Disneyland / WDW comparison ?

[ImagineerVelasco]

I have been to Disneyland A LOT in my lifetime but this is my first WDW trip. I'm most excited to see the differences in attractions like HM and Splash M...

However, I'm covering four parks in four days and there may be some things that have to get the boot if push comes to shove.

Is the fantasmic show the exact same at both parks? My scheduling thus far doesn't have any room for it. Is the honey i shrunk the audience exactly the same?

Is there anything else you think I can skip in favor of something that's at WDW only.

 

[ImagineerVelasco]

Oh, and are muppet 3D and the It's a bugs life 3D shows the exact same at disneyland as they are at WDW? I'm thinking yes?

 

[daannzzz]

Muppets, Honey I Shrunk... and Tought to be a bug are essentially the same show. There are very very minor differences that are hardly noticable (except for the queue for It's Tough to be a Bug). Fantasmic is about 60 percent the same but has a different feel. Generally I don't think it is as good though I am in the minority in that I do like the Pocahontes section (just not better than the Peter Pan section). The water fountains are pretty but the whole show doesn't feel as intimate. You can generally see most everything at the Disney Studios so you may be able to fit Fantasmic in. If you aren't interested in it you can go to the Studios first thing in the A.M. and hurry through the main attractions and then park hop over to Epcot or the MK for more time. Persoanlly I would tell you to skip the Indy Stunt show, the (now truncated) back stage tour(s), the Beuaty and the Beats stage show and Star Tours. I do like the Little Mermaid show though but it is skipabble to in favor of more of Epcot and the MK. As you can tell the Studios is my least favorite park.
Make sure you see all the stuff that you can not see at the Disneyland Resort but don't assume that because it has the same name and looks almost the same that it is. Everything (other than the items you mentioned and Star Tours and Soarin') have some big differences. From Peter Pan and Snow White to the Tower of Terror and the Tiki Room. It is incredibly fun and interesting to see all these differences. Even the Haunted Mansion starts out differently.

 

[ImagineerVelasco]

That's what I'm most excited about and everyone thinks I'm crazy. When they ask what I'm most excited about and I say HM, Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, Peter Pan... most people say ummmm, why are you going again. I have a feeling I'm going to LOVE the subtle differences.

Hopefully I can get through the rides quicker because I'm going alone and can take advantage of all the single rider benefits. Hopefully I won't miss out on too many queues though. I love the queues. That way I'll have enough time for all the shows

 

[manchurianbrownbear]

IMHO, most of the attractions that are found at both locations are done as well or better at DLR. But WDW, with it’s four parks, has so much more than DLR.

POTC is definitely better at DL. I like DL’s Fantasmic better, but you don’t have to sit on the ground to see Fantasmic at MGM! Also, I think the Beauty and the Beast show at MGM is worth seeing. I would say it is not as good as Aladdin, but it is a little better than Snow White.

We visited DLR a couple months ago and the WDW attractions I missed were:

Rockin’ Rollercoaster
Great Movie Ride
Mission: Space
World Showcase
Illuminations
Kilimanjaro Safari
Kali River Rapids (I like this a little better than Grizzly River Rapids!)
Mickey’s Philharmagic

I would consider these some of the “can’t miss” attractions for a DLR vet visiting WDW.

 

[oogie boogie]

Last year was our first trip 2 WDW. We live in costa mesa and DLR is only like 15 min away so we r there just about every weekend. So i really wanted 2 see the differences and I must have taken at least 600 pictures for a weeks trip! I agree with some of the stuff that "daannzzz" said bout MGM but instead I would just rather ride tower of terror and rockin rollercoaster more often. Im seriously haven my withdrawls from last year! (It's ok 24 days left till this years trip)
U do have to experience fantasmic it does have a different feel to it. They are both kool in their own way. The good thing about MGM is they actually have a theatre set up for it so u can at least sit on the bench seats. It is interesting to see the differences though especially how HUGE MK is compared to DLR! I bought a hidden mickey's book to give us something to do while we wait in line at MK. Those are prob different from DLR too.

 

[ImagineerVelasco]

Does WDW have a special fantasmic seating area like DL does. I would just rather pay and get good reserved seats than use my time waiting for it to begin. It's really cool at disneyland, you get escorted to your seat and are treated to a desert buffet. I loved it.

 

[DisneyDotty]

Does WDW have a special fantasmic seating area like DL does. I would just rather pay and get good reserved seats than use my time waiting for it to begin. It's really cool at disneyland, you get escorted to your seat and are treated to a desert buffet. I loved it.

WDW has a huge Fantasmic seating area, and also a special area reserved for those who eat at one of three restaurants and request the Fantasmic package. We have eaten at Hollywood and Vine (buffet) and Brown Derby (nice sit-down) and enjoyed both. The other restaurant that offers the package is Mama Melrose's. Highly recommend the Fantasmic Dinner package--it allows you to enter Fantasmic 30 min. prior to show with a reserved area for seating. Otherwise, I've heard of people waiting over an hour for the show.

BTW, which dessert buffet did you do? We're going to DL in December and I'm interested. (though they're probably all gone by now...)

 

[daannzzz]

I have not ever done it and hopefulkly someone else can give you better info but they have a dining package where you eat at one of the nicer Studios restaurant and get a pass for a special section at the show. I beleive though that the section is all the way over on the right hand side. They may have changed this but it wouldn't be the best angle.

 

[MrShiny]

Fantasmic is different, but not as good at WDW (Pocahontas replaces Peter Pan), although seating is better.

Pirates is half as long at WDW (8 minutes as opposed to 15) and has only one drop which is smaller than the second drop at DL.

The 3D movies are the same, although the queue at MuppetVision in WDW is better, IMHO (look for "a net full of Jello").

Winnie the Pooh is slightly different, as is Haunted Mansion. Space Mt. has 2 tracks, but isn't as smooth.

Saorin' is identical, but has a much longer queue with geographical trivia instead of California aviation stuff.

I'd say that just about any ride that exists in both is better or equa at WDW, so focus on the unique stuff first.

Everything is much bigger - Main Street much longer. Most queues are inside, so just because you can't see the line, doesn't mean it's a short wait!

Save the MK for last, as it's the most like DL.

 

[ImagineerVelasco]

Hey Disney Dotty

The good thing about the disneyland dessert buffet is that they don't sell seats until the DAY OF the show. But they are gone quick. The plus side is that they sell them at the front desk of the hotels as well as the guest services counter at the park so you don't have to get dressed and run all the way to the park and come back. So as long as you get to the lobby first thing in the morning and request the fantasmic special seating you should be okay but they do go fast.

There are two different seating areas. One is the balcony of the Disney Gallery, over pirates of the caribbean, and another down in front, all roped off. You check in an hour before, but you can just check in and then leave and come back right before show time, which is nice.

 

[ganggreen4jc]

Great minds think alike!

Longtime DLR APer here. Took our first trip to WDW this past July and I, too couldn't wait to see all the differences between the two resorts.

First of all, WDW is huge! Imagine, if you will, that the Magic Kingdom at WDW is where our DL is. Epcot would be as far away from the MK as Knott's is to DL. Downtown Disney in FL would be as far away as say "The Block" in Orange is to DL. Totally spread out like you can't imagine.

Next big difference for us "leftcoasters" is that it's GREEN in Florida! Not a concrete jungle at all. Natural grass and pine trees all over the place. We drive up to DL and can see the Matterhorn from miles away. Most resorts and parks at WDW can't even be seen from the boulevard or freeway right next to them.

MK is really cool to see the differences. Main Street is much wider and has taller buildings. Tomorrowland seems to go on forever! Twice the size of DL's TL. What seemed wierd to me was that WDW's Haunted Mansion sits on about the same spot as our Big Thunder Mountain, while at DL it just the opposite. Also, Pirates at WDW is about half the size of DL's. Additionally, WDW's HM is maybe 2/3 the length of DL's, but both are still essentially the same elements. Splash & BTMRR are pretty much the same with some minor, hardly noticeable variations. Our Sleeping Beauty's Castle is 1/2 the size of WDW's stunning Cinderalla's Castle. The Hub at WDW also has a complete moat around it as well. In essence, WDW's MK sits on about twice the area of land that DL sits on.

You should get a kick out of MGM. This park surprised me the most. Much better than I thought. Basically it's DCA's Hollywood Backlot on steroids! ToT is much better than DCA's, although I love DCA's.

Epcot is also huge! About the same area as DL & DCA combined. And to further baffle and convalute the situation, Animal Kingdom is twice the size of Epcot!!! I will say that most of AK is Safari area and not walking area.

One last add from a fellow curious comparer of the two "resorts." What WDW has that I wish DLR had was more shows. DL & DCA have some, but not nearly as many as WDW. That was the nicest surprise for me. A variety of great shows. Second best surprise was the lush, almost wilderness feel that the WDW resort had to it. You folks outside of southern California won't understand what I mean, but you drive over an hour in any direction from DL and see nothing but urban sprawl. Concrete everywhere! And where there is natural surroundings, they're only "green" for a few months out of the year in the spring. Brown the rest of the year.

Have a great time enjoying WDW for it's own merits. It's just as magical as our beloved Disneyland. Trying to decide which is better is like trying to decide whether you like your legs better than your arms.

 

[ImagineerVelasco]

Great minds think alike!
Next big difference for us "leftcoasters" is that it's GREEN in Florida! Not a concrete jungle at all. Natural grass and pine trees all over the place. We drive up to DL and can see the Matterhorn from miles away. Most resorts and parks at WDW can't even be seen from the boulevard or freeway right next to them.

That right there makes me really happy because I read something about how that irritated Mr. Disney. I completely understant that. I really hated driving up to the park past all the shady 7-11's and about 10 dennys, 5 McDonalds, a taco bell and 6 Motel 6's.

Thank you so much for everyone that took the time to answer this post. It's going to help me so much with my trip planning. Does everyone else have almost as much fun planning as they do when they get there? I guess that's the "monica" in me!

 

[daannzzz]

""Does everyone else have almost as much fun planning as they do when they get there?""

Absolutly. The planning portion lasts much longer than the trip and is so enjoyable. I am heading to Florida and WDW in 3 weeks. Have been planning this for a year! It sounds like you are going to love it there.

 

[ufgator]

I haven't been to DL in a long time, but I remember that POTC was better at DL and HM is better at WDW. Have a great time!

 

[jlovesee]

I have been to both Disneyland and WDW several times over the past couple of years, and I agree I love the subtle differences in the supposably "same" rides. I think Haunted Mansion is better at Disneyland, simply because its cleaner thanks to the Tim Burton thing they do at Christmas time. Magic Kingdom's is more ride though.

Pirates is a million times better at Disneyland, its longer, and tells the story better, of course WDW pirates isn't bad either. On the flip side I think Splash Mountain is better at the world, its just an easier ride, the seats are more comfortable two across then they are back to back at Disneyland.

Fantasmic... to me I just can't stand to see MGM's version after seeing Disneyland's. You might want to see it, but if you are going to see one nightime fireworks show see Illuminations at EPCOT which I personally think is Disney's best overall nightime fireworks show. Followed very closely by Disneyland's Fantasmic.

One point that no one has mentioned is the tiki birds either, I might be flammed on this but I like the new tiki birds at WDW (under new management), I saw Disneyland's original version and it was just well... boring. WDW's version is one I have seen several times.

WDW and Disneyland resorts are very different, they just feel completely different, but yet are similar in some ways. WDW is huge, massive, laid out, you have to drive to everything, where at Disneyland you can easily walk from Downtown Disney, to California Adventure to Disneyland.

Jennifer

 

[tinkermell]

I'm a DL vet also and going to WDW for the first time next month. Believe it or not I'm really excited to see attractions they have taken out of DL. Transit Authority, Carousel Of Progress, Country Bear Jamboree, Tom Saywer Island( yeah they still have it at DL, but they've taken the best parts away!!), Swiss Family Robinson(now Tarzan which I think is lame-sorry but I do). What I'm also looking forward to, is just showing my grown children these rides, as they either have never seen them or they don't remember!!