Comparing DL to WDW

[momof2cuties]

Just kicking around the idea of a Disney vacation for thanksgiving. We just went to WDW June/July but are all itching to go back and my daughter asked about DL instead.

One of the big draws of WDW is just how easy it is to vacation. Once we check our luggage we don't need to worry about it again. Does DL make it as easy with Magical express, transport to the parks etc?

How many park days would first time visitors need to not feel like we missed a lot?

How's pricing on food compare to WDW?

 

[figment_jii]

Does DL make it as easy with Magical express, transport to the parks etc?

DLR doesn't have Magic Express; it's up to guests to get themselves to the resort. Once at DLR, you don't really need a car to get around (everything within the resort is within walking distance).

This thread (HydroGuy's A DLR Guide for WDW Vets) has useful information and help you get a sense of the similarities and differences between the two resorts.

How many park days would first time visitors need to not feel like we missed a lot?

I think somewhere between 3 and 5 days would be a good starting point. In three days you can probably hit most of the highlights (although, it does depend on when you're going), but you will have to forgo some things.

How's pricing on food compare to WDW?

Food is expensive, but it's what you'd expect from a theme park. I haven't compared prices specifically, but I feel that they're about on par (except remember that DLR has a higher tax rate).

 

[MIALIAS]

As much as some people want to debate it. Lets be honest. There really isn't a comparison.

Disneyland is really nice - but it's a park (actually 2). Weather is usually good and 3 days would be all you need. You will have a great time. And there's a lot of other things to do in Southern California.

Disneyworld is well...a world. 4 parks. Tons of things to do on property. Beautiful hotels. Dozens of great restaurants. People often go for 1 week or even 2 weeks and still don't get to do everything they want to.

Both fun but if we're being honest, two different experiences. Just don't expect Disneyland to be disneyworld and you will love it.

 

[IBLarsen]

We've been several times to both, and like them for different experiences. My children (ages 13 and 11) still prefer Disneyland and have been begging to go back as our last trip was to WDW. They like it for the reason that they can do anything they want in a day and not be told 'that's not in this park' They got used to the fact that if we are at DCA and they want to go back to ride Pirates one more time before we leave for the day, they can. They still don't realize it's two parks, they just think DCA is 'the other side of Disneyland'. It's just so convenient. They also get tired of waiting on buses at WDW. We stay across the street in one of the close by hotels and just walk back and forth, it's not a big deal. We always try to fly into SNA (John Wayne Airport), because it's so much easier and it's super easy to just grab a taxi and go to the hotel. It's not that expensive from that airport. Once you are there, if you're staying onsite or walking distance, you won't need a car. We like the staying on property at WDW, it just has that certain feel to never leaving the Disney Magic. We could achieve that by staying onsite at DLR but when I price it, it just never seems worth the extra money (it's a big difference), and it's not necessary. At WDW you have so many options at affordable prices...and some not so affordable, but there's something for everyone. Our first trip we did 3 days thinking that was plenty. It was NOT. We've done 5 days and loved that we could relax more, and the kids could ride things over and over if they wanted. 4 days I feel is perfectly good to not feel so rushed and be able to fit in everything. At least a couple days, we end up taking breaks, especially with younger kids. I feel like we walk more at DLR, as it's so easy to cross to DCA and back...It almost seems more exhausting that WDW (with the exception of walking around all of Epcot But we don't park hop at WDW either.
If you have specific questions, please ask

 

[Indiana Scott]

No comparison for us; DLR wins by a mile. For years we thought WDW was the Mecca of Disney but after several trips there we realized we found it lacking - especially the Magic Kingdom. It's beautiful but it's missing so many things. After the last trip we finally realized that DLR is more fulfilling (it has the same or more overall number of attractions as the entire "World") and makes for a much more relaxed trip because you don't have to walk nearly as far or travel on buses to get places.
I do miss EPCOT and its dining choices but otherwise our home park is the original.
Don't get me wrong, we'll return ot WDW someday. Probably if DLR is too busy or they have too much of the park torn up.

 

[MIALIAS]

Let's be fair to OP and not set her up for disappointment.

People want to argue it's comparable, Disneyland is great but it is not in anyway comparible to disneyworld.
The argument that WDW is too big and therefore not as good (?) is like saying my ice cream sundae was too big. Silly. I agree with that buses are no fun, so the easy fix at WDW is rent a car, use über or stay on a monorail hotel.
After that you will be immersed in a magical world for as long as you are there.

Disneyland is a miracle in itself and an amazing vision of Walt, but he could not own that much land so he was heavily restricted and therefore just outside the gates is endless hotel and food chains (not very magical).
When he could do everything he really wanted to do it was all done and more in Orlando.
Relax west coasters, there's tons of other things to do in Southern California that's worth the trip to the west coast but don't convince a person to make a trip to Disneyland and think it will be as immersive as disneyworld.

 

[Frozen2014]

Let's be fair to OP and not set her up for disappointment.

People want to argue it's comparable, Disneyland is great but it is not in anyway comparible to disneyworld.
The argument that WDW is too big and therefore not as good (?) is like saying my ice cream sundae was too big. Silly. I agree with that buses are no fun, so the easy fix at WDW is rent a car, use über or stay on a monorail hotel.
After that you will be immersed in a magical world for as long as you are there.

Disneyland is a miracle in itself and an amazing vision of Walt, but he could not own that much land so he was heavily restricted and therefore just outside the gates is endless hotel and food chains (not very magical).
When he could do everything he really wanted to do it was all done and more in Orlando.
Relax west coasters, there's tons of other things to do in Southern California that's worth the trip to the west coast but don't convince a person to make a trip to Disneyland and think it will be as immersive as disneyworld.

We went to Disney World for the first time Oct 2014 and absolutely loved it. And we are planning to try Disneyland next summer. Really excited. But one thing I do wonder is how the "standard time" at a Disney World trip is 1-2 weeks, but yet only 4 or so days at Disneyland. Seems like there is so much less to do (even though the rides are more condensed in two close parks).

 

[MIALIAS]

We went to Disney World for the first time Oct 2014 and absolutely loved it. And we are planning to try Disneyland next summer. Really excited. But one thing I do wonder is how the "standard time" at a Disney World trip is 1-2 weeks, but yet only 4 or so days at Disneyland. Seems like there is so much less to do (even though the rides are more condensed in two close parks).

Exactly the point.

No ones going to Disneyland for 2 weeks.

Land not a world.

 

[IBLarsen]

We went to Disney World for the first time Oct 2014 and absolutely loved it. And we are planning to try Disneyland next summer. Really excited. But one thing I do wonder is how the "standard time" at a Disney World trip is 1-2 weeks, but yet only 4 or so days at Disneyland. Seems like there is so much less to do (even though the rides are more condensed in two close parks).

In all honesty, another poster is correct that DLR is in no way as immersive as WDW. That's why I say I like the two for different reasons. When friends ask which one, I say, it depends. DLR is about the parks only. Once we're in the parks, I prefer (and my kids) DLR. We do spend more time in WDW, simply because we don't park hop there. We like to visit the classics in MK 2 days, and the other parks 1 each, but really they aren't super full days for us. We also plan time to utilize the resort and swim/relax more. In DLR we don't plan any hotel time other than the needed breaks. We plan more time in DTD in WDW also and plan meals throughout WDW since there are more options. At DLR it's just a different type of vacation, but again, once we're in the parks, we still prefer being at DLR, as we love the feel and the rides and ease of it. We may be able to do everything in 4 days, but it's a very FULL 4 days for us.

 

[disneymom0104]

I agree it is 2 completely different experiences. DL is so much more concentrated, which on one hand is wonderful. But it does lack some of the immersive feeling you get at WDW, especially if you are staying across the street on Harbor. Park to park, I prefer DL over MK. I like DCA over any of the other 3 parks WDW parks as a whole. But there is something about WDW, too- that feeling of being completely in a different world, with so many people in the same shoes. (and this happens at DL, too, but in a different way) We used to spend 6 days at DL and that was perfect for us, we were sad when they cut the max. ticket to 5 days. We can absolutely get everything done we want, multiple times. We stay 10 days at WDW and don't see everything. 2 different experiences. DL is quaint, and also very magical. It is great to experience both. My kids prefer DL overall, but after 3 trips there we are all very excited to return to WDW again.

 

[SplashMo]

WDW - Best to stay on-site
DLR - Fine to stay offsite. (preferably in a hotel just across the street)

For Thanksgiving you MIGHT be able to rope drop and have low crowds. Then have a nice dinner at Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen. I would post a question regarding which days are best to go.

In WDW I like to visit each park at least twice during the trip. With Park Hoppers we can tour DHS and AK twice using just two days. MK kingdom and Epcot take multiple days for us.

In DLR with Park Hoppers you might spend one full day in each park and then the rest of the days would be Park Hopping. We often do one day in MK and the rest hopping between the two.

For a first visit to DLR 5 days is almost perfect. With the busy holidays maybe go to 6 days.

The park hopping in DLR is simple and a short distance. The middle of one park to the middle of the other park is a shorter distance than say walking Epcot. There is no bus to catch as it is not needed.

I would go to DLR and have fun. Ride Indy and visit Cars Land.

 

[Isatricia]

I think it depends on what you like about going to Disney. We went to WDW last year for the first time and we were really disappointed. All the hype and planning didn't live up to expectations. We are interested in the rides. We don't care about the food. Most of Epcot was a waste of our time. Most of Hollywood Studios was boring. There re 3-4 rides in each park at WDW that we cared about. I don't complain that WDW is too big. I complain that it is too spread out. Can you visit multiple parks in a day at WDW? Sure, we hit all 4 parks on our last day there and rode nearly all the rides we cared about. WDW didn't feel any more immersive than DLR. All 4 of us said that we preferred DLR.

Should the parks be compared? Probably not but people will anyway. It is human nature. We are headed back to DLR this year!

 

[DnA2010]

We went back to DL in Oct as we hadn't been for 5ish years- we had 5 days hoppers and a Halloween Party and we still didn't do everything (although we did lots of things more than once)
We stay across the street as ifs such a quick walk

 

[erin1715]

We are WDW vets and just returned from our first (and probably last) trip to DL. While it was great seeing the original park, and I really enjoyed DCA, it just wasn't my favorite. And it's absolutely personal preference.

For me, I like the expansiveness of the MK and all of WDW. DL does pack in a lot of rides in a small space, but that's just the problem, I like to enjoy my surroundings and at DL I felt like I couldn't take the time to soak it all in because everything was so crammed into a small space. It wasn't just the castle that was smaller (which I prepared myself for), it was also the walkways and buildings. I particularly noticed this when walking into Tomorrowland. At WDW, Tomorrowland is nicely spread out so you can see what ride is where. When you walk into Tomorrowland at DL, you can't see anything over the crowds and buildings. It's hard to explain without you experiencing it.

But I also happen to enjoy the build up of things, so I like taking the WDW transportation. I also noticed that the ride ques at DL were horribly boring! I know we don't like to talk about waiting in line, but at WDW the lines are so neatly themed that it helps build excitement for the ride. Pirates was a great example of this. While Pirates is longer at DL and most people prefer that, I actually prefer WDW Pirates because, for me, part of the experience is the line leading up to the ride.

I also didn't like having to leave the parks and walk into the real world of Harbor Blvd. I think it would have been different had we stayed on property. The Grand Californian is absolutely gorgeous.

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad we went because I would have always wondered what it was like, but I don't see us in any hurry to go back.

 

[maltdizzy]

I like to saying comparing Disneyland to WDW is like comparing a cafe to a cafeteria. WDW offers greater variety but is designed to handle and move more people faster at all times, less intimate with less attention to detail. On the flip-side DL can be crowd and packed and seem small (DCA less so). DLR squeezes almost the exact same number of rides of all four WDW parks into two parks that are roughly the square acreage of Epcot by itself

WDW is a true resort, you can spend a week there and never set foot into the parks. You can boat, fish, layout, shop, done, etc. DLR more like "just" a massive theme park. Yes, there are great hotels (I think the DLH and Grand Californian top many WDW deluxes), and there is Downtown Disney, but it's really all about the parks.

Personally, we love DL, it reminds us more more of what MK was like in the '80's...Main Street with theaters..."roaming" characters to meet...no need to book ADRs, M&G's and FP+, you can just book the hotel and go to the park.

I understand those who like WDW more, I side with those who prefer DLR, but that just shows they are different enough that people should experience both. And DL is a big part of Walt's, Southern California's, and American history.

 

[momof2cuties]

Thank you all for your thoughts! I'm going to read thru them a few times. Lots of good points! The teens enjoy the rides. I like the shows and other entertainment at wdw. Lots to think about!

 

[GatorChris]

DL is for Doing. WDW is for Being. In Anaheim, there's a lot of stuff crammed into two parks, so there's plenty to do and you can go go go. At WDW, you get a sense of the Disney Bubble. Once you're on the plane, you're in Disney. No worries other than catching the right bus to your resort or park. Everything is a lot more spread out, but inbetween is incredible ambiance. It's hard to explain. How about....it's like a Star Trek movie vs a TV series. The movie has a lot more crammed in with action and stuff, and it's seen as the better experience. But if you watch a whole season or series of Star Trek, it's very immersive.

Like others have said: it's a world vs a land. Pretty accurate description.

 

[Catvondita]

I went to Disneyland for the first time at the beginning of this month and I absolutely loved it. Having been to WDW multiple times I felt something was so familiar about DL but of course there were many differences. Of course the castle is smaller and I thought I would be a little disappointed by it but I wasn't. Plus it was beautiful with all the 60th anniversary decorations. Its a smaller park but there was still so much to do and my feet still killed me at the end of every night as if I had gone to WDW. DL has many classic rides that WDW got rid of so you have a bit of an older feel. The classic dark rides like snow white, Mr. Toad and Pinocchio were actually pretty creepy lol.

I personally prefer WDW because when I do my Disney vacations I want them to be Disney Vacations. I love the immersion of the world and as someone said here the build up. I honestly love waking up and watching Stacy as I get ready, eat at the food court while I see other families eat and the kids getting excited about a day in the parks. I love waiting for the bus and once on to pass by the ads for different rides at different parks.

There are many similar rides and some are better at WDW and some are better at D. Another thing I'll agree with is that the queues are not as interesting as WDW and also so many of them are outside! I know California is a different kind of heat (dry heat versus Florida's humid heat) but I kept wishing for more indoor queues!

The 60th anniversary fireworks and Paint the Night cannot be missed. While I love Wishes at WDW for nostalgic purposes, Disneyland Forever does SO MUCH. Lasers, projections on Main Street and giant inflatables and fake snow?! And their finale is the best finale I've seen for a Disney Fireworks show.

I'll sum up by asking what kind of vacation do you want? If you want a vacation for sight seeing and Disney being more of a pitstop I would vote DL. If you want an immersive Disney never leaves you alone kind of vacation I vote WDW. Have fun whatever you choose!

 

[smartlabelprint]

For Disneyland we fly into sna and take uber to our hotel on harbor. We only rent a car if we want to go to the beach or to an outlet mall.

We stay a minimum of 4 days. Our next trip will be 6. 2ndctrip this year. We have 2 under 2 though.

 

[GatorChris]

I honestly love waking up and watching Stacy as I get ready, eat at the food court while I see other families eat and the kids getting excited about a day in the parks. I love waiting for the bus and once on to pass by the ads for different rides at different parks.

Yes, Stacy! I forgot about her. Man, I actually miss a TV character. And while the buses have caused me many headaches (crowds and ECVs), there's just something about seeing that bus pull up that says "Magic Kingdom". Nothing like it.