DL no longer an equal to WDW?

[mummabear]

I don't know why you and other WDW fans insist that DLR has no room to expand when it's been already explained otherwise. Back in 2001 Disney themselves put up a website explaining future expansion possibilities. It was taken down after DCA flopped and 9/11 but was saved by fans.
http://thirdthemepark.tannerworld.com/

Then in 2007 as the economy improved there was renewed speculation in the LA Times.
http://articles.latimes.com/2007/mar/22/local/me-disney22


Then just last year they bought another 11 acres of land nearby.
http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201309/3643/

Disney has slowly been buying up parcels in Anaheim for years, likely decades. To think they haven't been planning for future expansion is foolish, and severely underestimates their financial acumen.

I can't quote the quoted article...
To turn Disneyland into a national and international tourist space, it already is. Ask any kid on this side of the world where they want to go and they will say Disneyland, they haven't even heard of Wdw...

 

[sheetz]

I can't quote the quoted article...
To turn Disneyland into a national and international tourist space, it already is. Ask any kid on this side of the world where they want to go and they will say Disneyland, they haven't even heard of Wdw...

You're right of course. DLR is a lot bigger tourist destination than most WDW fans realize. I have family living in Wellington, NZ and took them to DL last year. They were so excited to see NZ represented by the Kiwi bird in IASW!

 

[Reddog1134]

I can't quote the quoted article...
To turn Disneyland into a national and international tourist space, it already is. Ask any kid on this side of the world where they want to go and they will say Disneyland, they haven't even heard of Wdw...

No one doubts that Disneyland has an international draw, but most Disneyland visitors are locals. WDW gets much more 1 time and international visitors.

Also, I wonder how many kids say "Disneyland" but are picturing "Disney World".

 

[Networth]

I don't know why you and other WDW fans insist that DLR has no room to expand when it's been already explained otherwise. Back in 2001 Disney themselves put up a website explaining future expansion possibilities. It was taken down after DCA flopped and 9/11 but was saved by fans. http://thirdthemepark.tannerworld.com/ Then in 2007 as the economy improved there was renewed speculation in the LA Times. http://articles.latimes.com/2007/mar/22/local/me-disney22 Then just last year they bought another 11 acres of land nearby. http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201309/3643/ Disney has slowly been buying up parcels in Anaheim for years, likely decades. To think they haven't been planning for future expansion is foolish, and severely underestimates their financial acumen.

They buy small amounts of land(for a theme park and infer structure). They can not add a 3rd park to DLR without having it be "offsite" from DL and DCA. They would have to have a form of transportation to shuttle guest from the current DLR to the new park. Which they already do this in some capacity at WDW. BUT they own every bit of land at WDW that those buses travel on. They would have to buy a large chunk of Anaheim not only for the 3rd park but to transports guest to it that park. You could argue they could just build a parking lot at the 3rd gate and not "connect" it to DL or DCA but than that kind of ruins a huge perk of DL, it's small footprint.

 

[Maddysdaddy]

In the last six years, I've taken my family to DL five times, WDW three times, taken two DCL cruises and bought into DVC.

We've talked about this question alot and all of us agree that given a choice, one hundred percent of the time, we'd choose DL over WDW. The only real reason for us to go to WDW is to bookend a cruise, and for when we can't use our DVC points to get into the Grand Californian (we bought at Animal Kingdom on our cruise, before we had ever been to WDW).

Other than waterparks and golf courses, there is virtually nothing for us at WDW that we can't get at DL (or don't care about anyway). Plus, the convenience of having essentially the same number of rides and attractions at all four WDW parks compressed into DL and DCA, which are steps away from our hotel and each other, is the icing on the cake for us.

There is nothing 'wrong' with WDW and we don't hate it (other than the size and the need to either rent a car or ride buses everywhere), we just happen to be a DL family.

 

[SnowBelleAlice]

Boo! Unless you've visited both DLR and WDW within the past two years you cannot offer a valid opinion!
A great read - http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599
The only thing DLR is missing *in my very valid opinion* is World Showcase, ok AK, but San Diego is close and has impressive animal parks. However it makes up for those missing things with no need for busses, monorail, driving/parking! Far superior weather in S CA.
I enjoy both

 

[SnowBelleAlice]

This question is interesting because I've been wondering if DL is just a better experience due to the proximity of the two parks, the ability to stay so close for a reasonable price, the small space of the parks, and the number of attractions there. Plus, the visitors are more knowledgeable and seem friendlier. DW has EPCOT, which I love, but it needs a serious overhaul in its FW section. DAK is finally getting love, but DHS is in poor shape.

 

[sheetz]

You could argue they could just build a parking lot at the 3rd gate and not "connect" it to DL or DCA but than that kind of ruins a huge perk of DL, it's small footprint.

"Offsite" in the case of DL means literally across the street and does not pose a huge logistical problem. The plot of land slated for the 3rd park is already owned by Disney and is currently being used as a temporary parking lot. Guests who park there are shuttled to the main entrance by bus. It's not a long distance at all and probably takes 5 min tops.

 

[luvgoing2disney]

WDW is our home park but we just returned two weeks ago from our third DLR trip. And I have to say it is so SO much easier to navigate than WDW. Park hopping is a five minute event. You can't even be to the bus stop in that time at WDW. WOC has no comparison at WDW and Fantasmic is a much better show there as well. Test Track in comparison to Radiator Springs Racers is no comparison. Character interaction at DLR is incredible. For example one day we were in CA and who is walking down the street alone and without a handler but the Mouse himself. As he passed me he reached out to shake my hand. That never happened to me again WDW.

Of course WDW has attractions that can't be found at DLR either but I just don't think I could say that DLR can't top WDW. They are different parks with different experiences. But I would hesitate to downplay DLR just because of the size limitations

 

[Donut23]

WDW is our home park but we just returned two weeks ago from our third DLR trip. And I have to say it is so SO much easier to navigate than WDW. Park hopping is a five minute event. You can't even be to the bus stop in that time at WDW. WOC has no comparison at WDW and Fantasmic is a much better show there as well. Test Track in comparison to Radiator Springs Racers is no comparison. Character interaction at DLR is incredible. For example one day we were in CA and who is walking down the street alone and without a handler but the Mouse himself. As he passed me he reached out to shake my hand. That never happened to me again WDW.

Of course WDW has attractions that can't be found at DLR either but I just don't think I could say that DLR can't top WDW. They are different parks with different experiences. But I would hesitate to downplay DLR just because of the size limitations

So much more pure Disney magic at DL.....you are so right.

Perhaps some have never outgrown their mistaken obsession with size. In this case Acre for Acre DL has the Best of the Best Award in the bag!

 

[Rebekkap]

This question is interesting because I've been wondering if DL is just a better experience due to the proximity of the two parks, the ability to stay so close for a reasonable price, the small space of the parks, and the number of attractions there. Plus, the visitors are more knowledgeable and seem friendlier. DW has EPCOT, which I love, but it needs a serious overhaul in its FW section. DAK is finally getting love, but DHS is in poor shape.

Agree with every word of this. DL/DCA offers pretty much everything attraction wise WDW offers, but in a space where you can walk it. The DL version of Space Mountain is far superior to the WDW one. I was really disappointed with Kali River Rapids after riding Grizzly River Run at DCA (it has multiple drops, is longer, and has a single rider line). Plus DL has the Matterhorn and Indiana Jones, both of which I love. DCA has Soarin, plus Cars land! with Radiator Springs Racers, which is one of he he best themed rides I've ever seen. And you can walk back to the motels across the road for a lunch break, or after the fireworks, rather than relying on buses. And I love world of color at DCA and Fantasmic at Disneyland (better than the HS version).

At Magic Kingdom I've run out of things to do by mid afternoon. At DL, I haven't. And if I had, I can walk to the front of the park to go to DCA, whereas at WDW I have to get on a bus to park hop. And at DL I can essentially hold two FP at once because the DL/DCA systems aren't connected.

I'll probably be back at WDW sometime, but maybe not for 5-10 years. I'll definitely be back at DL before that!

Edited to add: and the weather is much better in So Cal!

 

[Angel Ariel]

Will WDW eventually completely overpower DL? Currently, DL has no room to grow. Walt et al. realized that DL was very limited not to long after DL opened. Walt also complained about the "vegas-like" appearance surrounding DL property. These issues continue today.

With the push for more attractions due to competition/demand from Universal and the subsequent expected growth of WDW how will DL remain an equal without the room to grow? In the next 10 years, WDW will likely be slated for a fifth gate, perhaps star wars land. Avatarland is already on the way. WDW has no choice but to continue innovating based on competition and other variables.

What will DL do to keep up with WDW? Is it possible for DL to keep up with WDW?

IMO DL is equal to WDW, if not better in some ways. They are very different experiences, yes, but DL is not less IMO just because it is smaller

 

[mummabear]

No one doubts that Disneyland has an international draw, but most Disneyland visitors are locals. WDW gets much more 1 time and international visitors.

I am not saying you are wrong but I would be interested to see the data. All flights from NZ to Mainland US route through either LA or SF many will stop over, Oz is pretty similar.

 

[Rebekkap]

I am not saying you are wrong but I would be interested to see the data. All flights from NZ to Mainland US route through either LA or SF many will stop over, Oz is pretty similar.

Oz is *kind of* similar. You can also fly direct to Hawaii (I did that this time, was a lovely way to do it), or to Dallas Fort Worth, which would put you closer to WDW than DL.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Will WDW eventually completely overpower DL? Currently, DL has no room to grow. Walt et al. realized that DL was very limited not to long after DL opened. Walt also complained about the "vegas-like" appearance surrounding DL property. These issues continue today.

With the push for more attractions due to competition/demand from Universal and the subsequent expected growth of WDW how will DL remain an equal without the room to grow? In the next 10 years, WDW will likely be slated for a fifth gate, perhaps star wars land. Avatarland is already on the way. WDW has no choice but to continue innovating based on competition and other variables.

What will DL do to keep up with WDW? Is it possible for DL to keep up with WDW?

DL has one HUGE advantage over WDW and as long as it keeps that it may be able to surpass WDW

NO Fast Pass Plus and Tragic Band!


I am much more likely to go to DL now!

 

[Micca]

DLR has a mojo all its own. WDW is our home resort, it's bigger and offers so much more. DLR has something else altogether. For the lack of a better term, I'll call it magic.

 

[thundersparkle]

There have been a lot of articles lately about a DL expansion: http://www.voiceofoc.org/oc_north/article_820ef1cc-a02b-11e3-ac55-001a4bcf887a.html?TNNoMobile
That said, my childhood trips were at WDW and I never thought i would like DL. Now I live in LA and being a CM, I go to DL a lot. We love DL now and love the convenience of walking park to park and having everything all right there. WDW tends to exhaust us - but I think that's a combination of the bigger crowds, the humidity, the longer travel times between parks and that, for us, EPCOT needs a huge revamp.

I think the Marvel & Star Wars opportunities for DL will bring in more & more people - and as noted, DL has already bought some land & is looking for more.

I always think there will be fans of each - which is a wonderful thing.

 

[HMANSION LOVER]

I think DL and WDW are two entirely different experiences. Yes, some of the attractions overlap but they are really two different experiences. It isn't about one trumping the other IMO.

Have to agree big time. As you can see from our signiture we have been to WDW many times and DLR once. We stayed at the PPH one night and the DLH for two nights and we found it truly fantastic that we could walk from our hotel through DTD to the parks in about ten minutes. Or we could walk halfway through DTD and grab the monorail and ride it into the park and be dropped off only minutes away from nemo's adventure right in the middle of the park. What I truly enjoyed, being a big fan of Walt and all the things he accomplished, was the fact that I was walking were he walked and was seeing what he saw.

 

[HMANSION LOVER]

I think DW surpassed DL a long time ago. DL is great for the local people and someone looking for a quick trip. DW is a vacation away from the real world. I hate the area around DL and it just seems to get worse and worse.
Everyone has their preferences but I love the disney bubble and the safety of staying on the property.

Have to disagree. Stayed onsite at DLR, PPH and DLH, never saw the real world. So, it was a vacation from the real world and I never set foot on a bus.

 

[KerTggr]

I wouldn't consider them equal to begin with. As the name implies... A world in general should be much larger than a land. Disney Land has its own magical experience where Disney world presents you with many factors of a magical experience.

Now I prefer the smaller intimate layout of DL over WDW but the options at WDW definitely outweighs DL. I can pick a weekend and go to DL where as my whole 2 week vacation will be set aside for WDW just based on sheer size alone.

I completely agree. DL is a great destination for a weekend for those of us on the west coast particularly. Additionally, there is just something extra magical about walking in Walt's footsteps (and I don't just mean the tour). WDW will always be amazing and a major vacation for me - even when I worked there I couldn't do / see everything.