Disneyland or Disney World

[Amy]

I seem to be in the majority. Never been to Disney Land. Only multiple times to WDW. I am afraid that i would be a little disappointed at DL.

That's my fear but I doubt I'd end up feeling that way in the end... knowing Walt walked that park will make up for the fact it is so much smaller.

Hubby only knew WDW until I took him to DL for the first time. His initial reaction was "where's the castle???" and he felt it was so cramped. However, after walking around and actually paying attention to some of the details and realizing that this was the park where it all began, his mind changed. We eventually became APers and found ourselves there as often as possible. There's something to be said about the magic you feel when you walk through the gate...it's as if you feel Walt's presence throughout the park. It's a very different feel from WDW...especially for those who are true Disney fans.

I would have to agree with you MmeLeota. I was so excited to go to DL where Walt actually had a hand in almost everything there! Sure, it is smaller, but that is actually really nice on the feet. The first time we went, I would be looking on the map and saying, "We have to head left and it will be over there somewhere." and I would look up and we were there It was awesome!! WDW's castle is bigger, but not necessarily better. I think each of the parks' castle have their own charm. I'm glad they are unique

[DemonOfMusic]

I've never been to Disneyland, only WDW, and I love WDW with all my heart. I've done some pretty extensive research into Disneyland and although it seems perfectly good too, there are just a lot of factors that seem... better, I guess, at WDW. I think a huge part of people's opinions on this is which park they grew up with, or went to first. After that, it'll seem like nothing can compare, even other Disney parks that are every bit as well made.

[Amy]

I've never been to Disneyland, only WDW, and I love WDW with all my heart. I've done some pretty extensive research into Disneyland and although it seems perfectly good too, there are just a lot of factors that seem... better, I guess, at WDW. I think a huge part of people's opinions on this is which park they grew up with, or went to first. After that, it'll seem like nothing can compare, even other Disney parks that are every bit as well made.

Interesting observation, and probably mostly true. I grew up with WDW, we didn't live close so I only went twice when I was six and again at thirteen. All my other visits were as an adult. But I would have to put Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disney Sea as my absolute favorite Disney parks. The atmosphere there is incredible. You can't beat their Winnie the Pooh and Journey to the Center of the Earth. And I fell in love with Aquatopia, even though most people wouldn't think it was that great of an attraction.

[DemonOfMusic]

I've never been to Disneyland, only WDW, and I love WDW with all my heart. I've done some pretty extensive research into Disneyland and although it seems perfectly good too, there are just a lot of factors that seem... better, I guess, at WDW. I think a huge part of people's opinions on this is which park they grew up with, or went to first. After that, it'll seem like nothing can compare, even other Disney parks that are every bit as well made.

Interesting observation, and probably mostly true. I grew up with WDW, we didn't live close so I only went twice when I was six and again at thirteen. All my other visits were as an adult. But I would have to put Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disney Sea as my absolute favorite Disney parks. The atmosphere there is incredible. You can't beat their Winnie the Pooh and Journey to the Center of the Earth. And I fell in love with Aquatopia, even though most people wouldn't think it was that great of an attraction.

Huh, interesting. I mean, I can totally understand loving the other parks too. I would absolutely LOVE the opportunity to see some of the other Disney parks one day, and I think I would love them too, but I can't imagine any of them taking the place of WDW as my favorite resort. However, I can't speak for everyone, and maybe if the atmosphere and attractions at another park impressed me enough, that would become my new favorite. But for me and for many other people I know, the first is always the best for them- If they see a random high school production of a musical and then download the Broadway cast soundtrack, they'll still prefer the version they heard. It's an interesting thought process. But you've also just given me another reason to want to get to Tokyo Disneyland-now.

[Amy]

I've never been to Disneyland, only WDW, and I love WDW with all my heart. I've done some pretty extensive research into Disneyland and although it seems perfectly good too, there are just a lot of factors that seem... better, I guess, at WDW. I think a huge part of people's opinions on this is which park they grew up with, or went to first. After that, it'll seem like nothing can compare, even other Disney parks that are every bit as well made.

Interesting observation, and probably mostly true. I grew up with WDW, we didn't live close so I only went twice when I was six and again at thirteen. All my other visits were as an adult. But I would have to put Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disney Sea as my absolute favorite Disney parks. The atmosphere there is incredible. You can't beat their Winnie the Pooh and Journey to the Center of the Earth. And I fell in love with Aquatopia, even though most people wouldn't think it was that great of an attraction.

Huh, interesting. I mean, I can totally understand loving the other parks too. I would absolutely LOVE the opportunity to see some of the other Disney parks one day, and I think I would love them too, but I can't imagine any of them taking the place of WDW as my favorite resort. However, I can't speak for everyone, and maybe if the atmosphere and attractions at another park impressed me enough, that would become my new favorite. But for me and for many other people I know, the first is always the best for them- If they see a random high school production of a musical and then download the Broadway cast soundtrack, they'll still prefer the version they heard. It's an interesting thought process. But you've also just given me another reason to want to get to Tokyo Disneyland-now.

Tokyo DisneySea is so above even Disney standards when it comes to theme and atmosphere. It was so incredible and I hope to get back there someday too

[figmentaholic]

I have never been to Disneyland, and considering how scared I am of flying, it is very unlikely that I ever will, which is a darn shame.

So of course by default I have to say WDW. I would *LOVE* to go to Tokyo Disneyland, but I *KNOW* that will never happen...

[Amy]

I have never been to Disneyland, and considering how scared I am of flying, it is very unlikely that I ever will, which is a darn shame.

So of course by default I have to say WDW. I would *LOVE* to go to Tokyo Disneyland, but I *KNOW* that will never happen...

You could always take a boat over to Japan and sail on around and catch DL on the way home

[figmentaholic]

I have never been to Disneyland, and considering how scared I am of flying, it is very unlikely that I ever will, which is a darn shame.

So of course by default I have to say WDW. I would *LOVE* to go to Tokyo Disneyland, but I *KNOW* that will never happen...

You could always take a boat over to Japan and sail on around and catch DL on the way home

I am on the east coast so I would have to find some way to get from the east coast to the west.. Driving would take days and a boat to Japan maybe a week.

[DisneySpin]

I was born in SoCal, so for years, Disneyland was perfection. Then, after visiting WDW, I really feel that while DLR is the original, that was the trial run; WDW, with all the beautiful land to buffer you from traffic and billboards, and the well-placed resorts, it feels much more the way I think Walt wanted his Magic Kingdom to be. The city of Anaheim has done what they can to improve the area around Disneyland, but all the little motels and fastfood places and power lines, bleh. WDW lets you totally immerse yourself and get away from the everyday clutter of reality.

[DemonOfMusic]

I was born in SoCal, so for years, Disneyland was perfection. Then, after visiting WDW, I really feel that while DLR is the original, that was the trial run; WDW, with all the beautiful land to buffer you from traffic and billboards, and the well-placed resorts, it feels much more the way I think Walt wanted his Magic Kingdom to be. The city of Anaheim has done what they can to improve the area around Disneyland, but all the little motels and fastfood places and power lines, bleh. WDW lets you totally immerse yourself and get away from the everyday clutter of reality.

Man, that describes one of the things I love most about WDW to a tee. Great observation, my favorite part about WDW is how easy it is to just slip away!

[DisneySpin]

I was born in SoCal, so for years, Disneyland was perfection. Then, after visiting WDW, I really feel that while DLR is the original, that was the trial run; WDW, with all the beautiful land to buffer you from traffic and billboards, and the well-placed resorts, it feels much more the way I think Walt wanted his Magic Kingdom to be. The city of Anaheim has done what they can to improve the area around Disneyland, but all the little motels and fastfood places and power lines, bleh. WDW lets you totally immerse yourself and get away from the everyday clutter of reality.

Man, that describes one of the things I love most about WDW to a tee. Great observation, my favorite part about WDW is how easy it is to just slip away!

You can't imagine the grief I've taken over the years from DLR loyalists Friends that have only been to Disneyland act as though I'm some sort of traitor. I've given up trying to explain but I sure enjoy it when one of them finally forces themselves to go to another Park and they sort of quietly slink back, with either grudging acceptance of my opinion or as full-blown new converts to being open minded about the other fun possibilities Disney can offer.

[elizabethswann]

After finally going to WDW in January, I can probably say that I'm starting to favor WDW over DLR. I've gone to DLR so many times within the last four years or so but after experiencing WDW once, I fell in love.

[mindflipper]

After finally going to WDW in January, I can probably say that I'm starting to favor WDW over DLR. I've gone to DLR so many times within the last four years or so but after experiencing WDW once, I fell in love.

I can say I experience the same effect but in reverse: after years and years of going to WDW, when I went to DLR for the first time, I fell in love with it and finding myself like it more than WDW. When you experience something over and over too much, you do get tired of it so that the novelty of the other makes it seem more appealling...

[Soarin08]

I was born in SoCal, so for years, Disneyland was perfection. Then, after visiting WDW, I really feel that while DLR is the original, that was the trial run; WDW, with all the beautiful land to buffer you from traffic and billboards, and the well-placed resorts, it feels much more the way I think Walt wanted his Magic Kingdom to be. The city of Anaheim has done what they can to improve the area around Disneyland, but all the little motels and fastfood places and power lines, bleh. WDW lets you totally immerse yourself and get away from the everyday clutter of reality.

How right you are. Even DTD is apart from all the clutter and chaos that is Orlando, which is just a jump away from DTD across I-4! DLR doesn't seem to be too shrouded and apart from the rest of reality. WDW captures that perfectly.