We just got back tonight. We stayed for 3 nights at the Grand Californian. It was our first trip to DL, we go about once a year to WDW, but decided to try it for a change. As pretty much everyone who's been to both will tell you, it is a VERY different experience going to DL than WDW. We felt that WDW was much more organized and geared towards tourists. DL seemed to be geared towards CA residents, day visitors, and business people. It was ineteresting seeing where everything began, but in someways saddening bercause it seemed to lack the magic that WDW has. There were some cast members who were very polite and helpful, but others were just not what we are used to at WDW. It was fun walking around the parks having everything be new, but still somewhat familiar. We enjoyed seeing how the imagineers took the original DL designs and recreated them @ the MK. Some things we definitely liked better @ DL than @ MK(POTC, IASW, and of course we had to see Mr. Toad!).
MANY of the restaurants and rides were closed during our visit....
@ DL:
Indiana Jones Adventure, Tiki Juice Bar, River Belle Terrace, Cafe Orleans, Harbour Galley, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Mark Twain Riverboat, Rancho del Zocalo, Disneyland Railraod - Tomorrowland Station, Space Mountain, Radio Disney, Moonliner, (some abandoned rocket ride traveling over Tomorrowland), Pinnochio's Daring Journey, Village Haus, Carnation Cafe (we tried to make a reservation and the Disney Dining CM told us they weren't accepting dinner reservations, it was walk up only, and we got there at 6pm and the place was closed!).
@DCA:
Bountiful Valley Farm, Sideshow Shirts (and surrounding stores/games @ Paradise Pier), Superstar Limo, Schmoozies, Cool Your Jets Refreshments, and for the most part the Golden Vine Winery Tours were not running.
Many of the attractions closed early, but the closing times were not on the park info or posted at the attraction. Oddly enough, the park maps are all printed for the current week, but they still have rides that have been closed for months or down for refurbishment listed as open. The lack of accurate, organized inforamtion was astounding being used to WDW.
We enjoyed seeing 'where the magic began', but we will probably stick with WDW for now on.