Disneyland or Disneyworld?

[Warren W]

Whats better?
Disneyland (Anaheim, California)
Or
Disneyworld (Orlando, Florida)

 

[squirrel]

They are both great!

I prefer WDW-probably because I stay on property and stay for longer.

How long a vacation do you want/have? DL/DCA can be done in 3-4 days. WDW you need at least 5 days, I would go much longer than 5.

When would you be going? Different deals for different times of the year.

How many people? How far is it from your home to LA and Orlando?

 

[gardener14]

After visiting both for several vacations, I can easily say that Disneyland Resort is my favorite by far. Walt Disney World is huge, spread thin, and feels like a corporation. Disneyland Resort is intimate, charming, and has a sense of history and personality. There are so many little details crammed into every nook and cranny of Disneyland Resort, and even among cast members and guests, there is a sense of pride that can be felt more than at WDW. At DLR I feel that people move more slowly and enjoy the details, while at WDW I feel that people mostly rush from one major attraction to another.

Both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure have nearly as many attractions as the four parks at Walt Disney World, so don't be mislead by the "bigger is better" misconception. I recently did a count of all the rides, shows, exhibits, etc. that take our time at the parks of each resort, and I found 116 at WDW vs. 96 at DLR. That plus the overwhelming charm of DLR makes it a clear winner for me (and DCA is one off my favorite parks with so much live entertainment, and it's only getting better with the recent and upcoming additions).

I enjoy WDW, and I'd go back anytime, but I love Disneyland.

 

[elaw]

Whats better?
Disneyland (Anaheim, California)
Or
Disneyworld (Orlando, Florida)

I personally consider them equal but different. I see it this way ...

- Disneyland is better for shorter trips/vacations.
- Walt Disney World is better for longer fully immersive vacations (1 week or more)

 

[Huff]

Inside park experiences, attractions etc. DLR wins.

Outside park experiences, restaurants, resorts, activities, WDW wins.

Its easier to do more in a shorter period of time at DLR because of the time it takes to get from one park to another, to DTD or to other resorts. At DLR everything is in walking distance from each other.

Which is better? Neither. They are both excellent! Different vacation experiences and expectations.

 

[ktlm]

Both. As the others have said we usually spend a full week at WDW never leaving Disney property. For DL, we will spend 3-4 days there, and then the rest of the week doing other stuff in Southern California.

 

[DisDaze]

They are both wonderful, I don't find one "better" than the other. When we have gone to Disneyland we usually spend 3 days in the parks and then do other southern california attractions. When we go to Disney World we usually do at least 7 days in the parks and don't usually do any other Orlando attractions - except for last year we tried Universal Orlando and the new Harry Potter attractions, which were great.

 

[croppincolburn]

This DL board may be a little biased. LOL

Both are wonderful. Living most my life in So. Cal. I'm always going to be biased toward DLR. There are comparisons around. Might check the stickies to see it one is up there.

 

[SGMCO]

WDW--What I like about WDW is that they have the room to put on a great
Fantasmic Show--everyone has a seat, you don't have to stand.
Since WDW was created with so much more space to work with, it doesn't feel crowded as DL does. There is also so much more to do at WDW than
DL--you cna visit several times and not get everything in. Love the Dining plan and the restaurants are excellent at WDW. Downtown Disney at WDW is also hugh with plenty to do. We are also able to stay onsite at one of Disney Hotels because there is a price range for all budgets. WDW also has free, easy to use transportation from Airport and to all of the parks. WDW has two extra whole parks, Animal Kingdom and Epcot both of which are excellent and very unique. WDW has a monorail that can take you between Magic Kingdom and Epcot.

DL has rides and shows that WDW doesn't have. It is the original park.
Sorry I can't list much more.

 

[HydroGuy]

So hard to say...

I think others have summarized things so well. WDW is better for a more immersive, full-scale vacation. The DL park is the best theme park in the world so DLR has the best park. DLR is not as immersive but has some awesome shows. WDW has better dining and better music and more things to do. DLR has better weather especially in the summer.

As far as Disney magic, they are both loaded with it!

 

[Huff]

WDW--What I like about WDW is that they have the room to put on a great Fantasmic Show--everyone has a seat, you don't have to stand.

Yes, seating is certainly nice at WDW and DL's viewing is a pain. However, the use of Rivers of America at DL is a huge plus for show quality. DL's Fantasmic show itself is far superior to me. The use of the Mark Twain and Columbia ships is awesome. The dragon is incredible!! Just a better show.

 

[traylorc]

Let's put it this way...my time spent at WDW has always been more a more immersive experience, particularly when you stay on property. I can go to WDW and totally forget about the "real world" for 8-9 days.

I like DL too, but it is not the same experience for me. But if I want a taste of the Disney magic for a couple of days, going to DL gives me my Disney "fix".

 

[Jacie]

At WDW, I feel like you are always on the bus or waiting for the bus. Bus, bus, bus. Staying on site is great, and a nice feeling- Definitely wish DL had more options (without gouging you!) but they just don't.
As for the parks, I much prefer CA and DL to the four parks at WDW. The only thing I wish the DLR parks had that WDW does, are more dining options.
DLR has many more classic Disney Rides, you don't spend 2 hours a day on a bus, and it has the magical feeling for me.
My vote is DLR, hands down.

 

[MorganDLR]

I personally consider them equal but different. I see it this way ...

- Disneyland is better for shorter trips/vacations.
- Walt Disney World is better for longer fully immersive vacations (1 week or more)

Yeah, pretty much this. WDW has TONS to offer, Magic Kingdom is just a small part of it. Animal Kingdom, Epcot, etc. are all amazing but you need a longer vacation to experience it all. DLR is perfect for day trips however, and I like a lot of Disneyland's ride versions better.

 

[korg]

Being from the east coast I've been to WDW about 8 times, each time for a week to 10 days. We use to stay on property, now we "own" a time share at the Bonnet Creek Resort which is right on Disney property boardering Epcot It's amazing and is on Disney land but actually isn't owned by Disney. Each time I've gone to WDW for more than 7 days I've also gone to either Universal Studios (One or both parks) and/or Sea World.

Some have mentioned the hassle of using Disney Busses at WDW, we always rent a car because the busses can be a pain. That said busses WILL save you money if that's important to you. Renting a car cost a little more however it gives us freedom to do anything we want without waiting and also allows us to do the non-Disney parks.

I've gone to DL once with my EX just before DCA opened. (A Month before DCA opened) My impression of DL was it was very tiny but beautiful and full of details and Disney Magic. It was charming and although I though it was tiny I still loved it, after all it's the original! I felt the Pirates and Space M attractions were better in DL than WDW but to me DL felt like a wonderful little magical place to spend a day where as WDW is a wonderful place to spend an entire week's vacation. To me DL felt like a tease to WDW. (Remember WDW is MY Disney home base and point of reference) Also the little castle at DL literally made me giggle, it's sweet but compared to the castle at WDW it's ... well ... tiny.

I'm a WDW nut (unlike my new wife who's in the "been there done that" camp) and I would spend a week or more at WDW every year if I could. My perfect WDW vacation would be 10 days, 7 day park hopper passes, one or two days at the 2 Universal Studios parks and one or 2 days of either rest or Sea World. I really enjoy BUSY vacations, sitting on a beach in the tropics in the sun or on a ship bores me after a few days.

This coming October 2012 the wife and I are going to California for a week and plan to do DL and DCA for 2 days. My ONLY gripe with DL and DCA is the fact it's just to parks and DTD. If we're there for two FULL days we will probably do just about everything we want to do at both parks. (We plan to get two day park hopper passes) We'll enjoy going to other other tourist locations while in Cal. to be sure but for me this vacation isn't going to be a "Disney vacation," it's a California vacation with a few days at Disney. When you go to WDW simply because of it's size it's a "Disney Vacation."

I'm excited to see DL and DCA with my new wife (her 1st time in California) but my only gripe is DL will only bring me into their world for a short time, WDW almost "forces" you to be engulfed in Disney Magic because of it's vast size, even the roads going to the parks are Disney roads! You don't see seedy hotels from the parks when you're in WDW, everything you see hear and smell is all Disney.

SO ... for ME WDW is THE Disney location because even though it's not the original park that Walt built it's still all Disney and the experience totally blocks out the real world while you're on vacation. That said however i'm still very excited to be going to DL this coming October. I just wish it were going to be a "Disney trip" rather than a California trip including a few days at Disneyland.

 

[peloha86]

Being from the east coast I've been to WDW about 8 times, each time for a week to 10 days. We use to stay on property, now we "own" a time share at the Bonnet Creek Resort which is right on Disney property boardering Epcot It's amazing and is on Disney land but actually isn't owned by Disney. Each time I've gone to WDW for more than 7 days I've also gone to either Universal Studios (One or both parks) and/or Sea World.

I agree, it's nice to stay on property.

Some have mentioned the hassle of using Disney Busses at WDW, we always rent a car because the busses can be a pain. That said busses WILL save you money if that's important to you. Renting a car cost a little more however it gives us freedom to do anything we want without waiting and also allows us to do the non-Disney parks.

I agree with you regarding the freedom of moving around, we feel fortunate to do so.

I've gone to DL once with my EX just before DCA opened. (A Month before DCA opened) My impression of DL was it was very tiny but beautiful and full of details and Disney Magic. It was charming and although I though it was tiny I still loved it, after all it's the original! I felt the Pirates and Space M attractions were better in DL than WDW but to me DL felt like a wonderful little magical place to spend a day where as WDW is a wonderful place to spend an entire week's vacation. To me DL felt like a tease to WDW. (Remember WDW is MY Disney home base and point of reference) Also the little castle at DL literally made me giggle, it's sweet but compared to the castle at WDW it's ... well ... tiny.

I have news for you, Disneyland is definately growing!


I'm a WDW nut (unlike my new wife who's in the "been there done that" camp) and I would spend a week or more at WDW every year if I could. My perfect WDW vacation would be 10 days, 7 day park hopper passes, one or two days at the 2 Universal Studios parks and one or 2 days of either rest or Sea World. I really enjoy BUSY vacations, sitting on a beach in the tropics in the sun or on a ship bores me after a few days.

Sunny California just might change your mind.


This coming October 2012 the wife and I are going to California for a week and plan to do DL and DCA for 2 days. My ONLY gripe with DL and DCA is the fact it's just to parks and DTD. If we're there for two FULL days we will probably do just about everything we want to do at both parks. (We plan to get two day park hopper passes) We'll enjoy going to other other tourist locations while in Cal. to be sure but for me this vacation isn't going to be a "Disney vacation," it's a California vacation with a few days at Disney. When you go to WDW simply because of it's size it's a "Disney Vacation."

Might want to tack on a day 3, just sayin'...


I'm excited to see DL and DCA with my new wife (her 1st time in California) but my only gripe is DL will only bring me into their world for a short time, WDW almost "forces" you to be engulfed in Disney Magic because of it's vast size, even the roads going to the parks are Disney roads! You don't see seedy hotels from the parks when you're in WDW, everything you see hear and smell is all Disney.

Congratulations!


SO ... for ME WDW is THE Disney location because even though it's not the original park that Walt built it's still all Disney and the experience totally blocks out the real world while you're on vacation. That said however i'm still very excited to be going to DL this coming October. I just wish it were going to be a "Disney trip" rather than a California trip including a few days at Disneyland.

I've been going to Disneyland since I was an embryo and so have our 2 kids. I have seen Disneyland grow from one tiny park to 2 parks, seen the parking lot torn up for DCA, seen lands added ie: Toontown and Carsland, a DTD, refurbished Disneyland Hotel, and an additional hotel the Grand Californian. If you stay there, it's nice to walk from the hotel right into DCA. Crazy.
Around Disneyland, there used to be a strawberry farm, minature golf, campgrounds, and other hotels, restaurants, etc. All that has changed.And it keeps on changing. Buildings have been bought, torn down, turned into Disney parking lots for what I am sure will be future Disney "lands", waterparks, etc...who knows? But Uncle Walt said Disneyland will never be finished, it will always be changing, just like WDW, it will want you to come back for more.
We went to WDW for our first time last year, went to MK, and we felt confused, but had so much fun! It was funny watching my family turning their heads, wondering where they were, how "far" everything was. The rides were also different. But we appreciate the difference. (BTW, we LOVED EPCOT, don't have that in Cali ) There is a sentimentality to both parks. Like how I was because our girls were freaking out over the "love bugs" and the size of the mosquitoes... We just couldn't afford going to Florida when we were starting out, now we are very fortunate to go at least every other year. I understand how you feel, it's where your heart is at.

Have a great time in DL/DCA. If you are going on the weekend in October, be forewarned, it will be packed! But you really need to check out the Haunted Mansion. Jack Skellington takes over during Halloween, it's awesome. Even the CM from the HM @ MK said the HM @ DL was better during Halloween.
just sayin'...

 

[korg]

I've been going to Disneyland since I was an embryo and so have our 2 kids. I have seen Disneyland grow from one tiny park to 2 parks, seen the parking lot torn up for DCA, seen lands added ie: Toontown and Carsland, a DTD, refurbished Disneyland Hotel, and an additional hotel the Grand Californian. If you stay there, it's nice to walk from the hotel right into DCA. Crazy.
Around Disneyland, there used to be a strawberry farm, minature golf, campgrounds, and other hotels, restaurants, etc. All that has changed.And it keeps on changing. Buildings have been bought, torn down, turned into Disney parking lots for what I am sure will be future Disney "lands", waterparks, etc...who knows? But Uncle Walt said Disneyland will never be finished, it will always be changing, just like WDW, it will want you to come back for more.
We went to WDW for our first time last year, went to MK, and we felt confused, but had so much fun! It was funny watching my family turning their heads, wondering where they were, how "far" everything was. The rides were also different. But we appreciate the difference. (BTW, we LOVED EPCOT, don't have that in Cali ) There is a sentimentality to both parks. Like how I was because our girls were freaking out over the "love bugs" and the size of the mosquitoes... We just couldn't afford going to Florida when we were starting out, now we are very fortunate to go at least every other year. I understand how you feel, it's where your heart is at.

Have a great time in DL/DCA. If you are going on the weekend in October, be forewarned, it will be packed! But you really need to check out the Haunted Mansion. Jack Skellington takes over during Halloween, it's awesome. Even the CM from the HM @ MK said the HM @ DL was better during Halloween.
just sayin'...

I'd do 3 days at DL in a heart beat but the wife insists "This is not a Disney trip." She has all the other days planned to see other things in Cal., I was lucky to get two Disney days out of her! She use to live in Florida close to Disneyworld and more or less burnt herself out on it. We've been there about 4 times together and each time it's like pulling teeth to get her to agree to go. I was shocked when we actually bought a time share in Orlando! She's a little excited about seeing a "different Disney" in California so maybe she'll fall in love with DL and will want to visit there more often? I'd like that!

In regard to your comments about the changes and how much bigger DL is getting ... even though my heart is at WDW I'm sure DL has made a lot of changes since my one visit around 2001 and i'm really excited to be going. I just wish i could find an excuse to spend more time there.

OH we're staying a little over an hour south and a bit inland. I think my wife wanted to make sure we weren't right on the DL doorstep! ;-)

 

[rtfelt]

Originally Posted by Warren W
Whats better?
Disneyland (Anaheim, California)
Or
Disneyworld (Orlando, Florida)

For an excellent comparison go to this post. It's very comprehensive and helped me immensely when going to WDW for the first time.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599&highlight=dl+for+wdw+veterans

 

[CamoMama]

I love them both, but they are very different. I just bought my first annual pass to Disneyland, and as I live just 8 hours up I5 I can go (TOMORROW!) for a few days on just a couple of hundred dollars if I stay at a less expensive motel in the area and that is something that I absolutely love. Disneyland also has several things that WDW does not that I have a particular attachment to (Storybookland Canal Boats). I love that everything is so close and feels more intimate at DL, and I can go from Paradise Pier at DCA to dinner at Blue Bayou with just a few minutes of walking. Many of the rides at FL are simply better (PoTC is twice as long at DL and has the restaurant inside the ride).

I love that I can stay in a Disney themed room in a Disney themed resort at WDW, and that as soon as I get off the plane I am immersed in Disney magic. I love that the dining possibilities are so varied and plentiful there. I love that I can go to AK and see live animals in a very natural habitat. I love that the castle includes a restaurant where I can take my princesses to dine with other royalty. I love everything about Epcot, especially the different ethnic dining and entertainment opportunities (Mo' Rockin'!). I love that there are a few roller coasters that DL doesn't have (Rock n'Rollercoaster, Expedition Everest).

Each also has its own drawbacks. Disneyland can feel more crowded because of its size, and it takes forever to get between parks at WDW. Which one I go to depends heavily on how much time and money that I have to spend. If I have a week or more and several thousand dollars to spend, I'll go to WDW (March 2013!). If I have a few days and a few hundred dollars, DL (TOMORROW!)