DL vs. WDW

[bugsbunny]

After 25+ trips to wdw, we headed to dl for the first time in years. Back when dca was just opened was last time.

Dl is just so much cleaner and better kept than wdw. For a park opened in 1955, it's just amazing how charming and appealing it is. Pirates, Big Thunder, Space Mountain, and Mansion are hands down better than wdw. And Buzz the guns come off and you can aim anywhere. California Screamin is what RRC should have been. Wdw ToT is definitely better, but Dl's Phineas & Ferb show is great. And best of all, I only saw like 2 scooters in the parks! I guess there are less ailments in California? :ROFLOL:

Even though my one day was ruined by the bomb scare, it was a great place to be and change from wdw. I highly recommend any Disney kool-aid drinkers to get out there asap!

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

The only difference I can think of is that there is a lot more space at MK compared to DL and it seems like it gets packed really quickly in tight areas.

Only other thing I've noticed is they seem to sell More bags of chips than having fries. This happend when I went to Refreshment Corner getting a Hot Dog Combo you get chips whereas at MK's Casey's Same exact combo but with fries..I'm not sure the reason but it's still good.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

I strongly disagree with HM being better at DL, in both conent and upkeep it was a disapointment compared to MK. Space Mountain IMO is better at WDW too, but not by a margin as wide (I just like it better as a coaster and the queue and sense of scale you get with the mountain are also better).

I do however, agree with the level of upkeep, the lack of scooters and strollers in comparison and the superior Pirates. The one in WDW is a joke in comparison.

A general "vs" list from me:

Better at DL:

- Main Street content (real different shops, attractions)
- Fantasyland as a whole
- Pirates
- Nemo (subs are way better than the omnimover)
- Shops in general
- Railroad
- Rivers of America
- Dining options within DL vs MK
- landscaping (far more trees and flowers and nicer looking pathways too)
- Afternoon parade (MK's obviously sucks)
- Tiki Room (with fountain)
- Stuff not in MK (Indy, NOS)
- Muppet Vision (better AAs, but the exterior and lobby are not as nice)

Better at WDW:

- HM (more scenes and better upkeep)
- ToT (random drops, better placement, 5th dimesnion scene)
- Castle and Main Street buildings
- Tomorrowland exterior (much less of a jumbled mess, plus AO and Peopleover)
- Wider walkways
- Splash Mountain (more comfortable seating and better scene layout, rockwork and queue)
- Space Mountain (in better shape at DL though)
- Swiss Family Treehouse instead of Tarzan's
- Jungle Cruise (I like the new DL stuff but MK has cool temple and better scene progression, queues were largely equal IMO)
- Small World (much better outside at DL, but mostly better scene layout at MK, nicer looking finale and no Disney characters or America scene)
- Captain EO (less obnoxious seat bouncing)

I also like HoP better than Mr. Lincoln, but I'm not sure it's fair to compare the too.

 

[skimbob]

I really like both DL and WDW for different things.

Mr. Lincoln cannot be compared to HOP because Mr. Lincoln is the orginal animatronic created by Walt that set the stage for all other animatronics throughout the parks.

I actually like the American Adventure over HOP and unfortunately it is one of the most underated attractions in all of the parks.

DL will always have a warm spot in many people's hearts because it is the original that all others came from and the only one Walt ever got to see finished.

 

[bugsbunny]

One thing for sure, the park hopping at DL is 10x easier since they are only like 100 yards apart!

Also thought the Muppet Theater at DCA seemed "newer" in terms of what the inside looked like and the special effects. Movie was the same including Stadler and Waldorf still wanting to move it to Pittsburgh!

I thought Space Mountain queue was odd compared to WDW. You went up and literally onto the roof and then down into it. And yes, it seems the scale is tremendous compared to WDW. Although I really did like the side-by-side seating on it compared to WDW. Also, it seemed way faster at DL than my recent visit to WDW in November.

Agree with the chips vs fries. I noticed that right away. Also seems to be more variety of things to eat at DL compared to WDW. I didn't eat a cheeseburger until my last day and even that was a BBQ turkey burger with onion rings stacked on it.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

DL wins:
- More rides!
- Super quaint!
- Walt walked there!

WDW wins:
- Nothing in this world rivals the MK for beauty and splendour. This counts for everything.
- Everything feels so small in DL.
- Peoplemover!!
- EPCOT a monorail ride away. (What's a DCA?)
- Walt had outgrown DL. It is with the vision of WDW that he died.

 

[yeti]

Whenever I visit DL, I always assume the better management and greater concentration of rides will make it a better time than a visit to WDW. It doesn't. It's probably just a nostalgic thing, but I just never have as much fun at Disneyland as I do in Walt Disney World.

One thing for sure, the park hopping at DL is 10x easier since they are only like 100 yards apart!

See that's the thing...what I like about having the rides spread out across four parks in Orlando is that there's a greater variation in atmosphere. You take longer to make it to each attraction, and you don't end up tackling each thing there is to do in rapid succession. It's almost like there's more breathing space- you don't feel as compelled to go on one ride, then ride another, then grab a fastpass, etc etc etc so on and so forth until before you know it you've done it all in one day. The enormity of WDW slows you down, and that's a good thing. More parks, more nooks and crannies, and more exploration (then again, I'm not the one paying for the tickets yet so I'm probably a little biased :lol.

 

[marni1971]

- Nothing in this world rivals the MK for beauty and splendour. This counts for everything.

Errr.. DLPs Disneyland Parc?

 

[captainkidd]

- Walt had outgrown DL. It is with the vision of WDW that he died.

WDW is nothing the way Walt envisioned it, with perhaps the Magic Kingdom and the resorts around Seven Seas Lagoon being the exception. Now, whether or not he would be happy with what it is, is a question none of can answer.

 

[Mickey_777]

I enjoy/love both resorts equally as I believe WDW does some things better than DL and vice versa.

The "thier version vs. our version" of rides debate has been done a gazillion times so I won't go back into that. The one thing that irks me though, is the notion that DL is impecable and WDW is falling apart. It's simply not true. I was out in Anaheim in 2010 and this last September. I have (accidental) photo documentation that things are in fact "broken" at DL as well. Didn't do it on purpose though. I'm not into sabotaging my own vacations.

At the end of the day I have just as great a desire to visit DL as I do WDW. I also prefer to stay offsite and eat outside of the parks but that's just me.

 

[Communicore]

Disneyland wins anything, why even talk about it, ha ha ha...

Except for the period of time 1982-around 1990 when the REAL EPCOT Center was in full effect, Disneyland has always been the winner.

 

[captainkidd]

Disneyland wins anything, why even talk about it, ha ha ha...

Except for the period of time 1982-around 1990 when the REAL EPCOT Center was in full effect, Disneyland has always been the winner.

I'm taking my 1st trip to Disneyland next summer, and this is an opinion that is split pretty evenly by people who have been to both. The general consensus, I have come to, is that Disneyland Park is more charming than the Magic Kingdom, and many of the same rides are better at Disneyland, but WDW blows Disneyland out of the water as a vacation experience.

 

[DawnCt]

After having been to WDW several times, I was amazed at our first trip, (pre DCA) to DL. One cannot ignore the incredible contrast. We stayed at the Hilton, walked to the MK, crossed a parking lot under high tension wires, got through the gate and were transported to another "place". To me, that was dramatic. You could actually forget the six lane street outside those walls. I also felt that the buildings seemed more authentic. At WDW's MK, there was a sense of a facade at every building you looked at. At DL, you felt that there was an entire building.

 

[Chrononymous]

I love them both so much...and probably for entirely different reasons.

But one thing that always happens in either park...when I'm in DL, I'm missing some things from WDW, and the same with WDW...I sometimes wish I were in DL.

It's terrible, I know...I should be happy wherever I am!

 

[Animaniac93-98]

I have (accidental) photo documentation that things are in fact "broken" at DL as well. Didn't do it on purpose though. I'm not into sabotaging my own vacations.

While I would say DL is overall much better maintained than MK I too noticed such things as burnt-out bulbs there too. There was also a window on the roof-top level of SM's queue that was covered in graffiti from people scratching their names in and such. But such things were few and far between.

You could actually forget the six lane street outside those walls.

DL does a great job with this, thanks largely to the amount of tress planted in the parks. Once you're in the Esplanade, or DCA, at or DL you don't notice the outside world at all. The difference in elevation of the park streets and the freeway, for example, also makes a difference when looking into the park from the outside.

 

[the-reason14]

The thing I enjoyed about DL was the ability to easily park hop and to pretty much do the same amount of rides/attractions and shows as WDW but without having to wait for busses etc. It was a nice break from that. And I understand what one poster meant about I guess it being more authentic or exotic having to travel to or WDW's ability to really immerse you in the theme of certain rides with different themed areas and such. That is nice. But DL really utilizes it's small cramped space effectively and WDW's MK needs to take note. There's no reason why MK can't have more rides in it. I know they have more space to spread stuff out within 4 parks, but DL uses it's space really nice.

The only things really WDW beats DL in is the space, HM, ToT, better castle and overall space in MK, Space mt. Splash mt. and that's all I can think of. Of course it's all debatable, but I think every true Disney fan should venture out over there just to see what's really up.

 

[coachwnh]

can't wait to do these comparisons myself. haven't been to DL in over 15 years. heading to DL for 5 days (June 18-22) then WDW from July 25-August 7!:sohappy: Super excited!

 

[riogirl]

WDW wins for a vacation experience....the resorts and the travel to and from the different parks, DTD, other resorts, etc. It just feels more vacation-y to me.

The castle wins hands down at WDW...the first time I walked down DL Main Street was so strange to see the "short" castle.

DL's POC was sooooo much better, longer ride made it so much more enjoyable. You really were able to follow the story of the ride. When I ride WDW POC, I feel cheated.

DL's food was much better, better choices and quality in my opinion. The New Orleans Square area was really nice too, I liked how it was set up and the flow of it was really good.

DCA was great, It reminds me a little of Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom combined. I like how it is accessible to the Grand Californian too.

What was weird to me was that you could actually see the parks and rides from the highway/street when you drive up to it. For me that totally takes away the "magic" I remember as a kid going to WDW and entering the gate and trying soooo hard to see something and you couldn't. It was such a mystery and made it seem so much more special and magical. I still get that feeling driving through the gates...and that feeling is one that isn't there at DL for me...the magic!

I feel lucky enough that I get to visit both parks often and I enjoy both parks for different reasons, but for me the winner will always be WALT DISNEY WORLD!

 

[The Empress Lilly]

Errr.. DLPs Disneyland Parc?

Not for me. I find the MK so much prettier than DLP it isn't even funny. I opened a quick little thread about it, to complement this one. Do weigh in!
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?p=4903443#post4903443

 

[cheezbat]

While WDW is a mega-resort, the quality really is superior in Cali. Last year on my visit to Disneyland, I carefully searched throughout the parks for lights out, broken animatronics, and trash on floors. (crazy? Maybe.)

What I found were no more than maybe 7 lights out in all of the resort...and not ONE broken animatronic. Afterwards, I visited WDW a few days later, and did the exact same thing. I counted over 200 lights out just in Main Street alone at the MK, not to mention numerous broken effects and animatronics(Splash Mountain of course being a big culprit!)

While I love both resorts, it sickens me to see just how much better things are run in Cali nowdays in comparison to here in Florida.

Ride comparisons...Splash is a more cohesive ride in WDW, but in better shape in Cali. I'd take MK's Haunted Mansion and Big Thunder over DL's, but the Space Mountain argument...DL all the way! I much smoother, more comfortable and up-to-date ride. The MK's just saddens me. Pirates...DL. MK's is a laugh in comparison.

DL has Indiana Jones, the Matterhorn, ALice In Wonderland, Mr Toad's Wild Ride, the castle walktrough, a far more realistic Main Street...

MK has...more space, better Jungle Cruise, Mansion, and a superior castle...but that's about it parkwise.

Now bringing the other parks into it, yes WDW has four, so it has that going for it. I just wish that all four parks were in great shape and full day experiences. As it is right now, there's so many things that need to be done...heck, Epcot, DHS, and DAK could all use DCA 2.0 style treatment!

What it all comes down to is preference. Everyone has a different opinion.