Hi,
We just got back from a mini trip to the LA area, and we spend all day Jan. 11th at Disneyland and hit California Adventure on January 12th.
I've been to WDW 20+ times since 1971, but was only at Disneyland once before back in 1964 when I was four, so it's been 52 years. Anyway DS 21 and I who really enjoy the Magic Kingdom at WDW liked Disneyland even more. There is just something really quaint, more storybook like about it. It feels smaller and we just loved the music (great Disney classics). I didn't see a single melt down moment of parents with their little kids either. People just seemed so patient with their little ones, in no big rush, just having fun with them (It was really wonderful endearing to see that). Perhaps it's because there are more locals and not so many people doing that one time big expensive trip where they want to do everything and see everything and the little toddlers just aren't on that schedule.
The day we visited was pretty moderate crowd wise, so we got in everything we wanted to do between 10 a.m. park opening and 8:00 p.m. (We called it a day at 8, even thought the park was open for an additional hour.) We especially enjoyed all the little kid rides at Fantasyland (not sure if that's the name for it here) and saw lots of other adults with no kids doing the same. I wasn't expecting us to have so much fun doing all those things, and we didn't even plan on them, but had time so did them all. Do note too, that we had done our research ahead of time and knew to not be shocked at how tiny the castle is and we made sure to try all the headliner attractions that aren't at WDW. It seems too that DL is really into making their rides smooth - great for a 56 year old back -- couldn't believe how smooth Space Mountain was. We took our time and watched the Disneyland band, the Dapper Dans, etc. It was really a fun day.
It rained all day for the most part on the 12th, on our CA Adventure day. We got a kick out of the Carsland theming etc., but it didn't have that endearing vibe that Disneyland had for us. The rain might have had some bearing on that too. We were really glad, though, with being out all the way in LA that we got to see that too. DS especially was really glad to be able to see the World or Color evening show also.
Anyway, just wanted to give one WDW vet's impressions.
I'm not going to give ride to ride comparisons, what's at one and not the other, etc. as there are plenty of threads about that with people with more expertise on the subject.
If there is one thing that I think I would have done differently it's go to Disneyland at a time with a probability of slightly warmer and dryer weather.
I'll also report that despite people telling me to get a two day hopper, one day at each park worked perfectly for us. There was so much to do and it was such a nice atmosphere at Disneyland that we easily spent the whole day there without any desire to hop. And then the next day, we had already done everything we wanted to do at Disneyland, so didn't have any desire to upgrade to a hopper and hop back. On our CA Adventure day, we took a late afternoon break to get out of the rain and relax at our Harbor Drive motel and then headed back in the evening. Just my opinion, of course, but I think perhaps the hopping is particularly attractive to the people who have been to Disneyland many times before and not as necessary for those who have never been. The general consensus / advice on this forum seems to be that everyone should get hoppers. In our case, though, I'm glad we used our own judgment and didn't spend the extra money. DS21 and I were both in total agreement on this too. I'm sure touring style, ages of individuals in your party, number of days you are visiting would all have a bearing on this judgement call too.
It was really cool too just being able to walk over to our motel on Harbor Drive. In Orlando we usually have much nicer accommodations (a great condo resort), but it was pretty magical to have a five to seven minute walk over to a perfectly acceptable clean comfortable motel. I really liked that and if I were to come again, I would pick a basic place really close on Harbor Drive again too.
We just got back from a mini trip to the LA area, and we spend all day Jan. 11th at Disneyland and hit California Adventure on January 12th.
I've been to WDW 20+ times since 1971, but was only at Disneyland once before back in 1964 when I was four, so it's been 52 years. Anyway DS 21 and I who really enjoy the Magic Kingdom at WDW liked Disneyland even more. There is just something really quaint, more storybook like about it. It feels smaller and we just loved the music (great Disney classics). I didn't see a single melt down moment of parents with their little kids either. People just seemed so patient with their little ones, in no big rush, just having fun with them (It was really wonderful endearing to see that). Perhaps it's because there are more locals and not so many people doing that one time big expensive trip where they want to do everything and see everything and the little toddlers just aren't on that schedule.
The day we visited was pretty moderate crowd wise, so we got in everything we wanted to do between 10 a.m. park opening and 8:00 p.m. (We called it a day at 8, even thought the park was open for an additional hour.) We especially enjoyed all the little kid rides at Fantasyland (not sure if that's the name for it here) and saw lots of other adults with no kids doing the same. I wasn't expecting us to have so much fun doing all those things, and we didn't even plan on them, but had time so did them all. Do note too, that we had done our research ahead of time and knew to not be shocked at how tiny the castle is and we made sure to try all the headliner attractions that aren't at WDW. It seems too that DL is really into making their rides smooth - great for a 56 year old back -- couldn't believe how smooth Space Mountain was. We took our time and watched the Disneyland band, the Dapper Dans, etc. It was really a fun day.
It rained all day for the most part on the 12th, on our CA Adventure day. We got a kick out of the Carsland theming etc., but it didn't have that endearing vibe that Disneyland had for us. The rain might have had some bearing on that too. We were really glad, though, with being out all the way in LA that we got to see that too. DS especially was really glad to be able to see the World or Color evening show also.
Anyway, just wanted to give one WDW vet's impressions.
I'm not going to give ride to ride comparisons, what's at one and not the other, etc. as there are plenty of threads about that with people with more expertise on the subject.
If there is one thing that I think I would have done differently it's go to Disneyland at a time with a probability of slightly warmer and dryer weather.
I'll also report that despite people telling me to get a two day hopper, one day at each park worked perfectly for us. There was so much to do and it was such a nice atmosphere at Disneyland that we easily spent the whole day there without any desire to hop. And then the next day, we had already done everything we wanted to do at Disneyland, so didn't have any desire to upgrade to a hopper and hop back. On our CA Adventure day, we took a late afternoon break to get out of the rain and relax at our Harbor Drive motel and then headed back in the evening. Just my opinion, of course, but I think perhaps the hopping is particularly attractive to the people who have been to Disneyland many times before and not as necessary for those who have never been. The general consensus / advice on this forum seems to be that everyone should get hoppers. In our case, though, I'm glad we used our own judgment and didn't spend the extra money. DS21 and I were both in total agreement on this too. I'm sure touring style, ages of individuals in your party, number of days you are visiting would all have a bearing on this judgement call too.
It was really cool too just being able to walk over to our motel on Harbor Drive. In Orlando we usually have much nicer accommodations (a great condo resort), but it was pretty magical to have a five to seven minute walk over to a perfectly acceptable clean comfortable motel. I really liked that and if I were to come again, I would pick a basic place really close on Harbor Drive again too.
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. I know what you mean about the meltdowns. At WDW I saw parents lose it with their kids and it was kind of shocking. Supposed to be the happiest place on earth! Can I ask which motel you stayed on Harbor?
