Disneyland - Disneyworld: Observations from a WDW regular

[MelissathePooh]

Just back and wanted to put out some observations as a Disney fan that usually visits WDW. Stayed for 7 nights in a studio at VGC with 6 day hoppers. These are just my opinions. My background: 9 hours drive away from WDW, WDW AP holder since 2000, DVC member since 2002, 3-4 WDW trips a year since 1998, my mom worked for Disney for several years and lives 10 miles from Animal Kingdom gates, all around Disney fan.

Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters - way better at DL
Space Mountain - much prefer at DL (sitting 2 by 2, music)
Overall of Fantasyland - you really can't do an apple to apple comparison as the general nature of the lands are so different. Example: I though PP in CA was beautiful, but the story is more linear in FL). Overall though its just prettier in CA and has way more to do.
IASW (although it was closed while we were there - I remember from a previous trip)
Indiana Jones is wonderful
Matterhorn - ultimately its not that great, but I appreciate the history and place it holds
Splash - WDW way better
Pooh - prefer the queue at DL, but the effects in WDW are better - kind of a toss up
Pirates - DL really does win this one
Haunted Mansion - honestly I have to say I prefer WDW EXCEPT for the DL holiday make-over - Jack Skellington's HM is awesome.
Thunder Mtn - kind of prefer the layout at DL, but neither stands out as distinctly different
Astro Orbiter - FL wins - if for no other reason than the height
Nemo Subs are fantastic
Autopia is much nicer than the Speedway in FL
Bugsland - although tiny, very cute and great for little kids
ToT - both are great
Soarin - its nice to see it in actual California without the WDW chaos
TSM - same as soarin - it looks great on the pier and so nice that it isn't a mob scene
Grizzly River is much better than Kali if for no other reason than the length of the ride

In someways its really apples to oranges even though some of the attractions are the same. For someone who is used to FL - DL seems very small and clustered and in some cases hard to navigate - lots of attraction entrances seemed hidden. Some of the attractions are smaller themselves than some of their counterparts in FL (tea cups, carousel). There are so many attractions that aren't located in both parks, but similar attractions are...both Disney locations have something unique to offer.

I/We fell in love with the smaller more intimate feel of DLR. Going during the week and in off season helped I know. I love how much there is to do in WDW, but I grow more and more tired of the constant crowded competition for everything. And I HATE what free dining has done to the FL parks/resorts. The overall food quality in DLR was far better and the character meals/character interaction were much more personal and fun than the mass production frenzies that are in FL.

DLR - well its pretty junky once you step across the street - kind of like I-drive in FL, but WDW has just gotten too big to really pull off a cozy, personal experience. We'll definitely be adding a trip to DLR in our vacation plans every 2-3 years (really is harder to get out there and way more expensive for us than WDW).

VGC were wonderful...pool was cold...WOC was pretty, but annoying after the first 2 nights (right off our balcony)...didn't watch any other parades or fireworks or shows as our kids don't like them.

Oh - one last thing...the trick or treating around the 3 DLR hotels was WONDERFUL!!! My kids had the best time and we loved it!!!!!

 

[ardenandjacksmom]

Thanks for the detailed post!! We are a WDW family (not anywhere near your experience level, but it is still our 'home' resort) and planning our first DLR trip over Thanksgiving. Can't wait to experience Walt's Park!!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Thank you for your post. I love reading everyone's perspectives when they visit the original Magic Kingdom.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

I agree with most of your points! We are a veteran WDW family from NC. Trips to Florida were getting very expensive, so we finally took the plunge and went to DL for the first time in October. We TOTALLY fell in love with DL.

First, we loved the convenience. Everything within walking distance was great. One of the biggest drawbacks of on-site WDW is the buses. We found we had so much more time to spend IN park without worrying about transportation.

We loved the charm of DL. The atmosphere was so intimate. Every land was beautiful. Fantasyland had TONs more character. Adventureland was beautiful. New Orleans Square was so the best...what elegance! The only lacking area was Tomorrowland, but we are big People mover lovers.

I'm sure we will return someday to WDW, but DL gives us our Disney fix just fine. The money saved with airfare, lodging, etc. works great too.

 

[Carrie in AZ]

Thanks for taking the time to share! I'm so glad you were able to experience DL.

We live in Arizona, certainly closer proximity to DL than DW, but our family has actually taken more trips to DW than DL. We LOVE, and I mean, LOVE, Disney World. Love the complete immersion and total vacation experience of it all. Having said all of that, though, I agree with all you said in your comparisons of the two. Last year was the best: we were able to visit both DL and DW within a month of each other -- totally blessed beyond measure, that is for sure.

This year it is DL for us over Thanksgiving. We're hoping to visit DW again next year. We have our favorites at both. It's so wonderful that DL and DW have something for everyone!!

 

[KCmike]

Love reading the comparison threads as well. I agree with most of what you said. I prefer DL to WDW now. Love the intimacy and the nostalgia. Everything just seems much more well done.

What did you think of the Aladdin stage show in DCA?

 

[Pintail]

Great observations! Thank you.

 

[padawans]

Thanks for taking the time to share! I'm so glad you were able to experience DL.

We live in Arizona, certainly closer proximity to DL than DW, but our family has actually taken more trips to DW than DL. We LOVE, and I mean, LOVE, Disney World. Love the complete immersion and total vacation experience of it all. Having said all of that, though, I agree with all you said in your comparisons of the two. Last year was the best: we were able to visit both DL and DW within a month of each other -- totally blessed beyond measure, that is for sure.

This year it is DL for us over Thanksgiving. We're hoping to visit DW again next year. We have our favorites at both. It's so wonderful that DL and DW have something for everyone!!

I couldn't agree with you more. We are also from az and We love the vacation experience of wdw and the different climate, but I do think dl is a much better park than the magic kingdom. I was a little disappointed in the magic kingdom. The pirates of the carribean and space mountain just don't measure up to dl. I also missed the indiana jones ride.

 

[MPwifey]

I went to WDW in October after not going since 2004 for a quick trip and i must say I loved DL so much more!!! We had AP's for DL since it was only 2 and half hours away and we enjoyed it so much more.

Some of the rides were longer and had more parts to them, especially Pirates. As the OP said, DL just had a cozy feel to it.

 

[Judy from Boise]

another voice of reason on the food issue! I believe I am the only regular poster who believes dining/food at DLR is more enjoyable than WDW.

 

[HydroGuy]

another voice of reason on the food issue! I believe I am the only regular poster who believes dining/food at DLR is more enjoyable than WDW.

It would be so boring if we all here agreed on everything.

FWIW, on our July trip we probably experienced more Disney dining at DLR than all previous trips combined. And we ate a lot of good food. Even so I think WDW is still better because of the environments they provide. When DLR has more of the following types of things I will be more inclined to agree with you:

o Sci-Fi Dine-In (DHS) - there was supposed to be something like this in Cars Land but apparently that was postponed.

o 50's Prime Time (DHS)

o Boma's (AKL)

o Beaches & Cream (BC)

o Coral Reef (Epcot)

o Hoop-Dee-Doo Review (FW) - BTR BBQ sort of gets there but only part of the way. It is a good addition though and takes DLR in the right direction, IMO!

o Most of Epcot World Showcase restaurants

To DLR's credit, they have:

o Some good "Cajun" food in NOS at BB and Cafe Orleans - nice setting

o Ariel's Grotto - well done theme and food

o Tortilla Jo's in DTD - very good

 

[kiwitravel]

I'm just not a big fan of american food in general I hate to say..... last trip we ate in Rainforest Cafe, Tony Romas, Cheesecake factory, Cafe Orleans and BB...

Did we somehow choose the wrong places as none of them really rated as fine dining with us, the food wasn't bad just plain... Huge servings high in carbs and low on veges...

I tried the much vaunted Monte Cristo and was disappointed...

I tried the Turkey legs and was disappointed...

Of the restaurants we tried Cheesecake factory was the best, followed by Rainforest cafe.

Did we perhaps just choose the wrong ones???



However I did have a Dolewhip and that was good...

 

[MelissathePooh]

We did not see Alladin. We aren't big show people and our kids don't like them at all. I kind of hated to miss it as we don't get to California often, but just one of those things.

As to the food...not everything was great. House of Blues was pretty mediocre at best. Given the cost, the quality was really poor. I had the strip which was prepared perfectly, but covered in a salty seasoning. I love salt, but it was too much even for me. My dd's pasta was bland and everyone else was underwhelmed as well. I know its California, but $4 for a soda is ridiculous. We used a restaurant.com coupon and the meal still ended up costing a fortune.

The only other table service we did were the character breakfasts. Being a character meal regular in FL - I say whole heartedly the quality of the food in CA was far better. The options were plentiful - brunch alongside breakfast ast Goofy's was so nice. The character interaction is better in CA as well.

Having been to WDW so many times and over so many years we have come to despise the dining plan, free dining in particular as we have watched the quality of the food and service steadily go down hill the last few years. WDW certainly has more restaurants and many are just beautiful experiences, but they simply aren't as good as they used to be. Everything is focused on that stupid dining plan and people trying to make as much money off of it as possible - thus Disney trying to offer food options to make as much money off of it as Disney possibly can. There are still many wonderful places to eat in WDW that haven't suffered, but they are becoming fewer and fewer. They are mostly the 2 credit (signature) restaurants.

The cost of counter service in DLR/CA was a bit higher than WDW, but the variety was much better and I thing the quality really was better than most counter service in WDW. Again, jmop.

 

[KJay]

I'm just not a big fan of american food in general I hate to say..... last trip we ate in Rainforest Cafe, Tony Romas, Cheesecake factory, Cafe Orleans and BB...

Your first three here are just chain restaurants- nothing special about them, and they can be found in malls and plazas across the U.S. I'm not sure why people love these places, but they always seem popular for people who want a good safe, familiar choice. You hit the nail on the head with the food description, for many of these places- portions that are too big, high calories, high carbs, low veggies.

I'm glad you liked the Dole whip!

 

[tdashgirl]

Thanks for the post! I love reading these perspectives.

The food comment is interesting. We over here in the DL side always hear how much better the food is at WDW

As to the food...not everything was great. House of Blues was pretty mediocre at best. ... We used a restaurant.com coupon and the meal still ended up costing a fortune.

ITA with you about HoB. We used a restaurant.com coupon and it still was a price-y meal and none of us were thrilled with the food. I like Naples and Tortilla Jo's waaaaay more than HoB.

 

[disneygal2007]

Thank you for posting this. We are WDW vets and I am excited to compare the 2 also. As for the food. I am a Chef and I have found going away from the parks you can find way better eats. Try going to the mom and pop places. A whole in the wall. Stay away from chains. Those places tend to not care because there are so many of those places. The smaller places, owner care more about their customers because they have only their name to support them. And it will save you allot of $$ on your trips.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I am glad you enjoyed Disneyland! It truly is a unique experience and has a charm WDW can't really match. And it is so easy to get around! I pretty much agree with all your points, we do both parks pretty regularly although Disneyland was our first so it holds a special spot even though we now do WDW more often.

I think the thing that has made dining at WDW really suffer is standardized menus at pretty much all restaurants except Epcot and a few resort standouts (Kona, Boma, the Wave come to mind). And of course the DDP, esp during "free" periods has made it a very goal oriented activity to even make your reservations! You log on up to 180 days in advance and believe me its a dog eat dog world out there. Everyone has either forked out $44ish a day for every mouth over 9 years old to eat that food, or they paid rack rate for a room to get that "free" food. It can be a frentic game to eat at WDW, sometimes months before you ever set foot in the place.

And I am not a picky foodie that thinks the food is bad (in fact I think WDW food is really good overal), I just have noticed over the last couple of years the menus really being stripped down. Little things that disappear like the red pepper pesto they used to give you to dip your bread in at Tony's, that is now just plain olive oil.

I do agree that WDW offers some really unique dining experiences like Sci Fi and the dinner shows but once we really started being repeat visitors at WDW it got hard to not look back and wonder what happened and why did it feel like everything sort of started tasting the same.


At DLR, I think the food has gotten better over the years as has the selection. Ariels was completely revamped and Goofy's has a much broader range of food on the buffet than it did when we started earting there seven years ago. DL does not have the space to create restaurants like you see at WDW, but at least the ones they have for the most part offer things you won't see at every other restaurant.

I think counter service in DL is overal better, I like the buffeteria type places like Plaza and French Market. I do think WDW has some really good cs places but at DL many of them that come pretty close to a sit down for food quality and atmosphere. I would love to see them add a Wolfgang Puck Express in DTD at DL. That would be very nice!

Thanks for posting, I think your observations will really be valuable for WDW regulars planning a trip out to DL.

 

[cgbsilver@hotmail.co]

Thanks very insightful going in January. I WILL probably figure it out but what is TSM?

 

[TinkBride]

Thanks for the post - DH and I are going to DL in June for the first time after many many many trips to WDW. So excited to experience all of this first hand!!

My only fear is that I will fall in love with DL and not be able to visit as much because of proximity.

Maybe we need a Disney park in the midwest? totally kidding - but that would be pretty darn magical......

 

[kiwitravel]

Thanks very insightful going in January. I WILL probably figure it out but what is TSM?

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