If you’re a Disneyland local but never visited Walt Disney World, you’re missing out on a lot of Disney magic.
Walt Disney World is the result of Roy O. Disney fulfilling his brother Walt’s dream after his passing. Roughly equal to the size of San Francisco, Walt Disney World Resort boasts more than twenty-five hotels, four theme parks, two water parks, and more.
Having grown up in California and gone to Disneyland for most of my life, I was in awe when I first visited Walt Disney World. It opened my eyes to the innovation Disney is capable of doing with more space. It’s a place every Disneyland local needs to visit.
Here’s 10 reasons why Disneyland locals should visit Walt Disney World Resort.
Walt Disney World Covers Over 27,000 Acres
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That’s roughly fifty times larger than Disneyland Resort.
While Disneyland boasts two theme parks, three resort hotels, and one shopping district, Disneyland doesn’t have much room to expand without having to purchase surrounding property.
But thanks to Walt and his team, you now have more than enough room to explore four theme parks, stay at over twenty-five resort hotels, and shop at Disney Springs – all without leaving the Disney property.
In fact, Disney World is so large that Disney created several different forms of transportation to get around the property!
Walt Disney World Features Two Water Parks
With Florida’s heat and humidity, how could Disney World not feature a water park?
For you Disneyland fans, Disney World features not one, but two water parks with very different theming.
Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park
As the story goes, Disney’s Blizzard Beach is a melting ski resort resulting from a freak snowstorm in Florida. As the ice began to melt, a blue alligator named Ice Gator went down one of the snowy hills on an innertube, thus creating Blizzard Beach. This water park offers everything from floating on inner tubes, racing on a high-speed slide, plummeting down a near vertical drop on a freefall body slide, smaller pools, and surfing lessons.
Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park
Legend has it that a super storm ravaged Mount Mayday years ago, creating Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon. Featuring tropical theming with surfing vibes, guests of all ages can immerse themselves in a water wonderland filled with magical memories.
Disney World has Over Twenty-Five Resort Hotels on Property
Disney World’s number of accommodations is astonishing.
Walt Disney World Resort boasts so many hotels on property with a variety of theming to fit your needs. If you want to stay in the great outdoors, stay at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, inspired by the U.S. National Parks. If you’re feeling the bygone era of Atlantic City and Coney Island, stay at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, full of carnival-style games and nightlife. If you’re yearning for the Hawaiian islands, stay at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, a beautiful South-Pacific themed hotel.
The Walt Disney World Resort hotels have a wonderful variety of theming and prices to fit your needs.
Walt Disney World lets You Experience Live Animals
This is something that really sets Walt Disney World apart from Disneyland.
When you visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom, you get the chance to see over thirty different species of animals on Kilimanjaro Safaris on an open-air vehicle. You also get to see even more animals up close on Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail and Maharajah Jungle Trek.
But if you stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, you get the chance to wake up to many of those same animals. When booking a Savanna View Room, your balcony will overlook a savanna full of wildlife.
Disney World gives you an incredible chance to experience and learn about animals.
Disney World has Uniquely Themed Lands
Nothing at Disneyland compares to the following lands Disney World has to offer which is sure to impress Disneyland locals:
Pandora – The World of Avatar
Located in Disney’s Animal Kingdom and based on the popular movie by James Cameron, Pandora – The World of Avatar lets you visit the moon of Pandora. With one thrill ride, an equally popular slow adventure ride, exotic foods, specialty shops, and glowing flora, Pandora – The World of Avatar is easily one of the most immersive themed lands Disney has ever made.
Toy Story Land
Located in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Toy Story Land features everyone’s favorite Pixar toys: Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, and more. Take a step into Andy’s backyard as a toy-sized human. While Toy Story Mania! is identical to Toy Story Midway mania! in Disneyland, Slinky Dog Dash and Alien Swirling Saucers is unique to Disney World.
World Showcase
Located in EPCOT, World Showcase is one of the only places where you can visit eleven different countries in one day. Each country allows you to immerse yourself in their culture and cuisine. You can sample authentic food and drink and shop for merchandise themed to each country, including items that came straight from that country. You can also experience music inspired by many of the different countries!
Disney World has Unique Attractions Compared to Disneyland
With Disney World’s massive size comes more rides and attractions for you to enjoy as a Disneyland local.
Disney World has several iconic attractions that give Disneyland a run for its money:
Past Disneyland Resort Attractions
Disney World has a number attractions that originated at Disneyland but are no longer there. They include:
- Carousel of Progress (Magic Kingdom)
- Swiss Family Treehouse (Magic Kingdom; at Disneyland, it’s now the Adventureland Treehouse)
- Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (Disney’s Hollywood Studios; at Disney California Adventure, it’s now Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout!)
These Disneyland original attractions bring back fond memories and nostalgia for the past and are true gems of Disney World.
Disney World Thrill Rides
Disney World has a number of thrill rides that Disneyland Resort doesn’t have:
- Tron Lightcycle / Run (Magic Kingdom)
- Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (EPCOT)
- Avatar Flight of Passage (Disney’s Animal Kingdom)
- Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain (Disney’s Animal Kingdom)
- Rock ‘N Roller Coaster (Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Each ride offers completely different experiences from any thrill rides in Disneyland Resort
Disney World Gives You an Abundance of Table Service Restaurant Options
With more than 440 restaurants at Walt Disney World Resort, you can find just about any restaurant to cater to any of your cravings.
Yes, just like Disneyland, Disney World offers classic Disney snacks like Dole Whip, turkey legs, and Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bars. However, unlike Disneyland, Disney world offers more table service restaurants than you can handle in ten trips.
Trust me, even with how often I visit Disney World, there are still restaurants I haven’t eaten at yet.
Here are a few great table service restaurants you can enjoy at around the Walt Disney World Resort:
- Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera (Disney’s Riviera Resort)
- Victoria and Albert’s (Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa)
- Le Cellier (EPCOT)
- The Hollywood Brown Derby (Disney’s Hollywood Studios)
- Tiffins (Disney’s Animal Kingdom)
- Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen (Magic Kingdom)
Disney World Offers Unique Backstage Tours
With Disney World’s Unique lands, rides, and attractions, what if you had backstage access to learn about how they’re run?
Disney World offers a number of different backstage tours that take you behind the scenes of some of its popular areas. If you’ve wondered how Disney takes care of its animals, take any of the following tours:
- Caring for Giants (Disney’s Animal Kingdom)
- Savor the Savanna (Disney’s Animal Kingdom)
- Up Close with Rhinos (Disney’s Animal Kingdom)
- Wild Africa Trek (Disney’s Animal Kingdom)
- Starlight Safari (Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge)
- DiveQuest (EPCOT)
- Dolphins in Depth (EPCOT)
If you’re looking for more, consider taking the Behind the Seeds Tour at EPCOT, a backstage tour of how Disney grows some of its own food. If you want to see what it’s like behind the curtain at Magic Kingdom, take Disney’s Keys to the Kingdom Tour.
Compared to Disneyland’s three main tours, Disney World has much more unique tours to offer.
Disney World has More Fun Transportation Options
You didn’t think that you’d be walking around those 27,500 acres, would you?
With so much space, Disney decided to make several transportation options for guests to get around the resort. This is often one of the most unique differences for Disneyland locals:
- Disney World Bus System
- Disney World Water Transportation (including Ferryboats, FriendShip Boats, Water Launches, and the Sassagoula River Cruise)
- Disney World Monorail
- Disney Skyliner
The variety of transportation options at Disney World can take you to the theme parks, the hotels, or Disney Springs. Each transportation option gives unique and beautiful views of Walt Disney World Resort.
You won’t get bored with that type of variety!
Disney Springs Offers Much More than Downtown Disney District
While Downtown Disney District at Disneyland holds its own with its modest amount of shops and restaurants, Disney Springs at Disney World boasts around two hundred shops, dining locations, and entertainment venues.
Disney Springs gives you an abundance of restaurant options, lounge options, shopping areas, and more. If you’re looking for a great spot to have dinner with your family, make sure to check out The Boathouse. If you’re looking for great live music, The House of Blues has you covered. And if you’re looking for a thrilling show, Cirque du Soleil’s Drawn to Life is incredible.
Disney Springs at Disney World simply has more for you to experience than Downtown Disney at Disneyland.
What are you most excited to visit on your next Disney World vacation?
Need help planning your next Disney World vacation? Make sure to reach out to one of our knowledgeable travel advisors!