Fellow DL fans: Stick with DL plans or do WDW instead?

[VandVsmama]

Hi gang,

Our family is planning a big trip for late May 2015 for our anniversary. Originally I was thinking DL but then started reading the WDW side of this site and started to maybe change my mind.

I love DL. I know how to work things at DL. I like the "old" FP system. I like how everything is within walking distance. I also like that we can drive there and combine the trip with seeing extended family in southern CA.

But my DH has never been to WDW. I went once ages ago before even Epcot had been built. It amazes me how you really have to make meal reservations 6 months in advance. And to know what 3 rides I want to go on 2 months before your arrival?

So what I am looking for is some perspective from other DL people. What was your experience like going to WDW? What were the pulses and minuses? I have read some threads lately where is sounds like the customer service at WDW is declining and that the parks are looking worn, trash not getting picked up. If that is really the case, then we stick with our DL plans but I kind of need a sanity check.

 

[superlarz]

How often do you go to DL? How long are you going to be on vacation? If you go to DL often, I would take the once in a lifetime chance and go to WDW. If it is a longer trip I would also choose WDW. Either way, I think you will be happy. The Magic Bands, FP+, ADRs, and maintenance issues are not nearly as bad as people are making them out to be. People have been able to get FP+ reservations day of, and there are usually dinner reservations available sooner than 6 months out... and it is not like you will starve if you dont have reservations. If you havent been to Epcot or the other parks yet, I would suggest checking it out.

 

[VandVsmama]

Our first time to DL in 15 years was just last year. I want to swing a trip in October but I suspect that we will have to cancel those plans. And if we do go to WDW then we will definitely not go to DL in October of this year.

The DL trip next year would be 6 nights with 5-day park hoppers.

 

[sheetz]

If it matters to you DL is supposed to be celebrating its 60th anniversary next year and I'm hearing rumors there may be special activities to commemorate that.

Otherwise I always encourage people to try new things. You can try WDW and hit Universal while you are there, or even skip the theme parks altogether and go on a Disney cruise.

 

[VandVsmama]

forgot to add that for Disney World we would probably go for 10 days.

 

[luvgoing2disney]

Well, this is a swithch since there are so many on this section of the boards looking for advice on visiting DL instead of WDW. We consider WDW our "home park" but truly love visiting DLR and are looking forward to being back at DLR next month.

But i would encourage you to look at taking a trip to WDW. The biggest change will be the amount of advance planning that will need to be done months ahead of your visit, expecially with the new MB system.

However, don't let the advance planning overcome you. You don't HAVE to plan every minute if you don't want to. If you are not wanting to decide where you will eat months ahead, then go with the counter service option. You may want to select one of two table service meals, and the rest as counter service.

Fireworks are generally every night, so that is more easy to plan for. You can find the park hours much earlier than at DLR, so that helps plan as well.

As to the service declining, I've been reading that for years and I'm sure there are those who when they see a piece of paper on the ground think that the park should be condemned. I don't think you will notice any significant difference in the attitudes and condition of WDW in comparison to DLR.

Depending on where you live, you will also want to take into account. Summers at WDW can be brutal, even with afternoon showers. Fall can be a great time to visit, and plenty warm enough to take in the water parks.

It IS much larger, so travel time is a factor that is much different than DLR. I admit that I love walkint across the street to the parks at DLR and being able to walk between the parks. That is a big bonus in DL to us.

I would strongly advice giving it a shot. If you just find it is not your cup of tea after your visit, well you will know for sure then.

 

[luvgoing2disney]

Just noticed you are from Tucson. You can handle the heat!

 

[starjazz]

We do both parks. They are both truly great. If you've not seen WDW, its well worth the adventure, for it is unlike DLR in so many ways, but still Disney, and we've found that one does not make the other pale in comparison. The magic exists on both coasts!

 

[HydroGuy]

FWIW, I am waiting on WDW to see how the whole MDE and FP+ thing works out. From what I can tell Disney bit off more than they can chew and have some real guests relations problems on their hands. And they are damaging their brand.

Not to get a FP+ thread started here on DLR heaven forbid, but the issue is all the glitches with online reservations being required then lost into the ether world, MBs not working, and the MDE app being slow and buggy. When MDE and FP+ and MBs and the MDE app work perfectly or near perfectly, it seems to go well for those people.

What I am saying is I am not interested in going to WDW until they get this sorted out. I myself would not firmly plan a trip in 2015 until then. And for the record I do expect they will get it sorted out eventually. And I expect it will happen by 2015. I am just giving you some food for thought.

With the DLR 60th coming up next year, that is a reason to lean towards DLR as it will be pretty festive I expect with the parks in great shape and sparkling.

 

[VandVsmama]

Yeah...that's the thing....when the magic bands work, it sounds like they work great. But when they don't work it is a royal hassle!

 

[buzznina]

If you do decide to go and are worried about MB's not working, do what I do. I keep all my reserevation confirmation #'s in my cell as well as my FP+ picks and times. The couple of times we had an issue, I brought it up on my cell and showed them and that was enough.
We are doing the opposite, have made many trips to WDW and now, thanks to a conference, taking the family for their first ever DLR trip. I was lucky enough to go a couple times back in the early 70's. Man do I feel old

 

[VandVsmama]

I just got off the phone with my sister. It's decided! We are going to DL, not WDW. She thought I was a bit crazy for wanting to go to DL for our anniversary, but all of you Disney people get it! Lol.

The cool part is that she will join us for a couple of the days that we will be there. She has also offered to babysit our kids for an evening or two! When we went to DL last year, my kids talked the whole time about wanting their aunt to go with them next time.

And since my SIL, BIL, Dniece, and Dnephew live in southern CA, I am hoping that Dniece can do an overnight with us in the hotel one night (I would inform the hotel of course) and my kids could do a morning at DL with their cousin. The three little girls are like peas and carrots when they are together and they have a fabulous time.