Hello all!
I just got back from visiting Disneyland for the first time. I've been a seasoned WDW traveler, and decided to goto the park that started it all this time. I enjoyed my trip and it was well worth it, but I must admit I like WDW better then DL.
The parks were empty Wednesday and Thursday. I walked on Indy, Pirates, Huanted Mansion Holiday, Big Thunder, & Pooh Wednesday. Only did Those areas the first day. Indy was great. Rode three times and by far my second ride was the roughest. Only went through two of the three openings at the begaining, the left one once and the middle one twice. Pirates is great. Big and longer and makes more sense then WDW. HMH was mind blowing. I was so amazed at how they transformed this ride to look nothing like the HM ride I'm use too. I rode once in awe and then rode it again to see everything I missed! BTM was great. I liked it, it is on the same par as WDW. Pooh was a big let down, but I did see the talking heads from Country Bear in the one room. That for letting me know they were there! The first day we ate at the Blue Bayue. I loved it. The Prime Rib was good and my guess had the Pork Loin and it melted in your mouth. Yummm.
The second day we had early entry to Fantasyland and Toontown. Did all of Fantasyland that morning except for Peter Pan that already had an 1 1/2 hour wait. Alice and the Tea Cups were closed and so was Story Book Land. There was rain that morning so that might have been the reason why. I also did not do the Materhorn, it had a very long line. Toontown was okay. Disney was not sure if the "show" would go on that morning since it was raining. So I solved that problem and bought a rain coat and it stopped rain for the rest of the trip. Everything is toontown was closed. RRCTS opened around 9:20. Went on it with no wait and then came out to the "Show". Watched the happenings and became a citizen of Toontown and then went back on RRCTS with a 5 minute wait. Walked around took lots of photos and went to the bathroom and then it was 10 and we were able to leave. Walked out of DL and went across the way to DCA.
DCA was much better them I was lead to believe it would be. Most people here claim they do not like it. While there is not much to do, yet, the park does have room to grow. Walked on Soaring twice and loved it. Actually did the ride three time on the trip and sat in every row. The first row center is the best, but the middle row was best for the smells! Bug land was cute and fun. Hollywood backlot was a big nothing. Other then Aladdin there was nothing to do. Walls were up so you could not get over to where Monsters Inc. is going to be. The Anamation Building was nice. Crush was fun. It was sad to see that the Muppets had no people in it. When I saw the movie there was only ten of us there. I did not do PP that day or ride GR at all. .
Friday went to the San Diego Zoo. That was nice. Hit major traffic on the ride back to Anahiem. Got back to the hotel, Candy Cane Inn, around 7:45. That night went to downtown Disney and was upset to see it is a big nothing. Had Dinner at the Jazz Kitchen which was good. World of Disney was a mess. The layout made no sense. It was also packed. Saw some of Remember from the area between the two parks on the way back to the hotel.
Saturady we finished DCA. The crowds were not bad in the morning, but the afternoon was terrible. Got a fastpass for Soaring then went to PP. Screaming was closed.
Did Muhallond Madness, Jumping Jelly Fish, and King Triton Carousel. Walked over to Boudins for lunch and then did the Movie in the Palace of the Arts. Then it was time for Soaring. left the park around 4 and went back to the hotel and dropped off out buys and rested for 45 minutes and then went to DL. What a mistake. Crowded! Did the Materhorn, waited 30 minutes. Did the Tea Cups, waited 25 minutes. Did Alice, waited 35 minutes. Walked to Small World 1 1/2 hour wait. It just opened as the holiday version. Dinner was at Rancho something by Big Thunder. Very good. We ate there twice. That had a 30 minute wait just to order. Walked on Big Thunder. Went to Main Street to see Remember. It was a 9:20 show. Got to Main Street at 8:20. It was already packed. People in California come early to these things. I saw people lining up for Fantasmic 4 hours before the show. On a side note saw the Parade of Dreams the first night. Got to Main street at 5:45 and had no curb left. People were there by 4:30. People are nuts to be there that early for a parade. But I digress. Remember was great, but was delayed 15 minutes due to some problem.
Sunday went to DL again and finished the park. Did Tomorrowland first. Buzz was closed when we got there and Space Mountian said it had a 55 minute wait with fastpass return at 2. I got in line and was on the ride within 20 minutes. It was amazing. I hope they redo WDW Space Mountian. Buzz was open when I got off Space. Said it had 45 minute wait. Rode it twice in under 20 minutes. Star Tours claimed to have a 20 minute wait it was only ten. This was the day of false times. We then went to Small World. The was long, but only took 15 minutes to get on the ride. I like a Small World Holiday, it was different. Then did Storybook Land Boats and had a 10 minute wait. Walked around Fantasyland and then over to Big Thunder where it said 35 minute wait, we were on in 10. Then over to New Orleans Square to HMH for a fastpass, but it was closed, then went to lunch at BB again. Walked over to HMH, but it was still down. Went on Pirates and waited 10 minutes, but the sign said 35. Walked over to Indy and waited 15 minutes, but the sign said 32. Walked back to HMH, but it was still down. Got a Dole Whip for dessert and then back to NOS and HMH was open. The sign said 45 minutes and it was. Fastpass was already up to return time of 9. It was 5 or 5:15 at the time. When we got off HMH it was getting nuts in the park with people already waiting for Fantasmic and the parade. We left and went to DTD for last minute gifts and back to our hotel.
That is the end of our trip. Some side notes. The mossics were nice, took a photo of all of them. I really like New Orleans Square. I think DL has a better PoC, BTM, SW, Buzz, and SM. I think WDW is being ripped off with not having HMH or SMH. WDW has a better Pooh, Jungle Cruise, just wish we had the parrinahs, and Castle. The Castle looked so small along with Main Street itself. I think DCA had better food then DL. I did not like any of the Disney Hotels. They looked like converted Hyatts, except for DGC, which looked like the Wilderness Lodge at WDW. The mechendising at DL was terrible. Everything, was Mickey and the Castle. There was stuff with Grumpy, Goofy and Jack. Not HMH merch. Which surprised me. If you did find something different it was only one style of shirt with odd characters on it. Bowling shirts with Jessica, Big Bad Wolf, Grumpy, and I'm forgetting someone. No Villain stuff at all. Princess was everywhere, but nothing for little boys, but Mickey and Goofy.
And lastly I hated the bus transportation from the airport to the hotel and back. I booked through Disney and Disney recomended Airport Bus. They are the Disneyland Express. Great. But we had to wait 45 minutes for bus at the airport, John Wayne. Then we took the bus to San Diego. Got picked up at 8:20 and then to the terminal for a 30 minute wait in line to be sent to a different bus to then go to the zoo. Then to leave we called the bus service to be picked up. Our flight was at 1 p.m. We were picked up at 8:25 then went to different hotles to pick up more people then to the Disneyland hotle to change buses to go to the correct airport. What a mess. If I ever go out to DL again I'll take Super Shuttle. They was a minivan waiting at the airport always, and they came to the hotel two 1/2 hours before your flight and took you to your airport. They seemed nicer too. The Airport bus people were rude and did not like to give out information on what and where the bus was going. You had to pull and drag info out of them.
Do not get me wrong, I loved DL and DCA. I would love to go back some day again. The people were nice and the weather was great. I'm glad I went I do not regret it, but I also learned this time what to do and what not to do next time.
Still had a great time.!!!
I just got back from visiting Disneyland for the first time. I've been a seasoned WDW traveler, and decided to goto the park that started it all this time. I enjoyed my trip and it was well worth it, but I must admit I like WDW better then DL.
The parks were empty Wednesday and Thursday. I walked on Indy, Pirates, Huanted Mansion Holiday, Big Thunder, & Pooh Wednesday. Only did Those areas the first day. Indy was great. Rode three times and by far my second ride was the roughest. Only went through two of the three openings at the begaining, the left one once and the middle one twice. Pirates is great. Big and longer and makes more sense then WDW. HMH was mind blowing. I was so amazed at how they transformed this ride to look nothing like the HM ride I'm use too. I rode once in awe and then rode it again to see everything I missed! BTM was great. I liked it, it is on the same par as WDW. Pooh was a big let down, but I did see the talking heads from Country Bear in the one room. That for letting me know they were there! The first day we ate at the Blue Bayue. I loved it. The Prime Rib was good and my guess had the Pork Loin and it melted in your mouth. Yummm.
The second day we had early entry to Fantasyland and Toontown. Did all of Fantasyland that morning except for Peter Pan that already had an 1 1/2 hour wait. Alice and the Tea Cups were closed and so was Story Book Land. There was rain that morning so that might have been the reason why. I also did not do the Materhorn, it had a very long line. Toontown was okay. Disney was not sure if the "show" would go on that morning since it was raining. So I solved that problem and bought a rain coat and it stopped rain for the rest of the trip. Everything is toontown was closed. RRCTS opened around 9:20. Went on it with no wait and then came out to the "Show". Watched the happenings and became a citizen of Toontown and then went back on RRCTS with a 5 minute wait. Walked around took lots of photos and went to the bathroom and then it was 10 and we were able to leave. Walked out of DL and went across the way to DCA.
DCA was much better them I was lead to believe it would be. Most people here claim they do not like it. While there is not much to do, yet, the park does have room to grow. Walked on Soaring twice and loved it. Actually did the ride three time on the trip and sat in every row. The first row center is the best, but the middle row was best for the smells! Bug land was cute and fun. Hollywood backlot was a big nothing. Other then Aladdin there was nothing to do. Walls were up so you could not get over to where Monsters Inc. is going to be. The Anamation Building was nice. Crush was fun. It was sad to see that the Muppets had no people in it. When I saw the movie there was only ten of us there. I did not do PP that day or ride GR at all. .
Friday went to the San Diego Zoo. That was nice. Hit major traffic on the ride back to Anahiem. Got back to the hotel, Candy Cane Inn, around 7:45. That night went to downtown Disney and was upset to see it is a big nothing. Had Dinner at the Jazz Kitchen which was good. World of Disney was a mess. The layout made no sense. It was also packed. Saw some of Remember from the area between the two parks on the way back to the hotel.
Saturady we finished DCA. The crowds were not bad in the morning, but the afternoon was terrible. Got a fastpass for Soaring then went to PP. Screaming was closed.
Did Muhallond Madness, Jumping Jelly Fish, and King Triton Carousel. Walked over to Boudins for lunch and then did the Movie in the Palace of the Arts. Then it was time for Soaring. left the park around 4 and went back to the hotel and dropped off out buys and rested for 45 minutes and then went to DL. What a mistake. Crowded! Did the Materhorn, waited 30 minutes. Did the Tea Cups, waited 25 minutes. Did Alice, waited 35 minutes. Walked to Small World 1 1/2 hour wait. It just opened as the holiday version. Dinner was at Rancho something by Big Thunder. Very good. We ate there twice. That had a 30 minute wait just to order. Walked on Big Thunder. Went to Main Street to see Remember. It was a 9:20 show. Got to Main Street at 8:20. It was already packed. People in California come early to these things. I saw people lining up for Fantasmic 4 hours before the show. On a side note saw the Parade of Dreams the first night. Got to Main street at 5:45 and had no curb left. People were there by 4:30. People are nuts to be there that early for a parade. But I digress. Remember was great, but was delayed 15 minutes due to some problem.Sunday went to DL again and finished the park. Did Tomorrowland first. Buzz was closed when we got there and Space Mountian said it had a 55 minute wait with fastpass return at 2. I got in line and was on the ride within 20 minutes. It was amazing. I hope they redo WDW Space Mountian. Buzz was open when I got off Space. Said it had 45 minute wait. Rode it twice in under 20 minutes. Star Tours claimed to have a 20 minute wait it was only ten. This was the day of false times. We then went to Small World. The was long, but only took 15 minutes to get on the ride. I like a Small World Holiday, it was different. Then did Storybook Land Boats and had a 10 minute wait. Walked around Fantasyland and then over to Big Thunder where it said 35 minute wait, we were on in 10. Then over to New Orleans Square to HMH for a fastpass, but it was closed, then went to lunch at BB again. Walked over to HMH, but it was still down. Went on Pirates and waited 10 minutes, but the sign said 35. Walked over to Indy and waited 15 minutes, but the sign said 32. Walked back to HMH, but it was still down. Got a Dole Whip for dessert and then back to NOS and HMH was open. The sign said 45 minutes and it was. Fastpass was already up to return time of 9. It was 5 or 5:15 at the time. When we got off HMH it was getting nuts in the park with people already waiting for Fantasmic and the parade. We left and went to DTD for last minute gifts and back to our hotel.
That is the end of our trip. Some side notes. The mossics were nice, took a photo of all of them. I really like New Orleans Square. I think DL has a better PoC, BTM, SW, Buzz, and SM. I think WDW is being ripped off with not having HMH or SMH. WDW has a better Pooh, Jungle Cruise, just wish we had the parrinahs, and Castle. The Castle looked so small along with Main Street itself. I think DCA had better food then DL. I did not like any of the Disney Hotels. They looked like converted Hyatts, except for DGC, which looked like the Wilderness Lodge at WDW. The mechendising at DL was terrible. Everything, was Mickey and the Castle. There was stuff with Grumpy, Goofy and Jack. Not HMH merch. Which surprised me. If you did find something different it was only one style of shirt with odd characters on it. Bowling shirts with Jessica, Big Bad Wolf, Grumpy, and I'm forgetting someone. No Villain stuff at all. Princess was everywhere, but nothing for little boys, but Mickey and Goofy.
And lastly I hated the bus transportation from the airport to the hotel and back. I booked through Disney and Disney recomended Airport Bus. They are the Disneyland Express. Great. But we had to wait 45 minutes for bus at the airport, John Wayne. Then we took the bus to San Diego. Got picked up at 8:20 and then to the terminal for a 30 minute wait in line to be sent to a different bus to then go to the zoo. Then to leave we called the bus service to be picked up. Our flight was at 1 p.m. We were picked up at 8:25 then went to different hotles to pick up more people then to the Disneyland hotle to change buses to go to the correct airport. What a mess. If I ever go out to DL again I'll take Super Shuttle. They was a minivan waiting at the airport always, and they came to the hotel two 1/2 hours before your flight and took you to your airport. They seemed nicer too. The Airport bus people were rude and did not like to give out information on what and where the bus was going. You had to pull and drag info out of them.
Do not get me wrong, I loved DL and DCA. I would love to go back some day again. The people were nice and the weather was great. I'm glad I went I do not regret it, but I also learned this time what to do and what not to do next time.
Still had a great time.!!!
