Disneyland, after many trips to WDW

[Smee]

After many trips to WDW, this year we finally went to the original in CA. I had been warned by many and read numerous reports of how disappointing and small Disneyland would be after experiencing WDW. We prepared ourselves and kept our expectations under control.

All the concern was unwarrented. Disneyland is wonderful and magical. We totally enjoyed ourselves and loved the park. It has the same feeling and more. True, it is smaller. However this is not necessarily a bad thing. It made planning the day easier and use of fastpass very efficient. We loved the differences in the attractions, and Main Street is just perfect. Many things are better than Magic Kingdom. Until you ride POC at DL, you really have never seen the ride, it is that much better. Toontown is wonderful, a great spacious place for young kids. Matterhorn is just a great, classic ride. Our favorite of the trip. Indiana Jones is an awesome ride.

I will save the specifics for a trip report on the DL page. My point here is if you ever had reservations of going to DL because of things you had heard or read in comparison to WDW, go and make up your own mind. I'm glad we did and we loved the place.

We also enjoyed CA Adventure very much. It seems a work-in-progress, but what they have is a lot of fun. Soaring is going to be a great addition to Epcot, a very cool ride. CA Screaming is a great coaster, over 6k feet in length. The Alladin show is the best in-park theater show we have ever seen. We stayed at both the DL Hotel and The Grand Californian, both are great hotels.

We also went to Knott's BF, 6Flags Magic Mountain, toured Sony Studios, went to Santa Monica Pier, and stopped in San Antonio for 3 days and did Schlitterbahn.

We had a great trip, and loved every minute of DL and CA. Go, you won't regret it.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Great report! I love the Disneyland Resort, too! I think it would be more accurate for people to say it is just very different from Disney World, not necessarily worse. It may only have two parks, but those parks are very densely packed with attractions (85 rides, 21 shows), unlike the Disney World parks. I look forwart to returning next year

 

[stitch rocks]

these 2 parks are so different.... but they are both great places to visit. i'm glad you had a great time in CA!!! i can;t wait to go back next year (it;s been almost 3 years since i've last been there)

 

[stranger]

All the concern was unwarrented. Disneyland is wonderful and magical. We totally enjoyed ourselves and loved the park. It has the same feeling and more.

We had a great trip, and loved every minute of DL and CA. Go, you won't regret it.

So glad you enjoyed your trip to Disneyland. I've been told what made Disneyland feel special is because it's much smaller then the WDW's MK and it made the experience feel more intimate.
I wish more people wouldn't judge Disneyland by it's size.
Glad California treated you good :wave: .

 

[ToTBellHop]

So glad you enjoyed your trip to Disneyland. I've been told what made Disneyland feel special is because it's much smaller then the WDW's MK and it made the experience feel more intimate.
I wish more people wouldn't judge Disneyland by it's size.
Glad California treated you good :wave: .

It is WAY more intimate than WDW is. When you step onto Main Street, USA, you can see and feel Walt in everything...it sounds odd, but anyone who has been there, I'm sure, knows what I'm talking about...after you get over the first thought in everyone's head: "it's so small!", referring to the Castle )) you start to take in all of the extras that simply did not go into Disney World, from the authentic gas lamps with visible flames lining Main Street (they actually lined the streets of a town I don't recall the name of in the 1800s) to the fact that Main Street is not one big shopping mall like it is at WDW. Then you take note of all of the scenery and how it changes dramatically from land to land (I especially love the plants in Tomorrowland, where Walt decided if he put exotic plants there by their scientific names, people would think they are futuristic), there is just so much extra work that did not go into WDW. Not until you have visited the Disneyland Resort can you understand what is meant by "where the magic began".

 

[Merlin]

So glad you enjoyed your trip to Disneyland. I've been told what made Disneyland feel special is because it's much smaller then the WDW's MK and it made the experience feel more intimate.
I wish more people wouldn't judge Disneyland by it's size.
Glad California treated you good :wave: .

I agree. I think people are way too obsessed with measuring the acreage of the parks when making comparisons as to which is better. I've never understood why that would be all that relevant. Likewise, I don't know why the NUMBER of attractions would automatically translate, in people's minds, to mean that a park is better. If you follow that logic, Six Flags would win hands down over Disney parks because most of their parks are larger AND have more rides than most of the Disney parks. Here's a novel idea....How about basing the comparison on QUALITY versus quantity or size?

Having said that, I'm glad the starter of this thread had a blast! And I agree with the things he/she said about DL (although I still think WDW is better!)

 

[KevinPage]

The wife and I had a great time at DCA when we visited in 2002. It wasn't a perfect park and it was untypical of a tradiontal Disney park.

But I don't think it is as plagued with as many problems as the naysayers ramble on about

 

[Nansafan]

We love DL for all the reasons stated and more. We have been twice and are going back next year for the 50th anniversary. Fantasyland alone is worth the price of admission, Alice, Pinocchio, Mr. Toad, the Matterhorn... Glad to hear you had a great trip. (PS Was the Schlitterbaun as great as it looks on the Travel Channel?)

 

[brentley2]

After many trips to WDW, this year we finally went to the original in CA. I had been warned by many and read numerous reports of how disappointing and small Disneyland would be after experiencing WDW. We prepared ourselves and kept our expectations under control.

All the concern was unwarrented. Disneyland is wonderful and magical. We totally enjoyed ourselves and loved the park. It has the same feeling and more. True, it is smaller. However this is not necessarily a bad thing. It made planning the day easier and use of fastpass very efficient. We loved the differences in the attractions, and Main Street is just perfect. Many things are better than Magic Kingdom. Until you ride POC at DL, you really have never seen the ride, it is that much better. Toontown is wonderful, a great spacious place for young kids. Matterhorn is just a great, classic ride. Our favorite of the trip. Indiana Jones is an awesome ride.

I will save the specifics for a trip report on the DL page. My point here is if you ever had reservations of going to DL because of things you had heard or read in comparison to WDW, go and make up your own mind. I'm glad we did and we loved the place.



We had a great trip, and loved every minute of DL and CA. Go, you won't regret it.

I agree with you, I have had the pleasure of attending DL and DCA twice in the last few years, and there are many things that I love about the CA..it will never take the place of WDW in my heart, but I have started to plan to go to DLR every other year, and fill in the other years with trips to WDW.

Things that I love about DLR:

1) The intimate feeling of the park.

2) That you can easily walk to the other resort and to Downtown Disney. That was so amazing to me! I loved that..it saved so much time, and I didn't feel that crazed, got to go go go feeling like I get at WDW.

3) The differences in the rides, and the different rides...loved Alice and Pinocchio

4) The whole Fantasyland area- great theming!

5) Fantasmic- whether it's at DL or at MGM...both are amazing, but I loved that you were so close to the action at DL.

Things that I found disappointing- only two-
The castle- after seeing the beautiful Cindy castle at MK for years, the Sleeping Beauty castle pales in height and in grandeur.

Tomorrowland- which looks like a dying amusement park in and of itself. They seriously need to get working on that...I know that Buzz is coming, which will help, as will the revamped SM.

All in all, a great park- I bought into the whole "This is where Walt actually was and lived and breathed.." thing when I was there...it is nice to know and see where he fought for quality and for improving guests experiences.
If you go back, the Walking in Walt's steps tour is great..you get to hear great stories about he insisted on quality and theming. One of my favorite stories was the one about how he wanted to put gold spires on the castle, and Roy said absolutely not, they couldn't be afforded, and then Roy made the mistake of going on vacation before the park opened. Guess what was on the castle when Roy got back from vacation? Gold spires....Walt knew what the real deal was...

 

[bgraham34]

I was there in 2000. I liked the park. Its got a different feel. Almost cozy feeling. Also When I went I thought the Cast Members were friendlier there than Orlando at some points.

 

[skiier04]

Nice Report. I too have been to WDW many times, but never Disneyland. However I am going to disneyland this spring, and I can't wait!

 

[KevinPage]

The Matterhorn was WAY more impressive than I thought it would be. That ride must have scared the beejesus out of people in the 50's. It has such an out of control feeling even compared to rides that are bigger and faster these days. Just goes to show you it's how you transition between the elements, nor just #'s for height and speed.

And my favorite part of DL - MINT JULEPS & Gumbo in a breadbowl. Totally amazing. Yeah you can get a breadbowl at Columbia Harbor House, but it pales in comparision

 

[Smee]

We love DL for all the reasons stated and more. We have been twice and are going back next year for the 50th anniversary. Fantasyland alone is worth the price of admission, Alice, Pinocchio, Mr. Toad, the Matterhorn... Glad to hear you had a great trip. (PS Was the Schlitterbaun as great as it looks on the Travel Channel?)

Schlitterbahn is a great place. It is very large, actually 2 parks (east and west) with a tram service that runs between. Each of the 2 parks is further divided into 2 sections. We allotted 2 days and needed it all to truely enjoy the place and try everything. Master Blaster is the signature attraction and is great fun (one of 3 blast rides). The lines for MB get insanely long, 2 hour waits were the norm. We did it first thing when gates opened and only waited about 25 minutes.

The park has many things you won't see in other water parks. Many great tube slides and the surfing attraction is a blast. The tube slides take advantage of the hillside so they are long and very natural in their settings.

One thing not highlighted on travel channel is the river that flows through the park. The Comal River is the shortest natural river in the USA. It's source is an aquifier so the water is of pristine quality. The tube rides at SB are all river water. You can rent tubes and float down the 2 mile length of the river. This is not a SB attraction but it is right there through the heart of the park.
You can also stay in the park and literally walk out your door onto an attraction. The accomodations are somewhat spartan, but the convenience is unbeatable. SB is located in a largely residential area of New Baunfels, so there is not much in the immediate area of the park. The closest fast food was several miles away.

We had a great time, it's get crowded but the size of the place makes it manageable. And San Antonio is only 30 miles away, we took in the Alamo and Riverwalk as well.

 

[Disneyland1970]

I'm glad to see you had such a great time Smee! DL will always be home to me. Being a California native stuck in Georgia 3 years now, I am a frequent visitor to WDW, but still miss DL!! We will be back for the 50th next year, and I can't wait!! I was there for the 25Th and 35th and can't wait for the 50th. I remember on the 25th DL gave away a GM car everyday for a year, It was very cool. I have a feeling that Eisner will keep the festivities a little more low key

What Tower did you stay in at DLH?

Did you like Knotts?? Did you get a Chicken Dinner? I have not been there in a couple of years, but we always liked to go there for dinner! Alot more locals at Knotts so the crowds can be a little more wild!

 

[marni1971]

Until you ride POC at DL, you really have never seen the ride, it is that much better. QUOTE]


Try DLP`s POC - imagine Splash Mountain with pirates, its that heavily themed and drop - intensive!

 

[ToTBellHop]

Until you ride POC at DL, you really have never seen the ride, it is that much better. QUOTE]


Try DLP`s POC - imagine Splash Mountain with pirates, its that heavily themed and drop - intensive!

this is why I don't understand how Paris can have such an amazing Magic Kingdom and then that trashy Studios park next door...

 

[netenyahoo]

We are going to DL in August and I can't wait. We love DL as much as WDW and always have a good time. It is a lot easier to get around the parks at DL which makes it a more relaxing vacation for us.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

I'm hoping to go to DL next summer! I can't wait to go! I was there when I was 7...but that was almost 20 years ago! It will be neat to walk where Walt once walked!

TheDisneyGirl02

 

[LadyDarling]

After many trips to WDW, this year we finally went to the original in CA. I had been warned by many and read numerous reports of how disappointing and small Disneyland would be after experiencing WDW. We prepared ourselves and kept our expectations under control.

All the concern was unwarrented. Disneyland is wonderful and magical. We totally enjoyed ourselves and loved the park. It has the same feeling and more. True, it is smaller. However this is not necessarily a bad thing. It made planning the day easier and use of fastpass very efficient. We loved the differences in the attractions, and Main Street is just perfect. Many things are better than Magic Kingdom. Until you ride POC at DL, you really have never seen the ride, it is that much better. Toontown is wonderful, a great spacious place for young kids. Matterhorn is just a great, classic ride. Our favorite of the trip. Indiana Jones is an awesome ride.

I will save the specifics for a trip report on the DL page. My point here is if you ever had reservations of going to DL because of things you had heard or read in comparison to WDW, go and make up your own mind. I'm glad we did and we loved the place.

We also enjoyed CA Adventure very much. It seems a work-in-progress, but what they have is a lot of fun. Soaring is going to be a great addition to Epcot, a very cool ride. CA Screaming is a great coaster, over 6k feet in length. The Alladin show is the best in-park theater show we have ever seen. We stayed at both the DL Hotel and The Grand Californian, both are great hotels.

We also went to Knott's BF, 6Flags Magic Mountain, toured Sony Studios, went to Santa Monica Pier, and stopped in San Antonio for 3 days and did Schlitterbahn.

We had a great trip, and loved every minute of DL and CA. Go, you won't regret it.

As a resident Californian and an annual passholder - thanks for visiting OUR parks! he he he. Having been to both WDW and DLR, I have to say they are both great in thier own rights and have a unqiue feel to them. Definately worth at least trying.

 

[Smee]

I'm glad to see you had such a great time Smee! DL will always be home to me. Being a California native stuck in Georgia 3 years now, I am a frequent visitor to WDW, but still miss DL!! We will be back for the 50th next year, and I can't wait!! I was there for the 25Th and 35th and can't wait for the 50th. I remember on the 25th DL gave away a GM car everyday for a year, It was very cool. I have a feeling that Eisner will keep the festivities a little more low key

What Tower did you stay in at DLH?

Did you like Knotts?? Did you get a Chicken Dinner? I have not been there in a couple of years, but we always liked to go there for dinner! Alot more locals at Knotts so the crowds can be a little more wild!

We stayed in Bonita tower, had a 10th floor room with a view of both the pool and DL, loved it.

I liked Knotts although we went on a bad day. It was about the last day of school in the area and there were 10K kids there during the day on a field trip, it was pretty crazy and made for long lines. They cleared out around 4:30 PM but the park was only open to 8:00 PM. Xcelerator was closed until further notice because of an issue with the restraints (someone almost fell out the previous week was the story from a worker). Had some Knotts chicken.

We are a coaster crazy family, ACE members and all. 6FlagsMM has some amazing stuff although Superman was closed (not an unusual thing a local informed). X is just plain nuts, maybe the wildest thing I've ever been on.
But the coaster we all liked the best was Matterhorn, we road it about 8 times over 3 days. A true classic, totally awesome at night. Walt was light years ahead of his time when this ride opened. Not the highest, not the fastest, not the most of anything. Just enough of everything and a little Disney magic to make it a timeless classic.