The other big difference we noticed is the weather! In WDW we have to be prepared for daily rain with ponchos and umbrellas, while in DL we have to have warm sweatshirts for the morning and evenings. I’ll never forget how weird it was to us to go into DL early in the morning in June and it was foggy and cool until around 1pm. Then it got cold again at night.
This was such a nice, straight forward explanation of the differences. We've been to Disney World twice and it is quite an undertaking learning all about it and how to plan a trip there. I've heard snippets of how different Disneyland is but not such a clear concise explanation. Usually what I hear is Disneyland-frequenters complaining about trying to figure out WDW. I kind of can't blame them because Disneyland seems so much easier and more laid back. We plan to get there in a few years and I think it will feel a little weird not planning stuff out so far in advance. I look forward to the rest of the videos!
What a nice comment, Becca, THANK YOU! Yes, it may be in my favor, as far as explaining it, that I have been to WDW far more than DLR in the last few years. thanks for watching!
We love Disneyland, I feel like there is just a magical feeling there that doesn’t exist at WDW. Perhaps the less stressful planning helps with that feeling as well...
I grew up going to Disneyland, too, because we lived in the Phoenix area. We went every year for Thanksgiving and stayed at the Disneyland Hotel. I have such great memories of it. I didn’t get to go to Disney World until my honeymoon. Now we live in St Louis, so Disney World is closer even though neither is nearby. My kids have not been to Disney,and yet, but I need to make sure we take them so they can experience the Disney vacation I grew up with.
Have fun Jen! I live here in LA and would have loved to say hi at Disneyland, but I’m actually headed to WDW 😁. Enjoy they low crowds, and fantastic cool weather we are having.
Looking forward to following along with your trip Jen, my wife and I haven’t been to Disneyland since my birthday trip in May 2016 (did our first trip to WDW last September though). We will be there at Christmas and I can’t wait, we’ll probably get the 10 day pass this time. Then we’ll head up Hwy 1 through Santa Barbara, Big Sur and stay in Monterey for NYE. Then back down the 101 with a stop at Pismo Beach and finish with a few days in LA. In the meantime, I’ll live vicariously through you if you don’t mind :) Funny thing though, last time I was at DL at Christmas was 1991 and it was a Ghost Town! Ahhhhh those were the days, not any more I know . . . . . .
We have stayed at Paradise Pier and we enjoyed it very much. I always recommend 7-10 days for Walt Disney World, especially for people who live far away like we do and may only go once or twice in their lifetime.
Great info! It's hard to even imagine the scope of Disney World when you first start thinking about visiting there. We loved them both and can't wait to go back.
Very good information about the differences between the 2 parks! I had no idea what to expect if we ever visited Disneyland. Now I do👌. Great vlog, as always! 🤗
Hey Jen... we went to Disneyland for the first time last September. Because we seem destined to throw cash at the mouse, we added a Disney cruise from Vancouver to San Diego. We then hopped a quick train ride up to Disneyland. It's great to double down on the magic, and add a Disney cruise to those California trips 😁
To anyone reading the comments and trying to plan there first trip to DL. I go every year to Disneyland and before I bought into the DVC at DL, I usually stayed at a good neighbor hotel. The Grand Legacy is the worst. Water came flooding into our room from the ceiling in the middle of the night and the staff was awful dealing with it. Oh and our "free breakfast" was a brown paper bag with a granola bar, apple and string cheese. All the other good neighbor hotels are great. The Sheraton Park hotel was probably my favorite. Little longer of a walk but amazing breakfast included. If you can afford Grand Californian or the Disneyland hotel, do it!!! We have done both of them and they are amazing. I haven't stayed at Paradise Pier hotel. Jen is right on with the length. You can do it in two days but three gives you a little wiggle room. Park hopping is so easy, its worth the upgrade. Max pass is awesome!!!! If you have a large family, it can be costly but the ability to book your fastpass anywhere on your phone, even while you are in queue for another ride is such a time saver. Also if you paid for the park hopper, you can book fastpasses for the other park without walking over there first. If you want to eat at the famous Blue Bayou restaurant, get reservations! Jen, I hope you enjoy your trip.
I have not been to Disneyland since I was about 12 or so, which is a very, very long time ago :-) One of these years I will get back there. I hope you all have a great time on your vacation. I look forward to seeing your vlogs and hearing about the differences between California, and Florida.
Jen, I hope you have a great trip! I love Disneyland, grew up going there (our favorite vacation place of my childhood) and I had an annual pass for 3 years when I lived in LA. Could never get enough of that place! Have you ever watch Provost Park Pass on youtube? They are my go-to videos for Disneyland facts and fun!
WDW is great, but if I could only have one resort for the rest of my life, I would pick Disneyland. Just love it there. Everything is so intimate, and easy to enjoy. No worrying about how long it is going to take to get to the next park, you just walk across the Entrance Plaza. We love staying at the DVC villas at the Grand Californian. Napa Rose is fantastic! I agree with you, just knowing that Walt actually frequented those places in Disneyland is just amazing. Can’t wait to see your videos and trip reports!!!
I hope to make it out to Disneyland in the next couple of years. I went to San Francisco a few years ago and got to visit the Walt Disney Family Museum and I really want to visit Walt’s park now.
So excited for you. Can you also do a comparison of Disneyland and Disneyland Paris, as I presume they would be more similar to each other than to WDW.
My daughter and I stayed at Paradise Pier about 4 years ago, and it was really convenient, very comfortable, and adorably themed. I wonder if the theme will be changed to reflect the toy story theme update in California Adventure? Have a magical time!
Another great video! Would love to visit Disneyland one day. We just decided to book a Disney World trip in September and we’re so excited that it overlaps your trip! I think my kids might flip if we run into you 😁
We live in Georgia now so I haven't been to Disneyland in more than 10 years and I do miss it sometimes. I remember when Disney World still had toon town and some of the things that no longer are there. I would love very much if you could take pictures and video to show the original favorites like Snow White, Mr. Toads wild ride, etc. Btw, you like even more beautiful than usual. Perhaps you had a salon visit recently.
Thanks for this video! Planning my second visit ever to Disneyland this late September 💜🤗 We got an Airbnb 7 minutes away from DL! Only going for the parks and I’m going to try to visit Little Tokyo before we leave. I’m shocked I have to wait 2 months to make a dining reservation haha. Me being the planner I tried to make a reservation in May for September and they were like “ehh not yet” 😆. I plan on buying MaxPass! It’s so helpful it comes with photopass included.
Woo Hoo! You are coming to so cal! I love living here, let me know if there are any fun tips and tricks here but seems like you are comfortable with the areas in general though! Hope I can maybe see you!
Interesting topic, didn’t really know much about DL. I enjoyed getting some info and look forward to the rest of the DL run up videos. Side note, maybe put in brackets the metric area? It’d help your non US followers.
Hi Jen, So glad you are coming to my neck of the woods!! I know you may have plans but I would suggest taking the tour A Walk In Walt’s Footsteps!! He truly was an incredible human being. It includes lunch a guided tour and 4 adventures. Plus you also go to Walt and Lillian’s apartment. I know you may be short on time but I was in tears at the end of it. Have an absolutely wonderful time and thank you for all the great information.
When we went to Disneyland last year I did some research on which rides to attack early in the morning before the crowds showed up and what snacks to eat and that was about all we needed. Crowds were relatively low so we only used one fast pass for the three days we were in the parks and we did everything we had on our list to do. It does seem the fast pass window and reservations you need to organize at WDW takes the spontaneity out of the trip which is a big part of the fun.
The other big difference we noticed is the weather! In WDW we have to be prepared for daily rain with ponchos and umbrellas, while in DL we have to have warm sweatshirts for the morning and evenings. I’ll never forget how weird it was to us to go into DL early in the morning in June and it was foggy and cool until around 1pm. Then it got cold again at night.
Shelley, it's so true! I just adore that I needed a sweatshirt in July!!
This was such a nice, straight forward explanation of the differences. We've been to Disney World twice and it is quite an undertaking learning all about it and how to plan a trip there. I've heard snippets of how different Disneyland is but not such a clear concise explanation. Usually what I hear is Disneyland-frequenters complaining about trying to figure out WDW. I kind of can't blame them because Disneyland seems so much easier and more laid back. We plan to get there in a few years and I think it will feel a little weird not planning stuff out so far in advance. I look forward to the rest of the videos!
What a nice comment, Becca, THANK YOU! Yes, it may be in my favor, as far as explaining it, that I have been to WDW far more than DLR in the last few years. thanks for watching!
I look forward to the day I get to see Disneyland for the first time!
It really is a must do for people who love Disney!
We love Disneyland, I feel like there is just a magical feeling there that doesn’t exist at WDW. Perhaps the less stressful planning helps with that feeling as well...
You may very well be right, Dawn!!😍
Yess love the "Be good to eachother" :) excited for this series and to follow along with your trip!
Thanks, Friend!!
I grew up going to Disneyland, too, because we lived in the Phoenix area. We went every year for Thanksgiving and stayed at the Disneyland Hotel. I have such great memories of it. I didn’t get to go to Disney World until my honeymoon. Now we live in St Louis, so Disney World is closer even though neither is nearby. My kids have not been to Disney,and yet, but I need to make sure we take them so they can experience the Disney vacation I grew up with.
The convenience at Disneyland is amazing!!!! The cast members are great!
Have fun Jen! I live here in LA and would have loved to say hi at Disneyland, but I’m actually headed to WDW 😁. Enjoy they low crowds, and fantastic cool weather we are having.
Stephen I cannot tell you how happy I am to be getting out of the Georgia heat and humidity. Enjoy your trip to FL!!
Looking forward to following along with your trip Jen, my wife and I haven’t been to Disneyland since my birthday trip in May 2016 (did our first trip to WDW last September though). We will be there at Christmas and I can’t wait, we’ll probably get the 10 day pass this time. Then we’ll head up Hwy 1 through Santa Barbara, Big Sur and stay in Monterey for NYE. Then back down the 101 with a stop at Pismo Beach and finish with a few days in LA. In the meantime, I’ll live vicariously through you if you don’t mind :)
Funny thing though, last time I was at DL at Christmas was 1991 and it was a Ghost Town! Ahhhhh those were the days, not any more I know . . . . . .
We have stayed at Paradise Pier and we enjoyed it very much. I always recommend 7-10 days for Walt Disney World, especially for people who live far away like we do and may only go once or twice in their lifetime.
Also I’m going to take exactly 500,000 photos of the castle! Size doesn’t matter but that paint job they just did does! 💕💙🤗💕💙💜💜💜
Yes. So. Many. Castle. Photos.🤣🤣😍
Such great pointers! We hope to make a last minute quick trip to Disneyland this winter.
Great info! It's hard to even imagine the scope of Disney World when you first start thinking about visiting there. We loved them both and can't wait to go back.
It’s totally true. 😍😍😍
Very good information about the differences between the 2 parks! I had no idea what to expect if we ever visited Disneyland. Now I do👌. Great vlog, as always! 🤗
Hey Jen... we went to Disneyland for the first time last September. Because we seem destined to throw cash at the mouse, we added a Disney cruise from Vancouver to San Diego. We then hopped a quick train ride up to Disneyland. It's great to double down on the magic, and add a Disney cruise to those California trips 😁
LOL I, too, am a fan of doubling up on the magic. I love it!
To anyone reading the comments and trying to plan there first trip to DL. I go every year to Disneyland and before I bought into the DVC at DL, I usually stayed at a good neighbor hotel. The Grand Legacy is the worst. Water came flooding into our room from the ceiling in the middle of the night and the staff was awful dealing with it. Oh and our "free breakfast" was a brown paper bag with a granola bar, apple and string cheese. All the other good neighbor hotels are great. The Sheraton Park hotel was probably my favorite. Little longer of a walk but amazing breakfast included. If you can afford Grand Californian or the Disneyland hotel, do it!!! We have done both of them and they are amazing. I haven't stayed at Paradise Pier hotel. Jen is right on with the length. You can do it in two days but three gives you a little wiggle room. Park hopping is so easy, its worth the upgrade. Max pass is awesome!!!! If you have a large family, it can be costly but the ability to book your fastpass anywhere on your phone, even while you are in queue for another ride is such a time saver. Also if you paid for the park hopper, you can book fastpasses for the other park without walking over there first.
If you want to eat at the famous Blue Bayou restaurant, get reservations!
Jen, I hope you enjoy your trip.
Thank you, Carrie, and thank you for all the great tips! And yikes on that experience at Grand Legacy. I've never stayed there and won't anytime soon!
I have not been to Disneyland since I was about 12 or so, which is a very, very long time ago :-) One of these years I will get back there. I hope you all have a great time on your vacation. I look forward to seeing your vlogs and hearing about the differences between California, and Florida.
Thanks for watching, Kasey!
Jen, I hope you have a great trip! I love Disneyland, grew up going there (our favorite vacation place of my childhood) and I had an annual pass for 3 years when I lived in LA. Could never get enough of that place! Have you ever watch Provost Park Pass on youtube? They are my go-to videos for Disneyland facts and fun!
I have not but I will check them out! Thanks, Holly!
Thank you for a great overview of the differences!
WDW is great, but if I could only have one resort for the rest of my life, I would pick Disneyland. Just love it there. Everything is so intimate, and easy to enjoy. No worrying about how long it is going to take to get to the next park, you just walk across the Entrance Plaza. We love staying at the DVC villas at the Grand Californian. Napa Rose is fantastic! I agree with you, just knowing that Walt actually frequented those places in Disneyland is just amazing. Can’t wait to see your videos and trip reports!!!
Chris I have to agree with you - if you made me choose it would be Disneyland. And you know how much I adore WDW so that’s saying a lot
Have a great trip Jen. I live in California you will be in Disneyland and I will be in Disney World in Florida.
So funny!! I hope you have a great trip to Florida!
I hope to make it out to Disneyland in the next couple of years. I went to San Francisco a few years ago and got to visit the Walt Disney Family Museum and I really want to visit Walt’s park now.
We’ve never made it to that museum but I want to! I’ve heard great things about it.
It is the best. Fans of Walt Disney need to make it a must do!
I think I’ll be at DT Disney when you’re in the parks! I’m doing afternoon tea at DL Hotel on the 13th for my bday! 🥂🎉
What a perfect way to celebrate! Happy Birthday!!😍😍😍
I'm going to Disneyland in September amd staying at Candy Cane Inn.
We haven’t stayed there in a few years so I’m hoping it’s still as nice as I remember!
Hurray, off to Cali.
So excited! So much to do between now and Wednesday, though!
So excited for you. Can you also do a comparison of Disneyland and Disneyland Paris, as I presume they would be more similar to each other than to WDW.
I did one last year when I got back from Paris - you’ll find it in that playlist I think?
OOH! I love your hair!
I'm so far behind. Maybe I can catch up this week.
My daughter and I stayed at Paradise Pier about 4 years ago, and it was really convenient, very comfortable, and adorably themed. I wonder if the theme will be changed to reflect the toy story theme update in California Adventure? Have a magical time!
I wonder that too, Trish! Thanks for watching!
Jen!!!! Your hair looks fabulous!
Thank you!!
Another great video! Would love to visit Disneyland one day. We just decided to book a Disney World trip in September and we’re so excited that it overlaps your trip! I think my kids might flip if we run into you 😁
Lauren that would make me so happy!!😍😍😍
Your hair looks gorgeous Jen! Have a great trip! 😁 x
Yes it always does when the stylist does it. 🤣Thank you!
Yay! I’ve been wanting to see you make a video on this topic
I’m so glad, Jennifer! Thanks for watching!
We live in Georgia now so I haven't been to Disneyland in more than 10 years and I do miss it sometimes. I remember when Disney World still had toon town and some of the things that no longer are there. I would love very much if you could take pictures and video to show the original favorites like Snow White, Mr. Toads wild ride, etc. Btw, you like even more beautiful than usual. Perhaps you had a salon visit recently.
Lol yes i did!!🤣😍😍😍
Have a blast !!! I can’t want to go to DL. My mom took me when I was 4 but I don’t remember much at all 😞
You must plan a trip! The great news is it really can be done in a weekend.😍
Another great video!
Too bad I’ll be gone by the time your there it would have been nice to say hi 😊
Is exciting! I can’t wait to see your blog from Disneyland! Are you going by yourself or is Scott going?
Scott will be there for part of it! We are super excited.
I cant wait to get out to Disneyland. Looking forward to all these videos!
I hope you enjoy them!! And I seriously cannot wait (in case that wasn’t evident🤣)
Could have used this last fall! But great for our next visit! Thank you as usual!
You are most welcome, Kathe!😍
Thanks for this video! Planning my second visit ever to Disneyland this late September 💜🤗 We got an Airbnb 7 minutes away from DL! Only going for the parks and I’m going to try to visit Little Tokyo before we leave. I’m shocked I have to wait 2 months to make a dining reservation haha. Me being the planner I tried to make a reservation in May for September and they were like “ehh not yet” 😆. I plan on buying MaxPass! It’s so helpful it comes with photopass included.
Love that is comes with photopass, Lauren!! I’m so excited for this trip and an Airbnb was a smart move!
Jen Lefforge Excited for your videos from your trip!! Happy early bday!
Excited for videos all week! Don’t forget to subscribe everyone!
Me too, John! And thank you!
To place it into perspective, 1 square mile is 640 acres. Washington DC is about 68 square miles.
Great comparison!! It’s just so much land!
Love this! Thank you for the tips
You are most welcome, Kelley!
Yay! I love the planning and packing videos :) I have a trip coming up to the World soon and I'm definitely on the hunt for these anyway!!
I'm so glad you liked it!
Woo Hoo! You are coming to so cal! I love living here, let me know if there are any fun tips and tricks here but seems like you are comfortable with the areas in general though! Hope I can maybe see you!
Tanya we are so excited!! And although it is home for me it’s been a minute😍
Interesting topic, didn’t really know much about DL. I enjoyed getting some info and look forward to the rest of the DL run up videos. Side note, maybe put in brackets the metric area? It’d help your non US followers.
Great thought!
Oh Happy Birthday month! 🎂 it is my birthday month too! When is your birthday?
July 17th!😍😍😍🎂Happy Birthday month to both of us!
Can't believe you're going for VidCon instead of D23 Expo. :-)
Lol yes that would have been awesome too but ya can’t do it all 😍
Hi Jen,
So glad you are coming to my neck of the woods!! I know you may have plans but I would suggest taking the tour A Walk In Walt’s Footsteps!! He truly was an incredible human being. It includes lunch a guided tour and 4 adventures. Plus you also go to Walt and Lillian’s apartment. I know you may be short on time but I was in tears at the end of it. Have an absolutely wonderful time and thank you for all the great information.
Kathy I actually might be able to do that Sunday morning so I will check the schedule and see if there are any openings! Great suggestion
Hey Jen I'm going to send you a PM with a fun tip to do in Disneyland... fyi your FB link didn't work.
Thanks, Carol!!
Seems like there's less planning in a bank heist than there is for a trip to WDW.
🤣🤣🤣🤣yes. It does feel that way.
When we went to Disneyland last year I did some research on which rides to attack early in the morning before the crowds showed up and what snacks to eat and that was about all we needed. Crowds were relatively low so we only used one fast pass for the three days we were in the parks and we did everything we had on our list to do.
It does seem the fast pass window and reservations you need to organize at WDW takes the spontaneity out of the trip which is a big part of the fun.