Disneyland or Disney World?

We all know about the happiest place on earth right? Disney....land, world? Which would you choose if you had the choice? Most people would say WDW or Walt Disney World. But there are those who would choose the westside park. But in all seriousness each park has its own magic and draw to the general public. And that is what this article will be about. The things that set each park and world apart.

Disneyland, the place where it all started. I want to say two things up front for all the readers to know. First of all I was born in California and went to Disneyland since I was a small child. And for size and experience Walt Disney World is much larger and has more to offer than Disneyland ever can. So with that out of the way lets get going. Disneyland is the place where Walt himself walked and build his dream. There is much nostalgia in the fact that the creator of such a wonderful legacy once walked the same streets so many people walk today. Disneyland also boasts original attractions since day one of the park's opening. But some of the biggest draws for me is that it is not massive. There is very little feeling of overwhelming pressure.

There are many attractions to see and lots of things to do, but the park is very well designed. And it allows the prepared person to hit most any attraction in a day. I will say that on a busy day it is difficult to ride everything, but on an off day you can ride most any attraction you please. Big pull for Disneyland includes Indiana Jones Adventure, this ride makes admission worth every penny. Another piece of nostalgia is Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. WDW used to have this ride before The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh took over the ride space.

So now Disneyland has the only working version of this attraction. Another big draw is the new Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage. (Opens in summer 2007) And now for the less than glamorous information. Disneyland is a wonderful park, but does not match up to WDW is size and attraction count. Other than that I would choose Disneyland over the Magic Kingdom any day. The other weak part in the chain is California Adventure. Although this article is not about California Adventure, the park is lackluster in comparison with Disneyland.

Walt Disney World is the granddaddy of all the Disney theme parks. The parks offer different types of entertainment and settings. The biggest pull is the size and four parks. People can spend weeks there and things will not be old. WDW has four parks, two water parks, hotels, and shopping everywhere on property. It is very family friendly, and the entire property takes the guest out of the real world and into a wonderful vacation. Each park has their own big name attraction, and enough where I can't cover all of them and keep this article short. The thing about WDW is the way the entire property is so beautiful. The trees, parks, shops and hotels. Everything blends and complements the other. I think WDW trumps Disneyland in the magnitude of Disney. Even though the property is so large, the staff works together in communication and service in each venue. WDW feels like its own town, where the staff care about you. This is something Disneyland does, but WDW does better.

Overall both parks have their main attractions. Disneyland offers the original lands of Walt Disney. Walt Disney World offers a all immersion in Disney. Once you enter either park the world and all the surrounding cares seem to disappear. And this is what the Disney parks hope to accomplish. Obviously Disneyland is less expensive and offers a magical trip on a smaller scale. But with that the trip feels more intimate, with less to see, but time to see plenty. While WDW offers a full experience with perhaps a less intimate feeling. WDW however offers much more, for a higher price. But either way both parks give the guest an experience like never before. A magical and enchanted day of joy and laughter.