Disney World Is Infinitely Better Than Disneyland, and Here's Why

When it comes to Disney Parks and Resorts, Walt Disney World has the upper hand over Disneyland. While I might be a little biased, as Walt Disney World is my home park and I've been an annual pass holder for more than 20 years, there really is something special about seeing Walt's vision come to life all over Orlando, Florida. Yes, Disneyland is the original and has a ton of nostalgia — they even have better churro options — but I stand by my opinion that Disney World is the superior US Disney park.

So, do you want to know why Walt Disney World is better than Disneyland? Read through to see.

— Additional reporting by Haley Lyndes

01
Cinderella Castle
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Cinderella Castle

While Disneyland has Sleeping Beauty Castle, Walt Disney World has Cinderella Castle, which towers over Magic Kingdom at 189 feet tall.

02
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Is Better
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Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Is Better

While the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad attraction at Disneyland has a big show ending, Walt Disney World's is bigger and gives better views of the park.

03
Space Mountain With the Lights On
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Space Mountain With the Lights On

Only at Walt Disney World can you see Space Mountain with the lights on! This is because another attraction, The People Mover, goes right through Space Mountain. If you ever see Space Mountain is temporarily closed, be sure to hop on The People Mover.

04
A Better Space Mountain
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A Better Space Mountain

Walt Disney World's Space Mountain is much better than Disneyland's, with more drops and two tracks, so more guests can experience the attraction at one time.

05
The People Mover
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The People Mover

The views from The People Mover attraction are amazing! The journey takes you through Tomorrowland and up by the castle hub and Main Street, U.S.A.

06
Corn Dog Nuggets
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Corn Dog Nuggets

Forget Corn Dog Castle at Disney California Adventure: Casey's Corner at Magic Kingdom is where the real corn dog star is at. Corn dog nuggets are a delightful little snack while you tour the park.

07
Princess Fairytale Hall
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Princess Fairytale Hall

Imagine meeting two princess at the same time! That's exactly what happens at Princess Fairytale Hall. Guests can meet Cinderella and Elena, all in one enchanting setting. Pro tip: you can even get a FastPass.

08
Happily Ever After
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Happily Ever After

Walt Disney World's nighttime spectacular at Magic Kingdom, Happily Ever After, is a must see!

09
Eating Inside Cinderella Castle
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Eating Inside Cinderella Castle

While there is a walk-through attraction for Sleeping Beauty Castle, guests can actually dine inside Cinderella Castle!

10
Hollywood Studios
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Hollywood Studios

At Walt Disney World, Hollywood Studios has seen an uptick in new attractions, with Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance opening in 2019, and now Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway, which opened in March 2020.

11
The First Order
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The First Order

Walt Disney World's Stormtroopers, who used to put on March of the First Order, now sit at Stars Wars: Galaxy's Edge where they patrol the area and interrogate locals.

12
Tower of Terror
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Tower of Terror

Walt Disney World still has one of the best themed attractions, Tower of Terror, while Disneyland's Tower was recently transformed into Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout.

13
Toy Story Land
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Toy Story Land

Toy Story Land opened at Disney's Hollywood Studios in June 2018 and is such a success!

14
Epcot
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Epcot

Walt Disney World hosts four parks, one of them being Epcot, Walt's vision for a community of tomorrow!

15
Festival of the Arts
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Festival of the Arts

Over at Epcot every January, the International Festival of the Arts takes place around World Showcase, and it's amazing! With interactive exhibits and lots of tasty treats, this is one of the best events of the year at Walt Disney World.

16
World Showcase
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World Showcase

Speaking of World Showcase, Epcot is home to 11 different country pavilions where guests can learn about and explore different cultures, with cast members coming from around the world to represent their home countries.

17
The Land Pavilion
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The Land Pavilion

One of the most underrated pavilions to ever be created is The Land at Epcot. This pavilion in Future World houses two attractions, Living With the Land and Saorin' Over the World.

18
Epcot's International Food and Wine Festival
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Epcot's International Food and Wine Festival

During the Fall, Epcot brings in quite a few new food booths for the International Food and Wine Festival, which means drinking around the world just got a lot more interesting.

19
Epcot's International Flower and Garden Festival
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Epcot's International Flower and Garden Festival

Each Spring, Epcot explodes in colorful blooms for the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival! This festival is the perfect way to spend a sunny Spring day at Walt Disney World.

20
The Tree of Life
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The Tree of Life

Walt Disney World's fourth theme park, Disney's Animal Kingdom, boasts its park icon the Tree of Life. Guests can walk around the tree base to see all of the detailed carvings and even go inside to catch a 3D show, "It's Tough to Be a Bug," which Disneyland dimmed the lights on in 2018.

21
runDisney
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runDisney

Walt Disney World still hosts runDisney events each year, where guests can run through parks and around the Walt Disney World property. This year, the runDisney Wine and Dine Half Marathon will get a new villainous theme!

22
Take a Real Safari
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Take a Real Safari

Only at Disney's Animal Kingdom Park can you take a real African safari and see animals come right up to your truck!

23
Expedition Everest
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Expedition Everest

Forget the Matterhorn and its yeti. Expedition Everest is a much more thrilling attraction with an even scarier yeti!

24
Dinosaur
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Dinosaur

With the same track system on both Indiana Jones Adventure and Dinosaur, it's hard to choose a better attraction, but Dinosaur is it! The use of space is better, and let's be honest, everyone loves dinosaurs.

25
Pandora — The World of Avatar
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Pandora — The World of Avatar

No other land at Walt Disney World or Disneyland is as immersive or detailed as Pandora — The World of Avatar! With three attractions, a restaurant, and a tasty drink stand, it is a destination land on vacation.

26
Pandora — The World of Avatar at Night
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Pandora — The World of Avatar at Night

Pandora — The World of Avatar comes to life at night, leaving Cars Land in its dust.

27
Rivers of Light: We Are One
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Rivers of Light: We Are One

At Disney's Animal Kingdom you do not want to miss Rivers of Light: We Are One, which combines storytelling with a beautiful water pageant. This show is way better than World of Color at Disneyland, and doesn't get canceled as often!

28
Rooftop Views
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Rooftop Views

There are few places to enjoy Disneyland from above, but there are quite a few at Walt Disney World, including from the top of The Contemporary Resort overlooking Magic Kingdom.

29
Blessing of Space
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Blessing of Space

Disneyland and Disney California Adventure put together would still be smaller than the Magic Kingdom parking lot. Walt Disney World has the blessing of space, taking up a piece of land that's about the size of San Francisco.

30
Instagram Walls
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Instagram Walls

Yes, both Disneyland and Walt Disney World have Instagram-famous walls, but the most famous of all belongs to Walt Disney World at the Purple Wall, along the way to Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom.

31
The Disney Bubble
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The Disney Bubble

What Disneyland lacks is a true Disney bubble, where you are truly taken away from the outside world for the duration of your vacation. Walt Disney World offers that to guests staying at one of their on-site resorts.