Ok. The time has come to actually write something. So here goes. I'll go ride by ride and give thoughts/comparisons/whatever comes to mind. Warning: This is gonna be long.
Hotel: I didn't stay on property. I saved a few bucks, and stayed directly across the street at the Anaheim Plaza Hotel. It was decent. Nothing lavish. But it took me about five minutes to get from the hotel to the main esplanade, so you can't beat the location. And from the patio of my hotel room, I had a view of the ToT. Which was nice.
Esplanade: Very VERY bizarre to see the two parks were so close to each other. LOL. So not used to that. But it takes park hopping to a completely new level! Grab a fastpass in this park. Run to the next park and ride something. Grab a fastpass and head back to park 1 to use your first fastpass. Ride something else. Head back to park 2 to use your other fastpass. It's a whole new game at Disneyland! An then DTD is right there too. So convenient.
DTD: This should just be renamed Times Square Redux. What with Sephora, Quicksilver, Build a Bear, Jamba Juice, etc. I was shocked at how non-Disney related the stores were. And that some of the Grand Californian balconies were actually on top of some of the stores. Everything at this resort is literally smashed right up against something else, which in some instances was a nice change, and in others, just bizarre.
Main Street: HOW QUAINT AND CHARMING! I adored Main Street! What I loved most was the brick sidewalks as opposed to just reddish concrete. The stores were all unique and varied, as opposed to WDW's where everything seems to resemble the all-purpose Emporium. Loved the Penny Arcade. Made sure to visit Esmerelda. I also particulary enjoyed how one facade on Main Street was nothing more than a porch with some rocking chairs. Does WDW have this? I don't remember it having one.
Hub: From here I really got a look at how different things were. The Astro Orbiter was literally right at the entrance to Tomorrowland, making it often in the same line of sight as the castle. Was a weird change to see them so close together. As well as the bridges to Adventureland and Fronteirland appearing very close together.
Castle: I knew it was going to be small, so that didn't really take me by surprise or anything. It really really is gorgeous right now. I thought it was adorable.
Tiki Room: Loved seeing the Tiki Room not under new management. And the "queue" area is much much better than the one in WDW. With the various Tiki statues out front giving their own "show." Thumbs up!
Jungle Cruise: Pretty much the same ride. No tunnel though, but I didn't mind that. I loved loved loved the pirhanas! Scared the crap outta me when it first happened, and thought it was a great effect.
Indy: WAY COOL RIDE! I've always heard it was the same track layout as Dinosaur, but after riding it, I have questions. On Indy you can see how the track goes over and under itself in various places (most notably, the bridge). Does the Dinosaur track do that as well? When comparing, I have to give the nod to INDY. Dinosaur is just too dark to see anything and actually being able to see on INDY makes it more enjoyable for me.
Treehouse: The entrance is right in the middle of the Adventureland path. But that was the only difference really noticable...other than it being themed toward Tarzan.
New Orleans Square: Loved getting to see a new land I had never seen any version of before.
Haunted Mansion: Pretty much the same. Liked the pet cemetary being part of the queue, as I barely even notice it at WDW being by the exit. And I liked the hallway with the paintings that change with the lighting right after the stretching room. Leota's ball floats around the room which is WAY COOL.
Pirates: It was longer and a bit better, but the queue at WDW is far better. Lousy queue in Disneyland. But I loved floating through the Blue Bayou at the beginning of the ride better than floating through a cavern.
Disney Gallery: Loved the artwork here. Now, if only I was Richie Rich, my walls would be graced with everything inside the gallery.
Splash Mountain: Oh my, it was a short ride! The story was very quickly presented it seemed. But other than the length of the ride, it was basically the same.
Pooh: Pretty much the same, except you don't bounce with Tigger. I missed that part.
Big Thunder: It was hard to tell with the differences in themeing and decor, but it seemed like pretty much the same track layout. Yes? No? (Yes, Donnie, I rode in the back seat)
Shootin Arcade: This was wonky. At WDW, I would get about a good five minutes worth of shootin for my money, but in Disneyland, I only got about 15 "bullets." And the aiming was completely off. Even aiming at the target two feet in front of me, I was missing unless I aimed way below the target. I ended up only hitting a target once. Lame.
Petting Farm: I played with a goat
Toontown: Puts WDW's toontown to shame. DEEP DEEP SHAME. Was so whimsical and fun to just walk around exploring. Personal favorite...the characters mailboxes at the post office.
Cartoon Spin: Cute. But the wait was not worth the ride. Was it just me, or does it require some muscle to get those things to spin? It was like a gym workout, lol. I really liked the effect where Roger puts the hole onto the wall and then you drive through it.
Fantasyland: Liked it better than WDWs. Not really sure why, but it just gave me better vibes or something.
Alice in Wonderland: Yay! A new darkride for me! Liked how it went outside on an elevated track and winded around. That was nice.
Small World: Loved the facade and clock tower with the dolls coming out every fifteen minutes. Also found it interesting how the tracks for the boat aren't in a "pool" but rather there is just a trough that you float threw and all the sets are outside of the trough.
Matterhorn: I liked it a lot. Didn't love it, but liked it a lot. Let's hope Everest's Yeti is a bit more intense though :lol: Also, liked the track on the left better than the one on the right.
Mr. Toad: Had never ridden this at WDW, so this was my trip to nowhere in particular. I'm not familiar with the story, so can someone tell me why on earth I ended up in hell?! :lol:
Pinocchio: Yet another completely new ride for me, so it was fun to experience.
Snow White: Where was the scene with her getting kissed by the prince? Liked the queen in the upstairs window peeking out at the guests every few minutes.
Storybook Land Canal Boats: Cute. Nothing amazing. But a nice way to spend time waiting for a fastpass to roll around or something.
Snow White: An Enchanting Musical: Now why aren't all Disney shows like this?! I know I might be biased because one of my best friends is in it, but all that aside it was an amazing show. The sets were Broadway caliber. The talent was wonderful! The production value was just really top notch. I saw it three times while I was there and could've gone for more :lol:
Astro Blasters: THANK YOU for allowing us to remove the guns from the ride vehicle. Was much less annoying and frustrating that way. I ended up being a Level 4 Space Scout.
Monorail: Was surprised the monorail wasn't really for transportation as it only had two stops. It's more of a ride in Disneyland. I was shocked by Tomorrowland in general to see that the monorail, people mover (is this still used? I never saw it running), and Autopia all seemed to criss-cross each other like a giant plate of transportation spaghetti.
As far as characters went, I didn't see them out and about as much as you do in WDW. And when I would see some, it seemed like they were just able to roam around somewhat. Which is nice in theory. Adds to the illusion that they all live there and we just happened to run into them, but made for some annoyances with no real line to mean them. Mobs of kids kept me from meeting Peter Pan for far too long. And nobody comes between me and my Pan and lives to tell about it :lol:
Parade of Dreams: What an awesome parade! I watched it several times hoping to see as many of the show stops as possible, and ended up seeing Pinocchio, Beauty and the Beast, Alice, and Lion King. I love love LOVE the theme song for this parade and the introduction to each stop (the part where Walt speaks). I must get a copy of the music as soon as humanly possible.
Remember...Dreams Come True: This fireworks show is absolutely mind blowing. I would consider paying for a round-trip flight, hotel accomodations, and park admission just to see those fireworks and do nothing else. It's so incredible. I purposely refrained from watching and videos of it just so it would all be a complete surprise for me, and I am so glad I did. And Tink's flight is just awesome. Best fireworks show I have ever ever seen. EVER.
Now...onto DCA...
Soarin: This was also my first experience with Soarin, as I made myself not watch any video or anything of it. I was blown away by this ride. It really is top notch. I've never experienced an audience reaction like Soarin got. When they hoist you up into place, the entire room let out a gasp, and upon returning to the ground, the entire room burst into applause. It really was quite an experience.
Grizzly River Run: This makes Kali look like crap. It really does. A much better ride, and I actually got wet, something that has never happened on Kali. The queue was well over an hour long, so I took advantage of the single rider line and were on a raft in about 4 minutes. Sure, you don't get to ride together that way, but it's a small price to pay to save yourself an hour of doing nothing.
California Screamin: How refreshing to ride a coaster isn't over in 30 seconds. This one seemed to go on for quite some time, and that was much appreciated!
Sun Wheel: I opted for a swinging gondola, and thought it added a nice change to an otherwise basic ride on a ferris wheel. The only thing I would've liked about a stationary gondola would be that they go higher and you get a better view.
Orange Stinger: Love the swings!
Maliboomer: The line was so short for this when I went on it that I was in the seat and strapped in before I had time for it to really register in my brain that I was about to shot up into the air. And by then it was too late. But what a rush!
Golden Zephyr: Someone tell me why I enjoyed this ride...because I really don't know why! There's literally nothing to it, but it was so nice and relaxing.
Mulholland Madness: Excuse me, but who allowed this to be built? At least Primeval throws in the spinning to spice it up a bit.
Tower of Terror: I hate to say it, but I wasn't in love with it. The first thing that disappointed me was the lobby of the hotel. It just didn't seem dilapidated enough. It was very bright and airy, which just seemed wrong. And the number of cobwebs was seriously lacking. The mirror effect instead of the fifth dimension was interesting, but didn't make up for not having the fifth dimension. The drop sequence didn't thrill me either. But the parts I did like. Instead of a window breaking at the end of the starfield, they used the ghostly elevator image, which I liked. I also liked the stars that appear after your elevator comes to a stop better than the spinning black and white spiral video. The tower seemed shorter than the one in WDW, but I assumed that was because it was wider (with three drop shafts) making it look more boxy.
Aladdin Show: I hope Kirsten doesn't kill me (
) but I just didn't fall in love with this one. Technically it was impressive, and the theatre is very nice, but I'm just not a personal fan of the kind of humor used by the Genie. And since the show relies heavily on it, it kinda tarnished the whole thing for me. Add to that that someone missed their cue and there was about 20 seconds of dead time while everyone just stood there staring at each other, along with the singing Aladdin and stunt Aladdin looking NOTHING like each other, just didn't thrill me. I'm also bitter than Proud of Your Boy isn't used in the show
Block Party Bash: Are those cast members on speed?! LOL. I don't know how they do it three times per parade. It was so high energy. Lots of fun though.
Electrical Parade: I didn't get to see it!
It wasn't scheduled for any night while I was there! I was so devastated!
Grand Californian: This was the only hotel I visited while there, and thought it was gorgeous. I spent a few minutes in a rocking chair by the fireplace (why on earth do people in California need a fireplace, lol!) recovering from a long day before hitting the parks again. Would've loved to have seen inside a room, but I've got Samantha Brown for that.
And that, my DFM (dear forum members
), is my trip report. I'm sure I forgot something and will think of it later, at which point I will add a reply to mention it. Any questions/comments....bring em on!
(And a special thank you to Rodney for helping to make it an incredible weekend. I'm lucky to have you as a friend!)
I can't wait to read the trip report!
