I've visited Disney World and Disneyland dozens of times. For the full Disney experience, one park is way better.
Amanda Geffner
- The cost of visiting Disney parks is rising, but Disneyland is generally cheaper than Disney World.
- I've been visiting the parks for years and think they're worth every penny.
- But Disney World has more restaurants, character experiences, hotel options, and rides.
Ever since I was little, I've been a die-hard Disney fan — in fact, most of my T-shirts, hats, and sweatshirts have Mickey on them.
I've been to Disney World in Florida more than 20 times and to Disneyland in California more than 10 times. Every time is better than the next, and it's all worth every penny.
That's even as the cost of visiting Disney parks has increased over the years, thanks to factors including inflation, rising labor costs, and changes to its pricing approach.
A one-day pass for one Disneyland park costs between $104 and $224, while a one-day pass for one Disney World park costs between $119 and $199. Multi-day tickets and upgrades like Park Hopper increase these prices, but can offer better value over a longer stay.
Even though Disney World is more expensive, it's the better option if you want the full experience. Here's why.
Amanda Geffner
The good news is that in both Disneyland and Disney World, you can get all the Mickey waffles, churros, and popcorn you want. The variety seems endless — you can find everything from immersive quick-service meals to high-end, chef-driven restaurants within walking distance of attractions.
While both parks have a lot of options — there are 70 places to eat inside Disneyland, while the Walt Disney World Resort has around 200 — I prefer the ones at Disney World, and typically spend around $100 on food a day while there.
My favorite places to eat at Disney Springs include Jaleo by José Andrés, The Boat House, and STK Steakhouse.
In the Magic Kingdom, I love the Crystal Palace — a character dining experience with Winnie the Pooh and friends — and Tony's, an Italian restaurant inspired by "Lady and the Tramp." In Epcot, I love San Angel Inn in Mexico — especially its guacamole, chips, and shrimp cheese quesadilla — and Tutto Italia in Italy, where my go-to dish is the chicken parm with spaghetti.
Disney World has around a dozen character dining experiences, and Ohana at the Polynesian Resort is my favorite. The breakfast costs $53 for adults and $33 for children, and it's worth it. They keep bringing you delicious food after delicious food, although the home fries and Stitch waffles are the best.
Plus, you get to have breakfast with Lilo, Stitch, Mickey, and Pluto, and who doesn't love them?
Amanda Geffner
Although I prefer the food at Disney World because there are more options, Disneyland has good food too, and last time I went, I spent almost $50 on dining and snacking around Disneyland Park.
There aren't as many sit-down places to eat in Disneyland as there are in Disney World. My favorite quick bite in the parks is the Hungry Bear in Bayou Country — I'm a sucker for its chicken fingers and fries, and their cheeseburgers are delicious, too.
Disneyland also has some restaurants that Disney World doesn't have, such as the Blue Bayou Restaurant in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" ride, which I have yet to try.
Disneyland has just four locations for character dining experiences, and so far I've only tried Goofy's Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel. Breakfast costs $59 a person, and gwarsh, it's delicious, as Goofy would say.
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One of the best things about Disneyland's hotels is that they're close to the parks.
Of the three hotels, my favorite is Disneyland Hotel because it is steeped in Disney history and nostalgia, and themed around classic Disneyland lands and Walt Disney himself. A two-night stay costs for a standard room, according to Disneyland.com. It's a five-minute walk to Downtown Disney and a 10-minute walk to park entrances.
The other hotels in Disneyland are Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa and Pixar Place Hotel.
Amanda Geffner
Whereas Disneyland has three hotels, Disney World has more than 25, and the ones I've stayed at have been incredible.
I've been fortunate enough to stay at three: the Polynesian Resort, the Grand Floridian, and the Contemporary — and they were all so great in their own ways.
In January 2023, for example, I stayed in a newly renovated room at the Grand Floridian, and it was absolutely beautiful, with artwork of Cinderella, Tiana, Mulan, Jasmine, and Belle adorning the walls.
I got a 15% discount for a four-night stay — I worked at WABC-TV, so I received the discount as a castmember perk — but prices typically range from $2,800 to over $10,000 for a four-day stay, depending on the season, room type, and view. Admittedly, for many families, this is not an affordable option.
When I wasn't a cast member, I stayed at the Contemporary Resort, which was cheaper than the Grand Floridian. The Contemporary is a great hotel too; not only does it have a monorail inside, Chef Mickey's, but it is also close to Magic Kingdom, just like the Grand Floridian.
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When I go to Disneyland, I usually drive for about an hour from Los Angeles, park in one of the many lots, where parking for a day costs $40, according to the Disneyland website. Then, from the Mickey and Friends parking lot, I take the free tram straight to the parks.
Sometimes, at the end of the day, the tram takes longer because lots of people are leaving at once.
Walking is definitely the best option at Disneyland since everything is relatively close.
But Disneyland also has buses and monorails, as well as a train that stops at all sections of the park. All are complimentary to guests, and the train is worth taking around the park if you need a break from walking.
Amanda Geffner
From buses and boats to monorails, "Minnie" vans, and even an aerial gondola called the Skyliner, there are plenty of ways to navigate the parks at Disney World. As at Disneyland, the services are free for guests.
In Disney World, my personal favorite is the monorail. Not only is it fun to ride, but it's the easiest mode of transportation to get you to and from the parks, and it drops you right at the park entrance — you step off, and you're already in Main Street, USA.
If you are staying at (or visiting) the Contemporary, Polynesian, or Grand Floridian, the monorail turns hotel hopping into a smooth loop of snacks, drinks, and vibes. It's basically a moving resort crawl.
The monorail's air conditioning is also a bonus after a hot day of walking around the parks.
Buses aren't as fast as the monorails, and they're my least favorite way to get around Disney. After a long day at the park, you could be waiting for a bus for 20+ minutes, or you could watch three buses for a different resort pull up before you see one for yours.
As such, boat rides are sometimes smoother than bus rides.
Amanda Geffner
Are the rides better in Disneyland or Disney World? That depends on the ride.
At Disneyland, I'd argue some are better. The "Pirates of the Caribbean" ride at Disneyland has two drops, whereas the one at Disney World only has one. It's a Small World's iconic façade with the animated clock exists only at Disneyland, and there's a clock ceremony every 15 minutes.
Plus, Disneyland's Peter Pan's Flight still feels like a hand-crafted illusion, while Disney World's leans more into modern tech — impressive, but a little less magical.
Plus, Disneyland has the Indiana Jones, Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin, and "Finding Nemo" submarine rides that Disney World doesn't.
In Disneyland, my favorite ride is Indiana Jones — not only are you watching Indiana Jones, but you are part of his rescue mission. I love the sudden drops and swerves, too.
Amanda Geffner
If you want to get on all your favorite rides at Disney World, I highly recommend downloading the Disney app to book in advance. It also shows you your itinerary for the day.
On my most recent trip to Disney World, the Lightning Lane prices varied by park, but the maximum amount was $45. The Lightning Lane was worth it because we were able to hit almost every ride we wanted. (By comparison, during a trip to Disneyland last summer, the passes cost $34 a person.)
Disney World has a lot of rides that Disneyland doesn't, such as Remy's Ratatouille Adventure, TRON Lightcycle Run, Expedition Everest, Avatar Flight of Passage, and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, to name a few.
Amanda Geffner
At Disneyland, I saw more characters in the parades than roaming the parks. Most of the characters made appearances earlier in the day rather than in the mid-afternoon or evening.
At California Adventure, I saw some Disney princesses, but mostly Pixar characters like The Incredibles, Joy and Sadness from "Inside Out," and Woody, Buzz, and Jessie from "Toy Story."
I'd recommend staying later for the "Paint the Night" parade — it's one of the coolest parades I've ever seen at a Disney park, and Disney World doesn't have it.
Amanda Geffner
For me, the most magical part of the Disney experience is interacting with my favorite characters — and Disney World has more characters than Disneyland.
Since there are four parks, there are more characters to see than at Disneyland. Plus, at Disney World, most character interactions happen all day into the night.
Magic Kingdom and Epcot seem to have the most characters, while Hollywood Studios and Disney's California Adventure have a lot more Pixar characters.
The parades in Magic Kingdom at Disney World are another great way to see all your favorite characters, too, even the rare ones. Plus, the fireworks show after the parade is unbelievable.