[MouseMan]

Better Than Disneyland

A Disneyland native's first look at Walt Disney World
Tuesday, March 16, 2004
by Lisa Perkis, Mouse Planet staff writer

“Why visit Walt Disney World when we have the Original Park in our backyard?” A Disneyland native answers the eternal question.
I approached my first trip to Walt Disney World with a fairly open mind, but I must admit having a natural bias towards Disneyland. Having grown up visiting Disneyland since I was a baby, and now having an annual pass for several years, I felt pretty smug that no other resort could compare to our little gem in Anaheim. Yes, Walt Disney World was bigger, but how on earth could it be better?

In one short week I learned that WDW does indeed have a clear advantage over Disneyland in many areas, but that Disneyland still holds its own in some key aspects.

Advantage: Walt Disney World
1. Variety of hotel choices
Especially from a Disneyland native's perspective, WDW has a staggering number of hotel choices—all on property. At the Disneyland Resort, the Paradise Pier, Disneyland and Grand Californian hotels are higher priced than most of the off-property hotels. Guests on a tighter budget usually have to book off-property and walk or take a shuttle to the resort. This is not required at WDW; most guests will find a hotel to suit their needs and budgets without having to book a place off property. We stayed at Port Orleans Riverside, a moderate resort. It is situated on a beautifully landscaped property in a southern plantation motif with easy transportation to the parks and Downtown Disney.

It was hard to imagine how any other hotel could be as pleasant, but a tour of the deluxe properties proved that each is lovely in their theming. A special bonus to the Grand Floridian, Polynesian and Contemporary hotels is the monorail system that makes a round trip on the way to the Magic Kingdom.

After having to make several transportation transfers to make it back to Port Orleans late one evening, we decided that perhaps the deluxe hotels did at least have an advantage in that aspect. Though we read and heard criticisms of the value resorts, they still have the advantage of being on property and subject to Disney magic 24/7.

2. Beautiful scenery
For those of us used to our theme parks being plunked down in the middle of a sprawling city, WDW is a bit shocking. Miles and miles of trees and grass from the airport to the parks, and miles of trees and grass in between the parks. As it was my first visit to Florida, I marveled at the marshes and forests that went on forever. I enjoyed how the resorts integrated the trees and water and natural foliage.

Yes, there were deserts of parking lots at each park, but unlike Anaheim, the concrete seemed dwarfed by the natural beauty surrounding it. Let's face it: Anaheim, for all its recent street improvements, is a bit of a mess. Riding the monorail and looking out over the gas stations and cheap souvenir shops on Harbor does dampen the “other world” magic that Disneyland prides itself in.

3. Four Parks
This is an obvious point, but worth noting. A guest to the Disneyland Resort can pretty much experience everything the resort has to offer in four days. Trying to see all parks completely in four days at WDW would be a lesson in futility.

I read trip reports, guidebooks and listened to friend's anecdotes and warnings, but nothing prepared me for the incredible size of the place. It's one of the biggest mental adjustments a Disneyland native makes.

All the WDW natives I talked to would comment with a smile, “It's big, isn't it?” and all I could do was nod in a dazed, confused way. Pretty overwhelming to a Disneyland annual passholder who knows every single nook and cranny of her home resort.

While confusing at times (why is there a magic carpet ride across from the Jungle Cruise? Where is the Matterhorn?) discovering new attractions and revisiting old friends from Disneyland's past made each day very exciting.


4. Transportation
For a Disneyland native, the new trams to transport guests from the Mickey and Friends parking structure to the main entrance were big news. Let me tell you—it's peanuts when compared to the vast world of transportation at WDW. Here's the first shocker to a Disneyland native: the monorail is actually used as a form of transportation—not just as a nice way to view “it's a small world” or the submarine lagoon, or to escape from the summer heat.

I could not get over the expanse of monorail track or the sheer volume of trains. Monorail Puce? Monorail Violet? Yes, and more. And they run with amazing regularity. But the monorail is only the beginning. A guest staying on property without a car will learn to be very familiar with the bus system while visiting the resort. I even dreamed of the shuttle buses at night, they were so prevalent to my visit. Generally it's a fantastic system of transporting large numbers of guests.

Ferry boats are also used from the transportation center to the Magic Kingdom as well as from several resorts to Downtown Disney.

5. Animal Kingdom Safari
Hands down, this is the best attraction at WDW. There is nothing at Disneyland (or at any world-renown zoo, for that matter) to compare to the Kilimanjaro Safari at Animal Kingdom. It combines the thrill of being inches away from wild animals with a storyline that does a pretty good job of educating guests about conservation and animal behavior.

I must admit I was annoyed at first with the artificial story that weaves through the safari about the “poachers” who take an elephant baby. I was incredulous that they dared to have an animatronic elephant at the end of the tour—it was like a slap in the face after being so moved by the beauty of the live animals we encountered. “Why not just tell us about the animals? Why be so fake about it?” I complained. However, after riding the safari several times, I relaxed and accepted the park's motto, “Nahtazu” (not a zoo).

Animal Kingdom has no intention of being a traditional zoo, and once I relaxed and went with the “show,” I enjoyed the experience very much. This park alone should be motivation for a Disneyland native to visit Florida—and feeding the ducks at Rivers of America from Tom Sawyer's Island doesn't count.

I'm only halfway through my top 10 list of areas I feel WDW is better than my beloved home park. Next time I'll finish the list and give a preview of the ways Disneyland keeps an advantage over the big resort over on the other side.

For more info and photos, follow the link below...
http://www.mouseplanet.com/more/mm040316lp.htm

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[Mickey Crazy]

Interesting story. I have never been to Disneyland so I guess I'll just have to go there to decide for myself. ( at least thats the reason I'm going to tell my wife!). Looks like it's time to start setting aside some money.

[mikelan6]

I read this report on Mouseplanet as well. WDW has many benefits that DLR does not have, but that is a natural since DL Park was basically an experiment and the first of its kind in the world.

But to it's credit, DL has it's own special magic and history that no park can ever have - most importantly, Walt's personal touches.

[Mad_Hatter]

Let me chime in on this topic. I began going to WDW in 1975 and have been there more than 20 times since. I lived in LA for 2 years and got to live a life-long dream working on the Opening Team for DCA (California Adventure)

I too went into DL with the notion that WDW was a better park. Yes Cinderella Castle is bigger than Sleeping Beauty Castle, but I learned to love each for itself. Most shocking to me was to find that I preferred 2 attractions in DL to their copies in WDW - Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Carribean. Both 'shows' are better in DL hands down. They are longer and better done in DL - with WDW versions missing just a few features.

After loving both parks I must say that to compare size is comparing apples to oranges. Of course WDW is bigger. But look at attractions that both parks hold and you may be surprised who comes out on top!

[netenyahoo]

It is interesting to note too that DL has more attractions in it than MK does in a lot less space. I love DL because it is the park I went to as a child, but I also really enjoy WDW because it is also magical and has so much to offer. You really can't compare them.

[Shadow Jedi Rhy]

Yeah I can't really say I can compare them either as I haven't been out to DL, but my mom says WDW pretty much dwarfs it and who can go against there mom? That being said I'm going to show some Florida pride and say as it's the park I grew up with I'd probably like it better no matter what.

[Disneypro]

I haven't been out to DL/DCA neither, so I don't have a point of reference to compare the two. I will say though that I can't wait until next year's trip to meet the gang at DL/DCA so I can experience what everyone who visits there is talking about.....and get that Monte Cristo sandwich

[Disneyland1955]

I really do have to agree with all the above. Going to Disneyland all my life I longed to go to Walt Disney World. To me Walt Disney was much more grander in scale, but to me it was missing that little magic touch that Disneyland offers you sense it is the first.

[minnie*mickey]

Iv'e been to both wdw and Disneyland, and to compare the 2 is impossible. Disneyland has that old quainter quality, whimsical, while WDW is more modern and larger in scale

[Tinkerbell5]

DL is more nostalgic and comfortable, while WDW is more grand and awe inspiring. It depends what you want to experience, as to which park you'll favor. I like the secludeness and all encompasing magic of WDW, but my husband's memory's are rooted at DL so that's what he perfers.

[Dreamfinder]

Are you all out of your minds?????
WDW is far superior in every way to
Disneyland! DL was great while it lasted alone,
but then WDW blows it away.

[minnie*mickey]

Dreamfinder said:Are you all out of your minds?????
WDW is far superior in every way to
Disneyland! DL was great while it lasted alone,
but then WDW blows it away.

Well, u need to take in account the fact of where the 2 parks were built, disneyland did not have the much land to expand, while wdw did. Im sure if disneyland was built with as much land as wdw then we would have a real debate, because like i said above to compare the 2 is impossible

[Mad_Hatter]

Dreamfinder said:Are you all out of your minds?????
WDW is far superior in every way to
Disneyland! DL was great while it lasted alone,
but then WDW blows it away.

I thought this as well when I first moved to LA and went to DL. I stood at the end of Main st. and got very nervous...where was the castle!!??!! (It's so short I couldn't see it) And the ENTIRE time I lived and worked in DCA as a castmember (they share us with DL, so I was there alot also) I held with you're opinion.

Then I came back east.

When I went to WDW again I started noticing small things that ARE done better in DL. As stated before, Haunted Mansion, Pirates and the Tiki are all better in DL - SORRY!!! I have ridden HM countless times at both parks and know that attraction inside and out - Hands down its a better show in CA.

Do I still love WDW more? Well of course! My favorite park is EPCOT and it has no equal.

Dreamfinder, have you spent anytime in DL or DCA?

[Disneyland1955]

Dreamfinder said:Are you all out of your minds?????
WDW is far superior in every way to
Disneyland! DL was great while it lasted alone,
but then WDW blows it away.

This is just your opinon. I take it you did not read the thread and see why people like certain things better. Just that you like WDW better does not mean we all have to follow you.

[CoasterKev]

I have to say that even thought I have not been to DLR yet. Trying to compare the two is like New Your Or Chicago Pizza they are practically the same yet one is bigger.