Disneyland

Disneyland is a really fun and special experience because it is the original Disney park, and it has a certain nostalgia and charm that every true Disney fan should experience at least once. There is something unique about walking through the park where it all started, and Disneyland also offers attractions, lands, and experiences that you will not find at Walt Disney World.

That being said, if you live on the East Coast and have only visited Walt Disney World, I still highly recommend experiencing Disneyland because it gives you a completely different perspective on Disney. It is definitely much smaller and more compact than Disney World, so it is not the same type of vacation experience. If you are used to the size, spacing, transportation, and overall flow of Disney World, Disneyland will feel like a complete 180.

Because the resort is smaller, everything is much closer together, which can be both a positive and a negative. The parks can feel more crowded and compact, and many of the queue lines are outdoors rather than long, air-conditioned indoor queues like you may be used to at Disney World. So, if you are visiting in the middle of summer, be prepared for the heat.

One of the biggest benefits of Disneyland, though, is how easy it is to get around. The entire resort area is very walkable, with the parks, Downtown Disney, and the three Disney-owned resorts all located close together. The hotels sit right near the back end of the parks, and some even offer direct park access. For example, Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa has an exclusive entrance directly into Disney California Adventure, which makes getting into the park incredibly convenient.

Honestly, I think Disneyland Resort is also home to my absolute favorite Disney park, and that is Disney California Adventure. This park has so much packed into it, and for me, it is one of the best Disney park experiences anywhere. One of the biggest highlights is Cars Land and Radiator Springs. It is amazing during the day, but if you can be there right at dusk when they turn the neon lights on, it becomes something truly special. They do it just like in the movie, with the music playing and all the neon lighting up throughout Radiator Springs. It is one of those Disney moments that feels completely magical.

Then you have Avengers Campus, which is another major reason I love California Adventure so much. While Galaxy's Edge is amazing and the immersive Star Wars theming is incredible, I personally think Avengers Campus is even better. The Marvel experience there is unlike anything Disney has done anywhere else. The rides are fun, the character interactions are everywhere, and the land feels alive. Plus, the food is excellent. One area where I think Galaxy's Edge falls a little short is dining, but Avengers Campus really delivers, especially with spots like Pym Test Kitchen. The food is creative, fun, and actually really good.

On top of that, you also have Pixar Pier, which adds even more to the park. Between the Incredicoaster, Pixar Pal-A-Round, Toy Story Midway Mania, and all the Pixar theming, it is a fun and colorful area that brings a completely different energy to the park.

But what really puts California Adventure over the top for me is World of Color. Out of every Disney show I have seen across all the parks, World of Color is my all-time favorite. If you have never seen it, I highly recommend making it a priority, and honestly, I would even recommend seeing it more than once. If it is your first time, the dessert party is worth considering because it gives you a great view and makes the experience even better. All around, do not skip World of Color. It is one of the best shows Disney has ever created, and it is a huge reason why Disney California Adventure is my favorite park.

Overall, Disneyland Resort is a must-do for Disney fans. Between the history and nostalgia of Disneyland Park, the convenience of the walkable resort layout, Downtown Disney, the three official Disney resorts, and the incredible experience of Disney California Adventure, it is a completely different kind of Disney vacation and one that every true Disney lover should experience.