If you’re a Disney fan like us, chances are you’ve always dreamed of visiting both Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland in California. While both parks capture the magic of Disney, they’re far from identical. Whether you’re planning a trip to one or trying to decide which park to visit first, let’s break down the key differences between these two iconic destinations. Along the way, we’ll share some fun facts to bring the magic to life!
1. Size and Scale
- Walt Disney World: Situated in Orlando, Florida, this resort spans a massive 40 square miles. That’s roughly the size of San Francisco! Within its boundaries, you’ll find four theme parks (Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom), two water parks, over 25 hotels, and a shopping/dining district called Disney Springs. With so much to explore, a trip to Walt Disney World can feel like a full vacation in itself.
- Disneyland: Located in Anaheim, California, Disneyland is much smaller in scale but packed with charm. Covering 500 acres, Disneyland has two parks: Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure. Though more compact, it’s the original Disney theme park that Walt Disney himself built and opened in 1955.
Fun Fact: Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland stands at 77 feet tall, while Cinderella Castle in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is a towering 189 feet.
2. Number of Parks
- Walt Disney World: Boasts four theme parks:
- Magic Kingdom: The park most like Disneyland, with classics like Space Mountain and Pirates of the Caribbean.
- EPCOT: A park celebrating technology, innovation, and world cultures.
- Hollywood Studios: Known for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and thrilling movie-themed rides.
- Animal Kingdom: A unique blend of zoo and theme park, home to Pandora – The World of Avatar.
- Disneyland: Features two parks:
- Disneyland Park: The original, with nine themed lands including Adventureland, Tomorrowland, and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
- Disney California Adventure: Celebrates California’s culture, with highlights like Cars Land and Pixar Pier.
Fun Fact: Disneyland was built in just one year and opened on July 17, 1955, whereas Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom opened on October 1, 1971, after several years of planning and 18 months of construction.
3. Atmosphere
- Disneyland: Offers a more intimate, nostalgic experience. Since it was personally overseen by Walt Disney, Disneyland has a certain historical charm that Disney fans love. Everything feels close and walkable, making it easier to hop between attractions.
- Walt Disney World: With its sprawling size, Walt Disney World feels more like an all-encompassing resort experience. You can spend days exploring and still not see everything! It’s perfect for those who want to be fully immersed in Disney magic for an extended stay.
Fun Fact: Walt Disney wanted more land for Walt Disney World after feeling restricted by the space available at Disneyland. He secretly bought up Florida land under fake company names to avoid skyrocketing real estate prices!
4. Exclusive Attractions
- Walt Disney World: Offers rides and experiences you won’t find in Disneyland, such as:
- Expedition Everest in Animal Kingdom.
- Test Track and Spaceship Earth in EPCOT.
- Slinky Dog Dash in Hollywood Studios’ Toy Story Land.
- The immersive Pandora – The World of Avatar in Animal Kingdom.
- Disneyland: While smaller, Disneyland has its own unique attractions, like:
- Avengers Campus, a Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)–themed area at California Adventure
- Indiana Jones Adventure, a fan-favorite dark ride based on everyone’s favorite archaeologist
- Matterhorn Bobsleds, a classic Disney coaster exclusive to Disneyland.
- Radiator Springs Racers in California Adventure, an exciting and beautifully themed ride based off the Pixar Cars franchise
Fun Fact: Disneyland’s Matterhorn Bobsleds was the first tubular steel roller coaster in the world when it opened in 1959!
5. Weather
- Walt Disney World: Florida is known for its hot, humid summers and mild winters. You can expect plenty of sunshine, but also daily afternoon showers in the summer. Bring a poncho or prepare to duck into an attraction during those quick downpours.
- Disneyland: Southern California enjoys a more temperate climate, with dry summers and cool, mild winters. Rain is rare, especially in summer, so it’s easier to plan for sunny days.
Fun Fact: Disneyland was initially built with only 16 attractions, but now it boasts more than 50 rides and shows!
6. Dining and Hotels
- Walt Disney World: With dozens of themed resorts, from luxury stays like Disney’s Grand Floridian to budget-friendly options like Disney’s Pop Century, you can stay in the heart of the magic. There are also over 200 restaurants, offering everything from quick bites to fine dining experiences.
- Disneyland: Offers three on-site hotels—Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Grand Californian, and Disney’s Paradise Pier. While there are fewer Disney-owned hotels, there are plenty of nearby accommodations within walking distance. Disneyland’s dining scene includes favorites like Blue Bayou, with views of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, and fan-favorite Dole Whip stands.
Fun Fact: In Walt Disney World, you can dine at the Cinderella’s Royal Table inside Cinderella Castle, while in Disneyland, you can actually walk through Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, since it’s too small for a restaurant.
7. Transportation
- Walt Disney World: Given its sheer size, Walt Disney World offers a range of transportation options, from monorails to boats and buses. The Disney Skyliner, a gondola system, provides scenic travel between parks and resorts.
- Disneyland: You can easily walk between the two parks and Downtown Disney, making transportation much simpler. Parking can be a bit tricky since Disneyland is in the heart of Anaheim, but once you’re inside, everything is within walking distance.
Fun Fact: Walt Disney World’s monorail system stretches over 14.7 miles, making it one of the longest monorail systems in the world.
8. Cost
- Walt Disney World: Due to its larger size and range of offerings, Walt Disney World generally has a higher overall trip cost compared to Disneyland, including ticket prices, dining, and accommodations. Also, since there are 4 main parks scattered across the resort, the cost for tickets to see everything is much higher compared to Disneyland and California Adventure.
- Disneyland: Disneyland tends to be slightly more affordable than Walt Disney World, making it a more budget-friendly option for some visitors. As mentioned above, there are only 2 main parks as the resort which makes the total cost of theme park tickets much much less. Furthermore, since there are only 2 parks, there are a lot more rides packed into each park, giving you more bang for your buck.
Fun Fact: The first tickets to Disneyland cost $1 on opening day in 1955, which is equivalent to around $11.53 when adjusted for inflation. However, visitors also had to pay extra for each ride, with prices starting at 10 cents for children and 23 cents for adults.
Final Thoughts
Both Walt Disney World and Disneyland offer incredible Disney experiences, but each has its own unique magic. Walt Disney World is the perfect destination for an immersive, multi-day vacation with endless options, while Disneyland offers a charming, historical, and slightly more laid-back atmosphere. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned Disney-goer, both parks are sure to sprinkle some pixie dust on your adventures!
Have you been to both parks? Which is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!