I've been to Disneyland many, many times, so I was interested to see what would be different and what would be the same. Apparently I have many thoughts, this became very long!
Differences between Disney World and Disneyland:
Mobility Scooters vs Strollers
There were like waaaaaaaay more mobility scooters than I've ever seen in Disneyland. Like, a fuck ton. I know that a lot of disabilities are invisible, but god damn. Disneyland has a much stronger stroller culture, probably due to all the local mommy groups that infiltrate the park, hence the newish stroller rules. Like no, you cannot bring in your six-seater wagon with a pillow fort and sparkling string lights Karen.
Water
Magic Kingdom has a lot more water elements throughout the park, but strangely, not more water-based rides. It's hot as fuck, get on that Disney. There were more decorative fountains, misters (like a water spitting camel, very funny!), and actual rain effects around the park whereas Disneyland will just use the sound and a fake visual (like with the Enchanted Tiki Room). And I don't know if I've seen one decorative fountain??? I was surprised, but I shouldn't have been, Disneyland is in SoCal which is basically a desert, and Florida is basically a swamp.
Weather
Both warm places, and I seemed to have visited during a slight "heatwave" in January (mid 80's instead of mid 70's). But Florida has that heat + humidity thing which is... a bit weird? I'm used to dry heat. I really didn't mind the weather that much, but I was moved to wearing SHORTS which is something I never do here. I took ONE outfit photo of me in shorts and was like oh no, this is being seen by no one. Also, my hair was not having it.
I do NOT think I would ever visit Florida during the summer, only the "winter". But I would say the same for SoCal.
Wild Animals
Both parks have birds and such that wander the parks, but I noticed in Florida they were a lot more friendly, and actively going into the paths of people. The ducks in Disneyland usually stay on the grass, behind the fences, and I can't say I've seen a squirrel. Now in Florida? Lizards, rabbits, squirrels, birds! So I think the visitors in Florida are more free about feeding wildlife than in SoCal.
Stuff that I've done, but I would NOT choose to do again if I was the planner (warning, very unpopular opinions ahead):
Bear JamboreeWtf is this show even. You cannot really hear the lyrics, it's creepy and very unexpectedly sexual. Get rid of this weird show!
Enchanted Tiki Room
So boring! And I love tiki-themed stuff :( The clatter of the motors and movement is really distracting. Turn this into a Moana or Lilo and Stich show of some kind, sheesh. Though I would love some Mickey ears with the birds, like, free swinging in the middle of the ear? That would be so cute.
Pirates
B.O.R.I.N.G It gives the idea it's going to be a lot more interesting with the bayou and twilight atmosphere, the dip and then nothing.
I really like it when they integrate two things like ride + ride, or ride + restaurant (in Florida the people mover has a bit you can see into another ride, not sure if Disneyland has the same thing). In Disneyland, you pass by the Bayou restaurant and can see the people at their tables (it's also a nice place to eat, the whole eating inside but made to look like you are outside feel) while in Magic Kingdom you don't have that. But even then it's not really worth doing and waiting in that long ass line. I guess to get a reprieve from the heat?
Jungle Cruise
Another boring one. You can barely hear the captain over the motor, and the jokes are lame in not even a so lame its funny way. I see funny clips online, but I have yet to have a funny captain.
Haunted Mansion
If it's not Nightmare before Christmas themed, it's just not as good, and I wouldn't bother.
Gran Fiesta Tour
Dude. It's so gorgeous and serene, and then you have this jarring Donald Duck cartoon blasting. I love you Donald Duck but not for this. This needs to be Coco themed!!!
Mister Toads Wild Ride
First, I didn't even know what this was in reference to. Like, why does this cartoon have its own ride??? Plus it's weird, you end up in hell?
Smugglers run
Your role is to press buttons on the side, so it's hard to focus on the screen in front when you have to look to your side to perform your role. Also, line way too long for a meh experience.
Fireworks
They bore the shit out of me. Florida had some AMAZING projections going on with the castle, not going to lie. But still not worth waiting and sitting/standing on the concrete for ME, my husband LOVES that shit. And apparently, everyone else that goes to Disney, ha. I guess I have a heart of ice. Getting a restaurant package does make the experience much better, and if I were to choose, this would be the only way I would bother to watch them. Or if I had a view from my hotel room where I could just be on the balcony getting my drink on.
Things I enjoyed and would do again and again (includes both states):
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (ride)Frozen Ever After (ride)
Grizzly River Run (ride)
Indiana Jones Adventure (ride)
Monster's Inc Laugh Floor (show)
Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters (ride)
Mator's Junkyard Jamboree (ride)
Oga's Cantina (bar)
Radiator Springs Racing (ride)
Kilimanjaro Safari (tour)
Behind the Seeds Tour (tour) (well, maybe not EVERY time, but at least every few years to see any updates)
There were a few rides I went on that I might want to try again, now that I know what to expect. I would have to look through my photos to remember which ones.
Things I enjoyed, but not on a must-do again list unless trying to kill time, line is super short (includes both states):
It's Tough to be a Bug (show)Cute and fun, with little surprises, but I'm not really a fan of the 3D shows, they give me a headache.
Enchanted Tales with Belle
This is a great way for your little one to meet Belle, though! Highly recommend for that!
Peter Pan's Flight
I have no idea why this line is always so long! Not worth the wait, but it's cool I guess? If the line was 20 minutes or less I would go if there wasn't anything else better to do.
Astro Blasters and Midway Mania
Fun but not worth waiting a super long time for. I would like to see more interactive rides like this where you are scoring points that you can compare to your friend's.
Mission: Space
I went on the "easy" version, and apparently the "hard" version has barf bags at the ready. I think I would like a "medium" version.
Epcot
Now I know why there are so many drinking games for this place, ha. I live in a pretty multicultural area so it's not that much of a novelty to see all the different styles of architecture and food... there is already Japan town, Chinatown, Mexican restaurants and buildings, Little Vietnam, Little Italy... I can go to a Korean grocery store or Japanese or Indian, and there are a ton of little taco places. I was surprised there wasn't a little shop with fresh made mochi at Epcot! So come to San Jose, it's like Epcot but dirtier :D
Ways Disneyland is better:
Indiana Jones Adventure (ride)Only available in Disneyland! This alone makes Disneyland better because that is my favorite ride. I will wait a long time in line for this, so I almost feel like I don't have to put anything else on this list ;)
I read online that the dinosaurs ride in Florida is very similar (but still not as great) but I didn't go on that one so I can't say.
Pirates of the Caribbean (ride)
I like the beginning part of passing by the Blue Bayou restaurant, and there are TWO dips vs only one in Florida. And apparently, the Disneyland one is like 7 minutes longer, but I don't know if that makes it better or not ;)
Cars Land > Toys Land.
California has Cars Land and Florida has Toys Land. Rides, layout, and food are WAY better than Toys Land and I don't even like the cars movies.
Radiator Springs Racing >>> Test Track
No contest.
World of Color show
They don't have this in Florida, but they do have the River of Light show.
Haunted Mansion during Christmas
Nightmare before Christmas makes it a totally different (better) experience.
Big Thunder
I've been on this ride lots, and it just felt a little "off" for me in Florida. Looking online confirms that SoCal has the better version.
Weather
I just prefer a dry heat vs a humid heat.
Customers
Cleaner, more respectful with their trash. This could be because it's mostly locals.
Ways Magic Kingdom is better:
Traveling by boat!!!I wouldn't mind finding more reasons to be on a boat.
Animal Kingdom
Loved the animals, the food, the decor. And the warm humid weather added to the ambiance.
Haunted Mansion for the queue
It has some cool theming and water elements in the line (fans were useless though, felt nothing!).
Jungle Cruise
Has an extra bit in a cave and the captain stops talking during this bit so that is a plus.
Rivers of Light (show)
Sooo pretty!
Behind the Seeds Tour
I love going to behind the scenes. Plus I got some ideas I would like to try to implement once I get my yard in shape for a real garden.
Monster's Inc Laugh Floor >>> Turtle Talk
This was an absolute delight :) We all left with smiles and wanted to go again! We didn't, we had other things to do, but next visit might need to do this twice.
Things that don't exist but need to:
KuzkotopiaDude. It's IN THE MOVIE. Get on it Disney!!! Make this a ride!
Earporium
A shop dedicated to just ears. And lots a variation! There are not as many different ones at the park as you would think.
Mochi Shop
There needs to be a fresh made mochi cart or shop in Epcot. Call it "mochi mochi" (a play on moshi moshi, a way to say "hello" on the telephone: and if I get random people commenting on my blog I KNOW it's not a direct translation for hello, and it's to be used for very a casual/informal greeting like for a close friend or family member)
