Like I mentioned on the previous page Disneyland Paris (DLP) is often thought of as a very minor attraction and poor relation when compared to Walt Disney World in Orlando. In my opinion I believe this to be very unfair because every experience I've had at Disneyland Paris has been brilliant and, in many ways, I actually prefer it to Walt Disney World.
With 2 theme parks, 7 onsite Disney hotels and the Disney Village there's certainly enough to keep busy for 3 or 4 days.
Why Disneyland Paris? Why not Disney World in Orlando?
A question I see being posed quite often is "Disneyland Paris vs Disney World in Orlando". I've been to DLP 5 times so far and I've been 3 times to Walt Disney World (WDW) in Orlando. It's true to say that when in Orlando the weather is usually much better and there's a lot more to do especially when you factor in all that Walt Disney World has to offer plus Universal, Sea World, Discovery Cove, Busch Gardens, Kennedy Space Centre, the fabulous beaches... the list goes on and on. There is simply so much to do that you'd be rushed to fit everything into 1 week!!
Size isn't everything
So, if that's the case, then why do I obviously prefer Disneyland Paris over Disney World in Florida? That's a darned good question and straight away I'd point out that I have nothing against WDW except maybe just one thing and that's its size. Disney World occupies 43 square miles. It's simply enormous. Therefore to get the most from WDW you need plenty of time, transport, patience and a good set of walking shoes because you'll need them. Disneyland Paris simply doesn't suffer from this problem and yet it offers enough of the main attractions to keep most people happy.
The space occupied by the whole of Disneyland Paris is significantly less to that of Disney World and yet the Disneyland Park in Paris is actually larger (140 acres with approx 49 attractions) than the Magic Kingdom in Disney World (107 acres with approx 60 attractions).
In Disneyland Paris the theme parks, Disney Village and Disney hotels are grouped so much closer together to the point that you can stand right in the centre of Disneyland Paris and which ever way you face you can see the whole of Disneyland. Try doing that in Disney World! Look dead ahead and you'll see the entrance to the Disneyland Park underneath the Disneyland Hotel, spin round to your right and you'll see the gates leading to the train station and the Disney Village, spin round some more and you'll see the Studios and spin back to the beginning you'll see the Disneyland Park again and it's all within easy walking distance. To demonstrate what I mean have a look at the screen shots (below) taken from Google Street View.
With 2 theme parks, 7 onsite Disney hotels and the Disney Village there's certainly enough to keep busy for 3 or 4 days.
Why Disneyland Paris? Why not Disney World in Orlando?
A question I see being posed quite often is "Disneyland Paris vs Disney World in Orlando". I've been to DLP 5 times so far and I've been 3 times to Walt Disney World (WDW) in Orlando. It's true to say that when in Orlando the weather is usually much better and there's a lot more to do especially when you factor in all that Walt Disney World has to offer plus Universal, Sea World, Discovery Cove, Busch Gardens, Kennedy Space Centre, the fabulous beaches... the list goes on and on. There is simply so much to do that you'd be rushed to fit everything into 1 week!!
Size isn't everything
So, if that's the case, then why do I obviously prefer Disneyland Paris over Disney World in Florida? That's a darned good question and straight away I'd point out that I have nothing against WDW except maybe just one thing and that's its size. Disney World occupies 43 square miles. It's simply enormous. Therefore to get the most from WDW you need plenty of time, transport, patience and a good set of walking shoes because you'll need them. Disneyland Paris simply doesn't suffer from this problem and yet it offers enough of the main attractions to keep most people happy.
The space occupied by the whole of Disneyland Paris is significantly less to that of Disney World and yet the Disneyland Park in Paris is actually larger (140 acres with approx 49 attractions) than the Magic Kingdom in Disney World (107 acres with approx 60 attractions).
In Disneyland Paris the theme parks, Disney Village and Disney hotels are grouped so much closer together to the point that you can stand right in the centre of Disneyland Paris and which ever way you face you can see the whole of Disneyland. Try doing that in Disney World! Look dead ahead and you'll see the entrance to the Disneyland Park underneath the Disneyland Hotel, spin round to your right and you'll see the gates leading to the train station and the Disney Village, spin round some more and you'll see the Studios and spin back to the beginning you'll see the Disneyland Park again and it's all within easy walking distance. To demonstrate what I mean have a look at the screen shots (below) taken from Google Street View.
Why Disneyland Paris? Why not Disney World in Orlando?
You can try this your yourself by clicking here - just rotate the "N" on the dial once Street View has loaded.
Clever use of space
This clever use of space at Disneyland Paris means that it's so much easier to get around because most of it is within walking distance. There is absolutely no need for a car unless you want to explore Paris or the surrounding area.
Park Hopping
Because the Studios Park sits directly next to the Disneyland Park in Paris it also means that you can park hop in a matter of minutes. Park hopping in Disney World isn't really practical because the parks are literally miles apart it.
So, the benefits of Disneyland Paris are:
Clever use of space
This clever use of space at Disneyland Paris means that it's so much easier to get around because most of it is within walking distance. There is absolutely no need for a car unless you want to explore Paris or the surrounding area.
Park Hopping
Because the Studios Park sits directly next to the Disneyland Park in Paris it also means that you can park hop in a matter of minutes. Park hopping in Disney World isn't really practical because the parks are literally miles apart it.
So, the benefits of Disneyland Paris are:
| • | It's not so far to travel from the UK - you can catch an 8am flight to Paris and be in the Disneyland Park for lunch |
| • | You can easily visit both the Disneyland Park and the Disney Studios in the same day because they're next to each other. This is called Park Hopping |
| • | Many regard some of the attractions are better at DLP compared to Disney World e.g. Big Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain Mission 2, Pirates of the Caribbean, Tower of Terror, the Phantom Manor and Sleeping Beauty's Castle is widely regarded to be the best of all the Disney castles |
| • | Whilst there are plenty of thrill rides at Disneyland Paris there's seemingly more to do for younger kids because DLP has rides for little kids that don't exist anywhere else (see the rides below marked with a *) |
| • | DLP has some attractions that aren't in Disney World i.e. Indianna Jones and the Temple of Peril, Armageddon Special Effects, Crush's Coaster, Les Voyages de Pinocchio, Stitch Live*, Cars Race Rally*, Casey Jr. the Little Circus Train*, Le Pays des Contes de Fées* and there's a dragon under Sleeping Beauty's Castle! (* denotes aimed at little kids) |
| • | Everything is much closer together and most of it is within walking distance |
| • | In the summer DLP has its own versions of the Spectro Magic Parade and Wishes fireworks. In DLP they're called the Fantilussion Parade and the Enchanted Fireworks |
| • | DLP shares many of the same major attractions as Disney World including Pirates of the Caribbean, Phantom Manor (Haunted Mansion), Big Thunder Mountain, Peter Pan's Flight, Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast, Star Tours, Space Mountain Mission 2 (Space Mountain), Autopia (Indy Speedway), Rock n Roller Coaster, Moteurs Action! (Lights, Motors, Action!), Tower of Terror, Playhouse Disney Live!, Catastrophe Canyon on Backlot Tour and loads more |
Comments and Questions
Got a question? Please don't hesitate to contact me and I'll do my best to help
NB: Please DO NOT contact me about costs to visit or stay at Disneyland Paris
Thank you
Got a question? Please don't hesitate to contact me and I'll do my best to help
NB: Please DO NOT contact me about costs to visit or stay at Disneyland Paris
Thank you
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