WDW and DLRP - a photo comparison

[bigAWL]

I saw a thread asking about Disney parks in other parts of the world, and it got me to thinking about a comparison of WDW to Disneyland Resort Paris (DLRP). We visited DLRP in June 2007 and WDW in May 2008, so I have fairly recent photos from each place. Here I'm going to post some photos making a direct visual comparison between different aspects of the parks.

For instance the biggest symbol of the parks - the Castles. WDW has Cinderella's Castle, while DLRP has Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant (Sleeping Beauty's Castle). DLRP was celebrating their 15th Anniversary and had special decorations.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/WDW/Castle-WDWFront.jpghttp://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/DLRP/Castle-DLRPFront.jpg

Both have nice landscaping. I liked the touch at DLRP of the square trees matching the style of the original film.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/WDW/Castle-WDWSide.jpghttp://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/DLRP/Castle-DLRPSide.jpg

At WDW, the castle has a series of beautiful mosaics telling the story of Cinderella. DLRP's Castle has a second level where you walk up and see a series of stained-glass windows, tapestries and statuettes telling the story of Sleeping Beauty.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/WDW/Castle-WDWInside.jpghttp://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/DLRP/Castle-DLRPInside.jpg

DLRP also adds a related minor attraction: a walk-through dungeon where you can see the sleeping - and waking (audio-animatronic) dragon.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/DLRP/Castle-DLRPDragon.jpg

I hope some will find this interesting. I have more to come.

[karmakimmie]

Wonderful pics! I have been to DLRP just once a long time ago and it's wonderful to see some recent pics! I look forward to seeing the rest :)

[TDC Nala]

I was in DLRP in June 2007 also - my castle photo looks just like yours. Same cloudy sky and all.

more from the inside, I did like this tapestry they had up

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a88/cathlam/CIMG0245.jpg

[Tampa Mousekeeter]

What a great thread! I would love to go to DL..this makes me want to go more.

[Tumblwd501]

Very nice photos, I would love to see more! Thanks for sharing!

[bigAWL]

I should maybe qualify this thread for those who aren't familiar with DLRP. The two resorts aren't really "comparable." And by that I mean WDW has four major parks, two water parks, DTD, I don't know how many resorts, and covers I don't know how many acres. DLRP has two parks (Magic Kingdom and Walt Disney Studios), Disney Village (similar to DTD), I think six or seven resorts, and is all located on a pretty confined property.

Within those areas there are some pretty big differences: different attractions, different themed resorts, etc. But I'll focus on things that have direct counterparts.

Speaking of those resorts: the flagship resorts look somewhat similar. But while the Grand Floridian is located on the lagoon and close to the Magic Kingdom, DLRP's Disneyland Hotel is actually in the Magic Kingdom (it is actually the main gate to the park).
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/WDW/Resorts-WDWGrandFloridian.jpghttp://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/DLRP/Resorts-DRLPDisneylandHotel.jpg

Other similar resorts include WDW's Wilderness Lodge and DLRP's Sequoia Lodge...
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/WDW/Resorts-WDWWildernessLodge.jpghttp://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/DLRP/Resorts-DLRPSequoiaLodge.jpg

...and WDW's Yacht Club and DLRP's Newport Bay Club. This is not actually my photo of the Yacht Club (I borrowed it from elsewhere on the web), but I really wanted to include it since the NBC is where we stayed. The interior photos I've seen of the YC are very similar to the interior of the NBC - I would have a tough time telling the difference between some photos like inside of the rooms.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/WDW/Resorts-WDWYachtClub.jpghttp://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/DLRP/Resorts-DLRPNewportBayClub.jpg

[GuardMusic]

Thanks so much for these. We are headed to DLRP for the first time ever in May! I welcome any & all tips!
Gayle

[TSMAMI]

popcorn:: This is very interesting. I always wondered what DL was like compared to WDW!

[bigAWL]

Thanks so much for these. We are headed to DLRP for the first time ever in May! I welcome any & all tips!
Gayle

I know you'll love it. If you haven't already, check out the DIS' Disneyland Paris board (http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=77&order=desc. Check out their sticky threads first - a lot of great information. And ask questions. There are some very knowledgeable (much moreso than I) and helpful people active there. Although, I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you have for me as best I can - I've only been there once for a three days.

Look for info on the Fastpass system there. They have some different rules, if I remember correctly.

[bigAWL]

Now for some of the rides. I have little girls, so we spent most of our time in Fantasy Land.

It's a Small World had a bit of a different look. From the outside WDW's is not very extravagant. In DLRP it has a prominant and elaborate facade.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/WDW/IASW-WDWFront.jpghttp://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/DLRP/IASM-DLRPFront.jpg

On the inside it's much the same. Although I believe the WDW version has no USA scenes, while DLRP does. The song in DLRP is also sung in many different languages as you go through different sections of the ride.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/WDW/IASW-WDWInside.jpghttp://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/DLRP/IASW-DLRPInside.jpg

Dumbo is pretty much the same. WDW and then DLRP:
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/WDW/Dumbo-WDW.jpghttp://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/DLRP/Dumbo-DLRP.jpg

Peter Pan is a very similar ride. But the ships are a bit different. WDW has a single bench per ship, while DLRP has double rows in each ship. The DLRP version also includes an interesting transition between the London scene and Neverland where you fly through a starry night sky.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/WDW/PeterPan-WDWShips.jpghttp://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/DLRP/PeterPan-DLRPShips.jpg

[selina4disney]

Thanks for these! We are planning a trip to DLRP in the future so these are very interesting comparisons! I guess now we know where the 50th anniversary gold characters went after they took them off the castle at WDW! ;)

The Disneyland Resort is beautiful! Not sure we will be able to afford to stay there but will definitely have to pop in a look inside!

[TDC Nala]

Dumbo is the same ride - but look at the surroundings they have in Paris. Quite different.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a88/cathlam/CIMG0047.jpg

[bigAWL]

Oh, wow. I don't remember seeing Dumbo from that perspective. Thanks.

[disneymomof2boyz]

Ok, but I have a question to those that have been to both: Does DLRP have that Disney "feel"?? Or does it just feel like an amusement park?

Thanks!

[bigAWL]

Ok, but I have a question to those that have been to both: Does DLRP have that Disney "feel"?? Or does it just feel like an amusement park?

Thanks!

Definitely full of Disney feel. All the character meet and greets (not quite the variety of characters, I think), character meals, rides, shops, merchandise, and it goes on and on. I personally consider the DLRP Magic Kingdom (or is it called Disneyland Park?) a more visually stunning park than the WDW Magic Kingdom.

[TSMAMI]

Does anyone have main street comparisons? would love to see that.

[bigAWL]

I unfortunately don't have many good shots of either Main Street. I did get shots of the Main Street Train Stations. In WDW it's the primary feature at the entrance to the park. In DLRP, as I mentioned, the Disneyland Hotel is at the entrance. So the Train Station is a bit more subdued.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/WDW/MainStreet-WDWTrainStation.jpghttp://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/DLRP/MainStreet-DLRPTrainStation.jpg

I don't know why I didn't get much of the WDW Main Street, but here's a shot looking back from the hub. And most of my DLRP Main Street photos are dominated by the 15th Anniversary banners. But I did snap this one while waiting for the afternoon parade.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/WDW/MainStreet-WDWMain.jpghttp://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/DLRP/MainStreet-DLRPMain.jpg

[bigAWL]

They didn't change the look of BTMRR at all. My shots a a bit different, though, since I got a sunset shot of the WDW mountain. The actual ride in DLRP adds an interesting twist: the mountain is on an island in a small lagoon. You board from a loading station on shore and just as the cars get going, your shot into a pitch dark tunnel (it's loud in there) to reach the island for the rest of the crazy ride. I guess there's another tunnel to get back to shore, but I forget that detail.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/WDW/BTMRR-WDW.jpghttp://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/DLRP/BTMRR-DLRP.jpg

I regret that I didn't go on either version of POTC (my 5- and 3- year old girls just weren't interested). But I did take photos of the outside at both WDW and DLRP, where they went for a completely different look.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/WDW/POTC-WDWFront.jpghttp://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/DLRP/POTC-DLRPFront.jpg

Space Mountain is very different in style as well as substance. I find SM in WDW to be rather bland (sorry). But in DLRP it's very impressive on the outside and thrilling on the inside - complete with an inverted loop and corkscrew. Another attraction appears here from DLRP: the walk-through replica of 20,000 Leagues' Nautilus.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/WDW/SpaceMountain-WDW.jpghttp://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/DLRP/SpaceMountain-DLRP.jpg

[mmmears]

Thanks for starting this thread!

I'm loving looking at all the photos, esp. since I've never been to DLP!:)

[bavaria]

Ok, but I have a question to those that have been to both: Does DLRP have that Disney "feel"?? Or does it just feel like an amusement park?

Thanks!

I actually far prefer DLRP to WDW; DLRP has far more detail and touches not found in the MK at WDW and is more reflective of DL in CA. To me the Magic Kingdom in FL has always had a rather cheap feel as if they constructed it very hastily, and it does not have a lot of the charm and detail found in CA or in DLRP. I still remember how disappointed I was at my first visit to Florida many years ago, after years of visiting Disneyland in CA.

Many of the rides are better at DLRP as well - Big Thunder, POTC, Space Mountain are all better than their American counterparts. Plus there are many attractions not found in America, such as Crush's Coaster and Stich Live.

The 'Magic Kingdom' park of DLRP is by the way the largest of any of the five around the world.

[bigAWL]

Princesses are popular with my family, so I'll add a few of those. Not much different to do here. But here're a couple parade shots, first from the WDW P&PP parade, then from the DLRP Once Upon a Dream parade.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/WDW/Princesses-WDWCinderella.jpghttp://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/DLRP/Princesses-DLRPCinderella.jpg

I don't know if WDW has cold-weather costumes - the end of May was plenty warm for the standard Belle dress (those are my little Princesses with her), but I found the ones in DLRP rather interesting (and this was in June).
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/WDW/Princesses-WDWBelle.jpghttp://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/DLRP/Princesses-DLRPBelle.jpg

You can find the Cinderella statue fountain at each park, too. In WDW, if you face it just right, there's a crown that magically appears on her head. I didn't know to look for it in DLRP, but I don't see it in this photo. I do notice that DLRP gave her a more weathered appearance.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/WDW/Princesses-WDWStatue.jpghttp://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/DLRP/Princesses-DLRPStatue.jpg

[bigAWL]

I actually far prefer DLRP to WDW; DLRP has far more detail and touches not found in the MK at WDW and is more reflective of DL in CA. To me the Magic Kingdom in FL has always had a rather cheap feel as if they constructed it very hastily, and it does not have a lot of the charm and detail found in CA or in DLRP. I still remember how disappointed I was at my first visit to Florida many years ago, after years of visiting Disneyland in CA.

Many of the rides are better at DLRP as well - Big Thunder, POTC, Space Mountain are all better than their American counterparts. Plus there are many attractions not found in America, such as Crush's Coaster and Stich Live.

The 'Magic Kingdom' park of DLRP is by the way the largest of any of the five around the world.

I have yet to visit DLR in CA - maybe some day. I do love DLRP as it is such a beautiful park. I would find it difficult to say I prefer DLRP to WDW, since the latter is so vast and has so much more variety to offer. Comparing just the MK parks, I can see to arguement for DLRP. It has had the advantage of being designed and built in a time of more advanced technology. And it hasn't gone through years of multiple re-habs and retrofitting new attractions into existing spaces.

I didn't know the DLRP park is bigger (the numbers I just looked up say about 30% bigger in acreage). It feels much smaller - maybe more cozy. I attirbuted this feeling to WDW's MK being designed perhaps to accomodate more guests at any one time. I'm very surprised to hear that it is actually smaller.

[isabelleB]

hello :-)

I think as well that the big difference is.... the weather!

Only one hotel has an outdoor pool, that you could use at best during july and august
3 hotels has indoor pools , but rather simple
one pool has a slide

2 hotels has concierge facilities, while staying there you get granted a VIP fastpass, enabling you to join all the fastpass lines immidiately! and that's great
The disneyland hotel enables you to literally sleep in the park, as you are just at the entrance of main street usa.

downtown disney in paris is small , not to be compared to downtown in Orlando

Big thunder mountain and space mountain are way better in paris than in Orlando, faster, newer, longer :-)

I found food better in the disneyworlds restaurants , all types : fast food, buffet, breakfast...

I think disneyworld is way better because of the weather, the different parks, the food...and all other amusements the city is offering!

[snickerboo]

Love the pics!We are contemplating a trip to Paris sometime in '09 or early 2010. My dd would go nuts over the pink castle! I also think the POTC from the outside looks very cool.

I have (what may be a stupid) question....do the CMs and characters there speak only French or french and English? My kids will be old enough that it won't be confusing for them but I'm just curious.

[Brian_WDW74]

I've moved this thread to the Theme Parks Community board. :)

[bavaria]

Love the pics!We are contemplating a trip to Paris sometime in '09 or early 2010. My dd would go nuts over the pink castle! I also think the POTC from the outside looks very cool.

I have (what may be a stupid) question....do the CMs and characters there speak only French or french and English? My kids will be old enough that it won't be confusing for them but I'm just curious.

Please join the DLRP board - there are a number of threads on this topic.

I speak French fluently so don't really notice, but most of the board members are from the UK and don't speak much French, and say it is not an issue. I have encountered at least a few CMs however who didn't speak much French even though it is a requirement; one from Holland comes to mind as it was her first day and she was really struggling.

However I would strongly strongly suggest learning at least a few of the required phrases, as when one travels to any other country. It is a courtesy and shows respect for your hosts.

[bigAWL]

Outside the Magic Kingdom there's not a lot to compare. Maybe there would be more if I had actually gone inside the Walt Disney Studios at DLRP, but here are the front gates of each of the Studios parks.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/WDW/Studios-WDWGate.jpghttp://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/DLRP/Studios-DLRPGate.jpg

From outside I did manage to get photos of the WDW and DLRP versions of the Tower of Terror:
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/WDW/Studios-WDWTOT.jpghttp://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/DLRP/Studios-DLRPTOT.jpg

Then I have a comparison of the respective shopping districts. First is Downtown Disney from WDW (sorry, not a great picture of the place). It's very spread out. DLRP's Disney Village is much more compact. One of the big character meals is there at Cafe Mickey.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/WDW/2008WDW-May29BBB-Epcot-Contempor-9.jpghttp://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/DLRP/Shopping-DLRPDisneyVillage.jpg

[TSMAMI]

I just love this thread!

[bigAWL]

Thanks, it's been fun to put it together.

Here's a little more Fantasyland. The two on the left are some of the buildings in WDW, and on the right are similar building shots from DLRP.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/WDW/Fantasyland1WDW.jpghttp://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/DLRP/Fantasyland1DLRP.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/WDW/Fantasyland2WDW.jpghttp://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/DLRP/Fantasyland2DLRP.jpg

WDW has Cinderella's Golden Carrousel, and DLRP has Le Carrousel de Lancelot.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/WDW/CarrouselWDW.jpghttp://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/DLRP/CarrouselDLRP.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/WDW/HorseWDW.jpghttp://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/DLRP/HorseDLRP.jpg

[bigAWL]

Mermaid Ariel can be found in Hollywood Studios' Voyage of the Little Mermaid, or at DLRP's Once Upon a Dream parade
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/WDW/ArielWDW.jpghttp://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/DLRP/ArielDLRP.jpg

We found Captain Hook and his pirates in the parades, too. First from WDW's Pirate and Princess parade, and then form DLRP's Once Upon a Dream.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/WDW/PiratesWDW.jpghttp://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/DLRP/PiratesDLRP.jpg

[bigAWL]

These two WDW version photos again are not mine. I need to make another trip to get the photos I missed.

Here's the WDW Astro Orbiter in Tomorrowland and the DLRP Orbitron in Discoveryland.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/WDW/RocketsWDW.jpghttp://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/DLRP/RocketsDLRP.jpg

Next is the Haunted Mansion from WDW and the Phantom Manor from DLRP.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/WDW/HauntedWDW.jpghttp://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/DLRP/HauntedDLRP.jpg

[bigAWL]

The WDW Mad Tea Party (at night obviously) compared to the DLRP Mad Hatter's Tea Cups.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/WDW/TeacupsWDW.jpghttp://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/DLRP/TeacupsDLRP.jpg

And to look at a slightly different subject: the rental double stroller from WDW and the rental from DLRP (I understand they have recently changed strollers in DLRP, so these may not be available anymore).
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/WDW/StrollerWDW.jpghttp://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/DLRP/StrollerDLRP.jpg

[bigAWL]

I wanted to put a couple in here that don't correspond to WDW, but they do have relatives from DLR in California. Since I've never been to California, I looked for photos online, so once again this is not mine.

From the Storybook Land Canal Boats in DLR CA with Monstro, and Le Pays des Contes de Fées (Land of the Fairy Tales) with the Cave of Wonders.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/WDW/StorybookDLRCA.jpghttp://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/DLRP/StorybookDLRP.jpg

I once saw a DLR CA photo of this one (can't find it right now) - I believe it doesn't exist in the park anymore. But this is a very similar scene of Hook's ship and Skull Rock from DLRP.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g201/lockardaw/DLRP/SkullDLRP.jpg

[bavaria]

Stroller parking, Disneyland Paris, one of the busiest days of the year outside one of the most popular rides

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3/bavariabavaria/disneylandparis62.jpg

Stroller parking, Disney Studios, one of the busiest days of the year outside one of the most popular rides

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3/bavariabavaria/disneystudios3.jpg

Strollers are definitely not as common as in American parks, as you can see... I took these photos specifically with this website in mind based on all the threads about stroller wars at WDW ;)

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3/bavariabavaria/disneystudios1.jpg

[Schmoodle]

Oh, DLRP looks so pretty. I would love to go there. We are planning a trip to France next year. My DH is French and we are going to visit his family. We'll spend some time in Paris. Problem is, DH is not a Disney fan. We always take our trips to WDW without him. And he has never liked the idea of DLRP. He will think it's ridiculous to go to France and spend a day at Disney. Hmm, think he'll notice if the kids and I slip away for a day when we're in Paris? I have to admit I think he has a point. Why go all the way to France to do something so American? But still, I want to go...
It would surely beat spending a day with my MIL!

[TDC Nala]

I remember that there were hardly any strollers! There were not a lot of ramps, either. Lots of stairs. France doesn't have ADA.

I miss the Phantom Manor, the ride itself is great - you do sort of miss the graveyard from the US mansions but their version is awesome.