Can you help: WDW or Disneyland?

[raidermatt]

There have been quite a few polls and discussion on this in the past. What ususally happens is the majority of people who have been to WDW and DL consider DL to be the best of the 6 domestic parks.

However, from an overall resort point of view, WDW wins hands down. DL has added some options, with DCA and DD, and they have also improved the overall look and feel of the area with landscaping and such.

But its still not even close to the scale of WDW.

 

[Amusement Park Junkie]

If you compare WDW to Disneyland, WDW has to win, hands down. How can you compare a single amusement park to 4 amusement parks, 2 water parks, multiple resorts, etc.
By the same token, Southern California wins, hands down, if you compare it to The Magic Kingdom in Florida.
What you are comparing here is the WDW area with the Southern California area. This is a much tougher decision. Living in one, and having visited the other 4 times, I think I would pick WDW if I had never been to either. You've said, however, that you've been to WDW many times. I think this makes Southern California the better choice for you. Disneyland, DCA, Knotts Berry Farm, Universal Studios ( Hollywood), Sea World, San Diego Zoo, Beaches, Hollywood, Palm Springs, etc. would make for a great two weeks if you've never been here. That time of year will usually find warm days, cool evenings, and very little chance of rain.

 

[DisneyRN1]

I agree with a lot of the posts-I've only been to DL once, but to WDW numerous times. DL was very special in that it was the "original", and somewhere I definitely felt like I should go and see what was there. The two places are vastly different. DL is much smaller, but if you can travel in California, I would pick DL also.

 

[PatriciaH]

Wow Belle-I just posted a poll the other day about the very same thing DH and I were all set to go to San Diego and California for 9 nights this August but then I started pricing it out. Last time we went to San Diego we paid $220 RT from Boston, MA. Now it is $408 RT on American- the airline we would use since DH has a free RT ticket. I don't want to fly on another airline Orlando is $176 RT on Southwest and the Marriott DD is $20.03 a night in August! Also the Swan/Dolphin is such a great rate through Deams-$139 a night. We already have AP's to WDW- we would have to get tickets for Disneyland. We were going to visit our sisters though so I feel bad saying "sorry-we want to go back to WDW again." We had a quick trip to WDW the 21-25th of March but we still would love to go back. I could also get Punta Cana or Aruba for 7 nights for the same price (travel agent rates) and my boss said go wherever you want, so now I am really torn. Decisions, decisions!

 

[Rodrigo]

Both resorts are great, of course you have more to do in WDW than DLR, but in California Adventure is the best ride of all Disney offers, Soarin' over California.
If you have been to WDW, then NOW you have more NEW things to do in DLR (and the weather is better).

 

[ContempoSMT]

this no contest here.. wdw .. wdw was set out to be made because disneyland wasn't nearly what walt disney wanted - wdw is ALOT bigger then dl and it offers many more things to do. I'd take WDW or DL any day of the year

 

[carene]

Having read these posts, i feel i have to agree with those that think this poll is a bit harsh, by trying to pit disneyland - a single park- against WDW - many parks, and referred to a resort.

(please dont get me started on this subject - i completed a 12,000 word dissertation on the topic!)

I think this has been an unfair contest!

 

[~*Belle 2003*~]

I have to LOL at some of your replies, don't worry DL fans I fully appreciate the poll would not really reflect which one is better, if one really is over the other , as they both have something to offer!

We will have a car wherever we go so we won't just be visiting Disney parks...

Thanks for sharing some great information, especially those of you who have been to both WDW and DL before.

 

[Alice28]

This is coming from someone who has been to DL 30+ times and WDW only 2 times. You gotta try DL- I have fallen in love with WDW and love it for the "Vacation" experience. It is magical and vast and lovely- and best of all- you don't have grungy strip malls just steps away like in Anaheim. I grew up in CA so I guess I'm somewhat immune to its charms. Having said that, my heart belongs to DL. While I'm dying to go back to the World, DL is special- and captures something the MK and the rest of the world just doesn't quite have. It's intimate, lots of nooks and crannies to explore, and has more attractions jam packed into its park. My personal favorites- Storybook Land Canal Boats and the Matterhorn. Fantasyland (which in addition to the previous two rides also has Alice in Wonderland, Casey Jr Circus Train, Pinocchio & still has Mr. Toad's Wild Ride) is just magical at DL compared to MK- the its a small world facade will blow you away. Toontown has tons of detail. Pirates is longer and more detailed- New Orleans Square is charming- Fantasmic is awesome, with the Mark Twain at the end and Capt. Hook and Peter Pan battling it out on the Columbia Ship. October/early November is a great time to visit DL- they often have Fall Fantasy get away packages that are a good deal. And the weather is usually still quite warm. We went last the weekend before Halloween and it was shorts weather every day. What a fun choice to have to make!!

 

[lomillerin]

?

 

[mmounsey]

Although I've been to each park about the same amount of times, I think for the length of trip you are planning WDW would be better.

 

[Kallison]

There is a lot more to see in the U.S. then Orlando and Florida. I would not stay at DL for 2 weeks, but a few days and other touring around California would be fine. There is a lot to see and do in CA.

 

[dBugged]

I lived in California for most of my life and moved to Connecticut in the early 90s. I must say that I've been to Disneyland about 50 times. I've been to WDW and handful of times for the past few years. WDW has a significantly larger amount of stuff to do, but it is really hard to compare it to Disneyland, since the size of the two parks is so different.

I think it would be more fair to compare Disneyland to Magic Kingdom -- those two parks are really one in the same. If that were the comparison -- I'd say that Disneyland will win hands down. I feel the theming is much better in Disneyland than Magic Kingdom. However, could you make a several day or week long trip out of it, even with California Adventure? Nope. Disneyland could easily be seen in a day, two days tops. California Adventure can be seen in 1/2 day, 1 day tops (there isn't much to do at CA but there are a couple "must ride" rides like Soarin' and the roller coaster).

If I were to go to Disneyland, I'd also go and visit Universal, San Diego (for the Zoo and Sea World), Knotts and a few of the other local attractions. All are within driving distance of the parks (San Diego is about 1.5 hours away, Universal about an hour and Knotts just down the street). When visiting Disneyland, you have to think outside the Disney resort to find entertainment to fill and entire week or more.

If you don't want to leave the Disney resort complex, I'd say go to WDW. There is MUCH more to do and you can easily fill 1-2 weeks of time. We go to WDW every year for 1-2 weeks and never run out of things to do -- and we have yet to venture outside of WDW. We usually visit DL when we go to CA for the holidays to visit the family.

If you stop by our website, we do have TONS of pix from both parks.

 

[Planogirl]

We finally visited southern California last year after having gone to WDW several times and we had a blast! Of course WDW has a lot more to see than DL but I think that Disneyland Park is the best Disney park I've been to so far. I would suggest going there just to see where it all began and to see the Indiana Jones ride (if it's not being refurbished). This ride is totally amazing IMO.

As far as what else there is in the area, California is fascinating with tons to see and do. We visited a Spanish mission, Knotts Berry Farm, Hollywood, Mullholland Drive (this I loved), Sea World, San Diego Zoo, old town in San Diego, several gorgeous beaches, etc. We felt like we only scratched the surface.

We headed back to Florida this year but intend to return to ASAP California too. It was a wonderful trip.

 

[Krispe]

Belle 2003,
I would say it would all depend on a few things: how much time you have. If you were going to spend all that time at the park, etc.

If you have a quite a few days I would do Disneyland, that way you'd also be able to do some sight seeing in California since that is almost a trip on its own. I've lived in California all my life (but I travel ALOT) and I do love this state. We drive or fly down to Southern California about once a month to visit friends and to go to Disneyland.

But if you plan only to stay at the resort/park, I'd do WDW. I love it there! But again, that is if you don't plan on leaving the property (since in WDW you don't have to leave the property).

Disneyland does have California Adventure now, it's a pretty small park if you ask me, I'd say maybe Studios size. Some rides are really cool like Soaring Over California. Disneyland itself is pretty much like the one at WDW, but it is the park that Walt overlooked, so that makes it special.

Oh one more important thing, in Disneyland (CA) Space Mountain is closing down for 2 years for a rehab for the 50th year anniversary in 2005! So if you can do 2 trips go to WDW this year and come back in 2005 for the 50th year anniversary, they have a lot planned!!

Hope this helps!

 

[Krispe]

Oh one other thing I forgot to mention, since you plan to go around Oct/Nov., you'll be able to see how they change the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland. They completely re-do the ride so it is completely Nightmare Before Christmas!! IT IS COMPLETELY WONDERFUL!! That alone may be worth seeing, they do such a fantastic job!

Oh also at Ca Adventure, there is the new Aladdin show. Very broadway style musical that is getting lots of rants and raves!!!

 

[LeftCoaster]

Originally posted by Krispe


Oh one more important thing, in Disneyland (CA) Space Mountain is closing down for 2 years for a rehab for the 50th year anniversary in 2005! So if you can do 2 trips go to WDW this year and come back in 2005 for the 50th year anniversary, they have a lot planned!!

Hope this helps!

::collapses on ground crying like Nancy McKeon in a Lifetime movie::

Closed! Closed! It closed last Thursday without notice.

And I agree with you about touring California. I'd spend 4 or 5 days at disneyland Resort. Another couple of days in Southern California for Hollywood, Universal, San Diego or the desert, and then take a road trip and tour up the California coast, hit San Francisco, Napa, and Yosemite. Yosemite in October is often very overlooked and a favorite time of mine to go.

 

[Krispe]

LeftCoaster,
I totally agree with you with the Yosimite tip! Such a beautiful park!

I was somewhat upset myself with the closure of Space Mountain myself. We recently purchased season passes so we were upset when we heard that one of our highlight rides had closed!

Oh but at least there is still the Indiana Jones ride, this is by far one of my all time favorite rides!!!

 

[DisneyDude10171]

for a longer visit, WDW- for a shorter visit DL.
Just my opinion.