Torn Between Land And World For October Visit

[KCmike]

Torn between Disneyland and DisneyWorld. Never been to the land. Been five times to the world but all in May and June never in October. Would love to see the Boo to You parade and Hallowishes.

How are the crowd levels/wait times in october compared to may and june?

We also have only stayed at Port Orleans Riverside (we're a party of five) but would love to stay somewhere else but not break the bank (no all star please)...any suggestions?

i know i have alot of questions but I'm hoping some Disboarders will come through and think of something I'm missing.

CALIFORNIA OR D-WORLD?

 

[disneyfan55]

As for Disneyland or WDW, WDW is a total resort. Disneyland is basically a themepark in the middle of a city. This was not the original intent, that's why so much land was purchased in FL. That being said, I have visited both. I have not been to CA in quite sometime and the CA Adventure is there now, never been. I will say that I honestly feel that if you visit Disneyland first, you will think it is the most wonderful place until you visit WDW. To me there is no comparison. WDW is a total vacation experience and away from anything else.

I would choose based on if you are doing anything else while visiting. Our Disneyland trips were the midpoint of cross country trips. (CA one way back to NJ!!) The WDW trips were just for Disney.

As far as hotels, if you don't want the moderate prices and don't want the All Stars, you may have to stay outside the park. To me it's worth it to look for special codes for the moderates and book the one you like the most for atmosphere. Many of the moderates cannot accomodate 5 in one room. You will have to see if staying in 2 rooms or one more expensive one is better for you. Fort Wilderness has cabins that I think sleep 6, but they are somewhat higher in price too. Also, I think it is $9 per day to park if you are driving to WDW without staying on post, another thought if booking out of WDW property.

We have visited WDW in all months of the year except Jan. The spring and fall are somewhat cooler and nicer. Less crowds but the parks are not open the late hours as in the summer. The parks are about the same for crowds in May and Oct from my experience. Mid June starts becoming crowded since FL schools are out the first and second weeks.

 

[ccigliano]

I have be to DL a few times with the last trip about 18 months ago when I had a business trip in LA and so we did go to the DL and California Adventure and stayed at Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel. I agree with Disneyfan55 in that it is really just a three day pit stip on your way to somewhere else. It is very small, has only two very small parks, has three hotels, and a Downtown Disney area that is about 1/3 of DTD in WDW. WDW is a mega resort destination, has four different parks, water parks, a huge DTD area and Pleasure Island - it is a true vacation destination and a place where you won't get board. The MNSSHP is great and you'll have a blast - not too mention 4 parks to visit. As far as the party of 5 - I believe that there are suites in the deluxe hotels (WL, Poly, GF, or CR) that accommodate 5. I know that the AKL DVC rooms have studios now that accommodate 5 but I am not sure if they are for cash rentals or just DVC. You may want to rent some points from a DVCer (rent/trade right here on the Disboards) for an AKL studio to accommodate 5, you'll be in a great deluxe for a great price. Good Luck!!

 

[1000th happy haunt]

In October, the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland is all decked out in the Haunted Mansion Holiday. Jack Skellington takes over the Mansion and puts his own touch to it.

Comparing Disneyland to the Magic Kingdom, Disneyland is much much better, although smaller. Pirates of the Caribbean is about 20 minutes long, and they have an attraction called Indiana Jones Adventure (same ride vehicle and track as Dinosaur, but a totally different experience). And everything at Disneyland Resort can be easily and conveniently walked to. The entrance to California Adventure is right across the way from the entrance to Disneyland.

 

[Samsma]

Hi! We went to DL in Nov. 2005 for a short 4 day trip. I loved it. We have been to WDW several times, and I feel like DL is a taste of the great things, but more managable for a short trip. You can also so some of So. Cal's other wonderful sights while at DL.

 

[autumnbaby9]

Depends on what you want or expect.

Disneyland is smaller and easier to get around. Everything is within walking distance (parkhopping is alot easier). However the city of Anahiem has surrounded the park and you can't totally get away from it all like you can at WDW.

There are 3 hotels at DL and none of them are value, or even moderate. THe cheapest you are going to get is around $200 a night. However there are offsite hotels that are actually closer to the park entrance than the Disney hotels (except Grand Californian which is IN the park). There are quite of few of them that are really nice and go for around $50-$100 a night.

If you compare DL to WDW's MK DL wins hands down in my opinion. It has a more intimate feel and a lot of Walt's own personal touches. POTC is a lot longer and better put together. Space Mountain was just fully redone and it a lot more fun than MK's space mountain IMO.

DL can be done in 3-4 days even during the busiest seasons which can't be said for WDW. If time or money is a factor DL may be a better choice (depending on airfare).

Another thing to keep in mind is DL's Gaydays is in october. If you are going during this time you may want to avoid the park of the day to get away from the crowds. You can also get really good discounts on park tickets and hotel rooms if you use the gayday links. I got a 5 day parkhopper last year for $139, and I know you can geta room at the Grand Californian for around $200 when they are normally $300-500 anight

www.gaydaysanaheim.com

I love going to both because each offers there own pluses and experiences. I just keep an eye on both and which ever is cheapest is the one I go to.

 

[tofubeast]

If I were you, I would go with Disneyland as you have never been there. It is such an experience. I grew up in Cali, but now live in FL...so am getting used to the World.

DL has so much packed into its park, and many of the rides are better there than at the WDW. (don't get me wrong.. I love WDW too.) There is just a nice sense of history when you walk around that park. I have never been to CAdventure, but I am sure that is interesting too.

Plus there are so many great things to see in the L.A. area. I would choose that hands down. It is so much fun to compare the parks!

 

[SnackyStacky]

Go see the original!

Go to Disneyland!

 

[Stinky_Pete]

I just got back from a weekend at DL. I called it our "warm-up" for our 10 day WDW trip in December.

I agree with those who say that DL is more of a theme park vs. WDW is a total vacation. However, since you've never been, I would encourage you to go! DL is great, and as others have said, some of the attractions with the same name are different at DL than they are at WDW. Plus there is the Matterhorn, Alice in Wonderland, and Indiana Jones, which aren't at WDW. Then there's Nemo...which for some reason doesn't have fast pass...

My advice is to stay off site. Some of the motels are very nice, affordable, and have relatively inexpensive dining options right next door.

 

[ballarinamom]

I agree with the Disneyland folks. We did Land first- twice in one year. Then we did World in April. The quality of the duplicate rides are much better in Land. There may be more at World but for me it's a matter of quality over quantity. And if the holiday overlay is in place, BONUS!!!!!California Adventure is a nice afternoon break when MK gets crowded. The animation area at California Adventure was much better than World. You only go through security once. You can walk over to DTD and shop or eat. It will only take you 5 minutes to get to either park. You can take your time and not go comando. Stay at the Disneyland Hotel. Beautiful Disney theming with Pixie dust on the ceiling at night time. But it's your choice. Either way, you'll have a great trip!