Disney World vs. Disneyland

[Dis-Wiz]

I have only been to WDW, so I cannot compare as well as you previous posters have done. However, I do know a lot of the background of how WDW started and it is very interesting for this topic. Walt Disney created Walt Disney World to be better than Disneyland, lol. He did not like how people who were riding the people mover could see street signs, and hear the nasty sounds of traffic, so he bought (undercover) the land in Orlando, FL. They carefully constructed WDW so that anybody who is in the park will never be able to see or hear what is going on outside of the the park.

From what I hear, it sounds like WDW has better dining experiences. The food at WDW is one of MANY reasons we continue to go down each year.

As for the Expedition Everest in Disneyland, I don't think that will happen. I think Expedition Everest was put into WDW since DL had the Matterhorn. Plus, hasn't DL used up most of it's land???

*Interesting fact*: Did you know that WDW has only used up 1/3 of its land?!!

 

[Disneyenthusiast]

Disneyland:

Great for proximity. Not as much walking. Rides are closer together. Good for younger kids and their tired parents especially. Better Pirates. Indiana Jones. Better Fantasmic. It has many of the rides and features of WDW without needing to spend all the time on the bus, driving, or walking. Last summer we spent 5 days as happy adults in Disneyland. Weather is much better in California for more of the year. No hurricanes. Not as hot. Humidity is low. We never even had rain in our 5 trips in June and July. It does get crowded. It is definitely better for those who need to travel during summer vacation. If you allow an extra day or two, you can afford to be patient and will enjoy the time more.

WDW:

Planning our first trip. Our kids are grown and we are on our own. Now we are ready to focus on sitting around the pools, strolling through the grounds, enjoying gourmet meals and having a drink or two in a pleasant environment. We still enjoy the rides (alot), but won't need to hit them at as frantic a pace as when the kids were with us.

 

[jlovesee]

A lot of people have made some very good points. My first disney park was Disneyland, so I am partial to it for that reason.

When comparing the two, first Disneyland is not Magic Kingdom. While its much more compact, I think the rides and attractions are a little bit better in CA, and I think there are more. For example the have Star Tours (MGM) and the Indiana Jones ride, as well as Casey Jr. the Canal Boats, Alice in Wonderland. etc. You really do need two full days to see all of Disneyland.

DCA IS small, but its getting better. I personally do not find it as distasteful as some and I LOVE the fact that it has the old Main Street Electrical Parade. I am also in the minority in that I actually like Paradise Pier. I think its a wonderful credit to the great sea side parks of the past, and the few that are left such as Santa Cruz. Compared to how MGM started out (it opened with only 3 rides/attractions!) I think if we give DCA enough time it will turn into something amazing. I would give it atleast 3/4 of a day, if not a full day.

Disney World is great for the full immulsion filling, all disney all the time. CA has that to a point, but its different, hard to explain. I think Disneyland also opens you up to trying other attractions in the area. While I would recommend staying away from Magic Mountain unless you REALLY like roller coasters, Knott's is still a nice park, Legoland is GREAT if you have small children, and then there is also the whole Pacific Oceans. Which does NOT compare in anyway to Atlantic, its beautiful!

Jennifer

 

[simzac]

Lets see, Disneyland, 2 parks, 3 resorts, and Downtown Disney. Disneyworld, 4 parks, 2 water parks, 10 to 20 resorts(depending how you want to count them) Downtown Disney with 3 sections, 5 golf courses, and countless other activities. My question is, how can anyone begin to compare the 2 destinations. Disneyworld isn't the #1 vacation destination in the world for nothing. The only thing that makes Disneyland even worth comparing is that it came first. I have been to Disneyland once, Disneyworld 3 times, just purchased a DVC so I intend to go to WDW for many years to come, while visiting Disneyland again may or may not happen. Not high on my priority list. I want to visit Tokyo and Paris before going to Anaheim. JMO

 

[Sleeping Jedi Beauty]

IMO, if Disneyland had the space that WDW does, it would be the #1 vacation destination in the world. What sets WDW apart is EPCOT, especially since Disneyland has many rides that are comparable and/or clones to some of WDW's rides. That said, I love both parks. I agree that WDW can immerse you more fully since it's isolated from the world, something Walt wasn't able to do when he took the gamble of building Disneyland. Walt had plenty of money to buy the land for WDW that he didn't have with Disneyland.

 

[Amy&Dan]

The only thing that makes Disneyland even worth comparing is that it came first.

Actually while the history of Disneyland and the fact that it was Walt's park is a very important part of the Disneyland experience, that isn't the only thing going for it. I don't think it is not worth comparing to WDW. I have been to Disneyland a total of 11 times and WDW 5 times. Yes, my husband and I prefer to have a longer vacation in WDW and our DVC membership influences that decision. But if you want to compare rides, Disneyland wins hands down. Pretty much every attraction WDW shares with Disneyland (POTC and Space Mtn. in particular) Disneyland is better, far better. Disneyland is beautiful and very charming. Its Fantasyland puts WDW's to shame. And Disneyland has some fine dining too, just not as many choices. Once you are in the gates of Disneyland, the surrounding city does not hamper the fun or magic. And Disneyland and DCA have more attractions and shows than all four WDW parks combined. I see everyone's points and share many of the opinions but I have to say Disneyland is worth visiting and comparing. Even though for overall experience I pick WDW I have to defend my first love Disneyland!

 

[Amy&Dan]

. They carefully constructed WDW so that anybody who is in the park will never be able to see or hear what is going on outside of the the park.

:

That is exactly right! Although I have to say in all of my visits to Disneyland, once I enter the main espanlande area, I don't know I am in a big city. Disneyland does an incredible job of maintaining and presenting the magic. On a couple of the rides you can see the city of Los Angeles in the distance but I have never heard it. The monorail in parts is running right above/to the side of Harbor Blvd., but that lasts maybe 15 seconds. The rest of the time you are in Neverland.