What can we skip?

[ldymcbth]

We are usually WDW visitors. What do you suggest we can SKIP (or more accurately, move to the bottom of the list of to-dos) at DLR/DCA because of their similarities to WDW attractions?

I still want to do DLR Pirates and DLR Small World because of the differences. What about Peter Pan - is that exactly the same?

Is the Ariel ride at DCA exactly the same as the WDW one (aside from the queue differences)?

 

[ClosetDisneyJunkie]

We are usually WDW visitors. What do you suggest we can SKIP (or more accurately, move to the bottom of the list of to-dos) at DLR/DCA because of their similarities to WDW attractions?

I still want to do DLR Pirates and DLR Small World because of the differences. What about Peter Pan - is that exactly the same?

Is the Ariel ride at DCA exactly the same as the WDW one (aside from the queue differences)?

sadly it's been too long since I've been to WDW, I can't comment substantively, but this thread may help a bit:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[figment_jii]

I agree with the recommendation to take a look at HydroGuy's DLR Guide for WDW Vets. There are surprisingly few rides that are identical between the two resorts.

Is the Ariel ride at DCA exactly the same as the WDW one (aside from the queue differences)?

For the most part, yes, the ride is the same. Some elements might be subtly different, but for it's the same basic ride. Unless you've memorized the one from MK, I don't think it'd be that easy to spot the differences in DCA.

The rides that seem nearly the same to me at DLR and WDW are Star Tours, Soarin', Muppets, TSMM, Dumbo, and Tea Cups. Almost all of the have different queues in the two resorts, but the basic ride and ride elements are the same. I included Dumbo and Mad Tea Party because they are the same basic ride, but the buildings/layouts are different.

Things like Peter Pan are similar, but there are differences. It would be worth riding it once, just note, that like MK, it usually has a long line. Unlike MK, there is no FP for Peter Pan at DL. While having similar elements, I would also add in HM to your list of things to ride. Much of the ride itself is the same, but the set-up is a little different and both are fun (to me!).

 

[spellhex]

For the most part, yes, the ride is the same. Some elements might be subtly different, but for it's the same basic ride. Unless you've memorized the one from MK, I don't think it'd be that easy to spot the differences in DCA.

I'm not sure if this is still true, but I read somewhere that DCA's Little Mermaid ride has been updated and now has a fair number of differences from it's original/MK version (the Under the Sea room, for example, has been significantly improved). They aren't significant changes, but the ride looks a lot more "fuller" than the original, if that makes sense.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

I wouldn't skip anything. Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World are not carbon copies of each other. If you're intent on simply experiencing a "Greatest Hits" of DLR, you're missing the point. Very little is duplicated, as other have said, even though it may seem that way from simply looking at a map. If you like it at WDW, ride it or do it at DL or DCA and you might be very surprised.

 

[figment_jii]

I'm not sure if this is still true, but I read somewhere that DCA's Little Mermaid ride has been updated and now has a fair number of differences from it's original/MK version (the Under the Sea room, for example, has been significantly improved). They aren't significant changes, but the ride looks a lot more "fuller" than the original, if that makes sense.

Yes, they improved the lighting and brightened up the colors in the Under the Sea room, along with having hand drawn animations for the opening. I agree that these are changes, but the basic ride is still pretty much the same (the basic scenes are the same). I wouldn't skip the ride outright, but if someone is pressed for time (and is a WDW vet), I would put this lower on the list than some other similar rides (e.g., Pirates, Haunted Mansion, etc.) where there are notable/significant differences. I happily ride Little Mermaid both in MK and DL, but I'm not generally pressed for time when visiting either resort.

 

[HydroGuy]

We are usually WDW visitors. What do you suggest we can SKIP (or more accurately, move to the bottom of the list of to-dos) at DLR/DCA because of their similarities to WDW attractions?

I still want to do DLR Pirates and DLR Small World because of the differences. What about Peter Pan - is that exactly the same?

Is the Ariel ride at DCA exactly the same as the WDW one (aside from the queue differences)?

There are only a few rides that are exactly the same. I usually can't remember all of them but I will try:

Soarin Over California - same ride but it feels different (and much better) at DCA because of the setting in Condor Flats and the queue

ITTBAB

TSMM - (like Soarin at DCA, TSMM at DHS has a much better a better queue and feels different and better as a result)

Little Mermaid - LMAUA - although the PP is correct that the DCA version has a slight
update recently - and the setting at MK (Prince Eric Castle) and queue is better than the one at DCA

Star Tours (like Soarin at DCA, ST at DHS has a much better setting and feels a little different and better as a result)

All other rides have differences. If you are short on time then the above rides would be the first ones to skip. But if you have at least three days then you should do them.

Also, common use around here is that "DLR" is Disneyland Resort - which is analogous to WDW in being the whole resort and not a park. "DL" is Disneyland the park - which is analogous to MK.

Common usage also refers to the entire "Disneyland Resort" as just plain "Disneyland". This forum calls DLR "Disneyland". So when someone days "Disneyland" they might mean the park or the whole resort.

 

[figment_jii]

I had forgotten about ITTBAB!

I think, in general, the attractions that are movie based (i.e., the attraction shows a movie/video) tend to the ones that are going to be identical/very similar between the two parks. Looking at the list of very similar/identical attractions, four of them are movie-based (Muppets, ITTBAB, Soarin' and Star Tours).

 

[quikah]

LM is usually a walk on, so no need to really skip it.

This is more of a joke, but you might want to skip POTC as once you ride it you will never want to ride MK POTC again since it is SOOOO much better at DL. Seriously though, POTC is a pretty low priority for me at MK, but near the top of my list at DL. The queue is better at MK though...

 

[GatorChris]

I wouldn't skip Star Tours. There's just something about it being in Tomorrowland that makes it cool. And Innoventions is a lot different than Epcot. It's now an "Avenegers" movie set and is very cool.

Funny, after my trip to DL in 2006, my following trip to WDW I skipped Soarin'. With lines at 75+ minutes, it was too long, plus it just felt more real back at DL. You may get the same experience, but Soarin' is never a skip ride.

Goofy's Sky School is alot like Triceratop Spin at AK. Tower of Terror is different AND better at WDW, so this might be a skip unless you need the thrill ride in there. Autopia is like the Tomorrowland Speedway and is very skipable. Buzz Lightyear is a little different, but not enough to merit a ride unless you have kids. The same goes for Toy Story Mania - only the queue is lousy and there's no FP.

 

[superlarz]

Soarin and TSMM wont have as long of lines as they do at WDW, so if you normally skip them due to lines, you may want to ride them at DLR.

Part of the fun of Tea Cups and Dumbo is the setting, so I woundnt call them the same. Dumbo as some awsome views in DL.

Maybe Splash Mountain? I think it is very inferior to the MK version, and pretty much always has bad lighting and broken animitronics.

 

[grnflash]

Soarin and TSMM wont have as long of lines as they do at WDW, so if you normally skip them due to lines, you may want to ride them at DLR.

Part of the fun of Tea Cups and Dumbo is the setting, so I woundnt call them the same. Dumbo as some awsome views in DL.

Maybe Splash Mountain? I think it is very inferior to the MK version, and pretty much always has bad lighting and broken animitronics.

Completely agree. And ride tea cups at night to really experience this.

 

[MermaidHair]

I would think that Jungle Cruise could be skipped. I am a DLR person but when I was at WDW I was pleasantly surprised by the longer jungle cruise at MK.

 

[Drnifer]

I personally like the DL version of Peter Pan better. I love the twinkling lights at the beginning- like a sky full of stars

 

[ldymcbth]

Thanks for all of the info and links! I feel like I may have inadvertently stepped on toes with referencing WDW - which was not my intent. We have actually been to Disneyland within the past few years - we were there opening weekend for Carsland, whenever that was, and went to both parks then. We loved it and enjoyed noting differences and similarities, etc. Just due to proximity (ie driving distance vs. flying distance), trips to WDW are easier, which is why we are there more often. But definitely not because we feel DLR is inferior!

This trip, we only have 3 days in the parks - one of which is a party night at DL - so I am trying to put together a rough must-do list, a maybe-do list, and a won't-hurt-if-we-skip-it list. I am NOT insinuating that DL/DCA is inferior to WDW or anything like that - just trying to be reasonable with my expectations.

Thanks again for all of the tips in this thread, and links to other pertinent info - I am making my way through all of it to prep for our trip! I appreciate it!

 

[grnflash]

Thanks for all of the info and links! I feel like I may have inadvertently stepped on toes with referencing WDW - which was not my intent. We have actually been to Disneyland within the past few years - we were there opening weekend for Carsland, whenever that was, and went to both parks then. We loved it and enjoyed noting differences and similarities, etc. Just due to proximity (ie driving distance vs. flying distance), trips to WDW are easier, which is why we are there more often. But definitely not because we feel DLR is inferior!

This trip, we only have 3 days in the parks - one of which is a party night at DL - so I am trying to put together a rough must-do list, a maybe-do list, and a won't-hurt-if-we-skip-it list. I am NOT insinuating that DL/DCA is inferior to WDW or anything like that - just trying to be reasonable with my expectations.

Thanks again for all of the tips in this thread, and links to other pertinent info - I am making my way through all of it to prep for our trip! I appreciate it!

Hi again! And huh? No stepped on toes here and I don't read that into anyone else's responses. So enjoy your trip, which it sounds like you definitely will, and don't hesitate to ask any other questions.

 

[brocklesnar69]

We are usually WDW visitors. What do you suggest we can SKIP (or more accurately, move to the bottom of the list of to-dos) at DLR/DCA because of their similarities to WDW attractions?

I still want to do DLR Pirates and DLR Small World because of the differences. What about Peter Pan - is that exactly the same?

Is the Ariel ride at DCA exactly the same as the WDW one (aside from the queue differences)?

DL Pirates is head and shoulders better than WDW Pirates. I wouldn't miss it.


I'd completely skip A Bug's World at DCA. Total waste of time/space if you don't have toddlers to impress.

Otherwise, as far as DL in general goes, I'd still catch all the main rides... Space, Thunder, Splash, Pirates, Haunted Mansion, etc.

Also, be sure you ride the Railroad ALL the way around. You'll get a special treat just after Tomorrowland.

 

[GenGen22]

As far as shows go I wouldn't miss the Aladdin Musical. It's awesome!!