Disneyland or DisneyWorld???

[DoleWhip81]

My wife and I have had heated debates over where to take our vacations. I just absolutely love going to Disneyland. What are your thoughts?

 

[blackjackdelta]

I absolutely love Disneyland and have never been to WDW, but I usually recommend WDW.

Jack

 

[granismith]

If you have done DL and not done WDW then you should go there. I have been there 3 times and there is soooo much to see & do, it is alot of fun! We ususally stay 10 days and we still don't get it all done. It is alot more spread out though so you will spend alot more time traveling from place to place.

The one thing I don't really like is Magic Kingdom is not as good or Magical as DL itself. It kinda disappointed us a little. Some of the rides are not as good, like Pirates or Space mountain or Splash mountain. At DL there is something to do & see in almost every corner but Magic Kingdom is more spread out.

That said, the other parks should not be missed. Animal Kingdom and World Showcase at Epcot are my favorites. They also have the funnest, and best places to eat, with sooo many choices.

Definitely give it a try!

 

[GrandBob]

Yep, I agree. While DLR is my favorite, WDW also has so much to offer that you really owe it to yourself to experience both resorts. I love Epcot, and wish we had a similar park here. AK is also a great park. It's also great just to wander all the various resort hotels to see the great theming. And I also love all the great themed restaurants and variety of foods.

Yep, after all that, DLR is still my favorite. But you gotta see both resorts. They each have a lot to offer.

-Bob

 

[figment_jii]

I've been to both DLR and WDW several times and they are very different vacations. DLR has always been shorter trips (2 to 3 days), while WDW are longer vacations (10+ days). WDW is designed to be an all encompassing experience - if you don't have a car, you probably won't see the "outside" world for the rest of your trip. Whereas at DLR, the "outside" world is very close and pretty hard to ignore.

The Magic Kingdom and Disneyland are the two most similar parks, but even they are different. DLR has much more crammed (in a good way) into it than MK, which feels more spread out. Some of the rides are very similar, but may have some small variations or different outer looks. DCA reminds me the most of DHS, but not a lot. DLR does not have anything like Epcot or Animal Kingdom (AK). Epcot has two halves - Future World and World Showcase. The front half (FW) has lots of rides, whereas WS is mostly shopping and eating (there are a few rides). Animal Kingdom has some rides, but the main attractions are the animals.

Unlike DLR where you can easily walk from DL to DCA to DTD, none of the parks are really within walking distance (except DHS and Epcot, but it's still about a 20 minute hike). There is transportation between the parks, so it's not hard (perhaps time consuming) to get from one park to the next.

Essentially between the two parks at DLR and four parks at WDW, you'll find some rides that overlap (but are in different places - for example, Soarin' is in DCA at DLR and Epcot at WDW, but is identical in terms of the ride itself) and other rides that are only in one place (for example, DLR has the Matterhorn, but AK has Expedition Everest).

To me the biggest difference between the two resorts (aside from size) is that WDW has a lot more eating options. If you like to eat, then there is no shortage of places to try (especially at Epcot). There are also a lot more hotel choices (at all expense levels).

As PPs have said, if you've been DLR, but not been to WDW, then I think it's worth try WDW at least once. However, that being said, I think WDW is a much more expensive vacation (mostly because it's longer).

On a side note: the Dole Whips at WDW are different from the ones at DLR. I think it has to do with the dairy content, but between the two, I liked the ones at WDW better. You can get the Dole Whip at Aloha Isles (in the MK) and at Captain Cooks (at the Polynesian). Just thought I'd mention this because of your handle.

 

[aubs04783]

It's always Disneyland for me!

Aubrey

 

[sncraig]

My family has done Disneyworld for the past two years and love it. We have a trip planned to Disneyworld in Oct. We also have a trip planed for Disney Land in three weeks so my vote is both!!!!

 

[2luvmickey]

DLR is theme parks, WDW is an experience. As most posters have said, you can get through DLR in a few days, WDW you can spend two weeks there!

Last year, we went to DLR with 2 DS and extended family. Here is the low down from my boys: better at DLR - Space Mountain, Matterhorn, and Indiana Jones were their picks. WDW - Monorail is a mode of transportation, not a ride (this is from my monorail obsessed son).

So, do you want a fews days to enjoy Disney, or do you want a vacation experience?

 

[Boardwalk Tigger]

Nothing compares with Disneyworld!

 

[disney67]

i would say WDW but saying that i have only been to WDW not to disneyworld . waiting for cars land

 

[disneydenisel]

We have been to both and you really should visit Walt Disney World, too! We love WDW and it is total immersion into a wonderful world. Love love love it there! Disneyland is a lot smaller, but very special to me since I have been going there since I was born. We actually prefer the 6-hour flight to Orlando versus the 7.5 hour drive to Anaheim!!!!

We will visit both parks this year...should be fun to compare!

 

[Captain Hindsight]

My wife and I have had heated debates over where to take our vacations. I just absolutely love going to Disneyland. What are your thoughts?

You are much wiser than your wife! Take comfort in that!

 

[DisneyKira]

I have been to DW and DLR. Personally, I love both. I think it depends on what kind of vacation you want, when you can go, and how long you can go. If you have less than five full days, I would say go to DLR. I think it takes at least two days to see Epcot and MK, and at least a full day to see HS and AK (I like to devote two days to AK because I love it so much). I have been to DW three times and I still haven't done everything

Do you like being totally immersed in Disney? If you stay on Disney property at DW (which I recommend) Disney can pick you up at the airport and take you to your hotel. For the rest of your trip (assuming you do not have a rental car), you will probably rely on the free Disney transportation to get to and from the parks (You cannot just walk to each park like you can in DL). Personally, I love this. If you want to see other things in Florida, you may want to rent a car, do a split stay (off-site), or stay off-site the entire time. Again, it is important to note that you CAN NOT just walk everywhere like you can in DL!

If you love eating, then DW is the way to go. DW has so many amazing restaurants. I recommend the Disney Dining Plan (you need to stay on-site for this).

It may also be important to consider the weather during your stay. The weather in FL is miserable during certain times of the year (I went in September and it was AWFUL). The humidity in FL is much higher.

Overall, both resorts are amazing. If you have never gone to DW, and you have a week or so to see it, I think you should go to DW.

 

[kermit116]

If you're planning on a short trip, I'd say Disneyland. For a longer trip, you can't beat all the different options you have at Disney World.