How does Disneyland Paris measure up to the other their American cousin parks?

[TakeMeToFlorida]

The American parks have such a reputation for always being happy, smiley, friendly and helpful.
I've read nothing but bad things about Paris having rude, miserable and unhelpful staff.
I've never been to any disney park but it has always been a dream. I have just never fallen into the money for it.
I feel like having the famous hospitable service you get at the American parks is something I want to experience and it's something that makes Disneyland and MK what they are. It's part of that Disney magic.
Unfortunately, if I went (I NEED TO GO TO A DISNEY PARK SOON I'VE BEEN DYING FOR IT FOR TOO LONG) I'd probably only be able to go to Disneyland Paris and I don't want to be let down.
Please be nice, this is my first time posting.

Also to people who have been to both, how does it compare to it's American counterparts? I'm talking mainly about the "Disneyland" style parks.
Does it fall short? I've read it lacks a lot in quality and magic but of course I don't know for sure.

 

[DLPdaft]

Hi,

From what you've said in your post, my honest opinion would be - don't bother going to Disneyland Paris. It honestly sounds like you expect to be disappointed, and if you go with that attitude, you will be.

As to reading "nothing but bad things about Paris having rude, miserable and unhelpful staff" - I guess you haven't been reading the highs and lows posted on this board then ?

 

[TakeMeToFlorida]

Hi,

From what you've said in your post, my honest opinion would be - don't bother going to Disneyland Paris. It honestly sounds like you expect to be disappointed, and if you go with that attitude, you will be.

As to reading "nothing but bad things about Paris having rude, miserable and unhelpful staff" - I guess you haven't been reading the highs and lows posted on this board then ?

How do you feel though, do you feel I'm right about the CM's and things?
Thanks for answering by the way
No I haven't read this board haha sorry, I've been reading lots of things and I also heard it from a lot of people that have been to the American parks.
I'd love to go as it looks BEAUTIFUL and quaint, but I just wonder if it offers the same magical experience really like the others do?
It's more affordable for me so that's why I'm really looking into it and I just don't want to be let down on my first visit.
I wish I was going with no expectations because then I'm sure I'd be wowed but I've heard from so many friends and family who have been to both and the make out it doesn't compare in magic or even cleanliness.
I find the whole clean image and magic and friendly people everywhere thing really fascinating and I think that'd one of the main reasons I'm so obsessed with going to a Disneyland.
Sorry for my rant haha

 

[DLPdaft]

My personal opinion's not going to help you I dont think.
DLP is mine and my daughter's happy place, I've been taking her there since she was 5 years old, and for that reason alone, it has a special place in my heart and it always will.

It can and does have cleanliness issues, but I have not yet met a rude member of staff. Its a European park, its not American. Its also not making a profit following its opening in 1992, so it has financial issues too.

I haven't been to WDW for around 20 years, so I can't compare the two.

 

[TakeMeToFlorida]

My personal opinion's not going to help you I dont think.
DLP is mine and my daughter's happy place, I've been taking her there since she was 5 years old, and for that reason alone, it has a special place in my heart and it always will.

It can and does have cleanliness issues, but I have not yet met a rude member of staff. Its a European park, its not American. Its also not making a profit following its opening in 1992, so it has financial issues too.

I haven't been to WDW for around 20 years, so I can't compare the two.

Aw that's lovely I'm glad you love it!
I didn't realise about it's financial issues.
Thanks you replying once again

 

[dopeys advisor]

We have been to DLP for the last two years and we are off again November 12 for our Disney fix.
The CMS have been great and make the holiday special.
I have never found a CM to be rude and unhelpful.
Forget about any misconceptions go and see for your self once walking down Main street you will be hooked.

 

[rachbelle]

I found it absolutely magical when we went in august!! All the CMs I spoke to were really happy and helpful, one particular CM who was with Rapunzel was fab and extra helpful with deciding wether to queue to see her or not! The only grumpy people I saw were visitors!!

 

[ShrumpUK]

We have just got back. The only grumpy staff we encountered were the security staff as you have your bags checked. On 4 of the 5 days they were surly and didn't respond to a cheery greeting at all.
Everywhere else the staff were lovely, taking the time to admire our 2 little "princesses" and shouting out to everyone that it was "Amber's Birthday" (they spotted her badges) and getting everyone to sing to her in the queue..lol.
One exception, the man in the photo shop, who tried to get rid of us as quickly as possible by outright lying to us , but who was shouted down by the "boss" so it ended well in the end.
I LOVED Florida Disney, but Paris is so beautiful that it stands up very well IMO!!
I would go back for a 3rd visit in a heartbeat, but, alas, it won't be for a while yet.
I will continue to get my fix on here..lol.

 

[DLPDreams]

This is a difficult one to answer as, as DLPDaft says, you have preconceptions before you even get there .

Paris does have it's issues - I'm not going to lie - some of it is mainly down to funds, some down to the European way of doing Disney imo.

BUT, I have never been to an American (or any other - there are more) Disney Park so I can't really compare. I want to go to WDW but my children are too little yet so we plan in 3 years to go.

There are lots of people who have been to both on here more recently so you will get more of a rounded response hopefully. Many people see the US as the big 'holiday' and Paris as the Disney fix which is a short break and so more affordable to get there (not when you are there!).

Lots of people say the quality of the park itself is stunning compared to the US - the detail is second to none, that is for sure. Main Street etc does really blow you away .

It sounds like you think you will be let down without even trying and sometimes going with that attitude means you will be. IMO if it's the only chance you have to go to a Disney park why not give it a try .

You have nothing to lose or compare it to - make the most of it!

FWIW I've had a few trips to DLRP now - our last trip in June wasn't so great for a few reasons (all the others have been amazing). BUT, it can't have been that bad as we are getting excited about going again for Christmas season in just over 2 months time. I think trips are what you make them.... The magic is there, sometimes it's just there more than other times but that is like anything in life.

 

[Jonjo]

DLP is a lovely park much nicer than the MK IMO, and I've meet more grumpy CMs at WDW that at DLP. The CM's at DLP are great and its fantastic how they effortlessly switch from speaking French to English, Spanish, Italian and German.

I find if you interact with the CMs and say the odd 'Bonjour, au revoir, merci beaucoup' you get a nice smiley reply back.

 

[Carrie_Cat]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2986934

Haven't we seen this before

 

[Royal Consort]

The American parks have such a reputation for always being happy, smiley, friendly and helpful.
I've read nothing but bad things about Paris having rude, miserable and unhelpful staff.
I've never been to any disney park but it has always been a dream. I have just never fallen into the money for it.
I feel like having the famous hospitable service you get at the American parks is something I want to experience and it's something that makes Disneyland and MK what they are. It's part of that Disney magic.
Unfortunately, if I went (I NEED TO GO TO A DISNEY PARK SOON I'VE BEEN DYING FOR IT FOR TOO LONG) I'd probably only be able to go to Disneyland Paris and I don't want to be let down.
Please be nice, this is my first time posting.

Also to people who have been to both, how does it compare to it's American counterparts? I'm talking mainly about the "Disneyland" style parks.
Does it fall short? I've read it lacks a lot in quality and magic but of course I don't know for sure.

I just love Disneyland Paris and I live a 24 hr flight away from it.

It depends what you mean by 'fall short'. Yes, on the one hand you hear a lot of complaints (there are a lot of complaints about long lines ..... which you also have in the States but people whine about this more often). On the other, people will tell you it's the most beautiful of all the magic kingdom parks. Are the rides less worthy? No, often times people prefer many of the iconic ones. It is said to have a superior main street and I don't think any other park can top the castle. The Fantasyland design puts both American versions to shame. This is the park Disney built having practiced what worked and what didn't in Disneyland, Magic Kingdom and in Tokyo. I don't think an American audience would be a big fan though as their version of Disney is so entrenched.

I've had great experiences in DLRP. I've found CMs to be generally happy and friendly. Don't go expecting an American culture though. Americans generally are known for being exuberant. That level of exuberance doesn't exist in DLRP and it shouldn't. If Paris tried it'd just be false.

Also remember that the original Disney parks are American cultural icons so what works culturally in the US won't translate in France. This is not an American park, it's a European park and it doesn't feel American either (apart from Main Street). I like to think of Disneyland Paris as celebrating the European home of Disney fairytale characters. It honours their source.

From your post it seems like you may want to experience the American Disney rather than what DLRP may have to offer. If the service and culture is the most important aspect for you in a Disney park then perhaps Orlando is the goal. Basically if you want the American Disney culture then this probably isn't your park. The best way to visit this park is to go in ready to have fun and immerse yourself in the Disney environment. The rest will follow.

Remember, to many Europeans this park is just as important as Disneyland is to southern Californian residents and as the Magic Kingdom is to Orlando frequenters.

I'd be there in a heartbeat.

 

[Jonjo]

I like to think of Disneyland Paris as celebrating the European home of Disney fairytale characters. It honours their source.

The best way to visit this park is to go in ready to have fun and immerse yourself in the Disney environment. The rest will follow.

Some of my best times I have had during my vists to DLRP is just sitting on a bench in Fantasyland soaking up the atmosphere or having a coffee on Main Street USA and watching the world go by.

 

[Ware Bears]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2986934

Haven't we seen this before

I've merged the two.

 

[MinnieVanMom]

As an expat and AP holder to both WDW and DLP I understand your concern.

I believe it is a cultural difference that makes the difference in service. I felt on my first visit to DLP that they didn't give me the magic that I feel when I go to WDW. Then I realized that we as Americans can be very outgoing. We like to chat, to smile, to speak to others about like interests and we do it freely.

In DLP as with most of Europe, that is perceived as false emotion. That we are being overtly friendly and it is fake. Now, we know it is just us being chatty and from that comes a feeling that the CM who chatted with us cared. Ok, for me that works. We have made many friends with CM's and we stay in touch with them because we did take the time to talk with them and develop and friendship. I don't see that happening in DLP.

Then there is the French to English translation. Right now there is huge thread about shareholders. When it was translated to English the word OR was missing and it made all the difference in the meaning. I believe that if you come speaking French, you will have a wonderful time. When you are a guest in another country you should at least try to speak a few words of greetings and thanks. But for the CM's, I believe our loud, fast and slange speaking is hard for them to start with and then they have the "script" of answers to our questions.

I grew up on Disney in the States with WDW being my playground. I remember when Epcot opened and it was horrible. With time it has grown up and is now fun.

The Studios in DLP I feel needs time to grow and find it's place. It can be something good and will in time as they figure out how to give it some cohesiveness.

MK in Paris has a strong attention to detail, yet if you do the tours at WDW you will also see the detail that many Americans miss as they are running to the ride. That is the difference, I feel that in Europe the people take the time to notice. Life moves a bit slower, easier and there is time to walk and look. For that reason if you were to slow down in WDW you would also see the detail.

Europe is rich and deep in history! America is a child by comparison. Because of this they have built the castle and Fantsyland with accurate detail that is missing in the States. It is amazing to travel Europe and then see how Disney got it right with the stain glass windows that tell a story to the grotto.

DLP is different. It is suppose to be different because you have traveled to Europe to see and learn from how wonderful different can be. If you want WDW go to Florida. If you want to see DLP and how it is different in a good way then come and visit.

Either way, enjoy the adventure.

 

[magicbob]

We visited DLP for the first time this summer. We had a great time. The CMs were friendly and helpful. We didn't notice weeds or overflowing trash cans. We're headed back for a quick weekend trip soon. In terms of measuring up, it depends on what you're comparing. I thought the rides were as good and in some cases better (Space Mountain, PotC, BTMRR) than WDW. I also really liked that there were subtle differences and new things to discover. It was like being in a parallel universe where everything seemed extremely familar but not identical. Food was just ok, but there are many who consider the food at WDW to be fairly meh as well. The biggest area where DLP Paris doesn't measure up us that WDW has an almost limitless variety of (Disney) things to experience outside the parks. That said, we also enjoyed traveling into Paris to see the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, etc. So, in that regard, DLP offers something nowhere else can.

All in all, we found DLP to be highly enjoyable and, although smaller in scope, we never found ourselves thinking that it was not as good as other parks.

 

[MissSkellington]

I can't speak for DLP, as our first trip is still several weeks away.

But having been to both DL and WDW, I find it difficult to compare even those two parks to each other, let alone compairing them to a European park. We find the CMs in WDW to be much for friendly...while the character interaction in DL is light years better (aspiring actors, perhaps?...lol)

Each park has it's own merits, WDW is amazingly large and has so many park options. DL has a far more nostalgic feel to me than WDW. When going to DL, we feel like it's our Disney 'home'.

Take each park for what it is, you can't compare apples to oranges...they're all different and amazing in their own ways. But then again...I don't go to get waited on or visit with cast members...I go to watch stunning fireworks and parades, to get goosbumps and cry happy tears. Go for those reasons and I doubt you'll be disappointed.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

It's very hard to compare the 2, there is a Disney connection but so many differences.
Nobody would go to Orlando if it wasn't for the theme parks whereas Paris is an attraction in it's own right.

I have been fortunate to enjoy a dozen holidays in Florida and in truth it's the place I always want to be, but these days I prefer the easier travelling with our son in mind and have had 3 very enjoyable mini-holidays at DLRP. Twice at the fab Disneyland Hotel.
Having the park right outside your doorstep is such a bonus.

I enjoy both WDW and DLRP - for the latter it just suffers with the slight lack of quality regarding the Studios park and the Disney Village, both of which could be significantly better. The Disneyland Park however is brilliant, especially given the improvements over the past couple of years, it compares very well with WDWs Magic Kingdom.