WDW vs VEGAS

[mrslane]

Researching a trip to Vegas, I kept hearing people compare it to Disney. I just want to say, IMHO, that I think I see why people make the comparison, but Disney has Vegas beat. Both places are expensive for the most part, have indoor areas made to look like outdoors, have entertainment, etc. Disney has that magic that I prefer. Disney is much cleaner. Disney takes theming to a much higher level. Disney is much more wholesome, family oriented and friendly. I found myself thinking that Disney did things better at pretty much everything. I have a trip scheduled for WDW this year and continue to plan to go annually. If I never go back to Vegas, it's OK. This post is just a compliment to WDW and a tip to anyone thinking that perhaps they should try Vegas for a vacation instead of one at Disney. There is no place like home, and there is no place like Disney World.:)

[nurse.darcy]

Researching a trip to Vegas, I kept hearing people compare it to Disney. I just want to say, IMHO, that I think I see why people make the comparison, but Disney has Vegas beat. Both places are expensive for the most part, have indoor areas made to look like outdoors, have entertainment, etc. Disney has that magic that I prefer. Disney is much cleaner. Disney takes theming to a much higher level. Disney is much more wholesome, family oriented and friendly. I found myself thinking that Disney did things better at pretty much everything. I have a trip scheduled for WDW this year and continue to plan to go annually. If I never go back to Vegas, it's OK. This post is just a compliment to WDW and a tip to anyone thinking that perhaps they should try Vegas for a vacation instead of one at Disney. There is no place like home, and there is no place like Disney World.:)

I live in Vegas. . .trust me, I could never compare the two. . .

[Bill Brown]

I manage to spend a night in Vegas about every couple decades or so. The main problem I find that drives me away for another couple decades is the whole place seems like a smokers' lounge, even the restaurants and non-smokers hotel rooms. I gave up standing in line for the NY Hotel rollercoaster because all the cigarette smoke was getting to me.:sick: Vegas is for people that like to smoke or like to breath 2nd-hand smoke.:smokin:
I am so glad Disney parks are almost smoke-free.:mickeyjum

[nurse.darcy]

I manage to spend a night in Vegas about every couple decades or so. The main problem I find that drives me away for another couple decades is the whole place seems like a smokers' lounge, even the restaurants and non-smokers hotel rooms. I gave up standing in line for the NY Hotel rollercoaster because all the cigarette smoke was getting to me.:sick: Vegas is for people that like to smoke or like to breath 2nd-hand smoke.:smokin:
I am so glad Disney parks are almost smoke-free.:mickeyjum

Bill, thank you for being Drama free. . you know what I mean. . .

[Bill Brown]

Bill, thank you for being Drama free. . you know what I mean. . .
Was that with sarcasm turned ON?:laughing: Wasn't following that whole drama business, so I'm not current about that issue or what it was concerning.:confused3

BTW, I was referring to my experiences on the Strip, not intending to infer the whole city is a smokers' paradise. :smokin:

[Keneke]

I've been thinking about this recently since my next vacation will be at one of these places. Vegas would usually not be such a draw, but since I have never been there before, I figure I need to see the strip once in my life.

So, are there any other specifics showing Disney and Vegas differences besides the smoke? I'm very curious.

[Wild4Walt]

Aside from the gambling?:laughing:

I've been to both and love both for different reasons.

Love Disney - well because it is somewhat wholesome. Lots to do, lots of fun. Lots of sunshine. And I know as a single girl I can go pretty much anywhere on property and feel safe. You always have to be aware of your surroundings, but as a rule Disney goes to great lengths to make you safe.

Love Vegas - gambling, a little naughty. Lots to do, lots to see, lots of fun. Lots of sunshine. The kicker is if I go on my own, I won't stray out too far after dark. Maybe it comes from watching too much CSI.....

[DisneyTN]

There is no place like home, and there is no place like Disney World.:)

^That says it best.:thumbsup2
Have never been to Las Vegas, and really not somewhere I've ever planned on going.

[Pakey]

I love both. I've been to wdw twice this year plus going to DLP in 5 weeks and I'll be going to Las Vegas for second trip this year in 3 weeks.

Disney offers family fun, wholesome entertainment. There is a great deal of variety. And the magic. And the nonsmoking.

Las Vegas has it's own magic too. There is an energy there I have never experienced anywhere else. The hotels are much nicer in Las Vegas than at Disney. You can stay Club Level at Venetian for same price as Club Level at GF and there is no comparison between the two. Fine dining is much better in Las Vegas too. As are the shows and the shopping.

[Kitties rule]

I've been thinking about this recently since my next vacation will be at one of these places. Vegas would usually not be such a draw, but since I have never been there before, I figure I need to see the strip once in my life.

So, are there any other specifics showing Disney and Vegas differences besides the smoke? I'm very curious.


I have been to both and they are 2 entirely different vacations. I love the magic of Disney; but I also like the shows, shops and a little bit of gambling in Vegas. I have always been with my husband in the past; but since he is no longer with me, I would have to say that I am going to feel safer in Disney when I go alone then I would in Vegas. I probably would not venture out to far from my timeshare resort at night if I was alone in Vegas.

Hope this helps.

[thepwa]

Two different vacations.

Given the choice, for a "me with myself" vacation, I'd go to Vegas.

Now..if Orange County ever approved poker tables....

[dalepool]

For Good food, great weather in spring early summer, free drinks while you play the nickel slots-- ok so the drink cost me 50 dollars it was delish. Great entertainment, where you can go one night to see celine then next night to see a broadway like production. Oh yes the food did I mention the food: Italian, Korean, Mongolian wonderful steak and seafood houses.

If I did not go to play pool there I would still go once in a while for the reasons I mentioned above.

Vegas is also fun to lay by the pool and have a drink with an umberella in it. On nights I can not sleep -- get dressed and go to casino and toss in a few coins and then go back to bed.

Disney entertains me and my family. We only took the daughter once-- when she was I think 16. We planned stuff for her to do like the medivial joisting show-- she like this one better then the one in anaheim. At her age when she went she would have rather have spent all time near or in the pool.

Anyway I will take Disney anyday over Vegas-- that is just me.

[Sush101]

It's funny you bring this topic up as I am visiting both places next month. I personally love both destination for their unique entertainment styles. Sure there are similar in that they provide a world of fantasy and fun but they both offer different roads to get you there. :)

[TIGGERmetoo]

We love both WDW and LV. We usually go to LV in the early spring and WDW in the fall. I just love to travel anywhere but my DH doesn't want to go any place except LV and WDW. I did talk him in to a Disney cruise this fall in addition to our weekly stay!

[mef78]

I've never been to Vegas and really have no desire to go... . Disney is my heroin--Vegas might be a little bit too "realistic."

[Bill Brown]

I've never been to Vegas and really have no desire to go... . Disney is my heroin--Vegas might be a little bit too "realistic."
You brought to mind an important aspect of my escapes from reality when visiting WDW or DLR, my personal news blackouts. I do my best to not to even glance at any newspapers, news programs or news related web sites when visiting WDW or DLR. I get slightly annoyed when I see folks wearing political message t-shirts, caps, etc., in the parks even when I share their viewpoints.:laughing: In the real world I am a news junkie and heavy into politics, donating to campaigns, writing opinions that even get published fairly often in the local newspaper.:eek: I turn it all off when in the World.:mickeyjum

[Telcogirl]

IMHO - Having been to both places many times, these are two completely seperate vacation experiences.

How do you compare SIN CITY with the Happiest Place on Earth?

Uh, on second thought...........:lmao: :lmao: :lmao:

[SoloFriendly]

Great topic! I have been to both WDW and Vegas, but Vegas more often. They are both about equally expensive, and both have their pros and cons. For more of an "adult" trip, Vegas appeals, whereas if you're looking to indulge the child in you, Disney is the way to go. When Vegas was more heavily themed than it currently is, it was very much a "Disney for adults". Unfortunately, the theming is quickly disappearing and the casino hotels are taking on a more homogeneous appearance. A lot of the attractions I used to love are gone. So it's definitely a different experience. If you're really a foodie and/or you like to gamble, go to Vegas. There are a bezillion restaurants in the 4 mile stretch of the Strip that represent almost endless food choices.

For me, the biggest cons of Vegas are the cigarette smoke everywhere, the sidewalk porn slappers, and the fact that it's such a long flight from Vermont. Plus if you are into attractions like rides, shows, etc. you have to pay for them ala carte, whereas with Disney, it's all included in your park ticket.

For me, the biggest con of WDW is how very little is geared toward the adult experience. Everything about WDW appeals to me, except all the kids! For the most part, I don't mind sharing the parks with them, but I would love to be able to stay in an onsite hotel that is "adults only", eat in restaurants that are "adults only", and go out at night to an entertainment venue that's "adults only", you know? I loved the original concept of Pleasure Island and it makes me very sad that it didn't work out.

[cheshireji]

Well they both have an Earl of Sandwich. The one in Vegas didn't even have a line when we went. It's in the Planet Hollywood Casino.

[Cinders1]

We like them both. Now if Disney would just add a few slot machines (maybe in the ride waiting areas) my hubby would be in heaven!:rotfl:

[brack]

My DS and his wife love Vegas. :lovestruc They go at least once a year. I on the other hand have no desire to go. :confused3

[Bill Brown]

...Now if Disney would just add a few slot machines (maybe in the ride waiting areas)...
:rotfl2:

[nurse.darcy]

We like them both. Now if Disney would just add a few slot machines (maybe in the ride waiting areas) my hubby would be in heaven!:rotfl:

OMG, that was sooooooo hilarious. . .I nearly spewed water all over my computer screen. . .I live here and am glad that when I go to WDW or DLR I escape from this lifestyle. . .I don't gamble so that doesn't appeal to me. . .there are things that do. . .I have journaled them on my photobucket account, but hey, if I want to get away from it all, I am going to Disney. . .Oh, and I happen to want to get away from it all at least every other month. . .roflmao. . .

[suzimar57]

just came back from a week in vegas - yes, it's still just as smoky as you'd imagine - and those "clickers" on the strip... - DH loves it there, it's his vacation of choice - me, i prefer disney over vegas - made the best of the week at the buffets, eating french macaroons, watching the bellagio fountains from our room at the paris - oh, and DH won big at cards, so he was very happy!

counting the days (114) until we're in my happiest place!!!

(non-gambler here)

[SanFranciscan]

A former co-worker never understood my affection for Disney and much prefers Las Vegas. My thought was that if I wanted to gamble I could go to the casinos run by Californian tribes, and I haven't been to Las Vegas in over 20 years. I was so young when I was there that I would definately have found more people my own age at Disney too.

However, I read a great deal because I don't drive anymore and now get around by streetcar. Just by coincidence I picked up a book called "Las Vegas With Kids" in the library because I prefer "family entertainment" to "adult entertainment." It puts me in safer company and things like that. This leads me to wonder whether Las Vegas is deliberately trying to imitate Disney to survive the large hits the casinos of Las Vegas must be taking with so many tribes now offering gambling.

[vdarrell]

Well they both have an Earl of Sandwich. The one in Vegas didn't even have a line when we went. It's in the Planet Hollywood Casino.


As many times as we have been to Vegas I didn't know they had an Earl of Sandwich in PHC will definetly check it out next time we go.

[vdarrell]

We like them both. Now if Disney would just add a few slot machines (maybe in the ride waiting areas) my hubby would be in heaven!:rotfl:

My hubby would be in 7th Heaven,:banana:
LV is his Disney