Just returned from a Galaxy Far Far Away...

[mindflipper]

I disagree with MK comparison. I like WDW MK much better. DLR just seemed a little cramped. Like it was shoe horned in. Which is understandable considering where it was built. Don't get me wrong, I liked it quite a bit. Just like the WDW version better.

And I'm not sure how the merchandise is better in Anaheim. Unless you're referring to selection. The merchandise is the same. The t shirts say Disneyland rather than Disney World but other than that it's made the same.

"Cramped" may be better said as "involves less walking".

Over the past few years, Disneyland has had a ton of exclusive merchandising for its park that's not been available at Disney World.

[Amy]

I disagree with MK comparison. I like WDW MK much better. DLR just seemed a little cramped. Like it was shoe horned in. Which is understandable considering where it was built. Don't get me wrong, I liked it quite a bit. Just like the WDW version better...

"Cramped" may be better said as "involves less walking"....

It is amazing how closely put together DL is. It is nice for not having to walk quite as much, but bad as far as crowds of people go. That space in Adventureland in front of Indy is especially hairy
Does anyone know if WDW and DL's Star Tours are exactly the same then?

[mindflipper]

With the original, ride-wise and queue-wise, yes, pretty much the same - the exterior is the big difference...

Big question: is ST 2.0 the same? My guess it will be...

[theBIGyowski]

I have done comparisons of WDW MK and DLR MK before...but here is a recap of what I thought:

Castle: WDW
Main St: DLR
Tomorrowland: WDW
Fantasyland: DLR (will be WDW after expansion)
NO Square/Liberty Square: Push...though I am leaning towards DLR
Frontierland: WDW (combining DLR's with Critter Country...still loses to WDW)
Adventureland: DLR
Toontown: DLR

DLR MK did seem a bit cramped but it had much more charm than WDW's. I will take Cinderella's Castle every day of the week over Sleeping Beauty's...sorry Aurora. DRL's Space Mtn is better...but other than that it was very lacking in Tomorrowland. Even when WDW had a "Toontown" it was not as good as DLR's.

Both MK parks are awesome though and pay great tributes to Walt and Roy.

As for AK being a great park...I can see that for people not used to the lush greenery that we have in the Southeast. I would be willing to be AK would be where Walt would have spent a lot of his time since he loved wild animals so much.

[mindflipper]

Now if you ever compared to WDW MK and DLR MK at Christmas time, then it's no question - hand down, it's DLR MK. Far better decorated at Christmas, and even has the IASWH and HMH.

[Wizzard419]

It's just DL, we don't call it the magic kingdom.

[Amy]

I have done comparisons of WDW MK and DLR MK before...but here is a recap of what I thought:
Castle: WDW
Main St: DLR
Tomorrowland: WDW
Fantasyland: DLR (will be WDW after expansion)
NO Square/Liberty Square: Push...though I am leaning towards DLR
Frontierland: WDW (combining DLR's with Critter Country...still loses to WDW)
Adventureland: DLR
Toontown: DLR
DLR MK did seem a bit cramped but it had much more charm than WDW's. I will take Cinderella's Castle every day of the week over Sleeping Beauty's...sorry Aurora. DRL's Space Mtn is better...but other than that it was very lacking in Tomorrowland. Even when WDW had a "Toontown" it was not as good as DLR's.
Both MK parks are awesome though and pay great tributes to Walt and Roy.
As for AK being a great park...I can see that for people not used to the lush greenery that we have in the Southeast. I would be willing to be AK would be where Walt would have spent a lot of his time since he loved wild animals so much.

Nice comparisons BIG. I would have to agree with most of it, although I like WDW's HM so much I might lean that way on that point. New Orleans Square in DL has a lot of character though.

Now if you ever compared to WDW MK and DLR MK at Christmas time, then it's no question - hand down, it's DLR MK. Far better decorated at Christmas, and even has the IASWH and HMH.

You've hit the nail on the head there mindflipper! DL does do Christmas right with It's a Small World Holiday and Haunted Mansion Holiday! But DHS's Osborne lights kind of makes up for both of those

[mindflipper]

But we're comparing MK to MK, so DHS is outside the scope. For WDW MK, it only decorates on MS and that's it. But DLR MK decorates throughout the park - not only MS, but Fantasyland, Frontierland, and NOS.

And as for DHS, yes, it has the Lights, but that's about it. Other than the entrance area, you would be hard pressed to find any holiday decorations anywhere.

[Amy]

But we're comparing MK to MK, so DHS is outside the scope. For WDW MK, it only decorates on MS and that's it. But DLR MK decorates throughout the park - not only MS, but Fantasyland, Frontierland, and NOS.

And as for DHS, yes, it has the Lights, but that's about it. Other than the entrance area, you would be hard pressed to find any holiday decorations anywhere.

Maybe DL decorates so much because it is smaller? And they have more local guests, whereas WDW has more international travelers who might not celebrate the same holidays so they don't want to alienate the guests?

[mindflipper]

But we're comparing MK to MK, so DHS is outside the scope. For WDW MK, it only decorates on MS and that's it. But DLR MK decorates throughout the park - not only MS, but Fantasyland, Frontierland, and NOS.

And as for DHS, yes, it has the Lights, but that's about it. Other than the entrance area, you would be hard pressed to find any holiday decorations anywhere.

Maybe DL decorates so much because it is smaller? And they have more local guests, whereas WDW has more international travelers who might not celebrate the same holidays so they don't want to alienate the guests?

So the best way to promote tolerance and understanding is to cater to most intolerant guests?

[Wizzard419]

We may be able to look like we decorate more simply because a lot of that stuff builds up over the years and the small size helps a lot. With DCA and DTD the decor is not nearly as great in volume.

[mindflipper]

We may be able to look like we decorate more simply because a lot of that stuff builds up over the years and the small size helps a lot. With DCA and DTD the decor is not nearly as great in volume.

I know DLR MK has passed the 55 year mark, but WDW MK is no spring chicken; remember it will soon pass the 40 year mark.

[Wizzard419]

It's not called MK here or anywhere else than florida!

But anyway, I'm not sure (never been there during the holiday season) but do they change out the decor more often at WDW? Here it tends to build up because they recycle a lot of it and add on, kind of like the guy who always puts out every holdiay decoration he owns every year since he bought the items? Fire hazards be darn!

[mindflipper]

It's not called MK here or anywhere else than florida!

But anyway, I'm not sure (never been there during the holiday season) but do they change out the decor more often at WDW? Here it tends to build up because they recycle a lot of it and add on, kind of like the guy who always puts out every holdiay decoration he owns every year since he bought the items? Fire hazards be darn

Actually, since DCA, some do - or at least, when I visited there after DCA had opened. When once asked by security which park we had an incident, they asked, "Was it the Magic Kingdom, or Disney's California Adventure?" And there were one or two other times I was surprised to hear them calling it that, but that was after DCA opened. I had wondered if they were at that time slowly trying to name the park "Magic Kingdom" and the whole resort area "Disneyland"...

[Amy]

So the best way to promote tolerance and understanding is to cater to most intolerant guests?

No, but I think I have heard mentioned before that is one reason that the holidays aren't pushed as much at WDW ~ also that guests are coming from all over expecting to see the Haunted Mansion, and as awesome as the Haunted Mansion Holiday is, they don't want people to be disappointed that they can't see the original HM, or worse yet, be there during the few weeks it takes to put up/remove the holiday overlay.

...But anyway, I'm not sure (never been there during the holiday season) but do they change out the decor more often at WDW? Here it tends to build up because they recycle a lot of it and add on, kind of like the guy who always puts out every holdiay decoration he owns every year since he bought the items? Fire hazards be darn

Maybe more of the decorations simply rot away due to the heat and humidity in Florida?!