We started in Disneyland…

And ended at Walt Disney World to celebrate their 50th Anniversary! (This blog was originally published in October 2021, but still contains relevant information about Disneyland and is continually updated!)

We just returned from what might have been our greatest adventure yet—a Coast to Coast, Castle to Castle trip!

We had planned our Disneyland visit nearly a year ago. Then we realized we couldn’t miss Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Celebration on October 1st. So, we decided to fly straight from LAX to MCO that very day, arriving just in time to celebrate. Experiencing both castles so close together made it much easier to compare the two parks.

This was our fourth trip to Disneyland, and it truly is a special place. As frequent Walt Disney World visitors, there is something different and magical about being on the West Coast. The Disneyland Resort covers just over 500 acres, while Walt Disney World spans more than 25,000 acres (over 40 square miles). Because of its smaller size, many people overlook Disneyland, but we are here to convince you that bigger is not always better.

Now, we love Walt Disney World. It is our home away from home, where we have made some of our best memories, and it is much closer to us, living just outside the Atlanta area. But Disneyland offers so much that you cannot find at Disney World. Here are some of the reasons you should consider a trip to the Disneyland Resort.

1. Disneyland is Walt’s original park
For any Disney fan, this is where the magic began. There is something special about walking down Main Street knowing Walt Disney once did the same. Looking up at the Firehouse and remembering that he watched the first guests arrive in 1955 from his private apartment adds an emotional connection you cannot find anywhere else. We always love seeing the glowing lamp in the window as we say our goodbyes—it feels like Walt is still welcoming guests home. Disneyland has a certain intimacy that can only be understood by experiencing it yourself.

2. California weather
From cool, breezy mornings to sunny, warm afternoons and crisp evenings, the weather here is hard to beat. Rain is rare, so you can leave the ponchos at home—unlike at Disney World, where we always seem to need them. The mild temperatures make it easy to spend more time in the parks without feeling overheated or worn out. Blue skies and sunshine… guaranteed!

3. It’s just easier
With only two parks, planning a Disneyland trip is much simpler. Everything is close, including the parks, hotels, and dining, so you can walk almost everywhere without losing time to transportation. Midday breaks are a breeze, and returning in the evening is just as easy. For families with young children, it is a dream. You do not have to fold strollers to get on buses, just take a short stroll and you are back at your hotel in about 10 minutes from most spots. For us, coming from the Eastern time zone, the time change made it so easy to be at the park for rope drop.

4. Halloween
No park does Halloween better than the Disneyland Resort. The decorations, the music, Haunted Mansion Holiday with its Nightmare Before Christmas overlay, and the Halloween Tree at Disneyland are simply amazing. Oogie Boogie Bash at Disney California Adventure is the best Halloween party we have ever attended, and we have been three times. The immersive treat trails feature characters like Cruella, Agatha from WandaVision, the Mad Hatter, Dr. Facilier, Sid from Toy Story, and many others. There is also the Frightfully Fun Parade and Villains Grove, a walk-through experience filled with special lights, sights, and sounds. And yes, you will still leave with tons of candy. This is our favorite time of year to visit!

5. Nearly every ride that exists at both Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World is better at Disneyland — with only a few exceptions.

Check out this blog where I compare rides/attractions on both coasts.

6. It’s much easier to stay off-site at Disneyland.
With only three Disney hotels, which are often pricey, and everything within walking distance, many off-site hotels are actually closer to the parks than some Disney hotels. Since Disneyland hotels do not offer as many perks as Walt Disney World, you will not miss out on much by staying elsewhere.

7. Tickets are typically cheaper
A 4-day Park Hopper ticket at the Disneyland Resort costs less than the same ticket at Walt Disney World. While Disney World has four theme parks compared to Disneyland’s two, when you compare actual rides, the Disneyland Resort (Disneyland and Disney California Adventure) has nearly as many rides as all of Walt Disney World’s parks combined (Animal Kingdom, EPCOT, Magic Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios).

8. The food
The food at Disneyland is far better than at Walt Disney World, especially when it comes to quick service options. While we don’t eat quick service as often at Walt Disney World, at Disneyland we find ourselves choosing it frequently—and who can resist a good Monte Cristo? Disneyland serves one of the best! Full disclosure: the signature dining options at the Disneyland Resort don’t quite measure up to those at Walt Disney World, but that’s the only area where Disney World takes the dining crown.

9. Cars Land
Cars Land is reason enough to visit. It is the most immersive land we have ever experienced, with every detail making you feel as if you have stepped right into Radiator Springs. Even if you are not a Cars fan, you will still be swept up in the atmosphere and charm.

10. Avengers Campus
Avengers Campus is exactly what Disney had been missing, and it has a completely different feel from any other land we have visited. Watching kids and kids at heart practice their Spider-Man web-slinging skills and meet Super Heroes they have grown up loving is an incredible experience. Even though we are not huge Marvel fans and haven’t seen all the movies, we were blown away by the land. The music, theming, food, entertainment, and characters all come together perfectly. It has also become our favorite place to grab a snack and people-watch. Avengers Campus is a must-see, and we highly recommend adding the Disneyland Resort to your travel plans for this and Cars Land.

---

Ready to plan your visit to the magic? Email me for a no-obligation quote, and I’ll help you plan the most magical vacation! My services are complimentary when you book with me, including all my tips and advice. 

[email protected]   

For a quick quote, please fill out this form.    

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook for all the latest blogs and news!