A true Disney Enthusiast knows exactly what the problem is with the question above. We’ve all had it happen. You are talking to someone about Disney, and they say something along the lines of “Yeah, we went to Disneyland in FLORIDA.” Or, on a reverse note, “We saw the new Cars Land in Disney World.” Does it drive you crazy? Does it get under your skin until you can’t help but say something? Oh, I know the feeling!
Some people may not understand why it matters. Does it even matter which one you say, Disneyland or Disney World? What’s the difference, they say? Well, there is a HUGE difference! Yes, it’s all filed under “Disney”, but when people confuse the two it’s a huge pet peeve for me. I know I’m not alone on this one. Disneyland was the original, it was Walt’s first vision, it’s in California!!! Disney World was opened after Walt’s passing, there are 4 different parks, oh, and it’s in Florida!!! Is there a difference? Of course there is!
Now, you as a Disney fan have a decision to make in this situation. Do you correct the person speaking, or just let them think whatever they want to? Well, you wouldn’t want them to walk around in life and NOT know the real difference between the two Disney properties, would you? Of course not! I always find a nice way to tell them the difference. You can always start out like I do… “Do you mean Disneyland or Disney World?” Because, yes, there is indeed a difference!
Michele also contributes theme park news for Fox 35 Orlando 11pm news and on the radio on WDBO.
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All good comments. I’ve been to Disneyland, and worked at the Magic Kingdom (twice). You can appreciate nice comments about Disney, but I guess sometimes you do indeed have to let some peoples ‘errant’ comments go. We know how it really should be said, I suppose!
This is a GIANT pet peeve of mine. I had the pleasure of going to Disneyland in November. After having visited Walt Disney World over 30 times, there is just no comparison. Walt Disney World is the best in my book, hands down. Disneyland is quaint, but Walt Disney World is the gold standard. I think that even Walt Disney himself would be in awe of WDW!
My other pet peeve is when someone mixes up a Disney character for a Warner Brothers’ character! Like when someone says, I love that Disney character, Tweety Bird! AAAARGH!!!
Well there are times when less said is better. One Christmas my son gave me a Disney stock and even had a small piece of gold colored metal with “since you like Disneyland so much I though I would get you a piece of it. It was all framed. It was so thoughtful. The thing was I have never been to Disneyland. I have been to Walt Disney world maybe 14 times. I never said any thing Just smiled and thanked him and his family.
I’ve had this happen to me as well. My response is “You won’t get it till you get hooked on it”
Or when they say they went to Disney World and I ask which park…their response is “Disney World” so I have to say—“You mean the Magic Kingdom” . Their response is “whatever”—-that gets me too.
When I worked for the Disney Store in the early ’90s, we were taught to always say “Walt Disney World.”