DVDizzy Forum

First, I know it'd be pretty lame not to practice what I preach. So, do know that I did a search to see if this seemingly obvious topic had already been covered. I didn't find any threads but if someone remembers one and can find it, let me know and I'll merge it.

Now, let's aim for more of a discussion than a list.

The eight sections of Disneyland, in alphabetical order, are:

Adventureland
Critter Country
Fantasyland
Frontierland
Main Street, U.S.A.
Mickey's Toontown
New Orleans Square
Tomorrowland

Try, if you can, to rank these sections and explain (in a sentence or more) why each deserves the place you gave it.

I'll come up with my list in a little bit.

Tomorrowland
Mainly because Space Mountain, Autopia and Star Tours both rock.
Tomorrowland is the most fun land of Disneyland.

New Orleans Square
Pirates of the Caribbean and The Haunted Mansion are both great rides underground.

Critter Country
Only because of Splash Mountain, Pooh and his friends.

Fantasyland
Has most of the fun rides like Dumbo, Snow White, Peter Pan and Pinocchio.

Mickey's Toontown
Roger Rabbit is the best but when will Gadget Coaster work?

Frontierland
Nothing really good except Big Thunder Mountain.

Adventureland
Only thing good is Indiana Jones ride.

Main Street, U.S.A.
Doesn't have that much except parades.

Not too far off from my list, Pals.

<b>1. Tomorrowland</b> - This section has some of my favorite attractions in Star Tours and Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters. I also dug <i>Honey, I Shrunk the Audience</i>, enjoyed Autopia, and found Innoventions worth spending a lot of time inside. Plus, Redd Rockett's Pizza Port is one of the cooler restaurants around. The promising Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage sounds like it will boost the place even more. Even if not everything fits the futuristic theme, it's a really cool place and I love it!

<b>2. Fantasyland</b> - The most Disney-esque of the lands, this one's motif of short dark rides and long lines felt underwhelming upon my first encounter (which was early in the morning, too, so the lines were as short as ever). But I really like the feel of this place and the sum of the rides taken together is pretty impressive, plus "it's a small world" is a favorite.

<b>3. New Orleans Square</b> - It seems sort of wrong to count this like the others, since it feels like a stretch rather than a land. Still, Pirates of the Caribbean has got to be my favorite attraction and Haunted Mansion is plenty fun too. Even taking into account the Disney Gallery, this area feels like it merits a solid average attraction rating, which is only boosted if you consider the fact that many watch Fantasmic! from here.

<b>4. Adventureland</b> - Jungle Cruise and Indiana Jones Adventure are both great, the Aladdin show is fun, and the Enchanted Tiki Room is air-conditioned (and a bit entertaining too)! Tarzan's Treehouse isn't bad either. Adventureland felt crowded on my every visit to this section last summer (FastPass is a life-saver on Indy), but that's probably because there's plenty of good times to be had here.

<b>5. Frontierland</b> - Old-timey stuff usually doesn't do too much for me, but I enjoyed the two boat rides and the now-departed <i>HOTR</i>-themed petting zoo. I guess this area can take some credit for Fantasmic! too, although otherwise, Tom Sawyer Island is kind of a bore/welcome gather-yourself spot. Sadly, I missed the Golden Horseshoe stage stuff.

<b>6. Critter Country</b> - Very little to take in here, but the Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes are a fun alternative to the traditional Disney ride, while Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and Splash Mountain are highlights in their own right.

<b>7. Main Street, U.S.A.</b> - There's really not so much to do here besides shop, browse, and take in a parade, but it perfectly sets the atmosphere for the park as the first land you must walk through. There's a history and magic that's hard to elaborate on, but that I think that most who has been to Disneyland would agree exists.

<b>8. Mickey's Toontown</b> - It's kind of out of the way and doesn't offer much, especially if you don't have little kids around who will go into awe at the sight of costumed characters. Still, even the weakest land of the park isn't worth forgoing in any Disneyland trip of a comfortable length.

Kind of surprised to see Tomorrowland first on the list so quick. But here's mine:


New Orleans Square - Nothing beats this area for me. From the style of buildings, to the view of the ships on the River of America I just love this place. It's very open and very moody. POTC and Haunted Mansion rank as as my first and third favorite rides and I always love visiting the Disney galleries. Top it all off with a dinner at the Blue Bayou and you've got yourself a good couple of hours.

Adventureland - My second favorite spot features lots of dark corners and knooks and crannies for the imagination to play around with. Indiana Jones is my second favorite ride and I can't help but enjoy old favorites like The Jungle Cruise and The Tiki Room.

Main Street, U.S.A. - Not so much for any attractions (Adventures with Mr. Lincoln is cute but nothing special, but there is just something about that feeling when you first walk in. You not only feel like you're in another world, but you just know you're in for a day of excitement. It doesn't matter which park you go to, there is just something about staring down that street in the morning with your whole day ahead of you. Plus I happen to enjoy a lot of the shops as well.

Tomorrowland - When Nemo opens up it'll be a bit better at Disneyland, but it just feels like there isn't enough to keep me. Star Tours is certainly fun, but the rest just seems like arcades and wannabe Epcot like pavilions. Space Mountain is a fun coaster, though at 6'3 I admit I have a VERY hard time getting in and out of the ride. The land has it charms but doesn't quite feel like it's firing on all cylinders. A good overhaul could shoot it right up there though. Disneyworld's is def. a bit better than Disneyland's but Nemo will likely swing it back the other way.

Fantasyland - Cute but not as powerful as the other lands. On the outside it is neat to see the little houses but the rides are primarily designed for younger crowds and so their brief, often thrill-lacking routes just can't compare with some of the other lands. Because the focus is kids, I often find the land too crowded with a little too little payoff for my taste. Disneyland's is rough too because the parades turn the land into a virtual maze in the evening.

Critter Country - If they could combine elements from both parks I'd rank it higher. Pooh is a cute little ride and Country Bear Jamboree is an old favorite and together would really compliment Splash Mountain. Instead it seems to be one or the other and both parks need that little something extra in this land. Splash Mountain ranks at about as good of a ride at Disney as can be though.

Mickey's Toontown - potential is there, but outside of Roger Rabbit I probably wouldn't visit. Could use one more good ride to bring it up a notch. But that's to be expected considering it was built during Disney's cheaper phase.

Frontierland PRobably was bit more popular when the old west was still in style. Thundermountain railroad is nice, though the problems with the ride will never really allow me to enjoy it as carefree as I once did. Every creak now gets me a little nervous. Outside of that ride though, I just pass through the land too fast.

Tom Sawyer Island I group seperatly mainly because it's an island onto itself. Admitedly I almost never visit it. I've probably set foot on this area once in the last 5 years or so. Energy conservation is hard enough during a day at the park, let alone running and jumping around this area.

1. Fantasyland
2. Tomorrowland
3. Main Street, U.S.A.
4. Critter Country
5. Adventureland
6. Mickey's Toontown
7. Frontierland
8. New Orleans Square

I think the whole point of Disneyland is how the lands work together and how the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. But anyways.

1. New Olrleans Square - love the ambience and it really has the two rides that make Disneyland what it is - Pirates and the Haunted Mansion. Theming par excellence. I love the Disney Art Gallery too.

2. Fantasyland - still love most of the kiddie rides and the Matterhorn rocks.

3. Adventureland - Indy and the Jungle Cruise.

4. Tommorowland - a mere shadow of its one great self. All that great transportation stuff. Space Mountain and Star Tours still rock and Buzz helps but too much of the Pressler/Harris remake still exists. So much wasted space.

5. Critter Country - Splash Mountain alone rates high marks. I think Winnie the Pooh was a poor substitute for them Bears though.

6. Mickey's Toontown - ahhh Mickeys House and the Cartoon spin is always worth a ride or two. Wish they would bring back the Jolly Trolley.

7. Main Street USA - Great theming. Love Mr. Lincoln and the Mickey shorts although I must admit with the Treasures it is no longer as necessary.

8. Frontierland - Big thunder is great so is Tom Sawyer. But I would still go without either. Tom Sawyers is also not nearly as much fun as when you could climb the rocks and go inside the fort. Cant stand the Shooting Arcade because I dont like guns and you have to pay.

Mr. Toad wrote:I think the whole point of Disneyland is how the lands work together and how the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. But anyways.

You're definitely right. Looking over the areas for my post, I was thinking "Well, this one is kind of sparse.", "This one doesn't have too much", and so on. I don't know if you could sell someone on visiting Disneyland on any one of the parks alone. But together, it's magical and one of the most-visited places in the world. Kind of stating the obvious now, but I certainly agree with your point.

Critter Country- I put this as #1 because Splash Mountains there and it's my favorite ride so it has to be tops.

Tomorrowland- Because of Space Mountain of course. Space Tours is fun and Honey We Shrunk the Audience

Fantasyland- Matterhorn Bobsleds are the best and all the little dark rides are fun. Do not like the Tea Cups!! Mr. Toad's Wild Ride was always my favorite when I was little

Frontierland- I love Big Thunder Mountain, use to be the scariest ride when I was little. i also use to love Tom Sawyer's Island, not sure if I'd fit in all of the caves anymore.

New Orleans Square- I love Pirates of the Carribean so that would be my favorite part, Haunted Mansion is ok, but it always breaks down when I'm on it which sucks.

Adventureland- I love Indiana Jones, although it jerks me around alot. And Jungle cruise is always amusing. I've never seen the Tiki Room in DL only in DW so I'm not sure if it's any good.

Mickey's Toontown - I love Gadget's Go Coaster, the only problem is you end up waiting in line for 30 mins and then the ride is only like a minute. That's really the only thing I like or that I've really went on here.

Main Street, U.S.A.- The only parts I like here are just walking down the street and having that wonderful feeling of entering Disneyland. I also like all the old style stuff, everytime I go we do the machines where you watch the movies in them