Florida vs California

[tal2019]

We are coming to Florida and don’t want to miss riding any rides or experiences that are unique to Disneyworld

 

[VGCgroupie]

Are you going all all parks? Animal Kingdom and Epcot are so different than CA I wouldn't skip those.

Magic Kingdom has Tron and the Peoplemover. Space Mountain is different so I would give that a ride for sure.

Hollywood Studios be sure to ride Tower of Terror and Slinky Dog Dash.

 

[BlueGreen5]

Someone on here has a good list that you can probably find with some searching. Many of the attractions are remarkably similar (there are slight differences that, frankly IMO, make the WDW versions less awesome, but you likely will not notice them. Here are the attractions that are totally different/novel that, IMO, you shouldn't skip:

Magic Kingdom

• Tron
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
• Tomorrowland People Mover
• Haunted Mansion - it's very similar, but very cool differences too
• HEA seems to be a bigger production than the DLR show, but, unlike DLR, pretty much everyone is watching the show from the hub and Main Street (there are other options, but it is not like how DLR does it).

You can't ever suggest someone skip Magic Kingdom, but honestly there is not a lot other than those two headline rides that distinguishes it in a positive way from Disneyland. If I went to DLR often, and just wanted to experience the unique parts of WDW, I think Magic Kingdom would be a 1/2 day park for me.

Hollywood Studios

• Tower of Terror - less thrilling but better themed version of Mission Breakout
• Slinky Dog Dash
• Rock'n Roller Coaster, if it's still open
• The new Villains show
• Really cool to watch Fantasmic here if you are used to the DLR way of doing it

This is probably the easiest park to skip if you are seeking the unique and are short on time. It feels a lot like DCA with SWGE thrown in.

EPCOT
Virtually nothing here has a 1:1 counterpart at DLR. Soarin is essentially the same ride, but different projection if you go in expecting the "Over California" version.
Whatever you do, don't skip EPCOT. Plan to spend more time here than you are expecting.

Animal Kingdom
Similar to EPCOT, virtually nothing

here has a 1:1 counterpart at DLR. There is a water raft ride that appears to be similar to the one at DCA, if that's your thing (honestly, I'll probably die without having ever been on either, so I can't speak much to them). Pandora is like nothing else, the animals are cool, the theming is fantastic, just wish there was more here to spread some of the crowds out.

Other

• Disney Springs and Downtown Disney are similar in concept and feel, but Disney Springs is much bigger. It also has a much larger local contingency.
• The monorail is used as actual mass transit.
• The resorts are all super cool and are attractions by themslves. DLR has some nice choices, but this is the one thing WDW unequivocally does better. Don't skip spending some time at the resorts, especially the three on the monorail loop.
• Busses are inevitable, but, for that reason, easy enough to use.
• Ride the Skyliner from end to end. You don't need a reason.
• People definitely sharpen their elbows at WDW compared to DLR. Build in extra time. Make the reservation early. Plan...and then plan for your plans to go not according to plan.
• Plan for rain.

 

[Psymonds]

FYI,

I asked a similar question about dining a few years back:

https://www.disboards.com/threads/your-mt-rushmore-of-unique-wdw-dining.3849812/

 

[BrianL]

I post the list a lot for WDW vets going to DL. I had a reverse one once, but couldn't find it. I will try to do one. Let me know if I miss anything. I can be too granular sometimes, so I may leave some out. Let me know and I will edit:

MK Exclusive Attractions:
Country Bear Musical Jamboree – all new show!
Hall of Presidents – uses some of Lincoln’s speech from DL
Enchanted Tales with Belle
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
The Barnstormer
TRON Lightcycle/Run
People Mover – yeah, WDW still has one!
Carousel of Progress
Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor


MK Similar but not exactly the same:
Walt Disney World Railroad – no diorama scenes
Jungle Cruise – has temple, a bit longer
Enchanted Tili Room – shorter show
Pirates of the Caribbean – shorter with fewer show scenes
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – once it gets the new upgrades may be somewhat different
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure – larger boats, slightly different, less prone to sinking!
Haunted Mansion – some differences in scenes (like the stairway)
Peter Pan’s Flight – slightly different scene order, nonstop loading (still long waits)
It’s a Small World – no Disney characters
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh – pretty similar but different vehicles
Tomorrowland Speedway – much shorter than Autopia
Space Mountain – Actually very different from SM at DL but similar to The Matterhorn
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin – Pending upgrade may be very different

MK exactly (or basically) the same:
Swiss Family Treehouse
Magic Carpets of Aladdin – a spinner like Dumbo or Astro Orbiter
Dumbo The Flying Elephant – has two spinners
Prince Charming Regal Carousel
Mickey’s Philharmargic – bigger screen than at CA
Mad Tea Party – has a canopy
Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid
Astro Orbiter - elevated

EP Exclusive Attractions:
Spaceship Earth
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
Mission: SPACE
Test Track – uses a similar ride system to Radiator Springs Racers, faster but shorter
Journey into Imagination with Figment
Living with the Land
The Seas with Nemo and Friends
Journey of Water inspired by Moana (walkthrough)
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros
Frozen Ever After
The American Adventure
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

EP Similar but not exactly the same:
N/A

EP exactly (or basically) the same:
Soarin’ Around the World
Turtle Talk with Crush


HS Exclusive Attractions:
For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular
Slinky Dog Dash
The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure
Walt Disney Presents (walkthrough)
Rock’n Roller Coaster – pending a retheme

HS Similar but not exactly the same:
Alien Swirling Saucers – basically the same as Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror – Like Mission Breakout, but not really

HS exactly (or basically) the same:
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Star Tours
Rise of the Resistance
Millenium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run

AK Exclusive Attractions:
Zootopia: Better Zoogether
Avatar: Flight of Passage
Avatar: Na’vi River Journey
Festival of the Lion King – seriously, do not miss this!
Kilamiinjaro Safaris
Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail (walkthrough)
Wilderness Express Train/Rafiki’s Planet Watch
Maharaja Jungle Trek (walkthrough)
Feathered Friends in Flight – bird show
Expedition Everest
Finding Nemo: The Big Blue and Beyond - musical

AK Similar but not exactly the same:
Kali River Rapids – shorter version of Grizzly River Run
DINOSAUR – soon to be Indiana Jones, in which case it will be more similar – same ride system

AK exactly (or basically) the same:
N/A

 

[lmjordan]

We are coming to Florida and don’t want to miss riding any rides or experiences that are unique to Disneyworld

Florida, more rides