You have to go...

[dubblewide]

Yesterday (7/7), my family of four visited Disneyland for the first time. We have been to Disneyworld and on a Disney Cruise as well. It is amazing to me that all three destinations have a certain "feel" to them.

If you are on the fence about traveling to Disneyland, and are a Disney fan, I have four words for you, "you have to go!" There is something magical about the original park that is not captured by the other venues we have visited. Just being where Walt stood is amazing, and seeing families enjoy themselves there is like seeing his dream unfold before your eyes.

Yes, it is physically smaller, but we found ourselves able to navigate the park much easier that way, and accomplish much more! We arrived at rope drop and rode Indiana Jones, Pirates of the Carribean, the Haunted Mansion, the Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and Splash Mountain all within an hour! Then we slowed our pace, started using fast passes, shopped and ate. It was wonderful!

We only had the time for one park, so we stayed out of California Adventure, but hope to come back for that one some day...

Really though, you have to go...

 

[Baklava]

I'm grinning and going, "I know, right?" while I read this.

We went to WDW and loved it. It had many wonderful things we don't have here. We are excited about trying Aulani and a Disney Cruise. It's all wonderful, but the magic of Disneyland is less a tangible attraction and more a feeling. It's knowing how long the legacy is, that it was the first, that "Walt's apartment" is *genuinely* his apartment- that he actually slept there, in his park, and considered this place to be "home." That magic is something that can't be recreated and it's one of the wonderful gifts of Disneyland.

 

[mmmears]

I'm so glad you enjoyed DL! I totally agree that there is something really special there, with it being the original park. We love WDW, too, but I'm always amazed at how close together everything is at DL and how many more rides we can do in one day there. I hope you get to return and check out DCA some time!

 

[Disney127]

I totally agree! We love WDW but our hearts belongs to DL. There is something very special about the park that Walt built. We will be there 3 weeks from today and can't wait to experience the magic again. Hope that one day, you and your family will get a chance to visit DL again and to also check out DCA.

 

[MrJT]

I have to go? I guess that I will leave on Sunday!
All kidding aside, I love WDW, Disneyland Paris is beautiful, Tokyo was awesome too. But it's been over 20 years since I have been in Anaheim, and I am looking forward to going back home.