Which is better Walt Disney World or Disneyland?

[mmdisneylover]

My family and I haven't been to Disneyland but been a zillion times to WDW. Which is better it looks like Disneyland is more expensive and we live on the east coast so we have to fly. What is everyone preference leaving out money and where do you live so I could tell if it has to do with where you live. Disneyland looks so cool to me but that could be the fact that I've never been there. Just put your opinion in and where you live please.

 

[wdwfan22]

I could write a book about the differences in the park. It is worth it to go to DL and see the differences yourself. Just do not expect it to be DW. It is different.

If expenses are a factor, be sure to price hotels on Harbor Blvd and not on site. They are a short walk and far cheaper.

I grew up on DL and started going to DW as a young adult, and now go to both resorts as often as I can.

Now, for your question which is better? Neither. They are both amazing resorts on their own merits.

I am from Colorado, so it is closer to DL for me, but trips usually run me about the same per day for DL as DW.

 

[Simba77]

You'll never get a good answer to this. People will vehemently defend one coast over the other, sometimes angrily and possessively.

I've been to both, frequently. I prefer WDW, for several reasons, but they both have their merits, and I dearly love both WDW and DLR.

R

 

[juliebug1997]

I consider myself a WDW veteran but a DL newb after just one trip West.

DL just had a different feel. We had a wonderful time at DL last Oct, but it felt like a local's park. I had read that and I don't really know how to describe it, but that's how it felt. They are both very different in what they are able to accomplish and we stayed at a Harbor Blvd hotel and did save money over staying at one of the three Disney hotels. However, if we go back, we are going to spend at least two nights at the Grand Californian because they have an entrance into California Adventure that is very near the Carsland ride FP machines, the racers (I forget the name). We didn't get to ride it as the FPs were out in an hour each morning and the wait times were always over two hours when we tried to ride it.

If you've never been to WDW, you should go to FL once just to experience it and make your own mind up about it. I read lots of stuff about DL (including the DL DIS), but I still felt unprepared when we arrived. Ask more questions here once you make up your mind and try to find a copy of the Unofficial Complete Guide (or whatever it's called).

 

[Pumpkin01]

I post this response with the utmost respect for the west coast lol but...WDW takes the cake. For me and my family we just weren't feeling the magic, DL is a completely different vibe..and a lot smaller.

 

[DisDancerina]

Like other people are saying, you really can't choose fairly.

I think if you've been to WDW a ton of times, you might go to Disneyland and be underwhelmed, but if you appreciate history and details, it's definitely more than enjoyable. Think about it, it was the first Disney park, so it's full of history that most on the boards really appreciate. Plus, we've got Big Thunder and the Matterhorn! California Adventure, as it's growing, is also a great add-on to the traditional Disneyland. World of Color is something you cannot miss. And Cars Land really pulls you into the world of cars.

I think Disneyland is truly a magical place that every Disney fan should visit at least once. To me, it's worth it because of the history, differences and little touches of the classic magic. I think that Disney World should be visited at least once, too, because really, the two parks are definitely not the same. And that's what makes each of them special!

I live in AZ, so I'm closer to Disneyland, but have been to Disney World a couple of times and have had GREAT experiences there.

 

[bleeps]

We live in the Boston area, we have been to WDW 9 times in the past 10 years, and we were able to go once during that time (last year, in fact) to DL.

I wish I still lived in Chicago, which would make it *about* an even trip either way. We adore aspects of each place. Yes, WDW is MUCH bigger and offers "more," but DL/DCA are utterly magical, IMHO. The scale is smaller and much more manageable, and yet DL has more attractions than MK. The differences between the attractions in both places are pretty nifty (that is, IASW, PoC, WTP, HM -- attractions that in name are in each place, but that have differences in the versions).

If it were as easy for us to get to DL as it is to get to WDW, we would visit each place in alternate years. I think that because DL was truly Walt's park, it will always hold a special place in our hearts.

 

[estherhead]

You just have to go and decide for yourself. I've been to WDW over 20 times and DL twice. I would go back to DL 20 times if I lived closer. Really. One isn't better than the other. But generally your home park will feel like home. If you are going to DL soon or considering I wrote a whole series on it. Here is the summary. http://www.enchantingbeginnings.com/disneyland-tips-for-walt-disney-world-veterans/

I'm from Ohio and flying to Fl is 2 hour nonstop cheap flight. So WDW will continue to be my park. But DL is great.

 

[juncker]

If you have two kids, which do you love more?

This is certainly a loaded thread.

I've been to both and they both have their merits. Much of it depends upon your proximity to each park and what you want. As DVC members, DW is much more accessible so it has become our favorite. We still love DL though.

 

[rwdavis2]

From what I understand there are more attractions in the 2 parks at DL than the 4 in WDW.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

My family and I haven't been to Disneyland but been a zillion times to WDW. Which is better it looks like Disneyland is more expensive and we live on the east coast so we have to fly. What is everyone preference leaving out money and where do you live so I could tell if it has to do with where you live. Disneyland looks so cool to me but that could be the fact that I've never been there. Just put your opinion in and where you live please.

WDW is just over the top better then any other resort complex.

However when we go to DL and walk up Main street, we feel Walt there walking with us, still proud of his special park! The Magic and Pixie Dust started there.

AKK

 

[torinsmom]

I don't know the answer, but I want to see for myself We are planning a trip to DL/DCA next summer, along with Hollywood Studios. I want to see Walt's original park and experience where it all started. I don't expect one to be better than the other, but I know they will be different.

 

[OKW Lover]

My family and I haven't been to Disneyland but been a zillion times to WDW. Which is better it looks like Disneyland is more expensive and we live on the east coast so we have to fly. What is everyone preference leaving out money and where do you live so I could tell if it has to do with where you live. Disneyland looks so cool to me but that could be the fact that I've never been there. Just put your opinion in and where you live please.

Which child do you like better?

I don't know how you can really say one is better than the other. They are just different. Similar but different.

We're big WDW fans. We live on the east coast so we have been way too many times to count. We've also been to DLR probably 5 times. The thing that keeps is from hitting DLR more is simply the flight times/cost as compared to going to WDW. If it wasn't for that we would hit DLR more frequently.

Each time we've been to DLR we have throughly enjoyed it. We loved the small things that many people don't notice. We loved the CM's who seem more engaged with the guests. We loved the new DCA (especially CarsLand).

OTOH, every time we go to WDW we have also throughly enjoyed it. WDW is almost a cheap vacation for us since we have AP's and DVC so all we have to do is find a cheap flight to MCO or TPA and off we go. We enjoy the wider variety, and number, of attractions and restaurants at WDW. No doubt that there is more to see/do at WDW than DLR simply because of the relative sizes.

Probably doesn't help in making the decision. All I can suggest is to go to DLR and try it for yourself.

 

[Simba77]

From what I understand there are more attractions in the 2 parks at DL than the 4 in WDW.

I'm not sure that's right at all. It really depends on what you officially count as an attraction. It's sort of unfair to put something like Splash Mountain on the same level as Goofy's Boat or Heimlich's Chew Chew Train, but that's what straight up attraction count does. But I'd still be surprised to see even a simple attraction count that shows DL as having more than WDW.

And it's more than just about attraction count. When you consider that things like the Living Seas, Mission Space, the Land, Universe of Energy, World Showcase, American Adventure, Carousel of Progress, Great Movie Ride, Indy Stunt show, and nearly all of Animal Kingdom have basically no equivalent at DLR, there's far more to do, far more to explore, and a bigger variety at WDW. It's really not even remotely close in that particular aspect.

 

[MdmMim]

I have been to WDW 90+ times, and to DL twice. While I love WDW, DL seems a little more special to me. There is a little more magic in the air, and to me, Walt's presence can be felt there.

I am on the east coast and hope to return to DL soon. I like that magic!

 

[mickeymom629]

We live in the Boston area, we have been to WDW 9 times in the past 10 years, and we were able to go once during that time (last year, in fact) to DL.

I wish I still lived in Chicago, which would make it *about* an even trip either way. We adore aspects of each place. Yes, WDW is MUCH bigger and offers "more," but DL/DCA are utterly magical, IMHO. The scale is smaller and much more manageable, and yet DL has more attractions than MK. The differences between the attractions in both places are pretty nifty (that is, IASW, PoC, WTP, HM -- attractions that in name are in each place, but that have differences in the versions).

If it were as easy for us to get to DL as it is to get to WDW, we would visit each place in alternate years. I think that because DL was truly Walt's park, it will always hold a special place in our hearts.

I agree! I am a WDW fanatic, ask anyone I know , but we were able to go to DL in 2012 and stayed at the GCV and I was It was very funny how I was getting lost in DL because I kept trying to walk around as if it was the MK. I thought it was funny how close DL is to DCA and I was able to get FPs at both parks in one day! I look forward to going back. WDW is a resort and not comparable. DL/DCA is magical in a different way, imo. I love how there are so many attractions in just two parks!! But there is no EPCOT and no AK...

 

[Gumbo4x4]

If comparing DL to MK, it could be a tough call. Been a long time since I e been to DL, but I'd probably give it the nod.

That said, my whole family (myself included) prefers AK, Epcot, and both FL waterparks to MK. So, that makes WDW the clear winner "for us".

 

[DisneyAllyC]

I'm a WDW junky. I've never been to DL but I want to go once especially for Walts apartment. But WDW has so much more

 

[d1gitman]

We love both but if forced to choose, it would be DLCA without a doubt.

 

[BrianL]

I had been to WDW several times, and last October decided to go to DL. It is great, no doubt, but I found it less grandiose and more crowded. It is smaller, so the crowds seem even worse. I do love the history aspect of DL (and it still has Mr. Toads!), so it was worth doing, but I feel that the "Magic" is just stronger at WDW. DL is definitely fun, but for my money WDW is the way to go!