Hang on to your hats and glasses because we’re about to take you on a journey through Disney’s East and West Coast theme parks! If you’ve been a Disney fan for a while, you already know there are some strong opinions that exist when comparing Disneyland with Disney World. Social media is ripe with commentary about who does it better regarding attractions, offerings, and all things Disney Parks! Personally, I’ve always felt that it’s a subjective thing. Rather than being about who does it better, for me it boils down to personal preference. That being said, here’s a disclaimer to avoid ruffling feathers. What you’re about to read reflects my own, personal opinions about various attractions and experiences at Disneyland and Disney World. To each their own!
Disney Roots
In a recent article, we asked our fellow readers to divulge which Haunted Mansion is their favorite. It was interesting, though not entirely surprising, to see how many prefer the original! Growing up in Southern California, Disneyland has always been a part of my life and therefore holds a special place in my heart. There’s no question that a person’s past history with a specific Disney Resort plays into how they feel when comparing attractions.
Dreams Really Do Come True
Before the beginning of summer, I saw a lifelong dream of mine fulfilled. My family and I visited Walt Disney World Resort for the very first time! Needless to say, it was an incredible experience. On top of getting a feel for the general vibe and ambiance of the Parks, I was especially excited to experience duplicate attractions. Although I wasn’t able to visit them all, I did manage to enjoy several, different versions. Here’s the rundown of which rides I prefer and why. Keep in mind that this is based on first impressions. If you’ve had a chance to visit both Resorts, let us know your favorites in the comments!
Main Street, U.S.A.
Main Street, U.S.A. is an attraction in and of itself, setting the tone for what to expect in the Park.
While the magnitude of Disney World is often the main focus, on my first trip to Magic Kingdom, I was more surprised by the ornate structures and somewhat busy design details of Main Street, U.S.A.
For me, Disneyland comes out on top in this comparison! Its quaint and charming ambiance sends you back in time, immersing you in a bygone era. What do you think?
Sleeping Beauty Castle vs. Cinderella Castle
Holiday overlay or not, it makes no difference to me! Sleeping Beauty Castle is my preferred palace of choice for similar reasons to Main Street, U.S.A.
In this case, less is more! I much prefer the classic appeal of the original which includes an enchanting walk-through, as opposed to the extravagant design of its successor. What do you think, is size better or quaint charm?
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad vs. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Starting off strong, let’s begin our ride comparisons with Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. When it comes to queues, overall, it seems to me that Disneyland’s are generally more immersive. Don’t get me wrong, Disney World’s queues are impressive, but they feel like lines, whereas Disneyland’s feel more like immersive spaces.
That being said, when it comes to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, I prefer Walt Disney World’s version! The queue is incredible, with eye-catching design details and Easter Eggs around every corner. In addition, I really enjoyed this ride! Perhaps it’s because it’s new to me, but combined with the queue, I was dazzled by the visuals!
it’s a small world vs. it’s a small world
For some reason, this is the ride repeat I was the most excited about experiencing, and boy, what a difference! While design details for Disneyland’s version are proudly on display outdoors, Disney World’s can be found within.
Personally, Disney World’s version falls under the umbrella of one-dimensional for me. Disneyland takes the cake on this one, both indoors and outdoors. It feels like a more complete and immersive experience!
Here are some of our beautiful MiceShots of “it’s a small world”…
Jungle Cruise vs. Jungle Cruise
Can someone please tell me why I was never informed that there’s an indoor portion to Disney World’s Jungle Cruise?! This may seem like a small detail but when you’ve been riding the same attraction for decades, additions like this make an impact!
While I prefer Disneyland’s queue, Disney World’s Jungle Cruise wins the award. I thoroughly enjoyed traversing through an expanded area I didn’t even know existed!
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh vs. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
I’m super excited to share about this one because when I was little, Winnie the Pooh was my absolute favorite. From a themed nursery to books and cartoons, I loved all things Pooh Bear. When Disneyland debuted its Winnie the Pooh ride, I must admit, I was a bit disappointed. I’ve always been drawn to the soft color palette of the story’s older versions, along the lines of Classic Pooh. To me, it exudes the same charm as Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit series.
But, Disneyland’s version is anything but soft! It glows brightly with neon colors. Disneyland’s queue, on the other hand, is quite charming and lovely, evoking the feeling of the Hundred Acre Wood. At Disney World, the queue is aimed toward a more interactive experience for littles.
On the inside, however, Disney World’s version is a tribute to the franchise. With a more old-fashioned appearance, it gives me all the feels! It’s Disney World, for me, on this one!
Its calming color palette falls in line with the original story, while Disneyland’s represents the more modern version. Which do you prefer?
Peter Pan’s Flight vs. Peter Pan’s Flight
Not only is this one of the most popular rides at Disneyland but it’s always been a personal favorite of mine! Combine the “You Can Fly” aspect with a true sense of escapism and you’ve got a Disney masterpiece. I was beyond thrilled to see what Disney World’s version had to offer, and I was not disappointed!
Although I prefer Disneyland’s exterior, the actual attraction often leaves guests yearning for more. Disney World remedies this with a slightly longer experience that you can feel. The award goes to Disney World on this one!
Pirates of the Caribbean vs. Pirates of the Caribbean
It’s common knowledge that Disney World’s Pirates of the Caribbean is substantially shorter than Disneyland’s, and this proves obvious once onboard.
There’s no way around it; if you’ve ridden Disneyland’s version, you’ll feel like there’s something missing at Disney World.
Certain scenes have been omitted, and there’s only one drop.
Top it with a sense of one-dimensionality, and it’s clear to see who the winner is.
The grand prize goes to Disneyland, as far as I’m concerned!
Take a look for yourself:
MiceShots: A Swashbuckling Adventure Through Disneyland’s Pirates of the Caribbean
Toy Story Midway Mania! vs. Toy Story Mania!
This is a tough one. Although Toy Story Midway Mania! and Toy Story Mania! mirror each other once aboard the ride vehicle, the queues are notably different.
It’s hard to top the ambiance of Pixar Pier, but Disney World’s queue is quite extensive, and dare I say, spectacular!
From the outside in, it’s a feast for the eyes and completely immerses you in the Toy Story universe.
For that reason, I’ve got to hand it to Disney World on this one!
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage vs. The Seas with Nemo & Friends
Disneyland’s submarine ride seems to receive more flak than any other attraction, and I don’t get it. To me, this ride is a masterpiece!
Talk about full immersion! It doesn’t get any more immersive than actually traveling through the water via a submarine.
On the other hand, The Seas with Nemo & Friends offers an aquarium environment, which is pretty impressive. Disney World’s attraction features an omnimover system as seen in rides like Haunted Mansion.
Despite the aquarium, for me, Disneyland takes the medal. I absolutely love this ride and always will! Its full immersion encapsulates what Disneyland is all about.
Disney rides are at their best when they don’t feel like rides, but rather experiences that take you away from real life, for just a little while. I don’t know about you but this list makes me want to scoot on over to The Happiest Place on Earth as soon as possible!
Let’s consider this part one of a comparison of Disney attractions. Let me know which ones we should take a look at in the near future!
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We’d Love To Hear Your Thoughts!
We know you have some strong opinions on which attractions you prefer. Do you lean more towards Disneyland offerings, or do you prefer Disney World’s experiences? We’d love to hear your take. There are lots more attractions we can compare in the future, let us know which ones are on your mind. Tell us all about it in the comments below!
