Disneyland and Disney World are two of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Every year, millions of people visit these magical places to experience the rides, shows, attractions, and food that Disney has to offer.
If you’re planning a trip to Disneyland or Disney World, here’s a guide to help you make the most of your visit:
Disneyland
Disneyland is located in Anaheim, California, and is the original Disney theme park. It opened in 1955 and has been a popular destination ever since. Disneyland is divided into eight themed lands:
- Main Street, U.S.A.: This land is modeled after a turn-of-the-20th-century American town and is home to many shops, restaurants, and attractions, including Sleeping Beauty Castle.
- Adventureland: This land is themed around the exotic and adventurous, with rides and attractions based on classic Disney films like Jungle Cruise and Indiana Jones Adventure.
- Frontierland: This land is modeled after the American Wild West and is home to rides and attractions like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Mark Twain Riverboat.
- Fantasyland: This land is themed around classic Disney fairy tales and is home to rides and attractions like Peter Pan’s Flight and It’s a Small World.
- Tomorrowland: This land is themed around the future and is home to rides and attractions like Space Mountain and Star Tours – The Adventures Continue.
- New Orleans Square: This land is themed after the city of New Orleans and is home to rides and attractions like Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion.
- Critter Country: This land is themed around forest animals and is home to rides and attractions like Splash Mountain and Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes.
- Mickey’s Toontown: This land is themed around the world of Mickey Mouse and his friends and is home to rides and attractions like Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin and Gadget’s Go Coaster.
Disney World
Disney World is located in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, and is the world’s largest theme park resort. It opened in 1971 and includes four theme parks, two water parks, and 31 hotels.
The four theme parks at Disney World are:
- Magic Kingdom: This park is similar to Disneyland and features many of the same rides and attractions, including Sleeping Beauty Castle, It’s a Small World, and Pirates of the Caribbean.
- Epcot: This park is themed around science, technology, and culture. It is divided into two sections: Future World and World Showcase. Future World features rides and attractions like Soarin’ Around the World and Test Track. World Showcase features pavilions from 11 different countries, each with its own food, shops, and attractions.
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios: This park is themed around the entertainment industry. It is home to rides and attractions based on classic Disney films like Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land.
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom: This park is themed around animals and nature. It is home to rides and attractions like Kilimanjaro Safaris and Avatar Flight of Passage.
Tips for visiting Disneyland and Disney World
Here are a few tips for visiting Disneyland and Disney World:
- Plan your trip in advance. This will help you book your hotel and tickets and make the most of your time in the parks.
- Arrive early. The parks open at 9am, but it’s a good idea to arrive earlier to beat the crowds and get a head start on the day.
- Take breaks. The parks can be overwhelming, so it’s important to take breaks throughout the day. Find a shady spot to sit down and relax, or grab a bite to eat.
- Use the FastPass system. The FastPass system allows you to skip the line for certain rides and attractions. You can get FastPasses at kiosks in the parks.
- Drink plenty of water. It’s important to stay hydrated, especially if you’re visiting during the summer months.
- Have fun! Disneyland and Disney World are magical places where you can create memories that will last a lifetime.