DLP Vs WDW - Our opinion

[k-herm]

I'm sure this subject has been raised before but I didn’t see any current threads on it.

With our family having now been to both DLP and WDW it's only natural for us to have compared them. We are a family of 5 [41,40,17,15,12]. We visited DLP this year, WDW was in 2005. The following is our opinion:

I'll start by saying that DLP is truely fabulous. The Magic Kingdom in Paris is a newer, cleaner, prettier place than Orlando’s version. The restaurants are better, the rides on the whole are better [PoC, Buzz, BTM, RR and Small World definitely are, but Space Mountain isn't - yes DLP’s version has the uphill launch but it is a very rough coaster and we also reckon ToT in DLP has a better drop but the pre ride isn't as good].

There are more rides and shows in WDW of course The castle might be lack the scale of WDW but it does look nicer and it has the dragon’s lair.

The DLP studio, now that it has ToT and Crush, is a proper park in it’s own right and every bit as good as Hollywood Studios in WDW, possible better. It shows have better production values and again it's fresher looking.

Disney Village however is incomparable to WDW's Downtown Disney. It’s small and cheap looking [especially around the Sports bar]. The range of Disney goods on sale is way, way less than it's Florida counterpart. We couldn't consider staying a whole day at DV, whereas we did exactly that at DD. I suppose we were unlucky but on our trip Panoramagique wasn’t operating and neither were the boat rentals. Maybe if we’d been able to go on these our opinion might be more positive.

We had great weather at DLP which we reckon made all the difference…had we been given 4 days of rain and wind I’m sure I wouldn’t be describing the French parks as “fabulous”. The weather could turn a superb holiday into a disaster. [For the record, we have pulled a caravan all across Scotland over the years and aren't afraid of some dreich weather, it's just that it wouldn't suit a week in a theme park]. Mind you, get a hurricane in WDW and it could end up a real disaster! Sure, Florida might have the occasional downpour, but it’ll be over in a wee while and dry up soon enough after.

The fireworks at DLP, while good, were a poor substitute for seeing Wishes at WDW.

…and there it ends.

What I mean is, there is no Epcot to compare, no Animal Kingdom, no Blizzard Beach, no Typhoon Lagoon, no mini golf. Our 4 days at DLP were ample. We saw and rode everything we all wanted to [which was most things!] and did the really good ones twice. With the extra parks at WDW and increased size of them you can reckon on 2 days for MK, 1 for HS, 2 Epcot, 1 AK, 1 BB, 1 TL, 1 Downtown. That’s 9 days of just Disney.

But that is just the Disney part. For us there was more to our holidays. We stayed off site both times and wanted to break up our time at Disney with something else.

While in France, we took the opportunity to visit beautiful Paris for a couple of days. And they were good days too, we were all really impressed with this city. If you go to WDW, a day to downtown Orlando isn’t very appealing! We also spent a day at the area’s other big theme park – Asterix. This was OK, but not a patch on Disney [although Asterix does have 3 good proper water rides to Disney’s none] and, to be honest, we all felt Alton Towers is better.

While in Florida, we took the opportunity to visit Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. These parks have some truely astounding rides and attractions. Of course they don't have any Pixie Dust, but a full day at each left us breathless. We have visited Seaworld and the Kennedy Space Centre [a must see] and we could have gone to Wet’n’Wild and Busch Gardens and a hundred other things too.

Of course all this took 2 weeks and a lot of money, whereas our France visit took 7 days and cost about a third.

So, the BIG question...was it worth paying the extra for Florida?

Absolutely!

It’s the whole once in a lifetime long haul American experience. It’s the hiring a people carrier with auto, aircon and blackout windows; it’s driving along quite toll roads in the sunshine with radio Disney playing; it’s opening the door to your private villa; dipping into your own little pool to cool down; parking at Disney and getting the little train to the front gates; the monorail; the paddleboat; the sub tropical sunshine; the shops; the scale of everything; the better manners of the American guests; the use of English language; the knowledge that we could go back for another 2 weeks and fill that time doing all the stuff we couldn’t fit in last time.

Don't get me wrong...DLP is fabulous. We had one of the best weeks of our lives as a family there and it is a very special place but…I doubt we’d return.

But hold on! Is it fair to compare them anyway? If we compare the 2 Magic Kingdoms then DLP wins. If we compare cost and convenience DLP wins. I suppose it come down to what it is someone wants when they ask “Should we go to DLP or WDW?”

My answer is, If you want a quality Disney experience then all you need is DLP. If you want the holiday of a lifetime then you must go to WDW.

DLP is great, WDW is epic.

 

[tigger300686]

I'm glad you enjoyed DLRP but think its a shame you dont think you'll return.

IMO i dont think you can compare the two, if you were to walk around DLRP comparing everything to WDW then yes i may not look at great but your also not experiencing it for what it is.

I also dont understand why its always WDW thats its compared to, surely it should be compared to DL as that was the frist. I think any park that is compared to the biggest isnt going to match up.

For me DLRP is a great-its easily accessible, not very costly and managable for a short disney trip whereas if i wanted a longer holiday and sunshine i would go to WDW.

I think like you have said it depends on what you want out of the holiday, i personally cant see how they can be compared as each disney park will all give you a different experience and surely thats how its meant to be. I'm sure they all have there own unique features that you wouldnt get at one of the other parks.

Same company just different products, so to speak.

 

[k-herm]

Hi tigger, thanks for the feedback . If I may respond to your comments.

I'm glad you enjoyed DLRP but think its a shame you dont think you'll return.

It's not because DLP is bad...far from it. It just that we did everything. We wouldn't return to Blackpool or Alton Towers or even some big cities we've visited over the years. We saw and did what we wanted. I suppose never say never, in 10 years we might return when it would be like a new experience again.

IMO i dont think you can compare the two, if you were to walk around DLRP comparing everything to WDW then yes i may not look at great but your also not experiencing it for what it is.

I did sort of touch on this...why people compare them. They just do - all the time. It's the one question that everyone has asked us since our return. Also I did say that DLP MK was prettier than WDW MK.

I also dont understand why its always WDW thats its compared to, surely it should be compared to DL as that was the frist. I think any park that is compared to the biggest isnt going to match up.

I reckon it's simply because many more of us Brits have been to WDW than DL.

For me DLRP is a great-its easily accessible, not very costly and managable for a short disney trip whereas if i wanted a longer holiday and sunshine i would go to WDW.

I totally agree.

I think like you have said it depends on what you want out of the holiday, i personally cant see how they can be compared as each disney park will all give you a different experience and surely thats how its meant to be. I'm sure they all have there own unique features that you wouldnt get at one of the other parks.

Same company just different products, so to speak.

That's a good way of putting it, yes.

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

I agree with you Fay.

I really don't see why people need to compare the two, you don't hear people comparing Tokyo Disneyland to WDW so why compare DLP?

 

[stargatebarbie]

This interests me as now we have done DLRP 6 times we are going to save to go to WDW , Now I consider dlrp as home it feels nice and easy to get around you just walk between the 2 parks its fresh and pretty and as our last trip only cost about £200 each its amazing value. Athough you could say you could add the cost of our 6 trips up we could of already done WDW.But my opinion is that going to WDW when my DD was little was not needed ,but when we go she will be nearly 14 and far more likely to enjoy ALL the rides yet still be young enough to enjoy the magic of it all.We will have to miss a holiday to afford it but I also agree it will be one huge experience for everyone and even my grumpy DH is all for it

 

[DLPdaft]

I'm absolutely positive that people who have been to both, will compare WDW with DLRP.

I can't, as I was a childless single on a girlies holiday when I went to WDW (14 years ago), and my holidays to DLRP have been mother/small daughter trips.

I love DLRP, its convenient, its Magical, and relatively easy on little legs .

But I would agree with almost everything k-herm has said - WDW is a trip of a lifetime, DLRP is several trips a year !

 

[k-herm]

...you don't hear people comparing Tokyo Disneyland to WDW so why compare DLP?

I'm quite sure that on Asian disney forums they do!

As I said, it's simply because a lot of Brits have been to both WDW and DLP. Of course they going to be compared - it's natural for people to compare everything.

 

[ukstitch]

I think a lot of people consider WDW to be the "holy grail" of Disney parks because of it's number of things to do both at Disney and in the surrounding area.

Therefore, it's only natural to compare WDW to the others. Personally, I think WDW vs DLRP is a bit like comparing apples and oranges. WDW is somewhere to go for 2 - 3 weeks IMO, where as DLRP is more suited to short breaks.

 

[tigger300686]

Of course they going to be compared - it's natural for people to compare everything.

Of course, we've seen them compared many times on this board and no one has a right or wrong answer.

But IMO i dont think they can be compared, as they have been created for different purposes and to appeal in a different ways. Its like comparing a Nintendo Wii to a DS- there created for different markets and so are the parks- they just have the same branding of the caslte, the characters, MK etc- Thats how i see it anyway.

 

[gemmybear83]

I agree with everything said on here.... I've been to WDW 3 times in the last 15 years, and I like to go to WDW every few years for a big disney holiday, but I don't want to use two weeks of my annual leave every year to go to the same place (as much as I love it), there is so much of the world I have not seen yet!

DLRP is great for a short break, I love the magic kingdom and they frequently have new rides and shows to stop me getting bored (as if!). We go to DLRP every couple of years and for me its much more than a filler, but allows me to visit Disney and other countries all in the same year!

Saying all this were hoping to travel to the far east next year and go to Japan, Hong Kong and maybe South Korea and of course we will have a couple of days at Tokyo disneyland!!

 

[tigger300686]

there is so much of the world I have not seen yet!

DLRP is great for a short break, I love the magic kingdom and they frequently have new rides and shows to stop me getting bored (as if!). We go to DLRP every couple of years and for me its much more than a filler, but allows me to visit Disney and other countries all in the same year!

I think this as well, I dont plan to go back next year(as were saving for wdw lool) but I already know theres going to be some great additions to DLRP next year like the new studios parade which i would love to see.

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

I really think both parks are in a comparision of there own which is why you should'nt compare them.

But if you really need to compare, like Fay said compare it with the orgininal Disneyland in CA.

 

[kevankiki]

I really think both parks are in a comparision of there own which is why you should'nt compare them.

But if you really need to compare, like Fay said compare it with the orgininal Disneyland in CA.

Well said!

 

[Ware Bears]

We were there the same time as you k-herm, wasn't the weather fabulous! I'd cut our grass the day before we went and couldn't believe the length of it when we got home ~ then my mum confirmed it had rained every day bar one!

Actually DLRP isn't too bad in the rain ~ it rained most days in our summer 2006 trip ~ but of course it is soooooo much better in glorious sunshine!

Glad to hear you made it to Parc Asterix OK ~ was it quite easy getting there in the end?

I'm absolutely positive that people who have been to both, will compare WDW with DLRP.

Therefore, it's only natural to compare WDW to the others. Personally, I think WDW vs DLRP is a bit like comparing apples and oranges. WDW is somewhere to go for 2 - 3 weeks IMO, where as DLRP is more suited to short breaks.

I agree. The first time I was determined I wouldn't make comparisons but you do, it's as natural as breathing.

Personally, I can't see the point of a long US flight for less than a 14 day holiday and we can't afford the time or the budget to go there every year. Although to be honest even if we could I'm not sure I would want to go there every year as it probably wouldn't seem so special then. There are many things at DLRP I prefer over WDW and many things that WDW wins the vote for. I would hate it if all Disney parks and settings were completely cloned ~ it's the uniqueness of each that I like.

I really think both parks are in a comparision of there own which is why you should'nt compare them.

But if you really need to compare, like Fay said compare it with the orgininal Disneyland in CA.

Hopefully we will get the chance to do that soon ~ DH is planning that one for after our next WDW trip!

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

I also wanted to add that just because WDW is bigger, it doesnt mean its better.

As I always say good things come in small packages

 

[k-herm]

We were there the same time as you k-herm, wasn't the weather fabulous!

Oh, it was glorious. Shorts and t-shirts all day long for a week. We couldn't have asked for better.

Glad to hear you made it to Parc Asterix OK ~ was it quite easy getting there in the end?

Thank you for asking.

Well...as you might remember, we were staying 2 nights at the Campanile hotel at Roissy CDG for the convenience of getting to Asterix before we moved on to Val d'Europe for Disney. On arrival at the airport the wait for the hotel minibus was 20 mins and the journey was 10 mins which was fine as a one-off.

But the thought of waiting at the hotel to get the minibus back to CDG and then making our way to the TGV terminal where we were to try and find the Asterix bus [which I found out isn't free] and then doing the same bus hopping and waiting on the way back was just a bit much.

In the end, we decided that the cost of a private taxi from the Campanile direct to Asterix would be worth the convenience, so that's what we did. It cost €32 each way door to door and was well worth it considering there was 5 of us.

 

[NETGURU]

The one thing you do find is that everyone seems to find the one they went to first better. I prefer DLP to WDW for a number of reasons. Firstly, I love how French the park is (albeit Disney was indeed forced to be local, but they do a good job of it). It's exciting to see some of the great Disney magic converted into a more 'local' kind of setting.

Secondly is the weather. Florida was just too darn hot for me. Edinburgh has its hot days and cold days and DLP manages to compare pretty similarly to our weather so I don't mind the rain Plus DLP is only a few hours away

The other main things I noticed that I didn't like in terms of differences between the 2 parks were the following:

1) The Haunted Mansion didn't have the eery story nailed down as well as Phantom Manor and Vincent Price's narration just ruined this ride for me.

2) POTC has no drops, was gutted

3) Space Mountain wasn't as artistic or as much fun as Paris IMHO

4) NO DRINK!!!

5) I like that Thunder Mountain is in the middle of the river in Paris

lol
just my gripes but I loved Universal and stuff at Orlando but only comparing the Disney parks. Spent 1 day in Magic Kingdom and hated it, spent the rest in Universal and Epcot

 

[JoeSam]

The fireworks at DLP, while good, were a poor substitute for seeing Wishes at WDW.

Just wanted to add that, if you'd seen last year's Wishes at DLP I don't think you'd be saying that. I personally thought that DLP's version was better even than WDW - although both make me cry! Enchanted this year left me quite disappointed, brilliant fireworks but without the emotional pull.

 

[Cyrano]

Just wanted to add that, if you'd seen last year's Wishes at DLP I don't think you'd be saying that. I personally thought that DLP's version was better even than WDW - although both make me cry! Enchanted this year left me quite disappointed, brilliant fireworks but without the emotional pull.

I can't comment on WDW but have always enjoyed Wishes Enchanted for me had so much more than the powerpoint projection of Wishes and therefore this firework show took me to a much happier place.
I guess this shows that there is so much for us all to enjoy and how we all have very different reactions to the same things

 

[JoeSam]

I can't comment on WDW but have always enjoyed Wishes Enchanted for me had so much more than the powerpoint projection of Wishes and therefore this firework show took me to a much happier place.
I guess this shows that there is so much for us all to enjoy and how we all have very different reactions to the same things

Reid, I totally agree, think it's a very personal thing. For me with Wishes, I'm sure it was the music that did it, not the actual quality of the projections or even the fireworks! Totally agree that the Enchanted fireworks are excellent, I don't think I really gave them enough of a chance, being that I was missing the predecessor so much!