Disney World vs Disneyland: Where Should You Vacation?
If you’ve been around here for a while, you know I’m what the internet would call a “Disney Adult” usually, at least once a week, you can find me sharing Instagram stories or Snapchat stories from inside a Disney World park or resort.
However, until recently, I had never been to Disneyland. Earlier this year, my sister-in-law invited me to go with them to Disneyland, and of course, I couldn’t turn down an offer like that since I love Disney World so much. Well, that trip finally happened last month, and now I feel like I can finally talk about Disney World Vs. Disneyland and which would be best for your next Disney Vacation.
Resorts & Transportation
The resorts are one of my favorite parts of Disney. The more relaxing and cozy, the better, in my personal opinion. For context, my favorite Disney World resorts are Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge. Give me a cozy spot to hang out and a cup of something warm, and that’s heaven on earth to me.
However, I’ve had the chance to stay at, visit, or eat at nearly every one of the Walt Disney World resorts, and both the Disneyland Hotel and Grand Californian, and I love them all for different reasons (I feel like a parent talking about my children lol.)
However, after visiting both coasts, I have to say the Disney Resorts here in Orlando are my favorite for one specific reason you can get everything from a pretty decent price on a stay at the All-Stars or Pop Century to a super luxury stay at the Rivera or Grand Floridan.
I also loved my time at both the Disneyland Hotel and Grand Californian, but it doesn’t seem like you could ever take an affordable trip to Disneyland and stay on property at their resorts. The Disneyland Resorts start at about $400 a night for Pixar Pier, their least desirable resort. At Disney World, a moderate not value resort is $250 a night, and you can get a stay at a value resort for right around $200 a night.
What I do love about the resorts is their proximity to everything. You can walk right to Downtown Disney and both of the parks from any of the hotels. That isn’t possible at any of the Disney World Resorts. Sure, you can walk to something from some resorts like Magic Kingdom from the Contemporary, but you can’t walk to all the parks and Disney Springs.
At Disney World, to get around most of the time, you are going to have to board a bus, take a monorail, hit up the Skyliner, or drive to get to your destination. I think the transportation at Disney World is great but, it’s definitely not as convenient as just being able to walk everywhere.
Why I like Disney World Resorts better:
Can have an affordable or luxury stay.
More dining options.
More theming throughout.
What I liked about Disneyland Resorts.
Proximity
Restaurants & Snacks
Disney has some really great restaurants, but there were a few distinct differences that I noticed.
The biggest one being the quick service at Disneyland is better. There are more options and more exciting options than we have here at Disney World. Things like the Cozy Cone just don’t exist in Disney World. The most exciting snacks we have are tater tot nachos, walking tacos, and boneless chicken mashed potato bowls, all of which feel like normal everyday food made just a little different.
The sit-down dining is so much better at Disney World. There are so many more options and such a larger variety of options. You can have everything from a five-star experience at a place like Victoria and Alberts to a family-style dinner, with a show like Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue and absolutely everything in between. Disneyland just doesn’t compare, there are options, yes, but not like the variety at Disney World.
Snacks… Snacks were interesting because there were snacks I liked better at Disneyland and Snacks I liked better at Disney World. The num num cookies in Hollywood Studios are superior to their west coast counterpart in California Adventure. However, the churros found in Disneyland are better, and I couldn’t even tell you why, they just are.
Why I like Disneyland's quick service better.
More options.
More flavor.
Less simple.
Why I like Disney World sit-down dining better.
Way more location options.
Way more options in the type of food.
Way more availability.
Shopping
There is no doubt that shopping is better at Disney World. Both the Disney merchandise and the availability of other stores are better at Disney World. Disneyland has shopping, though, obviously. You’ll find a mix of name-brand and Disney-owned stores in both Downtown Disney and Disney Springs there is just more in Disney Springs.
However, if your goal is just to come home with a few souvenirs, you will definitely be able to accomplish that goal on either coast.
But if your goal is to hit up shops you know and love, like under armor or lululemon, while you’re on vacation, you’ll find more options at Disney World.
Rides
You’re not going to be disappointed in either location’s rides. I personally love the attractions on both coasts (Except Pixar Pal-A-Round, which almost killed me.)
I personally liked Big Thunder more in Disneyland than Magic Kingdom but preferred Magic Kingdoms Space Mountain, so it’s kind of a wash there.
What I will say is that I feel like Disneyland has more dark rides and more history in their rides, so if you enjoy that, Disneyland is your place.
Disney World has more thrill rides and more variety of rides, but you can definitely have a good time in both places.
Which destination is right for you?
After going to both, I do think the two coasts are good for distinctly different groups of people, and it might not be what you think.
Who Should Go to Disneyland?
I think Disneyland is actually the better place to take a family vacation when you have little little kids (basically until your little one doesn’t need to nap in a quiet place) because it is so much easier to navigate. You never have to step foot on a bus, monorail, or Skyliner, which makes it super easy to head back and forth for naps, pool breaks, or just for some quiet time.
Plus, typically, with little ones, you aren’t sitting down to a fancy meal, shopping until you drop, or hitting thrill rides one after another, which means you really won’t be missing much. You’ll get to enjoy better quick service and easier back and forth between the parks, shopping, and resorts.
I’d also recommend Disneyland if you want to go on a Disney trip that’s a little more chill. There isn’t as much to do, which means you can take more time to go to the Spa, hang out in the hot tub, or just hang out around your resort.
Who Should Go to Disney World?
I think Disney World is the better choice if you are going on a trip with mostly adults or older kids. There is more to do in every category, more things to eat and drink, more rides, more shopping, and more entertainment.
I also think it’s the better choice for long vacations. You can get everything done at Disneyland in a few days. It’s going to take many trips to Walt Disney World before you can really do everything.
Which is my favorite?
Disney World is definitely still my favorite because there is so much more to it, but I also really like Disneyland and can’t wait to back.