Just returned from WDW. Kids prefer Disneyland!!

[Albertan mom]

We just returned from our trip to WDW. It was our first time.
-We were at Disneyland May '04 and Dec '05.

We have had so many people asking us which one we liked better out of the two parks. The answer has generally been "hard to compare, they are so different, we like them both"

But after talking it over the other night, my kids both said they want to go back to DISNEYLAND!!

They said it was better!!

I have to agree on some points....
--Disneyland is much, much much cleaner.
--The service at DL is much better, CMs are friendlier
--Disneyland has more 'magic'
--Disneyland hasn't given in to the big Corporate stuff yet (Test Track by GM, where you have to exit through a General Motors showroom! What would Walt say!!??)

I did like all the restaurant choices at WDW, because we were on free dining plan. We also enjoyed doing some of the things you can't do at Disneyland, like Cirque De Soleil, Parasailing, Speedboating, Epcot Seas Scubadiving Tour,
etc....

Don't get me wrong, we loved WDW. Loved the different parts, had a great time.
But next time we go to Disney, I think we will go back to the Original place--Disneyland!!

Just wanted to share my thoughts on the Big Question of "What is better, DL or WDW"!

 

[MagicalMomAZ]

I've been debating if we should do WDW in the future, it's hard to gauge when b/c there's 6 yrs between the kids. To truly enjoy WDW I'd want 2 weeks & I can think of a lot of other places I'd like to visit for 2 wks!

I could easily be content to never give WDW a chance...sounds closed minded I know. I think I'd be happy sticking w/ DL forever & traveling the US more extensively instead of doing a huge WDW trip.

 

[jemilah]

thanks alot for your post , I have been thinking about DW , but for what I save I can do Dl in May and San Diego in the summer! My sister had a bad experience at Dw and warned me not to waste the extra money and be disapointed. To me Disneyland is truly the happiest place on earth , so I almost feel like DW would be cheating!

 

[Wilsonfamily4]

I was JUST discussing this with my sister. I cannot make up my mind between WDW adn WDL for May and she is going to WDL in February. I keep finding things I want to do in WDW so I was leaning that way. Your post helped kick the weights back to even. My kids are young (will be 5 and almost 3) so I just can't decide if WDW would be more for my husband and I.

 

[fabshelly]

I had to laugh at What Would Walt Say - have you ever heard his narration for the Ford Wonder Rotunda from the World's Fair? "Get a feel for the wheel of a Ford!" Walt did that kind of thing better than anyone else.

 

[tmt martins]

We loved DL as well but Walt had the right Idea with WDW and there is nothing like anywhere in the world.

Yes some rides are better in DL but WDW is a destination all in it's own.

service,CM's and cleanlyness of the parks are all hit or miss on all of my trips.

Either or enjoy as they are both wonderful places.

 

[robinb]

I have been to 4 out of 5 Magic Kingdoms and my abosolute favorite is the original. There is something intimate about it that the others just can't touch. I wish I could go back. My Disneyland APs expire in a month!

 

[OCSurfCity]

The problem is that WDW is soooo large that you have to do a lot of walking or use the Monorail to get to one place to another. When I went to WDW it was so hot and humid and WDW has NO drinking fountains availabel so that forced you to purchase drinks when you were thirsty.

I love EPCOT Center and wish Disneyland Resorts develops a version of EPCOT Center for us here in California. I really wanted Walt Disney to develop an Aquarium that emphasized the sea life off the California coast.

As for rides, I prefer Disneyland's It's a Small World facade over WDW.

 

[Pirate-Emery]

I really wanted Walt Disney to develop an Aquarium that emphasized the sea life off the California coast.

I was a volunteer guide at the Monterey Bay Aquarium this summer, and I want to say I highly approve of this venture.

Y'see, I am going into Marine Biology/Ecology/Environmental Science, but would also love to work at Disneyland. So this would be my dream! They could open a DisneySea in Anaheim and I can finally get my Disney job!

============================

Back to the original topic, I went to WDW in '99 and haven't gone back since. The experience was very negative:

1st offense: In a classic Seinfeld moment, it seemed the Grand Floridian had overbooked and given our room (which we reserved eight monthes earlier) to another party.

2nd offense: Way too huge, one huge/full week couldn't fit everything in. Disneyland had everything and was very intimate.

3rd offense: Much like 2, the parks were physically huge: walking with my Grandfather became a pain in the neck ("my dogs are killing me!"). Monorails and Buses?

I just looked at WDW from Google Earth and the parks are very spread out.


The Original Magic for me always... Even trying to get into college down there (University of San Diego Marine Environmental Science Major, here I come! )

The second I get word I am accepted, I'm off to buy an AP.

 

[dohgusgus]

I've been to both and I like Disneyland better. First off because its the original park, second because to me WDW seems like a once in lifetime thing, its too expensive and too big to thorougly enjoy IMHO. We felt so rattled having to take a bus here, the ferry there, etc. Disneyland is one place, with many things. It's a lot easier to get around and ALOT easier to save for!

 

[GailT]

Well soon I will know if I like DL better, I know I am going at a crowded time but I can't wait to go, I have a few must do things and as long as I do them that is OK, I am experience what Disney was all about. Don't get me wrong I like DW but I think after this trip I might have a different mind set towards going to DW

 

[pouncingpluto]

I do prefer WDW... I was raised on the east coast, and going to WDW feels like going home to me. I love DL, too... the proximity of everything is great, but it's not the self-contained destination that WDW is, and that's part of what I love about WDW... that I really do feel like I'm going into another world and don't have to deal with the real world at all. I could see spending two weeks at WDW, but I couldn't even spend one week at DL.

For a day trip... or a two-day trip, I would pick DL. For a vacation, I would pick WDW.

 

[Captjackson]

Kind of funny. The very reason some folks prefer WDW over DLR (size) is the very reason others prefer DLR over WDW. Guess it's like asking which is better, Los Angeles, Portland, or Walla Walla.

As a non-scientific personal obsevation/opinion, those people who grew up with DL prefer it, while those who visited WDW when they were young prefer Orlando.

 

[two-foxes]

PouningPluto - BEAUTIFUL wedding photos....Are those from MGM (and how did you keep all the tourists out of your photo????) Anyways, fabulous photos!

I agree that the friendliness and helpfulness of the CMs are hit and miss....I have had some at each, but DLR seems to have the least friendly of the two overall to me.

DLR uses large corporate sponsors, too.....Kodak in HISTA, Tiki Room by Dole, Sparkle has Gadgets go Coaster, ST has Enegizer, National Car rental has the Main Street Vehicles, Chevron and Autopia.....that is just the "Magic Kingdom", I didn't even look at DCA yet!

WDW just has the space to build "walk through commericials", which probably makes it seem more in your face.

But, for the record, even though I LOVE WDW, DLR is the first Disney park I ever visited and it is what I grew up with. It will always be #1 to me!

 

[TwingleMum]

I had to laugh at What Would Walt Say - have you ever heard his narration for the Ford Wonder Rotunda from the World's Fair? "Get a feel for the wheel of a Ford!" Walt did that kind of thing better than anyone else.

I agree, Walt courted alot of corporate sponsors especially for the Worlds Fair. How do you think Mr.Lincoln (Animatronics ) came about he invented that for a corporate sponsor prior to that there was only the birds in the Tiki Room. The imagineers created Worldshow case at EPCOT as a permenant Worlds Fair. It also allows Disney to defray the huge costs of running certain attractions. Look at the Wonders of Life Pavillion (one of my favorites) it has been in terrible shape mostly do to the lack of a corporate sponsor. I miss Cranium Command

 

[TwingleMum]

If you have never been to WDW I would urge you to go. There are onsite room acommedations that run the gamut from $75/night at ALL Stars or POP to the deluxe $500/night. I have been to WDW many many times. I prefer to go for around 10 days ~ 4 parks 2 days each and extra days for DTD. The dining options in WDW are also stagering. Epcot is a really cool place to check out. I would urge you to give WDW a try ~ yes its huge but staying on property and going back to your room for a nap or swim in the afternoon makes it easy to do one park in the am and another in the pm. Walt's dream was WDW after he had all the problems with DL. He intentionally made it its own little world where you can escape and not leave during your whole stay so you never leave the magic. Magical Express picks you up at Orlando Intl airport and takes you to your hotel, for free!!! Not available at DL. You don't need a rental car the transportation is already provided for you. Step out of your comfort zone and check it out. My favorite time to go is Oct weather is warm enough to swim but not oppressive. and you can go to the Food & Wine Festival at EPCOT where people come from all over the world with awesome food & yes wine for you to sample and they have fabulous special events to attend. That is also when Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween Party is an incredible Halloween party hosted by Mickey & friends. If you haven't been I urge you to go with an open mind. I will when I go to DL in March 07.

PS. Why not order the planning DVD and check it out. Also Tivo the travel channel they have quite a few great programs on WDW.Undiscovered WDW, WDW behind the resorts, as well as programs on several hotels (But none on DL whats up with that??!!!)

 

[disney-super-mom]

Of course my family will always LOVE DL, but we can't wait to make our first trip to WDW in the next few years! DH and I decided to wait until our kids are a little older so they can enjoy all aspects of WDW when we do go (right now our two boys ages are 7 & 3).

We decided when we go, we want to make it a special, longer-than-normal vacation. Normally when we go on vacation, we go to DL for about 5 days. But when we do go to visit WDW and Florida, we want to be able to spend a couple of weeks there to really have a chance to enjoy, experience, and relax by a great pool as much as we can.

DL will always be our "home" resort though. We love it for all the same reasons that others have already mentioned.

 

[pouncingpluto]

PouningPluto - BEAUTIFUL wedding photos....Are those from MGM (and how did you keep all the tourists out of your photo????) Anyways, fabulous photos!

Thank you! The one on the left is from the Boardwalk (where our ceremony was), and the two on the right are from MGM (where our reception was). We had *tons* of onlookers for the ceremony, but the MGM pictures are from after the park closed. If you have your reception there, you have to wait until an hour and a half after park closing.

 

[eatmypixiedust]

I've been to WDW twice and I do love Epcot (I miss Figment!!) However, I'm more attached to DL. I guess it's because I consider DL to be the original House of Mouse.

 

[tlynk]

I would rather go to WDW since there is much more to do. However, we usually don't spend much time at the Magic Kingdom since we get to visit DL often. Disneyland seems to be much nicer than the MK (just my opinion).