best hotel on property

[Synonymous]

hello.

Will be in Paris next june, and having gone to WDW many times, want to stay on property for 2 nights at Disneyland Paris. Can anyone share their hotel preferences and experiences withe me? Thanks

 

[Cyrano]

Hi Tom 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 then just start a new thread for each

Sequoia Lodge and Cheyenne rate very highly for theming.
If you want to be close to the park Disneyland Hotel and Hotel New York offer location and luxury

 

[woody73]

Disneyland Hotel -- convenient location.

Woody

 

[Synonymous]

Thanks Reid. This will be our first trip to DLP. We are DVC members in WDW and love it there. We are doing the "dream trip" to Paris in June and just had to add a few days at disney. I looked at the Fodors site and was dismayed at the number of folks who said not to go to DLP. We are really looking forward to it!

 

[steve_woodward]

As long as you don't turn up and expect to find another WDW you will be fine as its very different to that.

If you have a look at this thread

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1198360

you will see the what people think the pro's and cons of both are and it should give you an idea what is different.

 

[Groovee]

Having Stayed at Disneyland Hotel and the NEw York, by far I reccommend the NY if you have kids as there was so much to do and my 2 loved it there. The Disneyland we went as a couple and it was nice and romantic but We'll see how it goes in October as we got upgraded from NY to DL one due to overbooking.

 

[ppiew]

We just came back from our second trip to DLP. We are also DVC members and go to WDW frequently. We stayed at the Disneyland Hotel because it is so close to the MK. No, it isn't WDW, BUT it is a truly beautiful park. Because it is smaller you can enjoy it more without becoming exhausted before you make it to the castle! The rides are better than WDW, they are longer and themed beautifully! There is a really cute Storybook ride that is aimed towards small children but it is delightful for a grown up to ride also. There are many stories (both Disney and other fairy tales) with miniatures of the characters etc. The foliage is more of the greenery type vs. the flowers in Florida reflecting the difference in climate. The castle is gorgeous (even with the dragon below) and many buildings seem so much more 'substantial' than their counterparts in WDW. We really loved DLP and I am sure you will too. As far as hotels go, the Disneyland is certainly closer but think about how much time you actually spend IN the hotel - certainly not much as you will be out and about each day.

 

[Michael623]

DVC member and WDW AP holder checking in. It was really tough for me not to compare DLP to WDW when I went. I was disappointed. That being said I'm planning another trip there right now. I will be going into this trip with differennt expectations.

First the good: DL is a beautiful park with excellent theming. Many great rides and shows. The Studios park is a half day park but Cinemagique was probably my favorite attraction in all of DLP. I also liked their Rockin Rollercoaster better than WDW. There are 6 resorts within walking distance ranging from very expensive to quite reasonable. There are also a few "off site" hotels that are quite close with free shuttles. I spent one night at the Holiday Inn and it was a great place plus you can book on-line in English on the HI site. The parks themselves are back to back and the Disney Village (French version of DTD) is right next door. A very similar set-up to DL-DCA if you've been to Anaheim lately. Although I drove when I went the train station is right on property, right at the main gate so you do not neeed a car.

Now the bad: There is a general lack of enthusiasm by cast members. They make no effort to ensure you're having a good time. This is across the board in both parks and at the hotels. I thought maybe it was just me since I'm an American and I don't speak any French but they treated everybody the same, like we were keeping them from doing something more important. Most of the rideas are great. in some cases better than their US counterparts (Phantom Mannor, POC, SM, BTMRR, RNR) but the atmosphere just isn't the same as WDW. The guests are no better either, there is more pushing and shoving than you could ever imagine. When I went in 2004 as part of my honeymoon I wanted to stay somewhere nice without breaking the bank so I opted for Newport Bay thinking it would be on par with the YC/BC/BW. Huge disappointment. The service (of course) and the upkeep was nowhere close to WDW. Next time I go I'm going to try either the Cheyenne or Santa Fe. I'll be paying far less and therefore expecting less making disappointment les likely hopefully.

If you end up going keep us up to date with your plans and by all means write a trip report when you return. I find there are far too few trip reports from Americans. It may have something to do with the fact that so few Americans go to DLP!?

Finally you will not find an easier going bunch on the DIS than here in the DLP board. Sometimes I think the Europeans are too easy going. Come on, get angry once in a while.

 

[ppiew]

to Michael623
I agree with most of your trip report wholeheartedly, except for the parts about CM's. We were there 2 wks ago and found EVERY CM - from parks to hotels to be extremely helpful and cheerful. Yes, there were glitches - but all resolved satisfactorily and politely. We were at the Disneyland Hotel (very expensive) and couldn't have received better service for the checkin, rooms, dinner (California Grill), lunch (Innoventions), pool, shops, etc. All was certainly equal to WDW and the big PLUS was NO pushing, shoving, complaining customers! At the MK the experience was the same. NEVER in 2 1/2 days did we experience any derogatory behavior on the part of guests or CM's. I know everyone can have a bad day, but our experience was very contrary to yours - sorry! Personally, I loved the park (MK). Plenty to do, smaller, better rides, etc. The studios was another story - not much to do and poor traffic flow. I thought Buffalo Bill's was a let down. Certainly not a Hoop de Do - more like the off property dinner shows in WDW (Medieval Times, Arabian Nights, etc) All in all, if I am ever fortunate enough to go back - I definitely will!

 

[Michael623]

I went in April and it was very cold the whole time. I'm affraid that may have been a factor in people's irritability. The return trip I'm planning is for January so I'm sure the weather will be great then too . The complaints I frequently hear always seem to involve the price and quality of food. That is one thing I never complained about. I thought the food was good and the prices were fair for European theme park food. I just can't figure out why soda is so much. We went to restaurants where wine was cheaper than soda. Crazy. I think all true Disney fans should go to DLP and make their own judgement. Just go in with an open mind, no preconceived notions and you should have a good time.

 

[Cyrano]

Finally you will not find an easier going bunch on the DIS than here in the DLP board. Sometimes I think the Europeans are too easy going. Come on, get angry once in a while.

Thanks. Glad you enjoy the boards

 

[Emmo]

Having been to DLP four times and WDW three times (with a DL trip in November) I can say I like DLP for different reasons to WDW.

WDW has the weather mostly all year round but DL does not have that luxury, but for me it adds to the fun of it. Going to WDW means getting out shorts and skirts, vests etc yet DLP usually means Jumpers and Jackets (we go in march or november).

Some rides are better in DLP like POTC, PM, RNR etc and I can't wait for TOT.

I have never stayed in a WDW hotel due to cost but they all look great and I do hope to one day, yet having stayed in Cheyenne 3 times i would always stay here (unless i got a free upgrade as I love the hotels value for money with the themeing) Although when we had a drink in Disneyland Hotel and we loved it!

 

[Groovee]

I have never stayed in a WDW hotel due to cost!

We have just booked out 07 visit to WDW and it was cheaper to stay in WDW resort than it was to go to a villa. Just a case of shopping around.

 

[wideeyes]

I love both the hotel New York and Disneyland Hotel and found the CM excellent at both, The CM members at the Hotel New York were definitely more friendly, and would stop and talk to us more about our day while the CM at the DLH were more formal and would greet us politely, responded to any request quickly, make sure everything is okay.

In the park no CM stood out in a bad or good way, though I have never come across a rude CM.

The location of the Disneyland hotel is a great bonus as we were able to take a break in the afternoon and then just go back down the park to watch the parade.