Disneyland Paris

[therice's]

My family and I (my husband and my 7-month old) plan on taking a trip to Disneyland Paris for Thanksgiving. Does anyone have any advice? Hotels, weather, do they speak english?, should I go to both parks?, stay on property??? Thanks for any help.

Sabrina

ps- we are living overseas and while we were here I thought it would be fun to see the park here. Otherwise I would definitely spend my money at WDW!!

 

[wim]

DisneyLand Resort Paris

We've never been in any hotel outside DIsney. But the good Hotels are Disneyland Hotel (of course) , Sequoa Lodge and New Port Bay Club. Coming weeks we will try Hotel NewYork , and we expect this one is good also.

If you want to stay outside you may need a parking ticket or travell by Metro.


good luck
wim

 

[bgraham34]

Check out the Disneyland Paris Forum for some info. And yes they speak English I was just there last week. But be aware most rides are in French. Pinochio was my favorite ride.

 

[tink81]

Disneyland Paris is fabulous, but definately don't miss out on the actal city of Paris!!! I would suggest picking a hotel in the city and getting to DLP by metro. I would also suggest purchasing the metro tickets that are good for a couple of days as opposed to one way tickets (saves $$).

Don't miss out on the Pirates over there, they sing in French (so wierd!) but yes, most other rides, like the Backlot Tour at the Studios, has an English version so you'll be OK.

On a seperate note, in my experience travelling over there I would suggest that if you are not fluent in French at least learn the basics and try to speak their language, they appreciate the gesture and will be more inclined to help you (I am speaking of the French people outside of DLP, Disney employees are alomst all fluent in more than one language).:wave:

 

[cmatt]

My family and I (my husband and my 7-month old) plan on taking a trip to Disneyland Paris for Thanksgiving. Does anyone have any advice? Hotels, weather, do they speak english?, should I go to both parks?, stay on property??? Thanks for any help.

Sabrina

ps- we are living overseas and while we were here I thought it would be fun to see the park here. Otherwise I would definitely spend my money at WDW!!

id personally stay on site - push the boat out a little! also means you dont have to take the transportation at the end of every day! Plus you HAVE to go to buffalo bills wild west show in the evening - they serve good food, and the show is worth the money imho.

look for about 2 FULL days - for both parks - studios aint great but you will want to spend more then one day in the kingdom anyway.

Hotel wise it depends on your budget. I love hotel new york new york as its got a fantastic pool. But hotel cheyanne is fine - but dont go any less than that. If you have a car stay at the davey crockett ranch...

Language barriers? well from going to france countless times (i was an hour away on the ferry!) the french HATE IT when you talk to them in french - badly. Its a common misconception that you need to learn the language to get on - you can scrape by with the basics, but you can make a complete fool of yourself and the french do like to take the preverbial :lol:

They speak good if not better english over there then what us brits do all cm's speak a very high standard of english (that ive met) and are ALL polite and courteous - if they dont understand they will ask you what you mean - and wont blunder through giving you wrong information. If your a bit more advanced and practically fluent and can pluck up a good repore with the person your talking to - they do make an effort back and it is really rewarding (im somewhat fluent in french!).

Weather wise its going to be winter - so pack a coat that part of france (not quite normandy by still northern france. Is pretty much like sarrf east england - wet and miserable so wrap up warm! Its in the middle of nowhere (well its not but the surrounding area is pretty much wide open) so it does get quite cold. On sunny days the place is stunning!

If you do want to experience the french lifestyle try and avoid paris - its not really what id call an authentic image of the people. Go to somewhere in the north if you have time :wave: its like Edinburgh in scotland or glasgow - VERY touristy!

 

[Stitch69]

i've never been but can you give us a report on everything when you get back. I would love to hear all about it and hope to make it there someday.

 

[RonAnnArbor]

Sadly, I can't disagree with CMatt more...unless you have been to Paris before and are going over to France merely for DLP, I wouldn't stay at any of the Disney resorts there - rather in Paris proper. I lived in Paris for years, and still go back there twice a year or so from the States, with day trips to DLP on each trip.

EVerything at DLP is basically done in English. The rides have dual-soundtracks -- you will hear both English and French and your native ear will pick out the English. ALl of the shows are done in both French and English using DisneySpeak (Questions might be asked in French, and then answered in English, or vice versa so that everyone knows what is being said). All of the language-heavy attractions have headphones where you can select English, French, Italian, or Spanish.

All of the employees at DLP speak English, French, and usually even a third language. The Parks themselves are prettier than the American equivalents - but the attractions are almost identical. The outer shell of all of the buildings are more attractive.

Disneylandparis.com has a reservation system similar to that in the USA. You can comparison price all of the hotels there if you choose to stay there. CAVEAT: Unlike WDW, the hotels are not true "resorts" - they are hotels, all clustered within the same square mile. Everything is walking distance of everything else. Disney Village is a cluster of several shops, a McDonalds, Planet Hollywood, and few other attractions. It can not be compared to any of the US Disney nightspots.

If you decide to stay in Paris, the RER train station is in the middle of the Disney Property (Marne le Valle/Parc Disneyland station). Very easy to commute to and from the park in a 35 minute train ride from downtown Paris.

 

[cmatt]

Sadly, I can't disagree with CMatt more...unless you have been to Paris before and are going over to France merely for DLP, I wouldn't stay at any of the Disney resorts there - rather in Paris proper. I lived in Paris for years, and still go back there twice a year or so from the States, with day trips to DLP on each trip.

I think its down to preference, ive done the commuting thing the other way around (disney - paris) and i thought it was great, but i can see it daunting for the first time traveller :wave: Although paris is a great tourist trap - i genuinely prefer the quircky towns and villages that can be found outside of disney - you can also tie in a visit to the most awesome parc d' asterix

All of the employees at DLP speak English, French, and usually even a third language. The Parks themselves are prettier than the American equivalents - but the attractions are almost identical. The outer shell of all of the buildings are more attractive.

Most definatly - its a small world (although the most PATHETIC and RUBBISH ride - in any theme park) looks STUNNING on the outside.... The place is really well thought out, and the whole place flows into one another. The only ride thats a let down theme wise is space mountain - it was origionally very stylised on old 1930's sci fi (watch the smashing pumpkins tonight, tonight. you will see what i mean), Now however its more comparable to SSE on the fact that alot of the effects are now computer generated (and id thought id be the LAST person to hate them!)

Disneylandparis.com has a reservation system similar to that in the USA. You can comparison price all of the hotels there if you choose to stay there. CAVEAT: Unlike WDW, the hotels are not true "resorts" - they are hotels, all clustered within the same square mile. Everything is walking distance of everything else. Disney Village is a cluster of several shops, a McDonalds, Planet Hollywood, and few other attractions. It can not be compared to any of the US Disney nightspots.

Depends on what you like doing i guess... i steer cleared of mc d's as i loathe the place and the food! There are more then enough places to eat that will let eat in seperate places for more then 5 days. Its not as crappy as you suggest really as it does have nightlife - it also has a live stage, as the two parks are smallish - it isnt really designed for more then a 3 day stay anyway imo. As i said - one night at buffalo bills and perhaps another at the cinema (which has imax capabilities 'apparently') and thats easily 2 nights and 2 days in the parks!

If you decide to stay in Paris, the RER train station is in the middle of the Disney Property (Marne le Valle/Parc Disneyland station). Very easy to commute to and from the park in a 35 minute train ride from downtown Paris.

Basically - yep! Do watch out for street vendors - as they do try and harass the guests. But i think this is more in the summer months anyway.... :lookaroun

we always disagree any way ron :hammer: but it does give the op - different stances i guess...

Right i need to finish packing for florida! I leave in 3 hours and i havent even had a shower or my breakkie!