Planning our next Disney holiday...DL or WDW?

[sarefromoz]

We had what I thought would be a once in a lifetime family holiday last September to Canada and the US, finishing off our trip with 8 days in Anaheim (5 at Disneyland). Well it looks like the kids and I have finally talked dh around and we are planning on heading back for a Disney holiday in 2016 . I know it's ages away, but I'm a planner.

We are planning on going for 2 weeks ( just going to DL and a day or 2 at Universal), staying a few nights at one of the Disney hotels and the rest at a nearby hotel. However, a few friends have recently been to WDW and have raved about it which has made me question whether a visit to WDW could be possible. Is it a lot more costly to go to WDW as opposed to DL? We would have to go in September again, as it fits in well with my work. Would it be worth it? We all absolutely loved DCA and DL. I'd hate to travel all of that way and feel a little disappointed. It will come down to cost as we don't want to spend anywhere near as much as we did last year. Anyone have any ideas/thoughts?

 

[Royal Consort]

We had what I thought would be a once in a lifetime family holiday last September to Canada and the US, finishing off our trip with 8 days in Anaheim (5 at Disneyland). Well it looks like the kids and I have finally talked dh around and we are planning on heading back for a Disney holiday in 2016 . I know it's ages away, but I'm a planner.

We are planning on going for 2 weeks ( just going to DL and a day or 2 at Universal), staying a few nights at one of the Disney hotels and the rest at a nearby hotel. However, a few friends have recently been to WDW and have raved about it which has made me question whether a visit to WDW could be possible. Is it a lot more costly to go to WDW as opposed to DL? We would have to go in September again, as it fits in well with my work. Would it be worth it? We all absolutely loved DCA and DL. I'd hate to travel all of that way and feel a little disappointed. It will come down to cost as we don't want to spend anywhere near as much as we did last year. Anyone have any ideas/thoughts?

A week in WDW has often cost me the same as 4 days in Disneyland. Granted I stay on property so it's more expensive at Disneyland but WDW has many more hotels, many of which are moderately priced.

WDW is much more a holiday destination as a resort than DL is. The Magic Kingdom isn't as enjoyable as Disneyland Park but it has enough differences to make it a must do. WDW gives you options. You can go out for dinner every night to a different themed restaurant, you can take a boat out on the lake, you can go fishing, you can visit the Disney water parks, visit the resorts and bars, spend time shopping in Downtown Disney, play golf, ....and the list goes on. Disneyland is fantastic but it's two theme parks. Walt Disney World is a holiday resort. They can't really even be compared. Plus it's only 6 hours further than Disneyland on a plane. I couldn't spend two weeks at Disneyland. I could spend two weeks at Walt Disney World. There is so much more there than just the parks. As to how much it costs? It's up to you based on the type of hotel: value, moderate or deluxe. You have much more control over how much you want to spend at WDW if you want to stay on site.

 

[Charlie_Y]

We just got back ourselves from WDW. We did what we thought was a once-in-a-lifetime trip to DL around 7 years ago, when my boys were 6 and 8. Loved it so much when I brought it up again last year, DH said why not do Florida? We also did a 7 day Caribbean cruise, and stayed onsite for 10 nights, with a 7 day park hopper. We had a day at every park, then repeated MK and did split AK & EPCOT one day, and HS and MK the next. We didn't get to do everything, but we didnt' leave disappointed either. We managed to ride Space 6 times over the whole time we were there. January crowds look like they are traditionally a little heavier than September - check out the crowd calendars at EasyWDW. The September one should be out fairly soon, but last year's looks good!

Extra costs were obviously the airfare to Orlando - for us it was around $550 per person. Plus we spent more time at WDW than we did at DL, so a higher cost for tickets and accommodation. I also think to do everything at Universal, you would want at least 2 days. If you can swing it, a day trip to Kennedy Space Centre was one of the best parts of our trip.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

The most obvious cost difference is the extra airfare. Day to day expenses are similar, if not slightly cheaper at WDW.

If WDW continues with free dining during September that can save you quite a bit of money.

Good luck with the planning and the saving.

 

[rozpetal]

We haven't been to either yet but are going to Disneyland this April/May... I'm already planning our NYC/WDW/DCL holiday (at this stage it will be 2016 or even 2017). I would of loved to do it this time if time and money hadnt been an issue.
I've never come across anyone that has been disappointed in either holiday. There have been cheap airfares lately and I'm pretty sure it was for September.... You could maybe work it out what it would cost if you were going this year to get an idea.

 

[Tashinwdw]

there have been some interesting discussions on the dis boards about which one is better......I think it may be personal preference or like Royal Consort said, they really cant be compared. Many years ago I did DL (when it was just DL) and WDW (prior to animal kingdom) and we both loved WDW more, that was mainly because there was just so much more to do.

Now they both offer so much. I think the main difference would be that if you stay on site at WDW you really get immersed into Disney, it truly is a whole new world and the CM's are so helpful and friendly, you just dont ever want to leave. That was how we felt on our last holiday there and its what made my DH want to go back again. If you knew my DH you would understand that that in itself is a miracle.

September is a great time to go to WDW, the crowds are low, it is still hot and humid but not unbearable. Either way I dont think you could loose with a Disney holiday

 

[PrincessInOz]

Whilst both have Disney in front of them and many similarities, the Land and the World are completely different experiences. I wouldn't compare them (even though it can't be helped and everyone invariably does compare). Just go and experience and enjoy.

 

[sarefromoz]

Thanks for all your replies. Royal Consort, your post made me think, yep we can do this. DH is not so keen. I think I will just have to do some number crunching and see if we can afford it. Does 15/16K sound feasible for a family of 5 (kids will be 11, 9 and 7) for 2 weeks or am I delusional?

 

[Tashinwdw]

It is doable for that budget. There are so many options for varying budgets at WDW and surrounding areas. Just do your research, lots of info here on the dis boards, if you are not sure where to look for something they have the search option which I have used many of times to get answers to questions. There are also heaps of planning and helpful hint sites on the web for WDW and universal.

Staying on or off site can make a big difference in price, I have done both and I much prefer staying on site so I am willing to pay extra for it. Again this is a personal choice and either way it will be a great holiday.

 

[gogo65]

Thanks for all your replies. Royal Consort, your post made me think, yep we can do this. DH is not so keen. I think I will just have to do some number crunching and see if we can afford it. Does 15/16K sound feasible for a family of 5 (kids will be 11, 9 and 7) for 2 weeks or am I delusional?

I just plugged random dates in for September this year, obviously this is stock standard price but airfare syd-Orlando is around $2k each return, and 14 nights at art of animation in a family suite with Tickets for around $6k, so $16k without even looking for a deal
So definetely not delusional and if you can get free dining added on to that, well

 

[wendlle]

I always recommend DL as a first visit, but you simply MUST travel to WDW. It is SO much better than DL. DL to me has a lot of magic as the main reason I love Disney is because i'm a massive Walt fan, so to know that he had his little apartment there and walked the streets gives me goosebumps, BUT WDW has so much more to offer, the entire WDW resort complex is huge and the resorts are amazing. Not to mention that Universal Orlando is simply amazing as well.

The trip isn't really that much further and we spend nearly the same amount of money as a West Coast USA trip. Florida is really nice and a lot cheaper than California. You won't regret going and you WILL BE HOOKED for life! Once you visit WDW it's really hard to vacation anywhere else.

We almost always go in September, I've also been in May. I like September even though it is a lot busier than it used to be. Disney have done a great job with the free dining promotion and the parks are now packed, but I love the weather in September - so hot!! We normally get tickets with Virgin for around $1200 - $1500 for September to Orlando from Sydney. If you buy around April - May you will get the best deals.

 

[CJ2001]

We had what I thought would be a once in a lifetime family holiday last September to Canada and the US, finishing off our trip with 8 days in Anaheim (5 at Disneyland). Well it looks like the kids and I have finally talked dh around and we are planning on heading back for a Disney holiday in 2016 . I know it's ages away, but I'm a planner.

We are planning on going for 2 weeks ( just going to DL and a day or 2 at Universal), staying a few nights at one of the Disney hotels and the rest at a nearby hotel. However, a few friends have recently been to WDW and have raved about it which has made me question whether a visit to WDW could be possible. Is it a lot more costly to go to WDW as opposed to DL? We would have to go in September again, as it fits in well with my work. Would it be worth it? We all absolutely loved DCA and DL. I'd hate to travel all of that way and feel a little disappointed. It will come down to cost as we don't want to spend anywhere near as much as we did last year. Anyone have any ideas/thoughts?

I thought I was reading something I wrote because it sounded so familiar except the kids weren't that excited to go again! My kids are so over me talking about it that they didnt want to go & my 10 yr old son doesn't want to fly again because he sees how DH feels about flying so he doesn't like it now. But I finally convinced DH because of cheap flights so I booked them straight away & kids are really excited now. We are going to Disneyworld this time & New York.

Good luck with your plans

 

[Saskiwi]

Hi-We had been to DL 3 times with the kids (several times more pre-kids!) and once to WDW pre-kids.
Last May we took them all the way to Florida to experience WDW ....and TBH I wouldn't do it again.
Sure we had fun, but to me it wasn't THAT much more fun than DL.
It was a lot more hassle, humid, crowded, bigger distances between rides... And the extra cost getting there... It was good to have gone there once with our boys but we won't bother again.
For me, the magic is in DL and we enjoy DCA too, and I like the Cali climate a lot more than Florida. So when we next need our Dis fix we will head to LA.
I know there are lots of WDW die-hard fans here, but thought I'd offer OP an alternative view...
But If you do go, make sure you get to Universal and Harry Potter - that was very cool.

 

[LivingforDisney]

We were in WDW last Sept/Oct for 13 nights. We stayed on site at POP Century and had a fantastic time.
Will tell you what we did.
MK twice
AK
HS
Epcot
Kennedy Space Centre and airboat
Universal
IOA
Outlet Shopping
We were on the go pretty much all of the time. As previously mentioned it is very big and spread out and takes time to get from one place to another.
I love Disneyland and thought the MK didn't have the same effect on me, saying this there is so much more to do and see at WDW, Downtown Disney is fantastic and way, way bigger than the one at Disneyland.
All up for 4 my total came in close to $18,000 including spending money, though this does include our 3 night stop in Hollywood on arrival and then 4 nights in NY (so expensive) and then one night in LA before the long flight home.
Totally recommend doing this and no flying straight through.
We went in September and got the free dining plan, so that saved a bit of money on food.
You need one day each for Universal and IOA
Planning on heading back in hopefully 2016 or 2017 and staying on site again for 2 weeks and doing a Disney Cruise.