Top 5 things that are better at Disneyland than at Walt Disney World

[larryz]

There is a contingent of FP+ haters out there that attempt to blame all of WDW woes on FP+. You will see them show up at some point in most of the threads.

It doesn't make a lot of sense to me but they are entitled to their opinion of course.

I think you've misconstrued the discontent -- it's about the way FP+ was foisted on the WDW guests more than anything else, instead of investing in new rides and more attractions to manage the growing attendance, and for that I blame the former WDW management team.

 

[larryz]

I disagree, but that's because we travel to get out of the winter. Orlando is warmer and drier Dec thru March.

December 2010, WDW was colder than the southwestern Ohio city I left to get away from the cold.

Just sayin'.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

I don't know about the CMs (some at WDW seem to enjoy "putting on the character" but some don't) but the ride is built with one drop shaft instead of 2. So there is no moving between the shafts like the WDW ride. The cars ascend and descend on the same shaft, rather like an actual elevator would. So there are not the same effects or the same level of anticipation.

And, I'll tell you, if you are expecting to go forward but instead just drop, it is certainly an experience! The first time I rode TOT at Disneyland, I was not expecting to drop when we did. What an experience that was!

The weather is Florida is terrible. Too much humidity. I love going on the water rides at Disneyland. Even when you get soaked you are dry again in less than an hour. In Florida I got wet on Kali River rapids and I don't think my clothes ever dried out. Even after hanging them on a chair to dry they were still wet the next morning.

And see, for me, I much prefer the Florida weather. I grew up in west Texas so when moved to south east(ish) Texas for college, the humidity took some getting used to. But, get used to it I did and now, when I go back home, I get nosebleeds, chapped lips, and dry skin. The same thing happened when I went to Disneyland for the first time. It was just too dry for me. I much prefer the humidity and really am not bothered by it.


In my opinion, Fantasyland at Disneyland is head and shoulders above Fantasyland at WDW. There is more to do and it is just so much fun. As is, at WDW, I do Small World, Peter Pan, Little Mermaid, and Barnstormer and I'm done. Personally, though, I much prefer Splash Mountain and Pirates at WDW. I like Space Mountain more at Disneyland. And DCA is a place I love. DHS is my favorite park, but I know a lot of that has to do with wonderful memories and the nostalgia of the place. I can't deny that it appears to be going through a bit of an identity crisis. DCA is a great example of what all DHS could be (no, not exactly, but the theming is great and definitely there which I wish was the case at DHS). Carsland is, in my opinion, the best themed area of any Disney park - and I say that as a person who was rather indifferent towards the movie Cars.


Oh, and I agree that legacy FP rather than FP+ is certainly something that Disneyland has going for it that is better than WDW.

 

[Suvadoo]

As a DL'er I'll weigh in here. I think you're taking the "Walt walked here" sentiments way to literally. It's not that he physically walked down Main Street. It is though that he so intimately planned and participated in the design and building of DL, down to quite small details. Details that make DL what it is today and the spirit of which, imo, carry over to the ongoing magic of the place today. And if DLR is "just" DL, well, that's still enough for me - because inside the walls of DL is absolute, pure magic. An immersive magic not found *for me* at MK.

If you think this is smug, so be it. I disagree of course. Because if you follow DL, and maybe you do, you'll find that DL'ers opinions have very little to do with being better than WDW. I think few care actually (maybe that's smug?) I certainly don't care. If someone likes WDW more, thinks it's better - that's great. Really and truly. Everyone should like what they like. There's no need on my part to convince anyone otherwise. What DL'ers do care about though, intensely, is that their park is the greatest it can be. Comparisons aren't necessary for this.

IMO this is an excellent post. Thanks

 

[Suvadoo]

And, I'll tell you, if you are expecting to go forward but instead just drop, it is certainly an experience! The first time I rode TOT at Disneyland, I was not expecting to drop when we did. What an experience that was!


And see, for me, I much prefer the Florida weather. I grew up in west Texas so when moved to south east(ish) Texas for college, the humidity took some getting used to. But, get used to it I did and now, when I go back home, I get nosebleeds, chapped lips, and dry skin. The same thing happened when I went to Disneyland for the first time. It was just too dry for me. I much prefer the humidity and really am not bothered by it.


In my opinion, Fantasyland at Disneyland is head and shoulders above Fantasyland at WDW. There is more to do and it is just so much fun. As is, at WDW, I do Small World, Peter Pan, Little Mermaid, and Barnstormer and I'm done. Personally, though, I much prefer Splash Mountain and Pirates at WDW. I like Space Mountain more at Disneyland. And DCA is a place I love. DHS is my favorite park, but I know a lot of that has to do with wonderful memories and the nostalgia of the place. I can't deny that it appears to be going through a bit of an identity crisis. DCA is a great example of what all DHS could be (no, not exactly, but the theming is great and definitely there which I wish was the case at DHS). Carsland is, in my opinion, the best themed area of any Disney park - and I say that as a person who was rather indifferent towards the movie Cars.


Oh, and I agree that legacy FP rather than FP+ is certainly something that Disneyland has going for it that is better than WDW.

I love Pirates at DLR. I love floating by the Blue Bayou and seeing the fireflies. I also think the ride is longer and has more vignettes, but I could be wrong. I like the HM exterior better at DLR, but I think it's because it was the first HM, for me. I know MK fans think the castle at DLR is a joke, but when I was a kid the thing I could always see from outside the parks was the Matterhorn. This mountain symbolized DLR to me and every time I saw it I would get excited.

 

[btk2333]

The one reason WDW is better the DL is WDW is not in LA. That alone makes WDW the winner

Have to agree with this one

 

[mummabear]

I would add Fantasmic to the list of things better at DLR than at WDW. At DLR, Fantasmic takes place on the river and you can just watch it from tons of places along walkways, etc. within Disneyland. There's no big patience-trying process like at DHS where you have to wait to get seats or waste a FP+ on it. And I think the show is just as good. I'm not sure they still do Fantasmic at DLR, though, since my experience was about 10 years ago

Nope now locals camp out on blankets for 3 hours ahead of time so you can't just walk up and get a spot, much prefer the stadium seating at WDW however from Dec 10th it will work like WOC does where you must obtain a FP (paper) by pulling it in the morning or purchasing various dining packages.

 

[mummabear]

For me the top advantages of each park are:

DLR
1) Proximity: The 2 parks, the hotels, DTD all walking distance and can easily pop from one to another and back again
2)Ride concentration: the 2 parks have as many rides as WDW's 4
3) The lack of planning required (no FP+ and outside of holiday dates ADRS etc are not so hard to get)
4) I personally prefer many of the ride versions here (RSR over TT, ToT, PoTC, ISAW, Indy over Dino, BTMRR)

WDW
1) The immersive experience, much more of a vacation with the waterparks, the mini putt, the campfire etc
2) The characters, set M&G's and way more character meal options
3) The choice of on site accommodation, DLR has no budget or really IMO moderate price.
4) The fact that hours etc are released much earlier (flying from NZ we must book airfares long before DLR ever announces party dates, park hours etc and it drives me nuts)

 

[CAmommy]

The one reason WDW is better the DL is WDW is not in LA. That alone makes WDW the winner

Anaheim is in Orange County. People not from the area group it all in together, but it actually isn't LA.

 

[MKMomma]

I think you would agree that different people, families, and groups face different situations when planning and enjoying Disney trips.

You say this, but don't seem to apply your own words to yourself.

 

[Kristina4109]

Well, neither is disneyland.

True! And LA = Louisiana. L.A. = Los Angeles

 

[Sherry E]

True! And LA = Louisiana. L.A. = Los Angeles

Very true! DLR is in SoCal, but not in L.A.

And L.A. (even though Disneyland Resort is not in L.A.) gets a bad rap anyway. There are many great things here. Am I right?

 

[MillauFr]

Anaheim is in Orange County. People not from the area group it all in together, but it actually isn't LA.

Why is being near LA a bad thing anyway? The Orlando area seemed like one giant suburban wasteland outside of Disneyworld....

Oops, I guess Orange County is too but at least they are trying to fix it.

 

[btk2333]

Why is being near LA a bad thing anyway? The Orlando area seemed like one giant suburban wasteland outside of Disneyworld....

Oops, I guess Orange County is too but at least they are trying to fix it.

what I like about WDW is that you don't feel like you are in Orlando- you feel like you are in "Disney World"

DLR is in the middle of the city and that makes it harder for me to "escape"

 

[CAmommy]

Why is being near LA a bad thing anyway? The Orlando area seemed like one giant suburban wasteland outside of Disneyworld....

Oops, I guess Orange County is too but at least they are trying to fix it.

It's not a bad thing. I was just correcting the person who said they like WDW because it isn't in L.A.

 

[CAmommy]

Also, have you explored Orange County? The inland areas are ok but the beach cities are amazing.

 

[hakepb]

You can drive to an In-N-Out from DL so DL>WDW

 

[Suvadoo]

You say this, but don't seem to apply your own words to yourself.

 

[Angel Ariel]

what I like about WDW is that you don't feel like you are in Orlando- you feel like you are in "Disney World"

DLR is in the middle of the city and that makes it harder for me to "escape"

I do understand that, but for me, being able to stay in a hotel that is only a 5-10 min walk to the turnstiles - for appx $100/night, as opposed to 3-4x that - mitigates that issue. I am still just as immersed when i am in the parks themselves, which is what is important to me. but we have never been huge hotel people.

 

[Suvadoo]

I do understand that, but for me, being able to stay in a hotel that is only a 5-10 min walk to the turnstiles - for appx $100/night, as opposed to 3-4x that - mitigates that issue. I am still just as immersed when i am in the parks themselves, which is what is important to me. but we have never been huge hotel people.

Agree with you. I also love the ability to park hop at DLR. This entails no bus or car ride and no additional security check. I can park hop in 5 minutes or less and I can also get to Downtown Disney in the same amount of time. Don't get me wrong, I love the WDW bubble, but sometimes its a hassle getting from point A to B because they're so far apart.