Just returned from WDW. Kids prefer Disneyland!!

[mAlien13]

I think this debate is always so interesting. I went to DLR often when I was growing up, and loved it as a little girl, so magical! It is definately how my Disneymania was born. When I was little older, my family started traveling to WDW instead, and WOW!! I was blown away then and still am. When my hubby and I took our first trip with our kids, it was hands down no questions asked, WDW. The next time, back to WDW. Then started to think about what the kids were missing ( not to mention my DH ) by not experiencing the origional. We decided to go this past April, and WE LOVED IT!!! DLR offers an entirely different expereince than WDW. This is what I would say to anyone trying to figure out which to visit: What kind of trip do you want? Do want a warm, relaxed, calmer expereince? Do you just want to wonder and let the fun find you? Then go to DLR. Do you want an action packed, senses blowing just this side of overwhelming turbo vacation? Do want to plan it all out and soak everything in? Then go to WDW.

Personally, I won't choose between the two. They are so different. We will keep going to both. Because we can drive to DLR, it is a movey saver, and easy to plan on a more spur of the moment type of thing. You don't need near as much time, while I believe WDW is a minimum 6 day event. If it weren't for airfare tho, we'd probably go to WDW more frequently.

If you've never been to either, and you love Disney, TRY them both. It is worth it no matter what.

 

[mom2dzb]

I had visited DL once as a child and once as an adult, before DCA. I moved to Florida a few years ago and fell in love with WDW. We never were able to fit it all in, though, as we only spent long weekends there. We frequently stayed off property, which was very inconvenient. My main complaint was the transportation system. Even staying on property required a bus, ferry or monorail ride (or combinations of those.)
Just this spring we returned to DL. I love that staying off property is more convenient than most on property hotels at WDW. I'm thrilled that DCA is there. You can hop between parks or go back to your hotel in no time.
We've moved back out west so DL will be our primary Disney vacation destination. My only hope is that they build a DVC resort nearby.

 

[jedi_librarian]

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.

I agree! My heart is with Disneyland, even though it's much farther away from me. Plus, it's MUCH easier to get DH to take me to DL than WDW It's easier to be in CA and say 'Gee, hun, Disneyland's only ____ away from here'

 

[DisneyDotty]

Just did two weeks at WDW (and could've stayed longer). Six days at DL in December was also good, but I could've stayed longer there, too. Both parks are amazing and magical. Sometimes I'll be in a park and just stop and think, "Thanks, Walt, for all the magic you've given me." Sounds goofy (no offense to the dog), but I'm a total sucker for the Disney magic. **sigh**
OP--glad you had a great time at WDW! We love both parks, but are quite enamored by the intimacy of DL.

 

[OCSurfCity]

If I were an Imagineer I would have developed Disney Seas near Long Beach with a port so that Disney Cruise ships could dock. Can you imagine how many cruises Disney could have made had it developed Disney Seas?

I love the Monterey Bay Aquarium. After they shut down my beloved Marineland of the Pacific, I prayed and hoped someone would develop an Aquarium aimed at instructing the public about our sea life. We have grey whales, sea lions, seals and other sea life that inhabit our coast so it would have been a no brainer for Disney to develop this theme. This venture could have been a rehab center for animals that turn up injured along our coast line. And they could have been associated with a marine biology college too.

 

[Captjackson]

I think one way to describe the difference between DLR and WDW is this:

In Sept of '04 we went to WDW. 4 day passes in Orlando. We spent 1 day at each park. It felt like we were just skimming the surface. There were alot of stuff I know we missed.

In Feb of '06 we spent 5 days at DLR. While I wouldn't say we were ready to come home, I felt like we had seen everything we needed to.

Granted the kids were 4 and 2 at WDW and 6 and 4 at DLR. That had alot to do with the speed we were able to travel. Still, if I could do it all over again, I would like to spend at least 7 or 8 days at WDW, while DLR could probably be done in 3 days (although 5 is still better ) I do plan on going back to WDW someday.

I grew up in SoCal for the first 12 years of my life (mid 60s-mid 70s). So as great as WDW is (no arguement from me on that account) I am sentimentally biased to the original Magic Kingdom.

 

[Sabor]

First off to the original posters What would Walt Think? DL was built on corporate sponsorship - I remember going in the 70's almost every Major attraction had someones logo on it.


The views here will be skewed becuase this is a DL board. But there in no comparison


I grew up going to DL but WDW is a vacation destination , I have been 12 times ( week long or more) in the last 10 years and no 2 trips are alike. I have spent a 6 night family trip without going into a theme park without being bored.

Thats why WDW is better because you can never really see it all or expereince it all

 

[iceskatejen]

From what I've heard, Disney had originally planned to build Disney Sea in Long Beach, but the city of Long Beach was not willing to help with the costs. Apparently Anaheim had been willing to help with the costs, but not enough to build either Disney Sea or the originally planned Westcot in Anaheim, therefore we got DCA.

As for which is better, DLR or WDW, they're both great in my book for different reasons. DL is home for me. It's like being with old friends. There's a great comfort factor there for me. As far as Magic Kingdoms go, I'll take DL any day. On the other hand, I love Epcot and AK. Not as much as DL, but they're a close second and third. Food is better at WDW (cheaper, too). Entertainment is better at DLR. Yes, DLR doesn't require as long a time. My first (and until Nov, only trip) to WDW I was there 8 nights and felt like I didn't get to do or see everything I wanted. I'l be going for 10 nights at what should be a less crowded time, so hopefully I feel like I saw what I wanted.

 

[Albertan mom]

I am sure we will go to both again.
We will do WDW if they offer free dining again!! That was great!

We will go to Disneyland if we have less time (and money!)

I think Disneyland is great if you have 5 days or so, with WDW, you need at least 7-12 days. (we did 9, and that was good, but we still missed things)

They are both great. They are both Disney!

 

[Disney Magic]

My girls were just the opposite. They much preferred WDW over DLR and do not want to go back to DLR. Luckily I will be going to LA on business quite often, so I will at least be able to get back for a day visit once in a while.

I feel the same way as Captjackson. For the most part, if one was raised going to DL, they would probably prefer DLR over WDW because it feels like "home" to them and that is where their family memories were made....and visa versa. For instance, it is tradition for our girls and their dad to have Afternoon Tea together at the Grand Floridian....it's a daddy/daughter bonding time for them and they have continued that tradition even though our girls are now grown. We also roast marshmellows at the campfire every time we go, too, and also have a family golf day. Some Disney traditions are just hard to break, and when they are not available at another resort it just doesn't feel the same.

Same for my nieces and nephews. When they went to DLR they were extremely disappointed that they didn't have the three Pirate Cruises that the kids absolutely love. They kept asking to go on the Pirate Cruises instead of the rides. My little niece also cried because they didn't have the Perfect Princess Tea with RosePetal (whoever that is). That was her favorite memory of Disney. It's these types of "non park" activities that make our stays at WDW special. As Sabor mentioned, we, too, stayed at WDW (it was during a convention) and didn't step foot in a theme park and had a blast taking advantage of everything else available on Disney property.

The more time one spends at a resort, the more they discover the "extra special things" that make it even more wonderful. If we were regulars to DLR, I am sure we would find other wonderful "adventures" that would make our stay more special. And I am sure if DLR regulars spent more time at WDW, they would become very familiar with it and would find many special surprises, too.

Both resorts are great, each having their strong and weak points. I hate to see people argue about which is better, because it just all boils down to personal preferences. I just think it is great that Disney has two different resort options so we can all choose, and continue to visit, the resort that "best fits" our individual family's vacation expectations.

 

[Tink33]

I prayed and hoped someone would develop an Aquarium aimed at instructing the public about our sea life. We have grey whales, sea lions, seals and other sea life that inhabit our coast so it would have been a no brainer for Disney to develop this theme. This venture could have been a rehab center for animals that turn up injured along our coast line. And they could have been associated with a marine biology college too.

We have that all down in San Diego. The Birch Aquarium at Scripps is associated with UCSD (either on or right next to the campus). Sea World has a rehab center for the sea animals who are injured.

 

[Albertan mom]

The more time one spends at a resort, the more they discover the "extra special things" that make it even more wonderful. If we were regulars to DLR, I am sure we would find other wonderful "adventures" that would make our stay more special. And I am sure if DLR regulars spent more time at WDW, they would become very familiar with it and would find many special surprises, too.

Both resorts are great, each having their strong and weak points. I hate to see people argue about which is better, because it just all boils down to personal preferences. I just think it is great that Disney has two different resort options so we can all choose, and continue to visit, the resort that "best fits" our individual family's vacation expectations.

Well said!

We did have a great time at WDW. We feel blessed that we did get to do both places in the past 2 years. But DH said no way are we going to Disneyland Toyko, Hong Kong or Paris!!

We will probably do another quick trip to Disneyland, and then we will see what the kids think. I am sure they will find it very small after WDW!

I can't wait to experience them both again!

 

[Pirate-Emery]

We have that all down in San Diego. The Birch Aquarium at Scripps is associated with UCSD (either on or right next to the campus). Sea World has a rehab center for the sea animals who are injured.

Ocean Life... with a Disney twist? That sounds awesome!

 

[Harmony]

Everyone has their own opinion and I've found that usually people prefer the "1st one they ever visited." For us, that is WDW! LOVE IT THERE! We loved DL too but WDW, is WOW! Yes, we'll probably visit DL again in the future but next, it's on to WDW!

One imagineer said, (paraphrasing here)...DL is charming but WDW is spectacular. I couldn't agree more.

 

[Captjackson]

Well said!

We did have a great time at WDW. We feel blessed that we did get to do both places in the past 2 years. But DH said no way are we going to Disneyland Toyko, Hong Kong or Paris!!

Well, that's an area where my sister's kids have mine beat.
BIL works for Boeing. About 10 years ago they decided to volunteer for foreign assignments. First assignment: Tokyo. Next was a short stint in Belguim, followed by 3 years in Paris. This summer, they were transfered to Shenzhen (sp?), China, which is a very (relatively) short drive from Hong Kong. My neice and nephew turn 12 and 10 this week, BTW. Lucky them. Actually, the one park I'm not sure they've been to is DLR, our "local" park.

 

[Albertan mom]

Funny, we were talking about the two again the other night. They both said that no, maybe they do want to go back to WDW again!!! Especially during free dining!!

DS was saying "If only they would put RnR at DL, it would be the best. Oh, and also Test Track. And EE."
Then he is quiet for a minute, then says, "Maybe I do like Disneyworld better"
Too funny.



We love them both. They both have great qualities, and I am happy that they are both there for us to enjoy!