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 frequent 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 situated on reverse coasts, however in addition they range fairly a bit when it comes to dimension, 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: Most important 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 at the moment are six Disney resorts world wide: in California, Florida, Tokyo, Paris, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. With about 18 million vacationers flocking to Disneyland every year, it is the second most visited park on the earth—after Walt Disney World, in fact, which attracts roughly 58 million annual guests.
Understanding what distinguishes the 2 will enable you higher decide which Disney resort makes extra sense for you—whether or not you are planning a fast weekend journey along with your vital different or a week-long Disney trip with all the children in tow.
In an effort to create this record, we compiled data from respected trade sources, together with seasoned journey brokers and journey bloggers who specialise in Disneyland and Disney World. We additionally pulled details immediately from each resorts’ web sites.
This is how these two well-liked U.S. Disney resorts stack up.
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What Is the Distinction Between Disneyland vs. Disney World?
Measurement
In terms of Disneyland vs. Disney World, dimension 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 recognized to be sunny year-round: Disney World is in Orlando, FL, whereas Disneyland is situated 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.
Worth
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 most of the parks you intend 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 most well-liked theme park, with 12 million annual guests.
Regardless of the large distinction in dimension 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 areas.
That stated, every park has some distinctive sights. Disney World options Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. It’s also residence to the breathtaking Cinderella’s Fort, which affords majestic picture 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 situated in warm-weather areas, and each include water park options for visitors to get pleasure from in the course of the summer time months. In 2023, Disneyland Resort opened a Discovering Nemo-inspired water play space. The characteristic accommodates 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 visitors at Disney’s Paradise Pier Resort.
People seeking to make the water park a extra central a part of their expertise, nonetheless, ought to contemplate reserving a visit to Disney World as an alternative. The vacation spot accommodates two water parks: Disney’s Blizzard Seaside and Disney’s Storm 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 resorts and eating places to select from. In reality, there are greater than 25 resorts and greater than 200 eating places in Disney World. Disneyland, then again, has three resorts and about 50 eating places, a few of that are situated within the downtown Disney district.
Enjoyable truth: It could take 81 years to remain in all of the visitor rooms that Disney World resorts and resorts have to supply.
“Walt Disney World affords a greater variety of lodging, starting from finances to luxurious,” says Jonathan Weinberg, founder and CEO of HotelSlash. “There is a keep to go well with nearly any desire or finances. Each Disneyland and Disney World supply a wide range of meals choices, from fast service to wonderful eating. Each areas additionally supply 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 could rely on what time of yr you are planning to journey. Anaheim, the place the Disneyland Resort is situated, does are likely to get a bit of cooler in the course of the winter months, with highs within the higher 60s and lows within the mid-40s. Orlando is way 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 in the course of the winter months, they do not have many nighttime actions open at Disneyland,” Mac Steer, journey skilled and proprietor/director of Simify, explains.
Transportation
On account of its smaller dimension, transportation is not actually a priority at Disneyland—you may simply get across the park on foot. Nonetheless, the park does supply free shuttle providers from the car 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 may make the most of quite a few transportation choices, together with buses, monorails, boats, and even gondolas. Disney World additionally operates a free shuttle bus from Orlando Worldwide Airport referred to as the Disney Magical Specific.
Particular Occasions
Each parks supply seasonal occasions across the holidays, says DeSpain. For instance, throughout wintertime, Disneyland has the Christmas Fantasy Parade and ¡Viva Navidad! Road celebration whereas Disney World affords 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 affords the Boo-To-You Parade and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Occasion.
Nonetheless unsure 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?
In an effort to work out which park is true in your dream trip, you may want to contemplate a couple of elements—together with your finances and who you are touring with.
“I like to recommend Disneyland when my purchasers have a shorter journey window, a decrease finances, or are touring with young children or individuals with mobility points,” says Shannon Leyerle, journey advisor at Holidays By Shannon. “The proximity of the resorts and sights make it a a lot less complicated expertise and a extra inexpensive possibility.”
Leyerle suggests staying at Disney’s Grand Californian Resort, 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 lodge visitors.
It is also value contemplating what number of days you are in a position to go to for—as Disney World warrants an extended journey given how a lot there may be to do and see.
“You are in a position to absolutely get pleasure from 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 when you’re in search of a extra laidback expertise with shorter strains and fewer crowds.
Gavin Doyle, the founding father of Mickey Go to and creator of Disneyland Secrets and techniques, additionally extremely recommends Disneyland to anybody fascinated about Disney’s historical past. In spite of everything, Disney Land opened 16 years sooner than Disney World.
“It is the one Disney Park on the earth the place Walt Disney himself hung out,” he tells Finest Life.
Susan Joh, a journey skilled and Disney blogger, additionally advises bearing in mind whether or not your fellow vacationers are followers of any particular motion pictures or characters.
“For instance, when you’ve acquired an enormous Spider-Man or Vehicles fan, it could be value it to go to Disneyland,” she explains. “In case you have a Toy Story fan, Hollywood Studios at Disney World can 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 well-liked than Disney World?
Disneyland is much less well-liked than Disney World primarily due to its dimension. Disney World merely has extra to supply when it comes to sights and experiences. There are extra themed resorts and resorts to select from and a greater variety of eating places to satisfy 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 when 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 may keep on property in your total journey and fully overlook the surface world,” says Leyerie.
That degree of immersion could make your journey that rather more magical and transportive, based on consultants.
Which is healthier for adults: Disneyland or Disney World?
Throughout the board, consultants 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 world wide 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, take a look at meals vehicles, and buy groceries.”
Each Disney World and Disneyland supply a spread 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 could wish to go to Disney World between July and November when the park hosts the epic Epcot Worldwide Meals and Wine Competition, that includes a plethora of chef-led cooking seminars and tasting occasions.
Which is much less disturbing to navigate: Disneyland or Disney World?
Disneyland is much much less disturbing to navigate than Disney World, consultants say, due to its smaller dimension. There is not any must coordinate transportation instances or take care of sophisticated maps—every part is walkable and fairly simple 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 typically shorter at Disneyland, and you do not have to fret about getting misplaced in a theme park that is bigger than some cities.”
In terms of Disneyland vs. Disney World, a lot of it comes right down to your desire for dimension and time of go to. However irrespective of which trip you select, you are in for an exhilarating expertise filled with fantasy and Disney Magic.
