• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
  • 866 998-7373
  • About
  • How We Work
  • MMP Agents
  • Contact
Magical Memory Planners

Magical Memory Planners

Family Vacations Made Easy!

Start Planning
  • Home
  • Disney
    • WALT DISNEY WORLD Resort
    • Disneyland
    • Disney Cruise Line
    • Adventures by Disney
    • Aulani
  • Cruises
  • Florida
    • Universal Orlando Resort
    • Legoland Florida
    • Sea World
  • Caribbean and Mexico
  • Luxury Travel
  • Promotions
  • Podcast
  • Blog
Magical Memory PlannersStart Planning
Home > Travel Information and Tips > A Disney World Fan’s Visit to Disneyland

A Disney World Fan’s Visit to Disneyland

March 12, 2023 by Jo Garrett

A Disney World Fan's Visit to Disneyland

I LOVE Walt Disney World in Florida! It feels like home to me and brings me such joy that I visit as often as I can. With all the amazing things at Disneyland in California, I knew it was time for me to make a trip out west to visit Mickey’s original home.

I had visited Disneyland before, but way back when there was only Disneyland park and California Adventure was not even in the works. I had vague recollections of it being much smaller than Magic Kingdom at Disney World and fondly remembered some of its unique rides like the Matterhorn, Submarine Voyage, and Indiana Jones Adventure. What I experienced when I arrived was even better than I remembered and far exceeded my expectations!

Here are some of the things I actually liked better about Disneyland versus Disney World:

Everything is within walking distance

The Disney resorts are all right next to the parks and Downtown Disney, which makes it very easy to simply walk to the parks each day (it also makes taking a mid-afternoon break easy!). In fact, everything is so close that there is no bus system to transport guests around from place to place. You will never be farther than a 10-minute walk from any place you want to go at Disneyland.

Disneyland Hotel Pool
Disneyland Hotel Pool

Park Hopping is very convenient

Because everything is so close, it makes it easy to hop from one park to another. In fact, the entrances for the parks are right across from each other! You also go through security outside of the park entrance area so you are able to go back and forth between the parks and Downtown Disney without going through the security lines again.

Characters are everywhere and easy to meet

Meeting characters at Walt Disney World can be time consuming and require a lot of planning. At Disneyland, they truly just wander the parks and stop to visit with people. Sure, there are spots you can find certain characters, but we never waited longer than 10 minutes to meet anyone (even for Anna, Elsa, and Olaf!). In the Avengers Campus area of Disney’s California Adventure you will see many fan favorites walking around.

Guardians of the Galaxy Characters in Disney's California Adventure
Disney’s California Adventure

The unique attractions are some of my favorites

You have never truly experienced Pirates of the Caribbean or It’s a Small World until you ride the originals at Disneyland. They are so much better! (Sorry, Magic Kingdom). And the Finding Nemo Submarines and Indiana Jones Adventure will always be some of my favorite Disney attractions. But let’s talk about California Adventure for a minute here – it is AMAZING! The theming is fantastic and really covers the spectrum of California, from the streets of Hollywood Land where you will meet most of the characters to rugged Grizzly Peak, Pixar Pier, and Cars Land, this park is Disney at its finest. This park is what Hollywood Studios at Disney World should be. Cars Land truly transports you into Radiator Springs. The Cars characters actually drive around town and stop to greet guests (yes, they talk!) and Radiator Springs Racers is officially my very favorite Disney attraction (sorry, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train). If you get a chance, you HAVE to check this park out!

Disney kicked it up a notch when they added Avenger’s Campus in 2022. Now you can rub shoulders with some amazing marvel characters such as Guardians of the Galaxy, Spiderman and others. Web Slingers is so much fun as you get to help Spiderman wrangle rogue Spider-Bots. And, if you liked Tower of Terror you are going to LOVE Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!

There is a laid back, easy vibe to the parks

I love to plan Disney vacations! But sometimes you find a lot of guests stressed out at Disney World trying to stick with their plan or get it all in (it’s impossible to do it all at Disney World). Because Disneyland is smaller, easier to navigate, and located in California, it has a more relaxed, easy-going vibe to it. You can do it all there, actually. If you have 4 days and a good game plan, you can enjoy every single thing there is to do at both parks and not be stressed in the process. I kind of love that.

What’s New

Walt Disney said, “Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world.” This is still true today. If you haven’t been yet, then there is still so much to see and do and new things coming all the time.

If you are able to get out to Disneyland,  DO! It is amazing! The fireworks at Disneyland, “Wonderous Journeys”, is new for the 100 Years of Wonder Celebration and The Magic Happens parade is back too. At Disney’s California Adventure they have a new show called World of Color – One.

Want to check out this Disney destinations for yourself? We’d love to help you plan your vacation!  As always, our help is always FREE to our clients.

Find Out More

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
I'm interested in:
Check all that apply:
How should we contact you next?
Are you already working with one of our planners or was one recommended to you?*
We'll also send you the latest news and information on destinations, deals, itineraries, and tips for your next and best vacation ever! We value your privacy and never share your info. See our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Filed Under: Travel Information and Tips Tagged With: Disneyland

About Jo Garrett

Jo Garrett lives in North Carolina. She has been planning vacations with Magical Memory Planners since 2014. She has not only traveled but lived around the world. She has been recognized as an All Star Agent for her experience and expertise. [Learn more about Jo]

Plan An Amazing Vacation With Us!

We take the stress out of vacation planning. We'll work with you to ensure you and your family can take dream vacations to the places you've always wanted to go.

Let's Get Started!
Disney Earmarked Gold
Authorized Disney Vacation Planner
TL Network
CLIA
IATAN
American Society of Travel advisors

Footer

We’re a travel agency specializing in family vacations. Our booking services make planning your vacation easy at no additional cost. We do the work for you!

Magical Memory Planners

610-906-7283
[email protected]

Connect with Us!

  • Rss Feed
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • Email

Want to be the first to get the latest and greatest offers, as well as travel tips for a magical, stress-free vacation? Join Our Travel Insiders Club

Privacy Policy

(We never share your info.)

Copyright © 2023 Magical Memory Planners · Privacy Policy · Site Design by Delos Incorporated