Yet Another DL for WDW Vets Post

[DetroitDisney]

So I know there are many of these posts, but I read many of them before doing my DL trip, so I figured I would add my thoughts, in case other WDW vets are thinking of planning a trip out to Cali.

Details:
We visited the parks the last week of September. Halloween time! Stayed at Dolphin Cove Resort about a mile away, and used the ART bus system. 5-day hopper tickets.

So after having spent a week in California, I must say that many of my previous ideas about the different parks have to change. I will go into more detail below, but at this point I must say that Disneyland is the best single park in the US. I still give Disney World a slight edge for overall resort, but if I could only visit a single park for the rest of my life it would now be Disneyland.

So why.

Disneyland Awesomeness.
1. Indiana jones. Holy crap this ride is amazing. I couldn't stop.
2. Halloween time is much better than florida, even if the party isn't as good. The theming was awesome, I like the haunted mansion overlay, and big thunder ranch is on point.
3. Pirates of the Caribbean is so much better. Literally rode it about 8 times this past week. Ironically the additional parts at the beginning don't add much to the ride, but it's so serene that I love it.
4. Other great attractions like the submarines, storybook land canal boats, mr toad, Alice in wonderland, etc. I can't believe these aren't available in Florida.
5. Characters actually can be seen around the park. Some wander about, some have areas they appear in, but they aren't all gated in meet and greet areas like WDW. Very refreshing. Also, you're wandering around Mickeys house in Toon Town and boom there he is.
6. Things are closer together. People say DL is smaller. It is, but it's not a bad thing. Fancy restaurants pack more flavor into smaller portions and that is what disneyland does. More awesome rides in less area, means less walking and more fun.
7. New Orleans square. Why isn't this is WDW? It kicks the crap out of Liberty Square, and does a great job theming for pirates and the haunted mansion (I also prefer the outside look of the DL haunted mansion). My favorite area. Which leads me to...
8. Blue Bayou. I don't need to say more. Just eat there.
9. Fantasmic show area is great.
10. I know it's not disneyland, but Cars Land in DCA is amazing. For anyone reading the doom and gloom in the WDW forums about how disney is wasting all their money on FP+ and not being classic disney, come see Cars Land. It will re-instill your faith in the entire organization.
11. I could be imagining this, and I haven't done price comparisons, but I felt that the food prices were all extremely reasonable. I assume this is the nature of being a "locals" park. Typically table service meals for 2 adults were running us about $25-35 all in with food and sodas and such. That's generally what I pay for a meal at home.
12. It's Walt's park. I can't explain how significant this is.

Things I could do without:
1. Really limited showings of fireworks and things like fantasmic. I understand why, but it's still frustrating for someone that loves fireworks.
2. The Matterhorn. Wasn't impressed. Perhaps I just don't have the nostalgia to make up for the cracked ribs and back pain this ride causes.
3. DCA is clearly better than when it opened, but I still think the carnival rides of the boardwalk are stupid. This park is almost truly amazing. It's certainly #4 after DL, MK, and EPCOT.
4. Sorry DL folks, but I miss WDW's castle.

Random highlights:
Blue Bayou. Amazing.
Wine Country Trattoria. Amazing.
Trader Sams. Awesome themed place for a drink, you need to check this out.
Mad T Parties in DCA. Honestly felt like a concert mixed with a Vegas show, with guests having dance parties in between.
World of Color is epic.
Dole whip. It just feels more right at the original tiki room.
Fantasmic dessert package. Beyond delicious snacks, priority seating, what more could you want?


Overall, I loved my time in DL and certainly plan on returning. If California had EPCOT as a 3rd gate, I probably would be full time for DL resort. Since I love EPCOT and the disney bubble, I will probably continue to visit WDW regularly. I think anyone who considers themselves a WDW vet needs to check out the awesome in California.

If you have any questions for me, post them below.

Thanks!

 

[Lights_Out]

So glad you enjoyed the Disneyland resort!

I must say that Disneyland is the best single park in the US. I still give Disney World a slight edge for overall resort, but if I could only visit a single park for the rest of my life it would now be Disneyland.

I totally agree with this. I've been to WDW a few years ago and we only spent half a day at MK and was very underwhelmed. However, we did absolutely love the Haunted Mansion, Carousel of Progress, and the castle. EPCOT is our fave at WDW and would be the biggest reason for us to go back to WDW. (Actually Wizarding World of Harry Potter would be the biggest reason, but that's a totally different subject )

Did you do anything else in California or was it a Disney-only trip?

 

[grnflash]

So happy for the awesomeness you experienced at DL!!!

 

[PinkBudgie]

Enjoyed reading your post. As someone who just visited WDW for the first time this summer, I pretty much agree with everything you said.

I do have the nostalgia for the Matterhorn. I remember zipping to it first thing with my dad when I four years old and riding it with him. But that ride gives me a headache! We ride it maybe once a visit just because.

I now understand when WDW vets are so shocked at the DL castle. I have to say Cinderella's castle is pretty amazing. But I also found it mostly unapproachable. There seemed to always be some show there that kept people back. We had an early entry to the park for a tour and had time to walk up and around the castle with hardly anyone there. I got some wonderful pictures! But other than that, we couldn't get that close. I do like that you can walk inside Sleeping Beauty's castle.

I wish we could have some sort of Epcot here. We loved it there!

Probably the best "selling point" for DLR is that you can make any choice at any time on the spur of the moment. Often at WDW I would be in one park and wishing I could go on a ride at another. At DLR you can. And then you can go DTD for dinner and Trader Sam's at the DLH for drinks after that!

 

[HydroGuy]

Glad you enjoyed DL and DLR. Very well thought out...

So after having spent a week in California, I must say that many of my previous ideas about the different parks have to change. I will go into more detail below, but at this point I must say that Disneyland is the best single park in the US. I still give Disney World a slight edge for overall resort, but if I could only visit a single park for the rest of my life it would now be Disneyland.

You are right. DL is the best theme park in the world and it lifts DLR. DLR does not offer everything WDW does and WDW is better overall as a resort.

3. DCA is clearly better than when it opened, but I still think the carnival rides of the boardwalk are stupid. This park is almost truly amazing. It's certainly #4 after DL, MK, and EPCOT.

I have always thought that and could not agree more. All I can say is it is not as bad as it used to be with the re-theming and entire removal of the Maliboomer.

The boardwalk games need to be REMOVED.

As for DCA being #4, I have not decided on that. In a sense I am too close to DCA. I know DHS is a bit maligned by WDW vets but I have always enjoyed the feeling of DHS - even more than Epcot (!).

I would put DCA and DHS on a similar level.

4. Sorry DL folks, but I miss WDW's castle.

It has a lot to do with what you are accustomed to, but I always feel a bit uncomfortable at MK with the massive castle there. It feels almost too big to me.

All I can say is DL's castle works for DL and MK's castle works for MK.

 

[SarahInMN]

Thanks for your post! We are WDW vets heading to DL in the spring and I (in my over planning mode) am trying to amass advice!

 

[grnflash]

The boardwalk games need to be REMOVED.

This, this, this!

**And DCA gets my vote as the second best US Disney park. Love the vibe there! Epcot was just sad to me. I've said it before, we visited 2 years ago and were so disappointed, we clearly missed it's glory days. We liked DHS a lot, just not as much to do there. As for MK, just didn't fall in love with it. I'm probably too tainted from all the DL magic.

 

[DetroitDisney]

This, this, this!

**And DCA gets my vote as the second best US Disney park. Love the vibe there! Epcot was just sad to me. I've said it before, we visited 2 years ago and were so disappointed, we clearly missed it's glory days. We liked DHS a lot, just not as much to do there. As for MK, just didn't fall in love with it. I'm probably too tainted from all the DL magic.

Epcot probably falls under the banner of nostalgia. Much in the same way that I didnt really enjoy the Matterhorn. Most of futureworld is pretty dumb, but I cant help but loving it way too much.

 

[DetroitDisney]

So glad you enjoyed the Disneyland resort!


I totally agree with this. I've been to WDW a few years ago and we only spent half a day at MK and was very underwhelmed. However, we did absolutely love the Haunted Mansion, Carousel of Progress, and the castle. EPCOT is our fave at WDW and would be the biggest reason for us to go back to WDW. (Actually Wizarding World of Harry Potter would be the biggest reason, but that's a totally different subject )

Did you do anything else in California or was it a Disney-only trip?

We hit up other SoCal locations as well. We did the required trip to Hollywood, drove up the coast to Malibu, hung out at the beaches south of there like Santa Monica, etc.

Was a great trip. And I will certainly be back.

 

[larryz]

Just back from my first DLR visit in 21 years, with many interim visits to WDW.

I agree with most of your points, but want to add that both BTMRR and SM are noticeably smoother than their MK counterparts. Pirates of the Disneyland is indeed superior to Pirates of the Magic Kingdom. Snow White and Mr Toad still thrill kids of all ages, and the submarines still ply their way through the lagoon with a view of Nemo and his friends instead of some goofy old sea monster. Toontown spin -- what a great concept!

For me, the allure of Matterhorn is simply that it's the FIRST tubular steel coaster ever built, and it's still running.

And yes, the castle is very underwhelming, especially considering it's now being dwarfed (no pun intended) by the nearby vegetation.

I agree with your overall conclusion: DL is the superior park. It's a shame they've let the Magic Kingdom diverge so much from the original.

 

[DetroitDisney]

I also wanted to add. Radiator Springs Racers might be my favorite ride ever.

And the key to riding it is to watch the single rider lines. We literally rode it about 8 times and never waited more than 5 minutes. Literally a few times the single rider line was 0min wait.

Since the cars are 3 seats across, there are single riders in almost every car.

 

[larryz]

And the key to riding it is to watch the single rider lines.

Great tip! I rode with a family of 5 who had been waiting 32 minutes; they asked me how long I had been waiting, and I had to admit that I had literally just walked up before being assigned to their car.

Indiana Jones also uses a single rider line concept, but only when stand by is longer than 20 minutes (or so they told me).

 

[grnflash]

Epcot probably falls under the banner of nostalgia. Much in the same way that I didnt really enjoy the Matterhorn. Most of futureworld is pretty dumb, but I cant help but loving it way too much.

Oh I hear ya about the Matterhorn. How and why they changed to such awful seats is beyond me. But of course there is a lot of nostalgia to the ride, I can remember when it was the only mountain at DL. And even if you're new to DL, how can ya not ride the big white mountain that's pretty much the centerpiece of the park?

Doesn't help you I know, but for others - here's where we've found the best seats to be.

The ride is configured as single seats, with 2 vehicles hitched together. Each vehicle has 3 seats. In the back vehicle, all three seats (rows 4, 5, 6) are bad. I think it must be since that vehicle is hitched onto the back of the front vehicle, subjecting it to more bumpiness.

In the front vehicle, seats 2 and 3 are the best of the ride. Yes, still bumpy, but not so much that it ruins the ride. Still enjoyable.

But whatever you do, do not sit in the very front, row 1. Awful! For one, the front seat (in either vehicle, i.e. rows 1 & 4) absolutely does not have enough leg room. And I'm only 5'5", 120 lbs - I cannot imagine how uncomfortable anyone larger than I am must be.

**We rode M twice on Friday. First ride was fun, I was in the front vehicle seat 2 (the kid was in the front and he doesn't care.) Second ride I was in the very front. Just awful, you're focused on bracing yourself the entire ride and that doesn't even help anyway. Anyone of any size, avoid this seat!

**Another note, the ride has 2 different tracks. The line on the right is referred to as the Fanatasyland side, line on the left is the Tomorrowland side. The Fantasyland track does not have as sharp of turns which makes it less thrilling, but smoother. Fantasyland side in seat 2 or 3 will give you the least bumpy ride.

 

[HydroGuy]

**And DCA gets my vote as the second best US Disney park. Love the vibe there! Epcot was just sad to me. I've said it before, we visited 2 years ago and were so disappointed, we clearly missed it's glory days. We liked DHS a lot, just not as much to do there. As for MK, just didn't fall in love with it. I'm probably too tainted from all the DL magic.

Not sure how many WDW trips you have had but Epcot has definitely grown n me. I did not get it at first. But it is just such a beautiful park. For me I transition from a rides mentality to shows, music and food at Epcot.

 

[KCmike]

Loved your post. I was a WDW vet until I visited DL back in 2007 and completely fell in love with it. It is now my home park/resort. I wish they had Epcot too or maybe a Americana area.

I personally think DL's firework show Remember Dreams Come True is the absolute best ever. I wish you could have seen that. Also I agree that Fantasyland at DL is just downright amazing with so many classic dark rides and Casey JR. Why didn't WDW do that???? Beyond me!


Did you get to see the stage show Aladdin?

Andy don't you think It's a Small World is amazing at DL with the outside facade?

Disneyland is the best single Disney park for sure. Thanks for the review.

 

[Maggie7313]

Loved your post! I love WDW but Disneyland is my favorite place on Earth. If they returned the PeopleMover and added a Boma, I would never set foot in Florida again.

 

[Jdismom]

Every time I read threads like this I get so excited about our first DL trip this summer!

 

[DetroitDisney]

Loved your post. I was a WDW vet until I visited DL back in 2007 and completely fell in love with it. It is now my home park/resort. I wish they had Epcot too or maybe a Americana area.

I personally think DL's firework show Remember Dreams Come True is the absolute best ever. I wish you could have seen that. Also I agree that Fantasyland at DL is just downright amazing with so many classic dark rides and Casey JR. Why didn't WDW do that???? Beyond me!


Did you get to see the stage show Aladdin?

Andy don't you think It's a Small World is amazing at DL with the outside facade?

Disneyland is the best single Disney park for sure. Thanks for the review.

I got to see part of the fireworks, but they had to stop it because of high winds. They had gotten as far as the Pirates part, so I don't know what I missed. I should probably check it out on YouTube.

Love the small world facade as well, and I think it makes the ride much more enjoyable.

Aladdin was also great.

Now I need to go back again soon.

 

[scrappymel]

Loved your post!! We are heading to dlr for the first time on Saturday. Posts like this make me even more excited. Glad you had a great trip!!

 

[cdatkins]

Loved your post

We are WDW vets who go at least every other year. We did a hard core DLR visit in 2011 and were blown away, then when we went to WDW in 2013 we were fairly disappointed, especially with MK.

In 26 days we will go to DLR again and I will be interested to see how it compares to WDW again.