Difference in rides at WDW vs. DL

[allieoop]

We're going to be at DL for only one day this summer. My question for those of you who have been to both WDW and DL is are the rides the same at both? I mean are the Haunted Mansion, Pirates, Thunder Mountain, etc. at WDW the same at DL? Since we'll only have one day, I don't want to "waste time" doing the same rides we've done at WDW.
Thanks

 

[flipturngirl]

So here is my suggestions. Do the matterhorn!! You will not beable to do it again until you come back again. I would want to stay more then 1 day but if that is what your schedual allows then okay! I would say to do Pirates in DL because it is the original even though they changed it a little but it is longer the WDW version I hear. Also do California Adventure if you plan on Park Hopping, most of the rides there are different the WDW I believe. Have fun!

 

[YoHo]

Haunted mansion is different and they've made some changes recently that WDW doesn't have.

Pirates is very very different and longer. For most people, once they've ridden DL's pirates, they won't like WDW half a ride any more.

Those are the two important ones.

 

[halfway there]

After just recently returning from our first trip to DL, I had the same feeling as you: let's not waste time on the duplicate rides but in some cases it is a real toss up as to which is better, with the exception of Space Mountain.

As much as I have always loved it at WDW and it being my favorite ride since childhood, it is 100 times better at DL! I couldn't believe it!! I agree with what one poster said awhile back, that 'if we could have a SM as good as DL, I wouldn't mind waiting two years for it' either. It is an awesome ride and one you shouldn't miss just because it is the same as WDW on the outside. It most definitely is not the same on the inside!

 

[Deb & Bill]

HM is better at DL than WDW. Small World is also better at DL. Buzz seems shorter at DL, but the guns are not fixed to the car.

 

[cruzindon]

The only ride that is better at WDW in my opinion is Splash. The DL version is faster and has more drops but the WDW version has more characters, is longer, and because the boats are slower you can absorb more of the story. The DL boats seem to zip through the scenes too quickly.

 

[doombuggy]

My advice: see the attractions that DL has that we don't have here at WDW (Mr. Toad, Alice, Matterhorn, etc). Also be sure to hit some rides that the tipsters here say are different (Space mtn, Pirates, Tower of Terror, etc). Yes, they have made some changes to the HM in DL, so check that out. The DL POTC is longer, and more fun at the beginning. I certainly wouldn't say that I dislike the WDW POTC after riding the DL version. Fantasmic is better out there.

What ever you do, form your own opinions and have a great time!

 

[bellelinus]

My daughters and I know WDW very well, and were surprised at how different many of the "same" rides were at DL. However, if you only have one day, the only ride with the same name that is entirely a different ride is Space Mountain (incredible!).

We liked HM better at DL (the attic room with the bride was really different, as was the area after the stretch room before you load the doom buggies; Madame Leota's head "floats" in the crystal ball, etc., etc.). We thought Splash was more different than we had expected -- the area right before you do the big splash has a gloomy minor-key version of "Laughin' Place" sung by mother animals warning their children, and we thought that was really funny. Being able to take the "guns" out and point them at more things made Buzz better, we thought. BTM had a few differences, but nothing really significant. Small World is much more elaborate at DL.

But don't forget all the rides you can only do there! It's why one day is going to be tough.

 

[dletz]

I would not wait for Peter Pan. Peter Pan in WDW is a longer better ride than the one at DL. And since the DL version always has a huge line I wouldn't waste time on it if I didn't have time for it.

Donna

 

[HydroGuy]

We are DL vets and just got back from our first WDW trip. In one day it is kind of hard to do both DL and DCA. We ourselves have done it, but we know our way around.

I am trying to think of a compelling reason for a WDW vet to go to DCA (with parkhopping to DL) on a one day trip and I cannot think of any.

- Tower of Terror will be a bit of a disappointment after WDW

- Soarin Over CA is a better overall experience at DCA because of the theming but not worth a special trip to DCA if you have already seen it at Epcot - if you haven't seen it at Epcot it is absolutely worth seeing at DCA

- Cailfornia Screamin is unique to DCA and is a really good roller coaster ride - it is "not to be missed" on a 2+ day trip but can be skipped on a day trip

- Turtle Talk With Crush - at the DCA Animation Studios and the same as at Epcot except the theater is bigger at DCA and thus the wait line is much, much shorter.


If you decide to focus on DL, what to do depends on your group. For most WDW vets I would say:

- Matterhorn - the original Disney Mountain and a classic, still a good ride after almost 50 years - ride it in the first hour to avoid long lines which top out at 45 minutes mid-day

- Indiana Jones - unique to DL and a great experience

- Space Mtn - since the refurb the experience was improved by a factor of 10, or 100, or 1000. Grab your FastPass first thing in the morning.

- POTC - still the best ride at DL, IMO

- FantasyLand rides - these are hard to do at DL in a single day - if you have a choice of day of the week to go I would advise going on Wednesday. If not possible, then Friday, and then if not possible go on Sunday. These are all days where DL does not have Early Entry into FantasyLand and if you get to the parks early you can do FantasyLand first thing with minimal lines. Do Mr. Toad, Alice in Wonderland and StoryBookLand Canal Boats as these are all unique to DL.

- If you have enough energy to see the 9:25PM Remember Dreams Come True fireworks/laser/special effects show, then do it. Opinions differ but I would recommend seeing it from the hub and getting there 60 minutes early. Make sure you can see the castle clearly. By some accounts the Remember show is the best ever assembled by Disney. We thought it was just incredible.

 

[DisneyDotty]

Don't miss these rides at DL (even though they can also be found at WDW):
1. Space Mountain (better by far than MK's)
2. Pirates
3. it's a small world
4. Autopia (great giveaways for some riders!)
5. the big raft ride at CA--sorry, its name escapes me (much, much better than Kali!)
6. Indiana Jones (similar to Dinosaur--but the queue and theming is awesome!)
7. Train ride around park--great dioramas!

Similar rides at both parks:
1. Haunted Mansion--although when we went to DL, it was decked out in "Nightmare" theme and sooo cool
2. Peter Pan--really, I couldn't see much difference
3. Pooh
4. Big Thunder Mountain (great ride wherever it is!)
5. Soarin'--again, I saw no difference

Skip it if you don't have time:
1. Splash Mountain (MK's is better)
2. Tower of Terror (better at Studios)
3. Jungle Cruise--although it's similar to WDW's, it was a Walt original so it might be worth the time

And definitely hit these rides exclusive to DL:
1. Matterhorn
2. Alice in Wonderland
3. Canalboats
4. Casey Jones
5. Monsters Inc.
6. A bunch of the rides along boardwalk in CA--lots of fun!

Have a great time! You will be so impressed with DL. It's truly magical.