The only thing that can make traveling the world better is Disney magic! Every Disney Resort around the globe has something different to offer and it’s every Disney fan’s dream to hit all 5. We have the privilege of receiving guests from all over the world doing just that!
In 2011, I got the opportunity to take a summer trip to Europe to explore its major cities. When I knew Paris would be one destination, I made time to journey through Disneyland® Paris and see what this park could add to the love for Disney I already had. Here are the top 10 differences I discovered:
1. Castles: As you walk down Main Street U.S.A., the castle ending the street draws you into the enchantment that is part of the Disneyland experience. Of course the castle differs between each park across the planet. The castle at Disneyland Anaheim is the original Sleeping Beauty’s Castle and Disneyland Paris offers us Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant, or The Castle of Sleeping Beauty. It presents a continuation of the original castle.
2. Opening Day: Compared to the original Disneyland, Disneyland Paris is a baby! Disneyland Paris opened on April 12, 1992 a whopping 37 years after the original. Even with the difference in years, when you walk around the park across from Grand Legacy At The Park, the upkeep is so excellent they look the same age.
3. Attendance: Most of the Disney Resorts have increasing attendance every year- more and more people are traveling to the Happiest Place on Earth. When I was in Paris in 2011, the park was not crowded. The longest line wait was 30 minutes and I could skip around the park to each new world presented to me. Disneyland Paris is the most visited attraction in all of France and Europe with millions of admirers going each year. In fact, in 2013, 15.6 million walked through their gates. I guess I got lucky with the day I chose to go! Comparing both parks, Disneyland greeted 16.2 million. Here at Ramada Maingate, we see ticket prices go up at the Disneyland Resort every year as additional people continue to visit.
4. Land: Disneyland Paris’ original park, Walt Disney Studios Park is 126 acres compared to Disneyland Park’s 85 acres. In Disneyland Paris, the layout is so open I could feel the space difference as I passed through each land. They have extra room to create more of an atmosphere.
5. Ride Layouts: Sauntering up to Disneyland Paris’ version of Pirates of the Caribbean ride I was blown away by what I saw. Before I even got to the line there was a lagoon with a skeleton cave and an abandoned pirate ship that was attacked. The line itself was a cave with extensive twists and turns. The other ride that stuck out was Phantom Manor, the comparison to Haunted Mansion at Disneyland Anaheim. The layout is similar to an actual manor- there are gates you walk through, a fountain in a courtyard, and a front yard. This park allows you to become immersed in the world of the ride.
6. Rides: Of course the rides will vary from each Resort and this is no exception. Indiana Jones at the park in Anaheim is my favorite ride and I couldn’t wait to see what the Disneyland Paris had done with their version. I was surprised with what I found. Indiana Jones, or Indiana Jones et le Temple du Péril, was not an indoor car ride but an outdoor roller coaster. Most of the other rides were similar- from Peter Pan ride to It’s a Small World. Both parks had new additions: Disneyland Anaheim had Cars Land in California Adventure and Disneyland Paris just added Ratatouille: The Adventure. Riders become mice that run through the kitchen trying to avoid detection.
7. Characters: The characters available were the same classic characters you would expect; however, there weren’t as many classic characters accessible for photos. As the castle comes into my view I am already in awe as to the magic this park brings. Then, waiting for me to walk up, is Belle. Not the Belle you see at Disneyland Anaheim with the yellow dress, but the Belle before she becomes a princess-with an apron and basket. How French!
8. Employees: When coming to a Disney Resort, you can take a peek at the name-tags of employees and see they come from all over the world! Most of the employees will live locally, but some travel from different countries to work at the Resorts. When glancing at name-tags in Paris I saw an array of countries: some near and some far! I have yet to see such diversity at the original Disneyland.
9. Projects: The goal of any business is to make the customer experience better and better through improvements and construction. Just like us at Grand Legacy At The Park, Disney believes renovations must take place to make their product the best it can be. Normally, at Disneyland Anaheim, walls will be put up that blocks all renovation. Sure you may have to walk around the huge area, but you still cannot see or tell exactly what is happening. This was not the case at Disneyland Paris. Part of the pirate ship was being rebuilt and the scaffolds were in plain sight. Also, many lights were out and instead of changing them without notice, there were black plastic bags around the lampposts.
10. The magic: I may be a little biased, but there is a difference in the magic you feel at each of these parks. I have been to Disneyland Anaheim countless times and still feel the magic that makes Disneyland the Happiest Place on Earth. It was my first time at Disneyland Paris and I did feel the joy and wonder that comes with the Disney experience, but there was something different. Maybe it is because Walt Disney himself had a hand in creating the original Disneyland. With the Resort in Paris, the park was built with no direct supervision from Walt Disney.
My experience discovering Disneyland Paris was amazing! I still remember the permanent smile on my face and the pure bliss I felt to be surrounded by the magic of Disney. I still believe you can’t beat the original park; every time I hear my favorite Disney tunes greet me at the main gates I feel like I am coming home. Traveling to a new country and experiencing a resort full of surprises becomes memories you will never forget. So whether you are coming from Arizona or Australia, we can’t wait to see you at the original Disneyland Resort!
Thanks for the info; we are looking to go end of Nov, early Dec with a 1,5yo, two 3yo, a 6 and 8yo and 4 adults. The hotel tip and breakfast tip will come in handy as they’ll be using their SoutAfrican rands which don’t hold up well to the Euro..See you later, enjoy your trip to Paris.
Thanks for the info; we are looking to go end of Nov, early Dec with a 1,5yo, two 3yo, a 6 and 8yo and 4 adults. The hotel tip and breakfast tip will come in handy as they’ll be using their SoutAfrican rands which don’t hold up well to the Euro..See you later, enjoy your trip to Paris.
In fact, did you know that Disneyland Resort actually has more rides that Walt Disney World?