wdw v dlrp

[thelittlemermaid83]

I hate these threads to be honest because seriously how can anyone compare 2 parks that are completely different from each other?

I have been to both parks and I love them both for very different reasons.

 

[raymondcky]

its so good reading everyones thoughts on this dlrp will always be speical to me as it was my first hoilday with my dgf and also what made me fall in love with disney

i just think the whole smallnes is really cute and the fact you dont have to spend ages planning everything you need to do like you do with wdw

 

[T16GEM]

and the fact you dont have to spend ages planning everything you need to do like you do with wdw

I love the planning too!!

 

[luke]

Good to see this thread going well
I also like the planning too, but not so much looking forward to making adrs as we normally stay offsite at wdw.

I'm like OP, first holiday with (now) DW was to DLRP so that's why I love it but weeks after booking dlrp for new year I booked 15 nights at wdw for august. I guess I'm saying it's possible to love them both

 

[disney_princess_85]

I also like the planning too, but not so much looking forward to making adrs as we normally stay offsite at wdw

Don't worry, it'll be fine! Just read up on all the reviews on the dining boards, make a list of the ones you like the sound of and go from there.

 

[luke]

Don't worry, it'll be fine! Just read up on all the reviews on the dining boards, make a list of the ones you like the sound of and go from there.

It's not avout that as such, but I like to have a bit of spontinaeity and not always knowing exactly where I'll be is part of the problem. Still it's free dining so I'll try

 

[scojos]

Don't worry, it'll be fine! Just read up on all the reviews on the dining boards, make a list of the ones you like the sound of and go from there.

i agree Luke, i would also seriously seriously suggest you do some planning and make adrs asap.
you dont have a hope in hell of getting decent restaurants peak Free DDP, and the ok restaurants are booked too...

dining reviews or ask for info, but plsplspls book.
rant over
tracy

 

[luke]

Maybe I'll start regretting getting free DDP...
Still, the hotel was cheaper so maybe I'll grin, bear it and try and have fun planning.

Could go either way

 

[wayneg]

Maybe I'll start regretting getting free DDP...
Still, the hotel was cheaper so maybe I'll grin, bear it and try and have fun planning.

Could go either way

While planning our meals for this August I was starting to regret booking it, almost cancelled on more than one occasion. We are like you, don't like planning, we get hungry and eat. DDP & ADR's are not perfect but we very much enjoyed the experience and can't wait to try even more restaraunts next August. We will be booking 180 day out to make sure get get places like Le Cellier & YSH.

 

[luke]

While planning our meals for this August I was starting to regret booking it, almost cancelled on more than one occasion. We are like you, don't like planning, we get hungry and eat. DDP & ADR's are not perfect but we very much enjoyed the experience and can't wait to try even more restaraunts next August. We will be booking 180 day out to make sure get get places like Le Cellier & YSH.

Thanks for the reassurance Wayne, I think you know I'd blame you if I regretted it as it was your fault I booked

Coupled with I can't find the online reservation page though that doesn't matter yet as I've not got a reservation number

 

[wayneg]

Hope you enjoy it now

 

[scojos]

Thanks for the reassurance Wayne, I think you know I'd blame you if I regretted it as it was your fault I booked

Coupled with I can't find the online reservation page though that doesn't matter yet as I've not got a reservation number

the discipline needed for this works for us with our asd kid, we have the flexibility of CS (loads of research best places menus etc) so decisions are "wise" decisions however having the TS booked gave us the rigidity that josh needs.
we too will book 180+10, we are booking "difficult" ones 190 days out so we can get the times we want - last year we had Lec at 4.20 - what a strange time to eat, lol!

one thing i would add is that you can cancel if you are tired/not wanting to move etc. we did that last year about an hour before the adr due to ds being ill, the prob with that is you have to "catch up" or you "lose" 5 TS credits...

look at maybe reserving only the "hard" ones? or booking 1 TS every other day? or book TS bfasts, which frees you up for the day? HTH Tx

 

[mikki.young]

I have been to WDW, DLRP (from opening day!) and the Original Disneyland. People have commented about DLRP being expensive. It is true but there i a good reason for this. Disney parks are always more expensive than the surrounding areas and DLRP is smack bang next to one of the most expensive places in Europe. Florida is pretty cheap which helps keep WDW cheaper. Exchange rates have also made a difference to both over the years.

I love DLRP castle and the dragon. I think the park is very pretty and fun to walk around and the covered walkways are great if you know the right route to take. Food has been variable over the years. I've had some great food at sot down restaurants and some lousy. I do not think that any of the fast food is great (especially at the studios). The French take food too seriously to understand how the american fast food works (actually that is a plus for the French but not for their fast food in the parks). It is a mob when you want to see the characters (and yes that is not just the french, it is most of the europeans but you can usually spot the englih holding back ). Gepetto fought his way through a crowd of children to give Figaro a cuddle when we couldn't get near him.

We have lined up for counter service and waited 20 minutes in the line when they have shut the line and told us to go to the back of the other one. We went to get an ice cream once because the doors were open and the CMs were behind the counter and we were told they were not open. We asked when they would open and were told 'sometime'. Not very helpful! On the other hand I love seeing the CMs dancing in the street from the shops when the parade goes by. Oh cafe mickey in the village has been consistently good since it opened and is a fun character meal.

We used to enjoy going by Eurostar to Paris. I like staying on site and have done most of the hotels. (not the cheapest). I also stayed once at the marriott timeshare mentioned earlier.

Given that I go to Disney for peace and quiet the Florida version does suit me better. Great food available outside the parks and other attractions and shopping. Met some fantastic CMs over the years many of whom greet us like long lost friends when they see us again. As others have said a much bigger place with more options. I won't repeat many of the good points already made.

I also like California. Only been twice for 40th and 50th anniversary but had a great time. Would love to add Tokyo and Hong Kong to my list but not yet!

 

[luke]

the prob with that is you have to "catch up" or you "lose" 5 TS credits...

How would they know you're on the dining plan before hand?
Oh dear. Still, I'll find out when our 180 days is (not long off I imagine) and maybe try and book some.
We never decide which park we'll be at until we get there tho usually, I know some people like to plan out their itinerary entirely but not me!! However staying onsite I guess we may sometimes use Disney transportation even if I'd prefer the freedom of driving. Still, the bus to Epcot will be handy for DATW

Anywho sorry to have taken this off topic

Would love to add Tokyo and Hong Kong to my list but not yet!

Don't forget Shanghai is coming too

 

[torsie24]

I have been to both, and both are wonderful and very different. But I would glady visit either!

Disneyland Paris Pros:

We can get there by Eurostar (which is my favourite method of transport) in under 2 hours.
The castle is the most beautiful of the Disney Castles and has a dragon.
Pirates of the Carribean and Buzz Lightyear are MUCH better
The Disneyland Hotel cannot be beat for location by any WDW hotel.
Everything is walking distance, and you never need to rely on busses/cars.
If you go at the right time of year you can have the entire park to yourself during EMH

Pro's of WDW:
The weather
The service/CMs are SO much friendlier and make you feel very special
There are 4 parks and water parks instead of just 2 theme parks
Much wider choice of hotels, and much nicer 'deluxe' resorts.
Tower of Terror and Haunted mansion are far superior.
Splash Mountain, Dinosaur, Liberty Square, Kilimanjaro Safaris and most importantly Mickey's Philarmagic are there.

In short. I love both. (And Anaheim too but I've only spent a day there so am not an expert)

If I could only have a 4 day trip I'd go to DLRP.

If it was 10 days or more I'd choose WDW.

A day at either would still be one of the best days of my year!

 

[wideeyes]

I have been to both, and both are wonderful and very different. But I would glady visit either!

I agree, nothing really more for me to say.