Canadians and DLP (Disneyland Paris)

[disneymath]

Just wondering if Canadian DISers who have been to Disneyland Paris would be willing to share their experiences.

Did you book on your own or via a TA? If on your own, did you book online or call? If you used a TA, would you recommend them?

What did you enjoy most/least about the parks?

Where did you stay and would you recommend it?

Do you have any tips or other info that might be useful to other Canadians pplanning a trip to DLP?

We are booked on the Norway/Iceland cruise next summer and since it disembarks in Dover, we're contemplating adding a few days at DLP before heading home. My sister, mom, and I have been to Europe (including Paris) before ... though it was over 20 years ago. It will be the first overseas trip for my dad, brother-in-law, and three nephews. The boys will be 8 and 6 when we travel and attend a French immersion school.

 

[LSmith]

My family went to DL Paris a few years ago on Christmas day. We took the train in from Paris. It's very easy and takes you right to the park. We didn't spend the night and I'm glad because the park is very doable in one day. You certainly don't need a travel agent to book. I ordered the park tickets online.

My favourite part of DLP was the stained glass in the castle and the Haunted Mansion. My least enjoyable part of the park was the line cutters. Entire families will cut in front of the attraction lines and even the lines for food. They do the same in Paris but I found it more irritating at the park.

I wouldn't bother spending more than a day or day and a half (tops) at the park. Paris is much, much more exciting.

 

[minnie mum]

We've been to DLP three times. Twice we commuted via train while staying in Paris. Since our hotel was very close to a metro station it was a breeze. Once we stayed onsite at the Sequoia Lodge. It was fine- reminiscent of WL at WDW. When we stayed in Paris we just bought our park tickets there. When we stayed onsite we booked directly, online. We found that 2 days was sufficient to really explore the parks and still have time to re-ride our favourites.

We enjoyed our stays there. As for the behaviour of other guests- it is no different than what you will find anywhere else in France (or the rest of Europe for that matter). It is what it is. FWIW, some of the rudest behaviour we witnessed came from a group of Brits.

There were several rides that we found radically different from similar ones in the US. Ones that we found memorable were BTMRR, Phantom Manor (HM, French style), the Castle, with the dragon underneath it, Space Mountain (the French have taken it to a whole 'nuther level), and POC.

 

[disneymath]

My family went to DL Paris a few years ago on Christmas day. We took the train in from Paris. It's very easy and takes you right to the park. We didn't spend the night and I'm glad because the park is very doable in one day. You certainly don't need a travel agent to book. I ordered the park tickets online. My favourite part of DLP was the stained glass in the castle and the Haunted Mansion. My least enjoyable part of the park was the line cutters. Entire families will cut in front of the attraction lines and even the lines for food. They do the same in Paris but I found it more irritating at the park. I wouldn't bother spending more than a day or day and a half (tops) at the park. Paris is much, much more exciting.

Thanks for the reply. It seems like our plan of two or three nights would also allow us time to bring the boys to the Eiffel Tower as well. (Paris is not one of my favourite places in the world, but it would be a shame to be right there and not show the boys at least a glimpse of the city. That said, I think we would stay onsite / close to the parks rather than right in Paris.)

As for the line cutters, I guess we would just have to deal.

 

[disneymath]

We've been to DLP three times. Twice we commuted via train while staying in Paris. Since our hotel was very close to a metro station it was a breeze. Once we stayed onsite at the Sequoia Lodge. It was fine- reminiscent of WL at WDW. When we stayed in Paris we just bought our park tickets there. When we stayed onsite we booked directly, online. We found that 2 days was sufficient to really explore the parks and still have time to re-ride our favourites. We enjoyed our stays there. As for the behaviour of other guests- it is no different than what you will find anywhere else in France (or the rest of Europe for that matter). It is what it is. FWIW, some of the rudest behaviour we witnessed came from a group of Brits. There were several rides that we found radically different from similar ones in the US. Ones that we found memorable were BTMRR, Phantom Manor (HM, French style), the Castle, with the dragon underneath it, Space Mountain (the French have taken it to a whole 'nuther level), and POC.

Thanks for the reply. It's good to know that public transit is easy to manage as we wouldn't have a car. Also nice to know that online booking is doable ... The Sequoia Lodge is appealing as is Newport Bay and Hotel New York.

I haven't really looked into things in too much detail yet (trying to finalize things for this summer's trip to DL / CA). When you book a package at DLP is it like at WDW where you can cancel without penalty up to a certain point?

 

[minnie mum]

When you book a package at DLP is it like at WDW where you can cancel without penalty up to a certain point?

Their cancellation policies are a lot different than the WDW packages. You will definitely want to take a look at the Booking Conditions and Policies section of their website. IIRC you have to cancel more than 60 days in advance to get a full refund. Then there is an escalating cancellation fee, depending on how close to check in you are before cancelling. And if you have to cancel (and aren't using a TA) you have to phone Central Reservations to do it. That would be their UK office, so an overseas call.

 

[disneymath]

Their cancellation policies are a lot different than the WDW packages. You will definitely want to take a look at the Booking Conditions and Policies section of their website. IIRC you have to cancel more than 60 days in advance to get a full refund. Then there is an escalating cancellation fee, depending on how close to check in you are before cancelling. And if you have to cancel (and aren't using a TA) you have to phone Central Reservations to do it. That would be their UK office, so an overseas call.

Ahhh, good to know. 60 days out isn't so bad, by then cruise would be paid in full, flights booked, etc. Still, so much to learn!

 

[c&m]

We've been to DLP with our two DDs. It was a day trip from Paris. We're glad we only did a day trip because the park isn't too big but the crowds are big - probably because there's not a heck of a lot of space to spread out the crowds. Long, long line-ups to get on rides; I didn't recall seeing any fastpasses either on the popular rides. The food was unimpressive. We left by early evening because it just wasn't any fun anymore, and we wanted to get a proper dinner back in Paris. Anyways, this was our experience. We're sticking to just DL and WDW from now on.

Also wanted to add that the maintenance at this park wasn't as well done as WDW and DL. We noticed paint chipping everywhere. Hopefully, they've made some improvements to this park since we were there.

 

[disneymath]

We've been to DLP with our two DDs. It was a day trip from Paris. We're glad we only did a day trip because the park isn't too big but the crowds are big - probably because there's not a heck of a lot of space to spread out the crowds. Long, long line-ups to get on rides; I didn't recall seeing any fastpasses either on the popular rides. The food was unimpressive. We left by early evening because it just wasn't any fun anymore, and we wanted to get a proper dinner back in Paris. Anyways, this was our experience. We're sticking to just DL and WDW from now on.

Also wanted to add that the maintenance at this park wasn't as well done as WDW and DL. We noticed paint chipping everywhere. Hopefully, they've made some improvements to this park since we were there.

Thanks for sharing your experience .. we are tentatively thinking about 3 nights onsite ... The first day we would disembark from the Magic in Dover and make our way to DLP, then a day for each park, flying home from CDG sometime on the fourth day.

 

[linzjriley]

Went a couple years ago, we spent 3 days in Paris then took the train to DLP we spent 2 nts at a good neighbour hotel I think it was called Kyriad? It was nice, large rooms, reasonably priced and only a short shuttle ride to and from the parks. I'd probably stay there again if we go back. We spent the entire first day in DLP, and on the second day went to their studios park for the morning. We only did tower, rockin roller coaster and Crushe's coaster( best ride for both parks ). Then went back to DLP for the rest of the day. The only things that bothered me compared to the North American parks is that there are no designated smoking areas. So smokers are everywhere in the ride queues and restaurants. If you are a non smoker it's pretty nasty... But not enough to ruin the magic!

 

[disneymath]

The only things that bothered me compared to the North American parks is that there are no designated smoking areas. So smokers are everywhere in the ride queues and restaurants. If you are a non smoker it's pretty nasty... But not enough to ruin the magic!

Oh boy, I hadn't considered the possibility of the parks not having designated-smoking areas. We are all non-smokers and don't like to expose the kids to smoke if we can help it.

I'm glad you mentioned it didn't spoil the magic for you, but this could be a deal breaker for us unless we can find ways to work around it ... such as sitting outside for meals when possible to increase the available fresh air (hopefully weather in early July would be cooperative).

Is it safe to assume that smoking is allowed just in ride queues and not "on" the rides / in any show buildings?

Even bigger question that I hadn't considered is if we can get non-smoking rooms at the onsite or nearby hotels.

So glad I still have over a year to sort all this stuff out!

 

[linzjriley]

I don't remember seeing(smelling) smokers on the rides, just in the queues. I definitely recommend early meals to avoid the crowds in restaurants and make it easier to get a table away from the smokers. Lots of places to sit out side( park has beautiful grounds). Also in the evenings we found the majority of the restaurants in the park were closed by 6 pm. We walked around for forty min trying to find a place to have dinner, finally have up and went to earl of sandwich at their downtown Disney area.

 

[goofyintoronto]

My family went to DL Paris a few years ago on Christmas day. We took the train in from Paris. It's very easy and takes you right to the park. We didn't spend the night and I'm glad because the park is very doable in one day. You certainly don't need a travel agent to book. I ordered the park tickets online.

My favourite part of DLP was the stained glass in the castle and the Haunted Mansion. My least enjoyable part of the park was the line cutters. Entire families will cut in front of the attraction lines and even the lines for food. They do the same in Paris but I found it more irritating at the park.

I wouldn't bother spending more than a day or day and a half (tops) at the park. Paris is much, much more exciting.

This was us exactly. we ordered the tickets online. We took the train to DLP. It was so easy. And yes, both parks are definitely doable in one day. Paris is a beautiful place, I wouldnt waste two days in DLP to be honest.

I liked Big Thunder Mountain. Its way better than the one here. HM was good but not as good as WDW to be honest. IMO of course! Crush's Coaster or whatever its called, is fun but it made me nauseous. (im sensitive to those things).

 

[disneymath]

This was us exactly. we ordered the tickets online. We took the train to DLP. It was so easy. And yes, both parks are definitely doable in one day. Paris is a beautiful place, I wouldnt waste two days in DLP to be honest.

I liked Big Thunder Mountain. Its way better than the one here. HM was good but not as good as WDW to be honest. IMO of course! Crush's Coaster or whatever its called, is fun but it made me nauseous. (im sensitive to those things).

Thanks for sharing your experience.

I've been to Paris twice (high school excursions), my sister and mom were with me the first time. To be honest, while there things we enjoyed in / near Paris (taking the Eiffel Tour stairs, Versailles, the Louvre) the city itself did not leave that great of an impression on us. Since the train is so easy, I can see us maybe taking a day (afternoon) to show the boys the Eiffel Tower or something, but really it would be about spending time at DLP.

 

[wendyt_ca]

We went in Sept 2012. We stayed in Paris for 3 nights and then took the train out to DLP for 2 nights. We used our DVC and Stayed right at the Disneyland Resort at the entrance which we really liked and it was very convenient for breaks. We bought our park tickets right off the DLP website.

We really enjoyed the parks. The one difference I noted compared to the US parks that I did not like is there are people smoking everywhere not just in smoking areas.

There were quite a few different rides as well in both parks. And some rides like others have mentioned are different (especially Space Mountain). The dragon under the castle is neat too. And their night time show was amazing!

The one issue we had with the train out which we didn't know is that it showed it going to our stop and then suddenly half way there started going back...we didn't know this until we asked someone because the announcement was in french...apparently it happens all the time.

 

[disneymath]

The one issue we had with the train out which we didn't know is that it showed it going to our stop and then suddenly half way there started going back...we didn't know this until we asked someone because the announcement was in french...apparently it happens all the time.

I'm a bit confused by this ... do you mean you missed your stop and didn't realize until you asked someone OR do you mean that the train never reached your stop and for some reason just started backtracking? I'm assuming you eventually got to where you needed to be, but was it a long delay or anything?

 

[sprmom]

I was in DLP in March and it was truly magical, I am pleased to answer any questions. We flew from Halifax to Mtl, then Paris. On the way home it was Paris, Toronto, Halifax through Air Canada Vacations. We stayed 10 days in France, Five at the Magic Circus Hotel. Definitely something A Disney Fan should do. We waited twenty years, but it was worth it.

 

[disneymath]

I was in DLP in March and it was truly magical, I am pleased to answer any questions. We flew from Halifax to Mtl, then Paris. On the way home it was Paris, Toronto, Halifax through Air Canada Vacations. We stayed 10 days in France, Five at the Magic Circus Hotel. Definitely something A Disney Fan should do. We waited twenty years, but it was worth it.

We will likely be flying Air Canada as well. Copenhagen via Toronto pre-cruise, then home from CDG (Paris) via Toronto.

How were your Air Canada flights?

Did you purchase trip insurance? If so, do you mind sharing with which company?

How was your stay at the Magic Circus Hotel? Pros? Cons? While we would love to stay onsite, with 8 of us it is definitely worth investigating our offsite options.

 

[sprmom]

We actually had great flights with Air Canada this time around. We have had some bad experiences, but not this time. Right on time and we even got an earlier connection. I booked with CAA and used my gold card so this had some trip insurance included. We didn't purchase any extra insurance. We enjoyed the Magic Circus. The location and shuttle service was efficient. We had a suite with bunk beds for our teens. The pool was nice and the breakfast was outstanding. It was included in our rate package. We are not hard to please for food, but having a breakfast with juice, fruit, breads, hot items meant we didn't need much lunch in the parks. All in all we loved this part of our trip. As with any trip, remember to pack patience

 

[disneymath]

We actually had great flights with Air Canada this time around. We have had some bad experiences, but not this time. Right on time and we even got an earlier connection. I booked with CAA and used my gold card so this had some trip insurance included. We didn't purchase any extra insurance. We enjoyed the Magic Circus. The location and shuttle service was efficient. We had a suite with bunk beds for our teens. The pool was nice and the breakfast was outstanding. It was included in our rate package. We are not hard to please for food, but having a breakfast with juice, fruit, breads, hot items meant we didn't need much lunch in the parks. All in all we loved this part of our trip. As with any trip, remember to pack patience

Since my parents and sister/brother-in-law (who I'm travelling with) are CAA members, booking through them is another option to consider.

Breakfast included is a definite plus for us ... probably why we tend to stay at Hampton Inns, Residence Inns and the like when we travel in Canada and the US and the only reason we order groceries on our DVC stays at Disney.

We've been travelling with my nephews (currently 7 and twin 5 year olds) since the oldest was 6 months ... I totally understand your advice to pack patience! (In all honesty though, they are very good travellers.)