Disneyland or WDW ????

[tapdancer]

Opinions Please

We have pretty much 99% decided to do Disneyland then Hawaii next September.

We travelled last year to WDW and stayed at the Beach Club and had an absolute ball. I also felt that I would return with the children at some stage so didn't feel the need to rush and see everything "we would do it next time".

It appears this will be our last trip to Disney with our 3 children. My daughter will be 18 and my boys 15 and 13 at the time of travel.

My head is saying lets do Disneyland (we did go in 1999 my daughter was 3 1/2) as there's now Carsland and California Adventure, but my heart is saying lets go back to WDW. I have just sent an email to Magical Journey's asking for pricing, if it's way too expensive then there's my answer but if it's not ????

I'm just worried I'm trying to recreate our amazing holiday of last year and will it be the same?? Anyway what are your thoughts??

Thanks everyone

 

[Rebekkap]

I've been to both, and I love Disneyland more. And the new Cars Land is sooo cool!

 

[Melbourne5]

Wow...'the most difficult question' of all. I asked for opinions in a similar thread that you might find useful.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2904516

We just returned from DLR and have to say we loved it. We have done DLR 3 times and WDW once over the last 4 years.

If I tried to stay objective for a moment perhaps ask answer these questions;

Do you have a long trip or short trip planned ( same goes for budget).. I would think if you don't have long DLR is the place as the parks could be a 3-4 day prospect and close to LAX for access to Australia. If you have plenty of time and money WDW is a better proposition

Will you add on extras? Cruises, NYC lend themselves more to WDW, LV or soCal then DLR is the one

For us after much thinking and Enjoying the reborn DCA and the magic that is the original Disneyland it's the DLR for us by a nose.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Both. If it is your last trip with the kids, then make it as magical as it possibly can be.

Of course....it depends on your finances.

 

[tapdancer]

Darn those finances

It would be for 10 nights then 5 or 6 in Hawaii. I'm thinking hubby will say WDW with no Hawaii or DLR with Hawaii. We would probably stay 14 nights in WDW if there was no Hawaii. Way to much to think about!!!!

 

[PrincessInOz]

10 nights in WDW and 5 or 6 nights in So Cal.

 

[Ozdisneydreamin]

My first love is with Disneyland so
I would do that then Hawaii because I would just love to go back to Aulani!!

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

I agree that it's a time based decision. If you have more time then do WDW, if you don't, then do DLR.

Your kids would likely absolutely adore NYC at those ages and it's just a hop skip and a jump from WDW.

 

[tapdancer]

I agree that it's a time based decision. If you have more time then do WDW, if you don't, then do DLR.

Your kids would likely absolutely adore NYC at those ages and it's just a hop skip and a jump from WDW.

I know ms shutter girl if you're going to wdw might as well throw in NYC

If you were doing wdw 10 nights and 5 nights NYC what would your budget be? I'm thinking $24000 would be our max budget

 

[battymum]

Yep, that would cover it!

We did 9nights WDW, 4nights NYC, 4nights Universal Hard Rock Hotel and a 7night Freedom of the seas cruise last year with our family of five within that sort of budget.

Although it does depend where you stay in WDW - we had two rooms at Pop Century and loved it!!

 

[WAMUMOF4]

After doing both on this trip we all still say Disneyland, Carsland is awesome it's to know its your last trip with all your kids which is why we did both The kids have had a blast I was a little worried we may be doing to much Disney but apparently not they can't wait to get back to Disneyland today.

 

[tapdancer]

Thanks so much everyone, you have given me lots to think about and ponder

I think the scenarios would probably be:-

Disneyland 10 nights and 5 or 6 in Hawaii - I'm wondering though if 10 nights is too long, we have done Las Vegas San Fran before so wouldn't worry again
WDW 10 nights and 5 in Hawaii ( I like this idea best )
WDW 8 nights, DL 3 nights Hawaii couple nights

I think we will leave NY for now and go at a later time, just the two of us.

It would also depend on flight costs, we fly as 5 adults from Tasmania so flights are expensive although my 18 yo is paying her own flights.

I have asked Magical Journey's for costings and Free Dining would also be a deciding factor. If I get costs for all scenarios then present to DH for him to decide

 

[Mum from oz]

I like the 10 night WDW and 5 nights Hawaii option.
The 8 nights WDW, 3 DL and a few in Hawaii just seem to short a time to spend at each. Good luck deciding.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

I just think WDW has more to offer your family with your kids at the ages they are? I think 10 nights at DL is too many.

I hope one of the scenarios prices out to suit your budget and your DH comes around.

We budget $1000 per day away with a family of 4 so I would say if you are only thinking 15 days approx with a family of 5 that you would be under $20k

 

[tapdancer]

We have just had pricing back from Magical Journeys and Beach Club is out of our budget this time and I have asked them to quote Port Orleans Riverside if anyone has any reviews of this resort? My DH is not keen on a value resort so I'm thinking this is our next best option. (he didn't like the volume of people lining up for buses to these resorts)

It would also be dependant on free dining and dates haven't been released yet but my travel agent is confident they will be offered at the date we are travelling.

I'm feeling excited now that plans are taking shape, DH said last night he is happy to go along with what I want to do. Both my boys want to go back to WDW and 18 yo DD is undecided, she thinks Anaheim would be better as we haven't been since the additions and I explained that Fantasy Land would probably be open so think she is happy to go back. My daughter is paying for her own flights (or part of) this time which helps alot.

Now I need to buckle down and save I saved $22000 last time we went in 9 months and it was insane so hoping having 12 months to save lightens the load a bit.

Also not looking forward to my mother's reaction at another trip she think's its ridiculous but do I care NO.

 

[Travel Mum]

Well we loved POR but admittedly I have no other WDW resort to compare it to as that's the only one we have stayed at. I loved the beautiful grounds with the peaceful river meandering through the resort - it was such a lovely respite from the busyness of the theme parks. The food court was great and, since reading about other resort quick service options, I believe POR food court is one of the best, if not the best. However, I'm not sure whether a 13 year old would fit on the new murphy bed. When we were there, it was the old pull out bed and, during what turned out to be a few "musical beds" nights, even DH and I each had a night on it. That was fine because, as it was on the floor, it was okay that DH's legs were off the bed however, now that the new Murphy bed is raised, you'd have to make really sure that the child was not longer than the bed.

 

[tapdancer]

Well we loved POR but admittedly I have no other WDW resort to compare it to as that's the only one we have stayed at. I loved the beautiful grounds with the peaceful river meandering through the resort - it was such a lovely respite from the busyness of the theme parks. The food court was great and, since reading about other resort quick service options, I believe POR food court is one of the best, if not the best. However, I'm not sure whether a 13 year old would fit on the new murphy bed. When we were there, it was the old pull out bed and, during what turned out to be a few "musical beds" nights, even DH and I each had a night on it. That was fine because, as it was on the floor, it was okay that DH's legs were off the bed however, now that the new Murphy bed is raised, you'd have to make really sure that the child was not longer than the bed.

Yes, that is a good point. Our daughter slept on the day bed at Beach Club last time, she isn't very tall so might be ok for her. My boys are tall so probably will be her sleeping on it.

 

[Royal Consort]

It would also be dependant on free dining and dates haven't been released yet but my travel agent is confident they will be offered at the date we are travelling.

Would it be easier for you to book direct with Disney yourself? I couldn't imagine not having that control over my plans and booking. I jumped online and on the phones when reservations opened and snapped them up myself. It gave me peace of mind because otherwise I'd be worrying if my travel agent was getting on to it as quickly.

Of course other people may not be as with their itinerary control issues. hehe.

 

[ColinA]

We have just had pricing back from Magical Journeys and Beach Club is out of our budget this time and I have asked them to quote Port Orleans Riverside if anyone has any reviews of this resort? My DH is not keen on a value resort so I'm thinking this is our next best option. (he didn't like the volume of people lining up for buses to these resorts)

POR review on allears

http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2012/08/port_orleans_riverside_room_re.html

 

[tapdancer]

Wow those pull out beds at POR are tiny, there's no way any of my children would fit on them. Oh well back to the drawing board