If you’re used to doing Disney World, Disneyland comes with a few “rules” that’ll surprise you.

After more than 35 years of visiting Disneyland and plenty of time spent at Disney World, I’ve noticed Disney World regulars often arrive at Disneyland with a Disney World mindset. I understand why. If you’ve spent years planning around four theme parks, resort transportation, and carefully structured park days, it’s natural to assume Disneyland works the same way.

It doesn’t, though. Disneyland is smaller, yes, which makes it easier to navigate. But Disneyland’s differences mean some of the habits that work beautifully at Disney World can actually make a Disneyland vacation harder than it needs to be. So, don’t make the following mistakes when you change things up and head to the West Coast.

Sticking to One Theme Park Per Day

If you’re accustomed to spending an entire day at one Disney World park, you might be tempted to do the same thing at Disneyland. Don’t. 

Photo by Brian Shih

One of the biggest advantages of the Disneyland Resort is how close the two theme parks are to each other. Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure are directly across from one another, with the entrances facing each other across the esplanade. Plenty of my Disney World friends have been downright shocked at just how quickly you can get from one corner of Disneyland to the farthest end of California Adventure.

That makes park hopping incredibly easy. You can start your morning in Disneyland, head over to California Adventure for lunch and a few attractions, and return to Disneyland later without turning your day into a transportation project. I actually think this is one of the best ways to experience Disneyland: Let the two parks function almost like one large park rather than treating them as completely separate destinations.

Assuming Disneyland Can Be “Done” in a Day or Two

Disneyland may be smaller than Disney World, but that doesn’t mean you can simply breeze through its two parks. In fact, one of my biggest pieces of advice to Disney World fans is to resist the urge to underestimate just how much there is to experience.

There are attractions at Disneyland that you won’t find at Disney World, plus different versions of familiar favorites — and entertainment that deserves your time, too. And yes, you do need to experience your most familiar Disney World favorites at Disneyland, because they just might surprise you.

Photo by Ernie Carr

Then there are all the little details that make wandering around the parks so much fun. 

You can have a great Disneyland visit in a day or two, but if you approach the trip with a checklist mentality, you’ll probably leave wondering what you missed. Give yourself enough time to actually explore. In 35 years, even I still uncover small details that I hadn’t previously noticed or devoted time to thoroughly enjoying.

Overlooking Off-Property Hotels

Disney World regulars are often accustomed to thinking of staying on property as part of the entire vacation experience. And while Disneyland has wonderful on-property hotels, you don’t necessarily need to stay at one to have a convenient Disney vacation.

Candy Cane Inn in Anaheim. Photo by Timothy Moore

There are numerous hotels within walking distance of the Disneyland Resort, including options along Harbor Boulevard. Because Disneyland is so compact, staying nearby doesn’t have the same logistical drawbacks that staying off-property can sometimes have at Disney World. 

For many families, an off-property hotel can be a smart way to get close to the parks without paying Disney resort prices.

Staying Solely Inside the Theme Parks

This might be the easiest mistake to make when you’re used to Disney World: assuming the parks are the entire vacation. But the Disneyland Resort area is much more compact, which makes it easy to step outside the gates and experience something different without sacrificing half your day.

Photo by Danny Shuster

Take some time to explore Downtown Disney, grab a meal away from the crowds, or simply walk around the resort area. The Grand Californian alone is well worth stepping inside, even if it’s just to check out the gorgeous lobby.

After decades of visiting Disneyland, I’ve found that some of my favorite trips are the ones where I don’t feel like I have to be inside a theme park from open to close. The parks are the centerpiece, of course, but they don’t have to be the whole experience.