Disneyland vs. Disney World: What's the Difference?
Walt Disney World is one of the most traveled destinations in the world, with Disneyland coming right behind it. But what makes them different? Are they not the same thing but in two different states?
While they do share some similarities such as some of the same lands, Main Street, and some rides, they differ greatly. Such as the amount of parks, resorts, transportation and so much more.
Before we jump into resorts, parks, and all that fun stuff, we need to know where these different parks are and the differences between them.
Disneyland Resort is in California in a town called Anaheim, just south of Los Angeles. Walt Disney World is in Celebration, just west of Orlando. One of the best ways to remember is: DisneyLAnd Resort and Walt Disney WORLd. LA of Los Angeles, CA and ORL for Orlando, FL.
If you're a fan of The Middle, you may remember the episode where the Heck family accidentally went to Disney World instead of Disneyland. It makes for great television, but it's probably not the surprise you want on your vacation.
Location isn't the only major difference between these two Disney destinations. The number of parks each resort offers is where things really start to separate themselves. Here are some common things I hear.
“We are going to Disneyland”
While you aren't completely wrong, Disneyland Park is just one park within Disneyland Resort. The resort also includes Disney California Adventure Park, Downtown Disney, and three Disney-owned hotels.
“We are going to Disney World and see the castle.”
Like Disneyland, yes you are at Walt Disney World, but the Magic Kingdom is just one park. The whole of Walt Disney World is a collection of 4 theme parks: Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. It also contains 2 waterparks, 2 mini golf courses, Disney Springs, and numerous resorts and so much more.
Now that we know some of the big differences between the two, let’s look at where we can rest our heads after a long day of play.
Three resorts sit on the Disneyland Property. The Disneyland Hotel, Pixar Place Hotel, and Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. These hotels offer quick access to the parks. With Disney storytelling woven into these hotels, you are sure to find them just as fun as the parks themselves.
Walt Disney World is a totally different story when it comes to accommodations for guests. They offer over 25 different resorts to choose from, all with different theming. Wanna watch African animals from your balcony in the morning? Animal Kingdom Lodge might be for you. Want to feel like you are staying in Hawai’i? Enjoy the feeling of island time at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort where you are transported to the Polynesian Islands.
When it comes to getting to your favorite rides, getting to and from the hotel is crucial.
Disneyland Resort hotels are within walking distance to the entrances of the parks. And if you are staying at the Grand Californian, you actually have a special entrance to Disney’s California Adventure. Staying off property? There is a tram from the parking garage to the walkway between the parks.
Now Walt Disney World has a massive transportation system. Buses, boats, and the skyliner just to name a few. Buses run from every resort, every park, and Disney Springs. With buses running every 20 minutes (sometimes even quicker during peak hours), you are sure to get to your destination in no time.
Want to go through the back entrance of EPCOT? Boats are a great way to get from one place to another. Boats run between Disney's Hollywood Studios and EPCOT, with stops at several resorts along Crescent Lake. In order to get to the Magic Kingdom from the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC), one of the ways to cross the Seven Seas Lagoon is by ferry.
Have you wondered what Walt Disney World looked like from above? Well hop aboard the Disney Skyliner! A gondola system that runs between Hollywood Studios and EPCOT, while stopping at different resorts like the Riviera. Do you dare to step aboard?
Now through all of this, you are wondering about the monorail. Are there differences between the monorail at Walt Disney World and Disneyland?
Yes, but only slightly.
The monorail has been an iconic part of the parks since its introduction in 1959 at Disneyland. While the concept of this rail system hasn’t changed, there are some differences between the two locations.
At Disneyland, the monorail has 2 stops, Downtown Disney and Tomorrowland inside Disneyland. The Tomorrowland station provides access to the park without having to go through the main entrance. A ticket is still needed for admission to enter the park.
The monorail at Walt Disney World has a bit more track than at Disneyland. You can ride the monorail from park to park and even to some resorts. From the TTC, you can take the monorail to Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. There is also a line that runs from the TTC to the 3 resorts on the monorail: Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Resort, and Disney’s Grand Floridian and stopping at Magic Kingdom.
Now that we see some of the differences between the two, there are still some similarities between them.
Disneyland and Magic Kingdom share most of the same lands such as Main Street, Tomorrowland, Frontierland, Adventureland, and Fantasyland. Walt Disney World used to have a Toon Town like Disneyland, but was refurbished into Storybook Circus.
There are still some classic rides that both destinations share such as well. The Haunted Mansion, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (formally Splash Mountain), Pirates of the Caribbean, and Big Thunder Mountain still bring smiles to millions of guests each year.
Whether you want to explore Pixar Pier at Disneyland’s California Adventure or eat and drink your way around the world at EPCOT, both locations offer the most magical vacation experience for anyone.
If you are ready to book your Disney vacation, but don’t know where to start, send us a message by clicking the link below. From finding the perfect resort to planning Lightning Lane selections to planning the most magical day, we take care of everything for you, so you don’t have to.
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