Okay Disneyland, You Win.

Okay Disneyland, I admit it. You're doing some pretty awesome stuff right now, and I'm officially impressed.

As many of you may know, I'm a Disney World person. I grew up about an hour away from the parks and much of my childhood was spent inside it's gates. I've always said how much more Disney World has to offer guests and how proud Walt would've been to see his plans come to life in a truly magical place that offers guests an entire experience instead of just an amusement park.

In 2009, my dad and his wife were nice enough to take Chad and I to Disneyland. I was really excited. I knew to expect the smaller scale, but I was really excited to see where it all began. I just wanted to walk in Walt's footsteps. And honestly, it was awesome. I walked the same streets he did. I rode the rides he rode. It was a really awesome experience and I enjoyed the different attractions. I did, however, HATE California as a whole. It was gross. I was expecting palm trees and movie stars. What I saw was smog and prostitutes. I quickly saw why Walt dreamed of the Florida Project. Chad and I agreed we'd likely never, ever make another trip out there.

Now, I'm eating my words. Disneyland has done what I imagine it set out to do. It's re-invigorated itself and is attracting new people (or people like myself who had essentially written Disneyland off) and is bringing them back with these really interesting re-imaginations.

In the last few years alone, Disneyland and California Adventure have launched World of Color, an AMAZING water/lazer/movie show AND added 8 additional minutes for Pirates of the Caribbean On Stranger Tides, opened The Little Mermaid's Underwater Adventure, an all-new ride into Ariel's world (which looks fantastic), AND re-launched their new Star Tours the Adventure Continues. In the coming months, they'll be opening Cars Land, where guests will be able to walk through Radiator Springs. In August/September, D23 members (hooray!) will be flocking to Disneyland for the D23 Convention, which to a Disney geek like myself, is essentially Mecca. Not to mention last year's Haunted Mansion anniversary, which was just freaking cool. This week, they even released a new parade called Mickey's Soundsational Parade. While I haven't seen it in full yet, I'd happily wait 45 minutes for a good spot to catch it. AND, last night, there were even mermaids swimming in the Disneyland Hotel pool--how cool is that?!?

So, I have to say, I'm on board. While I will likely never choose Disneyland over Disney World, I'm still impressed. I'd happily go back now, and after thinking about it, there was so much there that was truly impressive that Disney World doesn't have. I love the Animation building- where I got to stand (read: cry) in the Beast's Library, ride on the Indiana Jones ride (which was a LOT of fun), and see the fireworks at Disneyland, which in my opinion, put WDW's Wishes to shame.

I promise to do better and report on all of the awesomeness going on on the other side of the country. Disneyland really does have a lot to offer guests, and it's most certainly worth a trip. Even if it's only once, chances are, you'll be really happy you went.

In honor of the original park selling me on it's goodness, let's take a look at some You Tubes from Disneyland and the Disneyland California Adventure, shall we?