Disney World or Disney Land

[Dino_Martini]

TPR I have come to you for advice. I've never been to Disneyland or Disneyworld. But were planning a trip to take in Disney/Universal in either Orlando or California as I've heard your never too old to take in Disney for the first time. Im 16, so maybe that will influence your advice. Which Disney park did you visit first?

[darklingscribe]

Well since I was born and raised in California my first Disney experience was at Disneyland.

 

As to which one you should visit ask yourself a couple of questions first. If you have under a week of vacation time I'd say the one in LA might be better because you'll have more than enough to hit both the DLR, Universal studios, and maybe Knott's Berry Farm as well. If your vacation's longer go to Florida, you could easily spend two full weeks there and not do everything there is to do.

 

Also keep in mind when your next vacation might be. If you don't think you'll be able to make down to either Florida or California in four years or so go to Florida first because you might want to wait till (I think) 2012 for the new remodel of California Adventure to be finished.

[knottslover77]

I Think if your going to Universal as well, then I would vist Orlando.

 

--Jay

[Meteornotes]

Orlando all the way. Since you also want to do Universal, their parks in Orlando are far superior to the park in LA.

 

dt

[mcjaco]

^ I concur with Dave. Do Florida's parks first.

[thrillrideseeker]

Personally I think that you should go to Orlando!! The Walt Disney World Resort (Orlando) is freaking huge! I mean it is twice the size of Manhattan for crying out loud. There is so much more to do... you have 4 parks, plus the water parks. They have amazing rides like Expedition Everest, and "The Good Tower!" Plus Orlando has so much more!! They have Universal Orlando, Wet N' Wild, The Kissimmee Skycoaster! There are so many things to do in Orlando that you just can not do in California!! So I think you should go to Orlando!! Good luck!!

~Matthew

[dougr]

I agree about California being a better choice for a short visit. Not only do you have the three theme parks mentioned above, but there's also Six Flags Magic Mountain, Hollywood, and beautiful downtown Burbank (ok, just kidding about Burbank)

How about a Road Trip? It's about a 3-4 day drive down I-15. You could head down via Idaho and hit Silverwood on the way down. Las Vegas is also on the way.

Calgary to Anaheim via Calaway and Silverwood and Las Vegas

[What Now]

^ If your into nature, you can add Yellowstone to that. You'd also pass by Lagoon on you're way down.

[robbalvey]

TPR I have come to you for advice. I've never been to Disneyland or Disneyworld. But were planning a trip to take in Disney/Universal in either Orlando or California as I've heard your never too old to take in Disney for the first time. Im 16, so maybe that will influence your advice. Which Disney park did you visit first?

How long will your vacation be?

 

--Robb

[california screamin]

I'd suggest disneyland.

 

the alveys love to make fun of it, but it has one of the best magic kingdom parks, and it is where the magic started. haha.

 

Disneyland park has a better pirates, and space.

 

Plus, it has Indy, the matterhorn, star tours, toontown, and nemo subs. All things you can not find at the magic kingdom florida.

 

Disneyland is also a much prettier park. WDW feels more commercial, and alot less authentic somehow.

[Dino_Martini]

TPR I have come to you for advice. I've never been to Disneyland or Disneyworld. But were planning a trip to take in Disney/Universal in either Orlando or California as I've heard your never too old to take in Disney for the first time. Im 16, so maybe that will influence your advice. Which Disney park did you visit first?

How long will your vacation be?

 

--Robb

 

7 to 10 days.

[Tanks4me05]

^In that case, WDW. Two days of air travel (one day getting there, one day getting back) and have an extra "nothing planned day" for when you arrive in FL, to allow potential flight delays or cancellations, visit all four "dry" WDW parks, and there ya go - that's your 7 days bare minimum. Then with the extra three potential days, you can hit up both Universals and Magical Midway. (I don't do waterparks that much, though, so if you want more water, you can shuffle it around.)

 

I admit that I haven't been out of the GMT-5 Timezone in my entire life, but I would say that from what I've heard, WDW is better for pretty much every single area. But, if you want some true thrill parks, try to stuff in KBF, SFMM, maybe even Adventure City or Scandia.

 

So, if you want a "theme park" experience, Florida. If you want a "thrill park" experience, California.

[signal]

If you have time, go to Orlando, but if you only have 2-3 days, you should probably go to California. We went to Disneyland right after September 11th, when people were scared to fly. We were there for 5 days. We had the best time. If you go during the weekdays, the park will be relatively empty. Also, staying at the grand Californian with downtown disney adjacent to it is really nice. Orlando has everything that California has, plus more. Although it has The huge size and the water parks, it can get stressful trying to navigate between parks and trying to get onto the big rides at times. Try planning your trip so that you hit the big rides first, then maybe doing some 30 minute rides. Also, Disneyland at night on a weekday... its beautiful. The fountains in the street glimmer

 

HArd to say, but California in my opinion is everything in a smaller package, and since everything is right next door to most of the hotels, I would say California

[Dino_Martini]

Well, it is settled. We are headed to the Los Angeles area this August. Im not too sure about going to Six Flags Magic Mountain, but we will for sure be going to Disneyland + California Adventure and Universal Studios..plus going to see a live taping of The Tonight Show. Its going to be a ton of fun, except airport security.

 

We sort of thought about going to Orlando, but if we went to Orlando all we would do is theme parks. So, this way my sister and I get to check out some Disney Land and the like, and then we go see the walk of fame or Hollywood sign. I can go see Orlando another time, not a big deal.

[lizzybear]

Have a great time! I'm visiting California this year after 3 Orlando trips and i'm really looking forward to visiting the original Disney park. Orlando is very much full-on theme parks so if you're going with someone who would prefer to do other stuff then CA does seem like the better choice

[HHN Dylan]

Go for Orlando. Im actually there right now, but yeah i think the parks are so much better. Ive also found the castmembers more freindly. Trust me go WDW.

[Dino_Martini]

Go for Orlando. Im actually there right now, but yeah i think the parks are so much better. Ive also found the castmembers more freindly. Trust me go WDW.

 

 

 

Well, it is settled. We are headed to the Los Angeles area this August. Im not too sure about going to Six Flags Magic Mountain, but we will for sure be going to Disneyland + California Adventure and Universal Studios..plus going to see a live taping of The Tonight Show. Its going to be a ton of fun, except airport security.

 

We sort of thought about going to Orlando, but if we went to Orlando all we would do is theme parks. So, this way my sister and I get to check out some Disney Land and the like, and then we go see the walk of fame or Hollywood sign. I can go see Orlando another time, not a big deal.

[MixedDrink]

I hope you have a great time in California,

haha, you should go and bug Robb and Elissa (if they're home at the time)!

[Dino_Martini]

Hey everyone

 

I just want to say thanks for the help. I had a super time in Disneyland/California Adventure. Space Mountain is so amazing, that was my first credit at Disneyland. We rode it 3 times that day, every time it seemed to go a little faster.

 

But I have definitely learned some things. Next time, weather we go to Disney World or Disneyland we are definitely staying in a Disney Resort hotel. When we went to go get our gate passes which we already bought my mom forgot her ID at the hotel, I had mine and they accepted that, but if I had forgotten my ID we would have had to walk all the way back to the hotel on the far southside of the park. Plus a few times we went back to the hotel after being at the park in the morning to hang around the pool. All that walking back and forth takes a toll on your feet. Another thing is that maybe we need more days in between a visit to the parks. Its great to go to Disney but if you do it too many days in a row, all that walking every day your feet start to hate you.

 

Screamin' is was great. I have to be honest, that was my first coaster with a loop. I have always been afraid of coasters, especially upside down parts but before my trip I told myself I would get on Space Mountain and Screamin' at least once. I have no clue what I was afraid about now. Going upside down isnt scary at all. You don’t fall out or hit the restraints. It was great. Front row on Screamin' is a nice place to be. It’s sort of tough for me to pick my favorites of Disney. Screamin' is great, Space Mountain is great, Soarin' is great, Splash Mountain, Tower of Terror, Grizzly River Run are all very good as well. Disney did a great job on both those parks (some beg to differ I’m sure). But as I understand it, Disney is about to dump a whole bunch of money into California Adventure to re-image it?

 

We never did end up at Knotts or Magic Mountain but we did end up at Universal Studios Hollywood. And no offence to those of you who like it, but I thought it was pretty boring. The Mummy was so short, so boring. Jurassic Park was ok, Simpsons Ride was ok. There wasn’t really anything that stood out at Universal. Islands of Adventure might change my mind about Universal, that will have to wait though.

 

Thanks again, and I’m sure you have all seen a picture like this about a million times, but here is my version: (god I look silly in that picture)

 

 

Martin 'In love with California Screamin' Kosik

[PKI Jizzman]

Disneyland is such and awesome place. Glad to hear you're having a good time!