Should I go to Disneyland California or Florida?

For a longer trip complete with luxury accommodation and visits to multiple parks, Walt Disney World in Orlando might be your best bet. If you live on or near the West Coast and you're looking for a short getaway teeming with nostalgia, Disneyland is the way to go.



The choice between Disneyland (California) and Walt Disney World (Florida) depends on the "vibe" and duration of your trip. If you want a manageable, nostalgic experience where everything is within walking distance, choose California. Disneyland Resort is smaller (two parks) and can be seen in 2–3 days; it is the original park built by Walt Disney and features superior versions of classic rides like Pirates of the Caribbean and It’s a Small World. However, if you want a total "vacation kingdom" immersion, choose Florida. Walt Disney World is roughly the size of San Francisco and features four massive theme parks, two water parks, and over 25 themed resorts. You need at least 5 to 7 days to even scratch the surface of Florida’s offerings. California is better for a quick "add-on" to a West Coast road trip, while Florida is a destination in itself. Florida also features "Animal Kingdom" and "EPCOT," which offer experiences (like an actual safari and global food festivals) that you simply cannot find in the California parks.

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Exploring the Best Disney Theme Parks in the World
  1. Disney World, Florida. One of the largest and most famous Disney parks globally, the Walt Disney World in Florida, USA is the top attraction on this list. ...
  2. Disneyland, California. ...
  3. Tokyo Disneyland. ...
  4. Disneyland Paris. ...
  5. Hong Kong Disneyland. ...
  6. Shanghai Disneyland.


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Disneyland Paris Disneyland Paris is simultaneously the most beautiful Magic Kingdom-style park ever built, and the park with the most squandered potential.

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Disneyland is great for kids over the age of 7. So if you have 4 kids, 2 of which are under 7, you may have to watch which rides you can do. For my family, this meant that my oldest two (ages 9 and 10) could ride rides together while an adult rode with the younger kids (ages 2, 4, and 6).

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Best Age to Go to Disneyland 7-9 Your kids are still excited to experience all of the Disney magic. By 9 your child can probably ride all of the rides at both Disneyland and California Adventure. We typically do Disneyland more and at the age of 10 we do a special 10-year-old trip to Disney World with each of our kids.

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But if you're purely picking based on price, which is cheaper: Disneyland or Disney World? Disney World tends to be cheaper overall for stays of one night or more, largely due to Florida's lower hotel prices. But for some expenses, like tickets and food, Disneyland is cheaper.

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Yes. Disneyland in California is most similar to the Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. California Adventure is most similar to (but still very different from) Disney Hollywood Studios at WDW. What things are there to do in Florida when not visiting theme parks?

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As a general rule of thumb, EPCOT is the best Disney park for adults as it has some of the most thrilling rides in Walt Disney World including Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind, Test Track and Soarin. EPCOT is also known to have some of the best restaurants on Disney property.

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There are some similarities between Disneyland tickets and Disney World tickets. At both resorts, theme park ticket prices vary based on park and date, but Disneyland's are almost always slightly cheaper. The average price for a one-day Disneyland ticket for entry between April and August 2023 is $154.

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The Disneyland Resort did give a free park admission ticket to Guests on their birthday as part of a limited-time promotion several years ago, but this is not currently offered. Tickets to enter Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park must be purchased for all visitors ages 3 and up.

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Although the cost of admission to Disneyland changes throughout the year, the cheapest time to go to Disneyland is during the off-peak season. This is generally between mid-January and February, or September through mid-November.

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Just like there are more expensive times, there are also times of the year when it is cheaper to go to Disney World. As a rule, January, February, August, and September are the cheapest seasons, as long as you avoid any holidays in those months.

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California Adventure Park is 100% worth visiting on your trip to Disneyland, California, due to its unique themed lands, rides, attractions, shows, restaurants, and special events throughout the year. Read on to find out more about reasons to visit California Adventure!

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Most Common Trip Length – 4 or 5 Days: This trip length works well for most people because you can visit all four Disney World theme parks, even possibly enjoy a second day at a favorite park, and it fits within most people's work vacation limits.

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John Wayne Airport (SNA) Approximately 15 miles away, John Wayne Airport is the closest airport to the Disneyland Resort. Explore the convenient travel options—including shuttles, buses, taxis and limousines—available to take you to the Resort.

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