WDW many times, first and only trip to Disneyland ...questions

[Epcot Mom]

I visit WDW several times a year. I am planning a trip to Disneyland so I can...walk where Walt walked. We are very flexible on when we go and are planning to stay 3-4 nights. Is there a time of year that is better crowd or weather-wise? Also, I searched the board and didn't see what I am looking for....is there a list somewhere of what attractions are different than the WDW versions? I know a few just from being a Disney fan and I am thinking someone here could type out a list without thinking about it just like I give advice on WDW trips. Thanks for your help!

 

[LKing]

How many people are in your party? Adults? Kids? Ages?

You might follow some of the advice being given to Carolyn FH. https://www.disboards.com/threads/when-to-visit.3960888/

@BrianL compiled a great list comparing and contrasting attractions between DLR and WDW.

DL Exclusive Attractions:
Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye (uses same ride system as DINOSAUR at AK)
Snow White's Enchanted Wish
Pinocchio's Daring Journey
Mister Toad's Wild Ride
Casey Jr. Circus Train
Storybook Land Canal Boats
Alice in Wonderland
Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough
Roger Rabbit's Car-Toon Spin
Chip & Dale's Gadget Coaster
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
The Matterhorn (note this uses the same ride system as Space Mountain at MK)
Space Mountain (same theme but completely different ride)

DL Similar but not exactly the same:
Enchanted Tiki Room - longer show
Pirates of the Caribbean - longer with more show scenes
Haunted Mansion - even without the Nightmare overlay it is slightly different
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Big Thunder Mountain - some additional effects and scenery
Autopia - much longer than the Tomorrowland Speedway, but basically the same
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters - removable laser blasters make it a little better

DL Exactly (or basically) the same:
Peter Pan's Flight - technically some minor differences
Dumbo
King Aruthur Carousel
Milennium Falcon: Smugglers Run - all of Galaxy's Edge is practically identical
Rise of the Resistance
Mad Tea Party
Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway - The queue is very different and cool - may be new to you and is worth it if so.
Star Tours
Astro Orbitor - though at ground level

CA Exclusive Attractions:
Monsters Inc. Mike & Sully to the Rescue
Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout - based on Tower of Terror, though the DL version works a little differently
WEB Slingers
Radiator Springs Racers - this is like a massively bigger Test Track
Luigi's Rollicking Roadsters
Incredicoaster
Inside-Out Emotional Whirlwind
Silly Symphony Swings - though this is an off-the shelf "wave swinger" ride
Jumpin' Jellyfish
Golden Zephyr
Goofy's Sky School

CA Similar but not exactly the same:
Mater's Junkyard Jamboree - the same as Alien Swirling Saucers
Grizzly River Run - longer version of Kali River Rapids - definitely a wet ride!

CA Exactly (or basically) the same:
Mickey's Philharmagic! - smaller screen though
Turtle Talk with Crush
Ariel's Undersea Adventure - same as Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid
Jessie's Critter Carousel
Soarin' - though note sometimes (during the Food & Wine Festival) they run it with the original Sorain' over California, in which case it is a must do!

 

[RunDisney Matriarch]

You will have a blast! Disneyland is a "locals" park so school/work holidays are going to be where you see the most crowds. Anaheim is inland and can get hot (for California) in July, August, and early September -- we saw multiple over 100 degrees days during a visit this past September -- but we've had some great visits there in May/June if you're looking for a summer visit. If I had to pick one time, I'd go for the fall, maybe early November so you can see the Christmas decorations and the great Nightmare Before Christmas overlay of Haunted Mansion. ('Still not sure why we can't have that at Disneyworld.) I'm not going to get all the attractions right but I love Disneyland's It's a Small World, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Haunted Mansion so much more than the ones in Florida. Plus, you have to get a churro in California -- the lack of humidity makes them taste 1,000 better than in Florida. Have a great time!

 

[LAS2AMS]

Another topic that needs a sticky.

When we were in the park yesterday, nearly everywhere we went there were a ton of out-of-towners (if you’re a pale white kid in shorts in January in Los Angeles, you’re obviously not from here) that kept comparing DLR to WDW (and not favorably) I found this odd for mid-January… wonder if there was an event going on?

 

[LKing]

we saw multiple over 100 degrees days during a visit this past September

That was an unusual heat wave. It is not normally that hot.

 

[mdmost]

Go in the summer and wonder why you ever go to WDW in the summer. Halloween time is a time I would avoid unless you want to see the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay and Halloween decorations. Try to avoid Mondays which are weirdly busy.

 

[Epcot Mom]

Right after I posted this, I found where someone had recently asked nearly the same question. I came back to delete my post and saw so many kind responses and new information. Thank you!

We are two adults. I am meeting an college friend who lives in Alaska and I'm fromt St. Louis. We get together every few years and usually do Seattle (half-way) and decided Disneyland would be a nice change of pace.

We own DVC but do not have enough points to use for this trip. I have looked for a comparison of the hotels and am not finding that either. I have found a few posts where people say the Disney hotels aren't as nice as the WDW hotels. I would love to hear thoughts on which hotel/view for a one and only Disneyland trip.

 

[Psymonds]

Right after I posted this, I found where someone had recently asked nearly the same question. I came back to delete my post and saw so many kind responses and new information. Thank you!

We are two adults. I am meeting an college friend who lives in Alaska and I'm fromt St. Louis. We get together every few years and usually do Seattle (half-way) and decided Disneyland would be a nice change of pace.

We own DVC but do not have enough points to use for this trip. I have looked for a comparison of the hotels and am not finding that either. I have found a few posts where people say the Disney hotels aren't as nice as the WDW hotels. I would love to hear thoughts on which hotel/view for a one and only Disneyland trip.

the main thing for hotels is there are so few on property rooms and so many off property hotels that are just as close; it's different. There's a post, maybe a decade ago, where someone did walking from each hotel to the front gate, and the disney hotels were about middle of the pack.

 

[LKing]

I'm local so can't compare the hotels very well. @crystal1313 has toured or stayed at many of them.

Edit to add a link to her YouTube channel
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOs2o-78WspbTNKOFWnHnK9TMeC8ZKwWf

 

[LAS2AMS]

My biggest suggestion to WDW vets is to know what you’re getting into. DLR is not WDW. It was Disney’s first park built in the Los Angeles suburbs during an era Los Angeles was spending money to develop the suburbs to get people away from the overcrowded city. Unsurprisingly, the surrounding area quickly built out - outside the resort district, k’s a heavy residential area (with a large industrial area that’s gradually turning into residential).

Disney has done an excellent job strategically acquiring property and expanding the resort. The worked with Anaheim to beautify the resort area, and most of the dumpy hotels that surrounded the resort through the 1990s have been demolished and replaced. But alas, it’s not the Disney bubble.

WDW has more space and utilizes large, themed, indoor queues. DLR has better weather so many of the queues, loading platforms, etc. are outdoors.

WDW has more full service restaurants with larger menus. DLR has more fast casual establishments with better presentation. Because it’s a locals park, you’ll find more Mexican and Asian food. And there’s an overall emphasis on more healthy options - and DLR is more flexible than WDW in substituting fries for a side salad or fruit cup (even for adults). Food is priced higher comparatively to WDW, although the gap has shrunken in recent years. And unlike WDW resorts, which charge less for similar food items in the parks, DLR is the opposite - you’ll pay more at the three resorts.

Crowds at DLR are far more diverse. You’ll also see a lot more teenagers and Disney adults and far less small children than WDW. Unfortunately, it’s the same entitlement mentality at both parks.

Enjoy your trip. My thoughts are only because we have so many WDW vets visiting DLR on these forums in recent years, complaining it’s not Disney World. Well, of course . But friendly reminder that you’re in SoCal and there’s a ton more unique things to do here than there are in Central Florida.

 

[mdmost]

Grand Californian is probably going to be what you want if you stay onsite. Probably the most comparable to WDW hotels. But this is not WDW so adjusting your expectations to that would be wise to avoid being disappointed. What you will get is a slower pace and less stressful trip. You can walk under 10 minutes to get to the parks. You can park hop by walking across an esplanade. You don't have to deal with Disney transportation. There's a ton of good meal options in Downtown Disney which is right in the middle of your hotels. You don't see as many people getting angry at their kids or each other. Sure, there can be terrible people but the stress level of everyone seems lower.

 

[LKing]

Here are some recent threads that you might find helpful.


wdw-vets-first-time-dl-trip

longtime-dw-1st-time-dl-in-january

 

[mdmost]

I always recommend this site for newbies. She does a good job of also helping WDW people with things.

https://disneylanddaily.com/a-first-timers-guide-to-disneyland/

https://disneylanddaily.com/battle-of-the-big-3-a-comparison-of-the-three-disneyland-resort-hotels/

 

[LAS2AMS]

the main thing for hotels is there are so few on property rooms and so many off property hotels that are just as close; it's different. There's a post, maybe a decade ago, where someone did walking from each hotel to the front gate, and the disney hotels were about middle of the pack.

Real estate is far more valuable in SoCal than Central Florida, so you won’t find the sprawling resorts.

Grand Californian is most similar to the WDW hotels. It’s similar architecture to Wilderness / Animal Kingdom Lodge. It’s built directly into a California Adventure / Downtown Disney, which makes it unique - even compared to WDW.

Disneyland Hotel is sort of the original Disneyland Hotel. I say sort of, because the true original hotel was demolished and sat where DTD is now. The current hotel is a collection of towers that weee built as an expansion of the original hotel. A new DVC tower was recently added. Amenities surround the hotel and were built when the hotel was reimagined in the late 1990s (as the original amenities were demolished for DTD). The hotel feels like a WDW hotel (like the Contemporary). Monorail is a short walk way in DTD (but requires admission to DL). Pool complex is very nice, Chef Mickey’s like character buffet and good snack bar with fire pit seating.

Pixar Pier was completely reimagined recently, but is unique as it was not built by Disney. Instead, it was a luxury property they acquired in the mid-90s. It’s a small hotel without the space to offer many amenities, but most people love it. It’s across the street from DCA, with beautiful views of the park and its entrance.

Remember that these hotels are expensive, epically on weekends. PP and DLH rival the top WDW deluxe properties in price, and premium views will often make them more expensive. GCH often exceeds Grand Floridian in price! Keep in mind the lowest rate at DLH and PP will get you views of Anaheim, another gripe among Disney vets. But hey, Animal Kingdom Lodge now has views of strip malls and apartments built up to its property line…

 

[Epcot Mom]

Wow! This is all so helpful!! Thank you all for sharing your thoughts and experiences. I am really excited to experience Disneyland for its own charm!

 

[irlandaise]

I have found a few posts where people say the Disney hotels aren't as nice as the WDW hotels. I would love to hear thoughts on which hotel/view for a one and only Disneyland trip.

I haven't stayed at the DL Hotel or Pixar Place, but I'd put the Grand Californian up against the deluxe WDW hotels any day. In fact, the same person (Peter Dominick) who designed the GCH was also the architect for the stunning Animal Kingdom Lodge and Wilderness Lodge at WDW.

If this is likely to be your only DLR visit, I suggest that you raid your piggy bank and stay at the GCH.

 

[LKing]

If this is a one and done and you want the ambiance and Disney service, I would go for the GCH. Just make sure you can afford park hopper and lightning lane tickets as well.

 

[CarolynFH]

I’m so glad y’all don’t get tired of responding to the same questions! This is all very helpful!

Disneyland Hotel is sort of the original Disneyland Hotel. I say sort of, because the true original hotel was demolished and sat where DTD is now.

Thank you for this bit of history! I visited DL a couple of times in the early 60s and remembered the monorail station outside the DL Hotel. I was quite confused when I returned in the 2000s and the hotel was so much farther away than I remembered!

 

[DizMe]

I’m so glad y’all don’t get tired of responding to the same questions! This is all very helpful!


Thank you for this bit of history! I visited DL a couple of times in the early 60s and remembered the monorail station outside the DL Hotel. I was quite confused when I returned in the 2000s and the hotel was so much farther away than I remembered!

Yes, that's really deceptive! Lots of people think the monorail moved. It didn't! They just removed a whole lot of the DLH property for Downtown Disney.

 

[mdmost]

I would make sure to book a Trader Sam's reservation. It is so great, even if you're not a person who partakes in alcohol. The interior is great.