Is there a superior Disney Park?

Each Disney Park offers something unique — the parks offer lively festivals, unique attractions, and unforgettable entertainment all over the world. But does one park do it better than the rest? Some Disney Adults suggest that may be the case!

While the best Disney Park is purely subjective, fans of the American Disney Parks are starting to get pretty vocal about one being king of the six U.S.-based parks — Walt Disney’s original Disneyland! While we don’t have a favorite (it’s like picking your favorite child), we’ve heard the noise and we can understand why many Disney Adults feel this way.

The overabundance of love for Disneyland as opposed to the Parks at Disney World seemingly stems from the reception of the Parks’ changes. Disneyland’s changes have gotten a warmer reception over the years while Disney World’s changes have tended to be more controversial among Disney Adults. Why is this? We have a few theories…

Let’s start with something more recent. Last year, Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland was transformed and, for the most part, everyone is happy with the changes? Right now, Haunted Mansion is closed for a queue makeover and refurbishment, and the sentiment is largely anticipation rather than disgust. And Space Mountain’s occasional Hyperspace Mountain overlay is welcomed when it comes around.

So why doesn’t Disneyland get the same blowback with its changes that Disney World does when it changes things up? While there’s no direct science, we have a few ideas.

The first idea is that Disneyland likely operates with more of a reverence toward its history due to the stakes involved. Disneyland’s largest clientele is the locals and Magic Key Passholders, and so appeasing them is sort of a must. Similarly, as Disney’s first theme park, there’s a sense of responsibility that must be upheld. Removing or changing beloved, but older attractions cannot be done lightly.

So instead of removing, Disneyland has meticulously tried to add or enhance, all while honoring its history. Mickey’s Toontown is a success because it was enhanced and not replaced. Rumors circulated for years that Roger Rabbit’s CarToon Spin would have to make way for a new attraction like Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway. However, Mickey and Minnie’s was added while nothing substantial was removed from Toontown. In fact, the land got a shiny new makeover that only further honored the beloved Disney characters.

Meanwhile, Hollywood Studios removed the Great Movie Ride — an opening day attraction in the center of the park — to make way for its Mickey and Minnie’s. The Disney World Parks are no stranger to replacing outdated attractions. However, it doesn’t matter if the new attractions are phenomenal, there will always be blowback from fans of the classics. Disneyland has had its own share of these mishaps (looking at you Carousel of Progress and Peoplemover in Tomorrowland), but as of the last decade-plus, the theme of Disneyland has clearly been expansion, not replacement, as made evident by DisneylandForward.

Disneyland also naturally has far fewer mishaps because it has far fewer space to play with than Disney World. Disney World is a premier tourist destination, and while Disneyland is also in its own right, it doesn’t hold a candle to Disney World’s yearly attendance. As a response, Disney World is constantly trying to innovate and keep up with demand.

Attention and money must be allocated all over the expansive resort, while Disneyland’s restricted space means every change has to be done delicately and infrequently. Absolutely everything will be under a microscope, so better not disappoint.

Disneyland has also failed in the right areas. Disney California Adventure could always use more TLC ever since it opened in 2001. It’s offerings have improved over the years, but change is consistently welcomed there. However, the change from Bugs Land to Avengers Campus has had a lukewarm reception (fans are still clamoring for that E-ticket, Avengers attraction), and the change to Pixar Pier has many Disney Adults wondering if Disney California Adventure will continue moving away from its loved California-theme, but neither of these can be considered true failures.

Disneyland seems most inclined to take its biggest risks at the park where missing your mark will be received better. Like we said before, the calculated risks are just better at Disneyland.

So why do Disney Adults complain less about Disneyland’s changes as opposed to the changes at Disney World’s Parks? That’s up to you to decide. The reception certainly seems to favor Disneyland’s direction and changes, but it’s important to remember that comparing the Disneyland Resort to Disney World can be like comparing apples to oranges. Disney World has to operate differently than Disneyland as it offers A TON of stuff that you can’t get at Disneyland while catering to MUCH larger crowds. It really is a totally different experience — that will always come with different expectations.

As always, stick with us at DFB for the latest Disneyland and Disney World news, tips, reviews, and more!

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What’s your favorite Disney Park? Let us know in the comments!

The post Disney Adults Actually LOVE the New Changes at This Park, but It’s NOT Magic Kingdom or EPCOT first appeared on the disney food blog.