Welcome to installment one of Dueling Disney. This new monthly column will run the length of 2013, and entail two friends on different coasts battling it out for Disney park supremacy.
Keith Gluck grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, and has been to Disneyland every year since birth. Jeff Heimbuch grew up in New Jersey, and was exposed to Walt Disney World at the ripe old age of 3.
We both love not only our respective home resorts, but the “other coast’s” as well. Therefore, don’t be surprised if you see one columnist concede a point or two throughout the series. Disneyland vs. Walt Disney World is always a fun (and lighthearted) topic, so comments are definitely encouraged. Show your “home resort” pride and let us know which point of view you agree with most.
THIS MONTH’S TOPIC:
Resort Size
Keith: Okay Jeff, you got me here. This is a point that not only will I concede, but concede 43 times over (in honor of Disney World being a gargantuan 43 times larger than Disneyland). However I maintain that my home resort being much smaller does have its advantages. For example, park-hopping is a breeze! The two closest parks in Disney World are Epcot and Hollywood Studios. At a brisk walking pace (or even a light jog, provided you’re up for that while on vacation), you’re looking at about 10 minutes to get from one park to the other. Disneyland to California Adventure, however: 10 seconds!
Jeff: You conceded already? Well, that’s it, folks! Column’s over!
OK, fine, you want me to list some of my points? Fair enough.
Like you said already, Keith, Walt Disney World wins by a mile…42 square miles to be exact! As I’m sure most of you know, Walt, when looking to building Walt Disney World, was looking for the blessing of size, something he didn’t have when building Disneyland. Tons of cheap, low-rent motels popped up around Disneyland within its opening years, and Walt thought that was tacky. So, when it came time to build Walt Disney World, he wanted a large space so he could control what went up around his Parks. And control it, the Walt Disney Company does!
Now, I’m not necessarily going to say that the size factor is a huge score for us, but it has its ups and downs. But my main point to start with will be that we do have an over-abundance of space, which leads us to more room for expansions, a vast, city-like network, and controlled eye lines!
Keith: You are absolutely right, Jeff. Walt knew how valuable the land around Disneyland was going to be, but he just plain and simple had no more money. In fact he even told his friend Art Linkletter to consider purchasing the surrounding land prior to Disneyland’s opening, so together they could develop properties on it in the future. Mr. Linkletter, unfortunately, did not share Walt’s vision. He passed on the offer, and later probably set the world record for the amount of times one can kick oneself.
Walt was obviously in a better position when it came time to purchase land for “The Florida Project,” and the Disney Company has utilized said land by constructing (so far): four theme parks, a shopping district, two golf courses, a transportation hub, dozens of hotels, and more. However, Monsieur Heimbuch, I have only conceded that Disney World wins in resort size, because, it’s bigger! In terms of size management, you must concede that Disneyland does a much better job. In fact if you compare the similar parks, Disneyland and Magic Kingdom, you’ll notice that while MK is over 20 acres larger than its older sister, it contains fewer attractions!
Jeff: You definitely have me there, good sir! I think, in this case especially, that bigger is not always better! Like you mentioned, Magic Kingdom has fewer attractions than Disneyland, despite being much larger in size. However, it does make up for it in excellent theming. But, overall, I would have to say that the size of the resort may be more of a curse than a blessing. Just ask anyone that has used the Walt Disney World bus system, and I can almost guarantee you that they’ll say the same thing: It stinks (hat tip to movie critic Jay Sherman). The resort is just too huge to have an effective transportation system to keep everyone happy. Everything is so spread out that you almost always have to wait 30 minutes or more to get to your destination. Unless, of course, you’re staying on the Monorail loop, and you’re heading to Magic Kingdom. Then the Park is only a short walk (or Monorail or boat ride!) away! But even then, the boats and Monorails get over crowded during peak seasons.
Keith: Yep, that is a huge plus for our side, bud. If you are staying on-property at Disneyland, you are never more than a 10-minute walk to either park (and if you’re staying at the Grand Californian, you’re looking at a 30 second walk to California Adventure). Plus there are several reasonably-priced two to three star hotels right across the street from the Disneyland Resort (which I like to call “the strip”) on South Harbor, that are all also only a 10-minute walk (or less) away. I’d also like to add that being smaller adds to our charm. In the case of Disneyland vs. Magic Kingdom (which very well may end up being its own column in this series), Disneyland appears far more quaint, whereas the Magic Kingdom can look a little too big/spread out in certain areas. So, to wrap up our first duel, I’m going to say: charm, convenience of park-hopping, and space management are all reasons why even though Walt Disney World is bigger, Disneyland is the winner in terms of resort size!
Jeff: To further your point, I’ll quote my good friend, Disney Legend, and former Imagineer Rolly Crump (excuse me for a moment while I pick up this name I just dropped): “Disneyland hugs you. Walt Disney World just made way for all the strollers.” And he’s right. While I think the sheer size of the resort comes in handy for the other Parks, you lose the feeling of quaintness at the Magic Kingdom that you find at Disneyland. It’s too big, not as charming, and definitely a check against it. I do have to say that SOME areas of Magic Kingdom exceed their Disneyland counterparts, for the most part, Disneyland wins. So, while Walt Disney World wins for physical size…I think Disneyland wins this round.
What do you guys think? What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of your home resort’s size?
Dueling Disney is written by Jeff Heimbuch & Keith Gluck
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to email us at [email protected] or [email protected]
You can follow us on Twitter @DisneyProject and @JeffHeimbuch
January 16, 2013 at 4:24 am
Great Column Guys
I have to agree with you as Disneylanfd is small, but perfectly formed. The park always looks fresh, as thre continuing repair work on attractions and paths. It is a good show which WDW doesn’t have at the moment. For me, WDW is like spinning plates, to try and keep every park looking fresh take alot of the budget, and so it is left alone. I know the New Fantasyland looks great, but, for me, t makes he rest of the parks look worse.
Thanks Again Guys for a great new column, and I look forward next week’s article.
Trumpet
January 16, 2013 at 5:07 am
I can see arguments from both sides here and see no clear winner.
Disneyland is a much easier Resort to get around with the two parks seconds away from one another. Downtown Disney is a couple of minutes away and offers a nice selection of Restaurants to chose from if your not too bothered with eating at the Parks. Grand Californian is within the grounds of DCA and provides its own entrance to that Park. Although Paradise Pier hotel is a harder place to access. Also the Parking situation is a joke and needs to be addressed soon. A number of Hotels are within easy reach of the Resort and results in you not having to buy a expensive Disney vacation package. The Parks are smaller but the space is much better used and all the theming is new compared to the stale looking WDW Parks. Although I’m not happy that Universal and SeaWorld are further away compared to Orlando. So I would say location and access is much better at Walt Disney World.
Walt Disney World is too spread out and the busses are an absolute nightmare. Especially park hopping and visiting another Hotel for a Dining Reservation. Busses arriving at the Ticket and Transport centre which then have to deal with further waits. Although the surroundings are much greater in every way to what Disneyland holds. Even the Hotels with various price ranges offer landscaping and escapes. Traveling to the Magic Kingdom by Ferry is the way to visit a Disney Park. And lets not even get started on the amazing amount of recreational activities on offer. So despite its size and transportation issues. Walt Disney World wins it for me in the Resort size argument.
January 16, 2013 at 5:37 am
I think you guys missed a bunch of points here. The size issue of Magic Kingdom vs Disneyland is pretty easy to compare and find Disneyland to be superior despite less size. Resort size was really only discussed as far as transporting oneself around the resorts, with Disneyland resort winning again because it is easier to get around. But WDW has so much more to offer with 4 parks, Golf courses, water parks and a large assortment of themed resorts priced in a multitude of ranges to allow more guests to actually have the all inclusive Disney feeling. For me the difference in size if really a matter of what experiences can each resort offer and WDW wins hands down for sheer volume of quality experiences, starting with accommodations and ending with the parks themselves. And providing a much better shield from the outside world. But, for me, taking that into account, I prefer the attractions offered by the Disneyland Resort. It’s the ONLY place I can ride the Matterhorn, Mr. Toad, Casey Jr, Storybookland, Pinnocchio, Snow White, Indiana Jones and Nemo. And they have superior versions of Pirates and the Haunted Mansion. But none of that has anything to do with size.
January 16, 2013 at 6:09 am
“Welcome to installment one of Dueling Disney. This new ***monthly*** column will run the length of 2013, and entail two friends on different coasts battling it out for Disney park supremacy…”
Monthly?
I would think a weekly column would be better paced.
In our ADD world, you will be forgotten by the time installment #2 comes along. And lets face it, your column is banter (entertaining, yes… a wealth of info, no…) I think maybe you both could skirt by with 2x per month. It isn’t like you will run out of material in roughly 52 installments. A monthly article of this nature is not the way to go; I would love a weekly version please!
January 16, 2013 at 9:49 am
Let’s not get greedy. Both of these guys hold down full time jobs and have other columns they write for the site. We are lucky to have them willing to do this once a month for now. But I’m sure that if they are flooded with positive responses, they might just change their minds.
January 16, 2013 at 6:16 am
In support of the DLR argument, just look at Universal Orlando, with it’s two parks, 3 hotels, and CityWalk all tightly formed together into a snug vacation wonderland.
January 16, 2013 at 6:58 am
Your new column is a most exceptional idea! Being a fan of, and watching the ebb and flow of the good, the bad and the ugly of both parks, I look forward to reading your articles.
January 16, 2013 at 7:03 am
I think that if the entire WDW property was linked by Monorail, it would have the edge. However, since the Disneyland Resort has nearly the same amount of rides packed into two parks which are side by side (and which are better maintained), I’m going to say that Disneyland wins. Easier to get around! Park once and enjoy the entire resort.
But I’d LOVE for WDW to win this one. Size should work to their favor – if they used magical transportation instead of buses.
January 16, 2013 at 7:11 am
For me it is the overall amount of things that WDW has to offer that wins out. Four theme parks, 2 water parks, 2 miniature golf courses (regular golf too if you like that sort of thing), watersports, dining, shopping, etc. Many times my wife and I will go to stay at WDW and not even visit one the theme parks. That is what tips the scales in WDW’s favor for me.
January 16, 2013 at 7:17 am
They both have their advantages. Disneyland has a better Magic Kingdom (except the tiny castle throws me every time). That being said, Disneyland is a fun distraction from the world while Disney World is an escape. Just the fact that, due to the size, they can completely separate themselves from the outside world, makes it my favorite… you know… after Tokyo. Also, with Disney World, you can spend 12 days there, only ride 1/2 or even 1/4 of the rides, and never run out of things to do. I know… I’ve done it.
January 16, 2013 at 7:22 am
WDW’s size is its greatest disadvantage. They didn’t make the theme parks its star. Instead the resorts are the star. The theme parks are lacking in attractions. The transportation is horrendous. Disneyland is the best way to get the theme park experience. Although WDW is the vacation experience, it is so clear that the vacation experience now includes Universal, the Space Center, and Port Canaveral. Either WDW needs to improve or people will not settle for less.
January 16, 2013 at 7:24 am
Unfortunately, both parks have seemed to evolved away from Walt’s original concepts. Both Tomorrowlands scream this point too loud.
What I love about MK is that with more space, the attractions are bigger. Example: Splash Mountain at MK is a far superior version than that in California. But where MK fails is in the attraction placement. The lay out is just WRONG. Splash Mountain should not be next to Big Thunder. DL, although tighter in space, has a much better floor plan.
January 16, 2013 at 7:27 am
Being originally from Southern California, i of course went to Disneyland frequently over the years. In fact, I was present for the 25th Anniversary, when the park was kept open for 25 straight hours. My goal that night was to ride every ride and experience every attraction that I could within that period of time. If I hadn’t have fallen asleep at 4 in the morning on a Story Book cruise boat, I might have pulled it off–but perhaps not, because Disneyland packs a lot of things to see and do into a relatively small area. In contrast, while I’ve always liked the more wide-open spaces of the Florida resort, the parks there (with the possible exception of the former Disney MGM Studios) don’t seem to have the same feeling of intimacy. I’d have to plump down on the side of Disneyland (despite its smaller size); Walt Disney World, however, trumps all with the lodging experiences it offers. I always stay at the Caribbean Beach resort, and love those cute character towels the maids leave on the bed along with all of the toys and character figures I pick up along the way.
January 16, 2013 at 7:37 am
Having been to 3 of the Disney Parks(Anaheim, Orlando and Paris) The West Coast is the Best Coast. As were talking about size, Orlando, it’s nice to have all the space for what ever you want to build but when I was last there 3 years ago I felt that there was too much space for your own good, when my wife and I were there, seeing all the open space made us think that it was a waste. But that could also be from growing up with the Resort and working at the Resort. Anahiem has the rich history and the story of how Walt went into the unknown. I agree with Rolly Crump’s statement that Disneyland hugs you.
I do have 1 statement that will always trump WDW with 3 simple words, Walt built Disneyland.
January 16, 2013 at 7:51 am
It’s two different types of places, DL is made for being on rides all day and visiting local nearby beaches and Hollywood clubs and attractions. WDW is more focused on people from city and hillbilly areas wanting to go to a family relaxing getaway where they can buy a timeshare as a second home. WDW has bowling, golf, water slide parks and man made beaches to enjoy between mall shopping and spa visits. My only complaint with WDW, besides the harsh climate, is that I feel like herded cattle traveling long distances on ghetto busses and losing spontaneous Magic with demeaning meal plans. But I think WDW is still better as a relaxing club med style family resort. DL is more of an intense theme park experience within walking distance of your motel room.
January 16, 2013 at 7:58 am
Just chiming in to say I enjoyed reading the article and look forward to future installments!