Disney World vs. Disney Land

[marie32]

I have been to DW 2 x's
and only to Disney Land once when I was very young.
What do you think the main difference are?
I would be happy to hear of the +'s and -'s when
comparing the two. Do you think Disney land is
less expensive?

 

[SnackyStacky]

Although I haven't been to both, the concensus seems to be that Disneyland Park blows the Magic Kingdom right out of the water, but as a complete vacation, Disney World is much better.

I think that the main difference is that the Magic Kingdom was designed to hold mass amounts of people, so it's more spread out. Many say that there is a cozier, more intimate, more magical feel at Disneyland park.

Disneyland is definitely cheaper. Especially if you live closer to the west coast.

I would LOVE to visit Disneyland. If for no other reason to ride the Matterhorn, and Alice in Wonderland!

 

[danny1649]

Are a much better at DL in my opinion.DL seems to have more of Walt's touch and so many little things around each corner.That said I love WDW and with all the resorts and parks we love to vacation at WDW vs DL.

 

[barbeml]

I have been to WDW and DL. The difference is we need a week at WDW (and still don't see verything) and had a wonderful, perfect "day" at Disneyland (pre-California Adventure).

Love The Land, Crazy for The World.

 

[Tink]

I think that some of the rides are actaully better at DL. Pirates and Peter Pan. Splash and Space MT are a toss up. I also like the charm of the HM there. The New Orleans Sqaure area is a little nicer than Liberty Square.

I think that it has to do with the fact that DL has some great rides that WDW doesn't have. Matterhorn, Alice and Pinocchio.

I also happen to love Roger Rabbit and the Indiana Jones ride. Dinsosaur is the same concept, but not as good.

 

[stacy6552]

Dl is most like the MK. The biggest difference? Things arent where you expect them to be. We grew up near DL and went often and on our first visit to the MK I drove myself crazy expecting things to be in the same place. We made for the Haunted Mansion, but couldnt find it, stuf like that.

 

[TEK224]

I think DL is more intimate than MK. There are only 2 parks in CA (DL and Calif. Adventure) There is also a DtD.

At DL, I love the Indiana Jones ride and the Matterhorn. I think the HM area is nicer, too. DtD is nice, bit I like WDW one better.
You definitely need more time at WDW, because of all the extras (PI, BW waterparks, etc). I also think DL is a little cheaper.

I'm getting the best of both worlds this year. Going to WDW in Sept. and DL in Dec. Yeah!!!

Terri

 

[dan-tot]

Disneyland has some better rides but after you have been around the park that is it. You don't have the other parks to go to when you are finished at MK. The rides are alot better Indy ride is great I wish they had it at DW. Space mountain is alot better they have new seatting and the staging area is alot better. Pirates is alot better they have three levels on the ride instead of two. It details the skelletons more. They have a two masted ship to ride on instead of just the paddle wheeler. Tom sawyer's island is about the same and thunder mountain is also except the que is a little different. I haven't been to California Adventure so I can't really tell if that is a good place or not. I would like to go just for the experience. The monorail system is alot better there is alot more track and there is only one train.


Dan-tot

 

[Dan Murphy]

DL is very nice, more sedate, more intimate. Pirates and Small World are much better at DL. Really has a different feel. I love it there.

http://www.mouseplanet.com/dtp/dlguide/5_Primer/park_comparison.htm

http://www.mouseplanet.com/dtp/dlguide/1_Forward/whydl.htm

http://home.earthlink.net/~andyda/disney/disney.html

 

[Twigs]

We were just at DL in July for the first time, we have been to WDW many times. I think that POTC, SW, HM, and the speedway were better at DL. It is smaller in that the walkways are tighter. I also noticed that the lighting at night isn't as good and I had a hard time finding my way around (even while using the map) as I did not know the park that well. My kids loved the Matterhorn Bobsleds and we tried to go on all the rides that are exclusive to DL.
We were very disappointed with the "feeling of DL", in WDW everything seems very special and we just didn't get that there. The CM's were nice, but not as nice either. One of the monorail drivers was very rude and sarcastic with us when we asked if we could sit up front with him becasue we have done that at WDW. We never experienced anything like that at WDW. The only place we got that special feeling was in the GC hotel.
We also saw people cutting lines alot at DL.
Overall we enjoyed ourselves there and had a good time, but WDW is just more magical to us somehow.
I did not find it to be cheaper, but about the same.

 

[tynkrB]

Good question. I am a native Californian who had a DL pass for several years. I live about an hour away and yet we make an annual trip to Florida to go to WDW. Others have mentioned that there are some ride differences and yes we miss the Matterhorn at WDW and Small World just does not compare to DL's at all! There are other rides that WDW doesn't have like INDY which is amazing, but at the same time there are things at WDW that DL doesn't have either. I loved DL all through growing up and still do, however in IMHO once you've been to WDW it just doesn't compare. The size difference is awesome and there is so much more to do at WDW. DL doesn't have nearly he shows that you can see all around WDW. 4 parks obviously makes a big difference and the DL resorts are nothing like WDW. The GC is new and it is similar, but essentially there are only 3 DL resorts and far less in the way of things like character meals and such, both in the hotels and the parks.

So I guess what I am saying is that DL is great and if you like Disney you can't help, but have a magical time, but if you have been to WDW first it might not seem as amazing and it will certainly feel small.

Just my two cents!

Kim

 

[bibbidiboo]

Originally posted by Twigs

We were very disappointed with the "feeling of DL", in WDW everything seems very special and we just didn't get that there. The CM's were nice, but not as nice either. One of the monorail drivers was very rude and sarcastic with us when we asked if we could sit up front with him becasue we have done that at WDW. We never experienced anything like that at WDW. The only place we got that special feeling was in the GC hotel.
We also saw people cutting lines alot at DL.
Overall we enjoyed ourselves there and had a good time, but WDW is just more magical to us somehow.

I have to echo what Twigs said in regards to this. We had a great time at DL, but there's something missing. This was best illustrated by the incredibly snotty and disrespectful vibe we got from our Jungle Cruise cap'n. The spiel is always done tongue-in-cheek, and I'm sure they all get sick of saying it, but this clown treated everybody like jerks just for riding the attraction.

For a lot of Californians, DL is simply their local themepark, just like a Six Flags, and I think that this gives it the different flavor from the "destination" of WDW.

 

[Gabe]

In my opinion, DL is much better than MK.

When people ask this question, a lot of people try to compare DL to WDW. Obviously, WDW is much better, in terms of size, scope, and overall experience.

BUT, if if you are comparing only DL to MK, there is no comparison. DL is the original. The rides are nicer.

We are AP at both DL Resort and WDW and DVC Members. We also go to WDW once or twice a year, but rarely go to MK.

When we do go to MK, we are often dissapointed, since we also visit DL often.

Yes, you can mention Epcot, MGM, AK and the resorts, and that makes WDW better, but between DL and MK, DL gets the nod.

 

[sters]

Keep in mind that I havn't been to DL in several years, but went annualy as a child, but since I've been to MK, I like the one in Florida much better. It's more lushly landscaped and has better dining experiences. For example, the castle in California has no restaurant in it and seemed puny. The rides in California seemed dated with the better technology found in Florida (but I was last in DL in 1988, so...) I thougt the theming around the Pirates of the Carribean was a lot better at Disneyworld. But, mostly, they were similar, with the edge going to MK.

 

[time101]

OK...here's my 2 cents....

As has been said, the comparison needs to be MK vs. DL. DCA does not compare favorably to any of the other 3 WDW parks (except that Soarin' Over CA is probably my favorite single attraction at any Disney park in the US). It's Animation building is probably better than the Studios' version, but after the upcoming rehab, it should be a tie between the two.

But as far as DL vs. MK, to me, DL wins hands down. Much has already been said about the intimacy of the park and Walt's touch. My favorite things about DL are:

1. POTC--Longer, more imaginative. Starts in Blue Bayou Restaurant (reminded me of San Angel Inn/El Rio del Tiempo).

2. "Believe" fireworks--Of course, now MK is getting "Wishes"

3. New Orleans Square--If you like Epcot's WS, you will love this area of DL. It's also a great place for dinner (Dixieland jazz, too!)

4. The original Tiki birds!!!

5. Mr. Toad!!!

6. Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin--Not as good as Buzz, but still fun

7. It's a Small World--The building's facade is beautiful and the boats start outside.

8. The dancing floor at the end of Main Street. Unbelievable! I'm not a dancer, but what a kick to watch teens and folks in their 70's swing dancing.

9. Indiana Jones--Although it's not my cup of tea.

10. Abraham Lincoln/Walt Disney Story

11. Main Street Cinema--just like I remembered it from MK as a kid


The not so good about DL:

1. Splash is not as good at DL. You can't sit two astride. (Unless that's been changed by now.)

2. The Tomorrowland rehab a few years ago--it didn't quite make it. It's sad to see those Rocket Rod tracks sitting there idle. It wasn't a great ride, I just hate the thought of all that money being spent to build them...for nothing...

Anyway...that's my opinion...for what it's worth!

Tim E.
Dreamfinder's Other Concoction

 

[Grog]

This is one of my favorite DIS debates

Great links, Dan. I hadn't seen those before.

I pretty much have to second everything time101 mentioned, except for the fact that I absoulutely love Indiana Jones. That's my favorite Disney ride, with Soarin' a very close second.

It's easy to compare DL and MK, bit there is just no way to compare the two resorts. Size is obviously the main difference, and is also what will keep DLR from ever being close to WDW as far as number of hotels, restaurants, etc. There really isn't anywhere to expand to. Standing in the esplenade looking toward the DL hotel, there is a subdivision at 12 o'clock, off site hotels at 6 and 9, and I-5 at 3 o'clock. There is a large area off harbor (used to be a strawberry field from what I understand) that Disney apparently owns. Rumors have either a water park or a third theme park going there eventually, but even that wouldn't be "in" the resort, but down the street a ways. DLR will probably never get any bigger, but that's OK with me. I still have a magical experience when I go there. I have seen people on these boards say they love WDW and have no intention of ever going to DLR. I think those people are missing out, just as people from the left coast who refuse to go to WDW are missing out.

Disneyland....where "we'll keep a light on for you" has a very special meaning