Pros and cons of a disney vacation

[queenofhartz]

Really hard to compare these two. One question - how long do you have to spend (I apologize if that's been asked already; I did not read the entire thread.)? If you have a week or more, then I vote London - by a landslide.

If you have less than a week, I think you'll find WDW more enjoyable and "doable." I would not recommend trying to cram London into less than 7 days if it's your first trip.

We went to London in 2005 and stayed for one week (8 days/7 nights). One week was barely enough time, because we LOVED IT SO MUCH. Also, there are some awesome flats that you rent for very reasonable prices (I would definitely look into flat rentals -google vacation flats London or holiday flats London). Five people went in our group and stayed in a 2 bedroom flat right on the River Thames. It was $2500 for the week (granted, this was back in 2005, but the same place is still available today for $2800/week) Tower Bridge was right outside of our window - literally. Our place wasn't fancy, but it was clean, and it felt like London. We also really got to know our neighborhood and felt like locals - we spent time in our local (pub) and at our neighborhood fish and chips stand (best ever!). Most of all, I really enjoyed experiencing the culture of an entirely different country. They might speak a similar language, but it's a totally different (and beautiful) culture (even the language is pretty different - I love it!).

I agree with other posters - it can be expensive. But, like most cities, you can do this for as expensive as you want, or you can keep it within a reasonable budget. Renting the flat (as opposed to staying in a hotel) helped us save A LOT of $$. We also didn't eat in a whole lot of tourist areas. Eating right next to the Tower of London can be more expensive than going back to your neighborhood and getting some fish and chips for $8 per person. You just have to be willing to get off the beaten path a little. We had some excellent meals, and I can't say they were more expensive than restaurants in Atlanta. We also ate breakfast and some dinners in our flat.

I love Disneyworld, but London is a city - an extremely old city with a rich and fascinating history, engaging culture, lovely people, and what feels like an infinite amount of things to do and see. This isn't meant as a put down, but Disneyworld is a theme park, and London is an authentic historical city. There's just no comparison.

Have fun whatever you choose.

 

[natfrac]

I love London also, but for a family reunion I would choose WDW. When we did a family gathering at WDW, it was so nice for everyone (kids to seniors) to be able to do their own thing and easily meet up during the day.
For me, London would be more manageable with a smaller group.

 

[mousefan73]

Just one more thing. London for older people may also be a issue. WDW spoils the mobile challenged and older crowd. I am not implying that your people are challenged but keep in mind. London is hot ( AC is not a given), extremely crowded, can be lots of stairs. Lots of above ground, under ground. Not always elevator/ esc. Right there. Loooong walks to trasfer lines. Etc.


IMO not an issue but when I see some folks at Disney in their ECVs, in London you can forget this. Just so people to realized the space, time, effort Disney gives these folks is a unique feature. And non- existent in Europe.

 

[amberpi]

I picked WDW for the following reason, you said ONLY London.

Now if you said the British Isle then that would be a different story. If your paying $1000+ per person to fly over to London, be groggy with jet lag for a day, and only spend a few days in London I personally think its a waste.

You have a ton to do and you likely can save a lot of money by not just staying in London and venturing out as well. Think about just going to New York City if you came to America would that be the best choice or should you jot over to Boston/Philli/Washington DC. There is a lot of amazing things in London but its a shame to go all the way to London without making a visit to a castle or other places you simply can not see anywhere else in the world.

Things that kids will love:
Play in London (Her Royal Majesties Theatre - if its still called that)
THE British Museum Museum (all the things the British have confiscated over their years of conquest)
Soccer Game (if your kids play at all - hard to get tickets though to some)
Warwick Castle (or other Royal Estates/Castles that are now open to the pubic)
Lockness (have to look for the Lockness creature right?)
Just good old backroads driving
Take a ferry to Ireland/Northern Ireland
Drive on one of the magic roads (cars roll "uphill" at least to your eyes on this road)
Cliffs of Moher
Blarney Stone
Stonehenge
Tons more....

PS- This is from an American, I know a lot of English are on this forum so I wanted to clarify

Getting to the Blarney Stone and cliffs of mohr is not really all easy from the uk, you have to clear customs and both are pretty darn far from Dublin for instance...

 

[MichiganDVC]

Ok, since Universal was mentioned as an option, I'm going to throw out Belgium!

Aside from seeing the sites in the city, here's what you can do whilst staying in Brussels:
A. 2 hour train ride to Paris
B. 2 hour train ride to Germany - Koln (Cologne)
C. 2 hour train ride to Amsterdam
D. 2 hour train ride to London, through the Chunnel.

You can see all of these world cities and be back at your hotel in Brussels by night!

Plus, from Brussels you are an hour train ride from Bruges, Antwerp, Liege, Ostend (North Sea), Ghent, etc... There are tons of cute little Belgian towns to visit.

Why Belgium?
1. Northern half (the Flemish half) speaks exceptional English, so there is no real language barrier.
2. It is known for its cuisine - very French influenced, but with North Sea flair.
3. It has great medieval architecture in its cities that will leave you in wonderment.
4. It has 125 separate breweries. If you like beer....
5. Tons of great museums: Central African museum outside of Brussels, Comic strip museum in Brussels, art museums in Bruges and Brussels, etc..

Not convinced? http://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/video/tv-show/belgium-bruges-and-brussels

PM me if you have specific questions

 

[JanaDee]

London. At this point, WDW has lost its appeal to me, or any large group for that matter.

 

[MataHari22]

That is such a hard comparison sort of apples to oranges kind of thing. I loved London, but I was only there for 6 days as part of a 14 day trip that included Scotland. (and on 2 of those days, I took a tour to The Cotswalds and a tour to Stonehenge and Bath, through Evan Evans.) We did the normal touristy things in London, Westminster Abbey, the eye, British Museum....

I think that there would be just as much planning to enjoy London. I know it was much more expensive than my WDW trips, but at the time I went, the exchange rate was awful. Like if something cost 10£ I was paying almost 20$. I went in May of 2004.

I also feel like WDW just feels more family friendly to me for a family reunion.

Idk, it's such a hard call. I would be inclined to chose London, but feel like for a family reunion, I would pick WDW.

Good luck trying to make a decision!

 

[Planogirl]

London all the way. I haven't been but I've always dreamed of going and I think that this being a potential once in a lifetime opportunity is a great point.

 

[sheetz]

Easy choice. London. Of course it'll be more expensive but it's a once in a lifetime trip.

 

[olwyngdh]

Ummm... free airline ticket to London?

Will you adopt me?

 

[Sparkly]

London! I love Disney, but I feel everyone should come visit our wonderful capital city.

You'll probably get to go to Disney a few times, but you may make it over to the UK maybe once in your lifetime. And I would recommend seeing other parts of the UK too- this is such a beautiful country with lots of countryside.

Cons:
Expensive! Especially in Central London. I live just outside and I sometimes pay London prices for things even here.

 

[readytogotodisney]

I think London would be a logistical nightmare getting everyone on the same page as far as hotel or you'll all be spread out all over the city and then you all have to plan how to meet up in a city that no one knows.

As much as I'd love to go to London on someone else plane ticket, I'd want to go as a my small little family of 4.

What about Disneyland?? No MB's, old FP system, nice(r) weather in Aug compared to Orlando, lots of different hotel level options all within walking distance to DL and tons of restaurants options as well.

 

[Bilierka]

As another poster said, as much as. I love disney, I love London more, seriously no contest!!!!


London is one of the all time great cities,so much to see and do, and you are getting free airfare!!!! Jump on this sister!!!!

Still remember seeing the queen drive right by me in the front seat of a green jag at Windsor castle!!!!!so close I could see the blue eye shadow and rose lipstick!!!

London was my dream trip, so holds I got yo go!!!!

 

[kirstenb1]

I'd toss in a 3rd option: either a Florida beach, or Caribbean destination. We're DVC'rs so I get WDW as a travel option. But Aug/Sep is HOT!! And that may be a factor for any older family members. Plus at WDW, time is money, so I always feel a lot of pressure to make sure the kids fit in their favorite rides, etc.

I've never been overseas, so I can't speak to that. It does seem like a lot of work. If I were to go overseas, it'd be someplace more low-key like a village in the British Isles. Maybe I could make a day trip to London from there.

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

I'm a huge Disney nut... but I would take a trip to London 100times over a Disney trip. Nothing like an international trip, and London is beautiful (Ive been many times). I would opt for the London trip, WDW will still be there when you get back

 

[AnOtHeRdIsNeYfReAk]

London!!! Then plan a few extra days and take the Eurostar to Disneyland Paris

 

[lroger01]

Does everyone have passports? That could add a lot to the cost of a London trip.

Have you considered Disneyland? The weather will be warm in August but a lot less humid. Just watch out for the end of So Cal pass holder blackout. For a week or two after it lifts, the parks can be packed. Disneyland is a great alternative to going to the World when it's hot. You'll get to enjoy most of your favorites - some even better than at DW, and get lots of new experiences. The Radiator Springs area is especially well done.

I've been to London on a long weekend trip. It was a good trip. Cinderella castle is great, but a REAL castle like Windsor Castle is awesome. We had 3 people in our group and still could not agree on what to do each day. 12 (and little kids) would be a major challenge IMHO.

 

[kirstenb1]

Does everyone have passports? That could add a lot to the cost of a London trip.

Have you considered Disneyland? The weather will be warm in August but a lot less humid. Just watch out for the end of So Cal pass holder blackout. For a week or two after it lifts, the parks can be packed. Disneyland is a great alternative to going to the World when it's hot. You'll get to enjoy most of your favorites - some even better than at DW, and get lots of new experiences. The Radiator Springs area is especially well done.

I've been to London on a long weekend trip. It was a good trip. Cinderella castle is great, but a REAL castle like Windsor Castle is awesome. We had 3 people in our group and still could not agree on what to do each day. 12 (and little kids) would be a major challenge IMHO.

I love the idea of DL, with maybe some other California destinations thrown in, if there's time. I have 5 brothers and sisters, and we have done beach trips, thanks to our parents. We had wonderful, low-stress memories of swimming, cooking together, etc. I know that seems irrelevant, but what I'm trying to say is, the less time stressing over overseas travel, or the heat of WDW in Aug/Sept, the easier it is to focus on the family and make memories.

 

[eliza61]

Does everyone have passports? That could add a lot to the cost of a London trip.
Have you considered Disneyland? The weather will be warm in August but a lot less humid. Just watch out for the end of So Cal pass holder blackout. For a week or two after it lifts, the parks can be packed. Disneyland is a great alternative to going to the World when it's hot. You'll get to enjoy most of your favorites - some even better than at DW, and get lots of new experiences. The Radiator Springs area is especially well done.

.

Yes, everyone has passports. We typically do a big trip every two years, so when Europe was thrown out, that was the first logistic we got out the way.

No, DL never entered our minds. don't know why. I'll toss that out. that's a wonderful idea

Ok, since Universal was mentioned as an option, I'm going to throw out Belgium!

Aside from seeing the sites in the city, here's what you can do whilst staying in Brussels:
A. 2 hour train ride to Paris
B. 2 hour train ride to Germany - Koln (Cologne)
C. 2 hour train ride to Amsterdam
D. 2 hour train ride to London, through the Chunnel.

You can see all of these world cities and be back at your hotel in Brussels by night!

Plus, from Brussels you are an hour train ride from Bruges, Antwerp, Liege, Ostend (North Sea), Ghent, etc... There are tons of cute little Belgian towns to visit.

Why Belgium?


Not convinced? http://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/video/tv-show/belgium-bruges-and-brussels

PM me if you have specific questions

Thanks Michigan, I'll definitely start investigating.

Ummm... free airline ticket to London?

Will you adopt me?

LOL. my family is half psycho there were times I have tried to get "out".

Thanks all,

these are wonderful ideas and I'm writing every thing down to bring to the table.

 

[nancipants]

Honestly, I'd do neither. London is one of my favorite cities and I live 10 minutes from Disney World, but I think both would be logistical nightmares when it comes to planning something as large as a family reunion. Whenever I see large groups at Disney I always cringe to myself, because traveling with a large group would make me miserable. I like to be able to go where I want to go and do what I want to do when I'm at Disney. When we go with my husband's family, I take the attitude that this is their vacation, I'm just along for the ride.

That said, if you're all okay doing your own things and meeting up for a special meal or the nighttime shows, I think WDW would be way more manageable than visiting an entire city in a foreign country. People always complain about all the planning that goes into visiting Disney nowadays, but I honestly found visiting Europe to involve just as much planning, if not more.

If you're set on doing everything together, I second the suggestions of Disneyland or Universal if you want to go with a theme park, because they involve way less planning. Or you could always rent a beach house somewhere and just chill out.