Disneyland vs Knott’s Berry Farm ~ Which Is Best for Your Family?

Disneyland vs Knott's Berry Farm? With so much to do in Southern California, travelers need to choose wisely when planning their vacation days. Here’s a look at the differences between these two theme parks so you can choose the best one for your brood.

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Rides for Little Kids

Both Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm offer an abundance of rides suited to all levels. Camp Snoopy at Knott's Berry Farm boasts 14 rides for wee ones, like Charlie Brown's Kite Flyer swings, Timberline Twister kiddie coaster, and Flying Ace airplanes.

Little kids will enjoy the 14 rides just for them in Camp Snoopy, including these Flying Ace airplanes (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin

Meanwhile Disneyland's offerings for young children include the rides and attractions in Fantasyland and Mickey’s Toontown. Plus, little ones love A Bug’s Land's three sweet rides in Disney California Adventure. Additionally, there are rides suited for parents to ride with their young children throughout both Disney parks, like the old school Jungle Cruise and Mickey's Fun Wheel (Ferris wheel) along the Paradise Pier in DCA. (See our picks for the best Disneyland rides and attractions for babies and toddlers.)

Mickey's Fun Wheel appeals to all ages, while California Screamin' is for older, more adventurous riders (Photo credit: Paul Hiffmeyer, Disney)

Rides for Tweens and Teens

Teens, like my daughter, may not get all that excited about seeing Mickey Mouse or getting their photo taken with Snow White. But Disney California Adventure Park does offer California Screamin', which tops out at a zippy 55 miles per hour. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror was always sure to elicit screams and has remained just as thrilling for park goers now that it has re-opened as Guardians of the Galaxy. The roller coasters at Disneyland proper are more about theming than sheer speed, but Space Mountain, the Matterhorn Bobsleds, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad remain hits. If thrills are what you're after, be sure to read our picks for the scariest rides at Disneyland.

Appearances by the Abominable Snowman are part of the fun on Disney's Matterhorn Bobsleds (Photo credit: Paul Hiffmeyer/Disneyland Resort)

Whereas Disney's focus is on themed attractions and characters, Knott's Berry Farm is more about carnival rides and games. The theme park does offer live entertainment, mostly starring Peanuts characters (Snoopy and friends) and Old West characters. The big hit for adventure seekers, though, are the plentiful thrill rides at Knott's Berry Farm. There are nine coasters in total, including Xcelerator, which reaches a rip-roaring 82 miles per hour!

Xcelerator is the fastest ride at Knott's Berry Farm (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

Dining Options

When comparing Disneyland vs Knott's Berry Farm, both parks offer the usual carnie type food. There are several differences, however, that set the parks apart. Knott's, being a smaller park, offers simple fare once you’re in the gates. The offerings are predictable, but the carne asada is worth the calories (found in Fiesta Village). It features fries topped with shredded beef, sour cream and guacamole. For sweets, consider the churro or funnel cake sundae or a boysenberry soft serve cone.

The portions are large and worth sharing at Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant (Photo credit Jody Robbins)

The best dining option at Knott's, however, is found outside the park gates in the California Marketplace at Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant. Here you can tuck into their famous full chicken dinner. It's comprised of four pieces of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, salad, hot biscuits and jam, plus pie! You also get a choice of either chicken noodle soup or stewed cherry rhubarb, plus cabbage or corn. Our family of three split this entree and had enough leftovers to take home! Read reviews and make reservations at Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant now.

Be sure to make reservations in advance if you want to dine at the swish Carthay Circle Restaurant at Disney California Adventure Park (Photo credit: Paul Hiffmeyer/Disneyland Resort)

Disneyland does dining well with several restaurants, carts and takeaway stands. Interestingly, no alcohol is served at Disneyland but you can find it in California Adventure Park and in Downtown Disney. Foodies do well dining at California Adventure Park, with a few sit-down dining options including the swanky Carthay Circle Restaurant. Character dining is one of the biggest Disney draws and shouldn't be ignored. During my daughter’s princess phase, the highlight of her year was lunch at Ariel’s Grotto with all the Disney princesses in attendance. (Discover which Disney character meal is best for your family.)

It's a good idea to book any sit-down Disney meals in advance. Reservations are accepted up to 90 days in advance. Book your character meal now and save up to $11 per adult meal and up to $5 per child meal.

Breakfast in the Park with Minnie and Friends at Disneyland (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

Visitor Experience

It’s tough to compare apples to oranges, or Mickey to Snoopy, as the case may be. My family recently visited Knott's Berry Farm on a sunny weekend and I wouldn’t describe it as crowded. Then we hit Disneyland on a rainy weekday and it was packed. To do Disney properly, you need to budget at least three days. (We only had one). Meanwhile Knott's Berry Farm can be fully experienced in a day.

Get a feel for the Wild West with a Stagecoach ride at Knott's Berry Farm (Photo credit: Visit Anaheim)

Knott's Berry Farm is a lovely theme park with a fun historical village called “Ghost Town” that features old time shops, artisans making crafts, and a real one-room school house. Knott's is more affordably priced than Disney and if rides are what you’re after, you’ll find plenty of them at all thrill levels.

This one-room schoolhouse was built in Kansas in 1879 and brought to Knott's Berry Farm (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

Disneyland takes it up a notch with their daily parades, nightly fireworks, princess makeovers and an arsenal of characters roaming through the parks to interact with guests. Plus, Disney's live entertainment is top notch. California Adventure's Frozen Live at the Hyperion will impress even the most critical Broadway theatre fans.

Disneyland goes all out when it comes to live entertainment, like in Mickey's Soundsational Parade (Photo credit: Paul Hiffmeyer/Disneyland Resort)

Disneyland vs. Knott's Berry Farm ~ The Verdict

I had such fond memories of visiting Knott's Berry Farm amusement park as a child that I wanted to recreate the experience for my daughter. For our family, it was well worth visiting both. It’s not that one is any better than the other. They’re each special in their own way and worthy of a visit when touring SoCal. 

Save Money on Your Disneyland Vacation

Want to save money on your Disneyland vacation? Of course you do! Use discount code TravelMamas to get $10 off any two-night or longer Southern California package (hotel and two ticket minimum) when you book through Get Away Today. Just want tickets? Buy discounted Disneyland Park tickets now!

Consider booking a character meal to add even more magic to your visit. Read our Disneyland character meal reviews to choose the best one for your family.

Save Money on Knott's Berry Farm Tickets

Save up to $22 per ticket when you buy discount Knott's Berry Farm tickets here.

A Note from The Saucy Travel Mama: Thank you to Visit Anaheim and Visit California for hosting my trip. As always, my opinions are my own.