Need major update on Disneyland CA

[ebenmax]

I have not been to DL since I was a child (about 30 yrs ago). Ever since WDW was built our family has travelled to Orlando since it is closer to Ohio.
Now that we are DVC members, we are trying to explore all of our options.

I do know that they added the California Adventure park several years ago.
I was just wondering what are some of the big differences in CA and FL. Are there enough unique attractions for us to try DL? In other words, is it worth it for us to travel farther to CA? What are some of the reasons you all head out to the West coast?

This is not meant to be a comparison of the two resorts or a bashing of one or the other. . .just an honest update.

Thanks tons -

Ellen

 

[priley88]

HI,
We went to DL in 8/06 for the first time for my daughters graduation present.
We have been to WDW about 8 times. There is no comparison to whats in CA to FL but my daughter and I Loved DL and we are glad we went the castle is smaller at DL but it did not matter I think it touched us because Walt himself built this park. Everything is the way it was the tiki show is the old show loved that I thought pirates,peter pan and run away train were better in DL. Fantasmic is we thought also was better at DL because we were closer to the show then at MGM. We live in Md so it was a hike for us to but we did other things in Ca went yo LA, Hollywood sea world Palm springs so it was a great trip. Don't get me wrong I love WDW we have 2 trips planned in 07 an 08 but my daughter and I will be going back toDL as soon as we can. Hope that helps
Pam

 

[Deb & Bill]

We went twice last year to DL and I loved it. I'd go again in a minute even though we are a bit closer to FL that CA. If they ever get a DVC there, I'm booking a stay there on points.

There is a Disneyland board on the DIS where you can find out lots about DL. I like the fact that it is compact and you can easily walk anywhere. Several of the attractions at WDW are similar to DL, but some of them at DL are waaaaay better. Like PotC or Fantasmic. Soarin' is identical but you wait outside. Small World is very similar but you start outside and end up outside. There are a whole lot more attractions in Fantasyland than in MK. And Toontown is much better at DL. They also have some great shows there, like the Aladdin show. I wish they would create that one at WDW.

Sleeping Beauty Castle is so tiny compared to Cinderella Castle.

 

[Longhairbear]

Don't forget that the Submarines are back in the lagoon starting this June 11. The Tom Sawyer Island has been totally rethemed for pirates, and there are 2 boats on the river, Mark Twain and the Columbia. Autopia has the new cars and theming.

 

[dwelty]

Also one point that no one mentioned here. The weather in California is FAR better than central Florida. They get FAR less rain, and it is much dryer. Summer trips are quite pleasant with 25 to 30% humidity, compaired to 90%+ at WDW during those months. There are no bugs to speak of (Love bugs or Mosquitoes). It is a great place to visit, you will really enjoy yourself.

 

[HydroGuy]

If you want a long exposition on the topic, one exists here:

A DLR Guide for WDW Vets
www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

Interestingly, DLR's two parks have almost as many rides as WDW's four parks. There are numerous rides at DLR and not at WDW, and many which are found at both resorts but are better at DLR. This is not to bash WDW, which has many strengths, but to say that IMO DLR is worth visiting.

 

[ArielAdventurer]

I am from California..and..after a lifetime of Disneyland trips.. I decided to go to WDW last year.. for the first time..
I liked it..it was nice...I wasn't crazy about Animal Kingdom..I think it is a one timer for sure..The Magic Kingdom is pretty close to the one at DL..California Adventure..is wonderful.. and..it does have a lot of the same attractions as both MGM..Epcot(my fave of all WDW parks)..and..Animal Kingdom..PLUS..it has the feel of Santa Monica pier..in the early 60's...which is nice..
At DL...Pirates of the Caribbean is a longer ride..and..there are some rides that WDW doesn't have...which is really neither here nor there..just added info.....
WDW is a bigger place..with more to do..but..at DL....you also have the added bonus of going to the only park Walt Disney actually had a major hand in..a place he had an apartment in..(I actually saw him there one time..when I was a kid)..DL is a piece of history..so..IMO....it is worth the trip..
I have seen them both..and.. my heart is still with Disneyland..

 

[ebenmax]

Thank you SO much for the updates. As a child, we travelled to WDW the year it opened and I was SO disappointed. We only got to ride a couple of rides due to the extremely long lines (Christmas the first year open!!), my mom refused to pay the price they wanted for a Coke, and I couldn't actually tour Cinderella's castle and see where she "lived." YOu could only go through a walkway with just a bunch of "pictures" on the walls!! A young girl's dream was shattered!!

Then the next year, the Ohio State Buckeyes made it to the Rose Bowl!! One of the side trips was a day at Disneyland. I FELL IN LOVE! We rode all sorts of rides and had a wonderful experience. So I have a fond memory of the CA park.

Of course, as an adult I returned to WDW several times with my children in tow and discovered the magic in FL, as well. Since then I have remarried at
WDW, so now our connection is even greater.

However, I always remembered that first true magical experience in CA and wondered how it had changed since then. After reading these posts, I know we will visit in the near future!!

Thanks again -

Ellen

 

[ArielAdventurer]

I couldn't actually tour Cinderella's castle and see where she "lived." YOu could only go through a walkway with just a bunch of "pictures" on the walls!! A young girl's dream was shattered!!

You must mean Sleeping Beauty's Castle..and..I agree...I was disappointed as a child..too..

 

[bumbershoot]

You must mean Sleeping Beauty's Castle..and..I agree...I was disappointed as a child..too..

She's talking about WDW for that one, and I think* it's Cinderella's castle out there on the east coast.

As a child, we travelled to WDW the year it opened and I was SO disappointed.....and I couldn't actually tour Cinderella's castle and see where she "lived."

*I've been known to be wrong, though!

 

[ArielAdventurer]

She's talking about WDW for that one, and I think* it's Cinderella's castle out there on the east coast


I thought she was talking about Disneyland..because it..too.. only had scenes of Sleeping Beauty.. kind of like a diorama.. in the castle..and..yes..it is Cinderella's Castle in WDW..I went there last year for the first time..and kept calling it SBC..and was corrected every time I did! lol

 

[can]

This August I will be taking our 15 year old daughter to DL for her very first time. She has been to WDW 11 times now and is really excited about going to DL. I grew-up in DL, at the time there was no WDW. I am excited about going back and visiting a place I haven't been to in over 35 years. I keep stressing to her it will be very different at DL than WDW as I don't want her to be disappointed.

My only disappointment is that while we are at WDW we usually are able to stay on resort property there, but won't be able to at DL. I was amazed at the price differences at the three DL resorts vs. the WDW resorts.

I think being the true Disney fan she is at heart, she will appreciate DL for it's differences than WDW. The info that all have posted is great things to know and has put my mind at ease and some of my anxieties to rest about this trip. I cannnot wait for July 29!

 

[ArielAdventurer]

My only disappointment is that while we are at WDW we usually are able to stay on resort property there, but won't be able to at DL. I was amazed at the price differences at the three DL resorts vs. the WDW resorts.


It is a bit pricey to stay on property at DL..I have stayed off property before..but..I do like to stay on property for the extra perks..plus..I don't like the walk from the street to the main gate..It seems to take forever...

 

[Hound 109]

Thank you SO much for the updates.

I FELL IN LOVE! We rode all sorts of rides and had a wonderful experience. So I have a fond memory of the CA park.

Of course, as an adult I returned to WDW several times with my children in tow and discovered the magic in FL, as well. Since then I have remarried at
WDW, so now our connection is even greater.

However, I always remembered that first true magical experience in CA and wondered how it had changed since then. After reading these posts, I know we will visit in the near future!!
Ellen

Your experience is similar to mine Ellen. As a child growing up in SoCal, I went to DL a dozen or so times in the 60s. Moving east has us visiting WDW several times over the past 20 years. 2 months ago i planned a two day side trip to DLR looking forward to it but w/o alot of expectations.

Thankfully, I did some questioning & planning (from this board) & had a wonderful time. Hydroguy's thread provides fabulous quantitative (& qualitative) information on DLR for WDW vets, but I thought i'd share a few thoughts on how I FELT visiting Walt's first park & thoughts on DLR in general:

- I was amazed at how close the motels on Harbor were to the front gates. In the time it would take for us to walk from our room at POR at WDW to the WDW shuttle bus, we could walk from our motel room to the DL front gate.

- A pretty little castle, but look at that cool mountain next to it.

- Fantasyland never "seemed right" at WDW. After visiting DL again (after 40 years), i know why. Small World is beautifully situated - landscaped - & in a position of importance by itself. Alice is a fun ride celebrating a great story with cool theming. Toad & Pinocchio are neat old style rides, they aren't at WDW and am thrilled that they are at DL. There's also a whale & a matterhorn in the FL that I remember...& to me, it just seems "right".

- I consider DCA as a separate section (as opposed to a separate park) in DLR. & when looking at it that way, it makes it easier to plan one's day & enjoy it. Picking up FP & enjoying 2-3 hour "hops" over there.

- The DCA park section is like a combination of MGM, Epcot & AK all rolled into one. Soarin, ToT, Griz Rapids, (like Kali), those wonderful wacky Muppets, Crush, stinky/poking & funny Bugs, & much much more (like a great roller coaster & cool California Theming & lots of other stuff). It's a great addition to DL & it's RIGHT NEXT DOOR. No hour bus hops (like at WDW), and it's easy to nab FPs for later...just a great additional venue for visitors to enjoy.

- DTD again is RIGHT NEXT DOOR. No killing of a half day to immerse oneself (or for those who are inclined - shop).

We had such a great time, DLR will be our every year disney experience (with maybe an every 3-5 year trip to the world). It just "works" for us.

& we're going back in 2 weeks.

hound

 

[dbanzai]

My only disappointment is that while we are at WDW we usually are able to stay on resort property there, but won't be able to at DL. I was amazed at the price differences at the three DL resorts vs. the WDW resorts.


It is a bit pricey to stay on property at DL..I have stayed off property before..but..I do like to stay on property for the extra perks..plus..I don't like the walk from the street to the main gate..It seems to take forever...

Considering all the small non-Dis hotel within walking distance, I don't know if Disney could get away with a cheaper hotel like the Pops in FL... Especially considering the space or lack there of around on which to build such hotels.

I'd say you get what you pay for no matter what option you choose in CA though.

As a fellow DVC member, Ebenmax, I agree about seeing everything. As a vet of both places now, I first used my points for the DLH. CA and FL as said aren't really comparible and I have fondess of both for separate reasons. DL is DL, the original and historic. As mentioned, it has some things in original form, i.e. the Tiki Room, and will soon have the subs again, which was a favorite at WDW, watching if not always riding. I'd love if they brought back the TTA/Peoplemover though.

On the other hand, with so much space, they have had the chance to build so much more in FL, and I'd say there more than CA there is something for everyone. You have transport to whatever you want or need, which is nice although unecessary over FL. That said, it's great to be able to walk to and from the parks with ease.

 

[RMH]

I do like to stay on property for the extra perks..plus..I don't like the walk from the street to the main gate..It seems to take forever...

Surprising, but true. The walk from some of the off-site hotels is actually closer to the main gate than the walk from the DLH.

Hotel -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Closest Rooms -- Farthest Rooms
Best Western Park Place Inn -- 1,310 feet -- 1,825 feet
Anaheim Fairfield Inn -- -- -- 2,152 feet -- 2,618 feet
Howard Johnson's Anaheim -- 2,648 feet -- 3,063 feet
Candy Cane Inn -- -- -- -- 2,876 feet -- 3,415 feet

"The Paradise Pier Hotel is very compact so it has the benefit that your room location is of relatively little importance. Despite appearances though, if you cut through the Grand Californian Hotel, you'll have a walk of around 2,454 feet which puts it about on par with the Howard Johnson – Anaheim and, surprisingly, with the Disneyland Hotel.

With three different towers, the Disneyland Hotel is a different beast on the room placement issues. A room in the back of the Bonita Tower will add about 800 feet over the closest room in the Marina Tower. The actual distances using the path through Downtown Disney range from 2,413 feet to 3,158 feet (link). "

Check out this link if you are interested in more http://www.mouseplanet.com/articles.php?art=mm060329as

 

[ebenmax]

Yes, it was Cinderella's castle in WDW that broke my heart because we went there first. I was not expecting anything from the castle in CA since I had seen the one in FL.

Before our first trip with my own family back in 1993, I told my DD (who was 6 at the time) what to expect when she went to the castle so she would be prepared. We did schedule lunch for King Stefan's (back then) so my children would take away some joyful memory of the castle. And to my dear parents' credit, they had no idea about the castle - it was all brand new! Funny how such moments stay with you forever.

Can't wait to try DL again!!

Ellen

 

[jlmarr]

I have not been to DL since I was a child (about 30 yrs ago).

Since 1977 or thereabouts? For one thing they moved the Electrical Parade to the parking lot, and built a new park around it. They got rid of the Skyway, sealed up the Matterhorn, changed Fantasyland from 2D facades to some very nice architecture and shuffled some of the rides around, but you can still ride with Mr Toad. Adventures Through Inner Space has been replaced with Star Tours, but you can still see the Mighty Microscope if you look hard enough during the ride. America Sings is gone, but you can still see some of the critters on Splash Mtn (and in Star Tours with a little imagination). I think you'll like what they've done with the place.

 

[dbanzai]

Surprising, but true. The walk from some of the off-site hotels is actually closer to the main gate than the walk from the DLH.

Hotel -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Closest Rooms -- Farthest Rooms
Best Western Park Place Inn -- 1,310 feet -- 1,825 feet
Anaheim Fairfield Inn -- -- -- 2,152 feet -- 2,618 feet
Howard Johnson's Anaheim -- 2,648 feet -- 3,063 feet
Candy Cane Inn -- -- -- -- 2,876 feet -- 3,415 feet

"The Paradise Pier Hotel is very compact so it has the benefit that your room location is of relatively little importance. Despite appearances though, if you cut through the Grand Californian Hotel, you'll have a walk of around 2,454 feet which puts it about on par with the Howard Johnson – Anaheim and, surprisingly, with the Disneyland Hotel.

With three different towers, the Disneyland Hotel is a different beast on the room placement issues. A room in the back of the Bonita Tower will add about 800 feet over the closest room in the Marina Tower. The actual distances using the path through Downtown Disney range from 2,413 feet to 3,158 feet (link). "

Check out this link if you are interested in more http://www.mouseplanet.com/articles.php?art=mm060329as

Yeah, but how far is it from the DLH Sierra Tower to the Monorail station?

 

[ArielAdventurer]

Surprising, but true. The walk from some of the off-site hotels is actually closer to the main gate than the walk from the DLH.


The walk from the bus to the main gate may be shorter by a small amount..but I always get to DL from the monorail at downtown Disney..which seems shorter..if not actually shorter....It doesn't seem like it is uphill..(which may not be the case..but it feels uphill) plus DD has so many things to look at daily..I can mosey my way to the monorail....which is hard to do from the bus walk..lol