Splash Mountain DL vs WDW

[patty57]

Hi All, I'm a WDW vet and know very little about DL. I'm reading through HydroGuy's DLR guide (excellent and informative) and see where Splash Mountain is considered a better attraction at WDW. For those who have ridden at both places, can you tell me why it's better at WDW? What are the differences?
Thanks for any info.

 

[Disney_Alli]

Splash at DL is considerably shorter and with much less theming and that's why WDW is considered better

 

[daannzzz]

The scenes are more elaborately decorated. It feels like more complete experience. There are a couple scenes in it that are not at Disneyland. The seats are more comfortable at WDW, though I think this contributes to the final hill not feeling quite as thrilling even though it is the same.

 

[8timesblessed]

I feel like the disneyland version is very jerky. I loved the wdw version. I just felt like I was whipped through the ride at the land.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

To me, the WDW version tells more of a story than the Disneyland one. Both rides, though similar, are different, so it's cool to ride them both to check it out. Same with Jungle Cruise - different elements in both rides.

 

[mirage0306]

I think it's slightly better at WDW but I don't think it's *dramatically* better (like POTC is at DLR). it is longer, and there are a few more scenes, but I think the one at DL is perfectly fine, and still a lot of fun. In addition to the large drop into the briar patch, there are more mini-drops in the DLR version than at WDW (WDW's is kind of a lazier ride).

WDW also seats 2 or 3 across with a lap bar, and DLR's is a flume style where you sit one in front of the other and there are no restraints. My ten year old was a little nervous about this, even though I assured him it was fine. (We still rode it at least seven times this last trip, lol.)

 

[bellazachmom]

I absolutely LOVE Splash Mountain, it is one of my favorite rides at both parks!

That being said, I MUCH prefer the DW one over the DL version mainly because the DL version is much "darker" and I'm not just referring to the lighting! The mood, the music, the theme -- it's just seems to focus more on everyone being scared of Br'er Bear and Br'er Fox vs. Br'er Rabbit getting the better of both. My husband told me I was crazy and just imagined the differences so we watched both versions on you tube after our visit in October and he realized what I was talking about.

I also prefer the logs/seating at DW to those at DL.

It's still a great ride, though!

 

[wallawallakids]

I am in the minority then because I prefer the one at DL over WDW. I think the drop at WDW may be larger as well as the ride being longer and more elaborate. But I like the single logs!! You can see both sides so much better and with little ones, it is easier to hold on to them when they are sitting in front of you, vs. beside you. Just personal preference I guess!

 

[KCmike]

Alright this is my favorite ride in all Disney parks! WDW version is superior but with that being said I think Disneyland has more superior rides as a whole.

Here's the reason why WDW's version is better:

DL's version races through the animatronics. I'm talking "fast forward" style. WDW's version actually slows down inside the mountain. I'm not sure if its the seating or what but it so blatantly obvious that Disneyland's ride just motors through so fast. You will also get very wet on DL's ride. The water will come over the side of the boat and get your feet sopping wet. It doesn't happen all the time but it happens more often than not.

There are better drops at WDW as well. There is one in the middle at WDW that goes up and down and then back up again. I think its the second series of drops.

DL's version is still fun but WDW wins out on this one.

 

[mirage0306]

There are better drops at WDW as well. There is one in the middle at WDW that goes up and down and then back up again. I think its the second series of drops.

Okay, I promise I am not trying to be contrary but we were just in DLR and I could have sworn that version of Splash Mountain has the double drop in the middle, and that WDW is the one that doesn't have it. I haven't been on WDW's Splash since the summer, but if memory serves, the small drops throughout (while you're watching the animatronics) are very mild and just serve to move you along. I distinctly remember the double drop being at DLR.

Have I somehow totally messed things up in my head?

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

Okay, I promise I am not trying to be contrary but we were just in DLR and I could have sworn that version of Splash Mountain has the double drop in the middle, and that WDW is the one that doesn't have it. I haven't been on WDW's Splash since the summer, but if memory serves, the small drops throughout (while you're watching the animatronics) are very mild and just serve to move you along. I distinctly remember the double drop being at DLR. Have I somehow totally messed things up in my head?

I actually agree with you - although have never done the WDW one am going just off my memory of the DL one. In the middle of the ride, inside, Br'er Bear's butt is hanging above your head as you start down the drop - and I'm 99% sure that's the one with the double drop.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

I actually agree with you - although have never done the WDW one am going just off my memory of the DL one. In the middle of the ride, inside, Br'er Bear's butt is hanging above your head as you start down the drop - and I'm 99% sure that's the one with the double drop.

Yes...we like the DL version better because you do actually get wet on the ride. Plus my family fits perfectly in one boat. No strangers in our ride photos like the WDW version.

 

[Jkpark]

I prefer WDW because I hate drops and feel so much more secure with the lap bar. DD6 likes sitting next to me and at DL that means we are in the back and I can't stand it. I also like at WDW the kids can watch the ride and get wet/cool off doing it.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

Splash at DL is considerably shorter and with much less theming and that's why WDW is considered better

I wouldn't call it considerably shorter. The swamp scene is longer in WDW, that's about it. There are also more audio-animatronics in Disneyland. It's usually considered better at WDW because the logs are wider and more comfortable, and move through the mountain less quickly. The mountain isn't longer, though.

Also for PPs, DL has all of the same drops as WDW, both inside and outside the mountain.

For the OP, beware that DL's version is currently in terrible shape, with a lot of lights turned out and many animatronics not working. It's getting a refurb in 2014, but right now is disappointing compared to the Orlando version which is in great shape after its own recent refurb.

 

[KCmike]

Okay, I promise I am not trying to be contrary but we were just in DLR and I could have sworn that version of Splash Mountain has the double drop in the middle, and that WDW is the one that doesn't have it. I haven't been on WDW's Splash since the summer, but if memory serves, the small drops throughout (while you're watching the animatronics) are very mild and just serve to move you along. I distinctly remember the double drop being at DLR.

Have I somehow totally messed things up in my head?

No your not being contrary at all. The way I remember it is that they do both have double drops but the WDW version seems to go back up again to give the feeling of another movement. I'm probably wrong about it. No worries. It is distinctively faster (DL Version)though as you "race" past the animatronics.

 

[superlarz]

The DL version def. has the drop when you go down then back up when you head into the laughing place. The WDW is less jerky than the DL verison. The DL version you dont usually get wet in the back 3 seats unless you are on a heavy log (if you are worried about your feet you can put them against the wall of the log and they wont get wet.) The WDW version is a lot brighter than the DL version (hopefully this is fixed after the refurb.) I liked the WDW version much better before the lap bars. Really hope they dont add anything like that to the DL version any time soon

 

[KCmike]

Oh Yeah I forgot one important thing that the WDW version has...

Real live Alligators! The last time we were there a CM was poking its head trying to get it to move out of the water. It was in the part where you come down the final drop and then make the loop back towards the mountain for the final scene. It was crazy to see it!

 

[HydroGuy]

When both are in god working condition, the WDW version of Splash just feels more complete to me. The DL version always seemed to have the story feel incomplete, hard to follow, and abruptly end.

 

[JoMarch]

So funny...I'm a WDW vet, but I preferred Splash Mountain and the Jungle Cruise at DL.

In Splash Mountain, the Momma Rabbit towards the end singing "poor brier rabbit..." cracks me up. My only switch off is - I got soaked at DL...but not as much at WDW...which I prefer.

I also liked the jumping piranhas in the Jungle Cruise.

 

[Dot2Vegas]

I prefer WDW because I hate drops and feel so much more secure with the lap bar. DD6 likes sitting next to me and at DL that means we are in the back and I can't stand it. I also like at WDW the kids can watch the ride and get wet/cool off doing it.

We have never been on either Splash but my girls are ready to try on our next DL trip. This may sound really dumb, but how do you stay secured in the log if there are no lap bars? Is it just gravity? And its single seating which means I can't put my death grip on my kids?! Maybe just paranoid mama here! My girls are 7,7 and 9 and will sit still and obey rules. Its just me that worries about them falling out!