Originally Posted By metman hi all i have come on to this board as i am a big time lurker in the background but not much of a sayer. so here it is new years day will be my first time to disneyland (age 43) i have been to florida 15 times and i live in england and have racked up 30 times to paris, i am very excited to see Walt's true vision but do you think i am going to be disappointed and what should i have to do that i have never seen before. thanks for the help and any pointers will be gratefully taken thanks andy
Originally Posted By princesstamcat I've only been to Disneyland and Disney world... Disneyworld sort of sprawls out to me while Disneyland is more intimate and it seems to me the attention to detail is more fine. Sounds like you love Disney to have made all those trips, so I imagine if you can put on your mouse ears and just enjoy don't compare you will be delighted! Don't miss the theater on your right next to the bank as you enter, after crossing UNDER the train tracks. Enjoy the visit back to the past with host Steve Martin- I imagine that is one of many things that is unique to Disney itself. Enjoy! D
Originally Posted By ABBY Like princesstamcat, I have only been to DL (many times) and WDW (only once) so it is not easy for me to compare. But I am sure you won't be disappointed. The Blue Bayou is a neat restaruant and, as far as I know, can only be found at DL. How many days are you spending at the pakrk?
Originally Posted By dllovinrn I highly recommend the "Walk in Walt's Footsteps" tour. It's around 3 hours long, with a lunch on Main Street & you get a peek inside the lobby of Club 33, with photo ops. I think it's a unique glimpse into Walt's plans & dreams for DL. Hope you have a wonderful 1st visit!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Hmmmmm, I really look forward to hearing your thoughts. We too live in the UK (though I was born in California). I have been to DL 300+ times (3 times since living in the UK - last trip Feb 2008), WDW 5 times (last trip Dec 2006) and DLP 51 times (last trip Oct 2008). Personally Disneyland is my fav and I have little desire to return to WDW. But for me DL is magical, compact and has lot's of live entertainment. Do not misses for experienced Disney fans (not necessarily amazing, but different): DL - Main Street: DL's 50th exhibit - lovely for the history Train around the MK - most to see including Dinosaurs The only silent cinema Disney still operates Adventureland - The original Tiki Room The original Jungle Cruise (best skippers in the world) Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye (suspect you may just love this) Tarzan Treehouse (ok, you could skip, but it is different) New Orleans Square - Be sure to have lunch in the Blue Bayou - better than the Blue Lagoon at DLP IMHO PotC - the original, similar to DLP's version in some ways, vastly superior to WDW's Haunted Mansion - the original Critter Country Hmmm - Splash Mountain is fun, but is the one attraction where WDW's is better (though Dl's is better maintained). Winnie the Pooh - similar to WDW's but nicer queue and different vehicles. Frontierland The Petrified tree Walt gave to Lilly Billy Hill - in the Golden Horseshoe (yep, DL still has shows in their saloon, unlike Paris and Fla) If running, the Columbia, a sailing ship around the Rivers of America - some nice scenery and a below decks museum (though nothing compared to the Victory, a nice touch) Maybe Tom Sawyer Island - now PotC themed, but not as nice as Adventure Isle Don't miss Fantasmic. It puts the show in WDW to shame. Fantasyland is very similar to DLP's, but check out: Mr Toad's Wild Ride (cute) Alice in Wonderland - cute little dark ride Storybookland Canal Boats - there is a narrator as opposed to now Matterhorn (if running there are 2 different tracks, the one on the left is faster) IASW has just come out of refurb, the original, and very different to the slicker DLP version, but better than WDW's IMHO. Sleeping Beauty Castle walk through - not on the scale of DLP (think more Aladdin's Passage), but cute. Toontown - Check out Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin dark ride Play with the interactive bits in the city Tomorrowland - Subs with Nemo are different (I prefered them in the old days). DL has the best autopia if you are into that sort of thing Innoventions is a little like Epcot's, but only do if you have time. Space Mountain is better than WDW's but not as good as DLP's. Buzz is identical to Paris, better than WDW's (as is Star tours) Do not miss the fireworks, to me they are the best Disney has ever done (maybe with exception to Illuminations). Also check out the Flag Ceremony in town square before sunset. The swing dancing at the hub on Fridays, and all the live entertainment. Beware though, the scale is much, much smaller (especially the castle) than WDW and DLP. But to me, that is a key part of the charm.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo DCA is unique but offers things that you'll recognise from WDW (including some of the vibe). Do not misses include: Animation (don't miss the amazing Toy Story Zoetrope) Monsters Inc Dark ride if you like Dark Rides Aladdin (my fav Disney themepark stage production anywhere) Wine tasting at the winery The Blue Sky Cellar to see what is on the cards. If you have not yet done it in Epcot, check out the original Soarin' Grizzly River Rapids is better than Kali IMHO. If you have kids, the Redwook Creek Trail is great. SCreamin' is a very fun coaster. Toy Story Mania may be new if you have not been to WDW recently. Also, my english wife loves the factory tours of American food. ToT is virtually the same as Paris, but great fun and Muppet Vision and Tough to be a Bug are virtually identical to WDW. We really enjoy DCA, though they have dumbed it down from what it once was. Also, sometimes Disney's Electrical Parade is on (which we prefer to Spectro and Fanti).
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo For dining, I don't know what you go for in the other resorts, but here are some of my favs: Blue Bayou for ambiance, and good food in DL. Napa Rose (Grand Californian) - my fav restaurant on the planet, and better than victoria and Alberts or the California Grill Steakhouse 55 (Disneyland Hotel)- on a par if not a little better than the Steakhouse in DLP's village Our fav Character breakfast and very californian is ordering a la carte at the Storytellers in the Grand (though Minnie's breakfast at Plaza Gardens is my fav buffet). Yamabuki is good for Japanese (Paradise Pier Hotel) I recommend the Gospel Brunch at House of Blues (DTD) on a Sunday. Also at DTD we like Tortilla Jo's (mexican), Ralph Brennan Jazz Kitchen and House of Blues. For junk table - Rain Forest and ESPN Zone are OK. Catal and to a lesser degree Naples are popular (and good), but they are very European. Be sure to see the entertainment in DTD, they are high quality groups. Also check out the great hall in the Grand Californian (my fav Disney hotel on the planet). It feels like Wilderness Lodge/AKL with a California twist. For counter service, we like: DL - Rancho del Zocalo - Tex Mex Corn Dog wagon in Main Street Anything in NOS - Jambalya or Gumbo! DCA - The Boudin Bakery for Clam Chowder Bowls Corn Dog Castle DL is more compact and a little different, and we like it that way! I hope you do to.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Some other options - if adults, book yourself on the Warner Bros. Studios tour (not a theme park, but very informative). I also like Universal Studios Hollywood, more visitor attraction than theme park, but we like it. San Diego Zoo is awesome with the Panda's The Wild Animal park is ok, but not much different than Woburn, just warmer. Legoland is on par with Windsor, but with an American focus in Miniland and a few unique attractions. If you like coasters, Magic Mountain should be a mecca, and Knott's (while not as nice a park as it used to be) has some good options and a fab woodie. Seaworld is more educational and less theme park in San Diego (but we prefer California's for that reason). Fr some California history - Mission San Juan Capistrano (30 mins sth of DL), Olivera Street, Mission San Diego, and old town San Diego (as well as the Hotel Del Coronado) are all worth checking out. Any questions, please let us know.
Originally Posted By Walter Elias WOW Dave! Don't hold back. Try to open up and share with us...LOL. Actually--very well said. I've never been anywhere but DL. To me, it is such a magical place. It is teeming with nostalgia. Walt's spirit dwells there and I can sense all of the past generations of families and people from all over the world that have walked through those gates. This includes my own childhood memories as well as the times I have spent there with my own children. I don't think any place on earth could replace DL for me.
Originally Posted By zekeayala While I can't say you won't be dissapointed, i can say this. remember that this is the ORIGINAL structural base for all the other parks. While I believe no one park is "better" than the other, i believe that each park has it's own "magical" experience. Disneyland CA, is small, humble, homey, and full of happiness. It's full of an energy that releases you from all problems in your life. Everything stops and you find yourself in a place where you just can't seem to stop smiling. From the park staples to the oh so delicious churros, you will never find yourself having a dull time. While you are there take time to see exactly where all the other parks got their inspiration from. This is Walt's dream and never let size fool you.
Originally Posted By Schmitty Good Vibes Oh no!I'm very late to this topic. Don't go on New Years Day!! Too late! If you did you'll know why I posted this. Sorry.
Originally Posted By WestWind Thanks for starting this metman. Many thanks davewasbaloo for sharing all your information, experience, and opinions. You obviously have a lot of knowledge about the different parks and I found it a very interesting read. Well said zekeayala, I think you captured a feeling about DL that I find hard to put in words. I can not offer comparisons between the different parks as I have only been to DL and have no strong desire to visit others (unless an opportunity came up). I love the atmosphere and the attention to detail, for the most part - perfection.
Originally Posted By fkurucz <<Also, my english wife loves the factory tours of American food.>> You mean the Tortilla factory?
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo The Tortilla Factory and the Boudin Bakery. Tortillas only became common place about 10 years ago (even then not that common) and sour dough bread is extremely rare in Europe.
Originally Posted By fkurucz Well, FWIW Tortillas are Mexican (and to some degree Central American) in origin. Also, they don't know how to make good corn Tortillas in the USA. The ones they sell at the super markets here are terrible. Besides that, no self respecting Mexican would buy cold corn tortillas. In Mexico you buy them piping hot daily, just before meal time. Leftovers are usually thrown away, as you just can't reheat them in a way that they will taste OK.
Originally Posted By u k fan Interesting topic. Thanks for sharing Dave. Come December I'll be in a similar situation myself. (Although I now feel a little sad that I don't know how many times I've been to DLP!) Compared to DLP will the size of DL be a shock? As DLP is my home park and my first Disney park I grew up expecting all DL's to be roughly the same size. I realize that's not the case, but will I feel like Gulliver as I step onto Main St.?!!!
Originally Posted By MomluvsDisney "Besides that, no self respecting Mexican would buy cold corn tortillas. In Mexico you buy them piping hot daily, just before meal time. Leftovers are usually thrown away, as you just can't reheat them in a way that they will taste OK." Although in the US many Mexicans purchase the store tortillas as the other are not usually available. I frequent a Hispanic foods grocery store that does make them fresh, but it does sell the fresh made tortillas cold. My brother-in-law comes from a Mexican background and his family buys them cold from the supermarket all the time. They do heat them up on a flat griddle pan to eat them. I will tell you the last time I was in France; I was making enchiladas, Spanish rice and refried bean dinner for our host. It was so hard to even find the ingredients I needed to make the dinner. I had to improvise on some of it. It really made me appreciate the availability to so many varieties and types of food here in the states. I routinely hit the Armenian vegetable market, the Hispanic supermarket and the Asian supermarket. It makes cooking so fun!
Originally Posted By Dabob2 <Also, they don't know how to make good corn Tortillas in the USA. > There are plenty of places in LA where they do, if you know where to go.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo It's different Momluvsdisney. I am appalled by the lack of choice of cheeses and breads in the average supermarket in the US. But yes, there are many American ingredients that are hard to get.
