Truthfully, this checklist shouldn’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 points of interest, even when enjoying quick and unfastened with the checklist and together with reveals and rides which are ‘non secular successors’ to 1 one other.
There’s a purpose why you received’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 are 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 Record of Rides That Are Higher at Disneyland.
To be clear, my objective with that not-so-clever transfer was to keep away from accusations of bias. Walt Disney World followers can typically 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 the entire ways in which Walt Disney’s unique park is superior. How these two parks have pretty much as good of journey rosters as Florida’s 4 gates. Whereas there may be some reality to that, there are additionally many ways in which Walt Disney World is best…
In fact, there are the widespread refrains amongst Walt Disney World followers who trumpet its superiority. The taller fort. The handfuls of resorts and eating places. That it’s the Trip Kingdom of the World, and what Walt wished to construct to “repair” the shortcomings of Disneyland. That’s not what I’m speaking about, although, as all of that might be higher suited to Disneyland vs. Walt Disney World as an entire.
That is all about points of interest, 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, apart from the San Diego Safari Park–however it doesn’t have an analogue in Anaheim!) There are the basic stage reveals 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 acquired its large DCA overhaul on the tail finish of the earlier decade). Anyway, simply wished to display that I’m not biased in the direction of Disneyland, however love each for various causes. That might not be instantly obvious whenever you learn via this pretty unhappy checklist of the points of interest which are 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 think about 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 best. I really like the ‘flooded’ type, lack of characters, barely superior rating, and several other little ways in which Florida has a plussed model of the long-lasting attraction. That is the definitive model of the basic journey.
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 looks like a journey 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 journey.
10. Corridor of Presidents & American Journey – Neither the American Journey nor Corridor of Presidents have clones at Disneyland. As a substitute, there’s Nice Moments with Mr. Lincoln, which serves because the non secular forebearer to each. The “drawback” with all of those patriotic points of interest is that they’re improbable…and distinct.
I assume 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 might be George Washington…however I don’t need to examine 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 Struggle, not as a result of it usually has that impact on audiences, however as a result of it’s an excellent 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 head of patriotic Disney stage reveals. 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’ve got extra luck with the randomized journey 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 journey in a land targeted on the long run. Or no less than, that was the considering just a few 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 no less than, a simulated set depicting all of that. It’s simple to neglect the filmmaking framework round which this park was created and no less than partially nonetheless exists. Most friends simply see the towering AT-AT and Ewok village and assumes that’s the theme, however some might marvel why some of these items is half-finished. Complicated or low cost because it may appear, 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. Completely 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 plain that Astro Orbiter flies larger than its Disneyland counterpart.
Fairly actually. Astro Orbiter flies larger as a result of it’s larger, elevated on prime of the PeopleMover. That very same spot at Disneyland is residence to the Observatron (sure, that identify is actual), simply one among many unhealthy concepts from Tomorrowland ’98 at Disneyland. Whereas Astro Orbiter has nearer views of Sleeping Magnificence Fort, the elevated perspective of Astro Orbiter provides an additional dimension, and seeing the neon-drenched streets of Tomorrowland–to not point out Cinderella Fort, Area Mountain and the TRON Lightcycle Run cover–take it to the following 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 journey we journey most of any journey at Walt Disney World, and each time we see previous photographs of Tomorrowland at Disneyland, it breaks our hearts that we by no means bought to expertise the PeopleMover there. Possibly it’s only a “grass is all the time greener” factor, however Tomorrowland seems even higher in photographs of Disneyland from the 70s and 80s than any current model of the land does as we speak.
Nevertheless, at this level I believe it’s secure to say that the operational model of the PeopleMover at Walt Disney World is best than the deserted tracks and cargo platform, plus regardless of the heck the Observatron is meant to be doing. However I suppose affordable minds might differ. The shade the PeopleMover tracks provide will be fairly good! (Apologies for the knife twist, Disneyland followers, however I needed to do it given the comparative weak spot of the remainder of this checklist.)
6. Tower of Terror – If you happen to 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 method higher than it has any proper to be. At the same time as somebody with a powerful Twilight Zone bias, it’s truthfully 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 journey system for the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is completely 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 snug 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 journey 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 Resort 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 just a few causes. First, there are two units of them and two trumps one. Second, the traces are sometimes shorter (see first purpose). Third, the stunning nighttime lighting.
When Dumbo was moved and its capability doubled, it additionally acquired a wonderful new lighting scheme that actually provides it added life at night time. Lacking is that iconic view of Cinderella Fort, however the view continues to be breathtaking with most of Fantasyland seen, plus there’s some glorious lighting, so we take into account the dueling Dumbos a greater attraction than the one (1) Dumbo at Disneyland.
4. Beneath the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid – Like Astro Orbite/or, it is a journey that has completely different names at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. In contrast to that one letter distinction, that is a number of phrases and punctuation marks: Beneath 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 journey.”
The explanations that the Walt Disney World model is best has nothing to do with names and even the substance of the darkish journey. Reasonably, it comes all the way down to the outside and queue. The Disneyland model repurposed the facade for Golden Goals, a present concerning the historical past of California, through the DCA overhaul. That exterior based mostly on San Francisco’s Palace of the Nice Arts is cool and becoming for Disney California Journey, however the queue is brief and primary.
In contrast, the Little Mermaid darkish journey at Magic Kingdom was purpose-built through the New Fantasyland growth, and options Prince Eric’s Fort plus loads of rockwork and water. You may even argue that the (very lengthy) queue and exterior are higher than the journey itself. That’s no knock on the journey itself, which I truly suppose is underrated. The queue of the Little Mermaid darkish journey 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 night time. It’s additionally the case within the caverns as outdoor transitions to contained in the fort. If you happen to ever cease to understand the entire little particulars when this line roughly empties out, you’ll see that an enormous portion of the finances for Walt Disney World’s model went to placemaking. And that’s essential, because it units the stage for a extra pleasant ride-through expertise.
3. Fortunately Ever After – This may be a suspicious choice, particularly since we normally distinguish nighttime spectaculars from points of interest. (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 massive 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 points of interest which are higher at Walt Disney World.
Truthfully, although, no straw-grasping is required right here. The fireworks for the rest of the yr at Disneyland are Collectively Eternally – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular, “Halloween Screams” and “Consider… in Vacation Magic.” All three are fantastic, 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?!” situation. They’re each phenomenal nighttime spectaculars, and simply as simply as I could make the under case for Wondrous Journeys being higher, another person might advance arguments in favor of Fortunately Ever After. The truth is, I can consider 112! (What is the peak distinction, in toes, between Cinderella Fort and Sleeping Magnificence Fort?)
It’s not simply that standing on Fundamental Road and seeing Cinderella Fort towering within the distance. As a result of Walt Disney World’s much less city location, the Magic Kingdom fireworks have larger and higher pyro. In addition they have extra common pyro, with the “projections solely” variations of the Disneyland reveals being introduced very often…and fireworks being cancelled even within the slightest Santa Ana winds.
Despite the fact that I believe Wondrous Journeys is the marginally higher present from a storytelling perspective, the general fireworks expertise is best and extra predictable at Magic Kingdom. If you happen to 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” points of interest. There’s Avatar Flight of Passage, which is Soarin’ on steroids (Avatar Flight of Passage) and this. Okay, that’s solely two points of interest. 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 journey in practically each conceivable method. Expedition Everest contains a foreboding queue, unimaginable particulars, fascinating journey 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 points of interest.
1. Fantasmic – This checklist has been a bit spicy and possibly received’t be notably satisfying to loads of WDW diehards trying to find ways in which their residence park is best than Walt Disney’s unique magic kingdom. So why don’t we exit on a excessive word, giving the Florida followers a feather of their cap that’s certain to enrage the Disneylanders on the market.
Fantasmic is best 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 satisfaction 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 best 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, lots has modified. The primary huge 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 equivalent to 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 look at 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, however it’s now not the superior present.
There was as soon as some extent after we averted 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. And so they’re most likely going to be fairly unhealthy for the foreseeable future!
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Which Walt Disney World points of interest do you suppose are higher than their Disneyland counterparts? Any rides that this checklist snubbed which are superior within the Florida parks? Something on this checklist that you just suppose is definitely worse at Walt Disney World? Do you agree or disagree with our picks? Any questions? Listening to your suggestions—even whenever you disagree with us—is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
