Pros of Disney Land?

[mshanson3121]

Okay, I know there are many haters on here for DL, but... for those who have been to both, what are some of the perks/benefits/pros of going to Disney Land over Disney World? I know weather is a big one for us since we're summer travelers, but otherwise?

 

[hiroMYhero]

There is a Disneyland board if you'd like to ask about the park there.

Here is a recent thread from this board:
http://www.disboards.com/threads/disney-world-orlando-is-beginning-to-disappoint-me.3454216/

 

[rwdavis2]

Cars Land, Toy Story is not such a big deal out there so shorter lines, the Aladdin show, World of Color, different Space Mtn, better Pirates to just name a few. I believe that counting both parks out there is has more attractions than WDW does.

 

[aprincessatlast]

Okay, I know there are many haters on here for DL, but... for those who have been to both, what are some of the perks/benefits/pros of going to Disney Land over Disney World? I know weather is a big one for us since we're summer travelers, but otherwise?

DL is stinking awesome! I have heard a few I know personally make comments about DL and personally I think they are crazy!
#1 is do not compare but look at as two different Disney's. You would not go to Tokyo Disney and expect to find WDW, so the same would be applied to DL.

Things we love- The food! We are snackers or quick service people and find all kinds of gems at DL. Corn dogs, Churros, Tigger tails, gumbo, etc. The list is big. We like sit downs too and the advantage is you don't have to book out 6 months in advance.
Cars Land- AMAZING, Space Mountain, outdoor ride lines like IASW and Pooh.
Compact space and traditional FP

Honestly there are so many reasons especially if you have been to wdw multiple times. It is fun to check out another side of Disney. Than again we love DCL and plan to go to TDL next year. We don't like to hit repeat on our Disney trips all the time though so perhaps that is why we like it so much.

 

[ethanwa]

You should go to Disneyland at least once. You will love it for it's differences from Disney World.

And don't listen to the arguments from people who say one is better than the other... IT'S OK TO LOVE BOTH!

Ethan

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Pros:

Mr. freakin' Toad!

Cars Land.

Indiana Jones (I don't care it's the same as Dinosaur... it's better).

The Matterhorn.

The Alice in Wonderland Ride.

Who Framed Robert Rabbit.​

Cons:

Anaheim.
I-5.​

 

[bjscheel]

We loved being able to stay right across the street (in a non-Disney hotel with free breakfast) and walking over. Park hopping was a breeze because you just walk across a plaza. Radiator Springs Racers is awesome. We did it 7 times in 3 days. Less planning involved due to legacy FP and less parks to run around to. The Aladdin show was great but I think that's going to be changed to something else soon? Can't remember what I read.

We had fun at Disneyland, and it was nice combined with a San Diego trip, but at the same time we didn't feel like we'd had a "Disney year". (We planned on doing Disney every other year, but didn't feel like this counted so we did WDW the following year.) Also DL is enough similar/different from MK to make you think you know where you are but you don't!

 

[TeamSy]

We went to DL for the first time last year and LOVED it. I think I may like it even better than DW . Fantasyland over there is just a little more CLASSIC to me, and I LOVE all the rides - while there's Peter Pan, It's A Small World, etc, they ALSO have an Alice In Wonderland RIDE, Wild Toad, Scary Snow White... it's a lot more classic Disney to me. And then there's MATTERHORN!!!!

Not to mention, Pirates is WAY BETTER in DL than DW, and make sure you eat at Blue Bayou - what a unique themed restaurant!!

I like how DCA is across the street from DL! It's really different and to me, very awesome! Cars land is AMAZING. It's really a wonderfully themed park! I honestly didn't think we would like it nearly as much as we did!! We went to the DL in Hong Kong and over there they have a Toy Story land, which to me, was just a complete miss.

DL definitely has a different vibe than DW, since it's not nearly as spread out. With that said, you can stay at a Marriott, Hilton, etc, and still WALK to the theme parks, which to me, is also a HUGE plus.

 

[DebbieB]

I love WDW and DL each in their own ways. I was just out at DL in August for D23 and am going to WDW in December. They have some awesome new attractions out there - DL has the new nightime parade & fireworks, DCA has Carsland, which I would call the best themed area in any park. DL still has some of the original attactions in Fantasyland, on a previous trip we took a day and just did those, including the canoes.

As far as weather - it can get hot out there too. When we were there in August it was in the 90's. One nice thing is everything is right there, you don't have to worry about catching busses.

 

[Robo]

Okay, I know there are many haters on here for DL...

 

[BrianL]

Pros: Weather!, Closer Park Hopping, Cars Land, Seasonal Overlays, Longer POTC, Paint the Night, Indiana Jones ride, more Fantasyland Classics, better food

Cons: Smaller space, higher crowds (in a smaller space), more locals, smaller castle, no welcome show (boo!)

Honestly, they are both great, and DL is very cool if you want something similar yet different. Some rides are much better than their WDW counterparts (POTC for one), but some are not (shorter Peter Pan (though with new effects!), Jungle Cruise). Some are so different as to not be comparable (Space Mountain). It's worth going just to see the differences.

 

[mom2rtk]

Not sure where that came from either.

 

[bc7ate9]

Who hates DL? I haven't seen all the posts your apparently have.

Anyway, I think DL's relatively small size/proximity is a pro. It's so quick and easy to hop back and forth between the 2 parks. I like that they have some unique rides and different versions of familiar rides too.

 

[mom2rtk]

Cars Land, Toy Story is not such a big deal out there so shorter lines, the Aladdin show, World of Color, different Space Mtn, better Pirates to just name a few. I believe that counting both parks out there is has more attractions than WDW does.

Just an FYI, Aladdin is slated to close in January. It's being replaced by a Frozen musical.

 

[ols386]

I like that DL is so compact. You can walk to everything.

Whether you stay at one of the Disney resorts, or a good neighbor hotel, everything is accessible by walking.

 

[Serrina89]

I am a long time WDW go-er who had the opportunity to go to DL (only 1-day no CA) this January. So this review is based on my feelings going to DL one day and not staying "at a hotel nearby". While I enjoyed seeing the differences between parks, I think the best phrase to describe my experience was "There's no place like home." I had read on the DIS how awesome DL was because it was Walt's Park, but I think I built up too many expectations that ended up disappointing me. I think it true-ly fills like Disney only if it is your home park. Here's is some of the misconceptions that I totally disagree with from what I heard on the DIS:

1) FANTASMIC IS BETTER: there are several differences between the DL and WDW's version. The main one is that Fantasmic is located in the Lagoon around tom sawyer's island vs it's own theater in HS. I was really disappointed because I couldn't see the bottom of it because people were standing around the lagoon. (heads everywhere). There are a couple places to scoop seats but the majority of people stand. The Maleficent dragon is a more put together (detail wise) but smaller in my opinion, I feel like the one at WDW takes up more of the stage and that makes it grander. Pocahontas scene is switched out for Pinnochio, among other things.

2)Wishes is better: I would say not. I was expecting something similar to WDW but I felt like the fireworks were short and unimpressive.

3) The fact that there are only two parks. I know that there are more rides packed into each park but it still isn't the same. At WDW, you forget real life. You're surrounded by Disney property at all times. It really feels like you've entered a whole new world. DL feels like you're in the middle of a Anaheim california.

4) Characters walk around freely instead of at their designated spots. - I only saw characters during the shows and parades.

Comparisons

1) Pirates of the Caribbean is way better at DL, I personally don't like the building facade that it's in compared to WDW but the first one to two minutes of the ride are breathe taking. It looks into the blue bayou restaurant which is awesome. I would compare it to the San Angel Inn restaurant in Mexico and the Three Caballeros ride (as far as dining ambiance).

2) Space Mountain - DL is better: actual ride seats, it actually looks like you're in space! There is a soundtrack! DL is 100 times better.

3) (DIdn't get to do Haunted Mansion because they were taking down overlay's

4) splash wasn't open

5) It's a small world - DL's version was a huge let down. I was so excited to see it. The outside looked amazing but once we were in the ride it looked like some one had connect slides in a factory. You were up higher in a trough instead of being flush with the floor. Because of this, you could see so much dead space between the dolls and the ceiling office tiles looked like they were going to fall at any minute. I did like seeing disney character dolls but it wasn't enough to distract from the deterioration of the ride.

6) The jungle cruise - DL was much better - the piranha scene was amazing and the foliage was amazing. If you've read the history of this ride: you'd know the amount of detail the "landscape architects" put into making the ride look like a jungle. The landscape is just amazing.

7) Sleeping Beauty's castle is smaller!!!!!! Please be aware - I think the smaller castle is the number one thing, that makes DL seem less than WDW for me.

8) Tom Sawyer island - so much better. More interactive play things on the island plus you can explore the "fantasmic" stage.


8) Addition of Storybook Canals, Pinnochio's Daring Journey, Mr. Toad's wilde ride, Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin, Alice in Wonderland ride, Nemo's Submarine ride, Matterhorn bobsleads (if its open), to name a few.


That being said, I think it is still an excellent idea to make a pilgrimage there, just be aware that there are many things you may like better at WDW because it is your home park. Also reading a book about the history of the rides, and main street (particularly the firefighter station) maybe able to give you more nostalgia so that you feel like you can understand what made the park "Walt's"

 

[carolinejay]

Serrina - so interesting you think IASW at DL is a let-down! I'm a DL regular (CM here) but when I went to WDW for the first time in 15 years about a year ago, I was insanely let down by WDW's IASW. I thought the track being surrounded by water meant more huge open space of just water, whereas at DL most of the show sets on that ride use up all the space.. so even though yes, it looks like a tacky flume, I think the DL version is much more highly detailed than WDW's. Something was creepy and off about IASW at WDW. In addition, about 90% of the attraction at DL are original to the 1964 World's Fair, which is pretty cool

When I visited WDW in April, so many guests said they have zero interest in visiting DL. I pushed for them to go, because I think you can really feel Walt's impact and presence in DL. While I love WDW for different reasons, something about it feels off. DL is small, yes, but every single nook and cranny is jam-packed with theming. While WDW is more open and feels emptier than DL does, the open space leads to the feeling of less theming and as if something is missing. New Orleans Square in DL is wonderful. There's nothing like it at WDW. The Submarine lagoon at night with the Matterhorn as a backdrop is beautiful. The candle in Walt's apartment window is nostalgic. Walking where Walt walked is a very cool feeling. It feels more authentic to me than WDW. Fantasyland in WDW is disappointing - the classics are largely missing. The artistry on the Alice in Wonderland attraction and Storybookland Canal Boats are beautiful. I don't think there's anything at WDW that replicates that.

There are also some rides that feel like copycats of the originals at DL. Pirates, for instance. They copied pretty much the entire second half of the ride, when they could have done something original. I feel like there are some missed opportunities at WDW. Although I will say it is fun to go to both coasts and compare

Personally I enjoyed the food at WDW better, but maybe that's only because it's different than what I'm used to out here. The amount of table service restaurants seemed astounding compared with what we have, but I will say that made dining more expensive than here at home! I did notice that there weren't that many churro carts at WDW.. maybe that's a DL thing?

Also, SO MANY meet & greets in WDW. It's insane. I've seen lots of characters at DL doing spontaneous meet & greets, but everything at WDW is so planned.. I don't like that aspect of it at all.

I like both coasts, but my heart will always belong to DL. In fact, last time I was at WDW I felt a little guilty for liking WDW. I just have to remind myself that they are two separate entities!

 

[Serrina89]

CarolineJay - I agree with you for the nostalgia you feel because it was Walt's park. I think which ever park you "grew up in" or you consider your home park - is what you ultimately like best. The parks are similar but different enough that which ever you go to you feel like something's not quite right. Even though I read it on some of the previous threads about the differences, I really wished I had listened when the emphasized that loyalty that you feel to your home park. I did have a good time - I loved exploring the differences but it wasn't enough for me to choose DL over WDW.

That's awesome that you get to be a CM, Im definately jealous. I looked for jobs at Disney in my field (Textile Engineering - ie suits that could catch fire but not burn the individual, material development, like improving costumes that would be more comfortable and breathable for employees) but alas I think they contract out most of the work.

 

[carolinejay]

Yes, I love being a CM! I teach full time during the week and CM on nights/weekends. I get my Disney fix a couple nights a week at work and I'll go once or twice a month just for fun. I love it.

 

[ktlm]

1. Being able to walk everywhere and hop back and forth between parks in less than 5 minutes
2. No FP+ which makes it much more spontaneous and relaxing
3. The food- they have some great CS.
2. Fantasmic is better (there is a fantastic Peter Pan scene with a ship instead of Pochahontas). We think it is so much better than WDW's version that we don't even go see it at WDW anymore.
3. POTC is better
4. Carsland-- especially Radiator Springs Racers which puts Test Track to shame
5. Alice in Wonderland ride
6. Indiana Jones ride
7. Random characters popping up. Some characters do have designated spots and times, such as the Princesses, Mickey, Olaf, Oswald, Goofy, Pluto, Chip and Dale, Donald, and Tink but there are others that you will randomly see and it is great. We've run into Peter Pan, Cinderella and the Stepmother and Stepsisters (all together), Hook, Alice, Mad Hatter, Mary Poppins and Bert, the Evil Queen, Cruella, the Queen of Hearts and others.
5. Aladdin (and that would be higher up on my list were it not for the fact they are closing it - if you can get there before it closes do NOT hesitate. It is worth the trip!