If people reading already have visited both parks, Disneyland and Walt Disney World, you know what I'm talking about. But for the folks who have not seen either, or just one or the other, you will find the differences just enhance the magic and realize that large or small, major or minor, the magic of Disney is in "ALL" the parks worldwide. I am glad there are differences, because I can not wait to return to Disneyland to see them all again.

For the longest time, people that have been to Disneyland always were telling us that we would not like it as much as Disneyworld, it was so small, and did not have all the attractions the four parks here in Florida had. But I kept thinking; that's the park that Walt dreamed of, designed, and built, he oversaw everything down to the smallest detail. More than 515 million guests have visited since it's opening, July 17th, 1955. So there must be something else than size in the equation.

When you arrive at this hallowed park, you will notice that it is smaller. But you really do not notice it when you start walking around the park. It is truly amazing how much magic that Walt put into the 160 acres of former orange groves and walnut trees. There is a Downtown Disney and the "California Adventure" park, which was constructed on a former large parking lot. It is a mix of MGM Studios and a large Amusement-type park with some outstanding rides and fun places to eat. Here you will find such attractions as the "Hollywood Tower of Terror" and "Soarin' over California", which was brought to Walt Disney World. The one thing my Wife pointed out was, everything was more compact, and navigating the parks was easier on the feet. The Magic Kingdom is layed out almost identical to the Park in Florida. The one thing you will notice right away, size wise, is how small the original Sleeping Beauty castle is compared to Cinderella's Castle. You could probable fit three of the original in the castle here in Florida.

Now, that does not mean it's not as nice. It has the same magic and attention that Disney is famous for, and the fact that Walt himself Walked across it's moat countless times, makes is just so special! In fact, that was one of the most captivating aspects of Disneyland. This is the park that Walt walked in. I cannot tell you how many times as we walked around, we kept thinking that Walt himself could have stood right here, or sat there. You could almost feel him everywhere you went, as if he were still keeping an eye on things, making sure everyone was having a "Magical" time.

Ok, so let's explore some of the differences, some big, some subtle. First, as my wife observed, since Disneyland is more compact, you can go right from the Magic Kingdom, walk across a large courtyard and there is the entrance to the California Adventure. Also, you enter Downtown Disney the same way. No buses, monorails, or other conveyances needed! There is no fingerprint scan here at Disneyland. Your ticket is scanned by a cast member, when you leave the park, they will stamp your left hand with a yellow dye, and check it again when you re-enter. Some of the major attraction differences are in Adventureland; the "Indiana Jones Adventure", unlike the Stunt Show in the Studios, is a high-speed ride much like "Dinosaur" in the Animal Kingdom, on almost the same All-terrain vehicles used in the latter. It's a beautifully detailed ride through the "Digs" that Indy went through in the film.

My favorite attraction, the Haunted Mansion, is also very different, at least in the appearance of the Mansion. Disneyland's Haunted Mansion resembles a large, Southern Plantation house, while the Mansion here in Florida is like an Old Gothic structure. One curious detail, the ante-room in Anaheim actually descends down, because the attraction is entered under the Disneyland RR.Another favorite, Pirates of the Caribbean has four more major "Scenes", two in the beginning, two more at the end, so the ride is longer than in Florida. It was so interesting to see the differences in the attractions. Even Space Mountain, which is almost identical, the Disneyland Mountain, which was just renovated, has a much darker interior with many more stars and lighting effects. Different, not better.

In place of the "Carousel of Progress" in Tomorrowland, there is the "Innovations" building, very similar to the ones in EPCOT, except this, like the Carousel, revolves. The one thing missing is the Tomorrowland Transit Authority ride. The "Peoplemover", as it is sometimes called, closed on August 21st, 1995 here in Disneyland. The two attractions we were both looking forward to riding, the Matterhorn bobsleds and the Monorail, were closed until January for the completion of the Finding Nemo submarine ride. We'll just have to come back! We also enjoyed "Mr. Toads Wild Ride" which is no longer at Disneyworld, closing on September 7th, 1998. Another thing we noticed is that the queue lines are very short in the actual attraction, but many snake outside, again due to the size difference. For example, the queue line for Space Mountain is mostly outside, the line in the attraction is short and there is only one loading dock. I think we spent a majority of the time just noting the fascinating differences in the parks and the attractions.

The one themed land that really impressed us was "Mickys Toontown". Here in Disneyland, it is an actual town! Complete with power station, City Hall, Bank, etc. It was so detailed you actually believed you were in a Cartoon. There is also an attraction ride, "Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin". This was so much fun we rode it three times. The lines reflected the popularity; average wait time was forty minutes! I would like to see Disneyworld expand our Toontown, it was very crowded all the days we were here.

Since we came to Disneyland on our anniversary, we ate at the "Blue Bayou" restaurant in New Orleans Square. The restaurant has tables which sit alone the shore of a Bayou waterway, complete with fishing shacks, trees, all in a darkened setting. Very Romantic. This same waterway is used by the Pirates of the Caribbean "Pirate Ships", while on their way to the attraction's falls. Now when you come to Disneyland, you will notice that the number of table-service restaurants is very limited, not like in Florida. You will find some nice places in Downtown Disney, but again, that's because of the size of the parks. And the cost of food is also higher than in Florida, but this is not because of Disneyland, but because that's the way it is on the West Coast.

Now I could probably write another four or five pages on this wonderful park, noting all the points of interest and differences. But I hope I have sparked some curiosity and sense of wonder in people on the two parks. My wife and I already have plans to come back, and come back again! This is a definite "Must" see park for all Disney lovers and even those who want to see where Walt and Mickey continued the Magic after Steamboat Willie. Remember, there is no park "Better" than the other, it's all Disney and all Magical. I believe that the differences are the best part of both parks!