First time visit to Disneyland by WDW regulars!

theBIGyowski · Post by **theBIGyowski** » May Mon 19, 2008 2:08 pm

Well...I did it...I went to DL. I honestly never thought I would go there but I did. The first thing I noticed was that it was right next to California Adventure and Downtown Disney. That was very odd for me...who is used to the Disney Parks and stuff being so spread out. The next thing I noticed was that it really was "Happy" like advertised. Main Street was really cool because it felt familiar while being different at the same time. Because I am a Disney freak I had spent lots of time researching all the cool things about the park...so I knew about Walt's apartment there and pointed that out to my sister and dad. We made our way to the castle and I noticed how much smaller it is than Cinderella's...but at the same time being absolutely beautiful...so it didn't matter.

Onto the rides...I definitely went with the mindset of "do everything that I cannot do at WDW...or the things that are staples of the Disney parks." In Tomorrowland I did Space Mountain 3 times...totally awesome...Buzz Lightyear...and Honey I Shrunk the Audience. I didn't want to do the Honey thing...but my sister did...oh well. Buzz Lightyear was cool because it was just different enough to enjoy. Space Mountain was amazing and I definitely like it better than the one at WDW. I was really looking forward to riding the Matterhorn...but honestly I wasn't as impressed as I wanted to be. It was great as a classic...but I only wanted to ride it that one time.

In Fantasyland we did Pinocchio...Mr. Toad...and the Tea Cups. All three were amazing and made me feel like a kid again. Also...I pointed out the carousel horse with the gold tooth to my dad and sister and they loved that story. Small World was closed for repair...oh well...I tried. Toontown was cool...didn't ride anything but we did take in the atmosphere.

Frontierland was fun. We did Big Thunder Mountain RR and had a blast. I loved it because it was similar to WDW but different enough to keep me surprised. I think that's all we did there...but New Orleans Square was amazing! It really did feel like New Orleans. The Haunted Mansion was great and it was very cool on the outside...looking like a southern plantation home...when I am used to the one at WDW. Now...Pirates...freaking awesome! It was so cool starting in the bayou at night...drifting by the people eating. I definitely prefer it to the one at WDW. Another cool thing is that I have had the audio for that ride since 2001 or so and it's the first time I was able to understand what the first 8 minutes of the audio was from.

Critter Country was fun. Splash Mountain was definitely much wetter than it's WDW counterpart. I loved it. I think that's all we did there besides eat.

Adventureland was fun...with the Jungle Cruise and Indiana Jones. I thought Indiana Jones was a great ride...but I probably prefer Dinosaur at Animal Kingdom since it's a little bit scarier. Still an awesome ride though. Oh...and I got a Dole Whip there too...mmmm...so good!

Overall...I absolutely loved my trip to DL. As a park I liked it more than the Magic Kingdom since you have more rides and I like the layout of it. The weather was overcast and 60 degrees the whole day...but I had a blast anyway. I hope to get the chance to go back again. At least I know I will be going back to WDW in January...so I won't have to wait too long to get that Disney magic again.

This website and streaming audio is perfect for the Disney lover in me. It really does get me through the day and keep me feeling the magic.

danimal3114u · Post by **danimal3114u** » May Mon 19, 2008 3:43 pm

Great report Yowski! Glad you had fun!

MintJulepRoo · Post by **MintJulepRoo** » May Mon 19, 2008 4:38 pm

Yay, thank you for all of the details. I love learning about people's first time experiences at Disneyland. Having it compared to WDW's Magic Kingdom is also a treat. Im glad you enjoyed your trip. It just proves that both parks are successful in creating happiness in us all.

theBIGyowski · Post by **theBIGyowski** » May Mon 19, 2008 5:03 pm

Oh definitely. It was strange how I could be on the other side of the US...yet still feel at home there. I guess that's what Walt wanted...a place that felt like home...but was a vacation from home at the same time. I totally felt the magic and can say that Disneyland is definitely the Happiest Place on Earth!

Post by **subsonic** » May Tue 20, 2008 11:38 am

theBIGyowski wrote:In Tomorrowland I did Space Mountain 3 times...totally awesome... Space Mountain was amazing and I definitely like it better than the one at WDW.

Yes, Space Mountain is truly amazing. I remember when I worked on it there was a framed magazine article rating SM in the top 10 roller coasters ever. That's pretty amazing for something that doesn't exceed more than 35 MPH

theBIGyowski wrote:In Fantasyland we did Pinocchio...Mr. Toad...and the Tea Cups. ... Small World was closed for repair...oh well...I tried.

Ahh, Mr. Toad. So many people miss this from WDW. It's good it's still one of the more popular Dark Rides so I don't think it'll be going anywhere.

theBIGyowski wrote:Now...Pirates...freaking awesome! It was so cool starting in the bayou at night...drifting by the people eating. I definitely prefer it to the one at WDW.

Addlema said the same thing... everybody says the same thing. And you can eat in it!! I hadn't been to WDW in 8 years and when I visited it two years ago POTC there was a little disappointing.

theBIGyowski wrote:Overall...I absolutely loved my trip to DL. As a park I liked it more than the Magic Kingdom since you have more rides and I like the layout of it.

My thoughts exactly. Everybody, this just adds to the reason you all need to come out to the 5th Annv. of SR at Disneyland!

theBIGyowski wrote:This website and streaming audio is perfect for the Disney lover in me. It really does get me through the day and keep me feeling the magic.

Thanks

Another thing I want to mention is, for those first timers. PLEASE PLEASE see the Remember, Dreams Come True Fireworks show. And try to see it in the hub. It's so awesome

disneydreamer58 · Post by **disneydreamer58** » May Tue 20, 2008 2:50 pm

subsonic wrote:Why doesn't anybody let me know they are going? I'm only an hour from DL and can meet up with people. Am I that scary?! (Really, for me, it's freaking meeting people from the site. Some Disney people are strange! )

I would've met up with you next month, but you decided on becoming a dad instead! ha ha ha .......which is way more important than meeting up with me

Hope all goes well with the delivery! Waiting to see the post from you when your son is born!!

danimal3114u · Post by **danimal3114u** » May Wed 21, 2008 1:20 pm

subsonic wrote: Another thing I want to mention is, for those first timers. PLEASE PLEASE see the Remember, Dreams Come True Fireworks show. And try to see it in the hub. It's so awesome

This is very true. I'd put this in the top 5 "must do"s, without fail.

disneydreamer58 · Post by **disneydreamer58** » May Wed 21, 2008 2:46 pm

theBIGyowski reading your report really made me anxious to go next month, I wish the time would fly by so I could already be there! Glad that you had such a great time!

keneka · Post by **keneka** » May Thu 29, 2008 2:30 am

If you live near WDW and it's your first visit to Disneyland, the thing I suggest the most is to visit California Adventure - it's full of attractions and lands not found elsewhere. Hollywood Pictures land includes California's version of Tower of Terror and the Animation Tour (which also Turtle Talk as seen in Epcot), Paradise Pier which includes the roller coaster California Screamin' although looks tame from the outside is a great roller coaster - this land is dedicated to the attractions found on piers around california, the sun wheel is great for getting pictures from up high of the park, GOLDEN STATE includes Soarin' as well as Grizzly Peak which includes the grizzly river run (which is a bit like Kali River Rapids but centred round a giant rock shaped like a bear's head - the park's logo), also there is a entrance to the Grand Californian hotel, the bay area includes Golden Dreams a film about California starring Whoopi Goldberg, the Golden Vine Winery features two restaurants and a film showcasing Napa Valley, Pacific Wharf is based on Monterey's Cannery Row area and also resembles San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf. This area features attractions such as the Mission Tortilla Factory, which features a tour on how tortillas were once made, and showcases working corn and flour tortilla machines. Another attraction is the Boudin Bakery Tour, which is a tour of the sourdough bread making process with Rosie O'Donnell and Colin Mochrie as video tour guides.The other land is centred around A Bug's Life and features it's tough to be a bug as well as more child friendly attractions such as Flik's Flyers, Francis's Ladybug Boogie, Heimlich's Chew Chew Train, Tuck and Roll's Drive 'Em Buggies and more.

Disneyland also has unique features - New Orleans Square includes a gallery above the Pirates of the Caribbean which constantly changes (last time I went it included artwork,props and costumes from the new pirates film and artwork from the new ride rehab, the blue bayou restaurant which overlooks the pirates ride, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, Sailing Ship Columbia (an alternative to the Mark Twain Riverboat), Indiana Jones Adventure (which uses the same technology of Dinosaur in Animal Kingdom), Tarzan's Treehouse and Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes lets you paddle a canoe with others around tom sawyer island.

RiaLucia · Post by **RiaLucia** » May Fri 30, 2008 5:43 pm

I've got a pretty good handle on both DLR and WDW. I visited DLR first as a young 'un, moved to the East Coast and spent my formative years visiting WDW and then working there on two internships, and am now living in nearby San Diego for the last 2 years and have been to DLR about 6x since.

That said, one thing you will probably notice right away is the size difference. I think the comparison goes that the whole of Disneyland can fit in the Magic Kingdom parking lot. I don't know about others who are familiar with both, but it's almost an uncomfortable feeling for me to look at Sleeping Beauty's Castle because it's so small! You may also get a bit disoriented like I sometimes do because the layout is very similar to, but not exactly like the MK. Therefore you might be certain you know how to get to something, only to come up on a dead end.

I agree with advice to check out the things that you can't see in Florida first, though, like Indiana Jones and the Matterhorn. And, yes, DEFINITELY get on Pirates. It's so much better! And make a PS for the Blue Bayou and try a famous Monte Cristo sandwich.

DCA is a great park, too, that I love to visit for the simple fact that it's not nearly as crowded as DLR on any given day. Check out the Aladdin Show and California Screamin'. Also, for comparison you might want to do the Tower of Terror and Soarin' over California, the latter of which is themed a lot differently from its Epcot cousin.

And, finally, take time to explore Downtown Disney, the historic Disneyland Hotel, as well as the Grand Californian. If you're looking for a good character breakfast, hit Goofy's Kitchen at the Disneyland hotel and try the french toast creme brulee bread pudding. (A cast member recommended it to me.)

keneka · Post by **keneka** » Jul Fri 18, 2008 6:47 am

Most of the Disneyland attractions are repeated at WDW, if you're looking at a different experience - I suggest visiting California Adventure, apart from some rides/shows like turtle talk with crush & it's tough to be a bug most of the rides are unique in this part.

leblanan · Post by **leblanan** » Aug Sun 31, 2008 8:33 pm

You must stake out your view for the fireworks show early just like in WDW. But this show is SO amazing...it is one that tops them all!

I agree, I am a WDW regular too, but the fireworks out in DL is by far the best!

chief0staph · Post by **chief0staph** » Sep Sun 07, 2008 4:55 pm

I'm ready to visit DLR for the first time and, having worked at WDW, I'm anxious to take in a the differences, big and small. I worked at the Mansion, so I'm probably the least and most excited for that because it's hard to not be competitive. How different is the park during Halloween? Will we be missing the normal character of the park? How overwhelming are the decorations?