Time for DLRP and time for WDW

[marcus.ka]

I hope this is not off-topic?

We have been to DLRP 13 times and I know the resort and the way DLRP works very well. And I know that we need at least 2 nights and 3 whole days to enjoy our time there!

But we have also never been to any other Disney park in the world and if we should go someday I think it will be WDW!

Now my question: I read here from many people who have been to WDW that they have been 10 or more days in the resort! Wow that must have been expensive!

What would you suggest for someone who knows DLRP but has never been to WDW? We are not someone who has to do every show and every ride. But we want to have a great time and we want to be able to say afterwards: Yes we know WDW now and we have stayed in one great Disney Hotel?

 

[wideeyes]

most people from europe go for 14 nights to WDW, and from what I have been told you can't do everything in two weeks. everything is on a much bigger scale.

we are staying at Animal KIngdom lodge for 14 nights and the price of the hotel is cheaper than the Disneyland hotel paris.

 

[marcus.ka]

Wow 14 nights! Imagine 14 nights at DLRP! I think after 14 nights even the biggest DLRP fan would become a little bit bored!

What would you suggest as minimum? If we should go someday than we will be only 16 days in the US! And we don't want to do a "Only WDW" vacation!

 

[Bexx]

Yes, even I couldn't do 14 nights at DLP, but WDW is definitely a different matter!! I think a week at WDW would give you a chance to see most things - as long as you didn't take time out to relax!! Be warned though - you will want to go back.

The moderate onsite hotels are very nice. - I've stayed at Port Orleans Riverside and loved it.

Even though it's sort of DLP related, I think this is going to become more about WDW planning so I'm sending it over to the UK Trip Planning board now. I'm sure people will give you lots of helpful information over there

 

[Ware Bears]

Wow 14 nights! Imagine 14 nights at DLRP! I think after 14 nights even the biggest DLRP fan would become a little bit bored!

Ahh, that's because there is so much more than just Disney there. I can't believe I just said that!!!

Last time we went for 14 days and spent it all in Orlando. Next month we are going for 21 days but are spending some time on the Gulf Coast and are going to visit the Universal parks for the first time.

Have a good browse through this forum and see how us Brits plan our trip. You'll recognise quite a few names from the DLP board!

 

[Haworthfamily]

My minimum at WDW would be ten days but add one extra day for travelling back as we normally come home on an over night flight.

DLRP - we normally do 2 days 3 nights, anything more and I think I'd become a bit bored.

Once you've visited WDW after DLRP - it'a a whole new ball game!
I love DLRP for little winter weekends as it's a cosy place, but WDW you'll need 14 days if not to spend 4 of them resting from the magic lol!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

One thing you have to remember about Florida, it is just not about Disney.
You have Universal, Sea World plus many other parts to explore too, including great shopping and fabulous beaches.
So the scope of the holiday and what you can plan for is on a different level to visiting Disneyland Paris.

 

[Stitch's Greatest Fa]

SOrry to all those who LOVE DLRP but we hated it. Have been twice (last time was last Easter) DH and I found it to be expensive, colder weather, long lines and rude Cms and members of the public - I will never go back. Now as for WDW - ya couldn't keep me away for all the money in the world.

Again sorry if you like what we term 'the other place' (DLRP) but just my opinion.

 

[julieannbabe]

Marcus,

the size of WDW will blow you away.

In DLRP - you can pretty much walk to most of the hotels from the parks - its a different ball game in WDW - you have to get the disney bus.

Unless say you go epcot and are staying in an epcot resort, etc.

the disneyland park in paris, has much more detail and is prettier than the magic kingdom in WDW.

try WDW - the place should hopefully blow you away.

xjx

 

[wideeyes]

SOrry to all those who LOVE DLRP but we hated it. Have been twice (last time was last Easter) DH and I found it to be expensive, colder weather, long lines and rude Cms and members of the public - I will never go back. Now as for WDW - ya couldn't keep me away for all the money in the world.

Again sorry if you like what we term 'the other place' (DLRP) but just my opinion.

it may be your opinion however it does not contribute anything to the thread, Marcus was asking about WDW not for peoples opinions of DLRP.
There is no need to turn this into a WDW vs DLRP thread that does not help him.

 

[Stitch's Greatest Fa]

it may be your opinion however it does not contribute anything to the thread, Marcus was asking about WDW not for peoples opinions of DLRP.
There is no need to turn this into a WDW vs DLRP thread that does not help him.

It was about WDW - I was merely stating that WDW is better than DLRP (IMHO)

 

[KayleeUK]

Marcus

Because it is further to travel to USA, we tend to only 1/2 days in the park and spend afternoons by the pool etc. There are lots and lots of restaurants to try as well. As well as WDW there are the Universal Parks, Seaworld and Busch Gardens to try.

I haven't been to DLRP for quite some time now so have never experienced the studio's.

Hopefully those that have enjoyed both resorts can give a good comparison for you

 

[wayneg]

We have never been to DLP (and never want to)so cant comment on there but WDW and area is massive, This year we did 11 nights at Xmas, doing 14 nights at Easter and another 25 nights in August and will take another week in Oct if I dare close the business again.
There is 4 Disney parks, Busch gardens, Seaworld, Gatorland, 2 Universal Parks, Cypress gardens, Kennedy space centre, Hot air balloon rides, air boat rides, Discovery cove, 3, 4 and 7 night cruises. At least 4 water parks. I will stop I could go on and on.
I know people that go for 7 nights and thats enough for them but we cant get there enough.
If I stayed on site and no car that would bore me, I personally think to get the most from a trip to Florida you need a car, and we prefer offsite.

 

[tiggerlady]

IMHO you need to for to WDW for as long as possible,
Ist it takes a couple of days to get into the time difference
2nd you cover a very large area
3rd you need to rest inbetween I find after 2 days in the parks I need a pool day or a water park
however if you can only spare 1 week, then go and do your favs I have done 3 parks in 1 day, however its the getting from place to place that takes time not the rides.
I have not been to the Paris parks, but have been to Disney land which was lovely quite big but was easy to move from park to park, also went Hong KOng disney which was tiny in comparison to WDW.
I would like to try Paris to compare but have just booked for WDW in May07 so maybe another time.

 

[marcus.ka]

thank you for all your answers.
1st: Please don't turn this into a "DLRP vs WDW" thread!
We have been 13 times to DLRP and I just love it. Maybe because we haven't been to WDW or another DL park yet!

If we should ever go to WDW than we would only be 14 days in the USA and I would not only want to do WDW during this time! I would also like to see some other parts of the US!
So I would like to know how much days would you suggest for only WDW? We don't want to do the other parks like Bush gardens etc!

 

[Elise79]

As a very minimum to see WDW I would say 5 days but ideally at least 7. You need at least one day in each of the main parks - Magic Kingdom, Epoct, MGM-Studios and Animal Kingdom. Plus a day to explore a water park as they are amazing too and a visit to Downtown Disney.

To see MK and Epcot properly you really need 2 days especially if it is your first visit as there is just so much to see and do!

HTH

Elise

 

[Chilly]

It also depends and what time of year you go as during the off peak months you'll get a lot more done than during the busy holiday periods.

 

[mikki.young]

Ok - a few differencesto consider:

- WDW is likely to be a lot hotter and more humid which can sap your energy
- There are 4 parks instead of 2 and probably more to see in each of them
- There are two water parks that are worth a visit
- There is a much larger village/shopping area
- Some rides will be familiar to you but many will be new
- Cost of living is a lot lower in Florida than most of urope so your money should go further (I once found a two week trip to WDW cheaper than 3 nights in DLPR)
- Jet lag may have an impact - give yourself a day or two to adjust

In summary when you are going from Europe it is probably sensible to aim for two weeks but understand that you will not see or do all that is on offer, even at Disney. When you add in Kennedy Space centre, Universal and Sea World there is certainly not enough time even for a rest day!

 

[wayneg]

You say you are only interested in WDW. Do you have children? what ages? now our DS is 12 there is a lot more for him to do in Busch, Islands of Adventure and other places outside Disney.
If you have children under the height restrictions then you get around the parks a lot quicker.
Lines for rides can be anything from walk on to 2 hours so totally depends on time of year to how long you need.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

hi Marcus

In 2005 we went to USA for 3 weeks, spent time in Charlotte before flying to WDW for 6 nights. This was in August, we took it easy (went to the pool in an afternoon) but did get to see quite a lot. There again. we have been many times & did pick & choose certain favourites over seeing everything.

I think if you plan beforehand & choose certain must do's for each park, anything over and above that is a bonus. If you like characters book a couple of meals to save queing. Just don't go when it's that crowded that the line waits for the rides are crazy! (like this Christmas)

Where else are you planning to go once there?