Trip Report The “lets count the ways Land is greater than World” as seen through the eyes of the #noobsfromgeorgia.

Whelp, this may be a record start of a TR for me. I’m sitting in LAX right now waiting to board and doing my best to put off grading the 30 term papers I need to have done by Monday so why not start this report! There is no true PTR to reference for this trip other than the breadcrumbs I dropped over in the Deja Vu TR. The lowdown is as follows:
The crew: DW, DD, and Myself

Lodging: 1 night at Paradise Pier and 4 nights at The Grand Californian.
The plan: 2 days at Disneyland and 2 days at California Adventure in the following order CS/DL/CA/DL

Despite the title, I promise this wont be a dump on WDW TR but it was hard to ignore the things that DL does so dang well. That said, lets do this.

This journey starts with a night at the Holiday Inn & Suites Atlanta Airport-North. We’ve stayed here once before for a Disney trip and had a great experience. What is nice about this place is you get to park your car for the length of the trip just for staying the night at the hotel and they shuttle you to and from the airport. This is especially nice when you have an early flight, which we did. The accommodations are nice enough and serve the purpose.

We let yelp help us find dinner and found a fantastic taco stand located in a hole-in-the-wall in the bad side of town. Worth it!

As I said before we had to fly out at 06:13 which meant we had to get up early. Andrew W.K woke us up at 04:10 so we could get down to the lobby for the 4:40 shuttle. This was still better than the 3:00 wakeup call we would have had to do if we drove straight from home!

My naive mind had me thinking we would be the only folks at Atlanta’s Hartsfield–Action-Jackson- Atlanta International Airport and Spaceport. Yeah, it was hopping!

We had a mild wait to get through security and were soon enjoying some bagels at our gate with 30ish minutes to spare.

This was our first time flying American and I would absolutely fly them again! The complementary in-flight movies/TV on demand for laptops and iDevices was appreciated and every row had charges to plug your devise in! We got seated and I immediately had to embarrass the kid before watching The Avengers: Half Ya’ll Gonna Die.

 

[lostpro9het]

WDW is quantity and DLR is quality

Accurate assessment, IMO.

So after dinner we made the short walk towards the main entrance of CA. We took it slow and grabbed just a few pics.

Something we decided before arriving was the goal to ride everything new to us at least once. The drawback to this goal meant we had to checkoff Grizzly River Run at least once. We came prepared with ponchos, Universal Studios Florida ponchos. Theming was superior to Kali and had it been warmer this evening we might could have enjoyed it a little more but we were very cautious to not get wet and we succeeded.

It was cute to see the grizzly's Christmas sweater was illuminated too.

Walking through Grizzly Peak at night during the season is beautiful. They had, what looked like, mason jars hanging from the trees with different colored lights in them. It was very pretty.

 

[imahistorygeek]

The Unofficial Guide lists Grizzly River Run as the superior ride of its type. It was...what I saw of it. I was trying my best to not get wet! The UG was correct. This was way more fun that Kali River Rapids in AK. There is a fog effect used in this ride that really makes you feel as though you are on a river. This same fog effect was present in Pirates in DL as well. It really does add to the theming of the rides.

 

[lostpro9het]

We continued towards PP as we had another FP for Incredicoaster coming up. We had a few minutes til our window opened so we decided to see if Mickey's Death Wheel was just as scary at night.

Spoiler: Spoiler

It was, the ladies disliked it just as much as our day ride.

After surviving the wheel we enjoyed the Pixarmonic Orchestra for a bit. They were very entertaining and did a great job of incorporating the Pixar library of music.

Still had some time to kill so the DD played some games. She didn't do well tonight but our next day here she and her mom would clean up.

After that we continued to the ride. I snapped a couple pics trying to catch the ride shoot by, I'm happy how it came out despite the red blur.

The coaster is just as exciting at night! DD was all business.

 

[flynnibus]

The Unofficial Guide lists Grizzly River Run as the superior ride of its type. It was...what I saw of it. I was trying my best to not get wet! The UG was correct. This was way more fun that Kali River Rapids in AK.

Yes, and they scale it back for the colder seasons too. They can amp up the rapids and water effects in summer. So you got the 'tamer' experience Kali in DAK is a disappointment of a ride it got so cut and then of course what they've done to it since. GRR and Bluto's at IOA are where it's at for Raft rides.

 

[MinnieM123]

Maybe I'm wrong, but DLR doesn't have a dining plan and that has got to play into the quality of the food at DLR.

I've never been to DLR. I've also never purchased the DDP at WDW. However, I have heard from a number of people that when the DDP was introduced to WDW, the quality at (some) of the full service restaurants was just not the same, as before the DDP.

 

[flynnibus]

I've never been to DLR. I've also never purchased the DDP at WDW. However, I have heard from a number of people that when the DDP was introduced to WDW, the quality at (some) of the full service restaurants was just not the same, as before the DDP.

They don't have DDP - but they did have a pre-paid dining voucher program... that made no sense and only the suckers bought it. They don't have any current program AFAIK

Disneyland Dining used to be very thin... with many common running jokes about the horrid state of some of the pizza and burgers. With DCA v2 they made a real focus on trying to expand the menus and be more hip/etc in their healthy food menus. That focus has lifted some of the menus as they refresh them.. but enlarge DL is pretty basic. DCA has more options... as it was very adult focused for DCA v1 leading to more venues.

 

[LittleTuna12]

Finally caught up! Loving the TR!

 

[amjt660]

The Unofficial Guide lists Grizzly River Run as the superior ride of its type. It was...what I saw of it. I was trying my best to not get wet! The UG was correct. This was way more fun that Kali River Rapids in AK. There is a fog effect used in this ride that really makes you feel as though you are on a river. This same fog effect was present in Pirates in DL as well. It really does add to the theming of the rides.

Roaring Rapids at Shanghai Disney was hyped high but I rode it on a cold day and did not fully appreciate it
I think it gives GRR a run for the money with its themeing

Max

 

[lostpro9het]

Finals are over! Those on IG know I can bring the Christmas sweater party too!

We departed PP and took a stroll towards Hollywood Land again. Along the way we stopped off at one of the Festival booths and picked up this fella

This was the “Hot Cocoa” Marshmallow Macaron. I thought it was OK but macarons aren't my scene. The ladies liked it, IIRC.

HL is a wonderful sight at night.

The ladies didn't have the best of luck with this ride pic.

After GotG the DD decided she was done for the day so she took the shortcut via GP to head back to the room and the DW and I grabbed a flight.

UT Notes: Ommegang's Rosetta 2.25/5 Pretty much tasted like adult 7-UP

UT Notes: Aftershock's Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Ale 2.75/5 Its like drinking gingerbread

UT Notes: Karl Strauss's 9 Bonfires Blazing Golden Stout 3.75/5 Decent coffee notes, repeatable

Didn't pic the milk stout since I had it earlier.

 

[lostpro9het]

After our flight we decided to cash in our RSR FP. As beautiful as HL was at night Cars Land took it to the next level.

While in Sarge's they had this really cool model of Radiator Springs.

When we exited we caught Mater pulling in as McQueen was pulling away.

 

[lostpro9het]

We continued down the street grabbing a few more pics before our RSR FP.

This would conclude our first day in a DL park and we killed it! We rode all the rides CA had to offer, several multiple times. MaxPass proved to be worth every penny. Even if MP didn't include the ride photos it would still be worth it. We ended up getting MaxPasses for 9 rides today including 3 for icredicoaster, 2 GotG, and 2 RSR and that was with us taking a few hours away from the park to rest! Festival of the Holidays was excellent and we only scratched the surface of what they offered. Would dig deeper into the offerings in two days time. We left CA with no regrets today. We left even more excited knowing tomorrow we would be in the OG walking in the footsteps! We took the shortcut into VGC and as we entered the lobby they had singers performing in front of the gingerbread house, very festive.

When we hit our we took a couple pics from our balcony before taking a shower and hitting the bed, what a great first day! Tomorrow, Disneyland!

 

[amjt660]

Great first day at the parks
Looking forward to more!!

Max

 

[MickeyCB]

We continued down the street grabbing a few more pics before our RSR FP.
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This would conclude our first day in a DL park and we killed it! We rode all the rides CA had to offer, several multiple times. MaxPass proved to be worth every penny. Even if MP didn't include the ride photos it would still be worth it. We ended up getting MaxPasses for 9 rides today including 3 for icredicoaster, 2 GotG, and 2 RSR and that was with us taking a few hours away from the park to rest! Festival of the Holidays was excellent and we only scratched the surface of what they offered. Would dig deeper into the offerings in two days time. We left CA with no regrets today. We left even more excited knowing tomorrow we would be in the OG walking in the footsteps! We took the shortcut into VGC and as we entered the lobby they had singers performing in front of the gingerbread house, very festive.
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When we hit our we took a couple pics from our balcony before taking a shower and hitting the bed, what a great first day! Tomorrow, Disneyland!
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We have been to Disneyland only once a few years ago, and I absolutely fell in love with cars land. We got to ride RSR once in the day and once at night. It was just AMAZING! I have never been to the Asian parks, but between WDW and Disneyland, Cars Land is probably my favorite. (Pandora a close 2nd).
Your pictures are just beautiful and bring back great memories, can't wait to see more!

 

[lostpro9het]

Great first day at the parks
Looking forward to more!!

Max

Thank you, sir, on it!

We have been to Disneyland only once a few years ago, and I absolutely fell in love with cars land. We got to ride RSR once in the day and once at night. It was just AMAZING! I have never been to the Asian parks, but between WDW and Disneyland, Cars Land is probably my favorite. (Pandora a close 2nd).
Your pictures are just beautiful and bring back great memories, can't wait to see more!

Thank so much! I'm with you, Cars Land > Pandora its also better than Toy Story Land too, IMO.

Now that I've submitted my final grades for the semester my free time has exponentially gone up! My goal really is to wrap this up before NYE and since the county school system is affording us 2 weeks off, starting on Friday, I think I can get this done. Speaking of NYE we have another change. No more creep but a slight change in venue. I've been checking the DVC availability every day with hopes of something opening up for NYE and this week a 1-bdrm at OKW did. Despite our feelings for OKW its proximity to DTD made it more desirable than our room at CSR. Plus, the kiddo would have her own living area and we would have ours. So we grabbed the OKW and dropped the CSR. Now, back to our first day at DL.

We got up early again and I made the trek to Starbucks before the ladies were ready to save some time. A few minutes later they joined me and we made our way to the front of the park. we were third in line for extra magic hours and noticed a familiar face in the line next to us. Sure enough the same dude that was "Holding a place in line" for him and his party of 10 yesterday was there front and center waiting for the rest of his crew.

Soon the countdown was on and we were entering the park, a lot easier this time since we had no pics to take.

Turning on main street was so exciting. The decorations were beautiful but I will give the edge to WDW in regards to decorating main street.

 

[lostpro9het]

As we entered the park I hopped on the app, still far superior to WDW's app, and signed us up for MaxPass again. The DW had a TouringPlans itinerary for us to follow today so I started grabbing the required FPs. Our first ride of DL would have to be SM, thankfully our itinerary agreed.

The queue, like the ride itself, is very different than WDW and VERY long! It felt like we walked half a mile just to get from the front of the queue to the ride.

Anyone who has been following along since we started sharing here 4+ years ago knows what I gotta do for our first SM ride.
A little bit of then:

A little bit of now:

Don't blink, ya'll, it passes by fast!

First impressions of SM:
Its awesome as all get out!

This was definitely the top two ride at DL and top 3 of the trip. DW kept asking how it compared to WDW and I struggled with this. I just don't feel the rides are the same at all. They are both in the dark and both called Space Mountain but that is about it for the similarities. I also have a soft, nostalgic, spot in my heart for WDW SM and trying to dethrone just isn't going to happen. Again, though, two very different ride experiences to me both of which are great. One thing that could be improved upon, IMO, is the music they play in the ride vehicles. The ladies really liked it but I felt it sounded like music from the Tom Cruise versions of Mission Impossible. It just didn't fit right. What did fit was the beginning of the ride! The visual effect of the spinning chamber was just fantastic. We would be revisiting this ride several more times today.

 

[lostpro9het]

So the FP I grabbed was for the Matterhorn but we still had time before that kicked in.

Up next on the itinerary was Alice in Wonderland. This is a cute little dark ride that is hard to get good pictures of!

The teacups were adjacent to Alice.

 

[lostpro9het]

We then moved on towards Pinocchio. We passed the Sword in the Stone along the way.

Pinocchio was another cute dark ride that followed the movie storyboard. For its age it is very well maintained and very well themed.

 

[lostpro9het]

After Pinocchio we moved on to Mr. Toads. I feel like I've said this before but this was a cute dark ride. What surprised me was some of the adult scenes in this ride and that the snowflake PC police hasn't bastardized this ride yet. Anyhow, I can see why it is a classic.

 

[lostpro9het]

About a week before we arrived the Matterhorn came off of a refurbishment so we were fortunate to get to ride this, or so we thought. I had zero idea what this ride was going to be like but I had a feeling it was going to be like an outdoor WDW SM, boy was I wrong!

Look how happy and naive we look before the ride.

You could definitely smell the new paint as we ascended the hill. I was still getting excited for a smooth coaster experience, NOPE! I think I was jarred and slammed less in Primeval Whirl and Goofy Sky School combined than this ride. I could not believe how uncomfortable this ride was. The yetis were well placed and I'm sure scared the kiddies but I was still overcoming the bruised ribs to fully enjoy the theming. We would try this ride again just to make sure it wasn't an early morning fail.

After our tumble with the yeti we made for BTM via the back path. We said hello to Monstro before leaving Fantasyland.

The walk was not busy and it was neat transitioning from the canyon facade to the woody facade.

 

[CaliKris]

The "Batterhorn" really beats you up! I did not ride this time, but my family tells me it is better since the refurb. So you rode the smoother, better version. LOL!

I am really partial to Space Mountain at DL because of the speakers, rider configuration and smooth ride. They completely replaced the track in 2005 and I really think WDW's SM is overdue for a new track. I have nostalgia for DL's Space. I remember when it opened

Love that you rode all the dark rides in Fantasyland. I really hope they don't mess with our Mr. Toad. He is not politically correct and we love him for it! Grew up with him as well!