Six reasons Disneyland beats Disney World

[Hound 109]

I'm a DLR veteran, visiting dozens of times over the past 15 years. However, I just visited WDW for the first time this month. Stayed for 7 days, onsite at a 2 BR Villa and had multiple visits to each park.

While I enjoyed the experience, I can't wait to get back to my "home park" on the West Coast (after many more construction walls disappear).

MK felt wrong. Like a blown up version of DL with poor imitations of the most of the attractions (i.e., Peter Pan, Buzz, IASW, Space). After the initial "WOW" factor, even the castle felt wrong to me. Fantasyland at WDW is joke, while it's my favorite land in DL.

While the theming at HS was overall far superior to DCA, the park had tons of unused space and meaningless dead ends.

Epcot and Animal Kingdom were my favorite parks at WDW. Both incredibly unique and full of fun, new experiences.

I've read about the "immersion factor" for years on this board and I can honsestly say that I didn't feel it. Each time I had to wait on a bus/boat/monorail or other form of transportation instead of just waking where I wanted to go, I was instantly yanked out of the magic. I don't lose that feeling walking across the esplanade between parks at DLR (or even walking across Harbor to get to my bed in less than half the time of most bus rides at WDW).

I appreciate the article in the OP and agree wholeheartedly!

DM, your take is VERY similar to mine.

- Epcot & AK are my favorite parks there.
- HATE the need to take stinkin' buses. (LOVE the fact that i never have to ride a bus at DLR)
- WDW MK is just odd (& inferior) for each reason you mentioned.
- (& you didn't mention the heat & humidity (talk about "immersion" .....or the love bugs or brazillian youth groups. If you had ever experienced any of them, they'd also be on your "list" of things not to like about the resort in the swamp) .


Things i really like about WDW that i'd like to see at DLR:

- a stripped down modified version of the food plan (with a handful of WDW restaurants brought to DLR). Off the top of my head, Ohana, the Brown Derby, Sci Fi & the 50s diner type place.
- A World Showcase type pavillian (with an international food court) brought to DLR.
- A handful of rides/attractions (that would be good fits at DLR) such as Philharmagic, the Movie Ride, Mission Space & Test Track.

 

[DeluxePrincess]

Going to DLR for the first time in June so can't really give an opinion about the resort itself. The price of this DLR trip (unless some summer discounts come out) is costing us way more than our WDW trips usually do. Of course, I could have cut the cost considerably if I stayed on Harbor instead of GCH so I can only blame myself for that one.

I am anticipating how I will feel about the DLR castle after having only known the majestic Cinderella's castle for most of my life. I'm sure I will find it just as nice once I'm there.

From pictures alone, I can tell that DLR's Fantasyland will win out over the WDW version. I always felt WDW missed the boat on theming in that area. We are not going back to WDW again until the new Fantasyland is complete. I'm sure it won't disappoint.

 

[damo]

We all love Disneyland way better than WDW in our family too. Indiana Jones in itself just makes it so much better, lol.

 

[onlyn2urmoney]

Although I had an amazing time at WDW and would go back I am also a fan of DLR. I just feel like there is no competing with the original.

Like someone else said, I also feel like fantasyland was a joke. I just dont understand why you wouldnt make the rides the same. Small World was literally a Small World at MK. I was so disappointed with that ride!

 

[OrcaPotter]

I think it also depends on which you've been to first and grew up with. I was born and raised in Orlando and never plan to move elsewhere if I can help it. I was practically raised at WDW. To me, the Magic Kingdom is Disney. I've seen Epcot through many changes (and despite them all, it's still my favorite park next to MK). HS (which we in Orlando still call MGM) is my least favorite, but has a few rides that draw me there. AK is a neat park, but I've been there the least since it's WAY out there, HOT, and doesn't have too much of a draw attraction-wise. To me, Disneyland is the original park of which WDW is based. My love of Disney is what is driving me to visit there, despite family and other friends questioning why bother. I'm prepared for the small castle, the smaller park, the non-Disney city views, and the lack of perks for being an out-of-town guest (no free transportation from/to airport, affordable Disney accommodations, etc.) But I can't wait to experience different Disney magic for the first time, experience all the differences, see Walt's original park where he himself walked, and feel like a kid again. I'm jealous that DL is so much better to locals than WDW is ... but considering WDW is it's own kingdom that caters to people coming from out-of-town to live apart from reality and DL is smack in the middle of real life with little ability to set itself apart ... DL seems more like a local town park where you go to play for a day rather than an entire world to escape to. WDW frequently forgets its next-door neighbors and if it weren't for CM friends, I would never be able to afford to go nearly as often as I do. You need to take out a mortgage to have an AP. But it's still my home, and I fully expect to spend my time at DL comparing it to everything. I look forward to being surprised and delighted!

 

[momrek06]

GREAT article but I will say it was the first time I have ever seen anyone call it Los Angeles' Disneyland …

You can spot a long-time Walt Disney World employee by the haunted "please kill me now" look in their eyes. This sentence is hysterical.

The most intangible, but most important element that puts Disneyland on a higher plane is the sense of intimacy and originality that permeates it. This is just so TRUE!!!

 

[luvgoing2disney]

I'll admit that I have never enjoyed "This Park v That Park" discussions that pop up from time to time. I realize that I have very limited knowledge with DLR so I am not an authority on the park, but when people ask which I liked better, I just say that they offer different experiences. Both are Disney parks, both have good and bad points, and both are magical.

 

[Huff]

(4) You don't have to pay extra to stay onsite to be close to the parks.

The Harbor hotels that are in easy walking distance to DLR are much higher priced that other far nicer hotels a bit further. At WDW the POP and All Stars are often priced around $59-$89. I find them much better than say HOJO's at DLR with more ammenities.

At WDW you do have to take a bus, boat or monorail to the parks with the exception of some of the Epcot resorts that are in walking distance. At DLR we usually stay a few miles away at a 3-4 star resort for $60-$80 and ride a free hotel shuttle or use ART. Works out about the same.

 

[Huff]

I've read about the "immersion factor" for years on this board and I can honsestly say that I didn't feel it. Each time I had to wait on a bus/boat/monorail or other form of transportation instead of just waking where I wanted to go, I was instantly yanked out of the magic.

I feel the opposite. Disney World is a Disney city in itself. When you ride the boats, buses or monorail you never see the outside world. Everything around you is Disney. We stay onsite and for a full week we see very little that is non-Disney all around us. I find the boats a nice way to take a break and relax a bit while going between parks or from DTD to Port Orleans.

However, I do feel Disneyland is far superior to the Magic Kingdom. Disneylands attention to detail is everywhere to me and I feel corners were cut at Magic Kingdom, especially Fantasyland and Pirates.

 

[skiingfast]

interesting! i didn't know that the WDW AP didn't offer discounts like the DLR AP!

This is a bit of a WDW rip off. With an WDW AP you can purchse a Tables in Wonderland Card. The TIW card gets you 20% off of most restaurants. Because some of the places in DTD and even in the parks are not run by Disney and don't take part on the promotion.

From pictures alone, I can tell that DLR's Fantasyland will win out over the WDW version. I always felt WDW missed the boat on theming in that area. We are not going back to WDW again until the new Fantasyland is complete. I'm sure it won't disappoint.

The MK's Fantasyland expansion looks great. But I'm worried it's going to create two halves to FL. The slums outside the walls. The kingdom behind that wall. Quite literally there is a wall being built that will devide the old from the new.



As far as the immersive effect. In DLR you can see the outside world. Guess what? You can in WDW too. If you haven't, you just need to look around harder. What worse is the MK has the contemporary resort built nearby. While some say it puposely built near Tomorrowland so the designs can blend together, you can see it from other lands. And what's worse is they built another tower next to it, closer to the MK. Further ruining the views out of the MK.

In Anahiem they have worked to fix this problem forever. Is it a coincidence that the trees that grow the highest line the berm? Remember when those tall power lines went across the parking lot? Disney pushed them to the boundary of the property. Build a new hotel, lets make the GCH short so it's not seen from DL but is seen as a lodge of Califonia from the Golden State area of DCA. What to do with those tall buildings on the South. Stick a rollercoaster and mountain range in front of them.

Of course at DL there is great reasons to stay offsite. At least Anaheim takes care of the tourist experience. It sure looks better than Kissamee, which is where most offsite WDW guests stay.

 

[blabbermouth]

I feel the opposite. Disney World is a Disney city in itself. When you ride the boats, buses or monorail you never see the outside world. Everything around you is Disney. We stay onsite and for a full week we see very little that is non-Disney all around us. I find the boats a nice way to take a break and relax a bit while going between parks or from DTD to Port Orleans.

However, I do feel Disneyland is far superior to the Magic Kingdom. Disneylands attention to detail is everywhere to me and I feel corners were cut at Magic Kingdom, especially Fantasyland and Pirates.

I agree with this. Having been to both, I like the experience of WDW over DL, more of an all-inclusive vacation feel, but I think DL is better than MK!

And it's refreshing to read an article that is actually accurate about Disneyland/world, so often they have sooooo much misinformation I feel bad for any first timers that read them.

 

[luvgoing2disney]

As far as the immersive effect. In DLR you can see the outside world. Guess what? You can in WDW too. If you haven't, you just need to look around harder. What worse is the MK has the contemporary resort built nearby. While some say it puposely built near Tomorrowland so the designs can blend together, you can see it from other lands. And what's worse is they built another tower next to it, closer to the MK. Further ruining the views out of the MK.

I never think of the Contemporary as not being part of Disney. Now if it were a Sheraton, Marriott, etc., then that would be different. But knowing that it was built as part of resort I do not consider it the outside world.

 

[CrazyDuck]

This has some truth to it, I will admit. However, here are 6 reasons why WDW is better:

- Epcot

Epcot is a bore! About as appealing as innoventions in DL!

- Animal Kingdom

If I really want to see animals I'd go to the SD Wild Animal Park or the Zoo

- Illuminations

World of color Trumps it

- Osbourne Lights at Christmas

I'll take the Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay over your Ozbourne lights

- Resorts

The selection in WDW is better, but I'll take GCH over any resort in WDW

- Cinderella Castle (bigger & more stunning/breathtaking)

+1 for WDW

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Disneyland, but I do think WDW has an edge on it, IMO.

Nah... JMO!

 

[skiingfast]

I never think of the Contemporary as not being part of Disney. Now if it were a Sheraton, Marriott, etc., then that would be different. But knowing that it was built as part of resort I do not consider it the outside world.

The problem is it has a contemporary design. Main Street does not and you can see it from there. Hence intruding on the immersive experience.

 

[luvgoing2disney]

The problem is it has a contemporary design. Main Street does not and you can see it from there. Hence intruding on the immersive experience.

You can, but you really have to make an effort to see it from there. You would see it most from Tomorrowland and the design for the hotel was meant to compliment that area of the park.

 

[SleepingBeautyBride]

 

[Dizneydaz]

Great article. Thanks for the link.

While I love WDW my heart belongs to Disneyland. And I'm actually one of those who liked DCA just the way it was. I'll like the newer version too (especially Carsland with it's TT clone).

When we are at WDW, we are at WDW, 24/7. When I'm at DLR it's like visiting an old friend. Living close by means we can drop in for a visit almost any time.

My favorite parks at WDW, in order
AK
Epcot (though a very close 2nd to AK)
Typhoon Lagoon (Oh how I wish we could have a Disney waterpark here!)
MK (only this far down since DL is so much better)
Blizzard Beach
DHS (only a 1/2 day park for us)

 

[jdb in AZ]

Aren't we fortunate that we can have it both ways?

 

[minjo]

I am a Disneyland fan forever. I love visiting DL and always look forward to what is new and looking at different things when I go there.