One day in DLP

gsrjedi

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I'll be in Paris early next month (November) and we've got one day to visit DLP & WDS. I know that we won't get to do everything and I'm not too concerned, but I'm wondering about what's good to eat and what are the couple of things we shouldn't miss. I'm a DLR regular & I've been to WDW once, so my interest is mainly in things unique to DLP. Phantom Manor is high on my list already.

Also, if we only get to do one, what's better - Animagique or Cinemagique?
 

The Empress Lilly

Well-Known Member
Crush - but always a long line, even in the off-season.
I always fall asleep during Animagique. So'd pick Cinemagique.

Not to be missed:
MS and the arcades, especially the Liberty one (left). DLP excells in detail, that blurs the line between scenery, walkthrough and attraction. Such as the fort at the entrance of FL, the 20k Nautilus, the Snow White shop between the castle and Snow White, the castle itself. Whatever you do, make sure to visit the cavern beneath the castle! And the storybook upstairs.

DLP has amazing versions of the classics:
Phantom
Thunder
Pirates
Pan
Nice Space Mountain if you like it a bit rough!
Storybook Canal Boats, but it's in a bit of a poor shape, and maybe a personal favourite.

The Adventure Isle is really neat, lovely area to explore.
I love the Aladdin walkthrough, which conveniently should only take five minutes, it would be a shame if you missed it.

Disney Dreams should not be missed!


Don't bother:
Indy is a forgettable small coaster.
Classic Star Tours. If you are an obsessive fan, go see it one more time, otherwise skip it as DL's is far superior.
ToT is your DCA version.
 

Animaniac93-98

Well-Known Member
Crush - but always a long line, even in the off-season.
I always fall asleep during Animagique. So'd pick Cinemagique.

Not to be missed:
MS and the arcades, especially the Liberty one (left). DLP excells in detail, that blurs the line between scenery, walkthrough and attraction. Such as the fort at the entrance of FL, the 20k Nautilus, the Snow White shop between the castle and Snow White, the castle itself. Whatever you do, make sure to visit the cavern beneath the castle! And the storybook upstairs.

DLP has amazing versions of the classics:
Phantom
Thunder
Pirates
Pan
Nice Space Mountain if you like it a bit rough!
Storybook Canal Boats, but it's in a bit of a poor shape, and maybe a personal favourite.

The Adventure Isle is really neat, lovely area to explore.
I love the Aladdin walkthrough, which conveniently should only take five minutes, it would be a shame if you missed it.

Disney Dreams should not be missed!


Don't bother:
Indy is a forgettable small coaster.
Classic Star Tours. If you are an obsessive fan, go see it one more time, otherwise skip it as DL's is far superior.
ToT is your DCA version.

What the boat said. ;)

But I'd also recommend the Alice maze if time and weather are on your side and if you do want to ride Space to sit towards the front and keep your head back as that helps to reduce the roughness (a bit).
 

gsrjedi

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Thanks for the ideas. Disney Dreams was one of the things I used to convince the rest of our party to visit
 

gsrjedi

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
we'll be there 11/7 and we're staying one stop away on the RER in Val d'Europe, but I don't remember the hotel
 

AndyS2992

Well-Known Member
I'll be in Paris early next month (November) and we've got one day to visit DLP & WDS. I know that we won't get to do everything and I'm not too concerned, but I'm wondering about what's good to eat and what are the couple of things we shouldn't miss. I'm a DLR regular & I've been to WDW once, so my interest is mainly in things unique to DLP. Phantom Manor is high on my list already.

Also, if we only get to do one, what's better - Animagique or Cinemagique?
Tip for food is do not eat in the parks, it is extremely expensive. Go to Disney Village and eat at McDonald's or the other franchise non Disney places it is much much cheaper.
 

IWantMyMagicBand

Well-Known Member
Ok here goes:
The day you are visiting, both parks are open 10:00 - 19:00. Not much time to tour.
If I only had one day to experience the parks, and wanted to do things unique to DLP here's how I would do it:
Be at the Studios entrance by 9.15, (this will mean arriving at the train station which is literally opposite by 9) head in as soon as you can and go to Crush's Coaster. This ride is amazing and the only reason you should be in the park. You will probably get out of there about 10.45. I wouldn't bother with any of the Magique shows.
Leave the Studios and head into Disneyland Park. Go grab fastpasses for Thunder Mountain (which will probably be for about 2/3pm by that time). While that side do Phantom Manor. Any of the counter service services this side of the park are good, in particular Fuente Del Oro and Lucky Nugget. For a sit down Silver Spur. It is not more expensive to eat in the park (I was there last week again). The most expensive meal at Fuente for instance is Fajitas, Mexican rice, churros and cold drink for 14.99 euros. Kids meals are 7.10 euros, but was 2 sausages and plain rice so would order them an adults if they would like more flavour. Some restaurants give you a voucher with your lunch for a hot drink after 3pm, that can be used across a few outlets.
You'll probably have time to do PotC, assuming it has reopened, then head for Thunder Mountain.
I'd then head across the hub into Discoveryland to see if fastpasses still available for Space Mountain and if not queue for it. It is low season, the queue should not be more than 45 minutes. Buzz Lightyear is closed when you are there, Star Tours is the old version.
Come back out of Discoveryland and head under the castle to see Le Taniere du Dragon, it's pretty cool.
You should be able to catch the parade at 16.45, I really love this one.
Through the castle into Fantasyland. Alice's Maze is pretty cool as is IASW version, and while you are there why not do the Snow White ride (just because you can!). The back rides (Casey Jr and the storybook boats) are closed when you go.
Fantasyland will close at 18.00 to prepare for Disney Dreams. This is not to be missed. A good spot is the railings to the right of the castle enroute to Adventureland. Or front center of the hub. Be prepared to literally fight to stay in your spot. Do not be surprised to see people climbing trees and scrambling over the grass to get a better view. Some of DLP's guests are complete pigs.
Before you leave check out both sides of the undercover arcades that run parallel to Main Street. I spotted my first hidden mickey in one of them :)
Mass exodus into Disney Village. King Ludwigs Castle is a nice place to eat, not too expensive. Billy Bob's does good bar meals. You may have to wait for a table but most of the restaurants have bars. I quite like Planet Hollywood. There is also a Rainforest Café, and Annettes Diner.
Above all, remember you are in France. You will have cigarette smoke blown in your face, the park does not have the WDW smell. You will get queue jumped. You may witness frequent arguments between guests. Park merchandise is ridiculously expensive. We order our Christmas decorations online through the park merchandise tab.
BUT: Take that away and Disneyland Paris is my favourite of the parks, I love the way it is laid out, the uniqueness of some of the rides, the Main Street arcades, Disney Dreams. Have a great day!!!
And here is the show schedule if you decide to do any of the Magiques:
http://www.disneylandparis.co.uk/content/GB/EN/Neutral/system/images/ShowsAndParades.pdf
 

Bolna

Well-Known Member
Lots of great advice from @IWantMyMagicBand - the only thing I would disagree with is that the Cinemagique show is definitely worth seeing! From what I have heard it is also a very European Disney attraction - American friends keep telling me that it is something that would not be considered appropriate for a family theme park in the US. So, for someone interested in the differences between Disney theme parks, it would be even more worthwhile.

Animagique is cute - but just a show with characters in the end.
 

marni1971

Park History nut
Premium Member
One day only? DLP only. Crush is good but not worth sacrificing the other park for.

Space mountain, with a FP first for Buzz, or ride both if crowds allow and...

Get a FP for BTM then ride Phantom Manor whilst you wait.

PotC

FP for Peter Pan and whilst you wait...

Iasw (really!)

Snow White, since you still can in Paris.

Storybook land canal or Casey Jr (not both)

Indy if you have time

Dreams
 

The Empress Lilly

Well-Known Member
One day only? DLP only. Crush is good but not worth sacrificing the other park for.

Space mountain, with a FP first for Buzz, or ride both if crowds allow and...

Get a FP for BTM then ride Phantom Manor whilst you wait.

PotC

FP for Peter Pan and whilst you wait...

Iasw (really!)

Snow White, since you still can in Paris.

Storybook land canal or Casey Jr (not both)

Indy if you have time

Dreams
Definitively the canal boats! In fact, it is one of my fav things to do in DLP. I find them cute. The ride could do with some cleaning up though! The boats shows you everything the Casey train does, from a better vantage point and a little tunnel to boot.
 

IWantMyMagicBand

Well-Known Member
Definitively the canal boats! In fact, it is one of my fav things to do in DLP. I find them cute. The ride could do with some cleaning up though! The boats shows you everything the Casey train does, from a better vantage point and a little tunnel to boot.
We always do them, but I never mentioned them as they were closed when the OP was going. Shame that those two rides go seasonal :(
 

gsrjedi

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I saw IWantMyMagicBand's advice the morning we left and copied it to my iPad to look over. Wow, thanks for such a detailed response.

I'm not much of a thrill ride junkie, so I didn't partake in Space Mountain or Indy, but my cousin & uncle did. We did do Crush. I thought this was supposed to be a kid's ride? And Cinemagique, I agree this probably wouldn't work in the states, but I liked it as a semi-film nerd. Phantom Manor & BTMRR were both great. Disney Dreams was fantastic. The park was basically empty for us and the Disneyland especially is incredibly pretty. I plan to write a more detailed trip report in a few days hopefully.
 

kasi22

Member
I just got back 3 day trip and i eat many things because on the food no compromise in Disney i suggest to you that you must take good restaurant for stay there..
 

DsnySodec

Active Member
We just got back from a one day trip. It was spur the moment but fun. However we stayed on location fro 3 nights during our trip to Paris. We did not expect the prices on food and drinks there. My only complaint, beside I feel the quality could have been better. I would suggest staying in an actual Disney Hotel, not an affiliate like we did (Explorers hotel). There are a lot of great rides, and the decor is amazing. Its worth the one day visit.
 

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