Originally Posted By Goofyernmost Before I am “Moved†to another location, I want to say that I am posting my Disneyland Trip Report and observations in the WDW section because I have listened (read) to so many of you making comparisons between WDW and DLR and wanted to express my personal point of view now that I have seen them both. First off, let me say this! Disneyland is the recognized Mecca or Holy Land of the dedicated Disneyphile. It is where it all began. One cannot walk on the grounds without wondering if Walt himself once actually stood on this exact spot and surveyed his kingdom. It is almost spooky! Physically Disneyland is smaller in total area than WDW’s Magic Kingdom but what it lacks in size it makes up for in volume and, in some cases, not all, quality. There were a few things that I was conscientiously attempting to compare. One was park condition, another was quality of the rides and another was themeing. After reading about how well kept DLR was compared to WDW, I must say that I didn’t see that. Even accounting for the fact that the park is 50 years old, I was not able to say anything close to “Wow, is this place well maintained or whatâ€? I saw plaster broken when entering Small World, for example, that was obviously not new, yet was being completely ignored. Unpainted railings, rusting and obviously ignored for a long time and the bathrooms (or at least two) that had the trash containers overflowing and paper towels falling on the floor, toilets plugged up and were anything but “sanitaryâ€. This was not just a case of sloppy tourists, it was obvious that no one had been in either one for literally hours, if not all day. Since I do not make it a habit to look for flaws these were just things that jumped out at me and surprised me because I had heard about how great it was. Don’t get me wrong, it didn’t detract from my enjoyment but it was just an observation. My observation was that the themeing is pretty equal in both parks. Adventure land shared some of the same attractions as WDW even to the Aladdin meet and great, in place of the ride. But as for quality of rides it beat the heck out of Florida. First, the Enchanted Tiki Room. I went back 4 times because I just think it is a wonderful, gentle and imaginative family attraction. Every visit I observed Mothers and Children with their arms around each other, swaying back and forth to “Let’s all sing like the birdies singâ€. Old and corny, you bet, but for creating lasting memories for parents and children it is tops. Nothing to compare to the scary, excessively loud rantings of Gilbert Godfrey in the “new†Tiki Room in Florida. I hate it and think it was one of the biggest management errors possible. Indiana Jones was great. Even though it is, track wise, the same as the Dinosaur in AK. The experience is way better with the Jones connection. Jungle Cruise is, of course, a classic and even though there are some differences, basically it is the same ride as in WDW, no better, no worse. And Tarzans Tree House is way too much climbing for an old snot like myself, with little or no reward for ones efforts….Swiss Family Robinson’s tree house is far easier on the legs and more interesting. Now on to New Orleans Square. What can I say, Pirates is not even comparable. The Disneyland version is so much larger and longer and varied that I am afraid I will never view WDW’s Pirates with the same pleasure again. And now to the Haunted Mansion. I’m sorry, I know a lot of you folks rant on and on about the Halloween/Christmas overlay. I got to ride on it the first day it was open and was never so disappointed in my life. From a fascinating haunted house ride to a “day glow†uninspired ride through . Maybe someone can explain what it is that is so great but I, quite frankly, missed it completely. We will call this the first installment with more to follow. Some more observations about Disneyland and my personal opinions about California Adventure will be in the next installment.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Oh how I agree with you on the Enchanted Tiki Room --- if we could have ours back it would be great -- the new one has little of the charm...but then again as I remember it---people were avoiding it like the plague and that had a lot to do with the overlay of Zazu and Iago.......something to appease the masses....
Originally Posted By basas Interesting to read- thanks for posting! I made my way to the DLR for the first time in July this year so I was doing the same thing as you- comparing DL with the MK, and even DCA to the secondary WDW parks. I agree with several of your comments about DL as a park. Personally, i like different stuff at each park (Frontierland at MK is my favorite land in any Disney park, and i prefer Adventureland, Tomorrowland, Main Street, and the hub area at MK). Toontown is much better at DL, Fantasyland is nice at DL, but i still like MK's. NoS was a great area, but i also love LS. In terms of maintenance, i really didn't see much difference between DL in July, and MK in August. I actually thought the CM's were better at MK, and i much prefer SADCT/Spectro combo over the solo PoD. Anyways...enjoyed your observations. Both parks (MK and DL) are amazing IMO. Even so, i do prefer the MK, despite what others might say.
Originally Posted By mstaft basas, what is it about Frontierland in MK you like so much. That choice just surprised me. That said, if you really like Florida's Frontierlnad, you would LOVE DLP's!
Originally Posted By basas <<basas, what is it about Frontierland in MK you like so much. That choice just surprised me.>> For starters, Splash is my all-time favorite ride (can't get enough of it)- and i much prefer the MK music and frontier theme to it over the DL music and "Critter Country" theme. I also just love the waterfront setting of it, seeing the Liberty Belle go around the corner, eating at Pecos Bills, seeing the Country Bears, going for a ride on Thunder...what's not to like?
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I agree with virtually everything said in the comparison between DL and the MK. I visited DL for the first time as an adult a couple of years ago (very first time was over 40 years ago when I was about 12). I really like Disneyland because it seemed to be a very complete park with more attractions than offered at the MK. I also thought that the DL Pirates was much better than the MK Pirates and that the DL Small World was much more interesting (from the outside) than the MK Small World. But I also found no real difference in maintenance or friendliness of the CM between the two parks. The cleanliness of the MK today may not match the MK of twenty years ago, but I found it to be the equal of present day Disneyland. I also have to agree about Frontierland at the MK. It for some reason has a greater "sense of place" than any other land at the MK or DL. The theming is very well done and carried out consistently throughout the land. I really like Adventureland, but it is a hodge-podge of a dozen different countries. Frontierland is firmly set in a time and place and holds the theme throughout its attractions, places to eat and shops.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>For starters, Splash is my all-time favorite ride (can't get enough of it)- and i much prefer the MK music and frontier theme to it over the DL music and "Critter Country" theme.<< Well.. one of the reasons why I don't care for WDW's Splash (besides it being fithly and mildewsy some several rides I have taken on it) is the location. It seems badly misplaced in Frontierland. I much prefer the Critter Country setting TDL and DL have.
Originally Posted By basas <<It seems badly misplaced in Frontierland. I much prefer the Critter Country setting TDL and DL have.>> DL's Splash, yes. However, IMO, they have done a great job of fitting Splash into FL at MK. They changed the music, they made an awesome outdoor queue (which basically would be DL's Critter Coutnry), and they really improved the ride from DL's version. Also, i have found the logs to be much cleaner over my past few visits, with much less garbage throughout the ride. Those effects which, for the last several years have not been working, have been working more often than not lately. (at least when i've been on). What i do find weird is how TDL's Splash went with the MK music, even though it should be using the DL Critter Country music.
Originally Posted By basas <<DL's Splash, yes>> DL's Splash WOULD be blady palced if in MK's FL that should say.
Originally Posted By Daannzzz I love reading peoples reviews of their first trips to WDW or DL after having grown up going to only one location. Thanks for the fun review and opinions. When do we get part 2?
Originally Posted By pitapan16 I would say to really enjoy other MagicKingdom type parks throughtout the world and in the states, you must go in with an open mind for change and differences between your most visited "MK" park and whatever MK park that you are more so visiting.(Btw my park is Disneyland and I love it!) I have said this before but it took me years to fully appreciate the Magic Kingdom at WDW because I grew up at Disneyland in CA. So for example instead of enjoying and appreciating Liberty Square in MK, I'd think....ohhh, nice but just a wanna-be New Orleans Square at DL. Now, when I'll visit WDW I'll think....Wow this Liberty Square is really cool and unique!
Originally Posted By basas ^Exactly. Go in, have fun, and enjoy the differences between the parks. It really annoys me when people start saying "this one's bad" or "that one sucks" because, no matter which one you prefer, they're both great parks.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost News Flash...Part II will be forthcoming just as soon as I have regained my energy that I obviously left in California. I am beat! I hope to have the next installment ready by this weekend. Did I mention that I am an old person?
Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 "I also have to agree about Frontierland at the MK. It for some reason has a greater "sense of place" than any other land at the MK or DL. The theming is very well done and carried out consistently throughout the land. " I reallly do have to say that Disneyland's Frontierland is a shadow of it's former self. It's almost like there isn't a Frontierland. I hope it can grow again and take over the Festival Arena. I do think that WDW has a better Frontierland also.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN As long as the Trading Post Shop remains a pin station...NO, it won't be a better Frontierland at MK.
