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

[Walt's10thOldManZach]

Very informative!

 

[GatorChris]

WDW vet with quite a bit of DL experience the last few years.

Yes, it's weird not staying onsite when you get to DL. They only have 3 choices and they're all very expensive for what you get. I've stayed at the HoJo numerous times and get the Superior Room. You get a view of the DL park from the tower and it's about the same walk to the parks as Paradise Pier or even the Disneyland Hotel. There's really not a "bubble" that you feel at WDW, even when you stay at the mentioned Disney hotels. I've not stayed at the Grand Cali, so I can't speak if you feel the bubble in there.

As far as rides go, I hope you can pull off that second day. That way you can spend a day in both parks. Disney California Adventure is a lot like Hollywood Studios, but with a California theme throughout the whole place. Their nighttime show is World Of Color. You'll want to pull a FP for this within the first few hours of being in the park - over by the Grizzly River Run attraction. This show is pretty amazing, even if you have to stand through the whole thing (DL doesn't have bleacher like the Studios does for F!). And you'll want time be at Cars Land. The theming and rides are just the best Disney has to offer. Tower of Terror is similar, though not as good, to its WDW counterpart. And California Screamin' is like Rockin'Roller Coaster but outdoors and just as fun. Soarin' is just like the one at Epcot but without the 1hour+ line all day.

Disneyland is Walt's original. So there's some magic there, even though you maybe shocked at the smallness of the park and the castle. Fireworks are often cancelled here and F! is on hiatus until summer. As for rides, here's my list of what you want to try for sure that's new/different: Space Mt, Matterhorn, Alice in Wonderland (best dark ride ever), It's a Small World (amazing compared to WDW), Pirates of the C. (longer), Indiana Jones, Sleeping Beauty Castle walkthrough, and eating at the Blue Bayou (expensive but the restaurant sits inside the Pirates ride). That's should be a good start for you. And enjoy the old style of FP. We love it out here!

 

[Walt's10thOldManZach]

Well said, I can't wait for our vacation to DL now! Debating renting a car and driving one way and flying back!