Editor's Note: This story was originally published on Oct. 14, 2014. It was updated on July 21, 2023. Be sure to check Disneyland's and Walt Disney World's website for the most up-to-date offerings.
There's a lot to figure out for anyone going to a theme park for the first time. Navigating park reservations, minimizing wait times and maximizing attractions are all things travel advisors can help first-time park-goers tackle.
However, when it comes to Disney theme parks, advisors need to go one step further and explain not only where the California and Florida resorts overlap, but also the differences that may surprise travelers who are choosing between the two locations.
“The Disneyland Resort in California and the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida both offer magical vacation experiences,” said Beci Mahnken of MEI-Travel. “However, each location has its own charm and personality."
Understanding those personalities helps advisors recommend the Disney destination that best matches clients’ interests and travel style. This includes whether they want to visit the four theme parks and dozens of highly themed hotels and restaurants at Florida’s Disney World (referred to as “The Most Magical Place on Earth”), or experience the nostalgia of “walking in Walt’s footsteps” at California’s Disneyland (known as “The Happiest Place on Earth”), which also encompasses a more manageable footprint.
Here’s what to know about each of the resorts.
There’s plenty of Disney magic, no matter which Disney destination clients choose.
Credit: 2023 Walt Disney World ResortWhich Theme Parks Are at Which Disney Resort?
In all, there are six U.S. Disney theme parks: Four in Orlando, Fla., and two in Anaheim, Calif.
The original 1955 Magic Kingdom, Disneyland Park (aka “Walt’s Park”) and Disney California Adventure Park are at the Disneyland Resort (located just a few steps apart).
Walt Disney World Resort includes Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park (the largest single theme park in the world, covering more than 500 acres). The resort also has two water parks: Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon.
Disneyland is charming, while Walt Disney World is grand.
Credit: 2023 Disneyland ResortHow Big is Disney World Compared to Disneyland?
Walt Disney World Resort encompasses around 27,000 acres (including Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studio, and Animal Kingdom theme parks; Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon water parks; and dozens of hotels), while Disneyland Resort (including Disneyland, California Adventure and three hotels) covers approximately 510 acres. However, despite its smaller size, Disneyland Park features more than 60 rides, shows and attractions, more than any other Disney Park.
“I’ve had clients used to going to Disneyland reach out to plan their first Walt Disney World vacation, and the most critical piece I cover with them is size,” said Donna DeGiacomo of Pixie Vacations. “The parks are bigger, and the property is massive compared to the Disneyland Resort, so I have to stress the time it takes to transfer between theme parks.”
Because of that, determining which resort to visit is sometimes a matter of math. If clients only have a few days to travel, Disneyland is likely the better option, and they may want to wait for a larger block of available time before planning a trip to Orlando.
“At Disneyland, you can get away with two and a half or three days to fit in most of the attractions, but Walt Disney World will take several days to see everything — and by several, I mean six or seven days,” said Leah Ferguson of Key to the World Travel.
The smaller size and proximity of Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks also make "park hopping" very easy; at the much larger Walt Disney World, where theme parks may be miles apart (so that “hopping” often requires a bus, a boat, a monorail or a skyway), clients may opt to save on tickets by only visiting one park per day — especially if their party includes small children or guests with physical limitations.
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Hotels at and Near the Parks
Another piece of the puzzle is hotels. Disneyland Resort has three on-site hotels — the Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, which is currently being transformed into the Pixar Place Hotel — all within walking distance of both theme parks.
In contrast, Walt Disney World offers more than 25 hotels, but only a fraction of them are within walking distance of a theme park (and often only to one theme park). Nevertheless, the hotels represent a wide range of price points, from value resorts, including Disney’s “All-Star” collection, to deluxe resorts such as the iconic Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Walt Disney World also offers affordable camping options at Fort Wilderness Resort.
In addition, both destinations partner with "Good Neighbor" hotels, which offer nearby accommodations, though without the perks of staying on-site, such as early park entry or (at Walt Disney World) complimentary transportation to the parks.
The newest attractions often require a virtual queue.
Credit: 2023 Walt Disney World ResortExclusive Experiences
Disneyland and Walt Disney World share many of the same attractions, but they're rarely identical. Each destination also offers exclusive experiences that may be “must-dos” for clients (or their kids).
“You’ll find amazing attractions at Disneyland that you cannot find in Disney World,” Mahnken said. “And some even argue Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain are better on the West Coast.”
Here are a few key differences to know.
Pixar-Themed Lands
Disney World: Toy Story Land in Hollywood Studios features Alien Swirling Saucers, Toy Story Mania!, the popular Slinky Dog Dash roller coaster and the new Roundup Rodeo BBQ restaurant.
Disneyland: Pixar Pier in California Adventure also includes Toy Story Midway Mania!, but features the unique Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind, the Pixar Pal-Around Ferris wheel and the Incredicoaster. California Adventure is also the location for the Disneyland-exclusive Cars Land, with Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters, Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree and the Radiator Springs Racers.
Clients can only visit Cars Land in California.
Credit: 2023 Disneyland ResortAvengers Campus
Disneyland: Avengers Campus in California Adventure is the only U.S. Marvel-themed land (there’s a second campus at Disneyland Paris), featuring Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure, Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: Breakout! and an upcoming third attraction based on the MCU Multiverse. The Guardians of the Galaxy drop-tower ride is a re-imagination of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, which retains its original theme in Orlando.
Pandora — The World of Avatar
Disney World: The immersive land themed to the movie “Avatar” can be found in Animal Kingdom. Pandora includes the family-friendly Na’vi River Journey and Avatar Flight of Passage, a thrilling 3D adventure.
Mickey’s Toon Town
Disneyland: The recently re-imagined Toon Town in Disneyland features interactive play areas in Goofy’s, Donald’s, Mickey’s and Minnie’s houses, plus Chip ‘n’ Dale’s GadgetCoaster, Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin and the resort’s newest ride, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway (Florida’s standalone version of Runaway Railway is located in Hollywood Studios).
More Unique Attractions
Walt Disney World’s Epcot has Remy's Ratatouille Adventure (a duplicate of the Disneyland Paris ride) and the new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind indoor coaster. The even newer Tron Lightcycle/Run can be visited at Magic Kingdom.
Opening Aug. 31, 2023, at Disneyland Resort is San Fransokyo Square, a newly re-imagined dining and shopping area themed to the film “Big Hero Six,” including a meet-and-greet with healthcare robot Baymax.
