So if I couldn't do both parks in the same year which one would you do?

[Walt Disney1955]

My wife and I were talking the other night. Finally our finances are getting figured out and we are starting to thrive again. I can finally take our family to a Disney park. We have a three year old and a 7 month old. We did Disneyland/Southern California by ourselves in 2012 and the last time we were in WDW none of the kids were born. So with the money coming in again it is realistic to plan a trip for 2015. So we outweighed the pros and cons of a Disneyland vs. Disney World trip. Honestly, it's like choosing steak or lobster. It's a good problem actually.

Maybe my mother in-law comes with us this time, who knows. If so, that wouldn't be a bad thing. We really enjoyed California. It was an epic trip, maybe the best I ever did. In my opinion the best rides are in the Disneyland resort. The best individual park is there, the original, and from a standpoint of having kids I think Disneyland offers a few more of the kid-friendly rides (I'm thinking of the abundance of things at Fantasyland and Toontown, which trumps WDW that way). So when comparing the two parks, while WDW has more parks and of course the water parks it isn't a deal breaker either because I think the Disneyland parks offer the best rides.

It is the things outside of Disney that I'm thinking about. I don't think I'd do Universal Hollywood the next time I'm there. Other than that, perhaps Knott's Berry Farm is a theme park to do. I'll have a 4 and 1 year old by next April. There are the beaches which would be fine but Southern California seems to lack the things more interesting for children than Florida does. I did the Warner Bros. studio tour in Hollywood and took a Hollywood/Beverly Hills tour as well. You can't really bring kids on that type of tour. Not that young. You can wander around Hollywood with them and do your own tours in your own vehicle I guess though. But this means no Paramount Studio tour (which we didn't do) and stuff like this. Unless my mother in law gives us a day alone around there (she wouldn't be terribly interested in Hollywood).

On the flip side, in Florida you've got WDW which other than Epcot is pretty kid and family friendly. Lots to do. All the other theme parks relate to them as well. Universal Orlando is better with a family. More to do. My parents also have a time share a mile away from WDW. I'm more familiar with Orlando.

Alright, so the point is, it's a hard choice to make. There are things I would love for my kids (especially my son who will be old enough) to see. Certain rides that would suit them well. To me, Disneyland wins out there. I guess there is also the San Diego Zoo which I heard is far and above just a regular zoo.

So if it is possible to do both parks I will. It may not be, it may be a pipe dream for 2015. But my thinking is that WDW would be better in April/May while Disneyland would be better in September, which is when we went in 2012.

If I can't work this out with both of them (it's a stretch) then what do you my friends think would be the best location for two parents and a 4 and 1 year old with maybe another adult tagging along? I obviously know both locations well, I am just trying to gain some insight from my fellow posters.

 

[thomas998]

If I can't work this out with both of them (it's a stretch) then what do you my friends think would be the best location for two parents and a 4 and 1 year old with maybe another adult tagging along? I obviously know both locations well, I am just trying to gain some insight from my fellow posters.

We've done both parks from time to time since our kids were very young. While I don't quite share your belief that DL is leaps and bounds beyond WDW in terms of attractions, I would still say that if I were taking a 4 and 1 year old I would do DL. Not because of the rides, which honestly are about on par with each other when you add up the numbers in both DL and CA and then compare them to all 4 parks in Orlando.... But the best part of DL is that it is smaller area wise. So when you are pushing a stroller its much easier, you are always much closer to your hotel so when you want to go back to let them take a nap it is easier.

Now, the downside of DL is that it feels much more crowded now than it probably did when you were last there. This is in large part because they continually are roping off areas for people to view the parades, or view fantasmic or whatever other randoom reason they seem to have for chopping out huge chunks of real estate.

You also left out Legoland. San Diego has the zoo, which to me is no better than any other zoo you can find anywhere in the US... but they also have legoland and your kids are probably going to enjoy it as much or maybe even more than DL because it is truly geared at kids that are younger. The 1 year old will really not care where he is, but he 4 year old will have more fun at Legoland because the rides there are better suited for a 4 year old than they are at DL.

 

[Kate Alan]

The other thing to keep in mind is that 2015 is the 60th anniversary of DL, so there may be some special events planned at some point that you wouldn't normally see at the park. Not a lot of specifics yet but looks like whatever they do plan will begin Spring 2015 and likely continue through most of the year.

 

[bethymouse]

You are right! I wish I had the choice.
I would go with WDW because there is also Sea World if interested.
WDW is such a great overall experience, but I am sure DL is too ( never been sadly).
Whichever you choose, I'm sure you'll be very happy! I do hope yo get to do both!

 

[StarWarsGirl]

I'm going to have to go with Disneyland. Fantasyland out there is better, which I think is important for kids. They'll be doing a lot of 60th anniversary stuff, but in September, it won't be as crowded. For now, in WDW, although I personally love DHS, I love it because of Star Tours/TofT/RnRC. There's just not as much there for kids other than the shows (Beauty and the Beast, Little Mermaid, Frozen Sing along). So you've basically got one park out. Then you've got AK. Best ride over there is EE. Both your kids will be too short for Kali and Dinosaur as well, so you'd basically have the Animal trails and the shows. And sure, you've got Epcot and MK, two great parks, but over in DL, you've got DL and DCA, which are fabulous parks and have more than enough for both of your kids. Plus with WDW, they are still working out the kinks with FP+ and MBs, upgrading AK and possibly DHS, adding Frozen to Norway...there's just a lot going on right now, and you'd probably have a better time going in a few years. Even for Uni, you'd probably be better off waiting and taking your kids when they're bigger and able to enjoy more of the thrill rides.

Now as far as outside of DL in CA, have you thought about San Diego? The San Diego Zoo is fabulous. Your kids would absolutely love it. You've also got Legoland and Seaworld. @raven24 Any other suggestions for this group?

 

[Californian Elitist]

You're good to go with either Disney destination, especially since you've been to both.

Phil, there are PLENTY of kid-friendly things to do in Southern California, besides theme parks and the beach. You just have to do some research. I know you've seen our "Explore SoCal" thread over in the DL forum. Look over it again. I grew up in Los Angeles, and I did plenty of fun things as a child. You have to explore. I start you with something that's free: the Science Center. It's a great family spot, plenty to see and do (including the Endeavor) and did I mention it's free? Not to mention it's a learning experience.

 

[Californian Elitist]

I'm going to have to go with Disneyland. Fantasyland out there is better, which I think is important for kids. They'll be doing a lot of 60th anniversary stuff, but in September, it won't be as crowded. For now, in WDW, although I personally love DHS, I love it because of Star Tours/TofT/RnRC. There's just not as much there for kids other than the shows (Beauty and the Beast, Little Mermaid, Frozen Sing along). So you've basically got one park out. Then you've got AK. Best ride over there is EE. Both your kids will be too short for Kali and Dinosaur as well, so you'd basically have the Animal trails and the shows. And sure, you've got Epcot and MK, two great parks, but over in DL, you've got DL and DCA, which are fabulous parks and have more than enough for both of your kids. Plus with WDW, they are still working out the kinks with FP+ and MBs, upgrading AK and possibly DHS, adding Frozen to Norway...there's just a lot going on right now, and you'd probably have a better time going in a few years. Even for Uni, you'd probably be better off waiting and taking your kids when they're bigger and able to enjoy more of the thrill rides.

Now as far as outside of DL in CA, have you thought about San Diego? The San Diego Zoo is fabulous. Your kids would absolutely love it. You've also got Legoland and Seaworld. @raven24 Any other suggestions for this group?

I haven't even read your post, but I noticed you tagged me. Funny we were replying at the same time haha.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

I haven't even read your post, but I noticed you tagged me. Funny we were replying at the same time haha.

That's funny. I thought you might know of some interesting stuff to do outside of DL in CA, so I tagged you since I wasn't sure whether you'd seen this yet.

 

[Californian Elitist]

That's funny. I thought you might know of some interesting stuff to do outside of DL in CA, so I tagged you since I wasn't sure whether you'd seen this yet.

Great minds think alike!

 

[BigRedDad]

Never been to Disneyland. I have been to most parks in Orlando. If it were for the kids, Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom are good choices. After that, Sea World is definitely kid friendly. I would look that route if you wanted to pay for two sets of tickets. Legoland is another option.

 

[Walt Disney1955]

Thanks everyone, you know, a big deal breaker is Typhoon Lagoon. Family friendly but also a fantastic water park. Probably the best I've ever been to, actually, it IS the best I've ever been to. There are lots of pros and cons on either side. Disneyland has the much better Fantasyland and has Toontown still. That's a big deal breaker as well. It would be nice to do both, and if I did both I think I'd do WDW in May or so, and DL in September. The ocean is warm enough to swim in September and WDW is warm, but not stifling hot in May. So that's not a problem, the problem is if we can only afford to do one of them. I honestly don't know when we'd get to a Disney park again after 2015. We might want a third kid which means my wife gets pregnant sometime in 2015. So that's why I am blitzing right now and hoping to do both.

I'll say this, I think Epcot tails behind in the "kid" department too. Magic Kingdom for sure is good that way, and actually so is Animal Kingdom and to an extent DHS.

 

[Walt Disney1955]

My son is about 41" now. If we went tomorrow he's able to ride on pretty much everything. Space Mountain is 44" and he might be good enough by then. Even Everest is 44". RnRC is 48" so I doubt that. But the rest of the stuff at WDW is pretty much the slides at Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon, just the extreme ones. Oh, and Mission Space in Epcot, big deal there, I can't stand the simulators anyway.

In Disneyland there are even less. Indiana Jones is 46". That might be borderline for him, but that's it in the whole park. Oh, he needs to be 52" to drive in Autopia, but he can still be a passenger. DCA it's just California Screamin' at 48". And Silly Symphony Swings. No problem.

Our little girl will be more restricted but it isn't as bad as you think. She can still go on most dark rides. My wife will probably be more than happy I am not dragging her on Space Mountain and she could stay with our daughter and pawn our son off. Plus I am also aware of the "parent swap" thing at the front of the lines of the attractions.

 

[CheshireCat12]

Having done both options, I would say either WDW or DL will be great for a family! In California, I recommend the San Diego Zoo also, as well as Sea World (but I think in FL it is better). I would lean toward WDW if only for the MK, but DL has lots of fun dark rides that the little ones can ride too, this is something DL does have more of. My personal favorite Disney park at the moment is DCA- the vision of what DHS could be with lots of effort. Bugs Life area is cool for the little ones! Either way, you will have a great time. If they are both equally good choices to you, maybe decide based on where you would like to stay- WDW on-property is a must, but at DL the three on-property resorts are Deluxes with the price tag to match.

 

[thomas998]

Thanks everyone, you know, a big deal breaker is Typhoon Lagoon. Family friendly but also a fantastic water park. Probably the best I've ever been to, actually, it IS the best I've ever been to. There are lots of pros and cons on either side. Disneyland has the much better Fantasyland and has Toontown still. That's a big deal breaker as well. It would be nice to do both, and if I did both I think I'd do WDW in May or so, and DL in September. The ocean is warm enough to swim in September and WDW is warm, but not stifling hot in May. So that's not a problem, the problem is if we can only afford to do one of them. I honestly don't know when we'd get to a Disney park again after 2015. We might want a third kid which means my wife gets pregnant sometime in 2015. So that's why I am blitzing right now and hoping to do both.

I'll say this, I think Epcot tails behind in the "kid" department too. Magic Kingdom for sure is good that way, and actually so is Animal Kingdom and to an extent DHS.

Just remember warm to an adult is not the same to a 1 year old. If I were going to do WDW in May it would have to be early May because it can get downright nasty by the later part of May.

Something else to consider is where you will be flying from and when you can get the best deal on the airfare... and if having the financial resources to take trips is important to you, and having a third kid will eliminate that... consider thinking long and hard about why you want to have another kid (make sure it is something you both want and that one of you isn't just going along with to keep the other one happy, that's a recipe for resentment down the road).

 

[WDW 3]

Two years ago we did both parks. DL in March with our daughter who celebrated her 19th birthday and just DH an I went to WDW in October for our 25th anniversary. Small groups and all adults, so much easier and less expensive!

 

[Walt Disney1955]

Just remember warm to an adult is not the same to a 1 year old. If I were going to do WDW in May it would have to be early May because it can get downright nasty by the later part of May.

Something else to consider is where you will be flying from and when you can get the best deal on the airfare... and if having the financial resources to take trips is important to you, and having a third kid will eliminate that... consider thinking long and hard about why you want to have another kid (make sure it is something you both want and that one of you isn't just going along with to keep the other one happy, that's a recipe for resentment down the road).

Yes, three kids at the very least has been talked about. We'd like a big family, we always have. My wife is 30 and I am 34. Still young enough. I'm not saying a 3rd kid would eliminate a future Disney trip. It just means if we have one by 2016 we almost certainly wouldn't be going in 2016 if you get my drift. Too early for the little one I would say.

Chances are we would fly out of Buffalo. I am from around Toronto, but that airport is huge and more expensive. Buffalo is all one level, it's cheaper and there is also a direct flight from Buffalo to Orlando for a very affordable price. That's if we go to WDW. DL I know we flew out of Buffalo to Chicago to Los Angeles. No big deal, but a longer flight.

 

[thomas998]

Yes, three kids at the very least has been talked about. We'd like a big family, we always have. My wife is 30 and I am 34. Still young enough. I'm not saying a 3rd kid would eliminate a future Disney trip. It just means if we have one by 2016 we almost certainly wouldn't be going in 2016 if you get my drift. Too early for the little one I would say.

Chances are we would fly out of Buffalo. I am from around Toronto, but that airport is huge and more expensive. Buffalo is all one level, it's cheaper and there is also a direct flight from Buffalo to Orlando for a very affordable price. That's if we go to WDW. DL I know we flew out of Buffalo to Chicago to Los Angeles. No big deal, but a longer flight.

Well if you can fly direct from Buffalo to Orlando vs doing a multi stop plane change to LA, I know which one I would be doing if I had small kids. Make your life easier and do Orlando.

 

[durangojim]

Having been to DL twice last year (once with the kids once without) we all loved it and are planning to go back next year. My children are 6 and 9 and in some ways prefer DL to WDW (cars land, more involved rides, etc) but when they were younger we only went to WDW for a number of reasons. We're from Michigan, it was a lot cheaper and the flight is much shorter from Detroit to Orlando than to LA. I don't have to rent a car because we stay on property and use Magical Express. It's a more relaxing trip because we stay on property I have less logistics to worry about. There is a ton of variety. For those reasons I would suggest WDW over DL for your situation. But you really can't go wrong with either.

 

[Chef Mickey]

For me, no matter how "orginal" DL is, nothing can even approach the massive spectacle of WDW. I feel completely different when I'm visiting WDW versus Disneyland and California Adventure. The WDW buses, hotels, restaruants, 4 parks vs 2, etc.

I do think DL does a lot better than WDW, but it feels more like a weekend trip than a true Disney magical vacation.

I criticize Disney World a lot, but 4 parks versus 2 and the sheer size of WDW, EPCOT, and wide open feel make it the clear choice for me. It's sort of a buzzkill at Disneyland when you leave the park area and there is an IHOP right outside the entrance.

Anaheim is also a beat down, terrible city outside the Disney area. I like that at WDW, you pretty much never have to see real Orlando unless you want to. Disney World is its own city.

Long story short. Disneyland = Weekend Trip, WDW = I spend 10 days and I'm still sad to leave.

 

[Mawg]

It seems like there will be a lot of construction at WDW in 2015. Disney Springs, MK-HUB, AK - Avatar, Light show, Epcot - Frozen, DHS - Who knows but potentially a lot. Don't let construction deter you but it might be fun to wait and see some of these things when there finished. 2018, 2019, 2020 could be waiting a long time though.