DL vs DW

[Leofoenget]

we live in western PA and have only been to DW, well I was in DL once in the late 80's. So, give me some reasons to break tradition and head west.... how are the parks? will DS age 6 at travel time be able to ride much at DCAP, I know very little about this park.
How are the hotels? I would imagine comparable to DW's, but like which ones?
Restaurants? pools, "beaches", spa, everything and anything, I want to know !!
I think there is a shopping/ eating area similar to Downtown disney too, is there a lego store?
Thanks for any and all input !!

You can also visit Legoland, Knotts berry farm, Universal studios. CA (the state not DCA) is a wonderful state to visit there is so much to do and see you can't go wrong.

 

[PinkBudgie]

I've never been to WDW but have always wanted to go. I always had this idea that it was better than Disneyland maybe because it was so big. So it is good to read these from people who have to both because now I realize both parks are just different.

Anyway, still hope to go some year but that will be a major vacation. I'm thinking DH and I can go by ourselves when the boys graduate. In the meantime it is nice to know that Disneyland is appreciated for what it is by those who have been to both.

 

[EnnEss]

As everyone has mentioned there is no need for trasnportation onsite, but this applies to offsite hotels as well. They are equally close unless you stay at one of the distant hotels, which can be really cheap but you can't walk to DL so not worth it with so many options varying from cheap to pricey.

I just can't imagine how anyone would be disapointed by going to WDW first then DL. DL just has so much more packed in there that WDW feels like its missing things because there is so much empty space (fantasyland is a really good example).

 

[HydroGuy]

Space Mountain there is UNBELIEVABLE. I don't even want to go on the WDW version again (at least until they update it). POTC is better there too.

LOL, but on our recent 10 day trip to WDW we never even tried to go on Space Mtn. We did Splash and BTMRR multiple times, but after riding Space Mtn at MK twice in 2006 we could not bear to ride it again. It is laughable in comparison to DL's updated version. We find it amusing that people at MK seem so excited about Space Mtn.

The castle is much smaller--it's really a shock to the system when you're so used to the giant Cinderella Castle, but it's beautiful.

WDW vets are conditioned to think of the importance of a large castle. DLR vets know that the taller Matterhorn is the real center of DL.

Matterhorn mountain behind the castle as seen from the top deck of the Mark Twain in Frontierland

 

[vettegirl]

After visiting DW in May for the first time, even though I had a fantastic time. My heart belongs to DL. There are a lot more rides at DL and the ones like Mr. Toad, Story Book Canals and the Matterhorn are just so special. Also the Blue Bayou is so neat inside POC. The atmosphere is so cool, you really feel like you are sitting on a bayou outside. Also at DCA California Screamin is a must do. I will be going to DLP in a couple of months and cannot wait! I am going to do my best not to compare resorts, as DLP is going to be special in it's on right. Enjoy!

 

[JenM]

LOL, but on our recent 10 day trip to WDW we never even tried to go on Space Mtn. We did Splash and BTMRR multiple times, but after riding Space Mtn at MK twice in 2006 we could not bear to ride it again. It is laughable in comparison to DL's updated version. We find it amusing that people at MK seem so excited about Space Mtn.

If I went to WDW tomorrow, I would totally go on Space Mountain. DL's updated version is a million times better, but I've been going on that ride on every trip I've taken to WDW. I can't wait for them to update it at WDW, but I wouldn't skip it.

It was a big deal being able to finally ride it when we were kids. And when I went with my friends' kids, their 6-year-old rode it 11 times obsessed over it. So it has special memories.

WDW vets are conditioned to think of the importance of a large castle. DLR vets know that the taller Matterhorn is the real center of DL.

No, we're just used to a bigger castle. The Cinderella castle is beautiful at WDW.

 

[HydroGuy]

If I went to WDW tomorrow, I would totally go on Space Mountain. DL's updated version is a million times better, but I've been going on that ride on every trip I've taken to WDW. I can't wait for them to update it at WDW, but I wouldn't skip it.

It was a big deal being able to finally ride it when we were kids. And when I went with my friends' kids, their 6-year-old rode it 11 times obsessed over it. So it has special memories.

I can understand the sentimental attachment to Space Mtn at MK. We do not have that attachment and did not feel like we missed anything.

No, we're just used to a bigger castle. The Cinderella castle is beautiful at WDW.

I agree the castle at MK is beautiful. My point is that the castle at DL is smaller but is not considered to be the park center by DL vets. This is similar to the DL vet walking into MK and missing the big, beautiful castle because they are so concerned about the "missing" Matterhorn (considered by most to be the park center at DL).

When we grow accustomed to one line of thinking (e.g., big, beautiful castle by MK vets or a Matterhorn mountain by DL vets) it can cause us to miss or underappreciate aspects of the other locations. That's all I meant.

 

[EnnEss]

I think disneyland is the single best park to experience of the 6 north american parks. Nothing else comes close. There are aspects that are better here and there, but MK is an imititation and it shows. WDW also seems to have no problem going light on attractions in general then relying on the fact that there are 3 other parks around, be it relatively distant.

I love WDW, but I always miss disneyland when at WDW.

 

[minnie4me]

what is the big difference between space mountains? The one in MK is rough, but fun !! I like the speed and side to side action more than a true up & down type rollercoaster, would I be disappointed. DS and I love BTM, is the Matterhorn similar? Again, not really looking for the true roller coaster experience.
Tell me about the Indy ride/show/adventure, DS (age 5) is a huge Indy fan, he is humming the tune and playing right now. We have seen the stunt show in DHS, he loves it. Is there a Star Wars ride? He also loves Star Wars. I am sure I could just go to Disney.com and look up all the rides in CA parks, but I like to hear from others what they think !!
Thanks alot for all the opinions so far !!

 

[HydroGuy]

what is the big difference between space mountains? The one in MK is rough, but fun !! I like the speed and side to side action more than a true up & down type rollercoaster, would I be disappointed.

Until 2002/2003 the Space Mtn rides at DL and MK were fairly similar. Yes, the cars and tracks were different, but IMO the experience felt similar.

DL took Space Mtn down for 2 1/2 years and replaced every piece of track, redid the loading area, redid the music (created by the musician who did the music for The Incredibles movie), and improved lots of things about the ride. It re-opened in July 2005. The experience was much better than before. Space Mtn at DL looks and feels modern. And MK it looks and feels very dated.

If you like Space Mtn at MK you will love the one at DL.

DS and I love BTM, is the Matterhorn similar?

No. DL has a BTMRR which is similar to the one at MK. There is nothing at WDW similar to Matterhorn except maybe Expedition Everest which is way better and 50 years newer. Matterhorn was the original Disney mountain. It is a classic ride but very immersive and still a lot of fun. A must do IMO.

Tell me about the Indy ride/show/adventure, DS (age 5) is a huge Indy fan, he is humming the tune and playing right now. We have seen the stunt show in DHS, he loves it.

There is no Indy stunt show at DL. The Indy ride has a lot in common with Dinosaur at AK but most would agree with me Indy is much better. Like Dinosaur you sit in a jeep and go bumping through an adventure. Indy is of the better rides Disney has ever done IMO. You cannot miss it. Your son will love it.

Is there a Star Wars ride? He also loves Star Wars.

There is a Star Tours ride at DL identical to the one at DHS. They also have a Jedi Training Academy like the one at DHS but IMO the DL version is much better because it is larger, more shaded, and can handle twice as many kids.

 

[EnnEss]

The indy ride is similar to dinosaur in technology, I like it a lot more though. I was let down by dinosaur as a result.

Matterhorn is kinda almost like space mountain in MK but out doors and a lot better themed (not too tough to beat darkness I guess). Its eve rougher than MK SM though.

SM at DL is just a better version of SM, itshard to explain it any other way. I dont think you'd get many, even wdw vets who love the MK one, saying the DL isnt the better of the two.

 

[Jynohn]

We just got back from our first trip to Disneyland after 20+ visits to WDW. I have to say, while we loved the Magic Kingdom in Disneyland, overall we felt ourselves wishing we were back at WDW the whole time. I guess we just really missed the "resort" feeling at WDW, where everyone is on vacation and the real world seems so far away. At Disneyland, it seemed more like a place you would visit for a day or two, so we missed that "vacation" feel. And we DEFINITELY missed Epcot.

Overall, I'm glad I got a chance to experience something new though, and Disneyland definitely has its charms. In fact, in a perfect world, I wish we could take Disneyland's Magic Kingdom (minus the castle! LOL) and drop it into WDW.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

IJA at Disneyland and Dinosaur at DAK have the exact same ride track. Most people think that IJA is the better attraction.

 

[KatelynnsAuntie]

IJA at Disneyland and Dinosaur at DAK have the exact same ride track.

Wow, that is interesting. How did you find that out?

 

[EnnEss]

IJA at Disneyland and Dinosaur at DAK have the exact same ride track. Most people think that IJA is the better attraction.

Ive heard this before. Then I've heard it vehemently disputed and told that wasn't true. If I think of the rides and even the very opening it would seem this isn't true. It could be disorientating because of different use of walls, but I'm fairly certaint that even through the first five turns you go in a different direction on each. If its true, thats cool, but with these kinds of rides its hardly the track that makes the ride. I dont think ive ever seen anyone suggest dinosaur is the better of the two.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

Wow, that is interesting. How did you find that out?

I heard it a couple of years ago when we were planning to go to WDW. I believe it was on a podcast, but I honestly don't remember.

For those who have been on both, the part of Dinosaur where you go down the long slope when they take your picture is the same point on the ride where you try to escape the boulder on Indy.

 

[HydroGuy]

We just got back from our first trip to Disneyland after 20+ visits to WDW. I have to say, while we loved the Magic Kingdom in Disneyland, overall we felt ourselves wishing we were back at WDW the whole time. I guess we just really missed the "resort" feeling at WDW, where everyone is on vacation and the real world seems so far away. At Disneyland, it seemed more like a place you would visit for a day or two, so we missed that "vacation" feel. And we DEFINITELY missed Epcot.

Overall, I'm glad I got a chance to experience something new though, and Disneyland definitely has its charms. In fact, in a perfect world, I wish we could take Disneyland's Magic Kingdom (minus the castle! LOL) and drop it into WDW.

I understand what you mean. The funny thing is, being a DLR vet first and foremost, we never did and still do not consider DLR visits as vacations. Similarly, we are leaving today for a four day camping trip. But we do not consider it a vacation. It is just a fun camping trip. DLR is just a fun, special place to visit for a few days.

That people make Disney visits (DLR or even WDW) as their vacation still seems strange to us. But I fully understand how WDW does cater much more to people as a vacation destination.

What I try to emphasize to WDW vets is that DLR can be enjoyed for its magic, entertainment and uniqueness without being a fully loaded vacation spot. The idea that "Disney Resort = Vacation" is something that people pick up from WDW (because that is what WDW is) but does not mean it is always true.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

Our family vacations were often to Disneyland especially after we moved to northern California when they essentially became yearly. We didn't really care since we are open to close type of people(or at least I am). Before moving to Cali, we would spend a day at Universal, a day at Sea World and maybe take in an Angels game since I was a huge baseball fan.

Once we moved to California, we dropped the other two parks and the Angels(the Giants are my team anyways) and just spent two days at Disneyland. That's what my parents could afford and we were happy. As much as my family loves WDW, I think a few of us actually prefer the DLR to WDW(and certainly Disneyland over the MK itself).

 

[CoolPool]

WDW and DLR are very different even if many of the rides are the same. Both are enjoyable. One you can do in a day and the other you need about 3 days or more. One requires planning, the other you just show up and go with the flow. Its all good.

 

[mousiemom]

i'm a wdw vet, we go at least 3 times a year. we took our 1st dl vacation this past june for 7nights. it was a totally different experience. we stayed at hojos w/a disneyview room on the 7th floor. we walked to dl and we couldn't get over how you walk to the right and there's dl, straight ahead and there's dtd, and to the left is dca. there wasn't as much walking but we like the bus system @ wdw. i love our on site disney hotels!! there's so many to choose from. we loved dca! our 7yr dd loved calif. screamin and tot. all the rides were different from wdw. we had lunch @ BB and WCT and those were 2 good restaurants but i'm so used to all the good ones @wdw that's why i go to free dining in sept. we had so much fun in dl and we loved so. cali. our hotel was very nice and our room was way bigger than pop. everyday was perfect! have fun and plan that disney trip!!
mousiemom