Comparing Disneyland and Walt Disney World (very long)

[Cmdr_Crimson]

I kinda feel the same way now. I think I'll hold off on Disneyland until after Buena Vista Street opens...

Your not going to miss much since it's just going to be a Trolley ride, A new Fountain, A Restaurant disguised as a theater, and The stores being rethemed...

I also felt that Hollywood Pictures Backlot was lacking thrills on the side by Monster Inc & Muppet*Vision..I'm sure that there's some kind of space where they could slap a Rock N Rollercoaster there.

 

[SeaCastle]

You'd be doing yourself a disservice by purposefully avoiding either resort.

You can't quantify or logically explain why one resort is better than the other. Both have strong suits that outshine each other, and both have shortcomings.

 

[Glasgow]

Dunno why there is such a need to compare the two resorts .. I find them unique enough to offer their own experiences on the whole. Appreciate the enormous amount of attractions at DL, appreciate the extra parks, resorts and overall immersion at WDW.

 

[spock]

Dunno why there is such a need to compare the two resorts ..

I don't know that there's necessarily a "need" to do it, but that's not a reason not to. I always enjoy reading these comparison threads.

 

[yeti]

So glad that this is a thread because my family and I were just thinking about taking our first Disneyland trip in 2012 but after seeing more con's than pro's, I think I'll just stick to my beautiful Walt Disney World!

That would be wise, but not for these matters of comparison. First of all, I wouldn't base my perception of Disneyland on a thread in a WDW-oriented forum- these are east coast fans, after all. In some cases, criticizing DL may be a way of pinching ourselves to remind us that even in its regressive state, WDW is still our baby (though I stand by what I said before about the service management in the two resorts).

Regardless, I couldn't help but notice in your signature that you wanted to visit in June. Going to DL then is NOT a good idea. The collective launches of Buena Vista Street and Cars Land will warrant uncomfortably heavy crowds, I assure you. Plus they may not be opening until later in the month, so there's the added risk of missing them. Play it safe and wait until September, last week of August at the earliest.You won't regret it- the new additions in DCA will be fantastic and will remind you of Disney's capabilities when some of the stitches in the Mouse's pocket are loosened (and when a man in a hawaiian shirt gets his wish). :wave:

I kinda feel the same way now. I think I'll hold off on Disneyland until after Buena Vista Street opens...

Good choice, IMO.

 

[boufa]

Dunno why there is such a need to compare the two resorts .. I find them unique enough to offer their own experiences on the whole. Appreciate the enormous amount of attractions at DL, appreciate the extra parks, resorts and overall immersion at WDW.

Its the bigger more successful little brother, with a serious inferiority complex. Trying its best, but somehow always coming up a little short. Even the rain is better at DL. The parking lot stripes are a little brighter yellow, and the cotton candy a little sweeter. It has always been this way, and always will be.

Part of the psychological reason for some people is that they are so close (emotionally) to WDW that DL is their vacation like escape from the norm. That makes it more special. Kinda like they might have felt for WDW back when they went for the first few times, before it became routine. Of course this is not every case, but many times.

 

[MarkTwain]

So glad that this is a thread because my family and I were just thinking about taking our first Disneyland trip in 2012 but after seeing more con's than pro's, I think I'll just stick to my beautiful Walt Disney World!

Definitely don't feel discouraged by the list here. I could make a list just as long for WDW, but that doesn't by any means make the resort unenjoyable for me. In fact, despite this list, I would say Disneyland has many unique experiences and charms that you couldn't find at WDW. Late summer or fall 2012 would actually be a great time to go to Disneyland, with Carsland open and the DCA transformation complete.

 

[Walt Disney1955]

Well our plan is to go to Disneyland in April 2012. This will be our first time there ever. Is this a bad time to go? I don't think so and even after reading this thread it doesn't discourage me either, but I thought I'd ask anyway.

I too feel that even though I have never visitied DL that there are things there I'd like to see that we don't have at WDW. I'm sure I'd miss some WDW aspects like being literally carted off away from civilization but Disneyland is the original, it has a richer history and by all accounts is the better flagship park when comparing DL to Magic Kingdom. I'm excited to go because just look at the rides DL has that WDW doesn't:

Mr. Toad, Alice, Pinocchio, soon to be Snow White, Casey's Circus train, Indy, Mr. Lincoln, a better Pirates, a better Tom Sawyer Island, Walt's old apartment, Toontown and what looks like a boat-type ride around the moat (unless I am mistaken).

I'll close by asking a simple question. Would a three day pass be good enough for DL resort? I plan on using the first day at Disneyland. Then the 2nd day at California Adventure and then the third day probably mostly at Disneyland again. Is this enough time?

 

[DisneyFan 2000]

So glad that this is a thread because my family and I were just thinking about taking our first Disneyland trip in 2012 but after seeing more con's than pro's, I think I'll just stick to my beautiful Walt Disney World!

Your choice and loss, imo. No matter what facts we compare (acres, food, pricing, so-called better service) the place has an undeniable charm even Disney World could never recreate. Just seeing the park manage dozens of different attractions in a much more confined space is a wonder. The upkeeping is terrific and the history of the place really gets to you. I was there with a couple of casual travellers (not the Disney-versed type like us) and they completely agreed that the place just 'feels' like it has history and a bigger story to it.

But like I said, it's up to you...

 

[Communicore]

MK will always be "half-staffed" (politically correct substitute) heh heh! I sometimes wonder if Disney would just flat out admit that WDW is just a money making machine and as long as people pay it's all good.

 

[MarkTwain]

Well our plan is to go to Disneyland in April 2012. This will be our first time there ever. Is this a bad time to go? I don't think so and even after reading this thread it doesn't discourage me either, but I thought I'd ask anyway.

I too feel that even though I have never visitied DL that there are things there I'd like to see that we don't have at WDW. I'm sure I'd miss some WDW aspects like being literally carted off away from civilization but Disneyland is the original, it has a richer history and by all accounts is the better flagship park when comparing DL to Magic Kingdom. I'm excited to go because just look at the rides DL has that WDW doesn't:

Mr. Toad, Alice, Pinocchio, soon to be Snow White, Casey's Circus train, Indy, Mr. Lincoln, a better Pirates, a better Tom Sawyer Island, Walt's old apartment, Toontown and what looks like a boat-type ride around the moat (unless I am mistaken).

I'll close by asking a simple question. Would a three day pass be good enough for DL resort? I plan on using the first day at Disneyland. Then the 2nd day at California Adventure and then the third day probably mostly at Disneyland again. Is this enough time?

Sounds about right. In fact that's almost exactly what we did on one trip there, and it turned out to be just the right amount of time. Left enough time to do just about everything, while also allowing times to do things like a sip a mint julep in New Orleans Square and watch the Columbia drift by, or stop and watch the band rising out of the Tomorrowland Terrace planter (very cool - don't forget to do that!).

Also, I don't know about the moat boat ride, but there is a pretty cool walkthrough attraction inside the castle which tells the story of Sleeping Beauty. The still-lively Main Street with penny arcade and cinema is definitely worth poking around in. And then there's the submarines...

 

[Scuttle]

So glad that this is a thread because my family and I were just thinking about taking our first Disneyland trip in 2012 but after seeing more con's than pro's, I think I'll just stick to my beautiful Walt Disney World!

Ya I'm definitely not going to Disneyland until Carsland opens. I think I might have to go to experience that ride when it opens. Radiator Springs Racers looks like it's going to be the best attraction ever created by WDI.

 

[boufa]

MK will always be "half-staffed" (politically correct substitute) heh heh! I sometimes wonder if Disney would just flat out admit that WDW is just a money making machine and as long as people pay it's all good.

They do, its called the "Company" word at the end of their business name, not "charity" or "foundation" or "church" they also have this thing called a "stock" which requires them BY LAW to grow and protect the investment of the people who own the "stock"

Without exception everything that Disney does is to make money. Even the charitable stuff (thank you Disney!) is a money maker. They receive tax benefits, and positive press. Positive press is a form of marketing, and marketing is used to encourage people to your product, then you make more money.

You want a pure tribute to the genius of walt and family entertainment strictly to see everyone happy. Go to the Disney family museum then take the kids to a playground. WDW, DL etc, are all entertainment experiences, similar to going to Six Flags or a movie, or a concert. Everything else is an illusion created by legacy and marketing.

Im not bitter, I'm not a pessimist, but you have to understand what it is you are expecting, or else you are going to be constantly disappointed. Auhlani was not built to help the homeless in Hawaii, it was built to make cash, and lots of it. And when it looked like they were not going to make enough cash, they fired everyone who might have been responsible. I'm not quite sure why so many people forget about the economic realities of Disney.

 

[FantasmicMinnie]

Thank you all who gave me advice! We were basically going to do Disneyland for about 3 days because it doesn't seem that a week is really needed. I wanted to wait for Carsland to open... anyone know what month that is supposed to happen? I tried to look up some info but all i get is "Summer 2012"

 

[docandsix]

This is all great advice.

Definitely don't feel discouraged by the list here. I could make a list just as long for WDW, but that doesn't by any means make the resort unenjoyable for me. In fact, despite this list, I would say Disneyland has many unique experiences and charms that you couldn't find at WDW. Late summer or fall 2012 would actually be a great time to go to Disneyland, with Carsland open and the DCA transformation complete.

Unless going to Disneyland means giving up on something else you really want to do or will never otherwise be able to afford, I'd say GO. We had a great trip and I enjoyed it a great deal. It's worth visiting and may even be better than WDW for those with smaller children (much more manageable in terms of its size and more consistently interesting for kids as opposed to Epcot, for instance).

I'm just saying that, after considerable deliberation, I've concluded that I like WDW better, despite its own numerous flaws and weaknesses.

However, don't let other posters tell you why I've reached my conclusion: Disneyland is within a day's drive for us and I'm no east coast WDW homer.

 

[MarkTwain]

Thank you all who gave me advice! We were basically going to do Disneyland for about 3 days because it doesn't seem that a week is really needed. I wanted to wait for Carsland to open... anyone know what month that is supposed to happen? I tried to look up some info but all i get is "Summer 2012"

I don't think anyone knows at this point. I suspect Disney has only released fuzzy details like "Summer 2012" so that if the project falls behind schedule, they can open it in late August and still claim that they were on time. :lol: That said, many people are suspecting a mid-June opening, although others are betting on July 4. They're actually planning on opening Carsland and Buena Vista Street simultaneously, so the park will likely have a day for a grand "rededication" of DCA, where they can open the new entrance for the first time, and all the guests will rush over to Carsland...

 

[the-reason14]

Here’s my opinion. The first and only time so far that I’ve done Disneyland was a week after we did our annual trip to Disney World in 2009. No stranger to WDW, know it up and down so it’s ‘home’ to me. Going to Disneyland has always been a ‘dream’ of mine ever since I was about 13 or 12, and finally at 20 I was able to go. I enjoyed it throroughly, and after having been to WDW a lot and recent trips within a few months of each other at times, it was nice to see a fresh take on the ‘Disney vacation.’ I would never under any circumstances sacrifice a WDW trip for DL, unless it was only for a few days. But in 2009 I would have, just because Space mt. was closed for much of that year. But it was very refreshing and DL just seems more welcoming than WDW in that it’s much more intimate being as tiny as it is. It doesn’t seem as intimidating as WDW would I think for a first timer, and the atmosphere was more laid back. I’m used to walking at extreme speeds in WDW to see and do everything, and there’s this competitive feeling that I think exists in WDW when trying to get from ride to ride, be the first one on a said ride at opening, and just trying to do as much as possible in a day. None of that existed in DL to me. I guess it was because the place is so small that it’s easy to sit back and know that you’ll be able to do pretty much everything in four days, or maybe it’s just the atmosphere, whatever it was I enjoyed it.

Disneyland park alone while maybe not as nice to look at in some areas compared to Magic Kingdom, had so much more to do in it and better versions of certain rides in it. I loved Indy, and coming from Dinosaur to it, there’s no contest which is better. It’s in my top 3. Loved the matterhorn as it reminds me of WDW’s space mt. but it’s so old but still unique and extremely thrilling, and it’s also in my top 3. Pirates was just amazing in DL, and it made my top 3 as well. Not to mention IASW, a better fantasyland with amazing dark rides that you wish were in WDW, and just a more compact park that was extremely easy to access. When I was there I didn’t notice too much lacking maintenance wise, but I’m sure DL has it’s flaws. It’s obvious why DL is ‘better maintained’ then WDW so I won’t write about that, but to conclude it’s a nice alternative to WDW, especially for someone who’s been as many times as I and probably everybody on this board has. I love my WDW vacations, and pretty much everything about it, the competitve nature, park hopping, sneaking in daily naps. But a trip to DL is always a breath of fresh air if I really want a laid back vacation.

Next time I go will be when DCA is "done" so hopefully next year sometime.

 

[JenTerr]

Well our plan is to go to Disneyland in April 2012. This will be our first time there ever. Is this a bad time to go? I don't think so and even after reading this thread it doesn't discourage me either, but I thought I'd ask anyway.

I too feel that even though I have never visitied DL that there are things there I'd like to see that we don't have at WDW. I'm sure I'd miss some WDW aspects like being literally carted off away from civilization but Disneyland is the original, it has a richer history and by all accounts is the better flagship park when comparing DL to Magic Kingdom. I'm excited to go because just look at the rides DL has that WDW doesn't:

Mr. Toad, Alice, Pinocchio, soon to be Snow White, Casey's Circus train, Indy, Mr. Lincoln, a better Pirates, a better Tom Sawyer Island, Walt's old apartment, Toontown and what looks like a boat-type ride around the moat (unless I am mistaken).

I'll close by asking a simple question. Would a three day pass be good enough for DL resort? I plan on using the first day at Disneyland. Then the 2nd day at California Adventure and then the third day probably mostly at Disneyland again. Is this enough time?

April might be a lovely time to go if it is late April and not spring break time. I have been to Disneyland during spring beak and I won't do it again. If you are one of those people who don't mind the crowds (I can't remember if you are or not) then perhaps spring break crowds aren't a worry. However, in Disneyland the crowds mean more than long lines for food or rides... when I went during spring break years ago it was so congested that you couldn't walk freely through spaces like the pathways in Adventure land. At that time it was so crowded that if someone standing up in the treehouse had dropped a tennis ball onto the path below it absolutely would have hit someone, there is no free space at all. This wasn't after a parade or fireworks, it was in the middle of the afternoon.

Perhaps the boat type ride around the moat that you are thinking of is the Storybook boats? Don't forget the Matterhorn and I love love the teacups uncovered. Much better atmosphere, in my opinion.

That said, everything else about your plan is great. Three days is perfect... I personally love going for three days, it is the perfect little break that doesn't break your bank account.

I'm sure people have said it countless times in the countless other threads comparing WDW and DLR, but its just not fair to compare them as a whole - they are different experiences. If you want to compare them then compare on a park to park basis, at least that makes more sense. I am partial to Disneyland over the Magic Kingdom, but the best advice is to go and cherish each park for what it is.

 

[Walt Disney1955]

April might be a lovely time to go if it is late April and not spring break time. I have been to Disneyland during spring beak and I won't do it again. If you are one of those people who don't mind the crowds (I can't remember if you are or not) then perhaps spring break crowds aren't a worry. However, in Disneyland the crowds mean more than long lines for food or rides... when I went during spring break years ago it was so congested that you couldn't walk freely through spaces like the pathways in Adventure land. At that time it was so crowded that if someone standing up in the treehouse had dropped a tennis ball onto the path below it absolutely would have hit someone, there is no free space at all. This wasn't after a parade or fireworks, it was in the middle of the afternoon.

No it will be in the last week of March and/or first week of April. Unless that is spring break in the States. Is it?

Perhaps the boat type ride around the moat that you are thinking of is the Storybook boats? Don't forget the Matterhorn and I love love the teacups uncovered. Much better atmosphere, in my opinion.

Yes, the Storybook Canal.

 

[Ralphlaw]

Im not bitter, I'm not a pessimist, but you have to understand what it is you are expecting, or else you are going to be constantly disappointed. Auhlani was not built to help the homeless in Hawaii, it was built to make cash, and lots of it. And when it looked like they were not going to make enough cash, they fired everyone who might have been responsible. I'm not quite sure why so many people forget about the economic realities of Disney.[/QUOTE]

That's the reality that so many people on these boards don't seem to understand. Great attractions have to make business sense. Disney can't spend $50 million on a new attraction unless they will recoup at least that in additional revenues. They can't employ 4 people to do a job if 3 will do it just fine. Honestly, I think Disney has abundant personnel around campared to most businesses. It's a people intensive business, and few people can be redundantly employed to stand around to add a miniscule sepck to the experience. Obviously the Disney parks try to keep the public oblivious to the fact that it's a profit-making business, but the money making aspect is still at the heart of everything. If it doesn't bring in additional money-paying customers, it's not a wise decision. In fact, before Eisner, it could be argued that Disney lost sight of that fact, and was almost taken over in the process. Eisner wasn't perfect, but he kept Disney autonomous instead the "Entertainment Division" of Coca Cola or some other less magical enterprise.

Nevertheless, both WDW and Disneyland have their unique charms. Isn't that what this thread is about?