Greetings, Sharon, and welcome to planDisney! I’m so glad you asked this question. I visited Walt Disney World for the first time last year, but have been going to the Disneyland Resort since I was a kid. You’re right, they’re quite different! I'm happy to share some information to help you plan your trip.
Let's start with photos. The
Disney PhotoPass Service is a great way to capture memories together at various locations within the parks. Disney PhotoPass+ One Week is a good option if you plan to take photos throughout your vacation. However, just know that the
Lightning Lane Multi Pass includes unlimited downloads of Disney PhotoPass photos on the days you have it.
Speaking of the Lightning Lane Multi Pass, it is a little different at the Disneyland Resort, in that you don't currently select attraction arrival windows in advance. You'd make your first selection after entering the park.
If you have the MagicBand+ and it is linked to your account in the
Disneyland mobile app, you'll be able to tap it to link your PhotoPass photos! Alternatively, tap the icon in the app with three horizontal lines near the bottom (☰), and then tap "Link Photos." From here, tap "Show PhotoPass Code" and the photographer will scan that. Or, you can ask them to give you a card, and you can enter it after tapping "Link PhotoPass Card."
When it comes to attraction photos, at this time,
complimentary digital downloads are offered at the Disneyland Resort! Locate your photo and code near the end of the attraction and enter it in the app following a similar process as highlighted above.
I'm discovering how convenient it is to have the MagicBand+. You can use it at the Disneyland Resort for park entry, Lightning Lane check-ins, and even unlocking special
70th Anniversary interactions! Some spots even give you printed tickets that are perfect for a scrapbook.
Sharon, one of the biggest differences you'll notice during your visit is how close everything is. Disneyland, California Adventure, the Downtown Disney District, and the three Disneyland Resort hotels are all super walkable.
Here are some other differences that you can look forward to:
- The castle is smaller, but charming! You can walk up into it and view dioramas highlighting the story of Sleeping Beauty.
- Haunted Mansion gets a special makeover starting at Halloween Time, inspired by The Nightmare Before Christmas. Guardians of the Galaxy also gets a thrilling seasonal update. You should be able to experience both starting August 22, 2025.
- "it's a small world" features Disney Characters throughout and a grand façade. It’s also a great spot to watch fireworks or the Tapestry of Happiness projection show.
- Characters often roam the parks – you never know who you may encounter. There are also designated meet-and-greet spots!
I can write about this all day, Sharon! I hope this information has sprinkled some pixie dust onto your plans. If you have any other questions, please reach out – we're always happy to help here at planDisney!
Your pal,
Kriss