What WDW does worse than the DLR

[Sharon&Susan]

In another thread someone asked “Why would anyone think Disneyland is better than WDW,” instead of just answering the post in that thread, I thought making a thread would be a better idea.

Some reasons to start off with:
-Main Street is just a giant Emporium at WDW (DL does have some symptoms of this, but not as extreme as WDW)
-POTC at WDW is the worst version of Pirate
-The Magic Carpets existing
-The CGI Hitchhiking Ghosts and PLQ
-Fantasyland only has one good dark ride at WDW
-Space Mountain in worse condition

 

[TwilightZone]

- At some points, especially during the later Eisner era, the bad rides are worse. In disneyland our bad rides were ok at best, the dca 1.0 stuff and rocket rods were ok rides that just needed some tweaking. There's no way you can fix Sounds Dangerous or journey into YOUR imagination.
- Ride variations that aren't as good as the originals in one way or another, like Pirates.
- Not a whole lot to do in parks that aren't named magic kingdom and arguably epcot. I don't think even the inclusion of star wars land can fix DHS's issues of being a half day park. DCA has the same issue, but it's more understandable since there's not a whole lot of areas to expand in California.
- Loss of great attractions that still haven't gained proper replacements, such as alien encounter and journey into imagination

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

The tulip lilypad lamp in Haunted Mansion was replaced with some other crappy lamp.

 

[CJR]

- Loss of great attractions that still haven't gained proper replacements, such as alien encounter and journey into imagination

To be fair, the same can be said about DL. Looking at Peoplemover, CoP/America Sings, and Country Bears, specifically.

 

[Phroobar]

Less rides in all four parks combined than Disneyland has in one park.
Astroturf in the main plaza
Less trees and benches than Disneyland

 

[Phroobar]

Minimal theming in resort hotels.
Too far to walk/drive between theme parks.
Poor use of theme park space even if they have the blessing of size.
Bad ticketing pricing system.

 

[SeaCastle]

As someone who enjoys WDW more:
- Less character/entertainment and vehicle attractions, no brick sidewalks on WDW's Main Street
- Fewer quiet courtyards/highly-detailed places in MK (though this may be starting to change)
- Worse ride upkeep and plussing in WDW compared to DL parks
- Overall fewer attractions per park (I get the idea to cram everything into two parks, but no reason why WDW can't have more)
- More sophisticated/better quality food options at DL
- Less intrusive and extensive FASTPASS use at DL compared to WDW (shorter lines)

 

[Rich T]

We all know WDW is a great resort full of variety and choices. But here are my personal reasons for preferring DLR... and why I'm in no hurry to return to WDW:

#1 Reason: All the WDW-specific attractions I loved most during my trip to WDW in the 90's are now gone. There is *nothing* (attraction-wise and Florida exclusive) left at WDW that I'd make a trip across the country to see. (Slinky Dog looks awesome, but it's not quite enough to get me to fly East.)

Other reasons:
Fewer rides per park, and park-hopping takes a huge chunk of time in WDW.
A trip to WDW generally requires more planning, more funds, more time than a trip to DLR.
Character interaction is less frequent and less spontaneous.

And, in general, I just prefer shorter, more frequent, more spontaneous vacations.

DLR certainly isn't perfect. Pixar Pier is a joke and Tomorrowland needs help. But, overall, the amount of fun you can have at DLR in one day--with so many great rides so close together--is absolutely amazing.

 

[Touchdown]

I prefer WDW too but here are my pluses that haven’t been mentioned:

- Seasonal overlays, there is no reason Small World Holiday isn’t in Florida, no one is going to gripe about that ride being down for a month and it’s amazing. While I love HMH I can see why it would be more problematic in FL. Also, while we’re at it pony up the fee to use Ruldolph and bring back the Country Bear Christmas show, or even better start doing the 3 show rotation like Japan

- multiple night shows in parks. When everything is not in refurbishment DL has 4 night shows, that’s only two less then all of WDW. It’s really nice to end your day with two different shows. I remember the summer of the 60th being able to watch the 8:45 PTN, 9:30 Forever Fireworks, 10:00 WOC, and then being able to make it back to ROA as the Peter Pan section of Fantasmic! started. That’s 3.5 night shows in a little more then 3 hours. Yes they don’t run every day, but as long as your trip contains a weekend day you’ll get this opportunity.

- More 8-12 operating days then WDW. You can have a lot of fun with 16 hours in the park

- I don’t have to pay the premium of staying at a Disney resort and can use my Hilton points and not have to worry about an hour commute to and from the park

- Park hopping, way better and easier

- better AP discounts

- MaxPass is much better then FP+, holy cow what a great new feature.

 

[WEDwaydatamover]

A regular rotation of attraction refurbishments and general care.

Also it seems that DL is constantly adding special touches while they appear to be diminishing at MK.

 

[shortstop]

Galaxy’s Edge

 

[Phroobar]

Smaller Galaxy’s Edge

Fixed that for you.

 

[ColinDLR]

DLR over WDW reasons:
- CHURROS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Fantasmic at Disneyland is just so much better than at Hollywood Studios
- Cars Land is better than Toy Story Land (for RSR alone)
- Indy vs. Dinosaur
- Paint the Night vs. No nighttime parade
- Surprised these weren't mentioned already but Matterhorn, Submarines, Alice, Car Toon Spin (and TT in general), Storybook Land, Casey Jr., and Pinocchio don't even have a close equivalent in WDW (and not everest for matterhorn, they're not similar)

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

I prefer Dinosaur to Indiana Jones.

 

[THE 1HAPPY HAUNT]

WDW has no History with Walt. He never stepped one foot there. Disneyland you can take a tour to walk in his footsteps. that alone makes it the better park. you can't call yourself's Diseny's Magic Kingdom if he never was there.

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

WDW is near a superior Universal resort.

 

[Sharon&Susan]

WDW has no History with Walt. He never stepped one foot there. Disneyland you can take a tour to walk in his footsteps. that alone makes it the better park. you can't call yourself's Diseny's Magic Kingdom if he never was there.

He did walk DW property at least once before he died. But I doubt that, except for the basic MK layout and some facilities, any of Walt’s ideas for DW actually made it into WDW.

 

[Sharon&Susan]

 

[THE 1HAPPY HAUNT]

He did walk DW property at least once before he died. But I doubt that, except for the basic MK layout and some facilities, any of Walt’s ideas for DW actually made it into WDW.

still stand by my point. he never was in the completed MK nor had he been there for much of its construction. there are no videos of him riding around on a bicycle through MK like there is DISNEYLAND. he was never hands on in its construction like he was at DISNEYLAND. DISNEYLAND was a finely tuned vision brought to life, MK is just a poor clone of what is in California with none of the heart.

 

[Snow Queen]

The fact WDW is in Florida.