We are devoted WDW fans, but have made a couple trips from Illinois to Disneyland -- and loved it. There's something magical about walking through the castle that Walt built and stood under. The experience is more quaint than the sprawling WDW, but a real Disney fan shouldn't miss it. You have to see what THEIR Tinker Bell does in the nighttime spectacular, and, yes, there is that special appearance by a big-eared pachyderm. It's a special, special place -- if you love all things Disney, you MUST see the original.