[Tdee5961]

Just got back from MK. As this was only my 2nd trip there, maybe it's 2 early 2 judge but I enjoy DL more. Maybe since I grew up on the west coast I have a bios, but I have found that those live on the east coast tend to favor the MK over Walt's little park. Frankly, MK lacked that magic feel that u get @ DL. I'm a history nut so I guess I treat DL as a piece of living history. Maybe it's just me? Also I found the Cast Members were not as friendly and the park was not as clean as DL. The queues @ Big Thunder & Philharmagic were cluddered with trash. The crowds were non-existent (probably @ Star Wars weekend @ MGM) so I found this odd. Someone enlighten me!!

[Disneywife]

I agree with you on some level - we found Disneyland to have a little more magic and charm than the Magic Kingdom. And, it is cleaner and totally redone, but that's obviously for the 50th even though DL has been in the refurbishment process full swing since 1995/1996 really. They opened up Toon Town, redid Tomorrowland, and then redid/restored the rest of the park from the cobblestones to the rooftops. It looks spectacular. On the flip side, we found the Magic Kingdom to be a bit rundown. You sit on benches with chipping paint - something you'd never see at DL - and buildings need to be repainted, and Tomorrowland in particular looks as if they hadn't done anything to it since opening day. That's just an example of what I noticed, I won't go into more. However, it in no way took away from the magic and the great time we were having. We made it our point to visit attractions that we don't have here, as well.

Disneyland is the only park that Walt designed and Walt enjoyed.

On the other hand, when we went to WDW, we had a GREAT time! They have a lot to do that DL doesn't have (and DL has a lot to do that WDW doesn't have, but for us, WDW was what was unique), there are more parks, more hotels to explore, more room to stretch out (and that lake!), and even though we had been warned about the CM's at WDW not being as Disney-like as the CM's at DL, we didn't notice that. Well, except for one live one at Chef Mickey's. But that's another thread. We found the CM's to be just as kind and helpful at WDW than they are in DL.

I do think that folks have bias towards certain parks. It does bug me when people say that one is "better" than the other when they haven't been to both coasts. They have no place to even have an opinion without being there. Even though we've been to both, we do have a bias towards DL, as we grew up here, we've been long time annual passholders, and my dh had been working there for the past year and a half. I think that no matter what we do, we'll have bias, and we recognize that.

However, I do want to say what I always say - each park should be appreciated for what it is, and not for what it isn't. We went to WDW with that attitude and as a result, enjoyed ourselves and had a wonderful, magical time. My kids are still talking about it, and we've been to DL numerous times since our WDW trip.

[Dopey]

I have to agree with you on the cleanliness, the friendliness and the magic being better at DL.
When we went to WDW the first time after enjoying DL for so many years, I was a little dissapointed. I excused it as a sign of the times. Everything in our lives is getting a little more "relaxed". But since you still get that feeling, maybe it isn't so and the two parks have different standards after all?

[MissDisney]

I like both parks very, very much! Disneyland was my first, so the magic was unbelievable! But MK is very special to me, too, and I would LOVE to have been with you at MK on a day when the crowds were non-existent! That is my fantasy!

EVen though DL is incredible, WDW remains my favorite place on the face of the earth! The CMs have always been fantastic, the only mess I have really been bummed out about was gum stuck on the trees by the Raceway.

[cinderbella]

I've never been to Disneyland but I would love to go!
I think this conversation comes up a lot and never really gets resolved simply because it is un-resovleable! Magic Kingdom is kind of like the 'kid brother or sister' to Disneyland...it will never be Disneyland, even though at times it seems like it may try to. MK is there simply because Walt wanted everyone in America to be able to experience Disneyland. I for one appreciate that because I grew up on the east coast, and if wdw world wasn't built I would have never been to disney!

[qltingrl]

This is an interesting thread as DS and I were just discussing this the other day. We are East Coast people and have been to WDW many times, we were at DL last weekend and we found we were more stressed there than in WDW. It could be because of all the people there for the 50th and the nature of the park itself, being more compact with fewer open spaces. We noticed too that DL seems to be visited by "locals" while WDW is visited more by "tourists" if that makes sense.

We also found that by it's very nature Fantasmic and the Fireworks pack many many people into a very small space so tempers were shorter than we find in FL. Two different people told my son his head was too big because they didn't have perfect views of the shows! Not much he could do about that...

Both parks have their charms though and if I get a chance to go to either one, I'm taking it!

[ddoll]

I find this thread amusing! When we went to DL a few years ago, my whole family agreed that WDW was far superior. Only DH and I appreciated it for it's historical signifigance. But we all found it to be cramped, dirty, worn looking and the CM's less than helpful and/or magical. They seemed to us to be more employees than CM's, and disinterested ones at that.

DH and I have since dubbed our boys the "WDW Snobs"

I agree with qltingrl that is was more of a "stressed" experience.

[Dana]

Having never been to DL, I can't compare or contrast the two. I just know they are both Disney and must be great just because of that. Each should be appreciated for what they are and not what they are not as Sharon said. I probally will never get to DL. I prefer the nice 2.5 hour plane ride to WDW where I am comfortable and familiar with my surroundings. Magic is magic afterall and both parks must have it if there is Disney in the name. Just a comment on the CM's : For every not so magical one I have encountered, there are 50 excellent ones. Bad help is everywhere....it happens. WDW's service and Cast Members are superior to the normal amusement park in every way. I am certain that DL's are too. As for people being stressed at DL: Could it be because you have never been there and weren't familiar with your suroundings? I would be totally stressed out not knowing where everything is. I know on my first trip to WDW I was freaked out not knowing where to go or what to do first. I wasn't able to relax until I had a few trips under my belt. This debate will be never ending. Each place is speical and magical to each of us for different reasons. It just isn't debateable. WDW is special to me for the memories that I have there and the almost routine we have while visiting. I can still see my DD as a three year old riding Dumbo for the first time and her first breakfast at CRT. Each time I visit WDW, I get to visit those memories too. Maybe that's exactly what makes these different parks special to each of us....the memories we have there can't be brought to the other coast right? Just a thought. WOW...I'm a bit mushy tonight huh?

[Disneywife]

Originally Posted by qltingrl

This is an interesting thread as DS and I were just discussing this the other day. We are East Coast people and have been to WDW many times, we were at DL last weekend and we found we were more stressed there than in WDW. It could be because of all the people there for the 50th and the nature of the park itself, being more compact with fewer open spaces. We noticed too that DL seems to be visited by "locals" while WDW is visited more by "tourists" if that makes sense.

We also found that by it's very nature Fantasmic and the Fireworks pack many many people into a very small space so tempers were shorter than we find in FL. Two different people told my son his head was too big because they didn't have perfect views of the shows! Not much he could do about that...

Both parks have their charms though and if I get a chance to go to either one, I'm taking it!

I think the crowds you experienced for both the fireworks and Fantasmic are due to the 50th. Even on the most crowded nights you can usually just walk right up as the shows start.

It's very true that DL is visited by more locals than WDW. When we were at WDW we noticed it was all families, everyone sporting huge backpacks and fanny packs, everyone carrying maps, etc. You just don't see that as much at DL (although there are always some). DL also has a huge "teen scene" that WDW doesn't have. It's a good thing - it brings in big business for Disney. I personally believe that it's a safe, wholesome place for kids to hang out. When I was a teenager they had a huge dance club there that we went to every weekend (Videopolis).

On the other hand, because there are more local people rather than tourists, we do notice that people aren't as (should I say it?) commando at DL. We saw lots of that at WDW.

I think a lot of people are going when they otherwise wouldn't have because of the 50th. I'm sure that this phenomena will slow down as the celebration goes on.

[DisneyGimper]

About DL: We may be visiting in August. I know it is difficult to predict, but how are the crowds during a normal August?

I have to admit, I enjoy DLR a little bit more than MK, because it is the first Disney park I ever visited and because it is more compact and can be easily "done" in a day.

[Disneywife]

Originally Posted by DisneyGimper

About DL: We may be visiting in August. I know it is difficult to predict, but how are the crowds during a normal August?

I have to admit, I enjoy DLR a little bit more than MK, because it is the first Disney park I ever visited and because it is more compact and can be easily "done" in a day.

Crowds shouldn't be too bad - but it will be hot! (Not humid, like WDW will be in August, however - it's a dry hot) It will be more crowded than the school year will be however, just because it's summer. I'd go on a weekday if you can.

[dznygrl]

I agree that DL has a bit of a warmer feel to it; it's more cozy and (to me) always has a little bit more magic because of the fact that it was "Walt's park."

MK feels a little more like a theme park & a little less like "home." (But just a LITTLE!)

But I've never noticed any significant difference in cleanliness, upkeep or CM attitudes at either park. I think they're both fantastic, and would take a trip to either one any day!