Which one is better?

[SNFamily]

Hello, we recently got qualified for the make a wish foundation, and I was wondering is DisneyLand better or DisneyWorld? I've been to Disneyland when I was a kid, but I've never been to Disneyworld. And does it matter what disabilities the kids have to make the place better? I have three kids all have autism/aspergers, and one also has cerebal palsy. Which place has more accomidations and easier access for special needs kids? My son's wish was to see Mickey Mouse, so I have to decide which place to go and when to go. We can either go in July, August, or September. I know either way it will be hot, but that doesn't matter to us, we're just excited to be going! If you have any info about either place and which one you think is better, please let me know. We have two weeks to decide. Thank you.

 

[eternaldisneyfan]

I've been to both- Disneyland is essentially Disney World's Magic Kingdom and California Adventure has some Disney World favorites. Disney World has Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Disney's Hollywood Studios essentially 3x as much as Disneyland and friendlier employees. And if you go to Disney World you get to stay at the awesome Give Kids the World village specially built for those with special needs. Disney World also has better accessibility especially with wheelchair accessible ride vehicles.

Disney World!

 

[mechurchlady]

Definitely WDW as they have the village there. There are water parks, miniature golf, sports, boating, shows, rides and more at WDW. WDW was built when theme parks were starting to become aware of disabled guest needs but were not required to do so by law. Disneyland was built before I was born which was when ladies wore dresses, men wore suits and nobody brought anything other than a stroller, diaper bag, handbag, wallet, camera and sweater. Them old narrow lines were fine then but now you get the backpack to the face because people forget they are carrying half of what they own. Disneyland is very crowded in the summer, has a lot of old style contruction like narrow doors, and is very hot in summer.

WDW has a wider variety of kid friendly things like star wars, animal kingdom, muppets, meet and greets, companion bathrooms, playgrounds, and rides. I would much rather go to WDW as I could spend a year there and not see and do everything.

 

[Barbday62]

Wow I would never say they are nicer in Florida over California lol. I have been to WDW 5 times and DLR about 25 times. California is way more laid back and more local people visit than tourist so there is no need to plan out every second or every meal there. They have no problem just chilling for hours to wait for something. The vacation is way different in DLR.

I think if you compare MK to DL then Disneyland wins Hands down. They have a lot of the same things but done much better. Pirates is longer and you dont feel like your in a warehouse. Mansion is longer. The small World is beautiful Castle like place (But its down until Next November). Toon town is awesome in California. I felt like WDW toon town was a street where as DL you go into a new world there.

Now if you compare the total resort experience I think WDW wins. I love Animal Kingdom especially with kids. The trouble is your going in the Summer. WDW is very hot and humid in the summer. You need to consider that too. California is usually about 85 in the summer but not humid.

Personally if I had a free trip I would do WDW only because you can spend a lot of time in the GKTW complex if you run into melt down and over load. They may find time in the pool to be a great prescription for that. If you choose Disneyland you are choosing a slow laid back vacation. Its crowded anywhere you go Disney in the summer. I would look at the kids needs before making any decisions. What makes them happy and go with that.

 

[Barbday62]

I forgot to tell you. We do Disney with a power chair (MY husband uses it) We have not ran into many problems at all with it. I keep hearing about being in main stream lines at WDW then pulled out so it may be different now (LAst time we went to WDW was Dec 2006) In Disneyland we have alternative entrances in many rides. We find the wait to be small most of the time (But we rarely go in busy times) I did go last year Dec 22 - 23 and it was a little crowded but not too bad for handicap lines. I suppose that was a lot like sumer crowds. We did things that got lines early in the morning. He can no longer ride things that whip around so many of the bigger attractions we skipped that trip.