DL vs. DW - Cost?

[Stacy's a freak]

We are WDW veterans and went to DL 2 summers ago. We had a longer CA trip but just 4 nights in Anaheim with just 2 DL days with park hoppers. 2 days was NOT enough and I would say at least 3 and 4 would have been best for us. DL overall would be less expensive for us than WDW even though the airfare to DL was a little more per person than Orlando would be. We stayed offsite at the Desert Inn and Suites which is literally across the street from the entrance to DL. I just googled the distance and it's 1/3 of a mile from that hotel to the front gates of the parks - says 6 minutes walking time. The room was nothing special but we spent very little time there. If I were to go back (I hope!) I would stay offsite again over staying onsite. It saved us SO much money and for us, a DL Resort would not have been cost effective as we weren't in the room or even interested in enjoying a "resort". We just wanted to do DL.

We also ate a meal or two at restaurants that were not on property. We walked to those also and went back to DL after. It's hard to understand how close everything is when you're so used to WDW where you need a bus or other transportation to get to and from anywhere. Try it - go to DL!

 

[Nohal]

Just returned from DL and are WDW vets. We flew into SNA which is close to DL and took a cab to the Park Vue Inn. Park Vue Inn is right across the street and next to the Desert Inn and Suites which PP says is 1/3 mile to gates. The hotel features a full hot breakfast which saved us money. Checked the price for Paradise Pier and it would have been around $400-$600 more to stay there and it is further away from the main gates than Park Vue. At WDW we always stay on site but didn't find it necessary at DL. We stayed for 4 nights with 4day park hoppers. We were able to see and do everything we wanted with multiple times on the rides we really enjoyed and felt that a 4day trip was enough to do what we wanted. We ate counter service for all our meals so can't compare food as we usually get free dining at WDW.

 

[hsmamato2]

WDW vet..... spent 6 nights at DL a few years back.... 'offsite' but within walking distance.... it was amazing, and we're going back! totally different feel, but the same in some ways. what was different was the smallness,and easy walkability of everything. the details were beyond amazing,and would have kept us busy for even longer.....I'm excited to go back and see more- WDW is more immersive, but DL is the original 'feel' I think..... offsite hotels are much cheaper than the onsite counterparts at WDW, and they offer great benefits like easy walk to parks and free breakfasts (I love onsite at WDW, but c'mon, those values are a long bus ride from anywhere lol) tickets seems to cost about the same and park food prices seem similiar.... I think for disney-philes it's worth at least one solid trip to check it out.....

 

[kymom99]

We went as part of a 10 day west coast trip. We spent 2 days at DL. We certainly could have spent more time there, but we got to see and do a lot in 2 days. We stayed at the Hojo for the DL portion of the trip. It was a pretty good deal for how close it is plus free parking. There is a mousesavers rate, or at least there was. DL is a whole different experience, and one worth trying. For 10 days in California that included flights and rental car, we spent between 5K and 6K. for 3 people. I thought that was a pretty good deal.

 

[kydisneyfans]

We made our first trip to DL after 18 trips to Disney World back in January. We also own DVC but did not stay at the GF as it was full.

Flights: From Kentucky, you would think Orlando would be cheaper. Most times it is, but not by much. Over holiday and school break periods, it is actually cheaper to fly to LAX then it is MCO.

Hotels: We stayed offsite at the new Homewood on Harbour. The cab ride is cheaper than a parking spot at DL. You can also take ART, walk, or go into the Toy Story lot and ride Disney busses(but you didn't get that tip from me). Breakfast was included. We spent around $600 for 4 nights total. This also opens up a bunch of other restaurants if you want something that's not Disney.

Tickets: We did 1 park each day, but the 2 are SOOOO close together a hopper would not hurt. DT Disney is also right there, literally steps away. We LOVED this aspect, much more than spread out DW. We needed more time. I love nostalgia, the traditional feel of DL was a dream come true.

Food: The DVC discount on CS in the parks was a surprise and saved us some $$. There are places like Panera, McDonalds, Cheesecake Factory and others within a reasonable walking distance. We seemed to have saved some $$ on food.

Traffic: If visiting outside of the DL bubble, try to avoid rush hour. Universal, Hollywood, etc can be 45-60 minutes, or it can be 2+ hours. Be warned.

Verdict: We are returning again in January for Star Wars race weekend. The GF is again full so we are staying at the Homewood. Flights are not bought since SW has not released the schedule yet. We may do 3 day hoppers. We also have extended the overall CA stay by a day. The biggest challenge is the time difference, the hours gained heading out are lost coming back.

Total cost difference between a DW and DL trip is around $1000 for 3 of us, the majority of it being paying for a hotel instead of using DVC.

 

[tvguy]

WDW vet..... spent 6 nights at DL a few years back.... 'offsite' but within walking distance.... it was amazing, and we're going back! totally different feel, but the same in some ways. what was different was the smallness,and easy walkability of everything. the details were beyond amazing,and would have kept us busy for even longer.....I'm excited to go back and see more- WDW is more immersive, but DL is the original 'feel' I think..... offsite hotels are much cheaper than the onsite counterparts at WDW, and they offer great benefits like easy walk to parks and free breakfasts (I love onsite at WDW, but c'mon, those values are a long bus ride from anywhere lol) tickets seems to cost about the same and park food prices seem similiar.... I think for disney-philes it's worth at least one solid trip to check it out.....

LOL. Some might argue that Disneyland IS the park disney-philes go to.

 

[Our 2 Princesses]

We went as part of a 10 day west coast trip. We spent 2 days at DL. We certainly could have spent more time there, but we got to see and do a lot in 2 days. We stayed at the Hojo for the DL portion of the trip. It was a pretty good deal for how close it is plus free parking. There is a mousesavers rate, or at least there was. DL is a whole different experience, and one worth trying. For 10 days in California that included flights and rental car, we spent between 5K and 6K. for 3 people. I thought that was a pretty good deal.

We are thinking of going for 8 nights offsite at some point. What else did you do while there?

 

[SandyinMonterey]

We just moved from California to Georgia. Lived in California for 16 years and have been to DL many times. We are happy to be back on the East Coast and closer to DW. I don't know where you'd be coming from, but airfare isn't cheap. I know from the many times we've flown from California to Orlando, we've paid on average $2000 for three people. If you're closer to DW and can drive, that's a savings right there. The biggest, most noticeable difference is the size. DL is much smaller. We have never done more than 4 days, probably could of done 3 but the drive was long for us and traffic is So Cal is horrible. Since DL (and California is Adventure) is much smaller, so are choices. There are only 3 on site hotels: Grand Californian, DL Hotel and the Pier. There are off-site hotel chains across the street. As far as hotel cost I can only say we booked the DL Hotel once, before we became DVC Members. I do recall getting a package and thought the cost was reasonable. But being that we're DVC now, we would always stay at GC, which has is beautiful and has it's own access in California Adventure. Downtown Disney if also very, very small. Limited dining and limited shopping, nothing at all like DW. The last time we were at DL was 2015, it was around Spring Break/Easter time and was incredibly crowded. I expected crowds, we've been there before during that time but I never encountered crowds like our last trip. Not only was it the crowd level, but rides were breaking down left and right. DL has much fewer FP options and for rides like the new Cars, FP are out by 10a.m. to 11a.m. We got our FP for Cars early in the morning and we didn't have a return time until 9 p.m. No kidding! To add insult to injury, the FP return line itself was over 60 minute ride and the regular line was over 2 hours. We decided after that trip we'd probably wouldn't be going back, even before we knew we were moving. Got so fed up with the DL, we boycotted and went on a Disney Cruise this year. And my husband said he'd never go on a cruise. Don't get me wrong, we're Disney fans. Like I said, DVC Members and we got married at DW but DL just isn't on the same level as DW. I believe DL doesn't have magic bands yet (in some opinions that could be good or bad) but it holds true for ADR's. If you don't have a reservation for a sit down table and being that restaurants are fewer, chances are you won't get in. As far as cost for food, etc....I find it about the same as DW. DL has no Magical Express, so you also need to consider transportation. Nothing is cheap is California, believe me.

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

We just moved from California to Georgia. Lived in California for 16 years and have been to DL many times. We are happy to be back on the East Coast and closer to DW. I don't know where you'd be coming from, but airfare isn't cheap. I know from the many times we've flown from California to Orlando, we've paid on average $2000 for three people. If you're closer to DW and can drive, that's a savings right there. The biggest, most noticeable difference is the size. DL is much smaller. We have never done more than 4 days, probably could of done 3 but the drive was long for us and traffic is So Cal is horrible. Since DL (and California is Adventure) is much smaller, so are choices. There are only 3 on site hotels: Grand Californian, DL Hotel and the Pier. There are off-site hotel chains across the street. As far as hotel cost I can only say we booked the DL Hotel once, before we became DVC Members. I do recall getting a package and thought the cost was reasonable. But being that we're DVC now, we would always stay at GC, which has is beautiful and has it's own access in California Adventure. Downtown Disney if also very, very small. Limited dining and limited shopping, nothing at all like DW. The last time we were at DL was 2015, it was around Spring Break/Easter time and was incredibly crowded. I expected crowds, we've been there before during that time but I never encountered crowds like our last trip. Not only was it the crowd level, but rides were breaking down left and right. DL has much fewer FP options and for rides like the new Cars, FP are out by 10a.m. to 11a.m. We got our FP for Cars early in the morning and we didn't have a return time until 9 p.m. No kidding! To add insult to injury, the FP return line itself was over 60 minute ride and the regular line was over 2 hours. We decided after that trip we'd probably wouldn't be going back, even before we knew we were moving. Got so fed up with the DL, we boycotted and went on a Disney Cruise this year. And my husband said he'd never go on a cruise. Don't get me wrong, we're Disney fans. Like I said, DVC Members and we got married at DW but DL just isn't on the same level as DW. I believe DL doesn't have magic bands yet (in some opinions that could be good or bad) but it holds true for ADR's. If you don't have a reservation for a sit down table and being that restaurants are fewer, chances are you won't get in. As far as cost for food, etc....I find it about the same as DW. DL has no Magical Express, so you also need to consider transportation. Nothing is cheap is California, believe me.

Was this for a private jet?! We've never paid more than $1,500 for 4 of us roundtrip L.A. to MCO. Maybe that was typo

 

[SandyinMonterey]

Was this for a private jet?! We've never paid more than $1,500 for 4 of us roundtrip L.A. to MCO. Maybe that was typo

Nope. We lived on the Central Coast. Closest airport was either San Jose or SFO. Not much difference in cost in first place then add in expense of

Was this for a private jet?! We've never paid more than $1,500 for 4 of us roundtrip L.A. to MCO. Maybe that was typo

No, not a typo. Lived on Central Coast, flew out of a smaller local airport. Closest airport was San Jose or SFO. Believe it or not, San Jose was NEVER cheaper than our local airport. SFO, at times, was but not by much. And when factored in for long term parking and a hotel the night before, it cost more. Just flew one way from California to Georgia, where we moved, a one way ticket was $500.

 

[kymom99]

We are thinking of going for 8 nights offsite at some point. What else did you do while there?

We flew into San Diego and drove straight to Anaheim for DL. Then we drove back to San Diego along the coast. We spent a week at island palms on shelter island. We went to point Loma to see the lighthouse. Wonderful views. We went to the zoo, safari park, uss midway, Coronado island, Belmont park, and the town of Julien. Oh and took a bike tour in la jolla. It was a fantastic trip.

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

Nope. We lived on the Central Coast. Closest airport was either San Jose or SFO. Not much difference in cost in first place then add in expense of

No, not a typo. Lived on Central Coast, flew out of a smaller local airport. Closest airport was San Jose or SFO. Believe it or not, San Jose was NEVER cheaper than our local airport. SFO, at times, was but not by much. And when factored in for long term parking and a hotel the night before, it cost more. Just flew one way from California to Georgia, where we moved, a one way ticket was $500.

Wow. I guess prices have decreased dramatically. I have searched for flights for my SIL out of SFO to MCO and have been able to find under $300 round-trip. Even for this year.

 

[kydisneyfans]

I just checked flights for 10-1 thru 10-8 from Louisville, KY to LAX. $358 RT. From Louisville, KY to MCO, $344 RT. Not much difference there.

 

[Our 2 Princesses]

We flew into San Diego and drove straight to Anaheim for DL. Then we drove back to San Diego along the coast. We spent a week at island palms on shelter island. We went to point Loma to see the lighthouse. Wonderful views. We went to the zoo, safari park, uss midway, Coronado island, Belmont park, and the town of Julien. Oh and took a bike tour in la jolla. It was a fantastic trip.

Thank you for sharing all of your great ideas!

 

[bjscheel]

We did DL in 2013, and also went to San Diego. The cost of the total trip for the week was about the same as a week at WDW for us.

We took a taxi from SNA to Park Vue Inn. Great hotel that is as close as you can get, with free breakfast, not fancy but served our needs and had great cookies in the lobby. It's not all that cheap, but you pay for location I guess. It was super cool to be able to walk so quickly to the parks, and to hop between so easily. We got 3 day hoppers from CityPass. I would say 3 days allowed us to cover it pretty well, but there were a couple of rides we didn't get to, so 4 might be better. We really liked California Adventure (rode Radiator Springs Racers 7 times). Disneyland was just enough same & different from MK to make me a little disoriented, but still fun of course.

We then took a taxi to Amtrak and rode the train to San Diego which was a short & sweet ride. Hotel shuttle to The Dana at Mission Bay which has shuttle or is walkable to Sea World (tix included in the CityPass), and walkable/bikeable to the beach (we like to not drive on vacation).

It was a great trip, and the kids loved the beach at San Diego, but in the end, we didn't feel like we'd had a "Disney Year". (We generally alternate Disney trips with trips to other places in the off years.) So we did WDW the following year. I would do Disneyland/San Diego again though, for sure.

Definitely read up on the Disneyland forum here.