So I know there are many of these posts, but I read many of them before doing my DL trip, so I figured I would add my thoughts, in case other WDW vets are thinking of planning a trip out to Cali.
Details:
We visited the parks the last week of September. Halloween time! Stayed at Dolphin Cove Resort about a mile away, and used the ART bus system. 5-day hopper tickets.
So after having spent a week in California, I must say that many of my previous ideas about the different parks have to change. I will go into more detail below, but at this point I must say that
Disneyland is the best single park in the US. I still give Disney World a slight edge for overall resort, but if I could only visit a single park for the rest of my life it would now be Disneyland.
So why.
Disneyland Awesomeness.
1. Indiana jones. Holy crap this ride is amazing. I couldn't stop.
2. Halloween time is much better than florida, even if the party isn't as good. The theming was awesome, I like the haunted mansion overlay, and big thunder ranch is on point.
3. Pirates of the Caribbean is so much better. Literally rode it about 8 times this past week. Ironically the additional parts at the beginning don't add much to the ride, but it's so serene that I love it.
4. Other great attractions like the submarines, storybook land canal boats, mr toad, Alice in wonderland, etc. I can't believe these aren't available in Florida.
5. Characters actually can be seen around the park. Some wander about, some have areas they appear in, but they aren't all gated in meet and greet areas like WDW. Very refreshing. Also, you're wandering around Mickeys house in Toon Town and boom there he is.
6. Things are closer together. People say DL is smaller. It is, but it's not a bad thing. Fancy restaurants pack more flavor into smaller portions and that is what disneyland does. More awesome rides in less area, means less walking and more fun.
7. New Orleans square. Why isn't this is WDW? It kicks the crap out of Liberty Square, and does a great job theming for pirates and the haunted mansion (I also prefer the outside look of the DL haunted mansion). My favorite area. Which leads me to...
8. Blue Bayou. I don't need to say more. Just eat there.
9. Fantasmic show area is great.
10. I know it's not disneyland, but Cars Land in DCA is amazing. For anyone reading the doom and gloom in the WDW forums about how disney is wasting all their money on FP+ and not being classic disney, come see Cars Land. It will re-instill your faith in the entire organization.
11. I could be imagining this, and I haven't done price comparisons, but I felt that the food prices were all extremely reasonable. I assume this is the nature of being a "locals" park. Typically table service meals for 2 adults were running us about $25-35 all in with food and sodas and such. That's generally what I pay for a meal at home.
12. It's Walt's park. I can't explain how significant this is.
Things I could do without:
1. Really limited showings of fireworks and things like fantasmic. I understand why, but it's still frustrating for someone that loves fireworks.
2. The Matterhorn. Wasn't impressed. Perhaps I just don't have the nostalgia to make up for the cracked ribs and back pain this ride causes.
3. DCA is clearly better than when it opened, but I still think the carnival rides of the boardwalk are stupid. This park is almost truly amazing. It's certainly #4 after DL, MK, and EPCOT.
4. Sorry DL folks, but I miss WDW's castle.
Random highlights:
Blue Bayou. Amazing.
Wine Country Trattoria. Amazing.
Trader Sams. Awesome themed place for a drink, you need to check this out.
Mad T Parties in DCA. Honestly felt like a concert mixed with a Vegas show, with guests having dance parties in between.
World of Color is epic.
Dole whip. It just feels more right at the original tiki room.
Fantasmic dessert package. Beyond delicious snacks, priority seating, what more could you want?
Overall, I loved my time in DL and certainly plan on returning. If California had EPCOT as a 3rd gate, I probably would be full time for DL resort. Since I love EPCOT and the disney bubble, I will probably continue to visit WDW regularly. I think anyone who considers themselves a WDW vet needs to check out the awesome in California.
If you have any questions for me, post them below.
Thanks!
so we are heading to Cali on November 20th. This will be our first time to DL but have been to WDW many, many times since 1990.
