What Not To Miss at Disneyland

[DisDreamin09]

My family and I usually go to Walt Disney World every summer but we are planing a trip to Disneyland in June. This is my first trip to Disneyland and I was wondering what are some things that I should not miss while I am there (not just rides). Thanks!

 

[HydroGuy]

See section 21 of:

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

 

[nbliss]

It's been since the early 90's since I've been to WDW, so I don't know if they have a silhouette shop there. At DL, it's called the Silhouette Studio, and it's on main street. Here is a video of someone getting it done from youtube. There is a gal (not the one in the video) who has been doing this for 37 years. Very cool souvenir, not just for kids!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3-5pKedX4w

 

[dinosaurgertie]

I just had to reply to this! My family and I have been going to Disney World every spring/summer for twenty years now. Last month, my sister got married in California, so we decided to turn it into a trip to Disneyland. I loved it SO much, but admit that I had a real hard time warming up to it the first day we went. When we arrived, we parked in a huge parking ramp and nothing about it felt "magical" to me. Disneyland was so crowded, I had a hard time appreciating anything and just felt like I couldn't get my bearings. Then, that afternoon, we checked into the Disneyland Hotel and it all changed. I wondered if we'd feel like we were staying "on property" like in WDW and we did. The magic was there. The resort reminded me so much of Disney World. Shopping, counter service, great pool...If you get a chance to visit, check it out.

I agree with the previous post not to miss Pirates of the Caribbean. I've been on Pirates so many times in WDW, it's not a "can't-miss" attraction for me anymore. But, oh my goodness, the Disneyland one blew me away. I was also shocked that I liked It's a Small World. I never go on this in WDW, but it's on a grander scale at Disneyland. Jolly Holiday Bakery and Rancho del Zocalo were my favorite places to eat. Fun ambience very reminiscent of WDW. I realize this may make me sound like I have no taste or don't know what I'm talking about to some, but I went to Cafe Orleans and Napa Rose and they just didn't blow me away...not like the fine dining in WDW does.

The thing I loved the most about Disneyland was how close everything was. If we walked through an archway at the Disneyland Hotel (it's a smaller scale version of the Sorcerer Hat at Hollywood Studios), you're in Downtown Disney. Take a short walk through Downtown Disney and you quickly arrive at the main gates for Disneyland and California Adventure. All that is located on the same promenade! Don't miss the monorail station in Downtown Disney, especially if you're staying at the Disneyland Hotel. The monorail only makes one stop: in Tomorrowland! So, you can bypass the main gates and get dropped off in the back of the park.

If you have any other questions or anything, feel free to DM me. I know research can be difficult, especially when you're so accustomed to WDW.

 

[KCmike]

Billy Hill and the Hillbillies at the Golden Horseshoe
Aladdin stage show at DCA
Sleeping Beauty Walk Thru in the castle
Storybook Canal boats
Its a Small World - so much better at DL
Fireworks, Fantasmic!, and WOC - all much better at Disneyland
Tiki Room - the original and the best
Railroad - grand canyon diorama
Indy
Pirates is so much better
Ride the Canoes in the Rivers of America
Mr. Toad and Alice In Wonderland dark rides
Space Mountain is amazing
Grizzly River Run is better than Kali River Rapids
Monster Inc

and then there's so much new for this summer in DCA!

 

[dinosaurgertie]

Ah yes! Billy Hill and the Hillbillies!

Billy Hill and the Hillbillies at the Golden Horseshoe
Aladdin stage show at DCA
Sleeping Beauty Walk Thru in the castle
Storybook Canal boats
Its a Small World - so much better at DL
Fireworks, Fantasmic!, and WOC - all much better at Disneyland
Tiki Room - the original and the best
Railroad - grand canyon diorama
Indy
Pirates is so much better
Ride the Canoes in the Rivers of America
Mr. Toad and Alice In Wonderland dark rides
Space Mountain is amazing
Grizzly River Run is better than Kali River Rapids
Monster Inc

and then there's so much new for this summer in DCA!

 

[giftcard]

Add me to those who prefers Pirates at DL. I also prefer Peter Pan in DL -- all the scenes are miniatures and you fly "over" them instead of "through" them, more magical in my opinion.

Indiana Jones is super fun. My favourite place is New Orleans Square.

 

[CanadianDisneyDad]

ok I will add my few cents (canadian cents) worth but will exclude rides.

What not to miss by CanadianDisneyDad:

1. Tiki Room
2. Train ride around Disneyland, stopping at each stop for next train
3. Lincoln Theather
4. back streets in New Orleans Square
5. ASIMO robot at Tomorrowland
6. riding the doubledecker (or taxi or horse drawn carriage) down mainstreet
7. Snow White & Seven Dwarfs italian marble statues by wishing well by castle

a few of the top of my head of places i have loved through our past visits....

cheers and enjoy

 

[donnishobson]

Are there other not to miss shows or entertainment at Disneyland or DCA? Going at the end of April and haven't been in 15 years. Went to WDW in Jan 2012.
So far, these are the ones I plan to see:

Aladddin show
WOC
Fantasmic!
Fireworks
Soundsational Parade
Billy and the Hillbillies

 

[raftislander]

There is a game of musical chairs that the Madhatter, Alice, Peter Pan (your characters may vary) play with kids at Coke Corner in the afternoon. If you have young ones this is fun.

 

[donnishobson]

Thanks. Sounds adorable, but no little ones. Celebrating my son's 30th birthday.

 

[NewbieMouse]

I would highly recommend the Storybookland Canal Boats, especially at night time. They don't have this ride at WDW at all, so it's special in that way, and it is one of my favourites.

 

[DisDreamin09]

Thanks Everyone!!! I appreciate the input! I cant wait until I am there and get to try it all out for myself Im very excited about Potc I love it at WDW I can't wait to ride the DL version!