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DisneyLAND VS. DisneyWORLD

(11 posts)

  1. Oh Amanda
    Member

    I went to Disneyland for the first time (I can remember) this year. And I'm so sad to say I was a little disappointed!

    I mean, it WAS magical. It's Disney after all. But it felt kinda...squishy and crowded and not very themed out.

    And there was not ONE show. Well, the parade. And I saw one street performer. But I was hoping for a big show in front of the castle or a stage with a SHOW. That's my favorite part of WDW.

    But it was fun to see the original castle and Small World. I adored Small World (even w/the new characters in place). And I don't know if they do it at WDW, but we were by Small World at noon and got to see the "cuckoo clock" go off. It was incredible!

    What are the biggest differences to you? Pros and cons to each?

    a

    2010 Disney Mom hopeful, TBD's LOST blogger & mommy to Lydia & Asa.
    Posted 2 years ago #

  2. John Frost
    Key Master

    I lived in SoCal for 11 years and probably spent two out of every seven days at Disneyland on average. What I love about it compared to Walt Disney World, besides the fact that it is the only park Walt actually walked in, is the intimacy. You can get from here to there in just a few paces. The themeing is more important because of the way things buildings in on themselves. But as a local, what I loved about it most was that it was set up to be a locals park. Plenty of places to hang out and enjoy the show. Bands, Ragtime Piano, Stage shows, waiting for Fantasmic with friends, and lots of coffee.

    The nature of that led to my meeting many great people. It got to the point where somedays I couldn't walk 20 feet without bumping into someone I knew. The complete lack of that 'bar where everyone knows your name' feeling at WDW is its biggest difference from Disneyland.

    Sadly, I haven't been to Disneyland in long time. So if it's moved away from the things that I loved, then I would be disappointed.

    Posted 2 years ago #

  3. Anonymous

    It has been more than 25 years since I have been to Disneyland, but since it was the first Disney park I went to, it made a lasting impression on me. It tainted my perspective on the Magic Kingdom.

    Whenever I ride Pirates of the Caribbean or the Haunted Mansion, my mind tells says it is wrong, and the Disneyland version is the "proper" one. And subconsciously look for the Matterhorn somewhere in the park.

    Posted 2 years ago #

  4. KevinYee
    Member

    I love both!

    Posted 2 years ago #

  5. Mark Baker
    Member

    I've been to Disneyland more times than I count, and I love it. Last year was my first (and only so far) trip to Disney World, but it wasn't nearly as good as I thought it would be. However, I would go back in a second if I could. The land is more magical for me, but World is still completely magical. Beside, they have a couple great attractions we don't have.

    Posted 2 years ago #

  6. Oh Amanda
    Member

    Interesting. Seems like wherever you've gone first is "most" magical. What do you think?

    Posted 2 years ago #

  7. John Frost
    Key Master

    I prefer to think of the theme park where I visited first as my 'home park'.

    Posted 2 years ago #

  8. Missy
    Member

    I grew up on the west coast, so Disneyland was my home park. I'd visited Anaheim probably two dozen times before I ever went to the World (on my honeymoon). So the DL rides are the gold standards for me.

    I miss the Indiana Jones ride an awful lot (it may well be my favorite Disney ride, and Dinosaur just doesn't hold a candle), and I'd love to ride the Matterhorn. I think the DL Pirates is much better than WDW, But the WDW Splash Mountain is better than DL.

    Despite the fact that my husband and I both work at WDW, we're anxious to take a vacation out to DL sometime soon. That's our first, best park.

    Posted 2 years ago #

  9. Morrigoon
    Member

    I'm something of a Disneyland purist.

    There are many things I appreciate about Florida, however. I like all the extra water features around the hub, and the waiting area for Tiki is quite nice (though, sorry, FL's tiki show sucks harder than a Dyson).

    The problem with MK is that it's a little too similar to DL, yet not "right". So in a way, walking down Main Street is a little disturbing to me... look where you expect a photo shop and find ice cream instead, too many entrances to the castle, etc. By contrast, Paris' Main Street has a more unique character that doesn't interfere with my DL-influenced expectations at all. It's different enough to be appreciated in its own right rather than seeming "similar but all wrong".

    Also, everything is such a huge walk! I like the fact that at DL it's all packed in really close. Everywhere you look there's something exciting to see. Plus with narrower walkways, you get more fully immersed in the environment, especially when you get off the main drag, like Big Thunder Trail. Sure, it's a huge PITA during fireworks or Fantasmic when everyone and their mother wants to be in the same part of the park, but that's only a couple hours out of the day.

    Speaking of which, of course, there's nothing to beat the magic of taking a riverfront and an island during the day, and making it into an audience and a stage at night.

    But Florida has EPCOT, so there's something to be said for that...

    Posted 2 years ago #

  10. Anonymous

    I've lived in Orlando since 2004, and had been an Annual Passholder practically the whole time (I say "had" because my pass expired in May and we're still saving up!). I first went to Disneyland last year. I still get withdrawals at WDW about Disneyland attractions we don't have. I love both parks. I mean, DL/DCA has Mr. Toad, and Alice in Wonderland, and Pinocchio, and the Fantasyland Canal Boats, and the Matterhorn, and California Screamin', and Mulholland Madness, and Indiana Jones, and...I could go on! There is so much at Disneyland that WDW doesn't have. I think that it's good when parks have their own unique attractions, and while there are some repeats, it's nice how there are so many attractions that are unique to Disneyland and so many that are unique to WDW (at least in the US, anyway). So, it's hard to compare. I enjoy both because of their differences.

    Posted 2 years ago #

  11. Whit
    Member

    I grew up with Disneyland and found my first trip to the MK to be much like what Morrigoon described. Everything is just slightly off. That doesn't mean it isn't awesome!

    I also agree with blackcauldron that maintaining some unique attractions between the parks is both important and appreciated.

    My two young boys have been to Disneyland countless times and will soon be taking their first trip to WDW. I'm curious to see their reaction.

    there's a snake in my boot
    Posted 1 year ago #

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