Disney World vs. Disney Land

odusgolp

My mini has it in his head that we're going to Disney thanks to a family faux pas. But he's so excited I thought I'd look into whether or not we really can go. I've never been to either.

Any recommendations on CA vs. FL? I'd like to go when school is out, so take into account the weather in July (give or take a week). I was thinking 3 nights?

Advice on where to stay, how long, how to make it affordable, etc? Anything you've got

TDGee

California is a much better state.

sunkisses

There is much more to Disney in FL. 4 theme parks 2-3 water parks, Downtown Disney. Go to California for an awesome non-Disney adventure in Yosemite or something.

lumina0o0

i've been to both parks, personally I prefer California, maybe it's because this is where i grew up. plus they are supposed to be opening cars land in 2012 in Disney California Adventure, so if your son likes Cars, I would say go to cali. Oh and we have Downtown Disney too.

MissO﹠A

We've done 4 nights in WDW and we've also done 8; 8 was way overkill for us.

As far as WDW goes, there are a wealth of options depending on where you wanted to stay (on-site or off) and how much you wanted to spend on your accommodations. (Disney lists their on-site hotels as "value, moderate or deluxe.")

One bit of money-saving advice if you choose WDW and it being your first time going, don't plonk down the extra dosh for "park hopper" tickets; these allow you do enter into different parks on the same day: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Disney Hollywood Studios. On our first visit we only did one park in a day and had more than enough to do between one park and spending time at the hotel swimming, shopping, etc.

lumina0o0

park hoppers aren't worth it in dw, but at Disneyland they are worth it. Mainly because there is so much space between the parks in florinda

carlypreiss

I LOVED Disney World. I've never been to Disneyland, but I've looked at it and it doesn't have the same things as DW. My two favourite parts of DW were the cultural attractions at Epcot (spectactular!) and the Animal Kingdom, both of which aren't in California. Seems like there's more variety in Florida.

Both would be amazing though, Disney Parks truly are like being inside a movie.

TDGee

I LOVED Disney World. I've never been to Disneyland, but I've looked at it and it doesn't have the same things as DW. My two favourite parts of DW were the cultural attractions at Epcot (spectactular!) and the Animal Kingdom, both of which aren't in California. Seems like there's more variety in Florida.

Both would be amazing though, Disney Parks truly are like being inside a movie.

California is a cultural attraction!

odusgolp

Ted *L*

OK, I'm just going to stalk the comments as they come and see if I can get plan. I'm not a theme park girl. I worked at Great America and it's forever ruined me. So I really don't think I could handle 8 different parks and more than 3 nights *LOL* Maybe I can hire a manny to come with that has more mouse-tolerance :bigsmile:

carlypreiss

I LOVED Disney World. I've never been to Disneyland, but I've looked at it and it doesn't have the same things as DW. My two favourite parts of DW were the cultural attractions at Epcot (spectactular!) and the Animal Kingdom, both of which aren't in California. Seems like there's more variety in Florida.

Both would be amazing though, Disney Parks truly are like being inside a movie.

California is a cultural attraction!

Haha, that's true, I just loved the fact that you could walk through "the world" in a few hours. I honestly felt like I was in another country at each pavilion.

garlic7girl

I have not been but at least 5 of co-workers with kids did go to the one in Florida and they all loved it. But one thing I heard as a theme for it....PLAN. Planning is important.

aSunflower

First or all Disney World is not an amusement park. I have amusement parks but I love Disney! There are several internet web sited with great advice, just look for one you like.

Stay at moderate resorts if you can afford it, more expensive not worth the money and cheaper ones are over run with hockey and cheer leading teams.

Park hopper passes are great. They let you hit one park early before the crowd hits- have lunch- heat back to resort for pool or rest then out to different place for dinner. We like going to different parks because they have different paces and the change is nice.

Keep an eye out for free dining. It usually happens every August and September. The food is pretty good and healthy adult meals are easy to find. The kid meals are getting better but they are still overloaded with chicken fingers and Mac and Cheese.

ballardr1

Both are great. Disney World is much bigger. If you stay on property, you can get into the parks earlier. Figure out which rides you want to ride the most. Head straight for the Fast pass ticket. Lines are long. I like Disney World better, but like California better than Florida. If you are going in July, really hot and muggy in Florida. If you like water parks, will like Florida in July. Expect it to rain everyday around 4 or 5 o'clock, but usually less than 1/2 hour.

tamamommy

I have been to both parks and I would suggest if you are going for 3 days go to Disneyland and get the park hopper pass. As for an inexepnsive trip there is no such thing when it comes to Disney. The Disney resort is more money but it is a short walk into the park with no main entrance line which is a time saver. Have a great time lucky girl.:happy:

TDGee

Ted *L*

OK, I'm just going to stalk the comments as they come and see if I can get plan. I'm not a theme park girl. I worked at Great America and it's forever ruined me. So I really don't think I could handle 8 different parks and more than 3 nights *LOL* Maybe I can hire a manny to come with that has more mouse-tolerance :bigsmile:

They sell wine at California Adventure...:drinker:

ballardr1

Disney parks are so much better than any of the typical Amusement Park like Great America or Six Flags. For one they are always being cleaned.

Dilfster

I've been to both and like disneyworld a drop better. but disney is disney- u can't go wrong.

LuckyLeprechaun

Ted *L*

OK, I'm just going to stalk the comments as they come and see if I can get plan. I'm not a theme park girl. I worked at Great America and it's forever ruined me. So I really don't think I could handle 8 different parks and more than 3 nights *LOL* Maybe I can hire a manny to come with that has more mouse-tolerance :bigsmile:

They sell wine at California Adventure...:drinker:

THIS! Disneyland is wonderful and our weather is always great. I've never been to Florida, but the mugginess and near-guarantee of rain is a huge turn off to me.

I have a pass, so I get to enjoy Mouse time anytime

mae1020

I've been to Disney World about 6 times now and we are going again in April and October of this year. Never been to Disney Land.
If you go to Florida in July it will be HOT!

Roni_M

I haven't been to Disneyland but have gone twice to Disney World. A park a day is plenty...they are huge! Also...money saving tip...rent a house! Then you can just run to the grocery store and cook your own meals. You get to relax in your own private pool after a long day at the parks and be away from the crowds.

SueInAz

I've been to Disneyland probably 35 or 40 times since 1985. I've honestly lost count. Most trips were weekends. I've been to WDW 5 times, each trip for 7-9 days.

If you're going for a weekend, and they are about the same distance for you, I'd suggest Disneyland. There is so much to do in WDW that I think it'd be overwhelming to go for only 3 days. However, 3 days at Disneyland and California Adventure is the perfect amount of time.

The temperatures are going to be pretty similar in July but it's really humid in Florida and much drier in LA. After our last trip in late May/early June I swore I'd never go back to FL that late in the year. 92° and 90% humidity is not my thing.

Hotel prices will vary depending on the hotel, of course. My last family trip to Disneyland we stayed in a Super 8 that was within walking distance (although just barely after a long day walking through the park) and we paid about $60 a night. This past January I was there for the Tinkerbell Half Marathon and we stayed at a closer hotel for $90. If you stay further away, parking is $15 a day or you can use the city's shuttle system for a couple dollars per person. You can also go the other end of the spectrum and stay at one of the Disney properties for upwards of $300 a night but walk out of the hotel and into the park.

Park tickets are pricey, but the more days you buy, the cheaper it gets per day. I bought a 2 day park hopper in January and it was about $160 with a discount. The three day hopper was $175. Kids tickets are a little cheaper.

I'll agree that with either option, planning is critical, especially for your first trip.

courtneymal17

I haven't been to Disneyland, but I'm a HUGE fan of Disney World. (Actually I'm hoping to run a 5k there in November!!) But let me just say this about Disney World...there is SO much to do there. There's all the different parks AND the water parks, downtown disney, the boardwalk, etc etc etc. I think the transportation is fabulous, the parks are top notch, and I cannnnt wait to go again!

fatboypup

you might get stabbed in the parking lot of DisneyLAND ....

sweetheart03622

3 nights isn't enough to do WDW in July. That's there's busiest time of next (next to the week between Christmas and New Years). Crowds in California won't be much better but the weather will be and there's a lot less to do. If you're keeping it to that short of a trip, go to California.

I'm an expert, I just got back from my 10th trip on Sunday

ktina08

Disney World is so much more than a theme park. I go 3-4 times a year because we always save up and get annual passes. I absolutely love Disney. I would love to visit disney land but disney world is something everyone should experience

norma67

I live in Florida and work for Disney World....so of course I have to say come down to Florida
it is huge and you will have the best time
4 theme parks
2 water parks
shopping at downtown Disney
2 mini golf course
and a few major golf places

Coco_Puff

Disney World, so much to do in Orlando, you just can't do it all. All the waterparks are awesome too! Don't rush to be at any of them first thing in the morning. It's less crowded just after lunch, by then alot of feet are so sunburnt, they call it a day and the lines are alot shorter!

jennyt4bb

I second those that are suggesting Disneyland if you are planning on this being a shorter 3 night trip. WDW is so large that 3 nights will be pushing you into a schedule that is hectic, especially at the time of year you are planning. We typically go to WDW a couple of times a year and just took some family for a first time visit in November. We stayed 6 nights and even though they were skeptical that it was too long, they agreed at the end they would have been too rushed to have done 4 nights or less, and that was with a Disneyholic Aunt who knew the ropes. :-)

cheyniemama

We were at Disneyland and California Adventure park for two days a few weeks ago.

LOVED it! I have never been to Florida, so I don't know on that.

IF you do Disneyland, totally get Park Hopper tickets...they are literally the distance apart of a Wal-Mart parking lot. We went back and forth about 3 times each day. And don't miss the World of Color show at California Adventure. It was awesome!

I you decide to do Disney, friend me and I can give you some tips...stuff I wish I knew before I went.

We were there for 2 days, me and my four kids ages 3-12, and we saw almost everything but I wish we did 3 days.'

Stretch! in your hotel room, calves and thighs, each night. I DIDN'T, and I was in a LOT of pain after day 2. We were there 26 hours in two days, though, lol!

Go before June if you can, cheaper tickets, less crowds!

HAVE FUN!!!

lumina0o0

Ted *L*

OK, I'm just going to stalk the comments as they come and see if I can get plan. I'm not a theme park girl. I worked at Great America and it's forever ruined me. So I really don't think I could handle 8 different parks and more than 3 nights *LOL* Maybe I can hire a manny to come with that has more mouse-tolerance :bigsmile:

They sell wine at California Adventure...:drinker:

and Margaritas!

littlelaura

In Disney World you get the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, MGM Studios, Animal Kingdom and then 3 major water amusement parks each competely different. Then there is their shopping , eating , and nightife area, with so much to do. I dont think that Disney Land alone can compare even if California is a nice place, the Florida theme park is all inclusive with free bus or monarail tranportation, hotels, casual to fancy eateries, its relatively cheap for a family to stay , eat and get around to the park with theme park hopper passes, you just need to pack your bags and be ready for a wonderful time, minus the fact you will need a vacation from your vacation because its action packed, tons of walking and excitement and fun, just not alot of relaxation and resting time say like on a beach vacation. The parades and light/firework shows at each park are so amazing, Enjoy!