Walt Disney World vs Disneyland

This article appeared in the Orlando Sentinel, comparing WDW with DLR.  There are the expected comparisons with number of attractions, etc. but this quote gets at the intangibles.

Some Disney fans, like Steve Pratt, author of the More Kids Than Suitcases blog, see Disneyland as superior to Disney World because it is the original park envisioned by Walt Disney. Disneyland opened in 1955, while Disney World (initially just the Magic Kingdom), opened in 1971. Pratt says, "There is only one park that has Walt's personal impression on it. Disney World is bigger and newer, but that's not what the Disney parks are about. The magic came from Walt, and Disneyland is the park that he built. My kids, who are ride junkies, said it best, 'We want to go back to Disney World for the rides, but we want to go back to Disneyland for the Disney.'"

 Another issue, not mentioned in the article, is the quality of the counter service food at both locations.  Some veteran Disney-philes who visit both locations think that the quality and variety of counter service food at WDW has gone downhill in the past couple of years.   The combination of the Dining Plan and the complications of feeding the often massive crowds at WDW may be having their effect.