I have been to Walt Disney World in Florida multiple times. My first trip was as a 1 1/2 year old in the summer of 1972. Although I don't remember the trip, I do think that is when my love for all things Disney began. I was lucky enough to have parents that went back several times. And, my senior trip when I graduated from high school and my honeymoon were both trips to Disney World.
For several years Disneyland has been a "bucket list" trip. Being from Alabama, Disneyland has never been feasible due to time and financial cost of traveling across the country. In 2017, I was finally able to make the trip to Disneyland in California. One reason for the trip was because my youngest son was in the national FBLA competition in Anaheim. Many people told me I would be disappointed in Disneyland because I had been to Disney World so many times and the two places are so different. I did learn there are a lot of differences between Disney World and Disneyland, but I was not disappointed.
To be sure, there are some differences between the two resorts. Disneyland is much more compact than Disney World. No need for a bus to "park hop" all you need to do is walk across the plaza to the entrance of the other park (Disney's California Adventure). Photo pass photographers are not everywhere in Disneyland. The lines were mostly outside and fans and misters were not necessary to keep everyone cool. While there were some rides that were the same as far as name (like It's A Small World, Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean), the rides themselves had some differences.
Disney California Adventure was so much fun to visit. Stepping into Cars Land felt like walking into the movie itself! So much fun just to walk in this area of the park, both during the day and at night! California Screamin' (which is changing theme due to the Pixar Pier makeover) is a must do if you enjoy rollercoasters!! The Mickey Ferris Wheel....so beautiful at night. Riding this gives you an awesome view of everything when you are at the top of the wheel and while I would ride this again on one of the stationary gondolas, I am not sure I could ride a swinging one again!!
I left Disneyland so very thankful to had the opportunity to visit the original park! I hope to someday make it back to visit again but Disney World will still be my go to Disney location.
Tammie Dial is a vacation specialist for Coasters and Castles Travel and a Family and Consumer Science teacher in Alabama. She has traveled to Disney World many times with her first trip being in 1971. She has also been to Disneyland and on the Disney Cruise Line. Her daughter was recently accepted in the Disney College Program. She loves planning magical trips for her clients.
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