Disneyland Resort vs. Walt Disney World

[Linden]

*announcer voice* The classic, divisive question among Disney theme park fans. Which is better? The smaller, original park with its retro charm and newer sibling? Or the four park, 2 water park paradise on the other side of the country?

*steps off stand* Or, for those of you who aren't as familiar with the American parks, you could make a case for, say, Disneyland Paris. Have fun!

[RyGuy]

That's a tough one! They both have their advantages. I love the "bubble" effect at the Walt Disney World resort (except the time my wife forgot to pack her flat iron and HAD to have another one - $60 cab ride later . . .)

But I grew up with Disneyland. In many ways, it seems like there is more to do than at the Magic Kingdom, even though it's so much smaller. Then there's the whole thing about it being Walt's park.

Aw heck. I think I've made up my mind. I'm going to go with Disneyland, but ONLY because the corn dogs are better.

[Nala]

For me it's Walt Disney World. We've been to both and we just like Walt Disney World better because they're more room to walk and to me there's a lot more to do since there are 4 parks instead of 2. The hotels are cheaper in Florida and it's easier to find something to eat in Walt Disney World.

[kbehm29]

Oh, I just love this topic. My favorite subject and I have a huge opinion.

Disneyland is much, much, MUCH better! For the following reasons:
1. You can stay offsite and be within walking distance of Downtown Disney and the parks. No crazy parking. You can get there as early in the morning as you want, be first in line.
2. The smaller scale makes it much more intimate and appealing to me.
3. POTC is SO much better - longer, original, double drops.
4. It's a Small World has so much curb appeal, especially with the holiday lights.
5. You can still see Snow White and Mr. Toad at Disneyland.
6. Alice in Wonderland.
7. I like DL versions of Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, and Space Mountain much better.
8. I like how the two parks are right across from each other. Makes park hopping a snap.
9. Disneyland was Walt's park.
10. The Matterhorn.
11. Yes, the hotels are cheaper in Florida BUT you can fly to LA and take the Disneyland Express for cheap (they let up to 3 kids ride for free) directly to your off-site hotel and then walk to the parks. No rental car. If you stay off-site in Florida and want to get there before the park opens you need to rent a car.

Now, I will make some points in favor of Disney World.
1. The castle is jaw-dropping. DL's castle almost pales in comparison.
2. The new additions to Fantasyland are awesome.
3. I love Philharmagic.

[carolinakid]

I love them both and could never decide between them. I go to WDW more often because I'm an East Coaster but my trips to DL are absolutely magical. The only thing I definitely prefer about WDW is that it's much cheaper for me with all the great discounts they run throughout the year. A week at the DLR usually costs me upwards of $7k. WDW around $4k.

[Big Disney Fan]

Oh, I just love this topic. My favorite subject and I have a huge opinion.

Disneyland is much, much, MUCH better! For the following reasons:
1. You can stay offsite and be within walking distance of Downtown Disney and the parks. No crazy parking. You can get there as early in the morning as you want, be first in line.
2. The smaller scale makes it much more intimate and appealing to me.
3. POTC is SO much better - longer, original, double drops.
4. It's a Small World has so much curb appeal, especially with the holiday lights.
5. You can still see Snow White and Mr. Toad at Disneyland.
6. Alice in Wonderland.
7. I like DL versions of Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, and Space Mountain much better.
8. I like how the two parks are right across from each other. Makes park hopping a snap.
9. Disneyland was Walt's park.
10. The Matterhorn.
11. Yes, the hotels are cheaper in Florida BUT you can fly to LA and take the Disneyland Express for cheap (they let up to 3 kids ride for free) directly to your off-site hotel and then walk to the parks. No rental car. If you stay off-site in Florida and want to get there before the park opens you need to rent a car.

Now, I will make some points in favor of Disney World.
1. The castle is jaw-dropping. DL's castle almost pales in comparison.
2. The new additions to Fantasyland are awesome.
3. I love Philharmagic.

Plus, Disneyland still has a Toontown, while WDW no longer does. And DL's Tiki Room show is a bit longer than the recently-reintroduced show at WDW.

Mind you, I've been to both parks, but I've been to Disneyland a WHOLE LOT more than to WDW, so there's the feeling of longevity.

[Avaitor]

I haven't been to Disneyland (born, raised, and still living in Central Florida, holla!), but major drawing points towards it go to it still having Snow White and Mr. Toad. Lucky dogs!

Although we still have the Country Bear Jamboree (which is nice... I guess. I don't think it holds up that well now, tbh) and the Swiss Family Treehouse, which look favorably on Magic Kingdom.

[Linden]

WOW! I didn't expect so many people to choose Disneyland. I thought I'd be fighting my corner alone.

I definitely pick Disneyland Resort. It's my home park, and I've grown up with it, and I'm probably incredibly biased, but I tried to be objective.

Disneyland Resort
Better design
More charming
More of a sense of history and tradition
Easier to navigate and get to
Pirates of the Caribbean (better version)
It's a Small World (better building)
Peter Pan's Flight (better building)
Snow White's Scary Adventure
Toon Town
New Orleans Square is better than Liberty Square, in my opinion
Indiana Jones
California Adventure in general (California Screamin', Soarin' over CA, World of Color, unique vibe rooted in state's history)
Tomorrowland is better
Walkaround characters
Prettier Mad Tea Party
Cheaper (for Californians at least)
CMs more professional

Walt Disney World
More space
More and really neat resorts
World Showcase is fabulous
Animal Kingdom in general (there's nothing at all to compare it to in DLR)
Cool version of Splash Mountain (i like all the little Brer houses!)
Philharmagic is fun
Superior version of Tower of Terror
Some better food (esp. at Epcot and Animal Kingdom)
New Fantasyland
Interactive queues are super cool
Castle is prettier (that almost hurt to type that)
Ummmm that's about it

kbehm29, I have a lot of the same reasons as you! Why do you like Disneyland's version of Splash better?

[Nala]

Oh, I just love this topic. My favorite subject and I have a huge opinion.

Disneyland is much, much, MUCH better! For the following reasons:
1. You can stay offsite and be within walking distance of Downtown Disney and the parks. No crazy parking. You can get there as early in the morning as you want, be first in line.
2. The smaller scale makes it much more intimate and appealing to me.
3. POTC is SO much better - longer, original, double drops.
4. It's a Small World has so much curb appeal, especially with the holiday lights.
5. You can still see Snow White and Mr. Toad at Disneyland.
6. Alice in Wonderland.
7. I like DL versions of Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, and Space Mountain much better.
8. I like how the two parks are right across from each other. Makes park hopping a snap.
9. Disneyland was Walt's park.
10. The Matterhorn.
11. Yes, the hotels are cheaper in Florida BUT you can fly to LA and take the Disneyland Express for cheap (they let up to 3 kids ride for free) directly to your off-site hotel and then walk to the parks. No rental car. If you stay off-site in Florida and want to get there before the park opens you need to rent a car.

Now, I will make some points in favor of Disney World.
1. The castle is jaw-dropping. DL's castle almost pales in comparison.
2. The new additions to Fantasyland are awesome.
3. I love Philharmagic.

Plus, Disneyland still has a Toontown, while WDW no longer does. And DL's Tiki Room show is a bit longer than the recently-reintroduced show at WDW.

Mind you, I've been to both parks, but I've been to Disneyland a WHOLE LOT more than to WDW, so there's the feeling of longevity.

I live on the West Coast and have been to WDW more often than DL. There's no Epcot or Animal Kingdom at DL and there is at WDW. Epcot is wonderful and I love the fireworks Illuminations: Reflections of Earth.

[Flanger-Hanger]

Disneyland offers quality over quantity. While WDW offers more stuff to do, much of that stuff is never updated or maintained properly. That and the guest behaviour is worse across the board from my experience (MK being the worst of all the Disney parks I've been to in this regard). It's not just a certain type of guest, everyone is pushing, shoving, taking flash photos on EVERY ride they can and in general acting clueless about the fact that there are other people besides them in the park. That Disney has had to change the park's rope drop policy to discourage adults trampling each other towards a character meet and greet says everything. The resort's internal transportation system is also a mess at this point.

WDW was built as a destination resort, but is being run like a tourist trap, and the customers are treating it as such.

I still love the place, but at this point I only really go for MK and Epcot. Universal is my preferred Orlando resort.

However, if I had to pick one park that was my favoruite it would be Disneyland Park near Paris.

[Nala]

Disneyland offers quality over quantity. While WDW offers more stuff to do, much of that stuff is never updated or maintained properly. That and the guest behaviour is worse across the board from my experience (MK being the worst of all the Disney parks I've been to in this regard). It's not just a certain type of guest, everyone is pushing, shoving, taking flash photos on EVERY ride they can and in general acting clueless about the fact that there are other people besides them in the park. That Disney has had to change the park's rope drop policy to discourage adults trampling each other towards a character meet and greet says everything. The resort's internal transportation system is also a mess at this point.

WDW was built as a destination resort, but is being run like a tourist trap, and the customers are treating it as such.

I still love the place, but at this point I only really go for MK and Epcot. Universal is my preferred Orlando resort.

However, if I had to pick one park that was my favoruite it would be Disneyland Park near Paris.

You have to remember most of the people that go to WDW are from out of country or out of state. In Disneyland, about 80% of the people are from California. I've never had the experience you've had. In Disneyland, you can't take pictures with a flash and you're not allowed to tape shows even if you video camera doesn't use a light. In WDW, you can video tape shows as long as you don't use a light. Whenever I do want to tape, I ask a cast member and they tell me it's fine as long as I don't use a light.

[Flanger-Hanger]

You have to remember most of the people that go to WDW are from out of country or out of state. In Disneyland, about 80% of the people are from California. I've never had the experience you've had. In Disneyland, you can't take pictures with a flash and you're not allowed to tape shows even if you video camera doesn't use a light. In WDW, you can video tape shows as long as you don't use a light. Whenever I do want to tape, I ask a cast member and they tell me it's fine as long as I don't use a light.

People act a certain way because they think they can get away with it. Doesn't matter what the stated or posted rules are.

I don't buy the ignorant foreigner excuse when most Orlando area tourism is from the US (not sure what coming from another state has to do with the failure to comprehend policy) and the two largest foreign markets are Canada and the UK, based on statistics published Visit Orlando. WDW may have a disproportionaly high number of South American or Asian tourists, but the excuse of limited English is just that. If you can order food, call a cab, buy merchandise and answer Custom's questions you can understand the phrase "no flash pictures".

That 80% statistic is also quite old and has been on a decline for some time now. What about all the Mexican, BC/Alberta, Oregon, Washington, Japan, Australian visitors Disneyland gets? At this point it's more like 60% or 55%.

[Nala]

You have to remember most of the people that go to WDW are from out of country or out of state. In Disneyland, about 80% of the people are from California. I've never had the experience you've had. In Disneyland, you can't take pictures with a flash and you're not allowed to tape shows even if you video camera doesn't use a light. In WDW, you can video tape shows as long as you don't use a light. Whenever I do want to tape, I ask a cast member and they tell me it's fine as long as I don't use a light.

People act a certain way because they think they can get away with it. Doesn't matter what the stated or posted rules are.

I don't buy the ignorant foreigner excuse when most Orlando area tourism is from the US (not sure what coming from another state has to do with the failure to comprehend policy) and the two largest foreign markets are Canada and the UK, based on statistics published Visit Orlando. WDW may have a disproportionaly high number of South American or Asian tourists, but the excuse of limited English is just that. If you can order food, call a cab, buy merchandise and answer Custom's questions you can understand the phrase "no flash pictures".

That 80% statistic is also quite old and has been on a decline for some time now. What about all the Mexican, BC/Alberta, Oregon, Washington, Japan, Australian visitors Disneyland gets? At this point it's more like 60% or 55%.

With my experiences, I have better experiences with WDW than DL.

- I don't like the way they changed It's a Small World to include the Disney characters. It should have been kept the way it was.
- I also don't like that they changed Swiss Family Treehouse to Tarzan'x Treehouse.
- The hotels are more expensive in DL than WDW.
- It's hard to find something to eat in DL and that's not the case in WDW.
- WDW has Carousel of Progress and Country Bear Jamboree and DL does not

I get you like DL but you got to respect people that like WDW. Both Parks have attractions that the other park doesn't have.

When it comes to shows, WDW has a lot more than DL.

WDW has The Adventures of the Little Mermaid/b], Beauty and the Beast - Live on Stage, Festival of the Lion King, Finding Nemo - The Musical, Dream Along with Mickey. WDW has a stage show in front of Cinderella's Castle.

The only show I know of in DL is Aladdin - Musical Spectacular.

In WDW, you're allowed to tape shows as long as you don't use light as I've asked. In DL, you're not allowed to tape shows even without the light.

[Flanger-Hanger]

I get you like DL but you got to respect people that like WDW. Both Parks have attractions that the other park doesn't have.

Where did I say I didn't respect people who like WDW? I was talking about the people who behave poorly in WDW and how, based on my experiences, they make up a larger proportion of the visitor base than other theme park resorts I've visited in recent years.

When it comes to shows, WDW has a lot more than DL.

WDW has The Adventures of the Little Mermaid/b], Beauty and the Beast - Live on Stage, Festival of the Lion King, Finding Nemo - The Musical, Dream Along with Mickey. WDW has a stage show in front of Cinderella's Castle.

The only show I know of in DL is Aladdin - Musical Spectacular.

You forgot Mickey & the Magical Map. DLR also has a number of parades and night time shows (a new light parade is rumoured to be coming next year) too, along with smaller scale live performances and such as the two shows in Princess Fantasy Faire.

[Nala]

I get you like DL but you got to respect people that like WDW. Both Parks have attractions that the other park doesn't have.

Where did I say I didn't respect people who like WDW? I was talking about the people who behave poorly in WDW and how, based on my experiences, they make up a larger proportion of the visitor base than other theme park resorts I've visited in recent years.

When it comes to shows, WDW has a lot more than DL.

WDW has The Adventures of the Little Mermaid/b], Beauty and the Beast - Live on Stage, Festival of the Lion King, Finding Nemo - The Musical, Dream Along with Mickey. WDW has a stage show in front of Cinderella's Castle.

The only show I know of in DL is Aladdin - Musical Spectacular.

You forgot Mickey & the Magical Map. DLR also has a number of parades and night time shows (a new light parade is rumoured to be coming next year) too, along with smaller scale live performances and such as the two shows in Princess Fantasy Faire.

There's supposed to be a new show coming to Animal Kingdom. There is a parade in every theme part except for Epcot. There's 2 different parades at Magic Kingdom. Festival of Fantasy Parade and Main Street Electrical Parade. There's a parade in Disney's Animal Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios.

WDW is also opening Seven Dwarfs Mine Train on May 28. Toon Town Fair was never intended to be permanent.

[Flanger-Hanger]

There's a parade in Disney's Animal Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios.

As of June 1, both of those parades will be discontinued. The only park with parades will be Magic Kingdom.

[Big Disney Fan]

- The hotels are more expensive in DL than WDW.

How are DL's hotels more expensive? Doesn't that depend on the hotels themselves, either DL or WDW?

[Flanger-Hanger]

How are DL's hotels more expensive? Doesn't that depend on the hotels themselves, either DL or WDW?

Correct. DLR's 3 hotels are more in line with the WDW deluxes in terms of prices and amenities. There are no "value" or "moderate" hotels operated by Disney there. However, there are a wide variety of hotels within walking distance or a short bus ride from the resort with more reasonable rates, but still good quality rooms. A number of these hotels are also part of the "Good Neighbour" program and offer a Disney desk with information and reservation capabilities.

I wouldn't recommend the official DLR hotels to someone unless money is no option. It's not like Hilton, Marriott and Sheraton hotel beds & toilets are in reality less "magical" than Disney's.

[Nala]

How are DL's hotels more expensive? Doesn't that depend on the hotels themselves, either DL or WDW?

Correct. DLR's 3 hotels are more in line with the WDW deluxes in terms of prices and amenities. There are no "value" or "moderate" hotels operated by Disney there. However, there are a wide variety of hotels within walking distance or a short bus ride from the resort with more reasonable rates, but still good quality rooms. A number of these hotels are also part of the "Good Neighbour" program and offer a Disney desk with information and reservation capabilities.

I wouldn't recommend the official DLR hotels to someone unless money is no option. It's not like Hilton, Marriott and Sheraton hotel beds & toilets are in reality less "magical" than Disney's.

The hotel we stayed at in DL didn't have free shuttle to DL. We had to pay or walk to DL. The hotel we're staying at has free shuttle to WDW, Universal plus SeaWorld.

It costs almost the same for 1 week at DL than it does for 2 weeks at WDW.

[Flanger-Hanger]

The hotel we stayed at in DL didn't have free shuttle to DL. We had to pay or walk to DL.

If the hotel is within walking distance of DL, then it's redundant for the hotel to pay to operate a shuttle. Not sure why that's an inconvienience. If you're talking about the DL hotel, it has a nearby monorail station into DL park and Grand Californian has its own private entrance into California Adventure.

It costs almost the same for 1 week at DL than it does for 2 weeks at WDW.

Without any context this statement has no meaning. What hotel did you stay at? During what season? Where did you book it? Did you pay with reward points or cash?

I'm pretty sure two weeks at the Four Seasons or Waldorf Orlando will cost you more than one week at the Howard Johnston Anaheim.

This debate also ignores the appeal of combining a Disney centric vacation with other local cities and attractions. The neat thing about Disneyland Paris or Tokyo Disney is the ability to visit a Disney theme park and a world-class city. Disneyland is located near San Diego and Los Angeles and WDW near Universal Orlando, a great theme park resort in its own right.