Disneyland or Walt Disney World?
By Janna Graber

That question can spark a Colorado neighborhood debate, and a traveler’s imagination.


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Walt Disney Parks and Resorts bring new experiences to guests at Disneyland and Walt Disney World right on their wireless phones. Mobile applications from Verizon give guests the ability to easily locate shows, restaurants and the Disney characters anywhere inside the Parks and more. Courtesy of Disney.

It all started at a neighborhood gathering, and a friend’s simple question: “We’re planning our next vacation. Where do you think we should go—Disneyland or Walt Disney World?”

The lady from down the street spoke up. “Disneyland,” she said without hesitation.

“Why waste your time on Disneyland?” said the dad from next door. “Walt Disney World offers so much more.”

The room divided into two camps, and they all looked at me, so I knew it was time to call in the experts. I went to get my kids.

At 19, 16, and 13, they’ve been visiting Disney parks since they were old enough to fall asleep in a stroller.

“First, consider when you’re going,” my middle daughter started.

Orlando in the height of summer can be brutal. During one muggy July visit to Walt Disney World, we spent most of our time rushing to rides that offered air conditioning or splashes of water. That meant we missed some of the best park experiences. The fall and spring in Florida, however, provide beautiful warm weather. Even in December and January, the average high is 72 degrees. During these seasons, the park is not as crowded (with the exception of the holidays), so you can spend more time riding rides, rather than waiting in line.

In California, home to Disneyland, the summers are hot but comfortable. November to March offers the smallest crowds, with lows in the 40s to a high of 70.

If you go when the weather is warm in California or Florida, head for the beach. As land-locked Coloradans, this is a highlight for us. We’d drive just 20 miles from Disneyland to reach wide, clean beaches with lifeguards and facilities. And in Florida, we’d alternate between Daytona Beach and Cocoa Beach on the Atlantic Coast (an hour’s drive), and Clearwater Beach on the Gulf Coast (two hours).

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Architecture and landscaping meld exquisitely in the Japan pavilion in World Showcase at Walt Disney World’s Epcot to produce an authentic Asian experience. Courtesy of Disney.

“Are you driving or flying?” my youngest asked the crowd. “That makes a big difference.” This spoken by a child who has spent 2,000 miles round trip crammed in the backseat of the car.

Many a Coloradan has loaded up the family wagon for the trek to the Sunshine State. Granted, the drive to California begins with gorgeous scenery—across the western slope and through the gorgeous red lands of Utah—but then begins to drag when you hit the Nevada line. “Are we there yet?” begins in earnest as you crawl across the Nevada desert. You’re thrilled when you finally see the Disneyland sign.

But the 18-hour-treck to California is doable; for Walt Disney World in Florida, you’ll need to plan a visit to DIA.

“Let’s talk about the age of your kids,” my oldest added in her wisdom.

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During Epcot’s annual International Food & Wine Festival at Walt Disney World Resort, guests can sip and graze at more than 25 international marketplaces along the park’s World Showcase promenade. Courtesy of Disney.

When my kids were younger—preschoolers through age 8, we found Disneyland a better fit. To start with, the two parks—Disneyland and now California Adventure—are closer together, making it easier to get around with little ones and strollers.

Stay at one of the Disneyland Resort hotels—Disney’s Grand Californian, Paradise Pier or Disneyland Hotel—and you can walk to the parks. That makes it easy to put the kids down for a quick nap in the afternoon before you head back to the parks.

Disneyland is well-suited for the younger set, with attractions such as Mickey’s Toontown, Playhouse Disney and the Storybook Land Canal boats easily accessible. Ariel’s Undersea Adventure is one of Disneyland’s newest rides. Riders climb aboard a giant clamshell and descend below the waves to an underwater grotto.

Now that my kids are older, they find adrenaline-filled rides like California Screamin’ roller coaster and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror more appealing.

Our favorite Disney park? That would be Epcot in Florida. It’s best for older children and adults.

Epcot’s World Showcase offers the essence of 11 countries with distinctive shops, restaurants, and movies. I like the 360-degree movies at China, Canada and France, while my 13-year-old son loves the Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure, an interactive game where kids serve as secret agents on a quest throughout the park. We also eat our way around the world, sampling pastry in Norway, doing lunch in Japan and dining in France.

By now, I could see the ideas whirling in my neighbors’ heads. No doubt a fantastic vacation was in the making. With such a wealth of Disney opportunities to choose from, there’s no “right answer” to the Disneyland or Walt Disney World question. Each park offers something unique, and as long as you experience it together, you’ll have a wealth of family vacation memories.

Janna Graber is a Colorado-based editor and writer. She has covered travel in some 38 countries.

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