Help us decide if we should visit DL Paris...

We will be travelling from western Canada to Europe. We will have 4 full days in Paris. We will be there at the end March 2016 (during Easter).

Just wondering if you think we should visit DL Paris or not?

We are a family of 5, including 3 daughters aged 12, 9 and 9. We have been to Disneyland California multiple times and Florida WDW once. We have fairly easy access to Disneyland California and probably visit every 3 to 5 years on average.

Our time in Paris is fairly limited. Just 4 days, and the chances of us going back to Paris again as a family are pretty slim. The 2 adults have been to Paris Disneyland (about 20 years ago).

What do you think we should do, and why? Visit DL Paris or not?

Yes you should, DLP is one of the prettiest Disney parks and if your near by it would be a shame not to visit. It has some very unique features, including the covered Victorian arcades in Main Street, a castle that you can explore with it's very own dragon and some unique versions of some of the rides you would already be familiar with.

Some rides will be closed when you visit (Big Thunder Mountain and the Rail Road for example) due to the huge refurbishment program underway at the moment to get the resort looking nice for it's 25th anniversary in 2017, but don't let that put you off. DLP is one of the best looking Magic Kingdom parks Disney has built and if your in the region, you would be be sorry you did not pop in for just one day.

DLP is a really special place, so it Paris. A lot of people judged that we'd take a day out of Paris vacation to go, but it was a highlight. You have to do what you and your family would love!! It makes for a long day, especially if you're taking the train in from the city, but it was worth it. I loved DLP!!

It's going to be a hard one for us to answer for you.

Maybe list all the things you'd like to see while in Paris (including DLRP)

Then see if you can make a list of what are priorities and try and do a little schedule.

If DLRP is high enough and fits in without you sacrificing things further up the list then you should go for it.

Disneyland Paris is like a smaller more compact version of Disneyland California. The two parks are next to each other and park hopping, even on a 1 day visit would be doable.

Things to consider
Easter is peak time, so lines will be long
DLP has the legacy Fastpass same as California
DLP is under going a major refub program so you will need to check out what exactly will be closed and bare in mind that there will be scaffolding, boarded up areas etc
DLP has many unique aspects not found in the American Parks, eg The Castle has a dragon underneath and a walk through upper area
There is far less street entertainment and entertainment in general at DLP compared to the American parks

DLP is not the same as going to California. I think of it as an American style themepark with French / European cultural and behavioural aspects. Dont expect the same level of smily happy Disneyness from CM's, or the same level of Disney fans from guests. Go with an open mind and just enjoy the park

Honestly, if it were me, I'm not sure I would visit if I had access to the other Disney parks as readily as you do. I LOVE DLRP - prefer it to WDW for various reasons. It holds a special place in my heart so I'd go time and time again, but Paris has so much to see and do I think you could easily fill your 4 days just in Paris itself. If you had never been to Disney before I'd say yes, but as you are on limited time and are there predominantly to see Paris, that is what I would do.

I think the fact that you are asking the question tells me you aren't so sure and if you as adults have been before then you must have some idea anyway? Obviously the park has changed a huge amount in the time you are talking and is much prettier than WDW and has some great versions of rides (I haven't been to the others so can't compare). But I do think you should also bare in mind the refurb which his affecting some big rides too. As well as the fact it will be Easter so UK and French holidays potentially - and more countries I guess which means it will be busy.

I should put a huge disclaimer in here and say we've been to DLRP many times but still haven't ventured into Paris yet with our kids. However, they are now 7 & 10 so feel they are of an age where they will appreciate it, so we hope that when (!) we book our next trip, we'll book in a few days in Paris too as it's about time our kids experienced it. We always felt they were too little before - but it's different for us, Paris is more accessible so was always 'going to be there for us at a later date' type of thing. DH and I have been to Paris a few times - never visited DLRP while on those trips though!

I agree with Torsie - build an itinerary and see how long that will take you and see if you have any spare time.

Thank you all so much for your thoughts so far.

I like the suggestion to write down everything we want to do in Paris and see what we can and cannot do without if we squeeze in a day at DLRP.

It's a difficult decision. If anyone else has any thoughts on this, I'd love to hear what they are.

I'd be curious to know what your daughters think! Also their maturity level and interest in art and history may influence your decision.

You can only visit so many museums before its information overload. Visiting the city will be like visiting the park, a lot of walking and it will take a lot out of you. I consider myself in good physical condition but the walking and the standing was killer on my feet!

My favourite Disney Parks are:

1. Disneyland
2. Tokyo Disney
3. Disney World
4. Disney Resort Paris
(Haven't managed to get to China yet...)

DLRP is pretty, more so than either of the U.S. parks. But it is also the least "Disney." Rides don't have the attention to detail (the ceilings of Pirates and Phantom Manor are left bare and exposed, for example), the theming in most of the restaurants is threadbare, a lot of the cast members are surly, and even the guests have an attitude of "we are far too cool to be happy." Guests also feel free to smoke literally everywhere. It's disgusting.

I know I'm sounding very harsh, but it took me some time to not be disappointed in DLRP. You really do have to take it for what it is, and not compare it. Because on its own, it's lovely. But compared to other Disney Parks, it is lacking.

In my own opinion, if you're a Disney nut, go see it. Otherwise, give it a miss.

Ember said:

DLRP is pretty, more so than either of the U.S. parks. But it is also the least "Disney." Rides don't have the attention to detail (the ceilings of Pirates and Phantom Manor are left bare and exposed, for example), the theming in most of the restaurants is threadbare, a lot of the cast members are surly, and even the guests have an attitude of "we are far too cool to be happy." Guests also feel free to smoke literally everywhere. It's disgusting.

I know I'm sounding very harsh, but it took me some time to not be disappointed in DLRP. You really do have to take it for what it is, and not compare it. Because on its own, it's lovely. But compared to other Disney Parks, it is lacking.

In my own opinion, if you're a Disney nut, go see it. Otherwise, give it a miss.

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I totally agree, its Frenchfied Disney, not Disney Disney.

This is a tough one - I think I'd base it on how your DDs view Disney? If they are huge Disney fans into the theming, design and background stories then I would say visiting DLP is a must. I have three DDs and one of them is an even bigger Disney fan than myself, she would never have forgiven me if we had come that close to a Disney park and not visited, especially if it was on the other side of the world and not that easy to get to! On the other hand my other two always enjoyed their visits but once they got past the character stalking stage they would have been just as happy at any theme park. If your DDs are more like that then I'd say give it a miss and concentrate your time in Paris itself.