It is a rite of passage to visit Disney theme parks in the United States. As a timeless and exciting venture, families (and plenty of grown-ups) love the whole package Disney presents for a memorable vacation. In Orlando, you can find the sprawling Walt Disney World (WDW) complex, full of familiar, friendly faces that welcome you to jump on rides, see incredible parades and simply stroll through to immerse yourself in the magic. In a similar vein, Disneyland in California has some of the same great rides but also has its own personality, and holds the title as one of the favorite places for Californians to enjoy.
Intimacy vs. Size
Disneyland could probably be conquered in a couple of days, but those heading out to Disney World will need all week to explore. The relative size of both parks is one of the deciding factors when it comes to choosing which is right for you. WDW is fortunate enough to have surrounding land, ever-expanding its parks and adding new attractions. Disneyland is landlocked, so although it is innovative in many ways, it cannot grow in the traditional sense. Head to California fo
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r a more manageable and personal Disney adventure, especially if you only have a few days. Most of the visitors to Disneyland are from in-state, providing a little less hectic of a feel in the absence of international travelers. However, WDW has seemingly endless choices for hotel stays, water parks, shows, cuisine and more that can be incredible while visiting Orlando. Both parks actually own hotels, but there are other options nearby for the budget-savvy traveler to try.
Highlights From Both
No matter which park you ultimately choose, there are some things to see and do that are a must and exclusive to each. In a broad sense, WDW seems to update some rides frequently to reflect current trends and movie releases. If you have a little one with a particular devotion to Lilo and Stitch or Monsters, Inc., that will be your best bet. However, a throwback to Indiana Jones and Roger Rabbit both still hold strong in Disneyland. If there is something particularly exciting to you, your kids or family, check out the attractions at each park and plan your trip accordingly.
Besides Disney, both areas surrounding the parks have unique traits too. In Anaheim, you can see a baseball game just outside of Disneyland. Learn about the area’s rich history or head into Los Angeles only a few minutes away for some celebrity sightseeing. Orlando has other great theme parks to check out as well as a thriving downtown area to spice up the overall trip to the city.
What to Decide?
Depending on your interests, choosing between Disneyland and Walt Disney World can be a breeze. West Coast sun and its more local atmosphere can be a great introduction to the Disney parks. Conquering Orlando and the large expanse of WDW is another fascinating pick for its sheer size while still maintaining that Disney attention to detail. East Coast or West Coast, Disney reigns supreme for the best theme park attractions around. No choice can be wrong, though, as both destinations hold true to the magic and sheer joy that come with a Disney vacation.
Travelocity Editors
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