Wanting to go to WDW, but keep going back to DL

[SamIAm21]

We're wanting to go to WDW for 6 nights (November 12th - 18th), and we were planning on staying at one of the DVC resorts in a studio. We're not sure which DVC resort yet, but I'm kinda leaning towards the Villas at the Wilderness Lodge. If we do the dining plan, for our party of 2 adults and 2 children, it would cost $588 which sounds pretty reasonable for food for a week.

If we go to DL, we would probably go for 5 nights instead of 6 (Nov 12 - 17th), and we would stay at Paradise Pier since we haven't stayed there yet. We also would probably visit Legoland too, since we haven't done that yet and our 2 boys, ages 3 and 7, would LOVE it being that they're plenty young enough to really enjoy it there.

Of course, they would also LOVE Animal Kingdom... See! Here I go again!!!

I'm about ready to just flip a coin.

Go to WDW! I have nothing against DLR and I love it dearly, but the couple things you mentioned in DLR are also in WDW. The only thing we don't have is Monsters, but it's coming! The time frame you are planning for WDW is such beautiful weather. Hurricane season is winding down, the air is coolish at night and warm in the day, with lower humidity levels.

Also, by that time, the Christmas decorations will be up at WDW and the holiday season. The Living Seas will be completed by then with a new ride in there that's supposed to be really wonderful. The AK will have their new Nemo stage show opening in November (I'm pretty sure). The Year of a Million Dreams will be in full swing by November and you have a shot at being dosed with some serious pixie dust.

WDW is not that scary, it may seem so large and overwhelming, but it's really easy peasy with just a little light reading necessary to learn about all the parks.




Edited to add: Oh darn, I didn't convince you in time! Have fun at DLR! Either way, you're in for a great vacation!!

 

[disney-super-mom]

Go to WDW! I have nothing against DLR and I love it dearly, but the couple things you mentioned in DLR are also in WDW.

Edited to add: Oh darn, I didn't convince you in time! Have fun at DLR! Either way, you're in for a great vacation!!

Thanks for your post, and don't worry, we ARE convinced to go to WDW! We're just going to wait for another year or so before we do, but it'll happen and we're really looking forward to it!

 

[Tiinkerbelle]

Go to WDW! I have nothing against DLR and I love it dearly, but the couple things you mentioned in DLR are also in WDW. The only thing we don't have is Monsters, but it's coming! The time frame you are planning for WDW is such beautiful weather. Hurricane season is winding down, the air is coolish at night and warm in the day, with lower humidity levels.

Also, by that time, the Christmas decorations will be up at WDW and the holiday season. The Living Seas will be completed by then with a new ride in there that's supposed to be really wonderful. The AK will have their new Nemo stage show opening in November (I'm pretty sure). The Year of a Million Dreams will be in full swing by November and you have a shot at being dosed with some serious pixie dust.

WDW is not that scary, it may seem so large and overwhelming, but it's really easy peasy with just a little light reading necessary to learn about all the parks.




Edited to add: Oh darn, I didn't convince you in time! Have fun at DLR! Either way, you're in for a great vacation!!

Also don't forget the Matterhorn, a better pirates ride, a New Orleans themed area for the best food, and one or two other classic rides DL has that WDW doesn't.

 

[SamIAm21]

I am going to WDW in November, but I'm already trying to figure out a way to get back to DLR next spring or fall for some real good Pirates, great food at Blue Bayou, and the Matterhorn. Also, I'll be able to check out that Nemo submarine ride! YEAH baby!

I totally understand your point though super-mom. Another year and the kids will be way better with the longer flight and all the touring at WDW.

I love both parks, but DLR definitely won a big place in my heart this past June. I missed Pirates though, so I definitely need to get back there! Both parks have so much to offer! They truly do. I really had a great time at DCA!!

 

[Harmony]

Everytime we go our meals are usually at Storytellers Cafe, Rainforest Cafe, or the quick food stops. With the price of our hotel, air, tickets, and meals just about amounts to the price of just a hotel room at WDW to us. We needed a room with 2 queens and a pull out bed, but the only hotels that offer that in Disneyworld were the Deluxe hotels.
We HAD planned a WDW vacation for the same dates as we are going to DL, but the weather is so unpredictable in summer that we canceled and booked back to DL. The total cost of that WDW trip with air was around $7,000. The price of our DL trip now is around $2,600, I'd say that's a nice big chunk of change we're getting back .

Maybe it's the way we do WDW. We did DL in a very similar fashion...onsite resort with a view, character meals everyday and only a handful of counter service meals. (we aren't really fast food type of people... )

Still, DL came out about $2000 more than WDW. I did get a great deal on airline tickets though and ended up spending about $400 less on our tickets.

The fact that WDW has the dining plan and more options as far as resorts go...can definitely make it less expensive for families.

At DL, we stayed 3 nights at the DLH (standard view) and 3 nights at GC (theme park view). Usually, we do value or moderate at WDW so it's not quite as expensive. The dining plan, for us, saves us *alot* of money! First off, it keeps us from snacking since we always feel full and that saves a pretty penny too! When we do go out to eat...we have plenty of food with the plan...appy, entree and dessert for everyone. Plus, the restaurant is usually part of the "experience." (esp those at EPCOT)

BTW...we did Storyteller's and RFC too! Actually, since DL only offers 5 character meals...we decided to do all of them!

 

[Tiinkerbelle]

The GC is the most expensive resort, for the price we paid for the standard view this year we got a 1 bedroom suite at the DLH.

 

[Harmony]

Yeah, it was pricey but we wanted to experience both resorts and couldn't decide which one to do so we did both!

Having more options would be great for families and less expensive but I don't think DLR has the room to expand like that.