Unique to DL/DCA

[HollVoll]

We are starting our plans for DL/DCA next May. Can you help me make a list of must do/ don't miss attractions, foods, snacks, shows, etc. that are unique to DL/DCA? We probably won't be able to go back for a second visit and want to make the most of our time there! TIA!

 

[mdmost]

Completely unique to DL:
Matterhorn
Mr Toad
Snow White's Adventure
Pinocchio
Alice In Wonderland
Casey Jr
Storyland Canal Boats
Finding Nemo Subs
Sleeping Beauty Castle Walk-through
Mr Lincoln
Indiana Jones Adventure
ToonTown

Completely unique to DCA:
Monster's Inc ride
Pixar Pier rides, minus Midway Mania
All of Cars Land
All of Avengers Campus

Distinctly different from WDW:
Space Mountain
Haunted Mansion
Pirates
Small World
Autopia
Monorail

Restaurants unique to DL/DCA:
Blue Bayou simply for being able to sit near the Pirate boats as they pass by
Jolly Holiday
Carnation Cafe
Lamplight Lounge
Carthay Circle
Pacific Wharf

Snack:
Mickey Beignets
More churros than you can manage

 

[MillauFr]

Napa Rose is a highlight on every trip

 

[BrianL]

I think it's covered, but here are some key attraction similarities & differences:

Disneyland:
Enchanted Tiki Room: longer show - closer to original version with fountain
Jungle Cruise - mostly the same but shorter with no tunnel portion
Indiana Jones - same ride system as DINOSAUR, but completely different scenerey - don't miss it!
Pirates of the Caribbean - much longer with more scenes - warning, you may never like the MK version again!
Haunted Mansion - very similar but with some differences - longer walkthough portions and Hatbox Ghost is a highlight
Big Thunder Mountain - very similar but with enhanced projection effects in some parts - worth the ride!
Peter Pan's Flight - extremely similar though scenes are in a slightly different order - easy skip if you do MK version a lot
Its' a Small World - largely similar but with some Disney characters peppered in - has a much cooler exterior!
Matterhorn Bobsleds - this is a uinque ride but it is a similar system to Space Mountain at MK - rough ride!
Space Mountain - speaking of, the DL version is completely different and a must ride too!
Autopia - much longer than the TL Speedway but otherwise the same thing
Buzz Lightyear Astro-Blasters - A little better than Space Ranger Spin becuase the guns are handheld & targets are lit
Astro Orbiter - it's at ground level!
Disneyland Railroad - Make sure to ride at least the Fantasyland to Main Street segment for some fun surprises!

DL Identical Rides: Rise of the Resistance, Smuggler's Run, Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway (except for queue), Star Tours - All of these are 100% identical to their WDW counterparts. Dumbo and Mad Tea Party are also similar but with cosmetic differences.

DL Unique Rides: Snow White's Enchanted Wish, Pinnochio's Daring Journey, Mister Toad's Wild Ride, Alice in Wonderland, Casey Jr. Circus Train, Storybookland Canal Boats, Roger Rabbit's Car-Toon Spin, Gadget Coaster. Indiana Jones and Matterhorn should also be considered unique. Also, check out the walkthrough in Sleeping Beauty Castle - it's cool!

California Adventure:
GotG: Mission Breakout - this was ToT, but a slightly different system - unique enough and an absolute blast to ride!
Mater's Junkyard Jamboree - this one is the same as the Alien Swirling Saucers, just with Mater
Radiator Springs Racers - uses the same system as Test Track, but taken to the next level and way longer - Do not miss!
Grizzly River Run - It's the same as Kali River Rapids but longer and you will still get soaked!

CA Identical Rides: Toy Story Mania, Ariel's Undersea Adventure, Sorain' Around the World, (unless it is running the original which they sometimes do there).

CA Unique Rides: Monsters Inc. Mike & Sully to the Rescue, Web Slingers, Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters, Incredicoaser, Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind, Pixar Pal-a-Round, Golden Zephyr, Jumpin' Jellyfish, Silly Symphony Swings. Mission Breakout is also unique enough and not to be missed!

I hope that is helpful. Enjoy your trip!

 

[crystal1313]

Wow! Great responses about all the attractions! Love it!!

Since those are covered super well, I will add more food/snacks.

Beignets and mint juleps. Super popular! I prefer the beignets at jazz kitchen in DTD, but the Mickey shaped ones are also good. Found in New Orleans square. They are renovating the usual area right now. So beignets and mint juleps are at Royal street veranda. Just beignets are at hungry bear. (In Disneyland)

Monte cristo sandwich is super popular as well! You can get a cafe Orleans or blue bayou. BB is only at lunch it looks like according to app. (In Disneyland)

Churros! They usually have a ton of different flavored ones too all around both parks.

Candy! Churro toffee and tigger tails are only at Disneyland I believe. (I never saw any at WDW while there, so I’m not 100% sure on that) candy places in both Disneyland and DCA plus DTD)

Lamplight lounge. The lobster nachos are super popular. If lobster isn’t your thing, you can ask for steak instead. Also have secret cocktail menu and a great view. (In DCA)

Hand dipped Corn dogs! Also a super popular food item. You can get at little red wagon on Main Street or stage door cafe in Frontierland.DCA also had corn dog castle.

The asada fries are one of my favorites at award wieners in DCA.

I haven’t tried it yet, but it’s on my list for next time, is the cold brew at galaxys edge in docking bay 7. I’ve heard it’s fantastic. A lot of counter service places have a cold brew that changes from time to time as well. We also love the horchata cold brew at Rancho del Zocalo and we also like the food here too. (Both in Disneyland)

Plaza inn is also super popular and pretty famous for their fried chicken.(in Disneyland)

Jolly holiday has good food options plus bakery treats and fancy coffee in the mornings. We always eat there at least once a trip. (In Disneyland)

I would get really Disneyland app and start looking at the menus for places as well. It’s fun to look at all the options and kinda make a budget too.

There’s so much more too! Magic Journeys on YouTube make pretty good videos about a lot of the foods at Disneyland. Dining in Disneyland (EDIT: it’s dining in Disney, not Disneyland. Sorry about that)on Instagram also does really good reviews if you want to see some of the food items too. And of course Disney food blog.

Have a great trip!

 

[BrianL]

Wow! Great responses about all the attractions! Love it!!

Since those are covered super well, I will add more food/snacks.

Beignets and mint juleps. Super popular! I prefer the beignets at jazz kitchen in DTD, but the Mickey shaped ones are also good. Found in New Orleans square. They are renovating the usual area right now. So beignets and mint juleps are at Royal street veranda. Just beignets are at hungry bear. (In Disneyland)

Monte cristo sandwich is super popular as well! You can get a cafe Orleans or blue bayou. BB is only at lunch it looks like according to app. (In Disneyland)

Churros! They usually have a ton of different flavored ones too all around both parks.

Candy! Churro toffee and tigger tails are only at Disneyland I believe. (I never saw any at WDW while there, so I’m not 100% sure on that) candy places in both Disneyland and DCA plus DTD)

Lamplight lounge. The lobster nachos are super popular. If lobster isn’t your thing, you can ask for steak instead. Also have secret cocktail menu and a great view. (In DCA)

Hand dipped Corn dogs! Also a super popular food item. You can get at little red wagon on Main Street or stage door cafe in Frontierland.DCA also had corn dog castle.

The asada fries are one of my favorites at award wieners in DCA.

I haven’t tried it yet, but it’s on my list for next time, is the cold brew at galaxys edge in docking bay 7. I’ve heard it’s fantastic. A lot of counter service places have a cold brew that changes from time to time as well. We also love the horchata cold brew at Rancho del Zocalo and we also like the food here too. (Both in Disneyland)

Plaza inn is also super popular and pretty famous for their fried chicken.(in Disneyland)

Jolly holiday has good food options plus bakery treats and fancy coffee in the mornings. We always eat there at least once a trip. (In Disneyland)

I would get really Disneyland app and start looking at the menus for places as well. It’s fun to look at all the options and kinda make a budget too.

There’s so much more too! Magic Journeys on YouTube make pretty good videos about a lot of the foods at Disneyland. Dining in Disneyland on Instagram also does really good reviews if you want to see some of the food items too. And of course Disney food blog.

Have a great trip!

Nice post! And, to add, I think the OP may find that the food, Quick Service in particular, is much better at DLR! The churros are much better too. Even the popcorn made in the vintage poppers is better! Many culinary delights await.

 

[wabbott]

Don't know how much you're into Disney history, but we found the Carthay Circle Restaurant to be oozing with "Old Hollywood." Lots of old photos of Walt and Lillian, and they serve his favorite drink, Scotch Mist.

Food was good, if a bit spendy.

 

[HollVoll]

Completely unique to DL:
Matterhorn
Mr Toad
Snow White's Adventure
Pinocchio
Alice In Wonderland
Casey Jr
Storyland Canal Boats
Finding Nemo Subs
Sleeping Beauty Castle Walk-through
Mr Lincoln
Indiana Jones Adventure
ToonTown

Completely unique to DCA:
Monster's Inc ride
Pixar Pier rides, minus Midway Mania
All of Cars Land
All of Avengers Campus

Distinctly different from WDW:
Space Mountain
Haunted Mansion
Pirates
Small World
Autopia
Monorail

Restaurants unique to DL/DCA:
Blue Bayou simply for being able to sit near the Pirate boats as they pass by
Jolly Holiday
Carnation Cafe
Lamplight Lounge
Carthay Circle
Pacific Wharf

Snack:
Mickey Beignets
More churros than you can manage

Amazing list! Thank you!

 

[HollVoll]

I think it's covered, but here are some key attraction similarities & differences:

Disneyland:
Enchanted Tiki Room: longer show - closer to original version with fountain
Jungle Cruise - mostly the same but shorter with no tunnel portion
Indiana Jones - same ride system as DINOSAUR, but completely different scenerey - don't miss it!
Pirates of the Caribbean - much longer with more scenes - warning, you may never like the MK version again!
Haunted Mansion - very similar but with some differences - longer walkthough portions and Hatbox Ghost is a highlight
Big Thunder Mountain - very similar but with enhanced projection effects in some parts - worth the ride!
Peter Pan's Flight - extremely similar though scenes are in a slightly different order - easy skip if you do MK version a lot
Its' a Small World - largely similar but with some Disney characters peppered in - has a much cooler exterior!
Matterhorn Bobsleds - this is a uinque ride but it is a similar system to Space Mountain at MK - rough ride!
Space Mountain - speaking of, the DL version is completely different and a must ride too!
Autopia - much longer than the TL Speedway but otherwise the same thing
Buzz Lightyear Astro-Blasters - A little better than Space Ranger Spin becuase the guns are handheld & targets are lit
Astro Orbiter - it's at ground level!
Disneyland Railroad - Make sure to ride at least the Fantasyland to Main Street segment for some fun surprises!

DL Identical Rides: Rise of the Resistance, Smuggler's Run, Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway (except for queue), Star Tours - All of these are 100% identical to their WDW counterparts. Dumbo and Mad Tea Party are also similar but with cosmetic differences.

DL Unique Rides: Snow White's Enchanted Wish, Pinnochio's Daring Journey, Mister Toad's Wild Ride, Alice in Wonderland, Casey Jr. Circus Train, Storybookland Canal Boats, Roger Rabbit's Car-Toon Spin, Gadget Coaster. Indiana Jones and Matterhorn should also be considered unique. Also, check out the walkthrough in Sleeping Beauty Castle - it's cool!

California Adventure:
GotG: Mission Breakout - this was ToT, but a slightly different system - unique enough and an absolute blast to ride!
Mater's Junkyard Jamboree - this one is the same as the Alien Swirling Saucers, just with Mater
Radiator Springs Racers - uses the same system as Test Track, but taken to the next level and way longer - Do not miss!
Grizzly River Run - It's the same as Kali River Rapids but longer and you will still get soaked!

CA Identical Rides: Toy Story Mania, Ariel's Undersea Adventure, Sorain' Around the World, (unless it is running the original which they sometimes do there).

CA Unique Rides: Monsters Inc. Mike & Sully to the Rescue, Web Slingers, Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters, Incredicoaser, Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind, Pixar Pal-a-Round, Golden Zephyr, Jumpin' Jellyfish, Silly Symphony Swings. Mission Breakout is also unique enough and not to be missed!

I hope that is helpful. Enjoy your trip!

Another very helpful and great list! Thank you!

 

[HollVoll]

Wow! Great responses about all the attractions! Love it!!

Since those are covered super well, I will add more food/snacks.

Beignets and mint juleps. Super popular! I prefer the beignets at jazz kitchen in DTD, but the Mickey shaped ones are also good. Found in New Orleans square. They are renovating the usual area right now. So beignets and mint juleps are at Royal street veranda. Just beignets are at hungry bear. (In Disneyland)

Monte cristo sandwich is super popular as well! You can get a cafe Orleans or blue bayou. BB is only at lunch it looks like according to app. (In Disneyland)

Churros! They usually have a ton of different flavored ones too all around both parks.

Candy! Churro toffee and tigger tails are only at Disneyland I believe. (I never saw any at WDW while there, so I’m not 100% sure on that) candy places in both Disneyland and DCA plus DTD)

Lamplight lounge. The lobster nachos are super popular. If lobster isn’t your thing, you can ask for steak instead. Also have secret cocktail menu and a great view. (In DCA)

Hand dipped Corn dogs! Also a super popular food item. You can get at little red wagon on Main Street or stage door cafe in Frontierland.DCA also had corn dog castle.

The asada fries are one of my favorites at award wieners in DCA.

I haven’t tried it yet, but it’s on my list for next time, is the cold brew at galaxys edge in docking bay 7. I’ve heard it’s fantastic. A lot of counter service places have a cold brew that changes from time to time as well. We also love the horchata cold brew at Rancho del Zocalo and we also like the food here too. (Both in Disneyland)

Plaza inn is also super popular and pretty famous for their fried chicken.(in Disneyland)

Jolly holiday has good food options plus bakery treats and fancy coffee in the mornings. We always eat there at least once a trip. (In Disneyland)

I would get really Disneyland app and start looking at the menus for places as well. It’s fun to look at all the options and kinda make a budget too.

There’s so much more too! Magic Journeys on YouTube make pretty good videos about a lot of the foods at Disneyland. Dining in Disneyland on Instagram also does really good reviews if you want to see some of the food items too. And of course Disney food blog.

Have a great trip!

Thank you! My hubby will be very happy with your list!

 

[HollVoll]

Y'all are amazing! Great lists and suggestions! Thank you all for taking the time to help!

 

[BrianL]

Y'all are amazing! Great lists and suggestions! Thank you all for taking the time to help!

No problem. I am endlessly fascinated with all of ht elittle differences and similarities between parks. I love how there are certian platforms that can get reused and turned into something completely different. It's a good reason to visit all of the parks.

 

[irlandaise]

Also, be sure to look up at Walt's apartment above the fire station on Main Street.

 

[crystal1313]

Don't know how much you're into Disney history, but we found the Carthay Circle Restaurant to be oozing with "Old Hollywood." Lots of old photos of Walt and Lillian, and they serve his favorite drink, Scotch Mist.

Food was good, if a bit spendy.

Agree! We love Carthay and have had good food and service since the parks reopened. It is pricey! But those biscuits are SO good!!

 

[Kit Jackson]

If you are at all into Disney history, Disneyana on Main Street has a model and map of the park of the opening day, and usually displays featuring concept art, models or something relating to the history of the park or rides.

This also on the nerdy side, but it takes less than five minutes. Stand in the central hub of Disneyland near the partners statue. Look at the paths leading to all of the different lands. Think for a minute about the fact that this was Walt's vision that he designed, where he walked around, and still exists today.

 

[Lumpy1106]

I think it's covered, but here are some key attraction similarities & differences:

Disneyland:
Enchanted Tiki Room: longer show - closer to original version with fountain
Jungle Cruise - mostly the same but shorter with no tunnel portion
Indiana Jones - same ride system as DINOSAUR, but completely different scenerey - don't miss it!
Pirates of the Caribbean - much longer with more scenes - warning, you may never like the MK version again!
Haunted Mansion - very similar but with some differences - longer walkthough portions and Hatbox Ghost is a highlight
Big Thunder Mountain - very similar but with enhanced projection effects in some parts - worth the ride!
Peter Pan's Flight - extremely similar though scenes are in a slightly different order - easy skip if you do MK version a lot
Its' a Small World - largely similar but with some Disney characters peppered in - has a much cooler exterior!
Matterhorn Bobsleds - this is a uinque ride but it is a similar system to Space Mountain at MK - rough ride!
Space Mountain - speaking of, the DL version is completely different and a must ride too!
Autopia - much longer than the TL Speedway but otherwise the same thing
Buzz Lightyear Astro-Blasters - A little better than Space Ranger Spin becuase the guns are handheld & targets are lit
Astro Orbiter - it's at ground level!
Disneyland Railroad - Make sure to ride at least the Fantasyland to Main Street segment for some fun surprises!

DL Identical Rides: Rise of the Resistance, Smuggler's Run, Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway (except for queue), Star Tours - All of these are 100% identical to their WDW counterparts. Dumbo and Mad Tea Party are also similar but with cosmetic differences.

DL Unique Rides: Snow White's Enchanted Wish, Pinnochio's Daring Journey, Mister Toad's Wild Ride, Alice in Wonderland, Casey Jr. Circus Train, Storybookland Canal Boats, Roger Rabbit's Car-Toon Spin, Gadget Coaster. Indiana Jones and Matterhorn should also be considered unique. Also, check out the walkthrough in Sleeping Beauty Castle - it's cool!

California Adventure:
GotG: Mission Breakout - this was ToT, but a slightly different system - unique enough and an absolute blast to ride!
Mater's Junkyard Jamboree - this one is the same as the Alien Swirling Saucers, just with Mater
Radiator Springs Racers - uses the same system as Test Track, but taken to the next level and way longer - Do not miss!
Grizzly River Run - It's the same as Kali River Rapids but longer and you will still get soaked!

CA Identical Rides: Toy Story Mania, Ariel's Undersea Adventure, Sorain' Around the World, (unless it is running the original which they sometimes do there).

CA Unique Rides: Monsters Inc. Mike & Sully to the Rescue, Web Slingers, Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters, Incredicoaser, Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind, Pixar Pal-a-Round, Golden Zephyr, Jumpin' Jellyfish, Silly Symphony Swings. Mission Breakout is also unique enough and not to be missed!

I hope that is helpful. Enjoy your trip!

Great list. There are a couple you missed that I would say are "must sees";
DL - Nemo Submarines
DL - Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. Think Hall of Presidents but with just Abe and you are much closer to the animatronic. The lobby has some great DL memorabilia too.
DCA - Animation Academy - same as the one in DAK out at the Conservation Station but with more classic Disney characters and a MUCH better setting
DCA - Crush - same as EPCOT
DL - Pooh, but you can skip it. The cars go in to "float" mode in the first scene and don't change motion from scene to scene - big miss on Disney's part. I would only ride if you want to see the hidden Bear Country Jamboree guys that are still hanging around as you enter the honey room
DL - for a limited time, Splash Mountain
And my personal preference, I MUCH prefer the DL Jungle Cruise for a couple of reasons. The queue is more interesting and the wait is far more tolerable, if not a whole lot shorter than the one at MK. I also like that it is a more compact layout so the skippers idle down at each scene and you can hear the punchlines, plus better timing. MK runs full-out for the whole loop - really distracting to us west-coasters, and I can do without the tunnel.

 

[HollVoll]

Great list. There are a couple you missed that I would say are "must sees";
DL - Nemo Submarines
DL - Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. Think Hall of Presidents but with just Abe and you are much closer to the animatronic. The lobby has some great DL memorabilia too.
DCA - Animation Academy - same as the one in DAK out at the Conservation Station but with more classic Disney characters and a MUCH better setting
DCA - Crush - same as EPCOT
DL - Pooh, but you can skip it. The cars go in to "float" mode in the first scene and don't change motion from scene to scene - big miss on Disney's part. I would only ride if you want to see the hidden Bear Country Jamboree guys that are still hanging around as you enter the honey room
DL - for a limited time, Splash Mountain
And my personal preference, I MUCH prefer the DL Jungle Cruise for a couple of reasons. The queue is more interesting and the wait is far more tolerable, if not a whole lot shorter than the one at MK. I also like that it is a more compact layout so the skippers idle down at each scene and you can hear the punchlines, plus better timing. MK runs full-out for the whole loop - really distracting to us west-coasters, and I can do without the tunnel.

Another fun list. Thank you! Our youngest son will be with us. He is 18 with Down syndrome and loves Country Bears so we will definitely check them out on Winnie the Pooh.

 

[HollVoll]

CA Unique Rides: Monsters Inc. Mike & Sully to the Rescue, Web Slingers, Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters, Incredicoaser, Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind, Pixar Pal-a-Round, Golden Zephyr, Jumpin' Jellyfish, Silly Symphony Swings. Mission Breakout is also unique enough and not to be missed!

I hope that is helpful. Enjoy your trip!

Just re-reading all of the great answers. Our youngest son will be with us. He has Down syndrome and is 18. He is Disney obsessed. However, he is over the top obsessed with Roz from Monsters Inc. and has been for as long as I can remember. He would stay at the Monsters Inc Laugh Floor all day at WDW if he could. His saddest trips to WDW were post-Covid before they reopened the Laugh Floor. I am sure he will be equally obsessed with Monsters Inc. Mike & Sully to the Rescue.

 

[miksicnarf]

I don't think anyone has mentioned Redwood Creek Challenge Trail in DCA--underrated in my opinion. It's worth checking out and if your son enjoys being active he can burn off some energy there. Another unique thing at DCA are the cats that live there...if you're fans of cats you can almost always see Snickers in the foliage near Grizzly River, across from Soarin', and another that can often be spotted way up on the rocks of Grizzly Peak by the waterfall.
On the flip side of burning off energy, they built the opposite into ToonTown--a quiet, shaded spot to relax and "come down" from all the stimulation. DL looks small compared to WDW but they really pack a lot in! I'm a frequent visitor to both, a huge parks enthusiast and I walk more in a day at DL/DCA than I do at WDW. Enjoy!

 

[BrianL]

Just re-reading all of the great answers. Our youngest son will be with us. He has Down syndrome and is 18. He is Disney obsessed. However, he is over the top obsessed with Roz from Monsters Inc. and has been for as long as I can remember. He would stay at the Monsters Inc Laugh Floor all day at WDW if he could. His saddest trips to WDW were post-Covid before they reopened the Laugh Floor. I am sure he will be equally obsessed with Monsters Inc. Mike & Sully to the Rescue.

So, at the end of Mike & Sully to the Rescue, there is an animatronic Roz that will say things to you before the unload. It used to be there was a CM that could make specific comments, like if you were wearing a specific shirt or something (it's all pre-recorded, but can be prompted by the CM). I don't know if they still do that, but she will say generic things too. Make sure to check it out!