Should I go to DLP or WDW?
We’re here to help with this! You might have noticed that the cost of Disneyland Paris has increased A LOT in the last few years, especially with lots of refurbishments happening in the parks that will see a completely changed Disneyland by Summer 2024! But let’s assume for the purposes of this ultimate pro/con list that budget isn’t an issue, and I’ll come back to that at the end… So, read on!
Disneyland Paris: The Pros
Some of the DLP rides are unmatched in WDW (e.g. Crush’s Coaster and Parachute Drop), or the Paris versions are just better (e.g. Hyperspace Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain)
The Avengers Campus is brilliant, and at the moment is unmatched in WDW - currently the newest part of DLP’s Walt Disney Studios.
There are only 2 parks, and you can easily flit between them on the same day. Who doesn’t want to ride Hyperspace Mountain and then head over to Avengers Flight Force (the old Rock n Rollercoaster)?
It’s perfect for a day trip, super convenient if you’re in the UK or EU!
You’re a very short distance from the centre of Paris which is looming with beautiful sights and experiences, with no need to drive to get anywhere else. It’s very accessible by air and by train both to get to the parks in the first place or for an excursion mid-stay.
Disneyland Paris: The Cons
DLP has been slow off the mark to update its rides! We are FINALLY getting a Frozen themed land in Walt Disney Studios, which was meant to be ready for the Summer Olympics arriving in Paris in 2024, but now seems unlikely to be ready before late 2025!!! This is going to be amazing, with an ice castle, meet and greet, Nordic village and some form of Frozen themed ride, but we have to wait for it for now.
The cost has gone up and is now not too dissimilar for a 4-7 night stay than the cost of WDW Florida would be for almost 2 weeks, especially if you were going to stay onsite at a Disney Hotel in DLP - the refurbishments and improvements have meant that the costs have gone up, and, to be perfectly honest, I’m not sure it’s worth spending almost the same amount of money as somewhere like Orlando, where there is so much more to do.
Walt Disney World: The Pros
THERE ARE 6 PARKS! Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Epcot, Typhoon Lagoon, and Blizzard Beach
Some of the WDW rides are unmatched in DLP, e.g. Hollywood Tower Hotel (better than the one in Paris, but if you get the chance, ride Paris first, then WDW!), Splash Mountain (soon to be a Princess and the Frog ride, nothing similar in Paris), Seven Dwarves Mine Train (better than Snow White ride in Paris), Turtle Talk with Crush (no similar experiences in Paris), Avatar Flight of Passage (nothing even remotely similar in Paris), and Frozen Ever After (but keep an eye out for the new Frozen area of DLP coming in 2024!)
For now, WDW is more up to date with new characters, like Anna and Elsa from Frozen, & Elena of Avalor. There’s also Journey of Water (inspired by Moana) coming to EPCOT later in 2023.
Food in America is so cheap compared to the UK and EU (generally speaking). If you’re budgeting for snacks, you will likely find that this cost is less if you hit a US grocery store like Publix than it would be stocking up on snacks in the UK or France for a DLP trip.
Finally, the weather! If you like the sun, you’re in luck!
Walt Disney World: The Cons
Some of the best WDW rides are in the midst of being refurbished - Expedition Everest & Blizzard Beach have just finished refurbishment (which meant we sadly missed them on our trip), and Splash Mountain is currently undergoing a transformation into a Princess and the Frog themed ride which won’t be ready until some time in 2024. Play Pavilion is also coming to EPCOT however there’s no news on when this might be completed, but we can see the area under construction in the Park!
If you’re coming from the UK or EU, you have to fly and either have a car rental or stay onsite at a Disney hotel, and the Disney hotels are pretty pricey. The most affordable way to do Disney is with a villa and self-driving, but you do need to factor in car hire and, if from the UK, driving on the “wrong” side of the road!
Similarly, unless you are going to be driving or changing location half way through your stay, you may struggle to do anything other than Disneyworld. To get to Universal, the Kennedy Space Centre, or Busch Gardens, you need to have a car or change where you’re staying part-way through the trip.
Lastly, the weather! It’s too hot for me out there!
We are definitely going to visit Disneyland Paris again, probably once the Arendelle area has been completed, but otherwise Florida beats it for us now that we’ve been once! They both have their own unique draws, and we love Paris, don’t get me wrong… If only they could put Crush’s Coaster in WDW for us!
