DISNEY WORLD vs. DISNEY LAND

[Magalex]

We did DL in October for the first time after 7 straight years of trips to WDW. We made a vacation of it. Flew into Orange County, stayed at Howard Johnson (about 10 minute walk to park), spent 6 days at DL/DCA and then drove to San Diego for 2 day trips to SDZoo and Sea World. Spent 1 day at the beach and another in Hollywood.

Our trip was awesome! It was a lot harder to plan that WDW as most visitors are locals so no need for making dining reservations 6 months in advance, in fact I think you make reservations 2 months in advance, with park hours released about 1 month in advance.

We loved being where it all began. Thinking of Walt designing the park, being there, etc. I had goosebumps walking to the park on the first day.

HoJo Disney View Room was great with Entertainment book discount. I think it was about $79 per night and we have a view of the Matterhorn, watched fireworks a few nights, etc.

DL and DCa had many rides that WDW did not have, we missed some of our favorites from WDW. And the rides that are at both parks, we found ourselves trying to make comparisions.

World of Color was AMAZING! Fantasmic was AMAZING! The Halloween Party Fireworks - NOT TO BE MISSED!

We would love to go back, but next time I think we would spend less than 6 days in the parks and more time exploring Cali. We live in PA so airfare is super expensive, so the next trip won't be for a few years.

If you need any questions answered, let me know!

Great review! I sent a PM to you!

 

[carly3592]

As much as I LOVE Indiana Jones, I found it interesting that Dinosaur is the same exact ride as far as track layout is concerned. Bolt for bolt.

However, I think Indiana is a better ride; I can keep my eyes open for that one!!!

 

[lovealatte]

I would take DL over WDW any day, hands down. It's just so more nostalgic and magical to me, knowing how much influence Walt had over that park and how everything was built pretty much to his discretion. It's the original.

With that being said, yes, it is smaller... but I don't think it makes DL any less magical. Like many PPs have said, more dark rides.. SM is better.. Indiana Jones which is my fav disney ride anywhere.. World of Color, etc.

If you are a true Disney fan and appreciate it for what it's worth, you will have a fantastic time!

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Here's a really good thread for WDW vets going to DL.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

And, here's the thread on anything you need to know about Disneyland.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1072276

 

[Shelton123]

I have been to Disney World around 10 times. I have never been to Disneyland. My wife and I are thinking about going to Disneyland. Will we be disappointed? I have heard that all of the rides are so close and you do not have to walk as much in Disneyland, but I do not know since I have never been. Tell me what you think! Pros and cons of Disneyland please!

Pro's:
Smaller, you can see more of it in one trip.
You can get a cheap hotel offsite that's even closer than ALL the ones onsite.
Walt's personal touch.
A lot of great rides there that they don't have anywhere here.
Blue Bayou, I absolutely LOVE that place!
Most of the same rides are just a bit better in DL than they are in Orlando, with 1 or 2 exceptions.
Parks are RIGHT next to each other.

Cons:
Not as much to see, only two parks.
California Adventure isn't quite as magical as I'd like it to be.
Sleeping Beauty's castle isn't quite as magnificent as Cindy's.
Staying onsite requires a long-ish commute to the parks, often.
Connection with the outside world, as opposed to be totally secluded in the magic like WDW.

Overall, I do like WDW better, but it's a very close race, WDW just has more parks and I think that's the deciding factor for me. I have only been to DLR once though, and WDW multiple times. So if I had a choice now I would probably go back to DLR, but if you have to choose go to WDW.

 

[grits98]

I grew up going to WDW countless times. When we moved out to California, we went to DL. Sooooo disappointing!!!! Although we knew DL was much smaller, we didn't realize what an enormous difference it would be. The only pros of DL I can think of are: It has a better POTC and a better IASW. It was also kinda nice to walk into the park from our hotel (Grand Californian). Beyond that, DL loses big-time to WDW. The streets are so narrow and everything is just small! It also felt a lot more crowded although that could be due to the more narrow streets.

I think this is one of those issues that everyone is going to have their own opinions on, but since you asked for these opinions, that's mine! We don't regret going, and if you're going to be in the area, I would visit DL. It just didn't really seem worth all the money to me when compared to WDW.

.

 

[brymolmom]

We are WDW vets and went to DLR for the first time last April. It was me, dh, ds7 and dd6. Some general notes:
- If you are East Coast - plan for the time change affecting you. My kids were up and ready to go at 3am the first day. I would have scheduled a 'down' day first to adjust a bit if I had realized.
-Stayed at HOJO - cheap and easy walk. Went to grocery store and had some breakfast and lunch stuff in room. Packed sandwiches for lunch 1 - 2 days - love it because the lockers are in the central 'hub' area so you can do all that before even going into the park and not waste those first few minutes inside.
- VERY laid back. DH and I were all prepared with fastpass 'runner' and it wasn't necessary our first 2 days (definite increase on the weekend compared to WDW at least when we were there).
- CM's were much more laid back as well - think going to your local amusement park - not as 'disney-like' IMO. I would ask how long a wait for a ride ( wait time wasn't displayed as often as it is at WDW) to the CM at the entrance and usually got a quick and not much thought put into answer - that wasn't accurate.
- I would plan 4 days (instead of 3) if I went again.
- Really love being able to walk to everything and to our hotel.
- Loved the fireworks!
- We did Goofy's Kitchen breakfast - it was great.
- I would never stay onsite there - too many wonderful, inexpensive places only 5 minute more to walk.

 

[goofyernmost]

I've been to both. I enjoyed DL but not as much as DW. I was totally disappointed in the haunted mansion at DL, it is nightmare before Christmas and not the good ole fashioned HM like at DW, but that's just me. DL is nice that it is not quite as big but I didn't think they had as many shows and parades. I didn't do the other park while at DL so I can't tell you anything about that.

That happened to me as well. I had really been looking forward to seeing the original, but the day I got there they opened with the Halloween overlay. Hated it.

CA can be seen from anywhere, but I found it interesting that ya can't even get a glimpse of Disneyland proper until you're in the park

Apparently you look down while you are walking because the Matterhorn can be seen for miles around.

As much as I LOVE Indiana Jones, I found it interesting that Dinosaur is the same exact ride as far as track layout is concerned. Bolt for bolt.

However, I think Indiana is a better ride; I can keep my eyes open for that one!!!

The thing that I found comical was that when you are entering the Indiana Jones ride the "Q" seems to go on forever. I would swear that the actual ride is in Mexico.

If you are a true lover of Walt Disney's Creations then a journey to Disneyland is an absolute must. To see where it all started is awe inspiring. It is easy to see what Walt was most upset about, surrounded by the glitter of private enterprise all within sight of the park and even from within the park if you ride on the monorail. I went once, and that will probably be it, but I am glad that I did the one trip. A very big plus for me is that DL also contains the original Tiki Birds Show. The only caution is that DL contains a large contingent of almost cult like followers. There is nothing wrong with that but it kind of takes you by surprise sometimes just how into Disneyland they are. Makes Trekkie's look like rank amateurs.

 

[Yngpreacherman]

Hey guys! Thank you so much for all of your input. One thing I do not think I have read yet is the average weight time for rides. Since there seems to be more "locals" in Disneyland where as Disney World truly attracts people from all over the world, are the lines much shorter in Disneyland?

 

[grits98]

If you are a true lover of Walt Disney's Creations then a journey to Disneyland is an absolute must. To see where it all started is awe inspiring. It is easy to see what Walt was most upset about, surrounded by the glitter of private enterprise all within sight of the park and even from within the park if you ride on the monorail. I went once, and that will probably be it, but I am glad that I did the one trip. A very big plus for me is that DL also contains the original Tiki Birds Show. The only caution is that DL contains a large contingent of almost cult like followers. There is nothing wrong with that but it kind of takes you by surprise sometimes just how into Disneyland they are. Makes Trekkie's look like rank amateurs. [/COLOR]

Yup! ITA about the followers! I would also add that, if someone was really interested in learning about Walt Disney and the Disney family, then the best possible place to do that is at the Disney Family Museum in San Francisco. It does a fantastic job of sharing the Disney story! I was blown away by the tenacity and determination of the Disney family in making their dream come true.

Hey guys! Thank you so much for all of your input. One thing I do not think I have read yet is the average weight time for rides. Since there seems to be more "locals" in Disneyland where as Disney World truly attracts people from all over the world, are the lines much shorter in Disneyland?

The wait times seemed awful to us. Maybe it was because some of the more popular rides don't have fastpasses like they do in WDW (for example, no fastpasses for TSM at DL). Maybe we just had bad luck, but the wait times definitely seemed better at WDW and we've been there at the most crowded times.

.

 

[labattblue]

I have been to WDW 7 or 8 times and DLR twice. To each their own, but DLR is AWESOME, from the ability to walk out of one park and into another, staying off-site but still being able to walk to the parks, the amount of attractions in DL, the DCA expansion, etc...


I really believe the majority of people who have been to WDW would come away just as impressed, if not more, with DLR.

 

[mhconley]

I love both Disneyland and WDW for different reasons...

There are differences, size being the biggest (pun intended). As someone said early in this thread - WDW is a vacation - we always plan to spend at least 7 days in the World. Disneyland CAN be done in a day but to ensure you see everything and California Adventure (which was way better than I expected it to be) plan to spend 3 days.

There is a LOT less walking at DLR - Disneyland is much smaller and more intimate than the Magic Kingdom. Being someone that started at the Land and later visited the World I would say the castle in MK is gigantic - not that the castle in DL is really small.

POC is MUCH better in DL, Indiana Jones is one of my all time favorite rides, I love the Matterhorn (and really miss the Skyway) and I have a lot of nostalgia for Tom Sawyer's island.

All said I'd rather spend a week immersed in the magic at WDW but Disneyland will always hold a special place in my heart... I can't wait to go back after Carsland is completed.

Martin

 

[wdwislife]

I've been to both. I enjoyed DL but not as much as DW. I was totally disappointed in the haunted mansion at DL, it is nightmare before Christmas and not the good ole fashioned HM like at DW, but that's just me. DL is nice that it is not quite as big but I didn't think they had as many shows and parades. I didn't do the other park while at DL so I can't tell you anything about that.

Haunted Mansion is only Nightmare Before Christmas themed during the holiday season, all other times it is almost identical to the one in WDW.

I've been to WDW many times, and DL twice, and I love both! WDW will always be my preference if I had to choose since it is my home resort, but I will also continue to go back to DL. I'll be there this summer for the D23 Expo!

It is just magical to walk around DL knowing that you're walking in Walt's footsteps

 

[DLR29]

Hey guys! Thank you so much for all of your input. One thing I do not think I have read yet is the average weight time for rides. Since there seems to be more "locals" in Disneyland where as Disney World truly attracts people from all over the world, are the lines much shorter in Disneyland?

As a DLR vet who has been to WDW a couple times too, I will say that the lines are pretty much the same, which is interesting because DLR has more "E-ticket" type rides in either DL or DCA than any single WDW park (if that makes sense).

I would also like to point out that DLR (with its 2 parks combined) has only about 10% less rides than WDW (with its 4 parks combined).

That being said, because the parks are so close to each other (and the park hours are usually longer, especially during crowded times), it is easier to get more stuff done in a day at DLR. Due to this, yes, you do not need as many days to get a good DLR experience. Over on the DLR boards, the general consensus is that 3-4 days (4-5 soon once The Little Mermaid, Star Tours II and Carsland open) is about good if you want a decent overview of the resort. 1-2 days at DLR is similar to a trip of 4-5 days at WDW...enough to see a lot, but definitely not everything.

And World of Color, Fantasmic, and Remember Dreams Come True (fireworks) all, in my opinion, are FAR superior to Wishes or Illuminations or DHS's Fantasmic. DCA also has a super cool Aladdin musical (Broadway style) that rivals Festival of the Lion King as my favorite Disney Park music spectacular show.

 

[Tigger1]

No Animal Kingdom

 

[hookedonears]

Ride by ride my review of DL.

Space Mountain - much better than WDW.
Splash Mountain - wetter than WDW.
Big Thunder - Our daughter liked more, though I thought it was about the same.
Tomorrowland raceway - same.
Matterhorn - It's a kids roller coaster, the mountain looks cool, but the wait is not worth it, unless you have small kids.
Buzz - The same.
It's A Small World - Ride starts outside, very odd. Exterior needs rehab, looks very worn.
Snow White - Much darker than WDW, has a whole lot more of the witch. No happy ending. The last thing you see is the witch. Strange.
Winnie the pooh - Starts outside -very odd. Next to Splash Mountain in Frontierland, very odd + seems way out of place. The ride however I think is better than WDW. More open.
Pirates - Much longer than WDW, basiclly same but ride goes through Blue Lagoon restaurant, atmosphere is the same as Mexico San Angel Inn.
Indiana Jones - seems way out of place being in Disneyland. The ride is good though. It's basically the same ride as Dinasaur at AK. Same ride vehicle.
Castle - Puny
Buildings on Main Street - small, seem more like play houses.
Walkways - narrower, more crowded and are in very close proximity of the rides and ques. At one point one walkway you can almost reach out and touch the Big Thunder Mt. track.

California Adventure:
Tower o terror - not as good as WDW.
Mickey's Fun Wheel - sleep wheel - awful
Many of the attractions are nothing more than State Fair rides.
Soarin - same
California Screamin Roller Coaster - very good, quick start similar to Rockn Roller Coaster WDW, but not nearly as good RnRC.
Bugs life - same
Toy Story Mania - same as WDW, though seems to more open to outside.
Grizzly River Run - same as Kali River at AK. We skipped
California Adventure is just too limited.

Bottom line is we very uncomfortable at DL/CA. If we were locals, I'm sure we wouldn't feel that way. I'm sure they feel the same way at WDW. In my opinion, if you're looking for something different, don't go to DL. Go some where else other than Disney. We won't ever go back to Disneyland.

 

[RabbitFood]

I've been to WDW over 20 times, and to DL 4. I love both places for their unique qualities.

DL has more of a local feel--very alive and vibrant and high energy. I've talked with lots of friendly southern Californians while waiting in DL lines.

DL is a lot smaller and tighter feeling. I imagine Walt had no idea there would ever be so many strollers, wheelchairs and (then unknown) ECVs. But I LOVE the fact that DL was Walt's park. He walked those paths and roads those rides.

I'm not a fan of WOC, but POC, IASW, Space Mt., Matterhorn, (all of Fantasyland, really), And HM are not to be missed! I love meandering around CA--it's roomier and has some great attractions highlighting Walt's craft.

We've stayed at Disneyland Hotel, Grand Californian, Cancdy Cane Inn and Park Vue. All were great.

While in the area, be sure to check out Hollywood and some of the beaches, too.

 

[Roythe13th]

I live in Kentucky and Florida is much closer than California but I have only been to WDW once and been to DLR 5 times. I love Disney parks very much but just find WDW very tedious and difficult. I'm just not a resort person so DLR gives me my Disney fix in a more laid back atmosphere in less time. I also enjoy southern California more than central Florida for doing non-Disney things.

People have given lots of good pros and cons for you to think about and although this may not be a big deal to you but for me it's a huge pro for DLR and that is the weather. I've only experienced rain once at DLR and that was this past October when everyone agrees that 2010 was a weird weather year for California. Also, it's rarely very hot or humid at DLR. Once while at Disneyland in June, I was standing in line for the Matterhorn and I felt a drop of sweat go down my neck. I looked at my watch at it was almost noon and it was my first sign of sweating that day and I had been there almost 4 hours already. When I was at WDW in October 2009, I was sweating just getting from my car to the monorail station at MK. I think the lower heat and humidity at DLR puts the guests, the CM's and everyone else in a better mood out there. It's just not as oppressive. I'm not sure I would ever go back to WDW again from mid Spring to mid Fall.

If you are a Disney fan in the U.S. and have only been to one Disney resort in the country, you owe it to yourself to experience the other. Read up on tips and best time to go to try to get the best experience and give it a try and try to keep an open mind. The worst that will happen is you say the other resort wasn't your thing and stick to the one you like.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

I love Disneyland . Go you will enjoy it so much. It is charming and has different rides.

 

[BuckeyeGuy28]

My family and I live 5 minutes from WDW and still prefer DL. This may be because we're 'used to' WDW, but we dont go as much anymore, and go to DL more than WDW, and still that's the one with more magic.

PROS:
-It doesn't take you an hour to get from a park to a hotel or another park via bus, boat, monorail, plane, train, whatever. DTD, DL, CA, and all three hotels are within walking distance of each other--it makes the vacation so much more relaxing as you don't have to plan out your mode of attack to get to a park 'on time'. Grand Californian is literally INSIDE CA, which is very convenient. Say you want to ride a water ride and not be wet all day--you can run to the hotel, put on a bathing suit and T-shirt, get soaked, and come back and change in barely any time at all--cant be done at WDW

-Everything is more 'magical' at DL. WDW is catered to the masses, where everything is spread out, merchandise and food is off-the-shelf in order to make profits, and personality is replaced with some weird sort of commercialism. At DL, you feel the originality. It's quaint and feels more homey.

-Because DL is so small, the attention to detail, IMO is greater. In extra efforts to hide the outside world, there seems to be more work put into making the day magical.

-Unique rides such as Matterhorn, California Screamin (and the rest of Paradise Peir land in CA for that matter), etc. Even ride clones are better at DL (POTC so much better than WDW, Space Mountain blows WDW's out of the water, and Indiana Jones is the best ride in the world, and Dinosaur doesnt even come close to it!) Everything except Splash Mountain and Haunted Mansion are better at DL.

-WDW is a trip, where everything has to be planned out in order to maximize your dollar--DL is a vacation, where if you're tired, you don't worry about not seeing something at that very second, you can go swim or shop for a few hours then come back to it.

-It's Walt's original, you literally 'feel' magic in the park (Disneyland really, not so much CA). I don't know how to describe it. As for CA, it has less space, so only the best rides from WDW's non-MK parks are imported there. Very special resort

CONS:
-It's smaller. So you can ride your favorite rides more than once, or spend time at DTD or in the pools relaxing. Really, its only a con for some people.



I know people say you can see the outside world from DL, but I don't think that's true--even on the Matterhorn, you have to be looking for it. Sure, in Paradise Pier at CA a couple buildings stick out but they're unique California hotels, it's part of the theme

Take it from a WDW vet, DL is just a much more magical vacation.