Disneyland versus Disneyworld: Your views please

[NotSoEvilStepmother]

I've been to both as well, and I've got to go against the tide and say that WDW is definately my favorite. I've grown up going to DL and I love the quantness and the beautifulness of the park. I also love that it is Walt's original. But WDW, as another poster's daughter stated, has more options. I like going through DTD at WDW rather than DL because there's more than just a strip of things to do, most of which are eating (at DL). I also LOVE Fantasyland in WDW. I do love DL's but, to me, WDW just seems much more like a fairy tale.
But, as rides go, many of the same rides at DL kick WDW's butt (with the exception of Haunted Mansion). Soarin' in EPCOT was just boring, but in DCA, it's thrilling.
When talking stress, my one WDW vacation was much more stressful than Disneyland. I felt like I HAD to do everything because if I didn't, I might not be able to do them at all--for years. WDW is definately very stressful. Disneyland can be too, but you aren't about to fall asleep on Main Street halfway through the trip due to extensive park touring.
Now, I have to say this. If you've been to WDW and are looking for something different, then definately try DL. It's not necessary to stay onsite (in 20+ visits, I've never stayed OS). But also take some time to enjoy the ocean, San Diego, and all over the state.
The most magical part of a Disney vacation, after all, is having fun with your family. No matter where you are.

 

[alvernon90]

I would have to give my vote to WDW presuming you have the time and money to stay at least a week, and probably 10 days is better. It is just so much nicer to go to a place where everything is clean and shipshape all the time. The hotels are way better, too.

Mainly, though, it is the fact that there is so much more to do at WDW. They have some amazing golf courses. The water parks are great fun. DisneyQuest is absolutely awesome. The most fun thing on the entire property is renting those little speedboats at the Contemporary and zipping around the lake with the Magic Kingdom in the background. Downtown Disney is better, Stormalong Bay is the greatest hotel swimming pool ever, you can play clay court tennis at the Grand Floridian, I could go on and on. Plus Islands of Adventure is right up the road, and that place is way better than Knott's Berry Farm.

If you only have two days, definitely go for DL. You get more bang for your time and possibly more bang for your buck as well.

3 words... It's the original.

WDW is amazing, but for me it does not share the same magic that DLR has. This is the land that Walt built. The only park he was ever in.

Forgive me, but I've never really understood this as a reason. Leaving aside the validity of the Walt worship that you see frequently on these boards, the fact that Walt Disney was there 40 years ago just doesn't mean anything today. The place is too different from what it was back then.

 

[Lynzer Torte]

Forgive me, but I've never really understood this as a reason. Leaving aside the validity of the Walt worship that you see frequently on these boards, the fact that Walt Disney was there 40 years ago just doesn't mean anything today. The place is too different from what it was back then.

Does it matter? That's his opinion and he's certainly entitled to it. There's no need for him to explain himself.

 

[disneynerd420]

The reason that I and so many people feel this way is simple. While WDW is grand and magical... it would not stand today, without the Land that started it all.

Disneyland was a park built by a Father for his daughters. Walt Disney World was a park built by a committee for the masses. It is true that Disneyland has changed immensely since July 17th 1955. But for so many of us, it still represents that feeling of magic and family. There is something subtle about the difference. WDW just doesn't feel as personable.

I hope that helps you understand,

 

[Lynzer Torte]

The reason that I and so many people feel this way is simple. While WDW is grand and magical... it would not stand today, without the Land that started it all.

Disneyland was a park built by a Father for his daughters. Walt Disney World was a park built by a committee for the masses. It is true that Disneyland has changed immensely since July 17th 1955. But for so many of us, it still represents that feeling of magic and family. There is something subtle about the difference. WDW just doesn't feel as personable.

I hope that helps you understand,

While I don't think you needed to justify your reasoning, that was well said disneynerd.

 

[alvernon90]

I apologize if I implied that I was somehow demanding an explanation for the viewpoint, which actually is quite common on these boards. I was not.

I only meant that "Walt slept here" doesn't strike me as a good reason to favor DLR over WDW. The "built by committee" reason is a legitimate reason, though one that I happen to disagree with. But I get the impression that for a lot of people it is more like a celebrity thing, like you would more highly value a t-shirt because Brad Pitt wore it at some point in the past. The fact that Walt Disney never lived to visit WDW is, to me, irrelevant in weighing the two resorts against each other.

 

[Sherry E]

I apologize if I implied that I was somehow demanding an explanation for the viewpoint, which actually is quite common on these boards. I was not.

I only meant that "Walt slept here" doesn't strike me as a good reason to favor DLR over WDW. The "built by committee" reason is a legitimate reason, though one that I happen to disagree with. But I get the impression that for a lot of people it is more like a celebrity thing, like you would more highly value a t-shirt because Brad Pitt wore it at some point in the past. The fact that Walt Disney never lived to visit WDW is, to me, irrelevant in weighing the two resorts against each other.

I would love to visit WDW one day, but, as Pink Budgie stated, it does seem very overwhelming. WDW would not exist without DLR - there is no getting around that. And I don't think the DIS-ers who have expressed that they appreciate Walt's personal touch on DL are viewing through celebrity-worn, rose-colored glasses. I think that what they are saying is that DL was made with love, by Walt for his kids - it was a true labor of love - and you can feel that love and affection for the park he made for them all around in DL. It's in the details. It's in the hidden nooks and corners. It's in the colors and in the rides. Maybe it is something just in the air in DL that is intangible, but it IS there. We all feel it. You know how the meat loaf that you get at a restaurant may be good, but it is never quite as good as the one mom or grandma used to make? Mom and grandma made that meat loaf with love!

Also, I should point out that people were telling me more than 20 years ago that WDW (specifically MK) was more sterile and had less character and charm to it than DL had/has. So there is something that DL has that seems to be lacking in WDW - or maybe just in the MK.

 

[disneynerd420]

I apologize if I implied that I was somehow demanding an explanation for the viewpoint, which actually is quite common on these boards. I was not.

I only meant that "Walt slept here" doesn't strike me as a good reason to favor DLR over WDW. The "built by committee" reason is a legitimate reason, though one that I happen to disagree with. But I get the impression that for a lot of people it is more like a celebrity thing, like you would more highly value a t-shirt because Brad Pitt wore it at some point in the past. The fact that Walt Disney never lived to visit WDW is, to me, irrelevant in weighing the two resorts against each other.

I don't think you quite get it. Believe me, I'm not trying to start an agurment or force you to agree with me, I just want you to understand my pattern of thought.

It is not a celebrity thing. Disneyland was Walt's dream for a place where children and parents can have fun together. A place where he could spend time with his family. Disneyland was built for Walt... he just let everyone else come to play.
The land, financed largely out of Walt's pocket, was Disney's dream to use his and his company's storytelling abilities combined with state of the art technology, to entertain people of all ages and keep the crowds coming back. Despite the press predicting failure within a year, they did just that... so much so that it was evident that they needed to do it again. This time it had to be bigger. Admitedly, they made some mistakes with DL... but Walt was determined to fix those. He started buying land in secret. They started designs. Then Disney fell ill. He was unable to complete the Walt Disney World project.

Walt Disney World... the park named after Walt Disney, when in realty, Disney had little to do with it. Yes... it was his idea, but it did not have that same feeling of a Father's touch. I know this sound ridiculous. I'm very sorry if you can't feel that same feeling. But when I'm in Disneyland, it's simply about the love and magic and the thought that Dreams do Come True. As evidenced by the park surrounding me. Walt's park... Walt's Dream.

For many of us Disneyland is a draw due to the fact that it has history to it, it spurred so much in the way of theme parks and attractions and entertainment. So many industry wide standards have come in place to due being first implemented at DL.

Walt Disney World is a wonderful resort. I love it there and want to go back, however it doesn't hold the same draws for me as the original does.

Had Walt Disney survived through the construction of Walt Disney World I feel things would have been different.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

Technically speaking, Walt also walked on the land where WDW now sits. It's just that the "Walt was here" line of reasoning is just another way of saying that Disneyland was a park built by a father for his daughters and that WDW was built by a corporation for the masses.

Disneyland itself (not the DLR) has a special charm to it. It's extremely difficult to explain that charm. Maybe it is solely because we can watch video of Walt pulling into the station on the train with Mickey. Maybe it's because the light is on in the apartment window over the fire department. But whatever it is, a lot of us believe that it ties back into Walt somehow.

 

[daneenm]

We are CA natives, so DLR is our "home resort." We LOVE it. Having said that, we also took a trip to WDW 2 years ago and really loved that as well but for different reasons. I think HydroGuy's comparison thread is an extremely good compilation of the differences.

They are two different vacations with things you will find you like better about one and things you like better about the other.

i say, do your homework, understand the differences and go for it. It does not HAVE to be one OR the other, you can appreciate both for what they have to offer!

 

[HydroGuy]

Make sure to read the sticky at the top of the page with Hydroguy's guide to DLR for WDW vets. That will give you an idea of what to expect. And feel free to ask lots of questions!

We are CA natives, so DLR is our "home resort." We LOVE it. Having said that, we also took a trip to WDW 2 years ago and really loved that as well but for different reasons. I think HydroGuy's comparison thread is an extremely good compilation of the differences.

Here is a link:

"A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

Both resorts are great and have different things to offer. It is easy for people to prefer WDW because of its sheer size. Here are some areas where I think DLR has an advantage:

1. Proximity - everything is close, parkhopping is easy, hotels are close, you can walk everywhere and never get on a bus or boat

2. Ride Concentration - WDW's four parks have only 10% more total rides than DLR's two parks. DLR is jammed full of rides.

3. Entertainment - the top shows at DLR are better than those at WDW - Fantasmic is better IMO and most others, the Aladdin stage show is better than any WDW stage show, and the Remember Dreams Come True fireworks/special effects/laser show (currently not showing but hopefully coming back in 2010) is better than any Disney fireworks show anywhere anytime.

4. Weather - especially in the summer DLR has better weather than WDW. Less rain, less humidity, more moderate temperatures.

 

[nunzia]

Here is a link:

"A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

Both resorts are great and have different things to offer. It is easy for people to prefer WDW because of its sheer size. Here are some areas where I think DLR has an advantage:

1. Proximity - everything is close, parkhopping is easy, hotels are close, you can walk everywhere and never get on a bus or boat

2. Ride Concentration - WDW's four parks have only 10% more total rides than DLR's two parks. DLR is jammed full of rides.

3. Entertainment - the top shows at DLR are better than those at WDW - Fantasmic is better IMO and most others, the Aladdin stage show is better than any WDW stage show, and the Remember Dreams Come True fireworks/special effects/laser show (currently not showing but hopefully coming back in 2010) is better than any Disney fireworks show anywhere anytime.

4. Weather - especially in the summer DLR has better weather than WDW. Less rain, less humidity, more moderate temperatures.

Hey Hydroguy..how about doing a WDW for DLR veterans article? I'm overwhelmed trying to figure out what I really need to do in WDW as a DLR veteran.

 

[Judy from Boise]

I can confidently say I am a veteran of both, and have often stayed a week in each within 6 months. Here are some personal observations

WDW
1. much easier to plan as they publish the hours (and stick to then) 6 months in advance.
2. Better weather in the winter
3. Longer hours and full show schedule in the winter
4. Cheaper on site lodgings options
5. the "weenies" in each park are majestic and photogenic
6. Can handle crowds with less loss of "magic"

DLR
1. The crowds are friendlier, less unhappy families and people on scooters
2. The rides are better
3. I like the food better, counter service options are a definite higher quality
4. Can be accomplished in fewer days, which can make it cheaper when looking at time off of work, and lodging.
5. Being able to collect FP in each park, and easily hop just can't be beat

conclusions to follow......got to get to work.

 

[HydroGuy]

Hey Hydroguy..how about doing a WDW for DLR veterans article? I'm overwhelmed trying to figure out what I really need to do in WDW as a DLR veteran.

I have had an introductory article available for the last couple years:

"An Introduction To WDW For DLR Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=16541636

I need to update the article. One difference is that dining reservations are now possible 90 days in advance as opposed to 180 days. PM me if there is anything I can answer. The DIS WDW forum is very good but can be overwhelming!

 

[dlander]

Oh, this thread is so fun to read because it brings out my best memories of each! I am in the camp that feels the special Walt touch at DL I think WDW and DL are two totally different places that need to be experienced as such. I do have to say I think it does make a difference staying OS at Disneyland and I have done both many, many times. I am just so gratefull that Walt started something so magical for all of us

 

[05MM08MM]

I will be taking a trip to both within a week of each other, but will only have enough time to do a 1-day PH at DL (due to attending the Expo) and will be doing a 3-day PH at WDW. We also had our first family trip last year.

For me I am just a Disney fan. I am already looking at taking another vacation next year. My DD wants to go back to WDW, but I think that is mainly due to going to T-Rex cafe at DTD (she is a dino fanatic). She and DH have never been to Disneyland though and I would like to convince her to try a trip there instead...to have a new experience and it would be a lot more affordable.

Since I haven't been to DL yet take this with a grain of salt, but if money and time were not an issue and I had a choice I would go to WDW. Heck if that were the case I would love to take one trip to each; WDW in the winter or spring and DL in the summer

As stated they are both wonderful for different reasons.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

I've done both. I prefer DL. WDW has more/better food options, better dining plan. But imo, it costs more than a trip to DL. Even staying offsite at WDW costs more if you stay at one of the DTD hotels or Dolphin or Swan. The DTD hotels are comparable w/ the offsite DL hotels/motels. They run the gamut. I disliked having to get on transportation to get to the transportation center at WDW MK and then get off that and haul it to get to the gate to get into the park. WOW! That was pretty far. So we drove the rest of the trip at WDW. Ended up parking a gazillion miles away and still having to haul it via a long walking distance to another transport/monorail thingie to get into Epcot. Nuts! I love EPCOT and wish we could have one at DLR. But I like that if my DH wants to go visit LA, I can walk with my kid and feel safe doing so and get to the park in under 10 minutes. That's great! I also love that I can parkhop to either park and collect FPs. WDW, everything is so spread out that you have very little time to park hop. We bought the hoppers at WDW and were glad we did, but it really doesn't make a lot of sense because it costs so much more and again, it's difficult to hop due to the vast size of the area between the parks. you have to do transportation or rent a car. Whether I'm on site or off site, I'm at Disney, so I still feel the same warm fuzzies when I walk through the gates to the parks. To me a hotel room is just a place to sleep and shower. As long as it's safe and not $500 a night, I don't care where I sleep. But you can't beat the convenience of the 2 DLR parks. Add to the the amount of rides and attractions in such a small area, and wow! Magic! Plus it's the park that Walt built. It's the original.

 

[nunzia]

I have had an introductory article available for the last couple years:

"An Introduction To WDW For DLR Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=16541636

I need to update the article. One difference is that dining reservations are now possible 90 days in advance as opposed to 180 days. PM me if there is anything I can answer. The DIS WDW forum is very good but can be overwhelming!

Thanks!..now back to your regular discussion/argument.

 

[melancholywings]

I like them both but:

DL: More locals - which means that you'd often see behavior that was rude or entitled in a 'you're on my turf' way. Avoid peak season, or xmas weekends because it's seriously awful. No Pop Century - the cheap hotels are nice but not charming. But they are close so no transportation and if your room is right you can watch the fireworks from even a value or moderate room. The park has the prettiest face characters - many of the face characters were really stunning. And better food as dining plan hasn't ruined it. Retro themed rides that you can't find at WDW AND the non ruined 'under management' tiki hut. Plus the outside of IASM is beautiful. Different rides. And history. So much history!


WDW: Brazillian tour groups - rude, pushy and a giant mob. Amazing hotels. More food themes but the food quality takes a hit. More character dining. More rollarcoasters. It's easily a longer vacation with the multiple parks. Dirtier than DL during value season. Magical Express so no taxi shuttle. Fantasmic has seats and you don't sit on the ground. More pin trading. I think it's cheaper per day. We did a DL 3 day weekend with air at $1,500 including no food, we did DW for 9 days at $5,300 which includes all food and air.

In the end you can't go wrong with either of them.

 

[bumbershoot]

...we just got back Friday after 3 days at Disneyland .... For me, DL was just way more stressful (and we stayed at the DLH and offsite in WDW).

I would be stressed with only 3 days there, too, as a big trip. Our first big trip was 6 or 7 days total.


*********
I can't really answer the question; however, at some point soon we will be wondering what WDW is like vs DLR.

And to me, here is the ONE THING that I think people need to know, going from one to the other. (Everything else seems obvious...wdw bigger, either one will get you a bit disoriented especially comparing MK to DL, etc etc etc)

The one thing? WDW has Cinderella Castle, and DLR has Sleeping Beauty Castle. They are different castles for different princesses. Don't expect them to look the same, and definitely do not expect them to be the same size!!!!!!

To me that's the most important difference, and when we finally set the date for our first of many WDW trips, I'll be sure to "warn" hubby and son that we'll be overwhelmed by the size of Cinderella Castle.