Why is WDW so bad at utilizing their space while Disneyland (with much less space) is so good at it?

[Walt Disney1955]

Our next trip is likely to be out west in Disneyland. It still has so many of the classic attractions and Disneyland overall is a better theme park than Magic Kingdom in WDW. I always feel like WDW is the grander of the two and the more quantity and the experience of the resorts and such while Disneyland is the original and more quaint version and seems to be able to keep the classics alive.

So why is that? Not that there aren't original 1971 attractions at Magic Kingdom, but there are lots of 1955 originals at Disneyland and plenty of others that have been there later in the 1950s and 1960s. Not only that, but just take a look at the map of Disneyland. We know the space is limited in Anaheim, they can't build it any bigger than they have and they were fortunate to be able to get California Adventure in there. But if you isolate Disneyland on its own this is a park with much less limitations than MK in WDW and yet they are able to pack more punch in their parks. They never got rid of Toontown, they ADDED Star Wars land, they kept their Fantasyland attractions, the Matterhorn, Indiana Jones without changing anything, they still have and hopefully always will have Tom Sawyer (Pirate) Island and the Mark Twain Riverboat. The Autopia is an excellent ride and better than WDW's, not to mention bigger. Pirates is bigger. They never got rid of New Orleans Square either. Main Street actually has a couple of classic attractions and the Castle is a walkthrough.

Okay, it is not a Disneyland vs. MK shouting match, because even on a WDW board Disneyland wins this one. But it is just how badly they do things at WDW despite having way more land, the same amount as the city of San Francisco. For example, the Coco ride happening in DCA. Even there the new ride is proposed to be in some unused land near the Incredicoaster. Doesn't sound like anything is leaving. But in WDW we shred the Liberty Belle Riverboat all for a Carsland. Mr. Toad leaves for Winnie the Pooh. Snow White leaves for a meet and greet. Toontown leaves for the Fantasyland expansion. And for all I know the powers to be might like the idea of getting rid of the Gran Fiesta Tour - which is always a nice hidden gem - for Coco.

Hey look, Coco is a nice movie, the addition to Coco in Philharmagic was excellent because it didn't replace anything. But the Gran Fiesta tour among other things are creations of Walt Disney (or at least the movie was). WDW ignores this stuff despite having loads more space than Disneyland does. It is like a person in an apartment building hosting a BBQ while the guy with the big house and the big backyard never does it.

Why do you think this is? Is it because Disneyland does a better job at preserving the nostalgia and Walt's vision?

 

[drizgirl]

1) Disneyland’s very large Magic Key holder base holdsthem accountable

2) Anaheim is where most of the decision-makers live and visit.

WDW is the ATM of the company in a way DL never will be.

 

[Walt Disney1955]

1) Disneyland’s very large Magic Key holder base holdsthem accountable

2) Anaheim is where most of the decision-makers live and visit.

WDW is the ATM of the company in a way DL never will be.

Be that as it may, WDW should have the best parks in the world, the most rides and the place where they never run out of space. There is no excuse for it.

 

[drizgirl]

Be that as it may, WDW should have the best parks in the world, the most rides and the place where they never run out of space. There is no excuse for it.

It is ironic that in the resort with all that room to grow, more often than not they choose to replace rides rather than add net new attractions.

I've been convinced for some time that they are just too cheap to staff more rides.

 

[Walt Disney1955]

It is ironic that in the resort with all that room to grow, more often than not they choose to replace rides rather than add net new attractions.

I've been convinced for some time that they are just too cheap to staff more rides.

I love Disneyland, I think it is the best park in the world, so I like the fact it is there and is the original and what not, but with the budget and space WDW got there really shouldn't be an excuse for them to tear down anything in order to build something new.

 

[iamgroot61]

I have two opinions on this. 1. Walt was the "parks guy" and Roy was the bean counter. I'm sure Walt was involved in the actual design/layout of MK, but he was not there for any of the construction. MAYBE he was less involved in the design of that park (I'm sure this is knowable, I just haven't looked for it). So that's the first one, Walt was the better planner. And 2. Necessity breeds efficiency. Walt knew he had limited space to work with (and imagineering folks who carried on in his wake knew it too) and so they just did/do a better job with what they had/have. They are still doing this today. At WDW, however, they just don't seem to care and fill much of the space they have with ride queue theming. They know they have virtually unlimited space so they seem to "think big." IDK. As for the parks themselves...WDW, as everyone knows, is a whole different animal. DL/DCA complex is smaller, yet, to me, offers a more fulfilling experience. WDW provides that total immersion of staying on-property and being surrounded by Disney the whole time. I love that, but also love the west coast parks experience because that is where my childhood and (as a parent) family emotional connection resides. One thing I missed in my last visit to WDW as an out-of-stater (I now live in FL and can drive to the World) was the Magical Express (Disney bus service to your resort from Orlando Int'l).

 

[Quietmouse]

disney land is viewed as more of a legacy park, but it’s not immune to changes. See people mover as an example.

Galaxy edge is also in an awkward spot being located close to frontier land, rather than adjacent to tomorrow land.

Space is a huge issue for disney land in particular leading to some awkward land place (galaxy edge , critter country)

Also, is anyone genuinely lamenting the loss of snow whites scary adventure lol?

 

[Quietmouse]

Also, as someone that recently visited Disney land my biggest takeaway was the scale really impacted the overall atmosphere. It feels way more amusement park ish because all the lands were so smooshed together.

 

[Ayla]

I have two opinions on this. 1. Walt was the "parks guy" and Roy was the bean counter. I'm sure Walt was involved in the actual design/layout of MK, but he was not there for any of the construction. MAYBE he was less involved in the design of that park (I'm sure this is knowable, I just haven't looked for it). So that's the first one, Walt was the better planner. And 2. Necessity breeds efficiency. Walt knew he had limited space to work with (and imagineering folks who carried on in his wake knew it too) and so they just did/do a better job with what they had/have. They are still doing this today. At WDW, however, they just don't seem to care and fill much of the space they have with ride queue theming. They know they have virtually unlimited space so they seem to "think big." IDK. As for the parks themselves...WDW, as everyone knows, is a whole different animal. DL/DCA complex is smaller, yet, to me, offers a more fulfilling experience. WDW provides that total immersion of staying on-property and being surrounded by Disney the whole time. I love that, but also love the west coast parks experience because that is where my childhood and (as a parent) family emotional connection resides. One thing I missed in my last visit to WDW as an out-of-stater (I now live in FL and can drive to the World) was the Magical Express (Disney bus service to your resort from Orlando Int'l).

Everyone misses Magic Express. It's been permanently gone for 2 and a half years.

 

[Walt Disney1955]

disney land is viewed as more of a legacy park, but it’s not immune to changes. See people mover as an example.

Galaxy edge is also in an awkward spot being located close to frontier land, rather than adjacent to tomorrow land.

Space is a huge issue for disney land in particular leading to some awkward land place (galaxy edge , critter country)

Also, is anyone genuinely lamenting the loss of snow whites scary adventure lol?

Considering they put a meet and greet there and Fantasyland at WDW is much more inferior than Fantasyland at DL then yes I think we were better off with it.

 

[Quietmouse]

Considering they put a meet and greet there and Fantasyland at WDW is much more inferior than Fantasyland at DL then yes I think we were better off with it.

The Snow White mine coaster is fine. The Ariel dark ride is fine. Snow White scary adventure was fine. It’s all a wash and fantasy land didn’t ultimately suffer because they got rid of Snow White scary adventure lol

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

1) Disneyland’s very large Magic Key holder base holds them accountable

I think this is 99% of the reason, DL is primarily a locals park so most of its guests have very strong nostalgic ties to the past, WDW is primarily a tourist park so nostalgia is only important to a minority of visitors who are regular visitors, since most guests aren’t regular visitors it’s easier to make controversial changes without risking a massive backlash.

I've been convinced for some time that they are just too cheap to staff more rides.

I think this is a given, it’s the only logical reason to close a ride in parks that are suffering from severe capacity issues, it’s simply penny pinching.

 

[coffeefan]

disney land is viewed as more of a legacy park, but it’s not immune to changes. See people mover as an example.

Galaxy edge is also in an awkward spot being located close to frontier land, rather than adjacent to tomorrow land.

Space is a huge issue for disney land in particular leading to some awkward land place (galaxy edge , critter country)

Also, is anyone genuinely lamenting the loss of snow whites scary adventure lol?

In hindsight, I wish SWGE had gone to DCA. It wouldn't make more sense but it would fit the park's movie direction more. It would also give the park a big draw.

Then at Disneyland they could've used the land for new Disney classics and gone forward with the New Frontiers or Fantasy Land or something else that included Frozen, Coco, Encanto, Moana, and Tangled.

 

[Chef idea Mickey`=]

In hindsight, I wish SWGE had gone to DCA. It wouldn't make more sense but it would fit the park's movie direction more. It would also give the park a big draw.

Then at Disneyland they could've used the land for new Disney classics and gone forward with the New Frontiers or Fantasy Land or something else that included Frozen, Coco, Encanto, Moana, and Tangled.

It would of but you think they don't want DCA and Hollywood Studios to look alike? If it wasn't for Galaxy's Edge I wonder if work forward would of been or went with Cars Land in the East Coast.

 

[Trueblood]

I don't have any sources or evidence to back this up, but I suspect that Disney currently views the different parks as having different purposes.

Disneyland and DCA are a idolic temples to Walt to a degree that the other parks aren't, and draws a more regional audience.

WDW is a "vacation destination" for people from around the world. Different audience, different needs.

 

[ppete1975]

Our next trip is likely to be out west in Disneyland. It still has so many of the classic attractions and Disneyland overall is a better theme park than Magic Kingdom in WDW. I always feel like WDW is the grander of the two and the more quantity and the experience of the resorts and such while Disneyland is the original and more quaint version and seems to be able to keep the classics alive.

So why is that? Not that there aren't original 1971 attractions at Magic Kingdom, but there are lots of 1955 originals at Disneyland and plenty of others that have been there later in the 1950s and 1960s. Not only that, but just take a look at the map of Disneyland. We know the space is limited in Anaheim, they can't build it any bigger than they have and they were fortunate to be able to get California Adventure in there. But if you isolate Disneyland on its own this is a park with much less limitations than MK in WDW and yet they are able to pack more punch in their parks. They never got rid of Toontown, they ADDED Star Wars land, they kept their Fantasyland attractions, the Matterhorn, Indiana Jones without changing anything, they still have and hopefully always will have Tom Sawyer (Pirate) Island and the Mark Twain Riverboat. The Autopia is an excellent ride and better than WDW's, not to mention bigger. Pirates is bigger. They never got rid of New Orleans Square either. Main Street actually has a couple of classic attractions and the Castle is a walkthrough.

Okay, it is not a Disneyland vs. MK shouting match, because even on a WDW board Disneyland wins this one. But it is just how badly they do things at WDW despite having way more land, the same amount as the city of San Francisco. For example, the Coco ride happening in DCA. Even there the new ride is proposed to be in some unused land near the Incredicoaster. Doesn't sound like anything is leaving. But in WDW we shred the Liberty Belle Riverboat all for a Carsland. Mr. Toad leaves for Winnie the Pooh. Snow White leaves for a meet and greet. Toontown leaves for the Fantasyland expansion. And for all I know the powers to be might like the idea of getting rid of the Gran Fiesta Tour - which is always a nice hidden gem - for Coco.

Hey look, Coco is a nice movie, the addition to Coco in Philharmagic was excellent because it didn't replace anything. But the Gran Fiesta tour among other things are creations of Walt Disney (or at least the movie was). WDW ignores this stuff despite having loads more space than Disneyland does. It is like a person in an apartment building hosting a BBQ while the guy with the big house and the big backyard never does it.

Why do you think this is? Is it because Disneyland does a better job at preserving the nostalgia and Walt's vision?

Is it?
Remove nostalgia and is Mr toads a good ride? Are the subs really enjoyable? Wheres the people mover? Country Bears? Tom sawyers island isnt as good as WDWs. COP? Sky buckets (ok wdw doesnt have theirs either)
Remove nostlagia and alot of the fantasyland rides would not be held in as much esteem.
Story book canal rides?

Dont get me wrong I am not voting in either direction they are both amazing, just pointing out the other side, that disneyland hasnt kept its park history totally.

 

[KaliSplash]

I think you answer your own question. DL HAS to be more careful with square footage because they don't have much. WDW has plenty and can scatter things out without worrying about every foot.

The different markets is also a factor. WDW is designed to attract people from all over the world. DL is a southern California park, however beloved.

And yes, there is no question that WDW counts pennies a lot, thus the apparent belief that to add something WCDW must delete something or costs go up.

 

[Mr. Sullivan]

I agree with the others above that it simply comes down to the two resorts are just different both in who they cater to and what is required when building something new.

WDW is not built upon the model of a core base of people constantly visiting. It's an international vacation destination. Most of the people that are there at any given time only go once or twice a decade, or maybe once period. As such, things can be changed, added, or removed with very little impact to the experience of those guests. WDW is a pilgrimage for most.

Disneyland however is built upon the back of their Magic Key holders. It's not to say people don't travel for DLR because they obviously do, but day to day you're going to be seeing a lot of locals and frequent visitors mixed in with those travelers. Those locals have stronger ties to the parks on an emotional level and are far more likely to be vocal about how they feel. Changing, adding, or removing does matter to them and makes a great deal of impact on their experience.

In regards to need, yes WDW has theoretically (I say that because it isn't entirely true) no shortage of land to work with, and that means they don't really have to think about their usage of space. They can do whatever wherever and it really doesn't impact an idea they may have ten, twenty, or thirty years from now. At DL, space comes at a premium. Whenever they build, they have to think about what taking that space means in the longterm.

Think about it like this: when you're insanely wealthy, you're a lot less likely to think super critically about the impact of buying a home because the impact will barely be noticeable to you in the short term and will mean very little to your finances in the longterm. But if you're middle or lower class, if you're considering buying a home then you've got to think long and hard about it because doing so will absolutely impact every single aspect of your life now and later.

The freedom of options breeds a freedom from over-consideration. WDW has options. DL doesn't.

 

[Chef idea Mickey`=]

The different markets is also a factor. WDW is designed to attract people from all over the world. DL is a southern California park, however beloved.

And The problem with THAT all you then hear is opinions not from International visitors from all over the world, but just influences, vloggers who are fortunate to go to the two coasts whenever they want saying and talking that when they visit the other coast WDW they don't want to see the same thing. You just described the definition of WDW and these content creators just want WDW to cater to them and not the World just because they want it to be their way than WDW being the World Home resort with offerings from all it's parks whether it's the same or not for it's international visitors.*

 

[Eric Graham]

I've heard from others that it is a very fun and enjoyable place to go, but unfortunately I've never made the trek out there. I've been to SF but not Disney out there. I almost did a Muppets Studios tour/trip years ago, but we didn't do it. The redwoods were pretty amazing out there. I would highly recommend seeing them on your trip if you're near that area. So very majestic and so beautiful:

Muir Woods National Monument (U.S. National Park Service)

Walk among old growth coast redwoods, cooling their roots in the fresh water of Redwood Creek and lifting their crowns to reach the sun and fog. Federally protected as a National Monument since 1908, this primeval forest is both refuge and laboratory, revealing our relationship with the living...

www.nps.gov