Disneyland vs. Disney World: Which costs more and how can you save?

In the smackdown between America's Magic Kingdoms, I've always wondered whether it's cheaper for travelers to visit Disneyland in Anaheim or Disney World in Orlando, Fla. For Southern Californians, it's a no-brainer that the nearby Disneyland doesn't require pricey airfares.

But what about the overall picture? Travel booking website Hipmunk analyzed data and came up with this infographic that tells all.

Disneyland vs Disney World

(Hipmunk)

(Infographic created by Hipmunk)

The bottom line: The biggest savings at either park will be on staying at a hotel that isn't inside the Disney realm. Hipmunk declares Disney World the winner for folks staying in Disney resorts, but read on to see what I found when I checked airfares from L.A.

Disneyland

DISNEYLAND, ANAHEIM, CA: ‘DISNEYLAND FOREVER’ SPARKLES IN THE NIGHT SKY -- ‘Disneyland Forever,’ a new fireworks spectacular at the Disneyland Resort, illuminates the sky above Sleeping Beauty Castle. ‘Disneyland Forever’ transports guests into the worlds of beloved Disney and Disney¥Pixar films through traditional pyrotechnics, innovative projection mapping technology and surprising special effects.

(Paul Hiffmeyer / Disneyland Resort)

(Paul Hiffmeyer / Disneyland Resort)

According to Hipmunk, you can save more than $1,400 on four nights of fun if you stay at a non-Disney hotel near Disneyland. That would come in handy because four tickets for four days costs about $1,010.

For off-site bargains, here are six hotels in Costa Mesa that are giving a free ticket to Disneyland to guests who stay between now and early September.

But back to those little things. Four days of, say, ice cream cones or smoothies for four people at the Tiki Juice Bar in Disneyland will set you back $60.64. And I won't even talk about the calories.

Walt Disney World

Employees and guests get a special preview of the new 7 Dwarfs Mine Train roller coaster at the Magic Kingdom, at Walt Disney World, Thursday May 1, 2014. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

(Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel)

The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train roller coaster at Disney World. (Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel)

Hipmunk says flights to the Orlando theme park for four would cost an average of $1,272. I did a quick check on Kayak for mid-September nonstop flights for four from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and found prices starting at $1,724. That's a significant addition to the cost for Southern Californian travelers.

When it comes to hotel stays, the non-Disney hotel option saves you about $800. Expect to pay $1,180 for four tickets for four days and the Tiki bar prices are only slightly higher than the California ones.

Disneyland freebies

ANAHEIM, CA - JULY 16: In this handout photo provided by Disney Parks, on the eve of the 60th anniversary of the Disneyland Resort, Mickey Mouse and Goofy help prepare celebratory cupcakes July 16, 2015 at Disneyland park in Anaheim, California. Disneyland Resort park guests will receive a complimentary cupcake on Thursday, while supplies last, as the original Disney theme park marks 60 years since its July 17, 1955 grand opening. Celebrating six decades of magic, the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration features three new nighttime spectaculars that immerse guests in the worlds of Disney stories like never before with “Paint the Night,� the first all-LED parade at the resort; “Disneyland Forever,� a reinvention of classic fireworks that adds projections to pyrotechnics to transform the park experience; and a moving new version of “World of Color� that celebrates Walt Disney’s dream for Disneyland. (Photo by Paul Hiffmeyer/Disneyland Resort via Getty Images) ** OUTS - ELSENT, FPG - OUTS * NM, PH, VA if sourced by CT, LA or MoD **

(Handout / Getty Images)

Discount ticket seller Undercover Tourist points to free activities that offer a bit of a break from the roller coasters. In the Animation Academy at California Adventure, a Disney artist gives free lessons in sketching Disney characters.

Also, inside Big Thunder Ranch at Disneyland are tables and chairs with coloring pages and crayons for children.

And the biggest tip that shows up on just about all mommy blogs: Bring a water bottle that you can refill at restaurants in the park. It'll save a bundle on paying for endless soft drinks for you and the kids.

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