My 'home' Park here on the East Coast was WDW.
From my first visit in the late 70s, to living in Florida in the early 80s when EPCOT Center opened and blew me away, to the many years i loyally kept returning yearly even after moving back to the Boston area.
It was 'it' for me.
Then, something happened.
I visited Disneyland for the first time during a trip to California in 2007.
I had been wanting to check it out after watching from 3,000 miles away the 50th Anniversary celebration two years prior.
That campaign really got my attention and made me want to experience ' Walt's Park' after all of these years.
Well, I finally did....and it intrigued me.
I came back a few years later on my own to better immerse myself in that unique environment and Disneyland left quite a impression.
I was 'hooked' and soon after in the following years I was absolutely 'spoiled rotten' by the Park experience.
Everything felt like such a step up from Florida.
I even liked the Castle better.
( "size matters not!" - Yoda, Jedi Master 1980 )
So now, Disneyland is 'it' and I am constantly recommending it to people I know who are thinking about 'going to Disney'.
Even after experiencing WDW again this September after a five year hiatus, I still prefer the Disneyland experience.
So much so, I'm heading back in January with a friend I convinced to 'do California' instead of the Florida property.
Here are my own personal observations regarding the two properties, and how very different they feel to me on each coast.
At WDW, I feel like a number being 'processed' in a giant cog wheel of automation.
There is very little personal interaction.
At Disneyland, I feel like a 'guest' that was invited by Walt to come visit for the day.
Cast welcome me by name into 'his' Park and the interactions in general throughout the day feel more personal.
Disneyland has a far more laid back and relaxed atmosphere.
WDW is the complete opposite, with people rushing about in a crazed 'commando touring' state of mind.
The clientele, and different audiences, have a bit to do with that...but even when I have been at a sold out event at Disneyland Park the crowd never feels as anxious and crazy as a afternoon at WDWs Magic Kingdom these days..
Disneyland has great entertainment options.
Roaming characters, roaming musicians, roaming randomness.
WDW has some good entertainment, but lacks the spontaneous 'unexpected surprise' element I am constantly finding at DLR.
This 'unexpected' element truly sets them apart in my mind.
Disneyland - eat off of real ceramic dinnerware and metal cutlery, even at a counter service, during any time of day.
WDW - eat off of branded paper plates and plastic cutlery, even at said Signature resturant 'Be Our Guest' ( breakfast / lunch )
Disneyland - far superior versions of the 'classic' Attractions, some fantastic 'exclusives', and in general, upkeep of said Attractions.
WDW - some of THE best Attractions it had are now long gone...and those that remain often have issues.
A few gems remain however.
Disneyland - 'Fantasmic!' with a incredible 'real' fire breathing, fully moving, gigantic dragon.
Brand new score and show ( might be a 'minus' )
WDW - 'Fantastmic!' with the 'dragon head on a stick' ( use your imaaaagination..!)
Original show score ( a plus ) and East Coast version of original show ( a minus )
Disneyland - Walk in the front gate on a whim, and decide spontaneously what you feel like doing and just do it.
No major advanced planning really needed.
WDW - Decide six months in advance where you want to eat, and three months in advance what you want to ride long before you attempt to walk in the front gate.
I enjoy both properties on both coasts, and both of them are very different beasts.
That is what I like about them.
Each has it's own 'character' and flavor.
Both have fantastic highlights, and both have questionable low points.
If I were to choose just ONE Park out of them all however based on the current Guest Experience, Disneyland Park wins hands down for me.
No contest.
Can't wait to get back there come January!
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)...that was my first visit too! Man oh man did Disneyland blow me away. I grew up going to Walt Disney World and absolutely loved everything about it, but Disneyland showed me so much of what WDW lost over the years. 
