To be clear: there is absolutely nothing wrong with the Paris version of the attraction. From the large rotating loading platform, guests board their own self-powered boats – with no Cast Member to guide them on their journey here. The ride sets sail under various bridges formed by the neighboring Casey Jr. train attraction, and the interplay between the two – while not as intertwined as California’s, still makes for great kinetic energy. The sets themselves are much larger than those found in California – and in many cases more elaborate. There are also a couple of real rare gems represented in the Paris attraction – from Peter and the Wolf to Night on Bald Mountain. Being swallowed by a whale, found at the start of the California attraction, is replaced by entering the mouth of the Cave of Wonders about halfway through the journey. It all adds up to a fun and enjoyable attraction that is just the right length, with many great scenes to enjoy along the way. Its only drawback is that by comparison to its California counterpart, it comes off as less impressive due to the way things are spread out, with a bit more “dead space” between scenes, and not as intimate of a setting. Still, it’s a great attraction that really can stand on its own and is worth experiencing. For all of these reasons, Le Pays des Contes de Fees earns the #2 place on our list.

Good things often come in small packages, and nowhere is that more true than what is found at the California version of the attraction. Here it is almost impossible to imagine that an attraction worthy of time and attention – let alone two – could be wedged into this tiny slice of land among so many great attractions found in California’s Fantasyland. Guests board boats captained by actual Cast Members, who control the speed of the journey, as well as providing fun narration along the way. From the opening, being swallowed into the mouth of Monstro the Whale, to the undersea finale glistening behind the waterfall, California’s version is packed with highlights all throughout. The scenes here are constant, with very little space between, sometimes appearing on both sides of the boat. And the miniscule scale is on a level that would impress most model train enthusiasts. The Casey Junior Train winds throughout, providing excellent effects of this truly being a miniature land of its own. Even more impressive is the patchwork quilt design on the hillside, made up of literally thousands of miniature tress, bushes, flowers, and plants – a masterpiece of Disney’s gardeners that shines year-round. But the real star here is just the way this intimate space works wonders to transport and captivate the imagination to another world. There are sights and sounds around every single turn and both the scale and volume of things to see are justification to experience the attraction multiple times. It’s a masterpiece on every level and it’s why California’s Storybook Land Canal Boats are the best version of the attraction in the world.