K and I recently returned from 5 whole days in the happiest place on Earth… Orlando! I had such a good time on my trip, I wanted to share my experience and some helpful tips with you on theculturebite.
Being from California and a regular at the Disney parks in Anaheim, it was hard to understand the difference between Disneyland and Walt Disney World other than its size. WDW spans across 30,000 acres of land and consists of 4 parks - Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Epcot and Animal Kingdom. When planning for our trip, our biggest questions were:
“What Disneyland attractions are in Disney World?”
“What makes Disney World different than Disneyland?”
“Do I need to visit all Disney World parks?”
With those questions in mind, I built a grid of all Disneyland / California Adventure attractions and mapped them to the corresponding Disney World park. I’ve also listed out the current unique attractions at each Disney World park.
If you were to ask me which park I’d recommend, I don’t think I could answer. I love each park in its own way. I love Disneyland because I grew up there. I also think the biggest draw of Disneyland and California Adventure are the thrill rides. There are so many between both parks that you could spend an entire day visiting each ride only once. If you’re interested in the entertainment and activities, Orlando’s Walt Disney World is for you. The new Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom is a must see as is Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom and the Main Street Electrical Parade.
Anaheim |
Orlando Walt Disney World |
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| Park | Attractions | Magic Kingdom | Hollywood Studios | Epcot | Animal Kingdom |
| DL | Alice in Wonderland | ||||
| CA | Animation Academy | Similar: The Magic of Disney Animation | |||
| DL | Astro Orbitor | x | |||
| DL | Autopia | Similar: Tomorrowland Speedway | |||
| DL | Big Thunder Mountain Railroad | x | |||
| DL | Big Thunder Ranch | ||||
| DL | Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters | Similar: Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin | |||
| CA | California Screamin’ | Similar: Rock ‘n’Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith | |||
| DL | Captain EO Tribute | x | |||
| DL | Chip ‘n Dale’s Treehouse | ||||
| DL | Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes | ||||
| CA | Disney Junior: Live on Stage | x | |||
| DL | Disney Princess Fantasy Faire | ||||
| DL | Disneyland Monorail | ||||
| DL | Disneyland Railroad | Similar: Walt Disney World Railroad - Main Street | |||
| CA | Disney’s Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular | Similar: Beauty and the Beast - Live on Stage | Similar: Finding Nemo-The Musical | ||
| DL | Donald’s Boat | ||||
| DL | Dumbo the Flying Elephant | x | |||
| DL | Fantasmic! | x | |||
| DL | Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage | ||||
| CA | Flik’s Flyers | ||||
| CA | Francis’ Ladybug Boogie | ||||
| DL | Frontierland Shooting Exposition | x | |||
| DL | Gadget’s Go Coaster | ||||
| CA | Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop | ||||
| DL | Golden Horseshoe Stage | ||||
| CA | Golden Zephyr | ||||
| DL | Goofy’s Playhouse | ||||
| CA | Goofy’s Sky School | ||||
| CA | Grizzly River Run | Similar: Kali River Rapids | |||
| DL | Haunted Mansion | x | |||
| CA | Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train | ||||
| DL | Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye | Similar: DINOSAUR | |||
| DL | Innoventions | x | |||
| DL | It’s a Small World | x | |||
| CA | It’s Tough to be a Bug! | x | |||
| DL | Jedi Training Academy | x | |||
| CA | Jumpin’ Jellyfish | ||||
| DL | Jungle Cruise | x | |||
| DL | King Arthur Carrousel | Similar: Prince Charming Regal Carrousel | |||
| CA | King Triton’s Carousel of the Sea | ||||
| CA | Luigi’s Flying Tires | ||||
| CA | Mad T Party | ||||
| DL | Mad Tea Party | x | |||
| DL | Main Street Cinema | ||||
| DL | Main Street Vehicles | x | |||
| DL | Mark Twain Riverboat | Similar: Liberty Belle Riverboat | |||
| CA | Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree | ||||
| DL | Matterhorn Bobsleds | Similar: Expedition Everest | |||
| CA | Mickey’s Fun Wheel | ||||
| DL | Mickey’s House and Meet Mickey | ||||
| DL | Minnie’s House | ||||
| CA | Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! | ||||
| DL | Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride | ||||
| CA | Muppet*Vision 3D | x | |||
| DL | Peter Pan’s Flight | x | |||
| DL | Pinocchio’s Daring Journey | ||||
| DL | Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island | x | |||
| DL | Pirates of the Caribbean | x | |||
| DL | Pixie Hollow | ||||
| CA | Princess Dot Puddle Park | ||||
| CA | Radiator Springs Racers | Similar: Test Track Sponsored by Chevrolet | |||
| DL | Rafts to Tom Sawyer’s Island | x | |||
| CA | Red Car Trolley | ||||
| CA | Redwood Creek Challenge Trail | ||||
| DL | Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin | ||||
| DL | Sailing Ship Columbia | ||||
| CA | Silly Symphony Swings | ||||
| DL | Sleeping Beauty Castle | Similar: Cinderella’s Castle | |||
| DL | Snow White Grotto | ||||
| DL | Snow White’s Scary Adventures | ||||
| CA | Soarin’ Over California | x | |||
| CA | Sorcerer’s Workshop | ||||
| DL | Space Mountain | x | |||
| DL | Splash Mountain | x | |||
| DL | Star Tours: The Adventures Continue | x | |||
| DL | Starcade | ||||
| DL | Storybook Land Canal Boats | ||||
| DL | Tarzan’s Treehouse | Similar: Swiss Family Treehouose | |||
| CA | The Bakery Tour | ||||
| DL | The Disney Gallery | ||||
| DL | The Disneyland Story presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln | Similar: The Hall of Presidents | |||
| CA | The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure | Similar: A Fish Out of Water | |||
| DL | The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh | x | |||
| CA | The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror | x | |||
| CA | Toy Story Midway Mania! | x | |||
| CA | Tuck and Roll’s Drive’Em Buggies | ||||
| CA | Turtle Talk with Crush | x | |||
| CA | Walt Disney Imagineering Blue Sky Cellar | ||||
| DL | Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room | x | |||
| CA | World of Color | ||||
Current Unique Attractions in Walt Disney World
Magic Kingdom
Magic Carpets of Aladdin
The Pirates League
Tinker Bell’s Magical Nook
Country Bear Jamboree
Mickey’s PhilharMagic
Brave “Play and Greet” (Fairytale Garden)
The Barnstormer featuring Goofy as the Great Goofini
Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station
Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor
Stitch’s Great Escape!
Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress
Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom
Read more about attractions at Magic Kingdom here.
Hollywood Studios
The Great Movie Ride
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!
ABC Sound Studio
Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: Movie Set Adventure
Studio Backlot Tour
Voyage of the Little Mermaid
Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream
The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow
Rock ‘n’Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
Citizens of Hollywood
Read more about attractions at Hollywood Studios here.
Epcot
Advanced Training Lab
American Heritage Gallery
Bijutsu-kan Gallery
Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable
Disney Phineas & Ferb: Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure
Gallery of Arts and History
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros
House of the Whispering Willows
IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth
ImageWorks
Impressions de France
Journey into Imagination with Figment
Living with the Land
Maelstrom
Mission: SPACE
O Canada!
Reflections of China
Spaceship Earth
The American Adventure
The Circle of Life
The Seas with Nemo and Friends
Universy of Energy: Inventing the Wonders of the Future
Kidcot Fun Stops
Mexico Folk Art Gallery
The Spirit of Norway
Stave Church Gallery
Read more about attractions at Epcot here.
Animal Kingdom
Discovery Island Trails
The Tree of Life
Festival of the Lion King
Kilimanjaro Safaris
Pangani Forest Exploration Trail
Wild Africa Trek
Harambe Village
Wildlife Express Train
Habitat Habit!
Maharajah Jungle Trek
Flights of Wonder
Cretaceous Trail
Dino-Sue
Fossil Fun Games
Kids Discovery Clubs
Primeval Whirl
The Boneyard
TriceraTop Spin
Affection Section
Conservation Station
The Oasis Exhibits
Read more about attractions at Animal Kingdom here.
Thanks for posting!!! Really helpful! I’ll be referring to this while I’m out here. Will also share with our entourage as well. Please let us know of you update this!
Thanks for posting!!! Really helpful! I’ll be referring to this while I’m out here. Will also share with our entourage as well. Please let us know if you update this!
Thnx 4 posting, really helpful. I’ve been to Walt Disney world, and it’s great. Always building new rides, friendly employees(especially Darrell who works on the great movie ride),and fabulous hotels. I’ve been to Disney land and it’s cool, but defiantly doesn’t beet. WDW. Once again 4 posting this!!! 😄
Thanks for commenting, Cailyn! I’m glad you find this info helpful!