Are you desperate to plan a Disney vacation but unsure which Disney park to head to? Wondering ‘how is Disneyland Paris different from Disney World?’. Today, we are going to discuss the difference between Disneyland Paris and Disney World, so you can plan a magical trip!
With Disney parks in a variety of countries – and continents – it can get confusing. After all, they all have castles and Mickey Mouse, right?!
But there is a lot more to it than that. So today, we are covering everything you need to know, so you can decide which Disney parks to head to!
This post is all about the difference between Disneyland Paris and Disney World.
The Difference Between Disneyland Paris and Disney World
@caffeinebythecastle I am obsessed with Disneyland Paris and Disney World, but they are pretty different! What do you think is the biggest difference between the two?! To read the full post, visit caffeinebythecastle.com/difference-between-disneyland-paris-and-disney-world/
♬ Cheerful and cute like Disney’s parade – Minaco
Location, location, location
Perhaps the biggest difference between Disneyland Paris and Disney World – as suggested by their names – is their location.
It’s no surprise that Disneyland Paris is located in France, Europe. It is important to note that Disneyland Paris is not actually in Paris. Yes, I’m sorry to burst your Disney bubble, but it is approximately 20 miles from Paris – according to the Disneyland Paris website.
Whereas Walt Disney World is situated in Orlando, Florida, USA.
Depending on where you live, it might be less time-consuming (and cheaper) for you to travel to one or the other.
Size and the number of parks
Other than the location, the most substantial difference between Disneyland Paris and Disney World is their size.
Disneyland Paris covers approximately 4,800 acres. This may sound a lot, but it is rather minute compared to Disney World at about 30,000 acres (yes, there are four zeros!).
RELATED POST: How Many Parks Are There At Disney World? – All The Disney Parks You Need To Know
Disneyland Paris Parks
Two parks can be found at Disneyland Paris: Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios.
Disneyland Park is the equivalent of Magic Kingdom (in Orlando) – with similar lands, attractions and theming.
Walt Disney Studios is similar to Hollywood Studios, as it’s all about the behind-the-scenes of movie-making. That being said, it is significantly smaller and has a lot of unique attractions.
Disney World Parks
On the other hand, Disney World has 6 parks: 2 water parks (Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon) and 4 traditional theme parks.
As we already mentioned, Magic Kingdom is similar to Disneyland Park in Paris.
They have some similar attractions and lands (more on that later). That being said, they are different enough not to feel like replicas of one another.
We also mentioned that a similar park to Walt Disney Studios in Paris is Hollywood Studios in Orlando.
Hollywood Studios is a much bigger version of a “movie-making” themed park. Because of this, it is usually perceived as the better option of the two.
The two Disney World theme parks that haven’t been replicated in Disneyland Paris are:
- Epcot
- Animal Kingdom
Arguably, the best Disney World theme park is Epcot.
Epcot is known for 3 main things:
- Immersing guests into different cultures (at the world showcase, where you can “travel” to 11 countries. This includes France 🇫🇷, the United Kingdom 🇬🇧, Morocco 🇲🇦, Germany 🇩🇪, Japan 🇯🇵, Canada 🇨🇦, the United States 🇺🇸, Norway 🇳🇴, China 🇨🇳, Mexico 🇲🇽 and Italy 🇮🇹)
- Festivals, including: the Festival of the Arts, the Flower and Garden Festival, the Food and Wine Festival and the Festival of the Holidays.
- Spaceship Earth (aka the Epcot ball, photographed above)
Animal Kingdom is another unique theme park in Disney World.
As you would expect, this theme park is all about animals! You can go on safari, “regular” Disney rides and enjoy some fabulous food and drinks – like all Disney parks.
Ideal Length of Trip
As we mentioned earlier, Disney World has 6 parks (including the 2 water parks), whereas Disneyland Paris only has 2 parks. This greatly impacts the ideal length of your vacation.
For Disneyland Paris, you could stay for as little as two days (if you wanted to do one park per day). This may mean that you only have to stay for one night.
However, if you wanted a more leisurely trip, I would recommend staying for 2-4 nights (especially if it’s your first trip). This way, you may feel less pressure to cram lots of rides and experiences into every park day.
On the other hand, if you go to Disney World, you will probably want a longer vacation.
In order to fit in all 6 parks (including the water parks), it is best to have 5-6 days at Disney World.
If you’re only interested in visiting the 4 main theme parks, you could do one park per day and spend 4 days at Disney World.
To have a more leisurely trip, 7 days is an ideal length of stay.
If you are an international Disney World visitor, it might make sense to stay for 14 days, as tickets are usually 14 days for the price of 7. You can often get access to some great packages for 2 weeks.
Cost
As you may expect, Disneyland Paris can often be the cheaper option. After all, the average length of stay is often less than Disney World, saving on your accommodation cost.
That being said, it depends on where you are travelling from. If you are American, it might still be cheaper to visit Disney World, and save on your travel.
The main factors to determine the cost of a Disneyland Paris or Disney World vacation for you include:
- The price of travel (e.g. flights, fuel, trains etc.)
- The cost of accommodation
- The price of theme park tickets
- Spending money (average price of souvenirs and food etc., as well as considering the current exchange rates)
It is worth looking at Disney packages to see if you can save any money this way.
The time of year can also greatly affect the price. School holidays will predictably be more expensive than non-peak times.
Accomodation & Resorts
There are many accommodation options at both Disneyland Paris and Disney World.
Firstly, let’s discuss the on-site options.
Disneyland Paris On-Site Options
There are 8 on-site hotel options at Disneyland Paris, ranging from 2 to 5 stars – accommodating a variety of budgets and needs.
Disneyland Paris “Deluxe” Options (4-5 star, which is what is considered “deluxe” in Disney World)
- Disneyland Hotel ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (currently closed for renovation until 2024)
- Disney Newport Bay Club ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Disney Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Disneyland Paris “Value” – “Moderate” Options (3 stars)
- Disney Sequoia Lodge ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Disney Hotel Cheyenne ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Disney Davy Crockett Ranch ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Disney Hotel Santa Fe ⭐️⭐️
The Perks of Staying On-Site at Disneyland Paris
- Extra Magic Time (the duration may vary, depending on when you visit Disneyland Paris)
- Free transportation to the parks (shuttle bus) – excluding Disney Davy Crockett Ranch
- Character encounters at the hotels (except Disney Davy Crockett Ranch)
- You get to stay in the “Disney bubble” and enjoy Disney theming 24/7 during your stay (which could also be a con if you’re not the biggest Disney fan ever)
- If you book directly with Disney, theme park tickets are included in the price
Disney World On-Site Options
In stark contrast to Disneyland Paris, Disney World offers over 25 on-site accommodation options – including Value, Moderate, Deluxe and Deluxe Villas to suit a variety of needs.
Note: the number of stars for each resort is according to Google.
Disney World Deluxe Resort Options (4-5 star accommodation)
- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Disney’s Beach Club Resort ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Disney’s Boardwalk Inn ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Disney’s Yacht Club Resort ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
RELATED POST: The Best Disney World Deluxe Resort You Should Book A Stay At
Disney World Moderate Resort Options (3-4 star accommodation)
- Disney’s Port Orleans – Riverside ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Disney’s Port Orleans – French Quarter ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (which are being turned into DVC properties, so these may not be available for your vacation
- Disney’s Coronado Springs ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Disney World Value Resort Options (1-3-star accommodation)
- Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Disney’s All-Star Music Resort ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Disney’s Pop Century Resort ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort ⭐️
RELATED POST: 9 Reasons Why You Should Stay At Value Resorts At Disney World
Disney World Deluxe Villa Resorts (Disney Vacation Club Resorts)
- Disney’s Beach Club Villas ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Disney’s Boardwalk Villas ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Disney’s Riviera Resort ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Disney’s Old Key West Resort ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Perks of Staying On-Site at Disney World
- Free transportation to the parks & Disney Springs (a variety of transportation options including: buses, the monorail, the Skyliner or a boat – depending on which resort you are staying at)
- Early Theme Park entry to guests at all Disney World on-site resorts
- Extended Evening Theme Park Hours to those staying at Deluxe Resorts and Deluxe Villas exclusively
- Free parking at your resort & the theme parks (parking at the theme parks is $25-$50 (depending on your vehicle and the standard of parking you choose) – for those staying off-site)
- Early access to Individual Lightning Lanes (the updated version of the Fastpass) at 7AM. (Off-site guests have to wait until the parks open)
- Free towels at the water parks (Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon)
- The ability to book dining reservations 60 days in advance
- Pre-ordering MagicBands at a discount (usually around $10 per guest)
- Early access to event tickets (e.g. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party)
RELATED POST: Everything You Need To Know About Disney World Halloween Events
- You can stay in the “Disney bubble” for your entire trip
- Some resorts offer a fitness centre
As you can see, there are more perks for staying on-site at Disney World than at Disneyland Paris. That being said, let’s review the Disney Partner Hotels at Disneyland Paris and the Good Neighbour Hotels at Disney World for Disneyland Paris and Disney World, as well as the benefits of staying there.
Disneyland Paris Off-Site Options
If staying on-site is too expensive or unappealing to you, Disneyland Paris offers a variety of off-site options.
Disneyland Paris Partner Hotels & Selected Hotels
- Adagio Marne la Vallée Val d’Europe ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- B&B Hotel ⭐️⭐️
- Hôtel l’Elysée Val d’Europe ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Campanile Val De France ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Explorers Hotel ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Perks of Staying Off-Site at Disneyland Paris
- Some of these hotels offer complimentary shuttle buses to the Disneyland Paris parks
- Some partner hotels are within walking distance of the parks
- They can often be more inexpensive than the Disneyland Paris hotels
Disney World Off-Site Options
Similarly, Disney World offers Good Neighbor Hotels (which are Disney approved).
Disney World Good Neighbor Hotels
- Best Western Plus – Kissimmee – Lake Buena Vista South Inn & Suites ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Blue Tree Resort at Lake Buena Vista ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Buena Vista Suites ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Candlewood Suites Orlando Lake Buena Vista ⭐️⭐️
- Caribe Royale Orlando ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Comfort Suites Maingate East ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Courtyard by Marriott Lake Buena Vista at Vista Centre ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Courtyard by Marriott / Marriott Village Hotels ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Crowne Plaza Orlando ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Delta Marriott Orlando Celebration ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Delta Orlando Lake Buena Vista Delta Orlando Lake Buena Vista ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Embassy Suites Orlando – Lake Buena Vista Resort ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando — Lake Buena Vista South ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando International Drive Convention Center ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Fairfield by Marriott Celebration ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Fairfield Inn and Suites Lake Buena Vista ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Fairfield Inn & Suites Orlando in the Marriott Village ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Floridays Resort Orlando ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- The Grove Resort & Water Park Orlando ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Hampton Inn Orlando/Lake Buena Vista ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Hampton Inn & Suites Orlando – South Lake Buena Vista ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Hawthorn Suites Lake Buena Vista ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Hilton Garden Inn Orlando/Lake Buena Vista ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Holiday Inn Orlando Southwest – Celebration Area ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- The Holiday Inn Express & Suites – South Lake Buena Vista ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites – Waterpark ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Holiday Inn Resort Orlando – Lake Buena Vista ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Home2 Suites by Hilton Orlando International Drive South ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Homewood Suites by Hilton Lake Buena Vista – Orlando ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Hyatt Place Orlando/Lake Buena Vista ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Margaritaville Resort Orlando ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Meliá Orlando Celebration ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Residence Inn Orlando Convention Center ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Residence Inn Lake Buena Vista ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Rosen Inn Lake Buena Vista ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Sheraton Lake Buena Vista Resort ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Sonesta ES Suites Orlando – Lake Buena Vista ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Springhill Suites Orlando Theme Park/Lake Buena Vista ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- SpringHill Suites Orlando Lake Buena Vista in the Marriott Village ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Springhill Suites by Marriott Orlando Kissimmee ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- SpringHill Suites Orlando Convention Center/International Drive Area ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- TownePlace Suites Orlando Theme Park/Lake Buena Vista ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- WorldQuest Orlando Resort ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Perks of Staying Off-Site at Disney World
- 3 and 4-star options
- Options of suites
- Some Good Neighbor Hotels offer a free breakfast (which can save a lot, especially if you’re travelling with a large party)
- Some have complimentary transportation to Disney World
- Some have a fitness centre
Clearly, there are more off-site options at Disney World. Therefore, it may be easier for you to save money at Disney World – if you want to stay off-site.
Theme Park Tickets
One of the largest expenses of your trip is theme park tickets. Unfortunately, this is true for both Disneyland Paris and Disney World.
A one-day un-dated ticket for one park at Disneyland Paris (not part of a package) is $124.96 (as of 2023). If you would like to visit two parks, this would cost $154.71.
For Disney World, a one-day ticket is from $109, and a park hopper one-day ticket. The park hopper one-day ticket is from $184. The park hopper plus option (which grants you access to the water parks) is from $204.
So, tickets are extremely expensive for both parks. However, you can save money by buying tickets for more days.
RELATED POST: The Insane Prices of Disney World 1-Day Tickets
Annual Passes
Believe it or not, you may actually save money on your tickets by purchasing Disneyland Paris or Disney World annual passes.
Disneyland Paris annual passes are currently available for €289 – €699 (depending on the tier). If you’re spending enough time at Disneyland Paris, it might be worth opting for an annual pass.
Disney World annual passes cost $399-$1,399 + tax (it would be $1,399 if you’re not a Florida resident or DVC member with a blue card). A Disney World annual pass may also help you save on other expenses (e.g. hotels, merchandise, food etc.).
Attractions
Both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Paris offer a variety of attractions.
Disneyland Paris offers over 50 attractions (according to the Disneyland Paris website) across the two parks. These attractions include a variety of rides, character meet-and-greets, shows and more!
Walt Disney World currently offers over 260 attractions (according to the Disney World website) across the resorts, parks, Disney Springs and Boardwalk.
So, clearly, there is a lot more to do in Disney World (hence why you may need a longer vacation, if you want to go to the Orlando parks).
RELATED POST: 10 Exhilarating Disney World Thrill Rides You Can’t Miss
The Castles
Now, this may not be a big deal to you, but it is important to note that they are quite different! 🏰
Disneyland Park (in Paris) is home to Sleeping Beauty Castle (or ‘Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant‘).
As expected, Sleeping Beauty Castle has a more European feel and is also an endearing walk-through attraction.
Magic Kingdom (in Orlando) is home to Cinderella Castle, which is larger than Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Unlike Disneyland Park, there is no walk-through attraction. However, there is a table-service restaurant here instead (Cinderella’s Royal Table).
And if you’re really lucky, one day you might be invited to stay in the Cinderella Castle Suite. We might be dreaming a little much here, but hey, miracles can happen at Disney World 😂
Ta Ta For Now
Which Disney park will you be headed to next? And, if you’ve been to both Disneyland Paris and Disney World, which is your favourite?! Let me know in the comments.
This post is all about the difference between Disneyland Paris and Disney World.
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