Why is DLR so much more expensive than WDW?

[Mrs. Bee]

I'm sure the experience is quite different if you're able to stay at a Disneyland resort. We are not able to do that.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

Oh yes--and the cost difference is because of the cost of living difference between California and Florida. I am a native Californian, so it doesn't phase me a bit, but I can see how it would to others.

Take care,
Lisa

 

[Mrs. Bee]

Oh yes--and the cost difference is because of the cost of living difference between California and Florida. I am a native Californian, so it doesn't phase me a bit, but I can see how it would to others.

Take care,
Lisa

i lived in orange, california for a year and a half and that was long enough...haha. i'm a midwestern gal. (cost of living is insane in socal! example: a 500 square foot house for $400,000 is not cool. i'm glad i can afford a nice house in the midwest....haha.)

the prices of food and stuff in the parks was a bit higher but not too much. i did notice a slight difference though.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

I know, it is pretty darn ridiculous! Where I live in the Bay Area a million dollars will buy you a modest little hovel. As a matter of fact. I told my husband after we bought our house I was going to embroider a sampler to go over the front door "hovel sweet hovel". But it is home to us, and it would feel strange to live anywhere else.

Going to Disneyland is sort of a good value for us, compared to our other trips we have taken (like to Maui) because we can drive or fly for very little. My husband's family all lives in Southern California (near Palos Verdes) so we often stay at the Disneyland Hotel for a few days after we are done visiting them as a little capper to the vacation. We are going to visit them in April, and I am trying to figure out away to approach my husband about doing just this! We just went in December, so I am not sure if he will be up for it, but I always am!

Take care,
Lisa
P.S. I have never been to the Midwest, but would love to visit one day!

 

[PrincessBelle39]

Well, I was actually asking the original poster that question.

But then my question to you is...have you ever been to WDW?

I'm not the original poster or the one you directed the question to. But wanted to comment anyway. I have been to both and find DLR much more of a magical experience than WDW. I found DL to be a more (not sure what word to use) enveloping Disney experience than WDW. WDW was amazing but I didn't find it quite as magical as DLR.

 

[HonestAbe]

I think DL is so much more expensive because the number of rooms in the area still dont come close to the capacity of the parks. It forces folks to stay at more geographically dispersed locations rather than within walking distance of the park. The farther out you go, the price drops exponentially. Keep in mind though that some of the hotels that are in Anaheim but farther out are very shady and run down. I've had it happen to me 2x in the past... At WDW there's plenty of room for expansion to ensure rooms match park capacity. But I was blown away at the prices for WDW. The budget rooms have gone up substantially. For the first time, we are planning on staying off site for our stay.

 

[fairycat]

I think DL is so much more expensive because the number of rooms in the area still dont come close to the capacity of the parks. It forces folks to stay at more geographically dispersed locations rather than within walking distance of the park. The farther out you go, the price drops exponentially. Keep in mind though that some of the hotels that are in Anaheim but farther out are very shady and run down. I've had it happen to me 2x in the past... At WDW there's plenty of room for expansion to ensure rooms match park capacity. But I was blown away at the prices for WDW. The budget rooms have gone up substantially. For the first time, we are planning on staying off site for our stay.

Actually this is not completely true. Comparing hotel to hotel both parks are actually about the same price.

Some one said that the price OP posted of $1300 for two nights for 4, was with tickets. That was for a Disney owned hotel (GCH or DLH) both would compare to a Deluxe at WDW.

I went in October with 2 people and stayed at the Poly for three nights with tickets (not even the best ones) for $1800. So if you actually look at it, I probably paid slightly more for my trip to WDW then the OP would for DL.

If you are comparing the Mods or Values at WDW to GCH or DLH at DLR of course its going to cost much more. But as many have even mentioned on this thread there are some very nice places to stay across the street for DLR that you could actually pay less then a Value at WDW. Because Anaheim is designed for tourists it is actually very nice and the hotels along Harbor are pretty nice. I have stayed at several down the street for events and both were of excellent quality. One was more expensive at $140 a night, the other next door was $80 a night and the only difference was a better lobby in the expensive place. But they were definetly driving distance.

Just like anywhere, you get hotels of all different qualities and prices and reviews very much come in handy.

 

[HydroGuy]

Are you referring to me or someone else in this thread as a WDW vet? Not sure if you're talking about me or not. But I wouldn't call myself a WDW vet at all. I went there when I was 6, 10, 14, and then this year. Disneyland I didn't go to until I was 23 but since then I've been there over 200 times. My hubby even proposed to me there.

Both WDW and Disneyland are fabulous for different reasons.

I was referring to your comments about immersion which WDW vets often bring up when describing then overall experience at WDW vs DLR. As I described in my post I think there is an immersive experience at DLR that is often overlooked. It sounded from your post that all or most of your DLR visits were day trips. No problem with that except that IMO it is a different experience than staying at DLR for 3-4 days. Whether you yourself are a WDW vet was not relevant to the points I was making.

 

[Mrs. Bee]

Day trips? Yes. I took a "day trip" from Iowa last November. And last August. Riiight. I only lived in socal temporarily (THANK GOD.) While many of my trips to disneyland were "day trips" because we did live nearby they weren't just like a trip to the grocery store or something. I loved each and every visit we made to the park. You can get immersed in Disney at DL but just not as much as at WDW, in my opinion.

I have never stayed at a hotel on Disneyland property though. I can't rationalize spending over $200 a night on a room I'll barely be in. But that's just me.

 

[tidefan]

I was referring to your comments about immersion which WDW vets often bring up when describing then overall experience at WDW vs DLR. As I described in my post I think there is an immersive experience at DLR that is often overlooked. It sounded from your post that all or most of your DLR visits were day trips. No problem with that except that IMO it is a different experience than staying at DLR for 3-4 days. Whether you yourself are a WDW vet was not relevant to the points I was making.

Hey Trey, we corresponded in a thread awhile back where I started to write some info about WDW. Anyway, we are definitely the type that like to be immersed, so I am glad to say that we will be in SoCal for a conference in July and have booked DLH for 4 nights to do the park before we head off to our conference. We'll be in the parks on a Monday-Wednesday. 2 questions:

1) Will the crowds be horrible since it's July, or will it be OK being on a Mon-Wed?

2) I know that Aladdin doesn't play everyday. Will it be playing on July 7-9?

Thanks and looking forward to a great DLR trip (FYI, I am one that thinks all trips, whether WDW, DLR, DLP, DCL, etc. are all very awesome in their own regards...)

 

[heatherleigh]

I was not aware of the price difference being that way. I'm glad I know now! I've always just assumed WDW would be more expensive. I have not been there as an adult, so I wouldn't know. This is interesting information though.

Of course we save a lot by driving (we live in NM) but maybe the cost of flights for my family would even it out to where it wouldn't cost much more. I may look into DW for our vacation this fall. We will have a new baby by then, so driving may not be the better bet anyway.

 

[TravelingJen24]

I think another thing to look into is the fact that the trip is scheduled in August. Although school is out in both places, a trip to CA in August does not make you squirm because of the heat. it is definitely warm, but being from CA, the thought of going to WDW in Aug. sounds miserable to me. I think the prices are often affected by this as well. WDW has to deal with the fact that weather is going to affect people's decision to come there and they need to have better promos at this time of the year. In LA, summer is huge and along with DL, people have the beach amongst other things to do. Therefore, the prices are higher and they don't have to elicit people to come. Don't get me wrong, I understand why people go to WDW during the summer, for school breaks and such, but it affects prices. Good luck and I'm sure you will find something better.

 

[HydroGuy]

Day trips? Yes. I took a "day trip" from Iowa last November. And last August. Riiight. I only lived in socal temporarily (THANK GOD.) While many of my trips to disneyland were "day trips" because we did live nearby they weren't just like a trip to the grocery store or something. I loved each and every visit we made to the park. You can get immersed in Disney at DL but just not as much as at WDW, in my opinion.

I have never stayed at a hotel on Disneyland property though. I can't rationalize spending over $200 a night on a room I'll barely be in. But that's just me.

So have you ever done a 3+ day trip to DLR where you stayed at a walking distance hotel? If not, then comparing immersion for multi-day trips at WDW to single day trips at DLR is not a fair comparison.

Just to be clear, I am not saying that DLR is more immersive or even equally immersive as WDW. I am saying it is immersive in a different way than WDW and lots of people - especially WDW vets - do not fully understand this.

 

[HydroGuy]

Hey Trey, we corresponded in a thread awhile back where I started to write some info about WDW. Anyway, we are definitely the type that like to be immersed, so I am glad to say that we will be in SoCal for a conference in July and have booked DLH for 4 nights to do the park before we head off to our conference. We'll be in the parks on a Monday-Wednesday. 2 questions:

1) Will the crowds be horrible since it's July, or will it be OK being on a Mon-Wed?

2) I know that Aladdin doesn't play everyday. Will it be playing on July 7-9?

Horrible crowds? Well, everyone's tolerance is different. It will be crowded but IMO manageable. Especially if you are smart about how you tour.

If you have not yet seen it, lots of people have benefitted from this post of mine:

"Getting The Most Out of a Summer Visit To DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1345319

Aladdin is dark on Mon/Tue year round. Plan to see it on Wednesday.

Have a great trip.

 

[tidefan]

Horrible crowds? Well, everyone's tolerance is different. It will be crowded but IMO manageable. Especially if you are smart about how you tour.

If you have not yet seen it, lots of people have benefitted from this post of mine:

"Getting The Most Out of a Summer Visit To DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1345319

Aladdin is dark on Mon/Tue year round. Plan to see it on Wednesday.

Have a great trip.

Thanks for the link. You have a great trip to AKL as well. I think that you will find the experience there very different than the one you experienced at Fort Wilderness...

Also, if you have some extra time, you need to tour the various resorts at WDW, they are almost as fun as the parks themselves (IMHO)...

 

[Mrs. Bee]

So have you ever done a 3+ day trip to DLR where you stayed at a walking distance hotel? If not, then comparing immersion for multi-day trips at WDW to single day trips at DLR is not a fair comparison.

Just to be clear, I am not saying that DLR is more immersive or even equally immersive as WDW. I am saying it is immersive in a different way than WDW and lots of people - especially WDW vets - do not fully understand this.

Yes. Most recently last August and last November. Sadly I will probably not be making another trip until this November. We stay within a 10 minute walk to the parks.

 

[HydroGuy]

Thanks for the link. You have a great trip to AKL as well. I think that you will find the experience there very different than the one you experienced at Fort Wilderness...

Also, if you have some extra time, you need to tour the various resorts at WDW, they are almost as fun as the parks themselves (IMHO)...

Thanks. We are looking forward to it. The FW cabins were fun. We ended up there because of our family size of six (limits options at Disney for sure), DW's desire to have a full kitchen, and a last minute schedule change for the trip which left us no other on property options. This trip only part of the family is going so we can squeeze into an AKL room.

 

[tidefan]

Thanks. We are looking forward to it. The FW cabins were fun. We ended up there because of our family size of six (limits options at Disney for sure), DW's desire to have a full kitchen, and a last minute schedule change for the trip which left us no other on property options. This trip only part of the family is going so we can squeeze into an AKL room.

With your family size, have you considered renting points from a DVC member to get a 2-Bedroom villa. The ones at OKW are 1400 square feet, which should be plenty for a family of 6. Also, there are DVC Villas at Animal Kingdom Lodge, so you can get a 2-Bedroom there now as well. I think that you will find the hotel experience much better, not that FW is bad, because it's not, but the hotels in a way are extensions of the parks at WDW. One thing to note (IMPORTANT) is that most of the best places to eat in WDW are at the Resorts, NOT in the parks (the notable exception being EPCOT). Also, and I am sure that you know this, but you can start making your ADR's at 180 days in advance.

As you can see, we are DVC members and one of the other things that we are looking forward to seeing at DLR is any models of the Grand Californian Villas that they are building.

Lastly, I know that the cost for the cruises this summer is astronomical, but if you haven't done DCL, then I would highly suggest it. We just got back from the Magic last week (our first DCL cruise) and really, really loved it. It is 100% Disney, but very different than the park experience. Of course, as I said, with the costs being so astronomical for the Mexican Riviera cruises, it may be cheaper to just fly to Florida and do one from Port Canaveral. Plus, you would get the added bonus of getting to go to Castaway Cay, which is one of the best Disney places ever... period...

You just don't get this view in very many places:

 

[bumbershoot]

Just to be clear, I am not saying that DLR is more immersive or even equally immersive as WDW. I am saying it is immersive in a different way than WDW and lots of people - especially WDW vets - do not fully understand this.

I only read part of the first page, and then this 4th page, so I might be not totally understanding where these questions came from, but I wanted to comment on immersion.

Our first two trips to DLR as adults were one-day trips up from San Diego. They were fun, but I barely got a chance to look around, and certainly didn't feel like I was really IN Disneyland. So hectic! Fun but hectic.

Then last September we stayed 4 nights at PPH and 2 at HoJo. As I've stated too many times here, we walked in the too-long route from PP, and ended up going ALL the way through DTD. We felt that was awful, and I can't imagine doing the walk from DLH in. Going through DTD put us into a commerce state of mind, not a fun-happy-joy state of mind. But I also don't like coming in right to Tomorrowland (must have the entrance gates!) so skipping DTD and just going on the monorail wasn't a good option for us either.

When we moved to HoJo, we came in what I feel is the "proper" way, from the Harbor entrance, to the security check area, and instead of being surrounded by shoppers, we were surrounded by fellow DL/DCA goers, and it was so much more fun! We felt "into" Disney from as soon as we saw other people walking down Harbor, and going into the parks from that direction was so much better.

But in December we stayed on Katella, and went the way we *should* have gone from the PPH, taking us through GCH. I liked that better, but the GCH reminds me of what I think the Paradise Hotel at Mt Rainier looks like, and if I'm going to stay at a hotel looking that way, I'd better have Rainier right there! Then of course you are still plunked in shopper's paradise of the last bits of DTD (assuming you either can't find the special DCA entrance or are going straight to DL).

A week ago I stayed offsite again, at Carousel, and once again felt immersed as soon as I got to the sidewalk on Harbor, and once again was smiling as I walked in that "proper" way, totally one with the Disney experience.


So for me, staying OFF site at DLR helps me be immersed.


I can't compare anything to WDW (yet), but I just thought I wanted to add my own (possibly totally unique, LOL) thoughts on on vs off site and immersion at DLR.

 

[Mrs. Bee]

With your family size, have you considered renting points from a DVC member to get a 2-Bedroom villa. The ones at OKW are 1400 square feet, which should be plenty for a family of 6. Also, there are DVC Villas at Animal Kingdom Lodge, so you can get a 2-Bedroom there now as well. I think that you will find the hotel experience much better, not that FW is bad, because it's not, but the hotels in a way are extensions of the parks at WDW. One thing to note (IMPORTANT) is that most of the best places to eat in WDW are at the Resorts, NOT in the parks (the notable exception being EPCOT). Also, and I am sure that you know this, but you can start making your ADR's at 180 days in advance.

As you can see, we are DVC members and one of the other things that we are looking forward to seeing at DLR is any models of the Grand Californian Villas that they are building.

Lastly, I know that the cost for the cruises this summer is astronomical, but if you haven't done DCL, then I would highly suggest it. We just got back from the Magic last week (our first DCL cruise) and really, really loved it. It is 100% Disney, but very different than the park experience. Of course, as I said, with the costs being so astronomical for the Mexican Riviera cruises, it may be cheaper to just fly to Florida and do one from Port Canaveral. Plus, you would get the added bonus of getting to go to Castaway Cay, which is one of the best Disney places ever... period...

You just don't get this view in very many places:

We went to the bahamas and to the beach where they actually filmed the pirates of the caribbean movies. if we'd walked down the beach a little farther, we could have seen the actual ships from the movie. but we didn't know they were still there. Grr. Still a great place though.