Though we’re committed WDW fans, we enjoyed our visits to Disneyland and California Adventure, and would encourage you to take advantage of the following attractions…
Disneyland
Main Street USA - The Disneyland Railroad is special, not only because it is better than at WDW, but because Walt Disney was such a fan of trains; you understand his love of trains better as you take this journey.
Adventureland - Indiana Jones Adventure (if you’re into thrills). Enchanted Tiki Room, only because it was one of Walt’s most ambitious animatronic endeavors (it’s long and seems infantile to those of us raised on Star Wars, but see it for the historical value.
New Orleans Square - The newly updated Pirates of the Caribbean is far better than at WDW…a must see. And the Haunted Mansion should be seen just to note the differences in the rides.
Fantasyland - Any of the Dark rides (Alice in Wonderland, for instance) and any of the other rides not found in WDW. It is in these rides that you’ll really see Walt Disney’s hand in the creation of the park. Simplistic rides, but charming. Also, catch the Matterhorn Bobsleds and is if you can be there when the mountain climbers scale the mountain.
Toontown - Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin, but only on an empty stomach.
Disney’s California Adventure
Grizzly River Run - Not Kali River Rapids, but not bad.
Golden Dreams - A film about the history of California…it’s a little too PC for my liking, but has some good info and interesting special effects.
California Screamin’ - A pretty decent rollercoaster, actually.
Soarin’ - Though it’s now at Epcot, the original is at DCA and it’s amazing!
Turtle Talk with Crush - The technology of this is astounding, as Crush interacts with kids, answering their questions and chatting with them in real-time.

The official Disneyland site on the web has lots of information, but I would recommend picking up Sehlinger’s “Unofficial Guide to Disneyland” for an excellent piece of planning info. And as with Walt Disney World, there are few sites better than Allearsnet for non-partisan information on the park. Google Allearsnet (since eBay doesn’t allow non-eBay hyperlinks in articles). (And thanks, Tink, for some info!)
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