Going to DW when all I want to do is go to DL*Update*

[shellie may]

Really??? I found planning a DLR vacation easier than planning a WDW vacation. I like not having to plan ADRs 180 days in advance and the comfort of knowing I don't have to deal with Disney buses. I like to stay across the street and walk everywhere it's nice not to have to depend on Disney transportation. I feel more relaxed at DLR especially if u plan more than 3 days. I just got back from a week at DLR stayed across the street at the hojo and had an awesome vacation so much to do and see and I really appreciated all the details in the park and I never felt rushed. DLR is a completely different vacation than WDW you just have to try it out and see if you like it if you don't like it than plan vacations at WDW but I think everyone should see DLR at least once in their lives.

 

[Jkpark]

DL is much easier for us. We can drive from AZ, get an AP and make several short trips a year. Generally we eat off site, bring snacks and stay on Harbor. Our souvenirs are limited b/c we go more often. Although CL has changed this for our upcoming trip, we don't need a touring plan. At the same time - when we go to WDW every 2-3 years, I love all the planning and that for 7-8 days, we are completely immersed in all things Disney. DD4 and DD6 love Blizzard Beach above the 4 major parks. And they low the Kidcot stations at EPCOT - who knew? Two completely different experiences as previously stated and I agree that rather than just saying one is better than the other, we just fully enjoy each for what it is when at either resort.

 

[Blue32]

Hmmm. I would say DLR is better with three small kids. Walking distance hotels make it easier to get away on short notice. If you have strollers then no need to get them off and on buses. No need to make dining reservations which might change because of the issues with small children. A better Fantasyland at DL. Better weather so not as much need to deal with uncomfortable kids. More rides closer together so less walking.

To my mind WDW starts gaining ground over DLR as kids turn into teens and tweens. DisneyQuest. Water parks. Dining variety. Rock music bands. World Showcase.

These are all the main reasons that we chose DLR over WDW for our first family Disney Vacation. I have kids ages 6 and 4 and after researching a bit it was clear that DLR was going to win. Even if I was going to have to pay a little bit more, I would still pick DLR and probably will continue to do so until my kids are a little bit older. I am from the midwest and it seems like you can find better flight deals to Orlando more so than SC but this was not a deciding factor for me.

I look forward to seeing WDW for the first time someday. But until then... I am REALLY looking forward to enjoying and seeing my kids fall in love with those "little" parks on the west coast.

 

[Gina]

As a long-time WDW vet, I am thrilled to be heading to DLR for the first time in October. But the resort/hotel thing is a HUGE disappointment -- for lack of a better word in my current low-caffeine state -- that I simply keep trying to not think about. I know DLR has rides and attractions that WDW doesn't have (or no longer has -- I am SO excited to ride Mr. Toad again!!) and the thought of being able to just walk right on over from DL to DCA to DD without spending half the day in transit has me positively giddy.

But the resort experience really is such a huge part of the whole vacation at WDW. The thought of staying offsite for our DLR trip really does make me so sad. I'm so used to entering the Disney magic once we land at MCO and get on a Magical Express bus, and not having to leave it until it's sadly time to go home. The idea of walking out of DL and even seeing a bunch of non-Disney places is just kinda sad to me and I'm honestly not looking forward to that part of it.

But the rest of it, I am so excited about, and I know I will get over the lack-of-resort-feel very quickly once I'm there!

 

[Mr Snappy]

We live smack in the middle of the country, so we have to plan for both places...and we have gone to both several times. For us, it breaks down like this

WDW:
+ Easier to plan for the WEEK
+ Much better dining
+ More "Disney" stuff to do
+ O'hana ('nuff said)
+ Much more room, less stressful
+ Much better room/suite choices (Foolish NOT to stay on property)

- Way more expensive
- Attractions are sub-par compared with DLR
- "Trapped" at Disney, hard to do things outside WDW (not impossible, harder)
- Central Florida much less appealing the So.Cal.

DLR:
+ MUCH better park experience (Better kept up, more attention to theme, better cast-members and performers)
+ Better attactions (Except Mission:Space...that's pretty cool)
+ More flexibility
+ Much more to do in So.Cal then Florida

- Have to do some work to plan correctly
- Limited time appeal, to our family DLR is a 4-day max experience
- Can be intimidating to those who aren't willing to explore, get a car, ride a but, etc.
- Horrible Disney Property room/suite options (Foolish FOR staying ON property)

I guess another way to sum it up is this. At the end of the week at WDW we are all ready to come home. At the end of the week in So.Cal, we are bummed out that it is over....

 

[HydroGuy]

As a long-time WDW vet, I am thrilled to be heading to DLR for the first time in October. But the resort/hotel thing is a HUGE disappointment -- for lack of a better word in my current low-caffeine state -- that I simply keep trying to not think about. I know DLR has rides and attractions that WDW doesn't have (or no longer has -- I am SO excited to ride Mr. Toad again!!) and the thought of being able to just walk right on over from DL to DCA to DD without spending half the day in transit has me positively giddy.

But the resort experience really is such a huge part of the whole vacation at WDW. The thought of staying offsite for our DLR trip really does make me so sad. I'm so used to entering the Disney magic once we land at MCO and get on a Magical Express bus, and not having to leave it until it's sadly time to go home. The idea of walking out of DL and even seeing a bunch of non-Disney places is just kinda sad to me and I'm honestly not looking forward to that part of it.

But the rest of it, I am so excited about, and I know I will get over the lack-of-resort-feel very quickly once I'm there!

I am not 100% sure but I think you will get over it once you have absorbed DLR. Then on your next trip to WDW you will be HUGELY disappointed by something you are missing from DLR - maybe Cars Land, World of Color or Indiana Jones. Or maybe the more pleasant weather or not having to deal with hurricane season in October.

 

[Gina]

I am not 100% sure but I think you will get over it once you have absorbed DLR. Then on your next trip to WDW you will be HUGELY disappointed by something you are missing from DLR - maybe Cars Land, World of Color or Indiana Jones. Or maybe the more pleasant weather or not having to deal with hurricane season in October.

I live in a hurricane evac zone, so I'm used to that... But we only go to WDW in early February anyway, being allergic to crowds, lines, and heat, so hurricanes haven't been a problem so far. Cars Land does look SO cool -- I'm already sure I'll be missing that next trip to WDW!

 

[rsleleux]

I live in a hurricane evac zone, so I'm used to that... But we only go to WDW in early February anyway, being allergic to crowds, lines, and heat, so hurricanes haven't been a problem so far. Cars Land does look SO cool -- I'm already sure I'll be missing that next trip to WDW!

I agree! We go to WDW in February every year, usually Mardi Gras time because we are not a fan of huge crowds! You will love DLR! We went in May and stayed at the Hojo and we are going back in October and staying at FFI! We love staying in all the different WDW Resorts but actually, it's a nice change to avoid those buses! Walking everywhere was so much easier than waiting for a bus to take you somewhere and rushing not to miss an ADR!

I loved DLR and i can't wait to see Carsland! Don't miss WOC, we did the dinning reservation at Ariel's grotto and had preferred viewing and it was amazing!! We also loved Goofy's kitchen for a character meal, I think it is better than Chef Mickey IMHO. You will have a great trip!

 

[bumbershoot]

I guess another way to sum it up is this. At the end of the week at WDW we are all ready to come home. At the end of the week in So.Cal, we are bummed out that it is over....

At the end of our 2 week WDW stays, all we have wanted to do is to stop at DLR on the way home.

At the end of DLR, we want to stay at DLR.

Goofy's Flight School in DCA is kinda like Primeval Whirl

OK, I'll give you "kinda". It's sort of the "wild mouse" (is that it?) type of coaster, and you spin. BUt.....Goofy's terrifies me (and did the same when it was Mulholland Madness), but I love Primeval Whirl.


I'm really lucky, because my mind can include Harbor and Katella as being part of Disneyland property. I don't see it as being out of magic or anything like that (then again, I'm also lucky b/c "magic" doesn't mean all that much to me). We go offsite while at WDW every other day, it seems; whether it's shopping at Publix or going to Giftland (kitschy goodness and cheaper souvenir shirts!) or dining at Sweet Tomatoes, we have a rental car and we USE it. So dealing with a crosswalk to get to a hotel isn't a problem for us.

I"m doing a quick trip with my son this weekend, and we're staying at BWPPI. I have a strong feeling we'll enjoy the hotel AND how FAST we'll get to the park on Sunday and Monday. Faster than we've ever gotten to a park (driving or bussing it) at WDW!

First time I walked the "empty way" from HoJo to the entrance of DL, and realized that I could hear the sounds of DL from the sidewalk, was when I realized there's not really an "out" of Disney experience when on Harbor, and since you walk through a gigantic "hidden" Mickey when going from Anabella on Katella to the Grand's DTD entrance, it's the same there.

 

[Porturican]

I agree! We go to WDW in February every year, usually Mardi Gras time because we are not a fan of huge crowds! You will love DLR! We went in May and stayed at the Hojo and we are going back in October and staying at FFI! We love staying in all the different WDW Resorts but actually, it's a nice change to avoid those buses! Walking everywhere was so much easier than waiting for a bus to take you somewhere and rushing not to miss an ADR!

I loved DLR and i can't wait to see Carsland! Don't miss WOC, we did the dinning reservation at Ariel's grotto and had preferred viewing and it was amazing!! We also loved Goofy's kitchen for a character meal, I think it is better than Chef Mickey IMHO. You will have a great trip!

I just wanted to add that the Minnie and Friends Breakfast in Disneyland is wonderful and costs less than other character meals. Also if you like BBQ eat at the Big Thunder Ranch BBQ its all you can eat and yummmmmy too!

 

[Porturican]

At the end of our 2 week WDW stays, all we have wanted to do is to stop at DLR on the way home.

At the end of DLR, we want to stay at DLR.





OK, I'll give you "kinda". It's sort of the "wild mouse" (is that it?) type of coaster, and you spin. BUt.....Goofy's terrifies me (and did the same when it was Mulholland Madness), but I love Primeval Whirl.


I'm really lucky, because my mind can include Harbor and Katella as being part of Disneyland property. I don't see it as being out of magic or anything like that (then again, I'm also lucky b/c "magic" doesn't mean all that much to me). We go offsite while at WDW every other day, it seems; whether it's shopping at Publix or going to Giftland (kitschy goodness and cheaper souvenir shirts!) or dining at Sweet Tomatoes, we have a rental car and we USE it. So dealing with a crosswalk to get to a hotel isn't a problem for us.

I"m doing a quick trip with my son this weekend, and we're staying at BWPPI. I have a strong feeling we'll enjoy the hotel AND how FAST we'll get to the park on Sunday and Monday. Faster than we've ever gotten to a park (driving or bussing it) at WDW!

First time I walked the "empty way" from HoJo to the entrance of DL, and realized that I could hear the sounds of DL from the sidewalk, was when I realized there's not really an "out" of Disney experience when on Harbor, and since you walk through a gigantic "hidden" Mickey when going from Anabella on Katella to the Grand's DTD entrance, it's the same there.

I know what you mean when you talk about walking the "empty way" from Hojo's and you start to feel the Disney Magic from the sounds you hear. And you can see a little behind the scenes too. Its a different kind of Disney Magic!

Remind me which hotel BWPPI is pls...Best Western something....

 

[Happy Dreams1]

Sorry I did mean to offend any DL regulars when I mention "small old motels" I do have a list what we may choose: HoJo's, Candy Cane Inn & the Fairfield Inn. We will be dancing & excited when we are packed & ready to go. But do I hope I can swing the DLH, oh yea! Just because as a little girl DLH was always shown with Disneyland in photos or tv.
Because we might not be ever able to return to DL or years in between.

I am sure it is similar for first timers at WDW looking at the GF but their budget fits POP.

Hojo and Fairfield Inn have my vote! I can PM you some photos of the hotel if you'd like...rather than the stock photos they have in the site

DLH would be very nice, but I ding it to be rather "far" from the park and quite expensive.

 

[KCmike]

Mike, I am glad you have been converted! Really. But I have to give WDW some love!

I love the DHS park. I love streetmosphere characters. I love the music at WDW (can you say Off Kilter and Mulch, Sweat & Shears?). I love the food variety. I enjoy Epcot more every time. MK is OK but yes DL is better. But WDW is just a ton of fun. And a ton of magic.

First let me say that I know people will always love the "resort feel" that WDW has. I do as well. For me though I love DL more. As far as street atmosphere I can't wait till you see the new DCA. There is so much entertainment going on its crazy. And like I think I stated Epcot is my second favorite park. Maybe I stated it in a different thread. Epcot is alot of fun and has so much to offer especially food wise. I am not a fan of DHS and Animal Kingdom. Probably get flamed for that but I think they are subpar parks for me. Do they have things I like? Sure. But DL and DCA are way ahead of them. Again can't wait for you to see the new DCA.

Will I go back to WDW? Probably but they will need to continue to add on like they are doing with the Fantasyland expansion. I love how Disneyland keeps adding and making their attractions better. I really feel like WDW has let things slide quite a bit. I could really see it in Epcot (many things looked beat down, MK really needed some attention as many animatronics weren't working).

Take care and have a great trip!

 

[sandgrace]

This thread has really helped me to make my mind up about October. We always go to DLR for my DD's birthday, but this year I thought we might take the plunge and go to WDW. Our daughter's never been to WDW and my DH and I were there about 8 years ago. After reading this thread I've decided that I want to go back to DLR! Even after having been there more times than I can count I still can't get enough! We haven't seen Carsland or the DCA remodel plus the ease of getting to and from the parks, and not having to pay airfare (we drive from Arizona) has really decided this for me.

We may go to WDW this spring or summer because I am really dying to go back there and take our DD for the first time...now I'll just need to decide whether I should upgrade to a Premier Pass once we get to DLR. The Disney decisons just never stop do they?

 

[loricdietzel]

Now I am thinking I want to go to DLR next year when we visit my parents in Las Vegas!!! We were there a few years ago and have WDW the past two years. Maybe it is time to give DLR another chance! (OF course, I don't know that the DH would agree to that, but maybe CL will convince him and DS just being shy of 3 so he would still be free when we go!)

 

[KCmike]

You should go. Carsland is a real winner. Buena Vista Street is really well done. Kudos really need to go out to them out there because they have done a first class job on the refurbishment of DCA.

 

[mouseymommy]

I know what you mean when you talk about walking the "empty way" from Hojo's and you start to feel the Disney Magic from the sounds you hear. And you can see a little behind the scenes too. Its a different kind of Disney Magic!

Remind me which hotel BWPPI is pls...Best Western something....

It's the Best Western Park Place Inn. We've stayed ther several times, and we are actually staying there in a couple days. We love the location!

 

[Sleepless Knight]

I love both Disneyland and Walt Disney World, but for entirely different reasons. I think it's critical to know the differences and then decide whether or not you want to experience them.

I love the total immersion aspect of Walt Disney World. For that reason, I will never stay off WDW property because I lose one of the very best reasons to visit the World. Epcot is incredible.

But my home, if you will, is Disneyland. I love the warmth and charm of the place. It feels so cozy. And for me whenever I visit the Magic Kingdom, it's always missing something. On my last visit to WDW in 2009, I realized what it was. The apartment over the fire department on Main Street with the light always turned on.

 

[papamouse1]

We live smack in the middle of the country, so we have to plan for both places...and we have gone to both several times. For us, it breaks down like this

WDW:
+ Easier to plan for the WEEK
+ Much better dining
+ More "Disney" stuff to do
+ O'hana ('nuff said)
+ Much more room, less stressful
+ Much better room/suite choices (Foolish NOT to stay on property)

- Way more expensive
- Attractions are sub-par compared with DLR
- "Trapped" at Disney, hard to do things outside WDW (not impossible, harder)
- Central Florida much less appealing the So.Cal.

DLR:
+ MUCH better park experience (Better kept up, more attention to theme, better cast-members and performers)
+ Better attactions (Except Mission:Space...that's pretty cool)
+ More flexibility
+ Much more to do in So.Cal then Florida

- Have to do some work to plan correctly
- Limited time appeal, to our family DLR is a 4-day max experience
- Can be intimidating to those who aren't willing to explore, get a car, ride a but, etc.
- Horrible Disney Property room/suite options (Foolish FOR staying ON property)

I guess another way to sum it up is this. At the end of the week at WDW we are all ready to come home. At the end of the week in So.Cal, we are bummed out that it is over....

I really enjoyed your insight. As you can see by my tag we are an "equal opportunity" park attender. We love DCL (probably our fav), love WDW for long vacations and unique resort experiences (we're DVC owners)... bu I go to tell you I CAN'T WAIT to get back to DL this November!!! So may new things we have yet to see. We are in New Mexico, so we are sort of mid country as well I think the only thing I might disagree with in your assessment is that it takes more work to plan correctly for DL. I would be interested in which part is harder? To me, that is a key negative for WDW... have to plan way too many things 6 months out. And with the parks/resorts so spread out if you really do book dining way out, then you have to plan your parks etc way as well..

A couple things I might add to DL as positives as well...

• 
  Better CS food. We literally can spend a week at DL and eat CS every day and enjoy it, but not so much at WDW... we prefer TS there (but of course our food costs are WAY higher)

• The closeness of DTD. At WDW we usually had to plan a day in order to get to DTD to shop, etc... but DL it is so easy to fit it in without devoting a whole day to it.

Just some thoughts... we love all things Disney, so can't really pick a favorite, but I agree with Hydroguy... the OP will not be disappointed once they get there and see all the advantages that help balance out the differences

 

[papamouse1]

I love both Disneyland and Walt Disney World, but for entirely different reasons. I think it's critical to know the differences and then decide whether or not you want to experience them.

I love the total immersion aspect of Walt Disney World. For that reason, I will never stay off WDW property because I lose one of the very best reasons to visit the World...

Well Said!

But my home, if you will, is Disneyland. I love the warmth and charm of the place. It feels so cozy. And for me whenever I visit the Magic Kingdom, it's always missing something. On my last visit to WDW in 2009, I realized what it was. The apartment over the fire department on Main Street with the light always turned on.

We haven't been back to DL for several years now, so we have grown to love and appreciate WDW... however we head back to DL in November and I have a sneaky feeling that we are going to feel like we have come home!