Disneyland vs Walt Disney World: Differences You Didn’t Know About

Many of us grew up with Disney’s beloved films and characters so a trip to the U.S. is the best opportunity to relive that magic. After all, it’s home to two Disney theme parks: Disneyland California and Walt Disney World. 

Both were constructed under the guidance of none other than Walt Disney himself (although he had already passed before the completion of Disney World in Florida). They amplify the magic of his films and offer enchanting experiences through the rides, food, and overall atmosphere. 

While both are of the Disney brand, these two parks are also very distinct from each other. So if you need a little help choosing between Disney World and Disneyland, we’re here to help—keep reading!

The most distinct difference between the two parks/resorts is their location. Disneyland is in Anaheim, California, which is around an hour away from Los Angeles. This is Walt Disney’s first theme park, having opened on July 17, 1955. 

Disneyland is accessible via Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), which has plenty of direct flights. The park, however, is much closer to John Wayne Orange County Airport (SNA) so you can book a flight headed there, too.

On the East Coast lies Walt Disney World, specifically in Orlando, Florida, the Theme Park Capital of the World. It opened on October 1, 1971. The closest airport is Orlando International Airport (MCO), but if your flights are set to land at Sanford (SFB) or Tampa (TPA) airports, you’re also good to go. 

Walt Disney World is the biggest theme park on the planet. It covers a whopping 43 square miles of land. Disneyland in California is the smaller of the two, spanning 500 acres. That means 51 Disneylands can fit in Disney World!

Walt Disney World is huge for good reason: it’s home to four main parks: Magic Kingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom, and Epcot. Disneyland on the other hand hosts two distinct theme parks: Disneyland Park and Disneyland California Adventure Park. 

Learn more about the two California parks by checking out our ultimate guide to Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure:

A common deciding factor between the two Disney parks is time, especially if you want to explore all the attractions. Being the bigger one, Disney World requires at least four days to a week for you to explore its nook and crannies. If you only have a weekend or a day, Disneyland is more doable. 

You can also learn more about the massive Orlando theme park with this ultimate guide to Walt Disney World:

Both theme parks have a castle as their centrepieces, but keen fans know that the castles in the respective parks are from different Disney Princesses.

Cinderella’s castle is one of the most popular attractions in Walt Disney World, specifically in Magic Kingdom. This spired beauty stands at 189-feet tall and has been the backdrop of photos of generations of aspiring princesses and princes.

Same in prestige is Sleeping Beauty’s castle located in California, standing at 77 feet and the only Disney castle with a working drawbridge! While different and giving each park its unique identity, both castles exude the kind of magic you would expect from Disney. 

While both parks boast various attractions, there are classic, well-loved rides that are in both. Whether you’re Disney’s California or Florida park, you’ll find the iconic Pirates of the Caribbean, Splash Mountain, and It's a Small World. With Disney World in Florida having the luxury of more space, it definitely has more rides—about twice that of Disneyland. Still, the fun and joy you’ll feel are present in both!

If you're looking for unique rides to each theme park, give Matterhorn Bobsleds and Storybook Land Canal Boats at Disneyland a try. Over at Disney World, Spaceship Earth, Avatar Flight of Passage, and Expedition Everest are also must-tries!

A marquee experience at both parks is its grand parades featuring all of your favourite characters. The Festival of Fantasy is a grand parade held in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, featuring classic Disney characters like Mickey, Minnie, the Princesses, and more! Disneyland also boasts of a spectacular fireworks display called Mickey's Mix Magic with Fireworks. Activities and schedules are occasionally changed, so make sure to check out park schedules!

You can purchase Disneyland California and Walt Disney World Florida tickets at similar rates of around 300USD or 233GBP.

Since Disney World has four fantastic theme parks, you’ll need a bit more time to explore. An attraction pass allows you to enjoy all of them for a minimum of two days. You can even go for as many as ten days for the ultimate Disney excursion! Choose between the 1 Park Per Day ticket or the Park Hopper ticket, which allows you to go from park to park within a day. 

Visiting Disneyland California in a day is much more doable, so you can opt for a single day ticket that already provides access to Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure.

If you want to experience the magic for longer, you can opt for a multi-day ticket that gives you park access for up to three days. Like its Floridian sibling, you can also pick between a 1 Park Per Day or Park Hopper ticket. 

California is also home to another popular amusement park you might want to check out. Find out more with our Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood comparison guide!