Is Disneyland like Disney world??

[stepmommyof1]

I have been to disneyworld several times but never Disneyland. I want to go really bad but since I've never been there I don't know how it will be. Is it a lot different than Disney world? What's different? I'm sure I'll like it but I'm worried about it being really different from Disney world, and I like Disney world so much. I'm not very good at trying new things I guess. Maybe I should just go to Disney world again and not try Disneyland. But maybe I would like it, I'm just unsure because it might be very different.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Let me start by saying Ive never been to WDW. Our 1st trip is in September. From what I've heard Disneyland and MK are similar but slightly different. It'll feel familiar, but you'll find things a little out if place. DCA has rides similar to the 3 other parks: Soarin, tower of terror, toy story, a river rapid ride... There is enough that'll feel familiar but also things that are new and interesting. I say DEFINATELY go to Disneyland, youll really enjoy it. Differences youll like: Both parks and downtown Disney are right next to each other. A 5 minute walk between. Also many hotels are a short walk or bus ride from the parks. Have fun planning.

 

[el_tigre]

In a nutshell, Disneyland the theme park blows away WDW's Magic Kingdom, but Walt Disney World as an entire package blows away the Disneyland Resort.

I say different is fun and you should give Disneyland a try. I've been to every Magic Kingdom around the globe and the only one I don't have much of a desire to see again is Hong Kong. And there's something very special about the original...

 

[Princess Row]

I have been to DL many many times. Took our first trip to WDW a few weeks ago. We did love DW but DL will always be are favorite. I like the history behind DL better.

With that being said........let me start with the castle. Its about 3 times the size at DW as compared to DL. Disneyland is most similar to MAgic Kingdom with a few extra rides from other parks. California adventure has some rides that dont exist at WDW like California screamin or the mosters inc ride.
Indiana jones is a favorite in Dl and it isnt a show. Pirates is only a tin bit different and Haunted Man. has a completely different look on the outside. There is many differences but finding them is all part of the experience!
I'm sure you will enjoy DL, and its not as much walking!

 

[Jynxed]

This is my first trip to DL after going to WDW a lot. I can not tell you the exact differences as I have yet to experience them, but from what I gather there are a lot.
You will get a lot of people, on this board in particular, telling you that one place is better then the other. BUT isn't it up to you to decide for yourself?

I feel so incredibly blessed that I have the opportunity to check out both parks and compare the two on my own and make up my own mind. And while I may choose WDW in the end, at least I will know first hand. That is worth the week away from my "home park".

 

[raftislander]

When you vacation at WDW how much time do you spend in the parks? If you spend most of your time in the parks, then I think you will like DLR. The two Anaheim parks are right next to each other so it is easy to hop back and forth; both parks, but DL especially, are jammed packed full of attractions. If, however, if you like to spend as much time at your resort (or the waterparks) as you do in the parks, if eating out at the varied WDW restaurants is high on your list, or if either EPCOT/World Showcase or AK are your favorite parks, then you may be disappointed. DLR will not give you the same escape to a resort experience as WDW. You are not as isolated from the outside world at DL. But the weather is far more temperate in California which makes a huge difference to me as I don't like humidity or temperatures much over 85 degrees.

 

[mama2dutchies]

I think you will enjoy it a lot.

I think your best bet is not to go in and compare the 2.. think of it as it's own place.
Just like a beach.. A beach is a beach, ocean and sand shells and sun..

Some beaches have jetty's some have piers.. it doesn't change how you enjoy your day, it just makes it feel a little different. The magic is still there, just don't expect the same experience

 

[stepmommyof1]

Ok thanks

 

[KCmike]

Like Disneyworld?
Well first Disneyland was created so the question is kind of backwards.

Will you like it?
Absolutely. This WDW vet thinks its the best by far. I love it so much. The only thing I miss at WDW is Epcot. I love how close everything is. I love the nostalgia, the rides, and intimacy. Fireworks, parades, Fantasmic! are all so much better.

Now there won't be any boating, much recreational activities, etc like at WDW.

Go and have a blast. Beware though that you will fall in love and will come back often.

 

[stepmommyof1]

I did not know they made Disneyland first.

 

[furb & dez]

After visiting Walt Disney World for the first time this year, I finally understood this quote after seeing it somewhere else online:

Disneyland is a park built by a loving father for his two girls.
Walt Disney World is a 'resort' built by a corporation for the Walmart crowd.

 

[HappyHaunt]

We did WDW for the first time last August. As others have said, Disneyland is basically the Magic Kingdom. Disneyland has some rides that the Magic Kingdom doesn't have. Like Indiana Jones, and the Matterhorn. Pirates I think is MUCH better at Disneyland. So there are differences like that. Also we found WDW to have more walking space, DL feels a lot more cramped when walking around.

Right across from Disneyland, and I mean right across is DCA. Which has a lot of rides that are all over WDW. Like Tower of Terror and Toy Story. Along with a lot of rides that you won't find at WDW. And of course not everything at WDW is at DL, like no more people mover at DL.

WDW had better food and more options, really there is no benefit to doing a dining plan at DL. WDW was great with the dining plan.

The biggest difference is that traveling around the parks is much easier. No waiting for buses. You can literally walk everywhere. Which is nice. The outside world also plays a bigger part in a trip to Disneyland. With offsite places to eat and stay RIGHT there. Which has it's good and bad points. We found WDW to be quite magical because of the lack of the outside world. But it's also nice to have cheaper options to stay and eat at DL. I think you'll do just fine!

 

[DebbieB]

I did not know they made Disneyland first.

Disneyland opened in 1955, WDW in 1971.

I first went to WDW in 1994, my first trip to DL was in 2006. I thought I would not like DL as much but I have grown to really like it. I like them both on their own merit, not one vs the other.

 

[AmyPond]

Well, since this is the Disneyland section of The Dis, you're going to get pretty much the same answer from everyone here. Yes, go to Disneyland. It's pretty amazing.

As others have stated, Disneyland is a lot better than the Magic Kingdom. There are quite a few rides at Disneyland that MK does not have. I'm sure someone here has complied a list of all the differences to maybe someone will post it.

If your favorite thing about WDW are the restaurants, then no, you probably won't like DLR as much since there aren't as many sit-down type restaurants. If your favorite thing about WDW is the resort experience, then you may not like DLR as much.

But if you love attractions and stuff like that, then I don't think you'll be disappointed.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

My husband has been to both and he says he likes Disneyland/DCA better than WDW because there is less time to travel between parks and 2 of his favorite rides are at DL - the Matterhorn Bobsleds and the DL version of POTC.

He also prefers the California weather to Florida weather he said.

I'll be finding what it is like in 10 days. I bet the kids and I will enjoy it just as much as WDW.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

After a whole bunch of WDW trips I make my first DLR trip a week from Monday. I can't wait to compare the two experiences firsthand. I will not be worried so much about running comparisons in my mind while touring. I think it will be important to let DLR just be itself.

My and my family are all about the attractions, so I'm thinking DLR is going to please us.

 

[kik050]

There are many differences in the rides and attractions, but to me, the biggest difference is the spacing between parks as said earlier.

I just went to WDW last summer and the distance was so far between kingdoms that we didn't park hop at all. And there is a lack of major rides in each park with the exception being The Magic Kingdom.

In Disneyland, you can walk back and forth to the 2 parks, including Downtown Disney. In WDW, Downtown Disney is far away also.

The worse part about WDW was leaving after the electric light parade. It was a total madhouse and the only way out was by Monorail or Ferry. Each line gets backed up to 40+ minutes. And that's just to get out of the park, then you need to walk to your car.

 

[KCmike]

After visiting Walt Disney World for the first time this year, I finally understood this quote after seeing it somewhere else online:

Here's the Quote you probably read.

There's an answer the old timers at Disney like to give when asked to compare the Anaheim and Orlando main parks, and to me it still applies as to how they are currently run: Disneyland is a park designed by a father for his daughters, while the Magic Kingdom is designed by a committee for the hordes.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

Here's the Quote you probably read.

There's an answer the old timers at Disney like to give when asked to compare the Anaheim and Orlando main parks, and to me it still applies as to how they are currently run: Disneyland is a park designed by a father for his daughters, while the Magic Kingdom is designed by a committee for the hordes.

I know I have yet to go to DLR, but I am simply not buying this. It makes DLR sound like heaven and WDW sound like a carnival set up in the parking lot of the mall. I just can't imagine the difference would be that great.

 

[AmyPond]

I know I have yet to go to DLR, but I am simply not buying this. It makes DLR sound like heaven and WDW sound like a carnival set up in the parking lot of the mall. I just can't imagine the difference would be that great.

I love DLR and WDW. They are very different but very much the same. I think they both have pros and cons. But I enjoy both experiences greatly. When I'm at one park, I find myself missing elements from the other park. When I get home, I inevitably start planning a trip to the other one.