Disney World vs DisneyLand

Disney World and Disneyland are two iconic and immensely popular theme parks. They both offer magical experiences and bring beloved Disney characters and stories to life but there are significant differences between the two parks. If you have the same love for Disney World that I have you may have never considered vacationing to Disneyland. I have grown up being a die-hard Disney World fan. I always found myself saying I would never be able to travel to Disneyland because there is no way it can compare to Disney World. I recently traveled with our agency on an FAM to Disneyland in Anaheim, California. We had the opportunity to visit during a very special time. Disneyland’s 68th birthday was an epic and very magical experience! That I will never forget. I also now find myself having a new respect and love for Disneyland. I am writing this blog thinking about when can I come back. It now holds a piece of my heart after learning so much about it this past weekend.

Disney World has four major theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, as well as two water parks, numerous hotels, golf courses, and entertainment areas. The resort covers around 25,000 acres, making it significantly larger than Disneyland. Disneyland is the original Disney theme park that opened in 1955. It consists of two theme parks Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park along with several hotels and dining/shopping districts. While still sizable, Disneyland’s overall footprint is much smaller compared to Disney World. You walk out of the Disneyland gates and with a short walk you are at Disney’s California Adventure Park. The convenience and ease of park hopping is a huge perk. Due to its size, Disney World features an extensive transportation system that includes buses, monorails, boats, and the Disney Skyliner gondola system to take you from park to park. Navigating the resort can take more time and planning. Disneyland is much smaller and getting around is generally easier.

I loved walking around and talking to the cast members and learning more about the overall history of Disneyland. The history of the two parks is different. Disneyland is the first Disney theme park ever built. It carries a strong sense of nostalgia and history. It opened its doors in 1955 and Walt Disney himself was deeply involved in its creation. Disney World opened in 1971. It is much larger and has grown exponentially. It now boasts a wide range of attractions and experiences. While both resorts offer iconic attractions some rides and experiences are exclusive to each location. For instance, Disney World has Epcot which features the World Showcase with pavilions representing different countries, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom focuses on wildlife and conservation. Disneyland has classic attractions like the Sleeping Beauty Castle, Mr. Toads Wild Ride and a few other unique experiences not found at Disney World. Both parks do have some of the same rides but they are unique in their own ways. A couple of examples would be Pirates of the Caribbean, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and Space Mountain. How are they different? I don’t want to ruin all the fun! You will just have to visit to find out.