What is different about WDW vs DLR???

[Goofy4Pluto]

I have been going to DLR since I was days old... made many trips there...

but, I'm approaching my first trip to WDW...

can you all tell me if there is a place where I can find a guide to tell me the things that are "different" about WDW in comparison...

Like I know the Tiki room is different and instead of calling it New Orleans Square it is called Liberty Square...

but that is the type of thing I need to know...

 

[disneyag]

DL is like the MK at WDW. WDW also consists of Epcot, Studios, and Animal Kingdom. (and a few water parks and miniature golf.) Try www.wdwig.com. I think she writes a comparision of how DL differs from WDW.

 

[iceskatejen]

I'm a DL vet and AP holder and I made my first (of many I hope) trip to WDW last April. WDW is a whole lot bigger than the DLR. Only Epcot and the Studios are even remotely within walking distance of eachother and it's still a 20-30 minute walk, unlike the short distance between the front gates of DL and DCA, so you'll need to either drive or take WDW transportation most everywhere. The WDW parks (except AK) have more in-park restaurants than the DLR parks. Don't expect to be able to use DL autopilot at MK anywhere beyond Main Street because things are in different places. You'll think you're heading to Big Thunder and you'll wind up at the Haunted Mansion. Splash Mountain is pretty much where it's supposed to be, but Big Thunder is where the Hungry Bear restaurant and Winnie the Pooh are at DL. If you have anymore questions, I'd be happy to help.

 

[Missus Toad]

I'm a DL and WDW fan. The thing that stands out for me (aside from the scope difference as mentioned above) is that Cinderella's Castle is way bigger than Sleeping Beauty's. Cindy hit the jackpot!

 

[alicenwonder99]

I went to DL before I went to WDW. My first trip to MK was kind of a disappointment. I think that MK is missing something that DL has...not sure what. I was very disappointed in It's a Small World. Nothing beats that awesome clock tower at DL!!!!

Having said that, we still all have a great time at WDW. WDW has so much more to offer with Epcot, MGM, and AK. Not to mention all the extras with the water parks, etc.

Mary

 

[Michelle2]

I agree with you Mary...
I also have experienced DL too many times to count, being from LV we always went there as I was growing up. I will always have a special place in my heart for DL..I cannot put my finger on it, and a friend of mine who has been to both agreed, but there are some great qualities about DL that WDW doesn't have, and vice versa of course... All the parks have just little differences here and there to make them each exciting and unique. BUT I must admit the closeness of the two parks compared to the 4 spread out ones at WDW is the biggest difference to me. The best rides of all 4 parks (IMO) are in 2 parks within walking distance at DL.
I do not know of any guide that compares the differences between them. The only ones that I have seen are individual guides of the individual parks on their own....Since you have been to DL so many times, you can always just get a WDW guide book and then compare the info about WDW with what you already know about DL from your experiences of being there...that is what I did. We just made first trips to WDW and DLP ourselves within the last 2 years and I love looking for all the differences between the parks, and there are too many to list!!
OH! I forgot, besides the other things listed, WDW does not have the Matterhorn (WDW kinda seemed bare to me without that), Indiana Jones (a fave of mine). Toontown is set up different, Tomorrowland is really different, WDW has Winnie the Pooh ride and Philharmagic in Fantasy land, but DL has Alice in Wonderland and Storybook land (with Monstro). Pirates of the Caribbean is a condensed version...Splash Moutain is different too, but a litte longer and different storyline at WDW. The list could go on and on...
Please do not get me wrong, WDW has things that DL does not have too. We loved it so much that we are going to take another trip there when I thought our past trip was a one and only! Cannot wait to go back, and I love them both!
Have a great first trip there!

 

[LeftCoaster]

The best advice is not to try to compare them to each other too much. Yes, there are similarities but, the sheer size of WDW makes it a vastly different experience.
I would make sure to learn about the ins and outs of transportation at WDW, and accept the fact that park hopping isn't the simple little task that it is in California.
Also realize, you won't see everything in one trip... or two... or three. Relax and enjoy your trip. Enjoy the differences. Too many people try to compare and find out "what's better". Nothing has to be better, they can be different, wonderful experiences.

 

[Goofy4Pluto]

thanks for all your comments and opinions!

much appreciated!

 

[MrShiny]

Pirates is about twice as long - Indy is great, while Dinosaur is, um, dark.

You can get a $30 motel room and walk to the parks!

There is a spreadsheet somewhere out on the web that compares - as far as actual rides (not walk throughs or shows), there are actually a couple more in the two little parks in Ca than in the whole of WDW.

Of course for scale and a real feeling of being completely away from it all in just about every direction, WDW has it.

 

[sters]

Originally posted by MrShiny


There is a spreadsheet somewhere out on the web that compares - as far as actual rides (not walk throughs or shows), there are actually a couple more in the two little parks in Ca than in the whole of WDW.

I find that very hard to believe. The safari ride and most of the attractions at Animal Kingdom, with the exception of It's Tough to Be A Bug won't be found at the DLR. And the shopping/dining and entertainment experiences in the countries alone at Epcot are not found at DLR.

Each resort has some unique attractions and its own unique feel. Which you prefer is a matter of preference and taste I would imagine.

 

[iceskatejen]

What the PP is saying that between the two parks in CA, there are more attractions than between the four WDW parks. Yes, WDW has some different attractions than DLR, but the DLR actually has a larger number of attractions despite only having the 2 parks.

 

[crazy4wdw]

Disneyland = 250 acres
Walt Disney World = 28,000 acres