Choosing the Best US Disney Park for Your Family | Go Travel Daily

Choosing the Best US Disney Park for Your Family

If your family has decided they’re ready to put their Mickey and Minnie ears on for your upcoming vacation, the natural next question becomes which US park to choose: do you make your way west to visit Walt Disney’s original park, Disneyland in Anaheim, California, or do you flock south towards the Sunshine State to see Pluto and friends at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida?

On the surface, it might seem like the theme parks are just carbon copies of each other, situated on opposite coasts. However, there are major differences between the two original Disney parks, and knowing a bit more about them can help you decide which park is right for your family.

Size Differences and Crowd Levels

One of the most significant differences between the parks is their sheer size. The Florida resort spans 43 square miles, which is roughly the size of San Francisco and about double the size of Manhattan. Comparatively, the Disneyland resort sits on around 500 acres of land.

Walt Disney World is home to four theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom; two water parks: Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Disney’s Blizzard Beach, multiple golf courses, recreational activities, and Disney Springs, an on-property shopping, dining, and nightlife complex.

The Disneyland Resort is home to two parks: Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, and Downtown Disney, the park-adjacent shopping, dining, and nightlife destination.

With an increasing number of rides, attractions, and new additions to the Disney parks each year, there’s always a new reason to visit. Not only does this keep the parks exciting and the offerings innovative, but it also means that there’s rarely a slow time at either property. Crowd levels continue to increase year after year, with summer, major holidays, and school breaks bringing crowds that often shut the parks down.

Both coasts experience high crowds, but the crowds themselves are different. Disneyland has more local Annual Passholders, meaning people will stop by for a casual visit, often during evenings and weekends. In contrast, Walt Disney World attracts tourists from all over the globe, along with local Floridians who hold Annual Passes.

Advance Planning

Another major difference between the two parks is the amount of planning you’ll likely need to do to hit the highlights, especially during peak seasons. A good place to start is by figuring out what each park offers and what your family would be most excited to see. For instance, if your family has major Toy Story fans, you’ll want to spend plenty of time in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, home to Toy Story Land.

If you’ve got animal lovers in tow, you’ll want to get up close and personal with the hundreds of exotic species at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. For Star Wars fans, fear not; if you’re hoping to check out the new Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge immersive land and attractions, you can find it on both coasts, where the offerings are nearly the same.

With dining reservations opening 180 days (yes, that’s six months) out at Disney World restaurants, securing a spot at some of the most coveted table service restaurants requires setting your alarm for 6:00 in the morning EST six months ahead. Two of the hardest reservations to snag are right at the Magic Kingdom: the Beauty and the Beast-themed Be Our Guest Restaurant and Cinderella’s Royal Table, inside the majestic Cinderella Castle.

Disneyland’s dining reservations open up 60 days out, allowing you a more manageable timeline for meal planning.

You’ll also want to snag advance reservations for the most popular rides at Walt Disney World, or else risk waiting in extremely long lines, often in the hot sun. People staying at on-site hotels can make Fastpass+ reservations up to 60 days in advance, while day visitors and off-property guests can book theirs 30 days out.

Disneyland offers paper Fastpasses that can only be obtained once you’re in the parks; however, they also provide a $15 per day Maxpass upgrade, allowing you to book your Fastpasses through the official app instead of having to walk to each ride.

Different Attractions at the Parks

Both parks feature attractions filled with incredible themes and thrills. Though there are about 20 attractions that exist on both coasts, including classics like Space Mountain, It’s a Small World, and Pirates of the Caribbean, true Disney fans revel in spotting the differences between them.

Disneyland boasts unique attractions such as the Matterhorn Bobsleds, Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT, and Radiator Springs Racers, while Disney World offers favorites like Spaceship Earth, Mission: SPACE, Test Track, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, Kilimanjaro Safaris, and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

The themes of the parks themselves differ too. Epcot and Disney’s Animal Kingdom are unique, providing a special experience, especially for first-timers.

Where to Stay and What to See in the Area

Disney World is home to more than 25 intricately themed resorts across three price levels: value, moderate, and deluxe. Additionally, there are many nearby off-site hotels, some of which offer limited Disney perks. Each resort presents various activities and amenities, including pools, restaurants, and entertainment, so you can enjoy some downtime after the hustle and bustle of long park days.

In contrast, Disneyland features three deluxe hotels, making staying onsite more costly. However, there are several affordable off-site hotels, many within walking distance to the parks, if you don’t need to experience Disney magic every waking moment of your trip.

Due to its sheer size, Disneyland is inherently more walkable. The rides are much closer together, making it less overwhelming for families with small children. It’s also easier if your trip is part of a larger California visit, as a few days are often sufficient to see the highlights.

You could spend weeks at Disney World and still not see every single thing it has to offer. Therefore, if you’re looking to plan a longer trip that includes some relaxation and recreation time, Florida might be your best bet.

Pricing is comparable for tickets, hotels, food, and souvenirs at both locations, though ticket pricing varies based on peak times and days. You’re sure to have an incredible time no matter which coast you’re on, so grab those ears and get ready to enjoy the magic.

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