Disneyland Vs. Walt Disney World: Which is Better?

Many Disney aficionados swear by their favorite park but if price or location isn't an issue, which would you choose? Here are 5 reasons to choose Disneyland over WDW:

The OriginalPark

Walt put his personal stamp on this one and many say it has a more intimate feel to it with attention to details found throughout the park. It does have a better traffic flow and sitting areas in unexpected nooks and crannies.

Fantasyland

Walt Disney had to cut costs when Disneyland first opened in 1955 so Fantasyland wasn't much more than what you would find at any amusement park. In 1983, the Walt Disney company updated Fantasyland with brand-new detailed structures giving the guest the feel of being in an authentic fairyland. Disney World hasn't received this update so the atmosphere isn't as quaint and there aren't as many rides. For example, Alice in Wonderland, the Matterhorn, Casey Jr. Train, Mr. Toad, and Storybook Land Canal boats are not at Disney World. The ever-popular submarine ride has just been refurnished and retrofitted into the "Finding Nemo" ride at Disneyland. Disney World's submarine attraction was paved over-never to be revived.

Indiana Jones

The Indiana Jones ride is a big hit with Disney fans. And with good reason. The technology is some of the best around and enables the guest to feel as if they were actually in a Mayan temple fending off disaster around every corner. The technology is similar to the Dinosaur ride found at Disney Studios at WDW, but fans around the world agree that Indiana Jones is much better.

Pirates of the Caribbean

One of the most popular rides of all-time at either park is Pirates of the Caribbean. Regular visitors to both Disneyland and Disney World report that this attraction is disappointing at Disney World because the ride is shorter and there is no Blue Bayou restaurant inside the attraction, offering waterside dining.

Tomorrowland Station

Unlike any of the Disney World parks, the monorail at Disneyland stops inside the park at Tomorrowland Station. This is a fun way to enter the park in the morning or as a handy feet-saving stop to take you back to your hotel at the end of a long, tiring day.

Other attractions that are at both parks but get better ratings at Disneyland:

Buzz Lightyear (the "guns" can be lifted up for better aiming)
Utopia (updated in 2000)
Winnie the Pooh (replaced Country Bears and are in inside-outside ride like Alice in Wonderland)
Haunted Mansion (may be a matter of personal preference)
It's A Small World (while updated at Disney World, it doesn't have the outside appeal of the clock tower striking on every quarter hour in a grand way)
But guests do report these attractions as being an improved model at Disney World over Disneyland:

Splash Mountain (separate side-by-side seats instead of the front-to-back)
Country Bears (no longer at Disneyland)
TTA - Tomorrowland Transit Authority (no longer at Disneyland)
Carousel of Progress (moved from Disneyland to WDW in 1975)

Everybody has their favorite attractions and there may be other preferences not mentioned here. But one thing can be agreed upon: Disney fans will probably forever argue about which park is better and for many it comes down to which park they visited first. It's the nostalgic factor.