Disney World OR Disneyland

[PrincessJadesMom]

We are planning our next vacation and I am wondering whether Disney World or Disneyland is better? Is there a big difference? How about price difference? We have taken 2 trips to Disney World in the past 2 years and we LOVE it!!!!! Should we bother trying Disneyland?

[scoot241]

Yes, you should try DL.

DL is a similar park to the MK, but lots of things are different. The castle, PotC, and Space Mountain are a few of the differences. DL also still has Mr. Toad, as well as an Alice in Wonderland ride and a much bigger IASW.

They're currently working on making DCA a much better park. Currently, you can find many attractions that are in the other three WDW parks with a sprinkling of original attractions. This is the original home of Soarin', and California Screamin' is a good coaster.

The two resorts are similar but different experiences. We took a trip to DL and spent a couple of days doing other things also, such as Universal Studios, the San Diego Zoo and Sea World.

[dtootsie42]

Yes, you should go to DL....even though we prefer WDW we have had some really fun times at DL. We love Mr. Toad as well as Alice and Pirates is longer....both times I have gone small world was closed....my daughters have gone other times when small world was open and love it...DCA is really neat and California Screamin' is a must do.

One of our favorite places to eat is Blue Bayou...yummy and Steakhouse 55 (at the Disneyland Hotel) is simply wonderful. It is upscale but somebody tipped us to the idea of having breakfast there....my husband got steak and eggs and it is the best steak he has ever had. Though it was pricey we had a terrific time and terrific service. We were surprised at how many families were there because I would have thought most people would prefer a character breakfast. We would have gone back for dinner...but did not have enough time to fit it in.

We have taken side trips to Las Vegas and drove up to Carmel and San Fran....Next time we go to DL we plan on heading down to San Diego.

[markyv]

From someone who has been to both, do wdw unless you are planning on visiting other areas of southern California. DL just wasn't as good as wdw. There isn't near as much to do, and I think you have a hard time making an entire vacation at DL.

[tinksmom02]

I would love to visit Dinseyland someday, but I'd like to combine it with other things in Cali that I'd like to see.

Someday!!

[DawsonAR]

I much prefer DW to DL. However, if you haven't been there I would give it a try. It is a lot of fun too.

[PhilHarHarMagic]

Tough question! We've been to both multiple times (going to DL this week!). I think they are a lot different experiences. If you only want to have a Disney experience, I would suggest WDW as you can easily spend a week or more there. It would be tough (IMHO) to stay a week at DL only - I'm comfortable with the 3 days we are going to spend there.

DL does give you the luxury to spend time in an environment that is not theme park - and the weather is nicer in the summer.

[JRocker]

If you haven't been to Disneyland, then I say go there.
I prefer WDW myself, but it was definately worth the trip out to California to see DL.

I really think you need to see it at least once.

[Woozle]

We all like DL better. It is smaller and easier to navigate. Also, the Fantasy Land is much better. But we do like wdw.

[faline]

They are very similar AND they are very different! We've been to Disneyland twice now and I would certainly visit again. It is a different experience and you should not try to compare the two places. Either location would make a wonderful trip!

[Maleficent's Dad]

faline hit the nail on the head. They are different places, different experiences...

It is sometimes a "hot topic" here on Intercot when comparing the two places. Some of the Disneyland enthusiasts, are, shall we say, quite fervent for the place!

Personally, I enjoy the Disneyland resort for day trips, not as a "destination." WDW is a "destination" for my family. We are lucky that during the summer months, we're close enough to DL to drive there for day trips.

[Marilyn Michetti]

We're going to DL in 17 days for the second time. I LOVE it there, and it's easy to do in the 3 and 1/2 days we have. I don't have to get on a single bus, and we're there by air in a little under an hour.

Our first trip was wonderful, but before we left, I was treating it like....."I guess it's better than nothing". We had a great time, and I'm really looking forward to going back.

[PixieMagic]

I've been to Disney World more times than I can put in my signature...I went to Disneyland once and because of my trips to WDW....HATED IT! It just didn't have the same Disney magic for me.... to each their own, just my opinion....

[KLud]

As others have said, not someplace you can stay for more than 3-4 days. However, I would say it is totally worth seeing. If there wasn't a DL there wouldn't be a WDW, right?

DL does have its' perks, namely the easy access to DCA. My sister and I have had fast passes in the other park and could easily pop back and forth. Want to ride ToT? No problem! Then have a hankering for a little Splash Mountain? Go for it! I LOVE this aspect of DL.

One of my other favorite things about DL:
Free tortillas! Head to the Mission Tortilla factory in DCA. Watch a short film (Maseca!) and then walk through the factory. Your reward: a hot flour tortilla.

I'm heading to WDW in a little over a month and frankly, I'm going to miss some of DL's versions (PoTC, Space Mountain) and some of their orignal rides like Matterhorn and Monsters Inc.

The only thing that WDW has over DL, in my opinion, is the total immersion experience. Once you're in MK or DCA you're cut off from the real world. But walk outside the gates and it's a different story--six lane streets surround the complex on all sides!

My advice, if you're looking for a good hotel: Candy Cane Inn. I've stayed there both times. They have a continental breakfast and it is extremely convenient to parks. It's an easy 10 minute walk. (They also have a shuttle if you so choose, but I found it unnecessary).

Happy planning!

[ibrowse17]

While I have only been to WDW so far, I really do want to see the place that started it all! I know that the two do not compare in a bunch of ways and that I would not being going there for the same lenght of time I would stay at WDW, but I would love to discover the differences and charms of each.

[RedSoxFan]

We went to DL a few years ago during our 2 week west coast trip. I loved it (went there a lot as a kid). We were there for 5 days; but 1 day we spent at Knotts Berry Farm. I would go again.

[Luv Eeyore]

I grew up near DL so it will always have a place in my heart. I like both WDW and DL. DL and DCA will have rides that WDW does not (and, of course, vice versa), and just because both have them doesn't mean they are the same. ToT is not exactly the same, neither is POTC or Space Mountain (DL's version of SM is by far and away better!). I'd definitely go to DL (and check out some other SoCal attractions, too - Lego Land and Sea World (in San Diego) are fun (and San Diego is my favorite CA city). Just be prepared for how small the castle seems!

[mjaclyn]

I agree with some of the previous posters that if you have other places to visit in Southern California, then do Disneyland. In comparision to WDW it's pretty small - basically if you were just going to Magic Kingdom. There is also another park right next door called Disney's California Adventure which IMO is a one day park. When my family and I visit WDW we spend multiple days at Epcot and Magic Kingdom and usually do one day each at HS and AK.