WDW or DL for first trip with dds?

[2littleprincesses]

I am having a difficult decision with this whole trying to take a disney thing. My ydd is almost 6 and is scared of some rides and characters. I plan on giving her more exposure this summer and also getting her to walk longer distances. Here are my options:

DL--Would go between 10/10 and 10/17. DDs and I have only 3 days of school that week. I see the entertainment book rate at HOJOs would be $70-80 a night with pool or dl view. We would also go to the beach maybe and SanDiego Zoo and/or Sea World. We would have to rent a car and pay for meals although HoJos has a frig in the room I believe.

WDW--Would go between 9/19-9/26. DDs would take off 5 days of school and I would take off 3.5 ( I work part time). Possibly get free dining. Also my birthday is during this week. Would stay at a value. Would not rent a car and would probably not go to Sea World unless there was some good deal ( it is $240 for 1 day for us).

What do you think? I know DL is smaller so possibly walking would be better? Thanks for any input.

 

[mrsannb]

Where do you live?
I'd go to WDW, cause everything is right there and it's so easy. You can bring an umbrella stroller for her, or rent a stroller some days if you need to.
San Diego & Sea World are not especially close to DL, are they?

 

[Tam1067]

I grew up in California and went to DLR but after moving to the Midwest, I've been a WDW visitor.

For me, even though it's bigger, WDW is much more relaxing and hassle-free. In Anaheim, you're in the middle of strip malls and fast food places. At WDW, if you stay on-site, you're removed from that. Transportation is taken care of. You have more options for meals. You are also removed from lots of the daily stresses of life.

The other benefit to WDW for someone with young kids is that you have more parks to choose from, so even if you're not doing the thrill rides, you have lots of other options. DLR does have options of fun activities for little ones, no question, but you're limited to two parks.

Also, driving anywhere in Southern California is goingto take you lots of time. San Diego would be about a two hour (give or take) drive from DLR. That means four hours round trip. At WDW, you'll have no travel of that sort.

If, however, you live close to California and can easily get there, then DLR might be a better choice for you.

 

[2littleprincesses]

We live in Minnesota so either place is a long way. Thanks for the advice. Anyone else?

 

[carj]

We are going to DLR in June this year after going to WDW last summer so I will let you know!

We live in Texas, pretty much an even distance either way. We are going because my husband has a conference in CA this summer.

My daughter was/is a big chicken when it comes to rides. I wasn't even sure if we would get her on Dumbo! Something about the rides being familiar characters made her want to give the rides a try. She was almost 5 when we went last summer. It really amazed me with how well she did.

There are not as many character meal choices at DLR.
We brought a stroller last summer for WDW and we will bring one for DLR. Our kids will be 8 and almost 6. Yes, they can walk all day but it is so much nicer to have a place to sit when waiting or to ride home to the hotel at the end of a long day.

We are staying at the Anaheim Hojo. I have heard great things about it as well.

I LOVED WDW and I would go back there in a heartbeat. I will tell you that some of our favorite attractions are at DLR as well. The kids loved the Jedi training academy and that is at DL. All of their favorite rides are at both places.

FWIW, we got great prices on airfare to Orlando and the prices to Los Angeles are really high. Also, we got a great deal on a rental car in Orlando and so far the cars in LA are crazy high. We flew to Orlando last summer but unless something changes, we will be driving to LA! Roadtrip! Woohoo!

 

[LuvBaloo]

I've got 2 girls currently 4 and 7, and I prefer DL. Its smaller and more compact. There's no need to worry about waiting for busses (waiting in line at the end of the day to cram into a bus and end up standing is tough on little kids). There's lots of hotels easily within walking distance. I do like both parks, but generally find DL to be cheaper, mostly because we eat more counter service meals. WDW has more eating options, with lots of themed table service restaurants, but its expensive and time consuming.

We have gone in October a few years ago and the crowds at DL were good. There was the Mickey's Halloween event. The Nightmare before Christmas overlay on Haunted Mansion made that ride very enjoyable for my girls. It was cuter. They'd never seen the movie, but fell in love with Sally character.

We've done both WDW and DL with the girls and in general find DL is less over-whelming.

Its a small world is better at DL (although I haven't seen it with the upgrade).
WDW does have Mickey's Philharmagic which is fantastic.

In one week, you can not see and do everything at WDW. We like 4-5 days at DL, and we can see and do everything we want, and do our favourites repeatedly.

Either way, you'll have a ton of fun. The biggest thing for me is the transportation - I like being able to walk back to the hotel instead of waiting for busses.

 

[DISNEYNV]

I would say save the DL trip for when the kids are a bit older and do WDW now. There is so much to do in DW that is everything is close at hand. If the kids need to go back to the hotel for a nap it is easy to get to. There are water parks, Animal Kingdom, and shows at Hollywood Studios. There are so many different kinds of restaurants and attractions for everyone. If the kids do not like characters they are easy to avoid. They will most likely offer FREE dining for the fall and that will save a lot of cash! We plan on taking our kids to DL in a few years when they will be old enough to remember and appreciate it's history and charm. We go to WDW about every year and there is so much to see and do each time. Sea Workd Orlando is a great park as well. Have fun whichever you park choose

 

[squirrel]

What are the flight prices like? are they similar? That is usually a large part of the expense.

If they are the same, I would go to DL. It's smaller, but nice to start with. No worries about lugging a stroller on/off buses. I took my niece when she was almost 4 and then last year we went to WDW. I asked her which one she likes better, she said I like them both. Another thing is when you do DL first and then WDW, the castle is huge the next time and you still get a great reaction. I also always stay on WDW property at WDW but not at DL so you still get that difference when you go to WDW after DL.

If you do go to DL, look into the price of the Best Western by the main entrance. That's where we stayed. It had a fridge and we also had a buffet breakfast each morning (included-not disney style buffet, but still good). I was tired of walking when I was at DL and was glad that the BW was so close.

 

[LuvBaloo]

I agree Best Western Park Place Inn is an ideal location and the buffet breakfast was good. You're literally across the street from the parks!