Hi there, Caren! Welcome to planDisney. I'm always happy to help a fellow Pennsylvanian with a visit to the Happiest Place on Earth, and a holiday trip is sure to be filled with some extra special magic.
It sounds like you've likely visited the Walt Disney World Resort recently and used
Disney MagicMobile Service during your vacation for a technologically advanced, contactless, and magical experience! While there are many similarities between Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort, there are some distinct differences, especially when it comes to how technology is currently used. While we have just seen MagicBand+ launch at the Happiest Place on Earth, Disneyland does not currently offer Disney MagicMobile. I know that was not the pixie-dusted news you were hoping for, Caren, but I promise your vacation will still be just as magical.
With
MagicBand+, you'll be able to interact with different nighttime spectaculars, tap into the parks for the day as well as any
Lightning Lanes you've selected, and collect all your
Disney PhotoPass photos. Unlike at Walt Disney World, the capability to charge purchases to your room or open the door to your hotel room has not quite made it to the West Coast, but I'm hopeful those enhancements might come in the future! As you are getting ready for your vacation, I highly recommend checking out the
planDisney Podcast episode dedicated to Technology where my fellow panelists are discussing what's available at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland. It's a great way to get a good sense of the differences between the two! I call it required listening for anyone visiting the parks!
While the technology may not be the same, we do have some extra special touches that are unique to the Disneyland Resort, especially during the holidays. You'll be able to sail through the merriest cruise on earth at
"it's a small world" Holiday or take a spin through
Haunted Mansion Holiday! Over at Disney California Adventure Park,
Avengers Campus is an experience like none other where you can mix and mingle with your favorite superheroes before taking a joyride on
Radiator Springs Racers in Cars Land. You will fall head over heels for the charm and nostalgia of Walt's original park!
Caren, I hope this was helpful in your planning! If you have any more questions, we are always here for you at
planDisney!
Be merry,
Tara