Hi there! Thought I'd do something different than the usual Trip Report story telling, and leap into one of the more hotly contested Disney Debates of which version of classic Disney Attractions are better in Paris or Florida.
I went to Disney Paris over March 17th and March 18th and was lucky enough to experience both Studios Park and the main Disneyland Park. I've been to Walt Disney World Florida (and all of the theme parks) on 3 separate occasions. This was my first trip to Paris and some of the outcomes really surprised me as I always assumed Walt Disney World would triumphed over "trashy Euro-Disney"....
Space Mountain (Magic Kingdom, Florida) v.s Space Mountain: Mission 2 (Disneyland Park, Paris)
Why not start with the big one! Usually the biggest talking point of debate between the two theme parks. You all know the history behind both rides so here is my view point:
The thrill factor is unquestionably higher in Paris, the ride was designed to be a faster version. However it was obviously forgotten to design any sense of comfort into this ride! The shoulder resistant were the hardest gripping I've ever sat in, on all three times I rode. The smell of the smoke machine and effects along the ride were also simply awful.
So yes the thrill factor is much higher in Paris, however in Florida the ride design is so much better despite being much older. I also love the individual seating experience in Magic Kingdom. That is a great feature that often gets forgotten how unique it is.
I'm going to give the win to Magic Kingdom here, as although Paris is more thrilling, Space Mountain 1 in Florida gets the job done perfectly fine and IN COMFORT.
Winner: Space Mountain, Magic Kingdom Florida
Big Thunder Mountain Rail Road
A big big difference here. The ride is again more thrilling in Paris, but also longer and more visually impressive. I mean the ride stands on It's own island! Thats just great.
I'll give the win to Paris here, as the ride is seen as a bit more grand and epic here. Also the whole Frontierland is themed around the ride with various posters advertising it etc etc which is just great to see.
Winner: Disneyland Park, Paris
It's A Small World
A big difference again. It's very strange to see It's A Small World treated with such importance in Paris when I've been used to it being fitted in a busy Fantasyland in Magic Kingdom for so long.
The facade for It's A Small World in Paris is amazing. A mass display which looks huge close up. Such a wonder why so much work went into presenting this ride really.
No idea if both rides have any difference, as I tend to get a headache and faze out around the 4th loop of "It's a small world after all..." so I'll have to draw them on ride quality!
Winner: Disneyland Park, Paris
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Again no much difference in ride quality. Although I think the Paris version may have lasted a few seconds more but never the less it is again the presentation of the rides exterior that splits the two. This time in Hollywood Studios, Florida's advantage!
The ride in Walt Disney Studios, Paris is built in a busy area of the park and doesn't really stand out. Sure it's "Wow that's tall!" but there's so much to look at around it, that it sometimes gets lost in the shuffle as hard as that is to imagine about such a great show building.
In Florida, the hotel is presented so much more effectively. Standing on it's own atop of a hill at the top of Sunset Boulevard, simply perfect.
Winner: Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World Florida
Mad Hatter's Tea Party (The Teacups)
Never thought this would be a point of comparison between the two theme parks, but wow the Paris version is beautiful. The roof above the tea cups is fantastic and actually adds to the attraction. The Paris alternative makes the Florida version look quite weak in comparison. Amazing how there can be so much difference between the standard Tea Cup ride!
Winner: Disneyland Park, Paris
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
Not much to say other than the Paris alternative needs some work or upgrades soon! It broke down about 6 times over my 3 rides. Other than that the only noticeable difference was the AA Buzz in the rides que, with Magic Kingdom's being a lot more impressive.
Winner: Magic Kingdom, Florida
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
Or as Paris should call it: "The forgotten and poorly advertised roller coaster at the very back of the Park" No idea why it gets so little love in Paris, but the ride only ever had a 5 minute wait. Which was great for me admittedly but strange and a bit sad for such a great attraction.
Anyway as for comparisons, the Paris version did seem to pack a heavier punch with show effects such as heavy smoke machines, flashing lights and strobe lights along the ride. It just seemed more in A-Mode than I had ever seen Hollywood Studio's presentation. But this may be a seasonal thing which I don't ever catch in Florida...
Winner: Walt Disney Studios, Paris.
Phantom Manor (Paris) v.s Haunted House (Florida)
Another tough choice. I love both versions a lot. This may be a slightly odd point, but hearing the opening spiel in French actually added to the attraction from a non-French speaker point of view in a very strange way. The accent fitted perfectly with the vibe of the hotel in a way I never thought would happen.
Also I have to say, as hard as it is to type, the decoration and attention to detail is a little bit better in Paris. Also the haunted/spooky/scary factor is higher in Paris due to the inclusion of lots of flesh hanging skeletons which was just awesome to see crawl around.
Winner: Disneyland Park, Paris
Star Tours
The lack of the fantastic que that Hollywood Studios offers was made up with the giant X-Wing outside the ride in Paris.
I'll call this one a draw as both ride systems seemed to feel the same. Still both have great features outside the rides.
Draw.
Studio Tram Tour
Another surprising one to compare, but the version in Paris not only had the great Catastrophe canyon but also another fireball scene in a downtown London setting. Which I felt gave it the slight edge. Still not a great difference, both rides need to speed up their slow tram spiels parts...
Winner: Walt Disney Studios, Paris.
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Well that is all I think! I would have compared Pirates but the ride wasn't open in Paris which was a shame. Also I would have compared Peter Pan but it seems the outrageous wait time is the same in both Parks across the pond!
Hope you enjoyed my short report.
Feel free to comment, agree/disagree, which ever
:wave:
I went to Disney Paris over March 17th and March 18th and was lucky enough to experience both Studios Park and the main Disneyland Park. I've been to Walt Disney World Florida (and all of the theme parks) on 3 separate occasions. This was my first trip to Paris and some of the outcomes really surprised me as I always assumed Walt Disney World would triumphed over "trashy Euro-Disney"....
Space Mountain (Magic Kingdom, Florida) v.s Space Mountain: Mission 2 (Disneyland Park, Paris)
Why not start with the big one! Usually the biggest talking point of debate between the two theme parks. You all know the history behind both rides so here is my view point:
The thrill factor is unquestionably higher in Paris, the ride was designed to be a faster version. However it was obviously forgotten to design any sense of comfort into this ride! The shoulder resistant were the hardest gripping I've ever sat in, on all three times I rode. The smell of the smoke machine and effects along the ride were also simply awful.
So yes the thrill factor is much higher in Paris, however in Florida the ride design is so much better despite being much older. I also love the individual seating experience in Magic Kingdom. That is a great feature that often gets forgotten how unique it is.
I'm going to give the win to Magic Kingdom here, as although Paris is more thrilling, Space Mountain 1 in Florida gets the job done perfectly fine and IN COMFORT.
Winner: Space Mountain, Magic Kingdom Florida
Big Thunder Mountain Rail Road
A big big difference here. The ride is again more thrilling in Paris, but also longer and more visually impressive. I mean the ride stands on It's own island! Thats just great.
I'll give the win to Paris here, as the ride is seen as a bit more grand and epic here. Also the whole Frontierland is themed around the ride with various posters advertising it etc etc which is just great to see.
Winner: Disneyland Park, Paris
It's A Small World
A big difference again. It's very strange to see It's A Small World treated with such importance in Paris when I've been used to it being fitted in a busy Fantasyland in Magic Kingdom for so long.
The facade for It's A Small World in Paris is amazing. A mass display which looks huge close up. Such a wonder why so much work went into presenting this ride really.
No idea if both rides have any difference, as I tend to get a headache and faze out around the 4th loop of "It's a small world after all..." so I'll have to draw them on ride quality!
Winner: Disneyland Park, Paris
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Again no much difference in ride quality. Although I think the Paris version may have lasted a few seconds more but never the less it is again the presentation of the rides exterior that splits the two. This time in Hollywood Studios, Florida's advantage!
The ride in Walt Disney Studios, Paris is built in a busy area of the park and doesn't really stand out. Sure it's "Wow that's tall!" but there's so much to look at around it, that it sometimes gets lost in the shuffle as hard as that is to imagine about such a great show building.
In Florida, the hotel is presented so much more effectively. Standing on it's own atop of a hill at the top of Sunset Boulevard, simply perfect.
Winner: Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World Florida
Mad Hatter's Tea Party (The Teacups)
Never thought this would be a point of comparison between the two theme parks, but wow the Paris version is beautiful. The roof above the tea cups is fantastic and actually adds to the attraction. The Paris alternative makes the Florida version look quite weak in comparison. Amazing how there can be so much difference between the standard Tea Cup ride!
Winner: Disneyland Park, Paris
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
Not much to say other than the Paris alternative needs some work or upgrades soon! It broke down about 6 times over my 3 rides. Other than that the only noticeable difference was the AA Buzz in the rides que, with Magic Kingdom's being a lot more impressive.
Winner: Magic Kingdom, Florida
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
Or as Paris should call it: "The forgotten and poorly advertised roller coaster at the very back of the Park" No idea why it gets so little love in Paris, but the ride only ever had a 5 minute wait. Which was great for me admittedly but strange and a bit sad for such a great attraction.
Anyway as for comparisons, the Paris version did seem to pack a heavier punch with show effects such as heavy smoke machines, flashing lights and strobe lights along the ride. It just seemed more in A-Mode than I had ever seen Hollywood Studio's presentation. But this may be a seasonal thing which I don't ever catch in Florida...
Winner: Walt Disney Studios, Paris.
Phantom Manor (Paris) v.s Haunted House (Florida)
Another tough choice. I love both versions a lot. This may be a slightly odd point, but hearing the opening spiel in French actually added to the attraction from a non-French speaker point of view in a very strange way. The accent fitted perfectly with the vibe of the hotel in a way I never thought would happen.
Also I have to say, as hard as it is to type, the decoration and attention to detail is a little bit better in Paris. Also the haunted/spooky/scary factor is higher in Paris due to the inclusion of lots of flesh hanging skeletons which was just awesome to see crawl around.
Winner: Disneyland Park, Paris
Star Tours
The lack of the fantastic que that Hollywood Studios offers was made up with the giant X-Wing outside the ride in Paris.
I'll call this one a draw as both ride systems seemed to feel the same. Still both have great features outside the rides.
Draw.
Studio Tram Tour
Another surprising one to compare, but the version in Paris not only had the great Catastrophe canyon but also another fireball scene in a downtown London setting. Which I felt gave it the slight edge. Still not a great difference, both rides need to speed up their slow tram spiels parts...
Winner: Walt Disney Studios, Paris.
-----------------
Well that is all I think! I would have compared Pirates but the ride wasn't open in Paris which was a shame. Also I would have compared Peter Pan but it seems the outrageous wait time is the same in both Parks across the pond!
Hope you enjoyed my short report.
Feel free to comment, agree/disagree, which ever
:wave: