Seasoned DL visitor visits WDW for 1st time!

[Hermosa11]

I just had to share with those of you that enjoy Disneyland. I too LOVE this park.
Myself, husband and DS(17) just came back from visiting Walt Disney World for the very first time. I am not about to compare trips to Florida vs California. But I did want to say that Disneyland is just better. I guess because it is like a second home to me. POC is just plain better, no doubt about it.
I did enjoy VERY much At MK the Mickey's PhillharMagic. This was a fantastic 3-D show -even my son enjoyed it very much.
And the Jungle Cruise had a bit more to see....And the Castle is so incredibly large!!! And I was thrilled to see COP (Carousel of Progress) again!!! And the TTA brought back some memories (People Mover).

But I missed seeing the Matterhorn! I missed Indiana Jones! I missed the TWO drops in the Pirates of the Caribbean.....Toontown is just 'better' in DL....and exiting Disneyland is far far far better. When I saw the line we had to endure in the humidity just for the Ferry over to the parking and THEN having to endure another wait for about 6 trams to our car....augh!

Don't get me wrong. I LOVED this trip and the WDW magic and all the parks. But I truely missed not needing a map for Disneyland, yet I needed one for MK. It just felt weird.

 

[senecabeach]

Hermosa11,

Thanks for your review.
I probably feel just the reverse... and only because of the unknown and already feel like a "duck out of water", not knowing my way around.
I am making my 1st visit to DL from 7/17 to 7/26 for the Disneyana convention + extra days to visit DL & DCA.
I am looking forward to the attractions @ DL that I don't see @ WDW.
I'm not used to staying off-site, but I hear its only a block or so walk from the Marriott Residence Inn on Harbor to the parks...can't imagine that!
I'm hearing that my x-tra 5 days are too much time in DL...maybe I should rent a car and visit the aquarium or Long Beach???
Too bad we didn't connect before you went to WDW. I could have given you better ways to get around....without all the wait!
I would appreciate any tips you might have for me??

Thanks Again !!

 

[Disneyland_emily]

I think its a case of what you know best is what you prefer to a large extent- If you grew up doing to DL- WDW is just not as good and vise versa-

I love both parks but my home park is DL- Not a huge fan of MK at WDW as my "autopilot is broken" Tiki Room *should* be at the entrance to Adventureland etc...

I always do DL for 5 days in July and well I *never* see it all- I think for first timers 5 days is perfect

-em

 

[Hermosa11]

There is another thread above this one by a MaryJo(?) and she provides various links for other things to do.

Place to visit
I even put my two cents in about beaches. Yep, with 5 days, you can pack in lots of adventure! Yeah, I bet you would think it odd to have accomodations so close. But it is true. When we stayed across the street for years on Harbor, we (and others) would walk into the entrance. But now that Calif. Adventure is where the old parking lot was. I am sure others still walk in. But the parking garage is incredible! Huge! I adventured last two years with my teens to L.A. beach and would venture out to see sites during day and return and enjoy the beach. Then we would take one day, drive into Anaheim from the beach area and enjoy the park alllll day and drive back to room near beach. Those were great memories I still enjoy. I planned ahead of time what I wanted to see.....print the driving directions and take off. If I can do it , you can do it. I wanted to go to Fairfax and Third Street in L.A. to visit the Farmer's Market. Lots more shopping than I certainly remember from the early 1970's. But I needed to go and reflect back when I traveled there with folks (now deceased). I went and saw Olvera Street, which is across from The train station (saw that too). Just driving around was enjoyable. LaBrea Tar pits (did not see it but just did not have time.) Venice Beach is a kick to walk. Santa Monica Pier. Long Beach would definitely be something to venture to. What kind of convention is it you are attending? May I ask? "Disneyana?"
what is that all about? Sounds fun? mmmmmmmmm

You know, I just read what Disneyland_Emily wrote and I would really agree. If you are a fan.........just enjoy all the days you have. There are Two parks........Downtown Disney, Disneyland Hotel to roam. I just might see about planning a short trip just by remembering all the fun now! ha ha ha

 

[IandGsmom]

I also returned from my first WDW last month and I found myself constantly comparing the two. Its so hard not to. I had a great time, a GREAT time but between the heat and the humidity I was suffering during the day big time. Even in July/August in DL wasn't as bad. It was wonderful having so many parks and activities to choose from. I really enjoyed their DTD so mush more than DL's BUT....It sucked making sure you got on a bus 1 hour and a 1/2 before you PS to get to the park on time. A park hopper at DL means exactly that. Of course I will make sure to go back to WDW someday, not in summer.

 

[llij]

Hi Hermosa!

Great thread! I just got back from a last minute trip to Disneyland yesterday. Actually, we were in San Diego visiting relatives and decided at the last minute to go to Disneyland. We stayed at the Disneyland Hotel and loved it!! It was a quick trip (one day to visit both Disneyland and California Adventure.) It had been over 20 years since I had been to Disneyland and I wasn't sure what to expect. As you can tell by my signature, I've been to WDW alot lately. I have to say though that I LOVED Disneyland. POC is definitely better there and the Indiana Jones ride was great. Fantasmic is better there as well. I did miss Cinderella's Castle though and kept looking for that as my "landmark" in the park. I thought Sleeping Beauty castle was too small. It was great to see Walt's apartment over the FireHouse with the lamp lit too!

Anyways, we had a blast comparing WDW to Disneyland I have to say that I love both places for different reasons. It was great walking from our hotel to Downtown Disney and then into Disneyland or California Adventure. All in all, I would love to go back and spend a little more time there!

 

[overwhelmed]

Cant wait to compare for myself!!!!!

I can EASILY spend 5 days at the DLR. Go ahead and try to ride/experience EVERY show & attraction in 5 days. I dare ya
let us know how it goes!

I know that 7 days isnt enough to see all of WDW, but there's always our next trip to Orlando

 

[senecabeach]

Hermosa11, disneyland_emily et all,


Thanks soooo much for all your thoughts and suggestions. I'm down to doing the single digit dance and very excited about this DL trip!!

The convention is "NFFC Disneyana Convention" for Disney enthusiasts and is held yearly. This year its @ the Crown Plaza Hotel. You can get more info @ www.laughingplace.com.

Yes....Im happy to have the 5 extra days to enjoy the area. Love your suggestions for day trips, Santa Monica Beach, Farmers Market...think I would like to see the aquarium too...etc. Guess I will rent a car for a few days....should be a hotel on Harbor with a car rental..Hmmmm.

Oh...so much to do...so little time...

I was lucky to get balcony PS for Fantasmic ....Yipee !!

Thanks again.......you guys are just wonderful....

Anything else you might think of...let me know!!

 

[Hermosa11]

Anything else you might think of...let me know!!

Yes, actually........if you journal write.......tell us (me at least) about this convention........moment by moment, day by day.
I would have LOVED to know about such a convention. I could have been going for the past 20-30 years. Kids go? Families?
When are you leaving?
signed:
Hermosa11
7/9/04
6am (pacific Coast time)

 

[Mark099]

We are veterans of both DLR and WDW. Having 5 lifetime visits to WDW and 7 to DLR it's fun to compare the two. All else being equal... WDW is much better. We do, however, enjoy DLR very much. The advantages (of each resort) for us are...

DLR:
-- 2 1/2 hours of travel time
-- hotels (non-disney) are cheaper and offer a practical alternative
-- food is cheaper
-- makes a nice 4-5 day trip or long weekend
-- can walk everywhere

WDW:
-- much much more to see and do
-- disney resorts are awesome and more affordable
-- can emerse yourself in everything disney
-- more dining options and the food is generally better

Sure, there are subtle differences in overlapping attractions, but that just adds to the fun.

We are new DVC members because we enjoy visiting Orlando, and will continue to do so every 2nd year for the forseeable future. However, we are hoping that DVC decides to build a resort near DLR sometime in the near future.

 

[Firefly777]

We also love both. DLR is great because closer, cheaper, and doesn't require as much time. It also contains one of my favorite hotels, the Grand Californian. It's also nice not to have to worry about busses and other transportation. Most importantly though, Disneyland is the best theme park (IMO) that I've ever been to. Nothing at WDW compares, IMHO.

WDW is great because it's very immersive and there is more to do. The resorts are incredible and the food is generally very good. I also love Epcot, my second favorite theme park. I just wish it was closer. I'm about as far away as you can get in this country.

 

[vjc715]

I really like the Disneyland park better than the WDW park. I like the layout and the charm Disneyland has. To me....I just feel the magic at DL. I didn't like the Disney Pooh ride area at WDW...or toontown.

Although....I just LOVE Epcot and MGM!

 

[Hermosa11]

So fun to hear agreements and dissagreements.
Again, we were not commenting on the entire experience., simply the two parks and the differences.

question to MK visitors: Am I correct (trying to remember), in saying It's a Small World in FL is not a "castle" , just a ride entrance? it was closed when we were there. I cannot imagine simply a entrance and not the grand building like in Disneyland with the clock and all.

Both parks with the bad and good may just even things out too you know. Like I said, MK had COP and DL did not. But the Train at MK did not have the Dinosaur part that is so old fashioned, but I sure like seeing it. hee

 

[Firefly777]

Originally posted by Hermosa11

question to MK visitors: Am I correct (trying to remember), in saying It's a Small World in FL is not a "castle" , just a ride entrance? it was closed when we were there. I cannot imagine simply a entrance and not the grand building like in Disneyland with the clock and all.

No facade on the outside, but there is some stuff on the walls inside the loading area that is in the same style as the facade at DL. Rumor is, during this rehab, they are putting in a facade similar to the one at DL inside, clock and all.

 

[DenverVal]

I grew up in southern CA and made many trips to DL, but haven't been there since 1992. I made my first trip to WDW in 2000, and my impression was that MK was so BIG. I visited at Christmastime and Fantasyland was stroller gridlock, though I remember DL having the same problem in the summertime. I enjoyed visiting all my DL favorites at WDW, EXCEPT for Pirates of the Caribbean. They jumbled the story around. The original is definately better in this case. I missed the Matterhorn, and the original Tiki room, but loved Buzz Lightyear. I loved the Fantasmic show at DL when it first debuted, and was a little disappointed in the show at WDW. Has DL's show changed in the intervening years? Thinking more and more about taking the kids there for a long weekend...

 

[Firefly777]

Thinking more and more about taking the kids there for a long weekend...

If anything, to ride the Indiana Jones Adventure, which opened in 1995. One of the best rides anywhere, IMO.

About Fantasmic, the only major change that I have heard of is the removal of the Ursala float. Although I don't really keep tabs on that show, myself.

 

[iceskatejen]

Yep--the Ursula float is the only difference from how the show is now compared to when it debuted. It wasn't so much removed as it apparently fell into the water the wrong way once and broke (I believe something to do with the electronics inside getting messed up by that). This is what I heard from a cm I happened to sit next to for the show once. Yes, the DL version of Fantasmic is much better than the MGM version.

 

[DenverVal]

Is my memory correct, that it really is a completely different show? I remember many of the original characters dominating the show at DL, Malificent turning into a dragon (ok, she's my fave, and I bought the shirt), and Mickey on a pedestal high over the water, directing the fountains. The WDW show has all the recent characters in addition the the classic ones on boats that were't in the show I remember at DL. Yes? No? I don't remember Ursula being in it at all.

 

[iceskatejen]

The differences between the DL and MGM versions are many. Ursula was in the MGM version, but doesn't seem to have as large a role because there are so many more villains in that version whereas the DL version there's only 4, so Ursula takes on more importance. Yes, the 2 shows are about 75% different, with the MGM version have some more recent characters like Pocahontas. There's a section in the MGM version with characters' faces going up in bubbles on the mist screens that I thought was a major waste of time, but considering they can't exactly pack Steamboat Willie full of characters like DL can with the Mark Twain, I guess they had to put them somewhere. I think the DL version has a lot more action and good guys. There are classic characters on boats at DL--the same 3 princesses (and their princes) are right before the villains start, just like MGM.

 

[sters]

Originally posted by overwhelmed
Cant wait to compare for myself!!!!!

I can EASILY spend 5 days at the DLR. Go ahead and try to ride/experience EVERY show & attraction in 5 days. I dare ya
let us know how it goes!

I know that 7 days isnt enough to see all of WDW, but there's always our next trip to Orlando

If you can easily spend 5 days at DLR, then you'll need a month or more for WDW!

It's been so many years since I"ve been to DL, that I couldn't really compare the two, but from what I remember.. DL has some better attractions, but then so does WDW... so all things being equal, I have to say that I prefer WDW, and not because I'm more familiar with it (although that is true, too). WDW does a better job at keeping the "real world" out. You are totally encapsolated (sp?) in the Disney magic from the moment you check into your Disney hotel to the moment you leave several days later, so it feels like you're in a whole different world. The hotels and resorts are really unique. There are so many more sit down dining options just in the MK. Having said that, there is something to be said about the more intimate layout of DL, where you can hop back and forth quickly.