Why do you go to Disneyland instead of WDW

[quasar4legs]

Hi All,
I'm an aussie planning a trip to the US in february 2009. I understand that WDW is much bigger with more parks and was just wondering why people visit Disneyland over WDW. Is it just a geographical and financial thing or do some people prefer the smaller park??

Cheers
Trish

 

[Stacerita]

For me its mostly geographical. I am local and live just down the street from DLR. So going there is easy and cheap for me. I have been to WDW a few times and love it there as well. If I lived closer to WDW, I would probably just go there more often. I do enjoy that there are more parks to visit. My faves by far are Epcot and AK. I do prefer DL over MK though.

 

[StitchFan1973]

Definitely geographical for me as well. We live in Phoenix, and can drive to DLR in a few hours. We actually just bought annual passes and have gone 4 times in the last 3 months. That being said, we've also taken several family trips to WDW also. And hands down, I would go to WDW over DLR any time. Don't get me wrong, I love DLR also, but at WDW I feel much more immersed in the experience. As soon as you enter the WDW property, it's green and clean and friendly. We usually don't leave the property until we're headed back to the airport. Unfortunately, with DLR, once you leave DLR property, you have to re-enter the real world (what a downer!!!)

 

[DizMe]

Geographical for us, mostly, but also I'm sort of intimidated by WDW. I have no idea how to plan for such a vacation. I would like to go, but it seems like a hard thing to figure out unless there is someone with experience to help. I did go to WDW about 13 years ago, and it overwhelmed me then! That was before my days of message board addiction so I guess I could research it now. From what I've heard, though, you really have to plan way ahead and get your reservations in early. I like that with DL, you can decide to go the next day and can make it work. The compactness and lack of choice kind of works for me, LOL.

ETA: I almost forgot to mention that DL holds many, many fond memories for me, too. It is much more Walt's dream, to me, than WDW.

 

[msteddom]

Why choose? I do both!

Melissa

 

[DangerMouse]

Geographical for us, mostly, but also I'm sort of intimidated by WDW. I have no idea how to plan for such a vacation. I would like to go, but it seems like a hard thing to figure out unless there is someone with experience to help. I did go to WDW about 13 years ago, and it overwhelmed me then! That was before my days of message board addiction so I guess I could research it now. From what I've heard, though, you really have to plan way ahead and get your reservations in early. I like that with DL, you can decide to go the next day and can make it work. The compactness and lack of choice kind of works for me, LOL.

ETA: I almost forgot to mention that DL holds many, many fond memories for me, too. It is much more Walt's dream, to me, than WDW.

I completely agree with everything DizMe said.

DLR is a nice, neat little package for me. Very managable. WDW is overwhelming and too expensive to fly from PHX for a family of 5.

 

[quasar4legs]

Wow, thanks for the fast responses folks.
It would be cheaper for us to stay on the west coast but on the flip side I keep thinking WDW is just another plane flight away.
I have to say after trawling the WDW boards I am shocked at the planning that goes into these holidays. Stupidly, I thought you just booked a room and picked up your park tickets and you were done.

Thanks again for the opinions, much appreciated.
Trish

 

[LOLCAT]

Florida is nasty hot in the summer and it rains everyday.

 

[wazowskiLOVER:)]

I've only been to WDW once and I was around 10, so about 13 years ago. As a kid being towed around with my family was kind of a hassle because you had to get on the property to enjoy it. Its a little easier when there are hotels you can stay at outside of DLR and be walking distance to the parks.

I personally like DL better because it holds a lot of personal memories for me and I know it like the back of my hand. When trying to plan a big trip, its almost tiring to try and figure a new place out when you want specifics to get accomplished.

That being said, I would still love to go to WDW. I probably would be going there if I lived in FLA. I live in CA so it is a lot easier for me to say that it is geographical for me as well.

 

[Husker Mickey]

We've done both! We live in the center of the country so geographically, it's not much different. We really like the feel of DLR/CA over WDW. I can honestly say that we went to WDW at a really bad time of the year - late July with the temps at 95 degrees and 92% humidity. It was horrible!!! We just got home from DL and the temps were in the high 90's, but it was very managable - less humidity!!!
We like the ease of accessibility for DL. We also don't have to stay on-site at DL. At WDW, I feel that you really need to stay on-site to be able to get from one park to the next with the least amount of stress. Those are just my thoughts. Hope they are helpful.

 

[farmfresh]

Hi from the other side of the tasman! Am just in the middle of planning(!!!) WDW after many successful DL trips. I'm sure we'll have a great time once we are there, but it does seem quite a bit more complex. We 've chosen it this time because we are in the US for longer period, and really just wanted to try something new. At this point, I'm not sure whether I'd repeat the exercise, largely because it seems to require considerably more time to do justice to the place (and because booking dinner two months or more out is just odd!)

 

[quasar4legs]

[ (and because booking dinner two months or more out is just odd!)[/QUOTE]

I had no idea until I read the boards that people are booking restaurants so far in advance. We had visions of ourselves just stopping off to eat whenever we were hungry and something took our fancy. It's a whole new concept for us

Thanks for the opions, you have all been very generous with your time.

Trish

 

[disneychrista]

it is geographical and finacial. disneyland is a 8 hours drive. we can stay in a much cheaper hotel, eat off property if we choose and the biggest expense no flight.

i have been to wdw once and would like to go back again some day but for no disneyland is just much more manageable.

 

[TiggerNZ]

well for me coming from NZ is purely geographical - it is a short stop over on my way to the UK and Qantas don't fly to Florida!!!!!

To be honest, my number one choice would be 2 weeks at WDW (and all that it entails) but for now and cost/holiday time wise, I am really looking forward to my 2.5 days at DL!

 

[cheshiregirl]

Ditto to what a lot of the PPs said about financial and geographical constraints. But, I will also add that I visited DL before WDW (even though I was living in Illinois at the time) and in many ways I really prefer DL to the Magic Kingdom in Florida. I also really love the history of DL and knowing that this was Walt's park that he loved so much. I know it's cheezy, but there are times (especially when it's not as crowded in the mornings or on a rainy day) that it feels like he is still there enjoying it with all of us.

 

[DizMe]

I also really love the history of DL and knowing that this was Walt's park that he loved so much. I know it's cheezy, but there are times (especially when it's not as crowded in the mornings or on a rainy day) that it feels like he is still there enjoying it with all of us.

I don't think that's cheesy at all!! I think many of us feel exactly the same way. I mean, they still keep the light on for him in his apartment above the fire station, so how can you not feel as though he is out among the people and enjoying the park before heading home? Thanks for saying this; I really liked reading your post.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

It's only 6 hours away from home by car. It is the original. I have been to WDW twice and loved each trip, but it's more of a destination that I only want to do every few years or so. Disneyland I can do every year, and have done so for the last 8.

 

[LavenderPeach]

[ (and because booking dinner two months or more out is just odd!)

I had no idea until I read the boards that people are booking restaurants so far in advance. We had visions of ourselves just stopping off to eat whenever we were hungry and something took our fancy. It's a whole new concept for us

Thanks for the opions, you have all been very generous with your time.

Trish[/QUOTE]

I don't remember calling ahead for any of our meals when we went. Okay, it was 8 years ago so maybe it's gotten worse since then. I was lurking on the Dis Boards every day to plan that trip so i know people were booking in advance but, at that time, i felt like it wasn't absolutely necessary to do this unless you wanted to eat in the castle. We just planned on early lunches around 11 am and it worked fine. I did plan which restaurants we wanted to go to but I didn't call ahead. Also, i think we must have just done CS for dinner so maybe it's harder to get in to eat at that time. We were also there in early November so it was off season and not as many people to battle for tables. I'm not saying this is the best way to go but just wanted to point out that it is possible to do WDW without calling the restaurants months in advance. Anyway, that was just our experience.

To OP, we go to DL because it is closer. But I agree with some of the others that it is nice to not have to plan so much. WDW is a much bigger vacation. It is fun and I would definitely go back but it is a lot different. I remember being shocked at how big their property is at WDW. They have so many hotels and parks there that it's amazing that you don't see them very much as you travel from one to the other. I remember thinking "wow, this really is a Disney world".

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

Geographical for us, mostly, but also I'm sort of intimidated by WDW. I have no idea how to plan for such a vacation. I would like to go, but it seems like a hard thing to figure out unless there is someone with experience to help. I did go to WDW about 13 years ago, and it overwhelmed me then! That was before my days of message board addiction so I guess I could research it now. From what I've heard, though, you really have to plan way ahead and get your reservations in early. I like that with DL, you can decide to go the next day and can make it work. The compactness and lack of choice kind of works for me, LOL.

ETA: I almost forgot to mention that DL holds many, many fond memories for me, too. It is much more Walt's dream, to me, than WDW.

Ditto to what a lot of the PPs said about financial and geographical constraints. But, I will also add that I visited DL before WDW (even though I was living in Illinois at the time) and in many ways I really prefer DL to the Magic Kingdom in Florida. I also really love the history of DL and knowing that this was Walt's park that he loved so much. I know it's cheezy, but there are times (especially when it's not as crowded in the mornings or on a rainy day) that it feels like he is still there enjoying it with all of us.

I agree with both of you completely. WDW scares me. No lie. I am truly intimidated by that place. I know DLR like the back of my hand and it’s home to me. And there is SO SO much to do and see and hearing that everyone is so commando over there, which is the opposite of how I roll. I would love to go to WDW, but right now it just scares me.

Also being an hour and a half away doesn’t help that we go so often. I’m sure if I lived in Florida I would be going to WDW often.

The thing about it being the original really tugs at my heart too. I feel the exact same thing you said cheshiregirl. Also Disneyland holds tons of memories for me too.

 

[HydroGuy]

There are different philosophies that tend to attach to WDW and DLR visits. WDW is mostly visited by people from out-of-state or international who want an immersive full vacation experience. There are of course the parks there, but there are also richly themed restaurants and hotels, water sports (jet ski, boats, etc.), campfires, water parks, etc., etc. You really need a week to get the experience. We have done two 10-day trips.

DLR is not a full vacation experience. It is a fun and entertaining 3-5 day trip for those from outside Southern California and typically a one day trip for those who live in Southern California. Being a DLR vet first and a relative newbie to WDW, my family has never considered a Disney trip a vacation. We vacation at the beach or in Hawaii, not at DLR. Our ideal trip now is 3 days long (we have done as long as 4 days). Three days is just not enough of a trip to be a vacation for us - it is more like a long weekend.

For us DLR is easier to get to and much cheaper because we are in California already once or twice a year and can just tack on a DLR trip. To go to WDW we have to make dedicated plans.

WDW has many advantages over DLR, but DLR is not without advantages of its own. Here is my list:

1. Better weather, especially in the summer, and much less rain and humidity year round

2. Higher ride concentration - the four parks at WDW have only 10% more rides than DLR's two parks

3. Better shows - IMO the top three at DLR (RDCT, Fantasmic and Aladdin) are better than any of the WDW shows

4. Proximity - you can easily walk to the parks and it is much less time consuming to take mid-day breaks. Parkhopping takes all of one-minute.

5. Longer park hours - combined with proximity makes it easier to spend more time at the parks.