Disneyland vs Disney World

[Fantaluminishes]

The holidays at both resorts are amazing times to go. However, I recommend Disneyland for a few reasons.
1. Haunted Mansion Holiday and It's A Small World Holiday are spectacular versions of these classic rides that you can only find at Disneyland.
2. The Disneyland Candlelight Procession and Ceremony will take place during your time there. This is the original CP, and it's fantastic. But unlike at WDW, it is usually only presented over a weekend.
3. The 60th Anniversary celebration will still be happening, which means you will get to see the new "Paint The Night" parade. No word yet on which Fireworks show will be presented.
4. Disneyland doesn't have a "holiday party", so the park won't be closing early for this event.

I'm sure either way you choose to go, your family will have a great time. But this year, I'd go with Disneyland if I had the choice.

 

[AngiTN]

I've been to both WDW and DLR many times and I have enjoyed each trip. To me, neither WDW nor DLR is better than the other. They're both amazing in their own way.

Have you ever been to WDW? Assuming you haven't or you haven't been there in a while, and based on the fact you've been to DLR in 2013 and 2014, if it were me, I'd lean towards heading to WDW this year. WDW does an amazing job decorating the parks and resorts for Christmas, so it's a fun time of the year to go.

(Also, based on some reports coming out now that DLR has announced some of the 60th anniversary events, it sounds like some of the holiday entertainment will likely be on hiatus this year. So, in that way, I might wait on going to DLR during the holidays until the full holiday entertainment schedule is back up and running.)

This is exactly where my mind goes when folks ask this question.
Why does one have to be better?
Why is it a competition?
Why can't they each just be amazing in their own way?
Why does it have to be "wrong" to do one over the other?
Why can't the differences be embraced rather than compared over and over again?
It's it good they are different?

We typically go to WDW due to our location. WDW is a destination we can drive to in 1 day and we could go more than once a year if we wanted. We are going to DL this year and I don't want to compare them. I don't want one to be better than the other. I want DL to be different but not better. Otherwise, if they were the same, I'd just go to WDW.

 

[JandD75]

Don't know that I'd say one is 'better' than the other...The upside to WDW is that there is so much more to see, such as the resorts, which are beautiful, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, the water parks etc. If DL had those, it really would be paradise. The downside is that a vacation at WDW takes longer, thereby costing a LOT more. Parkhopping in WDW is cumbersome and time-consuming, so we usually do one park per day, and end up riding the same things multiple times in one day. Finally, DL has a charm that apparently is impossible to duplicate. Just my two cents' worth.

 

[mom2rtk]

Don't know that I'd say one is 'better' than the other...The upside to WDW is that there is so much more to see, such as the resorts, which are beautiful, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, the water parks etc. If DL had those, it really would be paradise. The downside is that a vacation at WDW takes longer, thereby costing a LOT more. Parkhopping in WDW is cumbersome and time-consuming, so we usually do one park per day, and end up riding the same things multiple times in one day. Finally, DL has a charm that apparently is impossible to duplicate. Just my two cents' worth.

We actually spend more at DLR than WDW. We like to stay onsite, and WDW has value resorts that allow us to accomplish that reasonably. Additionally any day above 4 or 5 on a multi-day ticket at WDW is only $10. If you want more than 5 days at DLR, you have to buy an annual pass.

 

[scrapshappen]

In the past six months we've been to DL twice and WDW once. (Not a typical year for us, it's just that my kids are on year round school together for one year so we are just going for it!) I love them both for different reasons and there are pros and cons to each and you can't go wrong choosing either. But given that you have a 2 year old in your party, I would stick with Disneyland just given that it's smaller and easier to return to hotels for naps than at WDW.

 

[Kirby]

If you decide to go to WDW then take your time there and don't go commando and try to do everything. That is probably the number 1 piece of advice that is given most often. It's huge, there is no way you can even imagine it until you experience it.

I haven't been to DL yet but I hope to make it there one day.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

DL is my home park. I love it and will always feel it's more magical. But, I'm also a local. I've been to WDW, too, and I loved it. It's just different than DL. I think DL is more relaxing and better for little ones. I didn't go to WDW until I was 16, but I feel like it's better for older kids/teenagers/adults. Another thing to consider is weather--in my limited experience it will be warm and wet in Florida in winter, and either hot and dry or cold and dry in California. If one appeals more than the other, there you have it. Anyway, you'll have a great time no matter which you choose.

 

[HydroGuy]

This is exactly where my mind goes when folks ask this question.
Why does one have to be better?
Why is it a competition?
Why can't they each just be amazing in their own way?
Why does it have to be "wrong" to do one over the other?
Why can't the differences be embraced rather than compared over and over again?
It's it good they are different?

We typically go to WDW due to our location. WDW is a destination we can drive to in 1 day and we could go more than once a year if we wanted. We are going to DL this year and I don't want to compare them. I don't want one to be better than the other. I want DL to be different but not better. Otherwise, if they were the same, I'd just go to WDW.

Wow, I could not have said it better!

I am always slightly uncomfortable with threads that say "Disneyland Vs. Disneyworld". Sort of like the New England Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks. Bring on the competition! I know what is behind the question which I suspect is just an innocent phrase, but still.

So how about "Disneyland and Disneyworld Pros and Cons?"

 

[JandD75]

You're certainly right about the value resorts and the tickets. Guess what I should have said was that we spend a lot more when we go to WDW, because we've always done DL as cheaply as possible. We drive to DL ($100.00 in gas vs who-knows-how-much for airfare) we stay at a nearby motel ($100.00 per night vs $250-$400 for the onsite hotels) and we often eat outside the park. It's too bad that DL can't provide some value resorts and 6-10 day tickets. Maybe someday.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

We did wdw in May... It was, ummm, fine... Loved, loved, loved orlando's universal though... We all agreed if we were to go back to Orlando, it would just be for universal and we'd skip wdw, except for maybe the water parks, which were awesome. Epcot was like a big country themed mall with too much shopping and not enough rides in half the park. Ak was a hot desert of a zoo, and the only redeeming part was the Everest ride, which is like Matterhorn on steroids. Mk took out half the dark rides we love and the rides they do have are the same or worse versions of the DL rides. Yes, there are a ton more food and places to stay options. The pools at every hotel we saw were amazing... But that isn't enough to get me to cross the country for wdw again. We are sticking to walt's park

I want to second this. We went in 2013 (right before MBs) and expected to *love* WDW, and ended up feeling exactly the same about MK and Epcot, the latter being an enormous disappointment after waiting 30 years to experience it. We'd go back, but for us it definitely feels like slumming compared to DLR, which we greatly prefer.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

This is exactly where my mind goes when folks ask this question.
Why does one have to be better?
Why is it a competition?
Why can't they each just be amazing in their own way?
Why does it have to be "wrong" to do one over the other?
Why can't the differences be embraced rather than compared over and over again?
It's it good they are different?

We typically go to WDW due to our location. WDW is a destination we can drive to in 1 day and we could go more than once a year if we wanted. We are going to DL this year and I don't want to compare them. I don't want one to be better than the other. I want DL to be different but not better. Otherwise, if they were the same, I'd just go to WDW.

Because people have preferences and there is *nothing* wrong with that. I'd also add, it's often WDW fans who ask things like this, not DLR fans, usually when DLR fans come back from WDW and express disappointment. Which there's also *nothing* wrong with. And some DLR fans really don't like WDW at all. And there's *nothing* wrong with that either. Just because it makes you feel uncomfortable to read criticism of your home resort doesn't meant that others need to censor their honest, not-unfriendly opinions. Every time I see someone ask that we just love all the parks because they're Disney and it's somehow our duty to love them all and equally, I want to scream. We are not children. We can all speak for ourselves.

 

[whitneyebz]

I've been to both and both are fantastic. I've also been to Disneyland Paris (which, while fun, is not as great as the US parks). I've only been to WDW once, when I was 14, and it was so magical that I feel in love with disney. I spent my birthday there too which was really special. Now, Disneyland is kind of my home park (just as the Paris park was when I was in high school), because it's a 6 hour drive away. I've been there 3 times since living in AZ, and now that we have kids, we will be going more and more (probably every other year unless we can afford once a year). They're just...different. They both offer a different experience, but both are magical and just what you'd expect from Disney. I do love Epcot and wish for something similar at disneyland, but I really cannot pick a favorite. I just feel so lucky to live so close to disneyland!

 

[sheetz]

It doesnt matter which is better because Tokyo blows both away. Or at least that's what I've been told.

 

[HydroGuy]

Because people have preferences and there is *nothing* wrong with that. I'd also add, it's often WDW fans who ask things like this, not DLR fans, usually when DLR fans come back from WDW and express disappointment. Which there's also *nothing* wrong with. And some DLR fans really don't like WDW at all. And there's *nothing* wrong with that either. Just because it makes you feel uncomfortable to read criticism of your home resort doesn't meant that others need to censor their honest, not-unfriendly opinions. Every time I see someone ask that we just love all the parks because they're Disney and it's somehow our duty to love them all and equally, I want to scream. We are not children. We can all speak for ourselves.

Mike, I have not seen you here for awhile. Welcome back.

I hope you realize that I respect your posts based on our past somewhat limited debate. Further, I think you also realize that I love a good DLR and WDW comparison - and a healthy, constructive exchange of views.

But I think you may have jumped in here too quickly. I think Angie the PP was just trying to frame things this way. She is planning what I think may be a first DLR trip or first significant DLR trip. Both DLR vets and WDW vets have a tendency towards a knee jerk "protect the home resort" response and she is trying to avoid this I do believe.

Some DLR vets have truly had a disappointing experience at WDW. Some WDW vets have had something similar at DLR. But many such as myself have found lots of great experiences at each place. My heart is at DLR for sure (since I was three years old! ), but WDW has reached a different yet similar place for me.

Some of these DLR vs. WDW threads do shed light. Some only shed heat. Your input is as valuable as others and IMO more insightful than many. But I think calls for peaceable, non-confrontation have a place. I also think calling a spade a spade also has a place.

I agree with Angie the PP while also agreeing with you. (How is that for wishy washy? )

I have been following her posts for a number of weeks and ask all DLR vets to cut her some slack as she is IMO trying to find a good balance for her and her love for Disney. And have a successful DLR trip this June. Which all DLR vets should be voting for and helping her achieve. IMHO.

I hope you catch my drift and can be s constructive as possible in this case. Thanks for your insight whatever you decide.

 

[HydroGuy]

It doesnt matter which is better because Tokyo blows both away. Or at least that's what I've been told.

Since I am on a wishy washy track tonight (see the PP) I agree and disagree. From personal experience.

 

[Mousequake]

It doesnt matter which is better because Tokyo blows both away. Or at least that's what I've been told.

You are not wrong. Tokyo is AMAZING.

 

[HydroGuy]

You are not wrong. Tokyo is AMAZING.

Tokyo DisneySea is the best second gate IMO. But no other Disney park can top Disneyland itself as a first gate.

 

[lgpav1]

Do both. There are some differences and you can see the original and then the newer version. I was lucky when I traveled with my job - I was able to do one park one weekend and the other the following weekend. But, IMO, there is no right or wrong answer.