Disney WORLD vs Disney LAND

[henry jones junior]

I have to wholeheartedly agree
I have no desire to ever vist Disneyland or EuroDisney
Our holiday in Orlando was completely faultless - why go somewhere else?
Disney's spirit is palpable in WDW - it makes no difference that DL was contsructed 1st

 

[Nora94]

Yes, DWorld was a wonderful trip, and I would love to go back. But we have this goal - we want both our daughters to see all 50 states by the time they are 18. The older one did CA in 2002, when I was 7 1/2 mos pregnant with her sister. So, the younger one has to do CA still. As long as it is a state we have to do, we should do Disney Land as a destination there. So, that is why the trip is going to happen.

More rides is GREAT!! We are ride people, poor Elise was heartbroken more than once when big sister got to ride some and she didn't!

So, we are DOING DL no matter what in that year, just wanted to know more about it. As I said, until you go, it's almost like a foreign language that you can almost understand but you don't get all the context clues. (For instance I HATE that everyone uses initials for EVERYTHING on this board CA can be California, California Adventure or Carribean Aquatic for all I know!!)

Thank you all, any more opinions are appreciated. I will print this out and save it in our "tourist info" file. When you have 50 states to do, that file can get big, lol. Tara (6 in a wk) has 20 states already, Elise (3 at end of summer) has 16. Not bad We know one big trip we will take when they are each 54 inches tall is an Across America Roller Coasters trip. We are saving Hawaii and Alaska till they are at least 10 so they will remember them better. This is one of the most fun challenges we set up for ourselves as parents!

Nora

 

[Metro West]

I've never been to DL and have no plans to ever go there. I would go to DLP first mainly because of Phantom Manor. I've been to WDW at least 40 times over my 38 years and would have a hard time going to DL since I would be comparing everything and that's not fair to the park. Personally, I don't care about a park having a "magical" feel. I just like to go and have a good time..magic or not.

 

[jiminyfan]

Last year were decided to take our son to DL for his birthday over WDW and we really enjoyed orselves. We all agreed that DL didn't feel the same as WDW, but we would definitely go back.

DL has attractions and culinary selections you cannot find at WDW and vce versa.

Pirates is definitely better at DL, longer and more details. Small World is also a lot better in our opinion. It also has a good group of smaller rides that the family and children can enjoy.

We do WDW every year, but decided we'd do DL every3-5 years as there are not as many Resort activities to do. But, then again we make it a complete Soputhern California trip which adds to the cvacation. Sand Diego Zoo, Wild Animal Park, Sea World and just being able to watch the sunset in the ocean every night makes it a worthwhile destination.

 

[PiperG]

But, then again we make it a complete Soputhern California trip which adds to the cvacation. Sand Diego Zoo, Wild Animal Park, Sea World and just being able to watch the sunset in the ocean every night makes it a worthwhile destination.

Jiminyfan,

It was fun to read this part of your post. I am a San Diego native (transplated to MN 10 years ago) and I practically grew up inside the Zoo, Wild Animal Park and Sea World. I don't think of them as "attractions" so much as a part of my childhood. It was great to see so many people referring to them in this thread.

I have been to DL many, many times. However, I have not been back since the various changes have taken place. While I prefer WDW because of the "escape from reality" feeling of the large parks and spread out resorts, you guys have all made me curious about how different DL is now.

Thanks for posting everyone.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I have to wholeheartedly agree
I have no desire to ever vist Disneyland or EuroDisney
Our holiday in Orlando was completely faultless - why go somewhere else?
Disney's spirit is palpable in WDW - it makes no difference that DL was contsructed 1st

For those of us who are fanatics about not just the attractions at the park but the overall Disney magic it makes a big difference. When you walk into Disneyland you look up into the firehouse and see a little light on. That's Walt's private apartment. When he was there the light was on. Now he is always there in spirit and the light is always on. That may not seem magical to you but it gives me chills and a lump in my throat every time! If you aren't the sentimental type I can see how this would all seem corny! I guess my point is that if you are into the history of world's happiest place you can spend days just noticing all the wonderful little details.

 

[Tinkaroo]

Just subscribing to this thread - so glad to see it! We've just planned a 2 night/3 day trip for my b-day at the end of August to Disneyland - my DH has never been, and the only time I was there previously, I was 10! We're excited to go and be a part of the 50th celebration, and I figured this was the best year to try it out (and thank you SW for an amazing DING! fare that is making this all possible!!). I do agree with the OP - after being such a WDW fanatic all these years, it is like learning a new language - I'm eagerly awaiting the arrival of my Unofficial Guide in the mail!

(Plus, it curbs that Disney fix I was feeling I needed until our trip back to the World in November!)

 

[tigerlilly]

I think a lot of how people feel about Disneyland or Disneyworld is based on where they "grew up" so to speak. I spent my childhood going to Disneyland and did not visit Disneyworld till I was an adult and therefore Disneyland will always hold the "special" part in my heart.
Disneyworld is larger then life...the castle is truely a Castle. But Disneyland Castle is so sweet and fills me with joy every time I see it.
Disneyworld MK is HUGE...4 times the size of Disneyland but it has far fewer rides then Disneyland. I love both but the MK has more of a giant mall feel then Disneyland...while Disneyland at times can get overcrowded and the intimate feel isn't all that fun :lol.
Fanatasyland...someone mentioned the DL fantasyland was better but they couldn't put there finger on it. I can Disneyland Fantasyland is actually little buildings each themed in the extreme! You feel like you are in a little Bavarian Fantasyland. The first time I walked into WDW MK I looked at my DH and said "Everything is a tent?"....now it is great but the "feeling" does not compare to Disneyland's Fantasyland...but there are so many other great things in WDW so it all evens out.
A small comparison of just the MK/DL Fantasyland
WDW Fantasyland has the following:
Snow White
Pooh (better then DL..but DL is by Splash not in FL)
Dumbo
Mickey's Philharmonic
Peter Pan (my DH thinks WDW is better then DL)
IASW
Carrousel
Tea Cups
DL Fantasyland has:
Peter Pan
Mr. Toad
Carrousel
Dumbo
Pinocchio
Snow White
Casey Jr. Train
Storybook Land Canal Ride (which is so wonderful)
Tea Cups
Alice in Woderland
Matterhorn
IASW (which on the outside is far superior to WDW)
I didn't put the race tracks in here since they are both sort of part of Tomorrowland.

Some have mentioned WDW has more of a vacation feel to it and I guess that depends on where you are coming from because either can feel like a Vacation if you are, Well on Vacation! We have done some of the offsite hotels in Disneyland and we have done the Disney Hotels...I feel the onsite Hotels are better and do give more a feel of "all Disney all the time" When we stay onsite we never leave even to go offsite to eat.
If you do Disneyland I would recommend doing the Grand Californian (although we love the Paradise Pier Hotel..the DLH not so much but that is just personal taste)...Do the package deal and you will have all the early entry privaledges (you do not have to have only AAA...I am pretty sure Hotel guests get some EE...I know they do get in earlier to Toon Town as we have done this and many of our friends have).
Anyway DL is great. WDW is great. We love both but WDW is a rare treat for us since it cost much more then DL and is all the way across the country.