Most noticeable difference between Disnelyand and Disneyworld...?

[JulieGianni]

After recently taking the family to DW, I was curious how it would compare to Disneyland.... and I think one of the most dramatic differences for me was "It's a small world."

I was actually BLOWN AWAY by how much better I thought the DL experience was... visually speaking from the outside at least, i felt like you loose so much of the experience by not having the HUGE castle like experience awaiting you---

But just curious to here what others thoughts on this are...

 

[DLR29]

Transportation/size of area.

Walking > buses/monorails/boats/driving.

 

[aristocat65]

Size!

 

[ironpig70]

For me it was at WDW you are always surrounded by the Magic. When we went to WDW we stayed onsite at the economy hotels and even there Disney was everywhere. And to get to a park you take the Disney bus.


At DL you walk out the park and bam you see the "real" world.

And as said before the size of WDW is just overwhelming. Next time we go to WDW we would like to just spend some time checking out the hotels and property.

 

[DebbieB]

I went to WDW for years before my first DL trip. The biggest thing I noticed is everything at Disneyland is closer together and more of the lines are outside.

 

[DVC'er]

Disneyland is just sooo much more compact...

 

[robinb]

The biggest difference for me is the density of Disney magic. Disneyland is so compact that where ever you look there are layers and layers of theming. It's also "Walt's Park" which makes a big difference for me. Disneyland is my favorite park ... and I get to visit it in just about 2 weeks .

 

[arielchickenofthesea]

Well for this thread, the most important difference is the spelling, it is DISNEYLAND, not Disnelyand...lol...

 

[arielchickenofthesea]

For me it was at WDW you are always surrounded by the Magic. When we went to WDW we stayed onsite at the economy hotels and even there Disney was everywhere. And to get to a park you take the Disney bus.


At DL you walk out the park and bam you see the "real" world.

And as said before the size of WDW is just overwhelming. Next time we go to WDW we would like to just spend some time checking out the hotels and property.

...Not if you stay in one of the on-property hotels...We always stay at the original Disneyland Hotel, which is now the new and improved, original Disneyland Hotel. After the refurb, the rooms are very nice and refreshed. But the most important thing, is if you stay on property at Disneyland, you will get the same closesness and surrounding Disney magic as you do at WDW.

Our first Park was Disneyland, having grown up in California. I went when I was a child and it was pure magic. Then, hubby and I went to WDW the first time in 2005 and it was so big and spread out, not as cozy and comfortable as Disneyland.

But I love WDW for other reasons. So I like both, but the magic can be had if you stay on property at Disneyland AND at WDW.

 

[DoomBugger]

Sure size is obviously different but I would say the lack of MATTERHORN in FL is most striking as it dominates the landscape in Disneyland.

Also, the lack of New Orleans Square in FL is huge, at least to me!

 

[Disney Dreams]

I think the comparison needs to be between Disneyland and Magic Kingdom, not DL and WDW.

In that sense, I would agree about iasw, WDW's outside is SOOO disappointing. I think another big difference is the lack of NOS at MK and the lack of LS at DL. Totally different.

- Dreams

 

[Funball]

didnt hydroguy do a nice comparison of the two parks?

 

[ironpig70]

...Not if you stay in one of the on-property hotels...We always stay at the original Disneyland Hotel, which is now the new and improved, original Disneyland Hotel. After the refurb, the rooms are very nice and refreshed. But the most important thing, is if you stay on property at Disneyland, you will get the same closesness and surrounding Disney magic as you do at WDW.

Our first Park was Disneyland, having grown up in California. I went when I was a child and it was pure magic. Then, hubby and I went to WDW the first time in 2005 and it was so big and spread out, not as cozy and comfortable as Disneyland.

But I love WDW for other reasons. So I like both, but the magic can be had if you stay on property at Disneyland AND at WDW.

Never stayed onsite at Disneyland. But when you walk out the MK at WDW you don't see a street crowded with cars and a bunch of hotels and resturants. To me atleast WDW is "immune" from the world around it.

 

[Dobie]

Disneyland is in California. WDW is in Florida.

 

[aristocat65]

Sure size is obviously different but I would say the lack of MATTERHORN in FL is most striking as it dominates the landscape in Disneyland.

Also, the lack of New Orleans Square in FL is huge, at least to me!

I totally agree! Magic Kingdom in Florida is really lacking compared to DL.

 

[HydroGuy]

didnt hydroguy do a nice comparison of the two parks?

Not so much a comparison - but a perspective - and hopefully a helpful one.

I gathered the OP was talking more about the DL Resort and WDW as opposed to DL and MK parks.

In answer to the OP, I would say the most dramatic difference is that WDW has more of a "vacation appeal" in which it tries to provide a comprehensive, resort-style vacation. Where people can step onsite to WDW and never leave Disney.

DLR on the other hand cannot do that because of space limitations and customer base - way more locals on day trips.

However, I do not equate "vacation resort" to "must be better" - at least when it comes to Disney. For me I look for magic and a feeling of imagination and escape and adventure and romance. Whether I get that at a vacation resort like WDW - or at DLR (which is also a resort but not of the same caliber as WDW) - I do not care. DLR is magical plain and simple, and in fact has some unique magic that WDW lacks.

Some WDW vets cannot get past the fact that DLR does not offer the same kind of vacation resort experience as does WDW. And in the process take their eye off the magic. IMHO.

With all that said, the vacation resort experience at WDW has its own special magic that differs from DLR and is also fun in its own way.

 

[twopeasonepod]

The castle, the walking, and the fact that it's actually "hopping" at DL instead of "taking a monorail/bus/car" at WDW.

 

[JennMouse32]

simple.. the size..

 

[Funball]

With what hydroguy said, I think that WDW vets see DLR as not really a resort, but to us locals and those never been to WDW we do look at DLR as a resort and a place for vacation.

 

[almacdonald]

Disneyworld is work, Disneyland is fun. It's so much easier to get to, from and in between the parks at Disneyland.