WDW or Disneyland which do your perfer and why?

[Wilt Dasney]

That's what I love about these messages boards is the passion we all have for Disney period let it be Disneyland or WDW. :sohappy: I just love the feeling of being able to go and be young at heart again and see my childrens faces glow when they are in the parks. If we go to Disneyland I want them to have that same great feeling and don't want them to feel they missed out on something.

I'll just share my experience. I had wanted to visit DL for a long time simply for the history there, but I always suspected it would feel a bit like "WDW-lite." I figured I'd get there and think something like "Aww, they're trying to do a little Disney park here. How cute, God bless 'em!" When you've only been to the Florida resort, it's hard to believe that such a small place could "feel" the same.

Last May I finally made it there. My first night I wasn't going to a park, so I just walked over to DLR to eat at DTD and while the night away looking around.

As soon as I got through the bag check and was just standing in the plaza between the parks and DTD, I was honestly overcome. The DL train station was at my right shoulder, the same music I heard on my iTunes all the time and associated with WDW was playing. I had just turned off the street a minute before, but I could have sworn I'd just stepped off the MK monorail. All I could do was smile, because I simply couldn't believe how "Disney" the place felt...and I hadn't even set foot in a park yet. I probably just stood there for 30 seconds grinning like an idiot. It wasn't the last time I felt that way, but it was the most memorable, because it was so unexpected.

That's a corny story, I'm well aware, but hopefully it speaks to what you're worried about.

 

[LucyintheSky]

^ Anytime you read something online, keep in mind that people are mostly going to use that to voice their problems/concerns. Nobody really posts their good experiences - it's easier to complain about stuff.

If you're talking about the forum I think you're talking about then yes - people do complain a lot.. most of the time it's highly exaggerated. It's really not that bad :lol: If I had never been to DL and only knew the park based on what gets said on MiceChat.. I think i'd would be too scared to visit after what is said over there..

Yeah that's true, about the negativity. I'm glad to hear that the stuff I've read over there isn't necessarily the reality of DL. I want very much to visit there someday, and to be honest, those threads DID make me a little nervous! :ROFLOL:

 

[Laura]

Really? I'm not contradicting you or anything, I'm curious, though. I've never been to DL, but I frequently read another forum that is primarily about DL. And I've seen many threads complaining about the crowds, the large amount of badly behaved unsupervised teens, people fighting over Fantasmic or firework spots, saving spots 4-5 hours ahead of time, even gang related issues in the past. A lot of that is due to the huge local crowd DL gets at certain times of the year when the cheapest AP's aren't blocked.

That's not to say that the MK doesn't have it's share of obnoxious people, trust me, I know it does. But from years of reading about DL, I am pretty sure that it plenty of issues of it's own in that regard.

You are correct that DL does get HUGE crowds, and it gets very packed in there and people do save spots and lay out blankets hours in advance for things. But it's not the "angry mob" type of packed like you see at WDW. It's a very relaxed and almost "united" atmosphere. By united, I mean, a lot of times when it's crowded it's because most of the people in the park have the same goal...whether it be to see Captain EO on opening day or get a glance at the elusive Fantasmic dragon. Everyone arrives and EXPECTS that it's going to be crowded, KNOWS that they will most likely be waiting hours and hours, and therefore they are able to do so without complaint, and with a positive, laid back attitude....no pushing and shoving and fighting necessary. There's not really anything else on the agenda anyway, so why throw a fit?

 

[devoy1701]

Really? I'm not contradicting you or anything, I'm curious, though. I've never been to DL, but I frequently read another forum that is primarily about DL. And I've seen many threads complaining about the crowds, the large amount of badly behaved unsupervised teens, people fighting over Fantasmic or firework spots, saving spots 4-5 hours ahead of time, even gang related issues in the past. Alot of that is due to the huge local crowd DL gets at certain times of the year when the cheapest AP's aren't blocked.

That's not to say that the MK doesn't have it's share of obnoxious people, trust me, I know it does. But from years of reading about DL, I am pretty sure that it plenty of issues of it's own in that regard.

Again... We frequent the WDW parks about 3 times a month and spend about 30-35 days a year in the parks total. I've been there through every type of crowd during every type of season.

Now, granted, i've only been to DL once and it was the week before Christmas this past year, but the experience with the crowds for the 6 days in the parks beat any 6 days we've ever spent in WDW. People were so calm, mind their manners, know how to walk on the right sides of the walkway. Didn't start screaming and fussing if all the sudden the crowd stopped movie. People didn't seem to be complaining about long lines.

The two things that really got me were:

a) we sat down on the ground for Disney's Electrical Parade to start about 90 minutes before the parade. Never did anyone try to encroach on our spot. Nobody tried to shove into place last minute, nobody was kneeing us in the back to get closer because we were sitting. The parade ended up being about 30 minutes late (it was only the second showing for the season) and nobody was complaining or seemed to be getting frustrated. And when the show did finally start, we were still able to watch the entire thing while sitting down and didn't have any problems. Flash forward to 3 days later watching Spectro on Main Street in MK and my back becomes a Jungle Jim to a less than supervised kid.

b) while waiting for the fireworks to start at DL we stood near the hub where the tracks split to go around the hub for about 90 minutes prior to the show. (NO CMs telling us to make way for the people walking!!! They have it right over there realizing much more people are interested in getting nice spots for the show than trying to walk up and down Main Street! They allowed people on the road to grab a spot for the show and used the sidewalks for passerbys...opposite of how MK handles this) Again, people filed in and filled up the space, but nobody started shoving or squeezed in at the last minute (and it was hellapacked that night!). I just got the impression (after driving in LA traffic!!!!) that people are just much more patient and easy going!

The only thing I did have a problem with were the teens with the bead jewelry and necklaces and skirts and body armor and baby toys hangins around. They came out in drones on Saturday night and no one could tell us what their story was!!!

 

[Laura]

Again... We frequent the WDW parks about 3 times a month and spend about 30-35 days a year in the parks total. I've been there through every type of crowd during every type of season.

Now, granted, i've only been to DL once and it was the week before Christmas this past year, but the experience with the crowds for the 6 days in the parks beat any 6 days we've ever spent in WDW. People were so calm, mind their manners, know how to walk on the right sides of the walkway. Didn't start screaming and fussing if all the sudden the crowd stopped movie. People didn't seem to be complaining about long lines.

The experiences you described are exactly the kind of things I encounter on every visit to DL. There's no competition between guests. Everyone wants everyone else to have a good time too.

With Walt Disney World being so HUGE, if you're only going to be there a week (like most are) you are going to be pressed for time. Every little hindrance is going to annoy you, and if the lines are long you're going to feel frustrated that you won't have time to do everything. It makes for a really grumpy atmosphere.

You can go to Disneyland for 3 days, and feel NO pressure to see things, because you'll have plenty of time for everything. That makes things a little more relaxing. Not to mention that most of Disneyland's daily guests have been there a hundred times already and aren't concerned with how many attractions they can pack into their visit.

 

[rkelly42]

WDW by far, you can stay a whole week and never lose the magic. They have the Poly, GF, Boardwalk, AKL, WL, as well as many more well themed resorts. You still have Epcot with Illuminations.

 

[imagineer boy]

I think the MK is certainly better in terms of size and atmosphere. DL's is superior in attraction quality.

 

[devoy1701]

size does not automatically make the resort more magical or better. I spent 6 days in DLR and there are still things on my list that I wasn't able to get to.

 

[ABigBrassBand]

Agreed!

I was trying to think of a way to boil down DCA, and remembered what came to mind when I was walking around: "This feels like they took DHS, mixed it up with Wilderness Lodge and the Boardwalk, and called it a park." :veryconfu :lol:

So imagine that right next door to a jazzed-up MK with more attractions than you'd ever believe could be fit into that park and the mystifying knowledge that It All Began Here, and you have DLR. Everyone's not going to love it as much as I did, but if you're on these boards, it's worth the trip IMO.

Pretty much what I would say about DCA too, but I haven't been there for a couple years, just after they put in ToT, so I could be missing a LOT.

 

[ABigBrassBand]

Might also add the fact that you can stay at WDW for so much time and feel like you haven't done everything yet, with all the variety and different hotels and places to visit, while at DLR you are more limited.

 

[Wilt Dasney]

size does not automatically make the resort more magical or better. I spent 6 days in DLR and there are still things on my list that I wasn't able to get to.

Agreed.

I think in the '70s that size was intended to give the place a big buffer to keep the outside world outside. WDW wasn't supposed to be better because it was so BIG, but because it was so isolated.

When Walt was looking for another place to build, Harbor Blvd. was an absolute eyesore. Since then, Anaheim has gotten its act together and really cleaned up that area. It's very classy and understated. TP2000 posted some photos a few days ago of the area around DL then and now and it's like night and day.

Meanwhile, WDW has lost its original feel. In the beginning, MK and the surrounding resorts and amenities formed an oasis in the middle of the wild. You were far away from any other development. Now the whole property is built up, as well as the land around it. The experience of driving onto WDW property doesn't separate you from the outside in any meaningful sense except that now you're "at Disney."

This isn't a shot at WDW, but what I'm getting at is that the feel on the perimeter of the two properties has changed dramatically. DL is no longer surrounded by ugly neon signs and power lines, and WDW no longer uses its size as a buffer from the outside.

The problems that DL's small size allowed, and the solution that WDW's large size afforded, are both gone.

 

[ABigBrassBand]

Agreed.

I think in the '70s that size was intended to give the place a big buffer to keep the outside world outside. WDW wasn't supposed to be better because it was so BIG, but because it was so isolated.

When Walt was looking for another place to build, Harbor Blvd. was an absolute eyesore. Since then, Anaheim has gotten its act together and really cleaned up that area. It's very classy and understated. TP2000 posted some photos a few days ago of the area around DL then and now and it's like night and day.

Meanwhile, WDW has lost its original feel. In the beginning, MK and the surrounding resorts and amenities formed an oasis in the middle of the wild. You were far away from any other development. Now the whole property is built up, as well as the land around it. The experience of driving onto WDW property doesn't separate you from the outside in any meaningful sense except that now you're "at Disney."

This isn't a shot at WDW, but what I'm getting at is that the feel on the perimeter of the two properties has changed dramatically. DL is no longer surrounded by ugly neon signs and power lines, and WDW no longer uses its size as a buffer from the outside.

The problems that DL's small size allowed, and the solution that WDW's large size afforded, are both gone.

If Disney ever fix the story flaw in SM, I'll plan a trip there instantly. But for now, I prefer the variety that is WDW.

The original magic? It's sort of lost it, but in its place is a new magic.

 

[Wilt Dasney]

If Disney ever fix the story flaw in SM, I'll plan a trip there instantly. But for now, I prefer the variety that is WDW.

The original magic? It's sort of lost it, but in its place is a new magic.

WDW's Splash is much better. One of my favorite Disney rides anywhere. It's one of the few examples I can think of where a WDW attraction beats its DL counterpart without a fight (ToT is another).

 

[ABigBrassBand]

WDW's Splash is much better. One of my favorite Disney rides anywhere. It's one of the few examples I can think of where a WDW attraction beats its DL counterpart without a fight (ToT is another).

It is, but I can't help but ask why they put the stories in that order, when clearly he visited the laughing place after they caught him, AND he went into the briar patch with the tar baby. Not going to nitpick, it is a great ride, and I'm not trying to sound like a person who is not pleased with a true classic.

 

[Wilt Dasney]

It is, but I can't help but ask why they put the stories in that order, when clearly he visited the laughing place after they caught him, AND he went into the briar patch with the tar baby. Not going to nitpick, it is a great ride, and I'm not trying to sound like a person who is not pleased with a true classic.

I think they just picked an order they thought best suited to the emotions they want you to experience in the ride. "How Do You Do" serves as an introduction to the characters as you float past the houses, "Laughin' Place" adds a carefree, fun element...then a bit of danger with the ascent, and "Zip-a-dee-doo-dah" adds a happy epilogue after the danger has passed and everything turns out OK. It's supposed to be more about sensations and experiences in a loose narrative framework than telling a literal story, I think.

 

[LucyintheSky]

You are correct that DL does get HUGE crowds, and it gets very packed in there and people do save spots and lay out blankets hours in advance for things. But it's not the "angry mob" type of packed like you see at WDW. It's a very relaxed and almost "united" atmosphere. By united, I mean, a lot of times when it's crowded it's because most of the people in the park have the same goal...whether it be to see Captain EO on opening day or get a glance at the elusive Fantasmic dragon. Everyone arrives and EXPECTS that it's going to be crowded, KNOWS that they will most likely be waiting hours and hours, and therefore they are able to do so without complaint, and with a positive, laid back attitude....no pushing and shoving and fighting necessary. There's not really anything else on the agenda anyway, so why throw a fit?

Again... We frequent the WDW parks about 3 times a month and spend about 30-35 days a year in the parks total. I've been there through every type of crowd during every type of season.

Now, granted, i've only been to DL once and it was the week before Christmas this past year, but the experience with the crowds for the 6 days in the parks beat any 6 days we've ever spent in WDW. People were so calm, mind their manners, know how to walk on the right sides of the walkway. Didn't start screaming and fussing if all the sudden the crowd stopped movie. People didn't seem to be complaining about long lines.

The two things that really got me were:

a) we sat down on the ground for Disney's Electrical Parade to start about 90 minutes before the parade. Never did anyone try to encroach on our spot. Nobody tried to shove into place last minute, nobody was kneeing us in the back to get closer because we were sitting. The parade ended up being about 30 minutes late (it was only the second showing for the season) and nobody was complaining or seemed to be getting frustrated. And when the show did finally start, we were still able to watch the entire thing while sitting down and didn't have any problems. Flash forward to 3 days later watching Spectro on Main Street in MK and my back becomes a Jungle Jim to a less than supervised kid.

b) while waiting for the fireworks to start at DL we stood near the hub where the tracks split to go around the hub for about 90 minutes prior to the show. (NO CMs telling us to make way for the people walking!!! They have it right over there realizing much more people are interested in getting nice spots for the show than trying to walk up and down Main Street! They allowed people on the road to grab a spot for the show and used the sidewalks for passerbys...opposite of how MK handles this) Again, people filed in and filled up the space, but nobody started shoving or squeezed in at the last minute (and it was hellapacked that night!). I just got the impression (after driving in LA traffic!!!!) that people are just much more patient and easy going!

The only thing I did have a problem with were the teens with the bead jewelry and necklaces and skirts and body armor and baby toys hangins around. They came out in drones on Saturday night and no one could tell us what their story was!!!

Hey, thanks you guys... I am glad to hear this. I've wanted to go to DL for a while, and the negativity I was hearing on other sites was making me nervous. I don't like when I'm in a WDW park and having a great time, only to have it marred by rude people trying to take my spot or shove in front of me and things like that, and I was afraid it'd be worse in DL since it's smaller in area. Anyway, thanks for sharing your experiences! :wave:

 

[ABigBrassBand]

I think they just picked an order they thought best suited to the emotions they want you to experience in the ride. "How Do You Do" serves as an introduction to the characters as you float past the houses, "Laughin' Place" adds a carefree, fun element...then a bit of danger with the ascent, and "Zip-a-dee-doo-dah" adds a happy epilogue after the danger has passed and everything turns out OK. It's supposed to be more about sensations and experiences in a loose narrative framework than telling a literal story, I think.

Yea, I do like how they use one story to create a whole other one (with the moral to not run away from danger, its good), but I can't help but wonder, because its drastically different from the original.

 

[couchpotatooo]

thanks for all your opinions:sohappy::sohappy:

 

[_Scar]

I'd rather be at DL than MK hands down.

But I feel WDW trumps DLR hands down with DAK, Epcot, DHS, the water parks, the hotels, and DtD. I wouldn't pay full admission for DCA right now- only after WoC has been out for a bit and a lot of the walls are down. WDW feels like a complete vacation as in DLR can't really provide that. Plus USR is right down the road =D!!!


Still looking forward to going to DLR and hopefully see much more of this golden state.

 

[ABigBrassBand]

thanks for all your opinions:sohappy::sohappy:

Your welcome :kiss: