Ride "Classics" at WDW and DL comparisons

[PeterAlt]

I just got back from a trip to WDW last Wednesday, and I made sure I rode all the classics this time. A couple of months ago, I rode those same rides at DL in California for my first time, so with that fresh in my memory, I'm able to come up with an opinion on the differences of the two and what really needs to be done with Florida's versions.

First, let me say, WDW has great versions of the classics. There may be things that are better with DL's versions, but nothing that big that warrants a total redo (except Space Mountain).

Pirates of the Caribbean -- WDW has a great que and entrance area that totally makes up for the ride's beginning that WDW's version lacks. The scenes and sound track from the pirate ship and on are identical to DL's version. These scenes may actually have been done better at WDW (and are in great shape). One plus for DL is that their AA figures seem to be more life-like. Any future rehab of PotC should bring the AA on par with DL, and maybe add the sword fight that is in DLP's version.

Haunted Mansion -- Haunted Mansion was closed at DL when I was there so I can't really compare it, other than what I read about DL's version on the Internet. I have DL's sound track (found at disneylandsource.com), and the two sound tracks are almost identical. WDW's version is in great shape and really doesn't need much of a rehab, except maybe a better sound system (which I read was installed at DL). WDW's version, I read has a few scenes in the beginning that is missing at DL. Also, again, I caught more details that I've never seen in the dinning room scene... there's sooo much going on in that scene, it really is a shame we only ride though it for a few seconds... I wonder if they could stretch it out a bit longer. Has anyone noticed that one painting on the wall... a pirate hologram pops out, swings his sword and then goes back in the painting!

Caroussel of Progress -- My friends hated this attraction and almost killed me that I dragged them to it. They found it too long and corny. Something really needs to be done to make it more appealing. What... I have NO idea... any ideas?

Snow White's Adventures -- Our version is by far better than DL's classic version. I just wish they replace the static figures with AA figures at some point in the future.

Time Keeper was closed, but its in an excellent show building! I hope Disney doesn't waste this space and retool this attraction to make it more appealing.

Splash Mountain -- Everyone always loves this ride. When I was at DL, it was closed, but I read that our version is longer and better any way. But I also read that DL's version has more AA figures (how's that?).

Space Mountain -- On Wednesday at WDW, it was closed for technical problems. As you know, DL is rebuilding their version, which was already better than ours. But we have a much bigger drop, we have two tracks (DL has one), and a taller building. I really hope that Disney gives ours the attention they are giving DL's version!

Big Thunder Mountain -- Closed when I was there on Wednesday. Our version has gone through an extensive rehab, and it is almost ready to reopen. From the outside, it looks great. It looks brand spanking new! Of course, DL's version was closed when I was there because of the accident. But, from what I read, we have the better version any way.

Now, as you can see I am totally biased to WDW (maybe because I grew up with WDW and I'm a Floridian), but I still think we have the better Magic Kingdom. I think we have better versions of the rides, a much better layout, the magical castle, the much better Tomorrowland, etc. DL does have a bigger Fantasyland and a much bigger Toontown and a better fascade for Its a Small World.

Each year or so (for the passed 10 years), WDW has rebuilt a ride at MK. So, one ride at a time is getting major attention. At that rate, our MK will be better than DL ride for ride eventually.

 

[WDWspider]

Can you compare Star Tours, It's a Small World, and the Winnie the Pooh rides as well?

 

[PeterAlt]

Re: Re: Ride "Classics" at WDW and DL comparisons

Originally posted by WDWspider
Can you compare Star Tours, It's a Small World, and the Winnie the Pooh rides as well?

When I went to DL, I skipped Star Tours because they are supposed to be identical. DL's version, however, lacks the AT-AT Walker and the Ewok Village that we walk through at MGM. In DL, you just enter the ride. That said, our version is better.

Pooh had just opened at DL. It is in the same building that Country Bear Jamboree was in. I skipped that too (and now I regret it). I saw a video of the ride through of DL's version on the Internet. It is a completely different version of our ride. That doesn't mean its better, just different. But look at it this way: we still have Country Bear Jamboree, they don't.

I really enjoyed Its a Small World at DL! It has its own show building with a great fascade. Our version shares a building with other things. DL's version looks "temporary", since it was moved from the 1964 World's Fair to DL. Our version is "permanant". The actual ride is better at WDW, while the fascade is better at DL.

 

[LadyDarling]

I can! I'm an annual pass holder at Disneyland and I go to WDW once a year as well.

Pooh is pretty much the same. I like the lay out better at Disneyland for it. They had more room to work with rather than cramming it in Mr. Toad's space.

Star Tours has a FAR Better waiting area outside at MGM than it does at Disneyland. But the ride itself, however, is exactly the same.

Small World is longer at Disneyland. I think WDW's version is "just right" in length. The added minutes at Disneylands leads to well....bordem.

I also am a HUGE haunted mansion fan. As to which is "better", they are almost incomparable. In Disneyland, you walk through a portrait room with changing potriats while in the que, and 2 busts seem to "follow you" as you walk through the room. In WDW, you ride through a hallway like that. I do wish Disney land would work in a library room (that's one plus that WDW has over it). Both exteriors are BEAUTIFUL. and here's a tip. The room that stretches, is an elevator. It goes one way at Disneyland and the opposite at WDW. :zipit:

I haven't ridden all the classics at WDW yet, but I have to say about Peter Pan's flight - Disneyland needs to get a fast pass system in place. The lines start at at least 45 minutes and don't let up all day. It's probably due to the slow loading. Instead of being constantly moving, each car stops, loads, goes, stops, unloads, goes a few more feet, stops, loads... and you get the picture. Both are beautiful though!

Big Thunder - Closed due to the accident. No word yet on reopening date. In either park, it's a great ride. No complaints either way. WDW is bigger (as they had more land to work with overall, since it was always "Big Thunder" and never the old mining cart ride Disneyland used to have back in the day).

Space Mountain- Before they closed it for rehab, it was far superior at Disneyland. the overall effects and being entirely enclosed far outstands the effects at WDW (where you can actually see the line if you look down and to the side at one point in the ride). Both que areas are VERY different.

Splash Moutain - The ride is overall, to me, better at Disneyworld. There seems to be more of a cohesive story, with Brer Frog popping out all over the place (a character nearly completely absent from the Disneyland version). The seating at Disneyland I enjoy better (bench seating rather than 2 abreast).

I'm just glad Disneyland still has Mr. Toad!

 

[bigbadwolf]

I wish they had the Alice in Wonderland ride a WDW... I only went on it once when i was 4 years old.

I think the WDW rides are ok... but thier is this 80s vibe still in the park on some rides... Think Star Tours and Body Wars.... Especially the preshow video... The 80s stuff HAS togo! Disneyland has more NEW rides... Magic Kingdom at WDW has mostly classics... Disneyland has ToonTown and Indiana Jones... Thats what WDW is missing... They should REDO Mickeys ToonTown Fair... Add Roger... ect.

 

[Captain Cab]

Originally posted by LadyDarling
The room that stretches, is an elevator. It goes one way at Disneyland and the opposite at WDW. :zipit:

Isn't it where the floor moves down at Disneyland (ceiling stays stationary), and the ceiling moves up at WDW (floor stays stationary)?

 

[LadyDarling]

Yip, I should have explained better. in Disneyland the floor moves on way, and in WDW the walls move instead. But I didn't want to give it away! :zipit:

One other general note:

MK is more spread out and has more wide open avenues than DL. It's also cleaner on the general whole. Why does this happen? Well, WDW is a destination in and of itself, with no other large cities around. Disneyland is right smack in the middle of LA, so it attacts different clientel. In a crowded street, who cares if you "accidnetly" drop your ice cream wrapper or your map? In a wide open space, it's a bit more obvious littering. People are on vacation and generally (at least from what I've seen) take the time to use the trash cans!

Kudos to both cleaning crews! :king:

 

[PeterAlt]

Originally posted by bigbadwolf
I wish they had the Alice in Wonderland ride a WDW... I only went on it once when i was 4 years old.

I think the WDW rides are ok... but thier is this 80s vibe still in the park on some rides... Think Star Tours and Body Wars.... Especially the preshow video... The 80s stuff HAS togo! Disneyland has more NEW rides... Magic Kingdom at WDW has mostly classics... Disneyland has ToonTown and Indiana Jones... Thats what WDW is missing... They should REDO Mickeys ToonTown Fair... Add Roger... ect.

Alice in Wonderland was pretty neat... You are in flying catapillers in and around a house. It's not necessary to be added to WDW, considering the cost to build it here. In other words, we're not missing anything here, but it is a nice ride.

Indiana Jones was a big disappointment for me. Before I rode it, every Californian I talked to told me "You have to go on Indiana Jones!". Well, the ride is okay... pretty much the same as Dinosaur, but with different theming. The special effects I found cheesy (lots of black lights on cardboard cut-outs), while Dinosaur has things like the very large AA dino chasing you and meteor showers raining on you. Indiana Jones did have one nice touch... the boulder that comes at you that you escape at the nick of time.

I was surprised that Matterhorn Mountain was as good as it is, that is for a 45 year old roller coaster! It was actually pretty scary, with surprise turns and drops, and the abonible snowman surprising you at hidden turns! The ride is VERY rough, though.