What is your FAVORITE thing about Disney Land?

[DisneyMomma81]

Agreeing with everyone else but also the weather is so much better ~ we visited WDW for the 1st time last early Oct. and while we had a wonderful time it was way too hot and humid. S CA is much more tolerable weather wise. I love how small and intimate DLR is ~ the only thing DLR is missing IMO is Epcot's World Showcase and Expedition Everest. You basically have AK an hour and a 1/2 away in San Diego.

Fantasy Land is so much better @ DLR.

 

[Mugglemama]

I've never been to WDW. I've spent a lot of time contemplating a trip there (we are CA natives and have been going to DL our entire lives), but every time I look at photos of the parks, etc., it feels SO plain compared to DL. The entrances to many rides look, to me, like plain buildings on the outside. That's part of what I love so much about DL is that there's been so much attention to detail that stepping into FL for instance, feels like stepping into a storybook land. The facades of the rides are so detailed, and make you feel like you're really entering a special place. When I look at photos of WDW ride entrances, I just don't see that. It's what turns me back to DL every time.

Additionally, when researching possible WDW vacations, I get turned off very quickly at the idea of having to stand in line for a bus with my 4 kids, load said kids onto the bus, then ride the bus with dozens of other sweaty, smelly guests (i mean, considering the weather, we'd all pretty much be sweaty and smelly, right?) just to hop from park to park! Sounds like a huge hassle!

Also, I don't love the idea of having to visit 4 separate parks just to get to the rides we are used to being able to easily get to in just 2 parks.

Lastly, I hate humidity and standing or walking in the rain. So, for most of the year anyway, that pretty much rules out WDW. On the other hand, you can pretty much count on the weather at DLR to be fantastic for most of the year.

I may be totally incorrect, and not having ever been there I can't be sure. But honestly, WDW sounds like more work and discomfort than fun.

DLR is personal, it's easy to navigate, and to me it really feels like it's own little world as opposed to a theme park.

Hope you have a fantastic time!

 

[PrincessMommyLM]

Thank you all!!!! This is helping me sooo much! I am really enjoying looking forward to the new and different attractions (super excited for the submarines and for the Haunted Mansion overlay in particular) and also for World of Color at DCA!!!!

The idea of walking between the two parks easily is appealing, though I am still having trouble adjusting my thinking and planning to that concept!

Again, just THANK YOU all for sharing your magical memories and helping me get over my hesitations!

 

[daisy2]

I have to agree with everyone so far. Just knowing that Disneyland was Walt's Dream come true and that he actually was there and watched his dream come true. You might want to consider taking the tour A Walk in Walt's Footsteps. Disneyland is where it all got started. I get goosebumps every time (I have been to Disneyland to many times to count.)I walk through the tunnel onto Main Street. I hope this helps. Have fun!!

 

[Mugglemama]

The idea of walking between the two parks easily is appealing, though I am still having trouble adjusting my thinking and planning to that concept!

It makes things SOOO easy! Hopping at DLR is casual and no-stress! Have you had time to check out DLR on Google Earth? If you haven't, try to make time to check out the small courtyard area between the parks...you'll see just how LITTLE space you have to cover to get from one park to the other. You can literally go on a ride at DL, then run over to DCA for another ride, then run back if you want. There are days we go back and forth 3 or 4 times (to make best use of FP's and/or RideMax)...and that's with 4 kids in tow. Hopping at DLR has never felt like a hassle to me, even with backpack baby carriers, or strollers, etc. Easy-Schmeezy, LOL!

 

[KCmike]

Original Mainstreet USA - still has penny arcade, magic shop, etc.

Tiki Room - Invented by Walt himself, curse you WDW for changing it!

Pirates - Walt's last attraction he oversaw, much better than WDW

Park Hopping - gotta love the 2 min hop from park to park

Fantasyland - Wow! So many dark rides and unique attractions, love the
themeing

Love that everything starts outside, the weather is amazing.

Best Fireworks show I've ever seen - Remember Dreams Come True

Billy Hill and the Hillbillies, gotta love Elvis Billy

Fantasmic! - blows away WDW

Aladdin musical - best stage show at any disney park

It's the original, its intimate, Walt walk the streets, lived in the park with his family, the nostalgia.....I gotta go back soon!

 

[franandaj]

I have to agree with all those who have said that it was Walt's Park. That's what really makes DL special, there are so many little touches everywhere, the space is used so expertly, nothing is wasted. It is just a jewel! I always look up at his apartment and say a silent "Thank you" when I leave the park.

And then Club 33, there's nothing else like that, when you can get in!

 

[Prometheus]

Love the 2 parks being so close together, make going back and forth so much easier. Also love the Animination studio, great place to take a break with Disney animination and music in the background.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

I've only been to DL once (and WDW dozens of times), but I loved how close the parks were to each other. Plus, we were staying at the Grand Californian (which is advertised as being right next to DCA) - I wasn't expecting the walk to DL to be so short!

DL is smaller than MK, but there's more to do. The park has a lot more going on, the Rivers of America feels more alive, it's just a very magical place.

 

[rentayenta]

The touches that make Disneyland unique. It's a Small World, the Matterhorn, the Enchanged Tiki Room and the intimacy of the park. Plus, it just holds so many wonderful childhood memories for me. I also like that when you walk through the tunnel, under the railroad, that the outside world just seems to cease to exist. You just enter the World of Disney!

MTE!



Growing up with Disneyland only 10 minutes away meant TONS of amazing memories; the sites and smells in particular. Nothing beats Disneyland's Tiki Room, in fact I refuse to go into WDW's. Disneyland's candy shop makes Rocky Road which WDW's does not. Soooo good. Disneyland is smaller and more intimate for sure. Plus Disneyland's Fantasyland kicks butt over WDW's. I love WDW but prefer Disneyland over MK. And Disneyland has Indy!

 

[disneyobsessed808]

I have to agree with what everyone has stated already. There is a charming, magical quality to Disneyland that can't be found anywhere else.

The rides are fun of course. Space Mountain, Pirates, the Matterhorn are not to be missed thrill rides; but even the slow rides are thrilling in their own way. Looking for hidden mickeys or other references in all the rides (such as the homage to the Country Bear Jamboree in the Pooh ride). Indy is found nowhere else, and the queue, at least the inside part, is just as much fun.

What I love about Disneyland though are the unique entertainment and details. Make sure to check out Billy Hill and the Hillbillies. They are hilarious. Also, check out the cool water/light show outside of Pixie Hollow. The Dapper Dans are great too. You can also find shows with Bert and Mary Poppins or the gang from Alice in Wonderland.

Have a great trip

 

[Wendy&AliceWannabe]

I like the fact that guests get to be closer to the characters at DL than WDW.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Not to want to repeat the good things that the other posts have already pointed out, the Tiki room is special - especially when you consider that the room was done pre-robotronics and was the precursor to the technology of today.

One of the little things that I love about DLR is the original wood turnstiles and railings used in attractions like Snow White and Peter Pan. I love touching them and wondering how many other hands like mine have rubbed over them to make them smooth. There's nothing like that feeling to remind me that I am in the original park.