Disneyland or World for graduation trip?

[lablady]

My daughter and her boyfriend want to go on a Disney trip after graduation. His initial thougt was DL. I’m thinking WDW. Which coast would YOU recommend for two young adults traveling on their own? I’m thinking WDW because my girl is super familiar with it, more parks, and MagicExpress. Also, cheaper Disney resorts. DL is great for size, hotel proximity to parks, and the Max Pass. Hotel can be had for cheap nearby, but they don’t seem as safe to me.

What do you think? The flight costs from Alaska are close to the same. I guess I just like the idea of them being in the bubble.

 

[VandVsmama]

Is this high school or college graduation?

 

[NOLA_Tink]

If they're 18 or older, I vote DL because they can also try out for fun gameshows (Price is Right, etc.) while they're in the LA area. I went to NYC with friends for my high school graduation trip, so I was way out of "the bubble," lol.

 

[SG131]

There are some really good hotels right next to DL. I stayed a couple blocks away and walked alone after park close and felt perfectly safe. How many times has she been to WDW compared to DL? If she’s much more familiar with WDW I can understand why they’d lean more toward DL.
There’s a lot to like about DL, I’m not sure I have a favorite, but I love both for different reasons. But either way you’re at Disney so you feel pretty safe.

The only time I felt unsafe was in LA traffic! You can get a shuttle through Disney even to the offsite good neighbor hotels it just costs money. Though honestly even if it costs more I would highly recommend flying into SNA. Depending on time of day the ride from LAX can easily take 2 hrs.

 

[Disneypro1]

Disneyland is Disney’s best park. And by a mile. Goto DL. We love both WDW and DLR. but we find our selves going to DL more and more. Plus you are in So Cal. A lot to do.

 

[sponica]

I feel like WDW is easier, as in you don't have to think. Get off the plane, get onto MDE, get to hotel, etc.

But DL would be in a closer time zone (i am awful at time zone math), so less of a body clock adjustment?

I also think if you're doing the paying, you should get to pick?

 

[Macprincess]

Having lived in both Southern California and Florida, and being a Mom of two college age kids and one High School sophomore, I would suggest WDW over DL. Both parks are magical in their own way. Love them both. However, at WDW the ability to check your luggage at your home airport, take the magical express to and from the airport, easily utilize the transportation system to all the parks, restaurants, shopping ect in one local is so much easier. With DL being smaller, less parks, there is a tenancy to want to venture off site more to see California, which is great, but gets more complicated. Driving in California is an "experience" and things tend to be further distances apart. Unfortunately, public transportation in southern California is not that convenient. If they decided to got to DL I would suggest they have a rental car, if their old enough to rent one, or uber around. Traffic is often horrible so it requires a bit more planing and time to get around....I also, work in the hotel industry and have worked in two offsite, familiar brand name hotels, in Anaheim close to DL. In my honest opinion, if it were one of my kids, I would feel much safer if they were staying onsite at WDW. Either way I hope they have a wonderful vacation.

 

[RamblingMad]

DL.

The hotels nearby are fine. And when I go, I take a hotel shuttle over. No problems.

And you can take a super shuttle from the airport to your hotel.

 

[RamblingMad]

There are some really good hotels right next to DL. I stayed a couple blocks away and walked alone after park close and felt perfectly safe. How many times has she been to WDW compared to DL? If she’s much more familiar with WDW I can understand why they’d lean more toward DL.
There’s a lot to like about DL, I’m not sure I have a favorite, but I love both for different reasons. But either way you’re at Disney so you feel pretty safe.

The only time I felt unsafe was in LA traffic! You can get a shuttle through Disney even to the offsite good neighbor hotels it just costs money. Though honestly even if it costs more I would highly recommend flying into SNA. Depending on time of day the ride from LAX can easily take 2 hrs.

This.

I wouldn’t fly into LAX.

 

[disneegrl4eva]

My daughter and her boyfriend want to go on a Disney trip after graduation. His initial thougt was DL. I’m thinking WDW. Which coast would YOU recommend for two young adults traveling on their own? I’m thinking WDW because my girl is super familiar with it, more parks, and MagicExpress. Also, cheaper Disney resorts. DL is great for size, hotel proximity to parks, and the Max Pass. Hotel can be had for cheap nearby, but they don’t seem as safe to me.

What do you think? The flight costs from Alaska are close to the same. I guess I just like the idea of them being in the bubble.

DL is great for size, hotel proximity to parks, and the Max Pass. Hotel can be had for cheap nearby, but they don’t seem as safe to me.
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not safe? you just think that because your probably not familiar with it like wdw. However, let me tell you she's super safe...I let my 13 yo gs go back and forth between DL and CA all the time without us and I don't even like him walking down the street after school here and it's probably fine lol...its small and there's always tons of people around and walking down Harbor plus McDonalds and Ihop and all the other restaurants are open till super late...For graduation I vote for DL because then you can get her into Grad night...

 

[kwdw]

WDW for high school graduates. Definitely. I think the bubble is good for folks that age on an adventure like that. With DME, they don't have to worry about any other ground transportation navigation. And the number one thing you said to lead me to that conclusion - your daughter is more familiar with it. That's a huge confidence builder.

I've been to DL three times now as a solo, adult female traveler. WDW feels much safer to me.

And frankly - not sure how long how long of a trip this will be - but anything over 3 days at DL/CA - and they are going to start in investigate how to venture to other places - and possibly/probably without your knowledge. Sure - if they are 18 yo and adults - that's their choice. But you are mom - and I'm sure you'll worry regardless of which you choose to support.

Definitely SNA if they go to DL though. LAX sucks.

 

[Brett Wyman]

The bubbles always better*

*Unless you want see Cars Land, ride a better Space mountain, better Pirates, better Autopia, better Small World and Indiana Jones kills Dinosaur.