The correct answer is, of course, Tokyo Disney, but the Orange County Register asked me to address that question in its newspaper this morning, to mark the reopening of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland.
Thunder's been down for 14 months, and the result is spectacular, with an "explosive" new animated finale replacing the broken old earthquake scene. So we framed the WDW vs. DL question in the context of refurbishment: Which resort ends up doing the better job when it fixes up its rides?
It's all silliness, of course, but I'd like to thank the Register for inviting me to engage in this level of theme park geekitude on its front page. As a former newspaper reporter, it's refreshing to me to see a paper trying to throw some fun into the mix on a weekend like this.
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Speaking of Rockin Rollercoaster, I love the ride itself. But it's getting a little dated as far as the Aerosmith super stretch limo video. I mean, does the Great Western Forum even exist anymore?
My idea would be to keep most of the ride the same, but re-record the waiting room videos with 5+ bands. The scene you see would be randomized, similar to Star Tours, where you are never sure what experience you'll have.
As a special bonus, Aerosmith could re-record their scene - word for word! It'd be a little surreal, but I think very cool. Bring in newer bands/groups, such as Foo Fighters, One Direction, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Backstreet Boys, Blink 182, etc.
Sorry, I don't really keep up with music, but give it some variety. Vary the music on the ride as well.
Alas, I didn't answer the question because I'm not qualified. But a good discussion could be had about what rides need an upgrade. I think Rockin Rollercoaster should be a prime target, as it should be a simple video/audio upgrade. I love the ride just as it is, otherwise.
But, when it comes to the theme parks themselves and their individual attraction line-up both Disneyland parks look superior than their Disney World counterparts. Disneyland has by far the best attraction line-up for a Disney park in the U.S., and DCA with its recent additions can certainly make a case for #2.
They're both amazingly awesome in their own ways!
I've been to both and love both. It's hard for me to say who updates rides better as I have only spent one day at DL and CA. The recent Test Track update was kinda cool, but overall was just a layer of paint rather than a remodel to me.
Yes, it does have an amazing Winnie the Pooh dark ride, good restaurants and great employees. However, in my opinion the overall appearance of the park is seriously lacking. The covering of the main street is not that elegantly solved, walkways are too broad to create real immersion. On top of that tomorrowland and fantasyland look rather outdated since nothing substantial has been done to their facades in a long time (think of the great improvements that have been done to the fantasylands in Anaheim and Orlando). And I am not really a fan of placing the Haunted Mansion in fantasyland either. It might fit with the traditions of Japanese narratives but it is at least visually odd.
I do think that Tokyo Disneyland is an awesome park and the resort as a whole is amazing. But we really should not under-appreciate our parks/ resorts in the States.
When we go to WDW, it's going to WDW and not going to Orlando to visit. Hardly anyone would ask us if we did anything else besides Disney when we go to Florida. Maybe one or two people would ask if we saw Harry Potter while we were there, but that's it. So a trip to WDW is spending a week at WDW (with maybe a day at Harry Potter) and not really caring much about the rest of the stuff in Orlando.
I think that Disneyland is hipper and cooler. WDW is all about strollers and little kids with chocolate or ice cream smeared on their faces. Disneyland reminds me of young couples going on dates or people who loved Walt Disney going there to admire his handiwork. WDW seems more cheaply made and thrown together, while Disneyland seems like it was built with love and care. I think that Disneyland tries to be original and do more unique things...while WDW is plastic, mass-produced items, and all about families with young kids and trying to get them to spend as much as possible on souvenirs. Disneyland still feels like you can go there and leave with money still in your wallet, which is what Walt wanted.
I love WDW and its our home park, but it does feel crass when compared to Disneyland. I think that Orlando is just more crass than LA, so that's part of it for me.
I think WDW just has too much! Too much on their plate to take care of it all. At Disneyland, they have more time to devote to each ride and the little details. Lower # of rides = Each attraction has a much greater impact, so its more important for them.
At WDW, if 1 of the parks had to close for an emergency, you'd still have 75% of DisneyWorld to explore. But if 1 of the DisneyLand parks close, you lost half your vacation.
However, Central Florida in general is a far superior destination for a vacation than Anaheim. It is less expensive, less crowded, cleaner, and offers many more and better themed experiences than SoCal.
As for the parks themselves, I loved both Disneyland and DCA, but WDW offers the more complete vacation package. Sure DLR has the best Pirates attraction, Indiana Jones, and Cars Land, but it just does not have the space and the grandeur of WDW. Remember, Walt's idea to build the Florida Project was in large part driven by his desire to correct many of the mistakes he made with Disneyland. And I think he and his successors have accomplished much in the way of correcting those mistakes. WDW just FEELS more like a resort than DLR.
And, as I have said before, I simply did not see a big difference in upkeep between the two destinations. I know folks brag about Disneyland being so well maintained, and it is, but to me WDW is just as well kept. Both have their issues (Splash Mountain is a sore spot on both coasts), but with the exception of the Yeti and a couple RSR tractors, Disney does a fantastic job of maintaining all their US parks.
Walt Disney World has urban sprawl, 45 minute bus rides and the good rides are about two at each park but it is sheltered from the outside world which makes it more unique then little old Disneyland. WDW is it's own city and Disneyland is in a city full of diners and tacky motels which is why Walt built WDW.
Disneyland is the iPod Classic with the click wheel it's great at one thing playing music and Walt Disney World is the iPhone it does everything but not great and is much more complex.
Comparing theme parks on the other hand is tough. I think it's a wash either way. But if I REALLY had to choose I would say Disneyland over the Magic Kingdom.... BARELY.
Comparing the resorts as a whole, California Adventure has made a great comeback especially with Carsland, and the Grand California is a terrific new hotel. But WDW has the space to make you forget about the world.
Still, the sore spot is WDW has more restaurants and resorts than attractions to see. In contrast, Disneyland Resort has more attractions per square foot and not so much with restaurants. Overall, I think WDW's weaknesses will be better resolved when Avatar and Star Wars Land become the reality, but Disneyland Resort needs the third park and a few more hotel resorts. It is easier to fix WDW than add to Disneyland Resort.
Fantasmic is better at Disneyland? Really? Standing up is better than sitting? Who says that?
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No contest, WDW is the better resort, since it is far more all-inclusive than DLR. In fact, DLR is hardly even a real resort. It has only two on-site hotels, and they are out of most people's price range. It doesn't have water parks, golf courses or many of the other amenities at WDW.
But Disneyland is the best individual theme park (I won't comment on DisneySea, since I haven't been there).