7 Reasons Every Walt Disney World Fan Must Visit Disneyland!  

While Walt Disney World in Florida holds a special place in many hearts, there’s another gem that every die-hard Disney fan should experience: Disneyland in California. Stepping into the park that started it all offers a unique and nostalgic experience that’s a must for every Walt Disney fan.

Here are seven reasons why I believe every Walt Disney World fan must visit Disneyland.

1. Walt’s original park

Disneyland holds a special significance as the first-ever Disney theme park, envisioned and built by Walt Disney himself. With the idea and dream that families could have fun together, Walt Disney opened Disneyland Park July 17th, 1955. At Disneyland, rich history still surrounds attractions that were made by the hands of Walt’s “Nine Old Men” and the original Disney Imagineers.

Attractions such as Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, The Jungle Cruise, that was hand laid out by Harper Goff, and The Matterhorn which was a modern roller coaster marvel of its time built by Bob Gurr. There’s also Walt’s private Disneyland apartment above the firehouse that is now open for families to visit when they sign up for Walt’s Mainstreet Story tour, featuring a glimpse of what it was like when Walt himself watched over Disneyland.

2.  Location, Location, Location!

Everything in Disneyland is within walking distance. Disneyland and Disney California Adventure’s gates are right across the promonade which makes park hopping a breeze. The Disneyland hotel, The Grand Californian Hotel, and newly remodeled Pixar Place, are not only within walking distance from the parks through Downtown Disney, The Grand Californian Hotel has its own private entrance to Disney’s California Adventure Park and The Disneyland Hotel has a nearby Monorail to take you right into the heart of Disneyland Park.

Another benefit of the proximity is that many of the “off property hotels” or Good Neighbor hotels such as The Candy Cane Inn, are just a short stroll from the park. There are even options for families that prefer to be across from the main entrance!

3. Family and toddler friendly.

Reimagined and opened in March of 2023, Disneyland’s Toontown recieved some major upgrades with the addition of Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway and CenToonial Park. Goofy’s backyard has a large play area that extends over to Donald’s boathouse and it’s made just for tiny toons looking to play! Over in Disneyland California Adventure there’s The Redwood Creek Challenge trail that is a unique attraction that allows guests of all ages to explore, climb, and traverse.

There are many attractions and experiences without height requirements for you and your little one to enjoy in both parks.

4.  New Orleans Square

This land, unique to the West Coast park, was designed by Disney Imagineer, Herb Ryman and his concept work is meant to honor the Big Easy. Strolling along the square you’ll see live music featuring the Disneyland Jazz Band, immersive winding walkways and the aroma of fresh beneights with mint juleps ready for you to enjoy.

Not only do the Mickey shaped beignets make this area infamous but once a year from September until January guests are delighted with Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas overlay featuring Jack Skellington & the residents of Halloween town.

5. Spontanious Character interactions

One of the joys of encountering roaming characters is the element of surprise. Unlike scheduled meet-and-greets, where guests line up for a brief interaction, roaming characters appear unexpectedly in Disneyland, delighting visitors with spontaneous encounters. Imagine rounding a corner and stumbling upon Alladin and The Genie ready to share a hug or strike a pose for a quick photo.

These impromptu moments infuse the park with a sense of spontaneity and excitement, making each interaction feel uniquely magical.

6. The Food Options

At Disneyland, you  can enjoy a lot of amazing quick service choices without feeling like you missed out on a sit down reservation. Of course scoring a sit down reservation at Blue Bayou may be Disney dining goals for many guests but if you are more interested in checking off all the attractions, there are still plenty of amazing quick service and snack options.

From breakfast Chimmichangas, Chili Mango Dole Whips, Bengal BBQ skewers, and savory bread bowls, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in Disneyland.

7.  Smaller but not any less magical!

Although Disneyland consists of two parks instead of four, it doesn’t feel any less magical. One of the charms of Disneyland lies in its more intimate size compared to Disney World. With two theme parks, Disneyland Resort feels more compact and manageable, allowing visitors to navigate between attractions with ease. The proximity of attractions also means shorter walking distances and less time spent on transportation, giving visitors more time to soak in the magic.

The cozy atmosphere of Disneyland fosters a sense of closeness and community among guests, making interactions with cast members and fellow visitors feel more personal and memorable.

My recommendation for families visiting Disneyland for the very first time is to plan 2-3 park days with a rest day in between.

This way, you have plenty of park days to get as many attractions, parades and shows in without feeling rushed or like you missed out on something. Disneyland resort also allows you to book your vacation package the very same way Walt Disney World Resort does by putting a deposit down on your package first and then making payments on your trip up until 30 days before arrival.

So, if you’re thinking of a celebrating a special milestone, or I’ve peaked your interest to come see all of the beauty and experience the nostalgia of Walt’s original park, be sure to reach out to Unlocking The Magic Travel for all of your Disney Resort planning questions and needs!