When I'm wrong I'll admit it and never thought I'd say this but.....

[tndislvr]

......DLR won me over. After being a WDW vet I couldn't imagine how DLR could take WDW's place in my heart (some of you know my doubts prior to the trip).....but it did! We had the time of our lives and cannot wait to go back! I still and will always love WDW but DLR has my heart. Just something about it. Perfect trip. Just perfect in every way - hotel (PP - fabulous), weather, crowd levels, food, rides....could go on and on.

Thanks to everyone here on the DIS! You encouraged me to go with an open mind and open heart and Walt's park won me over!

 

[Dobie]

 

[auntiegem]

SO glad you loved it and had a great time!

 

[BC Disney Lover]

Very happy to hear that you enjoyed your trip and loved DL.

 

[Bungle]

Glad you had a great time. Disneyland is magical isn't it?

 

[disneydenisel]

So nice to hear that you were "wowed" by Disneyland! It holds a special place in my heart, and we haven't been since 2004! WDW has taken over the past few years for our family, but in less than a month we will be at DLR so can't wait! I hope it is as magical as it has always been for me .

 

[HydroGuy]

 

[princessaw]

So glad to hear you had a good time! It definetly means a lot coming from a WDW vet. I have always wanted to visit the "world", but haven't had a chance to make it over there yet. This makes me thankful for for DLR in so many ways!

 

[Disbabe]

This is also our first time of going to DLR and have been to WDW 7 times now. I also have had reservations - but threads like these give reasurrance.
I really cannot wait to go - not just for the experience at a different disney park but as we're spending time around Hollywood - the whole californian experience.
Thanks for this thread

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

Been to WDW a million times and DL three but you're right, DL has that 'something special' that is never even glimpsed at WDW, IMO.

 

[nunzia]

 

[disneyrand]

My aunt and uncle (the one's who got me hooked on this whole Disney parks thing back in 1977) feel the same way. They've been to Disneyland 20+ times and to WDW at least 7 times.

They both love both parks, but there is something much more intimate and magical at Disneyland that is absolutely missing at WDW, according to both of them.

I've never been to WDW. I will probably take my wife within the next couple of years and I will go with a completely open mind. But, I have a feeling that it just won't compare to MY park.

One thing that is certain is that there is no way that WDW is going to have the personal touch of Walt, himself, that DLR does. Also, from what I've heard from other family members and friends that have been to both is that DLR is much more "Walt" and WDW is much more corporate feeling. I'm not naive enough to believe that DLR is devoid of the corporate machine, but it wasn't designed with that sole purpose and it doesn't feel like it. I've heard the opposite concerning WDW.

I also like that a "park hop" in DLR, literally, takes a couple minutes' walk. In WDW? Not so much.

 

[Jazziered]

What did you think of the castle? I hear that it is always a dissapointment for frirst timers from WDW... But I love the castle, it's beautiful...

 

[disneyfan67]

As a WDW vet myself, I'm in the same boat with you, OP. I find DL to be a cozy, intimate, and very unique park. My kids love DL over WDW now, and that's amazing to me, considering they basically grew up going to WDW and are vets themselves.

There's just something about DL that will never be duplicated in any other Disney theme park. For a few years now Disney has been putting a lot of money into refurbishing DL and rebuilding DCA and it shows. There still some things that need to be done, like fix the people mover, move Astro orbiter back up the platform where it used to be, and do something with that awful waste of space, the inventions building. Otherwise the park is hitting on all cylinders. You can see it's maintained well and the detailing of the little things is off the chart. The Indiana Jones ride is a perfect example of this.

Yeah the castle does look tiny and it says something about America. In 1955 that castle must of looked huge compared to the small homes that were common in America. Now with the glut of McMansions this past decade, it looks small, but it's such a big part of DL history, you enjoy it for what it's worth. Bigger doesn't always mean better.

 

[jernysgirl]

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

What did you think of the castle? I hear that it is always a dissapointment for frirst timers from WDW... But I love the castle, it's beautiful...

The castle is tiny and it's a shock the first time you see it (if you're used to WDW) but in time it grows on you and seems to fit better.

 

[mama2dutchies]

I think there is something special about the original.. being walt's baby.. I LOVE the world, but my heart belongs to the Land..

 

[LisainCalifornia]

I am very happy you enjoyed it! It probably helped a lot that you stayed on property--as that really makes a difference. Glad you liked the Paradise Pier Hotel as well. It is such a open and airy hotel that has great views.

Now you know that you have the benefit of being happy at both Disneyland and Disney World!

 

[smile4stamps]

I was always told that Disneyland would be a disappointment having gone to WDW several times growing up. Disneyland was definitely not a disappointment! I love it there!

I love both Resorts. It is hard for me to say which I like more. I love the closeness of Disneyland. I love the Restaurants and Resorts of WDW.

To me the castle at DL is small but I still love it!!!

 

[HydroGuy]

I was always told that Disneyland would be a disappointment having gone to WDW several times growing up. Disneyland was definitely not a disappointment! I love it there!

I love both Resorts. It is hard for me to say which I like more. I love the closeness of Disneyland. I love the Restaurants and Resorts of WDW.

To me the castle at DL is small but I still love it!!!

I strongly suspect that there is this "idea" floating around WDW vet's minds about DLR being a disappointment repeated over and over again without thought...mostly by those who have never been to DLR!