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Disneyland vs. Disneyworld: Let’s Talk About it

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The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UCD chapter.

The amount of times I’ve been to Disneyland is probably almost twice my age (I’m 21). My immediate family and I always went to the theme park as a fun summer activity or as a nice Christmas present for years. I’ve only been to Disney World once, but it was a very nice experience. I’ve decided to compare the two.   

Let’s Start with Disneyland:

I’m a kid at heart, and Disneyland is truly my happy place. I just think it’s so magical and I’m in such a good mood whenever I’m in the park. I love to go on rides because of the thrill, and it’s a fun time whenever you go with friends. The treats are a bit on the expensive side, but I think it’s so worth it because of how tasty they are. Taking pictures with friends, family, and characters never fails to put a smile on my face, especially if we take them in front of beautiful scenery. 

California Adventure is a land that I will probably never grow old of because of how amazing it is. I remember taking pictures in front of the big sign that said CALIFORNIA when I was a little girl. It just holds so many memories for me because of how many fun times I had growing up. Now as an adult, this land is still fun for me because it has the potential to create new memories with new people in my life. The food and drinks are also a nice touch! 

Now for Disney World:

I was born and raised in California, and my family just didn’t feel the need to travel across the country when Disneyland was right in our backyard. When I was eighteen, I got to experience this enormous theme park and it’s a trip that I will never forget.

Florida itself is very beautiful in my opinion, but the humidity is something that definitely takes time to get used to. I was also surprised about how big the theme park was. There are four different lands: Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Magic Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios. I was never bored on this trip because everywhere I turned, there was something to do—not just ride rides. You literally have to take a gondola or a ferry if you want to park hop, which I thought was so fun.   

My overall thoughts: 

I think that both of these amusement parks will never stop growing because of the amount of popularity and how the public opinion can influence Imagineering. Rides are constantly changing themes and new lands are being added. 

The rides in general are all very fun, and you really can’t go wrong with either park. Yes, there are rides that are different in each state, or ones that are not included, but they’re all still enjoyable. The food and drinks are delicious, but you shouldn’t show up too hungry due to the prices. Merchandise is everywhere, and you’ll never be without a cute pair of Minnie ears or a nice sweatshirt. Both amusement parks are overall amazing.  

I think my personal favorite in my opinion would be Disney World. This could be because I’m so used to Disneyland and like change. However, like I said, Disney World is just so big, and there is so much to do like rides, trying the different culture of foods in Epcot, and riding the gondola. The list can go on and on. 

Now go get yourself a Mickey pretzel and churro! Have fun!  

Amanda is a fourth year Cinema & Digital Media major with a minor in Communications. She enjoys writing, watching movies & TV shows, and spending time with her friends. She hopes to pursue a career in the film industry after UC Davis.