Disney World or Disneyland: what's the difference and which park to choose

Visiting a Disney theme resort is a great idea for a weekend trip or small vacation that will bring a lot of impressions for adults and children. There are two such theme parks in the US: Disneyland in California and Disney World in Florida. In either of them you will find exciting rides and a fun atmosphere, but there are some differences between Disneyland and Disney World that should be taken into account when choosing a vacation destination.

First of all, you need to understand what each park is, what attractions you can visit and how much time you should have in reserve. Disneyland is Disney's first theme park. It opened in 1955 in Anaheim, California. This park represents old school Disney and some of its rides have been in operation since its opening, such as Autopia.

Walt Disney himself was involved in the creation of Disneyworld in Orlando, Florida, but did not live to see the park open for 5 years in 1971. The concept of the resort is said to maximize the vision of the entrepreneur and cartoonist. Disney World vs Disneyland looks more modern and far superior.

You won't be disappointed if you visit either of these theme parks, but it's still best to plan your trip to make the most of them. Especially if you are limited on time and finances. To do this, it's worth understanding what's the difference between Disneyland and Disney World and which park is best for you.

Location

Generally speaking, when it comes to location, Disney World or Disneyland have about the same opportunities due to major airports nearby.

Disneyland is located in Anaheim, a city in southern California in Orange County. The closest major city to it is Los Angeles, which takes 30 to 90 minutes to get there, depending on traffic. By plane, the closest you can get to the Orange County John Wayne Airport, from which the park is only a half-hour drive. But it may be more convenient for you to arrive at Los Angeles International Airport: you will have to drive longer to the park - about an hour, but there are more flight options, including direct routes.

Walt Disney World is located in Orlando, Florida. You can arrive at Orlando International Airport and drive to the park in just half an hour. It also makes sense to look for bargain tickets for flights to Orlando Sanford International Airport, 50 minutes from the park, and Melbourne Orlando International, an hour and a half away.

Size and number of parks

In the battle of Disneyland vs Disney World, the latter will definitely win when it comes to square footage. The Disneyland Resort houses two theme parks on 500 acres of land: the Disney California Adventure Park and Disneyland Park.

Walt Disney World covers almost 25,000 acres. In simple words, it can fit 50 Disneylands in its territory. It consists of 4 parks: the Magic Kingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Equipot, and Disney's Animal Kingdom.

If your goal is to see as much as possible in a short time, opt for Disneyland vs Disney World rides: it's more compact, and you'll need a couple of days to explore all of its major attractions. If you have about a week of vacation, go to Walt Disney World. This will be enough time to visit the main attractions.

Price of tickets and passes

Visiting the theme parks is not a cheap activity, but it is definitely worth the money. Disneylandand Disneyworld have a dynamic pricing system, which means that ticket prices vary depending on the season, day of the week and extras. Choose your pass based on the time you plan to spend at the theme park.

You can get a better price on tickets on weekdays. On weekends and holidays, the cost can increase many times over. Also, the parks offer some paid add-ons to the tickets, such as Genie+ for admission to rides outside the main queue. So the final cost of your vacation will depend on all the features you choose. Keep an eye out for special offers on websites: for example, you can buy a multi-day ticket or a pass to visit multiple parks for a better price than if you buy everything separately.

Getting around the park

As you can already guess, Disneyland is simpler and more straightforward in this one compared to the huge Disney World. You can walk around the former in a day or two if you want to, but there's also a free shuttle from all the outside parking lots, as well as a free monorail running along the Downtown Disney-Tomorrowland route.

At Walt Disney World, transportation is not a convenience, but an absolute necessity compared to Disneyland. Therefore, for its guests it has created an entire free shuttle system including buses, monorail, ferries and Skyliner gondolas. Stops are made near theme parks and on-site hotels.

Best time to travel

Much of the choice of whether Disneyland or Disney World is better depends on the time of year you plan to visit. California, where Disneyland is located, is more stable in its climatic conditions. It has sunny weather throughout the year, which gives Disneyland vs Disney World an advantage. But even here there are some rather questionable periods to visit: in winter, when the temperature can drop to 50℉, or in August-September, when it reaches 100℉.

Walt Disney World is located in a hotter and more humid climate, so standing in lines for long periods of time in the summer is not easy. When planning a trip to Disney World or Disneyland, generally favor the spring months with moderate weather. On the other hand, avoid school and university vacation periods in spring, when the parks may be crowded. For the same reason, avoid going on major holidays - Thanksgiving, 4th of July, Christmas or Halloween Peak periods not only increase ticket prices, but also the amount of time you'll have to spend in lines.

Attractions

Both parks have cross-over classic rides, such as Pirates of the Caribbean and This Small World. But they're each set up differently, so if you've been to one before, you'll still be interested in the other.

Disneyworld is better than Disneyland when comparing the number of attractions. In the former, guests can visit about 250 rides and entertainment departments in 4 parks. In Disneyland - about a hundred attractions, but they are located more compactly. There are also some popular water attractions here, such as the Grizzly River Run. But if you're going during a hot time, Disney World with its two water parks wins out.

Food and Drink

Disneyland and Walt Disney World resorts have plenty of restaurants and eateries where guests can eat. There are about 90 of them in Disneyland, ranging from sidewalk carts for a quick snack to themed establishments. A decent amount of money is spent on food, but you can save money and take lunch boxes with you. But either way, still feel free to try local iconic treats like Mickey Mouse-shaped pretzels or Dole Whip dessert.

There are 177 different cafes, eateries, and restaurants at Disney World. For example, at Hollywood Studios, try the Toy Story-inspired family menu at Roundup Rodeo Barbecue or enjoy a panoramic view from a spaceship at Space 220 in Epcot. Lunch at the parks can be just as much fun.

Accommodations

There's no discernible difference between Disneyland and Disney World in terms of accommodations for guests: both resorts have a variety of hotels to suit every purpose, whether it's a family vacation with kids, a trip with friends, or a honeymoon. There are three hotels within the resort in Anaheim that give their guests the privilege of early park admission in addition to a room. There are 34 different lodging options at Walt Disney World, including tent camps, cabins, villas, and familiar hotel rooms decorated in interesting themes.

Atmosphere

Disneyland and Disney World have differences in visitor programs, but the atmosphere is equally fabulous. In addition to the main attractions, you can visit star parades and interact with your favorite characters from fairy tales and cartoons during the day. The fun continues at night during performances and fireworks shows. Check entertainment schedules on websites before planning your trip to see what is better Disneyland or Disney World.

Which Disney resort should I choose?

In general, Disneyland and Disney World differ in area and number of attractions, but choosing a theme park vacation destination should depend on the time you can spend, your location, and the style of trip you're planning. West Coast residents are more likely to travel to Disney World because it doesn't take long to get here. If you're feeling nostalgic, the "classic" Disneyland is the place to go. Plus, you can combine the trip with a vacation on the beautiful beaches of Los Angeles or a trip to Hollywood.

If you have quite a bit of time, visit Disney World in Orlando. Plus, there are other theme parks besides it: Universal Orlando and Fun Spot Amerika are a half-hour drive away, and Legoland in Winter Haven is about an hour away. And don't discount the opportunity to visit both Disney parks to find out from experience whether Disneyland is better or Disney World, or vice versa.