For a while now i've been thinking about how badly I want to experience Disneyland for myself. I know some hardcore Walt Disney World lovers that have no aspiration to ever see Disneyland since they believe it can't get better than Walt Disney World. Now, I don't know that for myself so I can't say but I can tell you that i'd at least like to see the original --- Walt's baby.
I'm quite fascinated by Walt's old plans for Disneyland and how the idea even came about. He wanted a place that the entire family could have fun together. Really this was a new concept for people since it seemed that before Disneyland, adults had their fun and kids weren't involved in that. Walt took his two daughters to this little local park and sat on a bench watching them play. It dawned on him that it would be really great if the whole family could have a place to play. Not just the kids! Walt was definitely a kid at heart so I think Disneyland was just as much for him as it was for the public.
Even though Disneyland is older and smaller than Walt Disney World, it has some of the classic attractions that haven't been revamped into something twisted and weird (Tiki Room: Under New Management). Disneyland has the better Space Mountain! I've also heard on numerous occasions that Fantasmic! is better at DL as well. Disneyland has an Indiana Jones attraction whereas WDW only has the show. Ever since I saw the movie "That Thing You Do" when I was a kid i've had a strong desire to ride the Matterhorn. Also, Toontown is apparently way cooler than Towntown Fair in WDW. No surprise there.
The NUMBER ONE reason that I want to go to Disneyland is to see Walt's baby. You should know i'm a huge fan of Walt himself. I've read lots of books and have seen lots of movies on the man behind the mouse. His life just blows my mind. I admire him so much for so many reasons. Disneyland has a tour called "A Walk in Walt's Footsteps." I cannot wait to take this 2 1/2 hour tour myself. They talk about Walt's personal involvement in the park's design and development. He really put his seal of approval on everything and wouldn't let something go public until it was perfect in his eyes.
I'm hoping next year i'll get to make it to Disneyland. It'll probably end up being more expensive than my usual Walt Disney World trip but I'm sure it'll totally be worth it.
I worry you won't be a big fan of Disneyland. Simply because I know a lot of the things you like about the Disney experience (resorts/restaurants)just don't exist as much at Disneyland.
ReplyDeleteI know a LOT of WDW vets were less than impressed with Disneyland. I went to WDW a few times as a kid. I didn't go to Disneyland until 2004. I remember thinking "wow. The castle is so small." But since I hadn't been to WDW since 1995 I didn't have too much to compare.
Of course, now that I'm a huge Disneyland fan, the Magic Kingdom at WDW doesn't do as much for me. I don't feel the "magic" at the Magic Kingdom.
This comment is long. Maybe I'll just wrote a blog entry about this. Haha.
If you ever had a lot of free time. You can watch "Building Walt's Dream - Disneyland's Construction" on youtube. Here is part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7NooXnWm5U
ReplyDeleteThis person on youtube has all the parts. Plus a bunch of other Disneyland videos.
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=theeditor84&view=videos
Oh my gosh! I can't wait to watch that!
ReplyDeleteYeah, actually I was reading an article on someone who's a big DL fan and they said that they'd talked to a lot of people who were underwhelmed when going to DL the first time but grew to totally love it after they learned more about it and learned to appreciate it for what it is.
I think one main reasons I love Disneyland so much is because I adore their Fantasyland. I love the facades for the buildings. I love that there are so many rides (Carousel, Snow White, Pinocchio, Peter Pan, Mr. Toads, Storybook Canal, Tea Cups, Casey Jr., Alice in Wonderland.)
ReplyDeleteOh, I know! I'm SO happy that they are extending and renovating Fantasyland in WDW. It needs something done with it. So, what exactly is this Pinocchio attraction?
ReplyDelete....I miss Mr. Toad's so much. RIP.
Side note: I want to go on the teacups so badly to say that I have but i'm afraid i'll get sick. Are they that bad if you don't spin them yourself?
ReplyDeletePinocchio is just a dark ride like Snow White. Not too exciting but I like it.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been on the teacups at Disneyland or WDW in years. But I did go on them at a park in Iowa last weekend. I was with my 4 year old niece. I tried to spin them a bit but we both started to get dizzy. It wasn't too bad. But I definitely recommend Dramamine if you're going to try it. And maybe wait until the end of the day. If you start to get dizzy...don't look out at the people standing or anything. That would make it worse.