Alright, I’ve been sitting on this for a while, but here it is: As much as I love Disneyland, and I do, this whole effort to turn it into a weeklong, global vacation destination like Disney World? It just doesn’t work. It hasn’t worked. And barring some wildly radical changes, it won’t work.
Yes, Disney has been trying. They’ve been adding new lands, updating hotel experiences, and launching forward-looking initiatives like DisneylandForward. But they’re running up against a very real wall. It’s built out of Anaheim zoning laws, infrastructure constraints, and decades of urban sprawl. And on top of that, trying to change the type of guest that comes to Disneyland.
Let’s look at the core problem: Disneyland simply doesn’t have the space.
Unlike Disney World, which was built on a 25,000 acre sandbox in Florida where Disney could do whatever it wanted (literally with its own government at one point), Disneyland is boxed in. It’s surrounded by roads, strip malls, residential neighborhoods, and hotels that Disney doesn’t even own. There’s no bubble. You walk out of the Grand Californian and you’re steps away from a Denny’s and Harbor Boulevard. Immersion? Gone.
And then there’s transportation. If you’ve ever tried to drive to Disneyland on a weekend or God forbid, a holiday you know the pain. Southern California’s public transit is patchy at best, and there’s no streamlined connection between the resort and major airports like LAX or John Wayne. Compare that to how easy it used to be to get from Orlando International to Disney World. Big difference. I even remember reading that Disney had considered buying Knott’s in the mid 90’s. We can only imagine the nightmare bus service would have been like (unless Disney was willing to fork over the money for a giant monorail expansion or light rail, but both options are way too expensive).
Even the hotels around Disneyland are a patchwork of third-party operations. Disney only owns three of them, and while they’re nice, they don’t have the thematic variety or scale to support a full weeklong escape. Most people check in for two or three nights, knock out both parks, and they’re done. And honestly, who can blame them? When I stay at any of the hotels, I just need a place to throw my bags and head into the parks.
From a guest experience standpoint, Disneyland doesn’t yet justify a weeklong stay. Once you’ve hit Disneyland Park and California Adventure, maybe thrown in a character dining and watched World of Color… what else is there? You’re not getting four parks, two water parks, golf courses, mini-golf, boating, and a full Disney Springs experience. At best, you’re stretching things with Downtown Disney, which honestly isn’t enough. But even that’s not the most reliable as stores and restaurants can come and go.
And here’s another layer: Anaheim itself isn’t on board the way Florida was (of course I mean before the Ready Creek District was dissolved). You’ve got local residents and businesses constantly wary of expansion. Zoning laws are tough to bend, and every time Disney wants to try something new, there’s public resistance. Traffic concerns. Noise. Overcrowding. NIMBYism is real, and it’s loud.
Then there’s something else no one wants to say too loudly:
Disney’s own priorities haven’t helped.
In recent years, there’s been a noticeable shift in focus from building experiences to pushing brands. The emphasis is more on synergy and IP rollouts, from merchandise drops to streaming tie-ins, than on expanding the parks in a meaningful way. Attractions often feel like branding vehicles, and updates seem aimed at keeping characters relevant rather than crafting something truly new or unique to Disneyland. Hyperspace Mountain? A simple Star Wars patch that can come and go. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure? Impressive animatronics, but a lot more could have been done. Star Wars Launch Bay? A pathetic and tired overlay that’s just more Star Wars when there’s an entire land that can handle anything Star Wars. And don’t get me started on the inconsistent Avengers Campus that is still one of the ugliest and uninspired lands ever built.
It’s not a total knock on Disney. They’re a business, and they’re playing the long game with franchises. But when that becomes the center of gravity, the parks risk becoming static. When you’re trying to stretch a two-park experience into a weeklong vacation, you need more than synergy: you need depth, variety, and constant reinvention. And right now, it feels like that’s taken a backseat.
Not to mention the costs. Not just for guests, but for Disney. Disneyland has to deal with California’s higher wages, stricter labor laws, and a competitive job market where it’s not always easy to staff up. We can talk labor and the rights of workers, but it’s clear that Disney will do everything to pay the minimum to it’s cast members who deserve a whole lot more for the responsibilities they’re tasked with.
Add in the looming threat of guest fatigue. People coming, spending a ton, doing everything in 2–3 days, and wondering why they booked five and you’ve got a recipe for a strategy that keeps falling short.
Disney can keep trying to nudge Disneyland into “major global destination” territory. And sure, maybe with some radical changes: acquiring nearby land (in which we know the land owners will demand the sky for a price), building underground (in which I’m not confidant will be the best strategy), adding a third gate (which unless is built far away, will be very small), or transforming nearby hotels into branded immersive stays, It could kind of work.
But as it stands now?
Disneyland is a premium short stay destination or a hangout for the nostalgic fans.
Not a global weeklong escape.
And there’s nothing wrong with that.
Let’s stop pretending it’s going to be the next Disney World and start treating it like what it already is: a nostalgic, iconic, tightly-packed gem that you can’t help but love… for about 2 to 3 days.
