what's up with Disneyland Paris

[disney206313]

I am going to Disneyland Paris for the first time this summer. I have been to wdw over 10 times and have been to disneyland once. What should I expect from disneyland paris? Is it better or worse than florida and cali? And in what ways? What are the biggest differences? I don't know french, does that lessen the experience at all?

 

[Crush Dude!]

I am going to Disneyland Paris for the first time this summer. I have been to wdw over 10 times and have been to disneyland once. What should I expect from disneyland paris? Is it better or worse than florida and cali? And in what ways? What are the biggest differences? I don't know french, does that lessen the experience at all?

Try here for info http://www.dlrptoday.com/

 

[uk-disney-nut]

disney paris

Its just as good in the parks and a lot less walking between them lol

 

[Pioneer Hall]

The resort is more like California than WDW (just larger). Everything is connected and you can walk everywhere on property (Except the campground). The parks are similar yet different Disney parks and just like WDW vs DL, you will notice the differences. I will say that I thought the MK park there was probably the most beautiful and detailed of the 3 I had been to.

 

[SyracuseOrange]

Having been to all three, I'll echo what everyone else has said. It's nice that you can walk between everything. They have a new nighttime show that is really good (although, for me, not quite as good as WoC.) They have a few attractions unique to Paris that I really enjoy (especially Crush's Coaster - this gets the biggest line out of any ride in both parks, so start with this.) The Disneyland Park there is probably the most beautiful - I especially enjoy their Discoveryland and Fantasyland atmosphere.

If you're going from the city center in Paris, it's really easy to access the parks. If you're coming from the airport, I think you can take a shuttle - Google is your friend here. If you have specific questions, I've been to DLP several times in the past year, and I'd be happy to help!

 

[real mad hatter]

Take lots of Euro.

Well I've never been and never will. First there is the dreaded €0000.00 .my friend retired last year and went to live in France,he was home within 6 months due to his pension taking a hammering.Second is once you've been to WDW there is no substitute,not even Disneyland when we visited many moons ago.If I had the choice of a yearly vacation to Paris or a two yearly trip to WDW. Iam afraid it would be USA.:wave:

 

[HumblePirate]

I am going to Disneyland Paris for the first time this summer. I have been to wdw over 10 times and have been to disneyland once. What should I expect from disneyland paris? Is it better or worse than florida and cali? And in what ways? What are the biggest differences? I don't know french, does that lessen the experience at all?

Having just come back from there a couple weeks ago, I can tell you that my wife and I loved it! I wasn't really expecting much, though, because I had heard a lot of negativity about the park. The park itself is beautiful, like others said - it's the best landscaped park that I know of.

The worst thing about it for us was the operating hours. We stayed in the city and only had one day at the park. The opening hours for us was 10 am, where I'm used to staying on property in FL and taking advantage of the early magic hours there. We had a great plan worked out because it said the "downtown disney" portion opened at I think 7:30 so we were going to do some early shopping and try and take advantage of every minute we could. The only thing open at that time was Starbucks (so much for our plan...). Everything else opened at 9 am. That part is also really small compared with FL's downtown disney.

Some rides were far better than FL, like Pirates and Thunder Mtn and others weren't as good, like Phantom Manor. Everything is pretty much in French, but you'll hear some english and I think Spanish while your there in the rides. I don't think that cheapened the experience for us.

I think we needed a couple days in the Magic Kingdom style park to get to do everything. It was pretty busy when we were there (on a tuesday) and we weren't able to get on everything we wanted to get on, but we doubled up on the quick rides for the most part.

One other thing...make that two other things: The wait times on the signs weren't always right. I know on our first Thunder Mtn ride the sign said 5 mins and we were in line for about 30 mins. The same happened with our Phantom manor - it said 5 mins and we were in line about 15 mins.

There also aren't a lot of characters running around. I think that helps keep some of the rides pretty busy.

 

[WDW1974]

Just back from a trip that included three days at the resort ... any specific questions?

The lack of French should not be a problem at all ... I speak very little and every CM I have dealt with there has had at least a basic knowledge of English and many are fluent (and in numerous languages).

Disney Dreams is a must ... it's the new night time spectacular.

oh, and whatever you do, do NOT waste your $$$ by staying at a DLP resort. They are in bad shape.

 

[Sans Souci]

Just back from a trip that included three days at the resort ... any specific questions?

The lack of French should not be a problem at all ... I speak very little and every CM I have dealt with there has had at least a basic knowledge of English and many are fluent (and in numerous languages).

Disney Dreams is a must ... it's the new night time spectacular.

oh, and whatever you do, do NOT waste your $$$ by staying at a DLP resort. They are in bad shape.

I was planning an England/France trip for Christmas. I have been looking at Newport Bay, what is wrong with the Disney resorts?

Do you (or anyone else) have any local recomendations for accomodations?

 

[WDW1974]

I was planning an England/France trip for Christmas. I have been looking at Newport Bay, what is wrong with the Disney resorts?

Do you (or anyone else) have any local recomendations for accomodations?

The resorts have been stuck in time with many (including NBC) not having been rehabbed in 20 years. In many ways, they appear ghetto. NBC had wooden banisters so rotting through that the area was cordoned off by what we'd call 'police tape' here ... the outside has so much paint missing and wood rot that if you approached on a gloomy day when not many people are around (as I did a few weeks ago) you'd never think the place was even in business.

The only resort to have a full refurb was the Sequoia Lodge, but I still wouldn't tell anyone to waste their money there. They don't maintain things at all. And the prices are absurd to the extent they make WDW resorts look cheap by comparison.

I would advise either staying in Paris and taking the RER to DLP (a 35-minute ride from the Eiffel Tower), something I usually do ... OR staying in the area at somewhere like the Marriott Vacation Club, which actually overlooks the DLP Golf Course. I stayed there for a week in a grand villa and I honestly could have lived there. Incredible place. But getting in there Christmas week will probably be very tough.

 

[SyracuseOrange]

One other thing...make that two other things: The wait times on the signs weren't always right. I know on our first Thunder Mtn ride the sign said 5 mins and we were in line for about 30 mins. The same happened with our Phantom manor - it said 5 mins and we were in line about 15 mins.

I've noticed this too, but also sometimes the reverse. I've seen Phantom Manor posted with a 5 minute wait and I wait 20 minutes, and then Crush's Coaster says 70 minutes and I wait 30. And this is a pretty frequent thing at DLP.

 

[Bolna]

I was planning an England/France trip for Christmas. I have been looking at Newport Bay, what is wrong with the Disney resorts?

Do you (or anyone else) have any local recomendations for accomodations?

I would suggest to check out www.dlrpmagic.com and their discussion boards for more travel planning advice.

My last experiences at the resorts at DLP really made me decide not to stay in them any longer - with the exception of maybe Sequoia Lodge as it has had a recent refurbishment. But even then I don't think they give you value for the money you spend. It is lovely to be able to walk back to your hotel, but that's not worth the premium. With the non refurbished hotels I would be afraid to get a room that is falling apart (happened to me at SL before the refurbishment). And while Santa Fe is going through a refurbishment, that place is just depressing all around in my opinion.

There are a number of good neighbour hotels, but they would not be my first choice either as most of them are built in the middle of nowhere and unless you have a car you have to depend on a crowded bus (I saw amazing crowds trying to get on a bus to those hotels after Dreams on my recent trip, put any after Wishes chaos at WDW to shame).

You might want to check out the hotels at the Val d'Europe shopping centre, they are only one stop by RER from DLRP and those trains run on a regular schedule (and quite frequently depending on day of the week and time of day).

Depending on how much time you want to spend at DLP, staying in Paris and just taking the train out does make sense (even though I think it does take slightly longer than 35 minutes, I would calculate about 45 to 50 minutes) as you don't have to move hotel and you could alternate days in Paris with those at DLP.

If you are going over Christmas and trying to get EMH benefits by staying on property because of crowds: Certain DLP APs have EMH privileges. The Fantasy AP as well as the Dreams AP have them now. However, the Fantasy might be blocked out over the holidays. Christmas time in general is quite busy at DLP from all I hear. Even if those are more expensive than a normal ticket you might save money by staying offsite and getting those than paying the ridiculous DLP resort prices.

However, EMH aren't that exciting as only part of Fantasyland and Discoveryland are open. I have in the past been able to do all EMH attractions within one hour (and EMHs are 2 hours before park opening there).

One tip which I think is absolutely worth it for every visitor: Have a look at the Shareholders Club: http://corporate.disneylandparis.com/shareholders/shareholders-club/index.xhtml If you buy 20 Euro Disney S.C.A. shares (currently at 3.54 € per share) you can become a member for free which gets you a 15% discount on tickets, merchandise and table service restaurants as well as entry to a private lounge at the entrance called Salon Mickey.

Hope this helps!!

 

[Sans Souci]

The resorts have been stuck in time with many (including NBC) not having been rehabbed in 20 years. In many ways, they appear ghetto. NBC had wooden banisters so rotting through that the area was cordoned off by what we'd call 'police tape' here ... the outside has so much paint missing and wood rot that if you approached on a gloomy day when not many people are around (as I did a few weeks ago) you'd never think the place was even in business.

The only resort to have a full refurb was the Sequoia Lodge, but I still wouldn't tell anyone to waste their money there. They don't maintain things at all. And the prices are absurd to the extent they make WDW resorts look cheap by comparison.

I would advise either staying in Paris and taking the RER to DLP (a 35-minute ride from the Eiffel Tower), something I usually do ... OR staying in the area at somewhere like the Marriott Vacation Club, which actually overlooks the DLP Golf Course. I stayed there for a week in a grand villa and I honestly could have lived there. Incredible place. But getting in there Christmas week will probably be very tough.

Wow, I'd heard from various people DLP had turned a corner and I keep reading otherwise. It's a shame they've let it go to ruination.

I know the MVC resort you're talking about. I've only seen photos of it, it looks beautiful. I would love to stay there. What a nice holiday!

 

[Sans Souci]

I would suggest to check out www.dlrpmagic.com and their discussion boards for more travel planning advice.

My last experiences at the resorts at DLP really made me decide not to stay in them any longer - with the exception of maybe Sequoia Lodge as it has had a recent refurbishment. But even then I don't think they give you value for the money you spend. It is lovely to be able to walk back to your hotel, but that's not worth the premium. With the non refurbished hotels I would be afraid to get a room that is falling apart (happened to me at SL before the refurbishment). And while Santa Fe is going through a refurbishment, that place is just depressing all around in my opinion.

There are a number of good neighbour hotels, but they would not be my first choice either as most of them are built in the middle of nowhere and unless you have a car you have to depend on a crowded bus (I saw amazing crowds trying to get on a bus to those hotels after Dreams on my recent trip, put any after Wishes chaos at WDW to shame).

You might want to check out the hotels at the Val d'Europe shopping centre, they are only one stop by RER from DLRP and those trains run on a regular schedule (and quite frequently depending on day of the week and time of day).

Depending on how much time you want to spend at DLP, staying in Paris and just taking the train out does make sense (even though I think it does take slightly longer than 35 minutes, I would calculate about 45 to 50 minutes) as you don't have to move hotel and you could alternate days in Paris with those at DLP.

If you are going over Christmas and trying to get EMH benefits by staying on property because of crowds: Certain DLP APs have EMH privileges. The Fantasy AP as well as the Dreams AP have them now. However, the Fantasy might be blocked out over the holidays. Christmas time in general is quite busy at DLP from all I hear. Even if those are more expensive than a normal ticket you might save money by staying offsite and getting those than paying the ridiculous DLP resort prices.

However, EMH aren't that exciting as only part of Fantasyland and Discoveryland are open. I have in the past been able to do all EMH attractions within one hour (and EMHs are 2 hours before park opening there).

One tip which I think is absolutely worth it for every visitor: Have a look at the Shareholders Club: http://corporate.disneylandparis.com/shareholders/shareholders-club/index.xhtml If you buy 20 Euro Disney S.C.A. shares (currently at 3.54 € per share) you can become a member for free which gets you a 15% discount on tickets, merchandise and table service restaurants as well as entry to a private lounge at the entrance called Salon Mickey.

Hope this helps!!

Wow, Bolna, thank you for taking the time to write such a detailed and informative post. It certainly does help me.

I will definitely check out the link you provided.

After reading your post, I am also reconsidering DLP at Christmas.

Luckily, my in-laws live in the UK, so I have a jumping off point year-round. I just thought the Holidays would be an especially lovely time. I can always go another time.

 

[AndyS2992]

Take lots of Euro.

Well I've never been and never will. First there is the dreaded €0000.00 .my friend retired last year and went to live in France,he was home within 6 months due to his pension taking a hammering.Second is once you've been to WDW there is no substitute,not even Disneyland when we visited many moons ago.If I had the choice of a yearly vacation to Paris or a two yearly trip to WDW. Iam afraid it would be USA.:wave:

How can you judge if you have never been?

 

[disney magic 06]

I love Disneyland Paris. Not as much as I love WDW, nowhere near, but it keeps me going between trips. It really is a beautiful park and we always have great fun there.

 

[Evee]

As i know it is not As good as WDW But it is good too. You will enjoy there alot and will not regret your trip. So Good luck, have fun.

 

[littleacceb]

I've visited a few times over the years and it has gone up and down in my estimations. The first few times it was a case of "yay! A Disney park on my doorstep!" but the most recent trip in 2011 was less enjoyable, as I'd had so many doses of real (read: American) parks in recent memory. It wasn't as clean as WDW, and not as aesthetically charming as DL. There was a strange message of "the French invented everything!" (animation, special effects, etc), and I found the dubbing of English-speakers' voices into French quite frustrating, but I guess the park is in France, so those are the non-readers to whom they have to cater (plenty of English subtitles).

They have had an absolute disaster with Cast Members, and this negative energy is very clear. *Do not expect WDW-style friendliness*. We all know that Disney Cast Members are paid shockingly. In WDW they seem to do it for the love. In DL, it's a mix of "I'm here cause it's like *totally* ironic" and looking out for that casting director. DLP - I'm not really sure why they're there. Pretty much because they need to be. There's no love of the Disney brand, no desire to create magic. Just getting on with their jobs. Which is fair enough, just different to what one might be used to.

I believe that it is much more suitable for younger children than any other Disney park, and I think that's a very clever tactic, as throughout Northern Europe, Disney seems to be thought of as something very much just for young children. I was pregnant with my now 18-month-old son during the last trip, and our stay at Sequoia Lodge was perfectly comfortable (even if it was nothing compared to the GC where we'd stayed five months earlier). That may have contributed to my moodiness on the trip, but sod it, I'm pregnant again and planning to go with my son and my siblings (DH has decided to sit this one out) in a few months. I'm feeling much more optimistic about this trip with a toddler. I plan to let my brother and sister go and do their thing, while I just follow his lead.

Do not underestimate how cold it can be from November to February. Only the brave were in the parks when we visited in January last year!

Do not expect either American or French standard of food. We encountered a strange hybrid that hit neither category's strong points. A particular low was the chili at Annette's, which had been boiled until grey in colour. Insert joke about British cooking here I do hear good things about Walt's though, and people said for a while that a restaurant of that calibre was exactly what the Magic Kingdom lacked, although not any more!

My absolute favourite part of the parks is Discoveryland. The whole area nods to Jules Verne and captures exactly how I agree all Tomorrowlands should be - a kind of steampunky wonder. Not necessarily Pixarated, even though I am a fan of their work.