Kinda Disappointed in DL/CA

Joined
Oct 2, 2000
Messages
109
We have been to WDW 9 times. So this year we decided to go west and see some of the attractions along the way (Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon, Royal Gorge, etc). The biggest question we get is what is the difference in the two. Well, here it goes.

As you know Orlando is soooo spread out. A lot of room down there. Anaheim is much more confined and close together. Which made for shorter walking I guess. The CM's in Anaheim seem to NOT have a clue as compared to the CM's in Orlando. There were a handful of instances when the CM's in Anaheim led us astray or had no idea of what was going on. In Orlando I can't ever remember having this problem.

Another example is we had 4 day Hopper passes. NOBODY told us you could only have 1 early entry day per Hopper pass. What?! One day? We are spending thousands and thousands of dollars here and you can't let us in the park early except for one time. And we had "used" (*unknowingly) our EE day for 9:30 PS at the Plaza Inn in DL. We had talked to a CM a at our hotel about this on our 3rd day and she said "I will put your names on the list so you can get in early tomorrow". Guess what? The next day we get up to the gate and when we say "our name is on the list", the CM looks at us like we are crazy and says, "list...what list?" Great.

DL is kind of strange compared to WDW. Not strange in a bad way just different. For example, WDW is actually 1 story UP. DL is all one level. The castle is MUCH smaller that Cindy's castle in WDW.

Also, it seemed that the beverage kiosks needed a lot of work. There were several times where we wanted a bottled water and had to walk a looong way to find any. We passed at least 7 or 8 stands that were closed down. When waiting for the fireworks we looked for a place to get something to drink and maybe some ice cream. Nothing was open. The 2 or 3 shops that were open on Main Street had lines 40 people deep. Disappointing.

Maybe I titled this thing wrong. Disappointed is a strong word. Both my wife and I had been to DL when we were kids and it still had that Disney magic. We would like to think that DL is not "worse" that WDW just WDW is the new and improved DL.
 
I think you had home park syndrome. I have never meet anyone who does not prefer the park they are most familiar with. The reasons you were frustrated at DL had a lot to do with that.

There are lots of places to get drinks in DL, I have never ever had a problem. But I know where every single counter is, and which drink/snack stands. However I did find myself searching around a bit in WDW. The long line at the ice cream place on Main Street moves really fast- 20 people is nothing. If it is going slow next door at the bake shop the line moves amazingly fast and is often not as long. Things I know because of my countless trips there.

The information about Disneyland's early entry is all over this site, and in the Disney literature as well. You got burned because you did not do your research. Same thing happened to me in WDW, I didn't realize the FP machines did not give earlier times on EE day at MK. Again, if it was not your first time you would not have made this mistake.

Clueless CM can be found in both states. There are a ton of them over at CRO too. It is hit or miss at both parks, you just don't need them as much at your home park because you already have a clue.

DL is one story up? OK I am not sure what you mean by that. DL has a substructure under the park, I thought WDW was the same way. There are hills and so some parts of the park are lower than others.

Most people who have been to WDW first comment on the size of the castle, but I find the one in DL much prettier and more fariytale like. Even though the park is smaller in size, there are more attractions in DL than in the MK, more between DL/DCA than in all of WDW. The park is smaller but there are more details, and overall I think the effect of the theming is better in DL. But then again, it is my home park.
 
I'm sorry DL didn't quite meet your expectations. But I think thats where a lot of us get hit hard. We can't really expect to equally compare the two parks as Walt intentionally made them different. All disney parks around the world are made different to be their own. Hopefully if you come back to DL you can experience it with a different eye; possibly the same eye as when you were a child. I know that has helped me enjoy the parks a lot more. Here's to a better trip in the future.. ::MickeyMo
 
If your family was like mine you wouldn't be able to be so picky. I've been to both parks combined a total of 3 times in the past 26 years...that makes every visit a complete joy!

Here's my solution for you. Next year, buy your tickets, pay for the hotel room, but put it all in my name. We'll do you the favor by going for your family...giving you a much needed year-off :rotfl: .

We'll tell you all about our trip, so you can enjoy it through fresh eyes, then the next year when you go back again, everything will be that much more enjoyable for you. :rotfl2: .
 

If I had a dime for every time somebody posted something like this...

I can however see the OP's point of view. If you are used to WDW then Disneyland will seem different, smaller and less isolated from the real world. My take on that is that when I am at Disneyland I think it is MORE magical to be in the Happiest Place on Earth, surrounded by urban hell! The few times we have stayed offsite I love coming off Harbor and then stepping through the gates into a whole different dimension. I also know that from the top of the Sunwheel for instance you can see the city but it's not like you hear horns honking, ambulances or other city noises. I still feel pretty much removed from the world when I am at Disneyland. My advice for anybody who loves either WDW or DL and is planning on visiting the other park: Don't spend your vacation comparing! Different doesn't need to be bad or good, just different. Both my kids are different but I like them the same (most of the time)! Comparing can be a bad trap that will dampen one's experience. I guess I consider DL my more familar park, but since we now bought DVC we will likely spend three times more visits there. I am just happy to be at whatever Disney park we go to! Clueless CM's ares not unique to Disneyland. I generally find the world has plenty of well meaning but stupid people wherever you go. Kind of a nice consistency when you get right down to it. As for that small castle, I will say what has been said many, many times. Sleeping Beauty's Castle is not the focal point of Disneyland, the Matterhorn is. Think charming, not huge when you think about the castle at Disneyland. Also, if you are ever in Europe and you see a castle that is bigger than a mountain, run quickly, something is wrong. To the OP I am glad you found some magic and you can now at least say you visited Disneyland during the 50th and know that WDW is your favorite Disney destination, no wondering anymore!
 
I can understand the OP's point of view, it is hard not to compare the parks. I grew up going to Disneyland and I just took my first trip to WDW this last May with my 4 year old daughter. No matter how much I tried not to compare, I did and I found myself having "home park syndrome" (thanks HaleyB) when at WDW especially at the Magic Kingdom. Everything was just overwhelming and didn't seem to have the same theming...

I could create a list, but that would be silly. Overall we had a wonderful time at WDW and would like to go again one day in the future, especially Epcot :lovestruc

I hope that you have another opportunity to visit Disneyland with a different perspective, but in the end you will probably always love WDW the way I love DL no matter how many times you visit.

:earboy2:
 
Disney-Junkie said:
There were a handful of instances when the CM's in Anaheim led us astray or had no idea of what was going on.

We had the same situation when we went last month but having been there many times, I can say that this is not usual. I was very suprised by this.

We have been to WDW twice and Dl a number of times. Comparing them is like comparing apples and oranges even thought they are both "disney".
We love both for themselves but when I am in the parks for some reason DL seems more roomier then magic kingdom.

Walt did do things differently at WDW because of what happened aroung DL (more land, resorts, etc.). Something we learned durning the Walt in Walt's Footsteps tour.
 
When we went to DisneyWorld, we went to DisneyWorld. I'd never say we went to Florida, because it is almost like going to a small separate country.

Having gone to Disneyland, I can say we went to California.

I agree, it isn't bad or good, it's just different!
 
lntsmom said:
If your family was like mine you wouldn't be able to be so picky. I've been to both parks combined a total of 3 times in the past 26 years...that makes every visit a complete joy!

Here's my solution for you. Next year, buy your tickets, pay for the hotel room, but put it all in my name. We'll do you the favor by going for your family...giving you a much needed year-off :rotfl: .

We'll tell you all about our trip, so you can enjoy it through fresh eyes, then the next year when you go back again, everything will be that much more enjoyable for you. :rotfl2: .

:rotfl2:
 
I have been visiting WDW since 1978 but the first time I went to DL was in 2000 for the 45th anniversary. I was a bit nervous that here would be this park smack in the middle of a huge city. Well, I fell in love with it. I thought Disneyland was SO magical and I never knew the city was right outside! I am SO excited to be visiting for the 50th in October! :earsgirl: When I saw the Matterhorn from the highway I teared up-haha. Can't wait!!!
 
You said in a post, "I didn't realize the FP machines did not give earlier times on EE day at MK. Again, if it was not your first time you would not have made this mistake."

I don't know if I understand what you mean? Can you explain!
 
Funny how we all have "home park syndrome" (thanks for naming it), I could have written a simular post about our trip to WDW last May. We really felt like the CM's weren't as helpful as DL and much more "herding" was done rather then "leading". I would never have thought about it being that I needed them more. I was disappointed by my WDW experience. I had researched to the bitter end so the EE stuff wouldn't have caught me only because I am research queen. Spend hours dreaming, planning and researching.

I am sorry that you didn't have a good time.

My heart will always be at Walt's original park. Disneyland

:earboy2: :earboy2: :earboy2: :earsgirl:
 
HaleyB said:
Even though the park is smaller in size, there are more attractions in DL than in the MK, more between DL/DCA than in all of WDW.

Are you saying that DL/DCA have more attractions than MK/Epcot/MGM/Animal Kingdom combined? It sure doesn't seem like it. Maybe it's what you are defining as an "attraction".
 
I am going to DL for the first time in August. Growing up I always went to WDW. I am very much looking forward to going to DL though, because it is the original. I know what you mean about comparing. I am trying my best not to. I know that I will though. WDW is my home park though, so of course no matter where I go I will compare everything to WDW. I am looking at DL as a whole new adventure though. I am just so excited to see the original, walk where Walt walked, go into the same places he did because I know that you won't get that at WDW.
 
I had some of the same feelings at the OP when we went to WDW back in 2002. I did compare but what I like to say "not in a bad way." Some of the comparision/difference were what makes my trip to WDW special. WDW really is like being in a different world and was really like a vacation to me. While going to DL (my home park) is just going on a trip.

The only one EE per tickets is widely advertised, not kept a secret, so unfortunetly this is your error, due to lack of reading on your part. You are right there are now underground "walkways" at DL like there is a MK (wdw) but that really doesn't impact the guests as far as I can see. And the castle, if memory serves Walt did not want it visible while one was in Adventure land Tomorrowland etc, which is why it is smaller. Walt passed before WDW/MK opened. As far as I know he had no input into that park. And in fact E.P.C.O.T was his plan for WDW. Not the Epcot we have now but a real City/Community of Tomorrow.

In regards to the food/beverage situation if you went in the last month or so (which I assume you did) there has been a lot of up roar in foods, as the way they are scheduled has changed and a lot of upset CM's who were undeservingly getting benefits of a FT CM now are not. Which caused I have heard over 600 CM's quit and they are scrambling to fill those empty slots. This has lead to short hours and longer lines.
 
Disney-Junkie said:
The castle is MUCH smaller that Cindy's castle in WDW.
There is actually a reason the castle is smaller. It cracks me up every time I read someone's report from DL that is used to going to WDW, they almost always mention this. I would imagine from pictures alone, anyone could see that the castle is much smaller, I don't understand why people are so 'stunned' by it's size. The reason it is not a large towering castle is because Walt wanted something that was friendly and welcoming. Back in the days of castles, they were built to a grand scale in order to intimidate their enemies. Walt did not want that feeling at his theme park, he wanted everyone to feel warm and welcomed. However, when the time came to build WDW, they realized that something bigger would do better out there as everything was going to be done on a much larger scale.
 
The other reason was to keep it in scale with the Matterhorn. The castle is the main icon at WDW, but at DL the Matterhorn fills that role.
 
Disney-Junkie said:
Another example is we had 4 day Hopper passes. NOBODY told us you could only have 1 early entry day per Hopper pass. What?! One day? We are spending thousands and thousands of dollars here and you can't let us in the park early except for one time. And we had "used" (*unknowingly) our EE day for 9:30 PS at the Plaza Inn in DL. We had talked to a CM a at our hotel about this on our 3rd day and she said "I will put your names on the list so you can get in early tomorrow". Guess what? The next day we get up to the gate and when we say "our name is on the list", the CM looks at us like we are crazy and says, "list...what list?" Great.

Sorry that you didn't know, but my 5 day park hopper pass said "Good for 1 Early Entry" in big letters along the bottom of the ticket.

The lesson to learn is to do your homework! You may miss a few things while doing your homework, but when you know, knowing is half the battle.
 
what did you think of it? I haven't been back there for about 7 years. What were the prices like? It kills me to pay to get in there now...back when I worked there you paid a small fee to get in, then rides were options. The whole chimpunk and miner thing were after my day, too!

I need to get back there eventually so my younger son can visit it. I still have lots of friends in the area...and I sure miss the mountains!
 
Judy from Boise said:
The other reason was to keep it in scale with the Matterhorn. The castle is the main icon at WDW, but at DL the Matterhorn fills that role.
The Matterhorn wasn't even conceived until 1958 and opened in 1959. Since Sleeping Beauty Castle opened with the park in 1955, it is not accurate to say that the castle was kept small to keep it in scale with the Matterhorn.

Matt
 








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