Magical Travel (the travel agency that I work for) is currently running a great Disneyland Promotion. This promotion inspired me to let you know why you need to visit the original Disney park, Disneyland! I know the castle there is smaller (but size isn't everything, did you know that you can go in Disneyland's castle!) but the magic at Disneyland Resort is the same, if not better. Here are my year-round, 7 reasons why need to go visit Disneyland - right now!
Disneyland is Walt's Park
Disneyland is the park that Walt Disney built. It is the park that Walt Disney built, stepped inside of and got to enjoy (Walt unfortunately passed away before the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World was completed). Disney fans will appreciate being able to walk in Walt's footsteps and see the light in his apartment that is always kept on.
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| Sleeping Beauty's Castle at Disneyland Park |
Little to No Planning Involved
Unlike Walt Disney World, where Advance Dining Reservations are a must at 180-days in advance and FastPass+ are required 60-days in advance, Disneyland requires very little planning. And the planning that is required, isn't 6-months in advance! Because of this a Disneyland vacation is more spontaneous and less overwhelming. Disneyland Dining opens 60-days in advance and MaxPass and FastPass+ are planned once you're in the park! Disneyland is a much more relaxed, not overbooked vacation. Many of my Walt Disney World travelers feel as though they've booked their days in full and won't be able to change their mind about things - this is not the case at Disneyland.
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| Walking directions at Downtown Disney. |
Convenience
All of the Disneyland Resorts (Disney's Grand Californian Resort and Spa; Disneyland Hotel and Disney's Paradise Pier) are within walking distance of both of the parks! Downtown Disney is right outside of the theme parks! Everything is super convenient to get to and doesn't require an hour of transportation time - unlike Walt Disney World where a majority of the resorts require a bus, monorail and/or boat to get to the theme parks. The two Disneyland theme parks are also more intimate as well - less walking around during your day. And get those Park Hopper Tickets because both of the parks are within walking distance of each other! This allows you to maximize your time at the parks - if something has a short wait but it is in a different park, no worries, you can be there in 10 minutes!
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| Disneyland Hotel |
Weather
The weather in Southern California is generally much nicer than the weather in Florida - especially in the summer! Disneyland was built in Southern California "where it never rains." In 2017, Anaheim got just 8.64 inches of rain compared to Lake Buena Vista's 48.33 inches! The average high for Anaheim is 79° compared to Lake Buena Vista's 84°! California is also a lot less humid than Florida. Sounds like pleasant weather is in store for your theme park days!
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| Disneyland's Space Mountain attraction vehicles. |
The Same, but Different
There are a lot of repeat attractions at both parks - Haunted Mansion; Splash Mountain; Space Mountain; and Pirates of the Caribbean - just to name a few. But guess what, these attractions are actually different at both parks! In my personal opinion, the better version of the attraction is usually at Disneyland! Don't believe me? Go see for yourself! There are also a lot of unique attractions and lands that are unique to Disneyland. For example, the wonderfully themed Cars Land - it feels like you're walking into the Cars movies - at Disney California Adventure! Some of the unique attractions at Disneyland are the fun Monsters, Inc.; Indiana Jones Adventure; Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout!; and the Matterhorn Bobsleds (a Disneyland classic) just to name a few! Don't forget about all of the shows, parades and nighttime entertainment (World of Color) that are completely different at Disneyland! I know food is a big part of travel too, the food at Disneyland Resort is some of the best theme park food I've ever had (this includes Walt Disney World!).
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| Pixar Play Parade |
Like Walt Disney World, Disneyland has their own special events to make your trip more magical! This includes Disneyland's very own Halloween parties and Holiday fun! Right now, the special event is Pixar Fest - something completely and totally unique to Disneyland Resort that celebrates all things Pixar. If you are a fan of the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, you should really try out the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival!
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| Southern California Beach |
Southern California
If Disneyland is not convenient for you to get to for just a long weekend trip or you'd like to make a week long trip out of it - there is plenty for you to do! Aside from the two theme parks at Disneyland Resort and Downtown Disney, there is so much for you to do in Southern California! You can get the SoCal CityPass as your ticket for your Disneyland Vacation Package allowing you to see multiple attractions. This ticket gets you into 3 awesome attractions for one great price - One 3-Day Disneyland® Resort Park Hopper® ticket for Disneyland® Park and Disney California Adventure® Park (includes one Magic Morning admission to a designated Disneyland® Resort Theme Park); One day at LEGOLAND® California Resort; and One day at SeaWorld® Adventure Park. Do you like sports? The Los Angeles Angels baseball stadium; the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball stadium; the Los Angeles Lakers basketball arena and more are a close drive away! We went and saw a Dodgers game during our last visit to Disneyland. Disneyland is also close to some fantastic beaches (another thing we did on our last trip).
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| Disney California Adventure |
If you've done Walt Disney World several times and are looking for something different, Disneyland is a great option. Have only done Walt Disney World once but think it is too soon to go back - Disneyland is your answer. Miss Walt Disney World but only have a long weekend to go? Disneyland is your answer! Whatever your hold up may be, Disneyland is your answer!
To book your Disneyland vacation, email me at lauren@magicaltravel.com or you can use this fast and easy form to request a free, no obligation quote!
As a Disney Vacation Planner, I'll help you plan the most magical Disneyland vacation - all for free! You won't pay one penny more by booking with me but you'll get personalized help and advice from someone that will get to know you, your wants and your travel plans (which you’re not going to get if you book on your own or direct with Disney)!
Just a few of the few things I'll do for FREE: help to find you the perfect Resort for your stay; I'll help you make your Dining Reservations and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Reservations; book any tours or unique experiences; help you with FastPass+ and MaxPass; and send you tips and tricks to get the most out of your vacation investment!
Plus my clients that book a Disneyland vacation package get a FREE DISNEY GIFT CARD and more! With all of these perks from me, you're bound to have a magical vacation!
