Thinking of taking 10 yr. old son to either theme park. I have been to Disneyworld twice. Which is nicer, in your opinions. I would opt for Disneyland because I have never been to California, but I want my son to see the best park.
What do you think?
Thanks in advance for your replies!

Nina I have never been to DW and I'm sure it has WAY more attractions than DL , I think your son would love DL. With California Adventure there is more to do now also. You can also visit the San Diego Zoo, Hollywood or Universel Studios. My friends that have visited DW with their kids felt that it was a little overwhelming but I'm sure it's lots of fun.

I havent been Disneyland,, but Orlando also has lots of other things ... DISNEY.. EPCOT... MGM... ANIMAL KINGDOM..also down I-4 is Universal and Islands of Adventure.. and Seaworld is in Florida as Well..
But I have been to San Diego and that zoo.. well its AWESOME..
But when ask for the "best park" .. that is a question you will probably get 50 different responses to...
Enjoy ya'lls trip-wherever you decide!

I think the concensus on this seems to be which ever one you go to first is your favourite. Disneyland is great because it is in California which is an experience in itself. Take in Knotts berry farm just cause it's different from most theme parks. Have a wonderful time whereever you go.

If you want to come to California, then I doubt that your son will be disappointed in Disneyland. However, Disneyland is much older and smaller than DisneyWorld, and in my opinion DisneyWorld has much more to see.

I always disagree with this one. I much prefer Disneyland. It may have a few less attractions, but it is so much easier to navigate and all the star attractions are in a single location. Disneyworld you have to go to a least three different parks to ride on all the "E" ticket rides that are contained in Disneyland. I thought DW was too much trouble.

They key to enjoying DL since it is more condensed and can get crowded is to time it right. I'm sure you have school conflicts. But I went on a Tuesday in March and had almost no crowds (not during spring break!) it was great!

Since DW require you to go to multiple parks it should not be too much more trouble to visit Knott's--most hotels will shuttle you to either park.

If you have more time, go to San Diego too!

Oops, sorry about the typos!

I've been to both. And I really do prefer Disneyland. IT's more manageable. And when I'm there, I don't feel so RAPED by the Disney pricing.

I also feel it's healthy to get OUT of the Disney atmosphere occasionally and have some non-fantasy time with my kids. You can't do that easily in Disneyworld. Because when you go on a trip there, you typically stay on the grounds. (You can stay elsewhere, but the place is so damn big that driving to it is the pits.)

My advice: Stay in Anaheim, near Disneyland, for a couple days. Do Disneyland like it's never been done before. Then move to another hotel in LA or San Diego and enjoy the other sites and beaches that Southern California has to offer. You can't do that very well in Orlando, because frankly, there's not that much to do beside the theme parks.

What time of year are you planning this trip? How do you feel about driving/ renting a car? I have been to both (live in California)and prefer Disneyworld. EXCEPT we went in June and it rained (poured)every afternoon which makes it not as much fun. California weather is better in the summer. Personally I thought the prices and food were better in Orlando. The parks in Orlando are much closer to each other than the various places in California. In Orlando you could get by without renting a car; in California if you wanted to see something other than Disneyland or CA Adventure, you'd have to have a car. Other poster's idea was good--to stay in one place for a couple of days and then move on to another hotel in a second place. In Orlando you could stay in the same hotel and spend 6 or 7 days at different amusement parks.

Disney World is far bigger with much more to see and do. You could spend a month there and not see it all.

For some excellent, all-Disney information on both WDW and DL, check out www.disboards.com You'll find an incredible wealth of information for the Disney traveler there.

My family has an unlimited pass (Orange County resident) so I am familiar with Disneyland. I have never been to Disneyworld.

I would recommend Disneyworld. Disneyland is at most a one day event. We go for a few hours early in the morning on weekends. California venture is 1/2 day with your 10 yr old.

If you are going to do Disneyland, I would spend only one night at the park. If you can afford it or get a good rate stay at the Ca. Grand. It has a nice lobby, great bar that you can take your kids and play cards and room are pretty nice. Outside of Disneyland, Anaheim not a very nice part of Orange County. Skip Knottsberry farm and head to San Diego.

SD has Legoland (Carlsbad, N. of SD), Sea World and SD Zoo. There is a Four Seasons near Legoland. If you stay in downtown SD make sure you get a hotel near Horton Plaza or stay outside of SD in La Jolla or Del Mar.

Good Luck!

San Diego has terrific weather all year around. No hot weather like in Anaheim during the summer, which is not nice as San Diego climate. There are places to do here for the kids. San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, Sea World, and the oceans for the kids to learn how to surf like in Mission Bay. There is a large aquatics facility at Mission Beach. Catamaran Resort or Bahia in Mission Bay have a watersports resort to offer for kids or adults the water recreations. There is a list of rentals like jet ski or kayak or surfboard. Visit at www.evanshotels.com or www.catamaranresort.com. Also La Jolla is very upscale and expensive for who can afford the best. Kids can visit the Sea lIfe Scripps in La Jolla. Visit at www.lodgetorreypines.com which has the information for places in La Jolla.

If we're only talking "Magic Kingdom"; Disneyland has Disneyworld beat, hands down - with the exception of Tomorrowland at Disneyworld which had just been updated on my last visit.

If you're talking the whole Disney sh-bang - California Adventure sucks - at least from a California native's standpoint - visitors from other places might find interest in it. Nothing beats EPCOT. If you're going the whole route, I'd choose EPCOT, Disneyworld, MGM/Disney Studios, Typhoon Lagoon and the whole package in Florida.