DL instead of WDW

[MillauFr]

I agree. The count might vary based on what you actually count. But it's close enough to make the point. No exaggeration needed.

We live in the middle of the country so have been to both resorts a number of times. There are various advantages to each. But when it comes to sheer attractions? DL wins in our book. Not only because they have about the same number, but because they are so close together they are all easy to get to on a given day.

Plus many of the Disneyland rides are superior to their Disneyworld counterparts. Pirates, Space, Radiator Springs (v Test Track), Grizzly River Run, Autotopia, Indiana Jones (v Dinosaur)

 

[Davey Jones II]

Plus many of the Disneyland rides are superior to their Disneyworld counterparts. Pirates, Space, Radiator Springs (v Test Track), Grizzly River Run, Autotopia, Indiana Jones (v Dinosaur)

And vice versa. TOT, Pooh, HM, Splash, TSMM (much better queue), Peter Pan, and Jungle Cruise are better at WDW.

 

[Angel Ariel]

And vice versa. TOT, Pooh, HM, Splash, TSMM (much better queue), Peter Pan, and Jungle Cruise are better at WDW.

I don't agree on HM, but the rest of the list I do. Although I'm not sure how long PP will stay on this list once DLR updates theirs for the 60th.

 

[Astridia]

IMO DLR has more details than WDW. I don't know if it's true or it's just my prejudices.

 

[starjazz]

If the argument is "how much stuff is there to do?", I don't think its even close. You can spend a much longer period of time in WDW and not see everything. But some of that is just pure transportation time - walking, riding buses, monorails, etc. Another part is the water parks and themed areas (Boardwalk, DTD is bigger). And then of course, just the acreage of WDW is so much greater (which is kinda related to the first part).

But, I think for many who are looking for a week vacation, either destination can be wonderful. I do agree with others who said for little ones, DLR is better - we have 6 & 4 yos, and I'd pick DLR 2 out of 3 times. But on that 3rd time, I do like to switch it up.

And if it were just me and the wife, we'd probably do WDW because of the resort feel and vastness of it. But vast and resort is not what kids need or want. They want ride concentration - less walking, less transport, more activity per square foot.

 

[Astridia]

If the argument is "how much stuff is there to do?", I don't think its even close. You can spend a much longer period of time in WDW and not see everything. But some of that is just pure transportation time - walking, riding buses, monorails, etc. Another part is the water parks and themed areas (Boardwalk, DTD is bigger). And then of course, just the acreage of WDW is so much greater (which is kinda related to the first part).

But, I think for many who are looking for a week vacation, either destination can be wonderful. I do agree with others who said for little ones, DLR is better - we have 6 & 4 yos, and I'd pick DLR 2 out of 3 times. But on that 3rd time, I do like to switch it up.

And if it were just me and the wife, we'd probably do WDW because of the resort feel and vastness of it. But vast and resort is not what kids need or want. They want ride concentration - less walking, less transport, more activity per square foot.

The transportation is a huge issue. I love being able to walk out of DL and be over at DTD within 5 minutes. At WDW I am always asking myself if it's worth the hassle of traveling to DTD or anywhere else.

 

[starjazz]

The transportation is a huge issue. I love being able to walk out of DL and be over at DTD within 5 minutes. At WDW I am always asking myself if it's worth the hassle of traveling to DTD or anywhere else.

Yes - we love that about DLR. Super quick access from hotel to parks, and from one park to the other. Plus restaurants and shops nearby.

At WDW we always stay at Fort Wilderness. Its a moderate level resort, so priced well relatively. Its a fun boat ride to the MK. Boat plus monorail to Epcot. Only bad transport it bus to DHS and AK.

 

[Tardisblue]

I grew up going to WDW starting back as a wee lad in 1973, so I'm biased towards that park. It's like home to me. I finally made it to DLR with my wife (at the time girlfriend) in the early 2000's (check my signature). This was before the proliferation of boards like this, Facebook, etc. My expectations were skewed - I "assumed" it would be like WDW and didn't care for it. I couldn't understand why there was a gas station right outside of the parks. WDW is almost completely immersive. Once you're on property it is all things Disney.

But I'm older and wiser now. I can appreciate what others have said about the intimacy of DLR. Looking back it was nice that the two parks were so close together and tightly packed. I'd like to go back and experience the parks for just the parks and not the resorts. We've taken our 2 daughters to WDW several times and I think the next year or two it will be time to make the journey out west.

 

[bethy]

Disneyland is not nearly as awesome as WDW. Don't go there!

 

[katy621]

What DH & I discover about WDW, people planning down to a science, almost fanatical, 180 days to make reservations, etc. Our day went: woke up at 5:30 - 6am, showered, ate at 6:30am, hurried and caught the bus with other folks, stood in line for pre-rope drop, another 1/2 - 1 hour for rope drop, run to the nearest popular attraction for fast pass. With Disneyland, we usually stay across the park, don't have to get up so early, actually eat breakfast, go to the park, get our fast passes and really don't have to plan out the entire vacation. Don't get me wrong, I love WDW, but we're on the west coast and it takes 2-1/2 hours to get there and it's cheaper for us.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Disneyland is not nearly as awesome as WDW. Don't go there!

They are both equally awesome in their own ways. There is no reason to put 1 or the other down. :

 

[Davey Jones II]

I'm also in the "they're both awesome" camp, but, to me, it's obvious that WDW has a lot more to offer: six parks (including the water parks) as opposed to two, and a much better DTD. Last time, we spent eight days at WDW plus a Halloween Party, and still couldn't do everything (we spent a mere half day at Epcot, and didn't even make it to DTD this time). We also spent three days at Universal. Orlando is just so packed with parks, it is the ultimate theme park buffet.

It's true that transportation eats up a chunk of your time at WDW, but we were on the go every day and still missed quite a lot. At DLR, we do fewer days, but we don't miss much.

But we still love going to DLR, too, because we spend five days there, plus one of the parties, then have no trouble finding other things to do in California for the rest of our trip. DLR is great and well worth visiting, but, compared to WDW, it barely qualifies as a resort. That's not really a criticism, but Disney insists on calling it a resort, and it's not really one.

Bottom line: when we go to DLR, it's part of a California vacation. When we go to Orlando, it's really a theme park vacation.

 

[mom2rtk]

I'm also in the "they're both awesome" camp, but, to me, it's obvious that WDW has a lot more to offer: six parks (including the water parks) as opposed to two, and a much better DTD. Last time, we spent eight days at WDW plus a Halloween Party, and still couldn't do everything (we spent a mere half day at Epcot, and didn't even make it to DTD this time). We also spent three days at Universal. Orlando is just so packed with parks, it is the ultimate theme park buffet.

It's true that transportation eats up a chunk of your time at WDW, but we were on the go every day and still missed quite a lot. At DLR, we do fewer days, but we don't miss much.

But we still love going to DLR, too, because we spend five days there, plus one of the parties, then have no trouble finding other things to do in California for the rest of our trip. DLR is great and well worth visiting, but, compared to WDW, it barely qualifies as a resort. That's not really a criticism, but Disney insists on calling it a resort, and it's not really one.

Bottom line: when we go to DLR, it's part of a California vacation. When we go to Orlando, it's really a theme park vacation.

Isn't it interesting how everyone sees it differently?

All that transportation time at WDW just seems so inefficient to me. I love that at DLR I can stay so close to the parks and get down to the business of enjoying the attractions. I never leave feeling frustrated that I couldn't do everything I wanted to do like I sometimes do at WDW. And I have never felt like that's because there's just less to do.

 

[Astridia]

Isn't it interesting how everyone sees it differently?

All that transportation time at WDW just seems so inefficient to me. I love that at DLR I can stay so close to the parks and get down to the business of enjoying the attractions. I never leave feeling frustrated that I couldn't do everything I wanted to do like I sometimes do at WDW. And I have never felt like that's because there's just less to do.

Agreed, I think DLR is much more efficient. Transportation is a big hassle at WDW. I read all these posts where people park hop, got to lunch at a resort, and go to DTD. I wonder how much time are they spending at each place and how much time are they spending in the buses or in their cars? WDW requires more time because everything is spread out, no because there is so much more to do for our family. BTW we don't visit the waterparks.

 

[MillauFr]

Disneyland is not nearly as awesome as WDW. Don't go there!

Agreed. Disneyland is a dump. I wouldn't be caught dead there, unless I was one of the 999 happy haunts.

 

[PatMcDuck]

I go to DL and WDW each year. DL costs us more in airfare (from NJ), and of course, no Value/Moderate resorts at DL (on property, which I know is different at DL with the close offsite hotels). I just got back from WDW, and I love it. SO much to see, we spent 2 days at AK for example.

But, DL is not to be missed. I tell people who only go to WDW, to try DL all the time, at least once, or every few years. I also tell people who are really upset about the changes at WDW (Magic bands, FP+, making plans 120 days in advance for meals), to go to DL.

I love walking to the parks, and walking from one to the other so easily. Many of the rides are superior at DL. I like the fact that most guests there are AP holders. As someone described it before, it is LESS FRANTIC at DL. AP holders are not so worried about getting on every single ride, or getting characters autographs. Characters walk around the park and mingle with guests, often with no handlers. They talk to the children, take them by the hand, play games with them. Carsland is stunning, esp. after dark.

I will continue to try and do to both resorts each year, if I can. And with the extras for the 60th celebration, go to DL!