Disneyland or WDW?

[Sid74]

Hi,

We have been to WDW twice now, in October 2007 and October 2009, and DH and I are going again in December, for our first ever trip without the kids, as it is our 20th anniversary. We absolutely love it there, and are DVC members.

We had planned to take a family trip to Disneyland in September/ October 2012, and stay in a studio at the Grand Californian, using DVC points, for a week. Then go back to WDW in 2013.

Fast forward to our 2009 trip to WDW, and our recent trip to Disneyland Paris. Our late teenage DDs decided to be a nightmare all through both holidays, and my very laid back DH decided enough was enough.

So, we are now trying to decide whether to take the trip to Disneyland, or go to WDW instead. Either way the kids won't be coming with us. The eldest starts University this year, and the youngest goes next year.

I like to plan, so the fact that I wouldn't be able to book with my DVC points until 7 months before the trip to LA, bothers me. I am worried about getting flights, at a good price at that late stage. I am also wondering if it is a good idea to go so close to the supposed completion date of all the Disneyland renovation work?

I am considering an October/ November trip to WDW, with maybe a 3 night Disney cruise. This would be our first cruise, and I am not too sure what I should be looking at, cabin wise, if we go down this route.

Sorry this is a little long, I am just a bit up in the air with this right now, and need some opinions from people who have done one, or the other, or both.

Thanks.

 

[disneyholic family]

you could also combine a disneyland visit with a disney cruise line cruise..
the wonder just moved to the west coast...

to answer your question.....it's very difficult to compare WDW and DL - they are so very different...DL is much smaller....

however, there is so much else to see in california, in addition to DL, i think it might be a nice thing to do....a nice change...

 

[Chilly]

Why do you need to wait till 7 months to book your flights? Is it because if you can't get in the Grand Californian you won't go?

I think there are 2 different Disney Cruises that go from LA, one to Mexico and one to Alaska.

 

[Sid74]

Thanks for the quick responses.

DH is sceptical of cruising in general, so the idea of a longer cruise doesn't appeal to him. It has taken me the last couple of years to persuade him to try the 3 day one. So the longer Californian cruises are not an option at the moment, maybe in the future?

We would love to do a road trip through the US, as there are a number of places we would like to visit, but at the moment the plan is just for the week at Disneyland.

We want to stay at one of the Disneyland hotels, we like to stay on site, so if we have to pay it kind of defeats the object of having DVC points.

 

[wayneg]

As Beth says they are very difficult to compare. I could spend a week in WDW but not in DL, 2 parks 2 days possibly 3 days but then I would have to go elsewhere.
Hotels I think at WDW are expensive but couldn't believe cost at DL and we went Oct, off season. Some offsite hotels are closer than onsite there, many you walk just across the road into Disney unlike WDW. When I booked I think the cheapest basic room onsite was about £175/night compared to an oversized room offsite for £35.

For cruising there could be no-one more sceptical than me a few years back, didn't think I could possibly enjoy it, now have our 8th cruise booked for this August, I thought the parks were good but Disney cruising beats them for me.

IMO DL is good to call at as part of a roadtrip/multi stay but not somewhere for a whole weeks holiday unless you have a car and use as a base.

 

[Sid74]

Thanks for your thoughts Wayne.

We have to do everything at a much slower pace than most people due to a couple of medical conditions I have, one of which makes it very hard for me to walk for any length of time, that is why we want to go to Disneyland for a week. I have been told that it is just a matter of time until I am in a wheelchair, but I am stubborn and am determined to fight it all the way, so I won't use one at Disney.

One of the reasons that I want DH to try the Disney cruises is because of you, Wayne. After seeing how sceptical you were, but how much you love them now, I figured I had a chance of changing his mind.