NEED HELP deciding between DL & DW!

[squirrel]

Ooh really? Tell me more!

Longer ride, tells the story much better.

 

[Renae De Liz]

WDW - More of a resort for folks on vacation. WDW is geared for a longer stay. Tables and lines are air conditioned.

DL - not as much air conditioning (more outside lines and tables). A few more locals.

Both are excellent. I would go to WDW for a once in a lifetime. Because there is more to see.

I can exhaust DL and DCA in three days with most rides hit multiple times. WDW I can hit the major rides in all parks in three days and for sure all of my favorites. However I like the 7 days or more to hit most of the parks twice.

WDW - Staying on site highly recomended. Disney Hotels start cheaper.

DL - Offiste is OK for most folks. Disney hotels start in the 200 range.

MAN I had no idea I would be getting such great input right off the bat!! THANK YOU GUYS!

I was thinking 7 days. I can't make myself stay away from the baby any longer than that! How is the time for DW with 7 days?

And air conditioned lines? Oh my! Am I looking forward to that!

I was looking at the Wilderness Lodge. The Grand Californian is and always will be my favorite Disneyland hotel. And WL looked like the most "christmasy" as well. I'm from Northern California/Oregon so these types of rustic hotels make me feel at home.



GOSH guys! This is so hard!! But it's nice to know that either way we're going to have a blast!!

 

[sissy_ib]

Thank you Sissy! That really does help me get a feel for what to expect, especially from someone who grew up with DL like me!

I must say the biggest draw for me for DW so far are all the new restaurants ( at DL Goofy's Kitchen & Blue Bayou were the only ones we *had* to eat at) and seeing Epcot and all the different countries and their different versions of Christmas.

I also hear the DW lines are better. I actually sort of like standing in line when the queue is so awesome! That's why I keep holding onto Indiana Jones Ride.... the line is so amazing and fun to be in, on slow days I was actually sort of bummed I couldn't wait in line and enjoy the atomosphere for longer (silly, I know!) ;p

How does the Haunted Mansion look from the outside, I heard it was different but still awesome!!

Thanks for taking the time to discuss this with me everyone! It's so appreciated!!

Your welcome
I love DL and miss it I'm saving up my DVC points for a DL/Hawaii trip in a few years Cant wait to see Cars Land and the new DCA!
The Haunted Mansion at WDW is a totally different style on the outside, because WDW does not have the New Orleans Square area, it is kind of part of FL. I know what you mean about liking to wait to see everything. The queues are some of the best parts of Disney! My DFH and I let tons of people pass us at some rides so we could take pictures!

If you get the chance, private message a guy named bhbob and ask him his honest opinion. He had a trip report that I read and visited WDW for his first time back in May of this year. He came for 20 days all by himself as his family stayed home. Apparently it was his lifelong dream. He too had spent many times in DL. His trip report, although was very long, was really interesting to read. Check it out.

That sounds amazing! I'm going to do a search for that.

 

[Dexican]

Ooh really? Tell me more!

When we went at DLR we felt like the ride was really rushed. By rushed we mean we felt like we were traveling a lot faster than we did at WDW. At WDW you have time to admire and immerse yourself in the story we didn't feel like we got as much at DLR. I would say it's a very good ride at DLR but excellent at WDW. Flumes are different as well as you sit two together in every row at Wdw. The ride is classic no matter where you ride it but far superior at WDW!

 

[Renae De Liz]

Since you aren't taking the baby, this is the perfect time to go to WDW!

Stay onsite if possible. So much easier. You don't even need to see your checked bags after you leave them at the airport-they arrive in your room about 3 hrs after your plane lands. You can have all your purchases delivered to your resort. As I mentioned earlier, no need for a car rental.

Eee you're getting me all excited for DW! I was thinking about Wilderness Lodge mostly because it seems like it'd be the most "Christmasy" and it's close to Magic Kingdom, which I like!

 

[Renae De Liz]

When we went at DLR we felt like the ride was really rushed. By rushed we mean we felt like we were traveling a lot faster than we did at WDW. At WDW you have time to admire and immerse yourself in the story we didn't feel like we got as much at DLR. I would say it's a very good ride at DLR but excellent at WDW. Flumes are different as well as you sit two together in every row at Wdw. The ride is classic no matter where you ride it but far superior at WDW!

NICE! I really look forward to that! I LOVE you can sit two together! And funny I always felt that the story and ride felt rushed as well but never knew there was a slower version available! Definite check on the "Pro" side for DW! Thank you so much!

 

[LaLaDisney]

It sounds like you may be leaning toward WDW. HydroGuy has a great thread on Disneyland vets visiting WDW. It should answer a lot of questions you may have. Let me try to put the link here.
http://http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599&highlight=dlr+wdw+vet
IHTH!

 

[Renae De Liz]

Your welcome
I love DL and miss it I'm saving up my DVC points for a DL/Hawaii trip in a few years Cant wait to see Cars Land and the new DCA!
The Haunted Mansion at WDW is a totally different style on the outside, because WDW does not have the New Orleans Square area, it is kind of part of FL. I know what you mean about liking to wait to see everything. The queues are some of the best parts of Disney! My DFH and I let tons of people pass us at some rides so we could take pictures!



That sounds amazing! I'm going to do a search for that.

Oooh, New Orleans Square is so nice!! But I am looking forward to Liberty Square as well!

And please let me know if you find any info on your search for that man's thread! I'm totally interested too!! Thanks so much Sissy!

 

[sissy_ib]

Oooh, New Orleans Square is so nice!! But I am looking forward to Liberty Square as well!

And please let me know if you find any info on your search for that man's thread! I'm totally interested too!! Thanks so much Sissy!

I found his thread!
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2714785
It is way to late for me to be up so I'm going to pretend I didn't see it otherwise I will be up all night reading it lol.
Happy research!

 

[MikeandSulley]

My answers are in red, we've been to both, although DW a lot more. I think maybe it's time to try something different, which will seem intimidating at first but will be awesome in the end. Hope it helps.

Okay... my husband and I just decided the other day that we want to take my oldest son to Disney this year during the Christmas season (probably around Dec. 1st onward). He's turning 9 in February. I'm pretty sure that this is the last "real" Christmas season he may have and we want it to be perfect. Also for the last 2 years he's gotten a baby brother, we've moved, and also his dad and I work a lot, and we want to go without the baby this time and make the trip all about him.

I grew up with Disney LAND, but I'm contemplating giving Disney World a try! I'd sincerely appreciate helping me decide with input on my (many!) questions!

1) Space Mountain; my favorite DL ride, heard it was the 'old' version at DW. Is it as good still? I've been on both, but to be honest Space Mountain is not one of my favorites so I wouldn't notice a difference. I have fun on both though.

2) I heard Pirates isn't as good at DW (shorter?) Pirates it better at DL, the beginning scene in the bayou is not there and there are two drops at Pirates in DL and only 1 at DW. I however like it shorter because I don't like Pirates that much, (wow I must not like much) so the less time on it the better

3) No Indiana Jones Ride?! Gah! But I heard the Dinosaur ride was similar? If it is as good I'm willing try it! We LOVE Indiana Jones, and Dinosaur is similar, but not nearly as good. Dinosaur is fun and all, but it is no Indiana Jones. The good thing is there are so many other rides like Test Track and Mission Space to name a few.

4) No Matterhorn (this one really got me, that mountain is like the anchor to all of disney experiences!) but there's that new Everest ride at DW. How is it? Everest and Matterhorn are really nothing alike. Everest is a more intense almost California Screamin' and Matterhorn I liken to Big Thunder. I love Everest it's awesome and totally worth it. I don't think you'll miss the Matterhorn too much when you're there. When we go to DL, there is so much else I never miss Test Track, which is a anchor to some of my best Disney memories

5) Which one has better Christmas experiences? We've never been at Christmas

6) A big concern of mine from visiting Disneyland last in 2009; the service and the overall feel of the park felt not as good. In example, I went to DL in 2006. It was amazing! People greeted me going into the hotel, it seems cleaner, generally we felt like we were treated like a king & queen just for being there! 2009, we weren't greeted, the workers seemed "glummer" and worst of all, on the rides people used flash photography "nonstop" on every ride. Before they stopped the ride and politely asked for them to stop. Now they just let it go. It totally ruined many rides. Especially Pirates!!! People that know what I'm talking about, is it better now (heard it was because they needed money to refurb. Cal. Ad.) and does anyone know if you still get the "magic treatment" at DW? Do they still rule against flash photography? I don't think I can answer this as I never notice any flash photography, whether that means I'm oblivious or DW is really enforcing the rules, I don't know. We have never felt the CM were gloomy or uninviting at DW, the only negative experiences we've ever had with CM were at DL

7) The DW Fantasy Land expansion, no Toon Fair?? Also is Small World still open? Does Fantasy Land still feel like Fantasty land, is there still rides? Important to me as when I took my son 2 years ago to DL, they were refurbishing a lot there too so he missed a bunch of fantasy land too. Basically just want to know if there's still a lot of Fantasty Land to experience at DW. Again we haven't been there since May 2010 before a lot of the Fantasy land stuff was going on, but it can't be much worse than the CA construction at DL. Everything is still operable and Toon Town at DW was a completely separate area and not nearly as magical as the one at DL, which is probably why it was so easy to close it.

8) The food! There was only a few places I HAD to eat at DL. Where are best places to eat at DW? I am the type that LOVES theme restaurants, not so much for the more normal ones. Food isn't a big issue with us, but the restaurant selection is sooo much better at DW, we love the theme of Sci-Fi at HS and there are many others, just look around. The one thing about DW dining as opposed to DL is you have to make a reservation at DW. Although we have had luck during off season as walking up, but I have a feeling you would not be that lucky at Christmas time.

9) how is Wilderness Lodge at Christmas? Also, any special Christmas disney candy/merch available in the park? I'm assuming the Wilderness Lodge would be beautiful during Christmas. I live in Colorado so the architecture of WL is around me a lot and it's amazing at Christmas and that is without the Disney magic. They will also have a ton of Christmas merch and candy available.

 

[SplashMo]

Seven Days at WDW. You might like staying at POR with the boat to DTD and Ghiradeli Ice Cream Sundaes. I spend so little time in the hotel though... If you want the nicer room maybe AKL?

7 days might look like this. (Actually 7.5 days )

MK
EP
AK-DS
MK
EP
DS-EP
MK
AK (9AM Until Noon day of flight)

WDW also has test track. Splash WDW seats two across which I like.

DS at WDW has more star wars. And the parade there has star wars and if you go to Star Wars Weekends (usually June) Should be a 9 year olds dream...

AK Flame Tree BBQ is great cheap eats at AK. Love 50's diner at DS. Lots of very nice places to eat.

 

[disfan07]

In regards to the Christmas experience, IMO, I think WDW wins.

We went to WDW during Christmas time in dec. 2007 and dec. 2010.
We went to DL during Christmas in dec 2008 and dec 2009.

Heck, we spent $1500 on airfare to get to WDW last december when we could have just driven an hour to DL.

WDW just has more of a vacation feel to it. Which is great during the holidays. You never really have to leave Christmas atmosphere.

MK-Holiday Wishes is AMAZING. And Cinderellas catsle is so beautiful with the isicle lights. And the Christmas parade is great but if I remember correctly, very similar to the one in DL

EPCOT- Illuminations is amazing. Also, it is so great just to walk around WS during the holidays to see how other ocuntries celebrate is so cool

DHS- one thing and one thing only---Osborne Spectacle of Lights! We saw it twice this past trip. Never gets old. And I personally think Fantasmic at DHS is so much better than at DL

AK- the only real thing is the jingle jungle parade which we really liked.

The Christmas trees at all 4 parks are wonderful to see.
And we LOVE to resort hop during the holidays. We did all of the Deluxe resorts last time.
Wilderness Lodge is absolutely beautiful during the holidays.
We also went to:
Beach Club
Yacht Club
Boardwalk
Animal Kingdom Lodge
Contemporary
Polynesian
Grand Floridian (you can't go during the holidays and NOT see the gingerbread house in the GF)

Overall, i would definitely say that if it is a choice, WDW would be a better Christmas experience.

And the MK construction--Toontown at WDW was NOTHING like Toontown at DL so you are not missing out on much

Oh...the only 2 things that I think DL does much better than WDW. Small World and Haunted Mansion. You will not see anything liek those two overlays at WDW from what I remember. Those two overlays are beyond incredible.

But other than that, we like WDW more than DL for Christmas.

 

[Donalyn]

My recommendation is read Hydroguy's thread and go to WDW with an open mind. DL and WDW are different places. Somethings are similar but other things are very different. Here is my quick take:

Advantages of DL (and disadvantages of WDW):

1. Hopping is so much easier.
2. Transportation (if you are staying on-site or along Harbor) is so much easier.
3. Weather - limited rain breaks, etc.
4. The "it's Walt's park" feel.
5. Space and Pirates are better
6. Toontown.
7. Better Fantasyland

Advantages of WDW (and disadvantages of DL):

1. Epcot - all of Epcot is limited to WDW, with the exception of Soarin and Turtletalk with Crush. Test Track
2. AK
3 Better resturants (but you have to plan further in advance)
4. Better castle
5. Lots of on-site hotel options
6. The parks have a bigger feel - I found the walkways in DL so crowded, even then the parks weren't that buzy.


If you go to WDW, keep in mind that things are in different places in MK versus DL.

 

[minnie mum]

So you've had 3 pages of Dis vets giving you the pros and cons of DL vs WDW. I'm going to play Debby Downer. Have you checked the costs of a Christmas season week at WDW yet? Just wondering, because it's the most expensive time of the year and the sticker shock can be something else! And because it's also one of the busiest times of the year, rooms get booked fast and many months in advance. Have you checked room availability at any of the resorts you are thinking of staying at?

Don't want to spoil the fun, just wanted to inject a little practicality. While WDW is our 'go to' park, we've been to DL quite a few times also. Love 'em both, but they really are totally different experiences. I hope you give WDW a try!

 

[Sappermont]

I lived in CA for nearly a decade and LOVED going to DL and CA, however IMHO, DL/CA cannot compare at all to WDW. Although there are some rides that are the same and similar it's an experience that just does not compare. One of the things that was great about DL/CA is that there were moments that reminded me of WDW. It's not something you can fully understand until you go. WL is similar to the Grand California - but GC is on a much smaller scale than the WL. You will love WDW!!

 

[sissy_ib]

So you've had 3 pages of Dis vets giving you the pros and cons of DL vs WDW. I'm going to play Debby Downer. Have you checked the costs of a Christmas season week at WDW yet? Just wondering, because it's the most expensive time of the year and the sticker shock can be something else! And because it's also one of the busiest times of the year, rooms get booked fast and many months in advance. Have you checked room availability at any of the resorts you are thinking of staying at?

Don't want to spoil the fun, just wanted to inject a little practicality. While WDW is our 'go to' park, we've been to DL quite a few times also. Love 'em both, but they really are totally different experiences. I hope you give WDW a try!

I thought the begining of December was slower?

 

[Victoria3]

I would go to Disneyland.

Their shows and parades are million times better than what we have at Disney World. They have better upkeep.

They're constantly changing things. Unlike DW..

Disney World may be bigger but I'd rather have quality over quantity any day.

 

[minnie mum]

I thought the begining of December was slower?

You're right. Sorry, I somehow missed her dates, which would still fall under the fall season. In that case, please disregard my previous post.

 

[disfan07]

I would go to Disneyland.

Their shows and parades are million times better than what we have at Disney World. They have better upkeep.

They're constantly changing things. Unlike DW..

Disney World may be bigger but I'd rather have quality over quantity any day.

I keep hearing this and that is one thing I differ with many people about.

I just went to DL for the 3rd time this year (we live an hour away) and I did not see any better quality overall at DL than at WDW when we were there this past december.

I think WOC and Fantasmic at DL and DCA are two of the worst things because of the seating/standing issue. You can barely see WOC from many of the back areas especially if you are short, and for Fantasmic, you have to sit on the ground which is hard for people who are older and people with joint problems. I think those two things and the dining at DL makes DL fall a little short.

 

[Renae De Liz]

You're right. Sorry, I somehow missed her dates, which would still fall under the fall season. In that case, please disregard my previous post.

Thank you for helping Minnie Mum!

Yeah I was thinking beginning of December, as I don't want to miss the rest of the holiday season at home with my baby Do you think there's still a lot of holiday things going on? I tried searching, but there's not too much info beyond the Merry Mickey Party as to all the smaller things that may go on. Do they make the special candy canes like they do at DL?

I Checked both sites for dates and wanted hotel and they're both available... just gotta make the tough choice. It sounds so silly, but as I grew up with DL I totally feel like I'm "shunning" my beloved park in favor of something else. (so silly I know!)

And I am loving the input! Please oh please keep it coming! I am getting a much better idea thanks to everyone here. I appreciate everything!