Is Disney World Bigger Than Disneyland? Size and Parks Compared

Walt Disney World is much bigger than Disneyland. The Florida resort near Orlando covers roughly 25,000 acres (about 10,100 hectares) and has four theme parks and two water parks, while the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, covers roughly 500 acres (about 200 hectares) and has two theme parks. By land area, Disney World is about 50 times larger.

How big is Disney World compared with Disneyland?

Disney World’s property is close to the size of the city of San Francisco, and much of it is still woods, wetlands and lakes. The Disneyland Resort fits its two parks, a shopping street and three hotels into a compact block of a city neighborhood. That difference shapes almost everything about a visit, from how long you stay to how you get around.

• Walt Disney World: about 25,000 acres, four theme parks, two water parks, the Disney Springs shopping and dining district, and about two dozen Disney resort hotels. It opened in 1971.
• Disneyland Resort: about 500 acres, two theme parks, the Downtown Disney District and three Disney hotels. Disneyland Park opened in 1955, and Disney California Adventure was added in 2001.

Which parks does each resort have?

Disney World has four theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Its two water parks are Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. Disneyland Resort has Disneyland Park, the original Disney park, and Disney California Adventure across the entrance plaza.

Many classic rides appear at both, including Pirates of the Caribbean, the Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain and “it’s a small world.” Each resort also has rides the other lacks. Disneyland has Matterhorn Bobsleds and Indiana Jones Adventure, while Disney World has Epcot’s World Showcase pavilions and the Kilimanjaro Safaris ride at Animal Kingdom.

Is Magic Kingdom bigger than Disneyland Park?

Magic Kingdom is larger than Disneyland Park, at about 107 acres compared with about 85 acres. The castles show the difference too: Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom stands about 189 feet (58 m) tall, while Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland is about 77 feet (23 m). Disneyland’s paths and lands feel closer together, so busy days can feel more crowded even with fewer guests.

The largest Disney theme park in the US is Animal Kingdom, at roughly 580 acres, much of it given over to animal habitats and the savanna used by the safari ride.

How many days do you need at each resort?

Most families need 2 to 3 days for Disneyland Resort and 4 to 6 days for Disney World. With two parks next to each other, Disneyland can be covered in a long weekend, and a park-hopper ticket lets you move between them on the same day. Disney World’s four parks usually take at least one full day each, and families with young children often add a rest day at the hotel pool.

The length of the trip drives most of the cost, since every extra day adds tickets, meals and a hotel night. Our breakdown of what a theme park vacation costs for a family of four shows where the money goes.

How do you get around each resort?

At Disney World you ride between parks and hotels on Disney buses, the monorail, the Disney Skyliner gondola and boats, and trips between areas can take 20 to 45 minutes. Many families staying off property rent a car. At Disneyland, the two park gates face each other and are a few minutes’ walk apart, and the Downtown Disney District and the three Disney hotels are within walking distance. Many nearby non-Disney hotels are also close enough to walk.

Families who drive to Anaheim should plan for parking, which is busy on weekends and holidays. Disneyland is building a new parking structure, and our report on the new 6,000-space Disneyland garage covers its timeline.

Which is better for families with young kids?

Disneyland suits families who want a shorter trip, less transport between parks and an easy add-on to a California vacation. Its compact layout means less walking between parks and fewer bus rides with a stroller and tired children.

Disney World suits families who want a full week with more variety, including water parks, themed hotels and four very different parks. It takes more planning, and Florida summers bring heat, humidity and frequent afternoon thunderstorms. If you are weighing seasons, our comparison of winter break trips with kids includes warm-weather options.

Park hours, ticket types and current attractions change through the year, so check the official Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort websites before booking.

Quick answers

Which came first, Disneyland or Disney World?

Disneyland came first. It opened in Anaheim, California, on July 17, 1955, and Walt Disney World opened near Orlando, Florida, on Oct. 1, 1971.

Can you visit Disneyland and Disney World on one trip?

Few families do, because the two resorts are on opposite coasts, more than 2,000 miles (3,200 km) apart. Most pick one resort per vacation.

Does Disney World have more rides than Disneyland?

Disney World has more rides and attractions in total because it has twice as many theme parks, plus two water parks. Disneyland packs a large number of rides into a smaller space, and some of them exist only there.