Hey Amanda. Im so sorry that your first trip to DL was a disappointment. My first trip was last year and being a WDW vet (and even a former WDW CP, like you) I did a
lot of research before I went and I feel that helped my expectations.
Disneyland has a totally different vibe to it than WDW does; but I dont think that makes it better or worse than WDW. Honestly? I think its what you experience your first time that makes everything right for you. My first experience, as was yours, was to WDW so those parks feel right to me. Most of the people on this boards first experience was to DL and that feels right to them. I havent read all of the responses, but I do notice a lot of defensive posts. The Disneyland group over here is a much tighter group than the WDW group will ever be. Most of these people have grown up going to this park and it is home for them. So, youll have to take their criticism with a grain of salt. Theyre being protective of their park which Ive been on their board enough to understand.
Do give DL another chance. While I still prefer WDW over DL, I did enjoy my trip to DL last year and will be planning a second one when they complete the renovations for California Adventure in a couple of years.
Yes, the castle is a shock to us WDW vets. I was prepared but I was still shocked when I first saw Sleeping Beauty Castle. But once I got over my shock at its size, I found a lot of charm in that castle.
I cant comment on Dinosaur or Indiana Jones being the better ride; I hate both.
I really do. I hated Dinosaur before I arrived to DL. I was all excited for Indiana Jones and it was a huge let down to me. So, Ill stick with: I hate both.
I
much prefer Buzz at DL, I actually enjoyed that much more there (I like to be able to move the gun so I can point and shoot) and Pirates and Space still beat out WDWs version (although we have to see about Space after they finish the WDW refurb this next year)
I like Haunted Mansion better at WDW but I did enjoy the New Orleans section at DL a lot.
And the Matterhorn, it was very rough I injured my knee on my ride- but I had to remember that it is an old coaster and all old coasters are very rough.
About the park being dirty; it's hit or miss for any of the parks. I didn't notice DL being dirty when I was there last year. I've read reports about WDW being dirty yet when I go I don't see that. Seriously, for
both parks; there's going to be off times when you find them dirty and good times when they're looking pretty good. And as someone who had to clean those awful bathrooms at WDW; it depends on crowd levels for how clean they can stay. I walked into a bathroom once. Dirty paper towels all over the floor by the sink. I cleaned it up. I walked into
one toilet stall to take care of something and walked back out to about 20 more paper towels cluttered on the floor next to the sink.
People make messes in those parks within seconds. It can be tough to keep them clean but Disney staff does a great job (at both parks) trying to do so.
Rude CM's at DL - I personally didn't notice on my trip
but back when I was doing my research for my DL trip there were often threads about how much ruder DL CM's were than WDW CM's so apparently that is a common complaint.
There is a lot of charm to DL their Toon Town far outshines WDWs. But you probably just werent prepared for something thats the same but not at all the same for what you were accustomed to. I do understand your disappointment but I hope, now that youve experienced it, youll give it another try one day.
Back to - I think you were just a bit shocked because it was the "same" yet not the "same" for a park that you've fallen in love with.
It's the same thing for most of the DL vets that go to WDW. They'll never love WDW the same but I can never love DL the same. WDW was my first love; DL is theirs.
I've got mixed feelings about this. At first I was kind of in agreement with the "wow" statement and thinking that the OP may have not given Walt's original park a fair shake.
HOWEVER, what the OP experienced at our beloved DLR is a big reason why I haven't and don't plan to go to WDW.
I'm scared of having a completely disappointing experience and feeling like I wasted money. And then what if I wanted to share about it?? Well, I certainly wouldn't do it on the Dis WDW boards. I'd be virtually tarred and feathered! 
Regardless, the OP's experience was HER experience and you can't begrudge her for feeling bad about it. Should she come on a DLR board and say how much she hated it?
Only if she's willing to taste a few feathers.
I could be completely wrong: but I don't think you would be. You guys really have formed a close knit group over here (which is a good thing! Please don't think that I'm slamming that.) On the WDW theme parks on this message board, it's not the same at all. It's not the same vibe. I don't think you'd be tar and feathered. I think most of them would find your TR interesting as I think a good chunk of whoever reads it will have never been to DL and can't compare so they won't be as defensive for you slamming "their" park.
Am I making sense?
Do try WDW one day. I know you will not like it as much as DL. You fell in love with DL first and nothing will ever compare to that. But just do your research, understand the differences and experience WDW once so that you can see and understand what the differences are.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but it was a pretty harsh judgement on a pretty narrow experience.
