First DLP Trip in Nearly 10 Years

[Animaniac93-98]

Figured it would be easier to post all opinions in one place here than scatter them across various threads

I've been to DLP before, but this was my first visit since the start of the 25th anniversary promotion in 2017.

A Lot has changed since then, some things for the better, some not, but it was really nice to return. I've visited just about every other Disney theme park since, so it had been the longest since I was at this resort I was most eager to return to.

This was also my first visit to any Disney theme park since 2023, and having now been here, I don't really miss the US parks.

DLP still scratches that same Disney vacation itch for me. As I was walking from my Robert A M Stern designed hotel along a lake to a Disney Studios theme park, I felt more like I was at WDW than when I was at either Disneyland in California or Tokyo Disney. Being a product of Eisner-era Disney, there's a lot of overlap in concept and execution to what you see in Florida. No, the weather isn't the same, but the primary reason I visit Disney is for the built experience, not simply that it's in a hot climate. Having visited Disney theme parks in both weather extremes, I honestly prefer the cold. And it was warmer here than much of North America at the same time.

The last time I stayed at Newport Bay Club half the hotel was covered in scaffolding, my unrenovated room had crayon on the walls and I was given a gift certificate as compensation for the pool being closed. This felt like the first time truly staying at the hotel and while I think the rooms are once again in need of a refurb, they're in much better shape than my last stay. It's a nice "Disney" hotel, that doesn't have IP plastered over everything and felt like a proper deluxe resort in the primary common areas. There's bus transportation to the park but you're better off walking and that's the main perk for me for staying on site besides early entry. I've always stayed in DLP when going to this resort and I can't imagine staying off site and not having those two critical benefits (besides the feeling of staying in "the bubble").

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Getting the negative out of the way first:

- No gas flame effects anywhere. Such a shame in the Liberty and Discovery arcades especially, but the Indiana Jones torches are now just flicking lights too and I did not see the Frontierland or Adventureland entrance torches on either. If I missed the gas lamps on Main Street itself, I didn't notice
- Up in Storybookland. Not crazy about Frozen or Winnie the Pooh either, but everyone knows how much I hate that they replaced Oz with something so lackluster. Doesn't look better in person. Totally inexplicable with Disney's vast library to choose from
- No squid in the Nautilus, but also why get rid of Nemo's face in the organ or Ned Land's guitar in the treasury either? At least the steam effect in the engine room worked as did the bubbling water in the diving chamber
- They went to all that trouble to refurbish Buzz's exterior, but didn't at least paint it a different colour? One that fits Discoveryland better?
- Hyperspace Mountain needs to go and not just because of the theme. It's also too bright inside for all the projections. Lots of obvious rectangles outlined from all the light (a problem with Avenger's Flight Force too). Fix the cannon
- Hyperion airship looked to be in terrible shape. Hope it's fixed soon too
- Were the Orbitron planets spinning? I can't remember
- Most of my grievances relate to Discoveryland. I think it's my least favourite land atm in the castle park. What a shame knowing what it was like in the late 90s. Wish I could have seen it then!
- 1 train running around the park and only MS and Frontierland depots open. A 20 minute wait if you just missed it
- I think the Luca dining room at the Pizzeria looks nice, but what they did to Fuente del Oro (like the actual fountain) is a shame. Not the best IP integration (and why did it need IP?)
- It may have been weather related, but both the first lift waterfall and the splash down effect on BTMRR were not turned on and neither was the ever temperamental third lift smoke effect
- 1 robot in Pirates in the burning town was totally static on all rides, but otherwise the ride was in great shape
- 2 skeletons in the Phantom Manor canyon scene were sometimes on and off depending upon the ride but they seemed to get fixed quickly.
- Speaking of PM. The 2019 refurb is a real mixed bag to say the least. Something was lost in trying to make things clearer but I don't care for the implication that the Bride was in on it the whole time, given what is shown in the ride
- Saw what's left of the Mark Twain. At this point, just get rid of it
- Who thought badly dubbing Tom Holland in French was a good idea? They should have done an alternate non-English take. I'm sure he could do the lines!
- I know ToT has three different drop profiles now, but is it really random, or one per shaft? I went on twice on the same side and got the same sequence
- Newport needs a major exterior refurb ASAP
- I miss Cafe Fantasia and have no real interest in going to that bar anymore

I also felt more rushed than I would have liked and always end up spending more time in the Studios than I anticipate. I think 5 nights is the ideal length for DLP because then you can really take the time to explore and absorb the environments at your leisure, have a drink at a lounge or sit down meal etc. This was my shortest trip to DLP and I regret that in hindsight. Oh well, an excuse to come back!

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Positives!

- All effects working on Fantasyland dark rides from what I could tell, including smoke from the chimneys in PPF. I didn't realize not only did the load area have this effect, but on the ride as you fly out the window there's some there too!
- CMs were very efficient at loading vehicles and lines for rides, like PPF, were moving faster than I've seen in Florida.
- Wait times were often less than the posted time
- Crowds were manageable for the most part, but got busier as the week progressed. I think Feb 1 is when some kids got out of school and think parents took them earlier in the week
- Restaurants were actually open! I swear the Ice Cream parlor on Main Street was too at one point. A lot seemed to have a 11-5 or noon-5 schedule
- Agrabah Cafe continues to be one of Disney's better buffet options and Pym's was good as well
- Lots of characters out in Avengers Campus, if you didn't get a virtual queue for the indoor M&G you would have seen some just walking around the land. I also think this version is better than the one in California [for now, let's get that E-ticket built here too]. There seemed to be quite a lot of characters throughout both parks doing M&Gs
- 70% off sale in nearly every store. Mostly junk nobody wants, but some good finds if you had the patience to look
- Storybook Store and Harrington's on Main Street are some of my favorites to browse
- Walt's is still worth it for me. Such a quiet, cozy restaurant in the middle of the park. Once again got a window seat. It's the Club 33 experience without tens of thousands in fees just to get inside
- Considering it was winter, landscaping was very creative with making Fantasyland colourful, but also having Adventureland still be soo green
- Lion King show is oustanding. Possibly the best of its kind in any Disney theme park. Mickey and the Magician still lives up to its reputation. WDW and DLR wish they had shows this good.
- Despite what I said earlier, Storybookland remains a very special place in the park. Tucked away from everywhere else and so quiet first thing in the morning, there's nothing like this in most of the other castle parks

 

[Animaniac93-98]

One negative I forgot, it's near impossible to spin those teacups.

Compared to how fast you can whip them around in Florida, at DLP they barely move.

 

[marni1971]

A fascinating read.

A few comments;

Gas effects began to turn off when the Ukraine war began; comments at the time related to supply availability, image, and cost. Although one lamp outside Liberty Court refused to let go. We did see the Indy, fort and PotC torches in summer 2022.

Did you see the outside of Space Mountain at night? Surely a new plus point! Interior theme notwithstanding. They also fixed the Nautilus lighthouse after x years.

BTM water fx are usually off in cold weather. The smoke fx supply pipes are known to freeze and it’s an ongoing issue.

Tower is one story per shaft.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Did you see the outside of Space Mountain at night? Surely a new plus point! Interior theme notwithstanding. They also fixed the Nautilus lighthouse after x years.

Yes, I did see the new lighting and it looks great!

Discoveryland at night remains an impressive sight

 

[Animaniac93-98]

I know a lot of people dislike Crush Coaster, but I went on it twice (early entry rope drop and end of day single rider). IDK, it's fun! It also actually has AAs and physical sets unlike another half-billion indoor spinning coaster Disney built... Disney used to be able to do a lot more, for a lot less.

Indiana Jones is also fine if it's a walk on, which it was at night. I wouldn't wait more than 5 minutes for it, but I don't think I ever have in all my visits to DLP.

This was my first time visiting DLP when Small World was closed. What was immediately clear as a result of that was every other ride in Fantasyland felt the brunt of that and they all have much lower hourly capacities. Small World is a work horse that may be one of the most efficient rides in the park and when it's not running everything else has to pick up the slack.

Adventureland needs another major ride to make it feel complete, but despite how many Fantasyland already has, it could use another that can move 2,000+ people an hour.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Regarding CMs in general, I never had anyone ignore me, fail to answer a question, get my order wrong, or provide bad service. In many cases, CMs were helpful and friendly and none could be described as "rude"

I know that is a frequent perception with the French cast, but just because they're not always bubbly and overly enthusiastic does not mean they're not providing Disney quality service. It's a cultural thing I think gets lost on foreign tourists

 

[marni1971]

^

 

[The Empress Lilly]

Random comments:

Yes, Storybookland is neat. If you're not a Disney cynic, which ultimately I'm not, it's a fun, good Disney corner with that boat ride for a secret favourite.

Yes to Crush! I was surprised to find out Crush wasn't popular on this site. Maybe I tolerate it because of the low bar set by the park it's in. Obviously it wouldn't fly in the MK or DHS. But here, it's got a fine scene setting indoor queue, fine show scenes, followed by a ride that's simply a total hoot. I always have a great time. Unassuming, but pound for pound it provides more fun than Hong Kong’s eight second long Frozen coaster or Tron after the launch (another twenty second long coaster), and has as many show scenes as 7DMT.

Yes to restaurants being open! I managed to eat at Toad last year, for the first time in forever.

Yes to the new Manor being a mixed bag. Frankly, I think it lost a great deal of intrigue and mystique. And of its haunting beauty. I wasn't following closely, I don't understand what they were even were going for here, or why. Basically it has entered that long Disney list of 'used to be much better'.

 

[Sir_Cliff]

Many thanks for your observations, which were great to read!

This was also my first visit to any Disney theme park since 2023, and having now been here, I don't really miss the US parks.

I feel quite the same. For a few reasons, I'm not super keen on travelling to the US anytime soon but also haven't been to the US parks in a good while and am not aching to get back. My last trip to WDW was fun, but it felt a lot more like hard work than in the past and also like I had been held upside down and shaken until every last penny fell from my pockets. I tend to go to DLP around once a year now and it completely scratches the itch for me. As you mention, it has some nostalgic hints of 1990s WDW and just being able to walk to and from the hotels but still be in a 'bubble' (unlike DLR) is a very big selling point.

Regarding CMs in general, I never had anyone ignore me, fail to answer a question, get my order wrong, or provide bad service. In many cases, CMs were helpful and friendly and none could be described as "rude"

I know that is a frequent perception with the French cast, but just because they're not always bubbly and overly enthusiastic does not mean they're not providing Disney quality service. It's a cultural thing I think gets lost on foreign tourists

Also just wanted to pick up on this point as my experience has always been the same. I don't doubt others have had bad experiences, but I have honestly never encountered a 'rude' CM in all my visits and have met plenty of great ones.

Just a little point to add is that the planets on the Orbitron were spinning in December, so I am sorry to hear if they have broken down again!

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Just a little point to add is that the planets on the Orbitron were spinning in December, so I am sorry to hear if they have broken down again!

In all fairness I had so many thoughts running through my mind at any given time that if it was working and it didn't register in my brain, that's possible too.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

- Up in Storybookland. Not crazy about Frozen or Winnie the Pooh either, but everyone knows how much I hate that they replaced Oz with something so lackluster. Doesn't look better in person. Totally inexplicable with Disney's vast library to choose from

Is UP secretly mega popular? Or just the easiest Pixar IP to randomly insert to satisfy the 'more Pixar' mandate? Bird show? UP! Adventureland viewed from treehouse? UP! Fantasyland canal boats? UP! MS background music? UP!
I don't dislike UP, but I can go more than five minutes without seeing it.

The boats choice of ip is a bit random, but not entirely without organisation. Open with Snow White, end with the emerald castle. The middle act, like all Disney park productions, is the suspense act. You emerge from underneath the second bridge to the foreboding snowed forest with wolf on the left, and the bald mountain on your right, accompanied by Fantasia's suspenseful 'Night on Bald Mountain', culminating into being swallowed into the dark lion cave.
You can't just plop Elsa and Anna in here. The organisation wasn't 'there is snow here', but 'danger and suspense'.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

I remember in PM a CM would enter the stretching room with you, walk around the perimeter to keep people away from the walls, deliver a short spiel, and then the room would descend.

This trip no CM ever came inside. Was this an operational change to speed up load?

 

[wdrive]

I believe the gas lamps in the arcades on Main Street are on when it’s dark? Or at least they were when they first turned them off all day. Hopefully that’s still the case.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

Was there any reason you went now? You didn't feel any urge to wait a few months and see DAW? And the new village, especially when staying onsite five nights.
Just real life etc?

 

[Animaniac93-98]

I believe the gas lamps in the arcades on Main Street are on when it’s dark? Or at least they were when they first turned them off all day. Hopefully that’s still the case.

No, they were off at night too with the faux skylight on

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Was there any reason you went now? You didn't feel any urge to wait a few months and see DAW? And the new village, especially when staying onsite five nights.
Just real life etc?

I booked this almost a year prior, thinking there would be a chance of soft openings

Also lower package rates in Jan/Feb before the start of French school holidays in Feb

 

[marni1971]

I remember in PM a CM would enter the stretching room with you, walk around the perimeter to keep people away from the walls, deliver a short spiel, and then the room would descend.

This trip no CM ever came inside. Was this an operational change to speed up load?

IIRC that also came with the refurb.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

IIRC that also came with the refurb.

I rewatched your Tribute Video just now to refresh my memory on all that's changed

I'm 50/50 on the whole thing. Some things like the music room and the portrait corridor are better IMO, while the loss of the "all is vanity" tableaux and the random suit of armor (that only makes sense as a HM Easter egg, not in context here) don't sit well with me.

But the majority of my objections could be fixed with just moving existing figures around.

And that's how I feel about most of the negative creative decisions affecting the park. Most could be fixed relatively easily. They've yet to do anything drastically dumb like getting rid of RoA or filling in Center Street. The park is still beautiful and in good condition. It just needs more though put into changes beyond just "stick IP here".