Advice for first-timer at WDW who goes to Disneyland regularly

[disneycat1]

I'll be in Orlando at the end of July for a conference at the Disney Yacht Club and would like to spend some time at Disney World. I'm from LA and go to Disneyland once a month, so I'd like to plan my time at Disney World to see things that are unique or different. It looks like Magic Kingdom has only a few different rides from Disneyland; is this a correct assumption, and should I not spend a day there if my time is limited? I'll only have 1-2 days after the conference (I can also get half-day park tickets valid after 4 pm on the conference days for ~$30 less than regular admission). As a first-time WDW visitor, which parks should I focus on? Epcot has been highly recommended to me. If there's enough unique stuff to see at Magic Kingdom, I could get a half day ticket to Magic Kingdom since it's open the latest and I can skip the rides that are also at Disneyland and then use a full day at another park.

For reference, the rides I enjoy most at Disneyland/California Adventures are Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Radiator Springs Racers, Haunted Mansion. I don't care for roller coasters and I'll be going without kids. I also like shows such as Fantasmic, Aladdin, and World of Color.

Thanks!

 

[disneyfan55]

I'll be in Orlando at the end of July for a conference at the Disney Yacht Club and would like to spend some time at Disney World. I'm from LA and go to Disneyland once a month, so I'd like to plan my time at Disney World to see things that are unique or different. It looks like Magic Kingdom has only a few different rides from Disneyland; is this a correct assumption, and should I not spend a day there if my time is limited? I'll only have 1-2 days after the conference (I can also get half-day park tickets valid after 4 pm on the conference days for ~$30 less than regular admission). As a first-time WDW visitor, which parks should I focus on? Epcot has been highly recommended to me. If there's enough unique stuff to see at Magic Kingdom, I could get a half day ticket to Magic Kingdom since it's open the latest and I can skip the rides that are also at Disneyland and then use a full day at another park.

For reference, the rides I enjoy most at Disneyland/California Adventures are Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Radiator Springs Racers, Haunted Mansion. I don't care for roller coasters and I'll be going without kids. I also like shows such as Fantasmic, Aladdin, and World of Color.

Thanks!

I am a regular WDW visitor but have visited DL on to trips back in the late 1980s. First you will find WDW a huge resort away from it all! In comparing rides with the same name, some are very similar and some different (at least from when we visited DL) The pirates of Caribbean has one drop and no restaurant-empties into a store (like many rides/attractions do now) A large portion of Fantasyland has recently been redone and pretty neat. That in itself may be worth a trip to the MK. Disney studios has a few live shows-Beauty and the Beast and Lion King are very good. Each park has its own attributes, but if you can only visit late in the day, AK closes earliest so probably the one you may not get to.

 

[BrianL]

There are a few unique things at MK, like the new 7 Dwarves Mine Train for one. Also, shows and parades are all different. You may find a lot of the attractions that are similar, the DL versions are better. so it's tough to say. With only 2 days you might skip it, although, there are repeat attractions at the other parks too, like Soarin' at Epcot and Tower of Terror, Toy Story, and Star Tours at DHS.

I'd probably do Mk over DHS considering that if you take those three out of the equation, DHS doesn't have much (Rock'n Roller Coaster, and some great shows). MK has the new parade, which is great! Space Mountain is actually very different as well (POTC, HM, Tiki Room, Small World all mostly the same.

I think Aniumal Kingdom is the most unique place between the two, so I'd definitely check that out. Expedition Everest is great, and if you like animals there is a lot to see. Kali River Rapids is basically the same as Grizzly River Run, only shorter. Dinosaur is like Indiana Jones, but different enough to warrant a go.

Epcot has a lot to do, but Test Track may pale compared to RSR (they are basically the same technology, but TT is much shorter, though a tad faster). Soarin' is exactly the same, as is Captain EO. That leaves you with Spaceship Earth, Mission Space, The Seas, Energy, Imagination and Maelstrom. If you're at Beach Club, then Epcot is the closest park and has a gate right there so it's convenient.

It's tough to do WDW in a couple of days, but you'll have fun no matter what. I wish I lived close enough to a Disney park to go monthly!

EDIT to add: If you like shows, Lion King and Finding Nemo (both at AK) are great. NOTHING compares to Alladin at DCA (what a show!) and Fantasmic! may be a bit of a let down compared to the DL version (excepting that you can sit down for it!). Just so you know.

 

[chalee94]

it's a few years old but still worth a look:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=16541636

in short, it's probably fun to ride rides that are similar but not exactly the same (like space mountain) but i'd skip the ones where DLR is way better - like fantasmic. also kinda fun that some things in the MK will feel like they are in the wrong place. i agree that the new fantasyland is probably worth a look...probably also want to look into the festival of the lion king and nemo shows at AK.

if you were staying longer, it might be fun to do the behind the scenes tour of the MK to see some structural changes that they made after learning things in CA. one of the biggest differences is how large wdw really is...if you don't want to spend for a ticket, you still might get dinner at one of the monorail resorts and check out some of the theming at the GF and poly.

 

[grimley1968]

The corresponding rides at WDW are at 4 parks, as compared to only 2 parks at DL. Soarin' is at EPCOT, Kali River Rapids (Grizzly River Rapids) is at AK, as is the mousetrap ride like CA has. ToT is at DHS, and several rides are at MK. Just keep this in mind if you're wanting to do EVERYTHING that DL/CA has.

You might be a little disappointed in MK's version of PotC. It's not as long as the one at DL and I think has shorter drops. DL's version of IASW is similar but DL's outdoor queue for it is much more interesting than MK's queue. If you want to see Fantasmic at DHS, that is a much more involved process that involves sitting in an amphitheater and frankly, I think Fantasmic is better at DL, being on the river, etc.

As for shows, my two favorite shows are Festival of the Lion King in AK and Beauty and the Beast in DHS. MK just doesn't have any shows that match those, IMO, though the Tiki Room is fun. The Aladdin show, though, may be hard to top.

I wish I could recommend a park. If you want the most similar park to DL, I guess MK would be it. But if you want something a little different, I guess EPCOT or AK would be the parks to hit (DHS has a lot of similarities to parts of CA).

Finally, keep in mind the humidity in Florida in July!

 

[apicozzi]

My suggestions of "things to see" at each park would be the following:

MK - If you have a chance to make it, it's nice to compare just how large the castle is compared to Disneyland's! I visited DL for the first time in 2012 and couldn't believe how small Sleeping Beauty castle seemed compared to Cinderella's! The new Fantasyland additions are also great, but if you haven't been to MK before, they may not seem as impressive because you don't know what used to be there. Pirates is shorter than the DL version.

Epcot - I highly (repeat - highly) recommend Epcot! Spaceship Earth is a favorite. Test Track would be fun but probably will have long waits, and if your time is limited, might not be worth it. Since you're not going to be with any kids, you'll probably really enjoy walking around World Showcase. I love just walking around the countries and looking at the architecture, trying the food/cocktails, etc.

Animal Kingdom - if you have a chance to make it to Animal Kingdom, my suggestions would be Festival of The Lion King show (in its brand new theater!), the Safari and potentially Dinosaur (the ride system is similar to Indiana Jones at DL, but obviously very different theme). I'd skip Everest if you're not into coasters.

Hollywood Studios - If you like shows, you can watch Beauty & the Beast and Fantasmic - although I personally feel that Fantasmic is better at DL. Once again, if you're not into coasters you can probably skip Rockin' Rollercoaster.

Just a few suggestions! Enjoy your time at WDW - you'll find that it's HUGE compared to DL/DCA. Park Hopping at DL/DCA is very easy because as you know, it's about a 20 foot walk between parks. At WDW you will be reliant upon Disney transportation (bus/boat/monorail), which can take much longer.