Disney World or Disney Land?

[micsgirl]

We have been to WDW several times, but never to Disney Land? have any of you ever been to both and which do you prefer? Which one did you enjoy the most? and WHY? DH and i will be celebrating our 25th Annv in Feb. and we 'were' planning on going to WDW for 8 days, but then one of our friends suggested Disney Land, since we have been to WDW so many times...What would you do????
thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[KittyHellstrom]

I haven't been to Disney Land but i've heard from the boyfriend that it's much smaller and you won't get the dining plan or magic express or EMH.

-Kitty

 

[micsgirl]

thank you! that's kindof what i was thinking! especially for a week!

 

[nurse.darcy]

Grew up 20 minutes from Disneyland, love WDW. I love both parks completely but for entirely different reasons. Disneyland is ALL INCLUSIVE. This to me means that Disneyland Park, California Adventure Park and the Disney hotels are ALL TOGETHER and there is no reason to need a car or any kind of transportation to walk between parks and the hotels if you stay onsite. However, you will need some kind of transportation from the airport to your hotel and back, otherwise there is no need of transportation. If you count the number of attractions at WDW and Disneyland Resort you will come close to the same count. Its surprising how much they fit in the small space that is the Anaheim parks. All that being said, if I am staying for a week, I will choose WDW

 

[martinmcintosh]

Similar to Nurse Darcy, I have lived within 20 minutes of Disneyland my entire life.

What Darcy said was very true, everything size wise is compacted, but ride count is close to the same.

A week is a LONG time for DLR.

Disneyland can be seen and covered in a few days and California Adventure can be covered in one day. There are not as many dining choices either. That being said, there are several other attractions within 25 miles (30min - 3hours depending on traffic)

I have spent several trips to WDW and have still not eaten everywhere that I want to, have not seen all of the resorts and need more more more.

If you are looking for a solid week of Disney, I'd suggest that you pick WDW. But, make sure that you find 5 days in your life to come out west and visit the original.

PS - Disneyland's Space Mountain, Pirates and Buzz are multiple times better than MK's version. IMHO

 

[LisaCat]

We have been to WDW several times, but never to Disney Land? have any of you ever been to both and which do you prefer? Which one did you enjoy the most? and WHY? DH and i will be celebrating our 25th Annv in Feb. and we 'were' planning on going to WDW for 8 days, but then one of our friends suggested Disney Land, since we have been to WDW so many times...What would you do????
thanks in advance for any advice!

I'll be doing both in November. Hubby and I had a vacation booked for 10/30 - 11/5. He can't go now, but I'm still going and a friend is going with me. Then another friend called and asked if I wanted to go to DL with her and her son the weekend before Thanksgiving. It's a 6-7 hour drive for us. So I will be at WDW and then DL just 15 days later. CRAZY! I will say, that if you are looking at an 8 day vacation, that you can do DL, CA Adventure and Downtown Disney here in 3 days EASILY. But then there is Universal Studios 50 miles away. And I think Knotts Berry Farm is still running (haven't been there since the 80's). I like Disneyland because of the proximity between the two parks. If you stay onsite, you don't need a car or any transportation. If you want a real luxury experience, stay at the Grand Californian. Pricey, but GORGEOUS and it has its own entrance into California Adventure Park. SUPER nice!

 

[LisaCat]

I haven't been to Disney Land but i've heard from the boyfriend that it's much smaller and you won't get the dining plan or magic express or EMH.

-Kitty

There are early morning hours in Disneyland that come with the park hopper passes.

Magic Morning Early Entry
On select days, Guests of Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa with valid Disneyland Park admission are eligible to enter the Park before it opens to the general public.* (usually Toon Town, but sometimes Tomorrowland)

Also, you don't have to make ADRs 6 months out either.

 

[Amysita]

I usually go to DL solo...this will actually be my first trip solo to WDW this year. I'm not a huge fan of Florida weather (spent many summers there growing up visiting my G-Pa every summer in Cocoa Beach)...love SoCal weather (and have friends & family there). I wish they could pick up WDW and transport it to Anaheim...I'd be one happy camper then. Eight days is a lot to spend @ DL & Cali Adv. ...but that is how much time I spend when I go to SoCal. The transortation there is very easy to book & navigate. I spend a few days @ DL & CA...and take a bus a couple days to go to San Diego to Sea World & the SD Zoo, and take a bus to Newport Beach for a day. You can also book and take day trip buses to Legoland, Universal Studios, Las Vegas, LA star tours & shopping, Catalina Island, and other places that escape me now. So, yes you can easily spend 8 days in SoCal and never have to rent a car.

 

[Businessgypsy]

have any of you ever been to both and which do you prefer?

C'mon, you're trolling, right?

Animal Kingdom. World Showcase (the longest bar in the US). Water parks. Boardwalk. Boat transport. Orlando hotel rates.

There are rides at Disney?

 

[ratherbeatdisney]

they are BOTH great. There is no reason to not try both places. If you go trying to compare them, you might be disappointed , they are not equal, but both unique and great for different reasons. Go with the attitude of "im going to have fun in a Disney park that i have never been to before". I honestly never thought that DL was SO much smaller than the MK, they didnt seem that different to me. I like knowing that in DL i am walking in a park that Walt walked in, he rode the attractions there, he had input on so much of that park, that makes it special to me. Plus you have a whole new park just steps from the entrance to DL, no waiting for Buses ! I never choose one resort over the other (FL vs Ca) i like them BOTH, and i go to both as often as i can !

 

[nurse.darcy]

There are early morning hours in Disneyland that come with the park hopper passes.

Magic Morning Early Entry
On select days, Guests of Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa with valid Disneyland Park admission are eligible to enter the Park before it opens to the general public.* (usually Toon Town, but sometimes Tomorrowland)

Also, you don't have to make ADRs 6 months out either.

Actually its Fantasy Land that is open during Magic Morning Entry

 

[mdsd8700]

they are BOTH great. There is no reason to not try both places. If you go trying to compare them, you might be disappointed , they are not equal, but both unique and great for different reasons. Go with the attitude of "im going to have fun in a Disney park that i have never been to before". I honestly never thought that DL was SO much smaller than the MK, they didnt seem that different to me. I like knowing that in DL i am walking in a park that Walt walked in, he rode the attractions there, he had input on so much of that park, that makes it special to me. Plus you have a whole new park just steps from the entrance to DL, no waiting for Buses ! I never choose one resort over the other (FL vs Ca) i like them BOTH, and i go to both as often as i can !

I completely agree with this statement 110%. I think if you LOVE Disney, not just the parks/resesorts of WDW, but Walt and everything he wanted accomplish then a visit to DLR is must at least once. It is a much different vibe then in FL. With that being said as other posters noted a week is too long just for DLR. However there are lots of great things to do in CA. Which is why we typically go every other year or every second year to DLR not WDW. We still get our Disney fix but a whole other vacation on top of it. You will need to rent a car though. Good Luck with your decision. I have no doubt which ever you choose your vacation will be magical!!

 

[5Mandys]

I have been to both. DL is the first park and I enjoyed walking around and reliving my dream of childhood of going to DL. However, if you are looking for a total escape into the world of Disney - DisneyWorld is the place. DL, to me, is a park and although one can get nostalgic, the real escape is going to the world. Whichever you choose, have loads of fun!

 

[micsgirl]

thanks to all of you for your infomation!

 

[wingednike]

I like the charm of Disneyland. It's VERY small compared to WDW but it feels very cozy to me

 

[auntmmk]

Hi, I have been to both and I truly believe that Disney World is so much better. More to do and the people are friendlier there too. I ran into a lot of rude people at Disney Land, not so much the workers, but the people in general. Much different attitude out there. Dont get me wrong I had a good time, had my nephew and neice, but, the kids out there will cut lines and are just flat rude to others. I have never had a problem at Disney World. Plus the dining plan makes it so much better. Just my opinion though. They are both good, but, Disney land is much better for small children. They dont have as much walking to do and it is oriented more towards small children.

 

[BlueIrish]

If your looking for a straight week of Disney, your better off with WDW.
I've been to Disneyland, and all the things already mentioned are true. Smaller in size, but ride count is still high. And yes the pirate ride is better IMO.
You could do disneyland in two days. However if you decide disneyland you could also try the other great things in Southern Cali. The beaches, San Diego etc.

 

[Huff]

For a 8 days all Disney (not going to Universal, Sea World etc.) WDW would be the choice.

That said I prefer Disneyland Resort for the parks themselves. There is quite a bit more in Disneyland than in Magic Kingdom. Between the two parks at DLR there is at least 80% of the attractions that are in 4 parks at WDW.

You can do more in less time at DLR because park hopping is so easy and fast. It takes only a few minutes to walk from Disneyland to California Adventure or to Downtown Disney or any of the three Disney Resorts.

Its very easy to go to one park, collect FP's, hop to the other for awhile then hop back and use your FP's for the evening. Not so easy to do that at WDW.

We've spent 8 days staying near Disneyland Resort but also spend a day at Universal, Knotts, Six Flags and maybe Sea World while there.

DLR is a different type of Disney experience. I find Disneyland far more 'Disney' with more attention to detail than MK. But we also love WDW for different reasons.

 

[Huff]

Hi, I have been to both and I truly believe that Disney World is so much better. More to do and the people are friendlier there too. I ran into a lot of rude people at Disney Land, not so much the workers, but the people in general.

I've read that a few times on the forums here. What I find is people who visit mostly WDW say that. People who mostly visit DLR say the opposite.

I'm part of the latter group. Been to DLR dozens upon dozens of times. Have been to WDW 5 times, each for 7-10 days. I love both parks but found rudeness more at WDW than DLR. CM's less helpful and sometimes downright rude at WDW. Nonetheless, we really haven't had any big deals at either place.

 

[dauser]

If you are a true Disney nerd (like me!) I think you will like Disneyland the best. There is something magical about being at the first Disney theme park.

If you are more of a theme park fan in general, you might like WDW more. I think that it also lends itself to a longer visit.

I think that both resorts are worth a visit and that you should try both and make your own decision!

I also think its interesting that WDW is a world all of its own, but at Disneyland, you're right in the middle of Anaheim. There are a bunch of non-Disney hotels and restaurants (McDonald's, Denny's etc.) literally right across the street from Disneyland that you can see from the monorail. Its a less immersive environment than WDW, which I think is part of the reason why Walt bought so much more land in FL for WDW. Also, the original Disneyland theme park and Magic Kingdom resort in WDW are similar, yet completely different. Classic rides like Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mt., etc. are at both parks but the attractions themselves and the pathways to get to them are not the same. Just trying to make the point that both resorts are worth visiting!