Disneyland Resort from a WDW perspective

[DahliaRW]

All I can say is that I am perfectly happy and satisfied with DL and after going to WDW in 2012 we now only go to Universal when we visit Florida. It has the same feel for me (walk to city walk, hotels, back and forth to parks...). To each their own I guess. I should also mention that we always stay in property and don't really walk off the area so feel fully immersed.

Buzz is far superior at DL and I am not sure if anyone mentioned Space Mountain but that one is also far better at DL. I feel that some of the other ones (haunted mansion and jungle cruise) are the same. Splash mountain at WDW as well as TOT are better by far.

Did anyone mention Indiana Jones??? love that ride...

I found Universal to be a better "bubble" than WDW and the theming was amazing! It's my preference too, for Orlando parks, though we will go back to WDW some day, if only to AK, because my youngest is dying to ride expedition everest and she isn't tall enough!

To the person who mentioned the fireworks, remember dreams come true is the best fireworks show ever, imo, I wasn't a fan of the Christmas fireworks at DL and not a fan of whatever one was at MK when we went.

 

[8timesblessed]

We just spent 2 big trips going to WDW this year so we could do Star Wars weekend and Christmas and we were all missing so many things about Disneyland. If we went in a park at rope drop we could get in more rides then just our 3 FP but at the land my older kids could do CA Screaming 50 times in a trip. That would never happen at WDW. My twins with pixie dust got to do RNR 3 times one day.
If you need Animals then going to the San Diego zoo or wild animal park are possible.
it's just nice that all big rides are just a walk away not a bus ride away that takes a good hour or more to get to another park.
We can't wait to get back to the land in May.

 

[Ryan8107]

Hi,
My husband and I have been to WDW every year with the kids for 8 years. We are heading to California in Sept, and figured we should do DL. We will only be there for a day or two. Do you have any suggestions to get the best bang for our buck?

 

[TeddiBarra]

Two days, not one. It really takes three days to do the double parks (and night show offerings). Both parks have tons to offer. If you can, stay on property (dis land hotel or paradise pier). That will get you two early mornings- use one to do cArsland and Toy Story and Frozen Fun (if going before May).

 

[swooshbear]

2014 was a crazy year for DW and me, we were able to visit every Disney park in the world except Hong Kong. Friends and co-workers always ask which park I like the best and it's really hard to choose. Being on the West Coast, we spend most of our time at DLR. We have the Premier pass so also went to WDW quite a few times. Each park definitely has its pros and cons.

At WDW, I love the "Disney bubble" from the moment you get to the airport and your bags "magically" show up in your room. I also love the different resorts and want to spend more time just enjoying the atmosphere in the Grand Floridian lobby. We were there between Xmas and NYE and rented a car for the first time, it was a little weird to not take the buses but also a relief to not wait for the right bus to show up. I also just discovered the Citizens of Hollywood at DHS and am looking forward to seeing them again in Feb.

DLR is so much easier to navigate and I love their version of Space and Buzz. Aladdin is a great show that I can see over and over again. I agree with the surrounding area, when we do the rundisney races, I do not look forward to running through the streets of Anaheim.

I would love it if the US parks could add a trackless ride like Winnie the Pooh or Ratatouille, they are truly amazing.

That being said, I still have a soft spot for DLR because of all of the memories I've had there over the years.

 

[Brancaneve]

2014 was a crazy year for DW and me, we were able to visit every Disney park in the world except Hong Kong. Friends and co-workers always ask which park I like the best and it's really hard to choose. Being on the West Coast, we spend most of our time at DLR. We have the Premier pass so also went to WDW quite a few times. Each park definitely has its pros and cons. At WDW, I love the "Disney bubble" from the moment you get to the airport and your bags "magically" show up in your room. I also love the different resorts and want to spend more time just enjoying the atmosphere in the Grand Floridian lobby. We were there between Xmas and NYE and rented a car for the first time, it was a little weird to not take the buses but also a relief to not wait for the right bus to show up. I also just discovered the Citizens of Hollywood at DHS and am looking forward to seeing them again in Feb. DLR is so much easier to navigate and I love their version of Space and Buzz. Aladdin is a great show that I can see over and over again. I agree with the surrounding area, when we do the rundisney races, I do not look forward to running through the streets of Anaheim. I would love it if the US parks could add a trackless ride like Winnie the Pooh or Ratatouille, they are truly amazing. That being said, I still have a soft spot for DLR because of all of the memories I've had there over the years.

Wow! What a neat experience for you. I would love to do the same some day.

 

[999DoomBuggies]

To the person who mentioned the fireworks, remember dreams come true is the best fireworks show ever, imo, I wasn't a fan of the Christmas fireworks at DL and not a fan of whatever one was at MK when we went.

I agree with this statement in terms of remember dreams come true is better than wishes, unfortunately the Disneyland budget made it easier for park management to show the cheap Christmas show instead while I was visiting. Very dissappointing. Disneyland definitely gets the short end of the stick when it comes to budgets.

 

[999DoomBuggies]

We just spent 2 big trips going to WDW this year so we could do Star Wars weekend and Christmas and we were all missing so many things about Disneyland. If we went in a park at rope drop we could get in more rides then just our 3 FP but at the land my older kids could do CA Screaming 50 times in a trip. That would never happen at WDW. My twins with pixie dust got to do RNR 3 times one day.
If you need Animals then going to the San Diego zoo or wild animal park are possible.
it's just nice that all big rides are just a walk away not a bus ride away that takes a good hour or more to get to another park.
We can't wait to get back to the land in May.

Seriously, never ever ever compare animal kingdom to a zoo (kidding...well not really). In the United States, there is no better themed park than AK. Just plain silly to make a statement like that. I avoided AK for years based on reviews such as your review that it is essentially a zoo and half day park and this is 100% wrong. AK makes California Adventure look like a Midwest flea market in terms of theming. I love both.

 

[999DoomBuggies]

2014 was a crazy year for DW and me, we were able to visit every Disney park in the world except Hong Kong. Friends and co-workers always ask which park I like the best and it's really hard to choose. Being on the West Coast, we spend most of our time at DLR. We have the Premier pass so also went to WDW quite a few times. Each park definitely has its pros and cons.

At WDW, I love the "Disney bubble" from the moment you get to the airport and your bags "magically" show up in your room. I also love the different resorts and want to spend more time just enjoying the atmosphere in the Grand Floridian lobby. We were there between Xmas and NYE and rented a car for the first time, it was a little weird to not take the buses but also a relief to not wait for the right bus to show up. I also just discovered the Citizens of Hollywood at DHS and am looking forward to seeing them again in Feb.

DLR is so much easier to navigate and I love their version of Space and Buzz. Aladdin is a great show that I can see over and over again. I agree with the surrounding area, when we do the rundisney races, I do not look forward to running through the streets of Anaheim.

I would love it if the US parks could add a trackless ride like Winnie the Pooh or Ratatouille, they are truly amazing.

That being said, I still have a soft spot for DLR because of all of the memories I've had there over the years.

I am seriously jealous. This past year we did two really big trips to the world and a 4-5 day trip to the land. I am looking forward to visiting the international parks in the future.

Also, you're correct that DL is so much easier to navigate. I love the idea of being an old person and having a park that is not to difficult to get around.

 

[999DoomBuggies]

I disagree. Just because DL was built earlier doesn't mean it gets a pass on the so-called Disney bubble anymore than WDW gets a pass when it comes to talking about Disney history and Walt Disney's personal and direct oversight at DL.

I agree that DLR has many advantages with its compact layout. But WDW has many advantages DLR will never have with its all encompassing resort arrangement.

Hydroguy,

Just wanted to say thanks. I read a bunch of your threads/posts and you really helped us carry out a highly successful DL trip, from hotels, persectives, to other various planning aspects. You're definitely a treasure to this board.

 

[Pucka1378]

Seriously, never ever ever compare animal kingdom to a zoo (kidding...well not really). In the United States, there is no better themed park than AK. Just plain silly to make a statement like that. I avoided AK for years based on reviews such as your review that it is essentially a zoo and half day park and this is 100% wrong. AK makes California Adventure look like a Midwest flea market in terms of theming. I love both.

While I did enjoy AK I spent the whole time comparing the live animal part to San Diego Zoo. I was disappointed in AK from the live animal aspect. I was expecting so much more.

If you are at DLR and want an awesome animal experience the SD Zoo is the place to go. I don't think anything like AK would be very popular due to the proximity to the SD zoo.

 

[CaoilinnsMom]

As another WDW vet, I visited DL last summer and we are going back for spring break. We bought annual passes this past year I lived in southern California as a child and have many sweet memories of going to DL, but hadn't been since I turned 14. At first I was disappointed, because I was expecting WDW, but when I got over that and was able to appreciate what DL had to offer I had a great time. They have many similarities, but they are very different. I think you just have to appreciate the parks for what they are and have a great time. I love Disney either way

 

[whitneyebz]

We just returned from DL (3 days, husband, 3 kids, and me!). It was our second time as a family, and it is our "home" park because we live in Phoenix, so it's an easy drive. However, my first disney park experience was WDW just after AK opened up, and I was 14. I was in awe the entire time. At age 14! I do understand the Disney bubble, and it truly was an amazing trip that I hope to recreate with my own family. I loved Epcot, and it is the only thing I feel is missing from DLR. There is nothing like it there, and I do hope that something changes in the future so they can build a similar park in DLR. I also love star wars so if that replaces toontown (which is kinda lame, imo) I am all for it. My kids like star wars more than toontown, and they're pretty young (I have 4 kids, but the baby stayed with family). I am NOT a big animal fan, so I was not super impressed by AK, but maybe I will be as an adult. I just didn't care for it.

Now, all that being said, I thought I was going to be underwhelmed by DLR. I wasn't. I think I was 19 or 20 when we went (husband and I and his parents) to DLR the first time...it was midsummer, and we only went for one day, but it was a blast. I was blown away by space mountain, finding it more thrilling than WDW's version. IJ was so cool...I've also been to the disneyland paris park many times (lived there during all of high school), and it's my most visited park, but my least remembered. Its version of IJ is a rollercoaster that goes backwards, so that was neat too. I love seeing all the differences in rides! I am a rides girl, and do not care about seeing shows, parades, or fireworks. I do hope to see aladdin at some point though. Anyway, we took our kids for the first time about 3 years ago (oldest two, they were almost 3 and almost 5) and it was magical. We did not notice the lack of a bubble, and just really enjoyed ourselves. Last week we returned, and it was even better! We stayed at a hotel across the entrance, which can't be beat. The room was nice and we walked 5 minutes to bag check. It was our first time at DCA, which we loved. Carsland is awesome, with great themeing and detail. The toy story mania ride was fun, and the kids enjoyed the other paradise pier rides, too.

I don't know if I can say DLR is my favorite park, because it's so different from WDW. I love them both. (And I also enjoy universal orlando, but we are big HP fans). DH has agreed to make the trek out to FL in about 5 years so we can go to WDW. I can't wait to show him the place I remember from my childhood, my first disney park. I hope we can all agree that both parks are amazing and magical. We will likely stay onsite at WDW (we just can't afford it at DLR, but we plan to visit every couple years, not just once like WDW), and will be immersed in the bubble.

 

[hjgaus]

I start with any ride or show they DO NOT have at WDW! This is what we have done the LAST 2 years of our Holiday visits at WDW but obviously in reverse. We usually get DL AP's so when in WDW and it's too crowded we tend to skip stuff which makes us later appreciate the norm all the more!

Enjoy your visit @ Disneyland!!

 

[JadeDarkstar]

Op I must thank you. I enjoyed the read. We are DL Vets and going back for Christmas this year. (our fav time) For the 60th. I also have a dream to make it a coast to coast trip. If so I would love to take time and compare the two parks like you did.

I must say DCA is not as fun for me. I hate with a passion paradise pier area. I think it's a waist of a park to me. I love RSR and the theme of cars land. I love WOC and the little mermaid ride. I have never been a big roller coaster girl and will never go on screaming or the wheal of death.

I wan so bad to go to wdw but know it will be alot of work not only paying for it but also once there. I am one who likes to go to rest midday and it will be hard but doable in wdw. At DL it is so easy.
I stay across the street and last nov i saw a lot of homeless ppl. I really wish DL would do something about this.

I don't like toon town, the only thing I like there now is Roger Rabbits car spin but anytime I go all the way there to try and ride it its just to busy. I say close it down and make the avengers part of the park.

Also Star wars is going to tomorrow land. That's where it should be at least in mho.

WDW looks so big but I have already marked somethings off on my lsit that I wont do. Things that will take us off out the main area we want to see.
Some of the thrill rides that our family isn't interested in.
My son wants to do dl tot has for years, but says wdw looks bigger and he doesn't want to try that one. (score one for mama, I can do dl.)
HS looks like a run down park. A few shows, and a few rides but the rest no thanks. Not gona waist a full day there. One day rope drop a few rides then hop some where else after rest. Then one day we will hop to HS in evening for F and close it out. AK is a half day park to us with maybe a 1 or two ride redo on one of our days. (Safari will want to go on twice I think)
Both HS and AK will be No FP+ We will use them at epcot and MK

About westcot. YES PLEASE. My hubby just said a few weeks ago paradise pier has got to go, why don't they take it out and put and epcot thing in. I would love that. Keep the one draw to paradise pier, TTSM and the rest can go to the Disney grave yard.
If I wanted a pier theme park id go to the pier. It looks like a cheap way on Disney part to fill the park up.

 

[8timesblessed]

Seriously, never ever ever compare animal kingdom to a zoo (kidding...well not really). In the United States, there is no better themed park than AK. Just plain silly to make a statement like that. I avoided AK for years based on reviews such as your review that it is essentially a zoo and half day park and this is 100% wrong. AK makes California Adventure look like a Midwest flea market in terms of theming. I love both.

I don't think I was comparing but you've only been here once and now your an expert. There is so much to do in CA and I was just saying if you need to see animals then there is the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal park. My kids love AK but hated Dinosaur but love Indy. They said Dino was way too loud. The last 2 trips we didn't even go into the Dinoland area.

 

[ClaraOswald]

I don't think I was comparing but you've only been here once and now your an expert. There is so much to do in CA and I was just saying if you need to see animals then there is the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal park. My kids love AK but hated Dinosaur but love Indy. They said Dino was way too loud. The last 2 trips we didn't even go into the Dinoland area.

Wise decision. The Dinoland area is just a bit stinky turd of a "land."

Overall, I love Animal Kingdom though. I don't really think it feels zoo like at all (not that you said it was, but it is something people seem to say often.)

We just got back from DLR and hadn't been there since 2010. I LOVE the new look of California Adventure. It's so much better than the old park. I think once they redo Condor Flats, it will be even better.

 

[grnflash]

Seriously, never ever ever compare animal kingdom to a zoo (kidding...well not really). In the United States, there is no better themed park than AK. Just plain silly to make a statement like that. I avoided AK for years based on reviews such as your review that it is essentially a zoo and half day park and this is 100% wrong. AK makes California Adventure look like a Midwest flea market in terms of theming. I love both.

1. "never ever ever compare animal kingdom to a zoo" - Agreed. At least not my zoo. The San Diego Zoo
2. "AK makes California Adventure look like a Midwest flea market in terms of theming" - lol ("Just plain silly to make a statement like that")
3. One additional comparison - never, ever compare MK to DL

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

We were at Disneyland/California Adventure this past weekend. Visited Disney World four times before that between 2004-14, and before that visited Disneyland twice when we lived in California. My thought based on the more recent visits is that the Disney World experience is vastly superior to Disneyland. Disney World, even when ride waits are longer than at Disneyland, feels less crowded. The rides aren't vastly different - some better in FL, some better in CA -- but Disneyland simply can't compete with the number of things to do and see at 4 different parks, such as shows, restaurants, etc. For example, California Adventure is a great park, and some of the rides like California Screamin' are superior to anything at Disney World. That said, Animal Kingdom has Expedition Everest, several very good shows, the Safari ride, two great trails, etc. and I think the overall experience is at least as good if not better. Add in Epcot and DHS and it is hard for Disneyland to compete. And there really can't be any dispute that Disney World is much more immersive. Disneyland does a very good job of screening the outside world but can't totally do so. And the area immediately surrounding Disneyland isn't awful but isn't great.

 

[bookgirl]

Thanks for this thread. I am going to DLR in May and while DL was my first park (DCA was being built when I went) it was one day and 15 years ago. All my other trips have been WDW so I'm glad for the comparison as I consider myself a WDW vet and a DLR newbie.