Anyone have a BAD experience at DLP??

[remmy_7]

I was over on the Paris message board and could not find a single complaint by anyone. That's why I didn't want to post this there, as not to anger the elated DLP frequent visitors.
I took my first trip to DLP 3 years ago when I was living abroad in Germany. I only stayed for a few days, but they were the absolute worst days of my disney life. DLP has so many un-disney like qualities, it's not even funny. I got food poisoning from our restaurant. The park is dirty (people smoking EVERYWHERE, even in lines). Some of the rides are in dire need of repair (the queen in the alice in wonderland maze had a gigantic hole in her head)-this is not something I've ever seen at WDW. The list just goes on and on.
So, I wondered if maybe all my wonderful trips to WDW made me believe that DLP would be the same way. And really, shouldn't it? Am I the only one here? I mean, am I just being too picky or something? Maybe my Disney standards were just set too high Believe me, all the time I wasted at DLP, I could have spent seeing more of the beautiful city of Paris.

It would be nice to know that I'm not the only one that feels this way; that I'm not going crazy or something

 

[hogwartsdropout]

I didn't have any bad experiences. Of course they smoke, it is France after all, very big smokers.
The only problem I had apart from the smoking, was the fact that everyone seemed to push when waiting for a ride or a bus. They did not know the meaning of queuing. That annoyed me a lot.
But there was nothing bad I could say about DLP, except for maybe the lack of things to do, when I'm used to WDW. I thought the park was cute, the shows were amazing, the hotels were also amazing! I enjoyed the food too.

 

[tink too]

I'm from Scotland and we've visited DLP twice. The first time back in 1993 and then again in 2002 with DD.

Firstly, I will say that we did not have any problems with cleanliness or shabby attractions on any occasion when we were there.

However, we did find some people from other European countries to be very pushy in line - especially where the characters were involved! They usually crowded around the character, all pushing and shoving their own children in front, and it meant that no-one got photos of their children with the characters without about a dozen other unknown folks in their shot! No-one seemed to care (except us!) that they were shoving infants like ours - DD was 15 m.o. at the time - out of the way!
We felt that better care could have been taken by the CM's assisting the characters - they only accompanied them out and told them when it was time to go - that was it!

Both DH and I experienced members of the opposite sex wandering about in the restrooms - I mean adults here, not children! - we do not have a problem with a mother bringing a young son with her, or vice-versa!

I know Americans may think that all Europeans are the same - but, trust me, that sort of thing doesn't happen in the UK - unless they're foreign!

 

[Cyrano]

Hi remmy_7 and hogwartsdropout and welcome to DLP DIS board

We are a friendly bunch here so please join in on any other thread or if you have a number of questions start a new thread for each one

Whilst there are some cultural difference we love all things DLP; well it is a Disneyland Paris board

 

[Bexx]

I'm sure that even us DLP lovers have had some not so good experiences at DLP - but I can honestly say that *gasp* I've also had a few at WDW too!!! Nothing to the extent of your visit though, and I'm really sorry you didn't have a great time.

 

[disneyangel]

Sorry you didn't enjoy your trip

We had a couple of not so great things happen when we went last year ie. loud music on first night and DD falling in the SL swimming pool changing rooms. Equally I had a very bad tummy after a meal in Epcot in WDW. But both of these occurences were very minor in my memories of both places . They are far outweighed by the many great things we saw and did in all the parks. Both still have the magic for me and DLP has it more for me because it's nearer.

 

[JJ For Ever]

Hi Remmy,

Sorry you didnt have a great time !! I cannot say Ive had a bad experience @ DLRP in my 5 visits,at least not one to remember significantly.As one fan points out above there can be a mad rush for the buses on busy nights but Ive found this to be quite rare.The good points of DLRP will always outweigh the negative points, & anytime Ive been there Ive found the service excellent,the parks always clean & tidy & the Hotels likewise.Ive also had very few problems when I went to WDW last year,both Disney Resorts,both Quality Resorts IMH.

 

[SandraVB79]

I have had some negative experiences at DLP, but those were all correlated to other guests. You can't blame Disney that rude guests come to visit their theme park!

One time, we had a problem in the bathroom, I called the front desk, and they solved the problem in no time. Other than that, we only had great meals, never experienced the park being dirty, ...

I am sorry you didn't enjoy your trip. Just one thing; it is DLP, not WDW. If you want to experience WDW, then you'll have to go to WDW.
I have never been to WDW, but have been quite some times to DL. If I go to DL, I don't expect DLP, and vice versa. It's all different, and that's so great about it. I wouldn't want DLP to be turned into a copy of WDW, I love it the way it is (but I can't wait for something to happen to the Studios, but that's another discussion!)

 

[Ware Bears]

as not to anger the elated DLP frequent visitors.

It's alright, we don't bite on here!!!

I agree that the smoking (although we have experienced very little of this in 2 trips) and the "lack" of queueing for character/buses can be very annoying. However we were prepared for it and decide to put it down to "cultural differences"

It in no way detracts from our enjoyment of DLRP. To be honest, I love the way that DLRP has a different feel to it than WDW, makes both places equally special without being too "samey", if you get what I mean.

Sorry that you didn't have a good experience at DLRP, I hope if you ever do return that you will have a more enjoyable time.

 

[wideeyes]

I have never had a problem with the park, however on one of the days we were there at christmas they was a very strong smell of french teenagers in late teens smokeing "funny stuff" in adventure land, It was smelt like a rock concert!!

 

[NIK]

Like the other posters on this thread the only real problem I've had has been with bad manners of other guests. [Some of my UK brethren being the worst!] When we were waiting for the Mark Twain to come round a group of people with a gaggle of youngsters stood behind me - I won't say what nationality because rudeness, like music, knows no barriers! The kids pushed and shoved at my back, kicked my legs and generally were complete monsters - but they were kids so I excused it on that basis and moved forward. Then Mama realised that her chicks were moving foward and all but elbowed me in the face to pursue them. Personally I think she'd primed them to do that since she then got to the front of the queue because no one wanted to get between this tigress and her cubs.

Ironically it was at this point that the poor Mark Twain ran aground and so none of us got to ride!

I've not had any major problems with cleanliness or rudeness from CM though. They've all been charming and helpful. It makes a nice change to get a smile when you go to the counter for help.

Off topic perhaps but on my first visit I mentioned to one CM that I hadn't had so much fun in 'Donkey's years' meaning It had been ages since I'd had such a laugh. Bless her, she looked like a puzzled kitten for a second or two then smiled brightly "Ah! Idiom" she declared chirpily and trotted off to share her new bit of UK slang with her colleagues.

I wouldn't even know the term for 'idiom' in French, would you