Trying to decide - World or Land?

[slappy magoo]

I've not been back to DL since I was a child, so grain of salt.
The 2 DL parks are much more dense. They really are jamming quite a bit into their footprints.
On the flip-flop, WDW has the potential to be a much more "immersive" vacation, with 4 parks and 2 water parks and 2 mini golf courses and Downtown Disney and the Boardwalk district and so many elaborately themed hotels with tons of amenities accessible to anyone who walks through the doors. I know, DL has very nice hotels too, but with so much being built around DL, WDW seems to have the potential to feel like you're literally separated from the "real world."

So as far as "which park to do first," I'm apparently of no help whatsoever. I'd focus first on your budget, and how much time you have to spend on vacation, how much of that time you'd like to spend in the parks and how much of that time you'd like to spend relaxing, or swimming, boating, spas, other recreational activities...

Do you want to venture offsite, and if so, what are the things you'd like to see or do? Dining is a big deal and there are sooooo many more restaurants and character meal opportunities at WDW, it would be much easier to maintain a Disney-only vacation at WDW versus DL unless your trip is pretty short.

I think if you can answer those kinds of questions, you'll have the answer to your question no matter what any of us suggest.

And by all means, get the vacation planning DVDs from Disney.

 

[acishere]

It depends on what length vacation you want and whether you are looking to do things besides theme parks.

A WDW vacation is 4 parks, so a LOT more to do. Depending on the time of the year, I'd suggest you need 6 days to see everything. 5 if you don't mind park hopping and rushing around a lot. I like to add 2 or 3 days at Uni to the trip too so that is like 11 days when you add in the arrival and departure days.

A DL vacation I would say is doable in 3 days. I've only done a two day trip and wish I had an extra day. I think looking into extending the trip by visiting other L.A. sights makes the trip much more worth it. I suggest the Getty Museum and Griffith Park Observatory. Studio tours also make for an interesting addition. Depending on the age of your group you might want to try for Conan or Ferguson tickets as well.

If your priority is focus your time at "the main park" then I would also suggest DL. WDW is a more complete experience as a whole. However DL is a better park than MK.

A full bubble experience where you are breathing Disney 24 hours a day, WDW is your place.

 

[morningstar]

I'm so excited I found this forum!

I'm trying to decide which park to go to. Looking at going in the fall.

Which one would you pick and why?

Thanks for any help!

Well, my next trip might be Disneyland, since there is a lot coming up soon in Disney World (Seven Dwarves Mine Train, Avatar land), and I will wait until those open. Disneyland has opened some exciting new things like Cars Land already.

If you're considering the one trip on its own, I still think Disney World is the best, though tough call these days. Magic Kingdoms are on par, Epcot in its heyday was far better than California Adventure in its growing pains, but Epcot's slid a little while California Adventure is improving. But then you've still got Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom to tip the balance in favor of Disney World.

Really for most people I think it depends on which is closer. If the travel time is about equal for you, then normally I would pick Disney World.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

As a newbie to either resort/coast set yourself a budget then price the cost for both. My family has done WDW enough and they've not added enough interesting things to entice us back for a dedicated vacation since 2011. We're going to DL this spring for the first time. Its a little pricier per day than WDW but we're okay with that. Its new to us & interesting. That makes it a better value overall for the $$ spent.

Additionally, if I were given a free week at WDW right now I'd still not be likely to go. Dealing with MM+ is THAT unappealing to me. I'd be happier at home.

 

[durangojim]

WDW is an amazing resort destination, but don't let anyone fool you that DL isn't its equal in many ways. We spent 6 nights at the DL hotel and DL last year and loved it! Most of the rides seemed better, Cars Land was amazing, the food was excellent (far better at DL than what's offered at MK) and they have Trader Sam's. We'd go way more often if it wasn't so expensive and such a long flight from Michigan (5 hours vs 2). I'd probably start with WDW and then do DL at a later date as part of a California trip, but DL is great!

 

[Predsfan75]

My 2 cents... I tell anyone that will listen to do both coasts at least once. In deciding which to do this year we decided WDW based solely on budget, driving to Orlando vs. flying to OC was the deciding factor.


Both have pros and cons that have mostly been written in the above comments, either way enjoy the Magic!

 

[BiffyClyro]

East coast is amazing to do Disney and other stuff. Disney world is amazing of course too. It's a wi, win either way. I think it's a coin toss.

 

[JillC LI]

After quite a few trips to The World, we're going to The Land for the first time this May. I think factors other than "which park is better" should make your decision. Have you been to one or the other yet? How much will each trip cost? How far from each location are you? Do you want to see anything non-Disney on your trip? Do you find the Food & Wine Festival enticing? So many considerations.

 

[Susan Savia]

Just spent 2 weeks at WDW and it's never enough time.

 

[Mouse_Trap]

Depends on how long you have for the trip and the respective costs, but everything equal I would do World every time - unless you have never seen Land or has been many years.

 

[jonesenon4]

for your first visit i would say the world for sure.it has much more to see and do and keep you occupied.whereas the land is much more compact and confined.

 

[Mouse_Trap]

for your first visit i would say the world for sure.it has much more to see and do and keep you occupied.whereas the land is much more compact and confined.

Lol that got me thinking. My first trip was two weeks, we fitted in the three Disney parks (except BB which was closed for refurb but including RC and TL - was before AK opened), spent a couple of days at Universal (pre-IoA) and Seaworld and also made it to Cape Kennedy and Busch. Not bad for a first timer.

 

[GoofGoof]

Both resorts are fantastic places so you really can't go wrong. I'm assuming you are planning on going for more than a day or 2. If not you won't be able to do everything at WDW.

A few important questions:

1. Are you on a limited budget? If so, is 1 park closer geographically (drive vs fly) if you can save some time or money going to the closer resort that could be a factor and free up some money for meals or a better hotel room. WDW has more options for on property hotel rooms and more at lower price points. You also have a shot in the fall of getting a free dining offer at WDW. If you book a room and ticket package they throw in the Disney Dining plan which basically covers all of your meals (with a few exceptions).
2. Do you want/like to drive once you arrive. One of the selling features of WDW is that it is a self contained resort. If you stay on property they pick you up at the airport and take you to your resort and you use Disney's buses, boats and monorails to get around the rest of the trip. A lot of first timers enjoy this benefit because you don't need to worry about driving on unfamiliar highways or dealing with a rental car. There are more economic options for hotels off property at WDW but for a first timer I would recommend staying on property so you don't need to deal with the hassle of getting around. Disneyland has on site hotels too, but there are less rooms and they are basically the equivalent of Deluxe resorts at WDW so a bit pricey. If you are working on more of a budget your best option is to go off property at DL but then you are outside the bubble and may need to deal with driving. Being off property at DL isn't as big of a deal because off property hotels are a lot closer.
3. Do you have specific things you really want to see? There is a lot of overlap between DL and WDW. Most of the classic MK rides exist in both parks (maybe different versions, but you won't really know the difference). There are some classics at DL that were either never cloned at WDW or removed form WDW and DCA has some unique attractions, most notable is Carsland so if you have a desire to see it you have to go out west. EPCOT and Disney's Animal Kingdom are exclusive to Florida (except for the clone of Soarin in EPCOT which originated in DCA). In addition WDW has 2 water parks which are inside "the bubble" so you can get to them by Disney bus. Both resorts have a Downtown Disney. The DLR one is more convenient to the parks, but not as large. The WDW one has a lot of construction going on, but is still mostly open.
4. Do you like to plan ahead? Do you hate being on a schedule? DLR is a lot more laid back than WDW. You can tour the parks at your leisure and your own pace. There are some shows that happen at specific times, but for the most part you don't really need a detailed plan. They have fastpass for rides with longer lines. You grab a paper ticket and return at the time on your ticket to ride without waiting in line. WDW is another animal. If you want to eat at the more popular restaurants or character meals you need to make ADRs (Disney term for reservations). ADRs can be made up to 6 months in advance and for the most popular places like Be Our Guest and Cinderella's Royal Table in Magic Kingdom you will need to book at exactly 6 months in advance. The fast pass system at WDW is also more scheduled now. Instead of paper tickets you can now book reservations for 3 rides each day. This is talked about in the my magic plus section and if you choose WDW you should definitely become familiar with it and get tips on which rides to pick. Both Disney Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom in Florida have a number of shows with specific start times. These 2 parks are less ride focused and more show focused so there is a bit more planning if you want to see everything. Between ADRs, more shows and FP+ reservations WDW is a much more scheduled vacation.

 

[jlsHouston]

If this is a short trip, do DL on the west coast. If you have at least 5 days go to WDW. I lived in CA and took my kids to DL. While we were amazed and returned several times to MK....the vacation experience was not the WOW I got from WDW...I dunno maybe I grew older and the resorts and all the choices at WDW are just more appealing at this point in my life. Not knocking the DL I remember (vaguley) but for a real experience WDW wins hands down IMO.

 

[morningstar]

If you are working on more of a budget your best option is to go off property at DL but then you are outside the bubble and may need to deal with driving.

Disneyland "Good Neighbor" hotels are served by a free bus service that drops you right at the entrance to the parks. They are the equivalent in convenience to value resorts at the World. No Magical Express, I guess, so you might need a car to get from the airport to your hotel, but then you can leave it parked for the whole trip. Maybe if you really don't want to rent a car, you can find some kind of for-fee bus from/to the airport.

 

[Walt Disney1955]

I'm so excited I found this forum!

I'm trying to decide which park to go to. Looking at going in the fall.

Which one would you pick and why?

Thanks for any help!

You are in luck my friend. Deciding which park to go to is like choosing between steak and lobster. You cannot go wrong. I'm so strapped for cash right now that I am dreaming of a 2015 trip, not 2014. But enough about me, I want to live vicariously through you right now. Here is my take on things:

I am a WDW vet, I grew up going there and in 2012 my wife and I decided to go to Disneyland for the first time. We had 9 days, and we knew the two parks wouldn't take up that time so we had other SoCal things planned. Hollywood, Warner Brothers Studio Tour, Universal Studios, the lovely beaches, etc. We did it all.

It is important to note that WDW has 4 parks and two water parks. Spend a week doing only Disney and you won't think it is enough. Spend a week doing only Disney at Disneyland and its more than enough. But don't let that stop you. For starters, the best singular park of all of them is Disneyland. It is the original, the original rides are still there, Fantasyland is much better, Toontown is better than WDW's ever was. It is magical. It doesn't matter whether or not Southern California is outside those walls close by and that WDW is in the middle of nowhere away from civilization. You won't feel the difference in there. There is something magical about both parks but I felt just an extra touch at Disneyland, I can't explain it.

And right next door to Disneyland is Disney's California Adventure which is really an amazing park. Not bad for a little brother. You don't want to miss that one either.

Here is my take on the duplicate rides and which one is better at each park:
Better at Disneyland: Pirates, Small World
Better at WDW: Splash Mountain
Close to the same: Space/Thunder Mountain, Peter Pan

It is really up to you. But if I were picking for a first timer I would say go to where the story starts first. Disneyland. Then go to WDW because you will be overwhelmed with the size of that place.

But the most important thing is that you have to see both of them. You can't turn your nose up at one. They both have their great points.

 

[AdventureHasAName]