Disneyland vs. Magic Kingdom poll(only those who have been to both)

[surfsupdon]

As has been said above, Disneyland is so quaint, the park actually feels like a park. It’s beautiful. The MK just feels so concrete and full of hardscape.

Disneyland also has rides shoehorned in all over the place. It is really neat.

I prefer WDW overall, but easily prefer Disneyland over Magic Kingdom.

 

[bryanfze55]

I think from a park to park standpoint Disneyland still beats Magic Kingdom and I say that as a WDW veteran. The resort overall goes to WDW, I don't think that is much of an argument, it is just too grand.

A family member came with us to WDW last year. He was a Disneyland veteran and had never been to WDW. He felt MK was just as good as Disneyland. I don't know, just his preference, he liked the added shows like Carousel of Progress, Hall of Presidents, etc. and he loved seeing some of the old stuff he hadn't seen in a long time from Disneyland like Country Bear Jamboree or the Peoplemover. So he felt it was a wash. I thought it was an interesting perspective.

But the fact that even on a WDW board Disneyland has a 60/40 ratio over Magic Kingdom says a lot I think.

That is essentially my view. I think DL is a more quaint and charming park, but my personal preference is a wash. I love all the “non-ride” attractions at MK. It’s an overlooked aspect, but the truth is I would rather watch CBJ, HoP, and CoP than ride Pinocchio, Mr. Toad, and Roger Rabbit. And the PeopleMover is a big deal.

All that being said, at least three of the headliner attractions are significantly better at DL. And that is also a big deal.

 

[mikef]

While I prefer WDW overall, Disneyland has it going on with: Space Mountain, Pirates, Indy, and the Casey Jr. Circus Train. The way fastpasses were handled at Disneyland last year was delightful as it didn't require planning each day weeks in advance...felt more like a schedule-free vacation.

 

[Walt Disney1955]

That is essentially my view. I think DL is a more quaint and charming park, but my personal preference is a wash. I love all the “non-ride” attractions at MK. It’s an overlooked aspect, but the truth is I would rather watch CBJ, HoP, and CoP than ride Pinocchio, Mr. Toad, and Roger Rabbit. And the PeopleMover is a big deal.

All that being said, at least three of the headliner attractions are significantly better at DL. And that is also a big deal.

I remember my Disneyland-veteran relative reminding me on multiple times that we ought to hit the Peoplemover. It was a big deal to him to ride something that is extinct at Disneyland. Although I have no idea why it was taken down. When we went there in 2012 the track was still there.

 

[Dave B]

I remember my Disneyland-veteran relative reminding me on multiple times that we ought to hit the Peoplemover. It was a big deal to him to ride something that is extinct at Disneyland. Although I have no idea why it was taken down. When we went there in 2012 the track was still there.

Disney Land tried to do an upgraded version of People mover with it going faster, and it did not work out well, after they made the changes it was too expensive to switch it back

 

[danyoung56]

It was in no way an upgraded version of the PeopleMover. It was an entirely new ride called the Rocket Rods. They went budget and didn't bank the tracks, so the tires on the new vehicles were wearing out way quicker than anticipated. It was shut down after a few months of operation, with the promise that it was coming back. It never did.

 

[Dave B]

It was in no way an upgraded version of the PeopleMover. It was an entirely new ride called the Rocket Rods. They went budget and didn't bank the tracks, so the tires on the new vehicles were wearing out way quicker than anticipated. It was shut down after a few months of operation, with the promise that it was coming back. It never did.

It was pretty close, same track , just different cars that went faster with bigger tires

 

[danyoung56]

I guess it's just a matter of opinion. For me, the PeopleMover was completely different from the Rocket Rods. The only thing they had in common was the same track. But the ride vehicles were so different that riding them was totally different.

 

[bryanfze55]

Honest question: Is there an attraction that currently exists at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World where the WDW version is generally considered to be better? I can think of a bunch where I'd consider them identical or on the same level, but it seems like the scales are tipped to where the Disneyland has the better version of many attractions (like the longer Pirates).

Splash Mountain and Jungle Cruise are certainly considered better in WDW by most people. Haunted Mansion is kind of a toss-up, but I prefer it in WDW as do many others. In hindsight, the only ride that is SIGNIFICANTLY better in DL is Pirates (and Fantasmic! if you count that). Small World, Buzz, and Big Thunder Mountain are all better in DL but not SIGNIFICANTLY. Small World has nicer façade in DL, Buzz has the guns you can pick up, and BTMRR has newer special effects. All good things but nothing like the Pirates comparison.

Space Mountain is a ride that many claim is significantly better in DL. However, I've met enough people who prefer the WDW version to just assume that this ride kind of boils down to what you prefer: if you prefer drops, you might prefer the WDW version. If you value a smooth track and onboard audio, you'll probably prefer the DL version. I do prefer DL's, but I enjoy both.

 

[danyoung56]

Space Mountain is a ride that many claim is significantly better in DL. However, I've met enough people who prefer the WDW version to just assume that this ride kind of boils down to what you prefer: if you prefer drops, you might prefer the WDW version. If you value a smooth track and onboard audio, you'll probably prefer the DL version. I do prefer DL's, but I enjoy both.

The DL track is excellent. The MK track is painful. No comparison.

 

[bryanfze55]

The DL track is excellent. The MK track is painful. No comparison.

Painful? I think that’s a bit of a stretch. Jerky, yes. But the WDW Space Mountain’s track is modeled after the Matterhorn, so comparing those two rides would make more sense. Ironically, I think I hear more people complain about WDW Space than the Matterhorn even though the Matterhorn is way more rickety. Maybe I’m just more active in WDW forums, or maybe people are just more prone to complain about WDW. Who knows.

 

[Walt Disney1955]

Honest question: Is there an attraction that currently exists at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World where the WDW version is generally considered to be better? I can think of a bunch where I'd consider them identical or on the same level, but it seems like the scales are tipped to where the Disneyland has the better version of many attractions (like the longer Pirates).

I would say the separation between Splash in WDW to DL and Pirates from DL to WDW is the same. I don't know why, but Splash at Disneyland was so rushed. It felt very fast and not as leisurely. Not as much of a fan of the single lane seating either.

It all depends on your opinion of Small World. The WDW version doesn't have the characters in there while Disneyland's version does. Some purists don't like it that way but I thought it was neat. So to some the WDW version is better.

The rest is probably the same. I thought Thunder Mountain was better at WDW. The queue for Pirates is excellent at WDW while the ride itself is better and longer at Disneyland.

 

[danyoung56]

Painful? I think that’s a bit of a stretch.

Not at all. At least for me, the MK's SM is a painful ride, and I've pretty much stopped riding it till they redo the track. DL's SM, on the other hand, is smooth as butter.

 

[gerarar]

I've only been to Disneyland 2 times in my life, and I adore that park during my time there! On the other hand, I've lost count on how many times I've been to WDW, and the majority of my childhood Disney memories have been there.

But just between MK and DL? DL of course because of the number of attractions and the charm and care everywhere (although I've heard that's changing due to recent "projects") over MK.
But as a resort as a whole, definitely WDW overall. I prefer the fireworks here, as well as the different "unique" parks and resorts.

 

[rreading]

For me, I enjoy the spaces at Disney as much or more than the rides. The Halloween Tree at DL and New Orleans Square are great. DL's Tomorrowland not at all. Sure DL has more of a quaint Main Street with more character but MK is not as crowded and the vista with the castle is magnificent. The progression of Liberty Square to Frontierland is lovely at MK whereas at DL, Frontierland is somehow across from New Orleans? To me, as charming as DL is, I prefer the defined areas of MK (iirc, it is one of the things Walt wanted to be done better in his next project). I can spend a day happily enjoying the atmosphere around MK while occasionally riding rides.

Yes, the sum total of the rides at DL is greater. Some of the rides at DL are better. Both are amazing. But to me, MK is like WDW altogether: more than the sum of its parts. DL fans surely will say the same thing about DL as well, and fortunately, we may choose how we like. And for my sake, I'm glad that not EVERYONE goes to WDW (though some trips it feels like they all do!)

 

[Kane88]

I was at DL for the first time back in October and I have to say I fell in love with it naturally. Pirates in Anaheim blows Pirates in Florida out of the water. I’m also partial to Space Mountain at Anaheim as well because the ride vehicle is much more tall person friendly. Now I have to say my experience was also with Ghost Galaxy which was cool. Also Haunted Mansion with the holiday overlay gives the edge to DL. If we’re comparing with out the overlay then that point goes to FL bc of the staircases. I’d have to also agree that MK Splash is better than DL splash. I hate the cartoony sound in Anaheim and prefer the country banjo sound of MK. Also i feel light the lighting in some of the DL dark rides was too dim.

 

[disneyfireman]

As has been said above, Disneyland is so quaint, the park actually feels like a park. It’s beautiful. The MK just feels so concrete and full of hardscape.

Disneyland also has rides shoehorned in all over the place. It is really neat.

I prefer WDW overall, but easily prefer Disneyland over Magic Kingdom.

Well stated! Disneyland kills MK.. period, no debate. No contest. DL is just plain better.
However, WDW I do also like better overall. Unless we want a beach included in our vacation....Then the west coast wins for better beaches..and all the stuff you can do in L.A.
But if all we want to do is Disney...Well goto WDW. But, DLR is rapidly approaching WDW for my favorite.
I have always said...if i knew i only had a month to live. Id goto DL for the last visit to Disney.

 

[DisneyAndUniversalFan]

DL is far better than MK. I do like WDW better overall, but DLR is right behind it. But overall, California over Florida any day. LA alone has so much variety and things to do. I only go to Florida mainly for the theme parks, whereas California (which I was just at) has endless amounts of things I could see and do for weeks.

 

[joshjoned]

I think from a park to park standpoint Disneyland still beats Magic Kingdom and I say that as a WDW veteran. The resort overall goes to WDW, I don't think that is much of an argument, it is just too grand.

A family member came with us to WDW last year. He was a Disneyland veteran and had never been to WDW. He felt MK was just as good as Disneyland. I don't know, just his preference, he liked the added shows like Carousel of Progress, Hall of Presidents, etc. and he loved seeing some of the old stuff he hadn't seen in a long time from Disneyland like Country Bear Jamboree or the Peoplemover. So he felt it was a wash. I thought it was an interesting perspective.

But the fact that even on a WDW board Disneyland has a 60/40 ratio over Magic Kingdom says a lot I think.

that actual lead is probably bigger when you consider you have people who admitted voting for MK without even having been to DL.

 

[TP2000]

that actual lead is probably bigger when you consider you have people who admitted voting for MK without even having been to DL.

I'd forgotten about this thread! As a native born Floridian who now lives in SoCal, I voted for Disneyland.

What's interesting is that 4+ years later, Disneyland seems to be pulling further ahead with the addition of 3 E Tickets, one already open and two under construction; Millennium Falcon: Target Run already open, with Rise of the Resistance and Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway under construction. Magic Kingdom has TRON Coaster under construction.

Very interesting.