Manifest Destiny: A Lifetime Walt Disney World Fan's First Trip To Disneyland

[Californian Elitist]

It's mostly based on years and years and YEARS of going to those parks and nostalgia. Walking around Epcot is great and there's nothing like it in DL. MK just feels like home. I don't know, ranking them lower just makes me feel guilty for some reason. Taking away my own personal opinion I agree Disneyland is a great park. Like I said, it's hard for me to rank those three parks. The other three were easy though.

Completely understandable. I have a great feeling I will still prefer the DLR after I visit WDW because of nostalgia and Disneyland's history. It's only natural.

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

The sheer amount of entertainment you're getting in Disneyland, the history, the perfect weather, no blisters because the park isn't ginormous with huge open areas of concrete...gonna have to go with Disneyland!

 

[Skippy]

Yes I would return. How I would rank them? I'm not really sure. Maybe MK, Epcot, DL, DHS, DCA, AK.

An interesting ranking. This is coming from a WDW vet who'll be going to DLR for the first time this year. I guess the nostalgia factor plays a lot into the view of both parks (especially seeing the responses this post has gotten from the DL regulars). Personally, I am incredibly giddy to see Walt's park for the first time this year.

My question to you, Mike, is did you expect Disneyland to outrank Magic Kingdom before you visited, because honestly I do at this moment.

 

[Mike S]

An interesting ranking. This is coming from a WDW vet who'll be going to DLR for the first time this year. I guess the nostalgia factor plays a lot into the view of both parks (especially seeing the responses this post has gotten from the DL regulars). Personally, I am incredibly giddy to see Walt's park for the first time this year.

My question to you, Mike, is did you expect Disneyland to outrank Magic Kingdom before you visited, because honestly I do at this moment.

Objectively Disneyland does beat Magic Kingdom with how much is offered in the park. But, as I said, personally MK just feels like home. I practically grew up going there so nostalgia is a big factor. I think MK has the better layout compared to DL too, they just need to fill it out. Also, New Orleans Square is nice and I know Walt himself was involved in that, but honestly I think I prefer Liberty Square + Caribbean Plaza at MK (the name of the area around Pirates at MK). Pirates at DL definitely beats MK though, no denying that.

 

[Sage of Time]

I totally get what Mike is saying. MK is home and feels classic and will always have more personal feelings associated with it, so it gets top ranking.

I don't agree with it, but I get it.

For me, I share the MK/home connection... but I worked my off to Disneyland for my first time. Finally being there was such a great payoff and moment for me, so THAT pushes the personal connection up for Disneyland, too. And since DL is the better park? DL is number 1.

But DL isn't home. DL is an adventure and far away and exciting. MK is home and peaceful and reminds me of my childhood.

So it gets pretty da mn close.

 

[Figments Friend]

I'm relating to this current topic.

Been visiting WDW since the late 70s...and lived there both physically ( 3 1/2 years ) and mentally ever since.
Used to visit yearly, sometimes bi-yearly for about a 12 year period.
EPCOT is, and will always be 'home' to me as far as the Parks go...despite it's changes which i have had issues with....but i was seriously spoiled when i started visiting Disneyland and California in general a few years ago.
It really hit me in 2013 when i visited that Autumn and was able to enjoy the Park on my own.

Now Disneyland is my Park of choice.
A lot of personal reasons why, but a big factor is also just appreciating the more enveloping experiences and overall wonderful charm of the place.
Even bought a AP, which i never considered in the 30+ years of visiting the Parks on my own coast!
Now when i want my 'Theme Park fix'....it's California all the way.

Have no interest at all in returning to WDW anytime soon, and i have a 4-Day PH ticket still sitting here waiting to be used.
Cannot be lured back even with that.
The FP+ nonsense, recent changes/cutbacks/ plus general frenzied atmosphere of the WDW Parks today turns me a bit off.
The laid back atmosphere, no FP+ nonsense ( yet ), and entertainment options keep me coming back to Disneyland.

Disneyland has a very bright horizon ahead this year, while WDW will have the same ol' offerings.
Probably won't be back to Florida until the major projects over at DAK finish up.
Then i might be feeling an urge to return. I'll use my 4-Day ticket then.

Disneyland will be my 'home' in the meantime.
I am totally okay with that!

 

[flynnibus]

I like pieces of MK better... but its hard to ignore DL as a package. Plus there are elements of DL that are just a lot better too.. it seems if you don't look at specifics side by side, DL is easy win. But when you point out specific omissions.. MK has things its good for. Castle, HoP, (my preference for) HM exterior, pirate fort, better looking TL, the 'modern queue', etc. But when you are away from the biggies, DL a lot of times feels better. Add in things like Indy, etc and its hard. And the Fantasyland comparisons just are night and day with DL's so much nicer and more classical.

It's easy to understand when people struggle to find common ground on these things... even before one brings in their personal biases on life history, etc.

I love what the MK used to be... but if both parks were equally accessible, I think going to DL would be a slam dunk choice.

 

[SoccerLover100]

I just find it interesting that Mike S ranked DHS higher than DCA. From what I have seen and read from everyone on here and other sites it seems like DCA is better than DHS (As of right now). I'm just surprised.

 

[Figments Friend]

DHS is my least favorite Disney Theme Park, but i would also rank it higher then DCA.
Although DCA has some excellent recent additions ( CarsLand, Buena Vista Street ) it is still a rather 'empty' Park in my option.
It has improved greatly when compared to it's lackluster original incarnation DCA 1.0...but it still has a long way to go in being properly fleshed out as a fully themed and ..well...'full' Theme Park.


DHS is more intricately themed, and feels 'fuller' to me despite it's current state.
Hollywood Blvd is great ...especially now that we have the original Chinese Theater view back ( thank the Gods that **** Hat is gone!).
Yes, it used to be much more then it is today...but like DCA it has some room for improvement.

My personal ratings would be -

#1 - Disneyland Park
#2 - Magic Kingdom Park
#3 - Epcot
#4 - Animal Kingdom
#5 - Hollywood Studios
#6 - California Adventure

 

[Mike S]

I just find it interesting that Mike S ranked DHS higher than DCA. From what I have seen and read from everyone on here and other sites it seems like DCA is better than DHS (As of right now). I'm just surprised.

Thinking back to that I might switch that around now. MK, Epcot, and DL tied (many of you brought up great points but it's hard for me to definitively choose between those three, even if IJA is my new favorite ride), followed by DHS, DCA, and AK.

 

[Californian Elitist]

I'm relating to this current topic.

Been visiting WDW since the late 70s...and lived there both physically ( 3 1/2 years ) and mentally ever since.
Used to visit yearly, sometimes bi-yearly for about a 12 year period.
EPCOT is, and will always be 'home' to me as far as the Parks go...despite it's changes which i have had issues with....but i was seriously spoiled when i started visiting Disneyland and California in general a few years ago.
It really hit me in 2013 when i visited that Autumn and was able to enjoy the Park on my own.

Now Disneyland is my Park of choice.
A lot of personal reasons why, but a big factor is also just appreciating the more enveloping experiences and overall wonderful charm of the place.
Even bought a AP, which i never considered in the 30+ years of visiting the Parks on my own coast!
Now when i want my 'Theme Park fix'....it's California all the way.

Have no interest at all in returning to WDW anytime soon, and i have a 4-Day PH ticket still sitting here waiting to be used.
Cannot be lured back even with that.
The FP+ nonsense, recent changes/cutbacks/ plus general frenzied atmosphere of the WDW Parks today turns me a bit off.
The laid back atmosphere, no FP+ nonsense ( yet ), and entertainment options keep me coming back to Disneyland.

Disneyland has a very bright horizon ahead this year, while WDW will have the same ol' offerings.
Probably won't be back to Florida until the major projects over at DAK finish up.
Then i might be feeling an urge to return. I'll use my 4-Day ticket then.

Disneyland will be my 'home' in the meantime.
I am totally okay with that!

If you have no plans on ever using that 4-day ticket, send it to Los Angeles for me.

 

[Figments Friend]

If you have no plans on ever using that 4-day ticket, send it to Los Angeles for me.

Raven, if i end up not using it...you will be first on my list of options!
I know you have been talking about visiting WDW for some time, and maybe i can be your 'ticket connection'.

Hoping Disney does not pull some crazy trick, suddenly deciding old tickets sold after a certain time period are now no longer valid.
That would.....well....suck.
I have a few stashed away...way back to 1983...that are still valid admission.

Would not surprise me it they pull something like this in a few years.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Thinking back to that I might switch that around now. MK, Epcot, and DL tied (many of you brought up great points but it's hard for me to definitively choose between those three, even if IJA is my new favorite ride), followed by DHS, DCA, and AK.

You shouldn't feel the need to switch up how you feel about the parks. If you like DHS more than DCA, that's okay.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Raven, if i end up not using it...you will be first on my list of options!
I know you have been talking about visiting WDW for some time, and maybe i can be your 'ticket connection'.

Hoping Disney does not pull some crazy trick, suddenly deciding old tickets sold after a certain time period are now no longer valid.
That would.....well....suck.
I have a few stashed away...way back to 1983...that are still valid admission.

Would not surprise me it they pull something like this in a few years.

Sounds good to me!

My grandma gave me a bag full of old A-E tickets she and the "kid version" of my mom and aunt and uncles never used decades ago at Disneyland. They can't be used for free admission, but apparently Disneyland will knock off some of the admission price, depending on how much the tickets were worth. If they weren't so sentimental to me, I'd use a few of them for every visit.

 

[Figments Friend]

Sounds good to me!

My grandma gave me a bag full of old A-E tickets she and the "kid version" of my mom and aunt and uncles never used decades ago at Disneyland. They can't be used for free admission, but apparently Disneyland will knock off some of the admission price, depending on how much the tickets were worth. If they weren't so sentimental to me, I'd use a few of them for every visit.

Awesome.

I can relate - i have 1983 WDW multi-day 'WorldPassport' tickets that are still valid, but cannot bring myself to use them for similar reasons.
They were three-day, MK & EPCOT Center admission Park Hoppers and were a whopping $35 each back then.
I still have one day left on two i saved, but have yet to have used them.

 

[Kman101]

Hope you have a great time like I did If there's one thing I was very displeased with, it's this: WHY DOESN'T DISNEY SELL INDIANA JONES ADVENTURE T-SHIRTS?!?!?!?! All they had was the same stuff I could find in DHS by the stunt show I ended up buying a blue Disneyland shirt which I do like but man I wanted Indy.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...jones-merchandise-discovered-at-disney-parks/

 

[Californian Elitist]

Awesome.

I can relate - i have 1983 WDW multi-day 'WorldPassport' tickets that are still valid, but cannot bring myself to use them for similar reasons.
They were three-day, MK & EPCOT Center admission Park Hoppers and were a whopping $35 each back then.
I still have one day left on two i saved, but have yet to have used them.

Like I said, give/sell them to me haha. I've been trying to get to Florida for years, but funds are low. Paying for the flight isn't a problem, it's the tickets.

 

[Figments Friend]

I hear you, sister.

Just the other night, out of curiosity, i was taking a look at current pricing for WDW tickets.
Egad...i pity anyone trying to go with friends or a large family group these days!

 

[Sage of Time]

I live in Miami so I'm always in reach of WDW and that keeps me going there, and often.

If I lived as far away as the rest of you did from WDW or Disneyland? My money would be going to Disneyland. And nearly not as much as I currently go to WDW. One trip, every few years is enough for me. I like a lot of variety when I travel. National Parks are really my favorite.

Oh and DCA/DHS:

Both parks have massive conceptual issues and lack a main idea. They're narrow ideas and really should have never been built. A studio is not a environment I want to be transported to. California is just ONE state and how do you recreate what's just up the road from the place? The YE OLDE HOLLYWOOD aspects in both are great, but neither park nearly has enough of that for it to count, outside of BVS/Hollwood Blvd/Sunset.

But as far as the actual lived experience? Being in DCA is much more exciting and welcoming and nice than DHS. And DCA has some pretty great attractions and a fun vibe to it. DHS is lacking, there. I'd rather spend a day in DCA and see World of Color (which I ADORE) and ride the Red Cars than be in DHS. If DCA had the Great Movie Ride, there'd really be no competition at all.

 

[Mickey_777]

As a package, MK feels more complete than DL park. As much as I love DL, when I think about the park, it's like I see a big (mostly empty) hole to the right of main street. TL is so bad it's like it stains the park for me. The rest of the park is so strong that I still very much look forward to every visit but man TL needs help...Space is fantastic though.

I really like DCA in it's current state and put it way above DHS for the time being and there's nothing like Epcot. There's an ambiance at Ecpot that only parts of MK/DL can match. Epcot's what I miss the most when I'm out in Anaheim.