DLP versus WDW (MK), how different an experience?

[jasper]

Will be in Paris next April for the first time and making a day trip to DLP. Have been to Magic KIngdon in Orlando about 8 times.

Here's what I know to expect:

1) colder than Florida in April
2) some different attractions
3) a different castle

How would you compare the two parks? If you had also been to WDW and then went to DLP, how did you react? What would you say are the must do things for the first time visitor to DLP that has experienced the magic in Florida?

Thanks!

 

[Pakey]

DH and I have been to Disneyland and WDW more times than we can count and did our first trip to Disneyland Paris 3 months ago. We absolutely loved DLRP. There are some similarities but we found DLRP to be more beautiful and more enchanting. It was incredibly clean, the CM's were all exceptionally nice and most were very fluent in English. The food was amazing; much better than the US parks. The coaster rides certainly had more "zip" to them. The dragon under the castle was so much better than I had expected.

I strongly recommend getting a hopper pass and going to Hollywood Studios first and riding Crush's coaster. That ride was worth the airfare to Paris alone!!! The other things at that park were similar to the attractions in Florida so I would do Crush and then head over to Disneyland Park. Space Mtn was also incredible but what I enjoyed most was just taking the time to look at the park. It is incredibly beautiful.

 

[wyre forest red]

I don't think there is any doubt that Magic Kingdom in Paris is much nicer than the Florida version. The castle is much, much nicer, with things to do inside, and under, the castle making it much more magical. Everything from It's A Small World, The Carrousel, to the The Mountains are better as well.

The biggest downside in Paris is access to characters, often ending in a winner takes all scrum, the guests don't do queuing. Why they can't organise it like in Florida is anyones guess.

The weather is colder and of course you have more parks in Florida. We had a holiday to Florida booked for Easter, then due to finances had to cancel and go to Paris instead..... I'm surprised that I'm just as excited about it. Probably down to the age of our daughters.... the Magic Kingdom is what Disney is all about to them.

 

[davewasbaloo]

WDW and the MK has quantity, DLP has quality.

We have been to DL 300+ times, DLP 51 times, and WDW 5 times. We do not care if we ever go back to WDW again. But we love DLP.

Some key things to look out for:

Walt's American Restaurant - a lovely upscale restaurant with great views of Disney's prettiest Main St surrounded by art and memoriabilia of Walt and the design of the lands of the park. Epcot quality.

Phantom Manor is very different (and I think better) to the HM. The Silver Spur Steakhouse is my fav restaurant in the park, with a great show kitchen - Epcot Quality

Big Thunder is faster and has a few unique parts making it the finest in Disney's line up of BTMs.

If Tarzan is on, it is one of Disney's best theme park stage shows anywhere.

Also, if you like characters and don't want a riot, go to Woody's Roundup for a more civilised character experience.

Adventureland was the experiment to a lot of thinking for Animal Kingdom, explore the caves of Adventure Isle. Indy is unique to DLP, and was Disney's first looping coaster (only bother with if short queue).

Aladdin's Passageway in the Bazaar is a cute diorama.

Pirates of the Caribbean - once again Disney's best version, no political correctness or Jack Sparrow either! The Blue Lagoon offers moon lit lunches and dinners on the rivers of PotC - Osterish, swordfish, lobster and plantain are often on the menu.

Get ready for Disney's most beautiful Fantasyland. The MK is like a carnival in comparison. All of the dark rides are superior. Also, we have Pinnochio's Daring Journey which is not available in Florida. Add in the castle walk through and amazing Dragon, Alice's Curious Labrynth, Casey Junior and the Storybookland Canal boats, there are a lot of new attractions for you to discover. And DLP has our favorite version of It's a Small World.

If princesses are your thing, enjoy a three course gormet meal with wine in the Auberge de Cindrillon, Pate, Salmon, Veal and dessert are included as the Princesses greet you and waltz at their ball.

And Discoveryland offers the best version of Space Mountain (though getting rough these days) with a soundtrack, a launch that predate's WDW's Rock N Rollercoaster and 3 loops. Buzz is superior here too, where you can aim your lasers. And the nautilus walk through is very detailed too. There will be a new stage show in videopolis when you are there, so I cannot comment on that yet. We will be sad to see the Lion King go (better than Animal Kingdom's).

All the other attractions are similar to what you will find in the MK. Fantillusion may still be on when you are there, not a bad nightime parade. The daytime parade is superior to the MK's (but that is not hard). One think the MK has over us though, is fireworks are only on in the summer, Oct 31st, and Dec 31st due to local laws (and they are smaller).

 

[davewasbaloo]

The Studios are much smaller than WDW's but I prefer ours. There are some very similar attractions - Animation, Tram Tour, Rock N Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror (no forward movement through the 4th Dimension, but it has a cool mirror effect) and Moteurs Action, but in all cases I prefer the Paris versions. Playhouse Disney opens March 2009, so I cannot comment about the differences/simularities yet.

Cinemagique is wonderful, a 45 film celebrating American and European films with some lovely effects - fantastic!

Crush Coaster is overrated IMHO, but very popular - it mixes the Nemo attraction at Epcot with a wilder upside down version of Primevil Whirl.

Armageddon is a special effects presentation in the vein of Twister and Backdraft at the Universal Parks.

Toon Studios is less crazy for meeting characters. And Animagique is a cute blacklight show featuring the characters. Great for kids and kids at heart (my wife loves it, I can take or leave it).

Stitch Live - think Turtle Talk with Stitch. It is very funny and well done. We love it.

 

[davewasbaloo]

Now the Village is the one thing subpar to WDW IMHO. But there are still some great offerings. Even though you are from the states, I do recommend Buffalo Bill's Wild West show. It is an awesome rodeo stuntshow, true to the experience the victorians saw during BB's tour of Europe at the turn of the last century. It is an awesome show, and the food is ok too. Beer and coke included, and to me, it is a highpoint of the DLP experience, better than any show in Orlando (I have been to Dixie Stampede, Hoop Dee Doo, the Luau at the Poly and Sea World, Arabian Nights, and Medieval Times).

Annette's is a fun 1950's soda fountain with roller skating waitresses.

Cafe Mickey has stone baked pizzas accompanied by the characters.

The Steakhouse is fantastic. It is a little like the Yacht Club at WDW or Le Cellier to a degree. Fine dining and a great wine list.

BillyBob's is a fun saloon with live music and line dancing classes.

King Ludwigs feels like the Germany Pavillion at Epcot. Very rarely live music though. Great traditional german food and beers though.

There is a sports bar and a rubbish night club (Hurricanes).

Other hotel restaurants worth mentioning - California Grill is better than the one in Florida IMHO, more upscale offering French/Californian fusion.

Also the Yacht Club in the Newport Bay Club is very good too.

Panoramagique -the first static hot air balloon in a Disney resort (though one is now being installed at DTD in Paris)

Also if you golf, we have 27 holes and no snakes (unlike WDW)

And Val D'Europe has a 200 store mall, aquarium, a great selection of dining, and a designer outlet village.

 

[jasper]

Thanks for the great comparisons. Except for the problems with access to characters which is hard to comprehend why it's mismanaged, DLRP sounds awesome!

 

[tinks_1989]

We have been to DL 300+ times, DLP 51 times, and WDW 5 times. We do not care if we ever go back to WDW again. But we love DLP.

WOW

 

[davewasbaloo]

Thanks for the great comparisons. Except for the problems with access to characters which is hard to comprehend why it's mismanaged, DLRP sounds awesome!

well there are other gripes too. Sometimes the bathrooms can be dirty, people can be pushy and smelly, and also, counter services are very slow. Also culturally, table service restaurants tend to be 90 min to 2 hour affairs. so there are some differences that annoy American guests.

 

[jimmybog]

One thing you will notice in the Paris MK is the size of it. I think its about 40 acres bigger than the Florida MK. As many have said the Paris park is much nicer to look at. The buildings in Fantasyland really look like they come out of a fairy tale. Adventureland also looks much better in paris. Discovery land in paris I'm not too keen on. I much prefer Orlando's tomorrowland. I think the Paris Thunder Mountain, Space mountain, Pirates and Phantom Manor are all better than their Florida equivalents. However I prefer the Riverboat ride in Florida. For me what's missing in Paris which I think would make it the Ultimate Disney park is the following: Splash Mountain, Jungle Cruise or similar ride, a 3D Film show like Philharmagic and maybe a new E-Ticket Little Mermaid attraction.

Disney Studios - I don't have much time for the Paris version. I only spend half a day there if I visit.

Disney Village - Again I much prefer the orlando one especially as most of it is beside the lake. I also prefer the restaurants/bars in Orlando and the shops are also much better.

 

[cookie334]

I have to say I agree with most of what's been said here. I'd been to WDW twice when we decided to try DLP and I didn't think it would compare at all, yet now, while I love them both, DLP is my favourite.

One thing I don't think has been mentioned here, which I find especially nice is that you don't have to get the monorail/boat or anything between parks. EVERYTHING is within walking distance from the parks to the village to the hotels. To me it just makes it that little bit more magical as there's nothing non-Disney about any of it.