Disneyland or Disneyworld?

[Bravemouse]

I have no idea what category this would go but:

Disney world or Disneyland?

It's hard to pick between the two because i don't know which one to choose and I've never been there. The reason why i want to know is for my little sister, she is eight and wants to go so badly. She loves the Disney princesses and obsesses constantly, Belle is her favorite.
Which place has more princesses? or are they the same? I was able to afford to go this year for my entire family but my mother for some reason was against it this year. I have a summer job that involves me going away for months, i can earn the cash to go there but it will take everything i have. This is my last and only chance of taking her and my family after the summer, so if go which one should i choose? I would go for a full week, i think that's long enough, what do you guys think?​

 

[Micca]

Both are beyond wonderful, but all things being equal princess fans should try WDW.

 

[Sweettears]

You would have to price them out and see how much you can afford. On a limited budget you probably can't stay for more than a few days. The airfare from the Yukon to CA is probably less than it is to FLA. However if it's a once in a lifetime trip and you can afford it I would opt for WDW.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

~I would spend the week at Disney World!!! I've never been to Disneyland, I would love to go, but it will only be for 3 days! Have fun!

 

[Bravemouse]

My parents can't afford it but i'm going to surprise them with it, My budget is around 13 is that ok?

 

[chicklet2]

I vote for Walt Disney World. It's funny because my best friend and I just returned on Monday from our first visit to Disneyland.After now finally seeing both our favorite is by far WDW. Disneyland is fun and neat to see but the big Disney experience is most certainly Walt Disney World. There are more princesses for sure at WDW and dining options with them as well. As far as your budget, it all depends on where you want to stay and what kind of room. so you can go for little or lot, your budget will work fine

 

[jworthy]

I'll comment on this one. Our family has been to DL well over a hundred times (past season pass holders) and we have made 6 trips to DW. I often get asked by co-workers and friends why do we fly all the way to Florida to go to DW when we can drive just a few hours to DL. My answer to them is simple. If we just want to take a weekend trip we go to DL, but if we want a VACATION we go to DW. We love DL and actually prefer it to MK, but DW offers so much more than DL does. At DW, your completely emersed in the magic of Disney. Of course DW has more parks, but it also has lots of other activies to do such as fishing, boating, para sailing, race car driving, more tours, more shows, more restaurants, more shopping. LA has lots to do of course, but it isn't Disney. If you want to do just Disney than I would choose DW. IF you want to visit and see more of LA, than I would choose DL. Hope that helps.

 

[dnsmills]

I've been to WDW twice (going back in 17 days!!!) and went to DLR (Disneyland Resort) this past June. Comparing WDW to DLR is like apples & oranges. Yes, they are both Disney but totally different experiences. Both have their pros & cons.

At WDW you are enveloped in a total world experience. They own all the surrounding land so they can control what you see & hear both inside & outside the parks. DLR is a resort area right in the middle of a city. Harbor Blvd is literally 75 ft away from the edge of tomorrow land. They do a good job of hiding the outside world while you're in the parks but.........you still know.

At WDW the parks (other than Epcot & DHS) are quite a bit away from each other and you would either have to have a car or use the Disney transportation. At DLR the 2 parks are facing each other about 500 feet apart and Downtown Disney is just on the other side of the parks. This makes park hopping a breeze. On our last day, we had breakfast in Disneyland, went over and spent a few hours at California Adventure and then went back to Disneyland for the evening. There are 3 Disney hotels and quite a number of other hotels right across the street. Everything is within walking distance. We stayed at a hotel about 1 mile away and used the Anaheim Rapid Transit system to get back & forth to the parks and it was quick & efficient.

At WDW there are 4 parks & 2 water parks plus, if you feel so inclined, Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure is across town (Harry Potter is amazing!) so you can easily spend 7+ days in Orlando. Every time we go we do a 10 day trip: 2 travel days, 7 days at parks and 1 day off. At DLR there are only 2 parks. Of course, there is Univ Studios there as well as other local parks but it's not nearly the draw that Univ Studios is in Orlando. We had 4 days at the DLR parks and that was plenty. I actually think 3 would've been plenty. The 4th day was just gravy.

While both resorts share some of the same rides & shows, each one has some things the other doesn't. WDW has Test Track, Mission Space, Rockin' Roller Coaster, Expedition Everest, etc. DLR has Mr. Toad's Wild Ride (classic!), Indiana Jones, California Screamin, etc. Each place has it's own great exclusive rides.

My advice: research both, weigh the options, figure out how much time & money you have to spend and make an informed decision for yourself. Both are awesome and would be excellent adventures. Good luck!

 

[TinkerbellinLouisian]

Well - I've only been to DL 1-2x.... but was a child so can't really count that...

WDW about 23 times or so over my 47 years.

I've *heard* that lines at WDW are *better*.... (Hearsay)

I've *heard* that WDW can be managed on a budget. (Read: Cheaper)

I have myself done WDW on a $1300 budget although that has been years ago...

YOU my dear must be just a STELLAR Person for doing this for your sister... ((HUGS)) wish you lived near me... I'd hire you in an instant.

LOOK out for Disney Deals... they currently have a "Free Dining" deal. You can find out about those on here.... go to disneyworld.com and sign up for updates.... they will send you deals online to your email....

Go to their vacation planning site and plan vacations constantly... sometimes this leads to a "Special Package" that will be sent to you.

I'm hoping you can take advantage of an offer because that will help your budget take you MUCH Further....

LOOK at the value resorts and price out a few vacations. Learn as much as you can on disboards, allearsnet.com and disneyworld.com.

Have a magical trip. I think you will. You work hard and your rewards will come.

Mary

 

[parkhopping]

I have been to both as well and agree with PPs who would recommend WDW if your budget allows it. Especially with your sister being a big Belle fan - the New Fantasyland section of MK features an entire area dedicated to Beauty and the Beast. There is an attraction where you interact with Belle, Gaston's Tavern, and the Be Our Guest restaurant that is set inside the Beast's castle. I'm sure she'd be thrilled to see all of that!

 

[stephm0188]

I'm more partial to WDW for the reasons others have mentioned. The overall experience is just WOW. You are immersed in all things Mouse. There is nothing that compares to walking into MK for us. We both get that lump in our throats and a little teary eyed because we are there. And Cinderella's castle beats Sleeping Beauty's castle any day of the week.

We went to DL in Sept and I just never had that magical wow feeling. Harbor Blvd is right there. Both parks are right there. There's no anticipation. No ferry boat across the lake, no rope drop show (at least not during the 3 days we were there!) none of the little extras that we loved at WDW. Now, don't get me wrong, DL has some great things going for it. Several of the rides there were way better than their WDW counterparts. There were several rides that were totally unique to DL as well, and Cars Land? Well, Cars Land was by far my favorite Disney attraction to date. But it's not enough for me. I need the full experience WDW offers.

 

[minnie mum]

Fellow Canadian here. I can understand the quandary that you are in regarding picking one coast over the other. I have to agree with the PPs that WDW is a far different and much more immersive experience than DL. I really like both parks, but couldn't imagine spending a whole week at DL- 3-4 days tops is all you really need. While a week at WDW barely lets you hit the high points, there's just so much to see and do.

The biggest chunk of your budget will be airfare. Stalk the various airline websites for seat sales- it can save you hundreds of dollars. As some of the other pps have mentioned, look carefully for special deals on resorts from Disney. Getting a really good discount on a value resort can also save you a lot of money.

Research, research, research. The various boards on this site can help you with different questions you may have. There is a forum just for Canadians that may be of help with things like airfare, travel insurance, travel agents, etc. Allears.net and mousesavers.com are also great sites with info on WDW. Mousesavers also has a historical record of past discounts at WDW resorts that could help you see when certain types of discounts have been offered that may be of use to you.

I really think it's commendable that you are willing to work so hard to do this for your family. Good luck with all of your plans.

 

[leeg229]

I would go for a full week, i think that's long enough, what do you guys think?​

I was just there for 6 months and that wasn't long enough to do everything.

But to directly answer your question I think Walt Disney World would be the better option. As someone previously stated it's much more immersive. You also have 4 parks at your disposal as well as downtown disney.

 

[GreenCntryGirl]

Walt Disney World.

I've done the math over and over again and for us we get a longer vacation at Walt Disney World than we would at Disneyland for the same amount of money. Airfare for us is about the same since we are in the central US.

 

[Herfnerd]

Been to both and both are great, but would choose WDW as a better all around vacation!

 

[kohlby]

DW. As for a week, it's a good length for a vacation since it's going to get more expensive the longer you do and it adds up! Many people go for a week. It is impossible to see everything in a week. But that's okay! You will do a lot and will have a blast.

 

[blessedby3]

I would also choose WDW for a first time trip...so much more to see and do and lots of Princesses there!

 

[JessM]

I've been to both but I would definitely pick WDW if your budget allows for it, and especially if you are looking to do an entire week. I did most of DL in just an evening, WDW is definitely more of a week long vacation destination. You could also set up a meal in the castle with your sister or just take her around the new Fantasyland. Lots of princesses to be found in WDW! Have fun!

 

[interstate70s]

I bet if you asked this question on the DL board you'd get different answers.

I've been to both and so has DH, though haven't been to WDW recently. We prefer DL for convience sake. Everything is so wonderfully close together. We don't like driving or riding buses everywhere and airfare is cheeper from where we live. DH loyalty is all about the weather as well, not so miserably humid.

That said we are going to WDW for our next trip and are very excited. You won't be selling yourself short with either. Both have lots of opportunities to meet princesses.

 

[lsulindy]

I bet if you asked this question on the DL board you'd get different answers.

Making our first DL trip next year. You'll get a completely different point of view on their board. I'm looking forward to being able to walk to the parks from my hotel! We'll see when I get back which we prefer, but I'm going to try to just enjoy the experience and not compare.

As far as budget, It can vary greatly. Our first WDW trip without airfare was under $2000. Second was $2500. DL trip is currently looking to be around $2000 without airfare. But you can easily go WAY higher than that.