Originally Posted By magic0214 Day 1 (August 11th) We got to John Wayne airport at around 12:30 and got in the car services car and left at around 1. We arrived at our hotel (Embassy Suites) and got all situated. The hotel was wonderful, nice lobby and great breakfast. Used the ART buses the entire trip and was amazed at how smoothly the system ran. Put the Disney World bus system to shame. We headed off the Downtown Disney. Walked into the Esplanade and was shocked how close everything was to each other. I knew it was close but GOODNESS! Walked through, took some pictures (Its a first trip...give me a break!) and headed towards DtD. Loved the layout and the look, multiple story buildings with a Art Deco kind of look. Also enjoyed the mix of Disney stores and very mall-esque stores. Weather that afternoon and evening was wonderful, about 70ish with a nice breeze and sunny. Coming from 89 and humid as heck, this was a gift from the gods! Had dinner at Rainforest Cafe, design was much better here then at Disney World. Pin store though was jammed up and a terrible design. Preferred the Orlando one a million times over, Day 2 coming soon!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>design was much better here then at Disney World.<<< I suspect we may be reading these words over and over again. Glad you had a good time. I look forward to reading the rest.
Originally Posted By tashajilek Sounds like a good time. You have to tell us what attractions you liked.
Originally Posted By seafairy1622 We were there a week ahead of you. We stayed at the Embassy Suites too. Sounds like you had fun.
Originally Posted By magic0214 Got to the turnstiles at around 7:30am. Never done a rope drop before so that was pretty fun, tons of anticipation! Walking down Main Street was amazing, first time just kind of over whelmed! Now I think I will just list the rides I rode with review...here we go! Pirates-Wow! Just Wow! Rode twice, That was an amazing attraction. Disneyland Wins Haunted Mansion-Disappointed, expected more, very short. Disney World Wins (Also, starting here and throughout the trip was Cast Members really getting into character. Really appreciated that,) Indiana Jones-Great ride, rode twice, Line was short, but the walk SUCKED! Hated the line, but loved the ride. Never been on Dinosaur at home, but I have heard it is the same track. (Top 5 for me) Alice-Great little dark ride, rode twice, enjoyed it. Mr. Toad-Ehhh, was just ehhh Space Mountain-MUCH better at DLR, loved it with the score. Disneyland Wins Innoventions-Kind of hated it, but loved being able to walk on the Carousel to exit, but overall, Disney World Wins Monorail-Just going by the Train, not the route, Disneyland Wins Buzz Lightyear- Enjoyed it, liked the removable guns and the targets, but enjoyed the track at WDW's better, Disneyland Wins though It's A Small World- This is weird becuase I enjoyed the characters a ton, enjoyed the America scene, loved the facade, but HATED the trough. Missed most of the sets from WDW, especially the Jungle setting. Also missed the flood sets. But, Disneyland Wins. Will do more later!
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 Just popping in to say that I'm so happy that your dream to go to Disneyland came true
Originally Posted By WDWdreamin Pirates and Space Mountain were the big Disneyland wins after comparison for me. I'm so excited to read the rest of your trip report. So glad you could go any enjoy the original!
Originally Posted By tashajilek I really love the Indy walk through. I think its hands down the best Queue DL has to offer.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I really agree with most of your views here Magic (though I prefer DL's HM, I have not been on WDW's since the additions however). But it sounds like you really need to get over to Paris, I think you would really fall in love.
Originally Posted By magic0214 Want to get some more out of the way Roger Rabbit-Wow, that is a terrible ride. Waited half an hour in the most cramped line ever (And dropped the flick card might I add, felt like a terrible Disney Fan!) and it was such a disappointment French Market-Fantastic food, Had the chicken. Delicious, best Quick-Service meal at parks. Then the beignets...OH MY GOODNESS! Big Thunder Mountain-Enjoyed it, pretty similar to Disney World, but I enjoyed Disneyland's more so, Disneyland Wins Disney Gallery-Nice, great exhibit on Mary Blair, good thing to have at parks Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln-I liked it, but not as much as HoP or the American Adventure so Disney World Wins Tiki Room-Goodness, My favorite show ever I think. Remember, I never saw the original, I grew up with the "Under New Management" version...I know, gross. Loved the pre-show and ADORED the full show. Couldn't stop "Singing like the birdies sing" Disneyland DEFIANTLY wins, even though they made it the old version Subs-Enjoyed it, Heard bad things about it but it was really neat. Wish we had it here Rode the Omni-Bus, that was fun and neat Snow White-Better then Disney World, so Disneyland Wins Pinocchio-Great Dark ride, liked it a lot Peter Pan-Always liked it on both coasts, but its just SO SHORT! I think...ITS A TIE Sleeping Beauty Castle Walk-through-It was great! Wish we had something like that here, its small, and adorable! Storybookland-GREAT! One of my highlights, just something small and wonderful! Didn't do Fantasmic, you will find out why tomorrow!
Originally Posted By WDWdreamin "Disneyland DEFIANTLY wins" Interesting spelling. Just admit it, Disneyland wins. I don't like the subs at all, but Storybook land is great.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Glad you are having a great time. My only surprise is not liking roger rabbit. I love it! Different strokes. Can't wait to read your views on dca or why you missed the superior version of Fantastic.
Originally Posted By tashajilek I love Roger rabbit too Dave. I think it's the best dark ride. Well Mermaid might have the advantage now.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Can't comment on mermaid as I have yet to ride, but I do prefer the source material of WFRR compared to TLM. But let's face it, the cool thing about a good theme park is there is something for everyone. I always love reading 1st timer trip reports, the energy is always so great.
Originally Posted By magic0214 Yea, I loved Who Framed Roger Rabbit, but the ride was lacking A LOT! At least to me OKAY, sorry for the wait but, ON TO DCA...excuse me Disney California Adventure! Animation building-Loved it, I could sit in there for hours! Also was a big fan of the Zoetrope, Sorcerer's Academy came off better here, also because it was much better themed. Only thing I didn't care for was the drawing class. Our's has tables and comes off as much nicer, here everyone has lap boards (I understand, it came quickly after they closed the Mushu movie...but still) Overall though, Disneyland Wins. Just a side note, Award Wieners was a really good hot dog! Boudin Bakery Tour-Okay, I kind of love this. I did it 4 times, could quote the entire thing by the end. It was just neat, wish we had something like that here. California Screamin-I enjoyed it more then Rockin Roller Coaster (Which seems like the right comparison) did it, I think, 11 times single rider. There was no line, walked right on every time, it was great. Disneyland Wins Francis Ladybug Boogie-Fun...did it twice Games of the Boardwalk were cute, like the Disney themed prizes too. Golden Zephyr-Fun, no line, tad short though Goofy's Sky School-Enjoyed the themeing, I have Cheetah Chase though at Busch Gardens which is the same track, but I enjoyed Goofy's more. Jumpin Jellyfish-Cute, fun little ride, short, but what is up with that safety spiel's voice! "And, Oh my goodness, watch your children" A tad annoying. Side note, Phineas and Ferb music is played WAY TOO LOUD, they need to turn it down...good grief! Little Mermaid-Great dark ride, came off much better live then on video. Ursula was cool. Excited for it to come here. Mickey's Fun Wheel-Love the motion it brings to the Pier, very fun, did swinging and stationary. Great ride. Silly Symphony Swings-Best Swing ride I have ever been on Soarin'-Same as here so... Tower of Terror-Did it 5 times, loved the no waits! Great drop sequence, but I think a random sequence would help it. I did like it without the hallway though. So...TIE Monster's Inc-Wow, might be my favorite dark ride. Kind of wish Superstar Limo was still there... "Hey, Regis Philbin...and that's MY final answer!" So we did Ariel's Grotto dining package for World Of Color on day two, we were planning to see Fantasmic the next night. My mother loved it (So did I, found it ten times better then Fantasmic). SO we decided the next day to do the Wine Country dining package and see World of Color again. After eating at both, Wine Country came out on top, so if you are deciding between the 2...pick the Trattoria (<sp). Over the course of the trip, I decided whenever I do College Program, I want to do it in Cali. So I came up with a list of the top 3 places I would want to work 3)Games of the Boardwalk 2)Tiki Room 1)Tower of Terror (Think it would be fun to act scary all day!) I think that's it, if you want to know anything else I didn't mention, let me know! Had a great trip and I hope to come back soon!
