Battle of the Disney Parks - Disneyland vs. Disney World

It wasn't our intention when we visited Disneyland in September to also visit Disney World within a six month window, but that is exactly what we did. Strategically placed Florida grandparents, a Western zip code and boys just ready to experience the parks brought about this feast of amusement park riches. So now we can comfortably answer the question - which is better Disneyland or Disney World?

Disneyland was opened in 1955 and Disney World opened in 1971 - and 16 years was what Disney needed to get it right.  Disneyland is smaller, wait times are longer, food is more expensive and I can't imagine spending more than one to two days there. Most travelers stays at a hotel across the street, or commute in and park in the giant mega lot. While Disney World is bigger, you have more room to move around, there are more parks and a ton to see and do onsite. In fact with the many onsite housing options including camping, cabins, discount hotels and luxury resorts, combined with transportation to easily get you to the parks without driving -- you could easily spend your whole vacation at the park. It also has more evening activities geared toward adults, but not adult-only.

After visiting both, we can safely say that the hands down winner is .... Disney World! Although we have a ton of caveats to contest with which include location, time, money and desired experience.

• Location - Growing up in California, Disneyland was my park, although I only visited twice when I was 16 years old. Growing up in Maryland, Disney World was my husband's park, although he only visited once when he was six years old ... And thus like generations of children you go to the park that is closest to you.  From California, Orlando is incredibly hard to get to - there are very few direct flights, the airfare is expensive and a couple of airlines would like to do inconvenient things like route you through Chicago.  Coming from a mid-size city on the East Coast, the same could be said for Anaheim -- there may be more flights but it is still a four to five hour flight.
• Time - Disneyland is significantly smaller than Disney World on the scale of acres versus miles. You can comfortably experience Disneyland in one to two days.  If you are a West Coaster strapped for time it has it advantages. Although I know people who recommend taking a week -- that seems crazy to me. On the other hand, I could spend a week at Disney World. Really, between Epcot Center, the Magic Kingdom, the other parks and the neighboring Universal with its Harry Potter rides (my boys are too short for that experience right now) there is plenty to see and do without going into sugar overload. 
• Money - Disney tickets for both parks are expensive, hotels aren't that much better, although, as I mentioned, Disney World has more hotel options onsite, from camping to luxury resorts. Food is also less expensive in Disney World and their are many more choices-- but it can still be pricey.  For a family on a budget, Disney World has plenty of packages that include meal discounts, hotel discounts and multi-park discounts. The longer you stay the cheaper your trip will be day-by-day. Still any Disney vacation is not for the frugal traveler.
• Experience - Are you looking at an all inclusive destination vacation or are you looking to explore a nearby city? Disney World is like Las Vegas. It is a world unto itself and it offers an all inclusive experience, you can spend a week and never leave the Disney properties. And, honestly, families en masse would not be traveling to Orlando if Disney World wasn't there. While Disneyland is set near Los Angeles, which on its own has lots to see and do ... So depending on your desired outcome, one of the parks will meet your needs.

In the apples to apples department, I should give props to Disneyland's Haunted Mansion, with its Nightmare Before Christmas theme in the Fall and Winter, we liked it slightly better than Disney World's Haunted Mansion ... And you can walk through the castle at Magic Kingdom Disneyland which I liked better than Disney World where you are stopped at the steps (by the way Jonathan liked the Disney World castle better even though you were stopped at the steps). Also Disney World's ToonTown will be closed for the next two years for renovations and upgrades. Jonathan thought the shows were better at Disney World, but we agreed the parade was better at Disneyland.

My next two blogs will talk about our Disney World experience.