There are so many things you can do in both Disneyland and Disney World. In this post we’re going to tell you 17 of the things you can only do at Disneyland and not at Disney World. You’ll have to head to California if you want to do any of them.
Walk Where Walt Disney Walked
Disneyland is the only Disney park that Walt Disney actually visited and walked around. He designed this park and many of the attractions that are still there. It’s special to be somewhere that Walt loved.
See Walt’s Apartment
Walt Disney had an apartment that he used when he stayed in Disneyland. It’s above the fire station on Main Street, USA. You can do a tour called Walt’s Main Street Story to go inside of it, otherwise it is closed to the public.
Haunted Mansion Holiday
For the Halloween and Christmas seasons, the Haunted Mansion attraction changes into Haunted Mansion Holiday where it has a Nightmare Before Christmas theme all throughout the ride. The Haunted Mansion ride in Disney World does not do this.
Park Hop By Walking
Disneyland only has two parks, Disneyland and California Adventure, and the entrances for them are right across from each other. You can easily walk between the two parks. The four Disney World theme parks are more spread out and take more time to travel between.
Walk Through Sleeping Beauty’s Castle
At the Disneyland Castle, called Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, you can do a short walk-through where you’ll see stained glass windows that tell the story of Sleeping Beauty. The Disney World castle does not have this, but they do have a restaurant since that castle is so much larger.
Eat A Raspberry Rose Macaron
The Raspberry Rose Macaron is an iconic Mickey treat at Disneyland. You get it from Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe on Main Street. These are popular and can sell out, so you’ll want to place a mobile order in the morning to ensure you can get one. You can choose a pickup time later in the day though.
Toontown
Toontown is in Disneyland and not Disney World. It was redone a couple of years ago and is such a fun area for little ones. There is a fun Mickey and Minnie fountain, Mickey Mouse’s house, Minnie Mouse’s house, some play areas, character meet n greets, restaurants, and a few rides.
Stay At A Pixar Themed Hotel
Disneyland has a hotel, Pixar Place Hotel where everything is Pixar themed. Disney World does not have a Pixar themed hotel like it.
Eat A Meal In The Pirates Ride
Blue Bayou is the restaurant that you see off to the right when you first start riding the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. This restaurant is not the easiest to get into, so you’ll want to make reservations 60 days in advance.
Cars Land
Cars Land is in California Adventure park. It opened in 2012 and is a whole land that looks just like Radiator Springs in the Cars movies. You can meet characters like Lightning McQueen, go on 3 rides, eat at Flo’s V8 Cafe, and more.
See The Petrified Tree
In Disneyland you can see a very large petrified tree in Frontierland. This was a gift Walt Disney gave to his wife Lillian, but she didn’t really like it, so she donated it to Disneyland.
Pixar Pier
Pixar Pier is a land in California Adventure that is not in Disney World. There are rides like Pixar Pal-A-Round and Incredicoaster.
Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes
Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes are real free-floating canoes that you can go on to paddle around the Rivers of America. This is something you can only do at Disneyland.
Oogie Boogie Bash
Oogie Boogie Bash is an after hours event that is unique to California Adventure park. This is a Halloween event. Disney World has a Halloween event too, but it is called Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.
Avenger’s Campus
Avengers Campus is in California Adventure park. It replaced A Bugs Land years ago. You can see Spider-Man jump across building, ride attractions like Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!, and eat at Pym Test Kitchen.
Unique Rides
Disneyland has a good amount of rides that are not also at Disney World. Some of them are Matterhorn Bobsleds, Indiana Jones Adventure, Casey Jr. Circus Train, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, Snow White’s Enchanted Wish, Storybook Land Canal Boats, Radiator Springs Racers, and Monster’s Inc. Mike & Sulley To The Rescue!
Downtown Disney
Downtown Disney is an area of Disneyland with shopping, restaurants, and live entertainment. This is similar to Disney Springs at Disney World, but is different.