Walt Disney World vs. Disneyland 2024: What’s Better for Your Money?

Magic Kingdom Disneyworld

Planning a magical trip to a Disney park is always exciting, but choosing between the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida or visiting Disneyland in California can be tough. Both offer enchanting experiences, but where can your Disney Dollar go further? Doing a side-by-side comparison can help you when planning your next trip.

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Disney World vs. Disneyland: Quick Take

Legendary tourist hotspots Disneyland and Disney World Resort Hotel are popular destinations in the United States that are already seeing their fair share of traffic, especially with families planning upcoming vacations based around school holidays such as spring break or summer vacation.

As millions of travelers map out their long-awaited summer trips to either of the happiest places on earth, they may be wondering where they can get the biggest bang for their Disney-fated buck. Aside from factors like travel fare–which depends on where you live–there’s a lot to consider when making this decision. Here are some key takeaways about Walt Disney World vs. Disneyland.

Disneyland Features

1. Average 1-day base ticket: $104 to $209
2. You don’t need to stay as long to experience everything: Because Disneyland is considerably smaller than Disney World (even if you attend its partner park, California Adventure), there’s less ground to cover, which could do your wallet some serious good. “Disneyland has historically been less expensive just because the length of stay is generally shorter,” said Kaleigh Kirkpatrick, founder of The Shameless Tourist. “My recommendation for length of stay at Disneyland is usually three nights versus five to seven at Disney World.”
3. You can walk instead of drive or Uber: “Almost everything is in walking distance, whereas at Walt Disney World transportation is a huge factor (both in terms of logistics and cost) for your vacation,” said Luke Dunsmore, editor of Theme Park Portal. “There’s plenty to see in the surrounding area as well (including nearby Knott’s Berry Farm), with state parks and beaches just a few miles away, helping families to spread the cost of their vacation whilst still having a fun time.”
4. You have a variety of dining — which means you could save more: “Disney World is the size of San Francisco, so just with the sheer size there have always been more options in terms of food,” Kirkpatrick said. “With Disneyland just reopening, there is less percentage of the restaurants that have reopened there than at Disney World, but both have plenty of options for guests and from my experience pricing is quite comparable.”

Walt Disney World Features

1. Average 1-Day, 1-Park Range: $109 to $189
2. More value at Disney World: “You get more for your money at Disney World,” said Amy Morrison, a travel advisor with Dehoney Travel. “Disney World is able to offer more parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom) as well as two water parks. This means more rides along with more shows and parades.” Miller concurs, adding: “Disney World offers park hopper tickets where you can bounce around parks, and the hours, depending on the day and if you’re staying at one of the property resorts, are extended for additional park time.”
3. There are cheaper hotel options: “On average, rooms in Anaheim, California will cost the average traveler approximately $23.00 more per night compared to Orlando, or $135 vs. $112 a night,” said Alex Miller, founder and CEO of UpgradedPoints.com. However, both Anaheim and Orlando have a variety of average nightly hotel room costs that range from budget to luxury.
4. There is a larger variety of options: More options are open, allowing you to plan your day with nearly every eatery option being open. With more open, you’re able to select how you want to vacation — from cheaper ‘quick service’ establishments to more fine dining, or family-friendly establishments.

Walt Disney World vs Disneyland: Ticket Prices

Prices for both parks will vary depending on the duration of your trip, the time of year you book, or even the day of the week you visit. It’s good to be aware of this dynamic pricing, as it’s constantly changing and can affect how much you spend on your park visit. No matter how you slice it, at either location, you can expect to pay more than $100 per ticket for just the basic price of admission.

Walt Disney World vs. Disneyland: It’s a Matter of Preference

Many prefer Disney World as it offers such amenities as park hopper tickets which allow you to bounce around parks, and better hours, as those staying at the property resorts can benefit from extended hours for additional park time.

Ultimately though, this is a personal and family choice. Some allures of Disneyland may trump those of Disneyworld. For instance, although Phil Gramlich, owner of Ear To There Travel, an EarMarked Authorized Disney Travel Planning Agency and the host of the Disney-focused podcast Turkey Leg Talk (formerly the Ear To There Disney Podcast), thinks Disney World offers the bigger bang for your buck, he prefers Disneyland.

“Disneyland Park is honestly my favorite park in existence due to the fact that I’m a huge Walt Disney fan/expert and you can literally walk where he walked there and touch what he touched,” Gramlich said. “But please use hand sanitizer after all that touching.”

Walt Disney World vs. Disneyland: 6 Tips To Help You Decide

Whether you’re dreaming of meeting Mickey Mouse in Florida or strolling down Main Street, USA in California, you can easily make some magical memories at either of the happiest places on earth. Here are some factors to consider to help you decide which is the better fit for you and your family.

1. Size and capacity
2. Number of attractions
3. Dining options
4. Accommodation choices
5. Special events and entertainment
6. Ticket prices

1. Size and Capacity

• Walt Disney World: Covering a whopping 25,000 acres, Walt Disney World is enormous. It’s like a mini-city with four main theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Plus, it has two water parks, countless hotels, and entertainment areas.
• Disneyland: Disneyland Resort is much smaller, with only two theme parks: Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. However, it’s still packed with Disney magic and charm, and everything is within walking distance.

2. Number of Attractions

• Walt Disney World: With four theme parks, there’s something for everyone. From classic rides like Space Mountain to new adventures like Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, you won’t run out of things to do. Plus, there are plenty of parades, shows, and character meet-and-greets to keep you entertained.
• Disneyland: While smaller, Disneyland doesn’t skimp on attractions. You can explore iconic rides like Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion and Indiana Jones Adventure, as well as newer additions like Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout! and Pixar Pier.

3. Dining Options

• Walt Disney World: With over 475 dining options, including fine dining restaurants, character meals, and quick-service eateries, you’ll never go hungry at Walt Disney World. Plus, there’s a wide range of cuisines to satisfy every palate.
• Disneyland: While it has fewer dining options compared to Disney World, Disneyland still offers plenty of tasty treats. From classic churros to gourmet dining at Carthay Circle Restaurant, you’ll find something delicious to munch on.

4. Accommodation Choices

• Walt Disney World: From budget-friendly value resorts to luxurious deluxe villas, Walt Disney World has accommodations for every budget. You can even stay in themed hotels like Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort or Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.
• Disneyland: While there are fewer on-site hotels at Disneyland, you can still choose from three Disney-owned properties: Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel. There are also plenty of off-site options nearby.

5. Special Events and Entertainment

• Walt Disney World: Throughout the year, Walt Disney World hosts special events like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. There are also nightly fireworks shows, parades, and live entertainment.
• Disneyland: Disneyland also offers seasonal events like Halloween Time and Holidays at the Disneyland Resort, along with nighttime spectaculars such as Fantasmic! and World of Color.

6. Ticket Prices

• Walt Disney World: Ticket prices at Walt Disney World vary depending on the number of days and type of ticket you purchase. Generally, the longer you stay, the more you’ll save per day. Plus, there are often discounts available for multi-day tickets.
• Disneyland: Like Disney World, ticket prices at Disneyland depend on factors like the number of days and type of ticket. While Disneyland’s tickets may be slightly cheaper overall, keep in mind that you’re getting access to fewer parks.

Final Take To GO: It’s Not Such a Small World After All

Both Walt Disney World and Disneyland offer magical experiences that will create memories to last a lifetime. If you’re looking for sheer size and variety, Walt Disney World may be the way to go. However, if you prefer a more compact and intimate experience, Disneyland could be the perfect choice. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and what you value most in a Disney vacation.

FAQ

Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about which is better for your money between Walt Disney World and Disneyland.

• Which one’s better Disney World or Disneyland?
  • Both parks have their pros and cons, however, Disney World is often considered to be better for the number of attractions it offers while Disneyland might fit your budget better as it tends to be cheaper overall.
• Which Disney is better–Florida or California?
  • Here are some key features from both Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland in California to help you decide which is better for you:
    • Walt Disney World: Ticket prices at Walt Disney World vary depending on the number of days and type of ticket you purchase. Generally, the longer you stay, the more you’ll save per day. Plus, there are often discounts available for multi-day tickets.
    • Disneyland: Like Disney World, ticket prices at Disneyland depend on factors like the number of days and type of ticket. While Disneyland’s tickets may be slightly cheaper overall, keep in mind that you’re getting access to fewer parks.
    • Walt Disney World: With four theme parks, there’s something for everyone. From classic rides like Space Mountain to new adventures like Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, you won’t run out of things to do. Plus, there are plenty of parades, shows, and character meet-and-greets to keep you entertained.
    • Disneyland: While smaller, Disneyland doesn’t skimp on attractions. You can explore iconic rides like Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion and Indiana Jones Adventure, as well as newer additions like Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout! and Pixar Pier.
    • Walt Disney World: From budget-friendly value resorts to luxurious deluxe villas, Walt Disney World has accommodations for every budget. You can even stay in themed hotels like Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort or Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.
    • Disneyland: While there are fewer on-site hotels at Disneyland, you can still choose from three Disney-owned properties: Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel. There are also plenty of off-site options nearby.
• Is Disneyland as crowded as Disney World?
  • Though both parks can get crowded Disney World tends to be more crowded than Disneyland, especially during school holidays such as winter break, spring break or summer vacation.

Nicole Spector contributed to the reporting for this article.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Walt Disney World vs. Disneyland 2024: What’s Better for Your Money?