disneyland vs WDW

[WendyLovesPeter]

hi.
we have done extensive exploring of WDW. We are considering a california vacation with possibly 2-3 days at disneyland parks.

I am just wondering how this park compares with the WDW theme parks. I am believing since there are just the 2 parks (disneyland and the adventure park) that we could devote less time to theme-parking.

We are theme park commandos and we worked hard to do it ALL with knowledge of strategic fast-passing and where to go first when we were at WDW. I guess I am wanting less of that commando approach - really wondering if there is less to do here so it wouldn't be so hectic for us.

feel free to correct anything I've said here - I am just starting to research

 

[splash5]

You are right that you wouldn't need to be as commando as at WDW. You can still coordinate FP usage. DCA has a much more relaxed feel to it. I think you will find that you enjoy Disneyland more than the Magic Kingdom (at least we did). The last time we visited DL we were able to do a bunch of rides in the am and then head to the hotel to hang out by the pool and relax and then enter later in the day.

Another plus is that the hotels are closer than at WDW and you don't need to rely on park transportation to get you there. Most of the good neighbor hotels are 10 minute walk at most. The parks are also right next door to each other so that is quicker too!

 

[HydroGuy]

hi.
we have done extensive exploring of WDW. We are considering a california vacation with possibly 2-3 days at disneyland parks.

I am just wondering how this park compares with the WDW theme parks. I am believing since there are just the 2 parks (disneyland and the adventure park) that we could devote less time to theme-parking.

We are theme park commandos and we worked hard to do it ALL with knowledge of strategic fast-passing and where to go first when we were at WDW. I guess I am wanting less of that commando approach - really wondering if there is less to do here so it wouldn't be so hectic for us.

feel free to correct anything I've said here - I am just starting to research

The answer is...it depends. Yes there are two theme parks at DLR compared to four at WDW, but DLR has a much higher ride concentration. In fact WDW has just 10% more rides than DLR.

If you want to do DLR thoroughly most would suggest you need four days. Three days would be a minimum to get a solid experience and not feel shorted or especially rushed. With two days you will feel rushed IMO.

For a more far ranging discussion see "A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[ParkHoppa]

My advice would be a 4 or 5 day park hopper.

This coming from a frequent 1 or 2 day visiter (as in at least once a month), I KNOW that if you seperate the parks to just one day each, when your in the other park, youll be thinking, "I wish I could go on the Matterhorn now," or, "I wish I could go back and go on Grizzley River Run again".

Technically, if your running around like a beheadded chicken lmao trying to get to the next ride or show, your probably could go on about 90% of the attractions (assuming low crowds) in two days. But, if you really want to soak in the great feeling of DL and DCA, that includes, other than just the attractions, experiancing more restaurants, Downtown Disney shops and stores, and the fun things to do at the hotels, a 5 day park hopper is really the way to go.

And i would agree that The Disneyland Park is better than The Magic Kingdom.

 

[JackTwo]

My advice would be a 4 or 5 day park hopper.

This coming from a frequent 1 or 2 day visiter (as in at least once a month), I KNOW that if you seperate the parks to just one day each, when your in the other park, youll be thinking, "I wish I could go on the Matterhorn now," or, "I wish I could go back and go on Grizzley River Run again".

Technically, if your running around like a beheadded chicken lmao trying to get to the next ride or show, your probably could go on about 90% of the attractions (assuming low crowds) in two days. But, if you really want to soak in the great feeling of DL and DCA, that includes, other than just the attractions, experiancing more restaurants, Downtown Disney shops and stores, and the fun things to do at the hotels, a 5 day park hopper is really the way to go.

And i would agree that The Disneyland Park is better than The Magic Kingdom.

You don't need a hopper to get into Downtown Disney and it's shops and restaurants. In fact, Downtown Disney is nothing special...basically an outdoor mall with lots of chains you can find in most other major cities (such as ESPNZone, Rainforest Cafe, Disney Store, Barnes & Noble, etc.) In other words, you can skip Downtown Disney. As far as seeing the parks, you can cover the parks leisurely in 3 days if you plan well. Unlike WDW, things aren't so spread out and everything is in walking distance.

If you plan to spend a couple of extra days in SoCal, there are lots of other things to do in addition to DLR (better than Downtown Disney). Additional theme parks of note in the Los Angeles Area include Universal Studios Hollywood, Knott's Berry Farm and Six Flags Magic Mountain. About an hour south (in the San Diego Area), there's also Legoland, Sea World, San Diego Wild Animal Park and the San Diego Zoo.

While DLR doesn't have EPCOT and the world showcase, a cool thing about the Los Angeles/Anaheim area is all the ethnic neighborhoods you can find including Chinatown, Little Tokyo, Little India, Olvera Street, Little Saigon, Thai Town, etc.

 

[WendyLovesPeter]

so are the busy peak days at Disneyland as scary as the peak days at WDW

 

[WendyLovesPeter]

still wondering how the rope drop experience differs from DL to WDW - gotta be on the ball at WDW esp during busy times. i am just wondering if I should expect the same at DL.

Anyone here that has done both?

 

[kerickson]

The amount of time you'll need in the parks also depends on whether you have kids and how old they are. With little ones you'll spend alot more time in Fantasyland which has some of the longest lines and no Fast Passes. Our first family trip was 5 days and it wasn't until the 5th day that we started repeating rides. We stayed in the parks all day but did have a few breaks for lunch, snacks and parades....

 

[WendyLovesPeter]

The amount of time you'll need in the parks also depends on whether you have kids and how old they are. With little ones you'll spend alot more time in Fantasyland which has some of the longest lines and no Fast Passes. Our first family trip was 5 days and it wasn't until the 5th day that we started repeating rides. We stayed in the parts all day but did have a few breaks for lunch, snacks and parades....

oh my - no FP in Fantasyland. That is how we did Fantasyland at MK. Guess we'd have to go there first thing.

 

[kerickson]

yes, most people with kids go to Fantasyland or Finding Nemo first, and grab a Fast Pass for another ride on your way. No Fast Pass for Nemo either... I believe WDW has many more Fast Pass rides than DL.

 

[WendyLovesPeter]

another vs question - sorry!

is space mountain WDW same as Space Mountain DL?
or splash mountain at the 2 parks?
or soarin at the 2 parks?

or any of the other attractions with the same names in the different parks?

 

[abouley]

another vs question - sorry!

is space mountain WDW same as Space Mountain DL?
or splash mountain at the 2 parks?
or soarin at the 2 parks?

or any of the other attractions with the same names in the different parks?

Soarin is the only ride that I can think of that is the exact same and I do mean exactly (besides maybe Dumbo and the carousel). Space Mountain is similar as in dark roller coaster but the cars and the ride are different. Splash is similar but again the boats and the actual ride are also different. I think Toy Story Mania is probably the same but have not been on the DL version only WDW version.

It is very important to be at Rope Drop at DL much like WDW. I think crowds are probably worset at DL than WDW especially during peak season or weekends. The layout is not as open and because of having fantasmic in the park, the walkways get really crowded in the evenings.

We have young kids so we hit fantasyland first and can get that area done in the first hour or so usually. Matterhorn is also a must early in the day as no FP. Nemo is good to do another morning first thing...again no FP. One major difference with DL versus WDW is that you can ride Pooh anytime with minimal wait. It's not busy like WDW. Indy gets busy fast and is a must if a WDW vet. Even FP return is often long. CA adventure is typically not as busy as DL (although the new toy story mania ride I'm sure is packed). This day is usually much more laid back because of this.

We just got back from WDW and we go to DL several times a year so hope this helps some.

If you really want an easy tool to calculate out which ride to ride when, try ridemax. You have to put in which rides you want to do each day but then it'll calculate out when to do what to get minimal waits. I like it for DL.

 

[veddermax]

another vs question - sorry!

is space mountain WDW same as Space Mountain DL?
or splash mountain at the 2 parks?
or soarin at the 2 parks?

or any of the other attractions with the same names in the different parks?

My two cents, others might disagree.

DL Space Mountain is better. The cars in WDW are difficult to fit into for someone who has long legs.

Pirates of C is better at DL. The two drop offs are better.

Big Thunder is better at DL.

Splash is better at WDW. It is a longer ride than DL.

Its a Small World is better at DL, as it goes indoors and outdoors.

 

[cccdisney]

WDW has fastpasses for Peter Pan and I believe Winnie the Pooh. DL does not. There is also no FP for Matterhorn.
The Buzz Lightyear ride at DL the "guns" are not attached to the car like they are at WDW - which makes it better imo.
Space Mt. is different at DL. Newer cars where you sit side by side.
Splash Mt. also has different style "logs". Single seats except the very back seat fits two (preferably a child/adult).
Your early entry day(s) are the perfect time to do FL - including Nemo and Matterhorn!

 

[AmericanItGirl]

Pirates of C is better at DL. The two drop offs are better.

POTC is also longer and has the sweet plunge into darkness right at the beginning.

Take time to enjoy the obvious differences, like NOS and Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.

 

[McCall]

so are the busy peak days at Disneyland as scary as the peak days at WDW

I think they are worse because of the size difference. My husband used to WDW keeps saying he is surprised to turn a corner and find something he is expecting to be much further away. He calls it the Reader's Digest version of WDW.
but because of the smaller size the large number of people and smaller walkways etc. make people shoulder to shoulder or close to it on very busy days.

 

[sweetascanbee]

We have been in DL when it was so crowded we literally could not get out of the park. Once there was some kind of sport convention going on and no matter where we were in the park we were shoulder to shoulder with people. We made that a browse in the stores day because the ride lines were too long and so were the lines at the registers to pay for anything you wanted to buy. Another time was near fireworks time right after fantasmic....the crowds were VERY dense and because it was almost fireworks time the stopped the railroad and the monorail. We were trapped in tomorrowland... we tried several times to exit the park and we couldnt get out we would walk and just get swept back into Fantasyland. We finally gave up and just went and stood in line to get on the train...which we eventually took back to the front gate.


Becky

 

[Disney Dreams]

Hi,

I am a DL regular and a longtime AP holder. My DH and I went to WDW this past October for 8 wonderful days for the 1st time in 11 years. I had many "help me" questions.

1st - Feel free to ask, ask, ask, and ask some more without apologies. Everyone here will chime in and help you out happily.

2nd - Do not try to compare DLR to WDW. Your comparison is Disneyland to MK. And then there is Disney's California Adventure which you could knock out in a day easily... if not less.

Overall, I have to say that I think DL has a charm to it that MK just doesn't have. There is something magical about it. Some people say it's Walt's touch, I don't know. All I can say is there is something about it that we just did not feel at MK. Even just walking through Fantasyland at WDW, it didn't feel "right." The buildings at DL's Fantasyland are simply more "real."

That said -
Small World - MUCH better at DL.
Pirates - MUCH better at DL.
Jungle Cruise - we liked WDW's better
Mansion - DL is better
Tiki Room - we skipped WDW's because everyone said not to waste our time, so I can only pass on the comment of others' that DL's is better

There are also many rides in Fantasyland at DL that don't exist at all at WDW. You can look at a map and make a list of those.

Also, 2 key differences that you will want to just be ready for so they don't catch you unprepared:

Fantasmic! - At WDW DHS it's in a stadium and has an "opening" time when you can go inside and find a seat. At DL it takes place on the Rivers of America and there is no "opening" time. People can sit and reserve a space all day long if they want to. Many will "camp" out starting 2-3 hours before show time (seriously) to get choice seats. This is VERY different from WDW. It is not "necessary," but catches WDWers off guard when they show up an hour before show time and the entire front section is full. Also, the show is slightly different. As HUGE of a Fantasmic! fan I am, I have to admit, it is better at WDW.

The Castle - Cinderella's Castle is HUGE. Sleeping Beauty's is not. It is gorgeous and magical, but MUCH smaller than Cinderella's Castle. We could not believe how big the castle was at WDW. From our perspective, it was almost too big, but I could see how WDWers would be disappointed in the size of DL's castle if they were expecting the same. That said, be sure to do the Castle walk through which is wonderful and something not offered at WDW.

Hope some of this helps,
Dreams

 

[WendyLovesPeter]

how about the character experience - we had GREAT times at MK and EPCOT with the characters. I mean watching my daughter with Belle simply put a major knot in my throat - SO sweet.

Are the characters as abundant and real?

 

[S. S. Columbia]

how about the character experience - we had GREAT times at MK and EPCOT with the characters. I mean watching my daughter with Belle simply put a major knot in my throat - SO sweet.

Are the characters as abundant and real?

I found the character experience to be somewhat more organized at WDW. At WDW there are clearly defined queues for the characters, and it's easier for the handlers.

At DLR the characters are usually out in the open, and the handlers and the Guests try to keep an eye on who's next in line. It works fairly well, but it's somewhat different from WDW.

In Oct '07 we saw Princess Aurora and Prince Phillip walking in DCA. From what I could tell, Sleeping Beauty and the Prince didn't want a line for autographs to get started, so they said that they needed to be elsewhere and they walked quickly away and around the corner. Only a few Guests followed. They did this a couple of times. My then-DD4 was persistent, and eventually we got autographs and a great photo with the Princess and Prince.

The same thing happened with Woody in DL (near Woody's Round-Up).

I think it's rare to see a Princess just walking around. I think the Princesses can be seen inside the Princess Fantasy Faire, or at the character meal in Ariel's Grotto.

HTH

ETA: Here a recent thread about characters: www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2054097