losaitkens
03-02-2007, 02:42 PM
I just wanted to tell everyone how much we enjoyed Disneyland during our visit February 21-24th. I felt so excited for this trip, even though we had just gone to WDW for the first time in Sept 2006. It just felt like I was coming home. Don't get me wrong- we had an amazing 9 night stay at WDW and cannot wait to go back sometime but Disneyland just has a magic and sense of historical place that WDW, with all its offerings does not match. Here's what I noticed and appreciated more about DL after our WDW trip.
-The Magic Kingdom felt like a "set" to me in a lot of ways. Disneyland feels like a place, like it belongs there. Everything from the architectural detail to the plants and little niches just seem to be a part of the place. It feels real, not forced.
-Walking is a MUCH more relaxing way to travel. WDW has pretty good buses and great roads throughout the resort but I loved taking that walk across Harbor and arriving at my room without strategically planning my bus route or collapsing a stroller or parking a car.
-The people at Disneyland seem more relaxed. Not everyone mind you, but in general, there seem to be less commando types at Disneyland than at WDW.
-Dining at DL is MUCH less stressful than at WDW. Planning all our ADRs (advanced dining ressies) in WDW required more research than any part of our trip. Dining is SERIOUS business for many people in WDW. While there definitely are more choices and better food available at WDW, in DL people will look at you like you are CRAZY if you are trying to make reservations to eat 180 days in advance. It was really nice to just call Goofy's Kitchen a few days before and secure a table at a decent time for breakfast.
-As many have said, the DL version of many rides are better, particularly Pirates.
There were lots of other little things too but the main thing for me was that even with all the bombardment of merchandising and the increasing costs, it felt like Walt's place. It still maintains the simple charm and beauty and imaginative spirit of what he was trying to achieve. WDW is amazing and truly a vacation experience on steroids that I think all DL freaks should experience but it will never fill me with the same childlike wonder and spirit that the original park holds for me.
Just my 2 cents and I hope all of you enjoy your upcoming trips to DL or WDW. Thanks as always to everyone here at Mouse Planet for all their tips and advice. I do not post that often but love checking in here to feel the pulse of my favorite place on earth.
-The Magic Kingdom felt like a "set" to me in a lot of ways. Disneyland feels like a place, like it belongs there. Everything from the architectural detail to the plants and little niches just seem to be a part of the place. It feels real, not forced.
-Walking is a MUCH more relaxing way to travel. WDW has pretty good buses and great roads throughout the resort but I loved taking that walk across Harbor and arriving at my room without strategically planning my bus route or collapsing a stroller or parking a car.
-The people at Disneyland seem more relaxed. Not everyone mind you, but in general, there seem to be less commando types at Disneyland than at WDW.
-Dining at DL is MUCH less stressful than at WDW. Planning all our ADRs (advanced dining ressies) in WDW required more research than any part of our trip. Dining is SERIOUS business for many people in WDW. While there definitely are more choices and better food available at WDW, in DL people will look at you like you are CRAZY if you are trying to make reservations to eat 180 days in advance. It was really nice to just call Goofy's Kitchen a few days before and secure a table at a decent time for breakfast.
-As many have said, the DL version of many rides are better, particularly Pirates.
There were lots of other little things too but the main thing for me was that even with all the bombardment of merchandising and the increasing costs, it felt like Walt's place. It still maintains the simple charm and beauty and imaginative spirit of what he was trying to achieve. WDW is amazing and truly a vacation experience on steroids that I think all DL freaks should experience but it will never fill me with the same childlike wonder and spirit that the original park holds for me.
Just my 2 cents and I hope all of you enjoy your upcoming trips to DL or WDW. Thanks as always to everyone here at Mouse Planet for all their tips and advice. I do not post that often but love checking in here to feel the pulse of my favorite place on earth.