I believe and this isn't just my opinion (many have commented on this as well, even die hard WDW fans) the DL is even more awesome than MK!! ...
to each his own, but we disagree. we have been to both WDW and DLCA several times. We recently lived just 20mi from DLCA and went very frequently with our SoCal passes. For us DLCA is a great local daypark but would be dissapointing (in comparison to WDW) to us for a 'week away from home' vaca.
For starters, we found that walking down Main Street DL didn't have the same overwhelming impact as Main Street MK. The castle makes all the difference.
Secondly, the food. WDW food as a whole is much better than DLCA. Primarily the quick service food. We have always been pleased with teh WDW food, very dissappointed with DLCA food. Also, DLCA has very few TS restaurants.
DL does have some attractions that MK does not and that mcuh we do agree is better. Indy Jones is awesome! Nemo (submarines) is a classic, toontown is much different. We prefer the que theming for POC at MK better, but the 3 drops on POTC at DL are better. We prefer the HM at MK too. Space Mountain at DL is better in our opinion, especially with the added lights during the holidays. We like the line que theming for TSM at DHS better. Matterhorn is fun, but very rough.
DL does have something WDW does not. Frequent ride shut-downs. I know Test Track had it's share back in the day, but DL is ridiculous. Indy Jones breaks down daily, multiple times. Thunder Mountain is practically daily too. SM had short shut downs on about 50% of our trips to DL. Splash Mountain encountered a few shutdowns. California Adventure has this annoying thing of not having the major attraction up and running at opening. Every time we went thru the gates at rope drop, the major attractions: CA Screamin', Maliboomer, and the Rapids ride were not running and accepting guests. This is particularly annoying for the FP attractions because you can't get FPs when the attraction is down. In 7 WDW stays, we only experienced TT shut downs 2x.
DL does a great job with crowd control but overall we prefer MK. Getting anywhere near the circle for a parade at DL requires one to stake out a spot 2 hours in advance. DL ropes off the circle and you have to go around it counterclockwise just to cross from one side of park to another. They also clear out Fantasyland and Toon Town (for fireworks). The whole thing just creates a massive crowd and it can be a pain to navigate. On the other hand, i give them credit, it probably is the best way to deal iwth the crowds. In contrast, we have always been able to get a spot in the circle at MK just walking in with 30-45 min before showtime.
Resorts. Just 3 DL resorts. Nearly two dozen at WDW. DL resorts are pricey! and require a hefty walk to the gates. We had actually stayed at offsite hotels that were just as close to the gates as the Grand Californian. Mind you, they weren't Disney calibur hotels.
Monorail. A much more convenient mode of transportation at WDW. DL is more of a novelty item with only a few stops. the Monorail doesn't have any stations within the DL resorts.
Parks. WDW: MK, Epcot, DHS, AK. DL: DL, CA. I found our neighbors in CA who had been to WDW and DL stating they liked having only two parks to have to juggle between and how DL was less walking than MK. This is a poe-tait-to vs. poh-taht-oh situation, IMHO. WDW has more parks, more land, more everything! DL has the birth right and is more compact.
California Adventure: A neat park that is getting better by the massive additions and enhancements. Carsland promise to be awesome, World of Color looks like a awe inspiring show. The locals in CA complain about 4 theme parks FL to do what is done in 2 at DLCA. Personally, i would rather have the 4 to choose from and there is more to do in teh 4 parks in FL.
Downtown Disney. WDW wins this hands down! I don't understand how people feel DTD in CA is "better". It's smaller, less to see and do, no Cirque (or show of any sort), no Disneyquest. For us, DTD in FL is a hands down winner.
Non-Park attractions. DL is limited to what is inside the resorts and parks. WDW has the Sports Complex, Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, Golfing, Racing, Watersports/activities, weddings,etc.....
In summary for us at the d1gitman household. DLCA is the first, the original but best served as a daypark for locals. WDW IS the destination of choice for an actual vacation get away. Two different place, two different experiences. Two different levels of 'Magic'
Oh,
