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

[PeoplemoverMatt]

I want to compare this to my impressions of WDW that I've gained after my vists in January 04, June 05, and January 07 08 & 09. It is interesting how having one or the other as the "home park" can have an effect on the outlook.

Originally Posted by 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

Did you notice how at MK it's spelled Astor Obiter, but in Disneyland is Astro Orbitor? One of those little freaky differences. Yes, having it elevated is something many Disneylanders who remember the Rocket Jets wish we still had. More people than just kids & their guardians would want to ride it.

As for Autopia, how in the world can you say it's the same as Tomorrowland Speedway?! The Autopia here winds through places, goes off-road, and is much longer than the Tomorrowland Speedway, which has a completely different theme, and views, than Disneyland's Autopia. Really, the only aspect the two attractions share is people drive a car. After that, they're nothing like each other, but I enjoy each for their respective qualities.

Originally Posted by BrotherHuet

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

Ah, so you have seen what Walt's idea for the Monorail was. What I find sad is that Walt built the Disneyland Monorail to give a sample of what future transportation via Monorail would be like. WDW built their Monorail as a practical application of the same concept. Both hoped that the Monorail would be used in urban cities for actual transportation, but unfortunately the vision never really materialized. Las Vegas did a great job with their Monorail, but a simple case study of the planning & construction reveals all the barriers that people can & will throw in the way of Monorails.

It is true that Disneyland's monorail has a much more visible presence inside the parks. This is something that I wish WDW's Monorails would have more of, especially with all the additional space they have to work with. I'm just glad that Epcot's monorail has as much in-park presence as it does, even though there's no in-park station.

Originally Posted by BrotherHuet

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

Well, when 20,000 Leagues was technically in Magic Kingdom's Fantasyland, did that work any better? Disneyland's Nemo Subs is a classic example of having a movie theme for the sake of having a movie theme. While I'd rather have that than I would the empty lagoon that we had for years, gotta keep in mind the original Submarine Voyage was meant to be an exploration into places that humans had never really explored before, such as beneath the North Pole. Undersea exploration is still a very little-explored frontier, so exploration via Submarine did fit into the Tomorrowland theme. People think of outer space as the future, but at one point Tomorrowland explored outer space, inner space, and liquid space. They fit nicely together for a while. Then came Star Wars, and later on came Finding Nemo.

I will grant you that MK's Tomorrowland has a better look to it than Disneyland's pschizofrenic Tomorrowland does. Blame the '98 brown & bronze overlay for that. However, looking at the attraction lineup, the nod has to go to Disneyland's Tomorrowland. Stitch's Flautlent Escape & MILF can't make up for the lack of Star Tours, Jedi Academy, and Submarines even with Nemo.

Originally Posted by BrotherHuet

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.

So are many people, but not the Japanese! For whatever reason HISTA, known as "Micro Adventure" in Japan, still draws huge crowds. I do not understand it.

Originally Posted by Brother Huet

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.

It's just as well. There isn't very much there besides a ton of LCD screens downstairs, and Epcot's exit queue upstairs.

Originally Posted by BrotherHuet

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

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

Should add that Disneyland's Space Mountain is far less painful than MK's. Also only having one track instead of two allows for a smaller show building which allows projections on the wall, be they stars or killer quasars of doom, to be much closer to the train. Also a lack of Peoplemover/TTA allows for Disneyland's Space Mountain to be much darker inside. All interesting & significant differences between attractions that most just gloss over as "the same."

As for Star Tours, yes it's the same ride sans a larger queue for WDW, but the location must have thrown you a bit. To see the castle one moment and Star Tours the next plays with the mind. I know that seeing Star Tours NOT in MK, but in DHS throws me every time.

Originally Posted by BrotherHuet

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

Yeah, people forget that there is no Alice attraction in Magic Kingdom at all. That's part of how Magic Kingdom can be larger than Disneyland, but have less in it. Alice goes outside in part because what goes up must come back down somehow, and it's a unique quality to an attraction. Defeats the notion that all dark rides must totally enclosed & hidden from view.

Originally Posted by BrotherHuet

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.

Exactly what I warned for years would happen if the characters ever did come. Now that they have come and Small World has become "it's a spot the character ride" I haven't seen too much change in the reaction to the ride. Strangely enough, people aren't staying away because they hate the characters, but they aren't coming in droves because they love them either. Adding characters seems to have been an action done in complete futility. While I would say that proves adding characters shouldn't have been done, someone else can easily say that adding characters doesn't hurt anything because no negative effect was seen. I don't know what to make of it other than an illustration of what Tony Baxter wants, Tony Baxter usually gets.

Originally Posted by BrotherHuet

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.

The Matterhorn's another interesting case of theme. Walt wanted a Matterhorn in his park, and it had to go somewhere. Well, it didn't fit at all in Frontierland or Adventureland, so that side was completely out. The location that was chosen is really the only location that could possibly work, and that's literally on the border of Tomorrowland & Fantasyland. This is why the side that faces towards Fantasyland is a little tamer & gentler, while the other side that faces Tomorrowland is a little more thrilling.

I wouldn't call it an eyesore from Tomorrowland because snowy mountains will always loom over us, no matter how technologically advanced we become. It's totally possible for a city like Tokyo to be as technologically nuts as possible, and still have Mt. Fuji ever present. I know it's kind of a stretch, but that's how we who live amongest mountains see them. I know it's hard for east coast people who live in complete flatland to understand how the presence of mountains works with daily life, but it's normal for us to see mountains regardless of our surroundings.

Originally Posted by BrotherHuet

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.

Yes Disneyland still has Mr. Toad. Neener. Again, MK is a larger park, but has less in it. No Alice, no Toad, no Pinocchio, and a lot left to be desired in terms of appearance in Fantasyland. Fortunately, the coming Fantasyland expansion will change most of this in a very postive way for MK.

Originally Posted by BrotherHuet

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.

Yeah, the Snow White here makes no sense at all. The last scene is the dwarfs ready to invade the castle, and then boom...you're done. So I guess everything turned out ok? I don't get it.

Originally Posted by BrotherHuet

Storybookland Canal Boats - Closed for the duration of my stay

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

You would have had the same reaction to Storybookland that you did to the Castle walkthrough. By missing that and Casey Jr., you missed a big part of Disneyland's Fantasyland that you'll never see even a hint of at Magic Kingdom. Big loss.

Originally Posted by BrotherHuet

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.

Again, the Disneyland version gives a more close-in, more intimate experience that MK's size does not allow. Also, wasn't it nice not to have to walk all the way to the back corner of Frontierland past a gazillion gift shops to reach Thunder? The coaster itself is smaller, yes, but everything else about Disneyland's Thunder is great, especially how it's NOT right next door to Splash Mountain.

Originally Posted by BrotherHuet

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

Except the Mark Twain is MUCH larger, and has a much more visible & commanding presence around the Rivers than the little Liberty Belle has. Disneyland has so much around the Rivers with Thunder, Mansion, Pirates, Canoes, TSI and Splash all around the perimeter of the Rivers while MK has Mansion & TSI and that's about it. When I was at MK, I could easily walk around there and miss the Belle completely. Not so with the Mark Twain.

Originally Posted by BrotherHuet

Fantasmic - Didn't play once while I was there

FAIL! Oh goodness, I think you missed the largest & most poginant DL/WDW comparison that's possible. How WDW does Fantasmic! & how Disneyland does Fantasmic! are just galaxies apart from each other. In addition to that, just seeing Fantasmic! come up out of the Rivers instead of in a controlled stadium gives a vastly different feel between the two versions. Your perspective will determine whether you like, hate or are indifferent to all these differences, but it's a shame you never got to see it.

Originally Posted by BrotherHuet

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

We can only hope that WDW wises up and returns the Tiki Room to its original story. Disneyland's Tiki Room does so much better in terms of satisfing people and moving merch than any other Tiki Room that eventually the suits will come to the conclusion to get rid of Under New Misery.

Originally Posted by BrotherHuet

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.

The ride system for Indy is actually the same as Dinosaur's, but Indy does so much more that I almost feel bad for Dinosaur because I think of what could have been.

When you rode the Jungle Cruise, did you stop to think that you're riding the very first Disney attraction that paved the way for all the others? Also did you enjoy how having all these attractions around the Jungle Cruise takes away from how many people want to ride it at the same time, and thus makes FastPass unnecessary? Losing little things like that took away from MK's Jungle Cruise for me and reminded me once again what happens when a larger park has less in it.

Originally Posted by Brother Huet

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.

Well be happy that you got to see what WDW fanboys have been clamoring about for years & years since Disneyland started doing HMH & Tokyo Disneyland started doing Haunted Mansion Holiday Nightmare which the NBC theme on a Haunted Mansion identical to MK's.

The biggest difference I find between the DL Mansion & the MK Mansion is, again, DL's provides the smaller & more close-in experience. One thing two are not is the same. They're very similar, but the nuances provide a different experience.

Originally Posted by BrotherHuet

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.

Personally, I don't like to think of these things in terms of "better." The different versions of the rides are just that, different. That said, Pirates in MK came off as a complete joke to me, but I can understand why MK built their's the way that they did. I just wish that they had built something that was a little more than having a Pirates ride for the sake of having a Pirates boat ride.

As for Splash, again, it's the smaller & more close-in feel that Disneyland has that MK can't have due to its size. WDW'ers might complain about a smaller log, but that allows the flume to be half as wide, and brings in the AA's & the effects that much closer to you. It also allows for the show building itself to be smaller.

I also believe that since Splash Mountain in Disneyland is right next to the Mansion, and people must pass either Indy or Thunder, Pirates and Mansion before ever reaching Splash that it leads to less of a crowd all trying to ride Splash, and far less of a walk to the back corner passing only gift shops & food stands enticing people to buy stuff along the way. That all benefits the Disneyland experience over the MK one. In MK, it is a long walk from Liberty Square or through Adventureland to Splash & Thunder, and there's really nothing there, especially in Frontierland.

Originally Posted by BrotherHuet

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.

Yes there's physical activity involved but how cool is it to be able to ride a canoe on the Rivers of America? It's something you really need to ride to realize why people enjoy the canoes.

Originally Posted by BrotherHuet

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.

This is what happens when Toontown is given enough space and not shoehorned into the little spit between Fantasyland & Tomorrowland. I don't know what they were smoking when deciding on a location for ToonTown Fair, but as unorthodox it was, Disneyland did the right thing by using land on the other side of the Railroad tracks for Toontown. Either do it that way, or not build Toontown at all. Toontown Fair is the most awkward theme I've ever seen from Disney. It's funny to me that they would even consider that a "land."

Originally Posted by BrotherHuet

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.

Yeah, when Disneyland was first built, all of Frontierland and New Orleans Square and Critter Country was just Frontierland. That's why the look is similar. Walt Disney decided to build New Orleans Square where it is today. Obviously after building the Matterhorn and doing other similar projects, he didn't much believe in a need for this giant barrier between lands to exist. One ended & another began, that's all that was needed. MK has only built Toontown Fair since its inception, so it maintains the old giant seperations of theme that Disneyland once had but eventually dropped.

Having Splash next door to the Mansion is a little more jarring than having Indy & Pirates next door, but that's another instance of 2 attractions in 2 lands like Mansion & Splash. What's important to consider is that Mansion & Splash merely back up to each other, and their entrances are quite far apart. Far enough apart that the theme change can happen before the guest enters Splash Mountain. Anyone who's curious why Splash's entrance is where it is can find their answer there. Of course, moving Splash's stand-by entrance to Mansion's exit completely ruined that whole effort, but what can you do?

Originally Posted by BrotherHuet

On to California Adventure

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

Oh but how many Epcot guests actually get it that all they're seeing is California? It's really quite hilarious to hear people there try to figure out what they're seeing since they can't possibly identify Malibu's coastline, San Diego's skyline, Camarillo's horizon, and other places in CA by sight.

Plus the two queues are very different from each other. In Epcot's case, I'm surprised they had the gall to make people first enter The Land, then walk down stairs to reach Soarin's entrance rather than build the entrance right there on the midway.

Originally Posted by BrotherHuet

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.

The only thing is, Midway @ DCA didn't take over anything besides a burrito stand. MIdway @ DHS took over the old Millionaire building which is on its 3rd or 4th use by now I believe. It'll be interesting to see your reaction to DHS' MIdway after riding the CA version first. Your first DL first, WDW second comparison.

Originally Posted by BrotherHuet

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.

The Tower comparisons...we could go on & on about them. I think the bottom line there is that the two versions are very far apart. To gloss these two over as "the same" is really doing each a major disservice.

Originally Posted by BrotherHuet

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.

Think of what the reaction would be if Disney built "Disney's New England Adventure" in WDW with a bunch of lands & attractions with themes based on New York City, Boston, Philly, New Jersey, Connecticut, etc. What would WDW guests, especially the ones from the New England area, think? They would most likely think "Why is this here when I live there?" and quickly point out everything Disney got wrong in their theme.

Then, in addition to that, DCA was just horribly constructed when first built. Where there wasn't bare concrete, there was cheap stucco. Where there was the best attempts at theme, there were horrendous puns everywhere that just ruined the immersiveness. They're trying to fix some of this today, but, rides like Soarin' still have their bare concrete and Fun Wheel still has its craptacular queue even though the Wheel itself looks much better now than it did. Even so, Disney has always, from the first day DCA opened, has always had the gall to charge just as much for a 1-day admission to DCA as they do for a 1-day admission to Disneyland. THAT, more than any of the above, pissed people here off, and keeps them antagnoized a bit towards DCA. The price point DEMANDS DCA be compared to Disneyland, and that's a hopeless battle for DCA.

Originally Posted by BrotherHuet

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.

Well I'm glad you had a good time.

What people really have to keep in mind here is something that Jay Rasulo has completely disregarded - Disneyland and WDW are two completely different Resorts. They are both Disney, but they follow two very different business models, and have two very different respective identities. You can't judge one as better or worse compared to the other. Whatever basis that's built upon will never allow the other to "win" more than meager points. What people must do is enjoy what there is to enjoy about each Resort, and leave it at that. The WDW experience is not the DLR experience, and the DLR experience is not the WDW experience. If you walk into DLR expecting WDW, you won't find it, and you'll be disappointed. If you walk into WDW expecting DLR, you won't find it either, and you'll be disappointed. Enjoy each one for what they are. It's the only way to have the best time in each place.

As for me, I'm looking forward to enjoying the Paris & Hong Kong Resorts for what they are soon. Once I do, I'll have all 5 Disney worldwide Resorts checked off.

[#1DisneyFreak]

The comparisons were fun to read for someone who has never been to WDW. The only thing I have to disagree with you on is your view of the matterhorn. You commented that it's a bad thing that you can see it from tomorrowland. That it's not futuristic. Call me crazy, but won't the world of the future have mountains? If not, the world of the future is not going to be very pretty. So far DL TL has taught us that the future will be paved in concrete, have no trees, and be incredibly boring. Now you want to remove the mountains too :) That's the ONLY good thing going for it haha!

[ShrunkenNed]

You know, the more I read comparisons, the more I begin to think I never want to go to any Disney Park other than Disneyland. Not that I don't want to see them, but I don't want to spend every trip comparing parks, I want to enjoy them for what they are.

[stephaniestracener]

And the thing is ShrunkenNed, you DO end up comparing them, can't be helped. But it is not a bad thing, it becomes fun, also I think that going to a different Disney Park after so many trips to just one sorta opens your eyes making it a bit fresh again, and that is a really nice effect. I am off to WDW next year, and possible DRParis as well, I would love to visit them all and will try to, I can't wait to see the differences between the parks, as well as simply enjoying them for their differences. Lastly, I will say that I am so happy about being within driving distance of Disneyland itself (and the new Walt Disney Museum in SF!) as much as I know I will love the other parks my heart will always be with Disneyland.

[PeoplemoverMatt]

Originally Posted by ShrunkenNed

You know, the more I read comparisons, the more I begin to think I never want to go to any Disney Park other than Disneyland. Not that I don't want to see them, but I don't want to spend every trip comparing parks, I want to enjoy them for what they are.

You're really missing out man if you choose to never go to WDW, DLRP, TDR or HKDL because of the comparison issue. Yes, you will be reminded of the park you know best here & there, but honestly, these places are really amazing places to visit in their own rights & at most maybe 20% of stuff you see on trips to these places will remind you of home. The rest is all totally brand new & just as amazing as Disneyland was when you went for the first time.

The phrase that always rattles around in my brain when I'm at WDW is "similar, yet different." Things are kinda the same with monorails & mountains but totally different with Epcot, Animal Kingdom, 20 some odd hotels & 47 bloody square miles of nothing but Disney property.

In Tokyo, you're too busy picking your jaw up off the ground since it falls every other second in reaction to how beyond amazing the place is to notice any similarities. I can't even begin to tell you how mind-blowingly awesome that place is, and no trip reports or pictures could ever do the place any justice at all.

So, I say, if you're on the fence about going because you fear you're wasting your money on seeing stuff you've already seen at Disneyland, pay no attention to that fear one bit. Truth be told, there is nothing 100% identical to anything else at any Resort. Sometimes it's only a nuancial difference, but there are differences, and for me that's always been enough to differentiate what's where. In other words, all 5 Disney Resorts have a park with a Haunted Mansion attraction, but all 5 Mansions are different in their own way. They may have the same title & the same theme, but they are NOT all the same ride. Everything that you might consider "the same" follows this kind of pattern. Similar, yet different.

It's 100% worth it to go & see every Disney Resort around the world, even if you live very close to one of them.

[#1DisneyFreak]

^I've heard that about Tokyo. I want to plan a trip there!

[Disneyland_DHI]

yeah, Tokyo does seem amazing... It's a pathetic comparison, but if you compare the Mike AA in the first Ride and Seek scene and the first Mike AA in Mike and Sulley to the Rescue, the first one totally blows your mind. and the Monsters Inc building at Tokyo really immerses you more than DCA's ride... but DCA seems more based off the cartoony drawings at the beginning

[pvt_church]

Originally Posted by #1DisneyFreak

^I've heard that about Tokyo. I want to plan a trip there!

I surprisingly want to go there for Pooh's Hunny Hunt, because the concept of the LPS system blows my mind.

[Sesshomaru-sama]

PeoplemoverMatt, take me with you! I really hope I'll be able to go to Disneyland Resort Paris sometime in my life. The same goes with all of the Disney parks worldwide.

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

[sleepymilo]

I 100% agree, go check out each of the parks because each one has it's own unique aspects that can make the trip great. Even though I still do have to say that Disneyland park itself is still #1 in my book, WDW is an awesome place to visit. I highly recommend someone who has never been there to give it a try.

One gripe that I do have which maybe it was just me... but WDW did make me kinda mad about one aspect.... NO CHURROS!!11!!!! I had a "what the heck" moment when I noticed that at The Magic Kingdom I did not see a single cart, while at Disneyland there are churro carts all over the place. I had to wait until Epcot to go to the Mexico pavillion to get one. A latina friend of mine pointed out the fact that southern California has a great mexican influence, thus they would have a mexican based desert in Disneyland, while TMK would not. Still though, while there I was up in arms because I didn't get my churro that I was so greatly looking forward to. :)

[PeoplemoverMatt]

Yeah...it's not so much a latino cultural thing as it is a logistical issue. Churros require special ovens, carts, and selling points that WDW parks simply are not designed to have. The carts' propane alone would require a fairly large upheaveal of food service operations.

[Disneyland_DHI]

that's just sad! at least they have Dole Whips, right? right?

[stevo505]

Originally Posted by ShrunkenNed

You know, the more I read comparisons, the more I begin to think I never want to go to any Disney Park other than Disneyland. Not that I don't want to see them, but I don't want to spend every trip comparing parks, I want to enjoy them for what they are.

Yes. If I visit another Disney park, there's no possible way to stop myself from making comparisons and assumptions about each park. I wouldn't be able to really forget about the other park while I am there; I would be spending the whole trip trying to see what was done better in every aspect of the parks. So, based on that, it would be very difficult to just enjoy another park for what it is.

[PeoplemoverMatt]

Originally Posted by Disneyland_DHI

that's just sad! at least they have Dole Whips, right? right?

I'll let this answer your question.

Behold, the holy grail of self-serve soft serve machines:



Try finding that in Disneyland.

[Executioner]

^ Vanilla Dole Whips as well as the classic Pineapple Dole Whip?! *Drools* I really want to try that out. Now... Self serve Dole Whips, WOW. Does this mean that you can go back for seconds? Thirds? As much as you want?