5 Reasons We Need to Go to Disneyland

We’ve been visiting Walt Disney World for years, but we haven’t been able to take the trip out west to visit Disneyland yet.

Walt Disney World is simply more convenient for us because it’s possible to drive there or get a reasonably affordable flight. As Disney Vacation Club members with our home resort in WDW, we also have more options for using our points. While the “Most Magical Place on Earth” is our home away from home, here are 5 reasons we need to make a trip to “Happiest Place on Earth” happen.

1. Walt Disney

Jackson at One Man’s Dream in Disney’s Hollywood Studios

As huge Disney fans, it just doesn’t seem right that we haven’t visited his original park. Disneyland’s Magic Kingdom is the only park that Walt ever visited himself. Entering the gates will be like walking in his footsteps. The history and Walt’s legacy would just have to feel so much more tangible at Disneyland than at any other Disney Park.

2. Weather and Park Size

The weather forecast for Disneyland always has less humidity and chance of rain than WDW

Florida weather is usually better than whatever weather we’re having at home in New York. There are times that it can be too hot, too humid, or too rainy at Walt Disney World. Part of the Disneyland experience is the famed Southern California weather. This allows for more open-air experiences versus Walt Disney World.

Disneyland also takes up much less land area than Walt Disney World. This gives it a more intimate feel and allows guests shorter walks between attractions. We’ve walked up to 10 miles in a given day at the Magic Kingdom in Florida. Our feet will be grateful for the smaller park.

2. World of Color/Fantasmic!

One of the highlights of any day at a Disney Park is ending it with one of the amazing nighttime spectaculars. We’ve watched it on YouTube but we hear that World of Color is even more amazing in person and we can’t wait to see it live!

While Walt Disney World has a version of Fantasmic!, many people say that Disneyland’s version is better. Is it? There’s only one way to find out!

3. Classic Attractions

The facade of it’s a small world in Disneyland. Photo: Disney

You can find many of the same attractions at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World, but that doesn’t mean they are exactly the same. A visit to Disneyland will mean favorites like It’s a Small World, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Space Mountain will be new experiences. It will also mean getting to ride Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride once again, since that attraction was closed in Florida.

5. Cars Land

Cadillac Mountain Range in Cars Land. Photo: Disney

Of all the reasons to go to Disneyland, without a doubt our family is most excited about Cars Land. It’s not like this is even our favorite Disney movie. Jackson loves Cars, but for the rest of us, we’re blown away by the theming of Cars Land and the way Disney has brought Radiator Springs to life.

There are still rumors that Walt Disney World may get its own version of Cars Land someday, but you can bet if that does happen it won’t be exactly the same as Disneyland’s. In the meantime, we’ve got to figure out how to get a trip to the West Coast into our future.