12 days at WDW cheaper than 6 days at DL

[boomhauer]

No word of lie - I'm spending less for 12 nights at Disney World this July than I was quoted for 6 nights at Disneyland in October. That's nuts.

Disney World Airfare for 3 people:$400
10 day park hoppers (x2) = $430
1 AP = $430
12 nights ASMovies = $1,300
Total = $2,560

Disneyland package including roundtrip airfare for 3, 6 nights at Disneyland Hotel, and (3) 5 day park hoppers = $3,300.

 

[daisy_77]

I know! DH and I went to DL for our honeymoon thinking it would be cheaper...turns out we could have saved 1000.00 going to WDW and staying 3 days longer

DL is a lot more crowded, too. I grew up in Riverside, which is about 35 minutes from DL, and I hated going with my family on school holidays cuz it was SOOOO crowded. I do like DL, I just prefer WDW.

WDW is bigger, has better food and more to see.

 

[paulh]

might just be a case of surply and demand
Paulh

 

[denyd]

There's a couple of reasons for the cost difference.

First the airfare is based upon your starting location. It's cheaper from Seattle to LAX than to Orlando, while in general the East Coast fares to Orlando will be less than to LAX.

Hotels are the big difference. LA had no value hotels such as ASMovies. You'd have to do a Candy Cane Inn or Travelodge for equals or plan on staying at the Contemporary or Grand Floridian for the same level of service and amenities.

Finally the cost of most everything in California is higher. from gas (average $3.40/gallon) to Park Adminssion ($79 for a one day park hopper).

Depending on when you visit, there are ways to save some money at either park. Whichever you choose, I think it's important to visit each at least to be able to realize the strengths and weaknesses of each.

 

[samkj]

Well first off the DLH is more like a nice moderate or deluxe rather than a value. Second DO NOT book the airfare through Disney. You can usually find it much cheaper booking it directly from the airlines ($400 for 3 people is an amazing price, no matter how short the flight!). Third, its CA, EVERYTHING is more expensive in CA!

I'm not saying its right, just pointing out some differences.

 

[boomhauer]

Well, we knew the flight would obviously be a lot more. But even still, if the flight to LA was the same price as the flight to Orlando, it would still be about $150 more for half the time, and MUCH less than what WDW has to offer.

That being said, having never been to DL, we really want to go, and will probably do it anyways.

 

[samkj]

Its the hotel, price the WDW package with POR and see what the difference is, or price the DL package with one of the Harbor motels.

 

[boomhauer]

Its the hotel, price the WDW package with POR and see what the difference is, or price the DL package with one of the Harbor motels.

Still cheaper. I was booked into POR originally, and the hotel was $2,000 for 12 nights. Granted, it's closer in price, but still more expensive for DL, again, for HALF the time.

 

[samkj]

And the Candy Cane Inn is only $2094 for 12 days in October, including park tickets. Like I said its the hotel.

 

[Harmony]

This will be our first trip to DL and yes, no matter how you cut it, it's more expensive. Still, we are looking forward to it but I can't help feeling like we should be going to WDW! I'm going to have fun either way...whether I like it or not...but...I wouldn't be telling the truth if I didn't say that everytime I look at the cost, I'm comparing it to a longer stay with the dining plan *for less* at WDW! Ugh!

All you DL fanatics...help me feel better!!!! LOL

 

[boomhauer]

And the Candy Cane Inn is only $2094 for 12 days in October, including park tickets. Like I said its the hotel.

Yeah, I saw that. So, it would run me only $200 more to stay there than it's costing me for Florida. Not that bad. Then again, it's not on Disney property. I could stay off property in Orlando for about $600 for 12 nights, so it's all relative.

 

[Rapunsel]

Harmony-

It's Walt's original dream... He walked main street.

it is very homey and wonderful.


Same as WDW but less crazy and at more of a slower pace..

I've done both and still like DL better..


Rapunsel

 

[MATTERHORN]

Yeah, I saw that. So, it would run me only $200 more to stay there than it's costing me for Florida. Not that bad. Then again, it's not on Disney property. I could stay off property in Orlando for about $600 for 12 nights, so it's all relative.

Still not the same though! It may be off property but it's closer to DL/DCA than the AllStars are to the parks. I mean it's walkable in 7 minutes! So you can't compare off site at DL to off site in Orlando. If you went offsite in Orlando, you better figure in a rental car for twelve whole days!

Andrea

 

[Dobie]

Comparing off property/on property for WDW and DL is apples and oranges.

DL off property are literally across the street. I am not aware of any off property in WDW that allows you to walk out of your motel, cross the street, and be at the entrance gate in less than 5 minutes.

Even with on property locations, you are paying a premium at DL because they are SO MUCH CLOSER!

For example, at WDW, even the most of the properties require you to take a bus or boat or monorail or something to get to the park.

At DL, at the PPH, the farthest away, you are talking walking 15 minutes tops.

 

[samkj]

My point was that it is possible to do DL for the same if not cheaper than your FL trip IF you choose comparable hotels. At WDW I feel you absolutely NEED to stay onsite for the full experience and DL its not as important. The Harbor hotels are not on Disney property, but some are closer to the park than anything in WDW. I think you are trying to compare apples to oranges and no matter how you do it they will not be the same!

 

[MATTERHORN]

Okay so I priced some stuff out! That's some pretty expensive airfare! Here is what I got:

Staying on property for 6 nights/7days at Paradise Pier (better than the All Stars but for our purposes, the lowest on the resort totem pole just like the All Stars) and 3 adult 5 day park hoppers is only $1663.00. That would have to have made your airfare over $1300 for three tickets. If that is the case, then it is not worth it for you to fly over here! But I think you could find it cheaper. Good luck whatever you decide, but Disneyland will always be worth it to me!

Andrea

 

[RADOPT]

12 nights ASMovies = $1,300

You didn't say when you were going but you should be able to do 12 nights around DL for $600 - $800 (with breakfast) and it would be closer to the parks then ASmovies. We usually do not stay on site at DL. Also - there are cheaper places to eat around DL then what you can get in the same distance at WDW.

Like Dobie said, this is apples vs oranges.

 

[Aggie96]

We found WDW to be cheaper than DL the last time we went there too. But, if you can put a deal together that seems reasonable to you, I would just say give DL a try for this one year and then see if the differences in the experience make the differences in the price make more sense. For one thing, you'll find that 6 days at DL is equivalent to 12 days at WDW as far as getting to see everything. And I definitely think you should think of the three DL resorts as deluxe resorts by WDW standards. The proximity makes them far more desirable (and time-saving) than the moderates at WDW and certainly more so than the value resorts. And the rooms open up to hallways, not to the outside. Those are things that make deluxe resorts deluxe to me. Airfare definitely seems to cost less to Orlando than to CA all the time, at least from here, so I'm not sure there's anything you can do about that. Basically, we spent a lot of time comparing the cost of going to WDW to the cost of going to DL before we went to WDW the first time as a family. Now that we've been to both, we don't compare anymore. There are just too many differences. And we love both! So we make our decision year to year based on other factors (like the 50th anniversary celebration) and then just get the best deal we can at whichever resort we choose to visit. If, however, you are determined to go to DL when it is at it's least expensive, or at least less expensive than WDW, last year and this year are obviously the worst of all times to try to accomplish that. DL is at it's best as far as entertainment, lack of closures, and everything being new and spruced up - and WDW is pulling out all the stops (like free dining - although that is during hurricane season) to keep things balanced. Next year the pendulum will probably swing in the other direction, so you could wait until then if you don't mind missing the 50th. But I say if you're ever going to try DL, now is definitely the time to do it. I think you'll consider it money well spent when all is said and done.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I so know where you are coming from. Living in Denver, airfare is about the same for us and since we are DVC, points are a much better deal at WDW. But I love Disneyland, it just can't be beat for that special/Walt/charm factor. WDW is cheaper in many ways. The food is cheaper because you aren't paying So. Cal pricing. Onsite lodging at DL vs. WDW has been covered but suffice to say, its too bad DL doesn't have the space to put in a couple of moderates or values! I hope you can still go, Disneyland is so special and now that they are continuing Remember through February you can see that. It will be nice for you to experience Disneyland while it is still spruced up for the 50th. If you can at all swing it, I would stay at the DLH or PP since you are used to onsite at WDW. I don't mind staying offsite at Disneyland since I have been so many times, but it is still magical to be at one of their hotels. You just have to pay the bucks to do it! Onsite at Disneyland is not the same and not as important as WDW, but to me, whenever possible I do try to do it. And since this will likely be a one time only thing for you, it would be nice to have that perk. Good luck with your decision. One thing about it, Disneyland will always be there, so if this trip doesn't work out, another one will!

P.S. Another thought for saving some money at Disneyland is to go for fewer nights. Four nights, three days is enough to get most if not all of it done. I am always all for nice long trips whether its Disneyland or WDW. However, unlike WDW, Disneyland is easily managed in three days, especially for WDW veterans who know the tricks of the trade!

 

[CalGal]

I just don't think it's fair to compare All-Star to DLH. Compare Contemporary to DLH perhaps, or All-Star to a motel down Harbor.

For me, WDW is almost always much more expensive because
-- flights are further and more expensive for me
-- parkhopper passes are more expensive at WDW
-- hotels are more expensive at WDW because I'd like a hotel that is reasonably close, nice, and has hotel facilities. At WDW, that means a deluxe accomodation and that means big bucks. At DL, I can get that for $100/night if I stay off-site (closer than onsight). DLH is usually cheaper than, say, the Contemporary. Somehow, I've managed to rarely pay "full-price" at DL (booking with 4th night free, or through AAA).
-- I feel the need to stay much longer at WDW

I think you can bring your price down if you want. Or stay at the DLH and appreciate the upgrade from the All-Stars.