How french is Disneyland Paris...?

[KingStefan]

Regarding the original question: I was there 10 years ago. DW was pregnant and my elder DD was 3. So we did mostly shows, eating, etc. Some rides.

All the speils/shows/etc. were first in French then repeated in English. It was really nice. At the restaurants and shops, they will speak to you first in French, but most of the CMs (at least when I was there) spoke some English, or at least contextual English (that is, a counter service person knows the names of the food in English, numbers, etc., so he or she can serve you, but might not be able to have a conversation).

We spoke French to them and got along fine, as our French was not too bad at the time (we lived there) but I heard many CMs speaking English to non-French-speaking guests.

It was funny several times when we started a conversation in French with a CM, only to realize after a while that we were all Americans!

I don't remember about signs. I would imagine they would be in French with at least a portion in English version underneath, perhaps in smaller letters. Does anybody know? I just can't remember.

By the way, I lived in France for almost four years and never saw a frog's leg anywhere! Big myth, that. I heard that some touristy restaurants had them for the tourists, but in general the French don't eat them!

The food at the park was more or less generic, rather than "French" although there was some French fare as well.

You'll be fine. We really enjoyed it. Have fun!

 

[KingStefan]

...
Have any of you guys ever stayed in a Disneyland Hotel.....their prices seem kinda steep !! Is the park in the middle of nowhere or are there any other hotels in the vicinity?

It is a bit out of the way to the East, but the RER (short-distance train) has a stop at DLP, and that line runs right through the middle of Paris and out the other side. So you can stay right in the middle of Paris and still have an easy commute to DLP. When I was there, there were some bargains to be had in the Latin Quarter, if you don't mind two and three star hotels. And the RER goes right by there.

 

[kirst_al UK]

Ye we did go off on one a bit then didnt we....thanks for your input tho....keep it coming guys....

Its still going to have a french flare isnt it - as i said its in france - i dont mind that one bit just i didnt fancy having to sit through the whole of "yo ho yo ho - a pirates life for me" in french...... !!

 

[KingStefan]

It is a bit out of the way to the East, but the RER (short-distance train) has a stop at DLP, and that line runs right through the middle of Paris and out the other side. So you can stay right in the middle of Paris and still have an easy commute to DLP. When I was there, there were some bargains to be had in the Latin Quarter, if you don't mind two and three star hotels. And the RER goes right by there.

In case you're interested, I looked it up: From the "Chatelet - Les Halles" RER stop to DLP on the RER "A" line is 39 minutes. They run about every 15 minutes most of the day. A bit less frequent on weekends and summers. "Chatelet - Les Halles" is right smack dab in the middle of Paris, and it's easy to get to by Metro from just about any hotel you can think of. It's one Metro stop (or one RER "B" stop) from the "St. Michel - Notre Dame" station, which is in the Latin Quarter where the bargain hotels are. Of course, you may be able to find a hotel that suits your taste and budget somewhere else in Paris, but the point is that it is very easy to get from the center of Paris to DLP by RER.

The only downside is the RER only runs until midnight (it starts at 5 AM), so you can't party late at DLP. And if you miss the last train, a taxi ride is quite expensive. As I said, I haven't been there for 10 years, but back then a taxi ride would have been (I think) something like 300 F, so more now, presumably, and I don't know what that converts to in euros, but at the time that was about $60 US. With all the crazy currency fluctuation in the last ten years, I have no idea how much that would be right now, but my point is that it is not cheap!

But if you don't plan to party late at DLP, then it's a good option. Maybe a few days at DLP and a few in Paris is a good solution if do want some late nights at DLP.

Good luck and have a magical trip whatever you choose.

 

[kev1000]

When we go i drive from nottinghamshire it takes us about 9hours with 30mins tunnel crossing.
we will be back on 15/12 it is a good time to go very cold but loads of fun and we will be staying at main disney
hotel for the first time.

 

[KingStefan]

BTW, the area is MUCH more built up than when I was there last. It appears that there are lots of hotels in that area now.

The problem is if you don't have a car, you're stuck with shuttle bus service or taxis. I don't know how good the shuttle bus service is or how much the taxis would cost. Many of the hotels are located within a few km of DLP, so it might not be that bad.

Also, there are some hotels situated near an RER stop near DLP. There is an Ibis, for example, in Val d'Europe near the RER that is one stop away from DLP.

A lot of these hotels are Residence hotels, meaning they are suites, or small appartments, and most appear to be less expensive for an appartment than a room at even the less expensive DLP resort hotels. It might justify the cost of just taking taxis back and forth.

The other thing is I don't know what other benefits there are to staying on site at DLP.

Bears looking into, anyway.

 

[disney magic 06]

I've stayed at the Disney Resort hotels every time except for the most recent visit. The prices seem more expensive but they do include your park pass for the length of your stay and they are literally a few minutes walk from the park entrances, although there is a shuttle bus if you wish. Last week we stayed at the Kyriad hotel, which is one of a row of four hotel (Mytravel Explorer, Holiday Inn and Dream Castle being the others) just outside the resort. There was a frequent free shuttle bus which took just 7 mins and ran approximately every 10 mins, slightly less at quiet times.

We prefer staying close to the parks as we like to nip back to the hotel during the afternoon and it seems more in the Disney spirit somehow but of course you don't get to experience the 'real' France. I suppose it boils down to what you want.

 

[Philo]

IMO you need to stay onsite at DLP. I know there are some hotels close by but for the large majority of the on-site hotels you are within 5mins walking distance of everywhere. Makes the whole holiday feel a bit more free rather tan being tied down to bus times etc. The breakfasts are great too!

Depending on the crowd levels when you go you will need 3-4 days. I went in Febuary 2005 and it was almost empty. We took our time going round everywhere and rode BTMRR and RnRC many, many times. By the end of the third day we had seen everything. On the fourth day we didn't do alot but it was still nice to be there!

No one seems to have said anything about the level of French in the parks. I speak no French at all - I can only just manage English - but I was able to understand nearly everything.

The rides are generally in 'disney-speak' which means that a question might be asked in French but answered in English - both in a way which makes you undertand the whole conversation. There are a couple of attractions which use headphones to translate into your language.

Basically you will notice your in France but its probably not as bad as your thinking.

 

[centrino_7x]

Well I can't speak a word of french and we never had any problems at all. Everyone seemed to speak english, or at least enough engligh to get along.

As for how many days you will need, I'd say around 4-5 days is probably best.

You'll want time to do both theme parks, Disney Village, the outlets and the SeaLife centre. There is also the IMAX and lots do at night - Buffalo Bills dinner shows, concerts, street entertainment and clubs/bars. If you want to go into Paris (about 45 mins on train) then you might need an extra day or two.

 

[klacker50]

kirst_al UK

I'm also from Hull. Last time I went to DLP I went on coach and everything was in the price. East Yorkshire Coaches do a good all round 4 day trip fpr £200 and it includes park tickets and staying on site. A colleague at work just went with her 3 year old with EYMS and they had a brilliant time. Last time I went with Leger coaches and was picked up in Hull. Had 2 days in the park and a day in paris (and 2 days travelling) and I saw everything and it only cost £199 for the whole trip (a few years ago so it'll cost a bit more now).

I'd check the advertiser when it next comes through your door as I'm always spotting last minute coach deals to DLP for a really good price!

 

[kirst_al UK]

kirst_al UK

I'm also from Hull. Last time I went to DLP I went on coach and everything was in the price. East Yorkshire Coaches do a good all round 4 day trip fpr £200 and it includes park tickets and staying on site. A colleague at work just went with her 3 year old with EYMS and they had a brilliant time. Last time I went with Leger coaches and was picked up in Hull. Had 2 days in the park and a day in paris (and 2 days travelling) and I saw everything and it only cost £199 for the whole trip (a few years ago so it'll cost a bit more now).

I'd check the advertiser when it next comes through your door as I'm always spotting last minute coach deals to DLP for a really good price!

How wierd it this................talking to someone on here who knows the papers that come thru my doors and the buses that run along the top of my street :ROFLOL: :sohappy: