Guest Review: Why I Love Disneyland: Top 5 Unique Experiences

I will be honest.  I have always been partial to Walt Disney World.  I have always lived in parts of the country that were more geared to Disney World and therefore never really understood the magic and significance of the Disneyland Resort.  That all changed this past year when my family and I moved to Colorado and visited Disneyland for the first time.

​People always compare the two resorts and though I did at first, I have come to realize you really can’t compare them.  Both have such amazing and magical aspects that are unique to each of them.  Below I have highlighted some of my favorite things about Disneyland.  These are the unique experiences that make Disneyland such a magical place to visit and made me fall in love in with parks, just as I did Walt Disney World.

1) The history.

Everywhere you turn or look at Disneyland you can see Walt’s vision.  Walking under the arches for the first time and seeing the lamp lit in Walt’s apartment window was very emotional.  In case you have not heard the story of the lamp let me fill you in on it.  You see, Walt would light that lamp as a sign to his cast members that he was there in the park that day.  The lamp stays lit permanently now as a symbol that Walt is always there in spirit.  I also loved seeing the bench where Walt first came up with the idea of Disneyland.  I read a lot about Walt and his vision for Disneyland before I went and knowing some of that history made the trip more magical for me.  It added some extra depth to our experiences. 

2)  The roaming characters.
 While it seems the character schedules are becoming a little more scheduled and predictable (or at least the schedule is becoming more accessible) there is still a feeling of spontaneity to character meets.  We saw several characters roaming the parks while we were there, and several times a character would appear and we were able to get an autograph with little to no wait.  The characters just feel more integrated into the park.  I loved it!
3) Cars Land.

This is by far the most amazing land in all of the Disney parks (in terms of theme) in my opinion.  It really feels like you just stepped into Radiator Springs and are part of the movie.  The detail of this land is unbelievable!  I mean, you actually see Lightening McQueen, Mater, and Red driving down the streets!  There are some great hidden gems as well.  For example, look for the orange cones in the gift shop and you will see a great little nod to another beloved Disney favorite!

4) The laid back feeling.

Disneyland is truly California.  It is so laid back in terms of planning.  Dining reservations can not be made until 60 days out and often times can be made the day of the reservation.  Fastpasses are still paper and you can walk everywhere, no busses required!  Another perk, that can make the vacation more affordable for families, is the option of Good Neighbor hotels.  Disneyland truly has a vacation option for all budgets!  The agents at Whitney World Travel would be thrilled to help your family find a vacation option in your budget!

5) Nighttime entertainment.

Disneyland has some wonderful nighttime entertainment right now!  Paint the Night (I know it technically is not part of the entertainment right now, but fingers crossed it comes back!!) is my favorite parade!  World of Color is amazing as well.  The creativity and technology that is in these shows is just mind boggling to me!  Fantasmic! was under refurbishment when we went, but I can not wait to see it the next time we go!  

There you have it! My top five favorite experiences that make Disneyland unique and wonderful!  If you have not had the privilege of visiting Disneyland I hope you will consider doing so one day.  It is easy to believe it is not as grand or magical as Walt Disney World, but when you take the time to notice the things that make Disneyland uniquely Disneyland, you begin to appreciate what a special place it really is and fall in love with it as well!  ​

---

About the Author

Morgan Scully
Morgan is passionate about all things Disney. From an early age she loved taking in the magic of Disney World, but its when she became a mom and she saw life through her daughter's eyes that she truly understood how amazing a Disney vacation can be for a family. Morgan is well versed in all things Disney Parks and Disney Cruise Line. She also serves as Whitney World Travel's Military Vacation Specialist-- helping the brave men and women who serve our country and their families get the most out of their vacations. Morgan is a graduate of Texas A&M University.