Decisions: WDW (been before) or DL (never been)

[ellebeegee]

Help? We are trying to decide between a trip to Wilderness Lodge at WDW (our 8th to WDW but never at WL before) or a few days at Disneyland & CA (never been).

We wanted to stay at Disneyland Hotel b/c we love staying on property but it gets such mixed reviews. Then I keep hearing, "Oh, DL is so small compared to WDW." Well, I know it is but that is WALT'S PLACE! I mean, to see the place where he actually walked the streets. I also understand there's more to do at DL than at MK itself. This would be, most likely, a once-in-a-lifetime thing so that's why I'm thinking DL. We can go to WDW pretty easily (from GA) even if we don't get to stay deluxe.

We'll have to go in June. I so the first of June is the first I can get away; we'd like to go June 2. I know the weather in CA is usually more pleasant than FL in the summer -- I hate being hot! I know it will be crowded either place. Not my preference but right now it can't be avoided, I suppose.

We really love ALL magic of Disney; we are TRUE Disney lovers (you can tell by our cars and our walls and our desks, LOL) and I'd like to experience some different magic. I just don't want to be disappointed. I have read comparisons of the parks and rides so don't need a recap of that but just....what would you do?

 

[Momof4girls]

We've been at DLR for two days now and, hands down, I say WDW.

This is the off season and the walkways are so much more narrow that you feel claustrophobic, IMO. There are people EVERYWHERE - and the lines are long, long, long. The whole park just seems so much more disorganized than Magic Kingdom (the best comparison I can think of) and the fact that you're walking along the edge of a street perimeter really takes away the magic, to me. The upside is that it doesn't seem to be nearly as much walking - but, as DH put it, "Disneyworld must be the World's biggest Do-Over"

We both got the feeling that Walt just realized his mistakes and vastly improved upon them in the design/dream of WDW.

 

[ellebeegee]

Oh, I'm so sorry!! I do appreciate your response and will appreciate all replies. Will be praying for some extra-special pixie dust to make things better!

 

[vernfonzndrian]

UgHhH LOL Im in the opposite boat, I live about 40 minutes away from DL, and just got done with annual passes which I had for about 3 yrs straight, and now Im finally getting my BIG chance to go to Dw and am scared that I have to much expectations for DW. YIKES! I can tell u, I have stayed at Disneyland Hotel and have also stayed at the Grand and outta the two, I really liked the DLH way better!! It's a little further yet, it has more of a Classic disney feel to it. IMO.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Well given you've gone to WDW eight times, I'd suggest you go to Disneyland. But if you go, judge it for what it is rather than what it is not or how it deviates from WDW. If you do the latter, you're not going to like it.

Edit. You said you'd read about all the rides so you don't need a recap, but that is one of the biggest reasons to go to DLR. They have a lot of different rides and attractions.

All in all, it's the same magic, just not as long a trip. 3-4 days should cover it. If you want a longer trip, there are other parks and things you can do in the area.

As far as immersion, you're not as isolated from the outside world as you are at WDW. But as far as that goes, walking 5 minutes across Harbor Blvd, vs riding for 15 minutes in a Bus with a mouse on the side, albeit not as ugly as a street with a ton of businesses on it, well I can't tell you which was more or less immersive. We stayed at Pop over there and that was Disney immersive. It's not the class of hotel some might want. I do find that more immersive than a regular hotel.

I think if you go to Disneyland with an open mind, and judge it for what it is, you'll have fun.

But the two are nearly identical in one respect. There are things you can do with careful planning to avoid lines and have a great trip. You can also end up miserable and waiting in line after line.

 

[newfamilyman]

If you are the kind of person who only wants to do the same things over and over, then you probably should return to WDW. However, if you like to try new things, and if you are a true Disney fan, you owe it to yourself to see the original park that many of us consider the best. Of course, if you prefer your rides poorly maintained and favor walkways over attractions, then MK is your best bet.

 

[HydroGuy]

Help? We are trying to decide between a trip to Wilderness Lodge at WDW (our 8th to WDW but never at WL before) or a few days at Disneyland & CA (never been).

We wanted to stay at Disneyland Hotel b/c we love staying on property but it gets such mixed reviews. Then I keep hearing, "Oh, DL is so small compared to WDW." Well, I know it is but that is WALT'S PLACE! I mean, to see the place where he actually walked the streets. I also understand there's more to do at DL than at MK itself. This would be, most likely, a once-in-a-lifetime thing so that's why I'm thinking DL. We can go to WDW pretty easily (from GA) even if we don't get to stay deluxe.

We'll have to go in June. I so the first of June is the first I can get away; we'd like to go June 2. I know the weather in CA is usually more pleasant than FL in the summer -- I hate being hot! I know it will be crowded either place. Not my preference but right now it can't be avoided, I suppose.

We really love ALL magic of Disney; we are TRUE Disney lovers (you can tell by our cars and our walls and our desks, LOL) and I'd like to experience some different magic. I just don't want to be disappointed. I have read comparisons of the parks and rides so don't need a recap of that but just....what would you do?

If you love Disney magic you should try DLR. As others have posted, DLR is not WDW and should not be treated as such. It does have tons of magic, and has areas where it exceeds WDW. And areas where it doesn't.

The following links will give you lots of insights.

"A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

"Getting The Most Out of a Summer Visit To DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1345319

 

[HydroGuy]

We've been at DLR for two days now and, hands down, I say WDW.

This is the off season and the walkways are so much more narrow that you feel claustrophobic, IMO. There are people EVERYWHERE - and the lines are long, long, long. The whole park just seems so much more disorganized than Magic Kingdom (the best comparison I can think of) and the fact that you're walking along the edge of a street perimeter really takes away the magic, to me. The upside is that it doesn't seem to be nearly as much walking - but, as DH put it, "Disneyworld must be the World's biggest Do-Over"

We both got the feeling that Walt just realized his mistakes and vastly improved upon them in the design/dream of WDW.

Hmmmm. Sorry to hear you are disappointed with DLR. I got the sense that your family thinks DL falls short of MK, and if so that is surprising. Most people have the opposite reaction. But obviously we are all different.

 

[helenm29]

Having been to both parks and absolutely loving both of them it would depend on what you want to do. DW has "extras" such as Epcot and Universal which really make it appealing to me but I am a DIE HARD DISNEYLAND FAN! Of course since we live in California it makes the choice easy...we even have Season Passes! Remember it's just my opinion but Disneyland has the best Magic Kingdom! DW's Magic Kingdom has to make allowances for the weather and the water table ie: Pirates where as Disneyland has really beautiful buildings to house their rides in and the rides themselves are a bit different. Whatever one you choose, I know you will have a great time but my vote such as it is, go's to DISNEYLAND!

 

[ellebeegee]

Should have mentioned, we would plan to do the SoCal City Pass and see Sea World and San Diego Zoo, as well -- I know a trip to DL/CA won't take 6-8 days like our trips to WDW but we want to make it worth the trip out there - not that DL alone wouldn't be, but since we're going that far and changing time by 3 hours, anyway....

I definitely can go with an open mind, looking forward to just seeing more and some new/different Disney experience. What I meant by I didn't need a "recap" of the rides is that I've read the comparisons of the parks, I didn't mean I didn't want to experience the attractions differently.

DH has to go to San Diego in three weeks so I think he's going to scout the place out for us. He's been twice, about 4 years ago, but that was before my daughter and I went to WDW and cared anything about Disney at all. He said he likes WDW better but now he's in a better place to evaluate it in terms of how we'd all like it.

Thank you for all the input. I knew I'd get a mixed bag but we'll take everything under advisement.

 

[disney-super-mom]

Having been to both now, I can definately say that DL is my favorite Disney park! It has so many more rides and attractions, and a few of the rides at DL are just so darn, well, AWESOME! I just love it!

On the other hand, I really loved our trip to WDW, but NOT because of the MK. I loved the variety of experiences at WDW, with Epcot, MGM (which is a little like DCA), and AK. We loved all these parks and had a wonderful time! Plus, the all the restaurants and resorts were wonderful too.

But, since you've never been to DL before, well I say it's an easy choice...

...GO TO DISNEYLAND! Give it a try, and if you can incorporate it into an entire Southern California vacation, where you get to experience other places as well (San Diego, beaches, shopping, sight-seeing), then that would be ONE FUN VACATION!

 

[Ksquared]

I live in NJ and have gone to WDW many many times.......this April we are going to DL for the first time....and I can't wait...I've read about all the differences/similarities etc and I'm looking forward to it.

We'll spend a week in San Diego and go to the Zoo, Legoland, SeaWorld then head up to Anaheim and spend 3 nights at the DLH........I'm looking forward to the change......

it's an expensive trip for us so I have no idea when we'll get back out there.......my feeling is you should go if you have the opportunity......don't let it pass you by.

 

[Disney Magic]

If you are going to incorporate a Southern Calif trip, I say GO!! We've been to both DL and WDW, and although IMHO DL trumps the MK big time, there is no comparison between the WDW Resort and the DL Resort. There is just so much more culture, beauty, diversity of attractions, dining opportunities, recreational opportunities, special events for children and adults, beautifully themed resorts, etc., etc., etc., that makes a cross-country trip to DLR less than desirable for us than a quick plane ride to WDW.

That being said, DLR is a MUST for a disney lover. Disneyland is truly adorable, but we felt it is more geared toward the locals than visitors (i.e., the nighttime spectaculars are only offered during weekends and during busy seasons....Food and Wine Festival is only offered during weekends, etc.). Also, not growing up with Disneyland, the fact that Walt walked DL didn't affect us much. It didn't seem much like a Resort to us. It felt more like Universal Studios in Florida to us with its two theme parks, three resort hotels and nighttime entertainment complex.....which in itself it still a good thing.

I know you are thinking what we were thinking......we live on the east coast and WDW is cheaper to get to and less expensive to stay at than the DLR. We planned on staying many days at the DLR, but we did EVERYTHING at DLR in three days (don't have small children so we didn't need a rest period in the middle of the day, but we didn't get there at rope drop or stay till park closing either and we still saw everything in three days except the rides that are especially designed for toddlers). After seeing everything in three days, we were then faced with what we wanted to do for the remaining days. We tried the beaches, but the water is much colder than the east coast beaches, so we ventured on to other things.

We LOVED, LOVED, LOVED San Diego. The zoo is incredible!!! Sea World is wonderful, although we liked the one in Orlando better, but it was still soooo much fun. We took the trolley tour of San Diego, and that was one of the highlights of our trip. Fabulous!! On our way back we stopped at San Juan Capistrano. We fell in love with the town and took a tour of the mission.

I say go. Especially if you have small children, you will truly enjoy DL because it has more to offer small children in the form of dark rides. And since you are planning to incorporate other attractions in Southern California, you will truly enjoy it. Definitely go.

 

[casaazul]

We have never been to WDW, our first trip is this April. DL and DCA are great fun. We have stayed at Disneyland Hotel and other offsite motels. We loved the Disneyland Hotel, but for us, the offsite motels are so much more cost effective (Howard Johnsons and Carousel Inn). I would say 3 days at DL/DCA would be enough. We went the first week in June and lines were minimal, we saw so much and had great weather.

You may want to head to the beach, Huntington, Newport and Laguna.

San Diego and Sea World, LegoLand and the Zoo are within 2 hour drive.

North to Universal Studios, Magic Mountain and Hollywood.

Knotts Berry Farm is close to DL.

So Cal is a great destination and you will have a great time!!

Hope this helps some.

 

[JKanownik]

DH and I faced the same issue last year for our anniversary. Everyone kept telling us that we would be disappointed with DL, but we decided to try it once. We were there the 2nd week of June and stayed 5 days at the parks, because we were afraid we would not be back for a long time and we wanted to be sure we did and saw everything. We stayed in the Paradise Pier Hotel for 3 nights and had a breath taking view of California Adventure. We stayed in the Candy Cane Inn for the other 2 nights, which is a Disney good neighbor hotel. We really loved Disneyland. We went into the trip with an open mind and tried not to compare it to WDW. DL is quaint and charming. In many ways, we felt it was an even more magical experience knowing that Walt had been there and we were sharing in his dream. Neither DH nor myself felt the crowds were bad which surprised us given that there are only 2 small parks and it was summer. I don't believe we waited for more than 20 minutes for any ride or attraction. We booked through AAA, so we had the unlimited fast passes which helped immensely. Since we were travelling from Ohio and had never been to California, we took 2 weeks and decided to check out the rest of So Cal. We went to San Diego, Los Angeles and Hollywood which was incredible. I would give DL it a try. Like you said, it will probably be a once-in-a-lifetime experience and since you are a Disney fan, you will at the very least enjoy seeing the park that started it all.

On a funny side note: We had such a good time and talked about how we would love to go back soon. Well, 4 months later, DH comes home and says: "How would you like to move to CA?" and I thought he was joking. He went on to advise that his company was being sold and his position was moving to L.A. They relocated us to Los Angeles and we now have DL annual passes! Funny how things work out!

 

[Amy&Dan]

I vist both parks regularly and have to say that they are each unique, similar and wonderful! When I think DL I think about how charming it is. How superior many of the rides and shows are. How much easier it is not to have to stress over EMH, DDP, ADR's that have to be made six crazy months in advance, the compact nature of things, not waiting for buses that seem to be MIA, no humidity and above all enjoying Walt's original park! I love to eat at places like Riverbelle Terrace because I know he ate there. There is so much history to enjoy and learn about when you go to Disneyland. Don't get me wrong I love WDW but don't look at my Disney vacations at only one way or another. I never miss one when I am at the other.

We will actually be spending 10 nights at Disneyland this June. We are using DVC points to stay at the DLH and while we will do primarily Disneyland we will be doing other things in Los Angeles (and going to San Diego for two nights before DL) as well. I cannot wait. Disneyland is smaller and therefore it does sometimes feel more crowded. And yet I wouldn't call it some sort of a bad first start that needed a do over. DL seems to fill up slower most mornings. Probably because it has a huge local base of attenders who wait for L.A. rush hour to end before they come. So that means that mornings at Disneyland are even more pleasant than mornings at WDW. I also have to say that I love the DLH. Just like all the WDW resorts it gets plenty of mixed reviews. But in my five stays there I have never had anything but a wonderful experience. I have also enjoyed the GCH and PP as well and think for your first and possibly only trip to DL staying onsite would be a very good idea. Getting Early Entry each day its offered is a very good thing.

I say go for it and go with an open mind. Some things will feel very familar but others will make you feel like you are getting a whole new experience. Its hard not to compare but once you fall into the trap (and this can happen just as easily when DL regulars go to WDW) it can really turn the whole thing south very quickly.

Definitely read those links Hydroguy gave you, they will be very helpful. Good luck with your decision! There is no wrong one since both WDW and DL offer the perfect vacation experience!

 

[Pirate-Emery]

Ok, Pirate likes some Disneyland Magic.


I have been to WDW once before and that was years ago. Would I go if I was given the chance? Absolutely! I miss the parks dearly, as I wasn't old enough to fully appreciate them.

However, if you are choosing between WDW (gone 8 times) and DLR (gone 0 times), then the answer is evident: you need to visit our park!

No one should be comparing WDW with DLR. It just shouldn't be done. Sacrilege in my opinion.

It's a different atmosphere: At DLR it's a "Escape for the Weekend and discover the magic of your childhood!". At WDW it's "Come for a Week and enjoy our beautiful resorts and amenities!"

So, if I were to describe them in one word:

Disneyland Resort: Magic
Walt Disney World: Adventure

They are both things that we need, so WDW and DLR compliment each other. It isn't something where one is better than another, but rather different Disney experiences.

Go to Disneyland and experience the Magic.

 

[StrwLady]

Take a look at my signature and you can see how many times I have been to DW. Last March I decided to give DL a chance. I will admit I was nervous off and on. When I got my documents in the mail I was finally excited. And I must say I am so happy we went. While there are so many similar ties to DW....DL is also so much different. Wonderfully different!!!! There is a quaintness to DL that you don't see at DW. There are rides that you can't find in DW. While each land is similar it's also different. Same thing with some of the rides. For instance it was so much fun to see the small differences in Small World.

California Adventure reminded me a lot of MGM. As a matter of fact a CM told me that they had recently painted CA to resemble MGM (recently in regards to last March)

I loved our DL trip. As you can see by my signature we are headed there in March. 11 days to be exact. And while I'm sure to miss some of DW I look forward to riding such rides as Toon Town Spin, Mr Toads Wild Ride, Monsters Inc.....and so many more.

I firmly believe every Disney fan should visit each cost at least once in their life time.

I really doubt you will be disappointed!

Good Luck on your decision.

 

[StrwLady]

ellebeegeee

I notice your signature shows the possibility of Wilderness Lodge in June...well the Grand Californian reminds me a lot of the Wilderness Lodge. So much so when we were in the Grand Californian I kept insisting I saw a game room right outisde of the lobby! And when in the Wilderness Lodge this past December I asked them when did they move the check out counter in the gift shop. LOL I was confusing the 2 hotels. The Grand Californian is really nice so if by some chance you could swing a couple of nights there I say go for it!

 

[GailT]

OK, my two cents. I went for the first time last Christmas and LOVED LOVED it. I had said I would stay at GC even though the prices were high because I will never go back, holy moses who was I kidding, I am going back for a second time. It was crowded at Christmas but that didn't bother me because I hate crowds, all I can say it is a different feeling then DW, I could understand that when people said that but now I do. Just takes a step into DL and you can understand what all the lovers of DL mean.

Oh PS I did really miss Epcot but CA was nice too, just different for Epcot.

Go and have a FUNtastic time no matter what you do, life is to short.