OK Scoop, you called me out.

[All Aboard]

While I'm not quite vain enough to think that this thread is a veiled attempt by Scoop to draw out my long overdue trip report /slash/ DL-MK critique, but I'll bite.

And, I'm asking a little leeway from Sara, as this clearly belongs somewhere other than the Rumors and News Board. But, since my best buds hang here...


Unlike others, I don't have a lot experience at both sides of the country. While I've been in WDW's MK as a guest at least 150 times, I've only visited Disneyland on 3 consecutive days, last month. But, I'll boldly say that I think that gives me enough to make a summary judgement on my preferences.

Scanning a finger down to the bottom line, my favorite theme park is Disneyland. Followed by The Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Disney-MGM Studios, Animal Kingdom, Disney's California Adventure, Busch Gardens Tampa, Kings Island, and then the also-rans.

So, then, why do I prefer Disneyland to The Magic Kingdom? Well, it’s a very close call; one that would take hours to completely explain. Mostly because there are a large number of things I prefer about each park. For example, MK’s Splash, Big Thunder, Frontierland laid out along the Rivers of America, Pirates in Adventureland – and actually set in the Caribbean, a still-operating Carousel of Progress and Country Bear Jamboree, a more majestic castle, a spookier Mansion exterior, a more elaborate Jungle Cruise, and an “open” Tomorrowland with cleaner, fresher look all give the nod towards MK.

Tossups include the Haunted Mansion ride itself (could definitely make a “best of” attraction combing the leg-ups from each – DL load area, MK early portion of attraction, DL unload (with Little Leota after the unload) the MK exterior, the DL attic). Also tossups are: Snow White stage show v. Philharmagic – would be great to have both. It’s a Small World – the exterior at Disneyland is tremendous, but it is unfortunately countered by the attraction inside. MK overcomes the two big shortcomings that DL’s version has. First, the ever-present “trench” through which you ride at Disneyland. The “flooded sets” at MK are much preferable. And, at Disneyland, the action is almost always to your left or right with a big black wall at your other shoulder. At MK, the action is almost always all around you. Put the MK show in the DL show building, and you have a perfect attraction.

So, what then, gives Disneyland the edge in my mind?

Fantasyland. For several reasons, the buildings in the central section of Fantasyland reflect the attraction inside. Toad Hall, the evil queen’s castle, Geppeto’s workshop – much more inviting than the remnants of the tournament-tent facades at MK. Plus, the assortment of attractions. Replacing Philharmagic with Snow White, in addition to all of the MK attractions, add: Toad, Pinocchio, Alice, Casey, the Canal Boats and the Matterhorn, of course. Casey Junior and the Canal Boats are a huge part of Fantasyland to me; outdoor attractions with wonderful detail. Pooh is relocated (v. MK) to a much more appropriate environ back in critter country. It allows for what really seems like the “Hundred Acre Wood” to be its locale.

Main Street. Much more charming and inviting than its counterpart in Florida.

New Orleans Square. Liberty Square is nice, but has never beckoned me to explore it. To the contrary, NOS is very intriguing, deeply rich in theme, and invites guests to wander around each corner to find out what’s there.

Triple ender to the day (7:00 parade, 8:25 fireworks, 9:00 Fantasmic); the hits just keep coming as you close out your day at Disneyland.

The size. I found that I like the more compact size of Disneyland. This one, I needed to confirm with a trip to MK (completed just 2 weeks after my DL departure). While the openness of MK has advantages for handling crowds, I found the uncrowded times at Disneyland to be far more intimate and inviting. The downside is what one experiences on any given Saturday, though.

Pirates of the Caribbean. From August 1977 until May 25th 2005, I thought the greatest theme park attraction ever built was the Pirates of the Caribbean – the only one I really knew, though. Boy, was I wrong. Exterior and queue aside, the ride itself is many notches greater than it’s Florida wannabe. I’ll spare the detail. But, just imagine, put that attraction in the MK Adventureland location with its queue. Set the beginning of the ride in some lazy Caribbean village (instead of the Bayou) and man-o-man you’d have the absolute perfect attraction.

Additionally, the attraction “kickers” are Indiana Jones, the original Tiki Room, The Disneyland Railroad, a better Toon Town, Autopia and monorail access inside the park.

So, a reader might start adding things up and wonder if I really do prefer Disneyland. In the end, it was Fantasyland, New Orleans Square, the intimate feel of the park on the whole, and the seemingly endless number of hidden treasures that won out.

That’s just my $0.02.

 

[YoHo]

I have mixed feelings about Critter Country and Pooh's placment there. As we discussed when we met, I agree that DL's utter rejection of this ride is based as much on the location as on it's inferiority if not more so. So you don't bounce with tigger ala the florida version. It wasn't a brilliant ride anyway in Florida. It's no Tokyo Pooh. It's the location back isolated from everything that hurts this ride.


Critter country irritates me anyway and it did even before Pooh replaced country bears, because it's a dead end. You have to walk a long distance to get there and your Payoff is Pooh and character greeting. It sucks. I suppose you also get a payoff if you wanna do splash mountain Single rider, but still. It only works as an exist for splash. There needs to be a way out of there. I'm not sure what, maybe the mike fink keelboats could be brought back.


Incidently, I have the same problem with toontown both in DL and MK, but with those, you aren't doing as much extraneous walking and the pathway is quite wide.

 

[All Aboard]

As we discussed when we met

I think we'll need to try again when I am back Oct 12-16. My recollection of our discussion is clouded by rumrunners. We need to get together a little earlier in the day.

 

[OnWithTheShow]

Disneyland didnt impress me when I went. Other than the puny castle that made me laugh, and Indiana Jones, everything else was unimpressive. Of course that could have something to do with the fact that the Castle, Pirates, Fantasmic, Splash, Space, and half of Fantasyland were all closed when I was there. I almost forgot to mention the 20 inch wide switchback queues and the intolerably large, line cutting crowds.

I'm willing to give it another chance though.

 

[Peter Pirate]

Nobody asked for my opinion...But I pretty much agree with Mr. Curling on the DL/MK thing.

Other positives perhaps alluded to but not mentioned were the Roger Rabbit ride and of course the Matterhorn.

The "puny" castle made me laugh nearly everytime I saw it but it took no time to realize that The Matterhorn is the Parks icon, not the Castle...

NO Square is a gem as is the Blue Bayou, unmatched at the MK.

My biggest complaint with DL was Fantasmic...Not that it may or may not be better than WDW, but the ungodly, all encompassing crowd that clogs the walkways for hours before the show.

That's it from the peanut gallery.

 

[YoHo]

Mr. Pirate, when did you go?
They've made some great strides in crowd control for Fantasmic. It's still not perfect, but it's better. No worse then the crowds after any parade or fireworks show.

 

[Peter Pirate]

I was there Summer of 2002 & 03.

It's good to hear this may have been addressed, otherwise it'd take more than couple rumrunners to navigate the area!

 

[SoCalKDG]

My biggest complaint with DL was Fantasmic...Not that it may or may not be better than WDW, but the ungodly, all encompassing crowd that clogs the walkways for hours before the show.

Thats why they have the Fantasmic Dessert seating. Unlimited dessert, coffee, prime reserved seats on a balcony smack in the middle of the show.

Critter country also has the Davey Crockett canoes back there as well. Ideally you send one person back to get FP's for Splash. Later, when its time to use those passes, you go on Splash, exit, ride Pooh, visit w/ characters(if thats your thing), then get in line for the canoes. Finish up, move on to Haunted House, POTC, etc.

Soft opening of Space is today, combined w/ Star Tours, Innovations and Buzz and you have a better Tomorrowland than MK(although I do miss Carousal of Progress). The eventual reopening of the subs is also a big plus.

Did you guys eat at the Blue Bayou? Had Fathers Day lunch there and the prime rib was great.

 

[Peter Pirate]

KDG, just to clarify, it wasn't the problem in viewing Fantasmic that bothered me, it was the masses clogging the walkways preventing much movement in any dirtection that bothered me...

As for that scurvey Captain Crook, I don't think he's been seen in years, has he?

 

[MPLsDad]

I think MK is far superior to DL, although I think Fantasyland and Toon Town are better in DL. Things that horrified us at DL were the ridiculous number of people who were permitted to jump the lines right in front of CMs, the small size of the castle, the proximity of POTC and HM led to ridiculously crowded walkways, Critter Country, and the half-done land across the way - DCA (it can't possibly considered a park!). They should reconfigure the esplanade and build a bridge to DCA as another land. DCA as a separate park is a disappointment...

 

[Jeff in BigD]

I just got back from DL & my opinion that DL is the best park remains.

Here's what I like about DL over MK:

-Main Street. The different shops have a unique style, whereas MK's is essentially one long Disney Store. The side streets add to the charm.

-Tiki Birds. Corny? Of course. Outdated? Perhaps. Better than a screaming Gilbert Godfried? Absolutely.

-Indiana Jones. 'Nuff said!

-Pirates of the Caribbean. The only thing MK has over PotC at DL is the queue. Everything else about PotC at DL is better.

-Haunted Mansion. The lightning potraits in the loading area are far more interesting than a blank wall. I don't know if MK has gotten a floating Leota Crystal Ball yet, but that was impressive! The attic with the piano playing groom & the bride looks much better. And Little Leota too. I agree the MK exterior is better, but that's it.

-Splash Mountain. While I prefer the side-by-side vehicle at MK, the ride at DL is better.

-Roger Rabbit. 'Nuff Said!

-Alice in Wonderland. 'Nuff Said!

-Mr Toad. 'Nuff Said!

-Pinnochio. 'Nuff Said!

-The Tea Cups. The area looks much more like the film & it's open air. Granted MK has to have it under a tent because of the rain, but geez, it looks tacky.

-Autopia. Much better than the grand prix.

-Space Mountain. While the 2 tracks at MK give it a faster line, Space Mountain at DL will soon have not 1 but 2 audio tracks (one for day & one for night).

-Star Tours. Granted WDW has it, but MK doesn't

-Sleeping Beauty Castle. While some people are worried that "size matters", the real castle is big enough & they know how to use it. Plus, no walking up slopes to the side just to get through the gates, juat walk right through. The castle looks phenominal for the 50th, while Cindy's castle looks pale & pedestrian. And SB castle looks great in pink. Last time Cindy's castle turned pink, well...

-Monorail. It's inside the park & you get a great view of the park from up above. Not to mention there's a sloped escalator versus an extremely long sloped loading area that seems to get longer as the night wains on.

-Smaller park, with more rides. Yes, this means more traffic jams, but it also means less walking.

-The hours. DL's average operating time this month 8am-12am. MK's is 9am-11pm.

Oh yeah...
-Matterhorn. 'Nuff said!

 

[Jeff in BigD]

Just to prove I don't think MK is a horrid park, here are some things I like about it over DL:

-Wider streets at Main Street.

-MK didn't have it's Tomorrowland screwed up by Paul Pressler.

-The Tomorrowland Transit Authority.

-Carousel of Progress.

-Astrojets are where they should be.

-Peter Pan is slightly better.


While these things are great, it's still doesn't make up for the fact it's missing Fantasmic! (MGM's version doesn't compare) & IASW's exterior at DL is heads & shoulders above MKs.

In my opinion MK will rank #3 for me.

 

[Peter Pirate]

Jeff, I agree with your list 99%...The one thing I don't get is the general consensus that DL's Fantasmic is so much better than The Studio's...We just never felt it. Maybe it was our viewing location? The crowds at DL? Maybe we just don't care ENOUGH about Fantasmic to care. But I never saw enough difference to be material.

Also you forgot Casy Jr...What a great ride forthe kiddies and adults looking for some of that great DL detail!

I think an argument can certainly be made that WDW is better than DL but MK v DL has DL winning hands down, IMO.

One more comment to MPLsDad, I don't get the criticisim of DCA in your post. Did you actually pay extra for tickets to go to DCA? If so, I uderstand, but we simply purchased Park Hopper's, which were (at the time of our visit) no more expensive than the passes for DL were just prior to DCA's opening, so in fact DCA WAS nothing more than another land to us.

 

[YoHo]

You haven't been in a while. Of course, they didn't even want to sell parkhoppers. That's a different issue though.


Now it costs I think $10 to go to both DL and DCA on a single day ticket.

 

[raidermatt]

DCA is definitely a disappointment as a separate park, by far the weakest of the 6 domestic parks. As YoHo noted, the way the hoppers are priced though, you don't really have to pay for it as a separate park.

DL is definitely the stronger individual park when compared to MK, for most of the reasons already noted.

However, this comment from SoCal did make me think a bit:

Soft opening of Space is today, combined w/ Star Tours, Innovations and Buzz and you have a better Tomorrowland than MK

My first reaction was "no way", DL's Tomorrowland is still weak. But when you stack up the attractions, its not really. Even though Innoventions is an awful "attraction", the rest stacks up well. The problem is the area still appears to be some kind of bizarre warehouse district. There's no movement or motion. The abandoned PeopleMover track is bizarre. Astro Orbiter is barely in Tomorrowland, while MK's version draws your eye with its central placement and height. MK also has TTA moving about the land.

Still though, DL the park easily triumphs over MK the park.

 

[cristen]

I think it is incredibly hard for someone who has grown up, or have had all their Disney experiences in one park, to go to the other and keep an open mind to the differences, and to look at it in an unbiased way.

What made you fall in love with that particular park may not be at the other park, or it is changed in some slight way. Unless you go and experience something that is far superior to the other, it can be jarring to you. For example, Pirates. No one can argue that DL's is far better than the MK's. But when it comes to the smaller things, park layout (HM being in two completely different areas and themes), and little differences in the rides (space mountain, BTMRR), it is all a matter of what you are used to.

I had a very hard time going to the MK last year. MS seemed to overwhelm me, Pirates was simply not good to me, HM being next to fantasyland? Liberty Square, Frontierland, Splash Mountain and the Rivers of America, that whole area was too mismatched for me. and Fantasyland was missing a lot. I wanted Casey Jr, Alice, and Storybook Canal. But that is only because I am used to them being there.


I am very happy Greg was able to go and do what I couldn't, and see it like it was the only MK he has ever been in. To go with an open mind and embrace the differences, instead of finding fault in them. I love when people go there for the first time and see all that I see in it. Instead of making silly comments on how the size of the castle is something to laugh at.

I agree with all his reasons on why DL is better than the MK. I have been arguing the fact that it was the first, made it much better for a long time now. It had never been done. It's easy to go make another park a bit bigger once you have the success of one, and know exactly what to do. Walt did something special, and that is what makes it better.