I just returned from a 9 day trip where we stayed at the Disney's Grand Californian. Did 2 days at Disneyland, 2 days at DCA, 1 day at Universal, 1 day at Legoland, 1 day at Getty Museum/Hollywood and 1 day at Reagan Library/Malibu Beach. Hotel was great as expected. It is hard to overestimate the convenience of walking into the parks from the Grand Californian.
Disneyland - I'm an East Coaster but quite simply, Disneyland is the best Disney theme park in the U.S. in my opinion (I haven't been outside the U.S.). In addition to the rides that are not at the Magic Kingdom (Indiana Jones, Matterhorn, Fantasyland, etc.), Disneyland's version of Space Mountain, Small World, Buzz Lightyear, Pirates of the Caribbean were all clearly superior IMO. The only rides where I thought Florida's were better were Jungle Cruise, Peter Pan and Splash Mountain. Everything else is comparable.
Small World - I have to admit I liked the Disney character additions to Small World. We had a good time trying to find them all and I didn't feel like it detracted from the spirit of the attraction at all.
Nemo's Sub Adventure - This was OK and was better than nothing in this space but its not something you repeat because its such an investment in time of the load/re-load capabilities.
Fantasmic - In my opinion, after World of Color is up and running Fantasmic ought to be scrapped. First, I've always thought it was an average at best show and the Rivers of America venue is just so problematic. I think the worst job in Disney may be the people who have to tell people where they can and where they can't congregate to watch Fantasmic. Having that many people clogging that area for 2 hours in advance of the show seems impractical in my opinion.
California Adventure - I like this park. Of course, it will be better when Little Mermaid and Carsland are up and running but I think its a fun park now. California Screamin may be my favorite coaster in the world. Retheming the elements of the roller coaster (no mickey) and the Fun Wheel (add Mickey) are OK but I don't think they make the area look any better. Toy Story Midway Mania is a tremendous ride. Just a lot of fun though it could use a fastpass option because it was 45m - hour pretty much everytime we tried to ride.
California Adventure Main Entrance - To be a little contrarian - I like it as is. I think the re-theming of this area to the time when Walt arrived is a waste of resources.
Soarin' over California - Much prefer the Condor Flats/Edward AFB/Legends of Flight theming of California to the airport terminal theming of Florida.
If I think of additional review comments, I'll post them later.
Disneyland - I'm an East Coaster but quite simply, Disneyland is the best Disney theme park in the U.S. in my opinion (I haven't been outside the U.S.). In addition to the rides that are not at the Magic Kingdom (Indiana Jones, Matterhorn, Fantasyland, etc.), Disneyland's version of Space Mountain, Small World, Buzz Lightyear, Pirates of the Caribbean were all clearly superior IMO. The only rides where I thought Florida's were better were Jungle Cruise, Peter Pan and Splash Mountain. Everything else is comparable.
Small World - I have to admit I liked the Disney character additions to Small World. We had a good time trying to find them all and I didn't feel like it detracted from the spirit of the attraction at all.
Nemo's Sub Adventure - This was OK and was better than nothing in this space but its not something you repeat because its such an investment in time of the load/re-load capabilities.
Fantasmic - In my opinion, after World of Color is up and running Fantasmic ought to be scrapped. First, I've always thought it was an average at best show and the Rivers of America venue is just so problematic. I think the worst job in Disney may be the people who have to tell people where they can and where they can't congregate to watch Fantasmic. Having that many people clogging that area for 2 hours in advance of the show seems impractical in my opinion.
California Adventure - I like this park. Of course, it will be better when Little Mermaid and Carsland are up and running but I think its a fun park now. California Screamin may be my favorite coaster in the world. Retheming the elements of the roller coaster (no mickey) and the Fun Wheel (add Mickey) are OK but I don't think they make the area look any better. Toy Story Midway Mania is a tremendous ride. Just a lot of fun though it could use a fastpass option because it was 45m - hour pretty much everytime we tried to ride.
California Adventure Main Entrance - To be a little contrarian - I like it as is. I think the re-theming of this area to the time when Walt arrived is a waste of resources.
Soarin' over California - Much prefer the Condor Flats/Edward AFB/Legends of Flight theming of California to the airport terminal theming of Florida.
If I think of additional review comments, I'll post them later.
