Disneyland vs. Walt Disney World — Everything You Need to Know About Both Theme Park Resorts

Disney’s two U.S. theme park resorts both offer fun for people of all ages — from thrilling rides to delectable food and an overall atmosphere of childhood joy. But there are several key differences to consider when deciding between Disneyland or Walt Disney World. Disney's first theme park, Disneyland in Anaheim, California, is packed with nostalgia and old-school classics like the Autopia ride (in operation since its opening day in 1955), while Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, is a little more modern and a lot bigger.

For a longer trip complete with luxury accommodations and visits to multiple parks, Walt Disney World might be your best bet. If you live on or near the West Coast and you're looking for a short getaway with retro appeal, Disneyland is the way to go. You might also want to factor in other nearby attractions. While the Anaheim resort is close enough to Los Angeles to squeeze in trips to Hollywood and the beach, Orlando is all about theme parks. Universal Orlando and Fun Spot America are both within a 30-minute drive from Walt Disney World, while Legoland, in Winter Haven, is about an hour's drive south of the resort.

Read on for a detailed comparison of Disneyland vs. Walt Disney World, from resort size and rides to amenities and the best times to visit.

Resort Size

Disneyland covers about 500 acres and consists of two theme parks: Disney California Adventure and Disneyland. At more than 25,000 acres, or around 40 square miles, Walt Disney World is much larger. Fifty Disneylands could fit inside the vast Florida property comprising shopping centers, two water parks, and four theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Both Disney resorts are worth visiting, but your decision may depend on how long you have to explore. You could see all the main attractions at Disneyland in a day or two, while you would need around a week to see and do everything at Walt Disney World.

Ticket Prices

Disneyland and Walt Disney World both use dynamic pricing for theme park tickets, which means the cost of admission varies depending on certain factors like the time of year or the day of the week. Tickets at both resorts are expensive, but Disneyland tickets tend to be slightly less. However, Walt Disney World offers free or low-cost activities that don't require park tickets, so you don't necessarily need them every day of your stay.

You can expect to pay more than $100 for a one-day, single-park ticket, but exact prices will depend on your vacation dates, whether you splurge on Park Hopper tickets (which allow you to visit more than one park per day), and whether you add the Lightning Lane Multi Pass for access to expedited lines at most attractions.

That said, there are plenty of ways to save money on a vacation at both resorts — such as avoiding weekends and holiday periods, snagging deals on hotels and flights, packing your own snacks, and forgoing add-ons.

Rides, Attractions, and Experiences

There are more than a dozen rides that you'll find at both resorts, including the classics Pirates of the Caribbean and It's a Small World. Each location puts its own spin on these rides, so you won't be bored if you've already ridden one at the other resort.

In Orlando, you'll find more than 275 attractions and entertainment options across the four parks, including famous Walt Disney World rides like the fan-favorite Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Disneyland has about 140 experiences, shows and rides ranging from vintage gems like Dumbo the Flying Elephant to the thrilling Indiana Jones Adventure. The smaller resort has more things to do per acre.

While Disneyland has a few water rides, Walt Disney World — with two water parks — offers many more opportunities to get wet. It's refreshing to cool off at Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach if you visit the Orlando resort during the hot and humid summer.

Disneyland and Walt Disney World both hold stellar parades and provide the chance to interact with characters throughout the day. At night, the party continues with live performances of beloved Disney stories and fireworks displays.

Food and Drink

Although most people don't travel to the parks just to eat, iconic Disney treats like the Dole Whip, churros, and Mickey Mouse-shaped pretzels make any trip extra special. Both parks have an abundance of food options, whether from sidewalk snack carts, food courts, or upscale eateries.

Disneyland offers more than 130 food options. One of the resort's best restaurants is the Blue Bayou Restaurant in New Orleans Square, which offers gumbo and other Louisiana-style dishes. You'll find American comfort foods from pot roast to fried chicken served with buttermilk biscuits at Main Street, U.S.A.'s Plaza Inn. For cocktails, mocktails, and entertainment, go to Oga’s Cantina at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. All ages are welcome.

Walt Disney World has over 400 places to eat and drink across its six parks and shopping areas. Must-visit restaurants include Epcot's high-end Space 220, where guests are treated to panoramic views of a virtual galaxy from a "spaceship" while enjoying Korean- and Thai-inspired fare. For a more casual experience, head to Hollywood Studios to order family-style platters of smoked meats and Southern sides fromToy Story-themed Roundup Rodeo BBQ.

Hotels and Resorts

A range of accommodations are available in and around both theme park resorts. The biggest perk to staying off-site is the price, which is almost always lower than that of on-site hotels. On the other hand, booking an on-site stay means you'll be in the most convenient location, immersed in the magic of Disney at all times.

Disneyland has three on-site hotels: the Disneyland Hotel, Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, and Pixar Place Hotel. All three offer guests special perks such as early admission to the parks.

Walt Disney World has 35 on-property options, including an exclusive campground, Fort Wilderness, with sites that can accommodate both RVs and campers with tents. Top Disney World hotels include Disney's Contemporary Resort, which has two pools and multiroom villas. Disney's Art of Animation Resort is one of the cheaper options, offering park-goers various rooms inspired by Pixar classics. On the higher end, there's the safari-themed Animal Kingdom Lodge or Disney's Polynesian Villas and Bungalows, which is next to the Seven Seas Lagoon.

Navigating the Parks

Getting around Disneyland in Anaheim is relatively simple, and the two parks can be covered on foot in a day. Visitors report walking between six and 13 miles, depending on how many parks and attractions they cover. Disneyland does offer free shuttle services to and from all its parking areas — the Toy Story lot and Mickey and Friends and Pixar Pals structures. There is also a free monorail that travels between the Downtown Disney District and Tomorrowland in Disneyland Park.

At Walt Disney World, however, transportation is an absolute necessity. The expansive resort is outfitted with a complimentary transportation system that includes buses, ferry boats, Skyliner gondolas, and the monorail, which stops at Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and three on-site Disney hotels. You can even use Lyft to order an accessible Minnie Van to shuttle up to five people within the park.

You'll also find plenty of parking lots, from standard to premium and complete with electric charging stations, for all theme and water parks. Free trams run from the lots to the primary park entrances as well.

Best Times to Visit

When you plan to take your Disney vacation could be a huge factor in deciding which park to visit. In terms of climate, both parks are best visited during the more temperate spring months, though this is when they can become crowded with spring breakers. Holidays — particularly Thanksgiving, Christmas, the Fourth of July, and Halloween — are also busy times. If you have the choice, go during off-peak times. Fewer crowds mean you'll spend less time in line and be able to experience more of the parks.

Disneyland's location in sunny Southern California, where the temperatures are pretty consistent throughout the year, gives it a major advantage. While there are advantages to visiting in every season, temperatures in the Anaheim resort can dip to around 50 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter and reach 100 degrees in August and September.

Choosing the best time to visit Walt Disney World can be trickier with Orlando's hotter and more humid summer months. The area does have mild and comfortable winters with average temperatures between the low 50s and 70s.

Getting to the Resorts

Anaheim's Disneyland is a 30- to 90-minute drive southeast of Downtown Los Angeles, depending on traffic. John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, about a 30-minute drive from the resort, is the closest airport. Los Angeles International Airport, which is roughly an hour's drive away, is larger and offers more flight options. Disneyland is also a 30- to 45-minute drive from the Port of Los Angeles.

Orlando's Walt Disney World is about 30 minutes west of Orlando International Airport. It's also fairly easy to get to the resort from either Orlando Sanford International (about an hour's drive) or Melbourne Orlando International (a 90-minute drive). If you're visiting before or after a Disney Cruise departing from Cape Canaveral, plan on an hour's drive.