WDW VS DL?

[TP2000]

Someone had said DL / DCA has way more rides attractions than WDW. I think 88 to 60.

It's not quite that extreme, but it's shockingly close. Basically both properties are neck-and-neck in the Attractions Arms Race. Here's the current tally:

Disneyland Resort (Disneyland, Disney California Adventure Park)
77 Attractions, 56 of which are Rides, 16 are E Tickets

Walt Disney World Resort (Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom)
86 Attractions, 45 of which are Rides, 18 are E Tickets

Epcot makes the comparison kind of difficult, because it only has 8 rides but has many attractions. Each World Showcase pavilion counts as an attraction if it doesn't have a ride; so pavilions like Italy, Japan, Morocco, Germany, UK each count as an "attraction" even though they are just lovely themed courtyards with shops and a restaurant or two. FULL DISCLOSURE: Epcot is my favorite second gate, so I'm biased.

 

[TP2000]

The tally is also shockingly close when it comes to major entertainment; parades, nightly water shows, and fireworks. Here's the Summer 2015 tally of daily entertainment "spectaculars":

Disneyland Resort
3 Parades (Pixar Play Parade, Mickey's Soundsational Parade, Paint The Night Electrical Parade)
2 Water Shows (Fantasmic!, World of Color)
1 Fireworks (Disneyland Forever)

Walt Disney World
2 Parades (Festival of Fantasy, Main Street Electrical Parade)
2 Water Shows (Fantasmic!, Reflections of Earth)
2 Fireworks (Wishes, Frozen)

 

[Club Cooloholic]

If we are talking just the parks, not the resort hotels, DL wins. I actually love how walkable it is, the attractions are great, Radiator Springs is amazing. You can ride the TOT while your spouse is keeping the little ones busy 2 mins away on all the Bugs Life rides! Finally many of their quick service offerings beat several DW sit down restaurants, and are healthier.....oh and Crowds seem more civil...shoot now the secrets out

 

[BasiltheBatLord]

Disneyland is by far the better park, except for how WDW's parks have wider pathways and were built to accommodate more people.

 

[OSUgirl77]

Disneyland. At WDW I feel like I'm on vacation. At DL I feel like I'm home.

 

[radiohost]

My family of three last year went to Disney land for 5 days...

For the amount of $$$ we spent at Disneyland between hotels, tickets, and dining we could have went to WDW for a week and stayed at the Grand Floridian.

That being said we had a great time at Disneyland, and will go back...Next time just for a three day trip.

 

[marni1971]

Again?

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

Disneyland is by far the better park, except for how WDW's parks have wider pathways and were built to accommodate more people.

But aesthetically, this makes DL better! In my old age, I've really grown to dislike WDW's huge open areas of concrete. In some cases, I guess it serves a purpose, but that place wastes so much space, almost as if in mockery of DL's comparative lack of space.

DL is undoubtedly a better park than MK or any of the other WDW parks. I'm okay with being crammed in there during the parades, Fantasmic! and fireworks. The trade-off is a much more charming place, a superior selection of attractions, more shade, better weather, less walking and the knowledge that this is a genuine Disney park that the big guy himself built.

 

[SpaceMountain75]

I didn't vote because they both have things that I love about each of them. After viewing thread after thread of this topic, I've come to the conclusion that they just simply can't be compared. For everything that I like about one coast, the other has something just as great to offer. I really think that if you go to the parks and enjoy being there without scrutinizing every small difference (something I'm trying to get better at ) you can have an awesome time.

 

[lunchbox1175]

Oh, no. *sigh*

LOL!!!! I couldn't wait to see what you were going to say! I was thinking the same thing.

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

For me Disneyland and DCA are better theme parks but WDW is a better overall vacation.

If you have 3 days or less and plan on spending all your time in the parks DLR is the clear winner, if you have more than 3 days and want to try new dining experiences, explore the resorts, slow down a bit and relax, etc, etc etc WDW is the clear winner.

I have a DL AP and go all the time but can't wait until my WDW trip in January.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

I agree with what others have said. They both have their faults and their merits. Disneyland is proof that good things come in small packages. WDW is a destination with plenty to do both inside and outside of the parks.

Other than comparing individual attractions, there's really no sense in comparing the two. They are completely different. Enjoy both for what they are.

 

[fireworksandfairytales]

So, I'm a pretty biased towards WDW, but I tried to keep a super open mind when visiting DLR for the first time this past November. I prefer WDW because of the fact there's four parks and there's way more resorts, but DLR is amazing and I loved it and I can't wait to go back. Also, California Adventure is my second favorite park behind Magic Kingdom.

 

[Boardwalker]

Been to both. Stayed at the grand Cali for the DL trip, had a park view and saw colors every night before bed. That said WDW just has"it". DL feels cramped to me compared to WDW. But they are both first class and def worth a trip at least once in a lifetime!

 

[Daniel Johnson]

I wish I could compare them...I only know wdw...
DL is slowly creeping up my "to-do" list. getting to knock out some awesome west coast baseball games would sweeten the deal!

 

[Cosmic Commando]

My family of three last year went to Disney land for 5 days...

For the amount of $$$ we spent at Disneyland between hotels, tickets, and dining we could have went to WDW for a week and stayed at the Grand Floridian.

That being said we had a great time at Disneyland, and will go back...Next time just for a three day trip.

Just curious... where did you stay? Are you including travel costs? I've always found ticket prices and food prices to be relatively similar.

 

[radiohost]

Just curious... where did you stay? Are you including travel costs? I've always found ticket prices and food prices to be relatively similar.

Stayed across the street at the Anaheim Dessert Inn and Suites for half the trip, and the other half of the trip was at Disneys Paradise Pier. As far as travel costs, the flight was perfect money wise, about $400 round trip for my wife and I. Our two year old was free park ticket wise as well as his airfare.

 

[Cosmic Commando]

Stayed across the street at the Anaheim Dessert Inn and Suites for half the trip, and the other half of the trip was at Disneys Paradise Pier. As far as travel costs, the flight was perfect money wise, about $400 round trip for my wife and I. Our two year old was free park ticket wise as well as his airfare.

I just don't get it then... even the Paradise Pier for the whole trip should have been cheaper than the Grand Flo, DLR tickets are cheaper than WDW tickets, and food seems comparable. Where did the extra money go?

 

[Bairstow]

I just don't get it then... even the Paradise Pier for the whole trip should have been cheaper than the Grand Flo, DLR tickets are cheaper than WDW tickets, and food seems comparable. Where did the extra money go?

The desert inn and suites is very reasonable too, if you go through Orbitz or some other broker.

 

[216bruce]

If I could empty the parks and have them to myself and my family, I'd give a slight edge to Disneyland. Very, very slight. With the crowds, a.k.a. cool and calm DL folks vs. the hyped-up rude yahoos at WDW- no contest. DL by a large margin.