If you love the Disney Parks in Florida but have decided to branch out and venture across the pond, you are likely to experience a little Disney culture shock. There is still a castle, still the Fab Five and still queues for the toilets, but there are also plenty of differences between Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney World. Here are a few that we think you need to know about.

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1. The Attractions

Looking at a map of Disneyland Paris, or a list of the rides, you are going to find some that are pleasingly familiar. However, don’t be fooled, some of these are very different from their US counterparts. So here are all the attractions that are most worthy of mention:

Ones You Think You Know

• Peter Pan’s Flight – This is going to sound mad, but Peter Pan’s flight is actually faster in Paris.
• Hyperspace Mountain vs Space Mountain – From the Star Wars overlay to the launch at the beginning, this is unlike the toboggan ride you might be used to.
• Phantom Manor vs Haunted Mansion – There are many familiar aspects of this haunted house, but the Western theme gives it a new twist.
• Sleeping Beauty’s Castle – Quite a bit larger than the US Park castles, you will also notice that it is painted in brighter colours to contrast the commonly grey sky. Don’t miss out on the sleeping beauty story upstairs, and the scary dragon downstairs.
• Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril – This is a bone-rattling kit rollercoaster, with one small loop and several head-jangling terns.
• Slinky Dog Zigzag Spin – If you know Slinky Dog Dash, this one is a total disappointment. It is a gentle, wiggly worm ride, that just goes around on a slightly waved round track. Let me put it this way, it is great if you are three years old.

Ones You Don’t

• Crush’s Coaster – Part dark ride, part family coaster, this nod to a Pixar favourite is great fun. It starts off with some storytelling all about Levi and his friends joining the EAC, and then has a zippy, but not so well themed gravity section to finish it off.
• Pays des Contes de Fées (Storybook boats) – This is a slow boat ride through several fairytales. It used to include some lesser known properties, but it has just undergone a refresh and now you will spy Frozen and other new IPs.
• Alice’s Curious Labyrinth – Not so much a ride, but an attraction. It is a great example of something Disneyland Paris does very well. You can run riot through a maze full of Alice in Wonderland characters, ending up at a brilliantly colourful castle.
• Avengers Assemble Flight Force – Well, I say you won’t know it, but if you are familiar with Rock and Rollercoaster featuring Aerosmith, then it is going to feel very familiar. This is the same track and launch but with a re-theme.
• Spiderman WEB Adventure – Think Toy Story midway mania but you use your hands to shoot webs instead of an external, handheld device. It is ridiculously fun, and ridiculously addictive. 
• RC Racer – This might not look scary, but this slightly hard-core version of a pirate ship pack a surprising punch you are going to lose your tummy more than once.
• Toy Story Parachute Drop – If Tower of Terror is too extreme for you, this drop ride might be more your speed. Plus, it has lovely views across the parks.

2. Cast Members

American customer service is known throughout the world. Big smiles, lots of compliments and sprinkles of pixie dust at every term make the Disney cast members in the USA justifiably famous.

Now, I not saying that the cast members at Disneyland Paris are worse at all. France just has a different idea of what good customer service looks like. Everyone does their job, does it well, does it with a smile, and goes above and beyond where their role allows. It may seem a little unenthusiastic, but it is in no way disingenuous. If someone is creating Disney magic for you, or complimenting your DisneyBound, they mean every word.

Wondering what a DisneyBound is? Read our article to find out.

3. Language

Yes, being in France means that French is pretty prevalent. You will find it on the signs, in the shows and throughout the attractions. However, it is by no means the only language spoken. In fact, UK guests make up the second largest group of visitors. Everything that is not in French, and that’s about 50% of everything, is in English.

Plus, as English is the language of tourism, you will find Disneygoers from across Europe who use it as their second language. Don’t panic, you will get through.

Of course, a cheery, “Bonjour/Bonsoir”, and a grateful, “Merci”, are very much appreciated.

4. Photo Pass

If you pay for photos expecting an album full of delightful family photos in front of the castle and other photogenic spots around the park, you are going to be disappointed. Photographers are few and far between at Disneyland Paris, and most of the photos you will be able to get come from character interactions and from the rides. Even with characters, you can usually ask the cast members to take some photo or video on your own devices. If you do want a few official photos, it is probably best a la carte.

5. The Food

It Takes Longer

Eating out in Europe is usually a relaxed affair. In the USA, you may be used to a bill appearing as you are halfway through your main dish. In Paris, you need to attract someone’s attention and request the bill. They don’t tend to assume you are finished, and would rather like you to order some more wine or coffee to bump up their profits. Remember, it is not okay to click or whistle at the waiters in France as is common in some of the world. Instead, try to make eye contact and give them a little wave, or the universal hand gesture for signing a cheque.

It Isn’t So Important

Disney snacks are a very big deal in the USA. Innovative and delicious dishes that you can indulge in or share on social media are the basis for many a WDW trip. In France, however, a nation of foodies, Disney is not the peak of culinary excellence. A lot less funding goes towards the food in the parks and you wilkl find that the snacks in particular are not up to the standards of WDW. The sit-down spots are very good but you will probably find classier cuisine in Paris itself.

Mobile Ordering

Disneyland in California has mobile ordering for absolutely everything. Walt Disney world has it for most quick service spots and it works well. Disneyland Paris has mobile ordering for some quick service food places but it isn’t that good. Be prepared to queue.

Tipping

Finally, the big difference when the bill comes is the tips or service charge that are expected. In the USA you are given options ranging from 18 – 25%. If buying a drink at a bar, tips star at $1 a drink. However, in France, picking up quick service or buying a drink from a bar without table service doesn’t require a tip. In a sit-down restaurant, a 15% service charge is included in the menu price you see so you do not need to tip further. This is already above the standard 10% that you would add elsewhere in Europe.

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6. Parades and Fireworks Wait Times

I have heard tell of people staking out their spots for the fireworks up to three hours in advance in Walt Disney World. This is entirely unnecessary at Disneyland Paris The most hardcore of fans will grab a spot an hour and half before but most people start to gather about 45 minutes before. Alternatively, you could pay for a good viewing place which starts at around €19, but you have already paid enough!

Similarly, there is an announcement that is sounded about 10 minutes before any parade. At this point you can still find a semi-decent place to see it from. Ideally, about 15 minutes before could get you a front row seat.

7. Strollers/Buggies

In European cities. cobbled streets, steep hills and public transport make dragging toddlers around in buggies/pushchairs/strollers, rather hard work. Kids in Europe walk a lot. Of course there is still a decent amount of buggies being pushed and parked around the parks, but there seem to be far fewer thanin the USA. I bet every one of those parents regrets it when their little one gets super tired and refuses to walk any more! It is possible to hire a pushchair from Town Hall so if you are travelling to Paris from elsewhere, you don’t need to bring your own.

8. Premier Access

Forget the old Fast Passes, or the recently defunct Genie Plus, we don’t even have Lightning Lane Multipss, in Paris, it is Premier Access. The first option for guests is to pay for an all-day express pass called Disney Premier Access Ultimate which starts from €90 per day. This gives fast-track entrance to the each of included rides once over the course of the day. Alternatively, you can just skip the queue of one ride at a time with Disney Premier Access One. This is bought for an individual attraction and can only be used once. These start at €5.

9. Alcoholic Drinks

There is a very casual attitude to drinking at Disneyland Paris leading to one of the grown up differences between Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney World. Most of the castle parks around the world were dry until very recently, but Paris was granted an alcohol license just one year after it opened. A glass of wine or beer at lunch was too ingrained in the French culture (and seven glasses is about right for the UK guests). Carrying a drink around, and even into the queues is permitted. Somehow, we were even allowed to bring a plastic glass of Champagne onto Autopia, which led to some wildly irresponsible drinking and driving (DUI). You are not allowed to bring your own alocholl into DLP but once yu are in, have at it!

10. Smoking

There are smoking areas within the parks and you may see a lot more people smoking than you are used to. These are sometimes tucked away but they can be right in front of bathrooms, which isn’t so nice. You will also find that a few people ignore the rules and smoke when they are waiting for the parades or fireworks. (Vapers are especially naughty for this and they like to puff strawberry mist in the queues).

11. Parisian Weather

Florida may have year-round warm temperatures with a crazy hurricane season full of heavy storm showers, and California can get nice and warm in summer but Paris has four distinct seasons.

• Summer can be boiling and air conditioning isn’t too common so pack a fan. You will also want plenty of sun cream as some of the longest queues, including Crush’s Coaster and Autopia are outside.
• Autumn has some nice crisp, blue sky days but an equal number is pure grey. Be sure to bring many layers and gear for rain. Remember that in Paris, rain doesn’t tend to storm hard and then disappear. it is quite normal for a whole day of drizzle which you may not think is rain. Trust us when we say, the steady application of misty rain will leave you drenched if you don’t take it seriously. I’m British…I know rain!
• Winter is cold, often with temperatures just above freezing. Dashing about, it isn’t too bad but when you are stood still queueing or waiting for parades/fireworks, you are going to be chilly. It is a good idea to pack lots of layers and some hand warmer pads or similar.
• Spring is the least predictable. It can be rather warm and lovely, or slip back into winter. You wil find nice flowers blooming, blossom in Paris and the first little flare sof summer warmth. It is probably the nicest season to visit weather-wise.

12. Walking Between Parks

If you are a Disneylander then this won’t be all that shocking to you, but coming from Florida, it is a surprise how close the park entrances are. Exiting Disneyland Park, it will take you less than five minutes to reach the gates of Walt Disney Studios by foot. It makes park hopping a total breeze. We were watching a parade by the castle hub when we got a last minute table at Bistrot Chez Remy in the other park. We managed to make it in 15 minutes for the table. This is one of my favourite differences between Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney World as it makes a one day trip, perfectly manageble.

13. The Price

The ticket prices for Disney parks around the world creep ever upwards but the most extreme price hikes seem to be in Florida. The best direct comparison of ticket prices I can find is a 4 day pass (this includes both parks in Paris as standard but only one park per day in Orlando). These prices are correct as of 15th September 2024.

• Orlando: $700 (£535)
• Paris: €245 – €341 (£207 – £288)

Now just for fun, let’s look at some of the other parks and how much it would cost to visit them for four days.

• Disneyland and Disney California Adventure (one park per day): $445 (£341)
• Hong Kong (2×2 day tickets): HK$2163 (£211)
• Shanghai (2×2 day tickets): ¥1660 – ¥3196 (£179 – £344)
• Tokyo & Tokyo DisneySea (4×1 day tickets, one park per day): ¥33,600 – ¥36,900 (£178 – £212)

Of course, these prices will fluctuate due to currency changes but it is just an illustration of WDW’s spenny tickets.

…and why we should go to Tokyo for our next Disney adventure!

14. The Technology

My Disney Experience is the app used by everyone in Walt Disney World. It is quite reliable and to have a good day, you really can’t be without it. The Disneyland Paris app has a lot less functionality. It will allow you to book dining reservations, mobile order food from a few outlets and check the menus of others, and pay for extras like Premier Access and spots for parades and fireworks. Thats kind of it. You won’t spend the whole day glued to your phone as you do with booking Lightning Lanes etc in Walt Disney World.

Oh, and MagicBands don’t exist in Disneyland Paris at all so it is totally pointless bringing them,

15. Paris is Right There

The last of the differences between Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney World is the location (that’s obvious I know but hang on). You can reach Orlando from WDW, and Anaheim from Disneyland…that is nice enough but from DLP, you can visit Paris.

Paris is a gorgeous city, perfect for a wandering walk and studded with world famous landmarks. How can you be so close and miss out on a visit to Notre Dame, or a visit to the Eiffel Tower?

Check out our post all about saving money in this glorious city here

Final Thoughts on the Differences Between Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney World

Travelling between the world’s Disney parks can create a little bit of uncanny valley effect. However, enjoying the differences between Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney World is part of the fun. Find every bit of novelty because novelty enhances delight.

Rosie xx