Disneyland California vs. Walt Disney World Florida: Which One Should You Visit?
Disneyland California vs. Walt Disney World Florida: Which One Should You Visit?
Whether you visit Disneyland California or Walt Disney World Florida, magic is guaranteed—but which park offers the Disney experience you crave?
I have been to the USA three times, and during all three visits, I visited Disneyland, California, and Walt Disney World, Florida. Both parks are delightful but have significant differences that might influence your decision.
This blog post is here to help inform that decision, and I will discuss my experience to help you pick which park to visit so that you can have the best Disney experience.
Let’s get to it!
Disneyland California and Disney California Adventure Park
Disneyland California, though not as grand as its counterpart Walt Disney World, holds a special place in Disney’s history. As the first park to open, it offers a nostalgic Disney experience at its Magic Kingdom and California Adventure Park. All the original and beloved rides, like Haunted Mansion, Tower of Terror, Jungle Cruise, It’s a Small World, and Space Mountain, are all there for you to enjoy.
Over the years, new lands have opened with exciting new rides and experiences for you to enjoy.
Disneyland California has nine lands to visit within the park: Fantasyland, Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge, Tomorrowland, Adventureland, Critter Country (soon to be Bayou Country), Frontier Land, Mickey Toon Land, Main Street USA, and New Orleans Square.
Sleeping Beauty’s Castle is located in Disneyland, California, and each night, guests can enjoy a fireworks show – Pro tip! Head to the front of the castle or further up the main street at least 15 minutes beforehand to get a fantastic view of the light show displayed on the castle. If you’re behind the castle, you will be able to see the fireworks, not the lights show (this applies to Walt Disney World as well)
Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World is made up of four parks, giving you lots and lots to see and experience.
Below is a breakdown of the four parks that make up Walt Disney World so that you know exactly what you will be experiencing.
Magic Kingdom
The Orlando Magic Kingdom is home to Cinderella Castle. Magic Kingdom is where you see beloved attractions such as the haunted mansion, Big Thunder Mountain Railworld, and Space Mountain. Here, you end the day watching the fireworks display from the castle.
Hollywood studios
If you want to go upside down on a rollercoaster, drop at high speeds, and step into the Star Wars galaxy, then Hollywood Studios is for you. All the Star Wars fans will froth when you step into Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Disney has done a fantastic job at bringing Star Wars to life. I highly recommend going on the Rise of the Resistance ride.
Unlike the other Disney parks in Orlando, Hollywood Studios has more thrill rides than the slow ‘kids’ rides you will find at Magic Kingdom. Although full of fast rides, it still has rides suited for kids and big kids in Toy Story Land.
Epcot
Disney’s Epcot is your express ticket around the world. It has eleven pavilions: Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, the United States, Japan, Morocco, France, the United Kingdom and Canada.
Each pavilion represents the culture and cuisine of a particular country through its landscape, streetscape, architecture, attractions, restaurants, and shops.
Epcot is perfect for a more chilled Disney day, or, as I like to call it, a ‘recovery day’. I would use this park to break up the intense days you’ll spend at the other parks. It has fewer rides, which means less time waiting in lines, getting sore feet, and less walking/running around. Take your time walking through each pavilion and trying all the food. It is a park where you do not need to rush around.
Animal Kingdom
Disney Animal Kingdom is like going on an African safari with roller coasters and rides. You have the opportunity to step into Pandora—the world of Avatar, which is really, really cool! There are many animals for you to see when you embark on a guided tour of the African Safari. If you are after a thrill ride, I recommend going on Expedition Everest and the Kali River rapids (you will get wet, so I recommend a poncho), located within the Asia section of the park. For the kids, there is Dinoland!
There are similar rides at each park, but obviously, Walt Disney World has a much bigger variety and more to see. If you want the ultimate Disney experience, then I’d recommend spending a couple of days exploring the five parks.
Disneyland California: More intimate, historical value, easier to navigate in a day.
Walt Disney World Florida: More parks, more variety, requires several days to explore fully.
Both parks will still make you feel like you are in the happiest place on earth.
