Trying to figure out the difference between Disneyland Paris vs Walt Disney World? We are Walt Disney World Annual Passholders and have gone to all the parks countless times so Disneyland Paris compared to Florida is pretty easy to do. We know the parks like the back of our hands, can guide guests to attractions if asked, know the best/worst places to eat, and have worn out our magic bands. Walt Disney World is a magical place, but there are 5 things that Disneyland Paris just does better.
1. Public Transportation
See that white building? See those green gates? That is the distance between the Disneyland Paris metro stop and the park entrance. Parking at Disney World is horrific. If we are simply comparing Paris vs. Florida in terms of the Magic Kingdom park, Paris wins by a long shot because, no matter where you park in Florida, it takes a minimum of 30 minutes to reach the Magic Kingdom park entrance. You just can’t beat a metro that drops you off at the entrance. Check out more Disneyland Paris tips if you are looking to learn!
2. Cheaper Prices
For an adult, tickets cost $85 for 1 park and $102 for 2 parks. At Disneyland, it costs over $102 to visit just one park, and more if it is Magic Kingdom. Disneyland Paris has even cheaper options with their “Mini” day pass which involves certain days you can and can not come. We got a mini pass and were able to use it on a Friday, in the end of June, when we visited in 2015. Mini passes cost $70 for 2 parks and $53 for one park.
In addition, merchandise is cheaper too! We wanted to purchase a shirt and went in thinking it would be at least $35. Nope. An adult shirt could be purchased for $19, and a tank top for $15. Even hoodies and jackets rang up at a low $45 each! If you are visiting Disneyland Paris as a family, these prices make it even more affordable!
3. Smaller Park Size
See that round building? It is located in Tomorrowland. This picture was taken from the entrance to Adventureland. At WDW Magic Kingdom, in order to get from one land to the other [via the castle rotunda], one must exit the land, cross a bridge, fight crowds to cross the massive center rotunda area [which is consistently being made even larger], and cross another bridge until you finally arrive in a new land. There is something to be said about the ease of walking around the Disneyland Paris parks without hiking 8 miles a visit. Plus, it saves time!
4. Less People
We know, Walt Disney World is an international attraction and about 8 million times bigger than Disneyland Paris. Nonetheless, we have fought WDW crowds year round and actually getting to enjoy the parks without dealing with thousands of people is a nice treat. The slower pace of the park allows us to have a better and less stressful experience.
If you are Disneybounding, this means people will be more likely to notice your Disney-inspired get up as you aren’t competing with huge crowds. We highly recommend Disneybounding at Disneyland Paris!
We have visited Disneyland Paris twice: once during spring break season in April, and once in the end of June during the summer. Both times, the parks were dead, with waits no longer than 15-30 minutes. We have visited WDW during every “off-season” imaginable and the parks are still overcrowded and the waits are still insane. Maybe everyone needs to get the memo that Paris Disney is worth the visit!
5. Better Versions Of Classic Rides
Disneyland Paris’s take on Disney’s traditional rides one-ups WDW to no end. Take Space Mountain, for example. In WDW, the ride is classic, yet stuck in the 70’s. In Paris, the ride features 2 loops, a launch start, and the latest technology. Pirates of the Carribean features two drops, a much longer ride, and is a whole lot darker than its Floridian counterpart. The darker rides are more fun, especially if you will be at Disneyland Paris during Halloween!
Haunted Mansion’s creep factor is insane, the ride features real animal bones, and guests enjoy more ride details. Disneyland Paris pays attention to every detail while we feel Walt Disney World falls short and pays more attention to pumping out guests than the actual experience. If you think WDW is detailed, you are in for a treat at Paris [and the Asian Disneys, we have heard].
Walt Disney World always remains king, but how can we not enjoy more detail, non-existent crowds, cheaper prices, and an overall more relaxing park experience?!
Have you been to Disneyland Paris? How did you like it?
Eating Around The World In Paris
