Comparing Attractions From Different Disney Parks- The WDW News Today Podcast: Episode 21

[@Larkinfon]

My favorite trip on the jungle cruise EVER was at about 11PM on the 50th anniversary of MK. The attraction was flooded with people following the fireworks, and there was a huge backup of boats trying to get back to the dock. Our skipper launched into a panicked monologue about how she was a poor girl from Florida who dreamed of Hollywood but fell through a time warp and was now stuck in the 1930s driving a boat through the jungle, still trying to get the approval of her family. It was an incredible performance I will never forget

[@Delundon]

The shirts were Cor-dinated.

[@jasonchampagne6825]

I... can't... even... 😂

[@envyvine]

I want yall to match every week now 😂 too cute!

[@EEvtg]

Tom, regarding Pirates, Tony Baxter put it: The bayou scene, drops down, and grotto is you falling asleep into a *dream, entering that time and place. The reverse waterfall* at the end, is you being pulled *awake* out of that dream, and coming back into the modern day, as you then see everyone outside again. As a kid I loved going up the waterfall at DL too lol, it just kinda felt cool.

[@CinnamonGrrlErin1]

I like the matching shirts, it's a nice homage to the families who wear matching outfits to the parks 😂

[@jasonchampagne6825]

Matching shirts! To quote Bob Paycheck, "synergy!"

[@disneydanny2]

*FUN FACT* at Disneyland's Haunted Mansion, there are 2 pieces of dialogue in the stretching room that are heard in the reverse order that they were recorded in " Kindly step all the way in please". and "Our tour begins here........." Walt Disney World plays these sections in their originally recorded order.

[@jgkidd82]

You guys wearing the same shirt cracked me up! Love that Gertie plush!

[@MagicScape]

I'd give you the benefit of the doubt about the matching shirts, but c'mon guys... You're both wearing black tee shirts too! 😂 Tom's face at the beginning is PRICELESS! Love the podcast. Pre-ordered my Gertie. Can't wait for May. Thanks, WDWNT!

[@davyannajones]

The Incredible Mr. Limpet. Memory unlocked.

[@maryz3625]

Love this podcast so much - I always learn something new and you two are both hilarious! Thank you for giving me a reason to look forward to Tuesdays!

[@thernn14]

After I fell in love with tot as a kid, I remember going to a tower of terror fan club site and learning about the different towers that exist throughout the world, seeing how they were designed, built and adapted in different markets. While I still think the wdw version is the best overall, I totally agree that the immersion of the Japanese variant is stellar, and I would love to go one day. Its cool to see an episode talking about the differences in attractions throughout the world!

[@lindastojekbliss809]

The book Eric was referring to is "House of Leaves," and, if you have the patience, it's well worth the read. Nothing else compares.

[@rideawoodie]

If the new Country Bear show is a hit at WDW, they should clone it in Grizzly Peak at DCA.

[@seanstein8313]

Casey Jr at disneyland USA is a must everytime i'm there. Day and night. So dang pretty.

[@stevenolson7167]

Why didn't Disney World repurpose the Ellen's Energy Adventure dinosaurs to the Magic Kingdom Railroad in order to make Primeval World for that stretch right after TRON where you're looking at NOTHING?! Makes me so mad.

[@Ronaldl2350]

The Mr Limpet nod is fantastic! I did not know it was in the Disneyland ride.

[@fattestedtravel]

I just realized how much Tom's humor is like John Pinette

[@jdthornt]

I'm going to DLP in May, so this was a lot of fun. PS: Not even kids are afraid of the Haunted Mansion?? Have you never been in line with a screaming toddler? Lol

[@SolemCraft]

I have been. It’s a relatively short period of life, but for families it drags on through the kids. This scares 2-5 year olds. Your mileage may vary. Many of these discussions would benefit from a family centered adult, to give vacation advice for families.

[@neko-chan6145]

Have really enjoyed these podcasts. I have learned so much. It enhances my visits to the parks

[@ZebraLens]

I was never scared of MK Haunted Mansion as a child lol. I was smart enough to know it wasn't real 😅

[@kristinfonte]

I ordered my Gertie!!! Hooray! They are still in stock as of 2/13 3:00 PM Eastern

[@CinnamonGrrlErin1]

You guys should do a reaction video to Incredible Mr. Limpet, that movie is a total trip

[@SMTraz]

Awesome topic! Looking forward to the episode.

[@ThePrincessandtheDad]

I personally love carousel of progress I absolutely love Americana things, old appliances old electronics etc, also a fan of history so it’s up my alley

[@djdef5521]

The Dumbo ride at Magic Kingdom was originally just one ride located behind the Carousel and was moved to Storybook area and added a second ride in 2012.

[@WDWNT]

Yup

[@himynameiscorey]

I love this topic, I have had so many thoughts on this, for instance DL space mountain, it’s a small world, and pirates are better but WDW jungle cruise, big thunder mountain and peter pan’s flight are better. Then you have things like Tower of Terror and Guardians ride which is tough, because while I absolutely love and prefer the original, the Guardians version is super fun. Then you have some rides that aren’t even comparable: All theStar Wars rides, Star Tours Rise of Resistance and Smugglers Run are a carbon copy at both parks, which is kinda lame when you think about it, the older examples of rides from the last 50 years had distinct differences. Splash Mountain, too, has a different layout (DL’s is better) Soarin, which should just be Soarin over California permanently, is the same thing at both parks (DL’s queue and surrounding land being slightly better) Same goes for Mickey’s Runaway Railway, same exact ride with the slightly better queue in Disneyland. And then there’s the subject of WDW altogether: Tron, Cosmic Rewind, Seven Dwarfs, Flight of Passage, RocknRollercoaster, Slinky Dog Dash.. There are no rides in DL that even come close to these rides, the Incredicoaster and Cars ride at DCA are the only things that come to mind as strong alternatives, but I think Disneyland is severely lacking, it’s my least favorite park until they add an E-ticket on the level of Tron, Guardians, Avatar at WDW. The ENTIRE Tomorrowland needs scrapped, namely the Carousel/Innoventions building, Autopia, Tomorrowland Theater, even the food places can all go, Galactic Grill and Pizza Port are the worst restaurants in the park if you can even call them that, and for the last time BRING BACK PEOPLEMOVER TO DISNEYLAND

[@davyannajones]

Magic Carpets in Magic Kingdom needs to be demolished.

[@CountryRockBear1994]

I know it’s the only one existing right now but when all three were around, Tokyo had Best Splash Mountain.

[@EEvtg]

The Haunted Mansion debate is an interesting one! I definitely prefer Disneyland's to World's, primarily because the walking section after the stretch room does the changing portraits *MUCH* better than the screen version at MK. That whole entry walking/queue sequence at DL really sets the mood of the ride. In addition, I prefer the look of DL's mansion, and the fact that you get to walk *into* the actual mansion... I've always been confused where you're even going in Florida...like through a side entrance? And the mansion is further away too.

[@EEvtg]

Also Tokyo's is just the superior versions of MK's Mansion...the 07 changes have not aged very well. Plus *HAUNTED MANSION HOLIDAY!*

[@danielbaer5804]

“Aw, they look like a cute couple” - my girlfriend

[@dawnmerz6723]

Great pod guys! We are going to DCA and DL in March so this got me extra excited today.

[@captainapollo87]

Haunted Mansion Holiday and Small World Holiday are the reason we always christmas at Disneyland

[@ItzAdrian02]

Instead of bringing country bears to Disneyland, bring it to DCA in grizzly peak, they already have a presences there. Remove Redwood creek and put a new theater there

[@LARKXHIN]

Lmao irl @ the beaver brothers backstory

[@JonFether]

I consider that Haunted Mansion/Phantom Manor share the same DNA with Mystic Manor because both are derivatives of the Museum of the Weird concept. I think that Haunted Mansion holds a developed (quite macabre) storyline with one plot as a framing device for the bizarre scenes shown, where Mystic Manor uses another, more based on various folklore of the people of the world. (Curiously, this makes it a little like a darker story version of "it's a small world" - world culture via beliefs in the supernatural rather than a multilingual harmonious song and cultural representations of children at play) In my book, Mystic Manor is a closer interpretation of the Museum of the Weird concept as I understand it to have been before it found its current storyline.

[@Floridapanthers2020]

I would love to see a podcast on firework shows much love

[@kallieblumberg9977]

It's even better cuz Eric wore his glasses too!!

[@rideawoodie]

When discussing the Davy Crockett and Beaver Brothers canoes, there was no mention of the canoes in Shanghai. I skipped them when I was there because of the heat and humidity.

[@WDWNT]

It was pretty lame there

[@EEvtg]

DL's Tower had some cool queue details, like the crushed girl, audio etc... but yea MGM's was better

[@johnboren8928]

I give Disneyland the victory on Haunted Mansion because of the Halloweeen overlay.

[@bdchiaccio]

I learned so much and really wishing I could go to the International parks

[@danielmorris7377]

Completely agree with your point on Mystic, Tom. Living in HK, it bugs me when people say it’s HK’s ‘Haunted Mansion’.

[@seanstein8313]

MK space mountain queue music is the best!!!!!!!

[@EEvtg]

I miss *Officer Zzzyxx (Cosmic Ray's cousin) and the Horizons scenes* that were at the exit of Star Tours in Tokyo! Also Rex's Girlfiend in Paris!

[@EEvtg]

Phantom Manor's story was *heavily* altered and downgraded with the recent refurbishment imo! I'd go into detail, but it'w worth checking out a side by side comparison. Most fans agree... That said, most of the lighting/effects changes and the addition of Vincent Price are great. It's a mixed bag, but overall it's become *WAY* too similar to the other Mansions, which is a shame. I miss the old stretching portraits too.

[@ajginandy9345]

OMGOSH! I remember Kiddie Land!! 🙋🏽‍♀️🙋🏽‍♀️ Still in Kansas! 😂

[@davyannajones]

You don’t have to bleep anything out. Believe me there are no children watching this program.

[@alfie_8914]

Coming from England the Paris version of pirates was what I grew up on and was my favourite ride so when I went to the magic kingdom last year for the first time the pirates was a massive disappointment it’s that bad in comparison 🤣🤣

[@ninifish7528]

I love the fact that you care deeply about ALL the parks. I don't like the trend of saying "when in Fl", "I wish we had that in the U.S" etc. Like all the parks deserve to be talked about. We're not all Americans here. American fans aren't superior. Every resort deserve an uniqueness. So yeah, good shirts!

[@EEvtg]

I still love Astro Blasters tbh! I think it's still the best of the "shooter" rides too. It feels more like a ride vs Midway Mania feeling like a video game. Similarly I still prefer Star Tours to Smugglers Run.

[@republiccommando1463]

Eric will eventually be right once Tokyo loses its buzz lightyear ride for wreck it Ralph. Kinda funny watching it now with the news out.

[@jonafunn]

Indy at Disneyland can’t be complete until they fix the doors! I’ll argue for the canal above ground pool small world it keeps the room brighter even the Tokyo version you loose a lot of light to the water.

[@WDWNT]

The doors aren’t broken, they changed it

[@SolemCraft]

⁠@@WDWNTif that is the case, they changed it for the worse of the guest experience. I understand the ride may be more reliable, but it was an amazing effect that is gone.

[@Rebecca_Dolan]

United! My husband is a pilot with them and is based there 😊

[@genedilorenzo713]

Space mountain in Disneyland looked old and the maintenance looked bad when I went in 1999. Space mountain in Walt Disney World always looks great. EPCOT just with the countries is better then anything at California Adenture.

[@EEvtg]

I *much* prefer the Splash Mountain logs at Disneyland...they're more comfy (leg room) and no bar adds to the *thrill...they were especially thrilling back when you would literally sit in peoples laps🤣 The scenes at DL were played out simply to enhance rider emotion at DL, which worked wonderfully, whereas at MK they're trying to tell a coherent story...which kinda goes against what rides "like Pirates" were supposed to do.🤷‍♂ You also actually get big splashes at DL, while it feels like an "unnatural" facial spray* at MK imo. Oh and the *singing possum* mother towards the lift hill at Disneyland totally sets the scary vibe and was sorely missed at MK! DL's was the most unique and special as the original with (30 more) America Sings animatronics, whereas MK's great, but the lesser of two similar versions.

[@WDWNT]

Tokyo is the best tho

[@EEvtg]

@@WDWNT True! By far!

[@EEvtg]

I agree with Eric on Mr Toad. It was a huge mistake to remove Mr Toad at MK, as it was the best version of the ride, arguably the best Fantasyland dark ride, and an *opening day attraction.* MK has plenty of space, they should have built Pooh elsewhere!

[@rosiecarrot4269]

I’ll never forget when my parents bought me the little mermaid dvd that got rereleased in the 2000’s, there was a special feature showing the virtual ride through of the little mermaid ride that was coming to DCA and when it got the Ursula’s death scene, it was an entire large and dark scene rather than one little graphic in the back of another scene.

[@WDWNT]

That’s not the DCA ride, that was the one planned for Disneyland Paris in the 1990s

[@rosiecarrot4269]

@@WDWNT oh i didn’t know that! Thank you for the clarification! ❤️

[@EEvtg]

Eh Paris has great Tea Cups, but I much prefer DL's location being right under the Matterhorn. Especially at night with the colored lights overhead it feels more special imo

[@davyannajones]

15:10 YOU DID WHAT TO BUZZ LIGHTYEAR???

[@himynameiscorey]

Autopia at WDW should be replaced with small body of water with light seating around it and small nighttime shows equal to DL’s Fantasmic and New Orleans shows at Tom Sawyer Island in Disneyland

[@Davysitter]

Animation Experience at Conservation Station is still a thing - same as Animation Academy??

[@BruceBergman]

Disneyland Tiki room still has the small and a second set were behind in the restaurant Restrooms at the entrance lanai.

[@gabrieldally6044]

I went to Disneyland Paris I still think Disneyland CA has the best big thunder. It's pacing is far better and it has better visual effects and rockwork

[@WDWNT]

The visual effects are identical on those

[@gabrieldally6044]

@@WDWNT they are but Paris's Big Thunder is trimmed beyond belief. Every time it gets fun, they slam the brakes

[@glennb8397]

Dino was sold. Just like Flintstone buy not purple. Sinclair was dark green and a pool toy to ride, so I'm told.🦕🦕🦕🦕🦕🦕🦕

[@chuckdillingham]

The Magic Kingdom version of Pirates feels like a cheap copy in a box!

[@josephferrara6309]

IAH Houston is a main hub for United.

[@davyannajones]

Always bring an extra shirt

[@texirie]

WN and UA fly IAH btw.

[@davyannajones]

I was like 8 the first time I went on Haunted Mansion and I was I terrified

[@87411969]

Love this podcast!

[@AllThingsArchitecture]

The architecture of Gertie is more a tribute to programatic architecture, which predates Googie architecture by ten years.

[@dansrandomvideos2515]

Seeing as though they didn't mention it, I wonder what he thinks of Paris' tower. It's the same as california was but they have given each shaft a different story and profile.

[@WDWNT]

I did mention it

[@dansrandomvideos2515]

​@@WDWNT Sorry, what I meant to say was post three storyline refurb of Paris specifically. Before that it would obviously just be a carbon copy of what you said about California but in a worse park. I may have missed it even though I've gone over that segment a couple of times to make sure so may I ask for a time stamp?

[@melvinlee9263]

51:55 M is the 13th letter in the alphabet (13 13 = MM). :)

[@user-fe8uq9zp2g]

If Tokyo Disney is constantly praised and they get rid of old rides constantly so why do people get upset and cry when WDW does it 😐 we need to get rid of old stuff to make space for new. Autopia needed to be replaced like 10 years ago. Buzz needs to be replaced or renovated. Tom Sawyer has got to go. Aladdins carpet needs a revamp or something or at least redo the area around it cus its dead space. Shooting arcade game has got to go. They definitely need to do something to Tomorrowland. Laugh Floor could use joke updates, Stitch needs to be gutted and replaced. I even think Astro Orbiter can go too when do people ride that? I do wish though Pirates got the DLP update thats actually one of their pros.

[@racheljackson4428]

Phantom Manor is the Best.

[@winterhotfoot1958]

I strongly disagree with the statement that Avengers Campus doesn't make sense in DCA since it's a park about California. Considering that Radiator Springs, Pixar Pier, Goofy's Sky School, Ariel's Undersea Adventure, Mission Breakout and Monster's Inc. have dragged the setting of the park into Disney IPs that *might* be in or somewhere near (if you consider being on the border of New Mexico and Arizona "near" ) California , Avenger's Campus fits more than any of those. As a fan of the West Coast Avengers comics books in the '80s (whose line-up at he time included Hank Pym, The Wasp, Iron Man, The Vision, and Scarlet Witch), I know that the West Coast headquarters was just south of Los Angeles and if restricting oneself to the MCU, Tony Stark's Mansion was in Malibu and after it was destroyed that plot of land makes for a convenient place to build the Campus. The W.E.B. Slingers plot and Spider-Man are harder to justify being on the Campus though; That seems more like just shoving in movie IP instead of coherent theming, especially since they created lore to explain having W.E.B. facilities in major cities all over the world, but then defaulted to *this one* being the one Parker/Spider-Man (and many other East Coast Marvel characters) does his work at, instead of just a rare visit. Same with Dr. Strange and the Sanctum, but at least the portals exist to excuse it. So the Avengers Campus concept makes more sense in DCA than everything the park has changed since 2007 except San Fransokyo, just with some unnecessary shoe-horning.

[@WDWNT]

I don’t agree at all. Paradise Pier was based on popular California amusement piers, and Cars Land celebrates Route 66 and California Car Culture. The Marvel land is based on a film series that isn’t focused on California and the Marvel heroes have always gravitated around or been more closely associated with New York. The land has very little connection to the state of California anyway.

[@EEvtg]

Tom, unfortunately not *everything* works on Indy again...like I doubt we'll ever see the first room with the changing doors move again, which is sad because it was a great effect that truly made it feel like there were different paths. Other than that though, it's about as good as it can get with the effects they can still use (no falling "rocks" etc) lol. Both versions of Indy are great. Tokyo's breaks down less since it doesn't use hydraulic vehicles though.

[@WDWNT]

The doors aren’t broken, they replaced the effect.

[@EEvtg]

@@WDWNT I meant that the ceiling / room around you no longer moves. There was always one path through the middle ofc, but you would go through a different door because the room would shift left and right. I guess they've kinda replaced the effect, but the original moving room/door effect is still broken and reportedly cannot be fixed. 🥲 The rest of the ride is looking amazing though!

[@PatDDaly]

I believe Tom thinks Phantom Manor is the best Haunted Mansion because it’s the only remaining place on the earth he can still see Dreamfinder (albeit in a fugue state)

[@dano8080]

You should always dress alike - it’s cute

[@jasonchampagne6825]

United flies to Bush Intercontinental. Lots of connecting flights to there.

[@bradrriddle]

31:41 "I don't think even little kids get scared" of the Haunted Mansion. Sorry Eric, I gotta disagree. When I was a kid the Stretching Room scared the ever-lovin' PISS out of me. My poor dad had to escort me out of the "chicken exit," crying all the way. 🤣 I have since conquered my fears, but I would never bring a young child through the Mansion's dusty halls. 😉

[@ruthie2081]

There is a people mover underneath the Capitol in DC.

[@understandingroy9042]

address is 1313 not because it was walt's fav number. its 1313, because the 13th letter of the alphabet is "M" so 1313 is an old school hidden Mickey Mouse...

[@WDWNT]

That’s not accurate to my knowledge

[@scottfan4]

TWINSIES!!

[@SolemCraft]

This is an unpopular opinion. I don’t like seasonal overlays.

[@EEvtg]

Naaa Tokyo's Small World sucks just like Florida's and *OLC* knows it. *OLC* planned to tear it down and convert it to be a copy of DL's very recently, but the budget ultimately went to Beauty and the Beast. It's definitely better than at MK, but still not as good as DL's. I also prefer Paris' just because it's unique... Hong Kong's is solid too lol Just my opinion, obviously what you grow up with will be preferred. That said, most people that are used to DL's seem to hate MK's and feel the scenes are "empty" /less densely packed.

[@WDWNT]

It was never the DL version being replicated in Tokyo, it was completely different and had a balloon ride path.

[@EEvtg]

@@WDWNT Ah I see, I was misinformed. Thank you for correcting me.

[@nomercywatch9068]

You look like twins ♥

[@SolemCraft]

But which one is Arnold and which one is Danny Devito?

[@nomercywatch9068]

@@SolemCraft😂

[@squidward_tortelllini]

1:38:06 i’m dead 💀

[@davyannajones]

It’s very cool to hear about the Disney Parks abroad but let’s be clear. The only ones that matter are Florida & California.

[@WDWNT]

Tokyo is best my man

[@nightowlnzab]

I'm not sure why the other parks shouldn't matter, Paris in particular - built by imagineers who loved the original Disneyland and took the opportunity to "plus" and refine everything they possibly could.

[@ninifish7528]

Not against you but I don't like this trend of saying "when in Fl", "I wish we had that in the U.S" etc. Like all the parks deserved to be talked about. We're not all Americans here. America's fan aren't superior. Every resort deserve an uniqueness.

[@user-fe8uq9zp2g]

@@ninifish7528 I agree however DLP is pretty boring. Visually it's beautiful and its has some better versions of the rides but every other aspect kinda sucks and the magic just isn't there when compared to WDW and DL. If you live in Europe, then you know it's mostly seen as a kiddie park. My partners home park was DLP cus they are from England and when they visited WDW they even said how DLP cant even compare to WDW. The vibe is completely different. I think they need to invest more money in the staff and food. We went not long ago and there was a strike in the park and it sucked to spend your money and not see any characters out, low staff and everyone is grouchy. I think them putting a park in Paris was probably the biggest mistake they should've looked to other places in Europe but oh well.

[@Floridapanthers2020]

It is not Tuesday yet

[@MichaelBrown-fn2mm]

I have spent many years in west China. They are generally nicer than East coat people. But each area favors its own peoples and all tend to favor other Chinese now. Not unusual behavior especially recent political spatting. At any rate, people are generally nice. Just be nice back. I have to say the French have been much rude 46:08 to me. No big deal. 44:53

[@chriscascio3355]

Twinning!!

[@joannbeiser4907]

Acting like two girls at the prom!

[@csbluechip]

You're both wearing black t-shirts. The only reason you're wearing those gaudy shirts over the top is because you're being paid to wear them ... Don't be sad that you're being made to wear the shirts, be happy that someone is paying you to look like the Tweedle twins.

[@WDWNT]

We’re not being paid to wear them

[@csbluechip]

@@WDWNT my apology. I genuinely thought there were financial incentives to your promoting their merch'