land vs world?

[mimimom]

My family and I have only been to Disneyland before. We have a trip to Disney World this July planned(booked and paid for} and i was just wondering from those of you that have done the world and then the land is it a big dissappointment? Is it a complete letdown? From what I have read on all of the boards the world just seems so much{how should I say this?}MORE! Im almost feeling overwhelmed with all of the planning that is involved. I keep second guessing myself(do I have enough ps's planned are we staying at the right resort yadda yadda yadda) I am anxiously awaiting the new discount codes for after july 3. I have never in my life had to do this much planning for a trip(not that I havent enjoyed it my family thinks im obsessed because I am on the computer every chance I get.Is any one else out there as overwhelmed as I am? mimimom

 

[AKASnowWhite]

We are frequent WDW visitors, and we went to DL for the first time last November. You are correct in thinking they are different. DL is much more intimate. We stayed at the DL hotel, and never left Disney property for the duration of our stay - and we just LOVED it there! I must say though, that I think we would have had a completely different experience had we stayed off-site.

WDW can be overwhelming. There is just SO much to see and do, that you can't realistically do it ALL in one trip (or 2, 3, 4, ). Depending on who you are travelling with, I'd suggest you pick some definite must-do's from each park and plan your schedule around them. We usually prepare a rather extensive plan, so we don't waste alot of time trying to decide *what to do next*!

My best advice to you is to be as educated about the ins and outs of WDW and as prepared with a plan as you can , but remain flexible! Remember - you're there to have FUN!

 

[daannzzz]

I have been going to Disneyland since 1965. Many times!!!! In 1996 at the age of 40 I went to WDW for the first time. If you like Disney and Disneyland you should love Walt Disney World. It is so much more beautiful being set away from the suburbs and surrounded by greenery. 4 parks and 20 really neat themed hotels, monorails running around lakes and boats to carry you to different locals. Don't let it overwhelm you. It does take a bit more planning. There is traveltime between your hotel and the parks. The Magic Kingdom and Epcot are about 3 miles apart.
I showed video from my first trip to WDW to all the family and anyone who cared to ( or not) watch. On subsequent trips they were all amazed. Pictures and vide do not convey the feeling.
As far as comparing the Magic Kingdom to Disneyland. Most people tend to like the park they went to first. I find there to be many things that are comperable and others that are better or worse. Both are fun!!!

 

[strawberryblonde]

Disneyland is my childhood park. Growing up in SanDiego CA, I got to go more than once, but only on day trips. My first visit to WDW was for my honeymoon for a week. Different experience. I love WDW, the way I feel staying there for a week, but I prefer DL to MK. Some rides that you are used to having right in the DL park are in other parks at WDW (like Star Tours is at MGM, HISTA is at Epcot) and some just aren't there (like the storybook boats, Alice, Casey Jr. Train, Roger Rabbit spin). Your resort stay is half the fun (IMO), make sure to take time out from the parks to enjoy your pool and a character meal. If you opt to stay off-site, you can still enjoy a resort or two by making PS's for meals. The character breakfast at GF goes the latest. Play at MK for a few hours in the morning then ride a boat to GF for a 11am or 11:15am "brunch" with the characters. Rent a "watermouse" for a spin around the lake. Go back to MK refreshed.....

You will have a blast. Enjoy what you do, don't worry about what you can't fit in. You will be back

 

[noodles]

We honeymooned in Disneyland in 94 and loved it. When our first daughter was 3 we took her to the world and have not been back to the land since. Disneyland is so much closer, we could do a weekend trip, but we choose to save our vacation time and money to do an extended trip to the world once a year. We go because we like being in the middle of everything, the different resorts, and the total "escape" from the real world. We have been to disneyworld 3 times and going again this November and still havent seen it all. We will continue to be pulled back because there is so much to see and do! Have fun!

Shannon

 

[disneyluver91]

WDW all the way! On my profile it looks like I have only been to WDW, but thats cuz i (no offense) didnt really count DL. WDW is sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much better!
Sorry if u dont agree, its just my opinion. I mean, not that DL is horrible, it's just that WDW is much better!

 

[madthemouse]

The way I like to look at the two parks......

California has a......Land

Florida has a.....World


Have a great time!!!

 

[Planogirl]

I've been to WDW several times and finally tried Disneyland just last year. I think that Disneyland is the best American Disney park but WDW has the advantage of having a lot more to do overall. Of course, I also loved southern California and we did a lot of exploring so that made a difference. WDW is great but I do plan to get back to Disneyland too. After all the Indiana Jones ride is worth a trip all by itself.

 

[Grog]

I'm one of those freaks of nature that prefers DL, especially since it opened as the DLR in 2001. As someone else mentioned, it is so much more intimate. You can walk from anywhere in the resort to anywhere else in the resort in about 15 minutes or less. It's nice to walk out of your hotel and be in one of the parks in five minutes instead of standing around waiting for a bus. I get plenty of vacation time at work but I can't take a lot at once, so my choices are a leisurely week at DLR or a hectic week at WDW. I do like WDW, and will go back again, but I'm not in any great hurry.

We will be going back to DLR for Christmas this year because we want to see Haunted Mansion Holiday and the holiday version of Believe. Probably late next year we will do WDW.

One thing that makes DLR so much better for me are the rides you can't do at WDW such as Indy, Matterhorn, Roger Rabbit, Alice, a better POTC, Soarin' over California (I would put this in a tie with Indy as being the best Disney ride in the US parks), Grizzly River Run (better than kali).... just to name a few.

 

[Grog]

Forgot to mention...to me there is also a more magical feel at DL due to the fact that The Man himself built it, walked in it, worked in it, and played in it. One of my favorite things in the park is the light left on in Walt's apartment above the Fire Station

 

[AKASnowWhite]

Originally posted by Grog
We will be going back to DLR for Christmas this year because we want to see Haunted Mansion Holiday and the holiday version of Believe. Probably late next year we will do WDW.

Nightmare Before Christmas (ie Haunted Mansion) is great! And don't by-pass Small World! It gets all *dressed up* for the Holiday's as well, with the children singing a medley of Christmas songs with the traditional Small World tune. We enjoyed that so much I don't think the *usual* Small World will ever be the same!

Oh - and DL version of Indy is exponentially better than WDW's, IMO. (as is Pirates, Space Mt. and the Speedway!)....and Soarin' Over California was SO cool! (can you tell we just LOVED our trip to DL! )

 

[Grog]

And don't by-pass Small World!

Thanks! I had forgot that DL also changes IASW for Christmas. I will make sure I see it