WDW vs. DLR

[SirScott99]

This doesn't really fall under any category but I figured I'd start this on going debate and see what kind of discussion this brings. The lifelong question is, do you prefer WDW or DLR? I know there are going to be many many biased people here depending on distance from each park but we'll see where this goes. I also feel this discussion would be interesting due to the diversity of people from each coast.

I prefer WDW over DLR any day of the week. It's not important that I've never been to DLR and I have been to WDW over 40 times in my 23 years and that my parents own 2 DVC's in which both of our homes are in WDW . It's just the shere size and the time consumption of WDW that I feel is better than DLR. I know that Haunted Mansion, Pirates and Small World are all better at DLR (not to mention a few other common rides) but there's 4 parks in WDW, 2 water parks, about 20 resorts and 3 parts to Downtown Disney. The size is not even comparable and I know everyone knows that Disneyland can fit in the MK parking lot so I won't go into that. I learned something on my last trip actually about the size of WDW that I never knew before. Disney World spans over 28,000 acres and they've only used up 9,800 of it. That's crazy!!!! I just feel theres so much more to do at WDW than there is to do at DLR. There are so many better rides and things to do I just feel that it's more worth someones time and money to go there.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not in any way bashing DLR or saying it's crap and no one go there. I would love to go there one day and I may actually be doing just that next year with my family.

[mickeyfan1999]

I love Disneyland but WDW is home!!!

[thestrongholdsd]

In this type of discussion, I honestly do think it's important to have visited both WDW and DLR to even be able to compare the two. You can't exactly blame DLR for the inability to expand. DLR was built first and several years later Walt ventured out somewhere he could go bigger. He got a STEAL for the land for WDW that he would have never been able to do in California.

That said: I've been to DLR over 100 times and WDW only twice. They're great for different reasons. I've also been to DLRP once, and again it's nice but in it's own way. I'm not sure I can vote because there are things I wish WDW had that DLR doesn't and vice versa.

But if I DID have to vote , I would say DLR not because I'm from SoCal, but because it was Walt Disney's original location and where he chose to start his vision for the "Happiest Place on Earth." He spent the most time there and it definitely has a much different feel when you walk through the park. I love WDW as well and go every 2 years or so but in reality, it and every other park is modeled after DLR, not the other way around. WDW has many other things to do with all the Disney flair but if you want to experience the original Walt Disney vision, you visit where it all began.

[Story]

But if I DID have to vote , I would say DLR not because I'm from SoCal, but because it was Walt Disney's original location and where he chose to start his vision for the "Happiest Place on Earth." He spent the most time there and it definitely has a much different feel when you walk through the park. I love WDW as well and go every 2 years or so but in reality, it and every other park is modeled after DLR, not the other way around. WDW has many other things to do with all the Disney flair but if you want to experience the original Walt Disney vision, you visit where it all began.

completely with your points. That's exactly why I absolutely love Disneyland. More of a "home" feeling.

I did pick both tho, because while I prefer Disneyland, I don't feel Disney would be complete without WDW. I've only been there once, but I loved it a lot more than I thought I would. I think both parks have amazing aspects about them that neither park can replace. The reasons thestrongholdsd pointed out is the why WDW can't replace Disneyland (no, not even the Magic Kingdom park) and Disneyland could never replace what Walt Disney World brings to the table- the way the world showcases alone blew me away convinced me of that.

So I guess to me, a DLR verse WDW debate isn't really necessary since it always ends in a draw. Both parties bring up very valid points because both WDW and DLR are essential parts of Disney.


Now, who's going to speak up for the International Disney Parks? I mean, even though I've never had the opportunity to visit them, I'm pretty sure they are just as awesome. Shouldn't those parks have some representation in this 'debate' as well?

[mshalloween]

I can see both sides of the argument: DLR for being the original/where the dream began, and WDW because of the magnitude of it. I'm partial to WDW mainly because EPCOT is my favorite park and I love the fact that there are four completely different parks at WDW (not to mention the water parks, resorts, and DTD!) But I definitely understand those who prefer DLR because it's the original.

[disneylover1955]

This is such a hard question since Disneyland is my home park and I LOVE IT, but Walt Disney World is just as close to me too! There are so many memories at both resorts and each park and resort has something unique to offer (well unless Disney succeeds with its one Disney initiative, then every ride will be the same ). But certain rides at Disneyland like Pirates, It's a Small World, Peter Pan, Splash Mountain, Autopia's, Snow White, Toontown, etc out do their counterparts in Walt Disney World. Then there are those rides that Disneyland doesn't have or retired that I love in Walt Disney World like Rock n Roller Coaster, Expedition Everest, Tomorrowland Transit Authority, Astro Orbiter (ontop of the TTA platform), Carousel of Progress, and Country Bears.

Its a very hard decision to make but I might have to lean more towards Disneyland since its so close to me as I would expect those who live close to Walt Disney World to say Walt Disney World was their favorite!

[Horizons1]

It IS important to have been to both in order to judge. I'm only 2 hours from WDW and have visited over 100 times, I've only been to DLR 4 times. As a park alone, I would take Disneyland over Magic Kingdom any day of the week. As a whole though, you just can't beat the sheer size and amount of options at WDW. Plus, Epcot is my favorite park.

[mickeymax]

Love WDW!
can't believe WDW is only using about one third of all their land!
maybe one day my dream will become reality and the whole world will be like WDW

[mamawantsvinyls]

I agree along with others that it is important to have been to both parks before debating as to which one is "better."

DLR had Walt's personal touch. WDW was Walt's dream. There really is no comparing the two because they both give completely different experiences.

Disneyland is steeped in Disney history. Having been to both parks back to back, I definitely felt it to be more authentic Walt Disney. I don't mind that there isn't as much to do there or that it can fit inside Magic Kingdom's parking lot. In fact, I enjoy taking my time wandering the park and enjoying the incredible atmosphere - like all my cares are so far away.

Walt Disney World is so amazing because it really is just that: A world of Disney. I mean the resort has highways for crying out loud! I could spend an entire week in Epcot alone and not get bored. The attention to detail in the World Showcases are so intricate. Animal Kingdom is breathtaking. There are so many different things to do there. We were there for eight days and I don't think we covered a fraction of what those parks have to offer.

My heart is in Disneyland, however, because that is the park I grew up with. I went there for my honeymoon. Now that I have a small family of my own, I'm experiencing Disneyland in a whole new way and the experience is only getting better.

But wasn't that what Walt's vision was for every park that would be made in his name? All my cynicism about corporate junk aside, in this way, I think the Disney company still succeeds with all the parks: DLR, WDW, and the International Parks. All these places have helped create great memories for many families. And that is why I'm still a fan.

[schwanzie]

i voted for disney world only because it's like a second home to me. we became dvc members in 1995 and have gone to disney world just about every year since then. i do love disneyland as well, but it doesn't feel like home.

[Fab5Fan]

I have been to WDW a total of 5 times, 4 of those in the last 2 1/2 years and DLR 1 time, but I did get to experience DLR & WDW within a week of each other and these are my thoughs:

WDW:
- More availablity of on-site hotels in various price ranges
- if staying on-site do not have to pay for rental car or other transportation, can use DME from airport to resort and back and disney transportation between parks, resorts & DTD
- obviously more parks which = more attractions & entertainment
- the Orlando area in general has a lot of attraction options within a 30 min drive
- if I remember correctly, the stand-by line for TSMM in indoors at DHS vs outside for DCA
- Rock'n Roller Coaster @ DHS & EE @ AK
- During the Holiday times, so beautiful and lots of holiday activites going on at each park; MVMCP, Osborne lights, etc
- the overwhelming size of Cinderella Castle @ MK as compared to DLR Sleeping Beauty Castle
- I'll have to add more later...

DLR:
- lots of off-site hotel options very close
- the closeness of it all; we walked from our hotel to the parks, and between each park and DTD without having to use or wait for transportation
- all the things WDW does not have; penny arcade on main street, nemo sub ride, California Screamin' just to name a few
- you can do most everything with a 3-night stay (if only doing Disney parks), which can make it possibly cheaper
- would rather visit during summer vs. WDW since you can get the heat without the humidity so it's more bearable IMO
- Probably think of more later to add

All in all I love them both, but I am dying to go back to DLR very soon, hopefully for D23 in August, I miss it a lot and cannot wait to see it all again.

[gobucks95]

We like DL better than DW. DL seems to be cleaner than DW and the CMs seemed to be alot more friendlier than the ones at DW. Also like that you can go to both parks at DL without having to take buses like you do at DW!

[azam527]

I've been to both parks, world more than land because I come from the East coast. I chose World because in my opinion I came across much nicer CM's in world. When I visit land the ones I mostly meet are college kids who don't seem like they really wanna be there. They do both have their pros and cons like everyone has said. And even though I picked world, I would never turn down a trip to land.

[hwangz12]

I voted for both. It's tough to make a choice because as others have said they're so different. I lived on the east coast for most of my life and went to WDW at least once every 2 years and have a lot of fond memories. Like others have said, the sheer size is amazing with 4 parks plus waterparks, all the resorts, and everything else there is to do there. I had been to Disneyland a few times before I moved here and always thought WDW was much better. However, after having lived in Southern Cal for over a year now, I've come to really appreciate DLR. Like others have said, it is the original and I feel more of the Disney touch in Disneyland. I also think DLR has the better version of most rides that exist in both DLR and WDW.

[Hatbox Ghost]

Disneyland is the original... and you can only really compare Disneyland to Magic Kingdom in WDW. And in that case Disneyland is WAY BETTER!

[pumbaa7287]

If I could only go to one park, I would have probably chosen Disneyland, with EPCOT being second, but just based on the overall experience, I have to give it to WDW over DLR. 4 parks>2parks.

[nickalew]

I'd consider DLR my "home" park, but I've been to WDW multiple times (this past summer, actually). I picked that both were equally great. I go to DLR almost every other week, and it's great! Some might think one would get tired of it but NOPE it is so much fun every single time. And to be honest there are rides withing DLR that I've never been on (if you can believe it).

Lately I've been dreaming about going back to WDW, and not only because it has four parks, but because Animal Kingdom is simply my favorite park over on the east coast. Magic Kingdom was a little too tame for me (will never ever match up to DLR, I consider MK to be its inferior little brother). Epcot is okay, and DHS was a bit too small for my taste (but rockin roller coaster is bomb nonetheless).

[Anders Limpar]

Never been to DLR so I can't compare the two.