Our MK is poor next to Disneyland!!

[Buried20KLeague]

I've got to say, I was completely shocked.

Last week, I surprised my wife with a couple days in California for our 10th anniversary. No surprise, she wanted to go to Disneyland even though we didn't have the kids. (Hi, my name is Buried and we're Disney-aholics)

To our surprise, almost every attraction that they have in both parks was BETTER in CA than in Florida.

Space Mountain - Don't even get me started. We got off that ride almost depressed we had to ride Florida's version.

Pirates - I now know first hand how downgraded and "thrown in" the FLA version is.

Big Thunder - We both felt it was a better ride in CA, although not by an extreme margin.

Haunted Mansion - Floating Leota and the new attic scene easily blow the FLA version away.

Buzz Lightyear - MUCH better. The guns aren't welded to the car, which makes it more fun, plus the targeting system is much better all the way around, and there's easy indication when you hit a target.

Tiki Room - Looks amazing since the overhaul for the 50th... Although comparitively I don't the the FLA version is as huge a train wreck as it's made to be.

Not to mention the Rivers of America are alive and well over there... Canoes, rafts, sailing ship Columbia, plus their riverboat... It all just made such a difference. Plus, all the work in the sub lagoon was exciting.

And let me say that I'm the biggest fan of Wishes there is... But "Remember... Dreams come true" beat the TAR out of it. Easily the best Disney fireworks show I've ever seen, if not the best fireworks show I've seen period.

All the other parks and things to do in Florida really make it outweigh CA overall, but just MK vs. MK... Wow, there's just no comparison.

We leave for FLA in two weeks, and we're almost a little worried this might lessen our excitement in the MK, the difference was that pronounced. We were just pretty surprised, so I thought I'd share.

 

[sanctumsolitude]

I agree with you, and I am surprised you didn't mention Toontown as well.

Disneyland benefited from being the only Disney park in California for 45 years. Walt Disney World has almost always had multiple incentives to visit it. Disneyland, on the other hand, was the only pull for Disney in southern California.

Hopefully, the Magic Kingdom will start to see some loving. Space Mountain could benefit from new track / layout. I wouldn't be surprised to see some of the attractions you listed feeling some love eventually. Hopefully when their refurbishment cycle comes around, they are upgraded to their full potential.

 

[raven]

I went to DL last February for the first time since I was 10 and I go to WDW almost every year. I felt almost the opposite.

Space Mountain - I liked the soundtrack and the smooth ride but that was about it. I DIDN'T feel like it was a space ride of any type. WDW version to me seems to pull the theame much better. Plus I felt that the DL version had WAY too many right turns that it hurt our necks.

Thunder Mountain - DL's version is also dubbed "Death Train" due to many accidents in the recent past. I liked the theaming a little better but it was very small.

Haunted Mansion - It was being rehabs when I was there so I was very disapointed not to have ridden it.

Pirates - Although the DL is longer, it was very strange to walk into a buildling and see a boat ride in front of you. The theaming didn't start until the ride began. WDW's version of the queue gets you into the mood long before you board your boats.

Small World - Since it's the original it has some nastalgia but that's about it. I didn't care for the "flume" look to it (boats ride in a flume as compared to WDW where they are like pirates).

There were tons of dark rides at DL which I love! I can't get enough of them. I also loved Matterhorn. The big thing that bothered me about DL was the limited space. We felt crammed everywhere we went. Tomorrowland and Adventureland has some very, VERY narrow walkways that were always crowded. These were main walkways through the middle of the lands and not little paths. It was very difficult to stay with your group in these areas even on a less crowded day.

The WDW Magic Kingdom to me is still better. Maybe because I am so used to it. :wave:

 

[TTATraveler]

I've got to say, I was completely shocked.

Last week, I surprised my wife with a couple days in California for our 10th anniversary. No surprise, she wanted to go to Disneyland even though we didn't have the kids. (Hi, my name is Buried and we're Disney-aholics)

To our surprise, almost every attraction that they have in both parks was BETTER in CA than in Florida.

Space Mountain - Don't even get me started. We got off that ride almost depressed we had to ride Florida's version.

Pirates - I now know first hand how downgraded and "thrown in" the FLA version is.

Big Thunder - We both felt it was a better ride in CA, although not by an extreme margin.

Haunted Mansion - Floating Leota and the new attic scene easily blow the FLA version away.

Buzz Lightyear - MUCH better. The guns aren't welded to the car, which makes it more fun, plus the targeting system is much better all the way around, and there's easy indication when you hit a target.

Tiki Room - Looks amazing since the overhaul for the 50th... Although comparitively I don't the the FLA version is as huge a train wreck as it's made to be.

Not to mention the Rivers of America are alive and well over there... Canoes, rafts, sailing ship Columbia, plus their riverboat... It all just made such a difference. Plus, all the work in the sub lagoon was exciting.

And let me say that I'm the biggest fan of Wishes there is... But "Remember... Dreams come true" beat the TAR out of it. Easily the best Disney fireworks show I've ever seen, if not the best fireworks show I've seen period.

All the other parks and things to do in Florida really make it outweigh CA overall, but just MK vs. MK... Wow, there's just no comparison.

We leave for FLA in two weeks, and we're almost a little worried this might lessen our excitement in the MK, the difference was that pronounced. We were just pretty surprised, so I thought I'd share.

I agree with you 100%. The only thing I thought was better in WDW's MK was Splash Mountain. There are more and better animatronics in Florida, not to mention I got completely drenched in CA.

 

[fourbyfourkimmy]

I also agree that, generally speaking, the rides in DL are far better than MK. I have AP's to both DL and WDW however I live within driving distance to DL so I'm there more. Beyond what's already been mentioned, you have the Matterhorn, topless tea cups, more dark rides in fantasyland (including Mr.Toad...) and the roger rabbit ride in toontown. Also, my nephew LOVES the petting zoo in frontierland. You also get Haunted Mansion Holiday and the Christmas version of IASM. About the only things MK has on DL is the better splash mtn and more space to walk. If you are just looking for that "Magic Kingdom" experience, DL is definately the place to be.

 

[Glasgow]

I went to DL for the first time last October and I can agree with most of the stuff, except maybe HM.

Pirates and BTMRR were definitely better, plus they have the Indiana Jones Ride there, which is probably my favorite attraction now!

DL also has the advantage of being the only park there (I'm not counting DCA) so I would imagine it gets a larger percentage of money as well as TLC.

 

[AdLibSean]

Hmmm.... I always thought our Big Thunder seemed better? I've never been to DL, but I've heard ours in FL is bigger and seems to have a better location than the one in California. Theirs seems to be just plopped down in the middle of some trees right next to fantasyland where as the florida version is on the outskirts of the park adding to that barren look... oh well. Glad you had fun! :wave:

 

[CTXRover]

What I like the most is although MK and DL have many similarities, they are also drastically different enough to offer completely different experiences.

I prefer DL's Space Mountain, entire Fantasyland and Pirates in addition to all the rides they have that MK doesn't (ie Matterhorn, Indy, etc.). I prefer MK's large expansive spaces, various gardens, the castle, Tomorrowland in general, the HM (minus the cool new effects recently added to DL's) and Splash Mountain. The look down Main Street at DL is a bit disappointing, yet completely jaw dropping at MK. The detail and ambience of New Orleans Square at DL is more immersive and fun than MK's Liberty Square.

In the end, I think both parks are great on their own. DL gives more bang for your buck attraction-wise, but obviously WDW as a whole offers a tremendous amount more than DL resort as a whole.

 

[joel_maxwell]

hmmm, i cant participate in this one since ive never been to DL. maybe one day.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

I went to DL last February for the first time since I was 10 and I go to WDW almost every year. I felt almost the opposite.

Space Mountain - I liked the soundtrack and the smooth ride but that was about it. I DIDN'T feel like it was a space ride of any type. WDW version to me seems to pull the theame much better. Plus I felt that the DL version had WAY too many right turns that it hurt our necks.

Thunder Mountain - DL's version is also dubbed "Death Train" due to many accidents in the recent past. I liked the theaming a little better but it was very small.

Haunted Mansion - It was being rehabs when I was there so I was very disapointed not to have ridden it.

Pirates - Although the DL is longer, it was very strange to walk into a buildling and see a boat ride in front of you. The theaming didn't start until the ride began. WDW's version of the queue gets you into the mood long before you board your boats.

Small World - Since it's the original it has some nastalgia but that's about it. I didn't care for the "flume" look to it (boats ride in a flume as compared to WDW where they are like pirates).

There were tons of dark rides at DL which I love! I can't get enough of them. I also loved Matterhorn. The big thing that bothered me about DL was the limited space. We felt crammed everywhere we went. Tomorrowland and Adventureland has some very, VERY narrow walkways that were always crowded. These were main walkways through the middle of the lands and not little paths. It was very difficult to stay with your group in these areas even on a less crowded day.

The WDW Magic Kingdom to me is still better. Maybe because I am so used to it. :wave:

I will completely agree with you that Space Mountain had WAYYYY too many right hand turns. I noticed that as we were riding it. You're right about that one.

But as for the "crowded" feel, I almost kind of liked it in a way... Like it was more "quaint"... More nostalgic. It made me almost feel as if the MK in FLA was this behemoth that was overcompensating for what the original maybe had underestimated. Like it maybe felt more "touristy" as opposed to the "homey" feel I got at Disneyland. I don't know.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

hmmm, i cant participate in this one since ive never been to DL. maybe one day.

It would be well worth the trip, my friend. We've already decided next year's family trip will be Southern Cali. We honestly never thought we'd take a year away from the World, but it's gonna happen. Especially since the subs will be up and running!!

 

[NASAMan]

I am a Florida resident and WDW frequenter. I agree that Disneyland has many attractions that are superior than those found in the Magic Kingdom. But to me, comparing the parks to each other is like comparing Epcot to California Adventures. DL and MK are two different parks built for two different audiences. As sanctum mentioned, DL was by itself for many years and benefited of such rides as Star Tours (Disney/MGM) and Honey I Shrunk the Audience (Epcot) while WDW parceled them out between their parks. I like Disneyland. I like walking where Walt walked. I got a cab ride on the E.P. Ripley and thought "Walt was here". But comparing parks is like asking which child you love the most. In both places you will find the magic that touches the child in all of us.

 

[Pongo]

I've never been to DL, and I'm not saying one is better than the other, but one of the factors that may contribute to why everything was better there was becasue nearly everything has been refurbished for the 50th. Almost everything you mentioned had be re-done or refurbished or newly opened for the HCOE.

So of course it's going to be better! :lol:

 

[metscool]

I am the opsite of you. I think DL is ok and WDW is the best thing in the world today. Even though that the MK in DL is a lot better then the one in WDW. There is a lot more things to do at WDW then DL. To me DL you can do in a weekend, where the one in Florida you can do in a week or two.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

What I like the most is although MK and DL have many similarities, they are also drastically different enough to offer completely different experiences.

I prefer DL's Space Mountain, entire Fantasyland and Pirates in addition to all the rides they have that MK doesn't (ie Matterhorn, Indy, etc.). I prefer MK's large expansive spaces, various gardens, the castle, Tomorrowland in general, the HM (minus the cool new effects recently added to DL's) and Splash Mountain. The look down Main Street at DL is a bit disappointing, yet completely jaw dropping at MK. The detail and ambience of New Orleans Square at DL is more immersive and fun than MK's Liberty Square.

In the end, I think both parks are great on their own. DL gives more bang for your buck attraction-wise, but obviously WDW as a whole offers a tremendous amount more than DL resort as a whole.

I think I would agree for the most part. They DEFINITELY felt like two different experiences. Even though there were all these familiar attractions, I never ONCE felt like I was in FLA at our usual "home" kingdom. New Orleans Sqaure was really immersive. And when you start talking about attractions in CA that aren't even in FLA??? Forget about it.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

I've never been to DL, and I'm not saying one is better than the other, but one of the factors that may contribute to why everything was better there was becasue nearly everything has been refurbished for the 50th. Almost everything you mentioned had be re-done or refurbished or newly opened for the HCOE.

So of course it's going to be better! :lol:

Well, and not only that, but you've also got to think of the crowds. CA is mostly locals, so it's understandable that they have to keep things fresh and improve regularly in order to continue to draw in the crowds, whereas in FLA, it's more about tourists that might visit maybe only once in their lives (with the exception of us obsessed people). :lol: From that standpoint, it makes sense that more updates and TLC goes to DL... But still, as a loyal WDWer, I was taken aback at the length to which this was the case. I didn't assume it to be as great a difference as it was.

 

[MeTa]

I've got to say, I was completely shocked.

Last week, I surprised my wife with a couple days in California for our 10th anniversary. No surprise, she wanted to go to Disneyland even though we didn't have the kids. (Hi, my name is Buried and we're Disney-aholics)

To our surprise, almost every attraction that they have in both parks was BETTER in CA than in Florida.

Space Mountain - Don't even get me started. We got off that ride almost depressed we had to ride Florida's version.

Pirates - I now know first hand how downgraded and "thrown in" the FLA version is.

Big Thunder - We both felt it was a better ride in CA, although not by an extreme margin.

Haunted Mansion - Floating Leota and the new attic scene easily blow the FLA version away.

Buzz Lightyear - MUCH better. The guns aren't welded to the car, which makes it more fun, plus the targeting system is much better all the way around, and there's easy indication when you hit a target.

Tiki Room - Looks amazing since the overhaul for the 50th... Although comparitively I don't the the FLA version is as huge a train wreck as it's made to be.

Not to mention the Rivers of America are alive and well over there... Canoes, rafts, sailing ship Columbia, plus their riverboat... It all just made such a difference. Plus, all the work in the sub lagoon was exciting.

And let me say that I'm the biggest fan of Wishes there is... But "Remember... Dreams come true" beat the TAR out of it. Easily the best Disney fireworks show I've ever seen, if not the best fireworks show I've seen period.

All the other parks and things to do in Florida really make it outweigh CA overall, but just MK vs. MK... Wow, there's just no comparison.

We leave for FLA in two weeks, and we're almost a little worried this might lessen our excitement in the MK, the difference was that pronounced. We were just pretty surprised, so I thought I'd share.

I just got back last Sat. from DL and I was completely surprised as well, we like alot of stuff better there than in WDW. And we also wanted to tell everyone that said "you'll be dissappointed in DL" to go poo in thier hats because we left with the "can't wait to go back" attitude.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

I am the opsite of you. I think DL is ok and WDW is the best thing in the world today. Even though that the MK in DL is a lot better then the one in WDW. There is a lot more things to do at WDW then DL. To me DL you can do in a weekend, where the one in Florida you can do in a week or two.

Oh, TRUST ME... I don't disagree that WDW is the better vacation destination. I'm simply comparing Magic Kingdoms.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

I just got back last Sat. from DL and I was completely surprised as well, we like alot of stuff better there than in WDW. And we also wanted to tell everyone that said "you'll be dissappointed in DL" to go poo in thier hats because we left with the "can't wait to go back" attitude.

EXACTLY my sentiments. Poo in their hats, I say!! :lol:

Too bad we didn't know you'd be there... We would have loved to meet up with a fellow WDW'er. It would have been someone else to complain to all day about how bummed we were that DL was a better park!!

 

[joel_maxwell]

It would be well worth the trip, my friend. We've already decided next year's family trip will be Southern Cali. We honestly never thought we'd take a year away from the World, but it's gonna happen. Especially since the subs will be up and running!!

im going to one day....i know this sounds stubborn, but id really like to see what is going to come of DCA in the next 2-3 years before we go since you know how those things go, right as you book something, they announce another major E ticket or something (maybe in WDW more)..... id like to see if the rumors that have been floating around about DCA are going to come true before i go out there from bham.