Disneyland Vs. Disney World

Disneyland Vs. Disney World

(Know the difference and don't get shamed by a Disnerd)

We all know by now that I am an absolute Disney Fan or in some places a Disnerd!  I am proud that I can sprout of facts about not only movies but the parks as well.  I love that when I go to Disney with friends and family people look to me for advice of where to go and what to do.  And I am absolutely proud that I worked for Disney World for a semester a couple years back.  But this does kind of make me a Disney snob and that means that little things that people don't understand and they should annoy me.  I cannot tell you how many times I have heard people say "That's the one in Florida right?"  "Oh so you worked in California?"   So once and for all I am going to tell you the difference between Disneyland and Disney World and I may even tell you which one I like better. 

Location:

Yes, we are starting very simple.  

Disneyland

Is located in Anaheim California.  This city can be found on the Southwest part of the state of California.   It's located on a street that shares it's name.  Right down the street is the Convention Center.  Thanks to this park Anaheim has doubled in size since opening day.  

Disney World

Is located in Orlando Florida.  It is located in Central Florida.  The weather here is never too cold.  Disney World is located throughout Orlando and not just in one location.  

Number of Parks:

Disneyland

Disneyland is the home of two amusement parks.  

And

(California Adventure)

Both of these parks are accessed by a common area that runs in between the two parks.  Depending on which way you arrive to the parks you will either find yourself walking through Downtown Disney or the Bus Hub. 

Disney World

Disney Wold is the home for four amusement parks and two water parks as well as their own Downtown Disney that they call Disney Springs.

(Magic Kingdom)

(Animal Kingdom)

(Hollywood Studios)

(Epcot)

(Blizzard Beach)

(Typhoon Lagoon)

(Disney Springs)

The best way to access all of the parks is via the bus system.  There are parking lots for each so feel free to drive.  When traveling to Magic Kingdom you can either take the Monorail or the Fairy. It is possible to hit all theme parks in one day but I would suggest just picking one per day. 

Time Needed On Vacation:

Disneyland

We're getting into my opinions here.  I believe that the best way to experience Disneyland is to spend at least two days dedicated to your time at the parks.  Three is preferable but really you just need two days.  Two days, two parks makes sense right?
If you do happen to get the three days Park Hopper pass however here's the best plan for you:  First day at Disneyland doing everything Disneyland has to offer, don't even think about heading over to California Adventure that day.  The second day you spend the whole day in California Adventure and you do everything that California Adventure has to offer and you don't even think about going to Disneyland.  On the third day you get the best of both parks.  I'm serious pick your favorites from both parks and hit all of them.  Also by day three you'll be pretty tired so you can take it easy.

Disney World
There are many different ways to do Disney World.  I lived there for four months so believe me I've almost seen and done it all!  My opinion do not plan any less than a week for your trip to Florida!
Four days I think is what you need to do Disney World right at least the first time and that's not even counting the Water Parks or Disney Springs.
Four days four parks it's just that simple.  However, since I am a big advocate of getting the parks before rope drop and leaving when the Cast Members are pretty much pushing you out of the gate you're going to be exhausted to plan off days.  Go to the beach, go swim with manatees (my personal favorite), take a day and go to Disney Springs.  Have fun on your vacation!

Rides, Rides, Rides:
Disneyland
Disneyland has all of your favorite rides and they are spaced out between just two parks.  This makes it so easy to be able to hit all of your favorite rides within one day if you really wanted to.  Also don't forget to use your fastpasses.
Some rides that are just at Disneyland and not at Disney World that are totally worth it:  The Matterhorn, The Incredicoaster, Radiator Springs Racers, make that all of Cars Land, Indiana Jones, Guardians of the Galaxy Mission Break Out and World of Color (not a ride but still just as important).

Disney World
Disney World has a lot of the same rides as Disneyland, but instead they are spaced between all four parks instead of just two.  This means that each park has one or two of your favorite rides.  Which also means that it will take a little bit more time to hit all of your favorite rides.
Some rides that Disney World has that Disneyland doesn't: Rockin Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror (fight me on this but Tower of Terror is different from Guardians of the Galaxy), Expedition Everest (also much different from Matterhorn), Flight of Passage, Dinosaur (pretty much the same track as Indiana Jones), all of Dino Land, all of Pandora, and the World Showcase.

Which One Is Better?:
If I had to pick between the two of which one I would like to visit the most I would pick...

Every time and here's why:  Because you can go on all of your favorite rides one after another.  There are more rides all compounded together.  The whole day feels magical.  Also it might have to do with the fact that Disneyland was the first one that I went to.  

If I had to pick between the two of which one I would like to work at the most I would pick...

Every single time and here's why:  The people are way nicer.  I remember that on my College Program they had it ingrained into our heads that we were at the happiest place on earth and we needed to be HAPPY!!! It didn't matter what was going on in your personal life you had to be happy at all times.  Yes, that sounds really hard for the Cast Members, but it makes a difference to the guests.  

I remember when I first went to Disneyland right after I worked for Disney World and I walked away from a Cast Member thinking to myself "We would not have gotten away with that at Disney World."  Does that mean that all Disneyland Cast Members are terrible?  No!  In fact I've also had really good experiences with them.  

Also it's just an environment type thing.  I mean where would I rather live Florida or California?  

So the next time that somebody talks to you about Disneyland and Disney World you will know the difference!  

As always have a Magical Day!