Owen Carson | Broadcast Reporter
“I’m going to Disney World,” is what’s shouted after almost every Super Bowl by the best player on the winning team. Instead, what they should be saying is “I’m going to Disneyland.”
Every year around 80 million people attend both Disneyland and Disney world. Coined “The happiest place on earth” by many, joy is undoubtedly brought by both of these parks.
Disney World consists of four theme parks and two water parks, while Disneyland only consists of two parks. To give you a size comparison, Disney World stretches over about 25,000 to 27,000 acres of land while Disneyland consists of just 500 acres. However, bigger doesn’t necessarily mean better.
Disneyland offers an experience to guests that doesn’t feel overwhelming. That experience is built on the fact that Disneyland and California adventure, the second park, can be experienced in about a day if one wishes to run from ride to ride.
However, often times guests are not running from ride to ride, so a park per day makes much more sense and also allows for visitors to enjoy the atmosphere of being at Disneyland instead of feeling rushed.
Additionally, Disneyland and California Adventure are connected by a short walk. Meanwhile at Disney World, you can’t even go from park to park walking; you must take other forms of transportation.
Disneyland offers unique rides that Disney World in its 6 parks does not offer. Firstly, Disneyland has their iconic Incredicoaster ride taking you through the story of one of the beloved Pixar movies “The Incredibles.”
Disneyland also offers an entire area in California adventure dedicated to the “Cars” movies. You get transported to Radiator Springs, from Flo’s Gas Station to Luigi’s Tire Shop. You even have the opportunity to race on the same track that Lighting McQueen and Doc Hudson raced on.
If your lucky, you might just get to see the entire town light up as well at sunset to the classic toon of “Sh-Boom.”
Part of what Disneyland does so well is it acknowledges the limited space it has and uses it to its advantage. One minute you’re in Radiator Springs, then after a short walk to your left, the “Avengers” theme music is playing and Spider-Man is swinging by.
This design conserves energy and extends joy for its guests miles better then anything Disney World could ever do.
In 1955 Walt Disney cut the ribbon making Disneyland the first ever Disney theme park to be opened. Disneyland was so close to Disney’s heart, that he even had his own apartment for his family on the park grounds.
From the relative closeness of the two parks at Disneyland, the unique rides and the special history, next time you’re wanting to go to a Disney park, pick Disneyland and watch your imagination run wild and your dreams come true.
