DL Pales in comparison to WDW

[A Small World]

Im finding this thread very interesting to read as my 'home ' board is the DLP one (I live in UK).
We get a lot of threads like this on there from people who have visited DLP for the first time usually after visiting WDW but sometimes DL and are very 'heavy' with the criticism.

I could take offence from Hydroguys comments earlier in this thread about the studios at DLP - but I wont as its not my favourite park either

The first parks I visited were WDW - 4 times. I didnt even want to visit DLP even though it was so close as felt it wouldnt be the same as Europe couldnt do Disney.We went on a brief trip in 2006 expecting to hate it but the opposite happened - we wanted to go back again and again and again.
We ended up doing 10 trips between easter 2006 and summer 2009.

It was hard not to compare at first and there were definite things I preferred about WDW but also things I preferred about DLP - the closeness of it all for one thing- being able to walk back to your hotel at the end of the day was fantastic.

I visited DL last October for the first time and loved it so much Im coming back again in December.
Again there were things I preferred/enjoyed about DL

The parks are all different - none of them are perfect and I just enjoy discovering the differences and similarities.

 

[MyYearWithTheMouse]

Im afraid I have to disagree with this. I think its the opposite - there are so many places off site to eat especially if you have a car that WDW introduced the dining plan to keep people in the parks to eat and spend money. I did 4 trips to WDW (staying 2 onsite and 2 off site) and ate off site most of the time as we had a car to get about

It was my understanding that most resort guests use the resort transit system and do not have cars. Either way, the dining plan at WDW is clearly a win situation for them that I don't think would work at DLR.

 

[A Small World]

It was my understanding that most resort guests use the resort transit system and do not have cars. Either way, the dining plan at WDW is clearly a win situation for them that I don't think would work at DLR.

I agree that I dont think it would work at DL either.

Maybe its the difference between Uk visitors to WDW and American visitors as a lot of UK guests seem to hire a car even if staying on site.

 

[KCmike]

And here is my own personal quote comparing the two. Disneyland was a rush job with limited space (read up on the construction (ground-breaking for the park began in July 1954 and the park opened July 18, 1955, only a year later) and original opening of Disneyland sometime) vs. WDW which was planned over many years and had the space to evolve and expand and plan things out accordingly.

It doesn't mean Walt loved Disneyland more than WDW (which I think some people around here truly believe - which is why they get so defensive). He just wasn't around to see WDW open. He took a ton of time planning WDW out before his death and they DID make it the way he wanted it. Just because he never walked down the Magic Kingdom's Main Street doesn't mean Walt's spirit never has since...

To be fair, I absolutely love both resorts, but they are entirely different experiences in my opinion. Disneyland is my "home park" and I have been there FAR more often than WDW. WDW was my *first* park however and also the park where I got married. My DDs have grown up in Disneyland and it holds a special fondness for me because of that, but all my favorite character memories, dining experiences, cast member interactions, Hotel magic, etc have all been at WDW.

Disneyland is meant more for locals (even most of the CMs are locals) whereas WDW is a destination (and at WDW many of the CMs are in the college program from other countries and therefor are FAR more dedicated imo). Both have their appeal, but it really depends on what you want from each trip.

I am only speaking for me. We just went back to WDW this summer after several years of DL. We were sorely disappointed. WDW was our home park. It was the end all be all to vacationing for us. But now its not. The parks have become stale and missing something. Magic Kingdom felt large and empty and really lacking of emotion. Again this is just my take. We did enjoy the resorts (Grand Floridian and Riverside) and the food but the parks are not up to par with Disneyland. I wonder how Walt would have felt with what the WORLD has to offer? Would he have wanted a zoo? Epcot really never realized his dream of a "city". It really is too bad that Walt never got to see the Magic Kingdom open. I don't want to come off so harsh on WDW because I still like it. I don't love it like I do Disneyland though.

I am sad that Disneyland is doing things I don't like as well. I am not a fan of hard ticket events. I don't think people should have to pay more for things that should be included in an almost $100 ticket. Would Disneyland have big giant souvenir stores the end of their rides like WDW does? I would like to think not but who knows? I don't like to see the park hopping ticket costing more now either. The list goes on.

And like another said: Bigger isn't always better.

I respect others peoples opinions. I always find it interesting see the differences in opinions regarding this topic. I am thankful my family feels like I do. When we went several years ago to Disneyland for the first time my wife said we are doing it just to check it off the list. She came home loving it. When we ask the kids where they would rather go that always say California and Disneyland.

Disneyland is my vacation destination.

 

[HydroGuy]

I could take offence from Hydroguys comments earlier in this thread about the studios at DLP - but I wont as its not my favourite park either

OK, how about this!

DLP's castle is my favorite of all the Disney castles and I love the inhabitant who lives underneath it.

DLP's general layout is the most beautiful of all the resorts. Not the most well kept, just the most beauty designed into the park.

DLP's FantasyLand is the best of all FantasyLands. Charming, lovely and totally immersive.

DLP's Big Thunder Mesa RR is the best Big Thunder ride of all the Disney resorts (except for when the pieces break off and hurt guests ).

DLP's POTC ride is almost as good as the one at DL and the second best of all Disney parks. I love the French speaking pirates!

DLP's former Tarzan show was my favorite Disney stage show. Why oh why did they drop it? I was in Europe in 2009 and 2010 and that show alone might have been enough to tempt me back to DLRP.

The theme song for the DLP's Once Upon a Dream parade is on my iPod and so thoroughly stuck in my head it will never leave me.

And WDS? What can I say? It was built at the same time as DCA and with the same "build it cheap" philosophy...I believe it may be so flawed it can never be fixed like Disney is fixing DCA.

 

[GhostlyHitchhiker]

But now its not. The parks have become stale and missing something. Magic Kingdom felt large and empty and really lacking of emotion. Again this is just my take. We did enjoy the resorts (Grand Floridian and Riverside) and the food but the parks are not up to par with Disneyland. I wonder how Walt would have felt with what the WORLD has to offer? Would he have wanted a zoo? Epcot really never realized his dream of a "city". It really is too bad that Walt never got to see the Magic Kingdom open. I don't want to come off so harsh on WDW because I still like it. I don't love it like I do Disneyland though.

It has been a few years since I've been to WDW and honestly some of you do have me worrying that my memories will not live up to my current expectations...

That said, I see Animal Kingdom as far more than just a "zoo". It is an amazing up-close animal experience while still staying very *Disney*. I love the conservation and teaching aspect for my children and know those animals are cared for as well as can be, especially compared to many zoos in the US. My closest zoo is the San Francisco which I have only been to once and will never return. The animals are in tiny little pens and seem so sad. The animals at Animal Kingdom have so much room and forethought into their pen plans that it's a completely unique experience to me. I have yet to get down to the San Diego zoo, though it's on my list someday as I have heard it's quite nice, but it isn't *Disney*.

While EPCOT never materialized the way Walt envisioned it, I absolutely adore Epcot and to me, it may be one of my favorite parks of any amusement park I've ever been to.

 

[HydroGuy]

It has been a few years since I've been to WDW and honestly some of you do have me worrying that my memories will not live up to my current expectations...

That said, I see Animal Kingdom as far more than just a "zoo". It is an amazing up-close animal experience while still staying very *Disney*. I love the conservation and teaching aspect for my children and know those animals are cared for as well as can be, especially compared to many zoos in the US. My closest zoo is the San Francisco which I have only been to once and will never return. The animals are in tiny little pens and seem so sad. The animals at Animal Kingdom have so much room and forethought into their pen plans that it's a completely unique experience to me. I have yet to get down to the San Diego zoo, though it's on my list someday as I have heard it's quite nice, but it isn't *Disney*.

While EPCOT never materialized the way Walt envisioned it, I absolutely adore Epcot and to me, it may be one of my favorite parks of any amusement park I've ever been to.

Hmmm. I did see the comment that AK was just a zoo and I too disagree. I hope you have fun and it lives up to your expectations!

 

[Hoku]

I love AK. Even the more "zoo-like" aspects of it. It has incredible ambience. And lets not forget the 3, e-tickets plus the festival of the Lion King, finding Nemo musical and great parades!

 

[MyYearWithTheMouse]

I also loved AK and didn't feel like it was a zoo at all. Funny thing though--I'm so used to lifelike audio-animatronics that when we were on the safari ride and we saw all these animals, I kept having to remind myself that they were REAL animals .

 

[Scaramedic]

I have two questions after reading through this thread...

1. What or who lives under the castle at Disneyland?

2. Can you wear shorts at a Formal Dinner on DCL?

 

[skiingfast]

I have two questions after reading through this thread...

1. What or who lives under the castle at Disneyland?

2. Can you wear shorts at a Formal Dinner on DCL?

Not sure if you are serious.

1. In DL paris a dragon is under the casle.

2. It is against the guidelines but many people break the rules and the nice staff doesn't enforce it.

 

[Grog]

2. Can you wear shorts at a Formal Dinner on DCL?

I don't know, but I'm sure the people on the DCL forum will be more than happy to answer your question

 

[Scaramedic]

Not sure if you are serious.

1. In DL paris a dragon is under the casle.

2. It is against the guidelines but many people break the rules and the nice staff doesn't enforce it.

I was attempting to be cute, but thanks.

 

[GhostlyHitchhiker]

I was attempting to be cute, but thanks.

I was amused.

And HydroGuy, I'm not going to WDW anytime soon. (Two more DLR trips this year, who knows how many next year and a Mexican Riviera DCL cruise next December are all in the plans.) I just meant I was paranoid in general that my beloved WDW was becoming less than I remember.

 

[ludari]

I just love when someone with a post count of 2 come here and says stuff like this.

At any rate, it makes me happy. Have fun in WDW and I will enjoy knowing there are a few less people crowding DLR.

Thanks FlameGirl.

 

[blackjackdelta]

CMs are not great all the time. I have never noticed a big difference between the ones at DLR and WDW.

We were on HM just yesterday and I was struck with how in character the CM was. One of the better ones and it stood out in my mind.

To the OP I can add to something that does not go over well. Zero posts before a trip and then only complaints after.

Definately agree with Hydroguy and others.

I read thru the posts and the OP sounds like a fishing expedition. We all have our opinions but with only a couple of posts I think otherwise.

The CM's were excellent on our recent trip, I chatted with many and sure did not find what the OP envisioned.

Have not been to WDW so it would help if the OP went there since there attendance has been down, personally it leaves me with one less person to deal with. We will keep our park to ourselves, and as a shareholder the money still goes into the global pot.

Jack

 

[DebbieB]

I just returned from a week at DL, stayed at the DLH. It was my 6th trip (first time 2006), I've been to WDW at least 25 times since 1994. One of my friends I was with was there for the first time. She is also a long time WDW veteran and was anxious to hear her thoughts on DL. She loved it! One thing we both commented on is the cm's are more into their roles and are more friendly. We had a great time and she is already planning a trip with her family next year. I like both WDW and DL on their own merits, I don't think it's necessary to choose.

 

[Peepster]

I agree that 2 posts doesn't lend much validity.

Regardless, I had to post because we just completed our first Disneyland trip following 47 WDW trips so feel somewhat qualified to do so.

In short, we loved Disneyland...I mean really loved, loved, loved Disneyland! To us the atmosphere was totally different and we don't even care to compare the two.

As a wonderful person advised us..."Disneyland is a place to hang out and enjoy. Don't feel you have to plan as you do your WDW trips." We didn't and we loved it.

We still look forward to our Florida trips home, especially to VWL, but we will be back to Disneyland and DCA.

Kudos to the CM's at Disneyland for making us feel so welcome and there was nothing like being in the park that Walt built. We were certain we heard his footsteps.

 

[A Small World]

OK, how about this!

DLP's castle is my favorite of all the Disney castles and I love the inhabitant who lives underneath it.

DLP's general layout is the most beautiful of all the resorts. Not the most well kept, just the most beauty designed into the park.

DLP's FantasyLand is the best of all FantasyLands. Charming, lovely and totally immersive.

DLP's Big Thunder Mesa RR is the best Big Thunder ride of all the Disney resorts (except for when the pieces break off and hurt guests ).

DLP's POTC ride is almost as good as the one at DL and the second best of all Disney parks. I love the French speaking pirates!

DLP's former Tarzan show was my favorite Disney stage show. Why oh why did they drop it? I was in Europe in 2009 and 2010 and that show alone might have been enough to tempt me back to DLRP.

The theme song for the DLP's Once Upon a Dream parade is on my iPod and so thoroughly stuck in my head it will never leave me.

And WDS? What can I say? It was built at the same time as DCA and with the same "build it cheap" philosophy...I believe it may be so flawed it can never be fixed like Disney is fixing DCA.

I remember your trip to DLP and your live report from there. Thanks for making some nice comments about it and I hope you realise I was joking when I said i could take offence from your previous comment

I agree with you on most comments about DLP but I actually enjoy POC more at DLP - I prefer the order of the story and the drops are bigger.

However DL has Splash, Indiana Jones (my favourite ride at DL), Jungle Cruise, Matterhorn (love that ride- 2nd favourite) and a space mountain that I will ride (the DLP one goes upside down and is very rough)

They also brought back the Tarzan show in DLP this summer - I preferred the Lion King show they used to have though - it was amazing.

 

[HydroGuy]

They also brought back the Tarzan show in DLP this summer - I preferred the Lion King show they used to have though - it was amazing.

Tarzan is back?!? The same show as before in the same venue?

If so I will be much more motivated to stop by next time I am in France.

I know LK is the big draw there but for me Tarzan rocked!

P.S. I knew you were joking.