Dissappointed with rides at MK

[WhispyPixie]

WE have done both, both have their charms and their special qualities! I think that it is special regardless of which one you get to go to! Disney is Disney, no matter in California..or in Florida!!

Pixie

 

[NMAmy]

Here's a question--I haven't been to DL since the new park was added. Does the monorail from the DL Hotel still loop through the park and drop you off in Tomorrowland? When I lived in the southwest, we would stay at the hotel every year in early Dec. This was just the best way to enter the park--you could look down and see everything--it was just very exciting.

I also was disappointed with the outside of Small World at WDW. It's just so magical at Christmas with all the lights and the boat ride past the glockenspiel. I walked right past SW twice at WDW--thinking this plain building couldn't POSSIBLY be the ride!

 

[daannzzz]

The monorail at Disneyland still has the same track. It stops at the Downtown Disney Station (formerly known as the Disneyland Hotel station). It stops at the Tomorrrowland station and then does go through part of the new park and the Grand Californian Hotel but does not stop at either one.

 

[Danauk]

I have to agree with the origional post. Although I loved my visit to WDW last year and can't wait to go back as there were lots of things I wanted to do and didn't have time to I was slightly dissapointed with some of the rides. I have only been to DLP once when only the MK was open but thought some of the rides were far better. BTMRR at DLP is a longer ride and goes underground to an island in the middle of the lake. I was surprised that the ride at WDW seemed so short to me. Also SM at DLP is far better IMHO. The theaming is different and the ride is a proper looping rollercoaster which I much prefer. I think this was the ride I was most dissapointed with at WDW. I was also surprised that WDW did not have the Indiana Jones rollercoaster that goes backwards.
Saying that as another post said the parks are designed to be slightly different and are there for people to have a good holiday. Knowing these differences makes me want to visit the other parks to see them for myself.

 

[tigger&tigerlover]

I'm *so* glad I'm not the only DL person who went to MK, and _stared_ at IASW. That's so wonderful at DL, that I missed it. POC and HM were two of my childhood favorites at DL, but when

I went on the rides on our trip to WDW, I was left feeling like something was missing. And POC is so very wonderful going through Blue Bayou with the fireflies. That sets the mood very well, and gives a nice place to eat where you can watch the boats go by too!!

I have to admit, I'm a Pirates junkie though....The ride at either place, and you don't *even* want to know how many times I've watched the movie. (My friends told me later that they were betting I'd take the day off from work when it came out. I didn't, but only because it was one of those "can't leave" days.

 

[eeyore0062]

SM at WDW was built before the technology allowing the proper looping rollercoaster. WDW's answer to that was Rock n Rollercoaster with Aerosmith at Disney-MGM Studios. As far as the Indiana Jones coaster in Paris, once Expedition Everest, slated to open in 2005 in DAK is completed, you will see similarities, since Expedition Everest is going to go backwards, as well. Much of what goes where depends on the theming. Since WDW has so much more room, and 4 parks in which to spread out its attractions, you will likely see some with similarities, but not the exact same attractions.

 

[skoi]

Wow, I haven't been to DL in a long time. Reading about the differences makes me want to make a trip out there. Thanks for the interesting thread.

Julie

 

[Chuck S]

Having grown up in CA, I, of course, immediately noticed the differences in many attractions. Small World at DL has a giant clock as a facade that chimes avery 15 minutes as the dolls circle the front. This was probably not done at WDW to save some money AND because of weather considerations, it would be a great lightning target. Small World also has an updated more "surround sound" soundtrack at DL. POC, much of that attraction at DL is built below ground level, that is simply not possible in Florida because of the high water table. AT DL POC also has a very nice full service restaurant built into the attraction, this was done not only for effect, built because there was a definate lack of table service restaurant in the park at the time of its design. Peter Pan, I actually like the one at WDW better. Many of the attractions at DL have open air queues, allowing a more open and spacious feeling, even in crowded conditions, again...just not possible in the Florida weather.

Now COP at WDW (which I remember from DL) was a better attraction at DL - but far surpasses what is in that building today. America Sings replaced COP at DL, those characters were moved into Splash Mtn, the revolving theater is now a very poor imitation of Innoventions, and is no longer a theater, but a rotating facade

The Mision to Mars (Alien Encounter, Stitches Adventure) building stands empty at DL. TTA (Peoplemover) is gone at DL, and AFAIK, the Circlevision Theater (America the Beatiful) is also still empty.

Space Mountain at DL has a better two abreast seating system, and Splash Mountain at DL has the "Straddle" Logs - so that is better at WDW.



The train around the park goes through a lovely Grand Canyon diorama at DL and that is followed by "Primevil World -Realm of the Dinosaurs" - most of those dinosaurs are in Ellen's Energy Adventure - except for the triceritops and their hatchlings.

 

[DizBelle]

The one and only time I went to Disneyland was in 1998 and there was one BIG disappointment for me after visiting Disney World. The BIG thing for me when I arrive at Disney World is to go to the Magic Kingdom, enter the park, go in with great anticipation, make that turn down Main Street and see the GIANT castle at the end of the street. At Disneyland, I did the same thing, I made the turn and where I was expecting to see castle, I saw..... SKY! The castle was sooooooo tiny. It sort of deflated my excitement.

I think there is something like 120 feet of difference between the two castles. That's a 12 story building of difference!

I found the rest of the park just as good as the MK at Disney World though. I was thrilled to ride 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea as it has been gone from Disney World for quite some time.