Which to visit: DL or WDW

[soniam]

I would say Disneyland, simply because you have never been there. I think you have to do both to fully appreciate each and to appreciate Walt Disney and his visions. We have been to both. We are lucky enough to be pretty much between both, so flights costs are not much of an issue. However, we have found flying to CA seems to usually be cheaper than flying to MCO. We have been to Universal Orlando and love it. June will be our first trip to Universal Hollywood. I expect it to feel like a completely different park than UO.

 

[PirateBoatDropRide]

I would say Disneyland, simply because you have never been there. I think you have to do both to fully appreciate each and to appreciate Walt Disney and his visions. We have been to both. We are lucky enough to be pretty much between both, so flights costs are not much of an issue. However, we have found flying to CA seems to usually be cheaper than flying to MCO. We have been to Universal Orlando and love it. June will be our first trip to Universal Hollywood. I expect it to feel like a completely different park than UO.

Set your expectations a little lower with Universal Hollywood versus Universal Orlando. It's not that UH is a bad theme park, but it pales in comparison to UO for scope, theming and a things to do. The tram tour at UH is the standout and super unique while people love Waterworld, the Jurassic World update and Secret Life of Pets (I haven't been there since it opened); However, UO is overall just a much better multi-day experience. One day at UH is really enough.

Whereas I think there's a real debate about which is the best between Disneyland vs. WDW, in my opinion, UO is significantly better than UH especially if you want to spend more than 1 day there.

Have fun!

 

[soniam]

Set your expectations a little lower with Universal Hollywood versus Universal Orlando. It's not that UH is a bad theme park, but it pales in comparison to UO for scope, theming and a things to do. The tram tour at UH is the standout and super unique while people love Waterworld, the Jurassic World update and Secret Life of Pets (I haven't been there since it opened); However, UO is overall just a much better multi-day experience. One day at UH is really enough.

Whereas I think there's a real debate about which is the best between Disneyland vs. WDW, in my opinion, UO is significantly better than UH especially if you want to spend more than 1 day there.

Have fun!

That's what I am expecting. We plan to only spend 1 day at UH. Looking forward to the tram tour though. I am also uber excited to go to Knott's Berry Farms. Too bad we will miss boysenberry fest though. Maybe another time. I agree about WDW and DLR. I actually don't think there is a debate though. They are both great, but different, and both should be experienced if possible.

 

[MICHAELB1]

We’ve only ever been to Disney World (last time 6 years ago) and are planning a trip for December. Now my sister wants us to go to Disneyland and put off the trip a year to wait for Super Nintendo World at Universal. Which is better - DL or WDW?
I've heard good things about Disneyland, but of course it is smaller and does not have Animal Kingdom or Epcot. So what do people who have been to both think of them?

I would reccomend doing WDW first, my reasons are as follow:

-A lot bigger in terms of general park volume and activities
-Magic Kingdom is similar enough that I would say you are getting a decent representation of Disneyland
-Disney's Hollywood Studios creates rides unique to themselves at this point, Tower of Terror, Minnie and Mickey, Rock N' Roller Coaster, and of course the legendary Galaxies Edge
-Animal Kingdom is wholly unique and has no repeat rides that Disney land has
-Epcot the same way as Animal kingdom has no repeat rides
-Disney Springs is a great place if you want to take a break from parks for a day or even want to head over after!
-Park closing shows are excellent and each park has their version, my favorite is HS.

Overall, it is a great first park, Disney Land has a-lot of rides I think people will appreciate more after they go to Disney World and notice they don't have. I highly recommend WDW first, also it is next to Universal if you really wanted to go to those parks over there.

 

[disneycat321]

I live an easy 7 hour drive from DLR and an expensive 5+ hour flight from WDW. So, it's never an even question for me because WDW is always a far more expensive trip.

But, cost aside, WDW and DLR are two different kind of trips. When we go to WDW, we go for 7-10 nights and we live in the bubble for that time. There's always plenty to do for that long. DLR is more of a quick, 2 or 3 day park hoppers kind of trip, though I could see easily doing 5 days if you're someone who doesn't go as often as I do. I love and adore Disneyland; it is home to me, and DL itself is by far my favorite Disney park. But I also really love Epcot and AK and the whole resort experience at WDW.

So I'd say, it depends what kind of trip you want.

 

[disneycat321]

Side note: Genie+ seems to have far less of a negative effect at DLR than at WDW. I'd be sure to read some of the threads about current experiences at WDW, especially if you haven't been in several years. We last went in 2019, and I wouldn't want to go now based on what the experience is like.

 

[MICHAELB1]

Side note: Genie+ seems to have far less of a negative effect at DLR than at WDW. I'd be sure to read some of the threads about current experiences at WDW, especially if you haven't been in several years. We last went in 2019, and I wouldn't want to go now based on what the experience is like.

It isn't as bad as people make it out to be at least for me I have gone the last two Novembers, and Magic Kingdom was a mess in '21 in '20 though it was empty. I would definitely suggest getting Genie Plus there but it doesn't make that much of a difference and in the end it limits the maximum amount of stuff you can do in a day.

 

[Matrixleos]

I would reccomend doing WDW first, my reasons are as follow:

-A lot bigger in terms of general park volume and activities
-Magic Kingdom is similar enough that I would say you are getting a decent representation of Disneyland
-Disney's Hollywood Studios creates rides unique to themselves at this point, Tower of Terror, Minnie and Mickey, Rock N' Roller Coaster, and of course the legendary Galaxies Edge
-Animal Kingdom is wholly unique and has no repeat rides that Disney land has
-Epcot the same way as Animal kingdom has no repeat rides
-Disney Springs is a great place if you want to take a break from parks for a day or even want to head over after!
-Park closing shows are excellent and each park has their version, my favorite is HS.

Overall, it is a great first park, Disney Land has a-lot of rides I think people will appreciate more after they go to Disney World and notice they don't have. I highly recommend WDW first, also it is next to Universal if you really wanted to go to those parks over there.

Just wanted to add to your post above when you mention unique or no repeat rides at WDW...…

Disney's Hollywood Studios creates rides unique to themselves at this point, Tower of Terror, Minnie and Mickey, Rock N' Roller Coaster, and of course the legendary Galaxies Edge

• Tower of Terror: DCA had Tower of Terror but re-themed it to Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout. Which is better themed and better music
• Minnie and Mickey: If they are delaying their trip for Super Nintendo World's opening, then Minnie and Mickey would also be available in Disneyland roughly around the same time
• Rock N' Roller Coaster: While I love this ride with the Aerosmith music, if we're talking pure coaster's at Disney, hard to beat Incredicoaster at DCA.
• Star Wars: Galaxies Edge: Not sure how unique this might be, when there is an exact same build of Galaxies Edge at Disneyland.

Animal Kingdom is wholly unique and has no repeat rides that Disney land has

• Dinosaur: Amazing ride at WDW but Disneyland has a similar ride experience with vehicles and ride track with Indiana Jones
• Kali River Rapids: Fun ride at WDW but I have to say Grizzly River Run at DCA has a similar ride experience with better theming and more thrills with chances to get soaked

Epcot the same way as Animal kingdom has no repeat rides

• Test Track: I see your Test Track and raise you with a similar but yet improved ride experience of Radiator Springs Racers from Cars Land at DCA
• Soarin: Exact same ride experience at DCA

 

[MICHAELB1]

Just wanted to add to your post above when you mention unique or no repeat rides at WDW...…

Disney's Hollywood Studios creates rides unique to themselves at this point, Tower of Terror, Minnie and Mickey, Rock N' Roller Coaster, and of course the legendary Galaxies Edge

• Tower of Terror: DCA had Tower of Terror but re-themed it to Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout. Which is better themed and better music
• Minnie and Mickey: If they are delaying their trip for Super Nintendo World's opening, then Minnie and Mickey would also be available in Disneyland roughly around the same time
• Rock N' Roller Coaster: While I love this ride with the Aerosmith music, if we're talking pure coaster's at Disney, hard to beat Incredicoaster at DCA.
• Star Wars: Galaxies Edge: Not sure how unique this might be, when there is an exact same build of Galaxies Edge at Disneyland.

Animal Kingdom is wholly unique and has no repeat rides that Disney land has

• Dinosaur: Amazing ride at WDW but Disneyland has a similar ride experience with vehicles and ride track with Indiana Jones
• Kali River Rapids: Fun ride at WDW but I have to say Grizzly River Run at DCA has a similar ride experience with better theming and more thrills with chances to get soaked

Epcot the same way as Animal kingdom has no repeat rides

• Test Track: I see your Test Track and raise you with a similar but yet improved ride experience of Radiator Springs Racers from Cars Land at DCA
• Soarin: Exact same ride experience at DCA

Disney's Hollywood Studios

1. Rock N' Roller Coaster-I would say the Incredicoaster is more similarly aligned with slinky dog dash which I forgot to add, I will say the Aerosmith ride is in my opinion a different experience to pretty much anywhere else at Disney parks.
2. Tower of Terror- It is such a classic and behind Pirates is my favorite ride at a Disney park, I love Mission Breakout, but I find it to be a bit lackluster when it comes to theming as well
3. Slinky Dog Dash- Forgot this one

Animal Kingdom

1. Dinosaur-Same page with all of this, except personally I think dinosaur is one of the most understood rides ever, I prefer Indiana Jones but Dinosaur is thrown in to a pretty poorly themed area and gets a bad rap.
2. Expedition Everest- This is one of a kind ride and is a must do for everyone!
3. Kali River Rapids- This is reopening after refurbishment and some retheming next year I believe and overall I don't really want to compare the two until that finishes but I have to say. Grizzy River Run in my opinion is the better ride at the moment.

Epcot

1. Test Track cannot compete-Radiator springs is by far one of the greatest themed areas and Racers is one of the best rides ever, unapologetically.
2. Is soarin' the same?- It does have a different ending and overall is a must do at both parks!

 

[Matrixleos]

I love that you said this. I have only been to WDW once and only went to MK and AK. I always hear people say they don’t like AK or even recommend a visit but I loved that park! And my visit was before the Avatar stuff was completed. I can’t wait to see that some day!

I totally agree about Animal Kingdom, one of my favorite Theme Parks of all time. I just love the theming and vibe you get when you walk into the park. As a huge animal lover, I love seeing, hearing and interacting with all the animals in that park. I can do Kilimanjaro Safaris so many times throughout the day and get a different ride experience each time since the animals do different things at different times during the day. (Early morning experience is the best, the animals are more active)

Love seeing the Tree of Life and spending time admiring all the details and animal theming it has. I can understand some peoples complaints about lack of rides or "half day park" thoughts. Although Disney has done a great job of adding more featured rides the past 10+ years with Expedition Everest and the new Avatar themed land. If they can ever FIX the area around Dinoland USA, I think then Animal Kingdom would then be complete as a full day park. Hopefully they can keep the Dinosaur ride but build another land around it. Maybe finally build out their original concept of Beastly Kingdom or if they wanted to do something with Disney IP, something like Zootopia would be cool. My preference would be if Disney and Universal would be able to work out their Marvel IP issues on the east coast, creating Wakanda and having it be Black Panther/Avengers themed would be a perfect addition.

With all that said, I'm not really visiting Animal Kingdom for the rides. The detailed theming of all the lands and buildings are stunning. Just enjoy so much walking through Africa and Asia. I love all the different animal experiences from Winged Encounters, Feathers Friends of Flight, Gorilla Exploration Trail, Maharajah Jungle Trek to all the different other animal exhibits. Not to mention I just love watching the Festival of the Lion King! It never gets old and I still get chills from hearing all those songs performed live in person.

Finally, my family and I just love eating at Tusker House restaurant. That's the very first reservation we make when booking a WDW vacation, it's tradition.

 

[PirateBoatDropRide]

Side note: Genie+ seems to have far less of a negative effect at DLR than at WDW. I'd be sure to read some of the threads about current experiences at WDW, especially if you haven't been in several years. We last went in 2019, and I wouldn't want to go now based on what the experience is like.

Genie+ isn't too bad at DL having now done it a few times. My only 2 real issues with it are:

1) those who don't want to pay for G+ can often get a far lesser experience primarily from waiting in longer lines and packing less attractions in a day versus those who buy it. It seems to me that it is not really an option to skip getting G+ if you want to have a reasonably optimal day. With G+ you can pretty easily get a lot of attractions in, but I feel as if getting G+ should make your day far and above a great day packed with attractions whereas if you don't buy G+, you can still have a good day. Not really the case at the moment.

2) I strongly dislike the fact that you cannot ride any single attraction more than once using G+. You pay for the service, if you want to ride Space Mountain 5 times at the cost of not going on other attractions, have at it.

All this said, it doesn't work all that different from Fast Pass + at DL (which you paid for as well) before the pandemic. The only difference is that you could repeat attractions with FP+.