Whether you’ve visited Walt Disney World in Florida a hundred times, or you’re still planning your first trip, here are a few reasons to consider visiting the Disneyland Resort in California.
The Original – The Disneyland Park is the only park that Walt Disney actually set foot in. This is the theme park that started it all!! There are many attractions here that don’t exist in other parks. Don’t miss Indiana Jones Adventure or Radiator Springs Racers. (While their ride systems are similar to other attractions at other parks, the experiences are one of a kind!) The Cars Land area of Disney California Adventure Park is like stepping into a movie and cruising down Route 66. And if you are a history buff or a Disney fan, be sure to check out the Walking in Walt’s Disneyland Footsteps Tour. The tour takes you through the origins of the park and you truly see it through Walt’s eyes.
Differences – While Disneyland started it all, there are a few attractions that started here that were copied but changed at other Disney parks around the world. If you’re a Pirates of the Caribbean fan at Walt Disney World, do NOT miss the original at Disneyland! And while it’s a small world originated at Disneyland, the ride has undergone a transformation that makes it different from Walt Disney World (note – keep an eye out for your favorite Disney and Pixar characters). And if you are a fan of Guardians of the Galaxy, or just great music, you won’t want to miss the new Guardians of the Galaxy Mission Breakout. The ride may look like Tower of Terror, but it’s completely different now!
Holiday overlays – One great thing that Disneyland does for the holidays is create holiday overlays of some of the popular attractions. The Haunted Mansion gets a spooky “Nightmare Before Christmas” overlay. And the happiest cruise that ever sailed, it’s a small world, celebrates holidays around the world. This Halloween season, even Cars Land is getting into the mix with Halloween costumes. You’ll find holiday décor, parades, food, and more!
Size – Disneyland Resort is home to two parks and three onsite hotels as well as the Downtown Disney shopping and entertainment district. The compact size makes it ideal for heading back to your hotel for an afternoon swim before returning to the park for fireworks. If you’re used to all the different transportation methods at Walt Disney World, you will likely find walking everywhere a refreshing change of pace.
Location – Disneyland is located in the heart of southern California. This makes it very easy to extend your Disneyland vacation and see more area attractions. You can experience beaches, other theme parks (Knott’s Berry Farms, Universal Studios, Legoland, and Sea World), movie studio tours, and even baseball games (there are 3 MLB teams that call southern California home).
Characters – Disneyland does characters a bit differently than at Walt Disney World. You won’t find as many character dining options, but you may see many more characters while you dine. While in the parks, you may see more roaming characters interacting with guests as you pass by. You’ll also find the Marvel characters like Black Widow, Captain America, Groot, and more.
Disneyland is the original and not be missed. Let’s plan your visit to the park that started it all! Email me at Amy@TravelWithTheMagic.com or you can find me on Facebook. You can also call me at 1-800-670-4312, ext 129. I can’t wait to plan your MAGICAL vacation!
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