WDW for DL native?

[adSimba]

I'm from California, I've been to Disneyland loads of times, Was an AP for a few years, and can tell you more about anything there than anyone else I know, but I've never been to Disney World and have only recently even started trying to learn anything about it.

It has always seemed so big and overwhelming...

Anyway, On the DL boards, there are regularly posts from Disney World regulars who come to Disneyland for the first time, but I cant seem to find anything from the opposite prospective. Is anyone here someone who used to be a Disneyland only person? how does it compare? what was it like the first time?

 

[BrianL]

Well, WDW definitely requires more planning than DL, and that is really the biggest difference. It's more spread out so staying on-property is a good option. They have less expensive hotels than the three on-property DLR hotels. The FastPass is also the other big difference and it is all done through the My Disney Experience app. I would recommend starting by reading a good crowd calendar to pick your days (Easy WDW is a good, free one). Pick your days and if you will park hop or not. If on-site, look for EMH you can use (and if off-site avoid those EMH days!). Make your ADRs up to 180 days in advance (I know, right?), especially if you want Be Our Guest or Cinderella's Royal Table. Then get your FastPass strategy in order. Check out MesaBoy's sticky thread under the Everything Fastpass+ section of the TPAS board here on DIS.

It''s really not that bad once you get into the swing of it. Have fun planning!

 

[GatorChris]

It's all about the ambiance and the bubble at WDW. They have more things to do with 4 parks and 2 waterparks, but it's a lot more spread out. You have breathing room...even in Tomorrowland! Definitely go with a Disney owned property - moderates are great. And stick around each night for the nighttime spectaculars.

Is it worth it to go for someone like you? I'll let a DL-First guest respond to that.

 

[Nevada Jen]

Having done both multiple times and ways (although I have never stayed on site at WDW), I can tell you its just a different vacation. Try thinking of it as the equivalent of a trip to Hawaii as opposed to something you might decide to do on the next 3 day weekend. The theme parks are not necessarily the foundation of the vacation. Just like the individual things you would do in Hawaii are not really the point of going to Hawaii. Its HAWAII! Similarly, its DISNEYWORLD!! There are certain things I like a lot more about WDW now that I am used to the difference between DL and WDW. For instance, I just love Epcot. I love the varied shopping around the resort and Disney Springs. I really don't like Hollywood Studios (or whatever that park is called now) or Animal Kingdom much. It seems a lot of effort for parks that don't have much in them compared to DL. I LOVE that it doesn't feel crowded like DL does. That said, I really hate fast pass plus and the fact that it is almost impossible to just eat at a resteraunt on the spur of the moment (or even with a week's advance notice). Its enough to keep me away from WDW when I am only a couple of hours away with time on my hands. Nothing keeps me away from DLR if I am only 2 hours away!