Am I the only one.....

[aussiegirls]

..... who loved Disneyland soooooo much that I have no inclination to go to WDW, I just wanna keep going back to Disneyland?

When I was still thinking about this coming holiday I must admit that I did consider WDW because it seems to be the done thing once you have done Disneyland. But I think after reading lots about it I just decided that I just really want to go back to Disneyland.

I dunno, WDW just all seems so complicated and big. I'm not really interested in seeing animals or going to a waterpark or trying gourmet dining options. I dunno, am I missing something?

It just seems that everyone in here is heading to WDW. Not many of us going back to DL.

xxx

 

[aussietravellers]

We just went to DL in December so it's WDW's turn now (in September)

I actually love both. I do love WDW, I love the size and the variety and the amazing resorts. But I do also love DL and I love that it's smaller and easier to get around and that you can stay at a hotel and walk to the parks (which you can at a few of the WDW resorts too, but you know what I mean), its so compact. It's a totally different feel and I do love each of them for their own pros and cons.

DL has a special feel to me, it is the original, it's the one that I have been to from when I was a child. I was 5 the first time I went to DL and have been many times, but did not go to WDW for the first time until my early 20's. So DL does have more of a special feel to me, it has the matterhorn, which isn't that much of a mind blowing ride now a days but I remember riding that as a child and I absolutely love it.

 

[paulasillars]

I like both Disneyland and WDW. However if you love Disney then WDW is the equivalent to Mecca.

You get pretty much all the same things as you get at DL plus much, much more.

Animal Kingdom is by far, my favourite Disney park - its gorgeous! Epcot is incredible - it magic at night. The Magic Kingdom is like Disneyland but more spread out. Studios are at the bottom of my list I have to say. The water parks are fun.

The hotels themselves are attractions in their own right IMO - think Grand Californian and multiply by about a dozen different themes.

Disneyland is cute and quaint but WDW was all the things Walt Disney wanted but didn't have the space for.

 

[lovintheland]

Aussiegirls I'm totally with you. WDW doesn't actually interest me. I don't know why exactly and if someone gave me a trip there I would be there in a flash but something about it sounds totally unrelaxing and busy to me. Just hearing about people making all their meal reservations etc stresses me out.

DD's dance school are doing a trip to WDW and New York next year so we went to the info night. New York excites me but I'll take my Disneyland any day.

I'm sure one day I will get there but Disneyland excites me way more. lol

 

[Kalice]

Absolutely not, I love love love DL. I thought WDW was just a spread out version of DL and hence did not have the same vibe. I loved that, you could leave DL and go over to CA, and have a drink, ride a fast roller coaster. Love space mountain in DL, my all time fave ride (although I did develop a second love -RnR!) Loved walking from our hotel, and back for a change (warmer clothes) and rest during the day. My other reason is that it is closer to Oz!

 

[queenie82]

I understand why people love Disneyland. But I find it very unfair to judge any park before you go there.
You truly can't understand until you go. If you go you may end up still preferring DL. But you can't judge fairly having not gone.

I had a LOT of doubts about various Disney experiences at WDW. We LOVE WDW (our first trip went to both so the memories are blurred between the 2...I just fell in love with DISNEY...I don't care where it is) but always stayed off site and brought our own food. I didn't understand paying extra to be onsite. I didn't understand paying so much more to dine onsite.
How WRONG I was.

I'm not into fancy dining...I VERY rarely eat out at home. In fact I would say I haven't since I went to WDW last December. Until I dined at Disney in December properly (we had only done occasional Character dining) I didn't understand why people would make such a fuss about it.
We were on the dining plan this past trip so did the manic planning and ADRs etc and despite there being places I will never go back to....they were wonderful experiences mainly!
Yak and Yeti I was dubious about and I want to go back!
I added 1900 park fare to the adr list as we had the space and the food sounded good. But I didn't expect a great experience. NOW...it is the top of the list.

I WASN'T a fan of Illuminations on previous visits (I'm sorry but the spinning globe isn't very exciting after waiting over a 1/2hr) but watching it while dining at Rose and crown!! Now THAT is Disney magic.
I now know that to enjoy it don't wait for ages...just enjoying the music, drums, haunting voice even from behind a few people is wonderful.

Each part has its own appeal.
Paris wasn't high on the visiting list but when the opportunity arose we took it and....I do want to go back. There are some serious flaws at that park but it has unique elements that I want to go back to. The castle is just so detailed and beautiful. Cinderella's is beautiful but a bit big. Snow White's is quaint but small. Paris is just perfect.

Tokyo Disney Sea I REALLY wanted to go to and again when the opportunity arose we took it and I did love it. But it wasn't what I expected. What I enjoyed and how I liked it were not the same as I expected.

You just CANNOT judge your reaction to any Disney park, hotel or dining experience on ANYTHING others say.
I was OBSESSED with staying at Boardwalk...but it just wasn't for me. Bay Lake Tower however was just the ticket.

I apologise I didn't expect this to go for so long
But I just implore you to not just dismiss it.
Disneyland is quaint and Walt's original vision. It is compact and simple. Disneyland is superior to the Magic Kingdom and I really don't care they are taking Toontown out of Magic Kingdom because it will still be in Disneyland. The transition was never good.
But EPCOT is wonderful. I enjoy DHS at Christmas time. Animal Kingdom is not my favourite park but it has a LOT of magic. Joe Rhode is a genius

And the Resorts...

 

[PrincessInOz]

I love both DLR and WDW. Both have their good and bad points and both are worth visiting at least once so that you can make the comparison and work it out for yourself.

For someone who went multiple times to DLR before even heading across to WDW, I know exactly how you feel about the enchantment of Anaheim and not needing anything else.

At Anaheim, you pretty much get a similar (but not identical) park experience visiting the two DLR parks; San Diego Zoo and WAP plus US. DLR is much more compact and easier to become familiar with the layout and for this reason alone, I still love visiting DLR.

But the thing I love about WDW is the Disney resorts. The parks are great; but the resorts are something else. And the dining (yes, I am a foodie) and character experience at WDW is on a scale that DLR just cannot match.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Well I've only been to DL so have nothing to compare it too but I really am looking forward to our upcoming WDW trip. When I came back from DL I thought I would never want to go anywhere else. But I love researching and learning new things and the lure of big and scary WDW was too tantalising so I started reading and reading some more and now I can't wait.

I'm nervous about the logistics of getting around WDW, I truly loved how compact DLR was. But I am also excited about the other parks and the resorts. I'm looking forward to coming back and sharing my thoughts.

 

[cola]

It just seems that everyone in here is heading to WDW. Not many of us going back to DL.

That's because this is the gathering ground for Disney obsessed people that will go all over the world and see anything Disney. About 99% of Australians going to anything Disney are quite happy keeping their Disney exposure to Disneyland. The other 1% is a bit over represented here

 

[DizOz]

We too have been to both DLR and WDW. Must admit as Disneyfiles we love WDW. Whilst DLR has the advantage of being compact some times that can also be its downfall.

I love the openness of WDW and the transport system there as you board the bus, boat or monorail the anticipation sources as you near one of the parks.

Whilst DLR and WDW are similar there are many rides at WDW that do not exist at DLR. If you look at Animal Kingdom and Epcot there are rides there just not available at DLR. Also you have 2 water parks not available at DLR and being a foodie as well I love the dining options. But I must say I love Ralph Brennans and Napa Rose at DLR.

The other great thing in Orlando is Universal Studios which is far bigger than its Californian counterpart with 2 parks (Now with Harry Potter) and Wet and Wild, Seaworld with 3 parks and Kennedy Space Centre.

One option to think about do what we do and go to both. To get to Orlando you have to fly over DLR. We also stop off and get over the jetlag at DLR for a few days and then head to WDW. As our daughters' favourite character would say You get the best of both worlds.

 

[BecBennett]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, Disney World is for tourists, and Disneyland is for purists!

Having said that we are going to WDW next for our wedding, as we just feel that there's more there for everyone. People who don't enjoy amusement parks will still find something to do a WDW. Plus my brother in law has night blindness, so pretty much any indoor ride - think POTC, Splash, IASW, Indie, the list goes on - he cant actually enjoy because he can't see anything like the rest of us can. There would be so much more to keep him entertained at WDW.

 

[1rocky]

Will be visiting Disneyland in Jan 2011 . i have also been looking into wdw . Why is it so more expensive than Disneyland. I was quoted for a 5 day WDW pass nearly $600 Aussie . this is just to get into the parks and did not include the water park.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Will be visiting Disneyland in Jan 2011 . i have also been looking into wdw . Why is it so more expensive than Disneyland. I was quoted for a 5 day WDW pass nearly $600 Aussie . this is just to get into the parks and did not include the water park.

1rocky - I'd double check this price and ask if it was for one or two people! I bought a 10 day park hopper ticket and paid about US$300 for an adult ticket. From memory, I think the 5 day park hopper ticket was about $20 or $30 less.

 

[GrazingGoat1966]

Will be visiting Disneyland in Jan 2011 . i have also been looking into wdw . Why is it so more expensive than Disneyland. I was quoted for a 5 day WDW pass nearly $600 Aussie . this is just to get into the parks and did not include the water park.

You're getting ripped senseless champ. Completely and utterly ripped senseless. Get on the Disneyworld website and get a price there. A 5 day ticket INC park hopping AND waterparks is only USD$332 direct from Disney. Do not pay ONE CENT more than that. And bear in mind that each extra day on top of that is only USD$3 a day extra.

As to the original thread, you are kidding yourself if you think you are getting the complete Disney experience without visiting Orlando. With LA being the first port of call for probably 80% of Australians heading for the states, then Anaheim is usually our first Disney experience....and a fine one it is too! BUT..... to immerse yourself in the Disney experience fully, you have to stay on-site at WDW for as long as possible (absolute minimum a week...and even then you won't see everything) and take in the whole box and dice.
It really is night and day.

 

[queenie82]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, Disney World is for tourists, and Disneyland is for purists!

I always find this statement very arrogant and disrespectful to Walt and his vision and legacy.
Disneyland is the original and is the only park Walt ever walked in.
However it was Walt's disappointment in what was happening around his beloved Disneyland that drove him to buy LOTS and LOTS of land in Florida.

Only Walt's vision could seen the possibility of making WDW out of swamp.
Walt was INCREDIBLY passionate about EPCOT - Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow.
Sadly it isn't as good as it could have been but it is STILL only there at all because of Walt's vision.

As a friend of mine describes it
EPCOT stands for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. In Future World you get to experience and witness some of the latest technologies & ideas of the future. Spaceship Earth always reminds me how we are all progressing through the use of communication & invention. Something about that ride is really enjoyable. Maybe it's the narration throughout the ride. In Living with the Land you get to witness new innovations in how crops can be grown. And they actually grow some of the fruits & vegetables to be used in WDW restaurants. Universe of Energy (although not the most exciting attraction) is informative & I have always been impressed with how the solor energy panels atop the building help power the ride. And finally, who doesn't like rides like: Mission: SPACE, Test Track & Soarin. Very cool stuff.


You CANNOT get the complete immersive Disney experience at Disneyland because of it being walled in by other developments.


Obviously we have our own preferences on which we like better...but to claim that WDW is only for tourists is just plain disrespectful.

 

[aussiemickeys]

First of all - I think you should go wherever makes you feel happy, whether it be Disneyland, WDW or anywhere else.

Having said that though, I just want to throw my thoughts out there as well. We ADORE Disneyland & it is always number one to us for all the reasons mentioned on previous posts (original, familiar, compact.......).

However if you love Disney, it would be a real shame never to try WDW if you have the chance. We went for a "once in a lifetime" trip 3 trips & DVC membership ago!

We have never done a waterpark while there & while we do a lot of sit down meals, would not call the type we do "gourmet dining", so it seems we have similar tastes.

Yes WDW is huge, but if you did decide to try it one time - don't be scared off by the planning, there is so much help here on these boards. We would all love to help I'm sure.

Anyway, like I said first off - whatever suits you & your situation, just do that & have a great time!

 

[SnowWhite09]

..... who loved Disneyland soooooo much that I have no inclination to go to WDW, I just wanna keep going back to Disneyland?

When I was still thinking about this coming holiday I must admit that I did consider WDW because it seems to be the done thing once you have done Disneyland. But I think after reading lots about it I just decided that I just really want to go back to Disneyland.

I dunno, WDW just all seems so complicated and big. I'm not really interested in seeing animals or going to a waterpark or trying gourmet dining options. I dunno, am I missing something?

It just seems that everyone in here is heading to WDW. Not many of us going back to DL.

xxx

Our next trip was supposed to be to WDW; we even had it all planned out. Then we realised that we would be more excited about going back to DL and that we really missed DL and weren't ready to go WDW so I totally understand how you feel! I can't wait to be in Walt's park again.

I will definitely go to WDW, but for now I just miss DL too much!

 

[aussiegirls]

SnowWhite and lovintheland, I am glad that you guys feel the same way, makes me feel not so weird

For the others that may have thought I was bagging WDW, that is not what I meant at all. I am not saying that DL is better than WDW (I wouldn't know anyway, I have never been). I am just saying that I love Disneyland so much that I have no desire at all to go to WDW.

I am sure that one day I will get there, but at the moment I only want to go to Disneyland. I love it, it feels like my park (I wish it was ) and I have no desire to go anywhere else.

Anyways, just glad that I am not the only DL crazy person

xxx

 

[lovintheland]

Thanks Aussiegirls, I so know where you are coming from.

I never once have bagged or judged WDW, just have no interest at this point either. I love my Disneyland hence my name "Lovintheland". I'm such a creature of habbit. Have holidayed at the same place every Easter for 16 years with my extended family. One day I will get to WDW when the urge takes me there!!!!

 

[aussietravellers]

For the others that may have thought I was bagging WDW, that is not what I meant at all. I am not saying that DL is better than WDW (I wouldn't know anyway, I have never been). I am just saying that I love Disneyland so much that I have no desire at all to go to WDW.

I am sure that one day I will get there, but at the moment I only want to go to Disneyland. I love it, it feels like my park (I wish it was ) and I have no desire to go anywhere else.

Anyways, just glad that I am not the only DL crazy person

xxx

I don't think anything that you wrote was bagging WDW I certainly didn't take anything that your wrote that way.

There is also nothing wrong with only wanting to go to DL and not venture to WDW, they are your holidays and I am a bit of a creature of habit and I keep going back to the same places that I have holidayed at before, yes I probably should try new places, but I want to go to places that I love and go back again and again because I love them, so no reason why you can't just keep going back to DL if you love it and never go to WDW, nothing wrong with that at all