Disneyland or Magic Kingdom Fantasyland?

[sonofanarchy]

I've never been to Disneyland, but as we all know, there are more rides at their Fantasyland than the Magic Kingdom's, even with the expansion. So, with the expansion, which Fantasyland do you prefer? I personally can't wait to visit DLR next summer and experience their Fantasyland for Pinnochio, Alice in Wonderland, Matterhorn, Mr. Toad, Snow White, It's A Small World, and the rest.

Although the no vote option is there, if you think you'll prefer one over the other even though you have yet to experience it, feel free to vote for that choice.

 

[juliebug1997]

I've only been to DL once and it was right after I got some very scary health news. My mind was not in the right place to appreciate where we were and I didn't have as good a time as I had hoped. They didn't have Peter Pan on FP and they shut down Small World half way into our trip for the holiday overlay. I hope to go back one day and give it another shot that's for sure.

That said, I really have enjoyed Fantasyland with the expansion quite a bit. So, for me, right now, I would say WDW.

 

[damo]

Disneyland...by a mile!

 

[PryncessChrysty]

Disneyland has a magic and a charm that the Magic Kingdom just simply cannot touch. Walt Disney's presence can be seen, heard, and felt all throughout the park. Also, while there are more attractions at Disneyland, there is also an abundance of ambient entertainment that the Magic Kingdom lacks. I love MK, but it could never replace the original.

First, our Peter Pan totally wins (by "our", of course I mean DL since I'm one of THOSE locals ). Those pirate ships can be downright scary, whereas in MK the track is all nice & smooth, and there's no threat that you're just going to pop out during one of the drops. Where's the fun in that? Also, MK's version doesn't have the star room!

Secondly, there is no comparison between our Small World's, especially during the holidays.

Mr. Toad, Alice in Wonderland, Casey Jr. & Storybook Land Canal boats all speak for themselves. We also have Pinocchio, and although our Snow White wasn't as good as the MK version, ours is still standing. Also, the Matterhorn - the first roller coaster of it's kind!

The Sleeping Beauty Castle walk-through is another must-do. And I hate to say it, I really do, but I think the tiny Fantasy Faire expansion at DL was leaps & bounds better than the MK FL expansion. For what it was touted to be, New FL was a bust, IMO.

Disneyland's Fantasyland wins in every category. Without a doubt.

 

[Blue32]

Disneyland has a magic and a charm that the Magic Kingdom just simply cannot touch. Walt Disney's presence can be seen, heard, and felt all throughout the park. Also, while there are more attractions at Disneyland, there is also an abundance of ambient entertainment that the Magic Kingdom lacks. I love MK, but it could never replace the original.

I have to agree. Once the mine train opens, it will be a little closer. But the ambiance in DL's FL is great, it's one of my favorite areas of the park. The concentration of classic dark rides, the Matterhorn, and the charm of Casey Jr. and the Storybook Land Canal boats will still have DL as the clear winner for me.

 

[TillyMarigold]

I think I misunderstood the question, sorry. I don't have a strong preference for one Fantasyland over the other, but I prefer Disneyland to the Magic Kingdom in general. And I'm particularly mad that they got rid of Toontown at WDW.

 

[Mad Hattered]

Disneyland...by a mile!

Ditto!

 

[Itinkso]

Disneyland! I was in and out of MK during Presidents' Week and found myself missing Alice in Wonderland, Monstro, and the theming of IASW. DL's Fantasyland feels Iike home; MK felt like a lot of walkways. And even though I understand the circus tents and sideshow, I still don't get it.

 

[Redcon1]

Disneyland. Not even close.

And I'm not just talking about Fantasyland either!

 

[wordwitt]

I love WDW, but MK is my least favorite park there. I grew up near DL, so I'm spoiled. I adore the Space Mountain at DL, but needed a chiropractor and a stiff drink after the one at WDW. Also, I miss the Matterhorn when I'm at WDW.

I realize we're talking about Fantasyland, but I always compare DL to MK as a whole.

 

[mom2rtk]

Ditto!

Are you doing a trip report? I'd love to hear more about your trip to the other coast.

I'm with you on greatly preferring DL over MK. That's why we're heading back later this year.

 

[5forDis]

Just got home yesterday West coast trip. My second trip to Disneyland; first trip there as a family. We all loved Disneyland. Small world was closed for filming but the rest of Fantasyland is better at Disneyland.

 

[5forDis]

We had been going to Disney World at least once a year up until 2014

I think we'll be making the long flight more often to Disneyland.

 

[aussietravellers]

Been to both many times. My vote... Disneyland

 

[bittersweet]

The one in Disneyland, for sure. Before my first trip to DLR last month, I thought nothing could top WDW's MK, but I was definitely proven wrong!

 

[Mad Hattered]

Are you doing a trip report? I'd love to hear more about your trip to the other coast.

I'm with you on greatly preferring DL over MK. That's why we're heading back later this year.

I'm not much of a TR kinda guy but I do like posting pictures. I will eventually get some organized. I took like 2,000 pics so I am still sorting through them.

I did post some food pics over on the Disney Food Pic thread, though.

 

[Love Tink]

I think there are plenty of areas where you could have a reasonable back-and-forth about whether DL or WDW is better (and occasionally WDW would even win)....but "Better Fantasyland" is not one of them.

Disneyland's Fantasyland is the most magical, wonderful spot on Earth!

 

[Littlelulu01]

Disneyland but loved MK as well. We are from the west coast so grew up with DL. Just visited MK and WDW for the first time a couple months ago and my kids are now in college. They liked MK better than DL but missed some of their favorite rides at DL and liked POC much better at DL. We thought we liked rides better at DL because that's what we grew up on and had we grown up on MK we probably would have liked the rides better there.

Ease of access... No contest DL. On site hotels.

We stayed at AKL... Usually stay at DL resort hotel. The hotel room quality does not remotely compare. I had no idea that a deluxe disney property would provide such low quality bed/bedding that WDW deluxe had. The two star hotels across from entrance to DL provide better quality sleep and ten min walk to DL gates compared to beds/bedding at wdw deluxe.

Food wise, MK and WDW in general have tons more choices and better food but no blue bayou in POC at WDW. BOG dinner made up for it.

We actually loved magic bands. They don't have those at DL.

If not staying on property at DL you can still get one early am entry with a park hopper and we liked DL early entry much better than MK early entry... Much lower crowds.

Staff: I think the Cm's at wdw are much friendlier and save for the few college program employees, staff at DL ive encountered in recent years seem to be just doing a low pay job they hate vs wdw where even the parking attendants were crazy disney fans which made parking at MK lot exciting. I assume this probably has to do with lower cost of living in orlando area vs So cal. Also more retired people working at WDW who seem to be doing it for fun vs a low pay living.

Finally the travel time. We had to do red eye to WDW. That coupled with being three hrs behind made MK rope drops brutal.

Cost wise. DL cost is much less for us. DL also does not require the pre planning that MK does. DL low crowd days are truly much lower than MK.

So even though I like DL better in many ways.... We are returning to WDW in May. Have to see what I missed out on first visit and this time we planned more for rest vs on our feet from dawn till dusk.

 

[agavegirl1]

Went to DL/CA in summer of 2012 and was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed Fantasyland. We were an adult couple sans kids and really loved it. Of course our prior trip to WDW included a Fantasyland largely comprised of closed attractions and construction walls so I can't compare it to now. I'll have a better idea in October. However, DL just "felt" more complete. It didn't matter that the castle was smaller, the fireworks were more intimate and magical.

 

[Mad Hattered]

And then there is this...