School project help WDW(MK) vs. DL

[SleepyMom]

DD13 is doing a school project and I told her this would be the perfect place to come for this.

She has to compare/contrast something and write a paper about it, she has chosen the Magic Kingdom park vs. Disneyland.

Her question to you is...

If you have been to both parks, which one do you prefer and why.

Thanks!

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

I went to DL in 2001 and we stayed with family that lived about 5 mins away. We went for one day and got in for free b/c my cousin had friends that worked there and I was not impressed. We usually park hop when we go to WDW and didn't have that option b/c there was not another park at the time. We also didnt experience the disney magic b/c we didnt stay at the hotel. WDW is much closer to PA where we live and there is tons to do. I'm sure DL is fun with the new park and a lot more to see but I think we will always enjoy WDW the most, its big but we keep busy! The location of DL is also very busy, its not out in the middle of nothing like WDW is so you feel like you are in ur own world at WDW b/c at DL you are surrounded by highway and homes and its just very very busy. Although we love WDW at least I can say i've been to DL but if i had to choose, i would always pick WDW!!! I hope this is what you were looking for.

 

[pfishgirl]

ive been to both.. if you are only comparing MK to DisneyLand.. then i would say Disney Land.. if it is World Vs Land then Disney World is the place to be..

Good Luck to your DD

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

She should probably compare/contrast MK-DL to MK-WDW, since DL is now more than just MK. That way she is looking a two similar things.

 

[Narnian_Princess]

DD13 is doing a school project and I told her this would be the perfect place to come for this.

She has to compare/contrast something and write a paper about it, she has chosen the Magic Kingdom park vs. Disneyland.

Her question to you is...

If you have been to both parks, which one do you prefer and why.

Thanks!

Sweet, I just did this last semester in college! Well, I actually compared/contrasted the RIDES at DL's MK and WDW'S MK. I can't say which I prefer; I love them both! But if I really had to decide I'd have to say DL because the rides are longer and have more story, and it just feels more magical than WDW. Plus, Walt was actually directly involved in DL.

 

[mamacatnv]

I voted for DL, when I think of DL, Calif Adventure doesn't even coss my mind although we have been there and did enjoy it.

I prefer DL over MK for several reasons:

I love New Orleans Square, the shops, the look, smells and sounds plus the food is wonderful

I love the outside of It's a Small World. When I first saw It's a Small World in WDW I was so disappointed at the lack of exterior granduer for such a signature ride.

The Haunted Mansion at DL same thing, the exterior landscaping and over all presence of the Mansion in so much better visually.

The Blue Bayou Restaurant inside of the Pirates ride as well as the entrance to Pirates is unique and I miss it when we are at WDW.

Toon Town: The entrance where you come up from under the bridge and the atmosphere that you enter into is unique, you really feel like you have entered into ToonTown with the buildings, the architecture, the props all over the place etc. Much better than the Town Faire, IMO.

Fantasy Town with Casey's Circus and the storybook fairytale ride......

 

[ElizK]

It's been a LONG time since I've been to DL, but I would still rather go back to DW than DL, partly because that part of Florida is easier to get around, and there is so much to do nearby.

 

[mamacatnv]

Don't get me wrong, I love WDW but MK compared to DL minus Ca. Adventure and I would take DL.

WDW is a true all encompassing vacation of 7-10 days and I don't think the 2 areas can be equitably compared as DL does not offer the same kind of vacation destination. IMO

 

[Planogirl]

Comparing just those two parks and nothing else, DL would win hands down for me. I prefer DL because it has Walt's own personal touch plus I LOVE the Indiana Jones ride. I also think that The Haunted Mansion (my favorite at WDW) is a bit better at DL.

 

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

Comparing DL to only MK, Disneyland wins hands down. Now DL is my "home park" and I know that creates bias. But New Orleans Square is one of the very best things at Disney and MK doesn't even have it. Also, Pirates is an all time favorite Disney classic ride, and the Pirates ride at Mk, what is that??? Its way short, half the story and no bayou! The exterior at Haunted Mansion was beyond disppointing too as was Small World (Small World exterior as DL at Christmastime when the lights go is an amazing sight to behold). We HATED the updated Tiki room (DL still has the classic version). DL has the Matterhorn, Indy, but MK does have Philharmagic which I LOVE too. MK majorly lacked the charm of DL to me. WDW as whole, awesome but MK vs DL... well there is no contest.

 

[Anewman]

Disneyland wins in a park vs park comparison.

Reasons.

Space Mountain
Indy
Matterhorn
Star Tours
Fantasmic
Small World
And soon NEMO.

 

[dreamcometrue]

I have only been to MK once, but DL many, many, MANY times...Honestly, I was a bit disappointed when we went to WDW and visited the MK there...I like DL a lot better! The whole athmosphere is just different, I think! Next time we go to WDW, we'll skip the MK and visit the other parks!

 

[SleepyMom]

Thank you so much everyone for your responses, she will be checking this when she gets home from school today so I am bumping it up for her.

Narnian Princess, I think she plans to include comparing the rides as well as the park. The teacher is encouraging the kids to think big and has told them papers in the past have been anywhere from 5 to 12 pages long, so she will have plenty of room.

Thanks again!

 

[SleepyMom]

 

[drag n' fly]

DL definitely. DL has the old school Walt Disney magic feeling to it. This is probably why Contemporary is my favourite resort also at WDW for the same reason.

 

[deekaypee]

DL over MK because of overall attention to detail. The park is smaller in scope, and the theming in stronger. Every nook and cranny is filled with details, and you chould spend hours just looking at Main Street. Many of the rides have stronger narratives.

Like other posters have mentioned, DL has the following attractions/lands that are particularly strong:

--New Orleans Square, which is perfect for HM. NOS has a complete atmosphere, and the HM fits in much better.
--POTC/Blue Bayou--It's more extensive, and the narrative takes precedent over the "thrill."
--Indiana Jones--Now, I never like waiting in line, but if I have to I'll take IJ. This queue is so well done.
--Space Mountain--It's superior to MK
--It's a Small World--the first time I say the DL exterior changed my persective on the ride. It gave me a whole different sense of what that attraction was about. And I became a huge fan of Mary Blair because of it.
Storybook Land Canals--Miniatures! It's almost a nostalgic ride, but I love it.

What does strike me as stunning about MK, besides its size (which can be useful when I'm feeling claustrophic):
--The Castle--it's so iconic (at DL, you see the castle and the Matterhorn. ---Beautiful, but not so iconic)
--Liberty Square. It's not better than NOS, but is good in its own right
--Jungle Cruise is more immersive.

Oh, and since I consider people to be part of the parks, I like the guests at DL a bit more than MK: more of a local feel and more diverse. But I like MK CMs a a bit more than DL CMs: more engaged. (Just my general impressions.)

Has your daughter read this thread on the Disneyland Forum? http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

Oh, and since I consider people to be part of the parks, I like the guests at DL a bit more than MK: more of a local feel and more diverse. But I like MK CMs a a bit than DL: more engaged. (Just my general impressions.)

I really agree with those observations. I would also add that DL guests are faster walkers. LOL.

Another thing I thought of, DL has WAAAY better snacks. We were shocked to not find churros, etc at MK.

 

[SleepyMom]

Bumping up for the evening crowd... DD is home now and going to start reading all your posts, she thanks you greatly and is looking forward to more.

 

[SleepyMom]

Bumping this up, hoping to get a few more responses.

 

[BornADisLover]

Oh wow, that sounds like an interesting topic for school... what made her pick that topic, or was it given to her?
I can't help much since I've only been to Disney World, but I hope she finds what she needs!