3 Key Differences between Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney World Florida

I have been lucky enough this year to be granted the honour of visit two of the happiest places on earth. Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney World Resort. I have also noticed that some of our Yankee friends like to come over here from time to time and see how we Europeans do things. So I decided to talk about 3 main differences between the two parks and how to plan for each difference. Now there are some obvious ones like that fact that one is bigger than the other and geographical differences, however I'm going to tell you the ones that will affect how you plan your next magical trip.

Difference 1: How Fastpass works

In both cases, Fastpass allows you to cut the queue for some of the most popular rides by giving you an allocated time to return to the ride in question. However, this is where, unfortunately (or fortunately according to your holiday style) the similarities end. 

In Walt Disney World, if you are staying at an official Disney hotel (you can see the full list here), you can book your Fastpasses up to 60 days in advance. This goes down to 30 days if you are staying in what is known as an 'off-property' hotel. You get 3 Fastpasses per person per day to use however you wish (note Animal Kingdom and Epcot offer a tier system for some of their rides to stop people taking the Mickey Mouse). 

In Disneyland Paris, there is no option to book your Fastpasses in advance and you can only do one at a time. In addition, this year, Disneyland Paris now have the option for you to pay to be able to use the fastpass queue at whatever time you wish, similar to something like Alton Towers. You have the option to either use the fastpass queue once or unlimited according to your choice and budget.  In addition, unlike Walt Disney World, Fastpass at Disneyland Paris only applies to 9 rides across the two parks (the list can be found here). 

My advice if you are going to Walt Disney World is to PLAN, PLAN and once again PLAN. Try and book the following rides as close to that 60 period as humanly possible:

Animal Kingdom:

• Navi's River Journey
• Avatar: Flight of Passage
• Expedition Everest

Epcot:

• Soarin Around the World. 
• Test Track
• Frozen Ever After

Hollywood Studios:

• Slinky Dog Dash
• Alien Swirling Saucers
• Toy Story Mania

Magic Kingdom:

• Space Mountain
• Big Thunder Mountain
• Splash Mountain
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train  

Picture Source: Walt Disney World Resort

Rides outside of this list tend to be easier to book slots for as you head closer to your departure date, whereas these tend to have all their slots filled by the 58/59 day mark (I know, it's madness). 

With Disneyland Paris, you don't need to plan as religiously. Instead, make sure to take advantage of the extra magic hours to cover Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain, Buzz Lightyear's Laser Blast and  Peter Pan's Flight, then use your Fastpass on Big Thunder Mountain during your day at Disneyland Park. At Walt Disney Studios,  use your extra magic hours on Ratatouille, Rock n' Roller Coaster and Crush's Coaster then use your Fastpass on the Tower of Terror. 

With a little bit of planning, you won't need to shell out to not wait for ages. Picture Source: Disneyland Paris

Difference 2: How the dining plan works

I don't know why Disney parks can't just all agree on how the dining plan works and stick to it. Until that day finally happens, this section will always be relevant. 

Walt Disney World has 3 different plans. 2 are 'half board' (you can however use these two meals at any time you wish) and the final plan is 'full board'. These plans are as follows:

• Counter Service: You get two counter service credits (a list of restaurants that take these credits can be found here ), with each credit including a drink of your choice (this includes alcohol). You also get 2 snacks per day (think ice cream, popcorn, cookies, cakes, etc.) and a resort mug that can be filled at any of Disney's on property hotels. 
• Disney Dining Plan: This plan is similar to the counter service plan except that you swap one counter service credit for a table service one. This table service meal can be used for character dining, buffets, etc. In addition by sacrificing one additional table service credit, you can also dine in the signature restaurants.
•  Deluxe Dining Plan: The most expensive plan is also, in my opinion, the most flexible. It allows you 3 meals a day where you have the choice of dining at a table service restaurant or counter service. Like the other plans, you also have 2 addition snacks per person per day and a one resort mug per person. 

If you are going to Walt Disney World Resort, you have to try Polite Pig. It's on all the dining plans and the food is AMAZING! Picture Source: Walt Disney World Resort

Disneyland Paris' is VERY different. They offer something called meal plans which are essentially vouchers for your meals. Unlike it's American counterpart, if you have a half board plan, one of these meals is automatically breakfast, whereas you have more flexibility when to use your credits across the pond. I have a far more detailed guide to Disneyland Paris' dining plan here, but in short your voucher will be for breakfast at your hotel (unless you're on Premium where Plaza Garden's character breakfast is also available) and then 1/2 vouchers for a buffet/table service restaurant according to what level you have selected. Unlike the Disney dining plans, alcohol is NOT included on the meal plans, so bare this in mind if you fancy a beer/wine with your dinner. 

If you're going to Disneyland Paris, book a table at Plaza Gardens. You can check out my review of it here. Picture Source: Disneyland Paris

Despite these VAST differences, there are similar strategies when it comes to make the most of your plan. Unless you are on a counter service dining plan, BOOK YOUR RESTAURANTS IN ADVANCE! This can be done via the My Disney Experience app 180 days in advance if you are going to Walt Disney World resort and 60 days in advance via telephone or online (once again shout out to Salon Mickey for finding this) if you are going to Disneyland Paris. 

In addition, if you are going to Walt Disney World resort, I would highly suggest that you subscribe to a YouTube channel called Disney Food Blog and visit the website. There are numerous videos about the best places to spend your various credits and AJ really knows her stuff. Fun fact, I actually made this blog because I was slightly upset that she only covered the American parks. 

Difference 3: The weather. 

As a Brit, I find it easier to adjust to Disneyland Paris' climate than I do at Walt Disney World. Why? Because for the most part, central France has a very similar climate to Melton Mowbray with a few degrees either side for leeway. 

This means that it's late teens to high 20s in the summer and single figures to minus figures in the winter, with spring and autumn being in the middle. This means that if you plan to go November-late March/April, your favourite pair of thermals, gloves, scarves, hats, etc. are a must especially towards closing time when it get incredibly bitter. In the summer time, bring your sun hats, cream, etc. and obviously make sure that you're cover so that you don't burn.

Then we get to Walt Disney World. Oh lord. Florida is hot. I'm talking mid 30s in June hot. When you're walking in mid 30s with no AC, it's not fun! In addition to the heat, between April and October, you also have rain. Oh and I don't mean like a little drizzle, I mean a full blown downpour that will drench you within 10 seconds. Therefore, if you are going to Florida, it is super important you bring the following:

Don't be that parent who doesn't let their kid play on the Casey Jr. Splash Park because you forgot spare clothes. Picture Source: Walt Disney World Resort 

1. Spare clothes (especially if you have tiddlywinks): There are water playgrounds and fountains everywhere. 
2. Sun-cream and after-sun: Hot weather + water = lots of reapplications unless you want to channel your inner lobster.
3. A rain poncho/light coat: For the daily downpour, because nobody wants to waste $20 on a poncho in the Disneyparks.
4. A portable fan: For the times where you're not in a downpour. 

In either case, you can very easily enjoy your day if you prepare correctly.