Newbie needs help! DISNEYLAND OR DISNEYWORLD?

[Sunshine00]

We will be visiting California in December and Florida in May. I have a four year old who lives and breathes for Disney Princesses, she loves all of them and we want to take her to one of the Disney parks to get the whole "princess experience." That being said, does one of the parks cater more towards the whole Princess theme than the other?

We have a five month old as well, so we won't be going for the big roller coasters (too bad for me!) but for the smaller rides and games, etc. I haven't been to either park, so I was hoping to get some input from people that have maybe been to both so I can make a determination as to which park would better suit us at this point.

If I'm in the wrong board, I apologize, first time here. Please point me in the right direction if there is a more appropriate place for me to post this.

Thanks!

 

[Heluvsme]

Personally, I would choose Disney World. I've been to both and love them both, but for your first time going, in my opinion, Disney World, by sheer virtue of its size and various other parks, is a better choice.

Either way you go you'll have a great time!! You can't go wrong!

 

[ashef]

I totally agree! They are both terrific but I think Disney World is more terrific. You'll have fun wherever you go.

 

[tanyaandallie]

I've been to both and really enjoyed both. I think it really depends on how time you have each have each trip. I think DL is the best choice if you just have a day or two to spare. There are only 2 parks there so it's not nearly as overwhelming. We went in Nov. of 2005 and really loved it. It was not crowded and it was overall a very relaxing trip. California Adventure has an excellent princess lunch that my dd LOVED. All the princesses were there. We actually made reservations that day!!

Disney World is much more of an undertaking, imo. There are 4 parks, water parks, downtown disney, etc. TONS to do there. If you have plenty of time to explore and see lots of stuff, I think it's awesome!! I think it's so much harder to see all there is to do if you only have a day or two.

So, I guess for me it would really depend on how much time you have. If I had a week, I'd want to spend it at DW. If I had a day or two, and it was my first trip, I think I'd go to DL.

She will get the princess experience at both places. However, if you are going to DW, make sure you book the princess luches EARLY!!!

 

[Helpmate]

I've been to the park or parks in California and Florida!

I would choose WDW, though. When Walt Disney created WDW, it is said that he did so because a family was leaving Disney Land before closing. No one ever did this, so he asked them what was wrong. They said everything was wonderful, but that they could see the traffic on the interstate from the rollercoaster. On that day he vowed that a Disney Land was not enough for him. He decided to set out to create a Disney World, a place where people would enter into a whole new existence, forgetting about their daily lives .

That said, I must say like everyone else that you'll have a great time at either!

 

[disney_fan_fam]

If you're going to both California & Florida, I'd do BOTH Disneyland & WDW!

 

[ajcolorado]

I love both Disneyland and Disney World. If I was only doing one park and was choosing between Disneyland & Magic Kingdom, I would probably choose Disneyland. It is the original and its special. However, I don't know what Disneyland has that caters to Princess fans - it may be a lot or a little.

Here is a WDW page that lists the princesses and their locations in the parks - the top portion is organized by park. The bottom section is a chart that lists the princesses in alphabetical order and gives locations. www.buildabettermousetrip.com/disneyprincesses.html

 

[Sunshine00]

What a fantastic link! I will make sure I bookmark it for future use.

Thank you all for the great input!

 

[tlbwriter]

I'd do both! DL is tiny. I only spent a few hours there and didn't see any princesses, but I wasn't looking for them, either. It's very doable, especially with small kids. It won't beat you down like WDW will. But WDW is more magical, and there are more princess opportunities.

 

[autumnbaby9]

What are your Plans?

Are you doing 1 day 1 park? If that is the case I would do DL. It is the original and has Walt's personal touches all over it. The rides that you will find in both DL and MK at WDW are better at DL IMO (Pirates, Space Mountain, etc). Plus it is a lot easier to get meal reservations at DL, most resturants still have openings the day of because most of the people in the parks are locals that go home to eat. You don't have to worry about calling 180 days before you leave. DL also has the Princess Fantasy Fair, Your DD can go and meet the princesses (They have three at a time), they do story time and a little production and you can get her hair and makeup done and buy a costume.

Or

Are you doing multiple days and multiple parks. In this case I would suggest WDW. As a resort WDW wins hands down. You get 4 parks, 2 waterparks, DTD, the boardwalk and many different hotels for all budgets (DL only has 3 disney hotels and they are all expensive). You get many more options with food (Though you do have to reserve them Way in advance) and there are lots of little things to do(Water sking, boat rentals, hay rides etc). You can find Princesses almost everywhere in WDW plus Norway has the princess character meal (DL' California adventure has a princess meal but it gets bad reviews). It is more of a total experience at WDW.

 

[tracys2cents]

Florida in May is not too crowded a time. Disneyland in December, if it's between Christmas and New Years' , is a nightmare. Something to consider.

 

[Just(donald)Ducky]

My vote would be to skip the trip to cali, and save the money, then go to WDW and spend the money there!

My honest opinon, but I've never been to disneyland.

Also, it really depends on how much time you have.... If you are only going for a day, then probably disneyland, because of it's size. You won't get nearly as much done as you'd want to if you went to WDW....

Multiple days, WDW definitly. If you do choose WDW, try to get a cinderalla's royal table dinner: it's IN the castle. You got call 180 days in advance exactly, and right at 7am est... it books pretty fast!

-Mike

 

[Camno's Mama]

I was totally going to say that you should go with DL...it's the original and it has the Matterhorn (unless it doesn't anymore) which makes it different that way...I really love the set-up there. But ITA with the person that said that Christmas at DL will be crazy and May in DW won't be.

They are both so awesome, and I don't really believe one is better than the other unless you want to go to lots and parks and all that. Go in May...it will be more relaxing!