Here's what I thought {Disneyland Resort vs. WDW}

[BrotherHuet]

I POSTED THE FOLLOWING ON A WDW MESSAGE BOARD AND I FIGURED I WOULD SHARE HERE AS WELL. IT WAS BASICALLY WRITTEN FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT BEEN TO THE PARK EVER BUT I THOUGHT SOME OF YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED TO READ SOME OF MY IMPRESSIONS


Just went to DL for the first time. Here are my observations...

Astro Orbitor - Better in WDW. Same ride, but in DL its on ground level.

Autopia - Same as WDW Speedway

Buzz Lightyear - Basically the same but a little better in DL because the guns are attached with chords not bolted onto the car

Monorail - This is treated more like a ride and transportation instead of just transportation which is weird if you have only been to WDW. The windows also open which is interesting. Takes you outside Disney property which is also unusual for WDW fans. Worth checking out for the views of the park

Disneyland Railroad - Sadly this was closed for the duration of my stay but I hear it is basically the same but with some different dioramas. Has stops in Tomorrowland, New Orleans Square, Toon Town, and Main Street

Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage - Not as good as 20,000 Leagues used to be but good. My only objection is that it is technically in tomorrowland and the themeing doesn't work. Then again, Tomorrowland in DL is an absolute MESS theming wise. Just doesn't work as well as the visuals in WDW

Honey I Shrunk the Audience - Didn't ride this because it is the same exact show as Epcot and to tell you the truth, I am bored to death of this attraction.

Innoventions - Not my favorate Epcot attraction either but I wished I had time to check this out. It sounds better than the Florida version but we skipped it to save time.

Space Mountain - This had the Ghost Galaxy Halloween overlay which was amazing and took nothing away from the ride. The ride is every bit as great as Magic Kingdom and the Halloween special effects are actually really scary and make this a must see Halloween attraction

Starcade - Just the same kind of arcade as Magic Kingdom. I usually don't waste my time on Arcades in Florida so I didn't in Cali either.

Star Tours - Same exact ride as Hollywood Studios. Que is a little different so its worth checking out.

Alice In Wonderland - Excellent dark ride in the Fantasyland style we are used to, except it has a portion of the track that travels outside of the building. I can't seem to figure out why it does this, other than, it needs to for space, because it doesn't really add much to the ride. Takes nothing away either.

Casey Jr Circus Train - Closed for my entire trip

Dumbo the Flying Elephany - Same as Magic Kingdom if not a little more elaboratly designed

it's a small world - The exterior building in DL is amazing, the ride itself is a little better than MK but I detest that they added little disney characters to the DL version and as much as I didn't want to, I found myself searching for them the entire time i was on the ride. Instead of loosing myself in the message of world peace through the eyes of children I was playing spot the character. DL definatly looses points for that.

King Arthur Carrousel - A little less elaborate than the Carrousell in MK

Mad Tea Party - Same ride as MK but no tent covering it. A little different on the visual, but same ride.

Matterhorn Bobsleds - Great ride but a little jerky. It is pretty old so it is understandable. Think of this like a mini version of Expedition Everest, or a rough draft of it. The only thing I don't like about it, is that it is in Fantasyland and the theming seems off on this attraction as well. I am not sure if there would be a better land to put it but it just doesn't seem Fantasy enough even though there are a couple of Yeti sightings in the ride. You can also see this attraction from Tomorrowland and that is a horrible visual. Totally sticks out as completely non-futuristic and is almost an eye sore while in Tomorrowland. It is also weird to me that this attraction is taller than the castle. That is a visual that doesn't quite gel with what I am used too.

Mr Toads Wild Ride - This version is not quite as good as the MK version used to be, but that is only because it has one track. I was so glad to ride this attraction again though, that it didn't really matter. The que was excellent for this ride as well.

Peter Pan's Flight - Basically the same as MK with a few little differences. Again the que for this is better than MK. But that is pretty much standard for DL over MK. There Fantasyland is a little more visually appealing in California.

Pinocchio's Daring Journey - Great dark ride. Loved this one a lot and I really wish we had one in Florida.

Snow White's Scary Adventure - This version pales in comparrison to the florida version. This is really the only instance where I could say the differences were so notable it was almost a completely different ride. This version is shorter and a little confusing. Worth checking out for comparison but Florida has this one locked.

Storybookland Canal Boats - Closed for the duration of my stay

Sleeping Beauty Walk Through - Loved this. Perfect, simple, and loaded with special disney details.

Big Thunder Mountain - There is more theming along the track in DL but the Florida version is a better ride. You also load this version outside unlike florida. The bats in this one are laughable compared to Florida as well.

Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island - A little better than the MK version but not because of the Pirate theming. That actually looks forced and out of place here. It is just a little bigger and has a little more area to explore.

Shooting Explosion - Same as MK except a few of the guns at DL were broken and wouldn't hit any of the targers. Technical problem, I know, but it still broke the magic a little.

Mark Twain Riverboat - Same as the river boat in MK. A nice ride though.

Sailing Ship Columbia - Closed for the duration of my stay

Big Thunder Ranch - This was kind of nice. A petting zoo and pumpkin carvings. There was also a little ranch house with Halloween decorations. I am not sure what it looks like without the holiday decorations but it was a nice little spot with some cool details to check out

Golden Horseshoe Stage - Didn't seen any show at all here but the ice cream was great.

Fantasmic - Didn't play once while I was there

Enchanted Tiki Room - Much better than the MK version. Not nearly as obnoxious since Iago is no where to be seen. I loved seeing this without a boring, tired, disney character anoying me throughout the performance. A classic and I was so glad to see this attraction the way a remember the old one in Florida

Indiana Jones Adventure - Stellar. The ride vehicles work like Dinosaur at AK but this ride is so much better than Dinosaur you can't even compare the two. It is a dark ride and thrill ride and done perfectly.

Jungle Cruise - Basically the same as MK but MK has the temple section which makes for a little better ride.

Tarzan's Treehouse - Same principle as Swiss Family Robinson in MK, and infact, it used to be Swiss Family in DL as well. I usually HATE when they do these things to classic attractions but I have to say that I really loved this. It was done really well and even I have to admit SFR seems a little tired at this point.

Haunted Mansion - I would have loved to see the original version but the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay was up. Since the Florida and Cali versions are similar I guess I am lucky that I got to see the Holiday version. The outside of this atttraction is much different as well and less creepy than Florida. I preffer the exterior of Florida but I suppose I couldnt say conclusivly that one is better than the other. The interior is set up a little different and the que doesn't work quite as well in DL. the holiday overlay is done very well though and I did really like it.

Pirates of the Caribbean - The DL version is much much better. Longer, more details etc. My only complaint is I am not sure, even though i know this is the original ride, that I like the port of origination being New Orleans. In MK it is themed after a fort in Old San Juan and that seems a little more Pirate like to me. I prefer the que in Florida but the over all ride is way better in Cali

Splash Mountain - The Florida version is hands down better. Longer, more comfortable, nicer over all look. This version is still fun though.

Davy Crockey Explorer Canoes - These were not running while I was there but I think I would have skipped them anyway. Not a big fan of rowing and I am sure I wouldn't feel like doing that much work when I am already spending 12 hours wandering a theme park.

Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh - Much better look in MK. The frontierland look to the exterior of this ride doesn't really fit. Fantasyland is a much better fit for this ride, not Critter Country. It was fine, but it looks like a quickly thrown together approximation of the Florida version.

Toon Town Houses - Mickey's Minnie's Goofy's and Donald's Boat. All pretty good. Houses are similar to MK but Toon Town in DL is SOOOOOOOOOOOO much better than Florida version. Much more to explore and it has a better look to it in general.

Gadget's Go Coaster - Closed while I was there

Chip and Dales Treehouse - Closed while I was there

Roger Rabbit's car Toon Spin - Great ride. Not sure I think Roger Rabbit deserves a ride especially in such a child friendly park. I think that movie is a little too adult for Toon Town but I did enjoy it, regardless of the characters. Don't get me wrong...I love the movie either way.

As far as dining goes I would skip the Blue Bayou completly. It is an enjoyable setting since it is right inside POTC but they rush you to finish to turn tables over, the food is horrible since they pre cook most of it to get you out faster. No appetizers at all, and the vegetarian option was boring and unimaginative. Not nearly worth the price you pay. The server was excellent but I was so unimpressed by this place I was glad I didn't schedule any other table service meals while I was there. I am sure there are good restaurants but it left me a little sour on Disneyland Dining. Honestly, even though it is counter service, the food was better for the price at the French Market. cost about a third of what we paid at Blue Bayou and the food was just as good if not better. Most of the counter service places were really good in DL. A little more variety than in MK but a little more expensive.

Some other things to note. MK has it all over DL when it comes to seperating theming between lands. I know this has to do with DL being much smaller in size but it was a little weird to see Splash Mountain right next to the Haunted Mansion when the theming is so different. Critter Country looks exactly like Frontierland and these two lands are on either end of New Orlean Square making it seem like NOS was forced in the middle of Frontierland. I really found that visually unappealing. In my opinion they should have changed Critter Country's theming completely when they put Splash Mountain in. Splash Mountain could easily have a Port Orleans River Side exterior which would have worked so close to NOS. I was dissapointed to see two lands so similar in theme.

On to California Adventure

Soarin' Over California - Same as in Epcot. Great ride though

Grizzly River Run - Wold have like some more theming. It was just a river rapid ride with no real disney magic. Basically the same as the Kali River Rapids in AK

It's Tough to be a Bug - Same as AK

Blue Sky Cellar - Great models and imagineering plans for the future of Cali Adventure. Similar to the model attraction that is in Hollywood Studios, but future plans, instead of a historical look.

California Screamin' - Great roller coaster. sort of like Rockin Rollercoaster but outside.

Maliboomer - A lot of fun but really short. Just a straight shoot up and a free fall down.

Mulholland Madness - Didn't get to ride this one but from what I understand it is just a quick little roller coaster with a lot of turns.

Mickey's Fun Wheel - This is a must ride. It is basically a ferris wheel but the cars are on internal tracks as well which makes them swing and rock and move even while you are standing still. Due to the track design on the inner circles while the wheel is taking your car up, you are sliding down the internal track which makes you feel like you are falling down and flying up at the same time.

King Triton's Carrousel - Just a carrousel but very nice looking. underwater animals etc instead of horses.

Jumpin' Jellyfish - Basically the Maliboomer for kids

Games of the Boardwalk - I didn't play any but I have to say I think these look awfully tacky.

Toy Story Midway Mania - I havn't been to WDW since this opened so I can't compare the two but I loved this ride. Even though i think the midway games look tacky outside, I think this ride is wonderful. This is the type of midway game I think Walt would have liked since it gave something that already existed a complete disney make over.

Mike and Sully to the Rescue - This is a pretty cool ride. Monster's Inc movie that you basically just ride through. Sort of like a Fantasyland Dark ride but a little more modern looking.

Twilight Zone Tower of Terror - The Florida version is MUCH better but the Cali version has one scene that adds to the experience. It is a scene that makes it look as though you have disapeared with the people on the elevator and it is a great effect.

Muppet Vision 3D - Same as Florida

I really liked cali adventure although i can see why it is so unappealing to california residents. It has mock ups of real world Los Angeles attractions that are just thirty miles away. It would be like Florida having fake versions of St Augustine or something. I think being from out of state made this park more enjoyable for me.

Also the one thing I can't get over is that once you exit the parks the disney magic stops. You leave disney propery and you can see cast members walking home and being picked up and they loose the cast member demeanor. When you leave the parks in Florida you are still on Disney property so the magic is still there. The cast members in Florida are much better as well. Much more pleasant. I also saw many cast members in lands that were not the same as their dress code. Like cast members obviously in Tomorrowland attire walking up mainstreet, or in fantasyland attire, in frontierland. I suppose this is because of the smaller size of the park and lack of backstage areas.

I definitely feel more immersed in Florida but California is a wonderful place as well. Definitely worth checking out if you have never been and I will definitely go back. If you put a gun to my head I would have to say that i enjoy the florida parks more but I suppose a more accurate statement would be I enjoy both in different ways. Going to Disneyland for the first time was like getting to visit the Magic Kingdom for the first time all over again and I had a fantastic time.

[emman]

I have to agree to disagree about the Castmembers, in DL, they really make me feel home, but in WDW, they made me feel like just part of the procees, like, yeah wohoo, another tourist from I dont know where, really sad

[mrhappybomb]

Sounds like you had fun in DL but the Roger Rabbit statement through me off, because Toon Town is in fact apart of the Roger Rabbit Movie, so to me Roger fits perfectly in this land. It's (and don't shoot me for this XD) Micky and friends who moved in with Roger. ^_^

[Sesshomaru-sama]

Even though I have never been to Walt Disney World Resort, it doesn't appeal to me as much as Disneyland does. I think it's because I like how small it is. It's very homey.

I'm not sure you know this, but The Matterhorn Bobsleds was originally a part of Tomorrowland. Although I agree with Finding Nemo: Submarine Voyage doesn't really belong in Tomorrowland, I love how the lagoon is being used for entertainment again.

Sincerely, a brother of a half-demon,
Sesshomaru-sama

[grimm_kid]

awesome trip report, I appreciate the face that you gave DLR an honest and un-biased chance.

I just tend to see people like WDW or like DLR. its like the Hatfields and McCoys

And it seems that when they do travel to the other side of the country to visit either/or they already have a mindset that its not the park they are used to so its not "right" or they constantly complain about how one is WAY better than the other. I have yet to go to WDW but when the time comes I will enjoy it for what it is and leave my Disneyland mindset in San Diego

[Executioner]

I have never been to WDW as wel, so I cannot comment on the differences. I can however say that I had a fabulous Filet Mignon at the Blue Bayou. So tender and tasty. Outside of the price, I would suggest it.
Now, onto the other things LOL.
If you think about it, having a mountain in a futuristic setting is not unrealistic. After all, this is earth and there are mountains galore that have been around since the dawn of the planet. I have seen some pictures taken from around the park at various angles with the Matterhorn in them and all of them made it seem to fit in nicely. It is all part of the imagination as well.
Of course I do have to agree with you about the Nemo subs. Of course the Submarine Voyage as Walt had opened them, were fitting for Tomorrowland since that was a relatively new interest for science and technology. Not now though. Now it is just a Fantastyland darkride in Tomorrowland. Nearly all of Tomorrowland has become the new Fantasyland. Sad really.
And unlike WDW's Haunted Mansion, our elevators actually take you below ground. Only because the show building is outside the berm the railroad drives on.

Anyways, I am glad you had a great time at Disneyland for your first time and hopefully when you go back again not so many attractions will be closed.

[BrotherHuet]

Oh i know that Toon Town comes from Roger Rabbit, and I know Mr Toad was a relativly unpopular character as in fact was Alice originally...And I know Disney was banking a lot on Roger Rabbit being bigger than it was so I understand the history. I know the matterhorn's as well and I know their would be mountains in the future but I don't think they fit in with either of the conflicting themes of Tomorrowland, either the retofuture that never was or the Jules Vern type homages that they have perfected in Disneyland Paris but none the less I suppose i would not feel the way I do about the visuals if it was what I was used too...

But while I am at it, I have to say there are three motels 2 on Katella and one on Harbor that I think are great looking and on the entrances are every bit as charming as the Disney World Value resorts...They are the Alpine Inn, the Jolly Roger, and the Candy Cane. I stayed at the Alpine and the room was just fine, and the outsides of the other two looked really nice for little motels. I was pleased to see that the surrounding motels try as hard as they can to look as disney as possible. That is something that is nice about DL as well...cheap places to stay that make it convienient to stay off property and not have to worry about transportation. That is sooooo not possible in Florida

[Executioner]

^ I can see where you are coming from.
I for one wil agree with you that our Tomorrowland's theming has gone so far into the trashcan of ideas it isn't funny. There is no futuristic theming. Just a modern Fantasyland design. No cottages, just angular buildings with Pixar rides.
There is no kinetic energy anymore. All that motion in the future has come to a screeching halt and left to rust away.

[grimm_kid]

^ I think one of the MAJOR problems with Tomorrow Land is that they got away from the "fantasy" aspect of the future and tried to ground it into a reality based tomorrowland.

problem with that is that technology evolves so rapidly that no matter how hard you try to keep up it, you can't. A co-worker once told me "if you want to buy a laptop and you start looking for what you want and you start looknig at whats coming out next you are NEVER gonna buy one because every few months something bigger and better will be here"

Its true and I think that's whats killing Tomorrowland. Get back into what it was like when you were a kid thinking about rocket ships and walking on the moon. Maybe watch the Jetsons and take some notes?

OH WAIT! I GOT IT! John Lasseter came from apple, right? Lets make it an iTOMORROWLAND! we can let APPLE buy out TomorrowLand and let them remake it (total sarcasm btw)

anyway, just my thoughts

[Bob Weaver]

Thanks for your excellent report. You did a lot when you were here. If you really want to see how the magic can quickly evaporate, just drive about a mile south on Harbor Boulevard and when you cross from Anaheim into Garden Grove it almost looks like slums compared to the shiny sparkly resort district.

Walt Disney famously fired a cast member who was wearing a Tomorrowland costume while walking through Adventureland.

The Matterhorn, Monorail and Submarine Voyage constituted the improvements for 1959 and since they're all near each other and opened at approximately the same time I guess they were considered part of Tomorrowland. I don't know what year the Matterhorn started being listed as in Fantasyland, but I'm sure someone else here knows. The Matterhorn has gone through some changes over the years but it's one of the icons of the park since it's the only Matterhorn in all the Disney parks.

The Alice in Wonderland ride originally ended with the outside part and then you just got off the ride. In the 1983 remodeling of Fantasyland the final indoor part that you go through with the birthday party and explosion was added. Those rooms were originally just used for vehicle storage. I agree the outside part doesn't add much, but at night it's kind of pretty. Alice in Wonderland has always been my favorite Fantasyland ride even though Mr. Toad's Wild Ride is supposed to be the one that "grownups like."

Almost every ride and attraction at Disneyland has undergone some changes over the years, whether minor or major. Sadly not always for the better. Some original effects just stop working or are replaced by others. This is a common complaint about the Indiana Jones ride. I wish there was a term for this like "attraction decay" or whatever.

Sorry you didn't get to ride the train and see the dioramas at the end. The Grand Canyon one is nice but the Primeval World one is outstanding. Maybe you can watch those on Youtube. Thank you for the comparison between the parks, it was interesting to read.

[maximpatrich]

hmm, id have to say i'd have to disagree with a few things here. Mainly towards the magic of the park. I was really disappointed while visiting MK florida, the rides were lacking and so were the cast. And why would you have a castle be bigger than a mountain? and im sure there are mountains in the future...
theming is difficult with such little space, but I still think they do a wonderful job with it.
I also didnt like how small world, was actually tiny. It looks like a tent.
then again, people usually like what they are used to. For instance, I much prefer the exterior of the HM in cali, but thats proabably just because ive known it all of my life.
Same goes for other details.

[Sesshomaru-sama]

I know what you're saying, maximpatrich. The Haunted Mansion exteriors are better than the other by opinion. I love the exterior in Disneyland, though, because that's what Walt Disney wanted. He wanted the outside to look all nice and maintained. I do give credit that Walt Disney World's version is nice too because it looks very creepy.

I think it's safe to say that Disneyland's "it's a small world" looks better because of all the details put on the exterior. Walt Disney World's is, as mentioned in previous posts, that the exterior doesn't look as good.

Sincerely, a brother of a half-demon,
Sesshomaru-sama

[maximpatrich]

I also like that the rides at disneyland all have the original back-stories to them. And there are all sorts of different myths and legends at the park which make it that much more special. The authenticity of the park cannot be matched.

[stevo505]

I liked hearing a Floridian's comments on Disneyland. I still have yet to visit WDW but I plan to someday! I am eager to see the differences and the pros/cons of each resort.

[sleepymilo]

Ok now, I just have to throw my 2 cents into this conversation here. Having been to both Disneyland and Walt Disney World, I wanted to share my thoughts on this. I'll go over some points the OP stated...

I agree that Tomorrowland in DL is a thematic mess. WDW's tomorrowland is slightly better, but even it is starting to show it's age. I remember an Imagineer saying something about how Tomorrowland has a horrible ability to become Todayland all too quickly. Would be nice if both parks shoved some money into these sections of the parks for a nice upgrade (not including Magic Kingdom's Space Mountain refurb). I do have to give DL Tomorrowland props for the mark VII monorails though. Those are some sweet looking new monorails the park has there.

As far as rides... where to begin. DL's Space Mountain and especially Pirates of the Carribean are far better as the OP stated. Also DL has the much better It's a Small World. WDW's version is quite cheap looking, along with the rest of WDW Fantasyland. I was quite pleased to hear that WDW will be getting a make over in this section of the Magic Kingdom.

However, while I am a fan of the original, I do have to say that WDW does have the better The Haunted Mansion and Jungle Cruise. The extra scenes and story lines in those rides do greatly add to them. DL does get some points back for The Haunted Mansion Holiday, and the classic look of the exterior and queue. It would be nice if the MK did seasonal overlays like Haunted Mansion Holiday or Small World Holiday with some of the rides in the park.

About Splash Mountain, yeah I'd have to say that MK probably is the better ride, but not by much in my opinion. MK's version just seemed like it was a longer ride.

As far as Big Thunder Mountain, that gave me a chuckle. The two rides are just a mirror image of each other. Basically the same ride with minor thematic differences. It was designed for WDW, the mirror image built at Disneyland, then finally built at WDW a year later.

Speaking of mountains, I got another chuckle out of comparing the Matterhorn with Expedition Everest. :) While Matterhorn is a classic, by far, hands down Expedition Everest is the better ride. Best Disney roller coaster in my opinion (yes, even beats out California Screamin, which used to be my favorite).

One gripe I do actually have about BOTH resorts is the similiarities between Disney's California Adventure and Disney's Hollywood Studios. I'm not really liking the fact that DCA is going to look even MORE like DHS when the remodel is done. I mean even the enterance gates are going to look exactly the same... I was kinda hoping that Disney could do something a little more imaginative with that park, considering they are spending one billion dollars to upgrade it.