HMF
Well-Known Member
While DLR is in no where near as bad a shape as WDW is. It's not perfect either. especially now.
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Guardians of the Galaxy Mission Breakout announced for Disney California Adventure
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Figments Friend
Well-Known Member
Ditto for me.
80s EPCOT Center was spectacular in concept, scope, and execution.
I lived in Florida when the Park opened and used to visit regularly.
Absolutely loved it.
Indescribable really to anyone who never had the chance to experience it during that 'Golden Era' when the Parks' Pavillions were fully fleshed out with multiple engaging experiences and the look of the place was just beautiful to be in.
Today's Epcot is a sad shadow of it's former greatness, but there are still little bits and pieces of it's past glories present if one knows where to look.
Epcot will always be a part of me, and it is one of the things that will always tie me back to Florida despite me having wandered away.
I may spend my vacation time in California now, but there will always be a part of me at 'home' in that 'Prototype Community of Tomorrow'.
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Figments Friend
Well-Known Member
Hans, you really need to watch 'The Black Hole' again sometime soon.
It's a hoot.
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Travel Junkie
Well-Known Member
Personally I don't think WDW is that bad off, but things do not change much and that will probably be noticed by anyone. It actually has more of an old school feel than DL since they have not updated the parks as much. With the exception of New Fantasyland I find MK to be very retro Disneyland. Epcot's Future World is about 2 generations behind on what the future will be.
So yes you will notice the age and the lack of updates, but that is not necessarily a bad thing as a first timer. It is the repeat visitors that see the same ride and show over and over again for decades that complain about it. It is kind of funny to see some of the celebrities in the pre-show videos from way back when like Ellen.
Figments Friend
Well-Known Member
The synopsis above is fairly accurate for the current state of those Parks.
As to your guestion, I will answer as someone who visited WDW for 35+ years...from the late 70s up to 2013.
I became a Disneyland 'convert' in 2007, but it fully took root in 2013 and I have not returned to Florida since.
I would say for a Disneyland Vet / first timer, the immediate difference one will notice at Walt Disney World will be the seemingly enormous size and scope of the Parks themselves ( MK and Epcot especially ).
I will also say that a DL Vet will likely be amazed by the fully contained property as a whole which truly is a world all unto itself.
Instead of stepping out of the Parks and hitting the 'real world' across the street, you are instead surrounded by landscaping and themed Resort hotels.
Very different from the Anaheim Resort area immediately surrounding the Parks, and exspecially just beyond that!
The other aspect I feel that needs to be mentioned is that a DL Vet / first timer may miss the spontaneous moments they might take for granted at Disneyland.
Much of those same types of experiences have been lost or whittled away at WDW over the years.
Free roaming characters, live street side entertainment, a more laid back relaxed Park-like vibe are a few examples.
Disneyland also places less focus on the need for Dining Reservations, and does not require you to have to plan your day out so much in advance.
At Disneyland, you just walk in the front gate and decide on a whim what you feel like doing.
At WDW, if you really want to do anything as far as riding and dining goes it is a completely different story now.
Much is different between the two properties, the biggest being WDWs 'need' to make Guests feel they have to book all of their Park experiences months in advance.
Dining, most Attractions, Shows, you name it...most visitors now have to reserve these experiences well in advance to enjoy them during their visit via the FP+ system which limits your spontaneous freedom ( in my opinion ).
I think DL Vets will find that challanging and perhaps even ridiculous ( my personal view...i am not a FP+ fan by any means! )
Some may embrace the new system and love it.
Everyone is different.
For a DLR Vetern I would recommend visiting Epcot and Animal Kingdom.
The Magic Kingdom too..( prepare to marvel at the immense size of Cinderella Castle ) and Hollywood Studios lastly if need be.
As to the second part of your question, regarding Epcot and Hollywood Studios -
A new visitor will not at all likely notice anything 'missing' from those Parks since they did not get to experience them back when they were both fully fledged entities.
One tends to only notice 'what's missing' when having previously visited years ago.
DHS to me today is a waste of time...but I visited the Park back when it was a actual functioning film / tv / animation studio.
A lot was lost when those experiences were phased out or outright slammed closed ( Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida - ( sniff ).
But see, I only feel that way because I remember the experience beforehand.
Someone new to that Park today would likely have a good time and not even be aware of it's past production work.
So I say go and enjoy WDW for yourself and form your own opinion about the property......and make some memories, too!
There are still a lot of great things present at that property well worth enjoying.
My Disneyland Vet 'must do list' when visiting WDW -
Visit Epcot and experience -
'The American Adventure'
'Spaceship Earth'
Stroll the lakeside promenade at World Showcase
See 'Illuminations : Reflections of Earth' night time spectacle.
Monorail ride from Epcot to Magic Kingdom and back again.
Visit Animal Kingdom and experience -
'The World of Pandora' as a whole ( themed land and Attractions )
'Festival of The Lion King'
'Expedition Everest'
Stroll through both 'Asia' and 'Africa' and marvel at the themed settings.
'Rivers of Light' night time spectacle.
'Kilimanjaro Safaris'
Visit the Magic Kingdom and experience -
'Splash Mountain'
'The Haunted Mansion'
'The Country Bear Jamboree'
'The Hall of Presidents'
'Stitch's Great Escape' ( if not already closed )
'Festival of Fantasy' Parade
'Space Mountain'
If you visit Hollywood Studios -
'The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror'
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BrianLo
Well-Known Member
I think, despite us dumping on it, a first timer who isn't just a ride warrior would still be pretty blown away by Epcot. It really is something unique to behold, mostly the world showcase.
AK universally seems to be the one park people appreciate in its current form. I think with Pandora and RoL recently on board, it's safe to say a DL vet would be pretty impressed with it.
MK and DHS suffer from having superior equivalents on the West Coast, but DLR has really nothing like AK and Epcot.
HMF
Well-Known Member
Yeah, but the majority of updates Disneyland has had (Especially Fantasyland) have made Disneyland better while parts of Magic Kingdom languish. I personally feel it is ridiculous that we are more than 30 years post DL New Fantasyland and Magic Kingdom still has the tent facades.
Phroobar
Well-Known Member
I agree that there is nothing like Epcot on the west coast here. It is my favorite park at wdw. However I think as far as animals and DAK goes, the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal park are better. As for rides Everest is pretty cool but the other rides are just done better here. Pandora will be fun to see though. I see no reason to go to DHS even after SWL is finished. I can see the better version at DL. Even the MK becomes half day if you only do the unique rides. It is the most familiar so it worth doing everything there. As for the resort, it is fun to ride the monorail and boats around. Checking out the hotels and non theme park stuff like the pools is fun.
D
Deleted member 107043
Well it can't be as bad as DLP was when I was there 10 years ago.
The ending is one of the weirdest things I think Disney has ever produced. I remember people in the theater were like did I just see. haha
The ending is one of the weirdest things I think Disney has ever produced. I remember people in the theater were like did I just see. haha
Figments Friend
Well-Known Member
It's been 30 something years now, and I am STILL trying to figure out what that was all about!
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D
Deleted member 107043
HMF
Well-Known Member
I don't think it will necessarily be better at DL. My understanding is the lands are exact duplicates.
HMF
Well-Known Member
Are they fixing that with the upcoming Fantasyland Expansion or will it follow Magic Kngdom's lead in just expanding Fantasyland and not upgrading what's already there?
mickEblu
Well-Known Member
Well I actually love the old/ vintage feel so it sounds like I would probably enjoy Epcot.
HMF
Well-Known Member
Trust me Epcot does not seem that vintage. It seems like a hodgpodge of 80s, 90s and 00s aesthetics.
Stevek
Well-Known Member
I think it's all relative you your history with any given park. I never experienced early Epcot so it's pretty hard to make a judgement on whether it is better now or before...though I'm sure I would have loved rides like World of Motion or Horizons.
Magic Kingdom: Feels much more wide open...bigger spaces, and some rides are better, some not. Disneyland has a quaintness that the MK will never have but I've heard that is a downside for some people. DL wins for me.
Epcot: Absolutely love it, probably my second favorite Disney park.
DHS: We enjoyed both our visits but really have no desire to go back until after they finish the additions. I can understand people feeling like it's a half day park.
Animal Kingdom: Not sure where the needs more to do at night thing comes from. Pretty much all the rides that are open during the day are open at night and they've added a nighttime show and safari...keep in mind it was never open at night until recently. In any case, absolutely stunning park and would not hesitate to visit again.
As a first timer, ignore peoples complaints about what it used to be and just enjoy it for what it is since that's all you really know. There is really no way to know you would have loved what was there before anyways. We went in with an open mind and it was great.
FigmentForver96
Well-Known Member
Even though things are rough in a lot of ways in Orlando, there are some true Disney gems that Disneyland simply doesn't have. Of course they have things like Hall of Presidents and the Country Bear Jamboree that are truly unique and truly Disney experiences. Epcot in itself is still an amazing experience other then the dumbing down of Norway and the closing of some buildings. Rides like Spaceship Earth and American Adventure are pure classics and of course Orlando easily has the best Tower of Terror not to mention the great movie ride. Animal Kingdom as a park is a true experience and Pandora and Rivers of Light help solidify that. Overall, you would enjoy the trip. It's the constant price hikes, slow build times, and lack of upgrades that have upset many loyal fans
dweezil78
Well-Known Member
All of that is totally accurate IMO, but in the end it's kind of a sum is better than its parts kind of thing. The resort has its flaws and areas that need attention, but definitely not in a state of disrepair that so many people on here make it seem. WDW is basically an entire Disney city and it's fun to get totally absorbed in it. The parks all have their own bits of greatness and unique things to see/do. Finding ways to roam about the property and check out all the resorts w/ their various restaurants, bars, etc is a lot of fun. It's daunting at first in its size, but you can find cool ways to get around between the monorail, boats, and attached properties.. I try to avoid the buses however I can though, they are terrible!!!