miasdad
07-07-2004, 01:38 PM
I am sure the comparisons have been made before (although I haven't seen them on these boards), but I am sure some people might be curious about some ride & show comparisons between WDW and DL.
We had the GREAT PLEASURE of visiting for a few days last week/weekend - for the first time. (we are WDW veterans)
Summary:
Disneyland Hotel - GREAT!!! Our family of 5 were very comfortable in the rooms here. (and we are used to the 1BR Boardwalk Villas!!)
Overall Disneyland complex (Disneyland Park, California Adventure, Downtown Disney, all 3 Disney Hotels): What a great job they have done integrating everything. Although we had never been, just imagining the space contraints they have, they have done a no-less than spectacular job creating a destination that is self contained. EVERYTHING is a VERY easy walk. No busses or cars needed!!
California Adventure - We think this is a very good park. The kids loved it.
Ride Comps - Tower Of Terror There are slight differences between this and its MGM counterpart. For example - you never "move forward" on tracks but stay in the shaft that you enter. The dropping and rising are the same, some of the effects are different. I think the overall "look" of the ride is better at MGM.
Our vote - MGM TOT
Muppets 4D - exactly the same
Cal. Screaming (The coaster) - We actually liked this better than R-n-R!! They are different - although both have the "rocket launch" to start, Screamin' being outside, with great sites just seems to have an added "something".
Our new fave ride at ANY Disney Park is now: Soarin' Over California!! this is WAY COOL!!!!
Disneyland Park - aka Disneyland, The Magic Kingdom west, The happiest place on earth... Everything seems to be small here (not a bad thing - just a fact) Some Examples:
The Monorail - I can reach up and touch the track as I walk under it AND the cars themselves are VERY small.I have to duck BIG time to enter and exit the cars - and they have some MEAN tilted curves when going around the many tight turns. Very cool!!
Sleeping Beauty Castle - Not knowing what to expect - we were in SHOCK at how small it is compared to Cindys. In fact the Matterhorn - which is next to it dwarfs it making it look even smaller. In fact, when we hit Main St, it took us a minute to find it...seriously..
Pirates of the Car. - The ride is longer and much better than the WDW one - but again, the boats are smaller and tighter.
Mr. Toads - YEAH - Holy Moly - a 2 seater car - my ride on mower is bigger! - But its still a classic!!
Splash Mountain - Shorter and only one per seat - much better at WDW.
IASW - About the same - Boats are much smaller
Space Mountain was closed - they are completely revamping for the DL 50th anniversery next year.
Autopia - MUCH MUCH better - more scenic, cars are better than Tomorrowland Speedway at MK
Fantasmic - WOW - a few minor differences make it MUCH better at Disneyland. A full size Captain Hook Pirate Boat, huge Pinnochio puppets and a more initimate viewing area (around Tom Sawyers Island) made this much better for us than its MGM sister.
Some "only at Disneyland Park" rides:
Adventures of Indiana Jones - Think Dinosaur at AK - But a little smoother and with an Indy theme - VERY GOOD!!
Matterhorn - Old, rickety - but hey - its a classic
Overall - it is VERY worth a trip - and you can really do it all in 3 full days....and I do see why Walt got ticked off my all the cheesy motels, shops and other stuff that are crammed right beside this property. It is a little wird watching the fireworks from our 8th floor hotel room and seeing them burst over Super 8's and Gas stations....
I also see why people describe DL as more intimate - it really is...
We had the GREAT PLEASURE of visiting for a few days last week/weekend - for the first time. (we are WDW veterans)
Summary:
Disneyland Hotel - GREAT!!! Our family of 5 were very comfortable in the rooms here. (and we are used to the 1BR Boardwalk Villas!!)
Overall Disneyland complex (Disneyland Park, California Adventure, Downtown Disney, all 3 Disney Hotels): What a great job they have done integrating everything. Although we had never been, just imagining the space contraints they have, they have done a no-less than spectacular job creating a destination that is self contained. EVERYTHING is a VERY easy walk. No busses or cars needed!!
California Adventure - We think this is a very good park. The kids loved it.
Ride Comps - Tower Of Terror There are slight differences between this and its MGM counterpart. For example - you never "move forward" on tracks but stay in the shaft that you enter. The dropping and rising are the same, some of the effects are different. I think the overall "look" of the ride is better at MGM.
Our vote - MGM TOT
Muppets 4D - exactly the same
Cal. Screaming (The coaster) - We actually liked this better than R-n-R!! They are different - although both have the "rocket launch" to start, Screamin' being outside, with great sites just seems to have an added "something".
Our new fave ride at ANY Disney Park is now: Soarin' Over California!! this is WAY COOL!!!!
Disneyland Park - aka Disneyland, The Magic Kingdom west, The happiest place on earth... Everything seems to be small here (not a bad thing - just a fact) Some Examples:
The Monorail - I can reach up and touch the track as I walk under it AND the cars themselves are VERY small.I have to duck BIG time to enter and exit the cars - and they have some MEAN tilted curves when going around the many tight turns. Very cool!!
Sleeping Beauty Castle - Not knowing what to expect - we were in SHOCK at how small it is compared to Cindys. In fact the Matterhorn - which is next to it dwarfs it making it look even smaller. In fact, when we hit Main St, it took us a minute to find it...seriously..
Pirates of the Car. - The ride is longer and much better than the WDW one - but again, the boats are smaller and tighter.
Mr. Toads - YEAH - Holy Moly - a 2 seater car - my ride on mower is bigger! - But its still a classic!!
Splash Mountain - Shorter and only one per seat - much better at WDW.
IASW - About the same - Boats are much smaller
Space Mountain was closed - they are completely revamping for the DL 50th anniversery next year.
Autopia - MUCH MUCH better - more scenic, cars are better than Tomorrowland Speedway at MK
Fantasmic - WOW - a few minor differences make it MUCH better at Disneyland. A full size Captain Hook Pirate Boat, huge Pinnochio puppets and a more initimate viewing area (around Tom Sawyers Island) made this much better for us than its MGM sister.
Some "only at Disneyland Park" rides:
Adventures of Indiana Jones - Think Dinosaur at AK - But a little smoother and with an Indy theme - VERY GOOD!!
Matterhorn - Old, rickety - but hey - its a classic
Overall - it is VERY worth a trip - and you can really do it all in 3 full days....and I do see why Walt got ticked off my all the cheesy motels, shops and other stuff that are crammed right beside this property. It is a little wird watching the fireworks from our 8th floor hotel room and seeing them burst over Super 8's and Gas stations....
I also see why people describe DL as more intimate - it really is...