We're often asked about what the differences between DISNEYLAND and Walt Disney World are. Today, we highlight one of them.
Theme parks have always been places where people could spontaneously experience things at their own pace and on their own terms. As a matter of fact, Walt Disney loved the more spontaneous nature of DISNEYLAND, encouraging his staff to ensure that guests would have unexpected experiences and surprises. For the most part, this spirit remains at DISNEYLAND, which has tried to balance the needs of guests who want spontaneity with those who want to plan most everything down to the minute.
Walt Disney World, on the other hand, has fully embraced those who want to overplan everything down to the second. Unfortunately, this means that those spontaneous surprises are reduced and guests who don't want to plan everything out are inconvenienced. Don't have lunch reservations for the Magic Kingdom theme park made months ago? Too bad, because you literally will find very little to eat within the park. Two overcrowded counter service locations or snack carts are your only choices.
While Walt Disney World partisans fault spontaneous guests for not doing research and planning ahead, guests shouldn't be forced to decide months in advance where they'd like to eat lunch. Walt Disney World pretty much does this, while DISNEYLAND still strikes a balance.