star tours disneyland vs disney world

• Disney Vs. Disney

Disney Vs. Disney: Ranking Every Star Tours

Star Tours – The Adventures Continue is a motion simulator attraction based on the adventures from Lucasfilm’s Star Wars franchise.  The simulator randomly combines different scenes from many Star Wars locations, creating a wide variety of experiences.  The attractions can be found at four of the six Disney Resorts across the globe.  We’ve ridden every Star Tours – The Adventures Continue ride in person.

Major Similarities & Differences

You can watch fantastic videos of all versions of the attraction online, so we won’t spend time re-hashing the details of each experience.  Instead, we will just point out the major similarities and differences we feel are worth calling out:

• When the ride originally opened, the experience was the same every time, with a sightseeing trip unexpectedly “detoured” to assist blowing up the Death Star, based on the original Star Wars The ship’s pilot was Rex, a robot who can now be found malfunctioning in the queue for the updated experience.
• All versions of the attraction except Florida are located in Tomorrowland (“Discoveryland” in Paris) , within their respective castle parks. The Florida version is located in Disney’s Hollywood Studios park.
• The California version is located in a building that originally housed the attraction Adventure Thru Inner Space.
• The California version has four simulators, while all other versions have six.

The Rankings (from least favorite to favorite)

4. star tours – the adventures continue – disney’s hollywood studios (florida).

3. Star Tours – The Adventures Continue – Disneyland (California)

2. Star Tours: The Adventures Continue – Disneyland Paris (Paris)

1. Star Tours: The Adventures Continue – Tokyo Disneyland (Tokyo)

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Disney World and Disneyland have 11 iconic matching attractions — here's which park has the best version of each ride

• Disneyland and Flordia's Magic Kingdom park in Disney World have 11 iconic rides in common.
• But they're not all identical.
• Space Mountain in Disneyland is much better than the one in Florida. 
• Disney World has a better version of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Star Tours, though.
• Keep reading for a look at the differences between each of the rides.
• Visit Insider's homepage for more stories .

Disney parks are known for thrilling rides, epic foods and drink , and a creatively magical experience. The original Disneyland park in California has many rides that match up with Florida's Disney World, but not all rides are created equal. For example, the Space Mountain in Disney World is drastically different (and worse)  than its California counterpart.

After visiting both parks , we selected 11 matching Disney World and Disneyland attractions and rated which is the best version. Keep reading for a look at the differences between each of the iconic rides.

WINNER: Space Mountain is a markedly more fun roller coaster in Disneyland.

As we reported after visiting Disney World, the version of Space Mountain in Disneyland is far superior for several key reasons.

The track has been updated more recently, resulting in a smoother ride. Plus the style of roller coaster cars used in Disneyland makes the experience better thanks to supportive-backs and the epic music that plays throughout. 

In Disney World, Space Mountain is a rough ride.

The Disney World version of Space Mountain has no music and a much jerkier ride experience. Though the line has neat interactive element, it's not enough to make up for the neck-breaking roller coaster ride. 

You can read our full breakdown on the differences between Disney World and Disneyland's Space Mountain rides for more.

WINNER: It's a Small World is better in Disneyland.

Again, this comes down to the exterior design and line experience. The actual ride itself is essentially identical, but the experience as a whole feels completely different in Disneyland.

It's a Small World has its queue and ride boat system outside in Disneyland, with the iconic clock tower facade placed as a landmark in Fantasyland.

In Disney World, It's a Small World gets lost among other rides.

The Disney World version of It's A Small World has a more plain castle exterior, and instead puts most of the line and the clock tower architecture indoors. 

This design choice may be due to the more extreme heat in Florida, but the result is less magical than the California counterpart.

WINNER: Disney World has the best version of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

Not only is the line experience better for Big Thunder in Disney World thanks to added interactive elements, but the coaster itself is more fun. 

The track also feels longer — with more exciting drops — and the ride seems to go faster in Disney World's version. It's a close race, but the Florida version wins out. 

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is still fun in Disneyland, just slightly less so.

Since the line hasn't been updated as recently as its Florida counterpart, the Big Thunder coaster in Disneyland is a slightly worse experience. But California residents need not despair — this is a close contest. Both roller coasters are rightfully iconic rides in the Disney Parks. 

WINNER: Splash Mountain has a better storyline in Disneyland.

This is another close race, but Disneyland edges out the Disney World version of Splash Mountain thanks to the addition of the eerie "Laughing Place" song .

Right before the epic drop, the animatronic critters sing a spooky song that adds to the building tension. This creates an overall more memorable ride experience. 

In Disney World, Splash Mountain is less exciting.

Without the creepy version of "Laughing Place," Splash Mountain is still an enjoyable ride but it's missing the added oompf of tension.

The ride cars are also different from Disneyland's, seating parkgoers side-by-side in pairs instead of a single file log flume. This allows more people per ride, but also makes storing bags at your feet harder. 

WINNER: Disneyland's Mad Tea Party takes the cake.

This iconic swirling teacup ride is identical in both parks when it comes to the attraction itself, but location is everything. The Disneyland version is set under the open sky with decorative lanterns hanging above and the Matterhorn Mountain ride towering nearby. 

The fully outdoor setting makes the Mad Tea Party ride a joy both during the day and at night.

In Disney World, the overhead cover detracts from the experience.

The Mad Tea Party has a much less exciting location in Disney World, and the needed shelter from extreme Florida sun means the whole ride is placed under a large covering. 

Though the shade is a welcome addition for parkgoers who are roasting in the sunshine, it makes the overall experience less magical. 

WINNER: Star Tours is more thrilling in Disney World.

Not only is the line experience made cooler with an outdoor re-creation of Endor, but the Star Tours storyline is changed for the better in Disney World. The mechanics of the 3D ride may be the same, but the narrative of the space-flight-gone wrong is different. 

There's awesome moment in particular where the ship appears to be falling off the edge of a snowy cliff, and it's the highlight of the ride you won't get in California's version.

The exterior of Star Tours in Disneyland is much more bland.

Star Tours in Disneyland has a much more simple outdoor line set-up. While the ride itself is a blast — it falls short of the excitement brought by the Disney World narrative. Perhaps a new storyline (with more fun drops) will come soon to the California version. 

WINNER: Disney World has the best version of Jungle Cruise.

The Jungle Cruise ride has a very similar set up at both Disney World and Disneyland, but the Florida iteration is slightly longer and has a whole different section where the river boat goes through a temple. 

The added length means even more animatronic creatures, including tigers and way more elephants than the California ride.

Disneyland's Jungle Cruise is still a worthy ride.

The Disneyland ride has been a key part of Adventureland since the park opened in 1955, and has remained mostly unchanged. Parkgoers are still treated to a barrage of pun-filled jokes, making it a great ride for all ages. 

WINNER: Pirates of the Caribbean has way cooler features in Disneyland.

Disneyland's version of this ride starts off with an epic atmospheric setting by gliding past an indoor restaurant designed like a New Orleans eatery in a bayou. The hushed tones of diners combined with swamp sound effects makes for a great start to this fun ride.

Plus there are smaller details — like lightning effects during a fake storm and the timing of one drop — that give this Pirates of the Caribbean ride the edge.

In Disney World, Pirates of the Caribbean satisfies but doesn't wow.

Though much of the Disney World iteration is similar, it's missing the Blue Bayou element and a couple narrative staples. The Spanish fort exterior is a neat alternative to Disneyland's New Orleans feel, but overall we think this is a slightly worse ride experience.

WINNER: Soarin' Around the World has become an icon in California Adventure.

Right across from Disneyland is the California Adventure theme park, and Soarin' Around the World is one of its must-ride attractions. The whole building is designed like an airplane hangar, with fun facts about famous pilots hung on the walls where people queue up.

In Disney World's Epcot, Soarin' Around the World is crammed into the corner of an unappealing building.

Soarin' Around the World is practically hidden away in the Land Pavilion in Disney World, making the overall experience inferior. Though the ride itself stays mostly the same, this version loses out on the great atmosphere created by the California design. 

TIE: Disneyland's Haunted Mansion is on par with the Florida version.

They're both very different on the outside, but equally interesting. The Disneyland version sits near New Orleans Square, with its long line winding outside of the plantation-style manor. 

The ride itself is almost identical on the inside — a classic spooky journey through the halls of ghosts.

In Disney World, Haunted Mansion is in Liberty Square instead.

The giant mansion in Disney World is a different architectural beast, since it sits in the colonial America section of Magic Kingdom. Again, since the ride itself is essentially identical, we're calling this one a tie. 

TIE: Peter Pan's Flight is virtually the same at both parks.

This ride is known for its extremely long lines, thanks to the unique ride track that helps families feel as if they're flying above the city of London and magical Neverland. 

Both versions have a simple line structure and then very similar ride tracks inside. 

The Peter Pan's Flight ride in Disney World has a jazzier sign, but that's about it.

Aside from the more colorful and modern signage, Florida's Peter Pan's Flight counterpart is really the same package as the Disneyland original.

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The unmissable addition to Disneyland’s Star Tours ride? Space whales

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Disneyland’s Star Tours: The Adventures Continue has proved to be one of the theme park’s most versatile attractions.

Though perhaps no longer the groundbreaking technological marvel that it was when it debuted in 1987, the flight simulator ride has shifted with the franchise, withstanding cultural trends and aligning with whichever version of “Star Wars” is popular at the moment — or in need of a marketing boost.

The latest update to Star Tours brings the ride into the Disney+ era, with nods to series such as “The Mandalorian,” “Ahsoka” and “Andor.” More noteworthy, at least for Disneyland guests, is that the centerpiece of the latest upgrades is a scene that provides a slight tonal shift for the attraction, one focused, albeit briefly, on slowing down and giving so-called starspeeder riders a look at one of “Star Wars’” more majestic creatures. Star Tours will now rocket guests straight to a moment that boasts a close-up with the purrgil, essentially large, mysterious space whales that move with a galactic grace.

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For the 3-D attraction, it’s a moment that provides a breather. The motion simulator lingers for a few seconds, and our makeshift animatronic captain, the golden droid C-3PO, turns to face riders. C-3PO shifts into tour guide mode, appearing in awe of the purrgil and commenting on how serene the animals are.

“This will be different from other sequences, to have a moment,” said Tom Fitzgerald, a senior creative executive with Walt Disney Imagineering, the company’s secretive arm devoted to theme park attractions, when asked about taking a patient approach to the scene. “You don’t get many moments. It’s so compact. But it’s a moment to let people look at the beauty of this, and the 3-D gives you the scale of those creatures.”

The additions to Star Tours are arguably the centerpiece of Disneyland’s all-things- “Star Wars” promotion Season of the Force , which debuted this past weekend and runs through June 2. The “Star Wars” festival also sees new droids making their way to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge through the duration of the event, as well as the return of Space Mountain overlay Hyperspace Mountain and a new free scavenger hunt that aims to get players to pay close attention to the minute details of Galaxy’s Edge.

Fitzgerald has been with Star Tours since the ride’s beginning, and oversaw the latest Star Tours additions, which further deviate the attraction from any strict “Star Wars” timeline and instead focus it on being a sort of “greatest hits” for the brand. The purrgil scene also features Rosario Dawson’s Ahsoka Tano and the character’s svelte, fast-rotating starship above the planet of Seatos. Tano’s ship inspired Imagineers to see if they could add some new tricks to the attraction, mainly in the way the simulator can move. When Tano’s vessel twists and spins, for instance, the starspeeder attempts to mimic it, endeavoring to create the feeling of a 360-barrel roll. At other times, the starspeeder glides among the purrgil.

Key to Star Tours’ longevity, and what makes it the rare motion simulator that doesn’t feel rooted in the 1980s, is its ability to create new sensations via its movements. The ride now has more than 250 storyline variations, and when adding to the attraction, Imagineers are looking for ways to heighten the contrast among its various scenes, both tonally and in its maneuvers. Though Star Tours is typically randomized — for the foreseeable future, and definitely throughout Disneyland’s spring Season of the Force promotion — all riders are guaranteed to visit the new location and receive an early-flight transmission from one of the recently added characters.

“How do we make each of the places we go have a different color palette?” says Fitzgerald, who then recalls different “Star Wars” planets that can be featured in the attraction’s random programming. “Mustafar is all lava. Kashyyyk is all green jungle. So they feel very different when you get the combos. And then motion-based. Could we do a barrel roll? That’s the fun of doing it, and programming it and trying it. And we needed something else. What have we not done? So with the purrgils, what if we do skiing through the tentacles? We had never done that. So those are the two big motion changes.”

The attraction is also livened up by appearances from Dawson’s Tano, Diego Luna’s Cassian Andor and a masked Din Djarin from “The Mandalorian.” While the latter is played and portrayed by Pedro Pascal on the Disney+ series, many have noted that the Djarin on “Star Tours” features a slightly different vocal cadence than Pascal, and an Imagineering spokesperson says the company is not revealing its voice actors for the attraction. Nevertheless, “The Mandalorian” moment features some comic relief — and clever 3-D usage — courtesy of Grogu, colloquially refered to as “baby Yoda,” and his penchant to use Force powers to toy with and eat frogs.

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The three appear as transmissions that help define the suddenly urgent narrative of Star Tours. “Each one is different,” Fitzgerald says. “Mando and Grogu we played for comedy. And Andor is mysterious. You don’t see his face. You see this thing coming toward you. Is that a friend or foe? And then he pulls his hood and the music changes.” Tano, meanwhile, arrives like an old friend who knows C-3PO and fellow droid R2-D2. Riders are advised to pay close attention to the opening cinematic in a ship’s hangar, as there is a new randomized opening that features Tano in a lightsaber battle with Stormtroopers.

As for why the new additions perhaps lean a bit more heavily on “Ahsoka,” as it is that series that features the planet of Seatos and the purrgil, Fitzgerald had a simple answer: Yes, it’s the space whales.

With access to early scripts from Lucasfilm, Fitzgerald says he singled out the purrgil scenes. “Reading about that, not knowing what they looked like initially, I was going, that’s going to be really cool.” And, at least for a few seconds, relatively calming.

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Terrific List of Disneyland vs. Disney World Rides

Are you looking for the best recommendations for Disneyland vs. Disney World rides? Check out which rides are my favorite and why. 

Planning a trip to Disney is super exciting! If you’re anything like me, you’re here because you love to research and plan your trip ahead of time. As someone who LOVES Disney and has been to each park, I am excited to share my thoughts on the best rides.

In this post you will learn about the most popular rides in Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Disneyland Park. After learning about these places, you are going to be ready for your next Disney adventure!

This post is a terrific list of Disneyland vs. Disney World rides.

Starting off in the beautiful golden state of California, we have Disneyland Park. This park is split up into two sections, Disneyland and California Adventure. I have only been to Disneyland. Disneyland has some of the most iconic rides! I’m sad that Splash Mountain is closed for good, but I can’t wait to see what changes they’ll make for it to be a Princess and the Frog theme. Below I’ve put together a list of my favorite rides in each section of the park.

Star Wars Galaxy Edge

Rise of the Resistance is such an incredible, immersive experience. If you love Star Wars, this ride is a must. You’ll be treated as a smuggler, captured by the resistance and it truly feels like you are in the Star Wars world. I loved it! 

If you can, purchase a lightning lane pass and as soon as you enter the park, make a reservation for the earliest time possible. This ride frequently breaks down, so it’s best to get to it early. 

New Orleans Square

In New Orleans Square you’ll find the Pirates of the Caribbean ride and Haunted Mansion. If you have the chance, I highly recommend visiting Disneyland during the Halloween season so you can experience the unique version of the Haunted Mansion. When I was there, the theme was the Nightmare Before Christmas. This is a ride that I recommend using Genie+ and trying to go to early in the day as it frequently breaks down. 

Mickey’s ToonTown

Mickey’s ToonTown just reopened this year! Unfortunately, it was closed for updating when I was in Disneyland in the fall of 2022. However, I plan to return sometime this year so I will be sure to make an update after my trip. I am hoping to ride Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway and Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin. 

Walt Disney World 

In the sunshine state of Florida is the famous Walt Disney World. This theme park is split up into 4 parks, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Epcot. My personal favorite park is Animal Kingdom. Magic Kingdom has a lot of similar rides to those in Disneyland. 

Magic Kingdom

Some of my favorite rides in Fantasyland are Under the Sea, the classic Mad Tea Cup, and Enchanted Tales with Belle. A lot of the rides in this section of the park are great for small children. 

Within Tomorrowland are many “futuristic” rides like Space Mountain and Astro Orbiter. As mentioned above, I love Toy Story so I enjoyed the opportunity to meet Buzz Lightyear here and going on Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin ride. The Monster’s Inc Laugh Floor show is really cute too. 

Just like in Disneyland, you’ll find Big Thunder Mountain railroad, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Enchanted Tiki Room in Adventureland. You can also grab that delicious Dole Whip here too. 

Liberty Square

In Liberty Square is the Haunted Mansion and The Hall of Presidents. If you really want to do the Haunted Mansion, I suggest getting Genie+ and using it for this ride. 

Main Street

Check the Disney World website for the schedule of shows that will be going on during your visit. For me, I was able to see Let the Magic Begin at 9:00am and Festival of Fantasy Parade at 3:00pm. At the end of the night, you may be able to catch the Happily Ever After fireworks. 

Animal Kingdom

I love Animal Kingdom! It’s such a unique theme park, combining zoo like experiences (Kilimanjaro Safari and Maharajah Jungle Trek) with super cool rides. I recommend getting to the park before rope drop and heading straight to the Pandora section of the park. 

The Avatar Flight of Passage is such an amazing experience. It gives you a full 4D experience that will make you feel like you are really riding a dragon. The Na’Vi River Journey is also a very cool ride. I enjoyed all of the lights and sounds. In Pandora you’ll also find the Tree of Life Awakenings light show at night. 

It can get pretty hot in Disney World, so I recommend doing the Kilimanjaro Safari before 10:00am or after 4:00pm. The Tam Tam Drummers of Harambe are very fun to watch, and they can really engage an audience! 

In Dinoland the Dinosaur ride is my favorite. You’ll feel like an adventurer, deep in the jungle trying to escape a dinosaur attack. If it’s running, definitely go on the Primeval Whirl! And Finding Nemo the Musical is a cute show. 

I mentioned that I’ve always been a little scared of rollercoasters, and riding Expedition Everest really took me out of my comfort zone! I think I screamed the whole time but it was so much fun! Definitely my favorite ride in Asia. If you can, do the Rivers of Light We Are One night show, it’s really special. 

Discovery Island 

My favorite show has to be It’s Tough to be a Bug! It’s an interactive and engaging show that will make you feel like you’re a bug! I loved it! This is also where you can meet Mickey and Minnie.

Hollywood Studios

Next up, is Hollywood Studios. For me personally, I only spent an afternoon in this park so I didn’t get to do as much as I would have liked. 

Star Wars: Galaxy Edge

I love Smuggler’s Run! You’ll be assigned a role for the ride. You and the other passengers will do your best to escape The Resistance! 

You’ll also find Rise of the Resistance here in Disney World. Check out the Milk Stand and get green or blue milk! 

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Star Tours - The Adventures Continue

• Replay Star Tours

• 40" (102 cm) or Taller
• Small Drops
• Thrill Rides

Visit a Galaxy Far, Far Away

When your Starspeeder accidentally starts up without a pilot, tour guide C-3PO takes the controls. Suddenly, the ship is intercepted by menacing Imperial—or First Order—forces searching for a Rebel spy. To avoid capture, you’ll take off on a thrilling, unpredictable flight that rockets you to the farthest reaches of the galaxy.

Starting April 5, 2024, embark on exciting new Star Wars adventures featuring characters and locations from some of your favorite Disney+ series. Hold on tight as urgent transmissions from Ahsoka Tano, Cassian Andor, the Mandalorian and Grogu may soon be part of your next Starspeeder flight.

With these additions, you’ll have the opportunity to experience one of more than 250 storyline variations, including a visit to the planet Seatos from Ahsoka .

Star Tours Takes Flight

On January 9, 1987, George Lucas and Walt Disney Imagineering brought the Star Wars galaxy to life at Disneyland Park .

The original Star Tours attraction blasted off to Endor. In the years since, the experience has been updated with new worlds and iconic characters from Star Wars: The Force Awakens , Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker .

The attraction now features state-of-the-art technology—including a flight simulator, digital 3D video, Audio-Animatronics characters and “in-cockpit” special effects and music.

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Star Tours – The Adventures Continue Ride Review

Step into a world where the galaxies come to life and adventure awaits at every turn – welcome to the thrilling realm of Star Tours at Disneyland! As you embark on this intergalactic journey, prepare to be transported to far-off planets, encounter iconic characters, and experience the magic of the Star Wars universe like never before. In this article, we’ll explore the wonders of the Star Tours ride, from its cutting-edge technology to its immersive storytelling, ensuring that every moment spent on this cosmic odyssey becomes a memory etched in the stars. So buckle up, fellow travelers, as we delve into the excitement and wonder that awaits you on Disneyland’s Star Tours adventure!

Average Wait Times:  Star Tours can experience variable wait times depending on the day and season. During peak hours, wait times can range from 30 minutes to over an hour.

Height Requirements:  To board Star Tours, guests must be at least 40 inches tall. This requirement ensures the safety and comfort of all riders, as the motion simulator involves dynamic movements that may not be suitable for younger or smaller guests.

Single Rider:  Single Rider is available on this attraction.

Ride Duration:  The total experience, from pre-show to the end of the ride, typically lasts around 20 minutes. This includes the time spent in the queue, the pre-boarding area, the 3D motion simulator experience, and any additional post-show elements.

Genie+ and Lightning Lane:  Genie+ and Lightning Lane are available for this attraction, which provides expedited access to the ride, reducing wait times for those who opt for this premium service.

Rider Switch:  For families with young padawans who may not meet the height requirement, Disney’s Rider Switch service allows one adult to wait with the non-riding child while the rest of the party experiences the attraction. Afterward, the waiting adult and another guest can switch places without having to wait in line again.

Disability Access Services (DAS):  Disneyland is committed to providing a magical experience for all guests. The Disability Access Service (DAS) program is available for those with disabilities, allowing them to obtain return times for attractions, including Star Tours, based on current wait times.

Best Time to Ride:  Weekdays, especially Tuesdays and Wednesdays, tend to see lower attendance, translating to shorter wait times. Additionally, early mornings and late evenings are opportune moments to visit, as crowds are typically thinner during these times. Check out our crowd calendar for best times to visit!

I remember the first time I went to Disneyland in 1995. Star Tours was the very first attraction I ever went on, and continued to be a tradition for my family as the first attraction we always went on when we went to Disneyland. Of course, since then, a lot of changes have happened, including a total revamp of the attraction into what it is today.

Star Tours, as I’m sure you’ve gathered, is a Star Wars experience where guests are invited to take a tour from planet to planet aboard a starspeeder. Your job is to simply sit and enjoy the ride as the pilot drives you to your destination. Of course, if this actually happened, it would be the most boring attraction ever. So that’s not what happens!

The original Star Tours was the same ride every time you took it. Rex was your pilot, a robot with some quirky flaws and a sense for danger and adventure. After this attraction received its revamp, it became a lot more interesting. Rex the pilot was replaced by C3PO (Rex is now found over in Oga’s Cantina in Galaxy’s Edge) and what was once the same every time is now available in over 40 different combinations.

Disney teamed up with Lucasfilm for the revamp and decided to make the attraction 3D, with the ability to tell a different story each time. Basically, there are 4 sections that make up your adventure. A beginning scene which determines how you exit the docking bay, a second scene after coming out of light speed, a transmission message from someone and then a final battle scene that concludes with you docking the ship.

Because there are multiple versions of each of these 4 sections, you could see a different adventure each time you board Star Tours. It’s actually quite fun and keeps things interesting. And since Disney purchased Lucasfilm several years back, they continue to add new scenes from the new Star Wars films as they come out.

One of the cooler things that happened after the revamp is the inclusion of a Star Tours guest into the story each time you ride. Before the attraction begins, a photo is taken of a randomly selected guest, who is then inserted into the story as a Rebel Spy. They very lightly become the focus of the mission (or some missions) as Star Tours races to deliver the spy safely.

I’ve been the Rebel Spy twice in all my years of riding, and it’s actually pretty fun. They even have a tee-shirt that you can purchase in the shop afterward that says, “I am the Rebel Spy,” or something along those lines.

So here’s what you can expect when you ride Star Tours at Disneyland Park: There are three lines available for this attractions. First is the standby line, which I can’t describe very well at the beginning because I’ve never waited in it. You can expect to wait about 30-45 minutes in this line before being boarded.

The second line is Lightning Lane (LL) and that takes you directly into the main building and past the standby line but through all the same rooms.

The LL line typically takes you right into the second room before you come to a stop, so there’s a decent amount of line that you skip. You can expect to wait about 10-15 minutes before boarding.

The third line is a Single Rider line that they added in 2019. It basically does the same thing as the other 2 lines but it usually much faster. Keep in mind that you’re typically separated from your party when loaded at the gates, though this attraction gives you a better chance of being loaded with someone in your group than most.

Once you enter the main building, you’ll weave through one room that features a Starspeeder with R2D2 and C3PO.

You’ll then take a ramp into a second room, where you’ll be entertained by 2 robots, both voiced by the ever-talented Patrick Warburton. From here you’ll be boarded into different gates based on the number of people in your group. Once you arrive at your gate you’ll also be boarded into rows, again, based on the number of people in your group.

You’ll stand here for a little while and watch a video on what’s going on in the hangar as you wait for your Starspeeder to arrive. You’ll also be given some instructions. Once it’s your turn to board, the doors in front of you will open, and you’ll enter the ship and take your seat. Store all your backpacks and jackets under the seat, put your seatbelt on and prepare for a seatbelt check with a Cast Member.

Once the seatbelt check is completed, you’ll be advised to put your flight glasses on. The room will go dark after a few seconds, and then the ride begins! C3PO has no idea what’s going on, and you’re about to get into a whole lot of trouble and fun. Since each experience is different, I won’t describe them, but you’ll have fun not matter what.

This is a simulation attraction that has 3D glasses and moves up and down and side to side. If you are prone to motion sickness, you may want to skip riding or take some medicine beforehand.

When your ride is over, you’ll remove your seatbelt and exit the ship. Be sure to turn in your flight glasses and enjoy some Star Wars shopping!

Here’s a video of one of my last experiences with Star Tours at Disneyland :

• Star Tours is a Lightning Lane attraction, which I would recommend using early in the morning if you really want to go on it, as spots fill up quickly.
• If you’re looking for a really fast boarding and don’t mind being split up, use the Single Rider line.
• If you really want to try and be the rebel spy on your adventure, then try sitting in the very back row, about 3-4 seats in from the exit side of the attraction.
• This attraction does have a height limit, so make sure you plan accordingly with smaller children. Use the Rider Switch if needed.

For more attraction reviews, be sure to visit Park Savers main Disneyland Resort Attractions Review  page. I also have a great  planning guide for guests who are going to the Disneyland Resort soon. For discounted tickets to the parks, be sure to see Park Savers current ticket pricing .

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We Rode Disney’s NEW and Improved Star Tours Ride — Check It Out With Us!

A galaxy far, far away just got a little bit bigger!

Few attractions offer the kind of unique ride experience that Disneyland’s Star Tours — The Adventures Continue offers. First majorly updated in 2010, the ride was once again updated in 2015, 2017, and 2019 to include 700 different ride experiences.  Now in 2024, the ride is once again getting another update!

Star Tours — The Adventures continue at Disneyland, Disney’s Hollywood Studios , and Disneyland Paris all received an update on April 5th, 2024 to reflect new  Star Wars  Disney+ media and we were invited to get a FIRSTHAND LOOK! Check it out!

The new adventures include characters and locations from  Ahsoka, Andor,  and  The Mandalorian.  We got to experience these new adventures and we were absolutely blown away!

The pre-show was the same as usual. Also, our first scene was pod-racing on Tatooine — a scene we have experienced before.

Then came the exciting part — new characters! Din Djarin and Grogu sent a transmission with  The Mandalorian  theme song playing. Grogu snatched a flying frog while Djarin was giving us important intel which made for a fun 3D moment.

Then we made it to a planet featured in Ahsoka.  There, Ahsoka showed up to help us in battle with Purrgil (space whales). Beware — you may almost get eaten by one! We weren’t allowed to grab footage, but we love these new additions to the ride. We only saw the scenes from  Ahsoka  and  The Mandalorian —  we did not get  Andor  on our ride.

Accompanying the new Star Tours update at Disneyland is “Season of the Force” a Star Wars- themed event that will run from April 5th through June 2nd, 2024 . “Season of the Force” will include limited-time  Star Wars- themed food and merchandise as well as Fire of the Rising Moons (a NEW way to view the Disneyland fireworks from Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge), Hyperspace Mountain overlay for Space Mountain , Seek and Find at The Star Trader, and Disneyland After Dark:  Star Wars Nite events.

We’ll keep you posted on any updates during this event as well as on all things Disneyland, so be sure to stay tuned here at AllEars for all the latest!

Disney Announces 6 NEW Treats Coming to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge!

Which new addition to Star Tours gets you the most hyped? Share your pick and tell us why in the comments below!

Disclosure: We were invited by Disney to attend the media preview for Disneyland’s Season of the Force. This did not affect our reporting of the event — our opinions are our own.

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Review: We Rode Star Tours With New Scenes Featuring Mandalorian, Ahsoka, Andor

Season of the Force officially begins at Disneyland today, and with the celebration comes some exciting special offerings, including the return of Hyperspace Mountain, specialty foods, and a new perspective on the fireworks from Galaxy's Edge during “Fire of the Rising Moons.”

One of the most exciting new offerings for the Star Wars-themed celebration is the addition of new scenes that debuted today on Star Tours – The Adventures Continue! The new Star Tours scenes are inspired by the popular Disney+ series “Ahsoka,” “Andor” and “The Mandalorian.” There is a new destination, the planet Seatos from the “Ahsoka” series, that is featured. These new scenes also debuted at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Paris.

We got the opportunity to experience the additions to the attraction today and talk with Tom Fitzgerald, Senior Creative Executive of Walt Disney Imagineering, to get some details on the making of these new scenes. Keep reading for details and our review of the new scenes we saw!

For everything you need to know about the Season of the Force celebration at Disneyland , see our full guide. Also, be sure to see the cute new droids that will be at the park as part of Season of the Force as well!

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New Scenes on Star Tours Review

When we rode Star Tours this morning, we experienced two of the new additions to the attraction. We did not see the transmission from Cassian Andor during the flight, but we did see Ahsoka and Din Djarin and Grogu as well as the new destination on the planet Seatos. Note that spoilers for the new scenes of the attraction are ahead!

The new elements of Star Tours – The Adventures Continue that we saw as part of a media event for the launch of Season of the Force included an urgent transmission from Din Djarin and Grogu, with Din Djarin sending over coordinates to jump to. Din was very much straight down to business, but Grogu was levitating a frog that grew closer and closer to the audience thanks to the effect of the 3D glasses. This was such a funny moment and very well executed. It was almost impossible to pay close attention to what Din was saying with Grogu's mischief, but that was the exact intent of the humorous moment and captured their dynamic perfectly. Everyone was giggling during this moment!

I had the opportunity to speak with Tom Fitzgerald, Senior Creative Executive of Walt Disney Imagineering, who spoke to how they wanted to mix up the more serious transmissions with this cute moment having Grogu “be playful and steal the show” and expecting that everyone is going to be engrossed in watching him levitating the frog while Din is talking.

As the Starspeeder jumped to the new location, it maneuvered through some gray clouds before clearing to this stunning moment over Seatos with a group of purrgil. We enjoy a great moment with them before we receive a transmission from Ahsoka and plunge into the action of the scene. This scene includes some fun new movements, including the attraction's first “barrel roll” which was very well executed. In a sweet moment at the end of the scene bound to be emotional for any Star Wars fan, Ahsoka smiles and tells R2-D2 that it's good to see him again.

Tom spoke to this moment as well, saying that “we kind of look and read the scripts and go, what's different from what we've done before?” The purrgil stood out as a great choice to add to the attraction as they have become, according to Tom, “hopefully iconic, you know, in the Star Wars saga.” Tom also shared that in the process of deciding what specific moment should be featured in the attraction, the thought was, “what if we could have a moment of wonder with them, rather than always racing, racing, racing, how can we mix it up and let you have a moment of wow , look at these beautiful things, and then get sucked into—you know, which we have to—into the battle.”

As a “Star Wars: Rebels” fan, seeing the purrgil in live action for the first time in the third season of “The Mandalorian” was a big moment, and being able to experience and now fly alongside them in this beloved attraction was truly special. I thought the moment of admiration was well executed, and this was a great addition to the ride!

I also asked Tom about the thought process behind adding new movement to the attraction, and he shared that it was important to ask the question “what can we do with the motion base that we haven't done” and the idea of a barrel roll came up, as they had never done that before. “We're obviously not flipping you over 360, but can we make you believe we did?” My first thought upon experiencing this moment was that it was incredibly well executed!

We really enjoyed these new additions and are excited to see Star Tours continue to evolve as guests now have the opportunity to experience one of more than 250 storyline variations aboard the attraction!

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About Emily Midgley

Emily Midgley is a writer from San Diego, California. She was introduced to Disneyland when she was two and has been in love with all things Disney ever since! At Mickey Visit, she will keep you updated with the latest news from the Disney Parks and provide helpful planning content for your vacation. Her favorite rides at Disneyland are Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout, Space Mountain, and Rise of the Resistance. She loves Marvel (especially Guardians of the Galaxy) and lives and breathes anything to do with Star Wars.

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Disneyland vs. Walt Disney World — Everything You Need to Know About Both Theme Park Resorts

Which Disney resort is right for you?

Getting to Each Resort

Resort size, ticket prices, getting around the resorts, best times to visit, rides and attractions, food and drink, experiences, which disney resort is right for you.

Going to a Disney resort — any Disney resort — is always a good idea. In the U.S., you get the choice of visiting Disneyland in California or Walt Disney World in Florida. Both offer days' worth of fun for people of all ages — from thrilling rides to delectable food and an overall atmosphere of joy that could bring anyone back to their childhood. However, if you're trying to decide which to visit, there are a few key factors to consider.

A little bit of backstory before diving into the details: Disneyland was Walt Disney's very first theme park. It opened in Anaheim, California on July 17, 1955 with five sections: Fantasyland, Adventureland, Frontierland, Tomorrowland, and Main Street, U.S.A. Though Walt Disney started planning Orlando, Florida's Walt Disney World in the mid-1960s, it didn't actually open until 1971, five years after his death.

Disneyland is packed with nostalgia and old-school classics like the Autopia ride (in operation since the park's opening day), while Walt Disney World is known for being a little more modern and a lot bigger. Make sure you know the differences between Disneyland and Walt Disney World so you can choose the theme park that best suits your vacation needs.

Michela Sieman/Travel + Leisure

Disneyland, in Anaheim, is a 30- to 90-minute drive southeast from Downtown Los Angeles , depending on traffic. John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, a roughly 30-minute drive, is the closest one to the resort, but nearby Los Angeles International, a roughly 50-to-60-minute drive, is larger and offers more flight options.

Walt Disney World is located in Orlando, Florida, about a 30-minute drive west from Orlando International Airport. It's also fairly easy to get to Walt Disney World from either Orlando Sanford International (a 50-minute drive) or Melbourne Orlando International (a 90-minute drive).

The Disneyland resort covers about 500 acres and consists of two theme parks: Disney California Adventure Park and Disneyland Park. Walt Disney World is much larger: almost 25,000 acres – or around 40 square miles. Fifty Disneylands could fit inside the vast Florida resort comprising four theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot , Disney's Hollywood Studios , and Disney's Animal Kingdom .

Both Disney resorts are worth visiting, but your decision may depend on how long you have to explore. While you could see all the main attractions at Disneyland in a day or two, you would need close to a week to see everything at Walt Disney World.

Disneyland and Walt Disney World both use dynamic pricing for theme park tickets, meaning that the cost of admission varies depending on certain factors like the time of year or the day of the week. Tickets at both resorts are expensive. You can expect to pay more than $100 for a one-day, single-park ticket, but exact prices will depend on your vacation dates, whether you splurge on Park Hopper tickets (which allow you to visit more than one park per day), and whether you add the Genie+ service that permits you to bypass lines at select attractions.

That said, there are plenty of ways to save money on a Walt Disney World or Disneyland vacation – such as avoiding going on weekends and around holidays, snagging deals on hotels and flights, packing your own snacks, and not purchasing add-ons like Genie+.

Getting around Disneyland in Anaheim is relatively simple and straightforward: The two parks can be covered on foot in a day, though many visitors report walking 10 or more miles to do so. Disneyland does offer free shuttle services to and from all its parking areas — the Toy Story lot and Mickey and Friends and Pixar Pals structures. There is also a free monorail that travels between the Downtown Disney District and Tomorrowland in Disneyland Park.

At Walt Disney World, however, transportation is an absolute necessity. The expansive resort is outfitted with a complimentary transportation system that includes buses, ferry boats, Skyliner gondolas, and the monorail, which stops at Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and three Disney hotels within the resort.

When you plan to take your Disney vacation could be a huge factor in deciding which park to visit. Disneyland's position in sunny Southern California, where the temperatures remain rather steady throughout the year, gives it a major advantage. That said, the Anaheim resort can still dip to around 50 degrees in the winter and reach 100 degrees in August and September.

Walt Disney World , on the other hand, is hotter and more humid during the summer months, making it a less-than-ideal time to stand in lines for hours on end. In terms of climate, both parks are best visited during the more temperate spring months, although this is when they can become unbearably crowded with spring breakers.

Holidays — particularly Thanksgiving, Christmas, the Fourth of July, and Halloween — are also busy times. If you have the choice, go during off-peak times, avoiding popular holidays and school breaks. Fewer crowds mean you'll spend less time in line and be able to experience more of the park.

There are more than a dozen rides that you'll find at both resorts, including the two classics Pirates of the Caribbean and It's a Small World . Each location puts its own spin on these rides, so you won't be bored if you've already ridden one at the other resort. In Orlando, you'll find 250 attractions and entertainment options across the four parks, including famous Walt Disney World rides like the fan-favorite Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Guardians of the Galaxy : Cosmic Rewind. There are just about 100 rides at Disneyland , but the smaller resort has more things to do per acre.

While Disneyland has a few water rides, such as "Grizzly River Run", Walt Disney World – with two water parks – offers many more opportunities to get wet. It's refreshing to cool off at Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach if you visit the Orlando resort during the warmest, most humid seasons.

Although most don't travel to the parks just to eat, iconic Disney treats like the Dole Whip, churros, and Mickey Mouse-shaped pretzels make any trip extra special. Both parks have an abundance of food options, whether from sidewalk snack carts, food courts, or upscale eateries.

Among the 90 food-and-snack options at Disneyland , the beloved Blue Bayou Restaurant in New Orleans Square makes gumbo and other Louisiana-style classics alongside Tex-Mex, while American comfort foods from pot roast to fried chicken are served alongside buttermilk biscuits at Main Street, U.S.A.'s Plaza Inn . For a drink and some live entertainment, go to Oga’s Cantina at Star Wars : Galaxy's Edge . All ages are welcome.

Walt Disney World has 177 places to eat , ranging from snack carts and coffeeshops to sit-down establishments and lounges, across its four parks. At the high-end Space 220 at Epcot, guests are treated to panoramic views of a virtual galaxy from their imaginary position on a space ship. For a more casual experience, head to Hollywood Studios to order family-style platters off the Toy Story -themed Roundup Rodeo BBQ menu.

There is a range of accommodations available in and around both Disney resorts. Anaheim and Orlando are packed with hotels for all travel styles, whether you're on your honeymoon or an annual family getaway with children. The biggest perk to staying off-site is the price, which is almost always lower than that of on-site hotels.

On the other hand, booking an on-site stay means you'll be in the most convenient location, immersed in the magic of Disney 24/7. The Anaheim resort has three on-site hotels : the Disneyland Hotel , Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa , and Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel . All three offer guests special perks such as early entry into the park.

Walt Disney World offers 34 on-property accommodation options and is the only resort of the two with a campground: Fort Wilderness offers both tent sites and cabin rentals. Disney's Contemporary Resort offers multi-room villas. Disney's Art of Animation Resort is one of the cheaper options, offering park-goers various rooms inspired by Pixar classics. On the higher end, there's the safari-themed Animal Kingdom Lodge or Disney's Polynesian Villas and Bungalows , where you can stay right on the Seven Seas Lagoon.

Disneyland and Walt Disney World both hold stellar parades and provide the chance to interact with characters throughout the day. At night, the party continues with live performances of beloved Disney stories and fireworks displays. Naturally, the Orlando resort has more going on given its size. Exact offerings vary by location and are subject to change, so check the Disneyland and Walt Disney World entertainment schedules to see what appeals to you — Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage at Hollywood Studios? Live music at Splitsville Lanes ? — before booking your trip.

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Walt Disney Company in 2023, Disneyland debuted two fireworks shows, Wondrous Journeys and World of Color – ONE .

Which Disney resort you should choose depends on the kind of vacation you want and how much time you have. 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. Whereas the Anaheim resort is close enough to Los Angeles to squeeze in trips to Hollywood and the beach, Orlando is all about theme parks. Universal Orlando and Fun Spot America are both within a 30-minute drive from Walt Disney World. Legoland , in Winter Haven, is about an hour's drive south from the resort.

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Disneyland vs. Disney World: Which is the better park to visit?

Florida 's Walt Disney World Resort , roughly the same geographic size as San Francisco , consists of four theme parks, a couple of water parks, around two dozen on-property hotels and almost too many restaurants to count. By contrast, California 's Disneyland Resort features just two theme parks, three hotels and a more limited but still solid selection of eateries nestled within a much smaller area in central Anaheim.

While both properties have some newer rides, several classic attractions from the 1950s (for Disneyland) and 1970s (for Disney World) can still be found at the parks. Additionally, you'll discover special events only available at Disney World or Disneyland, plus a couple more park-specific details that help differentiate each property from other Disney locations.

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With so many similarities and differences between the two U.S. parks, you may struggle to determine which one is best for your family. Fortunately, we're here to help.

To aid in your decision, we've compiled this guide comparing the two parks in several key areas. Here's how Disney World and Disneyland stack up against one another. May the best teacups win.

Disney World just opened the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Remy's Ratatouille Adventure attractions in a reimagined Epcot , and there are also the still-pretty-new Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway in Disney's Hollywood Studios and Avatar Flight of Passage in Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Not to mention, Tron Lightcycle / Run will eventually be up and running at the Magic Kingdom, too.

None of these attractions are currently at or planned for Disneyland ... for now. However, Disneyland does have Avengers Campus and Cars Land, two entire areas you'll only find at this West Coast property.

Additionally, multiple rides that exist at both Disneyland and Disney World are actually better in California. For example, Pirates of the Caribbean and Space Mountain are unquestionably better at Disneyland. Pirates is longer and (spoiler alert) has two drops, while Space Mountain lets you sit two across, making it a better bet with younger kids than the Disney World version.

The Haunted Mansion in Anaheim, especially during its seasonal "Nightmare Before Christmas" overlay, is also significantly better than its Florida counterpoint.

I'd argue that while The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is a great classic at Disney World, the redo of the attraction at Disneyland with a "Guardians of the Galaxy" theme is probably more enjoyable for most younger visitors than the creepy, old abandoned hotel motif in Florida, too.

Outside of the duplicates, Radiator Springs Racers is unique to Disneyland and is, without question, a can't-miss ride. In fact, it is one of the best Disney attractions at any park.

Indiana Jones Adventure is also a great attraction only found in California.

And while it's a bit of a head-scratcher, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride at Disneyland is worth checking out as well. The quirky "kids" ride from another era literally ends with you in hell. It's wild — and worth riding if only to end the adventure confused about what it is you just experienced.

The recent opening of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at Disney World makes this a closer race than it was even a few months ago (and it's entirely possible we need to revisit when Tron Lightcycle / Run opens). For now, though, we have to say that, overall, the best attractions are available at Disneyland.

Winner: Disneyland

Related: It's true, Disneyland can be better than Disney World — here are 5 times it wins out

You don't need to visit Central Florida to know that it is very hot and very humid for at least half the year.

The extreme temperatures (think: above 90 degrees) are not only uncomfortable. The heat can get dangerous, especially at the parks when you are walking 10 miles a day. If you are not making a conscious effort to keep your family hydrated, you can easily suffer from heat cramps, heat exhaustion or heatstroke.

On top of that, the hot summer months are when afternoon thunderstorms regularly occur, so you may find yourself caught in a downpour while visiting Disney World. This can also cause problems at the airport when it comes time to fly in and out.

However, Southern California is an entirely different story.

With far fewer chances for rain each year and a dry heat that rarely sees temperatures climb above the mid-80s, Disneyland benefits from much more comfortable conditions for spending hours upon hours outdoors. You'll no doubt feel less like a melting Mickey Bar at Disneyland than you will at Disney World.

Given the overall better conditions in Anaheim, we have to give the best location distinction to Disneyland.

As previously mentioned, Disney World has a couple of dozen themed resorts on-site, such as Disney's Polynesian Village Resort , Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge , while Disneyland only has three official hotels. Of the three at Disneyland, two were in major need of renovations until recently.

Despite the lack of official Disney options at Disneyland because of the resort's location in the middle of an actual city, you'll find dozens of hotels that are no more than 15 minutes away from both Disneyland parks when walking. As a result, you don't feel like you're making major sacrifices when staying off Disney property here while you do at Disney World.

While higher-end options like a new JW Marriott and a Westin are available by Disneyland, more affordable properties can be found in Anaheim, too. In fact, some of the mid-tier hotels in the area offer standard rooms for between $150 and $200 per night. Many also participate in loyalty programs, so you can use points to save on lodging.

For example, on many nights, you can use a Marriott Bonvoy 35,000-point certificate (which comes with many mid-tier Marriott credit cards ) to stay at the Fairfield Anaheim Resort. This hotel is just a 10-minute walk from the parks and is conveniently located next to a number of affordable food options, including a McDonald's and a Panera Bread.

At Disney World, there are the on-site Walt Disney World Swan, Walt Disney World Dolphin and Walt Disney World Swan Reserve resorts , which are also part of the Marriott family, but these properties are going to cost you at least 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Although Disney World has more on-property lodging with fun themes at different price points than Disneyland, the latter blows Disney World away when it comes to its wealth of simple off-property options that don't leave you feeling too far from the magic.

Because the two properties excel in one accommodation category but not the other, this one is a closer race than you may initially assume. However, we have to ultimately give the edge to Disney World due to its sheer volume of memorable options.

Winner: Disney World

Related: These are the best hotels at Disney World

While Disney World is a whopping 27,000-plus acres, Disneyland only occupies 500 acres, making it significantly smaller than its East Coast counterpart. In fact, the size difference is so stark that you could fit about 50 Disneylands inside the Disney World complex.

Despite its tighter footprint, Disneyland manages to offer two theme parks: Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. Meanwhile, Disney World features four sprawling theme parks: the Magic Kingdom, Epcot , Disney's Animal Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios — plus two water parks . Both properties also have themed hotels and a shopping and dining district, though the latter at Disney World is several times the size of the one at Disneyland.

So which is the better option when it comes to having a magical Disney vacation: the massive resort with more to do or the more compact property that is easier to navigate? The answer will depend on what you value most, but there are pros and cons to each.

If you want to make the most of your day(s) at the parks, Disneyland is the way to go, as that resort's park-hopping experience is infinitely easier since no bus transfers are required.

You'll find the separate entrances for both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park a mere 100 yards away from each other, meaning you can enjoy Cars Land and the Avengers Campus in the morning before walking next door to round out your day with Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, Pirates of the Caribbean and Space Mountain. Not to mention, you can push your Disney stroller rental from one Disneyland park to the other, which is a small but superb perk for those with little ones.

While there are some Disney World parks that are easy to visit together in one day (namely, Epcot with the Magic Kingdom or Disney's Hollywood Studios), none of those park pairings come close to being as convenient to get between as Disneyland Park and Disney's California Adventure Park due to the need to take Disney transportation or walk a greater distance to venture from one Disney World Park to another.

I personally find the more manageable size of Disneyland to be a huge advantage the West Coast location has over Disney World, but having so many entertainment options at your disposal at Disney World is clearly not a bad thing either. So, I'm calling this one a tie.

Winner: Tie

Related: It's a changed world after all: 9 things you must know if you're heading to Disney World

Restaurants

Unlike Disney rides, which tend to be duplicated at both Disney World and Disneyland, Disney restaurants are often unique to the particular park you're visiting. The only real crossover between Disneyland's restaurants and Disney World's restaurants is Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar, which is a can't-miss venue at both U.S. resorts.

When it comes to dining at Disneyland, you'll find several noteworthy options. There's TPG-favorite Blue Bayou Restaurant, which is located right in the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, providing the perfect setting for savoring tasty Cajun-inspired fare. For a gourmet meal, you can dine at Carthay Circle Restaurant or Napa Rose, two upscale options that draw inspiration from California. On the other end of the budget spectrum, you'll discover churros, a Disney classic that tastes 10 times better at Disneyland.

As for dining at Disney World, the resort's scale really helps give it a significant edge over its West Coast counterpart. Some of the East Coast location's best restaurants include epic bites and drinks at the Nomad Lounge at Disney's Animal Kingdom, a fabulous character breakfast at Disney's Riviera Resort and elevated seasonal dishes at California Grill at Disney's Contemporary Resort. Victoria & Albert's, a highly regarded fine-dining venue at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, is also slated to reopen by the end of July.

Because Disney World offers such a wide array of culinary options, from the country-themed restaurants of Epcot to the immersive atmospheres of venues like Be Our Guest Restaurant at the Magic Kingdom, it's the clear winner when it comes to dining.

Related: The best restaurants for outdoor dining at Disney World

Tickets to get into the actual parks cost about the same on both coasts. For single-day, single-park tickets, you can expect to pay $109 to $159 when visiting Disney World or $104 to $164 when visiting Disneyland.

Each property uses variable pricing, meaning exact rates for tickets vary by date. Your per-day costs decrease the more days you visit (especially after the third day), and adding on park hopping increases the rates at both parks.

There are a couple of factors that typically make one resort cost more than the other, though.

Disney-owned and -operated hotels at Disney World start at $150 per night for some of the value properties like the All-Star hotels, while the few Disney-affiliated hotels available at Disneyland rarely cost less than $350 per night.

Additionally, the average flight cost to Orlando is generally less than what you'll spend flying to Anaheim or Los Angeles , and ground transportation is often cheaper and more plentiful in Florida — even in a post-Magical Express world — thanks to affordable airport bus services .

So while this is another close race, especially given the abundance of off-property hotels available within walking distance of Disneyland, we have to give Disney World the win here, as a trip to Florida for a family theme park vacation is often going to cost less than one to California.

Related: How to use points to pay for Disney tickets

Genie+ availability

Both Disneyland and Disney World have rolled out a paid FastPass replacement program called Genie+ .

Costing $15 per person, per day at Disney World and $20 per person, per day at Disneyland, Genie+ can certainly help you avoid spending some unnecessary time in lines, but it has a few quirks and drawbacks. Namely, you may need to wake up before 7 a.m. if you want to snag spots in certain Lightning Lanes — and it can cause you to be glued to your phone throughout the day.

That said, those are largely Disney World problems.

At Disneyland, the rules and Lightning Lane demand are noticeably different from what you'll find in Florida. You can't book individual rides using Genie+ at Disneyland until you are in the park. This means no 7 a.m. wake-up call and booking from your hotel bed is required, though you will need to be up and in the park early to start reserving Lightning Lanes.

Given the generally more laid-back and less competitive nature of Genie+ at Disneyland, we deem it the winner in this category.

Related: How I rode 26 attractions at Disneyland using Genie+

Special events

When it comes to fun festivities, California certainly knows how to party.

Having been to the Oogie Boogie Bash at Disneyland last year , which I enjoyed so much that I booked it again this year, I can confidently say that the property with the best special events is hands-down Disneyland.

I've been to Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Disney World, and while it was cute and entertaining, Disneyland's Oogie Boogie Bash was better in so many ways.

To start, Disneyland's Oogie Boogie Bash was longer than its Disney World party cousin — at least, in recent years. Not to mention, the treats were great (and even included fruit) and the parade was the right balance of fun and spooky. Villains Grove was the perfect place for teens and older kids, too, as it offered some excellent villain encounters when we needed a break from the thrilling rides with seasonal overlays, which made the whole experience feel that much more special.

An added bonus is the weather. In California, the odds are better that it will be cool enough on an October evening to wear a costume to the party, so you won't overheat in your attire like you may at Disney World.

There are other seasonal celebrations (think: food and wine events, Christmas parties and more) at both parks that may tip the scales differently for you, but Disneyland's hosting of one of our favorites, the Oogie Boogie Bash, makes it our preferred location for special events.

Bottom line

Walt Disney World is my most visited park, and of the two, it is probably the one that more out-of-state families plan a big vacation to than Disneyland. You can easily enjoy a weeklong vacation at Disney World and not see and experience it all thanks, in part, to its plethora of hotels and restaurants.

If you want to have an action-packed week full of new things to try, Disney World is probably the better option of the two, especially if you're trying to save a little money. But if you prefer the classic charm and magic of Disney, Disneyland is likely the property you'll find most appealing — and manageable.

Choosing a favorite property would be like choosing a favorite child. I simply can't say I love one over the other. What I can state with certainty, though, is the need to visit both. If you love Disney World and have yet to visit Disneyland (or vice versa), you should make a point to rectify that error.

Whether you're chomping on churros while dancing with Disney villains at Disneyland or riding the new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and staying in a "Moana"-themed room at Disney World, you'll have an incredible vacation unlike any other.

Walt Disney World Resort

Star Tours Sets Course for New Adventures in 2024

by Scott Trowbridge , Portfolio Creative Executive, Walt Disney Imagineering

Bright Suns! I’m writing to you from London, where we just wrapped our Walt Disney Imagineering panel at Star Wars Celebration 2023. I was thrilled to join Imagineers Ann Morrow Johnson and Asa Kalama, as well as Matt Martin from Lucasfilm as we talked about how Star Wars comes to life at Disney parks. This was the first Celebration in Europe since 2016, so I really enjoyed spending the weekend here reconnecting with Star Wars and Disney fans from this part of the world (and beyond).

Today we made several exciting announcements related to Star Wars and Disney parks, so I wanted to make sure you heard all the news … beginning with the attraction that started it all for us in this galaxy far, far away …

In 2024, we’re going to add more stories and characters to Star Tours at three of our destinations around the world –  Disneyland park in California, Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida, and Disneyland Paris in France. Since it debuted at Disneyland in 1987 as the first Star Wars attraction in a Disney park, Star Tours has traveled to new places as this galaxy of stories expanded. We’re looking forward to continuing that tradition next year with all new adventures … but I can’t reveal just where we’re going yet – or those we may meet along the way – because … well … some surprises are best experienced as part of the upcoming Star Wars content also announced this weekend. Here’s hoping C-3PO’s piloting skills have improved!

And speaking of Starspeeder pilots, be sure to check out the new playlist from DJ R3X we just released, featuring more of his favorite tracks you may hear when you visit Oga’s Cantina on Batuu. Turns out R3X may just be a better DJ than pilot … but don’t tell him I said that.

We also announced a new Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser playlist will launch next month on streaming platforms to celebrate May the 4 th . This soundtrack includes songs from galactic superstar Gaya, who performs aboard the Halcyon starcruiser as part of that amazing, fully immersive experience.

We’re also working on a special 12-inch vinyl pressing of Gaya’s music, so be on the lookout for that.

We had such a great time on the panel and meeting fans this weekend. We work hard to create all of these experiences for you because … we’re Star Wars fans, too! We look forward to the places we’ll go and the stories we can explore together next. So hopefully I’ll see you somewhere out there on the hyperspace routes.

Destinations: Walt Disney World Resort , Disney's Hollywood Studios

Topics: Star Wars at Disney Parks

Please, please, pretty please, can we get the Star Wars: Galactic Fireworks back in Hollywood Studios! I feel like without it, Hollywood Studios is no longer as excited, even having Galaxy’s Edge. That Star Wars show and fireworks at night added the frosting on the cake and left me with this completely undescribable fulfilled feeling inside. Now, I leave Hollywood Studios in a rather somber feeling. Also, are the stools ever returning to the bar at the Prime 50’s Cafe? My family and I always looked forward to eating and drinking at the bar, meeting people and making friends from all over the world and staying in touch with them. I miss the camaraderie there. The time for.guests can always be monitored in a similar way as it’s done at Oga’s Cantina. Please, bring back the magic to Hollywood Studios!

I remember hearing the news of new Star Tours destinations being briefly mentioned at last years Star Wars Celebrations. Great to see more concrete details coming out from this years Celebrations. Excited to see what’s in store. The Star Wars Universe is huge, where could we be heading?

Excellent news!! I would love to see too a new run in Milenium Falcon with more action! Like a run in Jakuu, running away from tie fights and a star destroyer! The would be AWESOMEEEEEE!

I would love to see the Milenium Falcon with other run with more action like in Jakuu! That would be awesome!!!

Hi! Excellent news! I would love to see a new route I. The Milenium Falcon! With more action! That would be awesome!! Like Jakuu run! Pleaseeee!!

I genuinely hope you’ll sort out the continuity issues. The current time-traveling version of the ride is very frustrating theming.

I’m looking forward to the Star Tours updates.

Comments are closed.

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Star Tours – The Adventures Continue

• Replay Star Tours – The Adventures Continue

• 40in (102cm) or taller
• Small Drops

Explore a Galaxy Far, Far Away

Board your Starspeeder 1000 and prepare for takeoff! When a series of mishaps unwittingly causes your starship to launch too soon, protocol droid C-3PO takes the controls.

Suddenly, the ship is intercepted by Imperial—or First Order—forces searching for a Rebel spy. To avoid capture, you’ll embark on a thrilling, unpredictable flight that rockets you to the farthest reaches of the galaxy.

Featuring a flight simulator, digital 3D video, Audio-Animatronics characters and “in-cockpit” special effects and music, this attraction immerses you in the Star Wars mythology for an unforgettable intergalactic adventure.

Will your Starspeeder elude capture and make it back to the base? May the Force be with you—always.

Featuring Favorite Star Wars Characters

Always a new adventure.

Hold on tight as urgent transmissions from Ahsoka Tano, Cassian Andor, the Mandalorian and Grogu may soon be part of your next Starspeeder flight.

Starting April 5, 2024, embark on exciting new Star Wars adventures featuring characters and locations from some of your favorite Disney+ series. With these additions, you’ll have the opportunity to experience one of more than 250 storyline variations, including a visit to the planet Seatos from Ahsoka . Because the many story twists are random, you never know where you’ll go or who you may encounter along the way!

©Disney/Lucasfilm Ltd.

Know Before You Go

Play disney parks achievement available.

Related Activities

Star wars : galaxy’s edge, even more magic – as you wish, more star wars, guests also viewed, safety, accessibility and guest policies, times for star tours – the adventures continue.

Disneyland vs. Disney World Attractions: Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters and Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

Walt Disney World and the Disneyland Resort share a number of the same attractions, such as Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, “ it’s a small world ,” and many others. But if you think that these attractions are the same on both coasts, you would be mistaken.

One of the many things I love about Disney is that they never do the same thing twice; and while the attractions that can be found on both coasts may share the same names and themes, they do have differences too. Hey, who doesn’t like variety, right? But you have to wonder, which resort has the best version of a popular attraction? Which Disney Park has the bragging rights? Well, that’s what I’m going to find out beginning with an attraction that’s sure to bring out your competitive side in Disneyland vs. Disney World Attractions: Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters and Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin.

What is Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters and Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin?

Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters and Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin are dark rides where guests shoot at targets scattered throughout the attraction for points and to compete for high scores. The Magic Kingdom was the first to gain this type of Buzz Lightyear attraction back in 1998. There, it is known as Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. Disneyland didn’t gain its version until quite some time later in 2005 and under a different name, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters.

Location : Tomorrowland is where both versions of this interactive Buzz Lightyear attraction can be found. At Disneyland, Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters is towards the front of Tomorrowland and on the left side, right across from Star Tours – The Adventures Continue . At Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is tucked a bit deeper into the land and has a bit more space around it than at Disneyland. The attraction can be found at the end of the main path from the hub into Tomorrowland and on the right, across the way from the Astro Orbiter attraction. Oftentimes, Buzz Lightyear is meeting and greeting with guests nearby, so keep an eye open!

Winner : Disney World

Ride Duration : Disneyland’s Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters is about 5 minutes and Disney World’s Space Ranger Spins lasts around 4 minutes and 30 seconds.

Winner : Disneyland

Queue : So I have to be honest here. I’m not a fan of either attraction’s queue. It all looks like colorful cardboard to me. The only impressive part of the queue is the audio-animatronic Buzz Lightyear. However, if I had to pick which queue to wait in, I would go with Disney World’s. The interior queue can hold more people and it’s not nearly as narrow and cramped as Disneyland’s.

Laser Cannons : So the thing that makes this ride so much fun is that it’s interactive! Guests get to fire laser cannons at “Z” targets in order to get a high score on their electronic dashboard to defeat Zurg in the process. Although, this is where the biggest difference between Disneyland’s and Disney World’s version lies. You see, at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin’s laser cannons are fixed to your space cruiser’s dashboard. The cannons can be turned and tilted, and your space cruiser can be turned by using the joystick on the dashboard, but your ability to aim is somewhat limited. But at Disneyland, Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters’ laser cannons are not fixed to the dashboard but can be picked up and fired at whatever angle or direction you choose! Also, your cannon lights up and lets you know that you have hit a target while I’m never positive if I have or haven’t hit something at the Magic Kingdom’s version. As you’ve probably guessed, Disneyland wins this category by a landslide, but there is one more thing I should mention: at Disneyland, the targets are four different shapes with each shape worth different amounts of points. It adds a whole new layer of strategy to this interactive attraction!

FastPass : Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters at Disneyland does offer FASTPASS , and Disney World’s Space Ranger Spin offers FastPass+ as well. Disneyland’s FASTPASS distribution machine for Astro Blasters can be found on the left side of the attraction building across from the Star Tours entrance. Lately, however, the Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters FASTPASS machine has been off the grid! This means you can get another FASTPASS for another attraction without waiting for the start of your return time. For example, you can hold a FASTPASS for Astro Blasters and Star Tours at the same time! This could end at any time, so be sure to check before you work it into your plans for your next Disneyland visit. Now I know that everyone has an opinion about Disney World’s new FastPass+ system, but I personally think there are some real benefits to this new technology. First of all, guests don’t have to walk all the way to the attraction to get to the machine and I can hold up to three FastPasses for the Magic Kingdom before I even walk through the gates. As this system is more convenient overall, I’m giving the edge to Disney World.

Ranking : While defeating Zurg is a priority for Buzz, my priority on either of these attractions is landing that high score and securing bragging rights among my family members for the day. But each Buzz Lightyear attraction has their own way to rank guests on their performance. When you have completed either ride, take a look at the electronic dash to see your numerical score. If you’re at Disney World, your cruiser will pass by a chart on the wall that matches your score to your rank which could range from Space Cadet to the coveted Galactic Hero. At Disneyland, you will also be ranked from Space Cadet to Galactic Hero, but how you know which title you earned is based on which level you attained. Check out your electronic dash as you near the unloading area. Your numerical score will change to a level ranging from Level 1, the worst, to Level 7, which is the best!

(If you find yourself repeatedly in last place when riding the Magic Kingdom’s Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin, or you want to sharpen your skills before your next visit, check out Beating Buzz: A Guide for People with No Skill )

Story : The storyline for both versions of the Buzz Lightyear attractions is that guests have been recruited to help Buzz Lightyear fight Zurg as he has been stealing batteries from other toys. As you near the boarding area, guests on both coasts will see and hear an impressive audio-animatronic Buzz explaining the mission himself and recruiting you for battle! Once aboard a two-person cruiser, guests will then move through different scenes from space filled with aliens, targets, and even Zurg himself. At the end, Zurg is defeated and Buzz, as well as guests, are victorious; but there is a slight difference in regards to the storyline at Disneyland in comparison to Disney World’s. At Disneyland, Zurg is captured and guests see the little green men from the Toy Story films planning to return him to the store. The store just happens to be Al’s Toy Barn from Toy Story 2 ! At Disney World, we see very few references to the films or the fact that Buzz and Zurg are toys, except for maybe a few details in the queue.

Overall Ride : If I was able to ride both attractions back to back from start to finish, which one would I enjoy more? I must say that it would probably be Disneyland’s Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters. The cannons make a huge difference for my overall experience, and I do think the effects and quality in Astro Blasters is a bit better than at Disney World. For instance, the climatic scene where a suspended Buzz is fighting Zurg is much better than what you see at Disney World.

So which Buzz Lightyear attraction is the winner? Due to the fact that I think Disneyland’s version offers the best overall ride, I’m going to give the advantage to Disneyland. But do you agree? Is Disneyland’s Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters the superior of the two, or do you think Disney World deserves more credit?

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Savannah Sanders

Savannah has been visiting Disney World since she was a year old and has gone back almost every year since. In the real world, she teaches high school history and government and enjoys writing about all things Disney. Savannah can be reached on Twitter @DisneyParkSavvy.

9 thoughts on “ Disneyland vs. Disney World Attractions: Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters and Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin ”

Another cool thing about the Disneyland version is that after the ride you can email the ride photos to yourself for free. At Disney World you need a Memory Maker or Photopass to get your ride pictures.

Great tip, Jason. Thanks for sharing!

Great comparison! Honestly, I never paid too much attention to the story because I’m too busy, you know… shooting the targets. Maybe one day I’ll just take in the ride and appreciate the design and not worry too much about my score haha.

The first time we went on Astro Blasters the kids were pretty small and, unsurprisingly, they weren’t very good at it so it wasn’t a popular ride for us for several years. This last trip we went on it because the line wasn’t long and they did a lot better and, unsurprisingly, now think the ride is pretty cool. I suspect that the ride will be a lot more popular in our family for future trips.

James, I think that’s one of the best things about the attraction. It actually gets more fun and entertaining the older your kids get instead of the other way around! Thanks for your comment!

Um, to get Star Tours FPs you go to the machines by Buzz; you got that backwards. Those machines were built specifically for Buzz. Star Tours briefy had FP in the early part of the century in machines near that ride´s entry. They were rarely needed and soon disappeared. When Buzz took over its current location, FP machines were built to the right of its entry. When Star Tours was upgraded and needed FP again, the queue was using the space of the original ST FP machines. Buzz rarely has a wait more than 15-20 min, so since it didn’t need FP, those machines were coverted for Star Tours. The only reason Buzz got FP back is becuse work on the Innoventions building blocked he Autopia FP machines. Presumeably, in order to have enough FP options, they put Buzz back on FP. If they bring back Autopia FP, I wouldn’t be surprised if they take it off Buzz since it isn’t really neded. Bottom line is Buzz FP machines are onthe same side of the walkway as the ride itself.

Thanks for the catch! Good points about the reason for Astro Blasters FASTPASSES, I’m always interested in hearing insight from park regulars. Thanks again for contributing.

I love these ride comparison stories. Everyone has their own opinion, and I like that there are two versions of many of these rides for us to compare. For this ride I totally agree!

So glad you’re enjoying the series and thanks for commenting!

Comments are closed.

Disneyland vs Disney World Comparison

Top 9 differences between disney world and disneyland theme park resorts.

The age old-battle of Disneyland vs Disney World. How are Disney’s two American theme parks similar, different, and which is better? Get ready to rumble!

Disneyland and Disney World are often lumped together despite being totally different parks on different coasts.

It is true that are both resorts are operated by The Walt Disney Company and share many similarities in terms of themes, attractions, and other uniquely “Disney” park experiences. But to say these two iconic resorts (or any of the others around the world ) are nearly identical is a gross generalization. Disneyland and Disney World have an almost entirely different set of histories, economic impacts , characteristics, attractions, resorts, shows, transportation, dining locations, and other experiences.

While both parks possess the “magic” that makes a Disney destination so special, each of these parks has its own unique advantages and disadvantages.

Here we present you with a Disneyland vs Disney World comparison to help you sort out the differences between these two iconic Disney vacation destinations.

1. Stats – Disneyland vs Disney World

Disneyland stats.

Disneyland Website: d isneyland.disney.go.com

Location: Anaheim, California

Opened: July 17, 1955

Operating Season: Year-round

Theme Parks: 2 ( Disneyland Park , Disney California Adventure Park )

In-Park Resorts: 3

Water Parks: None

Golf Courses: None

Roller Coasters: 6

Annual Visitors: 18.3 million visitors (2017)

Walt Disney World Stats

Disney World Website: disneyworld.disney.go.com

Location: Lake Buena Vista, Florida

Opened: October 1, 1971

Theme Parks: 4 ( Magic Kingdom , Epcot , Animal Kingdom , Hollywood Studios )

In-Park Resorts: 25+

Water Parks: 2

Golf Courses: 5

Roller Coasters: 5

Acres: 25,000 acres (42+ sq mi)

Annual Visitors: 55.9 million (2017)

Disneyland was opened to the public in 1955 as the first Disney theme park. This Anaheim, California amusement park was the only Disney park to open under the direct supervision of Walt Disney while he was alive.

The resort is located in a developed urban environment and covers 300 acres with no room for expansion.   It’s home to two theme parks and three themed on-property resorts.

Disneyland is regarded as a great destination for shorter vacations and for families with younger children.

Disney World

Walt Disney World opened its first theme park – Magic Kingdom – in 1971, five years after Walt Disney’s death.

It’s located in Lake Buena Vista, Florida , and stretches across roughly 43 square miles (w/ room for expansion).

Disney World is home to four theme parks, two water parks ( Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon ), five golf courses, and over 25 themed resorts.

Walt Disney World Resort is regarded as an ideal destination for extended visits and is enjoyed by children, families, adults , groups, and business convention-goers alike. See our Disney World History page for the fascinating story behind this theme park.

3. Crowds and Lines

As a general rule, you can both Disneyland and Disney World to experience peak crowds during school holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas , summer vacation, spring break, and on the weekends. The park can also be crowded during special events (like the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival ) and when a new area, land, or attraction opens (like Toy Story Land or Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge ).

See our Disney Crowd Calendar  and Disneyland Crowd Calendar pages for guidance.

Line wait times tend to be longer at Disney World as compared to those of Disneyland.

Although it varies from day to day and attraction to attraction, most guests have found wait times to be roughly 10-20 minutes longer at Disney World due to the sheer number of visitors. That’s why we recommend adding the Disney Genie+ option to your tickets.

As you may know, Disney Genie+ replaced the old FastPass+ and MaxPass systems. This new paid service allows you to access the quick Lightning Lane entrance at over 40 attractions. Since the Lightning Lane entrance allows you to bypass the normal standby lines, you’ll spend less time waiting in lines and more time on the attractions.

The per ticket per person cost of Genie+ is $15 at Disney World and $20 at Disneyland. We think it’s worth the extra cost.

Your first Genie+ selection of the day is reserved on the morning of your visit.  Subsequent selections are made one at a time after the previous selection is used.

In addition, Disneyland and Disney World both offer separate individual Lightning Lane passes on the highest-demand attractions. The cost is set on a per-ride basis and guests are only allowed to book 2 individual Lightning Lane passes per day.

Winner: Tie (both parks offer Disney Genie+ and individual Lightning Lane passes)

Both Disneyland and Disney World offer several ticket options , including discounts for multi-day tickets. Disneyland offers single-day tickets to Disneyland Park or Disneyland California Adventure Park (in the range of $117), with children ages 3 to 9 at a slightly reduced rate, and kids under 3 get in free. Disney World’s single-day adult admission prices are slightly higher (in the range of $119).

Disneyland guests can choose to purchase tickets to a single park or both parks. Disney World offers a single-day ticket to a particular park (i.e., an Epcot single-day ticket), but multi-day tickets do not distinguish which theme parks guests may visit. Disney World also offers a Park Hopper option, allowing you to navigate between theme parks as you wish.

Disney World Tickets

Disney World has a ticketing process called MyMagic+ which bundles together just about every aspect of your trip to make life easier. Guests receive a MagicBand rubber bracelet equipped with a computer chip that accesses all of the guest’s information – room key, theme park ticket, dining reservations, PhotoPass+, etc. Guests can also manage their Disney Genie+ reservations via the Disney Genie App and My Disney Experience App .

Disneyland Tickets

Disneyland is a much simpler vacation to plan due to its small size. There is no MagicBand system at Disneyland. The official Disneyland app allows you to purchase your tickets, manage Disney Genie+/Lightning Lane reservations, view attraction wait times, browse Disneyland maps , check showtimes, and more.

Guests are issued a Key to the Magic card . This is used to charge meals and merchandise, access the hotel room, and enter the parks.

See our Disneyland Annual Pass page if you plan on visiting the park more than just a few times in a calendar year.

Winner: Disney World

5. Resorts / Hotels

Disneyland and Disney World each have a number of on-property resort hotels.

Disneyland has three: Disney’s Pixar Place, the Disneyland Hotel, and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel , the flagship resort. Disneyland’s hotels are within walking distance of all of the action.

Walt Disney World has over 30 hotels that are grouped according to price and offerings: Disney Value Resorts , Disney Moderate Resorts , and Disney Deluxe Resorts . The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is Disney World’s elegant flagship resort.  Disney has several non-traditional resorts, including the campgrounds at Fort Wilderness and a number of DVC Disney Villa Resorts which offer guests accommodations ranging from studios to 3 bedrooms. There are also a number of non-Disney-owned resorts within Disney World.

Guests staying at any Disney World or Disneyland resort receive a number of perks, including the ability to participate in Extra Magic Hours , extended time at a designated theme park beyond normal operating hours.

6. Dining – Disneyland vs Disney World

Because of its larger size, Disney World has a lot more dining options and character dining experiences . This is not to say that Disneyland is lacking in this area because they are plenty of restaurants and character meals here as well. In fact, both parks have a wide assortment of table service dining, quick service meals, and snack bars in the theme parks, resorts, and shopping districts.

Disney also does a wonderful job of accommodating those with special dietary restrictions like vegetarians and those with gluten and allergy needs.

Disneyland Dining Locations:  https://disneyland.disney.go.com/dining/

Disney World Dining Locations:  https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/

See our Magic Kingdom Restaurants , Epcot Restaurants , Animal Kingdom Restaurants , and Hollywood Studios Restaurants pages for Disney World dining recommendations.

Winner: Disneyland’s food is delicious, but there are more variety and dining locations at Disney World. Disney World comes out on top.

7. Transportation – Disneyland vs Disney World

Disneyland transportation.

Disneyland’s smaller size allows for more walking between the resorts, parks, and Downtown Disney. The entrance gates to both theme parks are right across from each other and anyone staying at one of the on-property hotels will be able to walk to the Downtown Disney District and to the park entrances. There is a monorail transportation system within the park.

Disney World Transportation

Disney World covers a much larger area and is not as conducive to walking. However, the resort has an excellent complimentary transportation system to take you anywhere you wish to go. Traveling between resorts and theme parks generally requires a 10 to 30-minute ride via bus, ferry, or monorail. Traveling between resorts or to Disney Springs may require a transfer, but every resort has some form of transportation directly to the theme parks.

See our Disney Transportation Map for more information.

Winner: Disneyland because it’s much more walkable

8. Attractions, Roller Coasters, Rides, Etc.

There are roughly 20 overlapping attractions at Disneyland and Disney World. These include Pirates of the Caribbean , Space Mountain, and It’s a Small World. Despite having the same themes, each ride has its own variation on the theme so that they are not completely identical.

Disney World has the most one-of-a-kind rides, including the popular Kilimanjaro Safaris , the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Spaceship Earth, Mission: SPACE, and much more.

Disneyland’s one-of-a-kind rides include Mickey’s Fun Wheel , Matterhorn Bobsleds, Radiator Springs Racers, and the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage .

There are 6 six big roller coasters at Disneyland: Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Goofy children’s coasters, Matterhorn, California Screamin’, and Gadget’s Go Coaster.

Disney World has five major roller coasters including Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Goofy children’s coasters, Expedition: Everest, and The Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.

Disneyland is known for its dark rides which take riders into a well-known Disney story. These include Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Alice in Wonderland, Pinocchio’s Daring Journey, Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin.

Disneyland and Disney World both host a few of the same shows:  Fantasmic! , Turtle Talk with Crush and It’s Tough to be a Bug.

Disneyland lays claim to a few unique shows including Frozen — Live at the Hyperion, the World of Color , and Main Street Electrical Parade (formally at Disney World).

Walt Disney World is the only park to host Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, Mickey’s PhilharMagic ,  Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage, and Finding Nemo – The Musical.

Be sure to check out our list of the best live shows and musicals at Disney World  for some ideas.

Disneyland vs Disney World – Which Resort is Best?

So how do these two iconic Disney parks stack up against each other?

Well, the short answer is that you really can’t go wrong with either one.

Both Disneyland and Disney World have some similar experiences and others that are completely unique to one another. Each park has its pros and cons, but you really can’t go wrong with either one.

Here are some final thoughts:

Advantages – Disneyland

Disneyland is very compact, whereas Disney World is sprawling. As such, Disneyland is more manageable for walking. There are even some off-site hotels within walking distance.

Southern California has more of an ideal climate for a theme park with less rain and stable, warm weather.  Disneyland lays claim to some great features ( Car Land , for example), and some attractions which are now absent from Disney World (Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride and Snow White’s Scary Adventures).

Disadvantages – Disneyland

Disneyland’s smaller size puts it at a disadvantage for a few reasons. With just two theme parks, Disneyland has fewer attractions and rides to chose from. There are just three on-site hotels and many fewer restaurants than Disney World. Plus, the themes are just not as interesting as those of Disney World.

Advantages – Disney World 

Disney World wins in terms of park variety (4 theme parks, 2 water parks), dining options and character meals, shows, events, and atmosphere. By “atmosphere,” we mean that each section of Disney World just feels like a world unto its own.

The parks, resorts, and dining experiences each have their own distinctive character and themes.

We may be generalizing, but everything feels extra magical at Disney World!

Disadvantages – Disney World

Because Disney World is so spread out, walking can become tiresome and Disney transportation can be time-consuming.

The buses, monorails, and ferries are very efficient, but to get from Point A to Point B does take a sizable chuck out of your day. And pray that the skies stay clear because the rain, storms, and summer heat are known to put a damper on Disney vacations.

Disney World vacations do tend to be more expensive than Disneyland vacations, so consider searching for discounts and deals or, better yet, contact a Disney Travel Planner to assist you with every step of your planning and booking process.

Disneyland vs Disney World – The Winner

We love both Disneyland and Disney World. The answer to “which Disney park is better” really comes down to personal preference. However, our favorite is clearly Disney World because it captures that special Disney magic like no other place in the world. Try both parks and see which one you like better!

We hope that our Disneyland versus Disney World comparison page was helpful in deciding which Disney resort is better. For more helpful Disney World vacation information, check our Disney Travel Agents ,  Disney Dining Plan Calculator , Disney World for Adults , and all our other pages.

If you need help planning your trip to Walt Disney World, please contact our friends at The Vacationeer to help you plan and book your trip. We are here to help you plan the most magical Disney vacation possible.   Click  HERE  for a free, no-obligation price quote .

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Star Tours at Disneyland and Disney World to Add ‘Mandalorian,’ ‘Andor’ and ‘Ahsoka’ Plots

• Oops! Something went wrong. Please try again later. More content below

A handful of Disney+ series are about to be added to one of the most well-known rides at Walt Disney World and Disneyland.

“Star Tours — The Adventures Continue,” the Star Wars themed ride with locations in Disneyland, Walt Disney World and Disneyland Paris, will add characters and locations from the Disney+ shows The Mandalorian , Ahsoka and Andor , beginning April 5.

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That will include “urgent transmissions” from characters like Ahsoka Tano, Cassian Andor ,  Din Djarin and Grogu during the ride, with the planet Peridea from Ahsoka also joining the ride.

The original Star Tours opened in 1987 at Disneyland and two years later at Disney World, transporting guests into the world of the Star Wars films. A new version of the ride, The Adventures Continue opened in 2011, adding scenes and characters from the newer Star Wars films.

The premise sees droids C-3PO and R2-D2 guiding visitors on a ride through the Star Wars universe aboard a spaceship. There are different openings, destinations, messages from Star Wars characters and endings, all randomly appearing in the ride, with a Disney post unveiled the changes declaring that there will be more than 250 variations for riders to experience.

Star Wars has been a source of major investment at Disney’s theme parks, even as Lucasfilm has gone years without a new film. There are now Star Wars lands in both Disneyland and Disney World, and there was, briefly, a Star Wars -themed hotel called the Galactic Starcruiser, which Disney shut down last year after being open for less than two years.

But the addition of characters and locations from the Disney+ Star Wars shows also suggest that the expanded universe from the franchise will be brought into the larger theme park fold.

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Disneyland vs. Disney World: Which Is Better?

Astrid was the Senior Special Projects Editor at TripSavvy.

TripSavvy / Alison Czinkota

Rides and Attractions

Ticket prices, getting around, the best times to visit, where to stay near each park.

Considering a Disney theme park vacation? In the United States, you can choose between Disney World in Orlando, Florida , and Disneyland in Anaheim, California. While some may expect both Disney parks to be interchangeable, nothing could be farther from the truth. Each park offers a different experience in terms of rides, attractions, wait times, history, and more. There are many differences aside from their locations on opposite coasts. Thinking of planning a Disney trip? Here's a breakdown of how these two parks compare.

The biggest difference between Disney's two theme park resorts in the United States is size.

Sprawling over a whopping 40 square miles, Disney World is roughly the same size as San Francisco. All in all, Disney World includes four theme parks ( Magic Kingdom , Epcot , Animal Kingdom , and Hollywood Studios ), two major water parks ( Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon), 25 Disney resort hotels and about a dozen non-Disney hotels, a campground, three golf courses, plus the Disney Springs shopping and dining neighborhood. 

You can't see all of Disney World in a single visit and shouldn't try. Instead, come up with a Disney World bucket list for your family based on your kids' ages and interests. As your kids grow up, your bucket list will change and you'll come up with new must-do experiences when you visit.

By comparison, Disneyland is much smaller, covering only 0.75 square miles. It includes two theme parks (Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure), the Downtown Disney shopping and dining neighborhood, plus three hotels. You could feasibly experience most of Disneyland Resort in a three-day visit.​s

 mocajomiso / Flickr / CC BY 2.0

Another major difference between Disney's two U.S. theme park resorts is their histories.

As Disney's original theme park, and the only one built under Walt Disney's direct supervision, Disneyland Resort is the sentimental favorite of many Disney fans. The original park opened in July 1955. Over the years the theme park has been expanded and renovated a number of times. In 2001, a second theme park, Disney California Adventure, opened on the site of Disneyland's original parking lot.

Across the continent in Florida, Disney World opened in 1971. Walt Disney dreamed up the ambitious "Florida Project," but he died in 1966 and never saw it open. Walt's brother and business partner, Roy Disney, lived to see Disney World open in October 1971 but he died in December 1971. Disney World opened with one theme park and three hotels but has grown over the years to the size of a major city.

 I am R. / Flickr / CC BY 2.0

While it may be a dream to visit both Disney World and Disneyland, it certainly isn't possible to knock off both in one trip. That's because Disney World and Disneyland are located not only in different states, but on opposite sides of the U.S.

Technically, Disney World can be found just outside of Orlando, Florida, about a 20 minute drive from the Orlando International Airport . The majority of the park is actually located in the city of Bay Lake. Still, arriving in Orlando is the easiest way to get to the park, and Disney provides several shuttles directly from the airport to make the trip easier.

Disneyland, meanwhile, can be found on the opposite coast, in Anaheim, California. Anaheim is located about 26 miles from Los Angeles. The park itself is located a quick eight minute drive from Anaheim's downtown, and is easily accessible via car or Disney shuttle.

Since the Magic Kingdom was based on Disneyland, the two parks are very similar in layout and share some—but not all—of the same attractions. Yet even when both parks offer the same ride, there are frequently​ differences. For example, the Splash Mountain and Pirates of the Caribbean attractions at Disneyland are longer and considerably different to the Disney World versions.

When visiting either park, you enter at the Main Street railroad station and walk down Main Street U.S.A. toward 77-foot-tall Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland or 189-foot-tall Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom. At each park, the castle is the main hub, from which you can take paths to Fantasyland, Adventureland, Frontierland, or Tomorrowland.

As you would expect given Disney World's much larger size, there are many attractions at Disney World that you won't find at Disneyland Resort. What might be less obvious is that there are also some key attractions at Disneyland that are not available at Disney World. At Disney California Adventure, for example, the entire Cars Land is unique to Anaheim.

There are several Disneyland rides you won't find at Disney World, including Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: BREAKOUT at Disney California Adventure, Indiana Jones Adventure  in Adventureland, Disneyland Park, Radiator Springs Racers in Cars Land, Disney California Adventure, California Screamin' on Paradise Pier, Disneyland Park and the Matterhorn Bobsleds in Fantasyland, Disneyland Park.

Walt Disney World

In general, ticket prices at Disney World cost slightly more than at Disneyland. At both parks, the per-day cost of tickets decreases when you buy a multi-day ticket.

There has been a change in how you plan a Disney World vacation with the introduction of a new ticketing process called MyMagic+ , which bundles nearly every aspect of your trip together. Instead of a ticket, you get a MagicBand, a rubber bracelet containing a computer chip that holds all the components of your Disney World vacation—theme park ticket, room key, dining reservations, PhotoPass—and it also acts as a resort charge card. FastPasses have been replaced by FastPass+, a digital version of the line-jumping system that can be managed from your smartphone.

Thanks to its smaller size, Disneyland is a simpler vacation to plan. You'll need a place to stay, theme park tickets, and the paper FastPass system . Disney recently launched the official Disneyland app, which lets you buy your tickets, view wait times for attractions in Disneyland park and Disney California Adventure, browse maps, locate Disney characters, check show times, and more.

While vast, Disney World is easy to get around via an excellent complimentary transportation system. Getting between theme parks and resorts generally requires a 10- to 30-minute shuttle on a bus, ferry, or monorail.

Due to its smaller size, Disneyland is manageable without bus shuttles. The hotels are within walking distance of the theme parks, and the entrance gates to both parks are separated by about 100 yards. The Disneyland monorail travels between Tomorrowland in Disneyland Park and the Downtown Disney shopping and dining district.

For the best time to visit a Disney park, take into consideration a combination of weather, crowds, and prices.

If you're looking to avoid crowds, the best time to visit Disney World is in January or September. The Florida heat and humidity during these months are more mild that usual. Additionally, because children are in school, crowds are thinner and prices are more affordable. Special events are more frequent in August, September, October and November, but take note that school holidays such as spring and summer breaks, as well as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and long weekends can bring major crowd congestion.

The best time to visit Disneyland is during the summer and holidays when park hours are the longest and special event, fireworks, and parades happen frequently. Rides are also unlikely to be closed for maintenance during these times, which means there's less chance of missing out on something you had on your list. However, the Anaheim summers can be aggressive, and throngs of crowds are certain to flock to the park during these times. Be prepared to dress appropriately and take frequent water breaks to avoid overheating and dehydration.

Courtesy of Four Seasons Disney World Resort

Finding the perfect place to stay for your Disney trip is essential. Luckily, there are a number of Disney resorts to choose from, many located in convenient walking distance from the parks' top attractions.

Florida's Disney World is home to over three dozen hotels within the amusement park. Each offer different themes, amenities, and rates. The cream of the crop include:

• Disney's Grand Floridian Resort : This chic Victorian property is just one stop away from the Magic Kingdom on the Resort Monorail. It includes a full spa, health club, a pool with waterslide, and direct views of Cinderella Castle.
• Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge : Perfect for animal lovers, this lodge is home to over 200 animals and birds call home and offers several educational animal programs for children and adults alike.
• Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort : Inspired by the historic New York horse racing region, this resort features a dining area modeled after a historic racetrack, a golf course, and several enchanting treehouse villas elevated 10 feet off the ground.

Unlike Orlando, most visitors to Anaheim's Disneyland stay off property at one of the many hotels in the city . Some top options include:

• The Anaheim Hotel : This 306-room boutique hotel is walking distance from Disneyland and offers great amenities like an Olympic-sized pool at an affordable price point.
• Disneyland Hotel : This popular property offers sleek and modern design while also providing the perfect amenities for families, including two themed pools with waterslides and private cabana access for an additional fee.
• Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa : Right in the heart of the Downtown Disney district lies this little slice of luxury, which includes a spa and highly rated dining options.

Sprawling over a whopping 40 square miles, Disney World is roughly the same size as San Francisco, and much larger than its counterpart, Disneyland.

Disneyland is the original Disney theme park, built in 1955. Florida's Walt Disney World followed, opening in 1971.

Disney World is located just outside of Orlando, Florida, in the city of Bay Lake. Disneyland is located in Anaheim, California.

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Walt Disney World vs. Disneyland 2024: What’s Better for Your Money?

P lanning a magical trip to a Disney park is always exciting, but choosing between the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida or visiting Disneyland in California can be tough. Both offer enchanting experiences, but where can your Disney Dollar go further? Doing a side-by-side comparison can help you when planning your next trip .

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Disney World vs. Disneyland: Quick Take

Legendary tourist hotspots Disneyland and Disney World Resort Hotel are popular destinations in the United States that are already seeing their fair share of traffic, especially with families planning upcoming vacations based around school holidays such as spring break or summer vacation.

As millions of travelers map out their long-awaited summer trips to either of the happiest places on earth, they may be wondering where they can get the biggest bang for their Disney-fated buck. Aside from factors like travel fare–which depends on where you live–there’s a lot to consider when making this decision. Here are some key takeaways about Walt Disney World vs. Disneyland.

Disneyland Features

• Average 1-day base ticket: $104 to $209
• You don’t need to stay as long to experience everything: Because Disneyland is considerably smaller than Disney World (even if you attend its partner park, California Adventure), there’s less ground to cover, which could do your wallet some serious good. “Disneyland has historically been less expensive just because the length of stay is generally shorter,” said Kaleigh Kirkpatrick, founder of The Shameless Tourist . “My recommendation for length of stay at Disneyland is usually three nights versus five to seven at Disney World.”
• You can walk instead of drive or Uber: “Almost everything is in walking distance, whereas at Walt Disney World transportation is a huge factor (both in terms of logistics and cost) for your vacation,” said Luke Dunsmore, editor of Theme Park Portal. “There’s plenty to see in the surrounding area as well (including nearby Knott’s Berry Farm), with state parks and beaches just a few miles away, helping families to spread the cost of their vacation whilst still having a fun time.”
• You have a variety of dining — which means you could save more: “Disney World is the size of San Francisco, so just with the sheer size there have always been more options in terms of food,” Kirkpatrick said. “With Disneyland just reopening, there is less percentage of the restaurants that have reopened there than at Disney World, but both have plenty of options for guests and from my experience pricing is quite comparable.”

Walt Disney World Features

• Average 1-Day, 1-Park Range: $109 to $189
• More value at Disney World: “You get more for your money at Disney World,” said Amy Morrison, a travel advisor with Dehoney Travel . “Disney World is able to offer more parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom) as well as two water parks. This means more rides along with more shows and parades.” Miller concurs, adding: “Disney World offers park hopper tickets where you can bounce around parks, and the hours, depending on the day and if you’re staying at one of the property resorts, are extended for additional park time.”
• There are cheaper hotel options: “On average, rooms in Anaheim, California will cost the average traveler approximately $23.00 more per night compared to Orlando, or $135 vs. $112 a night,” said Alex Miller, founder and CEO of UpgradedPoints.com . However, both Anaheim and Orlando have a variety of average nightly hotel room costs that range from budget to luxury.
• There is a larger variety of options: More options are open, allowing you to plan your day with nearly every eatery option being open. With more open, you’re able to select how you want to vacation — from cheaper ‘quick service’ establishments to more fine dining, or family-friendly establishments.

Walt Disney World vs Disneyland: Ticket Prices

Prices for both parks will vary depending on the duration of your trip, the time of year you book, or even the day of the week you visit. It’s good to be aware of this dynamic pricing, as it’s constantly changing and can affect how much you spend on your park visit. No matter how you slice it, at either location, you can expect to pay more than $100 per ticket for just the basic price of admission. 

Walt Disney World vs. Disneyland: It’s a Matter of Preference

Many prefer Disney World as it offers such amenities as park hopper tickets which allow you to bounce around parks, and better hours, as those staying at the property resorts can benefit from extended hours for additional park time.

Ultimately though, this is a personal and family choice. Some allures of Disneyland may trump those of Disneyworld. For instance, although Phil Gramlich, owner of Ear To There Travel , an EarMarked Authorized Disney Travel Planning Agency and the host of the Disney-focused podcast Turkey Leg Talk (formerly the Ear To There Disney Podcast), thinks Disney World offers the bigger bang for your buck, he prefers Disneyland.   

“Disneyland Park is honestly my favorite park in existence due to the fact that I’m a huge Walt Disney fan/expert and you can literally walk where he walked there and touch what he touched,” Gramlich said. “But please use hand sanitizer after all that touching.” 

Walt Disney World vs. Disneyland: 6 Tips To Help You Decide

Whether you’re dreaming of meeting Mickey Mouse in Florida or strolling down Main Street, USA in California, you can easily make some magical memories at either of the happiest places on earth. Here are some factors to consider to help you decide which is the better fit for you and your family.

• Size and capacity
• Number of attractions
• Dining options
• Accommodation choices
• Special events and entertainment
• Ticket prices

1. Size and Capacity

• Walt Disney World: Covering a whopping 25,000 acres, Walt Disney World is enormous. It’s like a mini-city with four main theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Plus, it has two water parks, countless hotels, and entertainment areas.
• Disneyland: Disneyland Resort is much smaller, with only two theme parks: Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. However, it’s still packed with Disney magic and charm, and everything is within walking distance.

2. Number of Attractions

• Walt Disney World: With four theme parks, there’s something for everyone. From classic rides like Space Mountain to new adventures like Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, you won’t run out of things to do. Plus, there are plenty of parades, shows, and character meet-and-greets to keep you entertained.
• Disneyland: While smaller, Disneyland doesn’t skimp on attractions. You can explore iconic rides like Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion and Indiana Jones Adventure, as well as newer additions like Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout! and Pixar Pier.

3. Dining Options

• Walt Disney World: With over 475 dining options, including fine dining restaurants, character meals, and quick-service eateries, you’ll never go hungry at Walt Disney World. Plus, there’s a wide range of cuisines to satisfy every palate.
• Disneyland: While it has fewer dining options compared to Disney World, Disneyland still offers plenty of tasty treats. From classic churros to gourmet dining at Carthay Circle Restaurant, you’ll find something delicious to munch on.

4. Accommodation Choices

• Walt Disney World: From budget-friendly value resorts to luxurious deluxe villas, Walt Disney World has accommodations for every budget. You can even stay in themed hotels like Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort or Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.
• Disneyland: While there are fewer on-site hotels at Disneyland, you can still choose from three Disney-owned properties: Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel. There are also plenty of off-site options nearby.

5. Special Events and Entertainment

• Walt Disney World: Throughout the year, Walt Disney World hosts special events like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. There are also nightly fireworks shows, parades, and live entertainment.
• Disneyland: Disneyland also offers seasonal events like Halloween Time and Holidays at the Disneyland Resort, along with nighttime spectaculars such as Fantasmic! and World of Color.

6. Ticket Prices

• Walt Disney World: Ticket prices at Walt Disney World vary depending on the number of days and type of ticket you purchase. Generally, the longer you stay, the more you’ll save per day. Plus, there are often discounts available for multi-day tickets.
• Disneyland: Like Disney World, ticket prices at Disneyland depend on factors like the number of days and type of ticket. While Disneyland’s tickets may be slightly cheaper overall, keep in mind that you’re getting access to fewer parks.

Final Take To GO: It’s Not Such a Small World After All

Both Walt Disney World and Disneyland offer magical experiences that will create memories to last a lifetime. If you’re looking for sheer size and variety, Walt Disney World may be the way to go. However, if you prefer a more compact and intimate experience, Disneyland could be the perfect choice. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and what you value most in a Disney vacation. 

• Both parks have their pros and cons, however, Disney World is often considered to be better for the number of attractions it offers while Disneyland might fit your budget better as it tends to be cheaper overall.
• Walt Disney World: Ticket prices at Walt Disney World vary depending on the number of days and type of ticket you purchase. Generally, the longer you stay, the more you'll save per day. Plus, there are often discounts available for multi-day tickets.
• Disneyland: Like Disney World, ticket prices at Disneyland depend on factors like the number of days and type of ticket. While Disneyland's tickets may be slightly cheaper overall, keep in mind that you're getting access to fewer parks.
• Walt Disney World: With four theme parks, there's something for everyone. From classic rides like Space Mountain to new adventures like Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, you won't run out of things to do. Plus, there are plenty of parades, shows, and character meet-and-greets to keep you entertained.
• Disneyland: While smaller, Disneyland doesn't skimp on attractions. You can explore iconic rides like Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion and Indiana Jones Adventure, as well as newer additions like Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: Breakout! and Pixar Pier.
• Walt Disney World: From budget-friendly value resorts to luxurious deluxe villas, Walt Disney World has accommodations for every budget. You can even stay in themed hotels like Disney's Polynesian Village Resort or Disney's Art of Animation Resort.
• Disneyland: While there are fewer on-site hotels at Disneyland, you can still choose from three Disney-owned properties: Disneyland Hotel, Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, and Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel. There are also plenty of off-site options nearby.
• Though both parks can get crowded Disney World tends to be more crowded than Disneyland, especially during school holidays such as winter break, spring break or summer vacation.

Nicole Spector contributed to the reporting for this article.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com : Walt Disney World vs. Disneyland 2024: What’s Better for Your Money?