Disneyland or WDW which would you choose ?

[Grumpy'sWife4Ever]

Granted it has been 20 years since I have been to WDW, and I am hoping to get back there again once when my kids are older because I really loved EPCOT, my heart still and always belongs in Disneyland. Sure, there is lots to do in WDW - to answer your questions you CAN go back and forth between parks, but it is quite a commute by either monorail or car to get there. The weather is hot and sticky and humid (at least if you are smart like me and go in August ) the Magic Kingdom is kind of like DL's ugly step sister - it TRIES, but the glass slipper just doesn't quite fit, you know? Still, everyone should experience WDW at least once, it is a phenomenal tourist experience and a beautiful resort complex....it just isn't home....

 

[quest4dl]

I do not want to relax ! This old granny loves to ride the coasters and all the rides. as someone said.. if its all about the rides go to WDW well it is all about the rides, and I love the magic. Where I live there is no parks, no water parks, in fact nothing. its cold, just snowed 10 inches last night and down right sickening at times.
Im am just concerened about getting lost, getting exausted just trying to find my way around . Here are some more questions.....

how does one use a scooter to get from park to park? ( yes I use one a lot because my back is so bad. ) is it possible to do a scooter with out having to turn it in before you leave one park and paying for another at another park?
I assume you can not hop from park to park as you would disneyland and DCA,so do people just stay in one park that day and another the next?

Hollywood studio's is that universal like californias?
I wish I had a good map to see what WDW looks like up close.

My MIL came with us on our last WDW trip and used a scooter in the parks. It is a bit of a hassle since you do have to turn in and get new scooters for each park. You do not pay a new fee however - just show your receipt, as it's good for the whole day. The only other caveat is that they do sometimes run out of scooters so you are not guaranteed having one. An alternative is to rent a scooter from a company for delivery to the hotel. I believe that the buses accomodate loading and unloading scooters. It's not fair, but unfortunately, you may get some impatient looks thrown your way if you do this since it does slow down the loading of the bus.

Most people do park hop - we did on our WDW visits because we like to take an afternoon break back at the hotel and then you may as well park hop. It can take some time getting from place to place in WDW since it is massive. That's why I was referring to DL as more relaxed - less logistics involved it seems. We done 4 parks in 5 days (how the heck do all these people get such generous vacation schedules - not to mention the cost of 10 day vacations!) so 2 parks in 4 days seems pretty relaxed to me!

 

[blue donkey]

For me, it would depend on the the length of vacation. If it's a week or less, DLR: over a week, WDW.

But, if it's hot & sticky, you couldn't pay me to go to WDW or DLR. Well... maybe you could. I could always use the extra cash.

 

[Judy from Boise]

Our family has done WDW,DLR, or both every year since my DD was 4. For about 1/2 of the WDW trips my parents have come along. Since we almost always take our trips in Dec-Feb, WDW is often our choice because of weather. Also with discounts we can stay at the great Swan/Dolphin resorts for half the cost of a DLR on site.
However, the DLR is our favorite....and once 2012 comes around, I can see us really cutting back on WDW. My parents will be slowing down, and the less walking will be a huge bonus. Also, we will bite the bullet and stay at GC.
The other twist is my DD is now 17, and cannot miss that week of school anymore! So the last two years we have done Universal orlando for our winter trips, because even though it is busy holiday times ( thanksgiving/New years) by staying on site, the trip is still relaxing and enjoyable.

 

[gramto2boys]

I am really leaning on going to WDW now. I wish I could find some flyers/ park maps to look at them. does anyone here have any they could spare? I am so interested in seeing this castle, and all the things all the parks have to offer. I have not paid fully my trip yet, so I am sure I could switch. I am so intrigued about seeing a different park each day. also going in December may be such a pretty time there.
Hows the weather in december in florida? can the kids still swim?
I want to thank you, for any help you can give me !! your the best!

 

[quest4dl]

Weather in Florida in December can be a bit unpredictable so you will need to pack for all types of weather! The good thing is hurricane season is over! It is also not going to be humid and hot at that time of year but it can suddenly cool down.

WDW is truly the wholy immersible Disney experience - you feel like you are in a different world. I know DL won't have that same effect so I am preparing myself. Depending on the amount of time and when you go you need to do alot of planning ahead. ADRs fill up faster at WDW so you need to plan those out as much as you can. Dining is quite varied and themed at WDW. I am also lowering my expectations for DL dining. We have splurged and booked at the GC so that the Disney spell stays more intact

 

[gramto2boys]

Weather in Florida in December can be a bit unpredictable so you will need to pack for all types of weather! The good thing is hurricane season is over! It is also not going to be humid and hot at that time of year but it can suddenly cool down.

WDW is truly the wholy immersible Disney experience - you feel like you are in a different world. I know DL won't have that same effect so I am preparing myself. Depending on the amount of time and when you go you need to do alot of planning ahead. ADRs fill up faster at WDW so you need to plan those out as much as you can. Dining is quite varied and themed at WDW. I am also lowering my expectations for DL dining. We have splurged and booked at the GC so that the Disney spell stays more intact

ADR's ? not sure what that is, and also not sure where to dine so I am not going to worry about that yet. How soon does one have to reserve for dining in WDW ?

 

[Judy from Boise]

ADRs are dining reservations. I would go to Disney.com to virtually tour the parks. You can even download adobe maps.

 

[Lady Trix]

I've never been to DL,but this is about to change!
We're going to California in July and we will have time to visit DL!I'm just so excited..I've been to WDW 5 times,and I really really love it,but I'm looking forward to experience the Walt's park!

 

[mobopolo]

We plan on taking our boys to DL first, because after all, that's where it all started. I grew up going to DL. So I feel loyal to the original. Our next dream vacation would be the Land & Sea at WDW. You spend 3 or 4 days in the parks and then 3 or 4 days on the Disney cruise. I heard the kids clubs on board are incredible and the adults get a break for some RR too. Disney even has their own private island!! I've priced out both our DL trip and the Land/Sea. Depending on the season, there is not a huge difference in price.

 

[ronandannette]

I have to say I was a bit disappointed on my first trip to WDW. Maybe it was because it was built up so much by the media and everyone else...

I couldn't agree more. Visiting Disneyland on the other hand (2 years prior to WDW) was the fulfillment of a life-long dream and even though we were only there for 1 day it is one of my most treasured experiences ever. I look fondly towards a return trip but will most likely never go back to WDW...

Yeah DL!
Annette

 

[Donald's Fan in PHX!]

Tough choice...I would go with WDW, simply because it has E V E R Y T H I N G !!! However, I grew up going to Disneyland, that's where the magic begins. DL is a true icon in our country.

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

I'm bias because I've only been to DLR. But, thinking about planning a trip to WDW totally overwhelms me. It's scary. That place is so huge and I know DLR like the back of my hand..

Plus DLR is where the true magic of Walt is.. DLR seems way more intimate to me.. And I like that..

The only thing I envy about WDW is probably they have way more on site choices to stay...

 

[rosiep]

Depends on the situation:

If I want to visit for one or two days, hands down DL, which is superior to any of the 4 WDW parks.
If I want to visit for a week or more, hands down WDW, which is larger and has more stuff to do.
If I want to stay onsite and be right in all of the magic, WDW.
If I want to save some money, while still staying near the parks, DLR.
If I want tons of unique and interesting dining choices, WDW.
If I want to have longer park hours/more time in the parks, DLR.
If I want better weather, DLR.

And the list goes on...

Right ON!

I love both parks. Chosing which one to go to depends on a lot of factors. I usually "visit" Disneyland, I 'vacation" at WDW. I appreciate the uniqueness of each of the two places and can visit one soon after having visited the other..the experiences are so different.

My daughter currently lives in California and she and I spent 3 days last week visiting DL. I have days left over on my ticket and so we'll drive over again on Monday for another day......I could never be a daytripper at WDW.
3 days was a fairly decent amount of time to be at DL...the walkability of both parks is unparelled ...I feel that 5 days (in a row) would be too much......In October I have a "vacation" of 7 days in WDW. In all those days I won't step off Disney property not once..and still, I won't have seen it all.

I love the dining experiences available at WDW and am glad to be using the DDP. Food at DL (and WDW) is EXPENSIVE!!! but dining is a large part of the experience for me. I love the bread bowls at DL and look forward to them all the time.

I spend hours, days. weeks planning my WDW trips...there's so much to do. DL is a much shorter planning period...this last trip being spur of the moment..and I still had a terrific time.

We rode NEMO after only a half hour wait!

If money were no object I would choose a WDW "vacation" anyday....it's just that much more filled with Disney for me. But make no mistake.I love DL and I think everyone should visit both parks with a open mind and embrace the wonderfulness of each!

 

[gramto2boys]

I believe we will go to WDW this time... I just have to experience it ! Does it have nemo ? Any ways I hope I can still hang out here in the disneyland board with you all. heck I do not even know where the WDW board here is :lol:
I have sooooo many questions!! And I wish I had some park maps from the parks to look over, anyone here got any??

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

We've never been to WDW, and we'd like to some day. But still, even with a choice, I'd pick DLR. It's my home park, and it's closer to home (doesn't come with a 5-6 hour plane ride, I don't do flying! LOL). There is something special about DL. Maybe because it's Walt's park, and everything is close and right there.

Some day for WDW I'm sure, but I'll always pick DL!

 

[gramto2boys]

I understand where most of you stand. Disneyland is awsome. but I am older, take care of aging parents and vacations are not in my future at this point since my parents are geting up there in ages, and have many health problems. Going now may be my only chance for many many years.
I am planning on going this fall, but the future in visiting parks will not be an option so I want to do it now while I can.

 

[rosiep]

I understand where most of you stand. Disneyland is awsome. but I am older, take care of aging parents and vacations are not in my future at this point since my parents are geting up there in ages, and have many health problems. Going now may be my only chance for many many years.
I am planning on going this fall, but the future in visiting parks will not be an option so I want to do it now while I can.

Please don't hesitate to PM me with WDW questions. It does not have Nemo but there are some rides here not at DL. Carousel of Progress, Dinosaur, and The Seas with Nemo and Friends to name a few.

-Rosie

 

[gramto2boys]

Please don't hesitate to PM me with WDW questions. It does not have Nemo but there are some rides here not at DL. Carousel of Progress, Dinosaur, and The Seas with Nemo and Friends to name a few.

-Rosie

Oh my, I have always wanted to see the carousel of progress!!! I forgot it was there I looked and there is so much to do there, I am so happy I am going there. I can not wait to figure out dates so I can finish paying it off. I got my disneyland trip almost paid for, my travel agent is going to laugh when I tell him to "change the package" thank you Rosie so much !!

 

[IndyBride]

I love everything Disney! DL wins for me everytime! I actually feel DL is more relaxing because the hotels are so close. You can easily spend a few hours relaxing by the pool and still have a day and night at the park. However, I have never stayed on property at WDW. Only at Condos near by. I have been to DL many many times and still haven't eaten everywhere I want to.

Although my goal is to visit all the Disney's of the world!