Is DLR or WDW cheaper?

[KateDrake]

Hey all!
We just moved up to Canada (Edmonton) from the States, and I'm still trying to figure out how to get my Disney fix.

We've usually done DLR every year with a WDW trip thrown in every few years, simply because DLR was nearer and cheaper. But I'm wondering if maybe we need to flip flop and go the other way if WDW is actually cheaper from Canada.

So, which tends to be cheaper for you? I'm assuming airfare is probably going to be the biggest factor for us from here on out, since it is so expensive to fly out of Canada. So do you find it cheaper to fly to LA or Orlando?

Also, how does Value season work in Canada? For example, I'd love to travel over Canadian Thanksgiving, which is off-season and Halloween time at both resorts. But do airline prices go up over Canadian holidays?

Anyway, as you can see, I'm back to being a novice, so any tips would be much appreciated!

 

[prairiesarah]

I am in Saskatchewan and fly out of Regina and have found from here the flights are very comparable price wise flying to Orlando or LA. The one advantage to Orlando for me was better connections. Flying out of Edmonton you may not have the same issue. I would be able to find a flight through Denver from here (so only one stop) to LAX but to fly Westjet (which is definitely my preferred airline) would mean stops in Edmonton or Calgary and then in Vancouver. I understand Westjet lost some of its spots at SNA (Orange County) which means worse routing coming from here. From here to Orlando I have lots of options of routing with only one stop (through Minneapolis, Denver, Toronto or Calgary). That would be one thing to look at if it is an issue for you. Although flying from Edmonton you will have far less issues getting more direct flights. To fly pretty much anywhere from Regina, you have to go through Edmonton or Calgary.

For price, I don't think you will have any issue finding sale flight for Thanksgiving if you are patient and wait for a sale. From what I have seen Westjet doesn't seem to block out too many times for sales - usually only Christmas. Not sure about other airlines, but Canadian Thanksgiving isn't the big travel time like American Thanksgiving in my opinion.

I also think since you are flying out of Edmonton you will likely have an easier time finding good deals than I would out of Regina as we have far less flights going out of here.

 

[Canooknic]

Welcome to Edmonton!!!

We did WDW last February (flew Delta via Minneapolis - good flight and you clear US customs before you leave unlike going via Toronto etc where you need to do it during the transfer time).
We had planned to do DL this year but when I priced it out there wasn't really much difference (about $600 I think) so we're heading back to Orlando again next weekend!!

I think we'll use DL as a 'quick' trip, a long weekend maybe as the flight is so much shorter.

 

[sechelt]

DL is by far less expensive for us. Airfare is, of course, less because we're closer to Anaheim than Orlando, but there are other reasons too.

When we've gone to WDW, we stayed 10 days each time and still didn't feel we'd seen everything. We stayed on site, ate on site, and were pretty much at the mercy of Disney for everything.

When we go to DL, we can stay offsite, eat offsite, and see everything in about 4 or 5 days, which means less $ overall.

Guess it's time for you to start a spreadsheet.

 

[ABCanada]

Edmonton here

We find flights to WDW and DL about the same cost. Time wise DL is shorter if you get the direct flight but this is offset partially by the time from the airport to DL.

The PP is correct that at WDW you are much more captive and spend all your money at Disney. If you like staying at the Disney Hotels WDW has more choice and tends to be less expensive. ME is nice at WDW. LAX, only direct flight near DL from Edmonton, to DL is not my favorite transfer.

Personally I prefer the DL version of the rides for many of the rides and it is nice to be able to walk everywhere.

WDW is more of a vacation with much more to do, a feeling of being away from everything and many more dining options. (To keep the costs down we try to eat only one meal out a day. Picking up bagels, fruit, wine, beer and cheese from Publics.)

We generally fly the US airlines (avoiding ORD) as you will clear customs in Edmonton and they are less expensive. WestJet has a direct flight to MCO once a week but it has only been seasonal and expensive.

Welcome to Edmonton. If you have any questions do not hesitate to ask.

 

[Gracomom]

Flying from Edmonton too.

We have gone only to DL the last 3 trips because it is so much cheaper and easier to get a direct flight to LAX. We've gone in February (not over family day), March and October. Our favorite time of year was October as it was quieter and we LOVED Mickey's Halloween party. Trick or treating with no snow suits was the best!

Welcome to Edmonton!

 

[KateDrake]

Thanks for the replies everyone! I agree with whoever said I need to start a spreadsheet, I'm going to have to start doing some pretty major airfare tracking!

I agree also that WDW and DLR are totally different vacations. DLR has always been our cheap, quick trip. We stay across the street and walk to the parks, usually stay for 4-5 days, and manage to see and do just about everything (including Mickey's Halloween Party, my fav!). And we could go for SO CHEAP - seriously, we could fly all three (now 4 with DD3 months) for around $500. That's for ALL of us, not per person. So it was super cheap and easy.

But because we were flying from Utah, WDW was a much bigger undertaking. We did have direct flights, but no matter what, they were much more expensive. We always stay at WDW for at least a week, stay onsite, do the dining plan, etc. So it is a totally different way to see the parks, but I love both!

I will have to keep following this board because it seems like people are really good about posting about fare sales, etc. So hopefully all of us Edmontonians can escape the cold for a bit! Cali or Florida, both are sunny, so it doesn't matter to me!