diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Control/DragPan.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Control/DragPan.js
index 1b9bd1fab4..2e2146f2cd 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Control/DragPan.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Control/DragPan.js
@@ -56,11 +56,11 @@ OpenLayers.Control.DragPan = OpenLayers.Class(OpenLayers.Control, {
      * {Boolean} Set this option to enable "kinetic dragging". Can be
      *     set to true or to an object. If set to an object this
      *     object will be passed to the {<OpenLayers.Kinetic>}
-     *     constructor. Defaults to false.
-     *     If you set this property, you should ensure that 
-     *     OpenLayers/Kinetic.js is included in your build config
+     *     constructor. Defaults to true.
+     *     To get kinetic dragging, ensure that OpenLayers/Kinetic.js is
+     *     included in your build config.
      */
-    enableKinetic: false,
+    enableKinetic: true,
 
     /**
      * APIProperty: kineticInterval
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ OpenLayers.Control.DragPan = OpenLayers.Class(OpenLayers.Control, {
      * <panMapDone> as callbacks.
      */    
     draw: function() {
-        if(this.enableKinetic) {
+        if (this.enableKinetic && OpenLayers.Kinetic) {
             var config = {interval: this.kineticInterval};
             if(typeof this.enableKinetic === "object") {
                 config = OpenLayers.Util.extend(config, this.enableKinetic);
diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/Grid.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/Grid.js
index 2e09885e94..304920f217 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/Grid.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/Grid.js
@@ -96,16 +96,16 @@ OpenLayers.Layer.Grid = OpenLayers.Class(OpenLayers.Layer.HTTPRequest, {
      * {String} The transition effect to use when the map is zoomed.
      * Two posible values:
      *
-     * null - No transition effect (the default).
      * "resize" - Existing tiles are resized on zoom to provide a visual
      * effect of the zoom having taken place immediately.  As the
      * new tiles become available, they are drawn over top of the
-     * resized tiles.
+     * resized tiles (this is the default setting).
+     * null - No transition effect.
      *
      * Using "resize" on non-opaque layers can cause undesired visual
-     * effects. This is therefore discouraged.
+     * effects.  Set transitionEffect to null in this case.
      */
-    transitionEffect: null,
+    transitionEffect: "resize",
 
     /**
      * APIProperty: numLoadingTiles
diff --git a/notes/2.13.md b/notes/2.13.md
index dd3ca649a1..9af7553152 100644
--- a/notes/2.13.md
+++ b/notes/2.13.md
@@ -51,6 +51,14 @@ The `moveDelay` is the replacement for the `tileLoadingDelay` layer config optio
 
 In general, when targeting mobile devices or when using slow servers or connections for tiled layers, it is recommended to configure the map with a TileManager.
 
+## Layer.Grid: Resize transitions by default
+
+The `transitionEffect` property for grid layers has been changed to "resize" by default.  This allows smooth transitions with animated zooming (also enabled by default).  If resize transitions are not wanted for individual layers, set `transitionEffect` to `null`.
+
+## Control.DragPan: Kinetic by default
+
+The `enableKinetic` property for the DragPan control has been changed to true by default.  This will enable kinetic panning only if the `OpenLayers/Kinetic.js` file is included in your build.
+
 ## window.$ is no longer an alias for OpenLayers.Util.getElement
  
 We do no longer create a global variable '$' when such a symbol isn't already
diff --git a/tests/Layer/Grid.html b/tests/Layer/Grid.html
index 68c65ecfbe..1a4d9abfca 100644
--- a/tests/Layer/Grid.html
+++ b/tests/Layer/Grid.html
@@ -1181,6 +1181,7 @@
         var map = new OpenLayers.Map('map', {zoomMethod: null});
         var layer = new OpenLayers.Layer.WMS('', '', {}, {
             isBaseLayer: true,
+            transitionEffect: null,
             singleTile: true,
             ratio: 1.1
         });