What to do at the Land that's different from the World

[Oozma_Kappa]

I just found out I will be going to Disneyland in a couple of weeks! I'm getting the 1st visit button! I will only be there for a day, because the main purpose of the trip is work. I've been to Disney World for 10 trips since 2009 (and will be there for trips in Sept, Oct, and Jan. due to a birthday/family event/races). What should I do for my first visit that is a different experience from WDW? I will be with my cousin who works there as an engineer, so she knows the place well, but I'd like to go in with a loose plan of attractions that are completely different. Also does a WDW AP get you anything at DL? Thanks!

 

[AngiTN]

There is an entire board for Disneyland. Scroll down.
There are some excellent members who have complied posts dedicated just for the WDW visitor going to DL, and vice versa

 

[Oozma_Kappa]

Thanks! Got any quick links?

 

[The Sasquatch]

there is also a great podcast series that the DISUnplugged team did on this exact subject with rides, places to eat, hotels, etc.. Check it out in the links up top

 

[TXHauntedMansionFan]

Literally too much to put down. Things like World of Color, Paint the Night, Indiana Jones ride, Matterhorn, Monsters Inc ride, way better Pirates of the Caribbean, Mr Toad's Wild Ride, Blue Bayou, Toontown... just for starters.

 

[AngiTN]

Thanks! Got any quick links?

It's stickied at the top of the Disneyland board, easy to find, (hard to link on phone)

 

[BrianL]

There are many differences, even in things that might seem the same. The DL version of Pirates for one is much longer (and better) than the WDW one. Big Thunder has new effects (that I believe are coming to WDW with the new refurb). The classic Fantasyland dark rides, Pinnochio's Daring Journey, Snow White's Scary Adventures, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, and Alice's Adventures in Wonderland are all present. I find it neat to compare and contrast the two.

 

[The Sasquatch]

here is the podcast on the attractions

http://www.disunplugged.com/2016/06/20/celebrating-disneyland-062016-week-3-trivia-contest-show/

 

[Oozma_Kappa]

There are many differences, even in things that might seem the same. The DL version of Pirates for one is much longer (and better) than the WDW one. Big Thunder has new effects (that I believe are coming to WDW with the new refurb). The classic Fantasyland dark rides, Pinnochio's DAring Journey, Snow White's Scary Adventures, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, and Alice's Adventures in Wonderland are all present. I find it neat to compare and contrast the two.

Thanks! You think Haunted Mansion would be worth it? It definitely looks different from the outside. Matterhorn...is that like space mountain? They don't have Space Mountain do they?

 

[Oozma_Kappa]

here is the podcast on the attractions

http://www.disunplugged.com/2016/06/20/celebrating-disneyland-062016-week-3-trivia-contest-show/

Awesome! Many thanks!

 

[mom2rtk]

Thanks! You think Haunted Mansion would be worth it? It definitely looks different from the outside. Matterhorn...is that like space mountain? They don't have Space Mountain do they?

They do have Space. And many say (and I agree) it's a smoother version.

Matterhorn is an attraction unto its own. Very bumpy, but classic, so a must do.

I haven't done traditional HM in so long that I don't remember how it compares! We've been going in the fall when it has the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay.

 

[BrianL]

Thanks! You think Haunted Mansion would be worth it? It definitely looks different from the outside. Matterhorn...is that like space mountain? They don't have Space Mountain do they?

HM is mostly the same, but a little shorter than the WDW one. The ride load hallway is the most different part. I love HM a lot so of course I think it's worth it. Matterhorn is a mountain ride where you go in and out of tunnels. It is actually a very similar track and the same ride system that would become Space Mountain at WDW (the bobsled style cars are one giveaway). So, when it came time to build a Space Mountain in Anaheim (due to its popularity at MK) they decided to build a very different ride system with the same theme and exterior (though much smaller). Many prefer the DL Space Mountain, but I actually like the MK one. DL's is smoother, and also right now it is "Hyperspace Mountain" with a Star Wars theme.

 

[Oozma_Kappa]

HM is mostly the same, but a little shorter than the WDW one. The ride load hallway is the most different part. I love HM a lot so of course I think it's worth it. Matterhorn is a mountain ride where you go in and out of tunnels. It is actually a very similar track and the same ride system that would become Space Mountain at WDW (the bobsled style cars are one giveaway). So, when it came time to build a Space Mountain in Anaheim (due to its popularity at MK) they decided to build a very different ride system with the same theme and exterior (though much smaller). Many prefer the DL Space Mountain, but I actually like the MK one. DL's is smoother, and also right now it is "Hyperspace Mountain" with a Star Wars theme.

Very helpful! I will put all these on my list. Hopefully I can get through most of them without needing fastpasses since my cousin is an engineer for the rides. I'm not sure how much pull she actually has around there though, although she's been there as long as I can remember. I will be ready with a top 3 if that's all the fastpasses I end up getting though.

 

[BrianL]

Very helpful! I will put all these on my list. Hopefully I can get through most of them without needing fastpasses since my cousin is an engineer for the rides. I'm not sure how much pull she actually has around there though, although she's been there as long as I can remember. I will be ready with a top 3 if that's all the fastpasses I end up getting though.

Well, DL uses the old Fast Pass system, so you can have way more than 3. You will have to go to the machines to pull them, but if managed correctly, you can get many in a day.

 

[Oozma_Kappa]

Well, DL uses the old Fast Pass system, so you can have way more than 3. You will have to go to the machines to pull them, but if managed correctly, you can get many in a day.

Oh wow seriously? That's awesome! Loved that system much more. I guess I can leave the magic bands at home.

 

[BrianL]

Oh wow seriously? That's awesome! Loved that system much more. I guess I can leave the magic bands at home.

Yep, no magic bands at DL. There is talk that they will start using a new digital Fast Pass system but they have said there will be no pre-booking, so all same day. DL gets a different crowd than WDW with a lot more local visitors, so they have to manage things differently.

Are you going to DCA at all? There are more unique things there like Radiator Springs Racers and California Screamin'. Park hopping is easy since they are right there across from each other. Even in a day you can cover some ground.

 

[ConnecticutFlea]

Indiana Jones is my favorite Disney ride. It is the same track as Dinosaur, but it's not in the dark and the theme is Indy. I live on the east coast, and when I get to DL I ride Indy as a single rider multiple times.

Haunted Mansion has the same things but arranged differently so it's cool to compare. POC and small world are better. I'm not a huge small world fan, but I did enjoy seeing the difference. Fantasmic is different too.

DL has the magic kingdom and California Adventure. They are literally right across from each other. You can accomplish a lot more in less time, because you don't loose hours traveling between parks. And make sure to check out the castle. It's so much smaller!

 

[BrianL]

Indiana Jones is my favorite Disney ride. It is the same track as Dinosaur, but it's not in the dark and the theme is Indy. I live on the east coast, and when I get to DL I ride Indy as a single rider multiple times.

Haunted Mansion has the same things but arranged differently so it's cool to compare. POC and small world are better. I'm not a huge small world fan, but I did enjoy seeing the difference. Fantasmic is different too.

DL has the magic kingdom and California Adventure. They are literally right across from each other. You can accomplish a lot more in less time, because you don't loose hours traveling between parks. And make sure to check out the castle. It's so much smaller!

Indy is a great call! It's one of the best rides at DL. Also, this reminded me that DL has a lot more single rider lines, so if that's okay for you you can get away without FPs for those since the single rider lines tend to go fast.

Also, Fantasmic! is different, but also currently dark at DL due to Star Wars construction.

 

[Oozma_Kappa]

Yep, no magic bands at DL. There is talk that they will start using a new digital Fast Pass system but they have said there will be no pre-booking, so all same day. DL gets a different crowd than WDW with a lot more local visitors, so they have to manage things differently.

Are you going to DCA at all? There are more unique things there like Radiator Springs Racers and California Screamin'. Park hopping is easy since they are right there across from each other. Even in a day you can cover some ground.

What's DCA? If I can swing it, I will be back the next weekend so that I can have 2 Saturdays to see as much as possible. This will probably lead to me going back for sure in years to come lol!

 

[Oozma_Kappa]

Indy is a great call! It's one of the best rides at DL. Also, this reminded me that DL has a lot more single rider lines, so if that's okay for you you can get away without FPs for those since the single rider lines tend to go fast.

Also, Fantasmic! is different, but also currently dark at DL due to Star Wars construction.

Single rider is fine with me. I use that line all the time at Universal, especially for Harry Potter.