Disneyland has now reopened! After over a year of closure the Happiest Place on Earth has opened its gates and welcomed guests back once again!
Now both Disneyland and Disney World are available to enjoy so which one should you choose? What are the differences between the two Disney Resorts?
DISNEYLAND
Disneyland is the original Disney Park in Anaheim, California. Disneyland opened on 17th July 1955!
Disneyland has two parks, Disneyland and California Adventure.
One of the greatest features of a trip to Disneyland is you can walk between both parks and Downtown Disney! The two park entrances are opposite each other, with Downtown Disney occupying the space between the two parks. The ability to park hop by walking to the other park is a massive bonus!
Disneyland is smaller in size so is much easier to get around. With Disneyland being more compact and with just two parks you won't need as many days to explore everything on offer. This can be great when you are looking for just a few days to experience the Disney magic!
There are three Disney Resorts at Disneyland. One of the biggest bonuses to Disneyland is that there are lots of hotels nearby, including some right across the street from the park entrance! There are tons of hotels within walking distance and there is also a bus route that takes you from some of the further afield hotels right to Disneyland. The hotels cater for all budgets so you have a large variety to choose from.
The weather in California is more reliable than in Florida and tends to be great all year around, which makes Disneyland a good park to visit any time of year!
Disneyland has a much anticipated expansion opening soon! Avengers Campus is opening next month! On June 4th this brand new Marvel land will open in California Adventure with new rides, character encounters, stores and a quick service restaurant!
A classic attraction also has a new look! Snow White's Scary Adventure just had a makeover. Now called Snow White's Enchanted Wish this ride has been reimagined. A must ride to experience this completely refreshed attraction!
See the emotional opening day footage from Disneyland below!
So what are the differences you will find at Disney World?
WALT DISNEY WORLD
Walt Disney World Resort is massive and has 6 parks! You can visit Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom and the two Disney water parks Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon.
Walt Disney World has a huge number of resorts to stay in (more than 20!), with lots of different theming and pricing. Choose from value, moderate or deluxe resorts.
More parks equal more rides which means more variety. There is so much to see, do and experience that there is something for everyone! No matter what you enjoy you will never be bored at Disney World.
The downside to the resort being so huge is that you can't walk between the Disney Parks or Disney Resorts. There are a few hotels that are within walking distance of the parks (such as the Contemporary Resort which is a 5 minute walk to Magic Kingdom). But these are an exception to the rule. If you visit Disney World you will need transportation. The great news is if you stay at a Disney Resort this transportation is free!
Disney World has its own transportation system due to the huge size of the property. Every Disney Resort has complimentary buses that run to the Disney Parks and Disney Springs. Many resorts also have additional modes of free transportation such as the Monorail, Skyliner cable car system and Disney Boats.
As there is so much to see and do at Disney World it is recommended to visit for at least 5 - 7 days if you are travelling from the US and two weeks if travelling from overseas. Disney World is the best choice if you are looking for a full Disney vacation.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Magic Kingdom being opened! Disney will celebrate this in style and the celebrations will last for 18 months starting 1st October 2021. Over at EPCOT Remy's Ratatouille Adventure is opening on 1st October 2021 as well as the France Pavilion expansion which includes a new restaurant as well as this new attraction.
Which One Should You Pick?
Both parks should definitely make it on your bucket list! They are similar but both so different so to get to explore them both is the ultimate dream!
Things to consider when choosing which Disney Resort to visit include the length of time you would like to visit. Disneyland is much easier to visit as there are only two parks so you can fit everything in if you are visiting for a few days. For a full Disney vacation visit Disney World to explore all six parks, there is just so much on offer!
The great news is both Disneyland and Disney World have amazing other attractions and experiences in the locality to do so both are fantastic as vacation locations. Orlando has everything close by, including other theme parks, shopping and attractions. Disneyland is within an hour's drive of Los Angeles, lots of theme parks and amazing beaches. Both destinations have so much to explore so you can't go wrong with either as a vacation location!
Both resorts have fantastic dining! Disneyland is known as a foodie destination and Disney World has over 200 restaurants to choose from!
Something special is that many of the same attractions can be found in both Disney Resorts but they will have slight differences which makes it so worthwhile to visit both! There are also a range of rides that are totally unique to both destinations! If you are looking for lots of rides then be sure to visit Disney World to take advantage of the four theme parks and two water parks. Disneyland is great for nostalgia and visiting the original Disney Park and is perfect if you want a great mix of rides, attractions and atmosphere.
When it comes to budget it is cheaper to visit Disneyland as you need less time to visit. You also have a huge range of hotels nearby, for a variety of budgets. Combining these two factors makes a trip to Disneyland much cheaper.
Disney World has more to see and do and is perfect if you want to explore multiple parks and have fun on lots of rides and shows. If you are looking for a longer vacation then be sure to head to Florida!
You can't go wrong with whichever park you choose! Both have their own unique qualities and will give you that special Disney feeling! If you are looking for a cheaper and shorter trip or want some Disney nostalgia be sure to visit Disneyland. If you want to be full immersed in the Disney experience, want to visit multiple parks, choose from hundreds of restaurants and dozens of resorts and you are looking for a longer vacation then choose Disney World.
Be sure to head to my Etsy store to choose from a range of Guides and Planners to help you plan your ultimate Disney trip! Click here to visit!