I just got back from DL. It was my first visit ever to Walt's original vision and I went SOLO. I am a huge WDW fan and have spent waaay too much time there throughout the years (if there is such a thing). I'm in Houston and I've spent about a month - total - down at WDW in the past 6 months alone after purchasing my AP. Furthermore, I've been going to WDW on an average of every other year since the 80's.
Anyways, The MK in Florida cannot even hold a match to
Disneyland. The intimacy and attention to detail just about caused me to fall over in Anaheim. I could have died in DL and it has really left me quite dissapointed with The MK in Florida. Everything at Disneyland is so gorgeous and there is so much more feeling and magic lurking in that park. I thought just about every identical ride at DL was in better shape, had much better detailing / artistry, and simply touched my heart and child inside more profoundly than I ever expected. DL truly makes the MK in FL seem like a Six Flags joint and I sincerely hope the new management plan at Disney allows them to spruce up the place a bit. The closest thing to DL in Florida as far as detail and beauty goes is the AK and we all know that that park still needs a lot of work as far as attractions go...EE is a darn good start it seems.
I stayed in Anaheim for 3 nights and 4 days. One day was solely for travel. Therefore, I spent 2 and 1/2 days at the DL resort and I was getting a bit tired of things by the last day. I think a 4 day trip is perfect for the place...anything else, strictly on-site, would get a bit old. I rode everything about 5 times while I was there but the crowds were light with the exception of Friday which was utter INSANITY (only night of the week with Fireworks and Fantawsmic).
California Adventure is pretty lame IMHO. I was only interested in about 4 attractions there and did not spend more than 6 hours total there during my vacation. The theming at one of the best attractions, The TOT, is really weak in comparison to Florida's version. I enjoyed Turtle Talk the best and skipped Soarin' because I had taken over 8 rides on it this year down in Florida already.
The food out at the parks was tough to sort out. It was hard finding a quality meal. I find eating at WDW to be much easier and a more pleasurable experience. All the food offerings at WDW truly adds another dimension to your trip to Florida...not so at DL. One day, I just gave up and packed my jacket with a bag of trail mix and ate while I was on the go. I enjoyed my fair priced meal and the great service at Mimi's Cafe the best which was located across the street from the Howard Johnson where I choose to stay. I would have picked the DL hotel and really enjoyed walking through that resort but I decided to goto Anaheim and planned my trip a mere 7 days before I left. The Ho-Jo was perfect and I couldn't have been happier there. I will stay there again in a heartbeat on my next trip if I cannot get a room at The DL hotel. The GC looks WAAAAY overated just as most Disney Deluxe Resorts are in comparison to say some of the 4 or 5 diamond resorts in Vegas.
Overall, I fell in love with Disneyland and I am going to make a vow to make it out there at least once a year in order to re-charge my "magic batteries."
There's my two pennies....4 times the magic as The MK in FL but 4 times smaller as far as things to do and see overall....hope this helps a bit.
-J