Actually, this checklist mustn’t exist. It’s true that some rides are higher at Walt Disney World than Disneyland. However it’s very troublesome to argue that there are 10 such sights, even when enjoying quick and unfastened with the checklist and together with exhibits and rides which might be ‘non secular successors’ to at least one one other.
There’s a purpose why you gained’t discover many lists like this. In nearly all circumstances the place direct clones exist in each California and Florida, they’re both roughly equal or the Disneyland model is superior. The exceptions to which might be few and much between. However, in my infinite knowledge, I backed myself into this nook with out considering of what such a listing would come with when writing my High 10 Checklist of Rides That Are Higher at Disneyland.
To be clear, my purpose with that not-so-clever transfer was to keep away from accusations of bias. Walt Disney World followers can generally have chips on their shoulders. There’s a purpose “be truthful to Florida” is a rallying cry, and I do know WDW diehards get sick of listening to about all the ways in which Walt Disney’s authentic park is superior. How these two parks have nearly as good of experience rosters as Florida’s 4 gates. Whereas there may be some fact to that, there are additionally many ways in which Walt Disney World is healthier…
After all, there are the widespread refrains amongst Walt Disney World followers who trumpet its superiority. The taller fortress. The handfuls of resorts and eating places. That it’s the Trip Kingdom of the World, and what Walt needed to construct to “repair” the shortcomings of Disneyland. That’s not what I’m speaking about, although, as all of that may be higher suited to Disneyland vs. Walt Disney World as an entire.
That is all about sights, and there are many ways in which Walt Disney World “wins” on that entrance. It simply normally doesn’t come all the way down to cloned rides. There’s just about the whole thing of Animal Kingdom, which–with restricted exceptions–doesn’t have counterparts in California. (Nicely, other than the San Diego Safari Park–but it surely doesn’t have an analogue in Anaheim!) There are the basic stage exhibits like Carousel of Progress and Nation Bear Jamboree. There’s just about all the things at EPCOT, which continues to be a sore topic amongst old style Disneylanders who lament the WestCOT that by no means was.
All of that’s only a partial checklist. The final decade-plus introduced large growth to Walt Disney World, whereas Disneyland was comparatively ignored (having obtained its large DCA overhaul on the tail finish of the earlier decade). Anyway, simply needed to exhibit that I’m not biased in the direction of Disneyland, however love each for various causes. That is probably not instantly obvious once you learn by means of this pretty unhappy checklist of the sights which might be higher at Walt Disney World…
N/A. it’s a small world – Simply as we began the final checklist by explaining why Area Mountain didn’t make the minimize, so too does this checklist start with an exclusion. That’s as a result of “it’s a small world” already made the Disneyland model of this checklist. And whereas I might get cute right here and put it on each lists (it was an possibility after I was struggling to consider 10 picks), I’ve opted in opposition to it.
With that mentioned, when you enter the present scenes, I do suppose “it’s a small world” at Magic Kingdom is healthier. I like the ‘flooded’ fashion, lack of characters, barely superior rating, and a number of other little ways in which Florida has a plussed model of the long-lasting attraction. That is the definitive model of the basic experience.
Nevertheless, as demonstrated by preferring Area Mountain at Magic Kingdom, I’m all concerning the full package deal of an attraction. The facade and opening act of “it’s a small world” at Disneyland simply units the proper tone, whereas the Florida model seems like a experience in a strip mall by comparability. So I’ll say this: “it’s a small world” at Disneyland is the higher attraction, whereas the Walt Disney World model is the higher experience.
10. Corridor of Presidents & American Journey – Neither the American Journey nor Corridor of Presidents have clones at Disneyland. As an alternative, there’s Nice Moments with Mr. Lincoln, which serves because the non secular forebearer to each. The “downside” with all of those patriotic sights is that they’re unbelievable…and distinct.
I suppose consider it in MCU phrases, besides with our heroes being nice People as an alternative of mutants. Nice Moments with Mr. Lincoln is like Captain America: The First Avenger (besides that may be George Washington…however I don’t need to evaluate Lincoln to Ant-Man or whichever Avenger was #16) in that it’s all about one single patriotic determine. The Corridor of Presidents is Captain America: Civil Battle, not as a result of it usually has that impact on audiences, however as a result of it’s an ideal team-up manufacturing of all presidents. Lastly, the American Journey is Avengers: Endgame, as a result of it’s the very best of the bunch–the style perfected.
Does that make some extent of sense? No? Nicely, the underside line is that Walt Disney had one thing particular in Nice Moments with Mr. Lincoln, however the Imagineers managed to broaden upon and refine the idea at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT, which is the place you could find the top of patriotic Disney stage exhibits. This checklist doesn’t get any higher from right here, so don’t say I didn’t warn you.
9. Star Excursions: The Adventures Proceed – This isn’t being deemed higher at Walt Disney World as a result of we now have extra luck with the randomized experience sequences in Florida than California. It’s all concerning the queue.
Disneyland’s Star Excursions is mixed into Tomorrowland in order that it doesn’t stick out as a Star Wars experience in a land targeted on the longer term. Or at the least, that was the considering a couple of many years in the past when it initially opened and Tomorrowland had a cohesive imaginative and prescient. Now it’s only a hodgepodge, and nobody bats a watch at Star Wars within the land.
Nonetheless, the Walt Disney World model was created particularly for this spot within the then Disney-MGM Studios, with the self-esteem being that it was a sizzling set for the filming of a Star Wars story. Accordingly, the queue weaves beneath the toes of a towering AT-AT, and across the timber of an Ewok village on the Forest Moon of Endor.
Or at the least, a simulated set depicting all of that. It’s simple to neglect the filmmaking framework round which this park was created and at the least partially nonetheless exists. Most company simply see the towering AT-AT and Ewok village and assumes that’s the theme, however some could marvel why some of these things is half-finished. Complicated or low cost because it might sound, that’s by design–it’s what you see versus what the digicam sees.
Regardless, it’s all spectacular and this space round Star Excursions at Disney’s Hollywood Studios was even higher again when Jedi Coaching Academy: Trails of the Temple was being proven. It really was like an immersive, ‘on-stage’ depiction of Star Wars. Totally different than Galaxy’s Edge, however nonetheless distinctly Star Wars!
8. Astro Orbiter – If you wish to get technical, that is one other attraction that doesn’t exist on each coasts. In any case, Magic Kingdom has Astro Orbiter and Disneyland has Astro Orbitor. (Learn each names rigorously when you’re lacking it.) Whereas I’ll by no means perceive the distinction and hope there’s some silly backstory to elucidate the “o vs. e” distinction, I believe it’s pretty simple that Astro Orbiter flies increased than its Disneyland counterpart.
Fairly actually. Astro Orbiter flies increased as a result of it’s increased, elevated on prime of the PeopleMover. That very same spot at Disneyland is house to the Observatron (sure, that identify is actual), simply one in all many dangerous concepts from Tomorrowland ’98 at Disneyland. Whereas Astro Orbiter has nearer views of Sleeping Magnificence Fortress, the elevated perspective of Astro Orbiter provides an additional dimension, and seeing the neon-drenched streets of Tomorrowland–to not point out Cinderella Fortress, Area Mountain and the TRON Lightcycle Run cover–take it to the subsequent stage.
7. TTA PeopleMover – Whereas we’re within the space, we’ve gotta give a fast nod to the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover at Magic Kingdom. That is the experience we experience most of any experience at Walt Disney World, and each time we see outdated images of Tomorrowland at Disneyland, it breaks our hearts that we by no means bought to expertise the PeopleMover there. Perhaps it’s only a “grass is at all times greener” factor, however Tomorrowland appears to be like even higher in images of Disneyland from the 70s and 80s than any present model of the land does at this time.
Nevertheless, at this level I believe it’s protected to say that the operational model of the PeopleMover at Walt Disney World is healthier than the deserted tracks and cargo platform, plus regardless of the heck the Observatron is meant to be doing. However I suppose cheap minds might differ. The shade the PeopleMover tracks provide could be fairly good! (Apologies for the knife twist, Disneyland followers, however I needed to do it given the comparative weak point of the remainder of this checklist.)
6. Tower of Terror – When you take the Tower of Terror and add a bunch of junk to the outside and queue, whereas additionally altering the story and including screens, is it nonetheless the Tower of Terror? That’s a query for the scientists. What I do know is that, in opposition to all odds, Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout is approach higher than it has any proper to be. Whilst somebody with a powerful Twilight Zone bias, it’s actually higher than the model of Tower of Terror that it changed at Disney California Journey.
The factor is, these have been by no means clones to start with. The experience system for the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is totally different, and considerably extra advanced and maintenance-intensive. Which is exactly why DCA (and even Tokyo DisneySea!) opted for the simplified model. So I’m comfy saying that Mission Breakout beats Tower of Terror at DCA, I’m additionally assured in proclaiming the OG Twilight Zone Tower of Terror the undisputed champion amongst all three.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror’s temper, ambiance, and environments earlier than the experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios are all top-notch. It’s ominous, intimidating, and foreboding from the second you set eyes on the Hollywood Tower Lodge looming on the finish of Sundown Boulevard. From there, the build-up continues within the queue and pre-show and the ride-through portion earlier than the drops dials up the stress even additional. Whereas it contains a ton of nods to Twilight Zone episodes, the attraction’s masterful use of suspense is downright Hitchcockian.
5. Dumbo – Oh nice, one other spinner. Magic Kingdom’s dueling Dumbos are higher for a couple of causes. First, there are two units of them and two trumps one. Second, the strains are usually shorter (see first purpose). Third, the stunning nighttime lighting.
When Dumbo was moved and its capability doubled, it additionally obtained a wonderful new lighting scheme that actually provides it added life at evening. Lacking is that iconic view of Cinderella Fortress, however the view continues to be breathtaking with most of Fantasyland seen, plus there’s some wonderful lighting, so we take into account the dueling Dumbos a greater attraction than the one (1) Dumbo at Disneyland.
4. Underneath the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid – Like Astro Orbite/or, it is a experience that has totally different names at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Not like that one letter distinction, that is a number of phrases and punctuation marks: Underneath the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid vs. The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Journey. I eschew each unwieldy names for a easy “Little Mermaid darkish experience.”
The explanations that the Walt Disney World model is healthier has nothing to do with names and even the substance of the darkish experience. Quite, it comes all the way down to the outside and queue. The Disneyland model repurposed the facade for Golden Desires, a present concerning the historical past of California, through the DCA overhaul. That exterior based mostly on San Francisco’s Palace of the Fantastic Arts is cool and becoming for Disney California Journey, however the queue is brief and primary.
In contrast, the Little Mermaid darkish experience at Magic Kingdom was purpose-built through the New Fantasyland growth, and options Prince Eric’s Fortress plus a variety of rockwork and water. You would possibly even argue that the (very lengthy) queue and exterior are higher than the experience itself. That’s no knock on the experience itself, which I truly suppose is underrated. The queue of the Little Mermaid darkish experience at Walt Disney World is simply actually underappreciated.
This isn’t simply true within the outside portion the place there are peaceable reflecting swimming pools and waterfalls, that are fantastically illuminated at evening. It’s additionally the case within the caverns as open air transitions to contained in the fortress. When you ever cease to understand all the little particulars when this line kind of empties out, you’ll see that a large portion of the finances for Walt Disney World’s model went to placemaking. And that’s necessary, because it units the stage for a extra pleasurable ride-through expertise.
3. Fortunately Ever After – This could be a suspicious choice, particularly since we normally distinguish nighttime spectaculars from sights. (Do Walt Disney World followers actually need to open the leisure comparability can of worms?!) Additionally, we beforehand proclaimed that Wondrous Journeys is Higher Than Fortunately Ever After.
Nicely, two issues have modified between then and now. The large one is that Wondrous Journeys has no dates left on the calendar in 2024. It’s unquestionably the very best Disneyland fireworks present, making this a extra favorable comparability to Disneyland’s different fireworks. The second is that this checklist, which requires greedy at straws for sights which might be higher at Walt Disney World.
Actually, although, no straw-grasping is required right here. The fireworks for the rest of the yr at Disneyland are Collectively Endlessly – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular, “Halloween Screams” and “Consider… in Vacation Magic.” All three are superb, however none of them attain the identical stratospheric heights as Wondrous Journeys or Fortunately Ever After.
Even in that above-mentioned put up, we conceded that it’s a “why not each?!” state of affairs. They’re each phenomenal nighttime spectaculars, and simply as simply as I could make the beneath case for Wondrous Journeys being higher, another person might advance arguments in favor of Fortunately Ever After. Actually, I can consider 112! (What is the peak distinction, in toes, between Cinderella Fortress and Sleeping Magnificence Fortress?)
It’s not simply that standing on Predominant Avenue and seeing Cinderella Fortress towering within the distance. Resulting from Walt Disney World’s much less city location, the Magic Kingdom fireworks have larger and higher pyro. Additionally they have extra common pyro, with the “projections solely” variations of the Disneyland exhibits being introduced very often…and fireworks being cancelled even within the slightest Santa Ana winds.
Although I believe Wondrous Journeys is the marginally higher present from a storytelling perspective, the general fireworks expertise is healthier and extra predictable at Magic Kingdom. When you needed to decide a day at random to attempt to watch fireworks on one of many coasts, the higher guess–on common–can be Magic Kingdom’s Fortunately Ever After.
2. Expedition Everest – Animal Kingdom is the park of “on steroids” sights. There’s Avatar Flight of Passage, which is Soarin’ on steroids (Avatar Flight of Passage) and this. Okay, that’s solely two sights. And arguably, a number of others are inferior variations of what exists elsewhere (Kali River Rapids, DINOSAUR, and TriceraTop Spin).
Regardless, Expedition Everest is a contemporary curler coaster that pulls pages from Matterhorn’s playbook and improves upon that iconic experience in almost each conceivable approach. Expedition Everest contains a foreboding queue, unbelievable particulars, fascinating experience autos, a spectacular ascent, and on-ride encounters with a yeti.
Many results on the attraction now don’t work; essentially the most notable of those is the massive Audio Animatronics “Disco” Yeti. Regardless of this, Expedition Everest continues to be impressively enjoyable and Walt Disney World’s most bold curler coaster. In additional methods than one, Expedition Everest is to Matterhorn what Indiana Jones Journey is to DINOSAUR. So turnabout is truthful play, as that was the #2 entry on our model of this checklist touting superior Disneyland sights.
1. Fantasmic – This checklist has been a bit spicy and possibly gained’t be notably satisfying to a variety of WDW diehards looking for ways in which their house park is healthier than Walt Disney’s authentic magic kingdom. So why don’t we exit on a excessive be aware, giving the Florida followers a feather of their cap that’s certain to enrage the Disneylanders on the market.
Fantasmic is healthier at Walt Disney World. That’s proper–it’s true. For many years, their Fantasmic being dramatically higher than the DHS model was an enormous level of delight for Disneylanders. The viewing space is extra intimate and it feels just like the present comes out of nowhere, they mentioned. Murphy the Dragon is healthier than Maleficent on a stick, they boasted. The Mark Twain and Crusing Ship Columbia add a lot, they argued. Florida’s is principally Pocahontasmic, they half-joked.
The “they” in these sentences was me. I mentioned that when you haven’t seen Fantasmic at Disneyland, you haven’t actually seen it. Nicely, rather a lot has modified. The primary large one was that Disney’s Hollywood Studios reimagined its model of Fantasmic and added an all-new sequence that brings to life heroic moments from Disney tales reminiscent of Moana, Mulan, Aladdin, Frozen 2, and Pocahontas. That changed the interminably lengthy Pocahontas scene and the distinction it made can’t be overstated.
The opposite issues all occurred on the Disneyland aspect of the ledger, with crowds and congestion making Fantasmic painful to observe upon its return. Oh, and Murphy the Dragon caught hearth and has been changed with a belated B-mode. There are nonetheless little issues that Disneyland’s Fantasmic does higher, to make certain, but it surely’s now not the superior present.
There was as soon as a degree after we prevented Florida’s Fantasmic and went years with out seeing it, whereas by no means skipping Fantasmic at Disneyland. It’s not fairly the precise reverse of that now, however Fantasmic at DHS is a can’t miss, whereas we solely do it at Disneyland if crowds aren’t horrible. They usually’re most likely going to be fairly dangerous for the foreseeable future!
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Which Walt Disney World sights do you suppose are higher than their Disneyland counterparts? Any rides that this checklist snubbed which might be superior within the Florida parks? Something on this checklist that you simply suppose is definitely worse at Walt Disney World? Do you agree or disagree with our picks? Any questions? Listening to your suggestions—even once you disagree with us—is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
