Is Disneyland like Disney world??

[TeddiBarra]

I love DL. Grew in SoCal, so of course it was easy to get to. Grew up going there about once a summer, for a day. Then by the time I was easing into my teen years, it became going twice a year. Then, they kept adding things. Star Tours...Indy...Splash Mt...toontown. And all of a sudden I remember our fist TWO DAYS at DL vacay. Then we started going more frequently, til at 18 I had my first annual pass.

Now there's a whole other park, right there! You could very easily do a 5 or 6 night stay (on disney property or not) and still just barely get it all done. Or, you can get most of it done on 3 FULL days at the park.

I noticed right away the hours difference. In peak times Disneyland is open til 12 at night, and OPENS at 8 am, 7 am on magic mornings. They aren't doing it this year, but they have in the past done summer hours til 1 am even. I'd call the longer hours a definite plus- especially in letting you get it all done in 3 days.

Disneyland is packed in almost every corner with things to do. It's also packed with the big rides: Indy, Space Mt, Star Tours, Matterhorn, Splash Mt., Big Thunder. Fantasyland has a few more rides.

Walt built this park, and that fact is respected to this day. It is more intimate. And there is something literally around each corner to check out. The shows are great- the space is well used. I love the waterfront (ROA), sitting there from near frontierland and looking across and seeing the beauty of New Orleans Square. You may miss Liberty Square from WDW, but my favorite town is New Orleans. It is fabulously beautiful at Christmastime with the lights.

DCA is of course, still undergoing a billions dollar fix. It was cool to have a "CA" theme park when I first went a couple years after it opened, but it was totally missing Disneyness. They are fixing that. Remember CarsLand opens "summer 2012". It might be worth delaying your first trip til that is fully open. DCA still is lacking in the food arena, but that also is getting worked on, and by the time Carsland is open, they should have one more table service place (there are only two right now).

I read someone else describe DCA as a collection of the best of the other parks at WDW (except AKL). This seems to be pretty true- and done in a great setting. I really enjoy DCA alot now, and when Carsland gets added it will be absolutely fantastic. WOC is a beautiful show. I do not like the way the waiting /queueing is handled- I really really hope that it changes over time -but- it is really worth seeing, it's just stunning. F! is great. And I'm sure anything they are gonna put in Hyperion is gonna be good too (toy story is coming).

I'm planning my first trip to WDW and I am looking to take advantages of the DIFERRENCES. I plan on doing only 1 day in WDW and doing the "big things" and the things that are "difference" (like philharmagic, pirates, country bear jamboree) etc. I actually plan on doing 2 full days in Epcot (what i am MOST looking forward to), 1 1/2 days in AK, 1 full day in HS, 1 day in a water park, 1 day at US... i keep hoping I can stay 9 nights.. so I have downtime. I'd love to sit around my resort.

I think piratesisland summed it up well. I do want to focus more on the restaurants and take a slower pace and not as many hours in the park, etc than I usually do at Disneyland and make time to enjoy my resort itself.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

Yeah, I'm always surprised to hear WDW compares to a general theme park 'cause to me, it's so far superior it's not even funny. Still, until I experience Walt's park for myself, I hope that I will appreciate DL for the positives just as much as I do WDW.

Are you considering WDW "far superior" to Sea World, Universal & Busch Gardens as the "general theme park"? Because those would be my comps, not six flags or whatnot.

 

[OrcaPotter]

Ok, but I want to know how you feel after you come back from DLR. Because the hopping just is not comparable I would think. How fast could you get Soarin', Tower of Terror, and Star Wars done hopping in WDW? Because you could very much time it right on a quiet day, and w/a fast pass get them done under an hour. Could you ever do that at WDW, if you can .

And the best part is that you AREN"T tired the next day. Now, what if I told you all that could be done in 90 minutes, from your HOTEL room door and BACK?

Well, don't forget, the logistics of both parks are vastly different. There are pros and cons to both. WDW has the space to spread out, so for each park to have room to expand, they need a large footprint, requiring them to be more spaced out. So yes, hopping at WDW is going to be a lot different from DL. I'm sure I'll really appreciate how much less time it takes to park hop at DL, though with so much to see and do in both parks, I'm not sure how often my group will do it initially during our visit. I'm local to WDW, so a little less time is taken up with the whole back and forth to a hotel room since when I go, I park at one park and use the monorail or bus to go wherever. We'll do a few rides in one park, then try to catch transportation at non-peak times to cut down on transit time. Now granted, I rarely do all 4 parks; AK doesn't hold as much repeat desire as often as the other parks. But for visitors out of town, transportation at WDW can be a headache if you haven't worked out a system. Is that bad? Well, depends on how you look at it; recognize it as being a different vacation experience, and it is what it is.

Universal Orlando is set up very similar to DL. Both parks are within walking distance with Citywalk leading up to them. So I've already had a taste of "easy" park hopping. But regardless, if I'm spending a day in two theme parks, whether I'm taking a bus or not, I'm still tired the next day!

Are you considering WDW "far superior" to Sea World, Universal & Busch Gardens as the "general theme park"? Because those would be my comps, not six flags or whatnot.

When I think of a "general theme park" I'm thinking of amusement parks that don't necessarily tell a story; my intention in that statement was not in thinking of most of the other major theme parks in Orlando, etc. but rather places like Six Flags and smaller amusement parks with more carnival-type rides.

 

[Hunter182]

Are you considering WDW "far superior" to Sea World, Universal & Busch Gardens as the "general theme park"? Because those would be my comps, not six flags or whatnot.

I love the Disney parks, but I have to admit Universal is fantastic. I consider Islands of Adventure my number one/"home" themepark, then the Magic Kingdom at WDW as my "home" Disney park.

I love walking through the Universal parks just as much as the Disney parks. Some things Universal just does better.

 

[meg8182000]

OK - Jersey girl here so WDW was my Disney experience for most of my life as it was closest to me. To say I like it would be an understatement as I got married there in 2000.

I took my first trip to DL in 2001 and stayed at the Sheraton Anaheim - 1 day at California Adventure and 1/2 day at DL. Enjoyed it but was kinda eh about it. Went back in 2003 for a full day at DL - had a much better time but WDW was still my Disney home.

Well, in 2009 (were there 2 days before the unveiling of the Holloween Haunted Mansion and Spacemountain) planned a trip with my mom to stay at the GCH for 4 nights. To be honest with you when planning this I was wondering what we were going to do after 2 days. Well, let me say we had no problem filling the days. Staying on property and being able to take the parks in at a much more relaxed paced just opened my eyes. At the end of our last day I was wishing we had one more day.

We went again last year and I have plans to go again this August and I can't wait. As much as I still enjoy WDW, I think that DL is my fave now. I just enjoy the rides better (although I believe that Peter Pan in WDW is better - don't hate me) and the fact that I can walk everywhere is priceless. Just got back from WDW and had a great time but when it takes you 40 minutes by bus to get back to your resort or another park it definitely takes some of the fun out of it. We stayed at the Boardwalk and had dinner ressie at the GFH - omg it took about 1 hour and 40 minutes to get there by public transportation. Next time I'd take a taxi.

My friend and I are going to DL prior to D23's Expo in August and I can't wait as it will be her first trip. Looking forward to reactions - should be great.

 

[cyclenut]

When I think of a "general theme park" I'm thinking of amusement parks that don't necessarily tell a story; my intention in that statement was not in thinking of most of the other major theme parks in Orlando, etc. but rather places like Six Flags and smaller amusement parks with more carnival-type rides.

There are theme parks and then there are amusement parks. Theme parks, are all centered around a certain theme. Knott's Berry Farm is one such park in California that is not owned by the Mouse. Six Flags is more of an amusement park (at least in my view). Lots of rides but lacking the total immersion in the experience of the park.

DL is the crown jewel of theme parks, as a single park. DW is a resort destination with a set of parks, hotels and restaurants that has no parallel in the world. When Disney created DCA next to DL and expanded it with Downtown Disney, they named it DLR. In my view, DLR does not reach the same level as DWR, as a resort, but it still offers much more than most people realize as a real resort destination.

Not to argue mind you, just to provide my $.02 on this aspect of the topic.

 

[furb & dez]

WDW has the space to spread out, so for each park to have room to expand, they need a large footprint, requiring them to be more spaced out.

Yet this is not what they have done. They have shuttered old attractions and replaced them with nothing (EPCOT - Horizons, MK - 20,000 Leagues, for example) or replaced them with inferior attractions (MK - Stitch).

My impression of the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT (specifically) were that the parks were spread out not to be "expandable," but rather just to force more walking. (my opinion, of course)

 

[KCmike]

Yet this is not what they have done. They have shuttered old attractions and replaced them with nothing (EPCOT - Horizons, MK - 20,000 Leagues, for example) or replaced them with inferior attractions (MK - Stitch).

My impression of the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT (specifically) were that the parks were spread out not to be "expandable," but rather just to force more walking. (my opinion, of course)

Have to agree. We just went back and it felt empty and lacking of emotion. Magic Kingdom has needed an expansion for quite sometime. I understand the need for space because there are so many tourists. I don't understand why they would want to take out rides like Snow White when they have the space? I still love Epcot's WorldShowcase. I really am disappointed with future world. Journey has gone so far downhill its embarrassing. Empty pavillions are inexcusable. I personally thought Living Seas is a big letdown. I remember it being so much better. Maybe its just my nostalgia but I don't think so. I really hated the ending to Spaceship Earth as well. Bring back Tomorrow's Child. It all could be so much more and it seems they have chosen to cheapen it out for the sake of the all mighty dollar.

Really loved Grand Floridian though!

 

[Dizneydaz]

Where would you fit Disneyland and DCA in there?

Mine is probably like this =
1. Disneyland
2. Epcot
3. Animal Kingdom (although depending on my mood, this can be 2 with Epcot in the 3 spot.)
4. California Adventure
5. Magic Kingdom in Florida
6. Hollywood Studios

Uhh, lets see....
1. Disneyland
2. Animal Kingdom
3. Epcot
4. Typhoon Lagoon
5. DCA
6. Blizzard Beach
7. MK
8. DQ
9. DHS

Only the 6 main parks. (no water parks or DQ)
1. Disneyland
2. AK
3. Epcot
4. DCA
5. MK
6. DHS

 

[jodifla]

Wow, all the WDW haters here.

I tried Disneyland (this was many years ago) and my impression was it was small and cramped. I did like seeing the unique rides like the Matterhorn. Growing up near WDW, the castle was a big disappointment. Also, I couldn't see the scope of the park because one line ran right into the line of other attractions.

I really disliked the fact that Disneyland was crammed up against a junky highway too. I love the entrance to WDW back in the day, when you literally drove for miles in Florida scrub before you saw the first signs of WDW. (It's not that way now, of course.)

It did have nice nostalgia going for it, and you can see Disney's loving touch there I think.

 

[furb & dez]

Wow, all the WDW haters here.

So... voicing opinions contrary to yours, or pointing out obvious flaws with WDW is "being a hater"? How... charming. If your husband chooses beef when you want chicken, do you brand him a troll and put him on ignore?

 

[HydroGuy]

Wow, all the WDW haters here.

I tried Disneyland (this was many years ago) and my impression was it was small and cramped. I did like seeing the unique rides like the Matterhorn. Growing up near WDW, the castle was a big disappointment. Also, I couldn't see the scope of the park because one line ran right into the line of other attractions.

I really disliked the fact that Disneyland was crammed up against a junky highway too. I love the entrance to WDW back in the day, when you literally drove for miles in Florida scrub before you saw the first signs of WDW. (It's not that way now, of course.)

It did have nice nostalgia going for it, and you can see Disney's loving touch there I think.

FWIW, not sure how long ago you visited DL but it is really different place now than 20 years ago.

And a number of the folks in this thread you label as "WDW haters" were "WDW lovers" who tried DLR out of curiosity and fell in love with DLR. So the "WDW hater" label does not fit very well...

 

[AmyPond]

FWIW, not sure how long ago you visited DL but it is really different place now than 20 years ago.

And a number of the folks in this thread you label as "WDW haters" were "WDW lovers" who tried DLR out of curiosity and fell in love with DLR. So the "WDW hater" label does not fit very well...

Yeah, I have to agree. A lot of us here voiced a love for both DLR and WDW. Both have their own pros and cons.

And I'm not sure if I've ever seen lines for various attractions run into each other.

 

[jodifla]

Yeah, I have to agree. A lot of us here voiced a love for both DLR and WDW. Both have their own pros and cons.

And I'm not sure if I've ever seen lines for various attractions run into each other.

I was at the Alice in Wonderland ride, and there was just no space between us and the next ride. It was SO cramped compared with WDW, which has all that nice space.

There was nothing about it back then...it was a LONG time ago, 1984, that made be want to race back there.

 

[KCmike]

After just coming back to WDW after so many visits to DL I felt the very opposite of the feeling you had. Don't get me wrong as I love both resorts but DL so much more. After we visited for longer than a week this time at WDW my wife looked at me (she is the one that pushed that we go back to WDW this summer) and said that the Magic Kingdom just felt big, empty, and lacking of emotion. Bigger is not always better. In fact bigger is usually worse. Just my two cents. And again I want to stress that I do love both resorts but Disneyland is far and away my favorite. I wish Walt would have lived long enough for him to put his touches on the park(s).

I love WDW for the hotels, food, and recreational activities now. I probably won't be back for awhile though, even with the fantasyland expansion, it just doesn't capture my heart like DL does.

 

[HydroGuy]

I was at the Alice in Wonderland ride, and there was just no space between us and the next ride. It was SO cramped compared with WDW, which has all that nice space.

There was nothing about it back then...it was a LONG time ago, 1984, that made be want to race back there.

FWIW that would have been before...

o Splash Mtn
o Indiana Jones
o Revamped Space Mtn
o Toontown
o Star Tours
o Pirates Lair on Tom Sawyer Island
o Buzz Lightyear Astroblasters
o Fantasmic
o The original Captain Eo
o plus more

and

o All of DCA ... and hence the World of Color and Aladdin shows
o All of DTD

And I think they still used ticket books in 1984!

So much has changed at DLR over the last 27 years. To compare it to WDW today is just not fair.

 

[jodifla]

Well, sounds like a lot of good reasons to go back and try it again. The World of Color sounds really amazing.

WDW will always be our home base, though. I love Florida!