Why Disney World Fans Should Visit Disneyland

If you've visited Walt Disney World but never visited Disneyland, you're in for a big surprise – in the best way.

When someone learns that I grew up close to Disneyland but just moved close to Walt Disney World, they always ask, “do you like Disneyland or Disney World better?” Their question usually comes with the assumption that I'll answer “Disney World.” Actually, it's more complicated than that. In fact, the best answer to give if you've never visited Disneyland is “you just need to visit Disneyland. It's such a different, but equally magical experience.”

Here's 10 reasons why Disney World fans should visit Disneyland.

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1. Disneyland is the Original Disney Park

Without Walt Disney's vision coming to life, no other Disney theme park would exist today.

Disneyland is the theme park that Walt himself thought up, designed alongside his Imagineers, and had a physical hand in building. Many of the marks that Walt left are still in Disneyland today, including details that were there when the theme park first opened in 1955. In fact, all of the ride technologies seen in Disneyland's early attractions eventually paved the way to some of the more sophisticated rides we see at Disney World, Disneyland Paris, Tokyo Disneyland, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Shanghai Disneyland.

While Walt and many Imagineers said themselves that Disneyland is not a museum, there are still many details and characteristics that point back to Disneyland's roots. On Main Street, U.S.A., atop the Town Square Firehouse sits Walt's apartment, keeping the spirit of Walt alive today. Many original attractions are still around too, including Autopia, Casey Jr. Circus Train, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Peter Pan's Flight, Storybook Land Canals, and the famed Disneyland Railroad!

Much like the sequel to a good movie, it's very difficult to beat the original.

2. Disneyland is More Homey

Many guests know that Disney World is much bigger than Disneyland Resort, but when you look at the numbers, the difference is staggering.

Compared to Disney World's 27,000 acres, Disneyland Resort sits roughly at 500 acres. In other words, while Disney World is twice the size of Manhattan, Disneyland is about half the size of Central Park. That puts Disney World at more than 50 times the size of Disneyland!

However, Disneyland's smaller size gives it a few advantages over Disney World.

Guests can park hop with ease since all that separates the Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure is the 300-foot wide Esplanade. All 3 Disneyland Resort hotels are within a 15 minutes walk to the theme parks. Even when you're walking down Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland Park, when comparing to Magic Kingdom at Disney World, gives more of a “small town” vibe.

This makes Disneyland Resort feel much more homey, and dare I say, cozy.

3. Park Hopping is Much Easier at Disneyland Park

Remember that 300-foot wide Esplanade we mentioned earlier?

That's all that separates Disneyland Park from Disney California Adventure: just a few minutes walk. This allows you to take full advantage of time with a park-hopper ticket without having to take Disney transportation (like the Disney World bus, Disney Skyliner, or Disney Monorail) to get to your next destination.

While we're on the topic of park-hopping and Disneyland tickets, it's important to note that a ticket to Disney World does not allow you access to enter Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure. Additionally, an annual pass to Disney World does not allow you access to enter Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure. To visit any of the Disneyland Resort parks, you need a separate form of admission.

However, with more time that you can spend at the parks, you have more chances to hit all the attractions, dining experiences, and entertainment you want!

4. There's a Variety of Affordable Hotels Minutes Away from Disneyland Resort

Sure – unlike Disney World's over 30 onsite resort hotels, Disneyland only has 3.

However, there are over 50 Good Neighbor hotels just down the street from Disneyland Resort, many of which are extremely affordable. And by being down the street, staying at any of these hotels places you just a walk away from the Disney magic! This makes for a great Disney vacation for families on a budget.

If there's one feature about Disneyland I miss after moving close to Disney World, it's the convenience of walking to the theme parks from a budget-friendly hotel.

5. The Weather is More Predictable in Anaheim

Yes, the weather at Disney World follows a pattern throughout the year, but the weather in Anaheim is much more predictable.

Summer thunderstorms and hurricanes are notorious at Disney World, but not at Disneyland. More than that, the weather at Disney World tends to change from warm and muggy to cool and windy on a dime, whereas Disneyland follows a more predictable pattern. In other words, you don't have to pack 2 different types of outfits and a poncho to anticipate weather changes like you might at Disney World.

This makes planning for the weather at Disneyland Resort is much easier.

6. Disneyland Resort Gets Constantly Updated

Pixar Place Hotel, the reimagined Downtown Disney West Side, Tiana's Palace, San Fransokyo Square, the reimagined Mickey's Toontown, and Avengers Campus.

These are the newest offerings that came to Disneyland Resort since 2021. These types of updates are unheard of at Disney World! These new lands, restaurants, and attractions give a a refreshing experience that makes you want to come back again and again.

However, these aren't the only attractions that keep Disneyland Resort fresh for guests.

7. Disneyland's Calendar is Full of Special Festivals and Celebrations

The number of special events and celebrations at Disneyland is outrageous!

Looking at the seasonal event calendar alone, Disneyland has 8 major events, including Lunar New Year celebration, Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival, Star Wars Season of the Force, Pixar Fest, Halloween, and The Holidays Begin Here. On top of that, Disneyland Resort features 4 Disneyland After Dark events. No matter what time of year you visit Disneyland Resort, you're almost guaranteed a special event!

This calendar of events and celebrations more than makes up for the year-round festivals at EPCOT.

8. The Rides at Disneyland Resort Give off a Different Type of Magical Aura

Disneyland Park has a handful of rides that are identical in track layout and ride system, but very different in experience.

Radiator Springs Racers is identical to Test Track, but has a completely different experience based off of Pixar's Cars. Indiana Jones Adventure is identical to Dinosaur, but has a completely different experience based off the Indiana Jones franchise. Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission Breakout! is identical to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, but – well, you get the idea.

And quite frankly, a lot of guests would argue that many of the Disneyland Resort equivalent rides are better than their Disney World counterparts.

Disneyland Resort also has some iconic rides unique to Disneyland itself. Space Mountain has ride system that makes its experience much smoother, and features an incredible soundtrack by Michael Giacchino, the man behind many Pixar movies! If you want a similar ride experience to Disney World's Space Mountain, head over to Matterhorn Bobsleds, which has the same ride system, but puts you on a bobsled flying down the famous Swiss mountain.  Incredicoaster is themed after the famous Pixar movie Incredibles and is one of my favorite Disney rides – period.

Disneyland Resort's rides are truly a unique experience that you must do!

9. You Can Find More Roaming Characters at Disneyland Resort

In fact, the amount of roaming characters at Disney World has dwindled since 2020.

Over at Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure, there are countless roaming characters that guests can encounter while walking to their next attraction. Between Peter Pan and Wendy, Mary Poppins and Bert, the Citizens of Hollywood, countless Avengers characters, Belle, and more, you never know who you'll bump into when walking around.

On the other hand, the roaming characters at Disney World are limited to characters at Galaxy's Edge and Kevin and DeVine at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The likely reason for Disneyland's seemingly unlimited amount of roaming characters is its smaller size and lack of designated indoor meet-and-greet area. With this in mind, Disneyland has to be creative with their character meet-and-greets.

Regardless, Disneyland Resort gives guests guests a very different character greeting experience.

10. Snacks and Quick Service Food at Disneyland Are Tastier

Yes, Disney World's table service and signature dining restaurants are at a whole different level, but when it comes to snacks and quick-service, Disneyland has my heart.

I can't tell you how many times I would come back to Disneyland specifically for their cream cheese pretzel, which is softer and more chewy than Disney World's version. Disneyland Resort also has some iconic-yet-unique snacks, including the bacon mac and cheese cone at Cozy Cone Motel Snacks, the garlic cheddar bagel twist from Maurice's Treats, the skewers at Bengal Barbecue, and the breakfast chimichanga at Ship to Shore Marketplace.

And quite frankly, Disneyland's quick-service restaurants are hard to beat. The fried chicken at The Plaza Inn is cooked to perfection. The fried pickles at Carnation Cafe are a fan-favorite. And everyone raves about any food option from the new Tiana's Palace.

Speaking of which, while you can't get beignets in any of the Disney World theme parks, you can get them along with a mint julep at the Mint Julep Bar in New Orleans Square!

And, let's be honest: Disneyland's churros are infinitely better than Disney World's churros.

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