Skip to main content

Disneyland Differences

You love Disney, right?
But have you really experienced Disney on both coasts?

Walt Disney World in Florida is HUGE and so magical, but Disneyland Resort in California is the original and a MUST do experience full of Walt’s footsteps--- and so much of the true history of Disney!



Things that I love about experiencing Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure parks in California:

Proximity: 2 parks - Disneyland and California Adventure - plus Downtown Disney are all within a walkable distance, which makes it perfect for multigenerational trips! Less walking and distance required!

Onsite hotels: There are just 3 onsite hotels at Disneyland, but there are 49 good neighbor hotels that are also very close by and many are even within walking distance of the parks!

Park hopping: EASY peasy - you can walk from the entry of Disneyland to California Adventure within a few minutes.

Less upfront planning: For the California parks and resorts, dining reservations take place 60 days or less, prior to the day you want to dine. In Florida, this time frame starts 180 days before the day you hope to dine.

Fastpasses: Grab an available time when you arrive to the park either through the Disneyland App with MAXPASS (a paid service) or when you arrive to the Fastpass kiosks. While at WDW you can get them up to 60 days in advance, everyone has an equal change of snagging a Fastpass for rides like the Matterhorn on the day they're in the parks! There is no pre planning like at WDW (though you should have in mind which rides you hope to Fastpass).


Weather: California Sun is wonderful! California is a more dry and desert like environment, which means MUCH less humidity than in Florida - the summer heat is not as extreme

Food: I really like the California food! Since the parks are a smaller scale - the difference is seen in the food!

Holidays: There are fabulous overlays on certain rides, like Small World, Rollic Hauloween, Junkyard Jamboree, Ghost Galaxy and Haunted Mansion!



Exclusive to Disneyland: If you want to catch a ride on the Matterhorn and Indiana Jones you'll have to head to California! ToonTown is also still in California, while it has been closed in Florida since 2011!

Exclusive to Disney’s California Adventure Park: Guardians of the Galaxy, Cars Land - Radiator Racers, Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree, Incredicoaster---too many to list!

SO much more can be explained about Disneyland and California differences by your On The Road Travel magic planner!



***One of our favorite family trips was our trip to California, last year! We were able to fly into San Francisco, experience Big Sur, Drive the Pacific Coast Highway, visit the USS Iowa AND still have a few days at Disneyland Resort before flying home from John Wayne airport! It is small and perfect for families with little kids! Did I mention it is close to Disneyland, too? No long commute to a big airport!

Next time we head to California for some Disneyland Resort time---we will mix San Diego in! There is a lovely Amtrak ride to experience about 2 hours on the train and it is full of coastal views! That can be part of a Disney Travel Company package! San Diego and Disney!

It is a win-win!

Don’t forget! Star Wars Land is debuting in California FIRST! It is set for Summer 2019!
We can help you with your West Coast Disney experience---and all other Disney locations that you may be dreaming of!

To start planning your next vacation, contact your On The Road Travel agent. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Gaston's Tavern Giant Cinnamon Rolls

Cinnamon rolls are a must for me at Christmas and this is one of my favorite recipes for look-alike Gaston’s Tavern Giant Cinnamon Rolls! I found it on Inside the Magic , so all recipe credit belongs to them, but I have copied it below with some of my commentary and photos of my step by step process. Homemade cinnamon rolls are always going to be a bit time consuming, but these only have to proof for 40 minutes total so it’s really not bad at all! First things first, here are the materials you’re going to need: Mixer (one with a dough hook will make your life much much easier) and bowl Rubber scrapers Rolling pin 2-3 saucepans Microwave safe bowls An area big enough to roll them out 2 metal sheet pans with edges Measuring cups Measuring spoons Medium sized bowl for filling Liquid measuring cup The nice thing about the recipe is it uses pretty basic ingredients that you likely already have at your house. I went to Aldi and bought nearly everything just to see and it was about $20. A...

Disneyland Hotel

Become immersed in the spirit of Disneyland past and present! If you love Disney nostalgia, this resort will delight with its artwork and memorabilia that pay homage to the history and traditions of Disneyland. Stay in the Adventure, Fantasy, or Frontier tower—each an homage to the park’s original lands—and delight in the sleek, ultra-modern design at every turn. Located just steps from the Downtown Disney District, this hotel is a short stroll to both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. Rooms at the Disneyland Hotel are both sophisticated and whimsical, paying loving tribute to the classic years of Disneyland Park. Upscale styling, state-of-the-art amenities, and special Disney furnishings—including light-up Sleeping Beauty Castle headboards and timeless artwork—provide a stay your entire family will treasure. Most rooms at Disneyland Hotel sleep up to five guests in two queen beds and a fold down sofa. Rooms are offered in standard, deluxe, premium, and premium Down...

Grand Californian Resort & Spa

Escape reality at a hotel that defines grandeur at every turn—from premium accommodations and Craftsman-style elegance to Disney’s impeccable service and renowned attention to detail. Guests at Disney’s Grand Californian Resort and Spa can enjoy impressive amenities and rich dining experiences as well as utilize the convenient proximity to Disney California Adventure Park. It’s the ultimate way to enjoy thrill-filled days at the parks! Experience a combination of elegance, technology and whimsy at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. Discover delightful details like the mural above the headboards that depicts a blossoming orange tree—with Chip ‘n Dale mischievously playing in the branches. In select rooms, when you open the sleeper bed, you’ll find artwork of woodland creatures from Bambi to bid you goodnight. Most rooms at Grand Californian sleep up to five guests in two queen beds and a fold down sofa. Rooms are offered in standard, woods/courtyard, partial view of Downtow...