Anaheim v Orlando

[mrs moon]

Hi everyone, just wondered which would be yr first choice,for those that have done both??

 

[saskdw]

Disneyland is on a much smaller scale. 3 or 4 days there and youve done everything twice. Disneyworld to me is a vacation destination. You can spend two weeks there and never come close to running out of things to see or do.

 

[ssei7802]

Disney World in a heartbeat, much more to do!

 

[Brenda Kim]

Each has there own merits. If you only have three days then Disneyland, any longer then Disney World. If you want a short but sweet taste of all things Disney, then Disneyland offers the biggest bang for your buck. There are many more attractions packed into both parks in Anaheim so it is always a good starting point and great for the extended weekend getaway.

I like the pp that states WDW is a vacation destination, as you could spend your whole vacation and never leave the WDW property. Anaheim has grown in around Disneyland, so you are driving in the heart of a city and then look there's Disneyland, and then a few blocks away there is Knotts Berry Farm and a few blocks in the other directions there is the stadium where the Anaheim Ducks pro Hockey team plays. All surrounded by hotels and restaurants and tons of traffic from locals trying to get to and from work.

Where as WDW is in it's own little cocoon of Walt's imagination. Leave interstate 4 and the super busy 192 and enter miles of Disney goodness, just the way Walt intended it to be.

 

[sbd78]

I love Disneyland because it is walkable, Disney World is not. California Adventure and Disneyland Park are a 2 minute walk from each other. Downtown Disney is walking distance. You can also walk a few blocks for less expensive off site food (and hotel) options. I love Disney World too, but it's a much different experience with having to take transportation everywhere.

 

[Kevin355]

Orlando. We've done both. If I never get back to Disneyland I would not be upset. WDW has more WOW!!!! factor than Disneyland. Just my opinion.

 

[Lucius Best]

Definitely Orlando over Anaheim, but Disneyland has lots of things going for it. One thing we liked on our last trip to Disneyland was that they still had the paper Fastpasses. It was also very nice being able to park hop by just walking from one park to the other, or even walk back to hotel for a break or to get a jacket.

 

[ptnia]

There is something special about Disneyland because it is the original. But there is nothing quite like the magic of Disney World the attractions, the fine dining, the events are so spectacular. If I had to choose it would be Disney World.

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

I agree with previous posters that WDW is more of a vacation destination in itself, whereas DLR isn't necessarily something I'd travel across the country for by itself but is instead just a part of a vacation that would involve other California-area attractions. We happily go to WDW and don't leave Disney property for a couple weeks, but I probably wouldn't spend more than 3 or 4 days at DLR. I love both WDW and DLR, but greatly prefer WDW.

There are a lot of factors to take into consideration when trying to choose one over the other:

- Weather. Lots of people love California weather, but I'm not one of them. I've been to Anaheim more times than I can count, and it's never been warm enough for me. (Mid-day might be okay, but I need a jacket in the evening.) Give me the Orlando summer heat and humidity any day. (Note that we've also been to Orlando during winter when we've needed jackets and pants, so it's not always blazing hot.)
- Resort size. WDW is about 50 times the size of DLR. It's hard to get across just how big WDW is to someone who hasn't been before. Some people like that they can quite easily leave DLR property (cheaper, non-Disney hotels and restaurants are very accessible), but I think the plethora of non-Disney establishments right across the street detract from the atmosphere and experience. WDW is much more immersive. However, exploring non-Disney attractions (other theme parks, restaurants) in Orlando takes effort (renting a car or arranging transportation).
- Park size and attractions. DLR is more ride/attraction-dense than WDW. Many of the same rides and attractions overlap between the two resorts, with some notable exceptions: DCA has Cars Land (reportedly one of the best-themed lands in all of Disney) and Paradise Pier (with California Screamin') that are not found at WDW, plus the Matterhorn and some other classic rides (like Mr Toad). WDW has Animal Kingdom (with things like the Safari and Expedition Everest), World Showcase, RRC at DHS, plus two water parks. Additionally, some of the rides that are at both DLR and WDW differ. For instance, the WDW versions of HM, ToT, and Splash Mountain are superior to the DLR versions; DLR has the better Pirates of the Caribbean, IASW, and Space Mountain.
- Non-park attractions. Besides the 4 parks, WDW also has 2 water parks, golf (mini & regular), DisneyQuest, fishing, boating, cruises, parasailing, etc, plus many more resorts to explore and restaurants to eat at than DLR. Plenty of people vacation at WDW without ever setting foot in the 4 main parks. Because DLR is so much smaller, there just isn't the space for all of those activities. There are much fewer restaurants, hotels, etc at DLR.
- Transportation. LA traffic is terrible, but once you're at DLR, everything is walkable. WDW transportation involves buses, monorail, boats, or rental car. I personally have no problem taking a bus between parks or park and hotel, but some people feel that it cuts down too much on park time.

 

[lulubel88]

If you've never been to either, I would suggest Disneyland first. It can be done in 3-4 days and you don't have to stay at a DL resort. I stayed at a Best Western right near the bus drop off area and was able to walk to everything. Having made my first trip to WDW in 1978, going to Disneyland really brought me back to that time...especially since they still have Snow White's Scary Adventure and Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. I didn't realize how much I missed those rides at MK until then. And California Adventure is amazing but I did go right after Cars Land had opened. All I can say is that it is just amazing and they truly need something similar at WDW. I have been going back to WDW each year for the past 5 years and like everyone says, it is a destination. Once you're on property you don't have to leave until you are ready to go home.

 

[bumbershoot]

3 or 4 days there and youve done everything twice.

Could not disagree more.

One AP year I spent 18 days at DLR and still didn't see/do everything I *wanted to* see/do, let alone everything.

We spent 8 nights onsite and left wishing for more time.

We go away from Disney at both 'land and 'world, but in Orlando we are going off to other themeparks, but in Anaheim I'm going to Trader Joe's (and Weight Watchers meetings if we're there over a Saturday).

After an Orlando trip we yearn to stop at Disneyland on the way home, so we can have a *vacation*. What we've done instead is fall in love with Universal Orlando, where we can also have an actual vacation instead of the "how big IS this place? march that WDW is for us.


OP, which place do you want to "imprint" on? Which do you want to feel like home? The one you go to first is often that one for people.

 

[MillauFr]

I like both. Disneyland has better weather, rides, and the logistics are far superior. Disneyworld had more to see, far more restaurants, and the onsite hotels were more reasonably priced.

 

[Dano13]

I have never been to DisneyLand but really want to see Cars Land. Is it worth the trip? I would do 3 days or so at Disneyland and then do a few days of the Hollywood sites and maybe a side trip to San Diego.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I like WDW but then that was my first park and I only live 8 hours away so that may be why.

I have enjoyed Disneyland and am hoping to get back there next year for a few days on my way to visit my sister.

 

[buzznina]

I do not think it matters which you go to first but to try and make sure you try to make it to both We really could not pick one over the other because even though they have a lot of the same ideas/rides they are so different. I also have to disagree with a PP that said you can do everything twice at DL in 3-4 days, we were there for 4 days and still missed some stuff. DL has so many wonderful little shows and a bunch of kids rides that WDW does not have and Toon Town and Cars Land was very impressive. We really like that when staying at the DLH that you walk through DTD to get to and from the 2 DL parks. WDW offers so many different parks and also have water parks and themed resorts. At their resorts they have much more activities, like boat and bike rentals etc. I do like the weather at DL much more than WDW, you can put on a light jacket and be very comfortable there, but when the heat index is over 100 its a lot harder to cool off. We also really like the fact that at DL you can just see a character hanging out in the lobby of the hotel.

 

[mrs moon]

Disneyland was my first park 25 ys ago,but i have never been back. Orlando i have been to lots as its nearer. Anaheim i always think of as my favorite but im unsure if maybe that's because it was my first..

 

[jessiegirl1982]

I prefer DL and have been an AP holder since 1991. I live in LA, and it is so nice to go down for a few hours. I still discover new things about the resort all the time. I love WDW too, but my heart lies with DL. There are more attractions in 2 parks, then all 4 in WDW combined. Also, discounts for AP holder are way better (20% on merchandise and 15% on food). I was shocked when I went to WDW with my Premier pass. Discounts seriously suck there! Also, very small factor, the restrooms at WDW are kinda lame with their refurbishments. The Epcot ones in particular are so 80's! DL just seems fresher.

 

[DizDaD7]

Being a WDW vet, for our 1st 8 trips We never get bored of things we've done a billion times. We were skeptical about what to expect and stuff.

1st off...Both are Sooo different. but so alike.

The setup between DLR & MK are similar in design, so you'll recognize where you have to move but there are some pleasant surprises that exist....Some rides that you love over at WDW are better in DLR. Some just give you that feeling that you can't get anywhere else. including WDW.

Some you feel like Walt is right there with you ( too hard to describe ).

In terms of the size....Yes its smaller in Cali, but equally impressive. Some good some worse..( Worse is to harsh a word ) I did like the fact that staying at GCV was right in the heart of everything though.. 1 minute walk & bam your in DTD, or 3 minute walk and your at the entrance to DL park, or 30 secs' & boom, your walking into DCA from your own private entrance.....

The biggest difference that we noticed ( & it is Noticeable ) is the amount of Vacationers in WDW as opposed to the amount of locals in DLR.
Its hard to put a number on it. Yes we've done it once already. We stayed 7 nights. 5 in GCV, & 2 nights in Hotel Menage...Those 2 nights we did the LA tour thing, & US. the other 5 were DL. & to be honest I would've loved more time, or at least 2 more nights, to fully get the whole deal....

I'm pretty sure we will return someday, but for the most part we will still be frequenting WDW, for it's much more than just the parks here....I ove the downtime at the resorts, we love the abundance of TS restaurants that are readily available. As corny as it sounds, we miss having the buses to hop on to and from too, as well as the boats.....

 

[tasha99]

I love both but prefer DL. We like to spend 5 nights there at the Grand Californian because that gives us time to not be park commandos but still do a lot. I prefer DL because it's all walkable and the ride density is higher. Yes it's only 2 parks, but they have more rides in them than wdw parks. Plus the weather. Both Florida and CA are hot, but at least CA isn't miserably humid. And ADRs-- they don't even take them until 60 days ahead of time at Disneyland. And legacy fastpass! Have I mentioned how nice a 2BR villa at VGC is? They're both lovely resorts but I love love love going to Disneyland.

 

[RustManFan]

Been to WDW quite a few times and DL once. Both have their own merits and I think decision depends most on number of days and expense to travel from where you are.

My DD and DSIL now live in California so I think more of my trips will be in the direction