how come Disneyland is getting all the praise at the moment?

[sunshine1]

just reading the differences in opinion of the world and disneyland.

Alot of regulars on here are moaning about the world for different reasons whilst Disneyland seems to be doing well.

Have Disney invested more into Disneyland? Is that why opinion is better of that park?

I miss Disneyland - havent been since 2008 - i need to get back!

 

[ottawamom]

Disneyland has the old way of doing fastpass. Most of the people commenting are longing for the old way of park touring (pre fastpass+)

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

The changes made to DCA have been spectacular, especially Carsland. It is, in my opinion, the best themed area in any Disney parks - and I'm not a Cars fan. I'm sure legacy FP has a lot to do with it, as well and not having to plan so much out so far in advance.

 

[tony67]

From what I've read and seen on TV:

Disney Land's target audience is the locals.

So they have to sever better food or the locals will just have dinner elsewhere.
For many of us the food at DW has become a joke...on par with chain restaurants.

They have the old FP system since again it is mostly locals who will decide day of it makes more sense there.

Also for those who have been to DisneyWorld 20-30 times it is different it has some rides they don't have at the World and it has a bit more of the History of Walt actually being there and involved in it.

Finally - there is far too much construction right now in DW..I see no reason to go back for a few years until it is all cleaned up and even then I'm not sure I want to bother again

 

[North of Mouse]

Disneyland has the old way of doing fastpass. Most of the people commenting are longing for the old way of park touring (pre fastpass+)

 

[Suvadoo]

1. Park hopping at DLR means walking across an esplanade, not boarding a bus or driving a car to the different park. No additional security checks either. DTD is also within walking distance.
2. CM's seem friendlier, I think it's because they're not as stressed as at WDW.
3. I don't feel like I'm getting a lesser experience at DLR if I don't attend a hard ticket event. Whereas at WDW I feel like if you want to avoid long waits in line at MK you must go to a hard ticket event. I just feel like WDW is out to rip off it's guests.
4. DLR has about the same amount of attractions in 2 parks as there are in 4 parks at WDW. The only ride I miss at DLR is the People Mover.
5. I love the live entertainment at DLR: The Royal Street Bachelors, the Bootstrappers, and Alladin in particular.
6. There are still low crowd days at DLR where most rides are walk-ons. I've never waited more than 15 minutes for Soarin'.
7. I don't have to book ADR's. Usually, I can get a walk up table or I can make a same day reservation for most restaurants. The food is great.
8. There is no FP+.

 

[PoohsFan1]

I agree with the others that one reason it is getting a lot of rave reviews is that DLR is still doing it old school when it comes to FPs and ADRs which a lot of WDW vets would still love to see, plus the fact that the 2 parks and the onsite hotels are within walking distance of each other, it is very easy to parkhop, and go anywhere, without having to use Disney transportation.

Also, it seems like everywhere you turn, WDW is putting up construction walls or refurbing something, whereas, in DLR they did a major refurb at DCA and now the park looks amazing (didn't see it before the major change). Another thing that would credit all of the buzz is Carsland....that area of the park is the most amazing area that I have seen anywhere, I would love to see something like that come to WDW (not Carsland specifically because I think that should just be in the California park), but something else that is very well themed.

The major thing for me that got me impressed with DLR is the fact that DL Park is known as "Walt's Park", and when you first step inside there, you see everything that he had a hand in making....I am a huge Walt Disney history buff and that to me gets me giddy . Don't get me wrong, I love everything about WDW, and go all the time, but I definitely can see why everyone is buzzing about DLR over WDW, especially with all of the new changes that WDW has these days .

 

[silenttuba]

The changes made to DCA have been spectacular, especially Carsland. It is, in my opinion, the best themed area in any Disney parks - and I'm not a Cars fan. I'm sure legacy FP has a lot to do with it, as well and not having to plan so much out so far in advance.

Completely agree about Carsland. The theming there is just spectacular. It truly feels like you've stepped into the movie. It's stunning, and it carries over to Radiator Springs Racers. In my opinion, RCR is possibly the best themed attraction Disney has in the US (I've never been to any parks outside the U.S., so I can't speak to those). It may go slower than Test Track, but in my opinion is a far superior ride.

Overall, I still prefer the experience of the World (though I've only been once, and been to DL twice). There's something to be said for the total immersion you experience, especially when staying on property. Still, the next time I visit my in-laws, we'll be sure to spend a day at Disneyland.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Radiator Springs Racers is the best ride anywhere, ever.

DisneyLand has the old FastPass system.

Besides that, WDW wins. Especially when it comes to traffic and area. If I never step foot in Anaheim ever again, I'll be happy.

 

[meg39]

I personally was not overly impressed by Disneyland. I'm a WDW girl though. There were way too many people in too small of a space. My family used to go to WDW every year for spring break, so normally I'm not too bothered by crowds - but holy cannoli. I haven't experienced Fastpass+ yet, but I have a super open mind about it, so I seriously doubt it will be a pitfall for me. Guess I'm one of the few on these boards!

 

[Baptist]

The changes made to DCA have been spectacular, especially Carsland. It is, in my opinion, the best themed area in any Disney parks - and I'm not a Cars fan. I'm sure legacy FP has a lot to do with it, as well and not having to plan so much out so far in advance.

I agree 100% with this statement. If you have not been since 2008, at trip to see Carsland alone is worth it.

 

[Suvadoo]

I personally was not overly impressed by Disneyland. I'm a WDW girl though. There were way too many people in too small of a space. My family used to go to WDW every year for spring break, so normally I'm not too bothered by crowds - but holy cannoli. I haven't experienced Fastpass+ yet, but I have a super open mind about it, so I seriously doubt it will be a pitfall for me. Guess I'm one of the few on these boards!

Prior to visiting WDW with FP+ I too was looking forward to it, but I've been there and done it. IMO FP+ eliminated all spontaneity from a WDW visit. That is another big plus at DLR, you can still do things on the fly, on low crowd days.

 

[AC7179]

1. Park hopping at DLR means walking across an esplanade, not boarding a bus or driving a car to the different park. No additional security checks either. DTD is also within walking distance.
2. CM's seem friendlier, I think it's because they're not as stressed as at WDW.
3. I don't feel like I'm getting a lesser experience at DLR if I don't attend a hard ticket event. Whereas at WDW I feel like if you want to avoid long waits in line at MK you must go to a hard ticket event. I just feel like WDW is out to rip off it's guests.
4. DLR has about the same amount of attractions in 2 parks as there are in 4 parks at WDW. The only ride I miss at DLR is the People Mover.
5. I love the live entertainment at DLR: The Royal Street Bachelors, the Bootstrappers, and Alladin in particular.
6. There are still low crowd days at DLR where most rides are walk-ons. I've never waited more than 15 minutes for Soarin'.
7. I don't have to book ADR's. Usually, I can get a walk up table or I can make a same day reservation for most restaurants. The food is great.
8. There is no FP+.

I agree with all of this down to the last word. I miss the People Mover at DL too. We have a trip planned to WDW and while I'm usually dying with excitement about going to DL, the WDW planning has not been fun!

 

[JeninTexas]

Carsland is great and Radiator Springs Racers is one of Disney's best rides, as everyone says. We have been to both this year and there are pluses and minuses to both.

The best thing about DL is that there are still low crowd days and you can walk between the 2 parks and DTD. No need for buses and boats. You still have all the best rides at DL.

The downsides to DL for me are that the food is largely not good and you can do much better at WDW. Quick service at DL leaves a lot to be desired, however, you can still get good QS in Epcot in the World Showcase, in MK at Be Our Guest, and at HS at Starring Rolls. There are still plenty of really bad QS places in WDW though. Our worst meal hands down was Cosmic Ray's. However, all our TS meals at WDW were very good.

As far as the differences between legacy FP and FP+, that is not a deciding factor to me. We did fine with FP+ at WDW and fine with regular FP at DL. I don't think there is such a need for FP+ at DL as there is at WDW because the crowds (at certain times of the year) just are not that big.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

Shhhhh....no, everyone should continue to go to WDW.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

THE BIG REASON is no fastpass+.

People love Carsland. But it's small. On repeat visits you end up noticing just how small it is. Plus the rumors out now that the Luigi's Tires ride will be removed. What will be there in its place? On the other hand the whole resort is small. One of the pros is that you can walk EVERYWHERE. No bus transportation anywhere unless you have a car in one of the far lots.

Lots of nostalgia for the Walt fans.

It's in the middle of a city and not off by itself in what would have been the middle of nowhere. That can be a pro or a con.

California prices are generally a little higher. but the biggest advantage is that there is NO DINING PLAN (except for a prepaid voucher system that is not popular and isn't designed to save anybody money). So the food is better in many instances and you don't need reservations unless it's Blue Bayou for the most part.

 

[rwdavis2]

Last year (Spet) we did EMH at Calif. Adventure. Rode Radiator Springs first then walked on to Toy Story and rode it 3 times in a row with virtually no wait. Then walked over to Disneyland for the day and returned to CA for the light show.

 

[2102raven]

It all comes down to quality over quantity which DL trumps WDW in that aspect.

 

[ols386]

Personally I don't think DL even compares with DW.

DW is so much larger, and has so much more to offer.

I've only been to DL once, and had a nice time, but will never go back.

 

[ldymcbth]

We went to WDW in late August and DL in late October. DL was so much more enjoyable. It's a much more relaxed atmosphere - you don't have to preplan to be able to do things. It's got more "magic" IMO - Carsland is like stepping into a movie. The Bugsland area is adorable - the theming so sweet and well thought out. At WDW I feel like we must go-go-go and keep to a strict schedule or we won't be able to do what we want to do. Also, I felt less upsell pressure at DL - there was a Halloween jamboree area with little games and entertainment and stuff and I told my husband - if this was at WDW there would be an extra charge! We did the Frozen Premiere Package on our last WDW trip and I sort of felt duped.

There's more to experience at WDW, but also more pressure IMO.