Can't decide. WDW or Disneyland.

[fireman1]

I have a chance to go to california with a friend. She is from there and wants me to go with her and her daughter in about a month..She wants to take in the disneyland park and california adventures while we're there.....

My problem is that I want to go back to WDW. I've been there several times already and know what to expect ( i've never been to disneyland )
I've looked at pictures of disney/california adventures and it looks really good, but pictures can't compete with the thoughts of those that have actually been to both california and fl parks.
For those that have been to both, is it as good of a time as WDW? the same magic? we may also stay in the disneyland hotel.
your honest opinions while help me decide. thank you.

 

[skiingfast]

My problem is that I want to go back to WDW. I've been there several times already and know what to expect ( i've never been to disneyland )
I've looked at pictures of disney/california adventures and it looks really good, but pictures can't compete with the thoughts of those that have actually been to both california and fl parks.
For those that have been to both, is it as good of a time as WDW? the same magic? we may also stay in the disneyland hotel.
your honest opinions while help me decide. thank you.

To put it simply. WDW is bigger, DLR is better quality.

When I am deciding it depends on if I have the extra time WDW requires.

 

[alivingxerox]

I would give Disneyland a try, you might be pleasantly surprised. I never thought I would like DL more than WDW but I do. I agree with Skiingast that DL is better quality plus there are some fun rides that WDW doesn't have. Obviously WDW has some rides that DL doesn't have too but most people that don't like the idea of DL compared to WDW usually end up really enjoying time spent there.

 

[robinb]

I have been to every single Disney park in the world, and Disneyland is my hands-down favorite. You will not make a mistake by taking the time to see "Walt's Park".

 

[grumpy's fan]

I prefer Disneyland. We go to Disney at least 2 x each year and will visit WDW every frew years - every single time we visit WDW we end up really missing DL. We prefer the convenience of the closeness of the two parks and the variety of rides and attractions at DL. Hopping parks in WDW is just tiresome to us by the end of our trip.

 

[robinb]

One more reason to visit Disneyland: many of the rides are better on the West Coast. We visited both WDW and DL in December on the same 10-day park hopper. The Wisconsin Badgers were in the Rose Bowl and we cut short our WDW trip to go to California to see them play. Of course, we stayed near Disneyland . Time after time, my 11-year old said "Mommy, this ride is much better in Disneyland!". She *just* rode the exact same ride in WDW! Pirates, Space Mountain, Peter Pan, Big Thunder, Tiki Room, etc. PLUS there are things you can't even see in WDW like the ORIGINAL Tiki Room, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride & Pinocchio's Daring Journey.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

go to disney land im sure youd love it.

we are hoping to go to wdw 2012 or 2013 but its gona be 2500 just for the package then have to fly there. or take a train or buss

 

[mellers]

I have a chance to go to california with a friend. She is from there and wants me to go with her and her daughter in about a month..She wants to take in the disneyland park and california adventures while we're there.....

My problem is that I want to go back to WDW. I've been there several times already and know what to expect ( i've never been to disneyland )
I've looked at pictures of disney/california adventures and it looks really good, but pictures can't compete with the thoughts of those that have actually been to both california and fl parks.
For those that have been to both, is it as good of a time as WDW? the same magic? we may also stay in the disneyland hotel.
your honest opinions while help me decide. thank you.

Honestly, having been to both A LOT, it really depends on what you expect. Given a choice, and unlimited time and money, I would rather go to WDW. However, if we are talking in terms of a single park, Disneyland Park is better than the Magic Kingdom, IMHO (in my opinion, nothing beats EPCOT)

It is not the same kind of experience. It is much, MUCH smaller thand WDW, and that has its good and bad points--from an inexpensive, clean, comfortable hotel across the street, we can "walk and roll" anywhere (I'm in a wheelchair). On the other hand, there isn't that all-encompassing, "Disney as far as the eye can see" feeling you get at WDW.

There both different, and both good, and as far as I'm concerned, any day with Disney is a good day.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I prefer DLR over WDW.

 

[JennCa]

How many days do you have to spend on this? If I only have 3-4 days I prefer Disneyland, if I have 5 or more than I prefer all there is to do at Disneyworld.

What is the age of the child? I think Fantasyland rides are way better at DL and I think the Indiana Jones, Boblseds is better at DL. I like how big WDW feels, but there is less things for me to do there it seems. For young babies much less travel time between parks at DL. If it were summer and you wanted to go to water parks then I would strongly prefer Disneyworld.

Are you wanting to feel away from everything like Disneyworld or are you happy that the real world is close by like Disneyland? I love staying in timeshares so we can cook, do laundry etc and there are loads fo real resorts in WDW area, but not for DL. Honestly in the way of high end resorts but at affordable prices I love WDW better than DL. I love that with DL I can go out to eat at regular places easily and I enjoy the quality of the food much better that way.

My 2 cents,
Jenn

 

[Karpkg]

I would go to Disneyland for a number of reasons. 1) You'll get to see your friend again, and when will be the next time you'll see her after that? 2) You haven't been to Disneyland so now you can say you've been to both and can have legitimate reasons of what you like about one from the other 3) you may decide to see other places in California

 

[blackjackdelta]

I would go to WDW.

Jack

 

[fireman1]

How many days do you have to spend on this? If I only have 3-4 days I prefer Disneyland, if I have 5 or more than I prefer all there is to do at Disneyworld.

What is the age of the child? I think Fantasyland rides are way better at DL and I think the Indiana Jones, Boblseds is better at DL. I like how big WDW feels, but there is less things for me to do there it seems. For young babies much less travel time between parks at DL. If it were summer and you wanted to go to water parks then I would strongly prefer Disneyworld.

Are you wanting to feel away from everything like Disneyworld or are you happy that the real world is close by like Disneyland? I love staying in timeshares so we can cook, do laundry etc and there are loads fo real resorts in WDW area, but not for DL. Honestly in the way of high end resorts but at affordable prices I love WDW better than DL. I love that with DL I can go out to eat at regular places easily and I enjoy the quality of the food much better that way.

My 2 cents,
Jenn

6 days..we plan on both parks, and also a trip to knotts berry farms ( maybe). I have to say Magic kingdom is my favorite, followed by hollywood studios...california adventures looks very similar to HS, is that correct? hope so.
If it helps, I like having shops and what not close by so it sounds like I would love disneyland.
The little girl is 6. She has been to WDW also.

thanx to all who responded.....and oh, i'm leaning toward disneyland hard now

 

[ladeeesquire]

I would go to WDW.

Jack

me too!

To me, WDW is DLR on steroids!!! Plus CA is all torn up right now and will be until next year.

 

[Huff]

To put it simply. WDW is bigger, DLR is better quality.

I think that sums it up perfect! WDW is a city in itself with the 4 parks, scores of resorts and downtown disney connected with monorails, boats and buses and roads.

Attractions wise, WDW's 4 parks only have about 20% more than DL's two parks. Disneyland itself has quite a few more attractions than Magic Kingdom.

If dining is a major part of your Disney vacation then WDW is the better choice with the resorts and Epcot.

Disneyland tends to have far better attention to detail than WDW. Even with the renovations WDW's Fantasyland will still pale in comparison to DL's. All one has to do is compare the outside of IASW.

Park Hopping at Disneyland is entirely different. The ability to walk 5 minutes between the two parks makes it possible to hop several times in one day to catch shows or make the best use of fast passes.

All in all we really enjoy WDW and DL but for different reasons. Different type of vacations.

 

[Huff]

california adventures looks very similar to HS, is that correct?

Yes they are similar in theming and overall atmosphere. Both have Tower of Terror and Toy Story. CA also has Soar'n, Crush, Grizzly Rapids, California Scream'n (Great coaster!) and the Aladdin show as well as several other fun attractions.

When CA first opened it was seriously lacking and received plenty of complaints. It's been greatly improved since then and is a fun park. DHS is my favorate at WDW, CA at DLR.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Plus CA is all torn up right now and will be until next year.

What about FL at the MK??

 

[creampuff317]

WDW is much bigger than Disneyland.... In the past, I've always preferred WDW more than Disneyland.... However, on a recent trip to Disneyland, I learned that the park has changed much.... Many attractions have been added, and the park spirit has been rejuvenated.....very much like WDW....

I think you will be happy at either park....just bare in mind that Disneyland is smaller than WDW...but still has lots to offer!

Have a great vacation!

 

[nhdisnut]

What about FL at the MK??

The FL project at MK is, right now, only at the far back area of the park, and doesn't impact touring of MK at all.

 

[julieannbabe]

I have a chance to go to california with a friend. She is from there and wants me to go with her and her daughter in about a month..She wants to take in the disneyland park and california adventures while we're there.....

My problem is that I want to go back to WDW. I've been there several times already and know what to expect ( i've never been to disneyland )
I've looked at pictures of disney/california adventures and it looks really good, but pictures can't compete with the thoughts of those that have actually been to both california and fl parks.
For those that have been to both, is it as good of a time as WDW? the same magic? we may also stay in the disneyland hotel.
your honest opinions while help me decide. thank you.

Walt helped build Disneyland. that should help you decide right away. for any disney fan - this is where it all began.

disneyland seems to have much more detail that the MK.

go disneyland. x