06/05/2026
āØA few things that surprised me about Disneyland as a Walt Disney World girlā¦
First of all, everything feels tiny. š Not in a bad way at all, itās actually kind of wild how much Disney packed into such a small space. I kept noticing it most with the pathways and queue areas. Compared to Walt Disney World, everything just feels a lot more narrow and compact.
The convenience is amazing though. Being able to walk everywhere is such a luxury. No buses, no boats, no Skyliner. You just step outside and youāre basically there. That could be a huge bonus for a family with littles who need a midday break. Youāre not wasting an hour getting to and from the park.
One thing that really stood out to me was how much Disneyland feels like a locals park. It felt like a lot of people were just stopping in after work, meeting friends, or popping in for a few rides. The vibe is really different from Walt Disney World where so many families are on these big once-in-a-lifetime trips.
Also, you can really tell the age of some of the attractions by the queues. A lot of them arenāt interactive or super themed the way newer Disney attractions are at Walt Disney World. They still have charm, but itās a noticeable difference when youāre used to things like the newer immersive queue experiences.
And okay, we have to talk about those little turnstile things that count people going into the queues š Iām a plus-size girl and donāt think twice about fitting through things at Disney, but a few of those spots had my mama hips doing a little extra work (like that turn to the side shuffle thing š). If youāre used to Walt Disney World, youāll probably notice the narrower walkways and queue spaces too.
The performers and characters were incredible. Some of the interactions felt so natural and entertaining, and you can definitely tell youāre in Southern California where there are so many talented performers and aspiring actors. š
One thing I personally missed was the magic from Walt Disney Worldās College Program cast members. Iāve met so many wonderful cast members at both parks, but thereās just something about those DCP kids and their energy that adds a little extra sparkle.
Overall, I totally understand why people love Disneyland so much. Itās different from Walt Disney World in ways I expected and in ways I didnāt, and Iām really glad I finally got to experience it for myself.
Have you been to both? Which one is your favorite?