Scope of park - wonderland..

[littlesuitcase]

For those Canadians who have been to wonderland - I am trying to get a feel for the scope of WDW parks. How does wonderland compare to each of the parks - size, number of rides etc.. I know it is not much of a comparison but it is all I have to go with - we usually just go to the wonderland kiddie area, maybe a few other rides - if it is nice the waterpark.

Can anyone offer a comparison?

Thanks - Helen

 

[cabmom]

Hi, there is truly no comparison. There is MAGIC when you walk thru the gates at Disney. The park is a lot bigger and most of the rides are geared to the whole family. I would never compare the parks to Wonderland. You'll have to take a look at the Maps to understand what I mean. And you'll know once you've been there!
Have fun!
Marilynn

 

[my3princesses]

I agree that WDW has that magic feel that Wonderland just doesn't. The colours, music, etc. In regards to size, yes MK, Epcot are bigger but I don't think MGM is. Plus I think Disney has crambed a lot more into the areas than Wonderland as it seems stretched out more.

In regards to rides again Disney has them beat. It does not have the rollercoasters that Wonderland has but it has amazing and creative shows and indoor rides.

Disney may seem overwhelming at first however I think you need to take it one park at a time and just work through the different areas. A little bit of homework first doesn't hurt as well, especially if you have younger kids, as you do not want to waste time waiting in line for a ride that is not suitable. The Disney website really lays it out for you and will give a description of each attraction and whether they are suitable. www.disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks

You can easily go through Wonderland in a day (maybe minus the waterpark which is good but again does not have the Disney magic that Blizzard Beach or Typhoon has). But to truly get your money's worth out of a Disney park you will need more than a day, and then you will want to go back again to do your favourites.

Have fun planning!

 

[riu girl]

We were overwhelmed by the size of WDW vs. Wonderland. Wonderland to us is a great place to spend a day, but we would never consider more then one day at a time there. At Wonderland, we arrive at opening and stay until closing and felt we have "Done it all". At WDW, you are talking 4 huge theme parks (which we have have only seen two so far), DTD, a couple waterparks, plus all the WDW resorts. Walking around the resorts is an experience in itself. We planned on taking a half day and visiting numerous resorts, lol, like that happened. We ended up spending a whole day and only seeing half of the resorts we wanted too. The resorts themselves are HUGE and fabulous and well worth a visit. DTD was also supposed to be a half day outing but turned unto a full day. Our one MK day was long , we left our hotel at 8 am and didn't return until after midnight. It was the one of the best days of my life but we still didn't get to see everything we wanted to. Thats why next trip, I will allocate 2 full days for MK. I have heard that AK can be done in a half day. For us, it was another full day and there was so much we didn't see. We will plan 2 full days for AK next time also.

We stayed at ASMo and planned on doing some pool hopping (to the other All star resorts which is allowed). Well, just walking around our resort was an adventure in itself (so much to see and do). Needless to say, we didn't make it to the other all-star movies. Saying that, I think you are staying at POP, aren't you? I have read that that resort is much more compact and easier to get around.

We used WDW transport extensively (we had been upgraded from an economy car to a mini-van at Thrifty but only drove it once in WDW). There are so many highways in WDW itself, we would have gotten lost tons if we had to drive it ourself. We loved the WDW transportation.

And as for the magic, I'm sorry to say for those who love Wonderland, don't get me wrong, Wonderland is great and fun in its own way but you have to experience WDW to understand the magic. I cried so many times at WDW (from happiness), the cm's at AK (our first park) must have thought I was daft. Why do you think I am trying to convince DH to postpone our romantic 10 year anniversary trip to the Caribbean (just him and I) in order to take the kids back to WDW sooner!! Am I crazy or what? lol.

I'm sure you will have a wonderful time.
Suzy V.

 

[Scratch42]

Sorry, got that out of my system!

For one, it's a lot safer! You don't have the gangs hangin' out front! Or inside tha parks!

It is so Family Oriented compared to Wonderland!

You get a sense of "Calm" when at Disney!

Plus what everybody else has said!

Scratch

 

[canucktyke]

All of the Florida theme parks, but especially Disney, are so much cleaner than Wonderland. I asked my son who has worked at Wonderland for three summers what he thinks the difference is and he says without hesitation - theming. He went on to say that any theming that Wonderland has tried, has been broken, stolen or defaced. I am very interested to see how long it takes before the new Italian Job coaster at Wonderland ends up covered in gum and grafitti.

 

[littlesuitcase]

Thanks everyone - Just looking at the pictures I can tell WDW is very magical - I think having waited and having kids 6 & 8 makes it exciting too - my dh has never been so I am so excited for him (I went when I was around 17) - he cried when we told the kids at Christmas - so we are looking forward to the magic for sure.

At least now I know a bit more about size - it is hard to know when you haven't been. I did notice in my reading that the rides do seem more family focused - often the kids go on the wonderland rides on their own - especially the ones that just go around and around.

Thanks again!
Helen

 

[SnowyPrincesses:)]

I grew up at Wonderland...REALLY! Knowing the park as well as I do I think the comparison you are looking for is.

Remember this is NOT themeing or anything discussed above.

I would compare Wonderland to PART of the Magic Kingdom. What I mean is all of your experiences in one full day at Wonderland would equal one full day exploring part of the Magic Kingdom.

So you see why Disney is on a completely different field to begin with? When you think of it this way it allows you to see what you are really in for and why planning is so essential. The scope of the whole resort is so large and so packed with tiny details that we all know you will be pleasantly surprised. (but hopefully not shocked or overwhelmed!)
Here's some pixie dust!
BTW when are you planning your trip?

 

[canucktyke]

The entire Disney Property in Florida (theme parks, resorts, dtd, etc) is larger then the entire city of Ottawa. No wonder our feet complain so much!