MK vs Disneyland

[WyKnott]

I'm planning a trip to WDW for November 2008 in connection with a 7 day cruise on RCL Mariner of the Seas. Still trying to figure out how many days to allow for the WDW part. The last and only time I've been there is way back 20 years ago. Needless to say, it's changed a lot since then. Since we're from SoCal, and have been to Disneyland several times, I'm thinking I only have to allow for 1 day at MK. I know some things are different, but some of the rides are the same. Am I wrong?

And how many days should we allow for the other parks?

I saw how the water parks are sometime closed during that time of the year, should we just not bother with the water parks and just get the Magic Your Way with Park Hopper?

We're going to WDW before the cruise in the hopes of avoiding the Super Soap Weekend and the crowds.

 

[DisneyNotes]

I know some things are different, but some of the rides are the same. Am I wrong?

No, you are not wrong. Many of the rides are the same, but the details are different. It would be worth your time to ride them all again in Florida.

And how many days should we allow for the other parks?

I allow 2 days for MK, 2 days for Epcot (although I could stay there for a week!), 1 day for MGM and 1 day for AK.

I saw how the water parks are sometime closed during that time of the year, should we just not bother with the water parks and just get the Magic Your Way with Park Hopper?

One of the water parks will be open while you are there. Just personal choice if you'd like to go to one. The weather may make your choice for you. You could buy the MYW with PH and buy a one-day water park ticket once you are there if you decide to go.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

I'm planning a trip to WDW for November 2008 in connection with a 7 day cruise on RCL Mariner of the Seas. Still trying to figure out how many days to allow for the WDW part. The last and only time I've been there is way back 20 years ago. Needless to say, it's changed a lot since then. Since we're from SoCal, and have been to Disneyland several times, I'm thinking I only have to allow for 1 day at MK. I know some things are different, but some of the rides are the same. Am I wrong?

And how many days should we allow for the other parks?

I saw how the water parks are sometime closed during that time of the year, should we just not bother with the water parks and just get the Magic Your Way with Park Hopper?

We're going to WDW before the cruise in the hopes of avoiding the Super Soap Weekend and the crowds.

I have been to the Magic Kingdom numerous times and went to Disneyland for the first time last year. Yes, there are similarities, but also big differences. Part of the fun was comparing the attractions and seeing how they are different. Also, I think the Magic Kingdom is bigger. I don't think we have ever been able to see all of the Magic Kingdom in one day, and I believe we did all of Disneyland in one day. The thing that I kept finding very weird at Disneyland was how much smaller Sleeping Beauty's castle is than Cinderella's castle. I would also allow 2 days for MK, 2 days for Epcot, 1 day for AK and 1 day for MGM. Hope this helps.

 

[DisneyNotes]

Part of the fun was comparing the attractions and seeing how they are different.

That's right. The comparison is fun.

 

[thunderbird1]

Some of the rides are the same (Dumbo, Teacups), some are better in DL (Buzz Lightyear, POTC), and some are better in WDW (Splash, Enchanted Tiki Room Under New Management). Unless you have little kids, you could skip things like Dumbo, but I wouldn't want to skip any of the "longer" attractions like Jungle Cruise or BTMRR. It just wouldn't be Disney without those.

I would, however, skip the WP&M options in November, especially being from SoCal. With the humidity, it could be very chilly for you. Or, like DisneyNotes said, if you have extra time and a warm spell, just buy a 1 day ticket. The only exception would be if you really wanted to spend a couple of nights at PI or DQ--then it might be worth it to spring for the WP&M.

And you're definitely doing WDW and the cruise in the right order. We've done it both ways, and I absolutely prefer to play hard at WDW first, then relax in luxury on the cruise. Have fun planning!

 

[cryssi]

You'll be good with 1 day at MK. The first thing you will find is that it's way bigger than Disneyland! You do have to do all the big rides just for comparison. They are different! Come back and report on which ones you like better...

Do you have kids? That might determine the amount of time needed for MK. Don't forget that if you get hoppers, you can do multiple parks.

I would also allow 2 days for epcot, 1 day mgm, 1 day AK. You might not even need full days at MGM and AK, so if you had hoppers, you could go back to MK or epcot to see stuff you missed.

Not to be missed at MK that we don't have here is Mickey's Philharmagic...it's so cool! Also the tiki room under new management...if you're tired of DL's original (which I love, btw), it's a funny change of pace. Also the Laugh Floor.

Avoid Stitch's great escape like the plague. That was the worst piece of garbage I'd ever had the misfortune to go on...

 

[DisneyNotes]

Not to be missed at MK that we don't have here is Mickey's Philharmagic...it's so cool! Also the tiki room under new management...if you're tired of DL's original (which I love, btw), it's a funny change of pace. Also the Laugh Floor.

Avoid Stitch's great escape like the plague.

Ditto

 

[Sabrina90744]

I'm planning a trip to WDW for November 2008 in connection with a 7 day cruise on RCL Mariner of the Seas. Still trying to figure out how many days to allow for the WDW part. The last and only time I've been there is way back 20 years ago. Needless to say, it's changed a lot since then. Since we're from SoCal, and have been to Disneyland several times, I'm thinking I only have to allow for 1 day at MK. I know some things are different, but some of the rides are the same. Am I wrong?

And how many days should we allow for the other parks?

I think it depends on when in November you are going. If its during Thanksgiving week I think its safe to assume the parks are going to me super crowded and you will not accomplish as much as you would during the first two weeks of November.

We are from So Cal to and for our first trip in 2006 the plan was to hit everything not in Disneyland, fortunately for us the crowd level was very low so we were able to hit just about everything in 2 and 1/2 days at MK, but this was without making rope drop. For me it was interesting to see the differences in the rides. Pirates for instance is soooo much better at Disneyland. Lots of little differences. As for the other parks, when I began my initial research most people said Animal Kingdom and MGM were half day parks, but 1 day was not enough at either one. We went to MGM 2 1/2 and still didn't get to everything and one at Animal Kingdom and that wasn't enough. I would say plan on 1 day at AK and MGM getting to the parks as soon as they open. At MK if you plan on hitting what is not in Disneyland I would say one day would be enough at MK, Epcot could be done in a day, but two would be better. Skip Stitch its really not worth your time.

I saw how the water parks are sometime closed during that time of the year, should we just not bother with the water parks and just get the Magic Your Way with Park Hopper?

My kids loved the water parks and its a must for us now, even in cooler weather. One water park is always open.

 

[WyKnott]

Thanks to everyone for your replies! I like the one-day waterpark option.

There will be kids in our group. Two little ones for sure, hopefully more. The two kids that are going for sure have been to Disneyland at least 3 times this year so far and probably will go a few more next year, so I think I'll plan on 1 day at MK for now.

Since it's still in the early planning stages, some haven't committed to go yet. Our group will be anywhere from 5 to 16 people. We're going the first week of November, but how many days is a juggle between cost and the right amount of days to do it right. We're going to be staying at a value so that helps with the cost, there. I structured the trip so people can choose to do the entire thing, or just WDW or just the cruise depending on what they can afford. We also want to fit in a day at the Kennedy Space Center.

I have a feeling it's going to be full-on, non-stop, cramming everything into 6 days and then collapsing onto the ship afterwards.

 

[DisneyNotes]

I have a feeling it's going to be full-on, non-stop, cramming everything into 6 days and then collapsing . . .

Sounds like a true Disney vacation to me!

 

[thunderbird1]

I have a feeling it's going to be full-on, non-stop, cramming everything into 6 days and then collapsing onto the ship afterwards.

And that's why you need the cruise second--to recover from WDW! Have fun!

Sounds like a true Disney vacation to me!

My dh keep asking me if we'll have some down time while we're there. Uh, yeah, you can go sit down, over there, while we race to the next thing!

 

[cryssi]

I have a feeling it's going to be full-on, non-stop, cramming everything into 6 days and then collapsing onto the ship afterwards.

As the Magical Express driver told us..."do everything you possibly can, and then do some more. It's vacation, you're supposed to overdo it! Besides, it's perfectly acceptable to call in sick the day after a vacation..."

 

[DisneyNotes]

Amen!