Two of my girls want to take me

[DizMe]

to WDW. I don't know much about it at all, but I'd love to see it. I am not able to deal with huge crowds at the moment and they're talking about going at the end of March, which to me sounds like it might be spring break crowds? I was hoping someone here could let me know what it might be like then as compared to how crowds are at DLR at busy times. I've recently begun an infusion regimen that leaves me tired and I'm very grateful they want to do this but I don't know that I can handle a long flight, getting around there, and large crowds.

Thanks for any input!!

(mods, I put this here rather than in the WDW forum because I'd like to hear from my DL board friends first who are familiar with both places)

 

[Sarahelizabeth]

We just did WDW over Thanksgiving so large crowds and had a great time. Since we are Disneyland regulars we prioritized seeing the different things there. We did seven days and did two days at each park and one day at MK. It is definitely much larger and takes much more time to get from place to place but there is great transportation everywhere. We did their version of Lightning Lane and Individual LL so that really helped with the lines. It is definitely a different feel but I say do it! Even if you have to take long breaks, there isn't as much to see in each park so you can take your time. I absolutely loved Animal Kingdom and would definitely spend a day there. It was the most relaxed park in my opinion.

 

[Tinkaboo]

Diz, I was a WDW lover throughout my son's childhood, from his first trip at age 3 to his last at 15. We would only go TO DL when we couldnt afford WDW. I hadn't been since the early 2000's. Last year, my iDH said he wouldn't go to DL but he would go to WDW. So off we went in early-mid November. Everything was already decorated for Christmas so that was nice. But, honestly...I don't care if I ever go back. Crowds were not bad but the size of the place just overwhelms me now at age 70.

I'm in generally good health (besides my menieres) and we walked several miles each day. And I am a bit of an adventuress, too but just the enormity and well, its like there were TOO MANY OPTIONS! Its like when you goto your regular diner and know what you're going to have (DL) and then you go to this super fancy restaurant where the menu is 20pages long (WDW) and you're kinda dumbstruck. Now i've probably been there ten times but there was a lot of new stuff to see...and stuff that we used to do that was no longer.

You know how we lollygag through DL, not really feeling pressured to do this or that? WRONG! I just felt like we were kinda on the go the whole time. I mean,we did take time for some special meals like Jiko, but our pace in the parks was pretty go-go-go.
You know how you know all the secret places atDL to get away fora few minutes to get your bearings? Never found those at WDW. There were always people everywhere. Now, because there are more parks, the people disperse, but you will not find that quiet moment, at least I didnt.

All that said, its a remarkable place with many wonderful attractions that DL doesnt have, likeSlinky Dog and Mine Train, Remy, just walking through the lands at EPCOT.
Many fabulous places to eat. Beautiful resorts and grounds. Disney Springs is like a mini mall, way bigger than DD.

I dont know how long of a trip you are planning, our last was six days in park, two travel days on each end because its a long flight from CO, but even longer for you. Thats another reason...I cant do a flight much longer than 3 hours, it just messes with me(again, the menieres).

Bottom line, only you know what's best for you. It would be an awesome trip with those wonderful daughters, creating great memories for all of you. Start list with your pros and cons, talk it through with your daughters on what their expectations are, and then you can make the decision best for you.

Hope this helps...

 

[DizMe]

Thanks a million, Sarahelizabeth and Tinkaboo! It gives me a place to start. I've sort of been to Magic Kingdom & Epcot, but we only had 1 day, and that was back in 1993 LOL. It was also July and it POURED and then FRIED us, back and forth as the sun came and went. I swear I've never seen thunderstorms like that before or since!!

But it didn't give us a chance to see or do very much. It felt very Looking-glass-ish, as it looked a lot like DL but not ha ha. We went over to Epcot but it was raining so hard we didn't really get to enjoy it much.

I've always wanted to go back (but not in July!) and it sounds like it would be a fun trip Any advice on where to stay? DD gets a great discount but we're lost when it comes to figuring out which place would be best for us and what to visit. Everyone I've talked to has also recommended AK as a favorite. We only have about 4 park days.

 

[julesann]

My db and I did WDW back in April of 2021 as DL was closed. It was a great trip for us--I think we spent five days there and then another four at Universal. On the way there, we flew from SMF to Denver and stayed at the Westin right at the airport and then continued on to Orlando in the morning. it broke the flight up nicely for us and helped us shift to the time change. Something to possibly consider. How sweet your girls want to take you there <3

 

[We’reAllMadHere]

I suppose it may depend on the time of year. WDW has always felt busier to me than DLR except perhaps when the heat and humidity are stifling mid-summer. Late March looks like higher than average crowds on all the usual crowd calendars.

More importantly than the crowds, though, WDW feels much more complicated than DL to me. More parks, much more spread out, LL works differently, there are extra evening hours for certain parks on certain days if you stay in deluxe hotels, so many options for dining, etc. We walk way more steps at WDW than DLR. At DLR we stay for free on points at a chain hotel and walk to the park. At WDW we stay on site and have to bus/monorail/boat/gondola to parks and we often take a mid-day break to get some rest and avoid the highest crowds. We love both options, but they are different.

With four park days you could visit each park one day, which would be fine. However, a lot of people might recommend having a resort/rest day or perhaps a half day. I would take a look at the attractions list and see what appeals most to you.

Also, if you’re talking about this March, you should be aware that restaurant reservations are already available to book.