Duplicate attractions at Disney World and Disneyland/California Adventure

[Disney/Universal Fan]

We are AP holders at Disney World and will be making a trip to Disneyland in October. Which attractions are the "exact" same and which ones are the "same, but different? I hope that makes sense. We only have three days and want to avoid the attractions that are the same, but want to experience attractions like "Pirates" which I heard was actually seven minutes longer at Disneyland.

 

[Alesia]

Here's a nearly complete list: http://disneygeek.com/dland_vs_wdw/wdw_dland_attractions.htm

 

[DizDaD7]

POC Is waay better at DLR.

I wouldn't suggest skipping any of the ones that you think will be the same....There's always something that will be different from each... You'll have plenty of time in 3 days to see it all I'm guessin.

 

[AngiTN]

We went to DL in June.
I am going to say none of them are exactly the same and all are different enough that there are no rides to skip in CA. With 3 days you can do all the rides in both parks with relative ease. There's no need to skip anything, unless you just hate that ride. The only ones we skipped was Autopia and ToT because DGD hates ToT and I hate those motor car rides..
The only thing I found similar between DL/DCA and WDW is they are Disney. From that point forward, they are quite different.

 

[hiroMYhero]

You can skip Soarin' in DCA as well as the Little Mermaid ride. Try to ride everything else at DCA.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

We are AP holders at Disney World and will be making a trip to Disneyland in October. Which attractions are the "exact" same and which ones are the "same, but different? I hope that makes sense. We only have three days and want to avoid the attractions that are the same, but want to experience attractions like "Pirates" which I heard was actually seven minutes longer at Disneyland.

I've been to WDW a few times and I go to Disneyland at least once or twice a year. Here's my take on attractions:

At Disneyland:
Pirates is longer.
Small World is longer.
Space Mountain is totally different (side-by-side seating and a cool soundtrack).
Splash is about the same.
Big Thunder - DL recently did a refurb, adding new effects. Not sure if WDW has the same.
Haunted Mansion is about the same, except the queue areas are very different.
Buzz Lightyear is better since you can pick up the guns and aim better.
Star Tours is the same.
Dumbo is the same, except DL only has one.
Peter Pan - DL just did a refurb with new effects. I can't compare until I ride it next month.
Pooh is the same, except it's tucked in Critter Country and a lot less crowded than at DL.
Jungle Cruise is different - no tunnel at DL.
Tiki Room is the same.
DL has Autopia, similar to WDW's Speedway. I like Autopia a lot better. It's more scenic and fun.

Rides unique to DL:
Indiana Jones Adventure - The best ride in my opinion. Not to be missed!
Alice in Wonderland - They added some great new effects last year.
Snow White's Scary Adventure - Cute.
Pinocchio - Cute.
Storyland Canal Boats - Not my favorite but fun for kids.
Casey Junior - Fun little train ride that picks up some pretty good speed.
Matterhorn - Roller coaster-type ride through the mountain. I like it and really want to see the new Yeti they just installed, but I find it to be very jerky and leaves my bad neck very sore for the rest of the day. It's also difficult for taller people to get in and out of (our family ranges from 5' 8" to 6' 1"). We all find it uncomfortable, but DH and our teen boys always tough it out several times.
Finding Nemo Submarines - Unique to DL. Very cute.
Tom Sawyer Island now has a pirate theme.

At California Adventure:
Tower of Terror is different - The elevator doesn't move forward. I think it's better at DHS.
Little Mermaid is the same.
Soarin' is the same.
There's a Frozen Sing-a-long which I don't know anything about.
There's a Disney, Jr. show that I think they also have at DHS. I haven't seen

Attractions unique to California Adventure:
The entire Paradise Pier area, except Toy Story Midway Mania which is the same ride.
The entire Bug's Land area, which is fun for kids
All of Cars Land - Radiator Springs Racers is currently the most popular ride between the two parks. Get Fast Passes first thing in the morning.
Monster's Inc - One of my favorite rides!
The Aladdin Show - A great 40-minute live stage show. Great way to rest your feet and get out of the heat.
There are several unique areas related to the state of California - Pacific Wharf, Ghirardelli (chocolate!), Vineyard.
Grizzly River Run - A very wet ride.
Redwood Challenge Trail - I've never done it but it looks like a good place to let kids run off energy. Russell and Dug from "Up" hang out there.

Now I'm even more excited for our trip next month. Hope this helps!

 

[kangamama]

I haven't been to WDW yet, but I go to DLR often. One thing I'd recommend is don't skip the Mad Tea Party! The ride is probably exactly the same as at WDW (from what I've read), but the setting looks completely different. Do yourself a favor and ride it at night, too. With the lanterns lit overhead, under the big tree, it is a completely magical experience. And if you time it right, you'll be able to see part of the fireworks show from the ride, too.

And don't miss Radiator Springs Racers.

 

[Reddog1134]

At Disneyland:
1. Splash is about the same.
2. Big Thunder - DL recently did a refurb, adding new effects. Not sure if WDW has the same.
3.Haunted Mansion is about the same, except the queue areas are very different.
4. Tiki Room is the same.

1. Many people say Splash is much better at WDW but I don't know the differences.
2. WDW doesn't have any of the refurb additions
3. WDW has the enhanced hitchhiking ghosts and the "Escher" stairs. DLR has the Hatbox Ghost.
4. Both shows have been shortened but I believe the show at DLR is much closer to the original.

 

[hakepb]

TSMM is the same ride, but different queue order... But it's fun to notice that in a park with enough rides, you don't need FP - or + on a ride like that.

I thought Hydroguy's DL for a WDW vet was useful
http://www.disboards.com/threads/a-dlr-guide-for-wdw-vets.1162599/

 

[BrianL]

A couple of additions to above:

Peter Pan at DL is a bit shorter, or maybe jsut smaller, and there are minor differences like the mermaid lagoon is nearer to the end. They jsut added some stuff for the 60th Anniversary though and I don't know what it is.

Splash at DL is a single-file seater, like classic log flumes. The show is about the same though, but the drop is not quite as high.

Haunted Mansion is a little shorter at DL, like the organist is in the attic instead of his own room, and the rotating busts are in the loading area, not the library scene. Of course, in October, it will be Haunted Mansion Holiday featuring the Nightmare Before Christmas,, which is COMPLETELY different, so enjoy!

The Tiki Room at DL is the full show with the fountain, so it's a bit longer.

Star Tours is the same, but they have lower capacity and much longer lines.

Soarin' is the same but usually has much shorter lines, so enjoy!

My advice: Don't skip anything. You'll have the time. Enjoy those Fantasyland dark rides that WDW doesn't have anymore. I have described being at DL as a WDW vet like being in a parallel universe, where things are almost the same, but not quite.

 

[Diszona]

With 3 days you have plenty of time to do everything, so I wouldn't worry about what to skip. Keep in mind, at DL everything is closer together, including the 2 parks (about 100 yards), so you won't need to spend the time getting from park to park like you do at WDW. A lot depends on what days you are going because the park hours can vary during that time of the year. The weekends tend to be a little more crowded but you also can catch Fantasmic! which is much better than the WDW version. Also, if you decide to catch one of the Halloween parties you can get a ton of rides done, they are almost all walk-ons (except HM and Space Mountain) during the early part of the party (or at least shorter waits). That reminds me, while the HM is normally similar to the MK version, during October it will have the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay, which you should catch at least once. Also, Space Mountain runs the "Ghost Galaxy" version during that time.

 

[delilah]

When I went to California Adventure this past March, Soarin was closed. I have been impressed with the times I have gone there that the line for Soarin is very fast, sometimes to the point of rushing through the waiting area. The same is true of Toy Story Mania. On the other hand, there is always a wait for Small World at Disneyland, and only rarely wait more than 10 minutes or so at Magic Kingdom.

 

[rwdavis2]

TSMM is the same ride, but different queue order... But it's fun to notice that in a park with enough rides, you don't need FP - or + on a ride like that.

I thought Hydroguy's DL for a WDW vet was useful
http://www.disboards.com/threads/a-dlr-guide-for-wdw-vets.1162599/

We rode TSMM 3 times in a row at DCA in 2013. It's not that big of a deal out there.

 

[xApril]

Their shows, especially Mickey and the Magical Map & Aladdin are amazing and better than the shows we have here at WDW. I also love their Paint the Night parade and Disneyland Forever that they have for their 60th. Disneyland is just such a magical park and you're going to love it!

 

[John93]

A few edits*

At Disneyland:
Pirates is longer and better themed than WDW.
Small World is longer.
Space Mountain is totally different (side-by-side seating and a cool soundtrack, better ride system).
Splash is about the same. Many argue that WDW's is way better.
Big Thunder - DL recently did a refurb, adding new effects. Very different from WDW.
Haunted Mansion is about the same, except the queue areas are very different.
Buzz Lightyear is better since you can pick up the guns and aim better. The targets light up and actually move.
Star Tours is the same.
Dumbo is the same, except DL only has one.
Peter Pan - DL just did a refurb with new effects. Much better than its WDW counterpart.
Pooh is the same, except it's tucked in Critter Country and a lot less crowded than at DL.
Jungle Cruise is different - no tunnel at DL.
Tiki Room is the same.
DL has Autopia, similar to WDW's Speedway. I like Autopia a lot better. It's more scenic and fun.
Fantasmic! is completely different.

Rides unique to DL:
Indiana Jones Adventure - The best ride in my opinion. Not to be missed!
Alice in Wonderland - They added some great new effects last year.
Snow White's Scary Adventure - Cute.
Pinocchio - Cute.
Storyland Canal Boats - Don't miss this ride!
Casey Junior - Fun little train ride that picks up some pretty good speed.
Matterhorn - Roller coaster-type ride through the mountain. I like it and really want to see the new Yeti they just installed, but I find it to be very jerky and leaves my bad neck very sore for the rest of the day. It's also difficult for taller people to get in and out of (our family ranges from 5' 8" to 6' 1"). We all find it uncomfortable, but DH and our teen boys always tough it out several times.
Finding Nemo Submarines - Unique to DL. Very cute.
Tom Sawyer Island now has a pirate theme.

At California Adventure:
Tower of Terror is different - The elevator doesn't move forward. Much better at WDW.
Little Mermaid is the same.
Soarin' is the same.
There's a Frozen Sing-a-long which I don't know anything about.
There's a Disney, Jr. show that I think they also have at DHS. I haven't seen

Attractions unique to California Adventure:
The entire Paradise Pier area, except Toy Story Midway Mania which is the same ride.
The entire Bug's Land area, which is fun for kids
All of Cars Land - Radiator Springs Racers is currently the most popular ride between the two parks. Get Fast Passes first thing in the morning.
Monster's Inc - One of my favorite rides!
The Aladdin Show - A great 40-minute live stage show. Great way to rest your feet and get out of the heat.
There are several unique areas related to the state of California - Pacific Wharf, Ghirardelli (chocolate!), Vineyard.
Grizzly River Run - A very wet ride.
Redwood Challenge Trail - I've never done it but it looks like a good place to let kids run off energy. Russell and Dug from "Up" hang out there.

 

[Angel Ariel]

TSMM is the same ride, but different queue order... But it's fun to notice that in a park with enough rides, you don't need FP - or + on a ride like that.

I thought Hydroguy's DL for a WDW vet was useful
http://www.disboards.com/threads/a-dlr-guide-for-wdw-vets.1162599/

I second reading Hydroguy's thread linked above. It's a great resource!

 

[savvy?71]

Very helpful breakdown, Luv Bunnies! As east coasters and perennial WDW guests, we're heading to DL (with combined San Diego + Hollywood days) in a couple weeks. The Disneyland forum on here has great info as well. I am beyond excited to be in the more relaxed (and original) DL environment, not to mention experience Cars Land at DCA. One thing I find incredible is not having to stress and plan over not just rides but dining. We are a couple weeks out and have only made one reservation (for World of Color show). We spoke with a CM last night and all our dining choices are still available with plenty of room. Depending on the day, it's highly probable we could get same day reservations. And of course, the ability to walk into the parks from our hotel at any time will be great. We usually stay at Beach Club at WDW & love walking into Epcot and DHS, so it's definitely a plus for us. I don't want to deal with too much time planning for buses, monorails, & boats, especially if we stay late in the park.

Love this BrianL

My advice: Don't skip anything. You'll have the time. Enjoy those Fantasyland dark rides that WDW doesn't have anymore. I have described being at DL as a WDW vet like being in a parallel universe, where things are almost the same, but not quite.