Disney World vs. Disneyland

[Summer2018]

If you really let yourself think about it, is it because it is "fresher" since you have been there less times? I find it hard to believe that you do not care about returning to WDW ever again. They are completely different. That is really my biggest hang up with the whole conversation from last week. I could never imagine not going to EPCOT or Animal Kingdom ever again. I have said earlier that if push came to shove that Disneyland is my fav but that has more to do with the geography and weather than the parks themselves.

I never loved Animal Kingdom, and don’t go there anymore when we’re in WDW. We have been to Epcot so many times and we usually go one day. If never returned, it wouldn’t be the end of the world. Changes made in Hollywood Studios have made us not go the last two trips. Magic Kingdom is our favorite park, and we go there 5-6 days of our trip.

Disneyland was much more magical and charming to us than WDW. The Disneyland Hotel is basically a cross between the Contemporary Resort with a touch if Polynesian Resort flavor. Goofy’s Kitchen is similar but far superior to Chef Mickeys. Being able to step outside my resort and walk through Downtown Disney daily to the monorail which takes you into Disneyland Park is awesome. No long bus rides anywhere. Everything is within walking distance. I love California and if we could afford it, we would happily move there, but it’s too expensive even compared to living in Fairfield County in Connecticut. It will remain a favorite vacation spot. The dream is to add on a week in Hawaii.

To each his/her own.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

We love WDW, but I can't wait to go to DL next Spring! It sounds like such a magical and fun place to visit. It sounds so different than WDW with different experiences. We will visit other places while in California too. Never been there before and can't wait!

I think your plan is great. A lot of people go to Disneyland and don't venture out. There are so many things to do and see in Southern California in addition to Disneyland Resort.

 

[SorcererHeidi]

I think your plan is great. A lot of people go to Disneyland and don't venture out. There are so many things to do and see in Southern California in addition to Disneyland Resort.

And this post makes me miss Day Six even MORE!!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

And this post makes me miss Day Six even MORE!!

I miss doing them. It was fun.

 

[limace]

We live in Oregon and love both, but DL wins every time. Were in Orlando in May and we all agreed-we want to go to Florida for Universal and California for Disney. Partly climate and mainly because we love the atmosphere a d walk ability of DL. We hate having to plan dining 6 months in advance and spend 1-3 hours a day getting to and from parks. WDW is amazing but. So. Much. Work.

 

[Climhazzard]

I live in SoCal, and Disneyland is my "home" park but we make yearly trips to WDW to get away and take an actual vacation. To me it's a bit hard to directly compare World vs. Land. As far as an individual park, Disneyland is, IMO leaps and bounds better than Magic Kingdom, which is why in Florida it's the park we need to go to the least. Also, the proximity between DL and DCA makes it feel like one massive park as opposed to two which means you can do so much more in a single day with hopper passes.

However, Disneyworld is a true, immersive, getaway experience. When you take into account the hotels, dining and variety between the four parks it's the full package. None of the individual parks are as good as DL but on the whole it has my family's heart as a special destination. There's nothing at DL that really equates to walking the World Showcase or eating at Boma or staying at Beach Club. It's the combination of those elements that make it a better getaway destination to me. Plus, it's close to Universal Orlando, which has turned into one of our favorite destinations also.

I can see how the park that's furthest out of reach will seem more "special" because you get to visit it less but to me both are unique and great for different reasons.

 

[maltdizzy]

If you really let yourself think about it, is it because it is "fresher" since you have been there less times? I find it hard to believe that you do not care about returning to WDW ever again. They are completely different. That is really my biggest hang up with the whole conversation from last week. I could never imagine not going to EPCOT or Animal Kingdom ever again. I have said earlier that if push came to shove that Disneyland is my fav but that has more to do with the geography and weather than the parks themselves.

Not for my family. I grew up going to WDW, moved to LA where we had APs for 6 years at DL, and then moved back East. Despite WDW being closer, we still travel more to DLR. DL is more immersive, more detailed, more intimate compared to the MK, which is all massive cafeterias, wide-open sidewalks, and vomitoriums designed to move a lot more people through. I feel more like I'm moving through a film set at DL, it has absolutely ruined MK for me. Plus, we are ride people and DLR has more attractions overall in a higher density.

We appreciate WDW for what it offers beyond the theme parks, like the water parks, fishing, golf, etc. When at WDW, we do spend a lot of time in the water parks and less time at the them parks. We do love AK but Epcot is such a sad shadow of it's former self, it's dang near depressing to visit. Many of my favorite FW attractions are gone and the WS hasn't really evolved or been updated for years.

Obviously, this is all subjective, but this thread seems to be started around a fallacy that the DIS team somehow dislikes WDW. WDW is still home base for them and provides content and an income that DLR cannot compete with. But I think this thread shows that it's not outrageous for them to think DLR is their favorite of the two and that many here agree with them.

 

[TeamRiley]

Have been to both - 80% Land 20% World - and love them both.

That being said, the Land is our favorite.

While WDW is huge and immersive, the logistics of moving around is a pain. There is so much more to do at WDW, but no single park can even start to compare to the ease of movement and concentration of great rides that DLR and DCA offer as a package. They are so close that it is essentially one park. It is easy to get off a ride in DLR and go grab lunch or dinner in DCA without even thinking about it.

Of course, being owners at VGC makes a big difference. Walking from your room directly to the park spoils a person pretty fast.

On our last trip before covid (in the fall) it was getting late, dark, and quite cool, so the line at Grizzly River Rapids was non-existent. My son decided to ride it alone and we went back to the room. He called me after his first ride to tell me how fun (and creepy) it was to ride all alone in the pitch dark. I was in the room when he called, and in less than 5 minutes we were buckled in and launching on another trip.

It was one of the best rides we have ever taken. Very surreal (and creepy) in the dark with no other boats or riders. We both got soaked, but quite literally 5 minutes after leaving the boat, we were back in the room, clothes were in the dryer, and we were on our way to the hot tub.

I love WDW, but there is nothing there that will ever be able to beat the ease and luxury of that kind of experience.

 

[Summer2018]

Have been to both - 80% Land 20% World - and love them both.

That being said, the Land is our favorite.

While WDW is huge and immersive, the logistics of moving around is a pain. There is so much more to do at WDW, but no single park can even start to compare to the ease of movement and concentration of great rides that DLR and DCA offer as a package. They are so close that it is essentially one park. It is easy to get off a ride in DLR and go grab lunch or dinner in DCA without even thinking about it.

Of course, being owners at VGC makes a big difference. Walking from your room directly to the park spoils a person pretty fast.

On our last trip before covid (in the fall) it was getting late, dark, and quite cool, so the line at Grizzly River Rapids was non-existent. My son decided to ride it alone and we went back to the room. He called me after his first ride to tell me how fun (and creepy) it was to ride all alone in the pitch dark. I was in the room when he called, and in less than 5 minutes we were buckled in and launching on another trip.

It was one of the best rides we have ever taken. Very surreal (and creepy) in the dark with no other boats or riders. We both got soaked, but quite literally 5 minutes after leaving the boat, we were back in the room, clothes were in the dryer, and we were on our way to the hot tub.

I love WDW, but there is nothing there that will ever be able to beat the ease and luxury of that kind of experience.

You took the words right out of my mouth!!!

 

[OKW Lover]

While WDW is huge and immersive, the logistics of moving around is a pain. There is so much more to do at WDW, but no single park can even start to compare to the ease of movement and concentration of great rides that DLR and DCA offer as a package. They are so close that it is essentially one park. It is easy to get off a ride in DLR and go grab lunch or dinner in DCA without even thinking about it.

Excellent points. We love the original DL is such a fun place, but we've also found that DCA has some very attractive offerings. We just love that big reveal when you walk into Cars Land from the food-court area (forget the name of that) as you come under the big arch and there it is before you. We've often commented that this is where the shot the Cars movies, which of course is really just in some computer memory.

 

[manicstreet]

Not for my family. I grew going to WDW, moved to LA where we had APs for 6 years at DL, and then moved back East. Despite WDW being closer, we still travel more to DLR. DL is more immersive, more detailed, more intimate compared to the MK, which is all massive cafeterias, wide-open sidewalks, and vomitoriums designed to move a lot more people through. I feel more like I'm moving through a film set at DL, it has absolutely ruined MK for me. Plus, we are ride people and DLR has more attractions overall in a higher density.

We appreciate WDW for what it offers beyond the theme parks, like the water parks, fishing, golf, etc. When at WDW, we do spend a lot of time in the water parks and less time at the them parks. We do love AK but Epcot is such a sad shadow of it's former self, it's dang near depressing to visit. Many of my favorite FW attractions are gone and the WS hasn't really evolved or been updated for years.

Obviously, this is all subjective, but this thread seems to be started around a fallacy that the DIS team somehow dislikes WDW. WDW is still home base for them and provides content and an income that DLR cannot compete with. But I thinkthis thread shows that it's now outrageous for them to think DLR is their favorite of the two and that many here agree with them.

your last paragraph is way to defensive.I will just speak for myself here. Most people on the dis staff moved to Orlando for the reason to work at/adjacent or be as close as possible to WDW. I find it hard to believe not more than 1 person that day said WDW was their favorite having uprooted their life to be closer. That is all.

everyone has opinions but I just can not agree that Disneyland is more immersive. Also if we are only comparing Disneyland park to Magic Kingdom park Disneyland park wins all day everyday in a landslide for most of the reasons you gave. I was under the impression they were comparing Disneyland resort to WDW resort.

anyways I find this whole discussion interesting as in the grand scheme of things I could really care less which is more popular. It’s just fun to discuss.

 

[vrajewski10513]

Obviously, this is all subjective, but this thread seems to be started around a fallacy that the DIS team somehow dislikes WDW. WDW is still home base for them and provides content and an income that DLR cannot compete with. But I think this thread shows that it's not outrageous for them to think DLR is their favorite of the two and that many here agree with them.

Well, I started the thread, and I never stated any of them disliked WDW. I was purely inquiring why they might have relocated to Florida instead of California if DL was their favorite place. I was never under the assumption that any of them remotely disliked WDW.

I'm glad I asked the question, because i've gotten some really great responses, too.

 

[jfbouchard]

Never been to DL, but hopefully one day!

 

[nkereina]

I believe most, if not all of them, are from the Northeast. As someone who lives in the Northeast, Florida was always THE vacation spot for my family and everyone around us. It was also a significantly closer and cheaper trip than California would be, which is why I never made it to California until I was an adult. I don't want to speak for the team, but I would imagine Florida being closer and cheaper for trips back to the Northeast could have played a factor. Also, someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Craig was part of the College Program, wasn't he? I have to assume WDW has more opportunity for DCP than DL would.

I've been to both WDW and DL. We enjoy both, but WDW feels more like a vacation to us. At DL, there's no "bubble". We dealt with some unappealing logistics traveling there and back, and found it much more practical to say off-site which diminished some of the magic. I do get the appeal as it was the original and I also like the proximity of the parks to each other, but I'd choose WDW every time.

 

[disneymom0104]

I grew up in CA so DL was a closer destination. When I had kids (we live in CO) we started taking them to WDW (I made one trip there as a young child). After a few trips there I was really wanting to experience DL again since my husband had never been there. We LOVED IT. Disneyland park will always been my top #1- the nostalgia, the weather- everything about that park I love. I wasn't expecting to love California Adventure as much as I did as well. I love that you easily have access to every ride every day. It is just easier. If you can swing the on property prices there is a "bubble" feel, which we did once. But most of the time we stay off property, directly across the street. I love that you never have to take any form of transportation to get anywhere, but you do lose that bubble the second you cross the street.

WDW has always been about the bubble. It attracts more visitors. Even in CO it seems more people go to WDW over DL. It is a longer vacation (We do 8 days at DL- the 5 day max they allow in the parks, then we go to the beach and other places in SoCal; We do 11-14 days at WDW with 10 days in the parks). WDW has better resort choices in multiple price points, it has better restaurants overall (although DL has some good ones too). It is just a bigger area with more to do overall. But traveling between parks is harder, Disney Springs is harder- but since you have more time you are able to spend some of it on all the traveling between locations.

I love both parks. When given the choice though, my family almost always chooses DL as where they want to go. Then about every 5 years it is "We haven't been to WDW in so long!". So we are headed there again this year. Can't wait!

 

[Teleclashter]

I will just respond for myself, especially since I wasn't part of this show in particular. The reason I live in Florida vs. California is practicality and that I love my job. We visited Walt Disney World when I was growing up every other year and I fell in love with it and will always love it. My family traveled to California in 1999 going from a cousin's house just miles from Disneyland all the way up the coast to San Francisco and I fell in love with the state. For a long time, my college dream was to get into the film school at USC, but the likelihood of rejection and not being able to afford the school made me shelf that dream along with any plans on ever moving to California because of how expensive it is. We continued traveling to Florida every so often, more once my sister started her CP, and eventually it led to me doing the CP down here as well and just staying.

When I graduated in 2009, the job market for me was slim to none. I chose a profession that valued experience more than college education, so I had very little experience in the working world and a degree. After being a server, working at WDW, and working at Universal, the opportunity to work for The DIS came up and I gripped on tight. We are obviously based out of Florida and my job is to go into Walt Disney World and Universal so my career won't allow me to live anywhere else rather than Florida, but the dream of California is still very much alive as I still love the state and Disneyland. Yes, we've had California correspondents in the past and there was the dream from time to time that Pete would allow one of us to leave Florida and be a California person. As Mary Jo said at some point in this thread, Disneyland would need a massive turnaround for Dreams to warrant the coverage that we would love to give to it.

Then comes the money factor again. I have a very comfortable life in Florida with what this job as afforded me. If I was to make the same amount in California as I do here, I wouldn't be able to live in one of my ideal locations without renting out a room. We've played the game where we drive through neighborhoods and look at the house prices and that was crushing haha.

Finally, after moving to Florida I realized that it's never a great idea moving to where you love to travel. I know that's anti everything we are about right now, but it's how I feel. I love Orlando and don't regret any decision. It's obviously worked out well for me and it provided me opportunities Western PA never could, but there's no way to still feel the same way as when we'd travel here on vacation. I do want to live in California, but not at the expense of losing the special feeling I have for the state. I don't know if that would actually happen, but every day couldn't be a "vacation" if I was to move there, but while I'm still in Florida it can be and I can just enjoy the visiting of places and massive amounts of eating and drinking.

 

[vrajewski10513]

I will just respond for myself, especially since I wasn't part of this show in particular. The reason I live in Florida vs. California is practicality and that I love my job. We visited Walt Disney World when I was growing up every other year and I fell in love with it and will always love it. My family traveled to California in 1999 going from a cousin's house just miles from Disneyland all the way up the coast to San Francisco and I fell in love with the state. For a long time, my college dream was to get into the film school at USC, but the likelihood of rejection and not being able to afford the school made me shelf that dream along with any plans on ever moving to California because of how expensive it is. We continued traveling to Florida every so often, more once my sister started her CP, and eventually it led to me doing the CP down here as well and just staying.

When I graduated in 2009, the job market for me was slim to none. I chose a profession that valued experience more than college education, so I had very little experience in the working world and a degree. After being a server, working at WDW, and working at Universal, the opportunity to work for The DIS came up and I gripped on tight. We are obviously based out of Florida and my job is to go into Walt Disney World and Universal so my career won't allow me to live anywhere else rather than Florida, but the dream of California is still very much alive as I still love the state and Disneyland. Yes, we've had California correspondents in the past and there was the dream from time to time that Pete would allow one of us to leave Florida and be a California person. As Mary Jo said at some point in this thread, Disneyland would need a massive turnaround for Dreams to warrant the coverage that we would love to give to it.

Then comes the money factor again. I have a very comfortable life in Florida with what this job as afforded me. If I was to make the same amount in California as I do here, I wouldn't be able to live in one of my ideal locations without renting out a room. We've played the game where we drive through neighborhoods and look at the house prices and that was crushing haha.

Finally, after moving to Florida I realized that it's never a great idea moving to where you love to travel. I know that's anti everything we are about right now, but it's how I feel. I love Orlando and don't regret any decision. It's obviously worked out well for me and it provided me opportunities Western PA never could, but there's no way to still feel the same way as when we'd travel here on vacation. I do want to live in California, but not at the expense of losing the special feeling I have for the state. I don't know if that would actually happen, but every day couldn't be a "vacation" if I was to move there, but while I'm still in Florida it can be and I can just enjoy the visiting of places and massive amounts of eating and drinking.

Thanks for the insight, Craig. I appreciate the response!

 

[manicstreet]

I will just respond for myself, especially since I wasn't part of this show in particular. The reason I live in Florida vs. California is practicality and that I love my job. We visited Walt Disney World when I was growing up every other year and I fell in love with it and will always love it. My family traveled to California in 1999 going from a cousin's house just miles from Disneyland all the way up the coast to San Francisco and I fell in love with the state. For a long time, my college dream was to get into the film school at USC, but the likelihood of rejection and not being able to afford the school made me shelf that dream along with any plans on ever moving to California because of how expensive it is. We continued traveling to Florida every so often, more once my sister started her CP, and eventually it led to me doing the CP down here as well and just staying.

When I graduated in 2009, the job market for me was slim to none. I chose a profession that valued experience more than college education, so I had very little experience in the working world and a degree. After being a server, working at WDW, and working at Universal, the opportunity to work for The DIS came up and I gripped on tight. We are obviously based out of Florida and my job is to go into Walt Disney World and Universal so my career won't allow me to live anywhere else rather than Florida, but the dream of California is still very much alive as I still love the state and Disneyland. Yes, we've had California correspondents in the past and there was the dream from time to time that Pete would allow one of us to leave Florida and be a California person. As Mary Jo said at some point in this thread, Disneyland would need a massive turnaround for Dreams to warrant the coverage that we would love to give to it.

Then comes the money factor again. I have a very comfortable life in Florida with what this job as afforded me. If I was to make the same amount in California as I do here, I wouldn't be able to live in one of my ideal locations without renting out a room. We've played the game where we drive through neighborhoods and look at the house prices and that was crushing haha.

Finally, after moving to Florida I realized that it's never a great idea moving to where you love to travel. I know that's anti everything we are about right now, but it's how I feel. I love Orlando and don't regret any decision. It's obviously worked out well for me and it provided me opportunities Western PA never could, but there's no way to still feel the same way as when we'd travel here on vacation. I do want to live in California, but not at the expense of losing the special feeling I have for the state. I don't know if that would actually happen, but every day couldn't be a "vacation" if I was to move there, but while I'm still in Florida it can be and I can just enjoy the visiting of places and massive amounts of eating and drinking.

Thanks Craig!

 

[BroadwayHermione5]

As someone who hasn't listened to yesterdays show yet and who has dreams of going to DL (and USH and Knott's among other places), for me I think its a mixture of history and omg I am finally here feeling. From what I recall in past shows, none of them (except maybe Craig or Ryno) had been to DL before they moved to Florida. For them it is definitely a place they love t ovisit and always get happy returning to.

The equivalent of that for me? Busch Gardens Williamsburg. While I still have to travel to get there, its a place I truly have come to love. I cried finding out wha thad shuttered during the pandemic. I frequently check the status of other places. When my family goes for their xmas and holiday celebrations this year, I know I will cry. I will be crying at my upcoming UOR and WDW trip as well (mainly because of a mix of stuff from needing a vacation to returning to two of my favorite places to just sheer relief covid is almost over), but for me, BGW will be what is the equivalent of Pete'e upcoming Disneyland trip.

 

[doombuggy]

I used to visit WDW every year beginning in 1974 (my grandparents moved to Tampa and I would visit every summer - we'd spend a day at MK each year). As an adult, I came down from PA about 5 times prior to moving here in 2004 (3 of those trips after I started working for the company), but i moved to get away from the cold. I had other friends/co-workers who had moved down here to Orlando, so the idea of moving to Anaheim was not on my radar. My sister later moved to CA and the cost of living is absolutely crazy (she lived in San Fran - she moved to OR last year). In 1998, i made my first trip to DL for a trivia competition with a co-worker (she actually won the competition that year) and LOVED it. Because I knew MK so well, i'd get confused walking around DL sometimes, LOL!
I went to DLP for Halloween 2010, and like others have commented about DL, the "closeness" of everything was a plus (and their castle is beautiful). I went to SDL in 2017 and it is HUGE but their POTC is the best, hands down. Tokyo Disney Resort - DL and DisneySea - is one of kind and to be honest, my favorite (we visited there in 2017 and I want to go back BAD). I ran a 10k at HKDL in November 2019 and while just 1 park, it has the compactness of DL, with the beautiful mountains in the back ground.

So while I do consider WDW my home park (I do work there), each park around the world has some thing about it that makes it stand out - for me, the special thing about DL is it was "Walt's park." AT DLP, it is that amazing castle; at HKDL, it is Mystic Manor! At SDL it is POTC (with Tron a close 2nd) and at TDR, it is DisneySea. So while I love WDW, there are things about the others I love too and would love to visit them more often (although those flights to/from HK were killer...)