A detailed comparison of Disneyland Park (CA) and the Magic Kingdom (FL)

[jbarone3]

My friend and I have been to both DL and MK a couple times and wrote this up for Facebook. Hope someone finds it helpful!

There are two types of amusement/theme parks in the world: Disney Parks and the rest. This is evident by the fact that in 2007, Disney Parks attracted 116.5 million visitors. Disney’s nearest competitor, Merlin Entertainment Group, attracted a meager 32.1 million. The fact that Disney manages to attract more than 3.5 times the number of visitors then its nearest competitor speaks volumes about the quality of the parks. So does the fact that 8 of the top 10 theme parks in the world (based on attendance) are Disney owned (#1-#8 of 10). Of all the theme parks in the world, the top two by attendance are Magic Kingdom (MK) in FL (17.1 million visitors in 2007) and Disneyland Park (DL) in CA (14.9 million in 2007). DL was built in 1955 and MK in 1972, mainly to provide an east cost alternative and to fix some of the problems with DL. Since we have now visited both (Barone has been to MK about 6 times and Sullivan 4 time, and Barone has now been to DL 3 times and Sullivan twice) we thought it would be fun to compare and contrast the two parks. We spent 5.5 days at WDW in January and now 3 days in Disneyland in Sept. While they are similar in many ways (as they should be) they do differ significantly in several respects. At the end we make a determination which park is “better,” although that is like determining which pizza is better: pepperoni or extra cheese. Both are fantastic and you can’t go wrong with either decision, but it depends on your mood and what you are looking for. To briefly summarize, DL has more “thrill” rides, but is physically smaller, has less theming, and doesn’t handle crowds as well as it’s Florida counterpart. However, MK is larger, has better dining options, and is better themed. It’s a tough call. Below is a comparison and contrast of the various “lands” in the parks, as well as some other areas that need to be addressed.

Monorail: The monorail at DL has a sleek, modern look but it only makes two stops: one in Tomorrowland and the other in Downtown Disney. You also need to have park admittance to ride it. The monorail in WDW may be older, but it has air conditioning (the DL monorail has open windows) and makes several stops: MK, Epcot, the three Magic Kingdom resorts, and the parking area. In addition, you do not need park admittance to ride it. Winner: MK

Main Street/Disney train: Both parks have a “Main Street” section with gift shops, offices, etc. and a train that goes around the park. The Main St section at DL is shorter, but is better for several reasons. First, it is less commercial. Whereas the Main St in FL is nearly entirely gift shops, in DL there are other things. For example, in DL there is a penny arcade with those old time machines where you add a penny and they play a short movie of moving slides. There is also a theater that constantly shows classic Mickey cartoons, and always shows “Steamboat Willie,” Mickey’s big debut. DL will also have a refurbished “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln,” one of the four original Disney projects at the 1964 World’s Fair in Queens (the others being small world, Tomorrowland Transit Authority, and Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress). This gives DL the edge on Main St. As for the train, both are identical. However, the DL train goes through Splash Mt. and small world. This makes it superior to MK. MK does have “credits” to long-time Imagineers and Disney higher-ups on the windows in innovative ways. An example would be “John Barone, attorney-at-law” pasted on a second story window if I had worked at Disney and made a significant contribution. This is a nice addition but, alas, most people don’t know about it. Winner: DL

Adventureland: Both parks have an Enchanted Tiki Room with animatronic birds and plants. The one at DL is the original whereas the one at MK has been replaced with creatures from the movies. Since DL is the original and we never saw the one at MK, DL wins on this one. Also, both parks have a “tree house”: DL has it for Tarzan and MK for Swiss Family Robinson. They are nearly identical. MK has Aladdin Flying Carpets, a kiddie ride, but DL has a permanent place to meet Aladdin and Jasmine (which is odd). Both have the “world famous” Jungle Cruise. The one at MK is longer and has a nice temple section, but the one at DL has a vastly superior façade and queue, and also has a nice effect during the cruise with piranhas. DL also has an absolutely fantastic thrill ride based on Indiana Jones called the Temple of Waiting . . . err, I mean of the Forbidden Eye (wait times can be up to 50 mins long). Note: In MK, Pirates of the Caribbean is in Adventureland whereas in DL it is in New Orleans Square. Because it is in both parks, but Indy is only in DL, DL wins this category. Also, interesting fact: there are only three places in the world to get Dole Whip soft serve pineapple ice cream – the Adventurelands in MK and DL, and the Dole plantation in Hawai’i. We have now had it in 2 of the 3 (Barone is eagerly awaiting Sullivan to attain enough Hilton points for a Hawai’i trip, and now we have a reason to go!). Winner: DL

Frontierland: DL has a Frontierland, but it is very small and cluttered and serves mainly to host Big Thunder Mt. Railroad ride. MK has an identical version of this ride. DL also has “Critter Country”, which has a Winnie the Pooh ride (same as in MK) and Splash Mt. For this purpose, I combine Critter Country and Frontierland at DL and compare it with Frontierland at MK. At DL the two lands are disjoined and seem to exist only to host one major ride and one or two smaller ones. This section at MK is better themed, larger, and more open. It also has Big Thunder and Splash Mt in one place, as opposed to in two separate sections like DL. Winner: MK

Tom Sawyer’s Island/Rivers of America: Both parks have a Tom Sawyer’s Island; however the DL one now has a pirates layer theme. While we did not visit it, it did look better then the rather boring one at MK (which we did visit briefly). Both parks also have a Rivers of America area with a Mark Twain riverboat ride, though the MK version’s vessel is called The Liberty Belle. They are identical in both parks other than the name. However, DL offers the possibility of a canoe ride around the river (which we did not get to do, Barone’s only regret) and the Sailing Ship Columbia. This is a colonial ship that doubles as Capt. Hook’s ship during Fantasmic! that is available to ride only on “select weekends.” Luckily, we got to ride it. The addition of the Columbia, canoes and pirate theming makes the DL version much better. Winner: DL

Toontown: We only briefly visited this section at MK and only saw it from the train at DL. This area in DL is based on Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, a great movie. It is being demolished at MK to give Fantasyland more living space, so by the laws of capitalism the section at DL must be better. Winner: DL

Fantasyland (excluding castle): DL has a Bavarian village theme, which is very nice for a fairy tale themed land. While MK has Mickey’s Philharmagic (a play on the word philharmonic), which is a 3D music show, DL has several attractions that make it superior, aside from the better theming. First, there are the Matterhorn Bobsleds. This ride is old, jerks you around, and the seating is awkward. You can either sit alone is a large area of straddle someone else since it is supposed to simulate a bobsled ride (needless to say we each got our own seating). If you do get your own seat, there is a lot of room to jerk around during the ride. While this ride does need improvement, it is not a bad coaster at all and having it is better then not. DL also has Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, which has quite the history. First, it is one of the better themed rides in Barone’s opinion (an old English manor). It is also interesting in that during the ride, which is based on the cartoon short “The Wind and the Willows”, you actually get hit by a train and DIE and then go to HELL (or, “no place in particular,” as the ride calls it). This is a very bizarre ride to be in a Disney park and used to be in MK, but it was replaced with a Pooh ride. While it’s short and not particularly interesting, the idea of it gives DL points. Lastly, it is impossible to understand the difference between the small world rides without seeing both in person. Of course, both parks have this ride (it is quite possibly the most famous ride in the world, if not one of the most famous). The DL version is much better then MK for several reasons. First, DL incorporates some Disney characters into the ride. At first we thought this would be a disaster, but it is subtle enough to make it work. What makes DL so much better is the outside of the ride. While in MK it is just another ride, in DL it is nearly a city block long. You have to look at the pictures to truly understand. This was also the original from the ’64 World’s Fair. In addition, one of the major annoyances of small world at MK is that the boats bunch up at the end, even during non-peak times. This is rarely a problem at DL because they have two loading/unloading zones. Lastly, DL has a train that goes around Fantasyland as well as canal boats that do the same thing. These were closed for refurbishment while we were there, but we have no doubt they are nice and MK has no such thing. While MK will now be nearly doubling the size of its Fantasyland, for now there is really no contest. Winner: DL

Castle: Both parks have a castle as the main hub of the park. DL has Sleeping Beauty’s castle, which is nice and has a real drawbridge. It also has a walk-through that shows scenes from the movie in an interesting way. However, it cannot compare with the imposing and magic nature of Cinderella’s castle in MK. Also in MK, the castle has a restaurant called Cinderella’s Royal Table (aka Cindy’s) where you are REQUIRED by Disney law to get your pic taken with Cindy. There is no contest here, and to compare them is almost ridiculous. Winner: MK

Tomorrowland: The Tomorrowland in MK has a lot to offer: Space Mt., Tomorrowland Indy Speedway (Autopia), Buzz Lightyear, Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, and Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress. DL has all of these things except the Laugh Floor and Carousel of Progress. Aside from having them, DL also does them better. Buzz Lightyear is better at DL because the guns can detach from the car and the targets light up when you hit them. Autopia is also better at DL because it has multiple “lands” to drive through, such as a highway, off road, desert, etc., whereas in FL at the speedway it is all one style. DL also has Star Tours, based on Star Wars. We call this the “Turbulence Ride” because that’s basically what it is. Still, we love Star Wars, so DL gets points for this (this ride is also at Hollywood Studio’s and is identical). Star Tours is getting a major makeover as well. Now it is the Battle of Endor, but it will be redone as a 3D pod race scene from Episode I (insert groaning here). DL also has two other attractions that MK does not: Innoventions and Finding Nemo Submarines. Innoventions is interesting in that it shows the “house of the future” and numerous technological developments in things like health care, gaming, and houses. There is something similar at Epcot, but the one at DL is better. That being said, the area on the second floor of the DL version (Project Tomorrow, sponsored by Siemens), is larger and more thorough in Spaceship Earth at Epcot. The subs are a fantastic ride. You go on a “real” sub and are partially submerged underwater and follow the story of Nemo. They use bubbles to make it feel like you are descending and going into different territories, which is very interesting. MK used to have this, but got rid of it for some reason. MK has a better Astro Orbitor (which is higher up in the air) and the Tomorrowland Transit Authority, which is woefully underrated (it is a slow moving ride that goes through Tomorrowland, space Mountain, a gift shop, and Buzz). MK also has Stitch’s Great Escape, which is a terrible attraction. The theming at MK is better and a bit more “futuristic” and it seems larger and more spacious. Speaking of space, Space Mountain is probably Disney’s second most famous attraction after small world (though Sullivan disputes this, asserting that Space Mountain is the more famous ride). The one at MK is good, but it jerks you around like the Matterhorn Bobsleds. Space Mountain at DL feels almost like a totally different ride. The ride is so smooth, and it seems longer and faster. They also had a “Ghost Galaxy” theme for Halloween which was interesting (“scary” music and a orange space ghost type thing). We cannot emphasize just how VASTLY superior the DL version of Space Mountain is. Add on all the other attractions at DL, and it picks up another win here. Winner: DL

Food: There is no contest here. DL has fairly poor dining options. Most are counter service and offer the same things, and the two table service restaurants are literally right next to each other and serve the same style of Cajun food. While it’s not terrible, DL does not offer the different varieties that MK does. The addition of Cindy’s in MK alone makes MK superior, as well as Crystal Palace, Liberty Tree Tavern, Tony’s Town Square, and the nearby resort dining options accessible via monorail. That being said, the famous Steakouse 55 is a short monorail ride away from DL. This experience was the best dining experience we’ve had at a Disney facility. However, that does not make up for the sheer lack of dining choices at DL. Winner: MK

Entertainment: Again, no real debate here. MK has more shows, but they are mostly corny and for the kids. MK has a show at the castle, but DL has the Jedi Training Academy for kids (though this is also available at Hollywood Studios), so they cancel each other out. Both parks have a nightly fireworks show. MK has “Wishes!” with a audio track that will stick in your head for months. DL had a special fireworks show for Halloween that included darker colors and themes, as well as villain music. Sullivan prefers Wishes! without question, whereas Barone thinks the DL show, “Halloween Screams!” was superior. The real deal breaker is the addition of Fantasmic! to DL. This is a 25 min show that includes live action characters, fireworks, real fire, a giant snake, a dragon, eels, and projecting images onto water. This show is also at Hollywood Studios in FL, and is superior there (for several reasons, including the addition of seating, better crowd control, and dining packages), but we are comparing DL to MK. DL has Fantasmic!, MK does not. Interesting note: in FL, Mickey puts his sword into a stone to strike down the dragon whereas in DL he actually appears to stab the dragon, which is a bit more violent. Winner: DL

Crowd control/service: Once again, no contest. The staff at DL was fairly incompetent compared to their counterparts in FL. For example, they didn’t know where the nearest bathrooms or water fountains were. Shouldn’t that be cast member 101? DL also had a poor flow of people, especially after shows. We tried to watch the 9:25 fireworks show after Fantasmic!, which ended at 9:22 but the red-shirted cast members, who are like vampires in that they only come out at night and use mini-light sabers, refused to let anyone stop and watch. They also closed off Tomorrowland, preventing us from going there. After all the moving around we ended up right in front of the castle. Is that where we were supposed to be? Could have fooled us. Lastly, DL had several rides break down briefly during our time there. This included the Haunted Mansion, the Haunted Mansion fastpass machines, Indiana Jones, the train around the park, and the Monsters Inc. attraction located in DCA. We were able to ride everything, but it was a nuisance. It would NEVER happen in FL. Winner: MK

New Orleans Square v. Liberty Square: This is the most difficult comparison. DL has a land themed on New Orleans/Mardi Gras whereas MK has a land focusing on colonial America.

Barone’s take: Liberty Square in MK has a lot going for it. It has very nice theming, with an exact replica of the Liberty Bell which Walt bought, then had the model destroyed so no new ones could be made. There is also the liberty tree, which is something like 250 years old that Walt found in the woods somewhere and had shipped it. They are also growing an exact counterpart using some kind of science to replace it when it dies. MK also has Liberty Tree Tavern, a decent table service place to eat. There are really only two attractions in Liberty Square: Hall of Presidents and Haunted Mansion. I am not a big fan of the Hall of Presidents. I find it rather boring, liberal (most of it is focused on slavery), and operates on an 8th grade level. The animatronics are also older and not as good as some of the others in the park. Now we come to the Haunted Mansion. The one at MK is one of my favorite, perhaps even my very favorite, attraction at the park. It has a Hudson Valley theme, which is where I am from. The one in DL has a New Orleans plantation feel about it. Also, for Halloween it is decked out in a Nightmare Before Christmas theme, which is a fantastic movie (I am watching it as I write this). Because the decorations are so extensive it almost becomes a totally different ride and I find it unfair to even compare them. They are both excellent. The real deal breaker in favor of DL for me is Pirates of the Caribbean and the theming. Pirates is without question better at DL. One cast member told me it clocks in at 17 mins 45 sec, making it by far the longest ride/attraction at the park and nearly twice as long as the one at MK. It goes through a restaurant, Blue Bayou, which is nice (and that is a very good restaurant, whatever Sullivan says). The theming on the outside of the ride is also superior, as you go under a bridge and then walk your way up it and into the ride (it’s hard to explain). The theming of New Orleans Square also beats Liberty Square in my opinion. While the colonial decorations in MK are standard, the Mardi Gras theme in DL is exceptionally detailed, with multilevel buildings and street signs. It looks especially nice at night when everything is lighted up. I like Liberty Square, but I do think New Orleans Square is much better, based primarily on theming and far superior Pirates ride. Winner: DL

Sullivan’s Take: This is the one area that I disagree with Barone on. I think there are several things going for Liberty Square over New Orleans Square. First, as Barone mentioned, I believe that the Hudson Valley-themed Haunted Mansion is better at the Florida park as opposed to the “plantation-themed” DL version. In addition, the layout of the square itself is much more spacious and allows crowds to easily transfer between lands. In MK, Liberty Square serves the important purpose of allowing guests to transfer between Fantasyland and Frontierland without having to pass through the “hub” at the center of the park. New Orleans Square does a terrible job of transferring people from Adventureland and Frontierland to Critter Country. The streets are small, cramped, and people are standing outside the restaurants which block passage for other guests. Add to this the fact that Liberty Square has one of the most iconic rides in MK (The Hall of Presidents, which while I disagree with the politics of it, is still famous nonetheless), a better table service restaurant in Liberty Tree Tavern (at least they give you choices for sides other than Bayou potatoes and white asparagus), and the famous Liberty Tree (I mean really, who else other than Walt Disney would uproot and ship a tree a thousand miles away?), and you have yourselves a winner. I also enjoy the funnel cake stand at Liberty Square, and this amenity does not exist at DL to the best of my knowledge. It smells like a Florida victory to me. Winner: MK

Overall: While it may look like DL should blow MK out of the park, it is not the case. We do think DL is a better park then MK, but it is a close call. We base this primarily on the superior Tomorrowland, Adventureland, and Fantasyland areas. However, the better service/crowd control and food options at MK nearly make it better. Lastly, there is no question that the Walt Disney World complex in FL is, far and away, better then the Disneyland Resort complex in CA because it is larger and has more to offer in terms of resorts, dining, attractions, entertainment and rides. That being said, DL is, in our opinion, the best Disney park in the US. Couple it with a decent Downtown Disney section, excellent dining at the resorts (Steakhouse 55 at the Disneyland hotel), and an underrated park in Disney’s California Adventure and the Disneyland Resort should be on anyone’s “must-visit” list, especially if you are a fan of WDW. It is also MUCH cheaper to visit then WDW, even if you are traveling from the east coast (you can get cheaper hotels and dining cost less, and there are only two parks instead of five). With the upcoming improvements to DCA ($600M in improvements to a park that cost $500M to make), there is no doubt that the Disneyland Resort will become even better in the future.