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Disneyland or Magic Kingdom
- Thread starter Getachew
- Start date
Disney world, no contest.
The comparison was strictly DL vs MK as parks, not the overall resorts.
eliza61nyc
Well-Known Member
Oops thanks I didn't catch that. Hummm I deleted my answer, that's a bit harder
mmelka
Active Member
I agree that it is Disneyland, no contest when its a direct comparison of parks - DL vs MK. I think that voting between DLR and WDW is definitely more difficult, but I would still lean towards DLR over WDW in my opinion.
DL includes several attractions absent at MK in somehow a smaller footprint:
Indiana Jones Adventure
Rise of Resistance
Smuggler's Run
Matterhorn Bobsleds
Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin
Finding Nemo Submarines
Toad's Wild Ride
While many of those attractions can be found elsewhere at WDW, or are not exactly E-Ticket attractions. It is impressive what DL fit into such a small park compared to MK. I find that MK with less attractions, but more people is more difficult to get much done in a single day.
DL includes several attractions absent at MK in somehow a smaller footprint:
Indiana Jones Adventure
Rise of Resistance
Smuggler's Run
Matterhorn Bobsleds
Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin
Finding Nemo Submarines
Toad's Wild Ride
While many of those attractions can be found elsewhere at WDW, or are not exactly E-Ticket attractions. It is impressive what DL fit into such a small park compared to MK. I find that MK with less attractions, but more people is more difficult to get much done in a single day.
doctornick
Well-Known Member
Without a doubt, when comparing the two parks head to head, Disneyland wins hands down. Just more overall rides and attractions are packed into the park even with the smaller footprint.
That being said, I find these comparisons generally focus almost exclusively on rides and I feel it does do MK a disservice in that MK has a more robust lineup of attractions that are shows - specifically whereas DL has the Tiki Birds and Mr Lincoln, MK has the Tikis, Country Bears, Hall of Presidents, Philharmagic, Laugh Floor and Carousel of Progress* which offer nice alternative experiences to the existing rides. And, honestly, those shows are quite appreciated and needed in MK where they allow for short waits and an ability to get out of the elements (sun and rain) though admittedly the weather is typically less an issue in California.
Another thing that MK has going for it over DL is Treasures of the Seven Seas and Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom which are IMHO underrated enhancements to the park day especially for repeat visitors.
*one might also include Enchanted Tales among the shows at MK, but I would not.
That being said, I find these comparisons generally focus almost exclusively on rides and I feel it does do MK a disservice in that MK has a more robust lineup of attractions that are shows - specifically whereas DL has the Tiki Birds and Mr Lincoln, MK has the Tikis, Country Bears, Hall of Presidents, Philharmagic, Laugh Floor and Carousel of Progress* which offer nice alternative experiences to the existing rides. And, honestly, those shows are quite appreciated and needed in MK where they allow for short waits and an ability to get out of the elements (sun and rain) though admittedly the weather is typically less an issue in California.
Another thing that MK has going for it over DL is Treasures of the Seven Seas and Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom which are IMHO underrated enhancements to the park day especially for repeat visitors.
*one might also include Enchanted Tales among the shows at MK, but I would not.
bryanfze55
Well-Known Member
Disneyland, despite the unforgivable absence of a PeopleMover.
DL's Rivers of America are nicer and more scenic. Pirates of the Caribbean is much more epic at DL than at MK. New Orleans Square > Liberty Square, although both are amazing. DL's quick service is miles better and has more options to choose from. DL has Indiana Jones in its Adventureland rather than Flying Carpets. DL's train ride goes through Jurassic Park and the Grand Canyon while MK's train ride goes through weeds. DL's Fantasyland and Main Street are more charming. Overall, the park is just more well-maintained. It's able to do more refurbishments and updates since it's primary a locals' park (for instance, DL's BTMR got the dynamite scene that MK's BTMR will never get).
MK is great in its own right, though. It should be factored in that MK shares attractions with three other parks while DL only shares attractions with one other park. Also, I don't think MK is necessarily in direct competition with DL. Disneyland Park is truly the pinnacle of theme parks in the United States while Magic Kingdom is just a portion of a larger vacation that includes experiences you can't get in Anaheim.
DL's Rivers of America are nicer and more scenic. Pirates of the Caribbean is much more epic at DL than at MK. New Orleans Square > Liberty Square, although both are amazing. DL's quick service is miles better and has more options to choose from. DL has Indiana Jones in its Adventureland rather than Flying Carpets. DL's train ride goes through Jurassic Park and the Grand Canyon while MK's train ride goes through weeds. DL's Fantasyland and Main Street are more charming. Overall, the park is just more well-maintained. It's able to do more refurbishments and updates since it's primary a locals' park (for instance, DL's BTMR got the dynamite scene that MK's BTMR will never get).
MK is great in its own right, though. It should be factored in that MK shares attractions with three other parks while DL only shares attractions with one other park. Also, I don't think MK is necessarily in direct competition with DL. Disneyland Park is truly the pinnacle of theme parks in the United States while Magic Kingdom is just a portion of a larger vacation that includes experiences you can't get in Anaheim.
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Disneysea05
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- Yes
Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Disneyland!
Love MK too though!
Love MK too though!
yensidtlaw1969
Well-Known Member
It STUNS me that Fantasyland seems to be ahead of Tomorrowland for a rework at Disneyland. Although at this very moment I wouldn't expect either of them to actually get real attention any time soon.
I too cast my vote for Disneyland, by the way.
Movielover
Well-Known Member
Disneyland > Magic Kingdom
But...
WDW > DL
But...
WDW > DL
Heppenheimer
Well-Known Member
Even with an inferior Tomorrowland, I still went with Disneyland. Probably because of the density of attractions, the better weather, Indiana Jones, and just a certain intangible factor.
I have not experienced Galaxy's Edge at Disney World, but I love the integration into the park at Disneyland. The site-lines are maintained so that you can only see the spires where they make sense, you can't see the remainder of the park within the land, and the transition into the area really sells the sense that you've entered a different world.
I have not experienced Galaxy's Edge at Disney World, but I love the integration into the park at Disneyland. The site-lines are maintained so that you can only see the spires where they make sense, you can't see the remainder of the park within the land, and the transition into the area really sells the sense that you've entered a different world.
Love PeopleMover. One of MK's best rides, IMO.
PSM
Well-Known Member
It's a tough one and I have trouble giving a solid all-around answer. They're very different parks with a lot of different rides. The "same" lands from one park to the other are pretty different with some lands that are completely different (different names, different themes, different rides altogether). And even the rides that are the same from MK to DL are anywhere from somewhat different to very different. Also - and this gets skipped over a lot - the restaurants are completely different.
I know a lot of people like to compare these two parks but they're really apples to oranges. I'll put it this way: you could never say, "Oh, I've been to Magic Kingdom before, so I don't need to go to Disneyland." Or vice versa. They're too different. I mean, one of them has an entire Galaxy's Edge now. That alone helps push them even farther apart in terms of a comparison if you're talking strictly those two parks and not DL vs WDW offerings.
In the end, if I could only ever go to one of them for the rest of my life, it would be Magic Kingdom but a big part of that is because I grew up going there and it carries a huge nostalgia factor for me. BUT if you told me I could go to Magic Kingdom every year for the rest of my life but never go to Disneyland again, I'd be pretty sad because I'd be missing out on a lot.
I've been going to WDW since I was 8 weeks old (now mid-30s) and have gone to Disneyland twice in the past two years, along with trips to WDW. I was not prepared for how different Disneyland was. I absolutely love it and hope to keep going back every year because it's just a different park than Magic Kingdom.
I know a lot of people like to compare these two parks but they're really apples to oranges. I'll put it this way: you could never say, "Oh, I've been to Magic Kingdom before, so I don't need to go to Disneyland." Or vice versa. They're too different. I mean, one of them has an entire Galaxy's Edge now. That alone helps push them even farther apart in terms of a comparison if you're talking strictly those two parks and not DL vs WDW offerings.
In the end, if I could only ever go to one of them for the rest of my life, it would be Magic Kingdom but a big part of that is because I grew up going there and it carries a huge nostalgia factor for me. BUT if you told me I could go to Magic Kingdom every year for the rest of my life but never go to Disneyland again, I'd be pretty sad because I'd be missing out on a lot.
I've been going to WDW since I was 8 weeks old (now mid-30s) and have gone to Disneyland twice in the past two years, along with trips to WDW. I was not prepared for how different Disneyland was. I absolutely love it and hope to keep going back every year because it's just a different park than Magic Kingdom.
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disney4life2008
Well-Known Member
If you have never been to Disneyland, then you would think magic Kingdom is the greatest theme park in the world. That it is not. Disneyland is simply amazing on every level.
disney4life2008
Well-Known Member
What area did it replace?
Imagineer45
Active Member
Disneyland feels more crammed... because it is. The Magic Kingdom has fewer rides spread out over a larger area and is built to accommodate larger crowds, so it never has the same packed feeling Disneyland has. However, I like the packed nature of the park and therefore prefer it.