Contents:
- Which is Older – Disneyland or Disney World?
- About the Location
- Which is larger – Disneyland or Disney World?
- Getting from here to there
- Which is cheaper – Disneyland or Disney World?
Mirror, mirror on the wall, is Disneyland or Disney World the best one of all?
Are you stuck trying to figure out within the both. Choosing the better Disney Park is not the easiest decision. I mean how can one simply choose between the happiest place on earth and the most magical place on earth?
Make no mistake; a trip to either Disneyland or Disney World will be one of the most magical experiences of your life, regardless of how old you are. Both the Disney theme parks are filled with fun, joy and a dash of magic to make your experience all the more memorable. However, although both these Disney theme parks will ensure that you have the time of your life, there are many differences between the two. So, which is better Disneyland or Disney World? Here’s a breakdown of the significant differences between the two to determine your decision.
Which is Older – Disneyland or Disney World?
Disneyland was opened to the public in July 1955. It was built under its visionary, Walt Disney’s direct supervision, which makes it the original Disney theme park.
On the other hand, Disney World was opened to the public in 1971. Walt Disney dreamt of an ambitious ‘Florida Project’ but unfortunately passed away before it came to life.
It’s all about the Location
Thinking of hitting both Disneyland and Disney World in one trip? Well, think again! W both Disney theme parks to savor their differences is a dream but practically impossible due to logistical challenges.
For starters, Disneyland and Disney World are located on opposite sides of the USA, in completely different states.
Disneyland is located in Anaheim, California about 26 miles from Los Angeles. Disney World is located on the opposite coast, just outside of Orlando, Florida near Lake Buena Vista.
Which is larger – Disneyland or Disney World?
Another major difference between the two magical theme parks is their size. Disneyland spans about 500 acres while Disney World covers an astonishing 43 square miles of land. That means more than fifty Disneylands can fit inside Disney World making the latter much larger.
Disneyland includes only two theme parks, three hotels and the Downtown Disney shopping and dining neighbourhood.
On the other hand, Disney World includes four fantastic theme parks, twenty-five Disney hotels and about a dozen non-Disney hotels. Disney Springs shopping and dining neighbourhood, three gold courses and a campground spread throughout the gigantic land.
It’s a no-brainer that, it is impossible to see all of Disney World in a single visit. Opting for Disney World? Create a personalized Disney World bucket list to align with your specific interests and make the most of your visit.
So, is Disneyland or Disney World better in terms of size? You choose!
Getting from here to there
Due to Disneyland’s smaller size, it is manageable to get around without any shuttles. Visitors can walk between parks, resorts, and Downtown Disney while also admiring the scenery. Both theme park entrances are opposite each other, with hotels within easy walking distance, ensuring convenient access to attractions. There is also a monorail transportation system within the park.
In contrast, since Disney World covers a much larger area, it is not practical or possible to walk between parks and resorts. However, it is easy to get around Disney World as they provide an excellent complimentary transportation system to take you anywhere you wish to go. Travelling between theme parks and resorts usually requires a 10 – 30 minute ride on bus, ferry or monorail.
Which is cheaper – Disneyland or Disney World?
When it comes to tickets, both Disneyland and Disney World allow children less than three years of age to enter without paying any fees. However, apart from that, the cost of a one-day ticket for adults and children over three years depends on the day or season you are planning to visit.
The cost of tickets to both Disney parks is quite pricey with both costing over $100 for a one-day ticket per person. However, the per-day cost of tickets decreases when you buy a multi-day ticket, at both parks.
Ticket prices at Disneyland and Disney World change, so check their websites before planning your trip to get the latest rates.
But in general, we can vouch that Disneyland is a slightly cheaper destination alternative than Disney World!
Rides and attractions for days
You enter both Disneyland and Disney World at the Main Street railroad station and walk down Main Street towards the iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland or the gigantic Cinderella Castle at Disney World, Magic Kingdom.
Disney World has nearly 50 rides thanks to its larger size while Disneyland has only about half of that. Nevertheless, both Disney Parks are famous for their amusing rides and magical entertainment to visitors of all ages.
Both Disneyland and Disney World are similar in layout and share some of the same attractions, including classics like Splash Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion and It’s a Small World. However, each park has its own take on these rides so although they have the same name; they are not exactly the same.
Splash Mountain, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and Haunted Mansion are some of the rides at Disneyland that are sure to give you a thrilling adrenaline rush. Additionally, Disneyland is the only place for rides like Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT, Indiana Jones Adventure, Cars Land, Matterhorn Bobsleds and so much more.
You might also be interested in our "Disneyland Paris travel tips"
Disneyland is renowned for its dark rides like Alice in Wonderland, Pinocchio’s Daring Journey, and Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin, immersing riders in Disney stories. There are also six big rollercoasters in Disneyland.
Rides unique to Disney World include Avatar Flight of Passage, Rock n’ Roller Coaster, Spaceship Earth and Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress. Disney World also has an Animal Kingdom theme park for wildlife lovers. There are also some one-of-a-kind rides at Disney World that you might not want to miss out on like the Kilimanjaro Safari, Spaceship Earth, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and much more. Disney World is also home to five major roller coasters.
So what is the conclusion? Disneyland or Disney World?
We can go on stating different facts about these two parks, but the answer to this million-dollar question ultimately comes down to your preference for the location, park size, rides, attractions and cost. Either way, both these Disney parks are worth visiting, so whether you choose the happiest place on earth or the most magical place on earth, you are guaranteed to have the most memorable experience of your life. So go where your heart takes you and remember, “All it takes is faith and trust… and pixie dust”.
