Behind the Scenes: Little-Known Yet Unpleasant Aspects of the Disney Theme Parks

As an avid visitor to Disney theme parks, I've gone to Disneyland Paris five times and have encountered several aspects that, while little-known, are certainly unpleasant. One of the most notable issues is the inadequate ride capacity at many of the attractions, leading to long lines and less pleasant park experiences.

Ride Capacity Issues

Let's start with a look at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (BTMR) at Disneyland Paris. BTMR is one of the most iconic attractions in the park, yet it frequently deals with long waiting times, sometimes exceeding an hour. This is more than just a Parisian issue; similar stories are reported from other Disney parks. A single BTMR train can hold 24 passengers, departing every 40 seconds, which results in a capacity of 2160 people per hour.

According to a quick Google search, about 84 million people visited Disneyland Paris in 2016, translating to an average daily attendance of 23,000. During the summer months, Disneyland Paris is generally open for 14 hours. Using the BTMR's capacity, we can estimate that theoretically, it can accommodate 30,240 people per day. However, a conservative estimate suggests that only around 80% of the daily visitors actually want to ride, meaning that the ride can only be experienced 168 times per day in high season.

Another Example: Crush’s Coaster

Crush’s Coaster at Walt Disney Studios Park is another example of inadequate capacity. In 2016, the attendance was 5 million, averaging 13,700 visitors per day. Opened for approximately 8 hours daily, the coaster has a capacity of 960 people per hour or 7,680 people per day. With around 80% of visitors wanting to ride, it's possible to accommodate only 0.70 rides per visit, resulting in very long queues. This is a clear case of insufficient ride capacity leading to frustration and dissatisfaction.

There are also reports of even longer queues for Avatar Land in Walt Disney World (WDW), further emphasizing the issue of inadequate ride capacity.

Size and Technology Differences

Another lesser-known aspect of Disney theme parks is the significant size difference. For example, the entire Disneyland park (California Adventure and Disneyland Resort included) can fit into the parking lot at Magic Kingdom. Disneyland in California feels significantly smaller compared to Walt Disney World. My husband, having grown up in Southern California, was taken aback by the vastly different sizes of the parks. The difference in size is not just in the number of attractions but also in the layout and infrastructure.

Technological Disparity

The technological advancements and differences between Disney parks are also noteworthy. Walt Disney World's Magic Bands allow for seamless planning of the entire park experience, from making FastPass reservations to using the My Disney Experience app for real-time updates and map navigation. Disneyland, on the other hand, relies on FastPass ticket machines, which are inconsistent and often fail to provide the desired ride times.

Cost Disparities

Cost differences between Disney parks are substantial and can be surprising for visitors. My visits to Disney parks often involve staying with family in Vermont, and we were shocked at the higher costs in Florida. Even staying in one of the cheapest on-property hotels at Disneyland, such as Paradise Pier, starts at $300 per night, compared to the value resorts at Walt Disney World, which start at $85 per night. The dining experience is also more expensive, with a two-person dinner at Wine Country Trattoria costing $120, whereas we managed to eat at WDW for less than $70, including drinks and an AYCE menu.

Food Allergies and Diets

Please note that Disney parks take food allergies very seriously. WDW offers an extensive range of gluten-free and allergen-free options, such as the Port Orleans Riverside, which features gluten-free waffles and pancake alternatives, as well as allergen-free chicken strips. In comparison, Disneyland's options are more limited, with the Grand Californian's choice of allergen-free Mickey waffles being quite disappointing.

Conclusion

Despite these challenges and the differences between parks, Disney theme parks remain beloved by millions. I, for one, continue to carry an annual pass and visit as often as possible. While there are clear differences between the parks, and some can be frustrating, the magic and joy at Walt Disney World and Disneyland are undeniable. If you consider living close to a park, it can indeed be a wonderful experience, though proper planning and understanding of the park's differences can greatly enhance your visit.