Would I be stupid to miss Disneyland Paris if we were in Paris?

[ogreenlee]

I know there is a forum specifically for that resort, but I guess I'm kind of wanting opinions from those who haven't been more than have been.


We are going to Germany next June to see a good friend of mine. I found out today that she is pregnant and will be due less than two weeks from our arrival. She still wants us to come, and I still want to go, but our plan was for her to watch my DD6 for a few days while my husband and I go to Prague. She was the one who offered when we first made plans to go.

We, of course, would never ask her to watch our DD after just having a baby. So, we've decided to not go to Prague, but go forth with our initial plan to go down the Romantic Road and see all the castles, then to Munich for a few days, but instead of Prague, head west to Paris.

My husband and I have been, and my DD is always talking about the Eiffel Tower. She loves Madeline books and Fancy Nancy, and knows exactly where it is. We thought this would be a nice surprise.

But.. now that I'm in the throes of Disney, I can't help but want to go to Disneyland Paris while we're there. Is it worth just visiting for one day? Does it really require a few days? Would y'all go??

We'll be in Europe for 2 weeks, and Paris around 5 days. I'm wondering if Paris will soon wear thin on a 7 year old. Maybe the parks would be a much needed break from cathedrals and museums?

[ShelShelsmommy]

I have never been, but my mom and 3 sisters have. They really enjoyed it! Until there camera got stolen, and they ended up in the American Embassy. My sister post on here so maybe she will come and tell you more about it. I have never been, and if I was in Paris I would totally go!!! How many chances do you get to go there?? My mom and sisters also said they would love to go back... even my grumpy sister who doesn't like much. hahaha

[KateMW]

Paris is wonderful for children. There are a number of good books out there about things to do in Paris with children. They have tons of playgrounds, street performers, pastry shops, candy, old fashioned toy stores. I am jealous!

[larryz]

I wouldn't presume to call you stupid if you didn't go. But if I were in Paris, and didn't go, I would call myself stupid...

[kate_wdw]

IMHO, I think that time would be better spent exploring Paris and its unique attractions, rather than exploring a modified version of something you can get at home. If you were going to be there longer, I would say go for it, but I think that Paris itself warrants at least at least 5 days.

[ogreenlee]

We stayed 5 days the last time we were there (pre-child). I could move there tomorrow. We loved it. I can smell the bread from here!

I'd like to go for one day and not stay at the resort, but just go to the park, but is one day worth it? What's the size difference to MK?

Thanks y'all!

[cbg1027]

As much as I love Disney, I would advise you NOT to go to DLRP, especially if this will be your first time in Paris.

I've never been to DLRP, but I lived about an hour outside Paris for a year and never made it to DLRP. I thought that since I was in a foreign country, my time would be better spent seeing the actual country. I know DLRP is somewhat similar to Disney in the states, and while I would certainly love to go, it was more important (to me at least) to experience France.

Paris has soooo much to offer, that I think it would be a shame to miss any of it for to see something similar to what you have access to in the States. It's kind of like going to McDonalds in Paris....why would you eat that when you could get real, quality French food?

Of course I WANTED to do to DLRP, and my will was very tested when the family I was working as a nanny for took each of the girls there on their birthdays. But again...I thought seeing something like the Cluny Museum was time better spent while in Paris.

BTW, if you want any suggestions for restaurants, cafes, museums and sights, I have a ton I can give you!!! Just PM me.

[ogreenlee]

We're going to take it easy and not try to cram too much into the alloted time that we have. I want to do a few certain things while in Paris, but the rest of the time.. eat, play in the parks, do what Parisian kids do, eat good bread and cheese...

I will definitely go to Notre Dame, Sacre Couer, Eiffel and the Louvre, but other than that.. go slow and do little. The Louvre can take a week alone, but I want her to go and see the Mona Lisa, just so she can say she has.

[Tara]

Enjoy Paris - having done both Paris and DLP, I don't really think you're missing anything. It's nice to be able to say you've been, but it really does not compare to WDW. I'm glad I went I guess, but I wouldn't do it again unless I already had a significant time in Paris.

[cbg1027]

Sounds like you have the right idea for Paris! I think the best part of the city is simply sitting in a cafe and people watching. The Parisians are so interesting!

I would suggest going to the Luxembourg Gardens - lots of fun for small children there. It seems to be the place for Parisians to take their children for a relaxing afternoon.

[Sarah_Rose]

I'm not going to get into whether you *should* go see DLRP, but I can answer the question of whether you *can* in one day. It's very easy to get there on the RER from Central Paris (about 30 minutes) and the station is right at the entrance to the parks. There are two parks, but honestly only Disneyland Paris is worth visiting. The Studios park is really quite poor, with almost no themeing, and we saw everything worth seeing by about noon. The only real draw is the Tower of Terror, and that is the same as the DL and WDW versions. Disneyland Paris is smaller than the MK and you can easily see the main attractions in one day, if the crowds aren't too bad. If you like roller coasters, Space Mountain was a highlight for us; it's absolutely hands down better than the North American versions. Phantom Manor (DLRP's version of the Haunted Mansion) is also excellent. There is also an outdoor Indiana Jones roller coaster, a Crush coaster, and a Pinocchio ride. Other than that, most of the other rides are almost carbon copies of the MK or DL attractions.

We flew into Paris from London and our plane landed at 8:30 am. By 9:30, we had gotten onto the RER out of the airport (no luggage to claim) , changed lines in central Paris, and then taken the RER to DLRP, and gotten in line for tickets. By the time the park closed at 8:00 pm, we were confident that we had seen everything we wanted to see. We did do a second day, and went to Walt Disney Studios in the morning, but then spent the rest of the day at Disneyland, but we could have easily done with just one day. The one piece of advice I do have, if you do decide to do it, is to buy your tickets in advance (over the internet) if at all possible. If not, go to Walt Disney Studios to buy your park ticket and then walk over to Disneyland; we waited over an hour in line for tickets at Disneyland, but learned the next day that there is never any line up for tickets at Walt Disney Studios, and the ticket you buy there is good for either park.

Anyways, whatever you choose, I'm sure your DD will love Paris. It just comes down to how much you will want/need a Disney fix. If you go to WDW regularly, it might not be so important as spending time in Paris. As for us, we did spend 3 of our 4 days in Paris at DLRP on that trip (but DH and I had been to Paris before), but that was the entire point of the trip. We were living in England and working as teachers and had had a very rough first few months with the kids.... we needed a trip somewhere magical and familiar. And we had a great time.... we were there over Christmas and the decorations were fabulous. Spending our days outdoors in a theme park in near freezing weather was a different story, however.... It did help with the Christmas spirit, though!

[caseybruna]

Originally Posted by ShelShelsmommy

I have never been, but my mom and 3 sisters have. They really enjoyed it! Until there camera got stolen, and they ended up in the American Embassy. My sister post on here so maybe she will come and tell you more about it. I have never been, and if I was in Paris I would totally go!!! How many chances do you get to go there?? My mom and sisters also said they would love to go back... even my grumpy sister who doesn't like much. hahaha

My aunt got her camera stolen/lost (we still arent sure what happened) in DLP too!! Very depressing as it had so many photos from our week in Paris there.

[Brewmeister]

I spent a week in Paris as an early teen (LOOONG before DLRP was built), and I can't really imagine spending time at DLRP with all of the other non-Americanized things in Paris to do unless I had more than two weeks or so. I have to say that the theming of Versailles is far better than anything that Disney can do. :D So if you have a chance, visit there as well. Besides, you will be seeing plenty of Castles in Germany....which were my favorite castles of all (counting England, Scotland, France, Germany, and Spain (which had really nice castles as well)).

[Danauk]

I personally would go. I have been to DLRP, WDW and Disneyland and out of the 8 parks the Disneyland park at Disneyland Paris is my favourite. Like others have said it is really easy to get to from Paris on the RER (red line A) and the train station is right by the park entrance (like 30 second walk). If you stick to the Disneyland park then you can do it in a day. If you are a big Disney fan I would definately do it. There are elements at DLRP that you do not have at WDW but are at Disneyland. Plus there are some unique elements, being able to go up inside the castle and visit the dragon in the basement, plus Walts restaurant on Main Street is definately worth a visit. If you do get a 2 park pass Crush's coaster in the studios park is unique to Paris and is a great ride.

[loobylou44]

I would go for it as it is definitely possible to do most of both parks in one day as the two parks are right next door to each other (like Disneyland California). I think you would regret it if you didn't go and perhaps didn't get the opportunity again.