I recently posted the 5 attractions that are better at Disneyland than Walt Disney World. It sure did strike a nerve. Now, it’s only fair we turn the tables. So here’s my list of 5 attractions at Florida’s Magic Kingdom that would make Disneyland fans jealous (in no particular order).
Astro Orbiter/Orbitor
In the beginning, both Magic Kingdom and Disneyland had high-flying spinning rocket rides. Disneyland’s version went through a series of changes over the early years, eventually ending up atop the PeopleMover platform. The Disneyland Rocket Jets attraction was later copied with rocket modifications at the Magic Kingdom as the Star Jets. But, Tomorrowland updates in both parks brought new Jules Verne-esque rethemes to the attractions which resulted in a clear winner.
In the 90s the Magic Kingdom’s Star Jets was ringed by planets and set aglow by colorful neon. But the new Astro Orbiter remained largely the same ride atop the PeopleMover platform.
Sadly, Disneyland’s new Astro Orbitor (different spelling than the Magic Kingdom version), was moved to the front of Tomorrowland and placed at ground level. Its industrial steampunk design fits better at Disneyland Paris, which the attraction was originally designed for.
The soaring Florida version is the hands-down winner in my book, zooming above and beyond Disneyland’s scaredy-cat version.
Splash Mountain
To me, the Orlando version of this ride surpasses Anaheim’s in a number of ways. Aside from the log-shaped ride vehicles being two-seaters, as opposed to the single-file seats at Disneyland, the story and animatronics are also better at the Magic Kingdom. Though, there is certainly some valid debate among fans regarding which park better maintains this attraction (both have serious problems keeping those animatronics working!).
The Disneyland Original is certainly a favorite attraction in the park, and continues to pack in the crowds on hot California days.
The Walt Disney World version is better lit, has more complete show scenes, and a more fleshed out story from start to finish. However, with the forthcoming Princess and the Frog redo in the works, we’ll need to reevaluate this one in the coming years.
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
This is where the vast amount of land Walt Disney World has works to their advantage. Florida’s version of the ride is longer and once again, more complete. All that land also allows for some fun activities while waiting in the standby line and a much more immersive queue area. (The Imagineering video below shows you the fun queue enhancements)
The Magic Kingdom version also has the advantage of Hunny Pot vehicles with more range of motion, including both bouncing and floating. The Disneyland version starts floating near the start of the ride and just keeps floating.
As a whole, the Disney World version is just more fun. But it’s a good thing we didn’t add Tokyo Disneyland to our comparison, their trackless version of the attraction makes both US versions look like . . . well . . . pooh!
Jungle Cruise
The two rides share all the basic elements, including that famous ride along the backside of water.
But the biggest difference in Florida’s version is the trip riders take through a dark and mysterious tunnel full of treasures and artifacts, where you’ll notice a Genie lamp one would assume is from the film Aladdin. Overall, Walt Disney World’s Jungle Cruise seems more lush, detailed, and . . . they still do the seasonal Jingle Cruise holiday overlay of the attraction!
Swiss Family Treehouse
I understand the reasoning behind Disneyland’s now rethemed Tarzan’s Treehouse (formerly the Swiss Family Treehouse) to make it more relevant.
Most visitors to the parks probably don’t even know about the classic 1960 Disney movie “Swiss Family Robinson” that the original attraction was based on. But with the retheming, many details were lost, along with a lot of its charm.
I miss the original treehouse’s water delivery system that used hallowed out bamboo “cups” to transport fresh water to the top of the tree where the characters’ bedrooms were. Fortunately, visitors to Walt Disney World can still visit the original theming of this attraction. AND, with a new Swiss Family Robinson series headed to Disney+, the attraction is ripe for a public reawakening.
An Honorable Mention . . . Haunted Mansion
To some, the Haunted Mansion at Walt Disney World would be an obvious enhancement over the Disneyland version. The ride is longer, there are additional special effects such as the conservatory, blinking wallpaper, the M.C. Escher-esque upside-down stairwell, a scarier facade, and an incredible interactive outdoor queue. . . on paper, it sounds like a slam dunk.
But Disneyland’s Mansion isn’t just the original, it also just feels like the perfect balance. True, it’s missing a couple of on-ride show scenes, but it has its advantages as well. First, the ride is located in New Orleans Square, an iconic fit that helps tie the whole land together. Many of the effects that you see on the ride portion of the Magic Kingdom version are part of the longer indoor queue of the Disneyland version, an inkling to an earlier history of the attraction as a walk-through experience. Disneyland’s version isn’t longer, but it does feel just right.
So, I just couldn’t bring myself to put the Haunted Mansion on the list of better at Walt Disney World. But what do YOU think?
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Let’s Hear From You!
What rides do you think Walt Disney World does better than Disneyland? There are a few attractions where the rides are nearly the same, but have much better queues at Disney World (Little Mermaid, Peter Pan, and Dumbo for example), does that make them better rides? And which park do you think does Haunted Mansion better? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!
