WDW Vet Since 1984... First Visit and Disneyland is Better!

[tfc3rid]

Morning all!

Well, I just got back from my First visit to Disneyland after 40+ trips to WDW since 1984. I'm a DVC member back in FL and used point to stay at the Disneyland Hotel... I was traveling as a party of 3 adults.

Let me first say that my overall impression is that the Disneyland Resort is better than Walt Disney World in a large number of ways IMO.

The positives:
1. Walking Distance between everything... DL Hotel to DTD to Disneyland and California Adventure... This made it seem more like a cohesive resort as opposed to a huge spawled layout.

2. Better attractions. The 3 best Disney attractions I've ever been on are at DL: Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean and Indiana Jones Adventure. I knew heading in that some of the DL originals were better but they are MUCH better... The Space Mountain rehab is incredible... Indy is tremendous and the Fantasyland in CA makes the MK look awful...

3. Better nighttime shows. Fantasmic CA was excellent and much better than Fantasmic FL. World of Color was impressive.

4. Food. Of course, one of the most frustrating things for WDW vets is the decline in quality and variety of food and the availability of dining if you aren't a long term planner. Well, this is another area where DL is better. There might not be the quantity but dining was excellent as far we were concerned.

5. California Adventure. I know it was much maligned but I think that given the ongoing work there and the current attractions, it's a better park than Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom in terms of things to do. Sure, Paradise Pier is not 'Disney' but it's creatively done and works for the park. However, the Tower of Terror doesn't hold a candle to the FL original.

I'm sure there is more but this is surprising to even me... I never expected to come out of this trip thinking this way but you lucky folks in SoCal have the better Disney Resort overall...

My one negative? I did not get the same Cast Member vibe of friendliness and bend over backwards for the guests that I still get in FL... Not sure why? But this did not detract from my visit at all.

 

[Lucille1963]

I'm so glad you had such a great trip! Thanks for sharing!

 

[jdb in AZ]

Morning all!

My one negative? I did not get the same Cast Member vibe of friendliness and bend over backwards for the guests that I still get in FL... Not sure why? But this did not detract from my visit at all.

I'm wondering if it's because the cast members at EPCOT World Showcase are from all over the world. They're such outstanding young adults. Also, WDW has the college credit program for cast members, so the students are there for more than a paycheck. I wonder if that has anything to do with it.

Glad you enjoyed DLR. We enjoy both WDW and DLR, but we're glad DLR is closer -- an hour flight instead of five.

 

[tfc3rid]

I'm wondering if it's because the cast members at EPCOT World Showcase are from all over the world. They're such outstanding young adults. Also, WDW has the college credit program for cast members, so the students are there for more than a paycheck. I wonder if that has anything to do with it.

Glad you enjoyed DLR. We enjoy both WDW and DLR, but we're glad DLR is closer -- an hour flight instead of five.

I'm in Atlanta, so WDW is a 1 hour trip by plane (6 by car) and LA is about 4 hours by plane... I look forward to going back to DL to ride the MAtterhorn and visit CarsLand in the future...

While EPCOT is my favorite park in Florida, I did not really miss it not being at Disneyland...

 

[Magalex]

Awesome review! Looking forward to our first trip to DL next July. Taking a break from WDW while they work on a few new things in FL

 

[HydroGuy]

Wow, that was a rousing endorsement! I guess I am really, truly getting to be a bi-coastal Disney fan when I felt an urge to defend WDW!

Glad you had a great trip. DLR really does have areas that are better than WDW. And you did not even mention weather! Or the Aladdin show.

I myself hesitate saying DLR is better because that would mean I have lost sight of Rockin Rollercoaster, Expedition Everest, Off-Kilter, Mulch Sweat and Shears, Beaches & Cream, Philharmagic, Streetmosphere characters at DHS, Festival of the Lion King, and Sci-Fi Dine-In. I think both resorts are awesome places with lots of Disney magic.

 

[poohbear2]

As a fellow multi WDW trip visitor I am so happy to read this review. We are going to DL for the first time in FEb.

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[twopeasonepod]

Wow, that was a rousing endorsement! I guess I am really, truly getting to be a bi-coastal Disney fan when I felt an urge to defend WDW!

Glad you had a great trip. DLR really does have areas that are better than WDW. And you did not even mention weather! Or the Aladdin show.

I myself hesitate saying DLR is better because that would mean I have lost sight of Rockin Rollercoaster, Expedition Everest, Off-Kilter, Mulch Sweat and Shears, Beaches & Cream, Philharmagic, Streetmosphere characters at DHS, Festival of the Lion King, and Sci-Fi Dine-In. I think both resorts are awesome places with lots of Disney magic.

I agree with the OP, but also with Hydroguy's last statement. They both are awesome, but I do have a soft spot for the original TOT, Rockin Rollercoaster, and Expedition Everest! Oh, and the Brown Derby!

 

[Club33forme]

Ok it is official, Disneyland is better.

Just kidding, I enjoy both parks and both are great Disney parks. Thank you for your review, glad you enjoyed Disneyland.

Disneyland is the park that Walt built and Walt Disney World it the park that Roy built for Walt and he did a great job.

I often wonder where our favourite vacation destinations would be if it was not for Walt & Roy.

 

[tfc3rid]

I agree with the OP, but also with Hydroguy's last statement. They both are awesome, but I do have a soft spot for the original TOT, Rockin Rollercoaster, and Expedition Everest! Oh, and the Brown Derby!

Expedition Everest is solid, EPCOT as a whole is special... The variety of places to eat is a win for WDW if you are a planner...

However, for me, based on the overall experience I've seen over the last few years at WDW, DL beats it right now... WDW is declining for one reason or another, similar to how DL did in the late 90's/early 2000s.

It seems like a lot more love has been given to DL over the past 5 years and it shows, big time...

 

[Hipcat]

Disneyland is the best amusement park in the world and Disney World is the best resort in the world. They both have their own strenghts. Disneyland is like my home, since I go there twice a year. I rarely get to WDW so it's more of a treat.

WDW has so much to do that you can feel a bit overwhelmed, but that also means you never get bored.

Disneyland has two of my favorite spots in the world, Blue Bayou and Jewel of Orleans. They are always must stop locations on my visits. As people have said Pirates of the Caribbean in Disneyland is unmatched.