It is always interesting to compare Walt Disney World to Disneyland Park and Disney’s California Adventure. It is especially fun for those of us who are on the East Coast – and so don’t get to Disneyland nearly as often as to Walt Disney World – to see what is the same (or almost the same), and what is different between the two.
And while there is a good deal of similarity between the East Coast parks and the West Coast parks, there are also some key differences – and some things that frankly, in my opinion, Disneyland just does better. Which brings me to today’s post – 3 things at Disneyland that are better than at Walt Disney World
Park Hopping is Super Easy and Convenient – While Walt Disney World always had the advantage of space to expand (which is how they got 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, and dozens of hotels), that huge area also means that things are soooo spread out that it can get overwhelming trying to get around – even with Disney transportation. But at Disneyland it couldn’t be easier. You arrive at the central plaza area and go right if you want to go to Disneyland Park, go straight if you want to go to Disneyland, and go left if you want to go to California Adventure. Want to park hop? No problem – just walk out of the park you’re in and walk over to the other park. It couldn’t be easier. While it’s nice to have all those options at Walt Disney World, there’s a LOT to be said for the convenience of the layout at Disneyland.
Festive Fun at Haunted Mansion and It’s a Small World – While both of these rides are similar in concept to their counterparts in Walt Disney World, they are designed a bit differently so that there’s already an element of uniqueness between the two parks. But at the holidays there is just no comparison – the Disneyland versions of these two are ahhhmazing! When Halloween and Christmas collide, you end up with the fabulous “Nightmare Before Christmas” makeover at Haunted Mansion, which carries this fun theme both inside and outside the attraction throughout the fall/winter season, until after New Year’s. And over at It’s a Small World? There you have festive highlights on the ride as well as a beautiful light display on the outdoor façade of the attraction – and when it’s lit each night, it’s simply breathtaking!
Avengers Assemble and Cars Land Shenanigans – Perhaps this is a bit unfair, as Walt Disney World certainly has areas and attractions (and theme parks!) that Disneyland does not have. Even so, these two areas at Disneyland are ridiculously fun! Cars Land is so immersive, and both Radiator Springs Racers and Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters were more fun than I can put into words. As for the Avengers, Disney doesn’t own the rights to these characters (other than the Guardians of the Galaxy) on the East Coast – but they do in California, which gives them the opportunity to create an entire Avenger’s Campus that is still evolving – but what is already there is a blast. And seeing the various Avenger superheroes throughout the area is especially cool.
There’s so much more I can say about what I love about Disneyland in California! And while none of it means that I don’t love Walt Disney World, there are definitely enough things that are different – or better – to make the trip there worth it if you’ve never visited “the park that Walt built”.
Learn how the services of an experienced travel agent can make planning your vacation simple and STRESS FREE!
