Paris Vs Orlando

[earlofnowhere]

Ok here is the dilemma, I really want to give the kids a summer to remember but can't afford the earth but I could afford either 2 short trips to Disneyland Paris or one normal size trip to Orlando.
Background info: They haven't been to either but love Disney, ages, 4 and 7.

[1andrea]

ORLANDO wins hands down for us everytime:cool1: :cool1: :cool1:

[earlofnowhere]

have u been to the paris one?

[wayneg]

No contest for most people on here, it was covered recently. The list to go to Florida is as long as my arm (and longer) weather, friendly people, cost of hotels, cost of food, I could go on all night.
Reasons to go to Paris....... give me a couple of days I might think of something.:rotfl2:

[natalielongstaff]

i would go for a budget trip to orlando over DLRP any time !! the people weather and the food are 3 reasons :)

[wideeyes]

Hi, I have been to Disneyland Paris 4 times and I love it as a short holiday without having to travel for nine hours, it does have lots of great things about it. it is the most beautiful park out of all the parks with castles and has better rides than Magic Kingdom in Florida, however Orlando will be much more of a holiday experience, with more things to do, Going to the USA to see Disney is a dream for a lot of kids. you can't spend 14 days at DLRP, you'd be bored silly. After one trip to DLRP you would of done most things while you would have loads to do at Orlando for the whole two weeks. I would go to Orlando.

[PoppyAnna]

Hi, I have been to Disneyland Paris 4 times and I love it as a short holiday without having to travel for nine hours, it does have lots of great things about it. it is the most beautiful park out of all the parks with castles and has better rides than Magic Kingdom in Florida, however Orlando will be much more of a holiday experience, with more things to do, Going to the USA to see Disney is a dream for a lot of kids. you can't spend 14 days at DLRP, you'd be bored silly. After one trip to DLRP you would of done most things while you would have loads to do at Orlando for the whole two weeks. I would go to Orlando.

Very well put and I echo these thoughts completely.
We went to DLRP when DH was self employed and time away was more of a factor.
Friends went to DLRP the weekend (3 nts) before we went to Florida this year and spent half of what we spent for two weeks in Florida! Florida is really cheap when you get there, that's the bonus. You dont have to do loads of shopping if you're on a budget, that's not what your kids will remember, they will remember they went to WDW! And so what of their diet is not up to the standard you would like it to be when you're at home, it's only a couple of weeks!
As an aside, we went on a play day to my DD4 primary school this week and they had a "Wish" board in one of the corridors, one child had put that they wished to go to Disneyworld, one wanted to be Peter Pan and others wanted to be Princesses and Pirates. Others wanted totally different things but little ones dreams are wrapped up in a fantasyworld most of the time - WDW brings it to life more than DLRP.
Good luck with your dilemma. :banana:

[JohnnySharp2]

As a city v city there's no comparison, Paris wins hands down - I love Orlando but as a city without all the attractions it would be character-less (guess all the characters are at the parks!)....

If you want to just 'do Disney' without the lengthy travelling then DLP is appealing, especially as historic Paris is nearby too.
We went several years ago.
For many Paris is worth the visit just to see the city itself - I suppose if it wasn't for the theme parks Orlando wouldn't be on many people's 'hit-list' of places to visit....but as they are there, I guess my vote would go to Florida. ;)

We prefer Orlando because for us it's not just about WDW/Disney - we like the weather, shopping, food, Universal, Sea World, beaches, travelling - the whole package really. It's a Florida holiday for us, not just a WDW one.

[paul_sheps]

No contest, been to Florida, California and Paris Disney. Would never waste money on Paris again.

[richard_andmel]

Definitely Orlando every time.

[Little Flower]

i have to agree that Orlando would be my choice but, can i add a little question of my own into this thread? Is DLP magical enough that it would possibly get rid of the ache i have had since i left WDW this June. I am debating on a couple of days at DLP to tide me over on Disney magic until next summer. Would it provide that for me??

[wideeyes]

i have to agree that Orlando would be my choice but, can i add a little question of my own into this thread? Is DLP magical enough that it would possibly get rid of the ache i have had since i left WDW this June. I am debating on a couple of days at DLP to tide me over on Disney magic until next summer. Would it provide that for me??

Hi, I really like DLP, and I think it is a great getaway for a few days, the new parade for the 15th anniversary is excellent, new rides have just opened and and a toon studio at the studios, there is a candlebration ceremony where they light up candles on the castle, more characters than ever, (with more organised queues). DLRP has some great restaurants which there is nothing like at wdw, like blue lagoon which the boats from pirates goes past, and Walt's which has wonderful food plus lots of memorabilia and pictures from his career on display including the Oscar he won for snow white.

here is a link with some info on the Anniversary -
http://www.dlrpmagic.com/guides/15thanniversary/

[Melcatfish]

We are going to Paris for 4 nights in August but only because Florida is not an option at the moment (financially, time away etc...) If you can do Paris twice or one trip to Orlando it would be a no brainer in my eyes. WDW Florida wins hands down.

Have a great time
Mel
x

[tashasmum]

There is no comparison Orlando wins hands down. Weather is better, the shows are in English,nicer people. If you have been to Florida i would not recommend DLP at all. We just spent our time comparing it to the real thing.

[Melcatfish]

i have to agree that Orlando would be my choice but, can i add a little question of my own into this thread? Is DLP magical enough that it would possibly get rid of the ache i have had since i left WDW this June. I am debating on a couple of days at DLP to tide me over on Disney magic until next summer. Would it provide that for me??

That is essentially why we are going this summer. I have been to DLRP but not since we went to WDW so I am hoping that it will still give me my disney fix. My daughter is only 2 so we decided against a long haul flight to Florida and thought she could get her first Disney experience at DLRP.

We don't intend to go back to WDW til 2010 (which seems ages) as we hope to have our second child before then so DLRP will hopefully give us at least a couple of interim fixes!

Mel
x

[ShirleyH]

I have been to both and Orlando is my vote. The only thing DLP has over Orlando is the length of time it takes to get there. Everything else - Orlando wins hands down.

[Lauren101]

I agree with everyone so far - would prefer one visit to Orlando to 2 in Paris unless you are wanting more than just Disney (ie a good city break, culture etc). I find DLP quite disappointing after Orlando - the weather was bad when we went 2 years ago in August (chucked it down), plus the people (on the whole) had no idea about personal space in the queues, and often cut in line and saved places for their 20 friends, some of the CMs were rude, and it is a lot smaller and not as clean as WDW. Having said that it is not that bad that we have been at least 5 times - as it is obviously much cheaper than going to Orlando, and the kids did not notice all the things that I did - so they still had a blast. I'd go again when we havn't the funds to to to WDW - which we can only afford about once every 4 years!!

I think for those who have not been to Orlando, it is fine as they have nothing to compare to.

[lorapinky]

ORLANDO!!!!!!!!!!!!

We were in the same boat as you last year though we have been to both parks.

We wanted to go back again but didn't know if we could afford to go to WDW and contemplated going to DLP instead to give us our fix of disney.

However once we got the brochures and the DLP planning DVD we just knew we had to find a way to go back to WDW as its so much better then DLP.

Don't get me wrong if I could afford to do both I would as DLP does have its advantages too but if I could only do one it would be WDW everytime!

So put me down for another vote for WDW!

[disneyholic family]

As a city v city there's no comparison, Paris wins hands down - I love Orlando but as a city without all the attractions it would be character-less (guess all the characters are at the parks!)....

If you want to just 'do Disney' without the lengthy travelling then DLP is appealing, especially as historic Paris is nearby too.
We went several years ago.
For many Paris is worth the visit just to see the city itself - I suppose if it wasn't for the theme parks Orlando wouldn't be on many people's 'hit-list' of places to visit....but as they are there, I guess my vote would go to Florida. ;)

We prefer Orlando because for us it's not just about WDW/Disney - we like the weather, shopping, food, Universal, Sea World, beaches, travelling - the whole package really. It's a Florida holiday for us, not just a WDW one.

I agree with Johnny that Paris itself is an amazing place, but NOT for 4 and 7 year olds. Teenagers appreciate it (some of them), but not little ones (who would probably drive you out of your mind in Paris).

And i also agree with Johnny (i usually do, so it's no surprise) that Orlando is probably one of the last places on earth anyone would go if not for the theme parks there (there really is not very much to recommend it - sure it's hot, but why not pick a place on water that's hot).

But given that we are deciding here between Disneyland Paris and WDW, I agree with everyone (including Johnny) that WDW wins hands down.

While Disneyland Paris is a beautiful park, there is just 'something' about WDW that is so special. Even if you compare just the Magic Kingdom in WDW to Disneyland Paris, I would prefer the MK in Florida. Maybe it's something about Americans vs. the French. There's just more of a spirit of fun and silliness or something.

And there is so very much more to WDW than just the MK. And so much more than just the other parks. There is so much to do there.

I think that even from the 4 and 7 year old point of view, WDW is more fun.

And certainly from the adult point of view. Lots of possibilities.

[AlanUK]

I agree with everyone as well there is just no competition. We haven't been back to DLP since we had our first WDW trip :crazy:

[Groovee]

We've just got back from Orlando with a 4 and 7 year old and I have to say I would rather do a budget trip to Orlando over 3 days at Disney Paris. What we paid to go to DLP last October for 3 days, we got for an extra £1000 in a dinsye hotel in Orlando with Car hire and we loved it. Although we found July too hot,. I'm hoping we may manage a week in December for my birthday.

[Lisash]

Has to be Orlando for me. DLRP just did not compare in any way. As many of the others have said WDW has so much more to offer :)

[wayneg]

Although we found July too hot,. I'm hoping we may manage a week in December for my birthday.

July might be too hot but Dec could be too cold. 1st time we went in Dec we had frost on car in the mornings, it can be a very cold month.

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Have been to both - but between your 2 choices it would have to be ORLANDO.

[Rosie]

I love both. They are different as other DISers have mentioned.
I am slightly biased towards Paris because I love French culture and I think they put a different and European slant on Disney that Walt would have loved. Disneyland Paris is supposed to be a European interpretation of the dream and IMHO it works very well.
WDW is almost perfect - weather, smiles and innocent fun. As Johnnysharp says though you wouldn't really visit Orlando for the local culture. The Magic Kingdom doesn't compare well to the Disneyland Park at Disneyland Paris.
Overall though WDW wins because there is just so much there!

[BruTamUK]

We'd rather fly all the way to Orlando and spend 3 days in WDW and then come back, than spend 14 nights at DLP!!!! Paris doesn't appeal to us at all.

[Dimplenose]

I've been to both and love them both, but for a summer to remember then WDW would be my choice.

Libby

[Ware Bears]

but for a summer to remember then WDW would be my choice.



Mine too. ::yes:: I love both WDW and DLP and like to divide my holidays between the two. But for a "summer to remember" then I would also suggest WDW, although I bet that surprises a few of you, coming from a DLP board mod! :rotfl:

Florida has so much more to offer than just the Disney parks ~ and Disneyland Paris is so easy to get to that you can always visit there another time.

Have we made your mind up for you yet?? :wizard:

[dossie]

That is essentially why we are going this summer. I have been to DLRP but not since we went to WDW so I am hoping that it will still give me my disney fix. My daughter is only 2 so we decided against a long haul flight to Florida and thought she could get her first Disney experience at DLRP.

We don't intend to go back to WDW til 2010 (which seems ages) as we hope to have our second child before then so DLRP will hopefully give us at least a couple of interim fixes!

Mel
x



Agree with this totally - we've always tried to get to DLP in between visits to WDW - just to get a quick fix to keep us going until our next USA adventure. Saying that, for me, DLP can't compete. Although, as some have already said, the rides are different and there's plenty to do and see, the atmosphere just isn't the same. Maybe it's the weather! Also, I have to say I didn't find DLP as clean - I also saw grafitti, even while queueing - that's not Disney!

[disneyholic family]

Agree with this totally - we've always tried to get to DLP in between visits to WDW - just to get a quick fix to keep us going until our next USA adventure. Saying that, for me, DLP can't compete. Although, as some have already said, the rides are different and there's plenty to do and see, the atmosphere just isn't the same. Maybe it's the weather! Also, I have to say I didn't find DLP as clean - I also saw grafitti, even while queueing - that's not Disney!


yes i sort of had that feeling - that while it looks like disney, it didn't really 'feel' like disney.....something about the level of service....maybe it's improved since we were there....

[kevin harrison]

We prefer Orlando because for us it's not just about WDW/Disney - we like the weather, shopping, food, Universal, Sea World, beaches, travelling - the whole package really. It's a Florida holiday for us, not just a WDW one.

That's exactly my feeling, I would never travel to Florida like some and just spend a fortnight in Disney.

[mousette]

I gotta agree with everyone else, Orlando wins hands down:cool1:

[jonkatony]

That's exactly my feeling, I would never travel to Florida like some and just spend a fortnight in Disney.

I would never travel to Orlando without Disney. Each to their own.

[kevin harrison]

I would never travel to Orlando without Disney. Each to their own.

Read my post, I didn't say I wouldn't spend any time at Disney, said not all my time there.

[T16GEM]

Orlando is the best choice for sure, as others have said the weather, food, people and parks are all factors. DFIL went to DLRP once and said that he wouldn't go again. I also know a few people who have been dissapointed with their trips to DLRP.

I have been going to Orlando since I was 8 and I wouldn't entertain going to DLRP at all as it's just not my thing tbh.

I am sure that your kids would benefit from the whole experience too, traveling to the US, and seeing everything there is to offer - not just Disney!

Hope you have fun making your mind up!
Gems

[bwoodhouse]

I've been to DLRP twice and Orlando once (will be twice in 7 weeks time!!). I went to DLRP before going to Orlando and really enjoyed it. I'm not sure I would have enjoyed it as much if I had been to Orlando first.

For me the biggest reason to choose Orlando over DLRP would be the option to go to Islands of Adventure and Seaworld. I prefer both of these parks to any of the Disney parks. Once you've 'done' the two parks in Paris there's not much else to do (excluding Paris itself of course!). Also as others have mentioned you are likely to spend a similar amount for a few days in Paris as you would for 10-14 days in Orlando.

[T16GEM]

I'm not sure I would have enjoyed it as much if I had been to Orlando first.



Exactly my problem!:laughing:

[jonkatony]

Kevin, I never said you would not be spending any time at disney.
I understod your post, for you there is more to florida than disney. For me I would not travel to Orlando if wdw was not there. As I said each to their own

[Dead-metal]

Orlando, as you can go to Disney and Universal.

[Lizzybear]

Hi, I have been to Disneyland Paris 4 times and I love it as a short holiday without having to travel for nine hours, it does have lots of great things about it. it is the most beautiful park out of all the parks with castles and has better rides than Magic Kingdom in Florida, however Orlando will be much more of a holiday experience, with more things to do, Going to the USA to see Disney is a dream for a lot of kids. you can't spend 14 days at DLRP, you'd be bored silly. After one trip to DLRP you would of done most things while you would have loads to do at Orlando for the whole two weeks. I would go to Orlando.

ITA :thumbsup2 I think i'd rather have one holiday in Orlando for the price of 2 in DLP but i'd rather go to DLP than not go to Disney at all. I think people need to see DLP for it's own merits rather than comparing it to Orlando/WDW which IMO is a totally different experience. We've always managed to get cheap deals for DLP and it definitely wouldn't have been a case of 'pay a bit more and go to WDW' £1000+ is more than just a bit..

[JohnnySharp2]

I think we all have our own opinions, that's what the DIS is all about.

If none of the theme parks were in Orlando nobody would go there because other than all the attractions for me it's not a fantastic 'city' in it's own right.
However, there are many other things to do in Florida which is why it gets my vote and personally I would still go to Florida if WDW wasn't there, in fact the first time we went it was a Miami holiday.
As I said earlier it's not just about Disney for some of us, think Kevin (and others) feel the same, it's just we like Florida in general.

[Soprano]

I would go to DLP first. But not at the expense of WDW!

I think it best if you visit DLP for your first Disney visit, because once you go to the US, you'll never want to return to Paris.

My first Disney was Paris and I loved it. A few years later I went to WDW and could never consider going back to DLP.

However my wife treated me to a night in Paris, which turned into a day spent in DLP ("You uncultured swine!" says Mr Potato Head from Toy Story). It was her first trip to Paris after our 4 trips to WDW and one trip to Disneyland. She was very under whelmed by the place when it compares to WDW. No sun, no dollars, American accents etc… I reckon, if she went to DLP first she would have loved it.

That shouldn't really put you off. DLP is a great, great place to visit and I suspect we'll go back there again for a few days.

Dare I suggest you do DLP, and then try and grab a cheap week in Port Adventura, Spain. We went there year getting a great deal with Thompson. I normally loathe holidays in Euroland, but Port Adventura is an amazing place to visit. The theme park is superb. Better than some in Orlando. I would go back if my heart wasn't set on going to Vegas and LA next year. But that’s for another thread!

[Groovee]

Dare I suggest you do DLP, and then try and grab a cheap week in Port Adventura, Spain. We went there year getting a great deal with Thompson. I normally loathe holidays in Euroland, but Port Adventura is an amazing place to visit. The theme park is superb. Better than some in Orlando. I would go back if my heart wasn't set on going to Vegas and LA next year. But that’s for another thread!

We've done Port Adventura for the last 3 years until this year when we went to Orlando for the first time in 6 years. We love our hotel in Salou and the theme park is great. The kids love it there too. Park tickets are cheap too. It was £43 for a 2 week pass.

[marsbev]

i would go for a budget trip to orlando over DLRP any time !! the people weather and the food are 3 reasons :)

i agree :thumbsup2