Which rides are unique or different DLR vs WDW?

[sharona]

Hi All. We're travelling at the end of June, taking a road trip up the coast from SD to SF, spending 9 nights. We just this past week decided to squeeze in a day at DLR. We'll be arriving the night before so we can be there about 30 minutes before park opening and will have only 1 full day (with hoppers). We've been to WDW a few times but never to DLR.

We know we won't have time for everything we want to do so we're looking to hit our favorites (BTMRR, HM, Soarin, TSMM, Splash) plus those rides that are unique to DLR. Carsland for sure RSR and Luigi. Not sure about Screamin - loop coasters are not my favorite but if DD is up for it, I'll do it. What are the other attractions that are unique to DLR or are different enough vs. the WDW version that we'll want to make sure to ride?

We'll be there on a Thursday so it looks like EMH will be at DL and we should start at DCA? We're staying off site at Embassy Suites. Any advice for a rough touring plan would also be appreciated.

TIA

 

[GenGen22]

The Matterhorn at DL is different. You should check that one out.

 

[Filipina]

Hmmm. Ok, ride Pirates and walk around New Orleans Square. Pirates is longer and New Orleans Square is very charming. Roger Rabbit, though not my favorite, is different. Ride the monorail and ask to sit in the front... You can't do that at WDW.

 

[tstidm1]

What about World of color and Pirates of the Caribbean? If you think your getting to Anaheim early enough on the day before (that time of year DL is open until Midnight and DCA is open until 10 PM), See about upgrading to two days and getting in WOC and a couple of rides to make the second day more reasonable.

I would also not forget Mr Toad's Wild ride, Indiana Jones, Roger Rabbit's Toontown Spin and Pinocchio's Daring Journey. Those are only at DLR also.

 

[Tommy_B]

Pirates is much better, Small World is much better, Matterhorn is unique, Radiator Springs Racers, is unique despite similarities to Test Track and I like the Haunted Mansion better at DL.

There are entire topics devoted to this topic and much debate

A quick search should turn up those topics.

 

[Fantaluminishes]

All of the Fantasyland dark attractions at DL are different and/or better than those at MK. Little Mermaid is the same at MK & DCA, but the queue at MK is awesome. Also DL has Casey Jr. Circus Train and Storybook Land Canal Boats. I prefer the boats over the train. And don't forget about Alice In Wonderland.

I like the Disneyland Railroad over MK's. And the Mark Twain and Columbia offer a more interesting ride than the Liberty Square River Boat.

If you like the Pooh ride, the line at DL is never long. TSMM also has a much shorter wait than at DHS. Soarin' too. But the experiences are identical. Also, World of Color is nice and all, but I prefer Fantasmic! DL's Fantasmic is much better than WDW's show.

 

[sharona]

What about World of color and Pirates of the Caribbean? If you think your getting to Anaheim early enough on the day before (that time of year DL is open until Midnight and DCA is open until 10 PM), See about upgrading to two days and getting in WOC and a couple of rides to make the second day more reasonable.

I would also not forget Mr Toad's Wild ride, Indiana Jones, Roger Rabbit's Toontown Spin and Pinocchio's Daring Journey. Those are only at DLR also.

We likely won't be arriving early enough to make it worth paying for a 2nd day. We're spending that Wednesday in SD at the zoo with family and don't plan on heading to Anaheim until after 7pm when rush hour winds down. If, for some reason, we do get there before dinnertime, that is a option we'll keep in mind...

I read the WOC super thread and I don't think the time investment will be worth it for us given our short window.

Is Indy a ride at DLR? I believe it's just a show at WDW - we've never managed to get to that one.

Any difference between DL and WDW space mountain?

 

[sharona]

Pirates is much better, Small World is much better, Matterhorn is unique, Radiator Springs Racers, is unique despite similarities to Test Track and I like the Haunted Mansion better at DL.

There are entire topics devoted to this topic and much debate

A quick search should turn up those topics.

I tried searching for which rides were different but didn't find what I was looking for. Any search suggestions? I don't want to read 20 pages of debate over WDW vs. DLR...

 

[ClaraOswald]

Indiana Jones is a ride. It's basically the same type of vehicles and the same track as Dinosaur at Animal Kingdom. But the theme is WAY different. I recommend it. The queue is pretty great too.

Space Mountain is much different at Disneyland. The ride vehicles are different. There's a soundtrack. It's smoother. And, in my opinion, much better.

The Matterhorn is more similar to Space Mountain at WDW. But I'd still recommend going on the Matterhorn. It's a classic.

Pirates is WAY better at Disneyland.

Fantasyland has a bunch of rides that aren't at WDW (though some used to be there.) Mr. Toad's, Pinocchio, Snow White, Alice in Wonderland, Casey Jr., Storybook Canal.

Peter Pan is slightly different though not much, if I'm remembering correctly.

Buzz Lightyear is basically the same. But the guns are different. You can actually pick them up, which I like.

The Haunted Mansion has a few differences. Though I'll admit, I prefer the one at WDW just because there are a couple extra "scenes."

The treehouse has a different theme at Disneyland. It's Tarzan instead of Swiss Family Robinson.

The Jungle Cruise has some slight differences as well.

 

[sharona]

Great info! Thanks everyone.

Any thoughts on a plan? I've read through the RSR strategies and think we'll go with heading elsewhere (TSMM?) for a ride and then head back to RSR for a FP about 30 minutes in. Debating that vs. just doing RSR first thing. I don't want to waste our first 20-30 minutes of park time waiting for a FP for RSR... BTDT w/ TSMM when it first opened at WDW and while being at the front of the rope for opening was an interesting experience, it's not something I'm wanting to do again.

 

[kik050]

RSR is similar to Test Track but with a way better theme and you race another car. Indiana Jones is similar to Dinosaur but also with a way better theme. These are musts. There are similarities in all of the rides but the attraction that I tell my friends that they need to see is the Alladin show. That show is worth the price of admission by itself. WDW doesn't have a show that competes with it. Not even the Lion King. The genie steals the show and you will come out with a smile on your face, every time. Make time to see it.

 

[Tommy_B]

Space Mountain in Disneyland you have 6 people in a car 2 by 2 and 12 in a train (2 cars). Space Mountain in the MK has 3 in a car, single file and 6 in a train.

 

[LisaCM614]

I put together a workbook that notes which items are unique to CA for both DLR and DCA.
PM me with your email address if you would like it.

I used some other freely available information to note worst case lines for busy days.

We're using these spreadsheets for voting across the family about which rides we want to experience. I did not include shows or other attractions as we'll try to work those in (Aladdin, Magical Map et al)

lmk

 

[HollyL]

As many others have already mentioned, definitely POC. I had been on the DL version many many times, that by the time I went on the one at WDW, I felt really let down. That's the one that really sticks out the most to me.

 

[BlazerFan]

I don't know if your kids are old enough for single rider, but if they are that's what I would do for RSR instead of waiting in line for a fast pass. You might end up in the same car anyway, or race against each other. And your time invested will be less.

 

[SultanPprShkr]

The little mermaid while is the same layout, it's better here than WDW (they've recently done a quick renovation to it, so it's more "dark ride" than before).
Pirates as others have noted.. two drops and longer ride.
IASW is better here in my opinion.
Buzz lightyear is better here for the gun control and shooting aspect. It's really weird in WDW with the stationary guns and weird buzzers.
Matterhorn is unique to DLR only.
Fantasyland attractions as noted by PPs.
Indy is the same as Dinosaur in AK, but more exciting in my opinion.
Aladdin is a must see as a PP has mentioned. I recently was in WDW and we saw every single stage show, in search of an equivalent and none prevailed.
World of Color is unique to DLR, they're thinking of putting in a similar show at AK in the next coming years though.
Monster's Inc is unique to DCA i think but that's not really worth going to the north end of Hollywoodland for if you're not already in the area.
TOT is a little different here, I like it in WDW way better.

I think that's it, of those worth noting.

 

[JediMasterMatt]

We likely won't be arriving early enough to make it worth paying for a 2nd day.

I always think of vacations as time=money. The amount of investment you make in getting to "the destination" and the value of your time far are more paramount in planning a vacation that gets the most value for you. If you are taking a 9 day trip and if your interested enough in Disney Parks enought that you've got 900+ posts on a fan community, then I would ask you this important question - is going to DLR for one day and missing out on so much going to be worth the regret you will have after you leave?

I would take a close look at the rest of your vacation and try to plan in the time you need to get everything accomplished that will let you leave the resort feeling satisifed that you made the most of your time.

To answer your questions about what is different about DLR compared to WDW, the best way for me to answer it is to honestly say - most everything these days. If feels completely different than Orlando. It is so dense with a sense of kinetic motion and energy that the vast space at WDW feels almost barren by comparison. Remember that DLR is only lacking less than half a dozen rides and attractions from the 4 parks in Orlando.

In general, Anaheim's versions are better cared for. The lighting, audio, and effects for the most part are better in Anaheim on attractions that are similar.

It's probably easier for me to make a list of similar rides and attractions where WDW offers a better experience. Splash Mountain, Tower of Terror, Pooh, and Haunted Mansion (even though this is a close call for me) are better in Orlando. Even though these attractions are arguably better, they are unique enough a fan of Disney Parks should still experience them. You could apperciate all of the different animatronics in DLR's Splash compared to Orlando while seeing that Orlando's ride has better pacing and show lighting.

With more time in your visit you could ride Space Mountain and see how DLR's is a MUCH better Disney attraction with great onboard audio, special effects in the show building and is super smooth while contrasting it to Orlando which the actual ride is much wilder (has actual negative g forces and drops) and is a better roller-coaster. When visiting Disney, I prefer the coaster that is a better executed themed experience than just being a thrill ride. I can ride a roller-coaster anywhere.

In short, I would try to find time on your vacation for DLR. Maybe you can axe the San Diego Zoo day and spend it in Anaheim - that is unless you have 1000 posts on the Zoo fansite.

 

[sharona]

Thanks all for the input, especially the details about POTC and Space. Been on both enough times at WDW that they probably wouldn't have been on our radar at DLR. Love the idea of a regular side by side cart for Space.

We'll keep the single rider option in mind.

And to the poster who thinks I should change my plans to spend more time, it's not an option, which is why I am looking to get the most out of our one day.

 

[mummabear]

IMO opinion:
HM-better at DLR
TOT-Better at DLR
POTC-Better at DLR
Space-Better at DLR

Different:
Indy
Nemo
Matterhorn
Cali Screaming
All of Carsland
Mickey and the Magic Map show
Aladdin Show
Princess Shows
Pinocchio
Snow Whites Scary Adventure
Mr Toad
Roger Rabbit
Symphony Swings


Grizzly River/Kali are pretty interchangable

 

[gometros]

IMO opinion:
HM-better at DLR
TOT-Better at DLR
POTC-Better at DLR
Space-Better at DLR

Different:
Indy
Nemo
Matterhorn
Cali Screaming
All of Carsland
Mickey and the Magic Map show
Aladdin Show
Princess Shows
Pinocchio
Snow Whites Scary Adventure
Mr Toad
Roger Rabbit
Symphony Swings

Grizzly River/Kali are pretty interchangable

I haven't been to DL enough times compared to WDW to say which is better, but I enjoyed the differences, especially the surprise I got on ToT when certain things happened sooner than I expected.

The only char opinion I have is I agree, Space Mountain in DL is clearly better, IMHO, then WDW. I appreciated the smoother ride immensely.

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