First time visit to Disneyland by WDW regulars!

figment34786 · Post by **figment34786** » Apr Thu 24, 2008 7:15 pm

My family has planned a trip to Disneyland this summer, and I have never been there. I do live right next to WDW though, and know that place from top to bottom. How should I go about with my trip to Disneyland? We as a whole, are not necessarily looking for shortest lines; we are looking for the best experience. If a que is really cool, we want to experience the que! I suggested we start in Adventureland, and work our way around the park, hitting everything. I thought of Adventureland to start out, because I heard when a park opens, EVERYONE goes to Tomorrowland and Adventureland is left empty. We figured that it would give us the most time to enjoy everything in that side of the park. Does this sound good? Any suggestions for how we should go about this?

DisneyChris · Post by **DisneyChris** » Apr Sun 27, 2008 10:32 pm

I sugest you spend two days at the resort. If you dont want to jump around to avoid lines, and experience the park as it should be, land by land, You need more than a day if you want to see it all. Some things I say are not to be misssed, because they are totaly different than in Florida are...
Pirates of the Carribean
New Orleans Square, Try to eat at the Blue Bayou
Indian Jones
Space Mountain
Submarine Voyage
The Disneyland Railroad, Do not miss the grand canyon and Primevil World
Mr. Toad
Alice in Wonderland
All of Toon Town, Much more elaborate here than on Florida
Matterhorn
Autopia is very different
Pinocchio
Storybookland and Casy Jr. (I reccommend both for two different perspectives, but if you can only ride one, do the boat ride.)
Columbia if it is open or the Mark Twain. The sites on the river are different
Tom Sawyer, just had a major refurbishment.
Small World is better on the outside here bit the interior is better in Florida
Haunted Mansion has a slight edge in Florida
Dont miss the Original Tiki Room, still the 1963 show

figment34786 · Post by **figment34786** » Apr Mon 28, 2008 7:12 am

DisneyChris wrote:I sugest you spend two days at the resort.

Oh, don't worry! I think we have 3 or more days planned!

MintJulepRoo · Post by **MintJulepRoo** » Apr Tue 29, 2008 11:17 am

DisneyChris did a great job in listing all of the must-sees and must-dos. 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!

WVParkfan · Post by **WVParkfan** » Apr Tue 29, 2008 11:26 am

DisneyChris wrote:Haunted Mansion has a slight edge in Florida

I've never been to DL, so I can't compare. But, you are the first person I've seen recommend the WDW Haunted Mansion over the DL Haunted Mansion.

bluebayougirl · Post by **bluebayougirl** » Apr Tue 29, 2008 12:13 pm

That is a great list, another think you simply cannot miss is the churros in Disneyland. I suggest that you also visit the California Adventure. Although not everyone agree's with me I believe that it is underestimated. Make sure to visit the Animation Academy, California Screaming and the pier. Food in DCA is pretty good to. - blue

coasterphil · Post by **coasterphil** » Apr Tue 29, 2008 10:12 pm

WVParkfan wrote:
DisneyChris wrote:Haunted Mansion has a slight edge in Florida
I've never been to DL, so I can't compare. But, you are the first person I've seen recommend the WDW Haunted Mansion over the DL Haunted Mansion.

Since the refurb, WDW's is much better. Before that though, DL's definitely was.

casrin · Post by **casrin** » May Fri 02, 2008 7:11 am

Do it all!!!

DCA wasn't there when I was last to Disneyland, so I can't speak for that. But I think you'll love the intimate feeling of the Disneyland MK. To me, it was so much cozier and warm than at WDW.

Calypso · Post by **Calypso** » May Fri 02, 2008 7:45 am

As a somewhat frequent visitor to WDW and a recent visitor to DL, I agree with DisneyChris. The differences in the attractions are striking, but it will seem familiar. The POTC in DL is AWESOME!!! And, its a great experience to enjoy attractions that have disappeared from WDW, such as Mr. Toad and Pinocchio. And the Indiana Jones attraction is so cool --- my youngest daughter, who was too young to enjoy it when we went, is now ready to go back because she can't wait to ride it!

theBIGyowski · Post by **theBIGyowski** » May Sat 03, 2008 11:27 am

I will be going to DL this coming Tuesday (5/6) for the first time ever. I've been to WDW 4 times and am a Disney freak...so I will finally get a chance to go where it all started. I definitely have all of the classics and things that are different on my list of things to do while I am there. I can't wait!

Post by **Dr. Ravenscroft** » May Sun 04, 2008 10:41 pm

theBIGyowski wrote:I will be going to DL this coming Tuesday (5/6) for the first time ever. I've been to WDW 4 times and am a Disney freak...so I will finally get a chance to go where it all started. I definitely have all of the classics and things that are different on my list of things to do while I am there. I can't wait!

Just remember to try to have fun, if you don't have time to hit all the rides just remember that DL will still be there in future. I used to be a WDW only guy.......Now I lean a little more on the side of DL. Don't get me wrong I still like WDW but if I had to choose between the two I would have to go with DL. Where are you staying? For how long? going with Family, or a loner trip? Do tell.

nancynohorse · Post by **nancynohorse** » May Mon 05, 2008 8:08 am

Have a great time, theBIGyowski!

Post by **subsonic** » May Mon 05, 2008 11:38 am

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! )

Post by **Dr. Ravenscroft** » May Mon 05, 2008 12:15 pm

subsonic wrote: Am I that scary?!

Do you really want Addlema and me to answer this, remember we have both met you.

WishUponaStar · Post by **WishUponaStar** » May Thu 15, 2008 7:22 pm

I love hearing about WDW veterans first trips to Disneyland. First of all, make sure to take time & REALLY take in the atmosphere & 'smell the roses' in Disneyland. One thing that amazed me on my first trip there was how different the vibe was, you really have to take it all in & appreciate it for it's own glory.

Make it a priority NOT TO MISS anything that WDW doesn't have. If you run out of time & have to skip some attractions make sure you skip the "copy cats" first. Not that I advocate missing ANYTHING, but you know. My DO NOT MISS list would be:
- Indiana Jones
- Nemo subs
- riding the monorail into Tomorrowland
- Pinnochio's Daring Journey & the Alice ride
- PotC!!! (times 10 more amazing than WDWs)
- riding the Sunwheel is a swinging cart
- California Screamin'

Try some of the resort restaurants too! They are GREAT!

When are you going? We always have to go around th 3rd week of June and the park is really slow the first two hours of opening, becomes SUPER SUPER busy in the mid-afternoon, then thins out again around 10pm.
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