So Confused

[cherish2]

Okay I need a little help okay I need alot of help. We are wanting to go to Disney ? My question is Disneyland or Disney World? We are a family of 6. With very young children. I was thinking Disneyland for their first trip then later Disney world. What do you think? Will my children be terribly disappointed if I don't take the to WDW first? I need all the help I can get thanks. Oh and one other thing. Is there Character Dinners at Disney Land?

Cherish

 

[calbayBWV]

Cherish,

That would depend where in the USA you are

After I know that, I can give my opinion.

Also, this is the trip report area, for trip stories and things, be sure to check out the other Disneyland board too

Feel free to send me an email

If you need help with your Disney problem click here:Calbay's 12 Steps of Disneyholics Anonymouse


My recent trip to the Disneyland Resort
Calbay's Holiday 2000 Disneyland Trip Report

 

[toodles]

Is money an issue, like it is for most of us? Disneyland should be less expensive, depending on where you live and how much the airfare is, but you can still get close-in reasonably priced hotels at DL and it's easier to get to outside of park restaurants. For young kids, DL is fine. Most young children's first pick for parks is the orginal DL or Magic Kingdom at WDW. Fantasyland is custom made for them!

WDW, on the other hand, has the Animal Kingdom which is ideal for children of all ages. For young children, MGM and Epcot are only so-so -- of course that's a generality. MGM has a few kid oriented shows like the Little Mermaid and The Muppets, but it is better for pre-teens and teens. My kids think Epcot is a bit of a snooze except for the Test Track. This is why we started with Epcot, then MGM, then Animal Kingdom when we went. Of course, you can always go to WDW and only go to 2 of the parks.

Given a choice for a second day at one of the parks, our kids have always selected either DL or MK, hands down! So I think DL is a fine place to go and preferrable if cost is an issue.

At WDW, there are also a lot of other things to do. For kids 10 and up there is Disney Quest. And there are the water parks. For our money, we'd rather drive to a local water park. Our kids have no interest in Downtown Disney.

Happy planning!



Toodles
WDW 79, 83, 99
DL 91, 92, 93, 95

 

[cherish2]

I am In Illinois. So it would not matter with the traveling. Thanks for any help.

Cherish

 

[DisneyaHolic23]

Disneyland is a wonderful first exposure to a Disney vacation. For a first time, there is plenty to do. As already posted, there are many great hotels within walking distance, which saves a lot of money!

There are several character breakfasts at Disneyland. My favorite is Goofy's Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel. There is also one in the Paradise Pier Hotel (I think that's the right name - it was just renamed - used to be Pan Pacific). The tea in the Paradise Pier is wonderful, with Mary Poppins. I think there is also supposed to be a character breakfast in the new Grand Californian.

Hope that helps

 

[tinkslite]

My teens have "grown up Disney."

I am a complete disneyaholic. Turns out there are no 12 step programs available for this addiction.
That said, I would start with little ones (under 7) at Dland, if possible. It is smaller and easier to maneuver. It is great for "do overs" so important in early childhood processing. Things I would be sure to notice/do with little ones @ the Dland resort:
1. Try one character meal. The best are plaza inn or goofys kitchen. A close runner up is storytellers @ breakfast time. These meals are nice as they give kidlets character time that is not nearly so competitive as in the park, because the characters will approach your tables. Also, a nice down time for parents to sit and regroup.
2.Take in Fantasyland slowly. If you have a girl consider a princess makeover (costly, though).
3. PARADE at least once. The waiting is worth it for the looks on the faces of the kidlets....
4. I would NOT take really little ones into Snow Whites Scary Adventures OR to see Fantasmic as they both are overwhelmingly scary.
5. Get pins for little ones to trade and encourage them to trade w/Cast Members (this is a great way to get a special attention moment for your kids, a good distraction activity in line (as you encounter CMs there) and the kids will never tire of it)
6. STOP and rest, use a stroller, use Baby Services!!!!!!!
MAKE SURE ALL KIDLETS WEAR VERY COMFY CLOTHING ESPECIALLY SHOES AND SOCKS!!!! It is no fun to be in an amusement park with an uncomfortable kidlet.

 

[skiingfast]

How old are those kids? One advantage is you will have less distance and complexity to travel to haul them through. You can walk from many hotels, so that eliminates buses to park that WDW requires. The two DLR parks themselves are fairly compact, where as WDW parks are more sprawling and require some more walking and pushing of strollers.

 

[A Small World]

This is a very old thread

 

[DebbieB]

This is a very old thread

Her kids are now 10 years older (as we all are!). Hopefully they got to go! She hasn't posted since then.

 

[Kittyskyfish]

This is a very old thread

Yeah, I think the OP's youngest is in high school by now! LOL!

 

[A Small World]

Yes Im hoping the OP has visited already otherwise it would have been the longest ticker ever

 

[stubby]

I am In Illinois. So it would not matter with the traveling. Thanks for any help.

Cherish

No help as I never did DW. But, just wanted to say I used to live on the IL side of St. Louis. Grew up there.

 

[KCmike]

WDW - you can walk up to 7+ miles a day while at Disneyland everything is so compact. If you have little ones they will definitely like Disneyland better. Many more rides for them. Plus DL has as many rides/attractions in two parks as WDW has in four parks. Disneyland is far and away the better resort. I love it there. The only think WDW has an advantage is the recreation at the hotels, food, and Epcot. We just went though and I think Epcot is declining. It use to be my second favorite park.

If you go to DL you will have to deal with transportation to DL and L.A.. I will warn you that the city is dirty until you get to the suburbs or the ocean area. WDW has magical express which is free transportation to the resort. I wish DL had this.

I would go DL for you first time.

 

[Dexican]

She had ICQ lol

 

[TinkLover67]

We are Disneyland fans. Either one is fun, however, DisneyWorld is so large and can be overwhelming, especially with young children. Yes, there are character meals at Disneyland, we prefer Minnie and Friends on Main Street.