll be going to dL for the first time, I usually go to WDW and I am feeling like you had been feeling but after reading your report I think I'll be just fine. One question, what is the indiana jones ride like, is it high of the ground like a coaster? TIA

 

[disneycrazycatlady]

Thanks so much for sharing your trip report. I'll be going to dL for the first time, I usually go to WDW and I am feeling like you had been feeling but after reading your report I think I'll be just fine. One question, what is the indiana jones ride like, is it high of the ground like a coaster? TIA

The Iniana Jones ride is just like Dinasour in the Animal Kingdom with Indianan Jones theming. It is not high off the ground. I liked it better than Dinasour.

 

[csw]

I would also point out that Toon Town is much better themed than the one in WDW. Even though my kids are older, they were wowed by the change when you went under the tracks and into Toon Town in DL.

I was disappointed in the PoC at WDW but was wowed by the version at DL. MUCH more detail and a much longer ride.

I absolutely hated It's a Small World at WDW - thoughts of jumping ship crossed my mind. But I actually went on the DL version twice.

Completely agree with the Space mountain comments.

I found Splash Mountain at DL to be shorter - but just as good as WDW.

The Winnie the Pooh ride at DL is much better than WDW.

Overall DL seemed better themed than WDW Magic Kingdom.

Things that I think WDW is better -

Not in Los Angeles - found the congestion and tacky hotels around DL to be a distraction. I found the Orlando area to be more relaxed and Disney like.

Tower of terror in WDW is 1000 times better.

Rock and Roll roller coaster

Animal Kingdom (I really like this park - sorry).

Epcot - Test Track, Mission to Mars, World Showcase

Monorail that actually serves a purpose

And I really preferred the Fantasmic at WDW. I got stressed out by having to stake-out a spot at DL and then stand (CM told my kids to stand up!) and I thought the overall production values at WDW were better (if only we could move the Pirate ship to Orlando...)

Finally, I found the CM at DL to be less "magical" shall we say... I found the WDW CM to be very helpful, and I hear 10 times a day "Have a magical day..." at WDW.

Bottom line - both are great - different in their own ways. Anyone who says they have been to WDW so they don't need to go to DL are wrong.

 

[shellyfive]

I was in CA too for the first time in May----we loved the Indiana J ride----kept going back to ride multiple times!!! What i really miss the most are the marshmallow/caramel chocolate creations that they have on a stick---especially the tigger tails------wish wdw would sell them------maybe they ship cross- country?????!!!!

 

[mermaidlagoon]

Just what I was looking for! We go end of Sept for 3 days, can anyone please answer any of these questions for me?
Does the parade route go on Tommorowland side of hub, and is afternoon or evening parade more magical ?

In watching the fireworks, in order to get best view and Tink someone said stand at end of Main St, just behind rope, I assume this means in front of Partners Statue, at the curb???? How early, and does parade pass there too?

Can you do "meet and Greet" in a Judges Tent at Toontown, we have an early Morning Madness, Princesses or not ??, Disney Photo Pass type photographers or not.???

No Photo pass cd available??? Do you pose for Tinks "frame"???? Or just spend big bucks???? No movie with your pixs ,and theirs????$$$$$$??

Anything like that but "different". or better???

You really , really do NOT need PS/ADR ressie number for confirmation when you arrive to be seated????

Has any one had problem getting a GAC ,guest assistance card ,for disabled , family member???? My son has Downs. They said it is on a case by case decision, and thats all guest services would tell me????? Please help on this one especially Do medically trained people decide this or 21 yr old???

If you have to choose a great seat for fireworks, or see Fantasmic (wihout a Fantasmic Dinner for less ) you would go for fireworks??? One is at 9:00 other at 9:25 ?????

You all have been super helpful in posting trip reports. They are especially helpful with your perspective of both resorts Thank you

 

[disneycrazycatlady]

mermaidlagoon:

DL has no photopass as of yet-

And for viewing the fireworks- the CM's make a pass through with their ropes right at the end of main street- stand behind the rope so that people walking across the street will pass right in front of you.

 

[quinns-mommy]

I have a 2 1/2 year old and I'm worried that DL isn't going to have a lot to do for him. We go to DW atleast 1 time a year and he loves it. I've read some of the thread's that compare DW to DL and I'm pleased and excited at the same time. Can anyone let me know how DL is for the toddlers??? Thanks.

 

[Glynis]

I have a 2 1/2 year old and I'm worried that DL isn't going to have a lot to do for him. We go to DW atleast 1 time a year and he loves it. I've read some of the thread's that compare DW to DL and I'm pleased and excited at the same time. Can anyone let me know how DL is for the toddlers??? Thanks.

I've been taking my kids to DL since the oldest was 18 months old (she's 9 now). There is plenty to keep the toddler set happy! They can go on most of the rides in Fantasyland, and you may find that they enjoy one ride over and over (Dumbo and the Carousel come to mind). Tarzan's Treehouse is fun for them, and the Pooh ride are also great. In California Adventure, Bug's Land is full of rides geared just toward the littler set! My kids all loved it when they were toddlers (and they still do). There is a playset on the Pier, and the Redwood trail also has a playset.

I think you'll find that your little one will have a great time!