DL vs. WDW

[AswaySuller]

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.

Bravo, couldn't agree more.

 

[the-reason14]

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!

Ya, that was the one thing about DL that took some getting used to. It was funny how we first figured out where it was, because unlike Orlando there aren't a million signs telling you where things are. I looked up and was like, oh there's Disneyland cuz that's California screaming. But it definitely is nice and Disneyland utilizes its space very efficiently. Looking at old school videos of DL, the way you used to park and see the train station and just waltz up to the entrance via tram or foot seemed very blah. Arriving to the mk is definitely a more magical experience.

 

[captainkidd]

As I read these replies, I find one thing very interesting, and that is how DL utilizes it's space so much better. However, one thing I've read in just about every guidebook is that even though MK and DL have pretty much the same average daily attendance, DL always seems like it's absolutely packed, and there is little room to move. In fact, it's emphasized so much so in the Official and Unofficial Guides, it has me greatly concerned about going there next year. In creating the Magic Kingdom, this was one of Walt's biggest regrets. The MK could add more rides in obviously, but it would suffer from the traffic issues that seem to plague Disneyland Park.

 

[TP2000]

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.

Wow! I've been accused of being too critical for doing compare/contrast trips between Disneyland and WDW, but that takes it to a whole other level! :lol:

It's always interesting to me to ride the same attractions at Disneyland and WDW back-to-back within a few days. The differences seem to be growing in recent years, with ride upkeep at Disneyland staying in top shape or even getting better, and ride upkeep at WDW maintaining a dusty mediocrity or even becoming noticeably shabby. Animatronics maintenance and overall audio quality are two of the most noticeable things between the two properties.

It's a fascinating subject, really.

 

[Zummi Gummi]

Disneyland has a far, far, better version of Fantasmic. It's laughable how bad the WDW version is when you compare the two.

And what makes it sadder is that WDW had a stadium specially constructed for the show, yet the Disneyland show, staged in the middle of the park, is more technologically advanced.

 

[TP2000]

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!

MuppetVision is a perfect example of the difference in maintenance and upkeep between the two coasts. MuppetVision is not a headliner attraction by any means, and yet it's still maintained very nicely at DCA with fluid animatronic movement (from Waldord & Statler and right down to the last penguin) and a theater full of sparkling special effects and a general ambience of fresh care and maintenance. Even the upholstered seats seem fresh and clean.

The same can't be said of the DHS version of MuppetVision, where the animatronics aren't as fluid or don't move at all, too many special effects are inoperative, and the facility has a layer of grime and dinginess that becomes noticeable after a recent visit to the DCA version.

What's noteable here is that DCA is in the midst of a massive overhaul, and it would be easy for them to slack off on the maintenance of older, less popular attractions like MuppetVision. But they don't, and it shows. What's the excuse at DHS I have to wonder?

That said, one of the things WDW does way better than Disneyland is Splash Mountain. The WDW version of Splash Mountain has a coherent storyline and great staging and art direction. The Disneyland version is a mish-mash of confusing singing chickens and frantic dialogue and bizarre staging and set design. I remember going on WDW's Splash for the first time in the mid 90's, after it had been opened at Disneyland for five years, and I was so surprised to learn that ride actually had a plot! Who knew Splash Mountain had a plot?!? At Disneyland, it's just a mad dash through a dark room with a hundred singing animals and then a big drop at the end. At WDW it's a storytelling adventure that actually makes sense, with a big drop at the end.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

I think part of the difference in Muppet-Vision is the age. 2001 AAs are bound to be better built and more articulated than 1990 figures. That doesn't count for all of it, but it must be some.

I also noticed the fiber optic firework effect not working at DCA when I saw it, It was the only thing that wasn't as far as I could tell.

 

[TP2000]

I think part of the difference in Muppet-Vision is the age. 2001 AAs are bound to be better built and more articulated than 1990 figures. That doesn't count for all of it, but it must be some.

That could be part of it, but I would think once you get past about the five-year-old mark, animatronics running up to 16 hours per day, 365 days per year would all be pretty equal. And again, MuppetVision is a minor attraction that would seem to be easy to slack off on maintenance with.

Disneyland's Pirates of the Caribbean (1967) is seven years older than WDW's Pirates (1973), but the difference in maintenance at that ride is even more noticeable.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Disneyland's Pirates of the Caribbean (1967) is seven years older than WDW's Pirates (1973), but the difference in maintenance at that ride is even more noticeable.

This is also very much true, but I believe DL's Pirates has seen more major udates/upgrades/refurbishments over the years than WDW's, like last fall. But day-to-day work is clearly better as you say.

 

[rustysgirl]

so while splash mountain is being discussed, i was wondering if disneyland's has the little drops before the big one like wdw. the one in the dark is my fave. =)
just wondering if its anything like that or do u just have the big drop? & if they do have smaller drops, are they exciting like the dark one? just curious cuz we haven't been yet & splash mountain is my hubby's favorite ride. thanks =)

 

[patricia27]

Lots of interesting comments; never been to DL. We are thinking about it, but the flight is just that bit longer for us in the UK. I get the feeling that whereas we have 2 weeks in WDW, we would have a shorter time in DL. I believe there are some good studio tours?

 

[TP2000]

so while splash mountain is being discussed, i was wondering if disneyland's has the little drops before the big one like wdw. the one in the dark is my fave. =)

Yes, there are several smaller drops before the big drop, including the roller-coaster drop in the dark down into the "laughing place". But the logs are smaller at Disneyland and they move much faster through the animatronic scenes, and it's very hard to tell what the plot might be and what the point is to the ride.

As I was not familiar with the Song of the South, since most of us aren't as it is forbidden to watch the movie in this country now, I honestly had no idea what was going on for the first few years on the Disneyland version. Only until a visit to WDW in the mid 1990's and a ride on the WDW Splash Mountain did I learn there was a plot for the ride. :lol:

 

[TP2000]

Lots of interesting comments; never been to DL. We are thinking about it, but the flight is just that bit longer for us in the UK. I get the feeling that whereas we have 2 weeks in WDW, we would have a shorter time in DL. I believe there are some good studio tours?

You could spend two full weeks in Southern California doing exciting and unique things and not spend a day at Disneyland, and many international tourists do just that.

There are movie studio tours of various sizes and intensity levels, plus the beaches, museums, zoos, state parks, mountains, deserts, cultural icons, and all the usual hub-bub of one of the largest cities on the planet. There are also a half dozen famous theme parks in SoCal besides Disneyland and California Adventure, but if you want to slot in three or four days at Disneyland Resort you'd be a wise Disney fan to do that.

Check out the Disneyland section of the forums here, or any good tourist book about Southern California at your local bookstore, or the official California tourism website for more info http://www.visitcalifornia.com/ :wave:

 

[AswaySuller]

so while splash mountain is being discussed, i was wondering if disneyland's has the little drops before the big one like wdw. the one in the dark is my fave. =)
just wondering if its anything like that or do u just have the big drop? & if they do have smaller drops, are they exciting like the dark one? just curious cuz we haven't been yet & splash mountain is my hubby's favorite ride. thanks =)

It's very similar, it has more scenes but the story is more fluid at WDW..... For some reason you actually do get SOAKED on SM at DL as apposed to the actual splash you get from WDW's.

 

[AswaySuller]

Lots of interesting comments; never been to DL. We are thinking about it, but the flight is just that bit longer for us in the UK. I get the feeling that whereas we have 2 weeks in WDW, we would have a shorter time in DL. I believe there are some good studio tours?

I am a veteran WDW goer (I've been every year since '91) and about 4 years ago I decided to give LA a go and WOW what a pleasant surprise.

DL is a wonderful park that meets and exceeds WDW in some parts.
It really is a beautiful well run and well maintained and if possible even more magical.

Don't be fooled that LA isn't a proper two week holiday, because it is!

DL is a 2 day park at least! DCA will probably be the same when the expansion is finished.

You have universal which is a great park too, especially if you love actual film making. They have lots of the rides from Florida and a brilliant back lot where you will see so much (like the court house from back to the future and kong 360). We even spent 2 days at universal last time!

Then there's Hollywood where there's the Chinese theatre, the Hollywood sign, the walk of fame etc.... We even did a cheesy tour of celebrity homes which was much much better than I ever expected.

Warner bros does a great studio tour where again you will see loads that you recognise (including central perk from friends) we also got to go on the sets of two and a half men, the big bang theory and Chuck.

There's a good chance you will actually see something epbeing filmed too...
So far I've seen Pirates Of the Caribbean: on stranger tides, the hangover 2, land of the lost (with will ferrell,) desperate housewives, how I met your mother and NCIS.

There's also some great beaches, Santa Monica is beautiful and I really liked Venice beach.... And if none of that floats your boat San Francisco and las Vegas are like a two hour drive!

Overall as you can tell I'd recommend it to anyone.... I am going again this year and can not wait! The flight is like 2 hrs more which when you're on a plane for 10 anyway doesn't seem like much.

There are also less English people.. Which (even though I am English) is a bonus to me! Just be prepared to drive lots.... Nothing is close together in LA.

If you have any more questions feel free to PM me.

 

[SyracuseOrange]

I am a veteran WDW goer (I've been every year since '91) and about 4 years ago I decided to give LA a go and WOW what a pleasant surprise.

DL is a wonderful park that meets and exceeds WDW in some parts.
It really is a beautiful well run and well maintained and if possible even more magical.

Don't be fooled that LA isn't a proper two week holiday, because it is!

DL is a 2 day park at least! DCA will probably be the same when the expansion is finished.

You have universal which is a great park too, especially if you love actual film making. They have lots of the rides from Florida and a brilliant back lot where you will see so much (like the court house from back to the future and kong 360). We even spent 2 days at universal last time!

Then there's Hollywood where there's the Chinese theatre, the Hollywood sign, the walk of fame etc.... We even did a cheesy tour of celebrity homes which was much much better than I ever expected.

Warner bros does a great studio tour where again you will see loads that you recognise (including central perk from friends) we also got to go on the sets of two and a half men, the big bang theory and Chuck.

There's a good chance you will actually see something epbeing filmed too...
So far I've seen Pirates Of the Caribbean: on stranger tides, the hangover 2, land of the lost (with will ferrell,) desperate housewives, how I met your mother and NCIS.

There's also some great beaches, Santa Monica is beautiful and I really liked Venice beach.... And if none of that floats your boat San Francisco and las Vegas are like a two hour drive!

Overall as you can tell I'd recommend it to anyone.... I am going again this year and can not wait! The flight is like 2 hrs more which when you're on a plane for 10 anyway doesn't seem like much.

There are also less English people.. Which (even though I am English) is a bonus to me! Just be prepared to drive lots.... Nothing is close together in LA.

If you have any more questions feel free to PM me.

San Francisco to Los Angeles is much longer than a two hour drive...and even Vegas can't be done in 2 hours.

 

[patricia27]

Hey--thanks for all the useful information--must make the effort to get to DL. Any good recomendations on places to stay?

 

[AswaySuller]

Sorry, my bad, Vegas is about 3/3.5 hrs and San fran 4.5 but it's doable in a day!


As for somewhere to stay that's a toughy.... Depends on your budget really.

That's actually something we're currently stuck on so if anyone else can help please do.

But if you're close to DL you'll be about 40 mins from Hollywood (without traffic) and vice versa.

 

[marni1971]

Lots of interesting comments; never been to DL. We are thinking about it, but the flight is just that bit longer for us in the UK. I get the feeling that whereas we have 2 weeks in WDW, we would have a shorter time in DL. I believe there are some good studio tours?

We were in a similar boat until 2010. Swore by WDW with all it's faults. Disneyland opened my eyes ( and I wasnt blind) to how a resort should be run and attractions should be kept. It pained me to admit it but WDWs MK will never be the same again. I'd go to DL anytime over the MK. And that takes a lot for me to say. I could honestly spend 2 weeks in the DL resort. Universal has the most awesome tram tour (it's the real deal!) but the park is a joke.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

As another European, it took me a while to make it all the way to the Westcoast too. LA didn't hold any interest to me. To be honest, it still doesn't really. There was no 'there' there. I don't much care for Vegas either, I didn't go there.
I did however combine DL with San Francisco. I can thoroughly recommend that! What a great combo - Disney and one of the most exciting and pretty cities in the Americas.

It is sometimes difficult to visit WDW after seeing other parks. I still maintain the MK has got what it takes to be the world's greatest park, as it once was. But we all know WDW hasn't been blessed with the most inspired or even ambitious management. After Paris, who can enjoy anymore Orlando's Pirates or Big Thunder? After Anaheim, the MK feels like empty façades, a park without heart and warmth.