HELP! Comparing Rides Disney Calif/WDW About This Page:

[SoCalAndersons]

Hi Everyone -
I just got my Passporter and need some help. We're going to WDW in June for the very first time. The Passporter is super, packed with info that will be very useful, but I would like to get extra information that's not included. Namely, can anyone help compare attractions at Disneyland (CA) to those that are the same at WDW?

We live very close to DL and are there A LOT. If I knew how similar the attractions (of the same name) at WDW were, it would help me plan a little better. I certainly don't want to go on the "same" rides, but also don't want to miss those that were "upgraded" or "changed" at WDW. For instance, I've heard that the "Pirates" ride is longer at WDW than at DL. This is the kind of info. I'm looking for.

Anyone out there that's been to both parks and could share with me some inside scoop, I sure would appreciate it. We're going to have limited time, and want to use it for all the "best" things, but I don't want to miss anything I should have seen either. I hope this makes sense.


Looking forward to hearing from you. Thanks!
s

[DopeyGirl]

Welcome to the boards!


Jungle Cruise is slightly different at WDW . . . no pirranha, for instance.

Pirates is so much better, IMO, at Disneyland. As is the Enchanted Tiki Room.

Big Thunder Mountain is similar at both DL and MK, but the DL route is "backwards" from that of WDW's.

Pooh is different at WDW than DL (at DL it starts and ends outside and the storyline inside is slightly different than WDW. Everything at WDW is indoors and I think the ride is slightly longer at WDW as well.).

WDW has the Country Bear Jamboree, which was lost by DL to make room for Pooh, so you can't miss that! (If nothing else, just to get out of the heat for a few minutes. )

Space Mountain is different, but will be closed when you are there (looks like you get there just a couple of days before I do! )

Toontown is completely different from DL's.

I know I am forgetting something . . . but that is what is off the top of my head for differences.

[duck addict]

DL.. still has Toad
Indiana Jones is a ride at DL a stunt show at MK in WDW
I think DL has a better theming to the splash mountain ride
Some of DL rides are moved to other parks at WDW (Honey I Shrunk the Audience, Star Tours etc)
DL' s toontown is much better than Mickeys Fair at WDW
The food at WDW is much better than DL

[tinksmygrl25]

Pirates is longer at DL not at WDW. I went on it last summer and was very dissappointed. Be prepared for the heat. It was so hot and so muggy that most of us got sick. I did love Mickey's Philharmagic. We don't have that at DL but it is a must see at WDW. Have a great time!

[SoCalAndersons]

Thanks for this - it's just what I'm looking for!

[raftislander]

PotC is much better at DL - WDW's is shorter. WDW still has the old theming for the tree house -Swiss Family Robinson rather than Tarzan. I like the old better b/c that is what I grew up with. WDW's Tiki Room has been "updated" to include Iago and Zazu; again I like the old better. DL's Jungle Cruise was sacrificed to Indy. WDW's is much longer and different. The Haunted Mansions are different - both good. I think Soaring, Star Tours, Muppets, ITTBAB, HISTA, Splash Mt. and BTRR are pretty much the same (although I would give the nod to WDW's BTRR and to our Splash). Soaring is the same as DCA except for the queue. At MK see Mickey's Philharmonic and go on the TTA , which we never had, and see the Carrousel of Progress which we no longer have . Except for Mickey's Philharmonic, I like Dl's Fantasyland much more. If you go after July , Hall of Presidents should be reopened with President Obama in place. Avoid Stitch's Great Escape even though we dont have it in CA- it is a very unpleasant "ride." Kali River Rapids at AK is not as good as Grizzly River Run. Kali has only one drop. I dont think that Kali is worth the possible drenching whereas I plan on riding Grizzly several times back to back (then changing clothes if needed). Other than Kali and ITTBAB, pretty much everything else at AK is unique to WDW. Dont miss Festival of the Lion King, The Safari, and Expedition Everest. Dinosaur is similar in feel to Indy but a completely different ride. Lesser attractions that we enjoyed at AK: Flights of Wonder and both Animal trails. Nemo is okay if you have the time -its 45 minutes long- but not as good as Lion King IMO. Haven't ridden Toy Story Mania at DL yet so cant compare it to the one at DHS. The RnR coaster is good but short. Tower of Terror is a MUCH better ride at WDW. If you like this ride it will be hard to come back to the one at DCA. See Lights Motor Action at DHS - we got nothing like it. TestTrack and Mission:Space at Epcot are both fun and nothing comparable in Ca.

Hope this helps. Have fun planning!

[SoCalAndersons]

Originally Posted by raftislander

PotC is much better at DL - WDW's is shorter. WDW still has the old theming for the tree house -Swiss Family Robinson rather than Tarzan. I like the old better b/c that is what I grew up with. WDW's Tiki Room has been "updated" to include Iago and Zazu; again I like the old better. DL's Jungle Cruise was sacrificed to Indy. WDW's is much longer and different. The Haunted Mansions are different - both good. I think Soaring, Star Tours, Muppets, ITTBAB, HISTA, Splash Mt. and BTRR are pretty much the same (although I would give the nod to WDW's BTRR and to our Splash). Soaring is the same as DCA except for the queue. At MK see Mickey's Philharmonic and go on the TTA , which we never had, and see the Carrousel of Progress which we no longer have . Except for Mickey's Philharmonic, I like Dl's Fantasyland much more. If you go after July , Hall of Presidents should be reopened with President Obama in place. Avoid Stitch's Great Escape even though we dont have it in CA- it is a very unpleasant "ride." Kali River Rapids at AK is not as good as Grizzly River Run. Kali has only one drop. I dont think that Kali is worth the possible drenching whereas I plan on riding Grizzly several times back to back (then changing clothes if needed). Other than Kali and ITTBAB, pretty much everything else at AK is unique to WDW. Dont miss Festival of the Lion King, The Safari, and Expedition Everest. Dinosaur is similar in feel to Indy but a completely different ride. Lesser attractions that we enjoyed at AK: Flights of Wonder and both Animal trails. Nemo is okay if you have the time -its 45 minutes long- but not as good as Lion King IMO. Haven't ridden Toy Story Mania at DL yet so cant compare it to the one at DHS. The RnR coaster is good but short. Tower of Terror is a MUCH better ride at WDW. If you like this ride it will be hard to come back to the one at DCA. See Lights Motor Action at DHS - we got nothing like it. TestTrack and Mission:Space at Epcot are both fun and nothing comparable in Ca.

Hope this helps. Have fun planning!

First, thank you for all this info. I'm going to have to get "hip" to all of the abbreviations used on this forum. I think I've figured most of them out. Is TTA Tomorrowland Transit Authority? If so, sounds a lot like the People Movers we used to have at DL before they removed them for the Rocket Rods (also gone now, although, I think I saw Test Track on TV once and it looked alot like Rocket Rods, right?).

[jimmymac]

Pirates is better at DL
Space Mountin at DL is light years better than at WDW

[Two4Disney]

I was shocked the first time I went to the Magic Kingdom at WDW - "Where is the Matterhorn?" I asked. I couldn't believe there was no Matterhorn. That was eons ago, and, thankfully, there's so much information out there to better prepare yourself.

However, there's nothing quite like experiencing it and it's fun to notice the similarities/dissimilarities within the same ride so you might want to ride it even if it appears to be the same ride.

While we prefer Pirates and Bit Thunder at Disneyland, we prefer Splash Mtn. and Haunted Mansion at WDW. Hard to say about Jungle Cruise but it was fun to have it be slightly different at WDW.

Here's your chance to see Carousel of Progress (if operating) and Country Bears - 2 attractions no longer at Disneyland. Tiki Birds is updated at WDW and WDW still has Swiss Family Treehouse in case you've been missing that since DL turned it into Tarzan's Treehouse.

Anyway, go and enjoy it all!

Kathy

[chezp]

I think you've had some great info - Soarin' is the same at both parks. The ones we enjoyed at Disneyland that are definitely worth riding are:

Pirates
Pooh
Jungle Cruise
Haunted Mansion

I'd agree that Toontown is much better at Disneyland as well.

[disney777]

Soarin', Toy Story Mania, and Star Tours are the same. (Except for the queue) TTA is one of my favorite rides, because I miss People Mover!!! Pirates is better at DL, 2 drops to the 1 at WDW. But you need to ride it so you can experience both. Space Mountain doesn't compare, DL is so much better. Once the rehab is done at WDW, I'm hoping it will be much better.
I prefer the Nemo ride at EPCOT to the Nemo submarine ride at DL. It's more comfortable, I don't like squishing into the sub. The elements of the story are similar though. I like both Haunted Mansions, but HM Holidays is so much better than either of them. There is more to see on DLs Riverboat Cruise, but it's still a nice ride at WDW to see the different sights. I think the fireworks at DL are better than at MK. But both are good shows, but something about the pics being displayed on the Matterhorn just complete the show. I love that I can do some favorites at both coasts, but also that there are attractions that can only be done at one coast or the other.

[Hartster]

We enjoyed the Roger Rabbit ride at Disneyland (which they were supposed to put in at Walt Disney World). The monorail ride is also different, obviously - take it from Tomorrowland to Downtown Disney, as you'll go over the Golden Gate Bridge in California Adventure as well as through the Grand Californian hotel.

I think I'll give the "edge" to doing Tower of Terror at WDW than in Disneyland.

[MrsBee]

Indiana Jones and Dinosaur are the exact same track but different themes.

Snow White is better at WDW. It's longer and the story is more complete than the one at DL.

The Tower of Terror at WDW has an extra "scene" where you actually leave the elevator shaft. Plus, the drop sequence is different every time.

If you can, you should still ride the things that are similar. It's interesting to compare the rides.

[AGentlRose]

Pirates is much better at DL, and has 2 drops compared with 1 at WDW, plus I love when the boats go around the Blue Bayou.

Haunted Mansion stretch room at DL actually does move down while at WDW, the walls/ceiling goes up and room is stationary.

WDW has Peoplemover/TTA, however, that is also going to be down for rehab.
WDW has Carousel of Progress

Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom
Dinosaur at AK, track similar to Indiana Jones at DL

Splash Mountain -- I have to prefer the one at WDW because you sit in rows of two, in Disneyland, due to mobility issues, I had a very hard time getting out of the log and I believe Splash at WDW is slightly longer.

DL has attractions that MK at WDW doesn't --- Alice in Wonderland, Pinocchio, Matterhorn, Casey Jones, Storybook Canal boats, Submarine and Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.

[SoCalAndersons]

Thanks to everyone who's posted. This is exactly the kind of information I was looking for. I've also read enough not to be a "commando" and try to do it all in a day, and take time to actually see the differences between the parks.

I appreciate everyones willingness to share their tips and experiences here on the board. We are sure looking forward to our first trip to the "world". Bought ponchos at the dollar store today! I read I'm 'gonna need 'em!

Thanks again!
Sherri