WDW vs. DLR Thrill Rides

[Mnementh]

This probably isn't the appropriate forum for this, but I wasn't sure where to put it since it involves both WDW and DLR.

Has anyone been to both WDW and DLR within the last several years? I'm planning my first trip to DLR in a couple months and I'm not too big on thrill rides. At WDW, I was willing to ride on everything but the Rock n' Rollercoaster and Tower of Terror, but I found out that the DLR version of Splash Mountain has riders sitting single-file, so I don't think I'll be riding on that. My question is do any of the other rides differ at DLR from their WDW counterparts that may affect my willingness to ride on them? Thanks for your help.

 

[RunDanceSkate]

We found space mountain to be much rougher on the body in Paris. We are all different shapes and sizes but non of us fit comfortably in the seats.

We once rode Rock n Roll, 16 times in a row before breakfast (had to stop and eat LOL) but non of us would ride SM Paris a 2nd time.

Everything else is about the same but whatever you do, don't miss the finding Nemo ride, it's so cool.

 

[Mnementh]

Oh, sorry. I guess I should stop being lazy and actually stop abbreviating things. I was actually referring to Disneyland in Anaheim. Thanks, but sorry for the confusion.

Oh, and I guess this thread probably belongs on the theme park attractions and strategies forum, maybe. If a moderator agrees and wants to move it, I'd appreciate it.

 

[Handbag Lady]

I know them both well.

Just avoid the Mountain Ranges at DL and California Screamin', Maliboomer, and TOT at DCA and you'll be fine.

I've found that DL, being designed mostly by Walt with families in mind, tends to have more what I call "all-ride" attractions that the whole family can enjoy, and less thrill-type rides which you seem to dislike.

But, have you done Soarin' Over California? It is a height-based ride but it isn't a thrill ride.

I'd be happy to answer any questions if you have more. DL is much more compact than WDW and you can walk to everything and do so much more in a day.

You must ride Storybook, though! It is very unique and quite lovely.

 

[Handbag Lady]

Oh, and the TOT in WDW is so much better than the TOT in DCA. Ours here is shorter in time and is missing a section.

I think our Space Mountain here is much tamer than WDW's, but it is still a steel coaster with speed and fast turns.

But, we do have the Matterhorn and WDW does not. This is so very, very tame, but I do like coasters so your mileage may vary.

Our Big Thunders are pretty much the same: bumpy!

 

[Pakey]

I know them both well.

Just avoid the Mountain Ranges at DL and California Screamin', Maliboomer, and TOT at DCA and you'll be fine.

I was fine with Screamin', Maliboomer and all of the others except for that ride that's like a ferris wheel with the cages that move and swing (forgot the name). Now that one scared me.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

Unless they have refurbed Splash Mountain since 06, avoid the one at DL at all costs! Going up the track was so bumpy, it actually hurt my butt. Seriously.
Space Mtn was completely refurbed a few years ago..in my opinion, it's MUCH smoother than the one in WDW. The Matterhorn was down when we last went, but I rode it as a kid and always loved it.
DO not miss Soarin at California Adventure. It's just a lot cooler to watch the movie while you are actually IN Ca.
Oh, and do not miss the Indiana Jones attraction...it's kinda the same type of ride as Dinasaour (sp) at Animal Kingdom, but I think it's much better.

Oh, and at Big Thunder Mountain RR in DL, there is supposed to be
a "goat trick" which you can read about here http://micechat.com/forums/disneyla...d-everything-you-wanted-know-photo-heavy.html
I tried it and it didn't work, I ended up being slung into my DH's chest and the momentum of the ride kept me there for several seconds. Funny, but I felt stupid.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

I also think Space Mountain at DL is much smoother than the one at WDW. If all you don't ride at WDW is RnRC and ToT, I would only avoid California Screamin', Maliboomer and ToT at DLR.

Space, BTMRR and Splash are similar enough that if you're OK on the WDW versions, you should be OK on the DL versions. I guess I don't understand why single-file on Splash is an issue. Space Mtn at WDW is single file, yet you're OK with that? If anything, on DL's Splash, you sit closer to your friend/spouse/whoever, than on WDW's Space Mtn, becasue it's one of those long bench type seats, rather than individual single-file seats.

Matterhorn is bumpy, but very tame. It's the first steel rollercoaster built in the U.S. (or the world?), so even though it's old, it's a must-do, IMO.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

I also think Space Mountain at DL is much smoother than the one at WDW. If all you don't ride at WDW is RnRC and ToT, I would only avoid California Screamin', Maliboomer and ToT at DLR.

Space, BTMRR and Splash are similar enough that if you're OK on the WDW versions, you should be OK on the DL versions. I guess I don't understand why single-file on Splash is an issue. Space Mtn at WDW is single file, yet you're OK with that? If anything, on DL's Splash, you sit closer to your friend/spouse/whoever, than on WDW's Space Mtn, becasue it's one of those long bench type seats, rather than individual single-file seats.

Matterhorn is bumpy, but very tame. It's the first steel rollercoaster built in the U.S. (or the world?), so even though it's old, it's a must-do, IMO.

I messed up and put Space Mountain was bumpy...I meant Splash. It was awful!!

 

[Mnementh]

thanks everyone for your input. I'm especially glad to know that Space Mountain is okay at Disneyland. I'm assuming that the drop on Pirates is still about the same and not suddenly 50 feet long?


I did ride on Soarin' at Epcot. DW and I are both afraid of heights and we were both caught off guard by exactly how far it lifted off the ground. I still found the ride fun, but DW didn't enjoy it, so unless she's going to ride something by herself while I ride that by myself, we'll probably be skipping that one.

I didn't realize there was an actual Indiana Jones ride. Now I'm looking forward to that. I really enjoy the Dinosaur ride.

The only reason I'm okay with the single-file on Space Mountain is because it doesn't drop 50+ feet I'm very picky with where I sit on coasters. I always have to request to be near the front and on Space Mountain specifically, I always ask DW to sit in front of me because I feel more comfortable holding onto something and all that ride has is the seat back in front of you, so I don't want to hold that with a stranger in front of me.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

Pirates in DL has two drops, so be prepared for that. They are longer, but still mild, nothing like Splash Mtn, IMO.

On Soarin', you can ask to sit in the back row, and then you are not nearly as high off the floor.

The Indiana Jones ride is awesome! Don't miss it!

Oh, and on the ferris wheel (they changed it's name, I think it's Mickey's Fun Wheel now) at CA, you may want to get in a gondola that doesn't swing. I think the swinging ones are fun, but they really freaked out my brother, who's taste in rides seems more like yours.

Have fun!

 

[bumbershoot]

At WDW, I was willing to ride on everything but the Rock n' Rollercoaster and Tower of Terror, but I found out that the DLR version of Splash Mountain has riders sitting single-file, so I don't think I'll be riding on that.

Sounds like you ride nearly everything!

Space Mtn at WDW is likened to the Matterhorn by those who have been on both. Therefore, you'll be OK with Matterhorn. Seating on it is one in front of the other, but you're *right* front and back with them. A cuddle ride if your wife will go. If she won't, then you're just alone in the seat.

Space Mtn at DLR is really smooth, and you side side by side with individual lap bars.

There is one seat in the very back of the log on Splash where you can sit next to someone, if both of you are small, or one is a child. The seatbacks are fairly "deep", so I haven't noticed that bracing myself against it impacts the person in front. If you sit in the very front, of course, there's no one to be bothered if you brace on the front...and it's lightly padded, which is nice.

Just in case you can get your wife to go on Splash, I found the drop to be MUCH more tolerable while sitting in the far back.

Screamin's is a loop coaster like RnR. TOT is basically the same, just shorter. Maliboomer will be obvious, as it's all out in the open, that you likely won't want to go on it.

 

[bumbershoot]

I second the idea of asking for the lowest row of seats on Soarin'. You'll see the feet of those above you dangling, but you'll be much closer to the floor.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

The second drop on POTC is steeper than the one at WDW, but it's a fun drop. And I HATE drops. So you'll be fine. And PLEASE don't miss Indiana Jones, it's sooooo goood. We were able to ride it 4 times while we were there because we would always ride during the parades. It's my favorite "non classic" attraction at DL or WDW. I wish they would do away with the stupid stunt show at DHS and put in the Indy ride.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

One more tip...If you love corndogs, the ones on the boardwalk at California Adventure are the bomb. I have never had a better corndog and they are huge!

 

[momrek06]

I go to DL all the time and seriously OP, you CAN do Splash and you will love it. I was like you the FIRST time. But I got in and was glad I did. It is AWESOME. And the single file is no biggie.

SOARIN' is my alllllllllll time fav. I do that multiple times a day when we go and I ALWAYS ask the CM's if I can have the first row. When you get up to the CM, he will ask how many, if it looks like you will NOT be in the FIRST row, ask them if you can go to that next section of SOARIN" and they always say YES!!!! The beauty of SOARIN' is IF you do not like it, just simply close your eyes.

I have been to WDW maybe 12x and yes, I love WDW but I absolutely LOVE DL!!!!!!! This is WALT's park!! Just so special!!

One thing you could do is go to YOUTUBE and google the different rides. You will find just about every ride at DL someone has video'ed and put up on YOUTUBE to give you a feel and an idea of what the ride is like.

Matterhorn, now that to me is a different story. THAT I just did not like. Too fast and too many turns, I did not enjoy one thing about being on the Matterhorn.

PIRATES is absoutely FABULOUS!! Do not let the drops worry you, they are minor, very very minor.

 

[Maridw]

I love DL in some ways more than I do WDW. I love DL's new version of Space Mountain and love Pirates there better too. My favorite is the Matterhorn. Another thing that DL has that WDW doesn't is the Indiana Jones Ride. Even though the cars are the same as Dinosaur, I like it better than the Dinosaur ride.

I like the WDW version of Splash Mountain. We don't ride it too much, but I like the way the seating is. One year we went and we had like 10 of us and they got us all into the one car, but we had the bigger people in the front and my sister barely got in. We had mostly young kids, but it was still strange how they loaded it. There are 3 sections of seating in the car, so watch how they load you. (This was at DL)

Another plus is that they have Mister Toad's Wild Ride in Fantasyland.

I like CA Screamin', don't remember if we did Maliboomer. The Mickey's FunWheel - formerly SunWheel (Ferris Wheel with Sliding section) was fine. You can opt to be in a car that slides or one that doesn't.

Storybook Land Canal boats are very different, so is Casey Junior's Train. Another interesting thing is the Sleeping Beauty Castle Walk Through. This was closed down for awhile after 9-11 but has been re-opened.

Don't forget the the Tiki Room is the original version, not the "Under New Management" version. I went to an event in 2006 concerning the Tiki Room and they had an imagineer there who was in charge of the refurbishment and ws telling us how they had the bird sing different songs than the normal soundtrack. Another DL unique ride is Alice In Wonderland.

DL is a more intimate type of park. If you are going during the summer, you will find that DCA doesn't seem to have enough shaded areas. (That's what we thought). Make sure you make it to Downtown Disney. They usually have street musicians and they are spaced just right apart. You are usually just getting out of hearing range for one, when you are getting into range for the next.

Have fun.

 

[Mnementh]

One thing you could do is go to YOUTUBE and google the different rides. You will find just about every ride at DL someone has video'ed and put up on YOUTUBE to give you a feel and an idea of what the ride is like.

Matterhorn, now that to me is a different story. THAT I just did not like. Too fast and too many turns, I did not enjoy one thing about being on the Matterhorn.

I tried doing that with some rides, but most of the indoor rides are too dark to see what's coming. I watched the videos of the Matterhorn (both sides) and it looked kind of tame to me. Now I'm a little nervous, though

Don't forget the the Tiki Room is the original version, not the "Under New Management" version. I went to an event in 2006 concerning the Tiki Room and they had an imagineer there who was in charge of the refurbishment and ws telling us how they had the bird sing different songs than the normal soundtrack.

I'm glad to hear that. I was fortunate enough as a kid to get to see the original, but I'v almost forgotten what it was like. DW has never seen the original, so she'll really enjoy it.

 

[Maridw]

I tried doing that with some rides, but most of the indoor rides are too dark to see what's coming. I watched the videos of the Matterhorn (both sides) and it looked kind of tame to me. Now I'm a little nervous, though

Matterhorn isn't really bad. My brother was riding it as soon as he reached the height requirement and loved it.

Something else that is different but not different is It's a Small World. If you have seen the new facade for WDW then picture it much larger and being in it's own building. IASW is in building by itself and the same facade as WDW but for the whole building. Besure to be there on the strike of the hour and see what happens. It is especially pretty at Christmas.

The Swiss Family Treehouse is not at DL, there it is Tarzan's Treehouse.

Make sure you go and walk around the Grand Californian Hotel. It is beautiful to look at and just wander around the lobby and grounds.

I grew up going to DL and so it will always be my favorite. One year we went and stayed at a hotel across the street and happened to get into the park fairly early. It was kind of strange walking through Fantasyland with barely any people in that area at all. Because of the way the trees are and it being a bit smaller, it seemed as if we had the park almost to ourselves. I guess with the layout it cuts the noise down quite a bit too.

In 1992, I went for a College/University night. My friend & I were walking back from Splash Mountain and there was like no one else near us in Frontierland. We had the whole area basically to ourselves. We got to talking to a couple CM's and found out the there were only about 2,000 in the park. They said that Disney was guaranteed payment for 5,000. So it was really nice.

If you can get in as close to opening time and though it might seem like there are alot of people at the gates, once you get in you will be able to find areas that have very few people in them.

 

[Mnementh]

Thanks, everyone, for the information and tips. Just one more question for my peace of mind. The Disneyland Space Mountain that everyone was referring to is the current, renovated version, right?