A few DLR observations from a WDW regular.

[sherilaine]

Lots of great points have been made already. I just wanted to add my own observations about human nature, based on my experience and how personal bias figured into my reactions.

I have only been to WDW once. My family and I went and had a great time. My kids loved everything but Magic Kingdom, and we all had the same negative reaction there. It wasn't because it lacked anything, wasn't as clean, CMs weren't as friendly, rides weren't as good, etc etc. It boiled down to the fact that we had a personal bias to prefer our home park. I think this is a human nature thing and why we often feel compelled to enter into a competetive mode without even realizing it. When it finally dawned on me what I was doing, it was already the end of my trip and I've not been back to try and erase that mental bias from my thinking. I'm not sure it's completely possible, but if/when I go back, I going to try not to play the compare game because I already know who would win.

My other comment is that where CMs are concerned, or anyone in the service industry for that matter, their treatment of you will often mirror what they receive. If you are happy, smiling, outgoing, and friendly, that is almost invariably what you will get from a CM. Not always, particularly when CMs are feeling the stress of large crowds, multiple closures, and things of that nature, but I have made it a point to be friendly and happy with CMs and they almost always respond in kind. I guess it's good to be aware of the vibe you are sending out.

This is the best post I have read in this thread so far! It's 100% true. We are all guilty of bias - when it comes to people, places or things!

Also, I have found the CM issue as well - they are often a mirror and how some of them put up with some of what they are handed I have no idea. My 13 year old DD even recognized this last trip during the fireworks when people were all on the street watching and they had to try to organize people through cross walks - someone gave one of the CMs a hard time and my DD just looked at me and said "I love Disney but I'd never want to do that job - people are so unfair and this is supposed to be a happy place!"

 

[smartlabelprint]

First off, OP it may have come off better if you’d included some things you like about Disneyland. LOL. But, it created some debate for sure.

I agree that in the last several years the cleanliness in bathrooms and in general has gone down in disneyland. But obviously WDW isn’t spotless all the time.

I went to USH maybe 5 years ago. Yuck! I agree with pp that rated it 4/4. It was filthy and I experienced no magic. It was probably bias. I <3 Disneyland. I thought knotts had no atmosphere too.

I cannot travel to dlr at this point-too far. I don’t think I’ll like how long it takes to get between parks.

 

[love2go2disney2]

We frequent Disneyland, and we went to WDW last year in Late Nov and Dec. I have visited WDW 5 times, but I had not been since 2005! We were so excited to go! We loved Disneyworld, the CM gave the kids free cupcakes, because it was their first visit. We had other pixie dust on us as well. WE loved the magic bands and staying onsite. However, booking reservations 180 days, out and people have several reservations , and so therefore hard to book! Fast passes 60 days, out too! SO there is a lot of planning in WDW. I did think security was quicker and getting into the parks with your magic band, was a lot easier. We were on the train, and no one was at the entrance to get in the magic kingdom, and Disneyland, there is always a line to get in the parks.
WE love both Parks, but our home park is Disneyland, and will always be our favorite Park.

Also, Character meals are better at DL. At WDW, the characters come around 1 time to your table. Unlike , Disneyland, the characters are coming to your table multiple times!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

... I have found the CM issue as well - they are often a mirror and how some of them put up with some of what they are handed I have no idea. My 13 year old DD even recognized this last trip during the fireworks when people were all on the street watching and they had to try to organize people through cross walks - someone gave one of the CMs a hard time and my DD just looked at me and said "I love Disney but I'd never want to do that job - people are so unfair and this is supposed to be a happy place!"

I experienced some of this at our last MHP. I am not a CM, wasn't dressed like a CM, and wasn't posing as a CM, yet throughout the evening, a handful of people mistook me for one. If what I experienced is even partly representative of what CMs get on a normal day, my admiration and respect for them knows no bounds. Total strangers were yelling at me ("Hey, you!! Where's the bathroom?!), throwing their trash at me (Hey, throw this away!), hitting me (yes, physically hitting me to get my attention, and then yelling at me), etc. When DH intervened to find out why I was being accosted, these strangers never apologized or admitted their mistake. I asked some CMs about it later, and they said that was pretty common behavior. So sad.
(On the bright side, I met many really nice people, especially kids, who admired my costume and got into character with me, so that more than made up for the strange people!)

 

[DizMe]

I experienced some of this at our last MHP. I am not a CM, wasn't dressed like a CM, and wasn't posing as a CM, yet throughout the evening, a handful of people mistook me for one. If what I experienced is even partly representative of what CMs get on a normal day, my admiration and respect for them knows no bounds. Total strangers were yelling at me ("Hey, you!! Where's the bathroom?!), throwing their trash at me (Hey, throw this away!), hitting me (yes, physically hitting me to get my attention, and then yelling at me), etc. When DH intervened to find out why I was being accosted, these strangers never apologized or admitted their mistake. I asked some CMs about it later, and they said that was pretty common behavior. So sad.
(On the bright side, I met many really nice people, especially kids, who admired my costume and got into character with me, so that more than made up for the strange people!)

WOW!! It's hard to understand that kind of behavior. Sorry you had to experience it and sorry the CMs are dealing with that kind of nonsense. Now I'm curious, though! What was your costume? I love costumes When I was there at Christmas time, I wore an elf dress and ears. The response was amazingly positive! People asked to get pictures with me, kids thought I was an elf, and I got so much positive attention and smiles it made me feel great, like I was bringing a little bit of happiness. Too bad people don't see the CMs that way; maybe they should start dressing as elves

 

[cruisehopeful]

Total strangers were yelling at me ("Hey, you!! Where's the bathroom?!), throwing their trash at me (Hey, throw this away!), hitting me (yes, physically hitting me to get my attention, and then yelling at me), etc. When DH intervened to find out why I was being accosted, these strangers never apologized or admitted their mistake. I asked some CMs about it later, and they said that was pretty common behavior. So sad.

That is very sad to read.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

... Now I'm curious, though! What was your costume? I love costumes ...

We were dressed as dapper monsters from Monsters, Inc.! I was George Sanderson, complete with sock. CMs, kids, and non-strange people were totally into it. Jack Sparrow was hilarious, and our M&G went on so long the handler had to cut in and move us along. 2319!

 

[Angel Ariel]

First off, like most of you, I love Disney. I never would have guessed that I would be one of those 'Disney People' but there it is. We go to WDW at least once a year with the kids. The wife and I pop down when schedules permit. If I found myself alone in Orlando I would probably stop in to visit the mouse al by my lonesome ... my god...

Anyway... Wife and I hit the DLR parks a year ago and had a sort of 'meh' reaction. But there were a ton of closures at the time so I held my tongue. We just got back from another trip out to Disney Worlds's western relation and I have to say my piece.

It's a less magical vacation.

Sure, there are a couple rides at DL that beat the WDW version and some great rides without a Florida peer. Not really the scope of this missive to go into that. Instead, here's a short list of a few of the things that raised my hackles a bit.

1. It's dirtier. I'm not exactly saying it's dirty. But compared to the WDW parks it's dirtier. I have seen trash and garbage on the sidewalks so often on my DLR trips now that I stopped counting. More than that, I stopped pointing it out to the cast because even when I do, say on my way into a ride, it's still there 20 minutes later!
2. Kind of a subset of earlier point ... the bathrooms are dirtier. Again, not horrible, just not what I've come to expect. In one case it was pretty shocking, and remained so even 15 minutes after I had let a CM know.
3. CMs for the most part are great, but I've been told, "no" at DLR a few times and have witnessed single finger pointing on this trip. I know ... clutch my pearls. I'm not saying it's bad, just that it's less magical and it says something about the overall management dicipline
4. Sort of like #3, ride CMs seem less "into" their roles. None of the Nemo submarine ride CMs faked an Aussie accent. The HM CM at the fastpass reader actually told us, "Have fun!" in the cutest chipper happy voice you ever heard, and she was not doing so ironically.
5. The Character MnG system is a real pain. I get it, a line makes things less magical for some people. Nostalgia reminds us when the characters would just wander freely. But what we have in DLR is mob rule, 5 second photo-ops.

I know people have fun comparing the two resorts and there's a lot of cool things at DLR that you can't see and do at WDW. But this was my 2nd try and I have no desire to go back.

I couldn't disagree more. We just got back from a week at DLR, and it was a truly magical vacation.

To your points

1. Never saw trash on the ground at all.
2. Bathrooms were quite clean, and on the off chance they weren't, there was a CM already in the bathroom in the midst of cleaning.
3.CMs were amazing. From our Fairy Godmother in Training, to the characters, to the CMs at guest relations. I stopped atGR each night the first 3 nights to leave cast compliments. Would have the last 2 nights also, but ran out of time.
4. We didnt experience that at all. I am especially remembering the JC CM '- not the skipper -who made a frozen pun as we exited the ride because Dd had on an elsa hoodie. The HM CMs were definitely into their role too.
5. Every character interaction we had was quite long. We were never once rushed through a meet, even meeting Anna and Elsa. Not 5 second photo ops at all. They took their time with DD. Elena was especially awesome with her (and took a good 3-4 mins with her). Most characters do have lines, and have character handlers with them now (didn't use to be the case). The only r truly roaming experience we had was with Alice and the Mad Hatter by teacups, and rhey truly were roaming. They invited people to follow along with them, so we did. Dd walked hand in hand with Alice for a while. Alice and Mad Hatter also had times where they did a normal meet w/a line by teacups .

I'm sorry you didn't have a great experience, and I'm not doubting what you experiencedo at all. Just hoping to show that what you experienced is not always the case all DLR. I think both WDW and DLR have their off days at times.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

...3.CMs were amazing. From our Fairy Godmother in Training, to the characters, to the CMs at guest relations. I stopped atGR each night the first 3 nights to leave cast compliments. Would have the last 2 nights also, but ran out of time...

If you still remember what you wanted to say, you can leave more CM compliments (even if you don't remember names, just be as specific as you can with the other details, e.g. date, time, location, CM description, etc.) on the DLR webpage. Use the "contact us" link at the bottom of the page.

 

[Angel Ariel]

If you still remember what you wanted to say, you can leave more CM compliments (even if you don't remember names, just be as specific as you can with the other details, e.g. date, time, location, CM description, etc.) on the DLR webpage. Use the "contact us" link at the bottom of the page.

Already in the plan Thanks!

 

[j9isawesome]

As someone who has had the dual coast pass for a few years on and off there are things I prefer about both parks. I like the variety of parks & activities at Disney World. I find the CMs to be great at both most of the time but inconsistent at both compared to years ago. IMO Disneyland (actually DCA) food is better, unless it is Food & Wine (or similar) Festival & I can eat all my meals at EPCOT. I prefer being able to plan out a day of meeting characters with short lines or spontaneously running into them at Disneyland than to have to wait for over an hour in a never ending line for each one like how it’s set up at Disney World. Disneyland weather is bearable while Disney World is not 90% of the year. I can cope with the behavior of the people/guests in the CA parks better than the guests in Florida parks. I live in California & grew up going to Disneyland so I’m sure that is a big part of why Disneyland by far feels more magical to me but I still enjoy both & do see many flaws at my “home park”.

 

[colormegreen]

Interesting. I’ve never been to Disneyworld, so I wouldn’t know how clean or helpful the cast members are there. I have been multiple times to disneyland as we are annual pass holders, and go every month sometimes twice a month. I can say I have never seen a dirty bathroom, and I have always seen a person inside ready to clean...that’s the women’s bathroom, can’t comment on the males...I should ask the hubby.

Honestly, for certain characters meet there is a line, such as Spider-Man and when they had groot, groot. I still see people lining up for goofy, Mickey, etc. I haven’t seen people,line up for Sully or Alice and the Mad hatter. The one thing I don’t like and have read in other threads that disneyland lacks and world exceeds in is the photographers. People line up and get a photo taken with their phones...what’s the point of having photopass with not so many photographers?

As for the cast memebers attitude/tone, ive noticed they are more laid back, again I like this. When they are to excited it just doesn’t seem normal to me, lol, and that tone does not match my personality. I have to say though, I think they match your facial expression. I’ve been told I have a resting b face...but when I ask a question, they smile and are polite. Again, my face and how I interact with people don’t match. I’m much friendlier than I look. I don’t mind being told “no”or “I don’t know. I was new at one point in time in my job, and it’s been my experience training doesn’t always touch on every aspect of the job. What I agree is they can take concerns more seriously. I had to make a formal complaint about a cast members for his failure to act appropriately. At first, I was unsure if I was making the problem bigger than it was, asked another cast member and she attempted to do something about it and by the time she tried the preteens were already gone. Her response made me feel like I didn’t over react and hence the complain, but again I’ve been going to the land for years and my first negative experience, but my expectations of great customer service is basically a greeting, smile, and an answer or a im sorry, I don’t know.

Thanks for sharing your experience, I always find it interesting people’s opinion on the parks who have been to both. Sometimes people talk about it during the line wait and its interesting to eavesdrop on. Once my youngest turns 4 in about 2years and 8 months, I want to take a trip to the world...I guess then I would be able to make the comparisons, though I’m sure we will enjoy it too as I just love Disney.

 

[nursejackie]

We are going in June for the first time in 37 years! We've been to WDW about 12 times altogether, so we're veterans at all the planning strategies. I've had to learn a whole new way of doing things with DL, we couldn't believe it was so different (60 day ADR's, no 90 day fastpasses, 6 week park hours instead of 6 months!). I don't expect it to be like WDW, but it will be just as enjoyable, albeit different.

 

[cobright]

When there is trash on the floor it's because someone or several someones put it there. It's not an indication of how well the cleaning staff functions but of the manners of the individuals who commit these types of acts. The cleaning staff does not put the trash there. There is not one cleaning person in each restroom at all times, so if people throw trash on the floor sometimes there will be trash on the floor until a cleaning person sees it and can pick it up. How nice it would be if people did not throw things on the floor and the cleaning staff could concentrate on cleaning rather than picking up trash that some individuals did not dispose of properly.

Actually, there is a funny side to this point. Family and I were in WDW last August and I happened to catch the CM for the PotC bathroom just outside the the doorway (I don't talk to people inside a restroom as a rule). I had seen him in that bathroom several times already that day. I had been making a special point that trip to acknowledge the restroom cleanup cast as the "unsung heroes" of the Magic Kingdom / Epcot / etc. He took my appreciation with good grace and thought it was a pretty funny 'special mission'. Just 20 or 30 seconds of conversation but I remarked that he must have a quick rotation through all of his areas because I had seen him there several times already (I make frequent trips ... its a thing), he said that he basically has that bathroom and the proximate companion restroom and that's it.

I fully concede that all experiences are by nature anecdotal, and this was a very busy time of the year with a MNSSHP that night so they may have been assigning extra coverage, but stationing a cleaning person in each restroom as a constant presence is definitely something Disney can do and has done. But even finding an occasional bit of litter or ~heavens~ a trashed bathroom stall Is a reality of life I can accept. My shock and frustration with DL (and so far this reaction has only happened at DL) is that when I have commented to a CM that a restroom needed some attention (something that's come up a couple times on each of my visits) or that there was the paper trash from a whole family's lunch in the bushes (a specific example from our last trip), the mess was still there 10-15 minutes later.

And I'll reiterate a specific pair of points regarding the Carthay Circle photo I posted. One, these overflowing waste bins were like this at opening. We were the first reservation of the day. The previous days closing manager had let it slip by and the opening manager of the day we were there did not catch it. and Two, This was a $64 a lunch plate restaurant!

So, sure, it's all anecdotal. I'm happy to accept that some people will obviously have better experiences at DLR than at WDW. As far as this being a matter of bias, I'm unconvinced. I'm eager to enjoy myself in either location and at the same time not terribly forgiving of what should be preventable customer experience issues regardless of which park I'm in. Things like park cleanliness and CM customer service are actually big parts of how I justify the expense of a WDW vacation to people who comment on how costly a trip can be. With over 100 days spent in WDW (as an adult) I struggle to come up with much of a list of times it has let me down. It seems odd that purely by the luck of the draw DLR would let me on every day I have spent there. But, it's an admittedly small sample size so who can say.

 

[waydownunder]

We went to WDW for the first time in September and I wouldn't say one was better than the other just different. Disneyland for us is easier to navigate as every thing is within walking distance where as you need to use transport to get around WDW and standing for over an hour after park close to get back to the resort on overcrowded transportation was not fun for us we would much rather a leisurely stroll back to our hotel at the end of a long day. We have had great CMs at both resorts and found both extremely clean. There is a lot to love about both. WDW with the Amazing World of Avatar (Flight of Passage was one of our favorite rides of the trip), The fireworks absolutely breathtaking, and for my Star Wars mad Hubby it was Nirvana especially the dessert Party. DL with we think much better parades, The mesmerizing WOC, RSR, and a far superior Fantasmic. I really think that if you go with a open mind and no preconceived idea's and expectations an amazing time can be had at both resorts which we do. At the end of the day if both were identical we would have less disney magic to enjoy. Embrace the differences for what they are.