WDW vs. DL

[KellyNY]

Hi everyone,

I've been at WDW many times but never did DL in California. For those who did both, when you at DL is it a little bit dissapointing because it is not as big as WDW, I personally compare everything to WDW, will I be able to spend at least 4 days there or I will do it in 1 day like Universal? Anything actually better at DL then at WDW.
Thanks.

Dear Moderator, please do not move it to DL board, as I want to hear from WDW visitors on this one, thanks.

[daannzzz]

I have been in the opposite direction. I grew up going to DL and didn't go to WDW until I was 40. If you expect DL to be bigger and better than you will be disappointed. But go with an open mind. There are loads of things that are better at DL just like there are loads of things that are better at WDW. Many of the things that YOU see at DL may be better but not the same as someone else. It is nice to have 4 full days to spend in the 2 parks but you can do it in 3 if you have to. I enjoy Universal Hollywood more for the fact that it is an OLD studio with a lot of history although much of that has erroded away over the past couple of decades.
At DL make sure to try everything. Though the Peter Pan rides are similar they are also quite different. The only things that are pretty much the same are Dumbo the tea cups.
Just make sure you are open to all the newness instead of being afraid of being disappointed.

[vettegirl]

DL is amazing and is my favorite, with all the little details and I love the Matterhorn. If you have never been 4 days is perfect IMO. I also love eating in Blue Bayou inside of the POTC and DCA is fun as well.

[peyjax]

Originally Posted by KellyNY

Hi everyone,

I've been at WDW many times but never did DL in California. For those who did both, when you at DL is it a little bit dissapointing because it is not as big as WDW, I personally compare everything to WDW, will I be able to spend at least 4 days there or I will do it in 1 day like Universal? Anything actually better at DL then at WDW.
Thanks.

Dear Moderator, please do not move it to DL board, as I want to hear from WDW visitors on this one, thanks.

In no way was DL dissapointing. No it is not even close to the size of DW but that is where its charm is. I could not even imagine it being it as cool as it was. We were there for one tiny little day and did not scratch the surface. Everything is smaller so do not even compare it to DW. Look at it as another Disney park. It is very exciting to be at especially if you have been to the world numerous because it is so familiar yet strange. Some of those rides put DW to shame (IASW,Space Mountain, etc.) Fantasmic is crazy good! My dad who had only been to DW said it is official DL is better than DW. I laughed and asked why and he said because of the weather and everything you want is so close. It is the best of DW in one smaller package. Granted there is no AK or World Showcase, but if you can look past that you will love it. It really does have a lot to offer.

[sueandkent]

DL also has the Indiana Jones ride if it's still there (haven't been for 10 years). The other nice thing about CA ia you can go to San Diego for the day or a few days which is beautiful with lots to see and do. Personally, we did not like Universal Studios CA.

[MouseMomx2]

We actually prefer DL to WDW. So many of the rides that are at both are better at DL (Pirates, Small World, Nemo, etc.) and they have some awesome DL-only attractions as well (Indiana Jones, the Matterhorn, Storybookland Canal Boats, the California Adventure rides, etc.). They also still have Mr. Toad's Wild Ride!

Now that they've added California Adventure and Downtown Disney DL is a fantastic vacation destination. Yes, it's much smaller than WDW, but there's something to be said for walking out of the gates of one park, across a plaza and into the gates of the other park.

There's just something magical about DL that is different from the WDW magic. Perhaps it's that Walt was an active participant in DL's early years, I don't know. It just has a completely different feel...less comercialized IMO.

DS15 recently said that he'd like to take a few years off from WDW and travel to DL instead. They are currently re-doing California Adventure and they just opened the Grand Californian DVC units so I think that might be a good idea. Oh, and their version of Toy Story Mania has a single-rider line. That just might be the clincher!

If you've never been to DL definitely give it a try. It's a completely different experience than WDW.

[missypie]

My family loved DL. We devoted three days to the two parks and went to Universal one day. We all wished we had skipped Universal and spent a 4th day in the Disney parks. The thing about DL is that it can actually be a relaxing vacation. Since there's less to see, there's less pressure to rush around and "see it all." Things are closer together at DL. (BTW, Pirates is way better and so is Small World.)

If you stay onsite, you can walk everywhere. You can spend the whole time without ever getting on a bus or a tram...just stroll through Downtown Disney and you're there.

[becalubob]

I have been to WDW several times, and made my first trip to DL this past June. I had so much fun! I went knowing that it's smaller, and had no expectations. I had a very magical time! Honestly, I didn't feel like I was missing out on anything. DL gave me the same wonderful feelings I get at MK. Some people complain about the castle being so small at DL. I thought it was very charming and pretty.... bigger doesn't always mean better. I had a lot of fun discovering the differences and can't wait to go back!!! I spent two and a half days there and there is still plenty I didn't get to.

[MouseMomx2]

Originally Posted by missypie

My family loved DL. We devoted three days to the two parks and went to Universal one day. We all wished we had skipped Universal and spent a 4th day in the Disney parks. The thing about DL is that it can actually be a relaxing vacation. Since there's less to see, there's less pressure to rush around and "see it all." Things are closer together at DL. (BTW, Pirates is way better and so is Small World.)

If you stay onsite, you can walk everywhere. You can spend the whole time without ever getting on a bus or a tram...just stroll through Downtown Disney and you're there.

I agree. DL is much more like what WDW was in it's earlier years. We find it much more relaxing and love the fact that everything is so easily accessible.

Oh, and there's a Jamba Juice at Downtown Disney! Yum!

[claryche]

The last time I was at DL was in 1996, before California Adventure. But I agree with others that 4 days is more than enough, and really the last time I went, we did DL in one day, and did everything that we wanted to do. We also went to Universal and loved it. We haven't been to the one in FL, because we just never have time...it takes too long to enjoy Disney World when we are down there. So I would suggest maybe do 3 days and one at Universal. And no it's not the same as Disney World, but the magic is there and that is what makes it so special.

[puntagordabob]

Disneyland has Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room!!! WDW is stuck with the Under New Management show ((( Hopefully one day we will get the DL show at WDW..... I grew up at WDW with the original show from 1971 until the late 1990s when they changed it...and I think the current version at DL is awesome.

[Sleeping Becca]

We loved DL and can't wait to go back!

It is sooooo much easier to navigate than WDW, everything is right there. It was a much less stressful vacation than WDW. 4 days is the perfect amount of time.

Things that are better at DL:
Fireworks
Fantasmic
Space Mountain
Pirates of the Carribean
Speedway
Small World
Toontown

Stuff that DL has that WDW does not:
Alice
Pinnochio
Indiana Jones
Original Tiki Birds
Mr. Toad
Roger Rabbit
Nemo Subs
Bugs life area
Cars area
Monsters Inc
Aladdin Show
and more

Sure some things are better at WDW, but DL def holds it's own.

[JB2K]

Originally Posted by KellyNY

Hi everyone,

I've been at WDW many times but never did DL in California. For those who did both, when you at DL is it a little bit dissapointing because it is not as big as WDW, I personally compare everything to WDW, will I be able to spend at least 4 days there or I will do it in 1 day like Universal? Anything actually better at DL then at WDW.

Been going to both coasts for over 30 years...

As far as size, DL comes nowhere near the WDW resort -- and, it never will be that big (part of Walt Disney's master plan for WDW was not to have so many "neighbors" setting-up shop outside the Florida property as they did in California, so he bought many plats of land to make the land surrounding WDW "his").

However, if you are a true Disney fan, you are cheating yourself by not visiting "the original". This is the same park that Walt Disney himself walked the streets, used to entertain world leaders -- and he even had an upstairs apartment on Main Street U.S.A.

For the most part, the MK is a clone of DL Park, with some notable exceptions in DL's favor:

• A more "updated" Tomorrowland (think Jules Verne)
• The submarine ride is still active (with a Finding Nemo theme) -- the MK version was remmoved and turned-into a Pooh attraction
• A way better Main Street U.S.A. (IMO) -- little has changed, there since Walt Disney's day
• Mr. Toad's Wild Ride - another original attaction gone at the MK (it's another Pooh attraction)
• Mickey's Toontown - this fully-themed "land" opened in the mid-90's and is several times the size of the soon-to-be-decommissioned "fair" at WDW.

Now, what do I like about DL?

• Small children - I've taken them to both parks, and often found DL to be not nearly as "high energy" as WDW, which makes for a wonderful (and memorable) day with kids.
• Hotels - you don't have to stay onsite (Disney has 3 hotels in CA) to have a great Disney experience. Many well-known lodging brands are within walking distance of the park's front gates.
• On-property parking -- it's a 10-story garage, meaning your wheels (or rental) is protected from the elements (think getting caught in the rain in FL)
• No wasting precious downtime waiting for buses/transportation (see above)
• Disney's California Adventure - to me, many of my favorites from AK, DHS, and Epcot (and some exclusive to DCA) are in one, convenient park (and the DCA gate is just steps away from DL -- again, no messing with buses). They also have the old (Main Street) Electrical Parade, which hasn't been at the MK in several years.

Someone mentioned Universal -- I will say this much about the CA facility -- unlike the Florida property, Universal Studios Hollywood is a fully-functioning movie studio (and the new West Coast home for NBC-TV), first. If you go there expecting Florida-type amusements, you will be disappointed.

As far as time, you could easily do both Disney parks in a full day for each park, but if you spent a couple of days at each park, you could take your time and really enjoy what's out there!

Hope this helps...

[ktlm]

I am a huge WDW fan and can remember not liking DL as much as a kid (the one and only time I had been there). Last year I got the chance to go to DL/CA during a business trip. I did not have high expectations. I absolutely loved it!!!! I can't wait to go back. There are some things that are different/better from WDW. Judging from the picture you have attached to the post, I'm guessing the one that might interest you the most is the live Aladdin show. It is a 40 minute Broadway type show that is hands down the best Disney show I have ever seen in one of the parks. On top of that, Space Mountain and Pirates are better. Indiana Jones is fantastic. They have Alice, Pinnochio, Monster's Inc. and Roger Rabbit rides. They still have Mr. Toad. The Nemo ride is the old 20,000 Leagues under the sea ride/submarines, which I loved. Plus it is so compact that you can do everything in less time than WDW. You can walk between DL and CA in 2 minutes. From those 2 it is about a 3 minute walk to their version of DTD. DH and I did both parks in one day (all we had), but I would certainly not recommend that. We were there from open to close with July summer hours going at a breakneck speed and managed to hit almost all the rides (even with stopping to watch the Aladdin show). I would like to go back and spend a full day in each park and then spend the rest of our California trip at the beach or doing the other many things California has to offer. I don't think I would spend more than 3 days there, but that's just us. When we are at WDW, we aren't the type that take afternoon breaks and just spend a few hours in the park. If you are that type, 4 days would let you take a nice leisurely pace.

[Sleeping Becca]

I wanted to add that the food at DL leaves much to be desired, WDW's has much better food. So don't go expecting good food. Napa Rose at the Grand Californian is the exception, the food there is amazing.