Disneyland Paris - so far the BEST Magic Kingdom

[Royal Consort]

This year we visited Disneyland Paris, Walt Disney World and Disneyland.

I felt, without a doubt, that Disneyland Paris is the best magic kingdom with the most interesting attractions. By the time we got to the Magic Kingdom in Florida I realised just how lacking many of the attractions were. MK's Space Mountain is HORRIBLE. Although there has been much discussion about that DLP Space being painful, it's nowhere near as agonising as the MK's that wants to throw you out at every turn. Discoveryland is also just more pleasant to be in than Tomorrowland.

Big Thunder Mountain is beyond comparison. We were calling the MK's "Little Drizzle Hill". DLP also has the best night time spectacular (comparing to Wishes, World of Colour etc). Pirates is also the best, even better than Disneyland's (MK's ends as soon as you step on the boat).

Along with the best castle and most beautiful Main St, I think locals are so lucky to have this as their park.

I understand that DLP has financial issues and we did find shops closed and restaurants locked up. Although this was disappointing, it didn't ruin anything and the park felt magical just the same. Perhaps it's simply the way the park was built with all its details and places to discover. Do most people not bother about the atmosphere? We spent a lot of time in Discovery Arcade.

I wanted to post this thread because I've seen so many "don't bother with Paris, go to Florida" threads over the internet. I honestly don't understand it. Disneyland Paris feels like the most perfectly constructed magic kingdom in which almost all aspects of its design fit and flow perfectly. I felt that Disneyland Paris seemed similar to Disneyland but that it has been stretched to feel bigger and wider. Florida offers the resort experience and that certainly has its merits, but on a magic kingdom basis - there's no comparison.

 

[tennisfan]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, I have only been to DLRP so far so don't have any comparison but I always enjoy my trips there

 

[cherrymarzipan]

I am so pleased to read this, not least because I am sure that Paris is the only one I will ever be able to visit! And yes, lots of us really appreciate the surroundings and can happily wander around revelling in the details or sit down just soaking up the atmosphere. DLP is wonderful!

Very envious of you visiting three parks in a year mind!

 

[Disneyfanswicklow]

I too have visited Paris, Calafornia and Florida.... Not all in same year lol.....and I have to admit Paris is my favourite too....I love the atmosphere created....it is truly a magical experience!

 

[Disney Lvr of Old]

This is why I'm planning a trip to DLP instead of WDW even though it's MUCH closer!! My home park is DLR and your lovely post makes me even more excited about my decision to venture to Paris!

 

[Danauk]

I agree, I much prefer the Disneyland Park at DLP and the original Disneyland Park in Anaheim over the Magic Kingdom at WDW. The Magic Kingdom is actually my least favourite of the 4 parks at WDW. I like that the Paris park has more similar rides to the original Disneyland (Storyland Canal Boats, the Circus Train etc) and that Paris has IMHO the best BTMRR and Space Mountain out of the three parks. Plus I love the Paris castle, having the dragon underneath and the fact you can go up inside it and look out over the park is great. It is nice to hear someone from another nation saying how much they enjoy DLP.

 

[Sam1]

I'd agree, I thought Disneyland Paris as a park was much more beautiful than Magic Kingdom. We took our first trip to WDW this year and although we've booked to go back again next year, that's more to do with the other parks, the resorts and the whole holiday feel. We didn't spend much time at Magic Kingdom because it just didn't feel as nice as Paris.

 

[Jules1212]

I agree, I much prefer the Disneyland Park at DLP and the original Disneyland Park in Anaheim over the Magic Kingdom at WDW. The Magic Kingdom is actually my least favourite of the 4 parks at WDW. I like that the Paris park has more similar rides to the original Disneyland (Storyland Canal Boats, the Circus Train etc) and that Paris has IMHO the best BTMRR and Space Mountain out of the three parks. Plus I love the Paris castle, having the dragon underneath and the fact you can go up inside it and look out over the park is great. It is nice to hear someone from another nation saying how much they enjoy DLP.

I agree with virtually every word here - I haven't been to Anaheim so cannot compare that park. But I do prefer going to Paris than Florida for the Disney experience. 'Our' castle IS absolutely beautiful!

I was so cross at a Mum at my daughter's school (who gets to Florida every year) inferring that we only go to DLRP because we cannot afford Florida! I did toy with it for next year, but we decided that we would go to the DLH in Christmas season, Santa Fe in February and Cheyenne for Halloween plus a Summer holiday for a fortnight in the sun resting and relaxing. To me, that is the best of both worlds.

Glad I am not alone in preferring France.

 

[Royal Consort]

I was so cross at a Mum at my daughter's school (who gets to Florida every year) inferring that we only go to DLRP because we cannot afford Florida! I did toy with it for next year, but we decided that we would go to the DLH in Christmas season, Santa Fe in February and Cheyenne for Halloween plus a Summer holiday for a fortnight in the sun resting and relaxing. To me, that is the best of both worlds.

Glad I am not alone in preferring France.

I often hear that too. I think people fly to Florida and don't even give DLRP a chance. I put it down to branding. The Magic Kingdom and Walt Disney World are well marketed and presented. It's pitched squarely as the only Disney 'mecca', and nothing else can compete. Of course, Magic Kingdom is built on a swamp and feels like it. I like the MK but recreating Europe in Florida with that heat, and that castle...? Paris' Magic Kingdom just feels 'home' to Disney characters and magic. The Magic Kingdom is designed to keep people moving - as I found when I wanted to sit down and relax with a coffee. I think it's unfair for people to treat Disneyland Paris as 'less' of a proper Disneyland and there's certainly this view that Europe gets the inferior park and if you really want to experience Disney, you go to America. I don't believe it for a second. Heck, Walt Disney World and Disneyland Paris are the exact same distance flying for me in Australia and next year I'm choosing to return to Paris.

 

[kobiko]

Dlrp castle is defiantly my favorite by far,it's just so pretty,there is no comparison to the other park castles in my opinion. There are elements of the parks in Orlando that I like very much and the same with paris but being that my favorite thing about disney is the castle,paris wins hands down for me.
And being that it's not too far away I can get my castle fix within a few hours!!!

 

[ILOVEDLP]

Love this post

We went to WDW this feb while we loved animal kingdom and Epcot, magic kingdom was not magic for us if that had been my first time to a Disney park I would never of gone to another !!.
People people every where no taking in the atmosphere just queuing queuing queuing all the time.

We did love universal much more relaxed and we will visit there again I'm sure.
We would also like to go the disneyland California one day fingers crossed.

For now I'm just happy we are going to my fav place on earth in March

 

[Renowen]

Aw this is great to read

I've been to DW Florida as an 8 year old child and LOVED it, then went to DLP at a 16 year old teen and shrugged through it (teenagers ) and while I know my girls will be blown away, I was feeling a little 'but it's not Florida', so I'm pleased to hear you think this I know my experience this time as a mother will be so different to my experience as a moody teenager lol

x

 

[DisneyBeth94]

This is a lovely thread! I agree with you every word. DLP is often overlooked as it's not the 'original' Disney park like the one in Anaheim and does not have as many theme parks as WDW. But it is absolutely beautiful! It is a real shame about the lack of funding the park has and I do agree with those who have said it has gone a little down hill over the past 2 years but the magic is still there! WDW is a great vacation spot, but to me DLP is my home! 9 days till I'm back there for Christmas and New Years and my first stay at the DLH and SL. Yay!

 

[Royal Consort]

I was feeling a little 'but it's not Florida', so I'm pleased to hear you think this

If it makes you feel any better, I feel 'but it's not Florida' in Disneyland Paris at times, but I also feel 'but it's not Disneyland Paris' when I'm in Florida!

 

[Elnicsa]

I felt the same way when we went this year to DLP. The magic of Disney won me over though since it doesn't matter in which country the park is but that you trully are in the park. Plus I wanted to share with the kids the whole Disney experience and it was lovely. I am going again in a few days. That alone tells you everything.