Disneyland=easy OR The World=difficult??

[remfam5]

OK~ what I'm asking is.... Since we live on the west coast, it is MUCH cheaper (in every way- airfare,park tkts,hotel) to go to Disneyland than to Disney World. What's your opinion of:
Would you rather go to Disneyland once a year OR Disneyworld once every 3 years?????????

We went to the World for the first time last year and LOVED it!! But, it takes a whole day to get there and eventhough our vacations are 12 days, with all the things we want to do there, it gets pretty expensive. So, it takes us longer to save.
While going to Disneyland we can go for 4-5 days and do everything! Therfore costing much less!

SO HELP ME CHOOSE!!

 

[KittyKitty]

This is a hard choice. Even tho I live on the west coast, I go to WDW at least once every year. I did go to DL last Nov for 50th , and enjoyed it very much.


But WDW does call me. Since I have to fly no matter , it only cost about $100.00 more. And I could stay offsite if I wanted to save money.

Guess I'm not helping!

 

[Ltl Mermaid]

I live near Disneyland and used to work there...I love it! However, Disneyworld is SO different and bigger from Disneyland that I think a healthy medium between the two woud be a better idea (go to Disneyland one year, and then in 1.5 or 2 years go to WDW). They are both so awesome and unique that I think it is worth it to try and plan a way to fit thwm both in! Good luck!

 

[remfam5]

THANKS *Ltl Mermaid and KittyKitty*

It's just that we loved the World SO MUCH and eventhough we make great "memories" at Disneyland, it lacks the whole PIXI DUST feel sometimes.
It's just so darn hard to WAIT and not just take the money we saved so far and jump down to the Land!!

 

[va32h]

I have a sentimental attachment to DL, it's where I went every year as a child.

We live in Texas, so it's just as much trouble to go to either for us - I like to alternate years. This year I went to DL for the 50th anniversary. Due to some lucky circumstance we will get to go to WDW this year too, in the fall.

Disneyland feels more magical to me, because it is the "original" and while WDW is newer and shinier and busier, there is a certain charm about DL that I just don't find in WDW.

Disneyland is a slower pace; there are only two parks of course, so you can take 4-5 days and see everything you want. I have also found that character interaction is better at Disneyland.

WDW is more of a total experience though. All the resorts, the restaurants, the parks and water parks.

I couldn't choose between them! How about Disneyland one year; wait two years, then WDW?

 

[DepCor0311]

Thats a tough one! We live about 45 mins from Disneyland and we have APs so we go frequently. We usually try to fit in a trip to WDW every other year or so. My personal take on it is WDW is much more immersive than DL. You can walk the entire DL property in a day, and it is easy to still see much of the "outside" world as you do it. I personally use DL for short breaks from reality, but WDW is a real vacation. It may be more expensive, but you really get more bang for your buck at WDW.

 

[EnnEss]

I also live on the west coast and usually go to DLR. This September we're (girlfriend and I) going to WDW for the first time, the reason for this is that on the disneyworld.com site airfare to Orlando from Seattle is identical in price to that of airfare to Los Angeles available anywhere, if not cheaper. This airfaire though was only cheaper on the disneyworld site, when I went to any travel agent or online booking site (expedia etc) it was far more to go to Orlando. WDW must buy huge blocks of seats and sell them cheap to get you to their park. Coincidentally, quite often airfaire is the cheapest for me on Disneyland's site as well.

As for the other costs, the Hotels in Florida are far cheaper hands down. I think it is just because there are more of them. But you can stay at Deluxe in Florida for the price of the Paradise Pier in Cali, where we usually stay. Moderates and Value are both so dirt cheap I'm amazed. Not only that but most of the Florida Hotels are newer, and offsite in California is never great, its at best tolerable. Not to mention the fact that you're located right in the center of a not so nice area. I can not stand to stay off site in California so it is really not an option for me to save money that way.

The park passes were marginally more in WDW than DLR but the dining package more than makes up the difference. I'm not sure if the airfaire was just a one time fluke or whatever, but we were originally planning to go to DLR this autumn, but upon seeing that WDW was actually cheaper we decided to try something new. We had our travel agent book through Walt Disney World over the phone and got the exact same price as their website quoted, I believe it was actually 23 dollars less for some odd reason.

To answer your question though, if things were as they were for you, that is DLR far less expensive and going to WDW would cost us future trips, we would of gone to DLR, both of us love it there and the weather seems more my style. But we couldn't pass up the chance of trying WDW. I think 7 days at WL cost us 1400ish with dining (which was free due to the promo), flights and the park pass including water parks and hopping etc. Paradise pier would of been 1535 for 6 days I think and where we wanted to stay, the Grand Californian, was about 2000. These are rough guesses, the trip is bought and paid for but the savings was pretty distinct particularly given the extra distance we are flying. One other cool thing we did was grab a red eye, this might not be for everyone, but we leave at 11pm and arrive at 630 am. No wasted days and I'm used to travelling so it won't bother me, my girlfriend will most likely be sleepy, but we usually take an afternoon break anyways.

 

[Brian Noble]

Both places are great fun; I vote for convenience. I would go to DL most of the time, but try to save a bit extra so that once every N years or so I could go to WDW.

We love DL---once we are there and have adjusted to the time difference, it's much easier to cope with, and just as wonderful. But, until our kids get older, the time zone thing hurts. It's a bummer when your five year old wakes up at 5 PST, but the parks don't open until 10!

 

[mickeyfan2]

We found our burn rate per day higher at DL than it is at WDW. Some of it could be the less familiarity (only go to DL once every 4-5 years) and having to pay deluxe to get on-site (our choice). I tend to stay at Holiday Inn Expresses often, but it would not seem like a Disney vacation at a HIE in Anaheim.

 

[Diznotyzed]

Would you rather go to Disneyland once a year OR Disneyworld once every 3 years?????????

Another Oregonian here. If I had to strictly answer this question as asked, for myself, I'd say DL every year. Talking parks only, it's my favorite, not to mention easier to travel to and IMO better weather. I hope no one ever makes me choose, however, 'cause we love WDW, too! They're each special in their own ways and we feel fortunate that we've reached a point where we can go to both each year.

 

[deekaypee]

I feel your pain. I live nearer the west coast now, though I'm technically smack dab in the middle of what you might call the provincial Midwest. Hah--I'm living a provincial life! But I used to live on the easterly side of the Midwest. So in terms of planning vacations--flights, hotels, food, time zones, all the $ and time questions--I'm now west-coast Midwesterner who finds it cheaper to go to DLR. Before, when I was an east-coaster, it was cheaper to go to WDW. (Is anyone even following this west-coast Midwest, east-coast Midwest thing?) So, like you, I've been visiting DLR.

But I have to say, WDW was my first park and therefore my first love. I think DLR is lovely and I'm very happy to be able to go there as often as I have--in fact I have a trip coming up in....6 days! And I know I could go back there again very soon, upgrade my park hopper to an annual and make another trip before July 2007.

Who knows if I'll be able to resist the sweet siren call of the upgrade?

But that's the plan, to resist. If I upgrade, it's not just the ~$50/person to an annual (a bargain!) but the added airfare and hotel and food and....all of which will eat away at my WDW fund. As much as I'm looking forward to DLR--I am, I am!--it's time to plan for the next trip home, as I think of WDW. I'll still want to visit DLR, but for my circumstances, and because what Brian Noble refers to as the convenience issue isn't as much of a deal-breaker for me, I choose WDW. This decision does mean giving up the frequency of the trips, but I'm planning on splitting the difference like Ltl Mermaid suggests. Between trips, this probably means I'll need to spend even more time on DIS to get my fix!

Now, if I can just convince myself to give up on my beloved lattes so the vacation fund builds that much more quickly....

 

[remfam5]

They're each special in their own ways and we feel fortunate that we've reached a point where we can go to both each year.

OK you! Not fair that you can do BOTH, every year!!

I suppose my goal should be to do more research and try to get to WDW for less than $6,000 a pop, and MAYBE going to both wouldn't hurt so bad!

And I really do love DL, but just for me personally---- (like I said)
THE PIXIE DUST IS AT WDW!!

I guess you have all helped (in one way or another ) me realize that I will just try to be patient and keep saving for one BIG whopper of a vacation at WDW!
And who knows..... maybe by the time it's ready to book the trip--- my darling husband will decide that a DELUXE really is worth the extra $$!

HEY, I can dream can't I??

 

[Diznotyzed]

LOL, I was worried that was gonna sound like I was rubbing it in, but having been in your shoes I was just trying to hold out some hope for the future! Have a great time whichever fantastic place you choose!

 

[soibn]

Totally hard decision. But I would definately go to Disney World every 3 years. Then take a break from there and then go to Disneyland maybe within the next couple of years, just to get your fix on Disneyland too.
I am going to the WDW this August for under 2,500 and that is for 8 days, 7 nights. I am staying at the All Star Movie for 5 nights and then the Animal Kingdom for 2 nights. I just love their pool, so I have to try the AKL for the first time. So it saves a bunch to hop around. Plus I am going to take all of my snacks, bread, jelly, peanut butter, ETC. Then when I get there I am taking a cab to the Grocery Store to get sanwich meat etc. You got to save on the food. Of course ocassionally we will have some nice dinners here and there. I have got it all figured out so far. I have been reading too many Disney Vacation Planning books. They are worth every dime. I want to make sure that we have plenty of money left over for souveniers. The food is what cost the most. And of course the alcohol.

 

[AStamm]

Nothing tough about it to me...as long as DL has those fabulous "Remember Dreams Come True" fireworks, I'd be there. Can't help but love seeing the Electrical Parade either. I'm a die-hard WDW-lover, but after taking our first trip to DL this summer I can't help but say how much better those fireworks are. A number of the rides are so much better as well (with the exception of Splash Mountain and Snow White).

 

[DisNae]

Disneyworld beats Disneyland, hands down. I used to live in California and went several times, DH is from California and went all the time as a child.....and we both say we'd much, much rather go to Disneyworld. I'd save my $$$$ and go to DW less frequently than just go to DL more often.

And hey, you can always think of ways to make DW more affordable so you can perhaps make it back more than once every 3 years....stay offsite if you have to, eat breakfast and lunch from a cooler in your room (or, if staying offsite, maybe get a hotel that includes continental breakfast, then you can just pick up some sandwich fixin's for your lunches), cut down on souvenir budget...whatever it takes. DW is SOOOOO much better and so worth the sacrifices! (not that I have much of an opinion on the subject or anything. )

 

[Trini]

We live very close to Disneyland and have Annual Passes, go a lot! My kids love it, and we just cant get enough.

This year we went to Disney World for the first time & wow! Its hard to compare the two, because they are different types of vacations. Disneyland / California Adventure are compact parks that you can do quickly if you have to. Including Downtown Disney & both parks, you can do it all in a couple days easy. There is a lot of other things you can do in Anaheim, or surrounding areas so a Disneyland vacation can turn into a Southern California vacation. While Disney World is more of a destination in itself. We were there for 9 days and never left the Disney property and felt like we still missed a lot of things. We were busy constantly and just had the best time! It was awesome. It didnt leave us with all the same feelings as Disneyland does, but pretty darn close.

I'd try to find a way to do both. Thats what we're going to do. We still have our Annual Passes to Disneyland and will go a few times a year. But maybe in a couple years go to Disney World again. Our Disney World vacation was pretty expensive but I felt like it was really worth every penny. My boys talk about our trip several times a day, and beg to go again. We have started a change jar that we're all going to contribute to so we can go back

 

[Disneyenthusiast]

I will weigh in on this one. Our 1st trip to WDW is this March. I am doing a lot of planning so that we are not completely lost there. We look forward to staying on site the entire time. The total immersion is something that you don't feel quite the same way at DLR. The themeing at the resorts is much more detailed because they have the space to develop it. Water parks and mini-golf are a plus. More table service restaurants in the parks and resorts.

We have been to DLR many times, including last year. Most of the rides are available both places (with variations). It is much less hassle to go to DLR. The weather is great more of the year...no hurricanes or thunderstorms. Both parks can be covered in as much or as little time as you have. We spent 5 nights there our last trip and thought that was about right. The biggest benefit to DLR is that it is easier to move around. With small children, I would head to DLR in a heartbeat. No waiting for transportation. Less walking. Less heat and humidity. DLR is charming.

While we are looking forward to WDW with enthusiasm, DLR holds a special place in our hearts. It will probably still be 1st with us since that is whre we shared the Disney magic with our children in their youth.

Enjoy both!

 

[LuvOrlando]

Based on years of experience I agree with the folks here who recommend flip-flopping between the 2 coasts.

I LOVE WDW and go all the time (you can tell from my signature) but even that great resort can get stale after a while so I would imagine the same might happen with WDL at some point. A few years ago my family had to skip vacations a bit due to pregnancy complications and when we did return it was AMAZING. All the same olds were new again, like long lost friends. Well DH wants a break from WDW for 2007 and I've agreed in the hopes that our 2008 WDW trip will have more bang due to our year long break. Of course, being the fan I am, I can't skip out on the mouse entirely so we're doing WDL in 2007 instead.

My 2 cents is to keep things fresh by bouncing around

 

[DisneyfeverTN]

I would rather go to DW. I grew up on the west coast and have been to DL many times. Although I really enjoy each trip, DW is a much better vacation to me. We can do so much more. DL is good for a few days, but DW is good for a week or more. You really feel like you are away from everything. There is also so much to do. I like DW the best.