Anyone else feel a "difference" between DL and WDW?

[disnyrtl]

Just got back from a quirky Disney trip to DL, all courtesy of my mom....or the kids DGM. (thanks mom). I seem to feel a great difference between the two areas (DL vs WDW) and I was wondering if anyone else "feels" the same way. I am not talking about the size, or rides...but that "Disney magic" feeling you get when you're at the parks. I keep comparing it to like if your hungry and go out to eat for say...steak. DL is sort of like going to "sizzler" but going to WDW is more like going to a four star restaurant and getting a nice aged cut of prime rib, or NY strip...it doesn't matter. Either way I get my fill, but the EXPERIENCE and satisfaction is different. Hey, I'm not knocking either place, but I can't help this "feeling". Anyone else? And if so, HOW?

 

[figment_jii]

Just got back from a quirky Disney trip to DL, all courtesy of my mom....or the kids DGM. (thanks mom). I seem to feel a great difference between the two areas (DL vs WDW) and I was wondering if anyone else "feels" the same way. I am not talking about the size, or rides...but that "Disney magic" feeling you get when you're at the parks. I keep comparing it to like if your hungry and go out to eat for say...steak. DL is sort of like going to "sizzler" but going to WDW is more like going to a four star restaurant and getting a nice aged cut of prime rib, or NY strip...it doesn't matter. Either way I get my fill, but the EXPERIENCE and satisfaction is different. Hey, I'm not knocking either place, but I can't help this "feeling". Anyone else? And if so, HOW?

I do think that the two resorts have a different feel to them, but I wouldn't describe DLR as being like a cheap buffet and WDW is a four star restaurant. I think DLR feels more intimate, while WDW is a more immerse experience. I go to DLR for a weekend trip, whereas WDW is a vacation. So in that way they are very different in terms how I approach the trip and what I am looking to do and experience. I enjoy visiting both places, so in that way the "satisfaction" level is the same, but the reason for the enjoyment is different.

I tend to think of comparing experiences at WDW and DLR rather like comparing an orange to an apple. Both fruits can be excellent, but I wouldn't expect them to taste the same. I like both equally and can enjoy both without needing to compare them.

Also, to me, while saying you aren't "knocking either place", you are "knocking" DLR by equating it to a cheap buffet (I don't like Sizzlers, so that might play into this) and saying WDW is a four star meal.

 

[disnyrtl]

Figment:you are sooooo right. Thank you for your input. I was having a hard time expressing tHe difference I was feeling. And I guess I should own up to the comparison, it was wrong and sounded like I was putting DLR down, when what I was trying to do was explore what the heck felt different.

 

[lucysmom]

Hmmm......well, I notice a different feel, definitely. But I find the magic at DLR. I used to feel it at WDW, but it has gotten so overcrowded. I don't think the changes they have made have enhanced that magical feeling. I just hope that DLR doesn't go in the same direction.

 

[Eeee-va]

I know you said it's not about the rides/size, but for me, it seems to be what park I grew up with and am accustomed to. My BFF used to be an Orlando local, and she wasn't particularly impressed by DL. I think she thought DL was small, and she had memories of WDW's rides being better overall (even rides that most people online agree are better at DL). On the other hand, I've been visiting DL all my life and while I certainly enjoyed my trips to WDW, I couldn't help but compare the rides and atmosphere and even the quick service food and in most cases, I preferred DL. There just weren't as many places at WDW that I had special memories of, and it would be difficult (not impossible) to build enough memories at WDW to make me prefer it to DL. (I might even have to move to Florida so that I felt like WDW was more my "home" park.)

Overall, I think it's like going to a 4-star steakhouse (maybe one I'm particularly familiar with) versus going to a different 4-star steakhouse.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

Just got back from a quirky Disney trip to DL, all courtesy of my mom....or the kids DGM. (thanks mom). I seem to feel a great difference between the two areas (DL vs WDW) and I was wondering if anyone else "feels" the same way. I am not talking about the size, or rides...but that "Disney magic" feeling you get when you're at the parks. I keep comparing it to like if your hungry and go out to eat for say...steak. DL is sort of like going to "sizzler" but going to WDW is more like going to a four star restaurant and getting a nice aged cut of prime rib, or NY strip...it doesn't matter. Either way I get my fill, but the EXPERIENCE and satisfaction is different. Hey, I'm not knocking either place, but I can't help this "feeling". Anyone else? And if so, HOW?

You're going to get a diversity of opinion on the matter in here and the whole "WDW vs. DLR" theme pops us a lot, sometimes contentiously. Given that this is the DLR forum, on the whole if I were you I might duck

That said, I would suggest first of all that everyone feels a difference because they are, of course, different places. Why would they feel the same? They're almost 3,000 miles apart and operated by completely different management teams within Disney.

Beyond that, in terms of quality or satisfaction, it largely comes down to preference. Some in the forum would suggest that maintenance, upkeep, and knowledge of cast members are better at DLR. Aside from these factors, the gist of many past threads in this forum has always seemed to come down to whether you want a vacation at a large resort (assuming that it takes a lot longer to get around WDW and around its larger, emptier parks), or a smaller but more easily navigated one, and most importantly, which one you grew up with or visited first.

As you asked for opinions, mine is the opposite of yours. Having been to both, I find WDW of a lower quality than DLR, and thus less magical, because of poorer maintenance, difficulty getting around, overly friendly cast members, and a significant lack of things to do in each park compared to the much denser California parks. To me, WDW comes across as more forced and mass produced, and I also think no park at WDW compares even closely to the charming feel of DL, itself.

I would add, some people like to say that the magic is the same in both places, or that as Disney fans we should love DLR and WDW equally but for different reasons, or things along those lines. I think that's wishful thinking, though. If I can feel that DLR is better, you can feel that WDW is qualitatively better and that's totally okay. They each have their merits and if they really were the same, no one would ever explore them both. But, yeah, the feel is not the same at all.

 

[disnyrtl]

Interesting points. One thing that this has made me realize is that I have seen a trend at WDW that I really haven't seen at DLR......those darn stores at the end of each ride. It seems that at WDW, each ride they add almost always exits into some store for you to buy things from. Case in points, Star Tours, tower of terror, etc. now this is not absent at DLR, but it certainly doesn't feel as much "in your face" as I have felt at WDW. Among many things that I do like about DLR is the fact that you CAN make a quick trip out of it. As I stated before, I just got back from a 3 day trip that I hadn't decided to go on until 24 hours before. I did the same thing back in 2009 when I ended going around Easter and both times I managed to get rooms at GCH at the lady minute....hardly something that is bound to happen at WDW too much.but maybe that is where part of myroblem. Ones in here. When going to WDW, I need at least a month to plan..if not just for the airline tickets, being from Sacramento, I can goto DLR with very little planning at all. Maybe the extra time it takes planning and waiting for the trip helps. Thank you everyone for your input so far.

 

[mikana876]

They definitely feel different. But I feel the opposite as you do. But then again Disneyland is my "home" park, the one I grew up going to. When I went to WDW it felt very different to me, and I didn't really like it. I like that a trip to Disneyland takes much less planning (especially with all that FP+ baloney, and 180 days+ for ADRs etc). I like that Disneyland is more condensed. I like the good neighbor hotels right across the street. WDW for me, just takes too much time, effort and money, and I don't feel like I get a "greater" experience as a trade off for all that extra effort.

 

[figment_jii]

One thing that this has made me realize is that I have seen a trend at WDW that I really haven't seen at DLR......those darn stores at the end of each ride.

I don't mind the stores at the end of the rides at WDW. I know they are there to provide guests with the opportunity to spend more money, but they also serve a non-monetary purpose for me. They're a great place to wait out the afternoon rainstorms in WDW! I've gone into a ride when it was clear and then came out and it was pouring rain. At least the shop at the exit gave me something to "do" and I didn't have to get wet exiting the ride and going somewhere to wait out the storm.

 

[elaw]

I do think that the two resorts have a different feel to them, but I wouldn't describe DLR as being like a cheap buffet and WDW is a four star restaurant. I think DLR feels more intimate, while WDW is a more immerse experience. I go to DLR for a weekend trip, whereas WDW is a vacation. So in that way they are very different in terms how I approach the trip and what I am looking to do and experience. I enjoy visiting both places, so in that way the "satisfaction" level is the same, but the reason for the enjoyment is different.

I tend to think of comparing experiences at WDW and DLR rather like comparing an orange to an apple. Both fruits can be excellent, but I wouldn't expect them to taste the same. I like both equally and can enjoy both without needing to compare them.

Also, to me, while saying you aren't "knocking either place", you are "knocking" DLR by equating it to a cheap buffet (I don't like Sizzlers, so that might play into this) and saying WDW is a four star meal.

I couldn't have said it better. Since we have the Premier AP, CM's at both parks often ask which we prefer. We always say we like the same, only different. Each has its better "Counterpart" attractions, (e.g. Pirates is better at DLR) but they are different overall experiences to us.

 

[HydroGuy]

These kinds of threads are always interesting and - at least on the DLR forum - usually friendly.

I have the somewhat unique background of having gone to WDW and DLR multiple times, as well as having visited Tokyo Disney Resort and Disneyland Paris. I have not gone to Hong Kong Disney as its reputation has been poor. And I have never been on a Disney cruise and likely never will.

I have found that all of the Disney resorts have "Disney Magic". They all are quite different experiences in and of themselves and all worth visiting. I like different things about all of them.

DLR is my home resort and in no way do I feel DLR is inferior to WDW or the other resorts. It does not offer everything that WDW offers. But then WDW does not offer everything DLR has either.

WDW is a great place to go for 8-10 days and just stay in the Disney bubble. I rarely have 8-10 days to spend at Disney parks and have only twice done a trip that long at WDW. I travel to a lot of places around the world and Disney represents just a fraction of the things that interest me. Even so, I am passionate about what Disney does and the Disney resorts.

WDW takes so much more effort to put a trip together and I love that DLR is so easy in comparison.

I agree that WDW has been built as a vacation destination for the masses and they cater to the masses. DLR has been built more as an appeal to locals and they have to stay on their toes much more than WDW. That means that DLR has more pressure to deliver new things and keep things maintained. DLR visitors are much more discriminating.

The steak analogy is not correct IMO. WDW is more like a seven course meal at a place you only visit every year or two. DLR is more like a three course meal at a place you visit several times a year and you know the chef's name (he has been there for 30+ years) and you recognize the servers.

Whenever I am at WDW there things I miss about DLR - WOC, Indiana Jones and Space Mtn are high on the list. Whenever I am at DLR there are things I miss about WDW - Rockin Rollercoaster, Expedition Everest and the music of Off Kilter and Mulch, Sweat and Shears are high on the list. And the variety of dining options.

There are also things I miss at Tokyo Disney and Disney Paris and I would like to go back to those places and revisit.

I have not noticed any big decline at DLR or WDW, or that one has superior CMs. The feeling at both is still magical for me.

 

[disney world dreamer]

i was very excited to go to DLR for the first time last year and i had read how it feels MORE magical than WDW cuz its "walt's park" where he actually walked around and went on the rides.
unfortunately when i got there i felt no magic at all.
since most of the lines are outside in the sun and many rides for that matter are out in the sun it felt more like any other amusement park.
all i can think of is the fact that walt himself knew it was not exactly what he wanted so thats why he bought the land for WDW.

 

[GatorChris]

First, let me say: Did you really just post this on the Disneyland Forum?

Second, I COMPLETELY agree with you.

Let me counter some arguments on this thread and say that I grew up going to DL. I went there 3 or 4 times before age 10, and twice as a teenager. When I heard of people saying they were going to WDW, I'd think they were crazy for not wanting to hit DL. But then a family member of mine told me how much fun it is at WDW with all the parks they have there. My fiancee' and I then decided that was the place to do our Honeymoon. And we were hooked! 7 trips and 54 park days in a 11 year span.

I've done DL twice during that WDW span - 2006 and last November. The first trip was a dud. DCA was so boring, even with the new TOT (which doesn't match up to the randomizer at WDW). But this last trip there was vast improvement. Did I get that same magical feeling I get at WDW? No way. Even staying at Paradise Pier, I just didn't feel the "escape" feeling, the complete baptism, if you will, into Disney Magic.

That said, with money being a little tighter the last few years, and the whole FP+ thing making my stomach turn knots, we bought APs for the upcoming year to DL. Just like you said, it definitely satisfies my Disney cravings, and my kids seem to like it just as much. So we'll save the $2k to just fly to FL and make the $100 van trip to Anaheim for now. But I'd be lying if I said I don't desperately miss Epcot, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Liberty Tree Tavern, Beauty& the Beast Live, and the awesome WDW moderate resorts.

 

[GatorChris]

all i can think of is the fact that walt himself knew it was not exactly what he wanted so thats why he bought the land for WDW.

I've thought this a few times myself.

 

[robinb]

I have been to every Disney park and they are all different and the same and all of them are wonderful. My personal preference is Disneyland because of the intimacy and the depth of the "Disney Magic" layers. It feels more organic than planned (and yes, I know Disneyland was planned ). If I was told I could only go to one Disney resort, it would be Disneyland. Don't get me wrong, I love WDW. I own at 2 DVC resorts and I have a Premium AP but Disneyland has my heart.

 

[DizMe]

Is there a purpose to this type of thread? Why do people post that they like one place better than another and ask if anyone else agrees? For those who prefer WDW, great! There are doubtless valid reasons for that opinion for many. But why poke the hornets' nest with a stick? People will just get stung. I don't discount those feelings but I don't really see the need to air them since it's bound to cause some irritation on this board without providing any real benefit.

 

[blackjackdelta]

i was very excited to go to DLR for the first time last year and i had read how it feels MORE magical than WDW cuz its "walt's park" where he actually walked around and went on the rides.
unfortunately when i got there i felt no magic at all.
since most of the lines are outside in the sun and many rides for that matter are out in the sun it felt more like any other amusement park.
all i can think of is the fact that walt himself knew it was not exactly what he wanted so thats why he bought the land for WDW.

I had an an opportunity to spend time with Walt and Lillian when I was 9 until he passed...he really had very little do with WDW but his idea with WDW was to capture the business that would come Europe and South America and make it easier for folk to travel and get the Disney experience and maybe improve on what he built in Ca...I had an uncle who worked for him for many years as a writer and that is what trickled down.

Jack

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

i was very excited to go to DLR for the first time last year and i had read how it feels MORE magical than WDW cuz its "walt's park" where he actually walked around and went on the rides.
unfortunately when i got there i felt no magic at all.
since most of the lines are outside in the sun and many rides for that matter are out in the sun it felt more like any other amusement park.
all i can think of is the fact that walt himself knew it was not exactly what he wanted so thats why he bought the land for WDW.

The Florida project was started in order to control areas outside of the park after Harbor Blvd development proceeded beyond Disney's control, and to develop Epcot. It had nothing to do with outdoor queues or lack of space within Disneyland.

 

[Viva Las Disney]

To me DLR and WDW feel very different but I love them both. I think the parks are better at DLR but WDW is a better overall vacation. If I only had a couple days I'd rather be at DLR but if I had a week I'd rather be at WDW.

I don't view one as better than the other, they are different but unique in their own ways.

 

[whjensen]

Here's one big thing I love about DLR over WDW: Spontaneity.

We've celebrated the 4th birthdays of our sons at DLR and WDW and had a great time (of course, planning a year out and getting the Premium plan helped for WDW). This was back in 2004-2006.

I booked DLR for our youngest's 4th (since our 2 older kids insist it's now a tradition) but then started wondering...what about WDW? This was around 5 months out.

So the first thing I did is see if we could get reservations at the Beach Club Resort and at Cinderella's Table...or Akerhaus...or anywhere....

And the answer was no. Without complete planning, you cannot go to WDW. I believe in creating margins...space...for magic. And it is SO much easier at DLR.

You can make it work between Disneyland and California Adventure with minimal planning. You cannot do the same in WDW. Magic happens in spontaneity. Both are great, but for our family, DLR fits our West-coast style much, much better.