Hi Heather,
Thank you so much for visiting the Disney Parks Moms Panel with your question! You ask a really great question to which there is no right answer. The decision will depend on what it right for your unique family. Let me offer you some thoughts to get you started in making this decision.
For your family, I would suggest Walt Disney World for a number of reasons. First, I believe that the trip will be shorter for you. Since you are traveling with a young child, shorter travel time might be an important factor in your decision. Also, Walt Disney World is larger, with more choices of activities and experiences. Walt Disney World includes four theme parks - Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, as well as two water parks - Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park and Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park. In California, you will find Disneyland Park and Disney's California Adventure Park. Both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort have a Downtown Disney area.
I must admit that I am biased as my family vacations at Walt Disney World. I would like to refer you to the
Disneyland Resort section of the Disney Parks Moms Panel, where you can read answers to questions about Disneyland Resort, as well as ask questions directly to our Disneyland specialists Courtney and Lynette.
I also suggest that you order the
free planning DVDs for both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort. By watching these, you can learn not only about the theme parks at each resort, but also all of the other activities available as well as the resort hotels.
I hope that this has given you some ideas on how to start planning for your magical vacation, Heather. Please do not hesitate to ask if you have any further questions!