As a California girl, I grew up with Disneyland as my home park. It’s where the magic started for me, and it will always feel like home. But when I finally made it out to Florida to visit Walt Disney World, it was like stepping into a whole new Disney universe. Everything is bigger, different, and honestly, magical in its own way. If you’ve ever wondered what stands out the most to someone who’s used to Disneyland, here are my five favorite things about Walt Disney World.
1. The Resorts: The first thing that blew me away was how next-level the resorts are at Walt Disney World. At Disneyland, staying at a Disney hotel is fun and super convenient, but at Disney World the resorts feel like full-on destinations. You could spend an entire day without even stepping into a park and still feel like you’re on vacation. Take Animal Kingdom Lodge, for example—imagine sipping your morning coffee on the balcony while giraffes stroll by. Or the Polynesian, where the tropical vibes make you feel like you’ve been transported straight to the islands. Each resort has its own theme and personality, and they’re so immersive that it’s easy to forget you’re in Florida at all.
2. The Restaurants: Don’t get me wrong, Disneyland churros and corn dogs are iconic and will always have my heart. But Walt Disney World? They’ve really stepped up the dining game. You’ve got everything from themed snacks in the parks to incredible fine dining experiences at the resorts. One of my favorites is Sanaa at Animal Kingdom Lodge—just give me that bread service and I’m a happy girl. And then there’s EPCOT, where you can literally eat and drink your way around the world. Trying authentic snacks and drinks from each country is such a fun (and delicious) experience you just can’t replicate back home in Anaheim.
3. The Transportation: Okay, this was such a shock to me as a Disneyland regular. At home, you can pretty much walk everywhere—you’re across the street from the parks, and it’s all super close. But Walt Disney World? Getting around is an adventure in itself. You’ve got monorails gliding through resorts, ferry boats sailing across lakes, gondolas floating in the sky on the Skyliner, and buses to everywhere. Even just hopping between parks feels like a ride! It adds this whole extra layer of fun to the trip, and honestly, I kind of loved it.
4. EPCOT & Animal Kingdom: Here’s where Disney World completely wowed me—these are parks we don’t have anything like in California. EPCOT feels like traveling the world in a single day, and the World Showcase is a foodie and culture lover’s dream. I loved sampling snacks, cocktails, and desserts from all over, all in one place. It’s such a vibe. And then there’s Animal Kingdom. It’s hands-down one of the most immersive parks I’ve ever been in. From the Kilimanjaro Safari to Pandora at night (glowing plants everywhere!), it’s a totally different kind of Disney magic. Honestly, I could have spent days here and still found new details to fall in love with.
5. The Themed Parties: Disneyland does a great job with seasonal events, but Walt Disney World takes the holiday parties to another level. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party are absolutely magical. Between the exclusive parades, special fireworks, rare character meet-and-greets, and all the themed treats, these parties feel like bucket-list experiences. There’s just something about celebrating Halloween on Main Street with trick-or-treat stations everywhere, or sipping hot cocoa while it “snows” in Florida. It’s pure Disney magic.
Disneyland will always be home to me—it’s where the magic started. But Walt Disney World is like Disneyland’s big sister, with more to see, more to do, and a whole different kind of magic. Every trip feels like an adventure, and I always leave already dreaming about the next one. 
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