If you want to start a fight, just amble by Anaheim’s Partners statue on Sunday at noon and start loudly yelling about how Disney World wipes the floor with Disneyland, and then grumble about how tiny the Castle is and how Disney California Adventure is largely made up of stuff from Florida. Riots will ensue, Vinylmation will fly and ECVs will be damaged beyond repair.
The truth of the matter is this - Walt Disney World IS better than Disneyland. And by golly, I aim to prove it.
This is my first time here at MouseInfo.com, and I gotta say, I dig it. This site seems to be pretty Disneyland-centric (and rightly so, as the owners live on the West Coast), so to make my writing debut here, what could be better than to make everyone livid?
It has been said the most important desire in human nature is to feel important, and often we do that by claiming what we have or do is superior to what someone else has or does, as doing so makes us feel more important. That’s a quick psych 101 on fans - they love what they love and they’ll go to their deaths defending it. Needless to say, this is how internet forums came to be the hotbeds of geek warfare that they are today.
I lay claim to Walt Disney World as a fan - I have a deep personal attachment. I first visited at the impressionable age of 1, and have since returned countless times, including for my engagement, wedding, 1st, 4th and soon-to-be 5th anniversaries. I love the place so much, I wrote a freakin’ book - so I feel more than qualified to fill you in on the 5 things that make Walt Disney World better than Disneyland. Before you get all hot and bothered and yell at me in the comments, hear me out.
5. Size Matters
When Walt first described the Florida Project, he pointed out that the new frontier outside Orlando provided them with the "blessing of size," something Disneyland will (sadly) never enjoy. Disneyland was built on the rather short-sighted concept of one theme park and a parking lot, so the appropriate amount of land was purchased. It wasn’t long before the surrounding land was snapped up by piggybacking hotels and restaurants, most of which aren’t exactly up to Disney’s standards of beauty and style. The result: urban blight going right up to the borders of Walt’s magic kingdom. As I often tell anyone who’ll listen, if it weren’t for Disneyland, Anaheim would be just another Norwalk. (That’s for you LA/OC folks out there)
With 47 square miles at Walt Disney World’s disposal, once you’ve crossed their borders, you’re in. No Denny’s or Super 8s, just Disney-controlled magic enshrouded in trees, swamps and mystery. I lovingly call it the compound, and like a willing cult member, I return as often as I can for therapeutic brainwashing and wallet cleansing.
4. The Resort Experience
With the One Disney corporate initiative in place, it never ceases to amaze me which practices the two resorts decide to share and which they don’t. For example, Walt Disney World has the resort experience down to a seamless science - it’s their bread and butter, after all. They’ve built a perfect mousetrap - stay at our resort hotels to visit our theme parks and we’ll even pick you up at the airport for free! Yup, Disney’s Magical Express is just that - magical. Your luggage is picked up for you, so you get to skip baggage claim and get right on a plush seated motorcoach for a ride to your Disney resort. You check in, head to Epcot to play, and within a few hours your bags appear in your room, waiting for your return. It’s magical, it’s wonderful, it’s beautiful, exciting! (Sing it with me Disneylanders) Maaaaagicaaaal!
Another advantage WDW holds over Disneyland is the Key to the World card, which will only get more interesting once the upcoming “NextGen” program is implemented. Right now, guests who check in to a Walt Disney World resort are given cards that act not only as room keys, but charge cards, park tickets and Dining Plan credits as well. Having everything on one little piece of plastic is a big help. I’ll never forget a few years ago when I checked in to the Grand Californian at Disneyland, I was handed a little slip of cardboard paper to sign that would act as my room charge for the whole resort. I literally laughed out loud - a slip of paper the size of my hand with charging privileges? That won’t survive one run on Splash Mountain, let alone a four day vacation. Disneyland is still perfecting its resort experience, while Disney World just keeps honing in on Orwellian perfection.
3. Epcot
Face it, Epcot rocks. Even in its current state sans some its classic attractions, Epcot is awesome. It can’t help it. Epcot is like the Old Spice Guy of theme parks. Look at your theme park. Now look at me. I’ve got a geodesic sphere that towers at 180 feet, serving as a beacon of futurism and world unity, surpassed in impressiveness only by what lies beyond it. Look at your theme park. Now look at me. I have a beloved mascot character created specifically for one of my attractions who will serenade you with an original Sherman Brothers tune while simultaneously teaching you how to be better person by using your imagination. Look at your theme park. Now look at me. I have 11 nations represented in as many pavilions, each with authentic and fabulous food awaiting your unprepared American tastebuds, and every night at Christmastime Academy Award winning celebrities, as well as Neil Patrick Harris, narrate the story of Christ’s birth while a choir of hundreds, a live orchestra and the Voices of Liberty perform bombastic arrangements of classic carols.
I could keep going. Epcot would make for one lengthy Old Spice commercial, and it would do it with its shirt on. (Mulan reference, for those keeping score)
Epcot is uber awesome because it is - it’s a unique concept that works so well it was to be the basis for Disneyland’s second theme park (Westcot, announced in the early 90’s with much Eisner fanfare). Instead, we got Disney California Adventure, which after 11 years of operation is finally worth its salt. I don’t want to sound like an ass and detract from DCA’s newfound loveliness, but Epcot was awesome from Day 1. No billion dollar expansion needed.
Epcot also holds the distinction for Best Drugless Crack Trip Attraction with Norway’s Maelstrom. Seriously, have you been on that thing? They could rename it Disney’s NorWTF Adventure: Rice Cream to the Rescue! and no one would blink. Trolls, limp-wristed polar bears and an oil rig, all while you careen about in a viking boat. I love it.
2. Dining
Disneyland has some really great restaurants. No really - Napa Rose, Carthay Circle, Blue Bayou, Cafe Orleans. Heck, even the new Flo’s V8 Cafe is a big winner. All of these fine establishments deserve the ample credit they are givIMMA LET YOU FINISH, BUT WALT DISNEY WORLD HAS THE BEST FOOD EVER. Allow Kanye to name just a few of mind-blowing eateries available for your gustatory pleasure at Walt Disney World, in no particular order:
Victoria & Albert’s - It’s so five star. Everything comes on a doily and the dishes all have unpronounceable names. This should be on every Disney fan’s bucket list - don’t ask what they set in front of you, just eat it, and upgrade to the wagyu beef. Who knew massaged cows would taste so good? If you need me, I’ll be out back massaging the cows for dinner.
Jiko - If you’ve never watched giraffes from a few feet away and then headed inside for an oak grilled filet on a bed of gourmet mac-and-cheese and red wine reduction, then you’ve never been to Jiko. And for those of you who would loudly remind me that mac-and-cheese is no longer on the menu, I will advise you to ask your server for it and you shall receive. (You’d be shocked what you can get when you just ask) Jiko has been a must-do on each of our trips - the food is different from the norm and fabulous, with a wait staff that is second to none. Hassan, if you’re reading this, you’re the man!
California Grill - High atop the Contemporary Resort, the California Grill offers edgy cuisine (their filet comes with purple mashed potatoes you guys. PURPLE) and views that are to die for. The outdoor terrace offers an aerial view of the neighboring Magic Kingdom’s gorgeous fireworks shows - the perfect ending to a romantic meal.
Le Cellier Steakhouse - The most popular in-park restaurant at Walt Disney World, this dark and moody joint is nestled in Epcot’s Canada pavilion. Pretzel bread sets the tone for anyone ordering the cheddar cheese soup (let me help you - order the cheddar cheese soup), and the filet mignon is one of the best. (Can you tell that I like filet?) Maple creme brulee caps off one of the best theme park meals you could possibly treat yourself to. Getting a lunch reservation is next to impossible unless you book 180 days out, so don’t expect a walk-up at this place until 2013 when both meals become Signature dining experiences (read: more expensive).
Narcoossee’s - Two words: surf and turf. Four words: primo fireworks viewing. Three words: Let’s go now.
Bistro de Paris - This little known gem serves up haute French cuisine in an intimate setting on the second floor of Epcot’s France pavilion. A multi-course dinner here will make you completely forget where you are, especially if you spy the Eiffel Tower out the window, so make sure you bring a totem so you don’t Inception yourself. The secret on this one is starting to get out, so get in now before the tourists figure out what they’re missing.
Kouzzina by Cat Cora - Placed on the lively BoardWalk outside Epcot, Greek food meets fancy schmancy and the result is ZOMGPLEASEFEEDMEMORE. Unique flavors betray the influence of the Food Network goddess, and guests who book the prix fixe experience in the CoraNation Room get an even better treat (I call it Victoria & Albert’s Lite).
Be Our Guest - I know this one isn’t open yet, but the Magic Kingdom’s newest addition will be serving up grey stuff (it’s delicious) and faux French food come November. Frankly, the food could suck and I’d still show up to eat in the Beast’s ballroom. Location, location, location.
And that’s without going into counter service and snacks - there are Bruxie-style waffle sandwiches at the Magic Kingdom, faboo noodle salads and adult beverages in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, a carrot cake sandwich cookie at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the Pop Century resort has a cupcake with candied bacon on it. Bacon on a cupcake. Walt Disney World for the win!
1. A Really Big Castle
You see all of the above is just blog padding compared to the real reason Walt Disney World kicks Disneyland’s butt. Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom soars above it all at an astonishing 180 feet - more than 100 feet taller than Disneyland’s charming, but comparatively piddly, Sleeping Beauty Castle. Some argue that Disneyland’s castle is intimate and its charm negates any need for tallness. I disagree, and since I’m writing this post and you’re not, I win. Man, I should go into politics.
Seriously though - I don’t want to put words in a dead man’s mouth, but Walt’s disembodied frozen spirit told me he agrees that bigger castles are where it’s at. True, Disneyland’s castle does have a lovely walkthrough that tells the story of Sleeping Beauty, but Cinderella Castle has a dream suite and a restaurant! I don’t know how to tell you this, but you couldn’t fit a futon into one of Sleeping Beauty Castle’s towers. I don’t know why you’d try, but you can’t. So don’t even try. What little space there is inside the towers is filled with rocket launchers and flamethrowers, because Steve Davison is awesome.
Secondly, at Christmas, Cinderella Castle is draped in unobstrusive lights that are all but invisible during the day. Sleeping Beauty Castle is covered in giant swaths of white pterodactyl poop ("snow"), baubles, wreaths and enough garland to make Auntie Mame long for January. Pretty at night, but during the day that ish is ugly as sin. Even when it comes to seasonal overlays, Walt Disney World wins.
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Your honor, I rest my case. I think the evidence is overwhelming. Walt Disney World is clearly superior to Disneyland, and I, the prosecution, have outlined 5 bulletproof exhibits that will no doubt cut the jury deliberations quite short.
So do you think I nailed it or are you a hardcore Anaheimer who refuses to believe anything good can come from Florida? Feel free to come to my aid or tell me off below in the comments. Extra points to anyone who can make this as awkward and relationship-ruining as a political debate on Facebook.
What I neglected to tell you is that I may or may not have multiple personality disorder, and my alter ego is currently preparing Disneyland’s defense (Luckily for you, I forgot my pills today). Check our the rebuttal! The top 5 reasons why Disneyland is way better than Walt Disney World!
Drew Hackney is the author of The Small World Ninja Ultimate Guide to Walt Disney World: The #1 Guide to No Stress Epic Disney Vacations, and keeps up with the latest Disney World vacation planning tips at his blog. He resides in the midwest with his beautiful wife and scheming chihuahua, and escapes to Disney as often as possible. In addition to an unhealthy obsession with the Mouse, he loves 30 Rock, Nutella and taxidermy. For a limited time, MouseInfo readers can get a special discount on his book along with a free preview chapter and access to live Disney trip planning Q & A!
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