Is the MK Twice the Size of Disneyland.

[Coral Reef Diver]

I can't help it. Every time I enter Main Street Disneyland, I always say "Isn't this the cutest little theme park?" It's so adorable, like a miniaturized MK. Disney learned some lessons from DLR and widened the MK walkways considerably, maybe doubling their width. The castle could easily be twice the size, too.

Is the entire park also twice as big?



[Just speaking of the original Disneyland, not including California Adventure.]

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

I smell attention seeking....

DL 85 acres
MK 107 acres

MK tends to feel even bigger though because unlike DL that has so much crammed into a small space WDW has spread its attractions out because there is more than enough space to do so.

 

[mom2rtk]

MK has more space, but DL has more attractions.

 

[PSUGuy]

I believe it was the 'Unofficial Guide to WDW' where I read that all of DL. including it's parking lot, can fit in MK's parking lot.

Bill From PA

 

[mom2rtk]

I believe it was the 'Unofficial Guide to WDW' where I read that all of DL. including it's parking lot, can fit in DW's parking lot.

Bill From PA

Isn't that amazing since DLR (in total) has more attractions than WDW (in total). I love DLR for its efficiency! Park entrances are separated by about the length of a football field. No long bus rides needed.

 

[EdmondD]

Yes, but I also find there's a cost to all those attractions. Lands and theming bump into each other in DL, in my opinion. Stuff is too close together.

 

[mom2rtk]

Yes, but I also find there's a cost to all those attractions. Lands and theming bump into each other in DL, in my opinion. Stuff is too close together.

I'm generally good with it, although I'll probably defect back to the east when Star Wars Land opens in DL. That's a bridge too far in my book.

 

[EdmondD]

I'm generally good with it, although I'll probably defect back to the east when Star Wars Land opens in DL. That's a bridge too far in my book.

Yeah, I get it. I did love at DL that at one point I went from Mickey's ToonTown to the then Luigi's Flying Tires - basically in the back of each park - in about 15 minutes (with maybe half of that in line to enter DCA). I mean, imagine going from Splash Mountain to the Safari. That'd take an hour, at least!

 

[marcyleecorgan]

Precisely why my DH is not interested in DL and never will be. I showed him a comparison map, and his eyebrows shot right up at the density of DL. He really really really LOVES all the open space and greenery at WDW; as he put it, jamming us into a suburb or Anaheim is NOT going to be magical or special when he knows there's an ordinary city surrounding "the bubble". As he put it, if there is no "bubble" in DL, he isn't interested.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Yes I'm in the camp that its too crammed in and feels like a normal everyday amusement park vs a theme park.
Walt learned a few things and that is why we have WDW.

 

[scrapquitler]

The difference that suprised us was how many dead ends there were in DL compared to MK

 

[Shellyred8]

Precisely why my DH is not interested in DL and never will be. I showed him a comparison map, and his eyebrows shot right up at the density of DL. He really really really LOVES all the open space and greenery at WDW; as he put it, jamming us into a suburb or Anaheim is NOT going to be magical or special when he knows there's an ordinary city surrounding "the bubble". As he put it, if there is no "bubble" in DL, he isn't interested.

We went to DL last year and stayed part of the trip off site and part of it at the Grand Californian (DVC). We were only a block away from DL for the first part of our stay, but definitely didn't feel "the bubble" effect. However, when we were at the GC, I felt totally in "the bubble". I enjoyed the second half of our stay much more than the first half for that very reason. But if we weren't DVC, we wouldn't have been able to afford the GC. So, if you can swing the GC, you can get "the bubble" effect.

I really enjoyed DL because of it's compact nature. You can get so much more done in less time. I also enjoyed it because it's "the Original". But the first time we walked into DL and looked at the castle, I was a little underwhelmed. I was so used to seeing the huge Cinderella Castle that the Sleeping Beauty castle just seemed to tiny. Everything else in the park was great though. I was especially amused by the story book island ride. Seeing all of the ducks wandering around the miniature buildings and lands made them look like giants walking around!

 

[bumbershoot]

I did love at DL that at one point I went from Mickey's ToonTown to the then Luigi's Flying Tires - basically in the back of each park - in about 15 minutes (with maybe half of that in line to enter DCA).

You walk freakishly fast! Or there was literally no one in your way (and you walk very fast).

I always say "Isn't this the cutest little theme park?" It's so adorable, like a miniaturized MK.

Whereas I say "why is the castle so gigantic?" and I think MK is too big.

 

[helenm29]

As far as I'm concerned Disneyland will always be the original and the best BUT they are both so different you can't really compare them...they have their own special attractions and are totally set up differently. Everything in Florida has a long walk in area that is themed to every ride because of the heat..Nothing at Disneyland does that! you just wait in line and get on the ride...hot, cold or rainy it doesn't matter.
We love them both!

 

[notrub98]

IMHO, DL feels like a generic theme park stuck in the middle of a city with incredible traffic. When I walk in, I do not feel "the magic" in the least. I rarely see characters. I do not like the crammed, stick everything on top of each other feeling. It feels ... claustrophobic. On the plus side, being able to walk to DCA is a nice perk, and emptying out into the shops/restaurants is also nice vs having to drive.

All in all, though, I never feel "Disney" when I am at DL. Just feels like any other theme park and lacks what makes Disney special.

 

[Coral Reef Diver]

It feels ... claustrophobic.

For sure. For the same sized crowds, Disneyland's walkways are constrictingly narrow, giving it that claustrophobic feel. MK has wider walkways, seems like 50% wider, and are more open by design.