Why Every Disney World Fan Should Visit Disneyland
In the anime community, a fan who enjoys a televised anime series but has never read the manga comic from which the anime is derived is referred to as an "anime-only." It's not an innately derogatory term (in fact, I am something of an anime-only myself), but it also means that the fan in question has a more limited understanding of the larger story that the anime might be trying to tell. It's the same for what I call a "world-only" (hereafter, WO's) — a “Disney Adult” who adores Walt Disney World in Florida but has never set foot on property at Disneyland in California. It is my goal today to make a case for why such a fan of the Disney parks should make it a priority to visit Disneyland, Walt Disney's original park in Anaheim, CA, and the adjacent property of Disney California Adventure just across the esplanade.
Size Does Matter
If the castle at Magic Kingdom Park in Orlando means something to you—if it symbolizes the magic and the possibilities of a Disney park and at first glance gives you an overwhelming sense of being "home"—you'll likely be among the many to find Walt's original castle in Disneyland Park unnervingly small. Indeed, the whole park is a lot smaller; a mere 85 acres to the Magic Kingdom's 107 acres. And while I will agree that size does matter—I do not agree that bigger is unilaterally better. In my opinion, Disneyland's limited allotment of space forced "Imagineers" to be that much more creative, layering one attraction atop another and creating seamless, magical transitions between one themed land and the next. Despite its smaller size, or perhaps because of it, there is actually more to do in Disneyland (49 unique attractions) than there is at the Magic Kingdom (41 unique attractions).
What Disneyland lacks in sheer square footage, it makes up for in density. There are fewer long stretches of walking without attractions or entertainment, meaning that every inch of the park is packed with something to experience. Attractions like the Indiana Jones Adventure and the Matterhorn Bobsleds are unique to Disneyland, and the park layout itself is filled with rich, original details that make it feel handcrafted rather than master-planned. In contrast to the wide-open walkways of Magic Kingdom, Disneyland’s more intimate pathways create a feeling of immersion that can't be easily replicated.
Additionally, Disneyland’s smaller size allows for shorter travel times between attractions. A quick pivot from New Orleans Square to Tomorrowland or a hop from Fantasyland to Frontierland is much faster than navigating the sprawling layout of Magic Kingdom. When combined with the ease of access to Disney California Adventure (literally steps away), it makes for an efficient and highly enjoyable park-hopping experience that WDW simply can't match.
Above: Characters like Minnie Mouse can be found roaming the streets of Disneyland and DCA, creating impromptu 'pop-up' experiences where kids, families and even Disney Adults like ourselves can interact with characters in a much more spontaneous and magical way.
Characters Roam Freely
One of the most magical aspects of Disneyland is the way characters interact with guests. Unlike Walt Disney World, where structured meet-and-greet lines dominate the experience, Disneyland allows characters to simply exist within the park. You might be strolling through Avengers Campus and suddenly find yourself in conversation with Doctor Strange or Spider-Man, or you could turn a corner in New Orleans Square and spot Jack Sparrow casually lurking in the shadows. This spontaneous element makes every visit feel unique, as you never quite know who you’ll run into.
This was something we experienced firsthand during our trip, and it made a world of difference. In Avengers Campus, we didn’t just see superheroes from a distance - we watched them interact with each other and engage guests in a way that felt organic. Black Panther and Captain Marvel were out on patrol, and Ms. Marvel stopped to chat and sign autographs without the need for an official queue. Even in the more classic areas of the park, we found Chip & Dale frolicking on the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail and Horace Horsecollar making a rare surprise appearance. These unscripted encounters add an element of storytelling immersion that Walt Disney World simply doesn’t replicate in the same way.
There’s something incredibly special about seeing a beloved character as if they truly belong in that world. Rather than standing in a long, rigid queue to meet Mickey Mouse, at Disneyland, you might just stumble upon him casually waving to guests in Mickey’s Toontown. The fluidity of character movement in Disneyland creates a level of magic that feels more alive—as though these characters are just as much a part of the park as the attractions themselves. It’s these little moments of surprise that make Disneyland an even richer experience for those who love Disney storytelling and want to feel fully immersed in the worlds they adore.
Clones are Few and Far Between
Another critique I often hear thrown around about Disneyland is that certain attractions appear to have been 'copied and pasted' from Anaheim to Orlando—the argument being that it would be redundant for WO's to visit Disneyland because all of the best attractions were already replicated at Walt Disney World. This could not be further from the truth! While the most iconic rides like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Pirates of the Caribbean can indeed be found on both coasts, the differences between sister attractions vastly outweigh the similarities.
Take Pirates of the Caribbean as a case study. In Florida, the attraction was something of an afterthought, built after guests expressed frustration that it had not been included in the opening lineup for Magic Kingdom in 1971. As a result, the WDW version is significantly shorter, clocking in at just over 8 minutes compared to Disneyland’s 15-minute ride. Disneyland’s version also features two drops, an extended grotto scene, and a greater emphasis on atmospheric storytelling. The original Anaheim version remains the definitive “Pirates” experience, while the Orlando version feels more like a condensed edition.
While Disneyland does have some direct copies of WDW attractions—such as The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure and the entire Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge — it also has plenty of unique experiences. Indiana Jones Adventure is a thrilling dark ride exclusive to the park, while the Matterhorn Bobsleds remains a Disneyland classic that predates Space Mountain. Speaking of Space Mountain, I will die on the hill that the West Coast version is far superior to the jolting, single-file coaster in Orlando. If you’re a Space Mountain fan at WDW, you owe it to yourself to experience the Disneyland version.
Above: While clones like the layout and attractions of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge are few and far between, they do exist between the East and West Coast Disney Parks. Galaxy's Edge, as a themed land, is a 1:1 clone with a mirrored layout. Image credit goes to Albert Lam of Disney Photoblography.
Sunshine is the Default Setting
Despite being known as "the Sunshine State," anybody who has ever visited Florida will be intimately familiar with the Florida weather. From hurricanes to humidity, sunshine is often more elusive than the state slogan would lead you to believe. California has different challenges at certain points of the year, most notably droughts, but more often than not, the sun is shining, the temperature is reasonable, and the skies are blue—a perfect setting for a theme park that trades on magical moments.
The annual average number of sunny days in Anaheim is about 280, compared to Orlando's 233. Additionally, the climate in Southern California tends to be much less humid, meaning you can enjoy a day at Disneyland without the constant need to towel off or change clothes. Rain is far less common, meaning fewer weather-related ride closures. While Florida’s unpredictable storms can turn an afternoon at WDW into a poncho-clad struggle, Disneyland visitors are far less likely to experience weather-related disruptions.
Of course, despite fairer weather being common, droughts can occasionally bring very difficult conditions -such as the recent Los Angeles fires. If you're interested in making a donation to support the rescue and recovery efforts in Los Angeles, please click through to those resource pages using the LinkTree here.
DCA is a Foodie Paradise
For the most part, I've been comparing Disneyland Park to the Magic Kingdom up until this point. However, across the whole of the four parks that make up Walt Disney World, I'd argue that no one park even remotely compares to Disney California Adventure (DCA) when it comes to food. Oh, sure, Disneyland Park has a few hidden gems—the Blue Bayou and Bengal Barbecue leap immediately to mind—but move across the street, and places like Carthay Circle and the Lamplight Lounge will completely change your definition of 'good eats'. Even quick-service restaurants like the Cozy Cone and Flo’s V8 Café serve up the kind of snacks that you'll remember long after getting home from your trip to SoCal!
Don’t just take my word for it—DCA consistently ranks as one of the highest-rated theme parks for food in guest surveys. Websites like Disney Food Blog and TripAdvisor frequently praise its diverse dining options, with many visitors noting that the park’s culinary lineup feels more “grown-up” compared to WDW’s quick-service-heavy offerings. Yelp and Google reviews often call out Carthay Circle as a fine-dining gem within the park, while seasonal food festivals like Festival of the Holidays and Lunar New Year give guests the opportunity to sample an ever-changing rotation of unique, high-quality dishes. Unlike many theme parks where food is an afterthought, DCA’s approach makes dining an experience in itself, whether you're grabbing a themed snack or settling in for a multi-course meal.
And speaking of top-tier dining experiences, our lunch at Carthay Circle Alfresco Dining was easily one of the best meals of our trip. The tapas-style menu allowed us to sample a variety of flavors, from the savory duck sope to the delicious bao buns—each dish showcasing fresh, high-quality ingredients that went beyond what you’d typically expect from a theme park. And then there was the seasonal pumpkin sundae—so decadent it probably took years off our lives, but absolutely worth it. The setting itself, a beautifully themed outdoor patio reminiscent of 1920s Hollywood, only added to the experience. This is the kind of dining you don’t just enjoy—you remember long after the trip ends. If you need any more convincing, be sure to check out some vlogs from our friends Jay and Sam over at The Theme Park Foodies to see more of what the West Coast has to offer.
Above: There is just something that much more magical about the detailed worldbuilding that Disneyland is able to do despite the smaller footprint. Image credit goes to Albert Lam of Disney Photoblography.
The Atmosphere is Unmatched
I'd issue this challenge to the WO's who visit Walt Disney World frequently...sit on a park bench for fifteen minutes and listen to every sound and voice around you. Walt Disney World is considered to be an international vacation destination, and with that title comes an assortment of guests and visitors who have spent months—sometimes years—saving up to take their families on a magical vacation. That is why, as magical as the Disney parks are, I'd wager that your listening ear has just overheard a surprising number of complaints, gripes, groans, and—occasionally—screams. With tens of thousands of dollars already sunk into your visit and more being shelled out each day of the trip, it's no wonder that the slightest inconvenience is capable of driving even the most rational visitor to a public meltdown. A Disneyland vacation doesn't apply that same pressure.
One of the most underrated aspects of Disneyland is its more relaxed atmosphere. Because the majority of Disneyland’s visitors are locals who can come multiple times per year, the experience is often less frantic. While Walt Disney World guests operate on tight, pre-planned itineraries, Disneyland visitors tend to move at a more leisurely pace, knowing they can return whenever they’d like. This creates a park environment that feels less like an urgent, once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage and more like a casual, enjoyable outing.
Additionally, Disneyland’s compact layout reduces logistical stress. There’s no need to deal with long bus rides, complicated transportation systems, or multi-hour gaps between park visits. The ability to walk effortlessly between Disneyland and Disney California Adventure within minutes is a game-changer. Unlike WDW, where getting from park to park can feel like an expedition, Disneyland allows you to maximize your time actually enjoying attractions rather than navigating transit logistics. The West Coast parks also open earlier and remain open much later, and when you arrive at the gates, the property feels warm and welcoming rather than massive and overwhelming. To me, this makes Disneyland inherently more magical - the simple act of being what is is, a locals’ park constructed by an ambitious, caring man who poured his heart and soul into every brick of it.
In Conclusion
At the end of the day, Disneyland is not just an alternate version of Walt Disney World—it’s a completely different experience. The history, the density of attractions, the relaxed atmosphere, and the superior ride versions all make it a must-visit destination for any true Disney Parks fan. While WDW has its grandeur and sprawling scale, Disneyland has an intimacy and charm that makes it feel like you’re stepping into Walt Disney’s personal creation. If you’re a “World-only” that has never made the trip out West, it’s time to change that. The differences between the two resorts are striking, and experiencing Disneyland firsthand will give you a deeper appreciation for everything that makes the Disney Parks so special. If you need any more convincing, be sure to check out our Disneyland vlogs below—we promise they’ll make you want to book that trip right away!
Blog cover image credit goes to Albert Lam of Disney Photoblography.
