I just got back from my first visit to Disneyland after several trips to WDW...and I can say that I thought there was plenty of magic at DL...I loved it!
Took the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour (highly recommended!) and really got a sense of the magic of the place....
Granted it is on a much smaller scale than MK...but it had a great feeling...you never felt like you were in a city at all...I would say if you get the chance...go! You will never regret it...it is an incredible place
BTW...I need to express what I believe is a minority opinion here...My wife and I really enjoyed California Adventure...after hearing the reports on this place, I was expecting to hate it, and considered not going at all...I am glad I did...
Don't get me wrong...it isn't as magic as Disneyland...but as an amusement park, it holds up nicely..Loved Soarin' Over California, California Screamin', the Maliboomer, the Sun Wheel, Grizzly River Run, and Who Wants to Be a Millionare-Play It! (did that one 4 times--never got into the Hotseat...Grrr)
I can see that it still is a work in progress...but there is some hope there (and the fact that it was much less crowded was a bonus...The one thing I would get rid of is the Carny-style games on Paradise Pier...I know they are trying to go for a theme...but they don't seem right in a Disney Park...
Like I said DCA is not a destination park...but as an alternative to DL when it gets crowded, or you need a change...it works quite nicely...
Sorry this is so long...I just wanted to get that in...I've heard so many bad things about the place--I wanted to offer my 2 cents...I didn't think it was that bad at all....
Have a good one!