Disneyland/WDW ride differences

[dizneyno1fan]

Is there a place to read about differences between similar rides from Disneyland and WDW?

 

[BrianL]

I don't know of a comprehensive guide, but I'll help since I love this topic! I have added some additional comments in red.

Jungle Cruise: DLR version does not have the tunnel through the temple.

Pirates of the Caribbean: DLR version is vastly superior and much longer containing scenes that are not at WDW at all. It does tend to back up at unload because the boats are brought up to the original level before you get out. There are two drops. Only the facade is better at WDW.

Haunted Mansion: DLR version is slightly shorter, but not much. The hallway to board is much longer, and the scene with the busts that follow you is actually there. They (DL) now have Hatbox Ghost, who is amazing and that helps even it up with the WDW version. WDW does not have Hatbox, but does have the enhanced Hitchhiking Ghosts that sometimes even interact with a Magic Band. The facade is better at WDW and it has the interactive graveyard queue.

Splash Mountain: It's similar but not exactly. The logs have single-file seating and the drop is definitely smaller. The WDW one has bench seating with several across. It seems like you get wetter on the DLR one.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: The DLR version loads on an outside platofrm. The ride is the same except for the new effects added to the final climb. They are very cool, so DLR wins this round (though the loading/queue area is much better at WDW).

Sleeping Beauty Castle/Cinderella Castle: Despite being much smaller, the DLR castle actually has an attraction in it. It's a walk-through with storybook scenes from Sleeping Beauty. It's actually rather cool and easy to miss. Cinderella Castle only has a hard to get into restaurant in it.

Peter Pan's Flight: It's a little shorter at DLR but not by a lot. Some of the scenes are arranged differently. It loads even slower because it stops to load. It has the basic, old-style queue. Continuous loading at WDW helps and there is a new DArling's Nurssery queue that is very cool. This always gets long lines at MK.

Dumbo: This is the old-school version, not the double-Dumbo of WDW. WDW version now has two spinners, plus a playground for the kids while you wait. You are given a pager that goes off when you are to report to the ride.

Mad Tea Party: The DLR one is not under a canopy.

it's a small world: DLR version had a much cooler facade and loads outdoors. The ride is about the same length but they have incorporated Disney characters into some scenes. I like it!

Autopia/Tomorrowland Speedway: Autopia (DLR) is much longer and has a nicer queue, but otherwise the ride is the same.

Space Mountain: This is controversial. THe DLR version is smaller, but it arguably a better roller-coaster. It is also much smoother. You sit side-by- side in rows of 2 instead of the single file (you can see WDW's Space Mountain ride system in action at the Matterhorn!). I don't think the theming is as strong, though the on-ride soundtrack is a nice bonus. Most people like DLR's better

Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters/Space Ranger Spin: The DLR version had guns that you can actually hold making aiming easier. WDW version has the guns on a swivel and you can't pick them up (think Toy Story Mania). Otherwise they are very similar.

That about covers most things with any differences. You will see where some rides are similar and yet completely different. Like Radiator Springs Racers uses the same ride system as Test Track, but the similarities end there. Indiana Jones is quite similar to Dinosaur. Guardians of the Galaxy used to be the Tower of Terror, but the ride system was pretty different from the WDW one, even when it was the ToT. Some rides are identical, but with a different queue or facade, like Soarin' or The Little Mermaid.

Anyway, I hope that helps. If you have any questions I am happy to lend my observations.

Man, now I feel like I need to get back out to Anaheim!

 

[dizneyno1fan]

Wow thanks! I'll be going to WDW for the first time ever in January, so it helps me to know this in advance. Especially the drops in WDW Pirates haha (which I always dread at DL!).

I don't know of a comprehensive guide, but I'll help since I love this topic!

Jungle Cruise: DLR version does not have the tunnel through the temple.

Pirates of the Caribbean: DLR version is vastly superior and much longer containing scenes that are not at WDW at all. It does tend to back up at unload because the boats are brought up to the original level before you get out. There are two drops. Only the facade is better at WDW.

Haunted Mansion: DLR version is slightly shorter, but not much. The hallway to board is much longer, and the scene with the busts that follow you is actually there. They now have Hatbox Ghost, who is amazing and that helps even it up with the WDW version. The facade is better at WDW.

Splash Mountain: It's similar but not exactly. The logs have single-file seating and the drop is definitely smaller. It seem slike you get wetter on the DLR one.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: The DLR version loads on an outside platofrm. The ride is the same except for the new effects added to the final climb. They are very cool, so DLR wins this round (though the loading/queue area is much better at WDW).

Sleeping Beauty Castle/Cinderella Castle: Despite being much smaller, the DLR castle actually has an attraction in it. It's a walk-through with storybook scenes from Sleeping Beauty. It's actually rather cool and easy to miss.

Peter Pan's Flight: It's a little shorter at DLR but not by a lot. Some of the scenes are arranged differently. It loads even slower because it stops to load. It has the basic, old-style queue.

Dumbo: This is the old-school version, not the double-Dumbo of WDW.

Mad Tea Party: The DLR one is not under a canopy.

it's a small world: DLR version had a much cooler facade and loads outdoors. The ride is about the same length but they have incorporated Disney characters into some scenes. I like it!

Autopia/Tomorrowland Speedway: Autopia (DLR) is much longer and has a nicer queue, but otherwise the ride is the same.

Space Mountain: This is controversial. THe DLR version is smaller, but it arguably a better roller-coaster. It is also much smoother. You sit side-by- side in rows of 2 instead of the single file (you can see WDW's Space Mountain ride system in action at the Matterhorn!). I don't think the theming is as strong, though the on-ride soundtrack is a nice bonus. Most people like DLR's better

Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters/Space Ranger Spin: The DLR version had guns that you can actually hold making aiming easier. Otherwise they are very similar.

That about covers most things with any differences. You will see where some rides are similar and yet completely different. Like Radiator Springs Racers uses the same ride system as Test Track, but the similarities end there. Indiana Jones is quite similar to Dinosaur. Guardians of the Galaxy used to be the Tower of Terror, but the ride system was pretty different from the WDW one, even when it was the ToT. Some rides are identical, but with a different queue or facade, like Soarin' or The Little Mermaid.

Anyway, I hope that helps. If you have any questions I am happy to lend my observations.

Man, now I feel like I need to get back out to Anaheim!

 

[skyblue17]

Thanks for confirming the Space Mountain difference! I thought I remembered hearing that the DLR version was smoother but tried to put that out of mind before riding the WDW version. Then, I was in the front car of the WDW version and it felt so much more obvious that I was on a coaster. I remember going on the DLR one right before leaving after a 15 hour day in the park and feeling SO relaxed and serene about the whole thing and that wasn't really possible at WDWs! But I still loved it of course, it's one of the more unique experiences.

Also, not that exactly what you're asking since they aren't advertised as the same ride but the rapids at CA > the rapids in AK.

 

[BrianL]

Wow thanks! I'll be going to WDW for the first time ever in January, so it helps me to know this in advance. Especially the drops in WDW Pirates haha (which I always dread at DL!).

To be clear I wrote this form the perspective of a WDW vet going to DL. DL has the two drops, where WDW only has one. You may find POTC at MK to be lacking, though other rides make up for it.

ETA: Also the WDW POTC might get you wet. It's way more likely than at DL.

ALSO: WELCOME TO THE DIS!

 

[BrianL]

Also, not that exactly what you're asking since they aren't advertised as the same ride but the rapids at CA > the rapids in AK.

Ah, yes! I should have included:

Grizzly River Run/Kali River Rapids: Kali is so short! It has one drop and is done. the GRR is so much better (and wetter!) and overall just the better ride.

 

[dizneyno1fan]

Haha I kinda figured, but it's still incredible helpful!

To be clear I wrote this form the perspective of a WDW vet going to DL. DL has the two drops, where WDW only has one. You may find POTC at MK to be lacking, though other rides make up for it.

 

[BrianL]

Haha I kinda figured, but it's still incredible helpful!

Yeah, but, let me add some things to explain the WDW versions more.

I added some stuff in red to clarify.

 

[dizneyno1fan]

You're awesome, thank you!!

Yeah, but, let me add some things to explain the WDW versions more.

I added some stuff in red to clarify.

 

[BrianL]

You're awesome, thank you!!

Oh, it's no problem. I am actually obsessively fascinated with the subject. I love to compare and contrast the rides.

 

[Donalyn]

On the DLR part of Disboards, there is a thread (or there was the last time I looked) about DLR for WDW Vets. This ride difference is part of what they talk about on that.