WDW Veteran w/ DL Questions

[Lissete]

My family and I know WDW inside & out since we are in Miami & visit quite frequently. We are taking our first trip to Calif. in June and are totally clueless!

We have purchased a 3 day hopper but actually have 2 1/2 days to visit the parks. Unfortunately as it turns out we will be visiting during the weekend. We plan on getting to ANAheim at about 3PM on Fri. and go straight to the park. We would like to see & do EVERYTHING that we don't have here at WDW first, in case we run out of time. That being said, which attractions in DL are identical to the ones in WDW? We can leave those for last and do them if we have time but won't regret it if we don't. KWIM?

 

[nic589]

YOU GOTTA SEE THE ALLADIN MUSICAL!!!! at DCA. We always go to see the show when we are there. The Genie's jokes are always changing so it doesn't get old. If you like the movie you will love the show!!!. We always try to sit in the orchestra level, but in the first row of the Back section on the far side of the entrance. King Ali walks right in front of us on his elephant. We are a slightly raised above the front orchestra section so you will have a great view of the stage, and the flying carpet.

 

[iceskatejen]

Here's what you can definetely skip as they are identical:
DL:
Star Tours
Honey, I Shrunk the Audience

DCA:
It's Tough to be a Bug
Muppet Vision 3D
If you've been on it at Epcot, Soarin' Over CA (don't get me wrong, it's awesome, but my understading is that it's the exact same ride).

What you can't skip as they're very different and better in DL:
If it has reopened (you didn't specify when in June), Pirates of the Carribean (it reopens June 24)
Space Mountain
Haunted Mansion (ok, these are about equal for me with DL's and MK's)
Tiki Room (we have the original show)
In DCA, Tower of Terror (it's a toss up on which is better on this one)

And of course there's the unique to DL attractions:
Matterhorn (though it's very similar in feel to MK's Space)
Indiana Jones
Pinocchio
Alice in Wonderland
Mr. Toad
Storybookland
Casey Jr Circus Train

Unique to DCA attractions:
CA Screamin'
Monsters Inc.
Grizzly River Run
(there are more, but these are the best)

 

[jlmarr]

More unique to DL rides:

- Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin (worth it for the queue alone)

- The Canoes!! (get up close and personal with that nasty water)

Another you can skip:

- Splash Mtn (the WDW version is much better, IMO)

 

[ter-moo]

Also, don't miss the Peter Pan ride at DL--it's much better than the one at WDW, in my opinion.

 

[Lissete]

Thanks for all your responses! I hope that we won't have to miss anything, except Star Tours since neither of us really cares for this ride. We arrive on the 23rd so hopefully POTC will be open. Oh, and thanks for the tip as to where we should try to sit for Aladdin.

 

[keenercam]

Great advice! Thanks!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Another you can skip:

- Splash Mtn (the WDW version is much better, IMO)

I definitely agree with that!

And like another poster mentioned, Soarin' at Epcot is the exact same as the one at California Adventure.

Have fun at Disneyland, you'll love it!

 

[momsgoofy]

Here's what you can definetely skip as they are identical:
DL:
Star Tours
Honey, I Shrunk the Audience

DCA:
It's Tough to be a Bug
Muppet Vision 3D
If you've been on it at Epcot, Soarin' Over CA (don't get me wrong, it's awesome, but my understading is that it's the exact same ride).

What you can't skip as they're very different and better in DL:
If it has reopened (you didn't specify when in June), Pirates of the Carribean (it reopens June 24)
Space Mountain
Haunted Mansion (ok, these are about equal for me with DL's and MK's)
Tiki Room (we have the original show)
In DCA, Tower of Terror (it's a toss up on which is better on this one)

And of course there's the unique to DL attractions:
Matterhorn (though it's very similar in feel to MK's Space)
Indiana Jones
Pinocchio
Alice in Wonderland
Mr. Toad
Storybookland
Casey Jr Circus Train

Unique to DCA attractions:
CA Screamin'
Monsters Inc.
Grizzly River Run
(there are more, but these are the best)

Okay, you said DL has the original Tiki Room show? So does that mean it doesn't have Yago and that other bird...I cannot for the life of me remember the name right now...but it is a different show than the WDW Tiki Room?

Thanks!

 

[Jessmela]

More unique to DL rides:

Another you can skip:

- Splash Mtn (the WDW version is much better, IMO)

DL's Splash is sooo much better than WDW's. Please don't skip it. (Unless of course it's cold and you don't want to get wet.)

Another one not to miss is Fantasmic! -- also incredibly better than at WDW.

Also, since you'll have limited time you might want to check out Ridemax.com I haven't ever used it myself, but will for my upcoming April trip and it comes highly recommended.

 

[Jessmela]

Okay, you said DL has the original Tiki Room show? So does that mean it doesn't have Yago and that other bird...I cannot for the life of me remember the name right now...but it is a different show than the WDW Tiki Room?

Thanks!

Yes!! No annoying Iago Just Mr. Disney's magical original

 

[Jessmela]

I forgot to mention if you need a break and have time it's also fun to:

--Take a train ride all the way around the park (don't miss the Grand Canyon)
--Take a ride on the Columbia Sailing Ship or Mark Twain Steamboat
--Watch the old b&w cartoons in the theater on Main Street
--Catch the show at the Golden Horseshoe (I haven't seen the latest one but have heard it's fun)

 

[carolina_yankee]

From our experience last summer, all of the Fantasyland dark rides at DL were in much better condition than their counterparts at WDW. The black light colors really stood out.

 

[momsgoofy]

Yes!! No annoying Iago Just Mr. Disney's magical original

All I can say is !!! Iago is so annoying! I can't wait to see the original! Thanks so much!

 

[BunnieGene]

Awww, I wouldn't skip Splash Mountain. I think it moves a little faster, and you ride single-file instead of side-by side. So a little different.

 

[dbanzai]

Zazou, the other bird.

The Indy ride is very similar to Dinosaur, but I'd say much better. But since they are both essentially Star Tours on wheels, I mention that in case you dson't like the shaky aspect of ST.

California Screamin' is my favorite coaster I've been on yet in the world.

The major difference between the two Haunted Mansions is something you probably won't notice anyway, so you can skip it if you are crunched on time. DL's waiting room is actually an elevator, so when the room is growing, the floor is going down. This is because in the cramped CA streets of Anaheim, the ride is actually outside of the train tracks, and you go under the train for the HM.

ToT is much better at WDW, skip it here... Unless it's never been working properly when I've been to DL, there is a major difference between the two.