Disneyland vs Disney World

Whether you’re trying to plan a magical family vacation or a fun trip to relive your childhood dreams and fantasies, visiting Disneyland or Disney World is undoubtedly a top destination.

Both theme parks offer fun rides, delicious food, engaging entertainment and a magical atmosphere, giving guests of all ages memorable experiences that will last a lifetime. However, if you’re deciding on a Disneyland vs. Disney World vacation, there are some major distinctions you should be aware of.

We’ve outlined the key differences between each Disney property so you can choose the trip that is best suited for you and your family. Once you’ve made your choice, turn to AAA for the finest travel deals and easy hotel booking.

Size and Location

Both Disneyland and Disney World are located in top travel destinations in the U.S., but their locations and sizes are drastically different. Let’s take a look at the size and location of each Disney property.

Disneyland

Disneyland is based in Anaheim, California, which is just south of Los Angeles. Since Anaheim is located in Southern California, the climate there is the most ideal, with less rain and consistently pleasant weather year-round.

For size, Disneyland is only about 500 acres. Being considerably smaller than Disney World, it is certainly possible to visit all of Disneyland’s main attractions in a day or two.

Disney World

Disney World, on the other hand, is situated in Orlando, Florida, which is in the center of the state. Central Florida has a hot and humid climate in the summertime, but the winters are usually sunny and cool.

The size of Disney World is astonishing, covering 43 square miles of land. For context, that means you could fit about 51 Disneylands inside Disney World. It’s basically its own city, which would take you about a week to explore everything it has to offer.

Rides

As you might expect, you’ll find various rides at one park that you won’t find at the other. However, you’ll find many of the same popular rides at both Disneyland and Disney World.

Both properties feature beloved attractions like Peter Pan and It’s a Small World. Magic Kingdom and Disneyland Park both have iconic rides including Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Splash Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise and the Haunted Mansion, but you’ll find that there are a few subtle changes between the rides.

Disneyland

Between Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure, there are a total of 53 different rides to enjoy, including a brand-new iteration of the popular Hollywood Studios attraction, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, set to open in spring 2023.