Just got back from WDW - Thoughts, comparison to DL

[Mister Toad]

Just got back from WDW for the first time since I was there in 1996 as a kid. It's been a long time since I've been back and wanted to kinda add to the whole, WDW vs DL talk.

While I think the two parks are great complements to each other, there are things I like more in each park.

Magic Kingdom: Simply comparing Magic Kingdom to Disneyland, in my mind the edge goes to Disneyland. At MK I liked the SIZE of adventureland and the theming in Tomorrowland, and the Castle is very impressive (I really didn't like how they blocked it off to go under until very late with that stage, kinda killed a lot of the magic to me). I also thought that Monsters Inc Laugh Floor was great, and you gotta love the Carousel of Progress, PeopleMover,

Better at Disneyland:
Space Mountain
Haunted Mansion
Pirates
Theming in Fantasyland
Small World
Restaurant Option

Better at Magic Kingdom:
Splash Mountain
Big Thunder
Size of Adventureland
Theming in Tomorrowland
Jungle Cruise

When adding in the other parks, and comparing them to DCA, it was a lot closer to compare them as a whole. I really liked the other parks, World Showcase is GREAT, none of the rides in Epcot really wowed me (I have been on Soarin before, but Test Track and Mission:Space were cool, but not fantastic).

At DHS, Tower of Terror is a better version than at DCA and Rock'n'Roller Coaster is AWESOME, that was a great ride and think its one of the highlights of the park.

All in all I had a lot of fun and I think both parks have something to offer. I just can't get over the differences between MK and DL. Probably has something to do with how much I am used to DL, but to me, DL feels like the real thing and MK kinda feels like its missing something to me.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

You're not the only one who loves Disneyland and WDW, but feels that the MK is missing something.

 

[Corbisblue]

For myself Disneyland feels a touch more magical just because it was the very first park. Just something special about that. For me the Magic Kingdom will never have that feeling (even though it's a great park).

 

[ConnieB]

Perfection to me would be for DCA to be turned into something like World Showcase. THen I could be equally happy on both coasts, lol.

Should be interesting however to see what WDW's Fantasyland upgrades do to the overall feel of MK. I agree that DL seems like the real park and WDW's MK seems like a remake....but Fantasyland is one of my favorite parts so making WDW's FL bigger and hopefully better (still to be seen!) might tip the scale a little more...or at least even it out.

It's really sad that DL can never expand as much as WDW...because I think DL could definitely give Disney the numbers they'd want if the land around it existed. But....that's never going to happen of course and it the stuff legends are made of because that's the whole reason WDW is there in the first place is that Disney realized he needed more and secretly set out to get it because the encroachment could occur! If only he'd known in 1955 how much more land he should have invested in!

 

[MrsPinup]

Funny you posted this. The last time I was at WDW was in 1990 at the age of 8. I just spent the last weekend at WDW and think that DL is much better. I agree with your ride comparisons, but am not sure about JC. Both are equal I think. My captain was pretty funny which made it a great ride, but it was almost identical to DL's version.

The major thing for me that makes DLR better is the simple fact that is so easy to get from your hotel to the parks. The whole transportaion system is a big confusing mess over there. I was so stressed out and annoyed that the bus stops are not better labled. At one point I waited for 20 minutes for the wrong bus only to find out that the transportation center does not take you to Downtown Disney.

If they could construct a more connected and streamlined transportation system, my opinion might change.

 

[Kittyskyfish]

I prefer DL to the MK too. My childhood memories are wrapped up in the MK and it wasn't until my teens did I make my first DL visit. Now that we live in TX, my husband and I make regular trips to DL because it is our preferred park.

I don't spend a lot of time thinking about the parks in terms of rides. Instead, I focus on the feel and experience of the park as a whole. DL is so much prettier IMO. It's like the smallness of DL actually makes the special details stand out and shine!

 

[rosiep]

Thanks for posting OP.

Even though I live on the West Coast, I'm more accustomed to WDW. Still, every couple of years I long to see Disneyland and in fact have a trip coming up in May and I'm very excited. While I consider WDW to be my "home" park, as a Disneyphile I think that both parks deserve attention and can (and should) be appreciated.

I would love to visit the other parks someday and I hope that if I do, I will be surprised and delighted at the differences.

 

[Disney Dreams]

... but to me, DL feels like the real thing and MK kinda feels like its missing something to me.

I think it's the little tiny details. To me, they are missing at MK and are everywhere at DL.

I agree completely.

- Dreams

 

[jetskigrl]

We are DLR regulars but did our first family trip to WDW last August. I loved every minute of our trip because it was a true vacation (DL for us is usually a day trip, with some special occasion overnight stays thrown in). I loved the big walkways in MK that even in summer, never felt crowded to me. We really enjoyed Animal Kingdom and would love an Expedition Everest here. I even loved the hotels/buses/transportation, etc.

But our next visit back to DL (about a week after we returned) was like coming home. Even my DS (7) got on the Matterhorn and as soon as we arrived back at the station said "Oh, it is good to be home."

 

[Disney Dreams]

...Even my DS (7) got on the Matterhorn and as soon as we arrived back at the station said "Oh, it is good to be home."

That made me smile. Thanks.

Now, isn't THAT what makes Disney, Disney?

- Dreams

 

[Mister Toad]

Funny you posted this. The last time I was at WDW was in 1990 at the age of 8. I just spent the last weekend at WDW and think that DL is much better. I agree with your ride comparisons, but am not sure about JC. Both are equal I think. My captain was pretty funny which made it a great ride, but it was almost identical to DL's version.

The major thing for me that makes DLR better is the simple fact that is so easy to get from your hotel to the parks. The whole transportaion system is a big confusing mess over there. I was so stressed out and annoyed that the bus stops are not better labled. At one point I waited for 20 minutes for the wrong bus only to find out that the transportation center does not take you to Downtown Disney.

If they could construct a more connected and streamlined transportation system, my opinion might change.

Thanks for all the input, the only thing that JC at WDW has on DL is the indoor scene in the temple which is not there at DL.

I really did like it, but I think that I would want to go again when there is less construction, seeing scaffolding and sheeting up on Main Street didn't really help the overall experience. It still was a lot of fun, but still, I am going to have to side with DL, maybe if I had more time at MK my mind would change.

And to the poster who said that they wish that DCA had a world showcase feel, that would be awesome. I loved the little hidden details in world showcase and the different countries I really had a lot of fun there and I would love to be able to eat at each restaurant there.

I am going to Disneyland Paris this July and I am really excited to be able to compare the three head to head, I have heard that the small details and theming at DLRP is great.

 

[Maddysdaddy]

Just spent 4 days at WDW following a Disney cruise. Having gone to DL for the first time in 2008 (and twice more since), both my Wife and I agree that we much prefer DL for a number of reasons.

1. DL itself is just so much better than the Magic Kingdom. Other than the Aladdin ride for my daughter, there is nothing at MK that we liked better than DL. Granted the Monsters Inc. comedy club was fun, but once is enough for that attraction.

2. Buzz Lightyear. Our most favorite ride - forgive me for the crudeness - sucks at WDW. No removable blasters. No varying shapes to shoot at. Blech.

3. Transportation. We love being able to stay at the GC or DH and be in Downtown Disney or the park in seconds. If I want to spend 20 minutes waiting for a bus and then another 20+ minutes travelling to my destination, I could just stay home and take the bus to the office every day.

Things I liked about WDW.

1. Hollywood Studios. This is what DCA should be. Loved the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular and Lights, Motors, Action (although once you've sat through them once, there really isn't a need to see them again for a number of years. Also liked the ampitheatre for Fantasmic. So much better than having to camp out for hours at DL.

2. The Polynesian. Awesome hotel with huge rooms.

3. The dance party at Downtown Disney. Alot of fun for everyone in the family.

All that being said, we ran out of time to see Epcot (flew out early to avoid SNOWMAGEDDON at the end of January), so perhaps that park has enough redeeming qualities to improve my feelings about WDW. At this point, however, DL is number one in my heart by a longshot.

P.S.
What's up with the Fastpasses at WDW. Once they're gone, they're gone???? What a crazy mad rush to get TSM passes first thing in the morning... I sat at Hollywood Studios for an hour and a half first thing in the morning drinking coffee waiting for my family to get to the park, just so we could get passes for that ride. It was a good thing that I had VIP passes and could stock up, otherwise I would have been really grouchy about the whole situation.

 

[Huff]

Overall I enjoy vacations at Disneyworld over Disneyland. Mostly because its easier to enjoy at a slower pace. We usually stay at Disneyworld for a full week. It's great to enjoy the wide variety of great restaurants in the parks and at the large number of resorts. Rides, shows, dinners, nice boat rides around the rivers and lakes etc. Hope to make it back to WDW later in the year.

That said, Disneyland is more magical, better themed, easier to park hop and far better for a short 2 or 3 day trip. We're heading to Disneyland in just a few weeks and will be there about once a month.

 

[lcasa]

I am going to Disneyland Paris this July and I am really excited to be able to compare the three head to head, I have heard that the small details and theming at DLRP is great.

DLP is GORGEOUS! I recommend reading Disneyland Paris From Sketch to Reality if you can find it in advance. Gives you the backstory on their wonderful Phantom Manor as well as lots of details on the park. Their castle can't be beat - make sure you go under it to see the dragon, and inside for the magnificent stained glass and tapestries of Sleeping Beauty.

On the main topic - I love the immersion at WDW, but the MK doesn't hold a candle to DL imo. Part of the charm of DL is the compact size - it always amazes me how long it takes to get from 1 part of the park to another in the MK. I do have to go to visit our missing attractions - Carousel of Progress, Country Bears, and Peoplemover once in a while though. And their TOT is MUCH better.

What I wish we had here is the water parks! Love them. AK is really beautifully done too.