My Disneyland vs. WDW Opinion...what's yours?

WDWFREAK53

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I am an Architect with a master's degree from Columbia University. Disneyland's magic kingdom is superior to WDW's magic kingdom in the follwowing areas:

Architecture and overall design
Scale integration / set design
Planning, circulation and layout
Detailing
Lighting
Ride effects and ride systems integration
Show design and human performance
Preservation
Upkeep.
Management

There is no room for any other opinions unless you have a better degree.

1. a belief or judgment that rests on grounds insufficient to produce complete certainty.
2. a personal view, attitude, or appraisal.
3. the formal expression of a professional judgment: to ask for a second medical opinion.
4. Law. the formal statement by a judge or court of the reasoning and the principles of law used in reaching a decision of a case.
5. a judgment or estimate of a person or thing with respect to character, merit, etc.: to forfeit someone's good opinion.
6. a favorable estimate; esteem: I haven't much of an opinion of him.

How does the fact that you are an architect with a Master's Degree from Columbia make your opinion (which is a PERSONAL VIEW) any more important?

If you look at a map of the two parks. The Magic Kingdom in WDW has a nice hub/spoke design to it aside from the offshoot of Mickey's Toontown Fair. The Disneyland park's "Critter Country" is way off the beaten path and doesn't connect to anything (you actually have to pass through another land (which isn't connected to the hub) to get to it.

Frontierland is not connected to the hub in the Magic Kingdom but is along the outside walking path and is connected on two sides by lands that do connect to the hub.

Granted, it's my OPINION (which is a PERSONAL VIEW)...but I think there is much better circulation through the Magic Kingdom in WDW...and the paths are wider to make it easier for the large masses of people to flow through. :shrug:
 

timoteo

Member
Leave Park comparisons to the following:
1. People with a design education. Architects, artists etc.
or
2. People with a theatrical design education
or
3. People with film or print design education

All others - step aside.

Disney Imagineering has said many time "Disneyland is the gem. If anything Disneyland Paris is the superior design amoung all of the compan's Parks." - Right from the designers themselves. God has spoken

Case closed
 

daliseurat

Member
They're in the same park at WDW too, ya know. :p

(Yeah I know, old stunt show compared to ride everyone seems to love...apples and oranges.) :lol:


I meant that I love those PARTICULAR rides being in the same park as all the other things at DL. At WDW you don't have either of them in the MAGIC KINGDOM. :animwink:
 

Kimbo75

New Member
Too funny. I really thought this was a very pro WDW board, so I expected some "all in good fun" trash talking to those fans of DL. :zipit:

I'm born and raised in FL, so I've never been to DL. I just can't imagine anything better than driving into the Disney's World. The area is so isolated and unique. It's really like leaving the real world when you get off I-4.

With what I've seen from DL pics... it's right along a main road. That's odd to me.:veryconfu

Now, my husband went to DL twice as a kid and talks fondly of it. And when I read all of these posts - I kind of want to go check it out. But I don't want to like it better than my home away from home, WDW. :eek:

But again, it sounds quite cool and I thank you all for the posts. It's been very interesting. I'd love to know more about this amazing fireworks show (called Remember?).

Thanks again.
 

Fun2BFree

Active Member
Leave Park comparisons to the following:
1. People with a design education. Architects, artists etc.
or
2. People with a theatrical design education
or
3. People with film or print design education

All others - step aside.

Disney Imagineering has said many time "Disneyland is the gem. If anything Disneyland Paris is the superior design amoung all of the compan's Parks." - Right from the designers themselves. God has spoken

Case closed

Strangely enough, those three groups don't make up the bulk of the visitors that visit either park. Average Joes do, and they vote with the clicks of a turnstile. As it stands, MK has higher attendance than DL, which should infer something, Mr Architect.

EDIT: Ironically enough, on your profile page you have Magic Kingdom listed as your favourite park. (Don't say that it's just WDW as you have Disneyland's Indy attraction as your favourite ride. ;)
 

Kimbo75

New Member
Leave Park comparisons to the following:
1. People with a design education. Architects, artists etc.
or
2. People with a theatrical design education
or
3. People with film or print design education

All others - step aside.

Disney Imagineering has said many time "Disneyland is the gem. If anything Disneyland Paris is the superior design amoung all of the compan's Parks." - Right from the designers themselves. God has spoken

Case closed

Wow, is this for real? I thought we were just having some fun here. Geez dude... settle down. You need a vacation. :brick:

May I suggest Sea World, Busch Gardens, or maybe Universal Studios? :kiss:
 

imagineer boy

Well-Known Member
I agree that MK's Splash is way better. I disagree about placement in Critter Country; however. For me, Critter Country as a "land" serves no purpose. It says to me that there was no room for Splash and CB (grr, Pooh - CBJ closed in DL just before my first trip in 2002...very disappointing) in Frontierland (which is practically non-existent, and very poorly laid out, in DL), so put an annex next to NOS and call it a land.

I agree, it just feels like a very random and pointless land. Perhaps if they made it a subland to New Orleans Square and called it "Riverside Bayou" or somthing like that. I dunno, just a thought.
 

Rufus T Firefly

Well-Known Member
I am an Architect with a master's degree from Columbia University. Disneyland's magic kingdom is superior to WDW's magic kingdom in the follwowing areas:

Architecture and overall design
Scale integration / set design
Planning, circulation and layout
Detailing
Lighting
Ride effects and ride systems integration
Show design and human performance
Preservation
Upkeep.
Management

There is no room for any other opinions unless you have a better degree.

If you really think that there is no room for any other opinions, then you haven't been paying very close attention to any of the discussion boards. :ROFLOL:
 

daliseurat

Member
Leave Park comparisons to the following:
1. People with a design education. Architects, artists etc.
or
2. People with a theatrical design education
or
3. People with film or print design education

All others - step aside.

Disney Imagineering has said many time "Disneyland is the gem. If anything Disneyland Paris is the superior design amoung all of the compan's Parks." - Right from the designers themselves. God has spoken

Case closed

Either this is just a lame APRIL FOOL's joke or you are really off your gourd. I have a degree in theatre, film and television. I am a professional writer, artist and filmmaker. I have some pretty extensive experience in architecture and city planning. So according to you, my opinion is valid. So, in my opinion you are full of beans. Most of the people on these boards know more about these parks than the people who built them because they have been there more often and studied them more. Their opinion is more important than anyone's EDUCATED opinion because the parks were built for REGULAR people. Not for conceited snobs who believe their education makes their opinion more valid. My opinion is simply that, an OPINION. It's no more valid than anyone else's. DL is the original design that all themepark design has followed since. BUT, according to the master planners of WDW, it's been improved upon with every design since. WDW is masterfully designed to allow better guest and castmember flow. The utilidors alone make it function with so much more ease. Artistically, it anybody's game as art is subjective. And anyone that disagrees with me has every right to. These are opinions. And flashing your credentials means nothing. Just because you have a degree in something doesn't mean you actually know what you are talking about. And it doesn't mean you are even a competent architect. It means you attended a school, and did the work necessary to graduate. Now climb down off your high horse and I'll get off my soap box.
 

Wilt Dasney

Well-Known Member
I thought the first post was a joke, since it listed upkeep and management as areas that an architecture degree made one uniquely qualified to comment on. :shrug: :lol:
 

sleepingchrissy

New Member
If youre going to compare DL to WDW of course WDW will win because it has a lot more to do. If youre comparing the Magic Kingdom to Disneyland i'd say Disneyland is the winner.

I have to agree that is why I like WDW better is because there is so much to do! I love AK and EPCOT so that alone makes it seem better.

But DL is way better than MK. There are so many people at MK (it seems like more than DL) and then there doesn't seem to be as much to do and the rides there are not as good as DL's versions.
 

daliseurat

Member
I am taking my first trip to Disneyland in 18 days! This is the most exciting thread I've read here in weeks. I was apprehensive to bring up the DL topic among WDW fans.

I'm the classic WDW freak that visits once or twice a year, so going to this foreign Disneyland place is really exciting.

Since some of you just recently went, I'd love to hear any touring tips you may have for this WDW veteran. We'll be there from Saturday to Wednesday, with some side trips to San Diego and perhaps L.A. (if some TV taping tickets come through). Otherwise, each night will be spent at the Grand Californian. Just got all the documents yesterday from Costco Travel.

We have reservations for Blue Bayou, Storyteller's Cafe, and Napa Rose. Any other "must eat" places?

Anyone have any favorite "hidden" Disneyland spots like the ones we treasure in Disney World (like the first time you tried Beverly in Club Cool)?

We do plan on taking the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour, and just enjoy the people watching. I'm trying to set my Disney expectations lower for that "Disney immersion" feeling, though I do hope that staying at the GCH will foster that.

:)


Sounds like you've got a good plan. My own personal favorite spot to eat is THE BENGAL BBQ. It' just a little outdoor place in Adventureland that sell beef, chicken and asparagus skewers with the BEST sauce ever. Nothing like it at WDW, so give it a go. Casey Junior train at STORYBOOKLAND is quite a treat. It really beautifully designed and the miniature building are wonderful. Also, if you can take a trip on the monorail, nothing like it at WDW. It glides through the park around the Matterhorn and over the Sub Lagoon.

But, since I don't have a masters degree in architecture from Columbia University, you might want to ignore my opinion. :zipit: I'm also not a master chef, so maybe the Bengal BBQ isn't any good either.:cry:
:ROFLOL::ROFLOL::ROFLOL::ROFLOL::ROFLOL:
 

hpyhnt 1000

Well-Known Member
Disney Imagineering has said many time "Disneyland is the gem. If anything Disneyland Paris is the superior design amoung all of the compan's Parks." - Right from the designers themselves. God has spoken

Case closed

This coming from the same people who brought us gems like Stitch's Great Escape in Tomorrowland and the wonderful sequels to Journey into Imagination at Epcot. And lest we forget the fiasco that was/is Disney's California Adventure. Point is, WDI is NOT always correct in what they say or do, so just because they say it is does not mean it is right.
 

Disneyfan1981

Active Member
the rides there are not as good as DL's versions.

I'd say this is a push. There are plenty of rides at MK that are better than DLs versions and vice versa. If you're going resort then WDW wins hands down, if you're looking at one particular park in general and sizing them up side by side, MK and DL both have their pluses and minuses and one really doesn't edge out the other. Both need work IMHO and both need a little more TLC to be considered any kind of winner the question is which will get it first?
 

PeoplemoverTTA

Well-Known Member
I'd love to know more about this amazing fireworks show (called Remember?).

Actually, I was too lazy to type the entire name. The full name of the show is Remember...Dreams Come True. I posted my recording of it on YouTube last year. Here's the link to part 1 (part 2 can be accessed from the same page, just click "more from dmk1021").

imagineer boy said:
I agree, it just feels like a very random and pointless land. Perhaps if they made it a subland to New Orleans Square and called it "Riverside Bayou" or somthing like that. I dunno, just a thought.

Nice idea!
 

DizneyPryncess

Well-Known Member
I just have to say, having never been to Disneyland, but always wanting to go, that this was a really great post to read.

Everyone always claims that WDW is much better than DL but I've still always wanted to go for myself. Now I see that there are a lot of comparable things, and a lot of different things. Maybe next summer I will have to fly out to California!

Thanks!
 

daliseurat

Member
Another thought.

You can't really compare WDW to Disneyland, you really have to only compare MAGIC KINGDOM and DISNEYLAND. They each have some things the other doesn't, and the castles are very different. MK is bigger with more space. So it really comes down to preferences, or sometimes, which is your HOME PARK. Though my personal preference is DL, I really love getting to experience the PeopleMover, Carousel of Progress, Mickey' Philharmagic, and Country Bears. So it's DL for me by a slim margin.

You can compare WDW and DLR. And it gets interesting there. WDW certainly has much, much more to offer. And the resorts there are much more interesting and affordable. But for me, I'd still rather go to the DLR. Even though DCA isn't as good a DHS, DAK or EPCOT and that DLR's Downtown Disney is smaller I still like it much better. I think I like the smaller, more intimate feeling. And I'm really hoping to finally get to DLR at the holiday to see the holiday layovers of HM and IASW.
 

WDWFREAK53

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Leave Park comparisons to the following:
1. People with a design education. Architects, artists etc.
or
2. People with a theatrical design education
or
3. People with film or print design education

All others - step aside.

Disney Imagineering has said many time "Disneyland is the gem. If anything Disneyland Paris is the superior design amoung all of the compan's Parks." - Right from the designers themselves. God has spoken

Case closed

Well, then I can compare because I have an architectural engineering degree from Wentworth Institute.

No, I'm not an architect because I fell into another position which I prefer far more...but I'm in the field...just on the outskirts of it.

If the only people that enjoy the parks are the people you listed...those parks wouldn't exist. The opinion of the majority dictates what goes on and what doesn't.

(Must we bring up Imagination?)
 

Disneyfan1981

Active Member
Another thought.

You can't really compare WDW to Disneyland, you really have to only compare MAGIC KINGDOM and DISNEYLAND. They each have some things the other doesn't, and the castles are very different. MK is bigger with more space. So it really comes down to preferences, or sometimes, which is your HOME PARK. Though my personal preference is DL, I really love getting to experience the PeopleMover, Carousel of Progress, Mickey' Philharmagic, and Country Bears. So it's DL for me by a slim margin.

You can compare WDW and DLR. And it gets interesting there. WDW certainly has much, much more to offer. And the resorts there are much more interesting and affordable. But for me, I'd still rather go to the DLR. Even though DCA isn't as good a DHS, DAK or EPCOT and that DLR's Downtown Disney is smaller I still like it much better. I think I like the smaller, more intimate feeling. And I'm really hoping to finally get to DLR at the holiday to see the holiday layovers of HM and IASW.

This is an interesting post. DLR is technically my "Home" resort but I'd rather take the 6 hour flight to Orlando at the drop of a dime almost every single time given the opportunity. My biggest complaint really (and even though it was because of a lack of space not a lack of innovation) is the DCA and DLR's Downtown Disney really seem like afterthoughts while in WDW where they were also afterthoughts have been woven in nicely to fit. For me they don't really do that in DLR, DCA is a beautiful sight and the Grand Californian being in the park is an awesome things as well but the park seems thrown together lack luster with very little Disney Identity and while they are continuing to move in that direction it looks and feels pushed. Downtown Disney for me doesn't give off the intimate feel but the unfinished feel as if they had grand plans that never came through. The restaurants are okay and the stores haven't really changed and in some case endured very much since opening day. It feels like it was stuck in 2000 and never moved ahead, although many have reported that a lot of money is being thrown DLR's way in coming years so maybe it'll change. For my money though it'll always be WDW even though I'm a California Boy, but to each their own.
 

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