Top 10 things to experience at Disneyland!

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On June 20, 2013, my family will be making it’s first pilgrimage to Disneyland!  The Park, as my friends know it, is, of course, the original, the one that started it all, the signature park of Walt Disney’s incredible legacy.  Since we have never been to Disneyland before, I have been in crazy planning mode for the past several months, looking at all of the attractions, dining, resorts, and on and on, to come up with the things that we want to experience when we get to Disneyland.  That process has led me to create a countdown on my own blog, aptly titled 100 Days til Disneyland.  Each day I am focusing on a different experience at the Park and sharing it with you over at my blog, My Dreams of Disney.  You can see the list thus far by clicking on the 100 Days til Disneyland link.

Based on the research that I’ve done so far, I am sharing with you today my top ten things to experience at Disneyland!  Please read it all, and then, in the comments, tell me which ones you like and don’t like, and tell me your own top ten list, or tell me how many of mine are on your list!

Top 10 things to experience at Disneyland

I’ve decided to do this as a countdown list, Letterman Style, so that when you get to #1 on the list, you will know that that experience is at the top of my list to experience!  So, starting at number 10:


10.) Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride

This attraction is one that I have never experienced, but I’ve heard so much about it, I’ve got to take a look at it!  I don’t know if I’ll like it or not, but I’m guessing that it will leave me wishing it was still around at the Magic Kingdom!

9.) Peter Pan’s Flight

Of course this attraction is on my list!  I love Peter Pan’s Flight at the Magic Kingdom, and I can’t wait to see what it is like at Disneyland!  Is it better, worse, or the same everyone?  Let me know!

8.) Toontown

It was one of my great disappointments to see Walt Disney World close down Mickey’s Toontown Fair.  That land, even though it was not a big land, had a lot of great memories for me and my family, especially the time we saw our daughter so excited to see Donald Duck there.  So, Toontown is definitely something that I’m looking forward to experiencing!

Sophie, age 6 in this photo, so excited to see Donald Duck!
Sophie, age 6 in this photo, so excited to see Donald Duck!

7.) Splash Mountain

This attraction became Sophie’s favorite when we rode it at the 40th Anniversary of the Magic Kingdom in 2011.  It is a great ride, and we can’t wait to experience it at Disneyland!

6.) Space Mountain

Cindy and I love Space Mountain at the Magic Kingdom, but Sophie does not.  However, she might ride it at Disneyland because it has side by side seats, whereas the Magic Kingdom does not!  I can’t wait to ride it!

5.) Pirates of the Caribbean

The Pirates of the Caribbean is one of my favorite attractions at Walt Disney World, so it comes as no surprise that I can’t wait to check it out at Disneyland!  I have heard from my friends that I will like it BETTER at Disneyland then I already do at Walt Disney World!

4.) Haunted Mansion

There are some really incredible differences between the Haunted Mansion attraction at Liberty Square in the Magic Kingdom and the one at New Orleans Square in Disneyland.  For starters, the houses look night-and-day different, and the engineering of the attraction is different.  Are there any other differences that you know of?  If so, let me know what they are please!

3.) Soarin’ Over California

I used to get really nervous when I rode this attraction at Epcot, but now I love it!  I can’t wait to see it at Disney’s California Adventure!  Is it the same film as at Epcot?

2.) Cars Land at Night

Visually, the nighttime shots of Cars Land at Disney’s California Adventure Park are among the best I’ve ever seen!  I can’t wait to experience it all myself, and just let my camera be my guide through what I believe will be one of the absolute highlights of our trip!

1.) World of Color

At number one on my list is that incredible show, World of Color!  When Disney had it’s grand opening launch of the show, with all of the celebrities on hand, who do you think was up at midnight watching it on the Internet?  I was!  Who goes out periodically and watches it again via YouTube?  I do.  Who can’t WAIT to see it live and in person in June? I can’t!

Thank you for following along as we explore my top ten list of things to experience when we get to Disneyland!  What are your top things to do at the Park?  Please let me know, and I’ll talk to you later!

Top 10 things to experience at Disneyland!

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8 thoughts on “Top 10 things to experience at Disneyland!

  1. You have to check out the Aladdin show at DCA! It’s incredible & definitely worth seeing. You are spot on with all 10 of the things you want to see.. make sure to get a fast pass for World of Color in DCA by the Grizzly River Run, that way you can be nice & close! 🙂 Have fun!

  2. Soarin’ is the same. Our Pirates is something like 5 minutes longer I’ve read. Oh yes don’t leave out the Matterhorn. Our Splash Mountain is not side by side either, but if you have a littler one who does better next to you, you can ask for the back seat where she can sit next to you. If you do this make sure the child is on your right side or she won’t be seen in the picture. I have also heard our Fantasmic is better than the WDW version. It is our never miss.
    Plan to Parkhop, you exit one gate, walk 100 yards and are at the other gate.
    I have a friend who regularly visits both coasts, she makes WDW regulars promise not to make fun of our castle, and DL regulars to not make fun of WDW’s Pirates.
    Love Mr. Toad, in Fantasyland don’t miss Storybook Land Canal boats, or the castle Walkthrough.

  3. Good list. In the Haunted Mansion, the stretching rooms are actually elevators taking guests down so they can go under the railroad track as the attraction building is on the other side of the berm.

    Cars Land as a whole is awesome! It is like the movie came to life!

    Another difference is on Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, the laser gun is not attached to the ride vehicle at DLR which makes it easier to use when your partner doesn’t turn the vehicle.

    You did leave the Matterhorn off of your list. This is a must-ride! And the Aladdin show in DCA is a must-see as well.

    I think the biggest difference between DLR and WDW are the wait lines-they are shorter at DLR and mostly outside. Wear plenty of sunscreen so you don’t get sunburned!

    As for my top 15, because I couldn’t limit it to 10, I would go with this:

    15. Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin

    14. Bug’s Land

    13. All the Fantasyland attractions as most are not in WDW! (Casey Jr. Circus Train, Storybook Land
    Canal Boats, it’s a small world [has Disney characters integrated into the
    attraction], Pinocchio’s Daring Journey, Snow White’s Scary Adventures, Alice
    in Wonderland, along with Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride)

    12. The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure

    11. Monster’s Inc. Mike & Sully to the Rescue

    10. Mickey’s Fun Wheel

    9. Billy Hill & the Hillibillies in the Golden Horseshoe Saloon

    8. Indiana Jones Adventure

    7. Haunted Mansion

    6. Matterhorn

    5. Toy Story Midway Mania

    4. Pirates of the Caribbean

    3. Soarin’ over California

    2. World of Color

    1. Cars Land-all of it!
    Then there is the “Remember, Dream’s Come True!” fireworks show. While it is similar to “Wishes” it is different (and I like it better).

  4. Your Top Ten are right on…I can’t say enough about how spectacular World of Color is, we still cry watching our iPad recordings!!! And, Cars Land at night is fantastic!!! Have a wonderful trip!!!

  5. One of my favorite things in Disneyland is seeing the actual park bench Walt Disney sat upon while watching his daughters ride a Merry-Go-Round at Griffith Park. It was while sitting on this bench he thought to himself that there should be a park where parents could participate along with their kids. At that moment, the idea for Disneyland was born.

    You can see it on display inside the Main Street Opera House.

  6. Don’t know about Cars Land at Night or World of Color (both new since I was last there), but definitely right on target for the other 8. There are some differences between both Pirates of the Caribbean too. My husband and I like the new Space Mountain at Disneyland over the one at Disney World. Make sure you hit Roger Rabbit’s Toon Town Spin in Toon Town.

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