If you like [WDW ride], you'll love___?

[KatieCharlotte]

We're thinking about stopping at DCA and DLR on a summer Cali trip. I'd love to be able to sell DH on two DLR days and one DCA day if possible, or find a way to pack the highlights into two days. We'd start at 7 a.m. early entry since we'll be on Eastern time.

We already know which WDW rides we'll want to experience again. But which
attractions that are not at WDW or different at WDW would be must-dos for a family that loves dark rides and classic Disney and isn't really into coasters?

My kids love anything that is fun-scary without big drops and spins -- like Haunted Mansion and Snow White -- and competitive rides like TSMM and Buzz. I like Splash and big coasters that don't hurt my neck, but my kids won't ride them. DD likes Barnstormer, not-too-intense simulators like Spiderman (at Universal), and water rides that don't have big drops.

Also, can someone fill me in on the intensity of the non-WDW rides -- I have a child who can't handle spinning or drops bigger than Pirates and gets very anxious. He needs me to compare each ride to something he's seen at WDW, Universal, or elsewhere.

Thank you!

 

[figment_jii]

I think HydroGuy's "A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" would be useful for you:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

DL's Pirates is similar to WDW's Pirates, but it has two drops and the first one is more "intense" than the second one. I general think of the second (smaller) drop like the drop in MK. The first drop is longer, steeper, and in the pitch dark (usually). I don't think the first drop is really bad, but if you have someone who finds the MK drop to be fairly intense, then this something to keep in mind.

DCA's Goofy's Sky School is like Barnstormer at MK. Sky School does have one substantial drop (I don't recall anything quite like it in MK's ride). You can see the track from the outside, so at least you can let him see the drop before riding it. There is also a kid's coaster in DL: Gadget's Go Coaster in Toontown. It's a cute ride and very similar to Barnstormer/Sky School in intensity.

If you don't like jerky rides, I'd avoid Matterhorn (no real equivalent in MK). It's very rough (most folks say it's hard on their backs). I like it because it's unique to DL, but I agree that it can be pretty jarring. On an intensity level (not counting roughness), it's like BTMRR.

There some unique visual elements to DL's BTMRR, but the ride itself is the same level of intensity. So if you can handle MK's BTMRR, you should be okay on DL's BTMRR.

RSR in Carsland using the same technology as Test Track, but it's a much better ride (to me). I would highly recommend that one. There isn't a lot of jerking or drops. The race at the end may feel fast, but you aren't going that quick (Test Track goes faster at the end).

The closest equivalent to Screamin' I can think of is RnR (both have inversions). It's the most "intense" coaster in DCA/DL because it has a loop. If you can ride RnR, you'll be okay on Screamin'.

Indy Jones uses the same technology as Dinosaur, but with a different theme/story. It does have some sharp turns and accelerations (no real drops). I think this one is more "intense" from a visual point of view (rather than the ride) (kind of like Dinosaur).

Personally, I think both Space and Splash Mountains are similar in intensity. So if you can ride either at MK, you'll probably be okay at DL. Star Tours is the same ride in both DL and DHS (different queue, but same ride). Soarin' is the same in Epcot and DCA.

 

[Kyjin]

I'll start with the two easy ones: Indiana Jones is the same as Dinosaur, (though personally I find Indy to be less rough than Dinosaur) and Grizzly River Rapids is the same as Kali River Rapids. You'll want to avoid Matterhorn if you're worried about neck injuries; it a really rough little coaster. The only big coaster besides Space and BTMR that you know is Screamin'. For dark rides, many are the same with the exception of Pinocchio and Mr. Toad which aren't at WDW. Just a few off the top of my head!

 

[cdatkins]

Based on your criteria, I think you will fall in love with Fantasyland at DL.

You will love Pinocchio, Alice in Wonderland, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Casey Junior Circus Train, Storybookland Canal Boats, and the Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough. You will also appreciate the little differences on It's a Small World.

Also you will really like Pirates at DL compared to WDW...it's a longer and better ride at DL.

I also think you will like Autopia, which is much, much better than Indy Speedway at MK.

 

[GatorChris]

If you like Space MT at WDW, then you'll love it at DL.
If you like Small World at WDW (or even hate it), you'll love it at DL (it's just that good).
Pirates....need I say more?

 

[B-Ride]

As a regular at WDW and a first timer at Disneyland (except for a trip 25 years ago without the kids) here are some comments:

Disneyland Park:
Pirates is better with extra scenes although you can get wet (we called it Pirates of Splash Mountain)
Indiana Jones is the California version of Dinosaur with what we felt were better visuals
We missed Haunted Mansion as it was closed to set up the Halloween version but we hear it isn't as good
Splash Mountain had fewer scenes and Pooh was lacking the interactive queuing area.
Fantasyland had Mr Toad and Snow White which are no longer at WDW and Alice in Wonderland which we had never seen at WDW. Matterhorn is a Disneyland exclusive and IMHO they can have it. It was a very uncomfortable ride and our whole family hated it.
Mickey's Toontown is a waste of real estate unless you have young kids into character greeting.
Star Tours was probably the most like WDW. Space mountain had better cars but the "Space" was really missing. Not enough stars. Buzz Lightyear was a disappointment if you like actually getting points and Captain EO is useless wherever it is located. Innoventions was nothing like Epcot and another big disappointment.
But our biggest comment is how can you possibly make a park and not have Mickey's Philharmagic.

DCA:
Muppet Vision was the same but Tower of Terror lacked the scenes before the drop although it did have some alternative action. Turtle talk was about the same.
There was no Beauty and the Beast but Disney's Aladdin was fabulous show.
The Monster's Inc ride was inferior to the Laugh Floor.
Test Track West (RSR) had better visuals than the old Test Track (we haven't been on the updated version yet).
TSMM was about the same except for a far inferior queuing area. Soarin was pretty much the same.

The Ghirardelli's was better at DTD at WDW than at DCA.

 

[spideymike]

I'll be going to DL in about 4 weeks and I think I'm about ready for a FP+-less Disney experience.

Can't wait to see the Nightmare Before Christmas Haunted Mansion. I've been to DL twice in the last 5 years but have always wanted to ride it.

Especially love the Indy ride. It's like Dinosaurs but still so much fun.

And I love the talking Skull & Crossbones on the Pirates ride at DL.

Plus California Screamin' is a great alternative to RnR Coaster

 

[spideymike]

I also prefer the Space Mountain at DL better with the extra seat next to you. When I went on Disney world space Mountain with my son I was afraid he had fallen off because I could not sit next to him and comfort him on the ride.

Curious to see the new effects at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad too!

 

[superlarz]

Space Mountain at WDW is almost the same as the Matterhorn at DL, only SM is obviously in doors. RnR and Screamin arent even remotely similar, except the both launch fast and have inversions. Screamin is outdoors, and has a lot of big drops and one loop. From what you described you guys wont like it. Space Mountain at Disneyland is super smooth and has no big drops. Pirates of the Caribbean is much better at DL. Splash Mountain is better at WDW, the one in DL has traditional log flume seating as opposded to the side by side seats. I find Buzz much better because you can actually pick up and am the gun. It is harder to hit the targets so it takes more skill. Fantasmic at DL is leaps and bounds better than Fantasmic in Hollywood Studios. DL has tons of dark rides, so you guys will enjoy those a lot!

I wouldnt try to compare the parks, they are very different even though they appear to be similar.

 

[mom2rtk]

If you like the dark rides at WDW, you will love Fantasyland at DL, especially Alice.

Just prepare yourself for the toy castle.

 

[Blue32]

If you enjoy dark rides you will really like DL's FL. Our family loves the dark rides as well. Don't miss Roger Rabbit. It's actually one of the most detailed dark rides IMO.

 

[abminer]

If you like the dark rides at WDW, you will love Fantasyland at DL, especially Alice.

Just prepare yourself for the toy castle.

Totally agree with both of these. Alice may be the best "classic" Disney dark ride I've ever been on.

I totally feel for the OP's DS. I'm really nervous on thrill rides, even those that others call tame. I actually found RSR a little too intense to enjoy it. I have no issues with Test Track, but that speedy sequence is much shorter than the race in RSR and it has no dips, RSR has two in close succession. Yes, they're small drops (like WDW's pirates drop small), but the speed and drops combined were pretty scary, IMHO. Have your DS watch RSR from the outside (there's a great view to the left of Flo's) and see how he feels about it before you ride with him.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

We just did wdw for the 1st time in May. For the most part I agree with everyone. However, I love the seating in splash in DL much better than the wdw version, and for that reason like the DL version better, feels more authentic. And the nbc treatment of the haunted mansion flips that win to DL too. As far as I was concerned the only areas wdw won ride wise was ToT and Everest. Everest was like Matterhorn on steroids! I greatly missed most of FL as well as bugs land and Carsland while in wdw, and thought dinosaur was too dark to be interesting, much prefer Indy. My dd is a symphony swings addict, and that for us is a must do... Over and over and over. And we also have come to love the swinging cars of doom on the Ferris wheel. You'll have a great time in DL! And I would just say go on as much as you can and see for yourself

 

[PinkBudgie]

Buzz Lightyear was a disappointment if you like actually getting points

Have to say I'm surprised by this. We rode Buzz once at MK in WDW and hated it because you can't pick up the guns! They are stuck to the car! We hardly got any points because you can't aim it where you want. In DL, you can pick them up and aim at what you want.

 

[mom2rtk]

Have to say I'm surprised by this. We rode Buzz once at MK in WDW and hated it because you can't pick up the guns! They are stuck to the car! We hardly got any points because you can't aim it where you want. In DL, you can pick them up and aim at what you want.

DL wins for us on this one as well. And I had my best score ever at DL.

 

[figment_jii]

Have to say I'm surprised by this. We rode Buzz once at MK in WDW and hated it because you can't pick up the guns! They are stuck to the car! We hardly got any points because you can't aim it where you want. In DL, you can pick them up and aim at what you want.

I concur...and you can send your ride photo to yourself for free!

 

[KatieCharlotte]

I appreciate all the info and advice. I'm so looking forward to Fantasyland. We are all dark ride addicts. DD and I miss pretending to be scared on Snow White, and she could not believe it when I told her about Alice.

Thanks for mentioning Roger Rabbit ...I hadn't noticed that was a dark ride. Now that I've looked it up, I have to ask if we can stop it from spinning too much?

I can tell DS that since he was able to handle the movement of Dinosaur, he'll be able to enjoy Indiana Jones. He also loves Fantasmic, so we'll have to make time for that. It's hard being a teenage boy who can't ride coasters. I will let him see how he feels for RSR and warn him Pirates is a little different. Will he be fine with all the regular dark rides? He'll want me to reassure him that Mr. Toad isn't that wild. Would he like the flying tires if he's killing time alone in Carsland?

Thanks for the Matterhorn warning. I wanted to try it because it's a classic, but I will save my back and neck! If anyone has been to Universal, would you say Screamin' is closer to Rip Ride Rockit (killed my neck) or Dragon Challenge (loved it). I've never been on RnRc...a long story of bad timing.

We're actually looking at summer 2016, before driving up to Yosemite, but I really need a little Disney dreaming in my life right now.

 

[figment_jii]

Thanks for mentioning Roger Rabbit ...I hadn't noticed that was a dark ride. Now that I've looked it up, I have to ask if we can stop it from spinning too much?

Not really. You can try to have someone hold the steering wheel to prevent it from turning as much as possible, but the cars will still spin. My cousin tried his hardest to prevent the car from spinning, but he couldn't and we still ended up spinning a fair amount. If you get motion sick from spinning rides, I'd think long about going on this one. I think it's cute, but I can't handle spinning rides, so it's out (along with the Tea Cups and Mater's Junkyard Jamboree).

Will he be fine with all the regular dark rides? He'll want me to reassure him that Mr. Toad isn't that wild.

Mr. Toad isn't wild in the sense that it's a thrill ride. It's "wild" because Mr. Toad isn't the best driver in the world and takes his automobile some places where he shouldn't. It's no more or less a "thrill" ride than Snow White or Pinocchio. I think if "thrill" rides (like Space Mtn) are what you are trying to avoid, then the dark rides should be fine. Most are fairly tame, although they can have some pretty sharp turns, but nothing like a roller coaster. They are no physically intense.

 

[goooof1]

Not really. You can try to have someone hold the steering wheel to prevent it from turning as much as possible, but the cars will still spin. My cousin tried his hardest to prevent the car from spinning, but he couldn't and we still ended up spinning a fair amount. If you get motion sick from spinning rides, I'd think long about going on this one. I think it's cute, but I can't handle spinning rides, so it's out (along with the Tea Cups and Mater's Junkyard Jamboree).


I, too, do not do spinning.....but Mater's did not bother me. Try it, you'll like it!! It makes us laugh.

 

[disneyobsessed808]

Have to say I'm surprised by this. We rode Buzz once at MK in WDW and hated it because you can't pick up the guns! They are stuck to the car! We hardly got any points because you can't aim it where you want. In DL, you can pick them up and aim at what you want.

Agreed!

I was so used to the cars in Disneyland that when I went to MK with my Mom, I was so annoyed by the fact that the guns didn't detach that I lost to my Mom! At least that's what I say to console myself. Embarrassing!