I am goingt o DLR and DCA in a couple of weeks and was wandering what is one thing I had to do while there because this is my first time going to both Disney parks in CA. PLease make sure if you post something it is something that is not in WDW because I go there at least once a year.

Magic Kingdom is almost about the same as DLR with a few differences. It's got your typical Space, Splash, and Big Thunder Mountains, but it's got the Matterhorn and a different version of the Haunted Mansion.

Be sure to ride the Matterhorn. The lines are usually pretty lengthy this time of year. Splash and Space Mountain have pretty long lines too.

Disney's California Adventure appeals to an older audience, if you will. They've got California Screamin', which launches you from 0-50mph in less than five seconds - which is VERY fun; it's a must ride!

I think you'd enjoy the Maliboomer. It's basically like Tower of Terror only outdoors. You're shot up a large tower and then you fall back down and repeat the process a few times.

Grizzly River Run is another fun thing to do. It's along the concepts of Kali River Rapids because it's a raft ride and you get pretty wet. You raft through mountains and rocks and other forest-type landmarks.

Hope this helps (a little - someone else can further enlighten you),
~FO

Thanks! I might try those rides. Also if any body has suggestions on where to eat while there please post!

You will see a lot of similarities but a lot of differences too.
Some of the things different you really need to see:

Toon town is far surperior in Disneyland. Even if you dont want to ride things at least walk through it and take it in. Its awesome!! Roger Rabit spin is cute too.

IN Fantasyland they still have Mr Toads wild ride :-)

Storybook Canals and Caseys Train both go through/around an area that was around when Walt was alive. There are many many miniature villages and bonsai plants made to look like the villiages from the stories. Its a wonderful picture opportunity and in my opinion one of the most underrated attractions. I love the 50 year old trees that are probably no more than 2 feet tall.

Small world and Pirates are both in WDW and DL but Disneyland does both rides much better. In WDW you feel like you are in a warehouse. In Disneyland they dont. Hopefully Pirates will be open when you are there. You will see a huge difference.

Disneyland has New Orleans and it great to take in a whole new land. Sometimes they throw beads from the building to the crowds below. (Real fun to do!! I just dont know when they do it or is it even planned times?)

Fantasmic is much better at Disneyland but the seating is much better at WDW. IF you want to see it try to catch the second showing for a better chance at a seat with out a 4 hour wait.

A lot of the rest of Disneyland is similar to WDW.
WDW does splash mountain a thousand times better.
Space Mountain is better in Disneyland now that they re did it.
Innoventions is a round turning building in Disneyland and in WDW its two seperate pavilions in Epcot and I like WDW version better.
VMK is in innoventions/and out front in Disneyland.
Autopia is longer in Disneyland I think. I heard they merged a couple tracks together.

For California Adventure. There is so much to do there. Some things are the same. Like Tower of Terror (I think WDW version is better), Soarin over California, Muppets 3D, Tough to be a bug, and Im sure there is more the same.

Some unique things include:
Aladdin show. Its really done great in a beautiful theater.
Monsters to me is a sleeper ride but great photo opportunities inside.
I love the building (Cant rememebr the title right now) its on the main street near Muppets. It has Crush turtle talk, and a place to learn to draw Mickey, and a place to see what character you are. Its a fun building to explore.
The pier has Califorina Screaming (Similar to Rockin Roller coaster but not in a building). The Sun wheel is fun to go on the moving carts but beware a very short ride!! Try it once at least. There are so many other things in this park to see. I do like the show California Dreams if you like to learn about California. I have seen it many times and its a sad but true story about California. Its definatly worth seeing once especially if you need a cool sit down break. Its hosted by Whoopie Goldberg.


To eat:
If you want a princess meal try Ariels Grotto in DCA. (You may need reservations for that) Its a sit down meal with one price. (Kind of pricey too)

I like the Chicken sandwich and fixins bar at the place next to Soarin over California.

Down Town Disney has Rainforest Cafe, Also the Italian place is pretty good. I especially like their Pizza. (I think its called Naples). I have also eaten at the MExican place and its pretty good too.
In Disneyland I only have counter meals. Nothing really stands out as a favorite to me.

You can walk across the street on Harbor and get IHop, Dennys, Tony Romas (ribs and steaks) and I think a few more restaurants too. They tend to cost more than the same chains near your home so we dont usually venture out there often.


Wow I think I typed a book now. Hope you have a great trip!!

Blue Bayou in Disneyland is a good place to eat. If it's open that is...,but if you do plan to eat there, make sure you get a reservation early because they fill up fast. It's a little pricey, but not all that pricey.

I am goingt o DLR and DCA in a couple of weeks and was wandering what is one thing I had to do while there because this is my first time going to both Disney parks in CA. PLease make sure if you post something it is something that is not in WDW because I go there at least once a year.Even though they are the same attractions in DLR and WDW, for some of them there are big differences.

Crowds usually start coming in large waves around 10am, so the first 1-2 hours after Disneyland Park's opening is the best time to catch the "E-ticket" rides

Disneyland Park:

Remember...Dreams Come True: The "You must not miss or you'll be sorry" fireworks spectacular (18 minutes long). The very beginning and very end uses the Wishes! soundtrack but everything in between, be ready for surprises. I suggest staking out a spot around 8:30pm in the central hub (preferably a straight-on, lined up view of the castle). If the straight on areas are full then its better to be on the Tomorrowland side of the central hub.
Space Mountain: redone and updated for the 50th Anniversary with a new soundtrack and new special effects. Times this ride has a short line: First 1-2 hrs after opening (Suggestion: A must "First thing to do" and first ride you should FASTPASS)
Indiana Jones Adventure: uses technology that brought about Dinosaur in Animal Kingdom (this ride opened in 1995) but with an exciting collection of special effects trying to escape the wrath of the temple's idol. Times this ride has a short line: First 1-2 hrs after opening (Suggestion: Ride that should be your next FASTPASS), times may go down for the evening depending how crowded the park is.
Matterhorn: This is the first coaster in Disneyland, so expect a bumpy ride with many sharp turns. This ride is especially great to ride at night. Times this ride has a short line: First 1-2 hrs after opening (No FASTPASS on this attraction), times may go down for the evening depending how crowded the park is.
Pirates of the Caribbean: There are some differences between the versions and with the new changes coming in late June (calendar says June 26) it will be interesting to see. Times this ride has a short line: First 2 hrs after opening, after 9:45pm (fireworks).
Haunted Mansion: There is a new effect here you must not miss. The "Bride in the Attic" Scene has been redone to give a more creepy side to this attraction. Times this ride has a short line: First 2 hrs after opening, after 9:45pm (fireworks).
Fantasmic: This version I feel is better than the one in Disney-MGM since they utilize both ships from the Rivers of America. Best time to view: The 2nd showing at 10:30pm. May still be closed due to Pirates Movie world premiere.
Jungle Cruise: Even though MK also has one, this attraction also had a refurbishment over a year ago that added some more special effects.Times this ride has a short line: If the line goes uses up to the 2nd floor, the line is too long.
Sailing Ship Columbia: operates seaonally. May not operate due to the Pirates movie world premiere.
The Original Enchanted Tiki Room
Mr Toad's Wild Ride
Pinnochio's Daring Journey
Casey Jr. Train
Storybookland Canal Boats: A tour (with a tour guide) of places from your favorite Disney Animated features, minature-ized. Times this ride has a short line: This ride is closed during the parade to prevent a choke point for the bypass route to Small World and Toontown. The ride reopens right after the parade passes through, that is the best time.
Disneyland The First 50 Years: Great art, designs, and models showing 50 years of Disneyland's history and an entertaining film hosted by Steve Martin and Donald Duck.
Disney Gallery: Located above POTC, features a large collection of art from Disneyland's 50 years. A great air-conditioned place to relax and use up time.
Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin: A typical dark ride except for the fact you can spin your car around.
Little Known Attractions/Entertainment:
Push the Trash Can (typically wanders Tomorrowland between Astro Orbitor, Club Buzz, and the Redd Rockets entrance)
Marshmallow, the turkey given the traditional pardon by the president last Thanksgiving (Big Thunder Ranch, daytime)
Frontierland Comedy Club (performances in front of Golden Horshoe)



Disney's CA Adventure:

Grizzly River Run: A rapids ride where I've gottne more soaked here compared to splatters I got in Kali River Rapids in Animal Kingdom. But they may have toned down how soaked you can get after its last refurbishment. Times this ride has a short line: Whenever the temperature goes below 70 F (that's considered cold for SoCal people); evening hours
California Screamin: A big roller coaster in Paradise Pier, what more do I have to say. Times this ride has a short line: Best to FASTPASS this ride or ride it whenever the wait says 20 min or less.
Monsters Inc: Times this ride has a short line: Not after a parade, not after an Aladdin Musical Performance
Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular: In the 2000+ seat theater, a spectacular 40 min show that can't compare to any other stage show in Disney Theme Parks. If you want the orchestra section come earlier. Best show time to view: usually the showing around 2 or 2:30pm. Best place to view: Middle of orchestra section (not too close to the very front), middle front of Mezzanine level.
Disney's Electrical Parade
The Lobby of the Disney Animation Building An excellent place to relax surround by giant screens showing scenes and playing music from your favorite Disney movies.
Maliboomer
Sun Wheel: Go on the moving carts, that will be an unforgettable experience for Ferris Wheel.
Orange Stinger
Muholland Madness: Like Primeval Whirl in Animal Kingdom without the spin.
Golden Zephr
Jumpin Jellyfish
Flik's Fun Fair A bunch of kiddie rides
Boudin Bakery and Mission Tortilla Factory Shows how sourdough bread and tortillas are made (but who really pays attention to that when the good part is that you get a free tortilla sample)
Redwood Creek Challenge Trail A kids playground simply put


Eating in the Park:
Unfortunately, dining will not be as extensive and unique here at DLR compared to WDW, but there are a few good places.

Blue Bayou and Cafe Orleans are set to reopen by the time POTC reopens with new menus. Blue Bayou is a restaurant in the ride itself with the moonlit night in the bayou, but its a super popular restaurant, even more so after Pirates reopens.
Napa Rose in The Grand Californian, Granville's Steakhouse in Disneyland Hotel are award winning restaurants but they are also the most expensive.
Rancho del Zocalo in Frontierland features Mexican while Redd Rocketts in Tomorrowland features Pizza, Salads, and various pastas.
Plaza Inn (Main Street) features Fried Chicken, Pasta, & Pot Roast as well as Salads and Deserts.
Clam Chowder and Gumbo in Bread bowls (and fritters) can be found in Royal Street Veranda tucked in a corner next to the Pirates/Disney Gallery building.
Best Hot Dogs can be found in Award Weiners in DCA's Hollywood Pictures Backlot.
Best Chicken Fingers, Fish n' Chips can be found in Paradise Pier by the King Triton's Carousel in DCA.
Village Haus, Hungry Bear, Club Buzz, & Tastes Pilots Grill offer your typical fast food fare.
Best place for a snack is the Tiki Juice Bar which has the Dole Pinapple Whip which is pretty good.