Disneyland vs Disney World? What’s the Difference?
Disneyland vs. Disney World. What’s the difference? This is a question I am asked very often. How do you decide which is better for you and your family? Well, for starters, Disneyland is “the happiest place on earth,” while Disney World is, “the most magical place on earth!” Here are at least 10 differences to take into consideration when deciding where you want to plan your next Disney vacation at.
1. Location
While Disneyland and Disney World are both located in Orange Counties, Disneyland is in southern California and Disney World is located in central Florida. Because of their geographical locations, both sites will have extremely varying weather differences. It is important to note that Disney World can have extremely hot and humid temperatures during the summer as well as daily rain-showers during the hurricane season. In contrast, Disneyland offers plenty of sunshine but is often dry heat. Temperatures can get cool when visiting both Disneyland and Disney World in the winter months. If you want magical photos with plenty of good hair days, you will want to visit Disneyland, or stay away from Disney World between June through September.
2. Size
Disneyland is significantly smaller than Disney World. Disney World covers of 27,000 acres while Disneyland only covers 500. Disneyland has two theme parks: Disneyland and Disneyland California Adventure. Disney World has 4 main theme parks and 2 water parks: Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Epcot, Blizzard Beach, and Typhoon Lagoon. This major difference is what sets the two parks apart from each other. Planning a trip to Disneyland is much easier with it’s two parks, Downtown Disney, and 3 resorts all being in walking distance from each other. Whereas, Disney World is so large and everything is so spread out, Disney transportation is a requirement for getting around.
3. Transportation
With Disneyland being so small, Disneyland is easily accessible to all guests. Whether you are visiting for the day, staying at a Disneyland resort, or want to just spend the day shopping in Downtown Disney without ever entering the parks, Disneyland is accessible by foot. While Disneyland does offer monorail access from the Downtown Disney District directly into Tomorrowland, guests do have the option of walking to both Disneyland park entrances with ease.
Disney World is not quite as easy. Guests who wish to visit Disney World parks will have to learn to navigate via monorail, ferry, bus, or Skyliner. In fact, there is no way to approach Disney World’s Magic Kingdom entrance without utilizing one of Disney’s offered transportation modes. The only exception would be walking to Magic Kingdom from one of the Monorail Resorts.
4. Cost
Disneyland and Disney World base cost for a single-day, single park ticket is not much different. However, Disney World ticket pricing is date-based. This means, based on the time of year, holidays, and expected crowds, prices may increases. A single-day, single-park ticket to Disneyland will cost guests $104 per day while a single-day, single-park ticket to Disney World will cost guests anywhere between $109-159 per day. Guests have the options of buying more tickets at discounted rates, as well as adding park hopper options. Both Disneyland and Disney World offer discounted tickets for children under the age of 9 as well as discounted ticket prices for state locals.
Disneyland also offers the annual Magic Key program and Disney World offers guests the Annual Passholder program for guests who wish to visit the parks unlimited. Both of these annual ticket programs have different tiers with prices ranging from $399-1399 for Disneyland Magic Key holders and $399-1299 for Disney World Annual Passholders.
5. Resorts
Disneyland currently offers guests access to 3 resorts: The original Disneyland Hotel, The Grand Californian, and Paradise Pier. Because of it’s location, Disneyland also has several smaller, less expensive hotels located near it’s parks that offer guests lodging options at a more affordable rate.
Disney World on the other hand has well over 35 Disney owned resorts and spas, as well as several Good Neighbor Hotels, several of which are located on Disney property. The benefit of staying on Disney property is easy access to Disney transportation and the perks of Extra Magic Hours. However, staying on Disney property does come with a fee: $35/per night.
6. Rides
It’s no surprise that Disney World is going to have more rides than Disneyland due to the fact it has 2 extra parks and 2 water parks. While many of the rides in Magic Kingdom are similar to the rides in Disneyland, I will admit that many of the Disneyland version of the rides seem to be much better than the Disney World versions. But that is just my personal opinion.
Both Magic Kingdom and Disneyland have the same lands: Fantasyland, Frontierland, Adventureland, Tomorrowland, and Main Street USA. However, there are some park specific rides that both parks have that the other doesn’t. Some of these include The Matterhorn Bobsleds, Alice in Wonderland, Davy Crocket Canoes, Indiana Jones, and more in Disneyland. Disney World’s Magic Kingdom offers park exclusives such as Carousel of Progress, Mickey’s Philhar Magic, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Hall of Presidents, Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover and more!
7. Dining
Dining in Disneyland offers guests over 140 different options! The Blue Bayou being one of the most exclusive dining options that would make any Disneyland trip worth it! In contrast, Disney World offers over 400 different dining options. Of course, Disney World dining offers dining exclusives such as Cinderella’s Royal Table and Victoria and Albert’s. Both Disneyland and Disney World offer Character Dining options, 60-day Advance Dining Reservations, mobile ordering, and Club 33.
8. Castles
When people thing of Disney castles, they think of Disney World’s Cinderella castle. Standing at 189 feet tall, it is the essence of all things magical and fairytales. Cinderella’s castle is impressive and can be seen from across Bay Lake, from several different viewing points at different resorts, from different angles on various rides and even from different modes of transportation. Inside Cinderella’s castle is a restaurant and of course, Cinderella’s suite. Cinderella’s Royal Table is available to all guests but does require advance dining reservations. Cinderella’s suite is not available for booking and is only available by invite only.
Disneyland is home to Sleeping Beauty castle. Although it may appear to be taller, Sleeping Beauty castle is only 77 feet tall. Her castle can not be seen from any other land in Disneyland. It’s visible from Main Street USA and within Fantasyland, but that’s it. However Sleeping Beauty castle is an attraction within itself. All guests have access to enter inside Sleeping Beauty castle and explore room by room the sweet fairy-tale telling of Sleeping Beauty.
9. Specialty Campus’
There are some areas of Disneyland California Adventure and Disney World that are unique to each destination. Fortunately, both were given access to a galaxy far, far away when they opened Star Wars Land. Whether you visit Disneyland or Disney World, you will be able to ride, Rise of the Resistance and Smugglers Run, hang out in Batuu, and have a drink in Oga’s Cantina.
Disneyland California Adventure is home to Cars Land, Pixar Pier, and the new Avengers Campus. Cars Land truly makes you feel like you have stepped into Radiator Springs. Pixar Pier is a sweet Boardwalk that pays tribute to all things Pixar. And the newest addition that recently opened on June 4th of this year, is the Avengers Campus! This campus is completely immersive and allows guests to team up with their favorite Super Hero’s and train to be their own super hero!
Disney World has a few lands that is only specific for their location as well. Toy Story Land is located in Hollywood Studios. In this land, you shrink down to the size of a toy and enter into Andy’s backyard. Guests get to enjoy all the fun Andy has set up his toys including rides and snacks! The most impressive world Disney World has to offer is Pandora, located in Animal Kingdom. This world is extremely impressive, especially in the early morning or at night. The sites, sounds, smells, and even taste truly take you into another planet.
Similar to Pixar Pier, Disney World does have a Boardwalk as well. Their Boardwalk is the classic east-coast, turn-of-the-century, Boardwalk charm of Coney Island and Atlantic City. There are no rides or entertainment at Disney World’s boardwalk. The Boardwalk is lined with resorts, shopping, and dining.
Lastly, Disney World features Epcot’s World showcase. Although this isn’t a land, it is worth spending a half, or full, day exploring. Epcot’s world showcase features 11 countries: Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, United States, Japan, Morocco, France, United Kingdom, and Canada. Although rides are not the main attractions here, Mexico, Norway, and France do feature ride attractions. China, United States, France, and Canada offer show attractions. And every country offers ethnic food and beverage options either by table service, quick service, or at a snack cart. Each country offers passport stickers that can be entered into Disney World Showcase Passports as well. This makes for a fun activity for guests of all ages!
10. History
One of the biggest differences between Disneyland and Disney World, despite the obvious of size, is the history behind each park. When you walk into Disneyland, you get a true sense of nostalgia. Disneyland is pure happiness. It was a hand-picked location by Walt Disney himself, hand designed, and you can feel his presence there. It truly is a happy place.
Disney World was is Walt’s dream come true. It’s the magical mini-world he created with roads, difference housing areas, shopping, dining, entertainment, transportation, and more. The moment you cross under the Disney World sign, you feel you have entered into the “Disney bubble.” Guests feel a sense of pride and joy and magic when they are on Disney World property, and we all know, Walt Disney would be so proud.
After reading about these 10 major differences between Disneyland and Disney World, which Disney destination will you be choosing for your families next Disney vacation? Comment below!
(Photos Courtesy of Disney)
