It is the happiest place on earth! Or essentially the most magical place on earth? These are the taglines for Disneyland vs. Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, respectively. A mixed 76 million guests go to the central Florida and sunny Southern California theme parks yearly to see Mickey, Minnie, and a legion of princesses, castles, and fantastical rides.
Whereas it is positively widespread to combine up Disney World and Disneyland, the reality is that these theme parks are as completely different as could be in nearly each approach. Not solely are they positioned on reverse coasts, however additionally they range fairly a bit by way of measurement, price, and general expertise.
Disneyland is the older of the 2 Disney parks. Modeled after Walt Disney’s charming midwestern hometown of Marceline, Missouri, it opened in 1955, with simply 5 sections: Fundamental Road, Fantasyland, Adventureland, Frontierland, and Tomorrowland. After Disneyland’s profitable opening, Disney bought 43 acres of land in 1965 to construct out his second theme park: Disney World. It opened its doorways in 1971, 5 years after he handed away.
There are actually six Disney resorts around the globe: in California, Florida, Tokyo, Paris, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. With about 18 million vacationers flocking to Disneyland annually, it is the second most visited park on this planet—after Walt Disney World, after all, which attracts roughly 58 million annual guests.
Understanding what distinguishes the 2 will assist you to higher decide which Disney resort makes extra sense for you—whether or not you are planning a fast weekend journey along with your important different or a week-long Disney trip with all the youngsters in tow.
So as to create this checklist, we compiled data from respected business sources, together with seasoned journey brokers and journey bloggers who concentrate on Disneyland and Disney World. We additionally pulled info immediately from each resorts’ web sites.
This is how these two fashionable U.S. Disney resorts stack up.
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What Is the Distinction Between Disneyland vs. Disney World?
Measurement
In relation to Disneyland vs. Disney World, measurement is not any query. Disney World spans a whopping 40 sq. miles—to place that into perspective, that is the scale of the town of San Francisco. Disneyland, then again, solely covers about 0.8 sq. miles.
Location
Each theme parks are in cities identified to be sunny year-round: Disney World is in Orlando, FL, whereas Disneyland is positioned in Anaheim, CA—about 30 miles south of Los Angeles. There are many different sights in each cities so as to add on to your journey.
Value
So, which theme park tickets are cheaper: Disney World or Disneyland? Disneyland prices much less, however not by a lot. Disney World tickets price $109 to $189 per day, relying on what date you go to and the way lots of the parks you propose to enter. Disneyland tickets vary from $104 to $143 per day, relying on the date, your age, and what number of days you are visiting.
Rides/Sights
Disneyland options two theme parks: Disneyland Park and Disney California Journey Park—every with its personal eating places, rides, and sights. Disney World, then again, encompasses 4 theme parks: Magic Kingdom Park, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, and EPCOT. The Magic Kingdom is the preferred theme park, with 12 million annual guests.
Regardless of the huge distinction in measurement between the 2 parks, it is value noting that they each have roughly the identical variety of rides: round 50. There’s additionally some crossover—you may discover It is a Small World, Area Mountain, and Pirates of the Caribbean, for instance, at each places.
That stated, every park has some distinctive sights. Disney World options Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. Additionally it is residence to the breathtaking Cinderella’s Fort, which provides majestic photograph ops and a one-of-a-kind fairytale eating expertise inside. In the meantime, guests can benefit from the Matterhorn Bobsleds and the Indiana Jones Journey solely over at Disneyland.
Waterparks
Each Disney resorts are positioned in warm-weather places, and each comprise water park options for company to take pleasure in throughout the summer season months. In 2023, Disneyland Resort opened a Discovering Nemo-inspired water play space. The function comprises the Pixie Pool, Crush’s Surfin’ water slide, and a splash pad at Nemo’s Cove—all of that are free to entry for in a single day company at Disney’s Paradise Pier Lodge.
People trying to make the water park a extra central a part of their expertise, nevertheless, ought to think about reserving a visit to Disney World as a substitute. The vacation spot comprises two water parks: Disney’s Blizzard Seaside and Disney’s Hurricane Lagoon. You may discover 122 acres of waterslides, water coasts, and wave swimming pools throughout each of these parks.
Eating places/Lodging
Seeing as Walt Disney World Resort is a lot larger than Disneyland Resort, it ought to come as no shock that it has much more inns and eating places to select from. In reality, there are greater than 25 inns and greater than 200 eating places in Disney World. Disneyland, then again, has three inns and about 50 eating places, a few of that are positioned within the downtown Disney district.
Enjoyable truth: It will take 81 years to remain in all of the visitor rooms that Disney World inns and resorts have to supply.
“Walt Disney World provides a greater variety of lodging, starting from funds to luxurious,” says Jonathan Weinberg, founder and CEO of HotelSlash. “There is a keep to go well with nearly any choice or funds. Each Disneyland and Disney World provide a wide range of meals choices, from fast service to advantageous eating. Each places additionally provide distinctive eating experiences, like character eating, the place guests can eat whereas assembly their favourite Disney characters.”
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Finest Time to Go to
In the end, although, your alternative between U.S. Disney resorts might rely on what time of 12 months you are planning to journey. Anaheim, the place the Disneyland Resort is positioned, does are likely to get just a little cooler throughout the winter months, with highs within the higher 60s and lows within the mid-40s. Orlando is far hotter in the summertime, when it will not be nice to attend in line for rides whereas the solar is blazing.
“Disney World is open year-round, however throughout the winter months, they do not have many nighttime actions open at Disneyland,” Mac Steer, journey professional and proprietor/director of Simify, explains.
Transportation
Because of its smaller measurement, transportation is not actually a priority at Disneyland—you’ll be able to simply get across the park on foot. Nonetheless, the park does provide free shuttle companies from the parking zone and again, based on journey agent Mary DeSpain. She notes that there is additionally a Disneyland monorail that runs between Tomorrowland in Disneyland Park and Downtown Disney. On the a lot bigger Disney World, you’ll be able to reap the benefits of plenty of transportation choices, together with buses, monorails, boats, and even gondolas. Disney World additionally operates a free shuttle bus from Orlando Worldwide Airport known as the Disney Magical Specific.
Particular Occasions
Each parks provide seasonal occasions across the holidays, says DeSpain. For instance, throughout wintertime, Disneyland has the Christmas Fantasy Parade and ¡Viva Navidad! Road social gathering whereas Disney World provides Mickey’s Christmas Occasion that includes actual toy troopers. And within the fall, Disneyland hosts the family-friendly Oogie Boogie Bash and Nightmare Earlier than Christmas Haunted Mansion, whereas Disney World provides the Boo-To-You Parade and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Occasion.
Nonetheless undecided which park is best for you? Learn on for extra perception into the variations between Disneyland and Disney World.
Disneyland vs. Disney World: Which Is Proper for Me?
So as to work out which park is true on your dream trip, you may want to think about just a few elements—together with your funds and who you are touring with.
“I like to recommend Disneyland when my shoppers have a shorter journey window, a decrease funds, or are touring with babies or individuals with mobility points,” says Shannon Leyerle, journey advisor at Holidays By Shannon. “The proximity of the inns and sights make it a a lot easier expertise and a extra inexpensive possibility.”
Leyerle suggests staying at Disney’s Grand Californian Lodge, the place you are not solely a five-minute stroll from Disneyland, however you even have an exit into Downtown Disney and a particular entrance immediately into California Journey reserved just for resort company.
It is also value contemplating what number of days you are capable of go to for—as Disney World warrants an extended journey given how a lot there may be to do and see.
“You are capable of absolutely take pleasure in all that Disneyland has to supply in simply three days, versus the 5 or 6 days I like to recommend for Disney World,” provides Leyerle.
Steer advises visiting Disneyland in the event you’re on the lookout for a extra laidback expertise with shorter strains and fewer crowds.
Gavin Doyle, the founding father of Mickey Go to and writer of Disneyland Secrets and techniques, additionally extremely recommends Disneyland to anybody keen on Disney’s historical past. In any case, Disney Land opened 16 years sooner than Disney World.
“It is the one Disney Park on this planet the place Walt Disney himself frolicked,” he tells Finest Life.
Susan Joh, a journey professional and Disney blogger, additionally advises making an allowance for whether or not your fellow vacationers are followers of any particular films or characters.
“For instance, in the event you’ve obtained an enormous Spider-Man or Vehicles fan, it might be value it to go to Disneyland,” she explains. “In case you have a Toy Story fan, Hollywood Studios at Disney World could be a must-do as there may be a whole land devoted to Toy Story.”
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FAQ
Why is Disneyland much less fashionable than Disney World?
Disneyland is much less fashionable than Disney World primarily due to its measurement. Disney World merely has extra to supply by way of sights and experiences. There are extra themed inns and resorts to select from and a greater variety of eating places to meet any craving you may need. This implies it is simpler to customise your go to based on the wants and preferences of your loved ones or group in the event you select Disney World.
Furthermore, Disney World’s location, Orlando, is residence to an array of different vacationer sights, together with SeaWorld and the Common Orlando Resort.
“At Disney World, you’ll be able to keep on property on your total journey and fully overlook the skin world,” says Leyerie.
That stage of immersion could make your journey that rather more magical and transportive, based on specialists.
Which is healthier for adults: Disneyland or Disney World?
Throughout the board, specialists agree that Disney World is a greater decide for adults. Between the adrenaline-pumping journey rides at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the flexibility to eat and drink your approach around the globe at EPCOT, there is definitely no scarcity of issues for older guests to do.
“There are far more thrill rides—the latest ones being TRON and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind,” says Joh. “There are additionally two golf programs on the property. Disney Springs is enjoyable to hit as much as seize a drink, see a Cirque du Soleil present, go bowling, try meals vans, and buy groceries.”
Each Disney World and Disneyland provide a variety of tasty cocktails—for instance, the spiked Dole whip at Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom, and the frozen margaritas and beer flights at Disneyland’s California Journey Park.
Foodies might wish to go to Disney World between July and November when the park hosts the epic Epcot Worldwide Meals and Wine Pageant, that includes a plethora of chef-led cooking seminars and tasting occasions.
Which is much less nerve-racking to navigate: Disneyland or Disney World?
Disneyland is much much less nerve-racking to navigate than Disney World, specialists say, due to its smaller measurement. There isn’t any have to coordinate transportation instances or cope with sophisticated maps—every little thing is walkable and fairly straightforward to seek out.
“There are such a lot of issues to do and see in Disney World that it may be overwhelming,” explains Steer. “The strains additionally are usually shorter at Disneyland, and you do not have to fret about getting misplaced in a theme park that is bigger than some cities.”
In relation to Disneyland vs. Disney World, a lot of it comes right down to your choice for measurement and time of go to. However regardless of which trip you select, you are in for an exhilarating expertise filled with fantasy and Disney Magic.
