WDW v DLR - calling all views!

[Melbourne5]

So what's your favorite and why?

I am keen to hear your views on which Disney in the USA you like best and why?

Please give me your views on things like the parks,shows, dining , accommodation and off site stuff.

I am tossing and turning as to which way to go for our next trip ( most likely 2013) so looking for lots of points of view.

 

[Royal Consort]

So what's your favorite and why?

I am keen to hear your views on which Disney in the USA you like best and why?

Please give me your views on things like the parks,shows, dining , accommodation and off site stuff.

I am tossing and turning as to which way to go for our next trip ( most likely 2013) so looking for lots of points of view.

I noticed your several trips in your signature. Which one did YOU prefer?

We're going on our first trip to both WDW and Disneyland this year. Which do you think we'd enjoy more? (I suspect we'll enjoy Disneyland more as it seems to look less... industrial?).

 

[aussietravellers]

I have to say that I love both, for different reasons. I don't actually have a favourite.

How have I decided which to go to on this upcoming trip. Well we went to WDW last, so it's time to have another DL visit.

What I love about DL..... I love the size, that it is so compact. That you can get as many major rides as WDW condensed into two parks located together. I love that you can wander around DLR without hopping on buses. I love that it is a holiday where you are close to pop to other cities and have such different experiences, San Diego, LA, Las Vegas. It's a shorter, cheaper plane ride than it is to WDW. My favourite restaurant of all Disney parks is at DL (Carnation Cafe). I love South Coast Plaza for shopping.

What I love about WDW.... I love the variety of resorts. I love the addition of the waterparks and prefer the DTD at WDW to DL. I love that you can stay on property for more reasonable prices than DL. I love EPCOT and the dining there (we are such foodies). Whilst my favourite restaurant is at DL, WDW has the best variety and choice of dining. With all the different parks and resorts it really does give a huge range of dining options. I love illuminations and I also love the variety of parks. Even though DL really doesn't have less rides than WDW, WDW has more parades, and more parks to spend the whole day at, more fireworks, more outside park activities at WDW. Love the two outlet malls near by. DL doesn't have a great outlet mall near by (yes it has one, but it's not a great one like near WDW).

So as you can tell, I love both, for different reasons.

I toss and turn too . This upcoming I have pretty much decided on DL. Cheaper to fly there, with Carsland, Little Mermaid and WOC opening since we were last there, we have new things to see and we spent 3 weeks at WDW last trip, so we are due for a DL trip. But we will be going at Christmas and we have been to DL at Christmas before. So I would love to see WDW during the Christmas holiday season. So I keep flipping too , it's driving me crazy. But am 95% decided on DL due to the above reasons.

 

[battymum]

Does anyone else have an opinion, I am also interested to know!

 

[BecBennett]

I prefer DLR, it's a lot easier to get around, with a similar amount of things to do in the parks.

However they do say that absence makes the heart grow fonder, so I'm starting to look back at WDW with wistful dreamy memories, and thinking it's time we went back...

 

[Anne_Aus]

For me it was WDW hands down, I preferred the parks, the ease of getting around, enjoyed the downtown disney area much more. I always felt there was something to do and was completely in Disney mode

With DL at the risk of being shot, I was kind of bored after a day, I didn't really like the set up of the 2 parks, the way hopping is set up there. I also found the downtown Disney area lacking and I just didn't feel the magic anywhere near as much

 

[Royal Consort]

What I love about WDW.... I love that you can stay on property for more reasonable prices than DL.

What is that all about anyway? We priced and booked our WDW trip first and then I nearly fell off my chair when I priced how much DL was going to cost us! It's almost the same price for half the time!!!!

We're staying off-site.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Disneyland

• I like how easy it is to get from park to park
• Blue Bayou Restaurant - yummo. Amazing food and the atmosphere is wonderful
• The Castle - I just love this castle, it's so quaint
• Walt's Original Park

Cons - not much in the way of really nice dining options, accom in the resort is very expensive

Walt Disney World

• So many amazing and reasonably priced resorts to choose from. I adore the unbelievable themeing and attention to detail.
• The dining options are enormous and for foodies like my family, that is a huge drawcard.
• Epcot really appeals to myself and my DH as it has a more grown up feel. With that being said, our kids adored it too.
• Animal Kingdom is such a wonderful place, who doesn't like animals.
• The bus system - it really is extremely good

Cons - the sheer size can be a challenge at times if you want to get from one resort to the other for an ADR, etc.

MY CHOICE

If my family and I had to choose, we would hands down choose WDW. It seems to have so much to offer my family and the resorts and dining "had us at hello".

I don't know whether we would go back to DL again, although I would love to see WOC and Carsland so never say never .

With that said though, if my children were very young and if we didn't have a good 10 days or so to give to WDW, then I would do DL. You don't need to spend as much time there and for little ones who need to nap during the day, I can see the more compact park would be best.

But hey, it's all Disney magic and pixie dust , you can't go wrong with either.

 

[alicia1506]

last year when we were planning our first ever Disney trip, we were torn between DLR and WDW. we ended up picking DLR for personal reasons.. and we fell in love. we like that it's smaller, so it's easier to get around. we love that there are offsite resorts closer to the front gates than the on-site properties, and at a fraction of the cost. we love that you can eat practically anywhere without a reservation (character breakfasts and steakhouse 55 excepted). we love that it's walt's original park, and it seems like there's something magical around every corner.

this year, we are going back to disneyland. we're staying offsite for the majority of the stay, then staying onsite for our last 2 nights.

next year, we're planning on visiting all 3 disney locations: WDW, doing a disney cruise & then ending at DLR. for our family (2 adults or 4 adults if our siblings come with us), WDW seems overwhelmingly huge, with just so much effort to go to to get from point A to B. we want to relax and go with the flow.. not get stuck on transport for 4 hrs a day. we love an immersive disney experience but we'll get that on the cruise. we like the idea of different attractions/theming/styles at each park and we know that WDW has more parades/restaurants etc, but the ADRs and all the advance booking we'd need to do makes it ... for us anyways ... less relaxing and more stressful. i'm sure when we're there, we'll love it for it's own specialness, but right now, DLR has our hearts.

 

[5ofus]

Tough question. I really don't think I have a favourite between the two. They each have their pros and cons which probably even out on the whole.

DL is the only park Walt walked in so there is that little extra bit of magic there, but there is just SO much to do at WDW.

So, if I had to pick a favourite, I'd pick.... Tokyo Disneyland

 

[Travel Mum]

Well I feel quite a traitor saying this after having spent a lot of my childhood living in L.A and hence going to DL heaps plus going back a few times later to visit as I loved it so much, but for me, after our first visit to WDW last year, it wins hands down over DL.

However, they are extremely different experiences in my opinion as DL is part of a California/West Coast holiday whereas WDW is a destination in itself and total Disney immersion. I loved being able to stay onsite at WDW whereas there is no way we could afford to stay onsite at DL (nor, luckily for me, do I see any need to at DL). I loved having the extra Disney parks to visit plus the fantastic water parks and I really loved Orlando itself as opposed to L.A. Admittedly though, a WDW holiday take more park planning than a DL holiday (hence a DL holiday is probably more relaxing) as at DL, as long as you visit on a week-day in an off-peak time, you're most likely to be okay but, as WDW does not really have any truely off-peak times, you have to put some work into what parks to visit which days and which rides to prioritise etc. To some that may be a nuisance but I quite enjoyed it.

Ahhhh DL I will always love you but I admit WDW is my major love at the moment

 

[Caroline NZ]

However, they are extremely different experiences in my opinion as DL is part of a California/West Coast holiday whereas WDW is a destination in itself and total Disney immersion.

I agree with the above (even though we haven't been to WDW).
Our next trip to the US, will be for a month travelling around California & surrounds, with just the last 8 nights or so at Anaheim.

 

[battymum]

Its good to hear different opinions, that are all mostly positive for both parks -

For my next trip we would like to spend a week in NYC and then 10-14 days driving upstate New York, Boston , PA and Washington DC - we couldnt afford timewise to spend 10days in Orlando, which I think it needs - so I was thinking as most flights from Au go via LA it wouldnt be too much of a stretch to have 4-5 days at DLR.

I did love those restaurants at WDW, and would love to go back to Epcot, but as long as we can find a few decent meals at DL that will be OK.

DH has no idea of this plan - I am just dreaming, but its nice to have a goal!

 

[GrazingGoat1966]

For what it's worth.....hands down Walt Disney World is the number one choice for us. The sheer size and the fact that you have so many more options (waterparks, DisneyQuest, resort hopping, boat cruising, jetski's, fishing trips, golf, Wide World of Sports....the list goes on and on....2 extra parks, Car Racing ) all within the boundaries of the resort.......it's no contest really IMO.

For what it's worth of course!!!!!

 

[DisneyGirlInOz]

WDW is the winner for us

So many options with parks, dinning, shows, tours etc.

I will always have a special place in my heart for DL but WDW is the winner by far.

I also like going to Universal when in Orlando as well as the outlets.

 

[Sugarglider]

Oh TDL is the BEST park!

but I like WDW cause it is a destination - just fly in and so much is there!

Also the dining is miles ahead at WDW - and - well - food is one of my things

I love DLR esp. for it's history. GCH is outrageously expensive. I stayed in the cheapest room on 40% discount and the room was still bigger, nicer, had more features (more toiletries, robes, newspapers, turndown service) than any WDW room I've seen.

 

[Travel Mum]

Oh TDL is the BEST park!

What makes TDL so good?

 

[Mum from oz]

We loved WDW the best. We only got to spend 3 days exploring DL/DCA and I would've loved more time to become more at home there. We are planning to go back to DL in 2013 mainly for Carsland.

 

[Sugarglider]

What makes TDL so good?

the parks are really beautiful and impressive, esp. Disney Sea park. The japanese have a strong cultural aesthetic which translates to a perfectionism and pleasing layout. e.g. The Queen of Hearts counter service restaurant with amazing stained glass windows, soldier/playing card statues, eat under giant flowers/lights

The japanese have built everything with real materials. e.g. The companion park - Disney Sea - has an italian style port theme and hotel, (much like the original of the Universal Portofino Bay Resort), and to build they imported tonnes of italian marble. You don't see miles of painted gyprock. Miles of tile mosaics in the Arabia Port (with a double decker carousel).

Disney Sea also has a huge erupting volcano as the centrepiece of the park - goes off every hour, on the hour. that whole park is unique and way interesting - with very different and high tech rides. the Hotel Mira Costa is actually part of the park and you can get a room looking over the main lagoon and watch all the shows from your balcony - and watch the park after hours. the Mira Costa is beautiful and luxurious

The parks are kept in beautiful maintainence and tidiness. e.g. think about the poor maintenance in WDW Splash Mountain.

They have better technology than any other - e.g. the Winne the Pooh ride is by far the most popular ride. It is trackless, working on a GPS/LPS and when you get to the tigger bit they bounce up and down, when you get the heffalumps dreamy bit, about 16 little cars are all zooming around in different directions, just missing each other - taking different routes. The robotic Stitch in the Tiki Room works really nicely. (the japanese LOVE stitchi)

they have multi-flavoured popcorn! And they have japanese type foods e.g. gyoza buns which makes it more interesting. The restaurants are very good.

It has great access on public transport - 30min by train from Toyko.

Japanese LOVE animated characters and love the parks. they turn up in droves - and dress up in the most amazing costumes. they are very polite and keep the park tidy and respect everything.

full on parades - their spectromagic goes on forever! they are long and very detailed. (not like DHS Pixar sadness)

Please go google and look at photos!

I will admit the japanese started that Duffy thing - dammit.

 

[alicia1506]

the parks are really beautiful and impressive, esp. Disney Sea park. The japanese have a strong cultural aesthetic which translates to a perfectionism and pleasing layout. e.g. The Queen of Hearts counter service restaurant with amazing stained glass windows, soldier/playing card statues, eat under giant flowers/lights

The japanese have built everything with real materials. e.g. The companion park - Disney Sea - has an italian style port theme and hotel, (much like the original of the Universal Portofino Bay Resort), and to build they imported tonnes of italian marble. You don't see miles of painted gyprock. Miles of tile mosaics in the Arabia Port (with a double decker carousel).

Disney Sea also has a huge erupting volcano as the centrepiece of the park - goes off every hour, on the hour. that whole park is unique and way interesting - with very different and high tech rides. the Hotel Mira Costa is actually part of the park and you can get a room looking over the main lagoon and watch all the shows from your balcony - and watch the park after hours. the Mira Costa is beautiful and luxurious

The parks are kept in beautiful maintainence and tidiness. e.g. think about the poor maintenance in WDW Splash Mountain.

They have better technology than any other - e.g. the Winne the Pooh ride is by far the most popular ride. It is trackless, working on a GPS/LPS and when you get to the tigger bit they bounce up and down, when you get the heffalumps dreamy bit, about 16 little cars are all zooming around in different directions, just missing each other - taking different routes. The robotic Stitch in the Tiki Room works really nicely. (the japanese LOVE stitchi)

they have multi-flavoured popcorn! And they have japanese type foods e.g. gyoza buns which makes it more interesting. The restaurants are very good.

It has great access on public transport - 30min by train from Toyko.

Japanese LOVE animated characters and love the parks. they turn up in droves - and dress up in the most amazing costumes. they are very polite and keep the park tidy and respect everything.

full on parades - their spectromagic goes on forever! they are long and very detailed. (not like DHS Pixar sadness)

Please go google and look at photos!

I will admit the japanese started that Duffy thing - dammit.

carlo and i were talking about travelling overseas to another locations as we will have done a usa trip (including dlr, wdw and dcl) for 3 yrs straight... we were trying to come up with ideas for destinations --- i think i will be seriously looking at japan now... this makes it sound so lovely ... and as a bit of a perfectionist myself, the idea of all those sculptured grounds and impeccable maintenance combined with disney ... ... now... to consider surmounting the language barrier ... i have 2 years to learn me some japanese.